Wordless Wednesday: April
We know half the country is still blanketed with snow, but April is off the chain in southern gardens. It's going gangbusters here, folks. Come August/September our garden will look like death warmed over (scorched, in fact) so this is our time to enjoy the benefits of rain and cooler temperatures. What's growin' on in your garden or greenhouse? Starting seeds under grow lights? Sprouting cucumbers in the garden? Transplanting tomatoes into pots? Post a picture to Instagram and tag…
Candles from Bees
I usually leave crafting to Martha Stewart, but this project has been four years in the making and I'm chuffed about it. Four years ago we began harvesting honey from our backyard bee hive. Four years ago we started saving the wax in order to make five new pillar candles for a swanky candelabra in the dining room. Last week, the dream came true. Many people don't know that before I became the Gardenerd, I was the Crafter of Things.…
Harvesting Ginger
Effective Methods to Grow and Use Harvesting Ginger
Giveaway: Botanical Interests Spring Seeds
Spring is here, and our friends at Botanical Interests have offered Gardenerd an extraordinary giveaway of spring seeds, garden tools, and more. Three winners. Three gift sets to choose from. Behold the wonder of these drool-worthy giveaways: Deluxe Garden Gift Set - a $75 value Botanical Interests Deluxe Garden Gift Set This gift set includes flowers, veggies, tools and soap. What more could you want?: Bring Home the Butterflies Flower Mix – Long-blooming, colorful mix supports the butterfly lifecycle. Basic…
YouTube: Propagating Tree Kale
This one is for you kale lovers and permaculturists out there: perennial tree kale. Yes, it's true. Imagine a year-round supply of kale that doesn't fall prey to aphids in hot weather. Perennial vegetables form deeper root systems and require less water and care than annual varieties. When annuals bite the dust, perennial tree kale keeps going. The caveat? It lives for 3-4 years, then must be propagated from cuttings. You can do this, and Gardenerd is here to show…
YouTube: Flowering Bulbs for Bees
Honeylove and Gardenerd bring you yet another video in the Plants for Pollinators Series. In this video we show you which bulbs are great for growing for the bees and other pollinators in your garden. Find out some of our favorites, how to plant them, and more. Flowering Bulbs for Bees Learn more about bulbs: Planting Bulbs - a primer Storing Bulbs to Winterize - #2 in this newsletter Do or Die Daffodils Irises, Irises, Who Needs Some Irises? Plan…
Review: The Spirit of Stone
The Spirit of Stone by Jan Johnsen takes a look at stone from both the aesthetic and functional perspective. The author uses her own 30+ years of experience in landscaping to share hardscape ideas for home gardeners. Boulders can be used as decorative accents, flagstone as pathways, and gravel as a zen garden. But before Johnsen gets to any of that, she explores an almost spiritual connection with stone. Chapter 1 reads like a satisfying interview, tying details to ancient…