Do It Yourself - Water Hose Blog

“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.

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.

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!

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.

You Protect Your Petunias and Dote On Your Daisies – But Real Garden TLC Begins Indoors.

It’s a beautiful summer weekend. The hedges need a trim, the lawn needs a mow and there’s pruning to be done. It’s time to put your gardening gear on – but first, this refresher course on “must-haves,” for serious gardeners and yard putterers alike.

If Plant Insects Are Driving You Buggy, Squash the Problem with Simple, Safe, Smart Solutions.