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Linda's Gardening Tips


All About Fertilizing and Watering
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Fertilizers are made from these 3 nutrients. The bag will tell you the percentage of each nutrient that is in the using the first letter of the word and in this order. N P K are the chemical names and they are used on the bag. N P K is a balanced fertilizer Fish Oil Emulsion is an organic fertilizer 10 10 10 5 1 1 Sometimes your soil has plenty of one of these nutrients so th

Linda Hlozansky
May 162 min read


My 10 Favorite Houseplants
Aloe Vera My 10 Favorite House Plants Light Requirement 1. Pathos Ambient room light 2. African Violet Sunny window 3. Aloe Sunny window 4. Philodendron Ambient Light 5. Spider Plant Ambient light 6. Maidenhair Fern

Linda Hlozansky
May 131 min read


Terrariums
Creating and maintaining a terrarium can be a delightful and fulfilling experience that brings a touch of nature into your home or office. These miniature ecosystems not only serve as beautiful decorative pieces but also offer a unique opportunity to engage with the natural world in a controlled environment. To fully enjoy your terrarium, consider the following aspects that can enhance your experience and deepen your appreciation for this living art form. Understanding the Ba

Linda Hlozansky
May 113 min read


Lavender and other Herbs
Harvesting and drying herbs at home is a rewarding way to preserve the flavors and aromas of your garden throughout the year. Whether you grow herbs for their leaves, flowers, or seeds, knowing the right time and method to collect and dry them ensures you get the best quality and potency. This guide shares practical tips and techniques to help you harvest and dry herbs effectively, so you can enjoy fresh and fragrant herbs long after the growing season ends. Fresh herb bunche

Linda Hlozansky
Apr 304 min read


How to Successfully Save Seeds for Your Garden Next Year
Saving seeds from your garden is a rewarding way to preserve your favorite plants, reduce costs, and create a sustainable gardening cycle. Instead of buying new seeds every season, you can harvest seeds from your own plants and use them to grow next year’s garden. This process not only saves money but also helps you select plants that thrive in your local environment. If you want to learn how to save seeds effectively, this guide will walk you through the essential steps and

Linda Hlozansky
Mar 154 min read


Bringing Color to Shady Spaces with Caladiums: A Guide for Tropical Beauty
Shady garden areas often lack the bright, eye-catching colors that sun-loving plants provide. Yet, these spots do not have to remain dull or lifeless. Caladiums offer a vibrant solution for gardeners looking to add tropical flair and vivid hues to shaded landscapes. Known for their colorful, heart-shaped leaves, caladiums thrive in partial to full shade, making them perfect for spots where many other plants struggle. This guide explores how to grow and care for caladiums, hel

Linda Hlozansky
Feb 184 min read


The Surprising Benefits of Growing Yarrow in Your Garden
Yarrow is a plant that often goes unnoticed in many gardens, yet it offers a range of benefits that make it a valuable addition to any outdoor space. Known for its delicate clusters of flowers and feathery leaves, yarrow is more than just a pretty plant. It supports garden health, attracts beneficial insects, and even has uses beyond the garden bed. If you’re looking for a hardy, low-maintenance plant that brings multiple advantages, yarrow deserves a spot in your garden. Clu

Linda Hlozansky
Jan 233 min read


Fairy Gardens
Fairy gardens or miniature gardens are like a doll house for gardeners. Play with it as often as you want. Just like in the really big landscape, plants may decline, and you take them out to put in new plants. Ideas for Containers: Birdbaths Clay or plastic pots or plastic bowls Wagons Baskets Wheelbarrows Raised beds Old tree stumps China bowl with small stones in the bottom Old child's pool with holes drilled in the bottom Or you can put a large scale fairy garden in the

Linda Hlozansky
Jan 91 min read


Purple Hyacinth Bean Vine
Purple hyacinth bean is often grown as a flowering plant , although most of the plant is edible. With shades of purple in the leaves, stems, flowers and showy seed pods, it is undeniably eye-catching. Purple hyacinth bean is a very vigorous grower and the vines are a popular choice for a quick cover, although they can frustrate you by refusing to flower until late in the season. The bright green, pointed leaves grow in leaflets of three leaves. The stems and undersides of th

Linda Hlozansky
Dec 31, 20254 min read


Plant for the pollinators
Many plants need the help of pollinators to produce their fruit. Examples: Squash, Melons, Apples The seeds contained in the fruit ensures the plants future generations. Who are the pollinators? Butterflies, Bats, Hummingbirds and Bees The pollinators are faced with many threats: Loss of Habitat Pollution Climate change How Can You Help? Use native plants Provide a source of water in your yard or garden Avoid pesticides Choose plants that the pollinators like Full sun p

Linda Hlozansky
Dec 8, 20251 min read


Trees Native to Georgia
Name Growth Speed Size at full growth Light 1. Red bud Medium 25-30 ft Sun or Shade Bloom early spring 2. Halesia Tetraptera Medium 20-30 ft. Sun or Semi Shade Silverbell 3.Ilex Opaca Medium 20-30 ft. Sun or Sha

Linda Hlozansky
Dec 3, 20251 min read


Best Perennials for Full Sun and Drought Tolerance in Coastal Georgia
Gardening in coastal Georgia presents unique challenges. The combination of intense sun, sandy soil, salty air, and occasional drought can make it tough for many plants to thrive. Choosing the right perennials that can handle full sun and tolerate dry spells is key to creating a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that flourishes year after year. This guide highlights some of the best perennials suited for these conditions. Whether you want vibrant flowers, attractive foliage,

Linda Hlozansky
Nov 26, 20254 min read


Essential Tips for Successful Plant Propagation at Home
Plant propagation offers a rewarding way to multiply your favorite plants without buying new ones. Whether you want to expand your garden or share plants with friends, knowing how to propagate correctly can save money and bring satisfaction. This guide shares practical tips to help you succeed in plant propagation at home. Rooted plant cutting in soil, ready for transplanting Choose the Right Plant for Propagation Not all plants propagate easily. Some species respond well to

Linda Hlozansky
Nov 21, 20253 min read


Mexican Heather: An Annual or Perennial Depending on the Weather
Mexican Heather is the perfect size for the front border of an annual or perennial bed. It also makes an excellent addition to vegetable gardens because it draws pollinators like crazy. This plant is one of those annual/perennial types of plants that depend on what type of weather we have through winter. Too much cold and you may have to replace it. If the winter is mild this perennial will pop back up. Its mature size of 12″-18″ tall x wide is perfect in the small scale

Linda Hlozansky
Nov 14, 20252 min read


Backstory for my book Welcome to the Garden, Bok Choy
I have been a gardener for a long time. My parents and grandparents were gardeners, but until last Fall, I had never grown Bok Choy. At the Glynn County Cooperative Extension Service, I was given seed packets to plant in our 4-H demonstration garden. They were planted, and boy, did they grow! With a bit of research, I learned that they are Chinese Cabbage. ( How different they look, I thought) A young man in 4-H who liked to cook, stir-fried it for the group of young people (

Linda Hlozansky
Nov 6, 20251 min read


Compost
Finished compost can be used as mulch or soil amendment for the garden. There are two ways to compost: open or closed. Open composting usually has three piles: 1.new clippings 2. aging clippings 3. finished compost Closed composting is done in some sort of barrel usually raised and ready to turn on a stand. Guidelines: What do I put into the composter? 1. Grass clippings unless they have chemicals on them 2. Scraps of uncooked fruits and vegetable materials like pe

Linda Hlozansky
Nov 5, 20252 min read


Plant List For The Shade
SHADE GARDEN PLANTS *Anise Azalea Camellia Edgeworthia Mop head Hydrangea *Oak leaf Hydrangea *Piedmont Azalea Rhododendron *Sweetshrub *Virginia Sweetspire Coral Bells (Heuchera ‘Raspberry Ice’) *Dwarf Crested Iris *Foamflower *Hardy Begonia Lenten Rose Toad Lily *Trillium *Virginia Bluebells *Wild Geranium Autumn Fern *Christmas Fern

Linda Hlozansky
Oct 28, 20251 min read


A List of My Favorite Children's Garden Themed Books
Allison's Zinnia ( an alphabet book) by Anita Lobel Apples and Pumpkins (a trip to the farm) by Anne Rockwell From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons Jack's Garden (vocabulary building) by Henry Cole The Gardener (my all time favorite) by Sarah Stewart Linnea's Windowsill Garden (great for apartment projects) by Christina Bjork Miss Rumphius (making things better than we found them) by Barbara Cooney Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert Tops and Bottoms ( fabulous book) b

Linda Hlozansky
Oct 21, 20251 min read


Container Gardening
Containers offer quick satisfaction with the minimum of effort. Keep a few things in mind while planning and planting containers. Plants in pots are like jewelry, so don't overdo it! Use plants with similar light needs. Consider the mature size of the plants you choose. Some plants will grow too big for the container. Thriller, Filler, and Spiller is the guide for a beautiful pot. A tall plant, plants to fill in, and some vines to trail out of the pot. Plant with a lush full

Linda Hlozansky
Oct 15, 20251 min read


Garden Smarter Over 50
Why continue to garden? Answers: It is good exercise, and it relieves stress. To be stress free, your garden must be low maintenance and safe . Ideas to make your garden low maintenance and safe. Downsize your garden Cut down or eliminate turf Increase hardscape and paths Eliminate trip hazards Use raised beds Go native! Use large beds of ground cover, mulch, or pine straw Install shrubs for color Use perennials instead of annuals Use Preca

Linda Hlozansky
Oct 15, 20251 min read
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