Spring has officially arrived, and if you’re anything like me, that first hint of warmth has you itching to get back in the garden, pondering your containers and what you’ll tuck into them this season. But before the shopping and planting frenzy begins, there’s one thing I’d encourage you to…

August is known for its sizzling heat and as the time when our container gardens hit their peak, overflowing with everything we’ve nurtured for months. Right now, mine are bursting with blueberries, crisp lettuce, armfuls of blooms like verbena bonariensis, echinacea, and dahlias. Every glance out my office window gives me a little…

Gardening enthusiasts and newbies alike can agree on one thing: maintaining healthy and thriving container plants during the summer can be both rewarding and challenging because many gardeners struggle with either underwatering or overwatering their planters. One innovative solution that has gained popularity in recent years is the self-watering planter. These planters significantly…

Citrus, the fragrant, fruit-bearing beauty Citrus has a special place in my heart. When most people think of citrus, they think of its fruit, but some citrus is grown for its fragrant leaves and flowers. It’s all of this and more for me. My parents have been taking care of kumquat trees since…

The heat has arrived and forecasters throughout the nation are telling most of us that it’s going to be an unusually warm and dry summer. This can be stressful not only for us, but for the container plantings we care for.  How do we get the best from our container gardens – which…

Does your baby need new shoes?  Are your plant’s roots cramped into tight quarters?  It might be time to move your plant into a bigger pot.  Before you get started, you’ll want to make sure it needs more space. The best time to assess your plant’s repotting needs is in spring, as this…

Soil is the secret sauce to beautiful container plantings that’s often not considered enough. Choosing the right soil is the foundation to any successful container planting. The quality of your potting soil is the key to ensuring that you have happy, healthy plants which will receive the nutrients they need to grow.  If…

It’s cold outside. How are you spending your time during these cold, dark, February days? A fair amount of my time has been spent indoors dreaming up future container plantings for spring, but I’ve also been kicking around my yard, lightly pruning my Diane Witch Hazel, bringing in the branches, and placing…