February 15, 2020 - Issue #448

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Sure, it's snowing outside, but everyone knows a smart gardener starts planning before the first signs of Spring. In 2019, Unsolicited Press released "The Beginner's Guide to Growing Herbs and their Culinary, Medicinal and Mystical Properties" by Gary Carter, a comprehensive herbal gardening book to help gardeners diversify their gardens.

Because you plant them anew each spring, annuals are a great choice for gardeners who love to experiment with different color schemes or try out the latest varieties.

Everyone needs a little R and R, and for houseplants winter is the time to get it. Daylight is dramatically reduced, the air is dry, and temperatures are cool — not the perfect growing conditions. Follow these tips to keep your houseplants in shape through the winter.

Everyone loves a planter overflowing with petunias, geraniums, or begonias, and containers planted with a single type of plant can be spectacular. But don't be afraid to combine different types of plants, too. You can create dramatic, professional-looking displays by following a few simple rules.

Plant your sets early in the spring. Onions do best if the temperature is cool when they start to grow, and warm as they mature.

Early spring is a great time to prune many trees and shrubs. Start by making sure your pruning tools are nice and sharp. Then check out the following pruning tips for successful snipping this spring.

There are three excellent reasons to start plants from seed. First, you'll have many more varieties to choose from. Garden centers and greenhouses usually only offer the most popular plants and leave many new or old-fashioned varieties off the table. Starting plants from seed also can be much less expensive than buying only started plants. And finally, you have the joy and satisfaction of starting your own plants and watching them grow under your care. You have the added benefit of being able to give away extra plants if more germinate and survive than you have room for.

Brilliantly colored flowers are 'ranunculus' chief attraction, and they are indeed special. They most often come in multiple layers of delicate, crepe paper--thin petals, looking like an origami masterwork. Ranunculus (R. asiaticus) excel in southern and western gardens, and make terrific container plants everywhere.