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20 Articles

from the editor

Our 2023 Reader Garden Award winners, Tingshu Hu and Philip Zhao, only really started gardening in their front yard once they put the fence up to contain their much-loved pups. (That’s Tingshu, Philip, me and their dog Luke above). They’re not alone. Many gardeners have pets that factor into how they plan and plant. And pets aren’t the only creatures to consider: I have to remind myself that I’m probably the least important of the garden’s users: Insects, chipmunks, squirrels and rabbits (sometimes to my chagrin) appreciate the plants in our little quarter-acre yard. In addition to my family, the garden also feeds our five chickens. But those aren’t the only birds that appreciate my garden. There are plenty of wild visitors as well. If you’d like to encourage more wild birds…

from the editor

GARDEN GATE ONLINE

Extend Your Garden Season GardenGateMagazine.com How to Save Container Plants Over Winter Don’t toss your container plants every fall. Learn how to keep them going this winter and save money next spring. Thanksgiving Cactus vs. Christmas Cactus Not sure which one you’re growing? Bloom time matters, but there are other ways to tell the difference too. Multiseason Plants for Your Garden Keep your garden looking good throughout the year with our top picks for multiseason plants. Get to Know Different Types of Conifers Ready to try a few new evergreen trees or shrubs? Find out which types will grow best in your garden! 3 Ways to Make Your Winter Garden Better Use these simple ideas to give your winter garden extra interest as temps dip and skies turn gray. Best Plants with Berries for Birds Are you growing plants that will keep birds…

GARDEN GATE ONLINE

Political support Edwin Flick, IA Hold onto political signs after the campaign season ends. The metal frame came in handy for Edwin when he planted these red banana trees (Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’) in containers. He removed the sign from the frame and bent back the sharp metal ends to prevent them from puncturing the leaves. Then he sunk the legs into the potting mix at the base of the banana. This was just enough support to keep the top-heavy plants with large leaves from whipping in the wind and flopping over until they could form sturdy root systems. Rose cane protection Lucille Sessions, MS In winter, Lucille noticed that raccoons and opossums often made a trail directly through her perennial beds, trampling down any remaining foliage. So now, after pruning back her shrub roses,…

Common redpoll Acanthis flammea Appearance These small songbirds have colorful patterned brown and white feathers with distinguished red markings: The males, above, have red crowns and chests, while the females and juveniles develop only red crowns. Black markings surround stout, pointy yellow beaks, and redpolls’ short tails have a small fork at the end. Songs are a combination of sharp chirps, trills and whistles. Habitat These social birds breed in Northern Canada and Alaska in summer. In late fall they migrate in large groups to the northern United States and occasionally dip into the Midwest and East Coast when food is scarce. Small seeds, especially those of willow (Salix spp.), birch (Betula spp.) and alder (Alnus spp.) trees, and insects make up their diet. In winter, they’re commonly spotted feeding in masses…

Grow a Showy Shade Garden

Shade gardens are often the perfect spots for seating areas or getaways. Under the shelter of a mature tree or a structure, the temperatures are usually a bit cooler and it’s easier to get the sense of privacy or seclusion that helps when you’re creating a calming retreat. And shade gardens often require less maintenance: Out of direct sun, the soil holds moisture longer and weeds don’t sprout so readily. Apply a couple inches of organic mulch each year and your work load will be even lighter. Now let’s take a look at some plants that can help you upgrade your shade borders or create an area where you can kick back and relax. Find more colorful shade combos. GGMagExtra.com Make Foliage the Star It’s true that there aren’t as many plants with showy…

Grow a Showy Shade Garden

How to Start a Garden Journal

A garden or nature journal is a great way to slow down, reconnect with the natural world and get to know your garden better. Carrie Carlson is an artist and teacher who brings her journal with her wherever she goes. When she sees something interesting, whether it’s in her yard or on one of her favorite walks, she makes a quick sketch or takes a few notes. Whether you’re interested in starting a journal to keep better records of your garden or would like another outlet for your creativity, Carrie has some tips that can help. ASK QUESTIONS AND RECORD WHAT YOU SEE Keeping a journal is about really paying attention to the world around you and using images, words or even numbers to record what you see. You can include sketches,…

How to Start a Garden Journal

Garden Gate TOP PICKS Irresistible Patterned Petals

Have you ever bought a plant just because the flower had an interesting pattern or unusual markings? When I see a flower with bicolored petals, I am simply drawn to it. Many insects agree: Veins, stripes, picotees (a flower that is one color but the edges are another) and bicolored throats often point the way to a nectar payoff. COMPLEMENTARY PAIRINGS To really show off a beautifully patterned flower, pair it with other plants that are more subdued. Mixing multiple flowers with bold color patterns may create a look that is busier than you’d like. For instance, use foliage plants in shades of green to surround a container with a showy bloomer so the flower is the star. In a mixed container or garden border, use a patterned flower alongside companions…

Garden Gate TOP PICKS Irresistible Patterned Petals

WHICH POPPY IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Oriental poppy Papaver orientale Oriental poppies bloom for about two weeks in late spring to early summer with eye-catching, papery blossoms bridging the gap between spring bulbs and summer perennials. If you have deer problems, the bristly foliage contains a substance in its sap that deer usually avoid. WHERE IT WORKS BEST Tuck Oriental poppies in a border near slower-growing perennials that will fill in and cover the poppy’s fading foliage in summer. Contrast orange or red Oriental poppies with companion plants such as blue-purple Siberian iris (Iris sibirica) or spike speedwell (Veronica hybrids) for a vivid late-spring combo. HOW TO GROW IT Hardy in USDA zones 2 to 7, they prefer full sun or part shade and dry soil, especially during the summer when they are dormant. After they bloom, cut back flower…

WHICH POPPY IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Once your borders are packed with flowery perennials, how do you squeeze in even more color? Tuck in a few trellises, add an arbor or fill a wall with colorful clematis blooms. These amazing vines come in a huge range of colors, shapes and sizes, but the showiest are the large-flowered hybrids. There are hundreds of cultivars in this eye-catching group, which is divided into early-flowering types that bloom on old wood (growth from the previous season) and late-flowering types that bloom on new wood (the current season’s growth). And many of them rebloom, so by choosing a mix of varieties, you can have clematis blooming from late spring to early fall. A CLEMATIS FOR EVERY GARDEN This group ranges in size from dwarf types, such as 1- to 2-foot-tall Bijou™…

GARDEN ON A DIME

If you’re trying to save money gardening, there are lots of things you can do. Composting, seed saving and dividing perennials are some great solutions. But what else can you do to pinch a few pennies? We asked our readers how they stretch their garden dollar and they had some great ideas! Take a look at their tips to see how to grow a beautiful garden without busting your budget. To get more shrubs for free, Sherri split her huge bridal wreath spirea and now has three great-looking plants! Seedling Swap Sharon Moore, IL Sharon and her friends pool their resources and coordinate who will start which vegetable seeds each year. One person might start all the beefsteak tomatoes and the eggplants, another might start the cherry tomato and cucumbers. In spring the…

GARDEN ON A DIME

Asparagus is one of the first crops you can harvest in spring, and because it’s a long-lived perennial, you can count on those sweet, crisp spears every year for decades. By midsummer its tall feathery foliage adds beautiful texture to the garden before it sets seed and goes dormant after a hard frost. You’ll need time, patience and a few special techniques to get a good asparagus patch going. This guide can help. CHOOSE THE RIGHT SPOT Although plants can tolerate part shade, asparagus grows more vigorously with 6 to 8 hours of full sun each day. Good soil drainage is another must, as roots rot easily in soggy soil. They are especially sensitive to soil compaction and root disturbance, so plant them in a raised bed or a spot where…

GRAND GARDEN EXPERIMENT

When Philip Zhao and Tingshu Hu moved to their suburban home in northern Massachusetts nearly 20 years ago, it took them 2 hours to mow the 1-acre lawn. This wasn’t how they wanted to spend their time outdoors. So they set a goal of reducing their lawn by half, which they hoped would cut down on water usage and lawn treatments. Now they tend a couple of large vegetable plots, countless flower and shrub borders, three ponds, two greenhouses and even a flock of chickens. Tingshu, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Philip, a computer engineer, have planned and executed every project themselves. Along the way, they’ve experimented with new plants, faced challenges and built some pretty innovative garden structures. All of these factors led us to select…

GRAND GARDEN EXPERIMENT

ELEVATING small SPACES

4 landscape designers share their solutions. In a small space, cultivating a lush and thriving garden may seem like a daunting challenge, especially if you’re up against environmental obstacles such as heavy rainfall, extreme heat or drought. But it isn’t impossible! I’ve asked four garden design pros to share their techniques, products and favorite plants to make the most of a limited space. Whether you have a smaller backyard or garden on a patio or rooftop, you’ll find plenty of ideas here! In Marisa’s small backyard, her neighbor’s black walnut tree makes it tough to grow all the vegetables she wants. These designers’ tips have given her plenty of ideas to try. (And she’s still hoping her neighbor decides to take down the tree!) DESIGN ELEMENTS AT WORK Pearce ButcherPearce B Designs, Greenville, SC Pearce…

ELEVATING small SPACES

Small Garden Mix and Match

In a small bed, every plant counts! You can’t afford to include a plant that only looks good for a week or two. Here’s a collection of hard-working multiseason plants that work so well together that I’ve combined them in two different small-space scenarios. CORNER POCKET Placing a stepping stone in the middle of the snow-in-summer makes it easy to step close to the mailbox. There’s no sedum in this plan—it attracts a lot of bees, which you don’t want around a spot you have to step into. Weigela and phlox add plenty of color, as does the mandevilla vine growing on the mailbox. EASY ISLAND BED An island bed can block an unwanted view, break up a sweep of empty lawn or serve as a focal point. Here, blue oat grass…

Small Garden Mix and Match

4 Bird-Feeding Mistakes

When you hang a feeder, it’s like having friends over for dinner. You want to offer the best food and a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere (and clean dishes!). Of course birds love the berries, seeds and insects that already live in your garden, but you may want to add a few feeders to supplement when natural food sources are scarce. Before you hang a pretty feeder in any old spot, to keep the birds in your yard well fed and safe, make sure you’re avoiding these common mistakes. 1 OFFERING THE INCORRECT FOOD Different birds prefer different seed, and using the wrong kind can discourage certain species from stopping by. Here are some common types of bird food and which birds are most likely to eat them: Note: Store birdseed in a cool, dry…

4 Bird-Feeding Mistakes

Q When should I stop watering my garden in fall? Betty Swenson, OR A The old garden saying “The last tool you should put away for winter is your garden hose” is true. While soil doesn’t dry out as quickly as it does in summer, plants may still need watering in fall and winter. If the soil isn’t frozen and feels dry, go ahead and water, whether it’s October or January. But let the soil tell you when it’s time to water: Too much contributes to crown or root rot, especially in winter when many plants are dormant. Be sure to disconnect and empty the hose after each use when a freeze is in the forecast so it doesn’t burst. Q My mangave bloomed last year and doesn’t look great now. However, it…

Bristly greenbrier Smilax hispida What it looks like Ever been pulling weeds and accidentally grabbed a stem with lots of small thorns? You’ve probably come across bristly greenbrier, a native deciduous vine. Lower stems are covered with thorns while upper parts have small bristles. The oval to heart-shaped glossy green leaves are 4 to 5 inches wide with three to seven parallel veins. Dark green tendrils at the leaf base help stems climb. Bristly greenbrier can grow up to 40 feet tall or ramble over the ground, forming a dense thicket. Small pale yellow flowers appear in late spring to early summer, followed by small blue to black berries, which are a popular food for all kinds of wildlife. Where to find it In the wild, bristly greenbrier prefers open woods and thickets. In…

the Gardener’s Gift Guide

GLOVES IN A BOTTLE SHIELDING LOTION Say goodbye to dry skin with the gift of Gloves In A Bottle Shielding Lotion. Our formula bonds with the outer layer of skin cells, enhancing the skin’s ability to retain natural oils and moisture. It helps protect against irritants, harsh soaps, and other common household/ cosmetic products that compromise your skin. The Rescue set includes our best-selling tubes: SPF, Botanical, and the Original Formula. Get 30% off the Rescue Set on our website w/code: GG30; or on Amazon 2-day prime shipping. SHOP: www.glovesinabottle.com BLUESTONE PERENNIALS GIFT CERTIFICATES Give the gift of Gardening with a Bluestone Perennials Gift Certificate. Bluestone grows and ships over 1,200 varieties of perennials, groundcovers and shrubs, from beloved garden classics to unique and hard to find specimens. All plants have a 100% guarantee to…

the Gardener’s Gift Guide

A Mighty Fine Addition to the Garden

Traditional orange daylilies are the workhorses of the garden, with eye-catching color, reliable performance and easy care. ‘Mighty Chestnut’ daylily is no exception, but its outstanding blooms put it a step above its classic older cousins. FLOWER SHOW Deep orange blossoms are marked with a rich burgundy eye and a sunshine-yellow throat. Ruffled flowers are lightly fragrant and can be more than 5 inches across. The color contrasts beautifully with a dark background, such as a wooden fence, an evergreen hedge or a ceramic urn, as in “Dark & Handsome” below. While this cultivar only blooms once a summer, ‘Mighty Chestnut’ boasts a high bud count, so you’ll get several weeks of successive flowers. Blossoms can last for up to 16 hours, longer than the typical daylily. Snap off withered flowers each day…

A Mighty Fine Addition to the Garden

We’re Birders Now

There is a rhythm to our backyard that I didn’t notice until the quiet of COVID. During those first few months, my youngest daughter and I were usually the first ones awake. She’s always been an early bird, but some fun new anxieties were waking me around 5 every morning. So we’d come downstairs together and I’d make coffee and let the dogs out while my daughter ate breakfast. Then we’d meet in the sun room to watch the birds. Now I do it every day. PECKING ORDER Who knew there was such a precise schedule of activity happening in the yard every morning? It always starts with the small birds: chickadees, sparrows, cardinals and dark-eyed juncos. They line up along the fence and wait, mostly patiently, for their turn on…

We’re Birders Now

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