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As summer brings the double punch of high temperatures and low rain to many parts of the country, a smart gardener steps up his or her game, too. Check out these tips for a long-blooming summer border:
 
Deadhead regularly. […]

Popularity: 21% [?]

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You may have a lovely pond in your backyard, filled with fish and eye-catching water plants. However, sometimes we spend so much time on what goes into our water features that we may not give as much thought to what can be done with the perimeter.
 

Here are some plants that will thrive at […]

Popularity: 21% [?]

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There is a growing interest in home gardening with heirloom plants. The term refers to varieties that are usually at least a half-century old and have been open-pollinated to produce seeds with the same traits as the parent plants.
 

Heirloom seeds can be varieties that have been grown in your particular area by your […]

Popularity: 21% [?]

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As we get into the heart of the growing season, here are some quick tips for all gardeners:
 

Plan carefullly when selecting plants. Before it goes into your garden, make sure you consider size, speed of growth and aggression. You don’t want to throw off the balance of your bed or border with […]

Popularity: 21% [?]

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Most gardeners dream of lovely and eye-catching beds filled with vibrant colors. You can have this lovely feature in your garden, but keep a few tips in mind.
Different colors can compete for attention, so beds with three or more colors look best when other distractions are kept to a minimum.
The easiest way to […]

Popularity: 22% [?]

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A mixed border usually refers to a combination of annuals, perennials, with some flowering vines, shrubs, bulbs, and/or dwarf trees. Plant collectors love mixed borders, as they allow the collector to show off a diverse selection of plants. Gardeners who have small planting areas also appreciate mixed borders as an opportunity to […]

Popularity: 25% [?]

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Whether you live in a desert climate or just want to conserve water, here are some tips to help you create water-efficient beds and borders:
Plan before planting. Create high, moderate and low water use zones and group your plants accordingly.
Select the right plants for a drought climate. Also, be sure to plant […]

Popularity: 19% [?]

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You have a garden area you want to “remodel” but it already has existing plants. How do you proceed with landscaping without ripping out the plants you already have?
Wait a bit. Many times new homeowners are eager to tackle their lawns. It makes sense, however, to wait a year before major […]

Popularity: 16% [?]

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For several weeks after planting, keep a close eye on your seedlings. Make sure they have plenty of water, as their roots need to be moist to establish the plant in your new bed. You should apply a layer of shredded mulch around the plants to help keep the soil moist. […]

Popularity: 15% [?]

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Always start at the back of the bed or border, working toward the front. This helps you avoid stepping on plants you’ve just planted. Try not to sit, step or kneel on the prepared soil; this would compact it, undoing all your preparation.
A trowel should be used to create holes in your […]

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