Gardening Lessons: Video Series

Bamboo plants are either running bamboo, which spreads quickly unless contained, or clumping bamboo, which grows very tall, but does not spread. Choose a bamboo grass plant suitable for the yard with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

Bonsai tree species are either formal uprights, such as junipers and pines, or informal uprights, such as Japanese maple, trident maple and beach conifers. Choose the best species of bonsai tree, which can be shaped and trained for hundreds of years, with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

The Chinese elm bonsai tree is the best species for beginner pruners, as it does not require a dormant period, it is easy to grow, and it is very forgiving. Care for an indoor Chinese elm bonsai tree with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

Peonies require full, hot sun and cold winters to bloom, so planting the root far away from the house in clusters of three for five will create ample blooms. Grow peonies, which make great cut flowers, with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

The calla lily can either be part of the aethiopica family or the zantedeschias family, the first of which thrives in partial shade and wet climates, while the latter prefers full, hot sun and good drainage. Grow calla lilies all year round with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

Different types of poppy plants include the California poppy, the Alpine poppy, the Iceland poppy, the Oriental poppy and the Flanders poppy, all of which bloom beautifully in the summer but require different climates. Discover the various types of poppy flowers with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

Lemon trees must be grown from a graft, and they survive best in warm, moist, coastal climates such as Italy, Spain, California and Florida. Find out how to grow a lemon tree, which can survive in cooler climates when grown in a greenhouse, with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

Flowers, which appear in some form on most plant species, are the sexual organs of a plant, as the center of the bud is the female aspect and the pollen is the male aspect. Get interesting facts about flowers with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

To clean and serve fresh blueberries, soak slightly dehydrated or frozen berries in cold water for up to an hour, rinse the berries thoroughly, and serve the berries over ice, ice cream or whipped cream on a hot summer day. Enjoy blueberries all year long, freezing fresh summer berries for the winter, with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

Cutting flowers to last longer in a vase requires trimming the stems underwater, snipping them at a 45-degree angle and replacing the water every day. Trim the ends every few days for longer-lasting fresh-cut flowers with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

When designing a container vegetable garden, choose small vegetables that require little room to grow, plant the larger vegetables in the back or center of the container, and grow smaller vegetables and herbs around the perimeter of the container. Grow peas, spinach, carrots and herbs in a container with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

Dividing and transplanting rhubarb only requires a bit of stem and a bit of root to grow a new plant, and transplants should take place in the fall, winter or early spring to give the new plant time to establish new roots in the ground. Replant rhubarb immediately after dividing it with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

Drying out gourds, squash and pumpkin is simple by cutting the vegetable from the vine when it is mature, storing it in a paper bag or hanging it from a hook, and keeping it in a warm, dry place until they are completely dried out. Cut a hole in the bottom of larger gourds to dry them out more efficiently with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

To grow cauliflower, provide a mild, coastal climate, plant the seed in early spring, and protect the cauliflower for birds by wrapping the head of the flower with its own leaves. Grow cauliflower similarly to cabbage or broccoli with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

Growing celery is done by planting the seeds in the early spring, protecting the new growth using a milk carton and harvesting the vegetable in the summer. Stagger celery plants to enjoy celery all season long with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

When growing corn, provide at least 3 feet between each plant, sow three seeds for each planting site, and harvest the ears of corn when the kernels are no longer watery. Grow corn in late winter for a summer harvest with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

Growing flowers in a greenhouse is a great way to save the plants through the winter season, as just an extra layer of plastic draped over the most tender plants can save them. Use a greenhouse to grow a variety of off-season plants with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

Growing herbs in a greenhouse is a great way to enjoy them all year round, and most herbs will continue growing through the winter when the brown parts are trimmed off. Grow a variety of herbs in the greenhouse, such as spearmint, thyme, rosemary and sage, with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

To grow herbs indoors, make sure they get plenty of sunlight, water them well while they drain in the sink, and set them on a plate to protect the counter surface. Grow herbs in the kitchen for easy accessibility with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

To harvest and store almonds, pick them from the tree when the shells just barely start to split, dry the nuts out in the sun for one or two days, and then store them in a paper bag or a jar to keep for up to five years. Enjoy homegrown almonds, which can be used in a variety of recipes, with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

Harvesting and storing beets is simple by pulling them out of the ground when they are mostly matured, washing off the dirt and keeping them in a paper box or in the refrigerator. Store beets to use in salads or to boil with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

To harvest and store blackberries, pick the berries off the vine just a week after they turn black, soak them in some water to wash the dirt off of them, and store them either in the refrigerator for a few weeks or in the freezer for up to a year. Enjoy blackberries all year long with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

Harvesting and storing blueberries is simple by waiting at least a week after they turn blue to pick them, washing the berries free of dust and dirt and storing them in a single layer in the refrigerator or the freezer. Pick plump, sweet blueberries when the time is right with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

To harvest and store chestnuts, shake the nuts out of the tree using a broom handle, dry them out naturally in the sun for a few days, and store them in a paper bag. Keep chestnuts for years, roasting them for a winter treat, with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.

When harvesting and storing corn, break the ears off the stalk when the kernels have a thick consistency inside, keep the husk over the corn to keep it moist, and store it in an aerated container. Freeze corn to enjoy later in the season with advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardening.