9 Shrubs for Shade Gardens
The following shrubs are just a small group of many shrubs that work very well in shade gardens. However, these I would call pollinator powerhouses. 8 of them are native to North America and are beneficial to a wide range of pollinators and butterfly/moth larvae. Enjoy! Hydrangea quercifolia, better known as Oakleaf hydrangea, is […]
8 Tips for February in the Garden
The cold usually increases in February before decreasing in March and the coming of spring. Follow these 8 tips when looking for something to do in February, and be sure to dress for the weather! When the weather is clear, check stone fruits (peach, cherry, apricot, plum) for black knot formations on branches. Prune these […]
January Tips & Tricks for the Landscape
2020 is right around the corner and January weather is headed our way. Here in Northeast Kansas I am already eagerly awaiting the first spring flowers of March. However, there are things to do in the yard and garden and greenhouse before we get out of January follow these tips and tricks now to make […]
Best Border Plants for Your Garden
Now that fall is here and plants are on sale across the nursery, remember Grimm’s Pink Flag Sale, we can talk about how to put in borders along your garden beds. Over the years, I have experimented with many different plants for borders, from groundcovers to squatty perennials to annuals. I like to use the […]
10 Tips for a Great Spring
Spring is right around the corner! Even though we have had a long winter, and it is not over yet with more snow forecasted, spring is definitely coming. I have been watching the geese flying northward, bluebirds coming back into my yard, and the smell. Oh, the smell of spring in the winds. Now that […]
9 Steps to a Pollinator Paradise
I get a lot of questions, both here and from others about pollinators and pollinator gardens. What I say seems simple enough, most gardens are already geared for pollinators, because people like lots of flowers. Despite reports, there are very few flowers that are not attractive to insects. What I do know for sure, is […]
Finding Your Secret Garden
One of my all-time favorite books (after the Bible), is The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This story enlivens my spirit in the winter, awakening my soul to the gloriousness of the coming spring. While it may be possible for one to create a garden hidden away from others behind walls of brick, wood, […]
Author’s Garden: A Look Through 2018
Welcome to my garden! Last year I introduced you to my garden so you should be familiar with what is going on. However, over the winter of 2017-18 I made some changes to the main entry beds and added on along the east property line with beds and fencing. Next year, look for photos from […]
Using Stone in the Landscape (and not as mulch!)
Stone has become an increasing factor in American landscapes, being used primarily alongside weed fabric in place of mulch. As great as this looks, it is increasing knowledge that this is hard on plants and soil micro-organisms. Do not get me wrong, I love the look of a landscape fabricked and laid in with Iowa […]
