Techniques - Page 11 of 198 - Fine Gardening

  • Growing Hot Peppers
    How-To

    Tips for Growing Hot Peppers

    Peppers are native to the tropics, which explains why they thrive in warm weather. As tempting as it is to get a jump-start on the gardening season, do not plant…

  • how to keep tropical plants happy
    How-To

    How to Keep Tropical Plants Happy

    Most tropical plants are pretty easygoing if they have their preferred levels of light and moisture. Following just a few key pointers will help you get the most out of…

  • pruning problems
    How-To

    Pruning Conundrums | Letter from the Editor

    Well, it turns out that I’ve been pruning my hydrangeas wrong this whole time. Not my bigleafs (Hydrangea macrophylla)—I have only a couple of those left in my beds, since…

  • A strong, open structure is one of the goals to aim for when pruning a multistemmed shrub like this viburnum. Judicious cuts allow light to penetrate the canopy and reach the inside of the plant.
    How-To

    A Step-by-Step Guide to Pruning Viburnums

    Viburnums (Viburnum spp. and cvs., Zones 2–9) are a genus of approximately 150 woody shrubs prized for their delicate, early-season flowers and bright fall fruit. Some, like smooth witherod (V.…

  • Corn gluten meal
    How-To

    Suppress Weeds Organically with Corn Gluten Meal

    Managing weeds organically can truly be a challenge. After some experimentation, I have found that corn gluten meal (CGM) is showing very promising results in controlling the annual weeds that…

  • pruning smooth hydrangeas
    How-To

    A Better Way to Prune Smooth Hydrangeas

    All of the hydrangeas in the native hydrangea plant trial done at Mt. Cuba Center bloom on new wood, which means that the flower buds develop when the shrub starts…

  • drought-resistant garden
    Design

    Tips for Creating a Drought-Tolerant Landscape

    Drought-tolerant landscapes come in all shapes and sizes. From a large, expansive bed that runs the entire length of a property line to a small nook that bakes all day…

  • philodendron
    How-To

    How to Grow and Care for Philodendrons

    Philodendrons (Philodendron spp. and cvs., Zones 9–11) are some of the most popular and versatile plants grown indoors. Most of these fantastic houseplants grow very quickly, have beautiful foliage, and…

  • annuals to grow from seed
    Design

    6 Fantastic Annuals to Grow From Seed in the Northwest

    There was a time when I used to eagerly await the arrival of seed catalogs in the mail each winter. Then I’d sit in the window and fold down the…

  • clay soil
    How-To

    Healthy Soil Is at the Heart of a Thriving Garden  

    Soil is a complex structure made up of mineral solids and organic matter interwoven with aggregates and open pore spaces. The open spaces between soil particles are just as important…