How to Germinate any Seed – Growing Seed Requirements

A seed is an embryo plant and contains virtually all the materials and energy to start off a new plant. To get the most from one’s seeds it is needful to understand a little about their needs so that just the right conditions can be given for successful growth. One of the most usual causes of failures with seed is […]

Twining and Vining

I started thinking about vines when I found a turn-of-the-last-century photograph of my house and noticed that a vine used to climb up the pillar to the right of the front door. At the time, the large front porch, so beloved of realtors, was almost completely obscured by a curtain of vines. They must have been trained on wires to […]

Gardening Facts on Crocosmia and Sword Lilies

Sometimes a garden needs a bit of intensity. For several years my front borders have been full of soothing pastels, with peaches and pale yellows predominating, accented with lots of white. The result is pleasing, but nothing reinvigorates like a bit of change, so last year I decided to add some gold nasturtiums to the mix. They proved to be […]

Helpful Lighting Hints for Better Growing Results

Light Intensities: A. For germinating seeds and rooting cuttings: Ten lamp watts per square foot of growing area. The light source should be 6″ to 8″ above the soil or planting media. Recent studies indicate that a high germination percentage is obtained if seeds are exposed rather than being lightly covered. Another system that may be used is to cover […]

10 Home Garden Ideas That You Should Try

The allure of a flourishing home garden is undeniable, offering a sanctuary of natural beauty and tranquility just outside your doorstep. Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a small balcony, there are countless creative ways to transform your outdoor space into a thriving garden haven. If you’re looking for ideas to give your garden some makeover, take your cue […]

Bee-Friendly Plants for Your Landscaping

Reports show that the population of bees has continued to fall, putting food security at risk as they play a crucial role in pollination. The fast population decline can be attributed to the continued use of agricultural chemicals, climate change, and other factors such as urban development. When landscaping or setting up your garden, don’t only think about how good […]

Growing and Collecting Cacti

The growing and collecting of cacti has been a popular hobby in this country for many years. Their varied shapes and colors together with the colored spines make them fascinating and their spectacular flowers are an added interest for the grower. Some of the larger types may not flower in this country owing to the lack of intense sunshine, but […]

Growers Guide for Geum Plants

A genus of hardy herbaceous perennials, some of which are useful border plants, the dwarf species are good rock garden plants. Several are natives of the British Isles but those valued for gardens are from Europe, South America, and the Near East. From the Greek geno, to impart an agreeable flavor, referring to the aromatic roots of some species (Rosaceae). […]

Planting plants in pots

There are several important stages in the cultivation of a plant and one of these is the planting of plants in pots. This is known as potting. The move is dictated by the vigor of the plant, especially in its root system. Once it outgrows its original soil area in a pot it is necessary to provide more room for […]

Growers Guide for Cassia Shrub

Mostly evergreen shrubs, chiefly from tropical America, belonging to the Pea family, Leguminosae. They grow from 6-50 ft. in height, have pinnate, dark green, glossy leaves, and bear golden-yellow flowers in terminal clusters in summer. Cassia is from the original Greek name Kasia. Most Cassias are hardy outdoors in the far South only. There they grow freely in light, well-drained […]

Oxypetalum caeruleum – A Good Blue Tender Perennial

Oxypetalum caeruleum is a South American member of the Milkweed Family which deserves to be better known. A reference to it in an English gardening magazine aroused my interest, and in the summer I sowed a packet of seeds in a flat. They germinated well, and in the autumn the little plants were potted up, and placed in the greenhouse […]