Daffodils are one of the easiest ways I know to get bright spring color with almost no work. If you learn how to plant daffodil bulbs correctly this fall, you’ll get flowers next spring and, in most gardens, for many years after that. The basics are simple. Plant firm bulbs pointed end up, about 6 … Read more >>
Few plants put on a show like bougainvillea. Its papery magenta, orange, pink and white color can cover a fence or spill from a patio pot for months. Good bougainvillea care is simpler than most people think, but it works a little differently than care for other flowering plants. In this guide, I’ll explain what … Read more >>
Few things lift your spirits like a bed of tulips opening after a long winter. The secret to that show happens months earlier, in fall, when you tuck dry bulbs into cool soil. Knowing when to plant tulip bulbs, and how deep to set them, makes the difference between a full display and a few … Read more >>
Those big summer blooms start in fall. What you do in September, October and November decides how many flowers you get next year. Good hydrangea fall care is mostly about knowing what to leave alone, what to keep doing, and when to add protection. In this guide, I’ll explain which hydrangeas you can prune in … Read more >>
Orchids have a reputation for being fussy, but the moth orchid sold at most US grocery stores is one of the easiest flowering houseplants you can grow. Good orchid care comes down to a few habits: bright indirect light, a chunky bark mix, careful watering, and a little patience after the flowers drop. I’ll walk … Read more >>
A Christmas cactus is one of the few houseplants that can stay in a family for decades. It’s forgiving, it doesn’t need much space, and it puts on a show of pink, red, white, or orange flowers right when the days are darkest. Good christmas cactus care comes down to a few simple habits. The … Read more >>
Your garden doesn’t have to sit empty once the tomatoes die back. Cold-hardy winter vegetables like kale, spinach, carrots and leeks keep growing, or at least holding, through frost and short days. Many of them taste better after a cold snap. In this guide, I’ll walk you through 15 reliable crops, when to plant them, … Read more >>
There’s something hopeful about tucking bulbs into cold soil in October. You do the work now, forget about it all winter, and then tulips and daffodils pop up just when you need color most. If you’ve wondered how to plant fall bulbs the right way, the process is simpler than it looks. In this guide, … Read more >>
Cold frame gardening is one of the simplest ways to stretch your growing season on both ends. A cold frame is a low box with a clear lid that catches the sun’s warmth. That lets you grow salad greens long after frost and start spring crops weeks early. In this guide, I’ll explain what a … Read more >>
One cold night can wipe out weeks of work in the garden. Tomatoes go limp, basil turns black, and squash leaves collapse by morning. The good news is that a little planning and a few simple covers can save most of your plants. If you want to know how to protect plants from frost, this … Read more >>