Plant lovers know plants make the best gifts. You simply cannot have enough plants and there is always room to add "just one more" plant to the mix. This can drive the non-plant people in your life up the wall. Dodging bags of soil, large pots that don't quite fit where we want them …

  There's nothing quite like a fresh picked tomato when the weather outside is frightful - and it certainly has been here in Indiana. The catfish we put into the aquaponic system this spring didn't make it - and with everything going on, I never bought more fish to put back in the tank. I …

Here are some pretty neat videos I took of butterflies, bees and moths in the garden this year. I hope you enjoy them! It is wonderful to me to see all them flying about while I am gardening. All of these videos were taken at Exotic Gardening Farm & Wildlife Habitat in Marion, Indiana. We do have a …

  With fall and winter on our door steps you’re probably thinking you’re out of the woods when it comes to deer damage in your backyard landscapes. Wrong. Actually, fall and winter mark the beginning of the worst seasons for deer damage. Deer will eat just about anything in the winter -- their food supply …

Some people think of seed saving as a fall activity, but if you wait you will miss the opportunity to collect many seeds that your garden produces. The best way to know when the correct time to gather seeds is requires knowing when the plants you wish to save seeds from flower or fruit. Some …

Disclaimer: I did receive the steadyGROW seed starter sample kit for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Now that the fish are settled into their new home, it is time to get a jump-start on seed starting for the aquaponic system. The plants I decided to grow in this …

It has been an interesting winter here in Indiana - much milder than normal. As usual, I had my winter lettuce bed that survived very nicely - and then there were the winter flowers - some of which bloomed on time, as expected - and some which bloomed much earlier than I had anticipated. Here …

Who would have thought getting dirt under your fingernails would ever be considered one of the hottest trends going? According to Doug Jimerson, Garden Core Director for Better Homes and Gardens, “growing your own fruits, veggies and herbs is something Americans are doing in record numbers this season”. “It’s cheaper to grow your own produce …

Gardeners who start plants from seed know the best way to do it is to pre-germinate the seeds in some type of container such as a bowl, glass dish or test tube. Sometimes finding an elegant way to display those seed starting containers, especially if you have limited space, can be tricky. Using test tubes …

It is possible to have color in the garden in November, even if you live in a cold climate like Indiana, which depending on which edition of the USDA map you look at, we are either a zone 5 (older map) or a zone 6. Due to global warming, the part of Indiana we live …

This particular lily is one of the Orienpet hybrids which is a cross between an Oriental lily and a trumpet lily. The fragrant flowers open from the bottom to the top making it easy to snip off the faded blooms and keep this plant looking fresh for weeks. In fact, this particular lily produces blooms …

  There is a wide variety of berries that will thrive in clay soil as long as you take the time to amend it. From your typical berries such as blueberries, strawberries, cherries and raspberries to berries that are less common such as honeyberry or service berry, there is sure to be a variety that …

  - Oh wait, that's a line from a Bryan Adams song. Hmmm - wonder if I could get into trouble for using it? Well, Bryan, all I can say is if you're out there reading this post,  that was exactly how I felt when I was at the GWA Symposium in Indianapolis last week and …

I planted these seeds on October 10, 2004. I put them in a coldframe outside. The seeds germinated on December 10, 2004.

I laid these seeds after soaking them for 24 hours on top of vermiculite on October 24, 2004. They germinated on December 28, 2004.

I laid this seed on top of vermiculite in a peat pot on October 26, 2004. The seeds germinated on November 1, 2004.

I laid this seed on top of vermiculite in a peat pot on October 26, 2004. The seeds germinated on November 1, 2004.

I placed these seeds on top of vermiculite on December 18. 2004. The seeds germinated on December 26, 2004.

Gardening enthusiasts often find joy and satisfaction in nurturing plants from their earliest stages. One such remarkable journey began on November 10, when Amaryllis Pecotee x Double Blossom Peacock seeds were delicately placed on the surface of water in a baby food jar. This blog post takes you through the fascinating story of these seeds, …

Cotton, a fascinating crop with a rich history, can be an enjoyable and rewarding addition to your gardening endeavors, even in the northern states. In this guide, we'll explore the steps to successfully grow and harvest cotton, along with some interesting uses for this versatile fiber.

As summer reaches its peak, the gardeners among us are bestowed with a magnificent gift: a vibrant array of flowers that can be carefully snipped and arranged into delightful bouquets. But even if you don't have a green thumb, fear not, for this season abounds with flowers readily available at reasonable prices.

The vibrant yellow and white blossoms of daffodils serve as a joyful herald of the impending arrival of spring. These charming flowers are not only a delight to behold but also remarkably easy to cultivate, making them a favorite choice among gardeners. Moreover, daffodils are known for their resilience against pesky squirrels, offering a hassle-free …