Some seeds get started indoors (more on this in next week’s blog) and others get placed right in the ground. In this post we’re talking about some common seeds that are great to purchase at this time of year but get planted directly in the ground at the end of May. Why discuss May planting…

If you’ve fed the birds in the past you’ve probably noticed that some birds prefer to eat off the ground, while others will go to a feeder first. You may have seen that finches love the tube feeders and when they are filled with the extra fine sunflower chips, woodpeckers go to these as well.…

It may be too cold to spend much time outside, but when you feed the birds a good quality seed you’re rewarded with a yard full of color and motion, and less mess for you! Inexpensive seed mixes often contain fillers such as golden or red millet, wheat, oats or other grains that most birds…

At this time of year it often feels like spring just can’t come fast enough. Fortunately, we can cheer ourselves up with indoor plants that are blooming, fragrant, or both. Here are just a few of the commonly found fragrant plants that are sure to lift your spirits out of the winter doldrums.

The main reason people’s houseplants die is from the way they are watered: too much or too little water kills indoor plants. Watering isn’t the only reason some plants fail, of course, but improper watering leads to the decline of plants in the majority of cases. Here are some general guidelines for watering, followed by…

January is the month when we start to notice problems on indoor plants. There are good reasons for this timing: the plants have been living with less than ideal light since October. The air in our centrally heated houses is dry. Plants might be crammed in together so that there isn’t good air circulation and…

I walked through the front greenhouse at Country Garden the other day because I wanted to be surrounded by the amazing selection of houseplants. I needed a serious dose of growth! That day I noticed that Christina and Marsha were unpacking a new shipment of indoor plants, so of course I had to take a…

It’s that time of year again: New Year’s Resolution time. Some people make definite commitments for improvements while for others their main resolution is to remember to write the new date  correctly on their checks. As a plant and garden lover, my resolutions tend to revolve around varieties I want to grow and changes that…

You have questions about your yard, garden, holiday plants and houseplants. We’ve got answers! Here are a few that have been posed this week: Q. Can I plant the paperwhite bulbs after they flower indoors? A. No, these bulbs aren’t bred for long-term life in this area. Enjoy them indoors, and when they are done…

Let’s face it: sometimes it’s hard to find the perfect holiday gift for the people you know. So in the interest of helping you discover the right present for those who are hard-to-shop-for, here is our 2018 Holiday Gift List. For The Condo Dweller Those who live in condos often grow flowers and assorted other…

Do you want to fill your containers with attractive winter plants that can then go into your garden in the spring? If so, this post is for you. At this time of year many want to fill their pots, urns and window boxes with greens for the holidays and beyond. Some stick cut greens right…

One of the things the custom department at HCG does at this time of year is to make arrangements for window boxes, porch pots and other containers. One of the most unusual pieces we do is a birdbath or urn topper. Here are photo instructions for you to create your own toppers…we have all the…