Garden Blogs

Vegetable Gardening 101: How to Start a Vegetable Garden

Vegetable Gardening 101: How to Start a Vegetable Garden

Vegetable gardening is a very rewarding (and tasty) experience, even for a beginner! The idea of starting from scratch and building your first vegetable plot can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. We'll show you how to start your vegetable garden from the ground up, and soon you'll be on your way to fresh vegetables grown in your very own garden!
The Ins and Outs of Indoor Seed Starting

The Ins and Outs of Indoor Seed Starting

The goal to indoor seed starting is to have seedlings ready to go outside by the time the weather is favorable. This means that timing is everything. You will need to plant your seedlings early enough for them to germinate and start growing before you can transplant them outside. To start, take a look at the seed packet. Usually on the back, the packet will tell you when you need to plant your seeds. Look for something similar to "Plant inside 6 to 8 weeks before last frost." Keep your eye out for seeds that say "Direct Sow", meaning these plants should be planted directly into your arden. These seeds require less labor and mature faster than transplanted crops. Click here for information on choosing the right seeds for your garden.
How to Plant Annuals

How to Plant Annuals

It’s that time of year again. The trees are full of leaves. The sun is shining. And everywhere you go, the flowers are out blooming. Your neighbors have beautiful gardens featuring flowers of every shape, color and size. Even your local shopping centers probably have flowers planted along the walkways. Are you wondering how your neighbors get their gardens to look so gorgeous? They must spend hours and hours every day working on them, right? Not necessarily. You can have a beautiful garden without sacrificing hours of your time. All it takes is sunshine, water and a little bit of knowledge.
How to Grow A Wildflower Garden

How to Grow A Wildflower Garden

There’s something timeless and carefree about a wildflower garden. Wildflower gardens are full of beautiful annuals and perennials, a celebration of natural beauty. It can be intimidating to think about creating one in your landscape but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, planting a stunning wildflower garden doesn’t have to be hard at all. Sometimes it’s as simple as sprinkle, water and watch the wildflowers grow. There are easy wildflower seed kits, from such companies as Encap, that include all the essentials needed – mulch, seed and fertilizer. Or, if you just need the wildflower seeds, check out Olds Seeds Wildflower Mixes.
Maximize Your Space with Container Gardening

Maximize Your Space with Container Gardening

Ready to start your garden but you’re short on space? Maybe you live in an apartment or townhouse or space is limited in your yard. Or, you just want to add an extra pop of color on the patio or porch. No worries – container gardening can be an easy and quick fix. All you need is the container, soil, fertilizer and plants
Prepping Your Patio and Patio Furniture for Spring

Prepping Your Patio and Patio Furniture for Spring

We’ve had a mild winter so far in the Mid-Atlantic area, but the colder weather still takes its toll on your patio and patio furniture. Getting your patio in shape can seem like a chore, but it’s not as bad as you think. Here are a few ways to get it done effectively and efficiently. First, remove everything from the area including grills, patio furniture and décor. Sweep the patio surface and then scrub with an appropriate cleaner as recommended by your paver manufacturer. Read instructions carefully and follow them. Pressure wash it off or use a strong garden hose. Now that your surface is clean, it’s time to focus on cleaning your patio furniture. There are different types of patio furniture and we’ll tell you how to best clean and care for plastic, metal, wooden and upholstered furniture.