Do It Yourself - Water Hose Blog

Creating a Wreath Is Rich with Tradition, But The Door to Creativity Is Wide Open!

A holiday wreath at the entrance to your home symbolizes welcome, warmth and hospitality, so creating one instead of buying one seems fitting. Give a little thought to the color of your door, the architectural style of your home, and the proper size. Then grab your keys and head to the craft store. 

Creating a beautiful table is simple and affordable – and should be the first course of your holiday meal.

Everyone’s coming, from Aunt Bev to Uncle Pete to cousin Jay’s new girlfriend. You’ve been fussing over the menu for days, but the first “Wow!” should come when everyone enters the dining room. A stunning holiday table doesn’t have to be fancy, fussy or pricey. With a little planning, you can create a holiday table setting that’s worthy of your celebratory meal – and here are some ideas to make it happen.

“Seasoned” Gardeners Say “Yes” to All the Benefits of Cold Weather Planting

What a season it’s been. The buds became blossoms that bloomed – but this morning, there’s a chill in the air. While some see it as an end to the growing season, smart gardeners know this is the perfect time to start planting.

Take a walk through your garden center and you’ll hit “pay dirt,” as the prices on shrubs, plants, grasses and trees are drastically reduced! You can bring home a bounty of “rescues” for a fraction of what they cost in spring.

Give Your Blooms a Boom with Just a Snip

When a gorgeous blossom starts to fade, is it really the end? Absolutely not! The majority of garden flowers will be grateful for the second chance that deadheading gives them.

Whether large or small, cute or creepy, they see your garden as an open buffet!

They come out to dine as the sun sets, uncaring that the tomatoes you’ve nurtured are meant to be part of your dinner, not theirs. The battle between gardeners and critters is epic one. If you're wondering how to keep animals out of your garden, here are some tips to give you an edge.

A Bouquet of Homegrown Beauty Is The Gardener’s Sweetest Reward.

All the planting, pruning and pampering has led to your perennials in their full glory! So pat yourself on the back, grab some shears and reap what you have grown.

Some of the most popular cutting perennials include lilies, phlox, irises, peonies, aster – the list is boundless. Plant a few showstoppers, like peonies and calla lilies, that deliver dramatic impact as the centerpiece for even a small bouquet. The golden rule when it comes to selecting flowers to cut is, plant what you love.

Texture, Movement and Subtle Color - Savor the Triple Treat of Ornamental Grasses

It’s easy for flowers to steal the show. No gardener would argue the awesome appeal of their gorgeous colors and blossoms. But once you discover the feathery beauty of grasses? Well, there’s no turning back. These beautiful and interesting perennials seem weightless, in a beautiful dance with even the slightest breeze. And the good news is, they’re practically no-maintenance.

Attracting Them Is Easier Than You Think, So Pull Up a Lawn Chair and Enjoy

What a magical sight to see a tiny hovering hummingbird. Less than 3 inches long, these amazing-but-mighty birds seem more like big bugs. Weighing less than a nickel, their wings beat up to 80 times per second. The flapping creates an audible buzz, thus the “hum” in “hummingbird.” They can’t walk or even hop, yet can fly up to 30 mph. When the ruby-throated hummingbird migrates south twice a year, it makes the 500-mile flight non-stop!

If You Can’t Recall What, When and Where You Planted, Your Garden Journal Will!

Every gardener has thought it: “This beautiful plant is unforgettable. I’ll definitely remember everything about it.” Then the busy months pass, winter ends and the first shoots of green begin to shoot. You sort through your basket of plant tags, and the only thing growing is confusion.