Some Simple Pruning Advice for your Plants

The best way to keep your plants looking good and healthy is to keep them pruned. However, the average person doesn’t know how to prune their plants. Were going to look at a few of the basics you will need to know in order to keep your plants looking good.

Bamboo – Amazing Facts About The Strongest Woody Plant On Earth

Used by Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, there is much more to the humble Bamboo plant than you might think.

Basic Gardening – Transplanting Trees, Shrubs and Plants Within Your Garden

Many homeowners often find a tree, shrub or plant that just isn’t right for a particular location and decide to transplant it to a different location. Before transplanting trees, shrubs, or plants it is important to understand that transplanting an established tree, shrub or plant will disrupt its root system and “shock” it.

Basic Gardening – Fertilizing and Plant Nutrition

Plants, like people, need to be fed regularly, and like people, too much or too little is not a good thing. So, giving advice on fertilizing plants can be challenging. Differences in soil types, existing nutrients, plant type and climate are but a few of the factors that affect proper fertilization.

Basic Gardening – Planting Bulbs

Spring flower bulb planting in the fall is fast, easy and a nearly foolproof way to add color to your garden. By following a few simple steps you should enjoy your spring and summer bulb garden for years to come. Here are a few basic guidelines-

Planting Amaryllis

Tips for planting amaryllis plants.

Planting Daffodils

Daffodils are wonderful flowers, combining beauty and durability.

Basic Gardening – Soil Acidity and pH – Liming the Soil

pH is a gardening term used to reflect the acidity or alkalinity of a soil. Different plants prefer different pH levels, however, as a general rule, most plants thrive in a pH range between 6.0 to 6.8. Once you have determined your soil’s pH level the following Cottage Farms’ guidelines may be helpful as you modify and maintain your garden soil’s pH level.

Basic Gardening – Selecting Plants

Before making a plant selection for your garden or patio please remember this word: location. Plants can require different types of soil, light, shade, water, space, and the amount of wind can even play a role. Make sure the location in your garden can provide the proper environment for the plant to flourish.

Synthetic Lawns: The New Choice For Lawn Care

Homeowners are replacing sod with synthetic lawns to save time and money. This is a growing trend, especially in communities that are managed by associations.

Basic Gardening – Transplanting Potted Plants Into The Garden

When you bring new plants home from the nursery or receive them via mail-order, it is very important to unpack them immediately. Damaged leaves or branches should be clipped off. Place the plant in a protected, shady location and water thoroughly. Water should seep from the drain holes in the pot and the plant should feel “heavier” after watering. It is a good idea to wait 24 hours before planting to allow the plants to fully hydrate and adjust to their new environment.

Basic Gardening – Winterizing

Preparing your garden for winter will minimize cold damage and ensure much healthier plants in the spring. The following guidelines will help you in preparing your landscape for the cold winter months.

Basic Gardening – Watering Correctly

Many factors affect how often you must water your plants. Some of these factors are heat, humidity, wind, season, soil, and type of plant. The following guidelines pertain to plants recently transplanted into the garden.

Basic Gardening – Understanding Dormancy

Due to seasonal changes in weather, many plants have adapted to survive harsh conditions through a process called dormancy. Seasonal environmental changes, such as day length, temperature, and drought, stimulate the transition of a plant from active growth to dormancy in the fall and then reverse the process in the spring. This natural process is essential to the health and survival of our garden plants.

Basic Gardening – Pruning

The number one mistake most people make when pruning is pruning at the wrong time. Before you start pruning be sure it is the proper time of year for your area and the tree, shrub or plant you want to prune. If you are not sure what time of year is best contact your state Cooperative Extension Service (County Agent). Failure to prune at the right time of year can prevent flowering, weaken the plant and stunt growth and even cause death. We offer the following information only as general guidelines.