By Claire Jones
Decorating with succulents at Christmas makes the perfect topiary tree centerpiece needing much less care than a floral arrangement and looks good for months. I started my tree last February so the succulents would have plenty of time to grow in, but you can create a stunning tree by using rosettes of succulents from full …
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Decorating the historic Manor House at Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton, Maryland, in festive holiday splendor has been going on for 42 years by local designers and Garden Clubs. I was honored to be asked to decorate a room this December and chose the Butler's Pantry, adjacent to the kitchen, where normally food would be …
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An easy centerpiece to whip up for your fall themed table, using a fake or live pumpkins, these come together quickly with only a few ingredients. Integrating dried flowers, pods, and juicy succulents, your centerpiece will last for weeks, if not months. And don't be afraid to use a good quality fake pumpkin. Some of …
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Late summer is Basil time around my house. After growing all summer in my veggie garden, it is full and bushy, even though I am harvesting it regularly. Heat and sun loving, this summer has been both, and the Basil this year is loving it! The hydroponic stuff you buy in the grocery store doesn't compare …
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Maryland is tomato central right now. The ripe orbs are rolling in and I am inundated with a river of them from only 14 plants. Started in early March in my greenhouse, the spring was so warm that I planted them in the ground the third week of April. Our traditional last frost free …
Continue reading "Bonanza Tomato Bumper Crop: What To Do With All Those Tomatoes!"
"Foraging" is a big trend in gardening circles these days. To forage means "to search widely for food or provisions", according to the Oxford dictionary. I would also add: "to harvest from your garden for flowers and foliage to enjoy nature's beauty". Think of a forage garden as a beautiful marriage of your garden and …
Continue reading "Embracing Weeds : Found Floral Design and Edibles"
I have two Garden travel adventures coming up in 2025 - One to Spain and Portugal and another to the Cotswolds and Wales to experience the Chelsea Flower Show. I hope you can join me on one of these! For full itineraries, go to Trips. Spain and Portugal Cotswolds, Wales, and the Chelsea Flower Show
Many concerned gardeners want to transition their home garden dominated by non-natives to a more pollinator friendly native garden once they realize the benefits to the environment. Native gardens increase biodiversity, connect to natural ecosystems, and provide habitat for native wildlife. The goal for planting natives in your garden is to contain at least 70% …
Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic, and Aromatic Ah....The fragrance of lavender! Evoking many memories, like wandering through blooming fields of lavender on a hot summer day buzzing with bees. This is one herb that if I were on a desert island, I would want to grow! Growing lavender in my garden every year is essential and I …
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Recently, I had the opportunity to test drive a battery-powered weed whacker and blower on my property. Having used a battery-powered blower in the past that was cordless, I was very skeptical about using this one because my experience was not good. Underpowered and short lasting, I always was frustrated and went back to using …
Continue reading "Eco-Friendly Equipment for a Eco-Friendly Garden – ENHULK Cordless Tools"
Keeping honey bee hives means you will likely encounter swarms, honeybees that split off from a mother colony. A natural reproduction process, swarming can happen to any beekeeper, so you should be prepared when it occurs. It is a sight to behold when the swarm is in full flight. The season of swarms is typically …
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Lilies are my favorite flower. They last a long time in the garden, are usually fragrant, make great cut flowers, and pollinators flock to them. Oh, and they are so easy to grow! All these attributes make lilies my go-to flower to plant every year to increase my varieties. But some lilies just increase …
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