Gardening Basics

Every spring as the weather turns warm and the sun is shining bright in the sky you may decide that you need to landscape your yard. Before landscaping your yard you need to think about how to...

Shrubs are the foundation of any garden, but sometimes they become old or diseased or otherwise unattractive, or perhaps they become invasive, threatening other plants or even your house's...

Bone meal is composed of bones that have been very finely ground. It may not sound very appealing, but bone meal is rich in minerals and nutrients, which made it useful for gardening applications.

Mold, pests, poor soil conditions and improper watering can cause evergreen shrubs to become sick. The branches may be dying off, they may be dropping their foliage or the color of the foliage may...

Many gardeners believe that in order to encourage shrubs to fill out, they should be sheared evenly at the tips. Except for formal hedges and certain types of topiary, though, this is not the...

Selecting shrubs suitable for shady areas is much like imagining a walk through the woods. There is a broad palette of shrubs that work well in settings under trees or near the edge of woods. In...

Shade netting, or green shade cloth, is a garden tool with dozens of useful applications. This inexpensive, versatile material can be put to use for crop season extension throughout the year, as...

Dogwood shrubs live a long lifespan. Many varieties are available but the most common are red twig, blood twig, gray dogwoods and tatarian. Dogwoods make stunning informal hedges or barrier plants...

Preparing your shrubs for winter is as much about knowing what not to do, as about knowing how to shelter the plants. Perennial plants and shrubs protect themselves naturally in winter by going...

Cool weather brings falling leaves and the end of the growing season for annuals and perennials. Many of the plants, trees and shrubs in your landscape are entering the dormant season. Preparing...

From a small acorn, some of the greatest oak trees have grown. Properly tended oak trees can live for 200 years or longer so deciding what plants to grow around your oak trees is something you...

Depending on the area in the world you live , fall may be a great time for some gardening. Usually when the hot summer months come to end, cooler brisk days follow. Pruning evergreen shrubs is a...

Many home gardeners make a great effort to tend to their lawn and gardens during the more temperate months of the year. Come winter, however, it is all too easy to slack off. By taking some late...

Hungry deer will eat and damage just about any shrub, tree or plant in your yard. No longer a winter-time only concern, herds of deer are on the increase and doing damage to trees and shrubs year...

Using shrubs in landscaping can add beauty to your home and garden year-round. Few other plants provide as much bang for your buck because shrubs are long-lasting, fast-growing, tolerate drought...

Evergreen shrubs provide curb appeal to your property as well as privacy around windows. They will keep their needles or leaves all year and require little maintenance other than yearly pruning. ...

With summer just about over, it is time to weed out the garden. It is important to maintain your garden by trimming your perennials to keep your garden looking it's best for the next warm season.

Outdoor plants can be broken into basic large families, such as trees, shrubs, bushes, flowers, edibles and grasses. Understand the basic rules of identifying plants with helpful information from...

A privacy screen can help disguise an ugly garden wall or a less-than-pleasant view; it can also keep you and your neighbors from seeing into each other's windows or yards. Planting a "living...

Some plants, flowers, shrubs and trees require soil with a high lime content. This is a very simple PH test to find out if your soil is alkaline (has a high lime content) without having to bring...

You may have a very good reason for wanting to uproot a shrub. Most people want to move their shrubs to an area that is not so congested by other plant life. You would also uproot shrubs when you...

It's never too early to start planning for your winter garden landscape. There's no reason you can't have a great looking garden during the winter months when flowers are dormant and gardening...

Get the English Garden Look for your Herb Garden or Rose Bed. Or add elegance to your Front Entry with a miniature English Boxwood Hedge

Pruning shrubs and bushes helps them grow back healthier and stronger the next growing season. Proper pruning will give your garden a cleaner more polished look. Under-pruning or using the wrong...

To enjoy an outdoor space all year round, incorporate plants, flowers and shrubs that bloom and thrive in different seasons, and incorporate seasonal decorations into the garden. Plant an...

Wildlife gardening is important to counter the hostile effects of urban development on the environment, and to offer animals a green space to thrive and migrate through. Create wildlife habitats...

Attracting birds to a garden simply requires providing food in the form of berry bushes, and nesting opportunities with bird boxes, trees or shrubs. Encourage birds to thrive in a garden, making...

It is generally not recommended to replant shrubs (and other plants) in summer. There is a considerable chance that the shrub will dry out. However, sometimes you cannot wait until next spring or...

Plants that work well for container gardening include annuals, which bloom in the spring and summer but die by the winter, perennial flowers and trees and shrubs. Find the perfect plants for any...

Using form in a container garden, combine upright plants, weeping or tailing plants and rounded shrubs together for a dramatic effect. Incorporate different forms and shapes into a container...

When scheduling yard work, aerate the lawn and compost flower beds in the spring, trim shrubs, and keep mowing the lawn in the fall, prune back bushes and trees in the winter, and then do new...

Shade shrubs can grow in light to full shade, and although there are many different types available from which to choose, most have similar care requirements. Follow the guidelines in this article...

Flower gardens should consist of a variety of flowering plants, such as trees, shrubs, flowers, perennials, annuals and bulbs, in order to maintain color and texture throughout the year. Create...

Prevent soil erosion on a hillside by planting a variety of vegetables, fruits and shrubs in the area to keep the soil from fall off the cliff. Consider putting down netting and rocks to prevent...

Pruning flowering shrubs not only creates a more visually appealing garden, but it also encourages new growth for the following season. Trim back about one-third of the plant each year, thinning...

Pruning photinia shrubs is best done after they are done blooming for the season, and cutting back one-third of the plant will encourage new growth and more blossoms for years to come. Prune a...

Prune azalea shrubs after they have finished blooming for the season, cut back untamed branches, and thin out the center of the shrub to allow for more sun exposure. Trim back azalea shrubs...

To remove dead shrubs, dig in around the roots of the shrub, work the shovel around the plant, and pull the shrub out with all the roots. Use dead shrubs as mulch for other plants with...

When pruning shrubs, avoid pruning when the flowers are in bloom, cut the branches down to the leaf line, and get rid of any dead or scraggly branches. Avoid pruning down shrubs more than one...

Compared to flowering plants, shrubs are an inexpensive landscape alternative at the local gardening or home improvement store. If you want to fill up your landscape quickly, invest in shrubs and...

For many years, winter has been considered a dead season for gardens and gardeners alike. However, with careful landscaping, you can enjoy a beautiful garden in all four seasons, even in the...

The success of hillside landscaping depends on a number of factors, including the steepness of the hill, soil type and budget constraints. The number one goal when landscaping a hill is to stop...

Just a bit of landscaping can add a touch of beauty and excitement to the exterior of any home. Even if you don’t have lots of money or time to spend on a garden, you can plant inexpensive...

In early September, many of us are tempted to start wintering our perennials, as the colors are fading and many blooms have gone by. But, cutting back plants too early may result in may result in...

Learn tips for planting shrubs and grass in this free video clip about how to make a moon garden.

Learn how to care for shrubs during the winter months in this free video clip about preparing your garden for spring.

Minature crepe myrtles are beautiful shrubs that bloom all summer long and make a wonderful addition to your landscaping. Though these shrubs are low maintenence, they do require pruning from time...

Learn how much food or fertilizer do your shrubs need, and what type to use, in this shrub care video clip.

Learn how to prune your shrubs, in this shrub care video clip.

Learn how to choose mulch and how to mulch your trees and shrubs, in this free lawn and garden care video lesson.