If you enjoy working in your yard and garden then you have come to the right place.I share with you tips on growing flowers and herbs, designing specialty gardens, and ideas on ways to improve your curb appeal, Also product reviews and recommendations.
When it comes to choosing shrubs for my yard, I will shop for flowing or fruit-bearing. One of my favorite flowering shrubs is the Chaenomeles japonica, Quince. This early spring bloomer has such pretty fragrant flowers, thorny stems, and small edible fruits in the fall My neighbor makes jam from the fruit from the Quince but I leave the fruit on the shrub for the wildlife.
Pretty Pink Quince
I grow this shrub on the south side of my yard where there is full sun. The soil is well-drained and the combination of sun and soil agrees with the quince.
Small yellow apple-shaped fruit appears in fall
If you are in need of some privacy then grow this shrub in masses and it will provide you with a beautiful living fence that is four feet in height and four feet wide when fully grown. Plus the thorns on the branches are an effective way to keep intruders out. Know that not all Quinces have thorns. There are some that are thornless and do not bear fruit.
Stunning red Quince
Care for the shrub by pruning the quince after it blooms to keep it looking manicured. It is a fabulous shrub because once it is established it does not need to be watered daily. However, I do water it once a week when the weather is extremely hot.
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This flowering shrub comes in a variety of flower colors; red, pink, orange, and white. I grow pink and my neighbor has red. Whatever the color this shrub is a must-have for growing zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
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
Select an area in your garden that has full sun to shade in the heat of the day.
Plant naked ladies in soil that has been amended with compost.
The garden site needs to be well-drained
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.
Plant the bulb so the top is even with the soil surface.
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
If you love watching monarch butterflies and other butterfly species then plan to grow non-GMO milkweed seeds in your garden, field, or other open space. Milkweed plants (Asclepias) are the plants that attract Monarch butterflies, other butterflies, and hummingbirds because of the nectar source. This plant is also attractive to Monarch butterflies for egg-laying.
Butterfly white tree nymph and the milkweed plant
If you plan on growing milkweed this season then I would recommend that you start your seeds indoors. Milkweed needs a (cold season) This is an important step as the cold temperature is needed for seeds to germinate. So before you plant your seeds you would dampen a paper towel, set the seeds on the towel, and put the towel in a ziplock plastic bag. Set the bag with seeds onto a baking sheet or other flat surface and put it in your refrigerator for 30 days. Remove the milkweed seeds after 30 days and plant your seeds in starter kits or in the ground. If the weather is not hot, then plant outdoors, but if your temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit then milkweed will not germinate outdoors I would recommend growing them indoors in a container, then transplanting them outdoors. Know that it is recommended to plant milkweed seeds in the fall for the following spring season.
Herbaria makes a face serum that is made from lavender and bergamot essential oils. This biotherapy treatment for your face makes your skin feel soft, smooth, and ageless. Know that I grow herbs that could be used for essential oils but prefer to buy this organic herbal face treatment at herbariasoap.com
The products that herbaria use are pure, natural, and highest quality. Know that I have been a long-time customer, since 2006. I was one of the customers that bought a variety of herbal soaps and DEET-free citronella mist for insect repellent when they were making the products in their home's basement. Love all their products but was happy that they came out with an anti-aging herbal face serum.
I bought the face herbal serum and within a month of using the treatment twice a day, I can see and feel the difference in my skin.
This serum works so well that I stopped wearing makeup. This herbal blended serum has restored elasticity and rejuvenated my complexion. I love the skin the that I am in because my face has a youthful glow.
Since using this face serum my friends and family ask me “what are you using on your face” or they say “your skin looks great, care to share your secret?”
My secret is simple; 8 hours of sleep, 8 glasses of purified water, and Herbaria herbal face serum.
How to apply herbal serum:
In order to get firmer, smoother, and younger-looking skin. you need to apply only a few drops daily. What I do is wet my face with tepid water. Then I add 2 to 3 drops of the essential herbal oils to the palm of my hand. Rub my hands together before adding to my face. Then wait a few minutes for the oils to absorb into your skin before applying makeup. I treat my face in the morning and at night.
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All products used in this serum are organic, which is very appealing. Ingredients are as follows; essential oil of lavender, essential oil of bergamot, organic rosehip oil, hemp seed oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, Vitamin E, and organic sunflower seed oil.
The fragrance of this oil is delightful, and the results of the one-month treatment are fantastic. Know that I recommend this herbal face treatment to anyone who desires natural moisturizer and youthful-looking skin.
Learn how to make essential oils from cuttings from your flower and herb garden by viewing this video. You can make them in your kitchen, easy to do.
Our home is located directly next to 29 acres of woods, with a creek in the valley. This land connects to a state park and it is an ideal habitat for a variety of animals. We enjoy watching the wildlife but when the coyote came into our yard it was too close for comfort. This article will tell you what we did to stop the coyote from coming into our yard.
When coyotes come into your yard it is best to scare them off. In general, coyotes are fearful of humans. Normally if you wave your arms in the air, and scream at them they will run away.
We have lived in this house for 15 years and this is the first time coyotes came into our yard so we needed to determine the attraction.
Coyotes' diet consists of small animals, insects, berries, and vegetables. I grow blueberries, Nanking cherries, and vegetables. Since these plants are grown in outdoor gardens husband decided that we needed to install a repellent to keep the coyotes out of our yard.
We bought a motion-activated water repellent; the Scarecrow animal repellent by Contech at amazon.com Installation was easy; insert it into the ground and attach it to your garden hose. This motion-activated animal repellent protects up to 1200 square feet and is effective at repelling not only coyotes but also stray dogs, deer, cats, raccoons, squirrels, and rabbits.
If the coyote comes into our yard and crosses the motion sensor then the scarecrow's noise will startle the animal and the water burst will come in contact with the coyote, and the animal will feel a sting. The noise and sting of the water will scare the coyote. They will exit the yard because they will be caught off guard. The animal will try a few times to get past the scarecrow but eventually learns that they are not welcome.
Making yard unattractive to wildlife
The following day husband and I decided to clean up our yard. The dog's food had spilled out of his bowl and was lying on the ground. To remedy this food source, we decided to feed the dog in the garage. The husband bought trash cans with locking lids at Lowes.com to prevent coyotes from getting into the trash.
We also cleared away many of the plants that were growing thickly, this created an area that provided no hiding spots. A manicured yard is not a comfortable yard for wildlife.
*** If you reside in a city I would recommend contacting animal control and asking them to set up a live animal trap in your yard to remove the coyote and relocate it outside of the city. Trapping in my situation is not the answer since there are many coyotes in the woods. Repellents and deterrents are best in my circumstance.
Today my neighbor came down to talk to me about the mole animals in his yard. He had one that had dug a hole up by his oak tree and did not like the mound of dirt. He also did not like his kids playing around the mole and was concerned for their safety. He asked me how to get rid of the moles in his yard.
You may not know a whole lot about moles, but I know a thing or two. They are burrowing small mammal that lives underground. This small animal has nice soft-looking fur with powerful-looking front paws with claws that are meant to dig. Moles are not blind but they do have poor eyesight. The mole eats grubs, beetles, slugs, and earthworms and they will eat plant tubers and roots that have become water logged or infested with insects. I have never ever heard of a mole chasing and biting a child. These animals spend their entire life underground. Occasionally you will get a photo of them, as they rarely leave their den.
I use organic repellent if I have more than one or two in my yard. I will remove their mound of dirt and work it back into my yard and garden, this makes my yard look better. For me, these little animals are an organic way to get rid of insects that are not desirable, such as grubs, slugs, and beetles.
My neighbor had been told to spray his yard with chemicals to get rid of the moles and every living insect. Not to mention this chemical would be harmful to pets and kids. He was also told to put rubber pellets in the ground that were about the size of a grub and this would be the best way to get rid of the mole permanently.
There is no reason to end the life of the moles in your yard when you can get rid of them without harming them. There are organic repellents that will get rid of the moles and they won’t come back.
One way is to buy a Concentrated Garlic Barrier and spray your entire lawn and spray into the mole tunnel. Why? Moles find the garlic vapors to be repulsive, and they will leave.
Another safe and effective way to get rid of moles is to Buy Plant Por-Tech Gopher and Mole repellents I found this product at Amazon.com and it works well. You put the slow-release garlic stake in the tunnel and it will continue to release the garlic vapor for 12 months. This is an easy repellent that gets rid of moles and other burrowing pests.
Now my husband prefers to treat the lawn with home make mole repellent. He uses a mixture of dawn dish soap, caster oil, and water that is mixed in a lawn sprayer bottle. Before he saturates our lawn with this formula he will backfill the dirt into the mole tunnels then he leaves a puddle of the caster oil, dawn, and water in the area of the hole. When the solution seeps into the tunnel the moles will leave.
This treatment which consists of 4 ounces of caster oil, 1 tablespoon of dawn dish soap, and water that is mixed well prior to applying needs to be repeated monthly to repel any new moles that want to burrow in your yard.
I recommend natural mole repellents because they are organic and safe to use around pets and kids.
Buy Mole Repellents at Amazon.com
12-Month Garlic Slow Release Stakes to Safely Get Rid of Moles
Concentrated Garlic Lawn Spray for Pests Control and Mole Repellent
One
man's trash is a treasure to me. My neighbor set them at the curb concrete
capstone, 6 slabs, and my husband brought them home. We recycled the
capstone by adding the stones to our preexisting garden path. Thanks
to the capstone find I was able to extend the garden path and it
really makes the yard look nice
It
did not take long to extend our path with capstone. My husband and I worked on the path together as it was a DIY weekend yard
improvement project. View the photograph to see how we spaced the
path and then completed it with the cypress mulch. Note the stones
are not perfect, but we do not mind. The total cost for this project was under $10. as we got 3 cupric feet of mulch that were discounted at Walmart garden center.
A
few years ago I bought walkers low catmint online at Greenwood
Nursery. They shipped me very healthy potted plants, that had green
leaves and pretty flowers. These plants were added to my garden and
they bloomed throughout the summer season.
Photographs of the catnip plants I bought from Greenwood Nursery. This is how they looked on the day I received them. I definitely recommend this online nursery for your garden needs.
By
the second season, these six plants put out runners and filled in a
space of 4 x 4, forming a thick mat of green foliage and pretty
lavender-blue flowers. The flowers bloomed continually in May and
June, then I deadheaded the plants, fed them with miracle grow bloom
booster and the catmint bloomed again.
What
I like about this plant is that it is maintenance-free and pest
resistant and it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to my yard.
I
would recommend that you plant in full sun, although it will tolerate
some shade in the afternoon. My summers get very hot and where I
have planted the catmint there is part shade at the peak of the day
followed by the late afternoon sun. On average the plants get 6 hours of
sun daily. My garden soil is well-drained and I water this catmint
in the morning with a slow drip soaking hose for one hour. By
afternoon the soil is dry and I have found that the catmint can hold
up and is tolerant of dry soil conditions. Learn more about this beautiful perennial for your garden here
Talk
about an eyesore, the chain link fence needs to be camouflaged. If
you are like me and want to hide your ugly chain-link fence then do
so by growing a flowering vine.
A few years ago a garden friend of mine gave me some “Grandpa Ott” morning glory seeds. She told me that the morning glory would cover up my six-foot
chain link fence and that the long blooming flowers would attract
butterflies and hummingbirds.
I
really liked the garden tips for hiding the fence, with pretty
flowers that attracted hummingbirds. So I planted the seeds indoors
and then transplanted them outdoors after the threat of spring frost
had past.
What I like about this vine is the foliage; both
heart-shaped leaves and petunia-like flowers are attractive. Plus the
“Grandpa ott” flower is so pretty; dark purple with magenta pink
and yes the vine fills in quickly and does camouflage the ugly link
fence.
This vine looks beautiful when grown over a wooden privacy fence.
Tips:
Growing from seed is easy provided you
soak the seeds overnight before planting. Morning glory is a
vigorous vine that fills in quickly forming a dense mat. Flowers will
start to bloom in June and will continue to bloom in fall as long as
the weather is warm.
When
it comes to repelling plant-eating garden pests I
prefer to apply organic products rather than chemicals and
have been using diatomaceous earth in the soil but found I needed
something else for the leaf nibblers. So when the
girls at my garden club were talking about a hot pepper wax
spray that they used to repel animals and insects;deer, groundhogs, squirrels,
aphids, spider mites, leafhoppers, and other garden insects that ate
plants I took
notes.
The
organic pepper spray sounded great, but I wondered if the formula
would be too strong for some of my herb plants since the application
was to spray the entire plant including the soil in the garden. Sure
enough, I was told that some plants are sensitive to pepper spray
and that I should not treat the herbs peppermint, basil, lemon balm, or parsley. I am certain there are a few plants in my garden that
will be sensitive to this potent pepper spray so I plan to test the
plant by spraying a small amount on a leaf to see what happens,
before spraying the entire garden bed.
Know
that hot pepper wax should be spayed at dusk, this will allow the wax to
harden due to the cooler air. Wax would not coat the leaves if
sprayed on a sunny day. Make sure that you spray the entire plant,
that includes the front and backside of the leaves, the stem, bud, and
flower, The pepper spray will protect all plants that are treated in
the garden from pests, however, you must watch for new growth.
Anything new will be unprotected.
On
average the pepper spray lasts about two weeks. Know that when you
harvest your edible plants you must wash them with warm water to
remove the hot pepper wax. I had a deer take a bite of my lily
leaves, the pepper wax did not stop the deer, BUT the deer had a
coughing fit, then drank from my pond before leaving my yard. So you
bet the hot pepper wax spray works.
You can buy
hot pepper wax spray for animal and insect repellent at ebay.com (one-gallon concentrate)
When
it comes time to planting I always plan an area in my yard for annual
and perennial flowers that attract hummingbirds. Both my husband and
I enjoy watching these birds that come to feed off our flowers. Know
that the best way to attract hummingbirds to your yard is to provide them
with their dietary needs and a reliable water source. Then the
hummingbirds will visit your yard and gardens daily.
Photographs of hummingbirds in the flower garden
Hummingbirds
are particular about their flowers as they need flowers that are rich
in sugar content and will reject other plants. They will also look
for gardens that have insects as they need to nourish their bodies
with nutrients.
Decide
on the nectar-rich plants that you want to grow Buy a variety
of flowers that
will bloom throughout the summer months.
Here
are a few of my favorite flowers that attract hummingbirds.
Sweet Autumn Clematis, Thyme, , Verbena,
Yarrow, and
Zinnias.
You can buy an orange trumpet vine at ebay.com and attract hummingbirds to your yard.
Helpful
Tips
Keep
hummingbirds in your yard and garden by installing a bird bath or water fountain. Change out the water daily to make sure that it is fresh.
Do not use chlorinated water in the fountain, instead collect rainwater for your water fountain. You can also use filtered water.
Provide
the hummingbirds with an organic environment by refraining from
treating your yard and gardens with chemical-based insecticides as
these chemicals will poison the hummingbirds and kill off their
insect food source.
Chrysanthemums
come in a variety of flower shapes and colors. These flowers will
compliment your garden throughout the growing season when other
flowers have stopped blooming. They will continue to bloom until very
hard frost.
Normally
I start chrysanthemums indoors by growing them from seed and will
transplant them outdoors after the threat of spring frost has passed.
How
to Plant Chrysanthemum Potted Plant Outdoors
Get
the garden ready for planting chrysanthemums by removing the sod, and weeds. Break up the clumps of dirt so that the soil is a fine
texture. Then amend the soil with compost.
For a nursery-grown plant or seedlings dig a hole that is the same depth as
your nursery pot plus three inches.
Make
a small mound of soil in the center of the hole. This mound will
lift the mum up and will aid in proper drainage.
Set
the mum plant in the center of the hole on top of the mound and backfill the soil into the hole.
Firm
the soil around the mum stem. Water the newly planted mum.
Planting Flower Seed Outdoors
For
sowing seeds outdoors, you would make rows that are ¼ inch deep in
the soil then add two seeds for one plant, space 18 inches apart.
Cover the seeds and water so that the soil is evenly moist but not wet.
Helpful
Garden Tips:
Apply
organic mulch; pine needles, grass clippings or wood chips around the
mum. Mulch will aid in retaining moisture and deter weed growth.
Water
chrysanthemums in the morning; provide the plant with moisture up to
one inch per week.
Do
not allow the soil to dry out.
For
fall flowers you would pinch off the mum buds when they appear. Stop
pinching off buds in August. When you pinch the early buds off the
plant will grow fuller and the flowers will be stunning in the fall.
For
all summer blooms water monthly with bloom boost. Always pinch off
the spent flowers, this will encourage new buds.
Normally
I buy chrysanthemums in August to plant in container gardens for fall
color. These late-season flowers usually do not have time to
establish root because the winters may turn cold quickly. So a few
years back I decided to start Chrysanthemums in my greenhouse in
early spring. Then I transplanted the seedlings into my garden and
since they are perennials in my area I enjoy their lovely blooms all
summer long and well into the the fall season.
Growing
Chrysanthemums from seed is easy plus they are long-lived. You
benefit from this beautiful flower because the cut stems can be used
in floral arrangements, seasonal wreaths, and other fall season
decorations.
Here
are some tips for growing chrysanthemums from seed.
Plant
flower seeds in miracle-grow potting soil. Best to grow them indoors and then transplant them outdoors after the threat of spring frost has passed.
I
buy seed starter kits in March and will plant the flower seed. Since
I do not have a sunny window I bought a grow light at walmart.com The soil in the starter kits is kept moist but not wet. I never let
the soil dry out because it would cause the seedlings to be stressed.
Transplant
chrysanthemum seedlings in spring after the threat of frost has passed. Or when the weather is an average temperature of 70 degrees.
Choose
a sunny garden site with rich soil that is well-drained. Know that if
the soil is wet then the Chrysanthemum will weaken. This particular
flower is susceptible to powdery mildew so it is wise to plant in
full sun, in an area that has good airflow; away from walls, and not
too close to other plants.
Transplant the mum seedling into a garden bed that has soil that is amended with compost.
After planting the seedling, keep
the soil evenly moist but not wet until the plant roots become
established or new growth is noted. Then water in the morning with
drip irrigation because. It is best to not get the leaves wet. Why morning watering? It is before the heat of the day when the water evaporates and
at dusk, this watering will attract fungus and insects.
Keep
your plants healthy by checking them daily for powdery mildew. If
you note a white powdery substance on any part of your plant then
know this is a sign of fungus and it is best to treat your plants,
soil, and all plants that are in the same garden location
Make
a soap treatment for the powdery mildew, here is a list of ingredients.
1-cup baking soda
4
drops of unscented dishwashing liquid
2-quart
tepid water
Mix
all of these ingredients in your garden sprayer. Stir well to
make sure everything is blended. Then using a pump garden sprayer
treat the plant foliage for powdery mildew fungus. For an even spray
stand 8 to 10 inches away and spray the plant and soil.
Spray
all parts of the plant with solution. Treat all plants that are
susceptible to powdery mildew.
Continue
to watch foliage for powdery mildew. Repeat treatment as needed.
Another fungicide for your garden beds that are close to an area that is infected with powdery mildew or black spot is sulfur dust used as a garden spray treatment.
Mix
8 tablespoons of the sulfur dust with a gallon of water. Put water
and sulfur mixture in a gallon size yard and garden sprayer.
Then
in the morning before the heat of the day, spray your plants and the
soil in the garden, saturate the garden area with the sulfur formula, and
leave it set for 20 minutes. Then with your garden hose rinse away
the sulfur so that it does not harm your plants when the sun comes out.
If
interested in the sulfur dust treatment for powdery mildew you can buy
it a walmart.com Look for the brand Bonide sulfur dust fungicide.
Here is a video that will show you what powdery mildew looks like. Learn how to prevent by reading this article Ways to Prevent Powdery Mildew
Powdery
mildew is a fungus that will weaken and kill your plants. If left
untreated it will infect the entire garden. The best way to prevent this
powdery mildew is to understand the fungus and know what garden
conditions will put a stop to the fungus from attacking your plants.
There
are a few things that you can do to prevent powdery mildew. Know
that you must check all of your plants for this fungus, even the ones
you buy at garden centers.
Shop for and BUY healthy plants with green leaves and strong roots and stay away from the plants that are closeouts, not a
good idea to nurse them back to health, they may be diseased and make
your other plants in the garden sick.
Choose
your gardens carefully, if your plants require full sun then give
them what they need. All plants need airflow, so choose a garden bed
that is not next to a wall or privacy fences.
Refrain
from planting too close. Overcrowded gardens are attractive to
powdery mildew due to the lack of airflow.
Keep
gardens weeded. Watch for weed growth and pull out weeds when they
are visible.
Remove
all dead branches or leaves. Prune to keep plants healthy.
Water
plants at the soil line with drip irrigation. Avoid getting leaves wet.
Here is a video that will show you what powdery mildew looks like.
