Your National Gardening Association weekly news for April 29, 2017

Planting Blackberries

"Blackberries need full sun. They aren't fussy about soils, although good drainage is important. If the soil has a good amount of humus, so much the better, but average fertility is all they need."

Growing Sage

"Sage is for more than seasoning your Thanksgiving turkey. Harvest fresh leaves from your kitchen garden to flavor meat and bean dishes, or toss the blossoms into salad! You can even wire dried sprigs to a frame to create an aromatic wreath or swag."

Weeds: Dandelion

"Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a perennial weed with a strong taproot that can make itself at home almost anywhere. No lawn or garden can escape dandelion seeds that blow on the wind from spring to fall."

Drought Tolerant Annuals

"No matter where you live, water is a precious resource. Some of us need to conserve more actively than others, but none of us would willingly waste water. So why not plant drought tolerant flowering annuals? In addition to saving on your water bill, you'll spend less time on garden maintenance."

Renovating an Overgrown Houseplant

"Branching, shrub-like houseplants, such as scented geranium, hibiscus, flowering maple, begonia, and schefflera, need regular pruning to keep them healthy and attractive."

Cabbageworm

"Found throughout the United States. The cabbageworm is the larva of a common white, day-flying butterfly with three to four black spots on its wings. The damage done by these caterpillars is similar to that"

Garden Prep for Tomatoes

"Where you plant your tomatoes in the garden is important. Tomatoes need at least six to eight hours of sun a day to produce well -- and full sun is best, especially in cooler, more northern climates. Tomato roots won't do well in soggy soil -- a sunny, well-drained part of your garden is best."

Photo of Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Emblematic')
By grannysgarden:

Photo of Crown Imperial Fritillaria (Fritillaria imperialis 'Striped Beauty')
By William:

Photo of Rock Jasmine (Androsace cylindrica)
By kniphofia:

Photo of Tulip (Tulipa 'Janis Joplin')
By William:

Photo of Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Ghirardelli Square')
By mesospunky:

Photo of Hellebore (Helleborus 'Tanzer')
By William:

Photo of Crown Imperial Fritillaria (Fritillaria imperialis 'Maxima Lutea')
By William:

Photo of Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Sherry Lane Carr')
By Seedfork:

Photo of Fosteriana Tulip (Tulipa 'Purissima Blonde')
By William:

Photo of Rose (Rosa 'Teasing Georgia')
By Calif_Sue: