Growing Tips for Fern

 

Where I reside part of our property is dense woods with fern growing wild underneath the trees. My husband and I transplanted a few fern plants to grow in our yard and gardens.

The first season I grew the fern with my Hosta plants, the second season I transplanted the fern to grow as a border plant along a shaded walkway and also planted them in a garden bed under fir tree.

Fern is easy to grow outdoors and indoors.  As long as the fern is planted in rich well drained soil and they are watered to keep the top five inches of soil evenly moist the fern plant will flourish.

Providing the right light is kind of tricky.  Most people think fern like shade.  But I have found they do best with some shade and indirect light.  You need to avoid direct sunlight for long period of time.  My fern gets morning sun followed by partial shade.

 

I do mist my fern in the morning as this plant does like humidity.  So, if you plan to grow them indoors, I find that bathroom, laundry rooms and kitchens are ideal growing areas.  For growing fern outdoors plant them in locations that offer production from direct sun.  Ideally under trees or shrubs.

 Ferns are really easy to grow as long as they are planted in areas that agree with them, they have the right soil and water so that they soil does not dry out. 

I have fertilized in the spring will a slow-release fertilizer to produce more runners, but its not necessary.

 Maintain your fern by removing dead leaves and keep the garden bed weed free.  My yard and garden is large and other than dividing and replanting in the spring to other areas I have never cut the fern back in the fall.

 Know that if you are growing your fern indoors in a container and see that the roots are growing out of the drainage holes that this is a sign that you need to repot your fern into a larger pot.   Shop for a pot that is three inches larger or a pot with amble space for your fern to grow.  I always clean my pots with antibacterial dawn dish soap and let it dry before filling with rich potting soil for repotting of the fern plant.  Water  well and place in a room in your home that has indirect light and humidity.

Other information about ferns.

It’s a good idea to grow ferns indoors because ferns can help clean the air by absorbing airborne pollutants and increasing humidity.

Removing Weeds From Flower Garden

Today I worked in the yard and garden by pulling the crabgrass and chickweed from the backyard irises I had weeded the bed in the fall but suspect that the leaves that had fallen onto the garden over the winter caused the weeds to grow in the spring.  

Due to the rainy weather, the weeds grew thickly and my husband would like to use a chemical on the crabgrass and chickweed but I do not recommend using a chemical weed killer or a natural weed killer like Vinegar, salt, and dawn dish soap in the yard or the gardens. It is best to keep those products away from your flower beds. Even if they have a safety cap to spray only the weed, the liquid seeps into the soil and can kill your flowers from the roots.

Know that at first I was overwhelmed because our flower garden is quite large. But made up my mind to remove the weeds by hand-pulling them.

The best way to hand-pull weeds is to do the following. For weeds with a shallow root, you can hold the plant by the stem that is closest to the soil and pulls up the weed gently.  Then for the crabgrass with the deep roots and the trailing grasses, you will need to use more care in removing it. The best way is to loosen the soil around the crabgrass. Then with a small hoe or hand-held shovel, you will dig the grass out a little to loosen it then grasp the stem close to the soil and pull out. Try to get the roots because crabgrass will grow back

It took me three and a half hours to complete the backyard irises. Then my husband and I stood at the front of the garden and admired the clean weed-free appearance.

Gardening Is a Natural Cure for SAD

Gardening is good for you because it makes you feel good. Weed a garden bed and your stress will go away. Plant a container garden and you will feel calmer and happier.

It's been a long winter and we have been indoors a lot. We keep ourselves busy when we are home by planning our spring and summer gardens but it is not the same as being outdoors with our hands in the dirt. 

My husband was feeling SAD last week and I suspected it was due to another snowstorm and too much time spent indoors.  So to put a stop to my husband feeling sad  I grabbed pots and soil from the shed and we planted seeds for an indoor garden. In no time we were talking and laughing and our entire mood had improved. This is why I say that Gardening is a natural cure for SAD.

For me, a day in the garden is a natural way to eliminate any anxiety or feelings of sadness.

Working with your hands in the dirt is the best natural antidepressant. There have been studies done on how dirt affects people. Did you ever notice that gardeners overall are happy and calm? The findings in the study showed that the bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae is found in dirt and it will mirror an antidepressant.  I guess dirt is a natural form of Prozac.

If you are having an off day, feeling sad or just in a mood then maybe you should plan to spend the day in the garden. If you do not have a backyard then you can shop for a container and potting soil so that you can plant and grow a flower, herb, or vegetable garden.

Stella de Oro Daylilies Add Beauty to Garden

A few years ago my neighbor had put two containers of Stella de Oro daylilies at the curb, they were near death and I did not think they would survive but took them anyway. I submerged the container of extremely dry dirt in tepid sink water. This allowed the container to take in the water and the soil became evenly moist. I removed the container plant and drained the sink before setting the container in the sink to drain.

When all the water had drained I set two lilies close to a plant to grow light, since they had been in a dark garage for several days. I knew that they needed light.  Well, I rescued the Stella de Oro's in time because both survived.  They were transplanted into my garden and today they bloomed. The repeat large gold star flower blooms are beautiful.

Plant taxonomy classifies Stella de Oro daylilies under the daylily genus, Hemerocallis, which derives from the Greek, hemera, "day," plus kallos, "beauty”

Grow Catnip and Felines will Come

Growing catnip in your yard is not difficult but finding the required growing location is a must. You do not want to grow catnip close to your outdoor space because neighborhood felines will come to your yard and you would want them in the back section away from human traffic, especially if they are stray or feral cats.

I have 10 catnip plants growing in my back wildflower garden. I grew these plants from seeds that I planted in ¼ inch soil then covered with a light layer of mulch so the rain would not wash them away. The seeds grew into seedlings and then plants and as soon as the stem was 4 inches in height the cats started to arrive.

I did have to protect the young plants so I covered them with a metal hanging basket.  The basket came with a coconut fiber liner that I removed. What was left was a metal dome with open work. I set the dome-shaped metal container over my catnip plants to protect them from the cats.

The metal dome protects the catnip roots and leaves grown through the openwork.

The metal dome (bottom part of the hanging basket) is a great way to protect seedlings from foot traffic because the roots are protected.

So if you love cats, and enjoy watching them then grow catnip in your garden and felines will come.

The photographs that you view in this blog post are my original photographs of neighborhood cats visiting my catnip garden.

Learn more about gardening here

Caring for Newly Transplanted Flower – Garden Tips

Many people shop for flowers at the garden center.  They will buy nursery-grown plants for their gardens.  The flowers will be planted in an area that agrees with their requirements.  Then the gardener will care for the flower, making sure it grows to be a healthy plant.  

Yesterday my neighbor spent a lot of money on a variety of flowers, I told her how to plant them, and when she finished she said, does nature take its course?  She did not realize that she had to take care of her transplanted flower.

For the next 28 days, the newly transplanted flower will need to be watched, and all new plants need care.  Here are a few garden tips that I recommend for all transplanted flower. 

Encircle the plant with mulch. Do not add mulch all the way to the plant stem as this will prevent the plant from getting water and other nutrients. Mulch is a good way to control weed growth and also keep the roots cool in summer. The mulch will also help to retain moisture and protect the new garden flower from suffering from dry soil.

Feed your newly planted flowers with water-based fertilizer like Miracle-Gro liquafeed bloom booster flower food once every 10 days throughout the blooming season.

Water your newly planted flower daily with a soaker hose in the morning or before the heat of the day. This hose will wet the soil and not the plant leaves. It is best to keep the soil evenly moist but not wet. Do not let the soil dry out.

Spot-check the flowerbed for weeds and remove them when you see them.  Watch the flower garden for pests. 

***Do not let the flower garden dry out throughout the growing season. Set the soaker hose on a timer and water in the morning.***

Cover Ground with Evergreen Vines

For yards that have a woodland setting or area where nothing else will grow, then I would recommend covering the ground with evergreen vines. When the vines grow in the erosion will be controlled, the area will look eye appealing and your husband will no longer have to cut back the brush or mow the lawn. All of your landscape problems will be solved.

My garden photo of spring blooming vinca minor vine

Baltic Ivy grew on the rock wall 

Evergreen vines that are grown as ground cover

Vines are good for large areas where you plant and forget them. When they grow in you can use a grass trimmer to manicure them. This is a good way to keep the vines controlled. Vines are a low-maintenance plant. 

My side yard backs up the woods and I have planted periwinkle a common name for Vinca Minor along my garden path. This vine filled in quickly and I like it because it is evergreen and has a pretty purple flower in the spring.

Another vine that I like is Baltic ivy. Baltic is evergreen and does grow in quickly. Of course, it will also grow up trees and choke out weeds. The periwinkle is less invasive, in fact, I grow daffodils and other spring bulbs among the periwinkle vines.


Here is a video that will tell you more about vinca minor.

How to Start a Wildflower Garden

There’s a wildflower garden on the south side of my home where switchgrass and wildflowers grow freely. It’s a quiet space, tucked away from the rest of the garden, and every spring I add red clover and zinnias to the mix. By late summer, the flowers bloom in waves of color, and the wildlife bees, butterflies, birds arrive like clockwork. This garden isn’t just beautiful. It’s a source of food, shelter, and peace.

I love this wildflower garden, but I’ve been dreaming of adding a rock wall and a garden gate. Something that creates a sense of privacy, like a sanctuary for animals and people alike. A place to rest, reflect, and feel held by nature.

the is garden was grown by Susang6

How to Start a Wildflower Garden

Growing wildflowers isn’t difficult, but it does require intention. Start by choosing the right location most wildflowers need full to part sun and well-drained soil. Turn the soil with a shovel or tiller, and amend it if needed. I always mix in compost to enrich the soil with nutrients.

Before buying seeds, read the growing requirements. That way, you’ll know exactly which part of your yard suits your chosen flowers. I recommend buying wildflower seeds in bulk and selecting varieties that thrive in your growing zone.

My favorite wildflowers grown with bee balm 

 

Planting Tips for Success

• Spring is best. The seasonal rains help seedlings establish strong roots.
• Water wisely. Keep the soil evenly moist, but not wet.
• Use straw. A thin layer helps retain moisture and protect young plants.
• Create a path. I use a grass trimmer to cut the area low, then lay down weed control fabric topped with mulch or gravel.

 

Susang6 wildflower garden

Details from My Wildflower Garden

• Coneflowers and daisies bloom in waves see the photo of my garden.
• Transplants are growing nicely, especially along the path.
• The garden path was created with a simple grass trimmer, and it works beautifully.

Gardening in November

The fall season has been unseasonably warm and many of my flowers, zinnias, chrysanthemums, and black-eyed Susans are still blooming. I am thankful that the weather is mild as I enjoy gardening in November.

Here are photographs of late-blooming flowers in autumn gardens.

My neighbor today visited me in the gardens and could not believe that my flowers had many blooms and buds. He told me that he cut back all of his flowers the first week of September because he thought it would be a cold season.

Know that most people stop tending to their gardens in September but I am not one of those people. If the weather is warm then I continue to tend to my flower and tomato gardens. This year I planted tomatoes in self-watering containers and thought instead of cutting them back I would move them to the mini walk-in greenhouse. If the weather should turn cold the greenhouse will protect the plants from frost and I may be able to harvest cherry tomatoes in January.

When I looked at the weather for my area I saw that it is not supposed to get cold until January so I will continue to tend to the flowers that are blooming in the garden. After a hard frost, I will gather seeds for next year and cut the flowers back to the soil then cover them with a layer of mulch.

By extending my growing season into November I was able to make fresh herb wreaths with cut zinnia and mum flowers for my home's décor. On Thanksgiving, I will cut flowers for bouquets for my elderly neighbors.

Know that I reseeded my zinnia gardens in August for late summer blooms and also deadheaded the chrysanthemums and fertilized them with bloom booster by miracle-gro. This is why I have so many flowers blooming in November.

Growing Tips for Amaryllis Belladonna Lily

When I moved to the Midwest region of the United States, there was a beautiful pink lily that bloomed at the end of summer. My neighbors told me that the flower was commonly called “naked ladies”. The common name seemed odd because this pink flower was glorious. I searched for it online and learned that the flower growing wild in my yard was the Amaryllis Belladonna lily.

Here is a postcard that I made from a photograph I took of Belladonna lily in bloom. You can see that this is a beautiful flower that will brighten your garden.

Pink Belladonna Lily Bloom Postcard by Sgolis  

I have transplanted this lily and found that it is easy to grow outdoors and indoors during the winter months.

There are several ways to grow the Amaryllis; in the winter as a houseplant and then transplant it to your outdoor garden in the spring after the threat of spring frost has passed. Or you can buy the bulbs and plant them in outdoor containers or in your gardens.

Growing Tips

1. Select an area in your garden that has full sun to shade in the heat of the day.
2. Plant naked ladies in soil that has been amended with compost.
3. The garden site needs to be well-drained
4. When fully grown the naked ladies' flowers are 24 to 36 in height, it is best to plant them in an area where they will not be overcrowded. Space the lily bulbs one foot apart.
5. Plant the bulb so the top is even with the soil surface.
6. Water well when planting is completed

Here is a photograph of Belladonna lilies growing in my side yard.

The fragrant pink rose flowers will bloom from tall naked stems (no leaves) in late summer to early autumn. The lilies are hardy to 28F.  Note I have grown these flowers for many years.  Where I reside it is not uncommon for the temperatures to dip below zero in the winter months.  This is why  I protect my lilies with 3 to 4 inches of mulch in late fall.

In my experience, the lilies that are planted with a wind block, in an area that has morning sun/ afternoon part shade in the peak heat of the day and is not watered daily seem to have vibrant blooms and long-lived flowers.

Other Growing Tips

Choose your planting site well and then do not disturb the naked ladies. If you transplant them it will take a few years for the plant to produce blooms.

Grow in full sun, for zone 7 to 11 and height is 28-35 inches / Common name is Belladonna lily, Cape belladonna, Naked ladies

Another Day of Rain: Yard Cleanup will Take a Week

The weather forecast called for sun today and I cleared my schedule so I could go outdoors and start pulling the weeds from my garden beds.  The entire yard is saturated with rain water and there are standing puddles and mud everywhere.  When I look at my yard I do get overwhelmed because clean up will take at least a week.

Rain Rain go away, come again some other day

Rain has made the gross grow FAST.  Need to mow the lawn

Need at least a week to manicure the lawn and gardens.  Too much rain made weeds grow FAST

The only thing I accomplished today was pulling out my rotted vegetables from the organic raised garden bed.  Too much rain, flash flooding and when the soil is saturated with water the veggies will not grow.   To do this garden task really  made me sick because we grow our own food.

I started to clean up the garden mess when the dark clouds rolled in, then heard the lightening in the distance and knew it would be another day of rain.  Hoping that tomorrow will bring sunshine and that I can work in the yard and gardens for several hours.

Before I go, I wanted to share with you all a new organic weed killer that I picked up to kill the weeds between my stepping stones.  The product name is Avenger weed killer and it is available in concentrate or ready to use.

I prefer the ready to use 1 gallon size.  This formula in non toxic and is safe to use around your flowers.   Know that if you plan on killing weeds do not use this product on a cloudy day or when the ground is wet.  For best results use this weed killer on a hot and sunny day.  The heat from the sun will activate the formula and the weeds will turn brown in a couple of hours.

Avenger weed killer does work and it is great for controlling weed growth between sidewalk, garden path and where hand-pull is not easy.  You can find and buy this non toxic product at most home and garden centers including Lowes.com  Homedepot.com  and Walmart.com

Small or Large Garden? How to Choose the Right Size

Whether you dream of a small patio garden or a large backyard garden, every garden begins with intention. I’ve tended spaces of all sizes over the years, and each one reflects the heart of the person who cares for it. From container gardens arranged with love to the estate grounds I once oversaw, every garden has something to teach us about space, creativity, and what truly matters.

Today I had a conversation with a woman who told me about her own garden. She described how she planned her layout so the colors would flow, how she mixed vegetables, herbs, and flowers, and how she hoped to expand it this year. When I asked if she had any photos, she smiled and pulled out her phone.

To my surprise, her entire garden lived in a 6‑by‑9‑foot patio space.

Her photos showed a beautiful small container garden, thoughtfully arranged and full of life. She had used every inch wisely. It reminded me that anyone can have a garden as long as they have sunlight and the desire to grow something.

I complimented her work, and then she asked about mine.
“You always talk about your garden,” she said. “Do you really have one?”

I told her yes  but mine isn’t a container garden. My gardens stretch 157 by 57 feet, and they’ve taken years to build. They’re what most people would call a large garden. And yet, I’ve also worked as an private residence gardener, tending a property two times the size of my own. Those were feature gardens that had to be perfect every single day.

That experience taught me something important:
choosing the right garden size isn’t about how much space you have  it’s about how you want to care for it.
Gardening isn’t about size. It’s about intention, joy, and the simple pleasure of watching something grow.

People love to garden, whether they have a few pots on a patio or a sweeping landscape. The value is the same. Gardening is good for the soul, and everyone benefits from planting something anything that brings them joy.

I grow plants in the ground and in containers because containers add interest and texture to a garden. I find them at yard sales, big‑box stores, and online shops. A good container can turn a simple plant into a focal point and make even a small garden feel layered and inviting.

Here are some photographs from my garden.
I hope they inspire you to plant something of your own no matter the size of your space.

 Wildflower and ornamental grass garden

Garden pavestone path 

Butterfly garden

Hosta Garden

Circular hosta garden in front yard 

Hosta garden by the privacy fence

Lily garden path

Sensory Garden

Dog Kennel Garden

Backyard ornamental grass and wildflower garden

Black-eyed Susans along garden path