Plant Gardens 101

The cedar potting shed from Gabriel Ash is an attractive and useful addition to any greenhouse. It has enough space to store all of your gardening tools, and it can be easily abutted to any greenhouse.

Gabriel Ash will build your potting shed exactly to your specifications, to fit any size of greenhouse. It can be built as a free standing structure or it can be added on to your greenhouse. You can choose whether or not to have a door separating the shed from the greenhouse or just an opening. It also has a rear door so that you can enter the shed without having to walk through the greenhouse. You can also lock the door of the shed to prevent theft of expensive gardening equipment. (more…)

Ferns evoke a sense of rich mystery in the landscape, like that of a lush woodland. Their fragile appearance belies their toughness. Rather than being difficult to grow, ferns are solution plants for many of the difficult landscape problems that gardeners face. They thrive in shady, moist areas and love acid soil. Plant them around the base of trees, in dark and moist areas around the foundation of your home, behind walls or utility buildings, at the edge of wooded areas. They may grow where ever they find a foothold between cobblestones and bricks. They are great for those transitional zones between lawn and wooded areas.

Ferns prefer acid soil; ideally, the pH should test between 5.5 and 6.5. Take a soil sample to your local Cooperative Extension Office for analysis. Adjust the pH according to their expert recommendations.

If you are planting a container-grown fern, thoroughly water it before planting. Gently slip it from the pot, retaining as much of the soil as possible. Spread the roots out into the hole. Plant at the same depth as it grew in the nursery container. Water deeply with a fine spray. Too strong a stream of water can damage the foliage. (more…)

Dogbane family
Apocynaceae
Kath-ar-an’thus. A genus of 5 species of annual or perennial herbs native to the tropics of the Old World.

Description
Leaves opposite, entire. Flowers borne singly or 2-3 together, the corolla tubular, the lobes spreading to form a flat, platelike apex.

How to Grow    (more…)

One of the many marvels of gardening is that you can create a gorgeous and productive garden with very little financial outlay. It will take longer than going to your nearest nursery and stocking up with everything you want. But I enjoy watching my garden evolve over time.

OK, so how do I get new plants for free? The quickest way I know is to give some of your own plants away. Yes, that’s right! You probably already have something in your garden that you can divide, collect seeds, take cuttings from or dig up a few rhizomes or bulbs.

Give some of whatever you have plenty of to someone who you know is a keen gardener. Gardeners are very good at sharing. The love to share their knowledge, their plants and often their crop yields. Just try giving some plants to three or four gardening friends or family. In no time you will have plants being given to you out of the blue. (more…)

A small plant suitable for growing in a rock garden. Most alpines are native to mountain habitats.

Cucumber family
Cucurbitaceae
Kew-kur’bi-ta. Mostly annual, trailing or climbing vines, comprising perhaps 20 species, and chiefly tropical. Includes Squash, Pumpkin, and many ornamental gourds.

Description
Mostly rough-hairy vines with forked tendrils and large leaves, often lobed. Flowers yellow, large, usually more or less bell-shaped, but lobed halfway down the tube. Fruit a large berry, smooth-skinned or deeply furrowed, with wide range of forms.

How to Grow   (more…)