Getting Creative with Mums
I may get called an “experienced gardener” but I’m no plant snob and I actually prefer the more common plants. They’re usually cheaper and easier, and I like trying to use them in unique ways. Plus, if they’re annuals,…
How to Reduce Deer Damage over the Winter
I first wrote this article in 2011, and am updating it to reflect the fact that the deer in my neighborhood have gone from the occasional majestic loner to large family groups, visiting my garden for tasty snacks, without even…
What ARE Annuals?
In the horticultural world there are three major groupings of plants intended for planting outdoors: annuals, perennials and woody plants. The differences blur a little bit because horticulturists are a more relaxed group of people than botanists, who tend to…
Pansies are Tough!
You’ve probably heard of “zone denial” – planting things that are marginally winter hardy in an area and hoping they make it through, by mulching, planting against a south facing wall, praying, and so on. Some years they do, some…
Beautiful Hanging Baskets All Summer Long
Annual flowers provide the most color for your garden from spring to fall and unlike Perennials; annuals have a longer blooming period. Here are some secrets for keeping your baskets beautiful all summer long. 1) When selecting your basket, check…
Plants that scoff at the chance of frost
Last week’s night-time temperatures in the low 30s had the Potomac store staff scrambling to tuck in our tender young plants under their blankies! We’re not out of the cold weather woods yet, either; our frost-free safety date here in…
Meet Marian Parsley, Annuals Buyer and Manager
April 2021 UPDATE On What Marian is doing now. Marian Parsley has moved on to a new type of business still in the industry. She works for Ambius, which provides beautiful indoor and outdoor landscapes for businesses, malls, etc. They…
Summer Tune Up
By mid-summer, much of your garden is feeling a little dragged out. Hot days and warm nights are tough on plants as well as people. A little pruning back can be just the ticket to rejuvenate annuals and perennials.
Heirloom Okra
Okra thrives in warm to hot weather and thoroughly warmed soil, and these cultivars are ready to grow in your garden. Okra pods can be prepared in many ways, from grilling to pickling. The plants are decorative and have beautiful hibiscus-like flowers.
Gardening Basics – Hanging Baskets
Hanging baskets, they’re not just for hanging anymore. By all means, do hang them, but consider that basically, it’s a big pot full of colorful flowers or tropical foliage. You can remove the hanger, and set it on a pedestal for an instant “container” plant, or if it happens to be upright instead of trailing, you can set in on a table for a centerpiece.
Peppers for Pepper Sandwiches
Mixed savory and sweet peppers fresh from the garden can be used to make delectable pepper sandwiches. Each pepper plant will produce many peppers, and pepper sandwiches are a great way to utilize the pepper harvest. Pepper plants are easy to grow and make decorative additions to any garden.
Tomatoes for Garden Candy
Cherry, grape, and pear tomatoes are the tomatoes for “garden candy”. They start fruiting early in the season, continue all summer, and are the last tomatoes in the garden in the middle of autumn.