Growing plants from seeds is budget-friendly, allows you to select from more varieties than just those available at the local garden center, and lets you get a jump on the growing season. By following a few simple rules, you’ll significantly improve your germination rate—starting with quality, fresh seeds. While many people save leftover seeds from…
Foxglove Plants Toxic to Pets
Q: I planted foxgloves because I love their spikes of colorful, speckled, bell-shaped flowers. My cat Stormy is walking through them, rubbing her face on them. Should I worry about this? A: If she only walks through your foxgloves and doesn’t chew on them, she should be fine. But watch her closely to be sure…
Hydrangea Pruning
Q: I have several hydrangeas in my yard. When is the best time to prune them? A: I am glad you asked as this is National Hydrangea Week. There are several species of hydrangeas, and it does make a difference as to when you prune them. Woody plants have old and new wood. New wood…
Glowing Color of Persimmon Creates a Most Stunning Petunia
By Norman Winter From Tribune News Service To me, this is the prettiest petunia I have ever grown. It is so pretty that if it only lasted a month, I would say I can hardly wait until next year. But it is a Supertunia, and therefore it will perform as suggested: a super petunia. The…
The Root of The Problem
Q: I have a paving stone patio behind the house. Behind the patio is a man-made stone wall that you can sit on. Behind the wall is a flower bed that has an ash tree in it. And finally, behind the flower bed is a downhill slope that is covered in grass. The slope is…
How to Grow Your Own Majestic Sunflower Patch
By Erica Pearson From Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Tips from Minnesota farmers on how to plant and which varieties to choose. Is there any plant more cheerful and charming than a sunflower? This year, the sunny yellow bloom — the national flower of Ukraine — also has become a hopeful global symbol of solidarity with the…
Luminary Sunset Coral Creates a New Phlox Fanatic
By Norman Winter From Tribune News Service Luminary Sunset Coral has turned The Garden Guy into a full-blown phlox fanatic. The rousing color would probably remind you of some electrifying lipstick or fingernail polish, a rare color in the plant world. Our master bath has a huge window overlooking a square-shaped bed with an 8-foot-tall…
Garden Problems
Q: We went on vacation at the end of June and now our vegetable garden has been taken over by weeds. Is it too early to begin thinking about starting over and doing a fall garden? A: If you are a northern gardener, the next few weeks are the perfect time to start your fall…
Can Gardening Make You Happier?
Years ago when we had a big yard, thumbing through gardening catalogs was one way I got through the long Minnesota winters. I dreamed about what I’d plant when the weather warmed up and the ground thawed. I’d look at unusual plants, early bloomers, late bloomers, heirloom tomatoes, and whatever else caught my attention in…
Let the Bugs Do the Legwork: Before You Reach for Insecticide, Consider Mother Nature’s Built-In Pest Control
How many times have you reached for a spray bottle to kill off an irritating bug? Have you spent time and money mixing powders and potions in buckets of water to dowse the creepy-crawlies that feast on your favorite flowers? Have you ever gone “Full Metal Jacket” on all things arthropod, fueled with an uncontrollable…
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