Do It Yourself - Water Hose Blog

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.

The Small-But-Mighty Terrarium Is Easy To Create, Care For and Love.

Picture one basking in the sun on your windowsill. Or bringing a dollop of nature to your desktop. Or ranking as the most interesting object on your coffee table. The small-but-mighty terrarium is an enclosed garden, planted in a transparent container, usually featuring succulents, air plants or mini-cacti. But when it comes to creativity? Oh, the places you’ll go!

Every Gardener Gets the Blues. And the Pinks. And the Purples....  

If you’re ever asked which color hydrangea is your favorite, beware! It’s a trick question. The truth is, the beauty of this classic perennial – whether blue, pink, purple, lime green or pure white – cannot be denied. The hydrangea was first cultivated in Japan, but ancient fossils have been discovered in North America dating back 40 to 65 million years!

Are Your Plants Shivering In Chicago? Melting In Miami? You Need To Get In The Zone!

Like people, plants thrive when they are in a climate that suits them. Delicate orchids simply require a different growing environment than hearty holly bushes. So before a single seed is planted, you must be aware of which “hardiness zone” you live in.

Want to Feather Your Nest with Birdhouses? Here Are Some Cardinal Rules.

Click the TV off, put the phone down and grab a front row seat for the best show of the summer – your birdhouses. What can be sweeter or more calming than watching a feathered family as they feed, forage and fly? Here are some tips to help create the perfect dream home.

Whether It’s a Space for Spinach, or a Spot for Snapdragons, It’s Time to Prepare a Proper Garden Bed.

The power of definition can’t be denied. While a lush lawn is beautiful in its uninterrupted greenness, it often begs for an accent – a pop of plantings that command the eye. What a perfect way to sum up the appeal of the garden bed.