Propagation 101
Propagation is a favorite part of gardening for my kids and me. It is so fun to multiply your plants, and it’s also a great way to share your bounty with friends and family. I’ve had success with propagating three different ways: rooting, collecting seeds and dividing. Rooting Rooting is basically cloning. There are several methods… Continue reading Propagation 101
My garden plans for 2010
This is an exciting time of the year. After thinking back on the highlights and low lights of last year, I can now turn my attention to the new planting season! We’ve definitely turned the corner with our weather here in Wisconsin, and I see gardening opportunities everywhere I look! Here are some of my… Continue reading My garden plans for 2010
Reflecting on my 2009 garden
For me, surviving a Wisconsin winter entails poring over gardening magazines, catalogs and books. I love mapping out my garden and coming up with new ideas. I am happiest when I am creating. A big part of that process is reflecting back on the previous year to understand what went right and what went wrong.… Continue reading Reflecting on my 2009 garden
You had me at Monarda
Monarda, also known as bee balm, is my favorite perennial. It was love at first sight eleven years ago when I saw this beautiful perennial growing in my neighbor’s yard. I asked her what it was and told her how much I loved it. A week later, she showed up with several generous divisions of it. … Continue reading You had me at Monarda
Creating an Outdoor Living Room
When my daughter’s five-year-old friend asked if we were having a garage sale, I knew I hadn’t yet achieved the outdoor-living-room look I was going for. It was time for me to pull it all together; my eclectic look wasn’t working. It was evident that I finally reached my goal this past summer by the… Continue reading Creating an Outdoor Living Room
Passing on the Joy of Gardening to Your Kids
Gardening has brought so much joy to my life in so many ways. Sharing this with my children has been the best part of all. My oldest daughter told me this week when she was home from school sick that she is going to plant all edible flowers in her raised bed. It was so… Continue reading Passing on the Joy of Gardening to Your Kids
Houseplants – Indoor gardening – Part 1
I must humbly confess, I have not always had a green thumb. I killed every single plant I brought into our Boston apartment on Beacon Hill when we were first married. 15 years later, I know what I did wrong: I over watered them. You will kill more houseplants from over watering than you will from… Continue reading Houseplants – Indoor gardening – Part 1
Paperwhite and Amaryllis Bulbs – Forcing Bulbs Indoors
Paperwhites and amaryllis bulbs are two terrific bulbs to force indoors with very little effort and very low maintenance. I have forced both indoors for over 11 years with a 0% failure rate. I have bought these bulbs everywhere from White Flower Farm and Johannsen’s to Sam’s Club, Home Dept and Target. They are usually all… Continue reading Paperwhite and Amaryllis Bulbs – Forcing Bulbs Indoors
Invisible Trellis
As I write my list of hits and misses for Mel’s Green Garden 2009, one big hit was using clear fishing line for an invisible trellis. I used this all over my garden this past summer for my Grandpa Ott’s Morning Glory to climb. My daughter had an idea two summers ago that she wanted… Continue reading Invisible Trellis
Mel's Green Garden 