My Meadow Garden – 3 Years Later
3 years ago I started my Meadow Garden, planting around an existing bed of native plants. I started this bed in order to create a “naturalized” space within my landscape where the only regular maintenance needed is yearly burning and occasional woody plant removal. What has changed in 3 years? How is it going? Is […]
The Kansas Gardener’s Garden – 2024
It is Christmastime again! And you know what that means, it it time to show you my gardens from this year. 2024 was the 9th year of gardening on our property, but that does not mean that things are safe. Gardening is always changing and the garden never looks exactly the same from one year […]
Grass-Like Plants
In the landscape, the lawn has become more than just a breaking point for the plants. It has become the most important part for many gardeners. But it is only supposed to be a place to play and run, or as a separation between larger landscape beds. But what is our appeal with grass? The […]
How to Create a Pollinator Paradise
How exactly does one create a pollinator paradise? The answer may surprise you. When my wife and I moved into our 5 acre property 10 years ago, it was not my intention to create a pollinator paradise. I just wanted gardens, native plantings, and a place to raise my kids. At the time, we did […]
Bluestem Grasses – October Plant of the Month
Bluestem grasses are our 2024 October plant of the month. What do I mean by bluestem grasses? Well, there are 2 species that are generally considered when talking about bluestem grasses. These are Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii). This can get confusing when someone asks for bluestem grasses. You have to […]
Attracting Beneficial Insects to the Garden
What are beneficial insects? Well, I can think of many of them. But I have had a lot of experience. When I think about my garden, whether it is the kitchen garden or the cottage garden, I know that there will be problems. These problems stem from insect pests, fungi, and other organisms. But if […]
Heat Loving Perennials
When it comes to summer, you want to have as many heat loving perennials as possible. At least, here in the Central Great Plains, where daytime temps can reach 110 degrees F and nighttime temps may stay in the 80, we do. Of all the 25 heat loving perennials mentioned below, I have 23 in […]
Orange Shades in the Garden
Typically, when you think about flowers, orange is not at the top of the list. But why not? Orange can make a garden feel tropical, adding heat and complexity that the more subdued flower colors lack. Most flowers in the garden are shades of pink, purple, white, or yellow. Blue is another color, like orange, […]
Medicinal Plants in the Garden
What are medicinal plants? When you think about medicine, what comes to mind first? Probably not plants. But there are a host of plants in the garden which are not only used by the pharmaceutical industry, but are also useful directly by homeowners. Warning: Medicinal plants are both useful and dangerous. This post is meant […]
