Propagation

It’s hard to believe while we endure 90+ degree temperatures, that fall and winter are coming.  But before your garden gets too far down the road toward fall, take a moment and decide if there are any plants you would like to propagate for next year's garden.  Propagating plants through stem cuttings is easy to do and can save you money!  Two plants that are very easy to propagate through stem cuttings are annual geraniums and coleus.  

It's officially the holiday shopping season! If you have a gardener on your gift list this year, consider one of these tools to make their happiness grow. Good tools make work easier ;and any hobbyist, including gardeners, just plain have fun experimenting with a new toy – I mean tool!

When working in the landscape it’s common to find a surprising treasure – a healthy little tree. Usually, they were planted by squirrels or birds so aren’t in an ideal location, but it is possible to relocate and grow them into large shade trees. First, consider which seedling trees are worth saving.

Choosing the Right Trees - Good Guys vs. Bad Guys
Not all trees are equally beneficial to the landscape. Avoid saving trees with any of these qualities.

It's hard to believe while we endure 90+ degree temperatures, that fall and winter are coming. But before your garden gets too far down the road toward fall, take a moment and decide if there are any plants you would like to propagate for your 2014 garden. Propagating plants through stem cuttings is easy to do, and can save you money next year as you plant the garden. Two plants that are very easy to propagate through stem cuttings are geraniums and coleus.

Home-grown gifts for friends and family may be as close as your windowsill of house plants.

Propagate a plant from one that the recipient has admired, and you'll have a gift that person will prize because it reflects your time and interest, as well as your thoughtfulness.

For many home gardeners, it's fun to get a head start on the upcoming garden season by starting seedlings indoors. Growing quality seedlings indoors requires high quality seeds, a well-drained, disease-free growing medium, clean sanitized containers, proper temperature and moisture conditions, and adequate light. The best quality transplants are short, stocky and dark green.