Hydrangeas are a pretty flexible shrub in that they will tolerate most soils, as long as it is well-draining and rich in nutrients. But there are times when ericaceous soil is best. But what is it? Ericaceous Compost Ericaceous compost is a type of acidic compost that is lime-free. It is not suitable for all plants, only those which prefer highly acidic soil such as Hydrangeas, Pieris, Rhododendrons and Azaleas. You can also find ericaceous…
Hanging baskets are a wonderful way to keep plants growing off the ground, adding texture and height to your garden. Hanging baskets are quite eye-catching and with them, you can dot them around a seating area with beautiful, drooping flowers and a heavy, pleasant scent. There are many benefits you gain with hanging baskets, one of which is having plants off the ground and away from pests. The problem though is that these plants dry…
Hanging baskets are a wonderful way to take advantage of a small space. They work well for people who only have small porches or balconies without a large garden, people who live on a sloped hill and have uneven terrain in which to garden, or people who simply want to make the most out of all the available space in their garden. Benefits of growing in hanging baskets The first benefit to growing in a…
If you have a space for hanging baskets, you have the opportunity to grow a great many things, including trailing fruits and vegetables. Strawberry plants are one of the most popular choices for hanging baskets because their runners can trail over the edges and offer bountiful fruit. Once they are established, you can grow multiple plants in a small amount of space year after year. But how do you take care of them? You can…
We all love hanging baskets for the added geometry and height they bring to any garden. Their versatility means you can grow just about anything in them, from stunning floral displays to upside-down tomatoes, even fruit. The problem comes when birds start hanging around your hanging baskets and nabbing all the goods. Why are birds a problem? Birds can be a problem in two ways. First, if you are growing fruit and vegetables in your…
There are many ways to make the outside of your home a stunning display and one such way is by using topiary plants to bring your front door to life. Topiaries are plants, often evergreens that can be formally clipped in such a way as to add symmetry, shape, or structure. Topiaries can be crafted like a hairstyle, cut and trimmed the way you want whenever the mood strikes. But what plants work well in…
Keeping your garden and lawn watered all summer long can be time-consuming and water consuming. One of the main benefits associated with a water drip system or other automatic watering system is that you can conserve water with micro-irrigation. A water drip system uses a collection of tubes and sprayers to deliver water directly to the base of your plant when and where they need it without any water being spilled or evaporated in the…
There are plenty of planters that give you more character in your garden space and using an upside-down planter is one such idea. In fact, they have become a very fun and non-traditional way to grow tomatoes, especially if you have limited space on the ground. With a small space where you are unable to fit the plants you want, an upside-down planter can give you tomatoes throughout the season without taking up limited walking…
Compost will help the growing conditions for your plants, giving them a healthier, happier lifespan. But not all plants are the same. For example, compost for acid-loving plants such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Pieris needs ericaceous compost and this will differ from the compost most beneficial for plants that need neutral compost. When picking the right compost, you should look for special compost for your particular plants if you want them to have the best…
This is the season for seedlings. Now is the time for germinating them in your home or greenhouse, which of course requires good seed compost. The problem is most compost types (including multipurpose compost) you can buy from garden centres and nurseries are not ideal seed starting mixes. You have probably had some plants that no matter what you did, just did not germinate. They seemed overly watered on top but dry to the bones…
