How-To - Page 13 of 157 - Fine Gardening

  • 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.…

  • planning a firewise landscape
    Design

    Planning a Firewise Landscape

    With urban expansion pushing communities farther into natural areas, wildfires are growing more and more problematic for homeowners. Subdivisions and individual homes surrounded by natural landscapes face special wildfire risks.…

  • close up of a sunflower
    How-To

    Tips for Preparing Your Garden to Thrive Through Summer Heat in NorCal

    As summer approaches it will bring with it long and sunny days, increasingly warmer temperatures, and scorching conditions that can tip our region into heatwave territory. Here on the Pacific…

  • Bagworm
    How-To

    Save Your Trees from Bagworms

    Easily one of the most asked-about pests are bagworms. The evergreen bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) is an insect that makes distinctive spindle-shaped bags during its larval stage. If left uncontrolled, larval…

  • growing southern vegetables in the north
    How-To

    4 Iconic Southern Vegetables to Grow in Your Northern Garden

    Just because you garden in the Northeast doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy fresh southern veggies. Let's face it—in the North it can be nearly impossible to find fresh collard…

  • 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…