SHRUBS THAT THRIVE WITH MINIMAL EFFORT

Natalie Carmolli, Proven Winners® ColorChoice®

The allure of a lush and vibrant outdoor space often comes with concerns about maintenance. However, a stunning landscape doesn't have to be synonymous with constant upkeep. We’ll take a look at some of our favorite evergreen and woody ornamentals, along with design strategies that reduce the need for constant attention.

6 MIXED COMBOS WITH COOL WAVE PANSIES

Suzette Rubio, Cool Wave Pansies

It’s almost time to enjoy our favorite cool-weather flowers: Spring pansies! Whether you’ve already planned your spring garden layout, or are waiting to see which flower colors inspire you at your local garden supply store, these combo recipes featuring Cool Wave® Spreading Pansies will kick-start your creativity and get you in the mood for the sunnier, warmer days ahead. Learn more...

HOW TO PRUNE ROSES

Heirloom Roses

Pruning is an important part of rose care to ensure hearty growth and gorgeous blooms. Though it sometimes can seem daunting to new gardeners, pruning is not hard to learn, and the results are well worth the effort! Here's our quick and easy guide to pruning roses.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING AN EARTH AUGER

Power Planter

A drill-powered earth auger is a handy tool for professional landscapers, DIY enthusiasts, and anyone who would rather put down the shovel and spend less time and energy digging holes. These high-performance tools have been a game changer for gardeners for decades, providing a fast and effortless way to dig holes in even the toughest soils, without the back-breaking labor. With Power Planter's augers for drills, planting trees, shrubs, and flowers, or any other digging job in your garden or yard, has never been easier.

THE TOP FOUR GARDENING AND OUTDOOR LIVING TRENDS FOR 2024

Joe Raboine, Belgard

While it’s still winter in many parts of the country, it’s never too early to start thinking about your garden or outdoor living space. You can start thinking through what plants you’d like to curate this year, any fruits or vegetables you want to harvest, and how you can maximize your time outside. As you’re thinking about sprucing up your outdoor spaces, consider these trends. 

A NEW PETUNIA WITH A SPECIAL GLOW

Therese Ciesinski, GardenSMART

Recently I received information about a unique plant that’s coming on the market this spring. I mean, truly unique, as in there’s nothing else like it. In daytime there’s nothing remarkable about it. It’s just another ordinary white petunia. But once the sun goes down, the difference becomes obvious.

3 SEED STARTING MISTAKES TO AVOID

Ashleigh Smith, True Leaf Market

There is something special about growing a garden from seed. While the seasoned gardener may have this process down to a science, it can be tricky for newcomers to know the “what, when, and how” behind seed starting. You can experience success by avoiding the three most common mistakes gardeners make when growing a garden from seed. 

PLANTS AND DESIGN FOR THE GREAT FRONT-YARD REFRESH OF 2024

Monrovia Nursery Company

Research shows that the 2024 gardening season will find more homeowners investing in their front yards. Each year Monrovia conducts an exhaustive national research survey, asking 1400 homeowners about their plant purchases and gardening interests. In this year’s survey, gardeners’ interest in redesigning their front yard increased by 4% in comparison to the previous year, while overall landscaping improvement plans were like last year’s. Learn more...

FAN THE FLAMES OF ROMANCE WITH A BEAUTIFUL FIRE

Leroy Hite, Cutting Edge Firewood

This Valentine’s Day weekend, plan to fan the flames of romance with a beautiful and cozy fireside evening. Enjoying time with your loved one around the hearth creates a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and is a perfect way to celebrate love.

5 HOT GARDEN TRENDS FOR 2024

Heather Blackmore, Proven Winners

One thing is certain when it comes to garden trends in 2024—sustainability remains front and center as gardeners tailor their plant choices to reflect a changing climate. This year’s list also includes a play on contrasts as well as a thoughtful regard for dealing with extremes in the garden. See which topics you’ll be seeing pop up more and more as we embark on a new gardening season.

THREE SPECIAL HOUSEPLANTS

Dan Heims, Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.

Ok campers, every now and then a new plant comes by and simply stuns. Well, Dan has three of them! All are relatively rare and incredibly special.

CREATE YOUR OWN CHAOS GARDEN AND EMBRACE THE WILD

Jackson & Perkins

Gardening is an art form that often suggests meticulous planning, careful pruning, and a well-ordered appearance. But what if there's a way to embrace the wild, untamed beauty of nature in your own backyard? Enter the chaos garden, a concept that celebrates randomness, spontaneity, and the natural order of growth.

GET TO KNOW YOUR COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE

Therese Ciesinski, GardenSMART

There’s a resource available that will make you a better gardener. It’s your regional or county cooperative extension program. It exists to help state residents stay informed on a variety of horticultural, agricultural, and food-related topics.

1, 2, 3... MAKE EVERY BIRD COUNT!

Wild Birds Unlimited

Feeding birds…watching birds…counting birds. Yep, it must be February and these three simple actions can make a world of difference. How so? It’s the month for the Great Backyard Bird Count, which takes place February 16-19.

TESTING, SHARING AND SAVING LEFTOVER SEEDS

Melinda Myers

As you scour the seed catalogs and websites for new and favorite flower and vegetable seeds, take time to inventory the seeds you have saved from previous years. You’ll save money by not buying more of the seeds you already have so you’ll have more to spend on something new.

5 HOUSEPLANTS THAT GROW IN ANY ROOM IN YOUR HOME

Justin Hancock, Costa Farms

I'm often asked what the best plants for a bedroom, dining room, etc., are. There’s no one set of plants perfect for a particular room because different rooms have varying conditions. That said, there are a few houseplants that grow practically anywhere.

SEED BUYING 101: A SEED GARDENER'S GLOSSARY

Home Garden Seed Association

How often do you find yourself wondering: What is the difference between an heirloom and an open-pollinated seed variety, an F-1 hybrid and a “GMO?” Misconceptions about these terms are rampant. This glossary will help you make sense of it all.

FEBRUARY MEANS CABIN FEVER

Therese Ciesinski, GardenSMART

It may be the shortest month on the calendar, but February feels by far the longest. Where I live, the ground is frozen and the landscape is a study in grays and browns. How to get through this cold, drab month, when the house no longer seems cozy but confining, and it feels like winter will never end?

HOW TO BEST PLANT ON A SLOPE

With steeper slopes think about the plants that grow vertically and the plants that grow horizontally. If you have a vertical plant, you want to be sure that when you plant on a steep slope, you dig back into the slope, then take that soil and use it in the front of the plant when planted. Watch the video...

FINE TUNING GARDEN DESIGN

In this episode GardenSMART returns to the north Georgia mountains to discuss garden design at one of the nation's largest estate gardens. Our journey at Gibbs Gardens through the painstaking and truly rewarding process of designing and building a new garden has been exciting. Learn more...