The Greenhouse 'field notes'

Creating butterfly habitats is a growing practice for many gardeners. The benefits include a garden with beautiful and diverse plants. As well as, giving our gorgeous insect pollinators a wonderful place to live and feel safe.

Rains and wind can take a toll on the earth. And if your property has hills and slopes, you could be dealing with erosion problems.

Perennials have their advantages over annuals in that they grow back every year, eliminating the labor of planting and purchasing every season. The tricky part of using perennials is maximizing bloom time throughout the year.

As plants break dormancy toward spring, fluctuating temperatures can leave them vulnerable to cold snaps. Luckily, there are some easy things you can do to help ensure your plants will make it through this precarious time of year...

Nothing says spring-time like flowers! Walking through a beautiful garden center full of blooms can feel like paradise for the garden enthusiast. But don’t be surprised if you take that big beautiful Forsythia (for example) home and the blooms fall off promptly after planting. And don’t be discouraged either.

For many plant shoppers reading labels can be a little confusing. Knowing what to look for and understanding garden jargon will save you time, money and stress.

Pruning deciduous shrubs in late winter encourages fast growth in the spring. It is also easier to see the branch structure making cuts more efficient and beneficial for the plant.

Winter can be the perfect time for pruning trees. The optimal time is usually after several deep frosts have occurred as it helps to ensure your deciduous trees are dormant. Diseases are also less likely to set in and the leaf-free branches are much easier to see and reach.

Performing a few maintenance and organizational tasks now, can save you time, money and stress next spring.