Gardening Archives

Get Out Your Gardening Gloves! Follow Our Spring Flower and Fruit Planting Guide Per Region

Spring is the season of renewal and celebration. The world is once again fragrant and green and full of beautiful flowers. Even the occasional rain shower is welcomed — after all, the plants and flowers need water to flourish.

From avid gardeners to people who just like to look at and smell flowers, nurturing a garden carries with it lots of benefits: It brings beauty into the world, can improve your mood, and even provides fresh flowers and food for your enjoyment.

This guide highlights the best plants for your growing region and provides tips on how to care for them.

planting guide with usda plant hardiness zone map

Get in the zone

First, take the time to “get to know your zone” when planting outside, says Renato Cruz Sogueco, vice president of digital strategy and education at BloomNet. If you don’t know your zone, simply ask at your local garden center or input your zip code on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone website. You can also refer to the above map. Knowing your zone is the key to success, as it allows you to select plants that will thrive in your garden and are right for your location.

Zone information will also help you calculate your growing season, and identifies your first and last hard freeze dates. The period in between the freeze dates is your season. For example, in Philadelphia, garden zone 5B shows it is safe to plant between April 15 and Oct. 15.

Location, location, location

Another key to planting success is choosing the right location in your yard. Most flowers and fruit plants are easy to care for when placed in the optimal spot.Regardless of where you live, it is important to always read plant tags and descriptions. Most plants fail not from lack of care but from being placed in the wrong place in your yard. Plants meant for other growing zones should also not be purchased. If the information is not listed, a good rule of thumb is that most flowers and fruit plants require at least six hours of sunshine and good drainage.

Drainage is important, as very few plants like having their roots sitting in water. If you are planting in the ground, an easy test is to dig a hole and fill it with water. If it drains easily, it’s ready to plant in the ground. If it does not, you can either choose a different location or amend your soil with heavy bark or gravel.

For containers, you can drill extra drainage holes with a power drill or add a layer of small gravel to the bottom of your pot. Smaller planted pots can be moved indoors to decorate your home when in bloom.

Planting seeds and plants

As soon as late winter, you can start seeds and small plants indoors or prepare your garden plot for your growing season. Make sure to select seeds that are meant for your growing zone.

Also, when purchasing new plants, choose smaller-sized plants. This will save you time and energy not having to dig larger holes. And, with proper care, your plants will quickly grow and blossom.

Regional planting guide

Want to know what spring flowers and fruit plants to choose based on where you live? Here is a region-by-region listing of some of the more popular spring plants and fruit trees for you to consider, along with gardening tips.

Northeast planting guide

Flowers

When it comes to gorgeous spring blooms, the Northeast has some real showstoppers. Peonies, hellebores, cyclamen, and primroses can all be planted this time of year. Peonies are Ghitelman’s favorite spring flowers. “They come in many varieties and colors, and the scent of these beauties is simply mesmerizing,” she says. Peonies are easily made into beautiful bouquets because not only are their ruffled blooms gorgeous but their greenery is also attractive.

Flowering shrubs are another favorite. These plants have a spring flush, which occurs when flowers in a garden grow quickly and suddenly, giving it beauty and structure. They also re-bloom throughout the season.

planting guide with Classic Budding Rose — Classic Budding Rose

planting guide with Garden Hydrangea — Garden Hydrangea

planting guide pretty pink azalea — Pretty Pink Azalea

Azaleas, spirea, and hydrangeas are steady bloomers, and come in dwarf varieties that are perfect for containers and small space gardens.

Daisies are a popular choice for northeast gardens because they are easy to grow, bright and cheerful, and work well as borders or to fill in a garden space. They also bring life to a yard, attract wildlife and pollinators, and can be brought indoors for short periods if planted in small pots.

Flowers to plant: Peonies, dahlias, sunflowers, zinnias, bachelor buttons, roses, lavender, azaleas, hydrangeas, spirea, pansies, hellebores, primroses

Fruit

Flowering fruit trees, such as plum and cherry, are an easy and beautiful addition to your yard. The tree blossoms are a sure sign of spring and warmer days. Fresh fruit is also a healthy way to enjoy and share your garden with others.

Strawberry plants also are easily grown in the ground or containers. They love to spread and can cover a garden space in a season or two. Make sure to choose “everbearing” varieties so you will have berries well into summer.

Fruit to plant: Rhubarb, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, raspberries, apples, plums, pears

Southeast planting guide

Flowers

In the Southeast, spring is associated with the scent of its most popular and fragrant flowers. When you think of hyacinth bulbs, gardenias, climbing jasmine vines, and magnolia trees, you instantly picture southern gardens.

planting guide with Magnolia Tree — Magnolia Tree

Heavenly Hyacinth Bulbs in mesh container — Heavenly Hyacinth Bulbs

planting guide with Blooming Gardenia Plant in Basket — Blooming Gardenia Plant

Old-fashioned flowers, such as delphiniums, hollyhocks, snapdragons, and foxgloves, may not have the same aromatic allure, but their interesting shapes and beautiful colors make them popular choices to plant in the Southeast.

Flowers to plant: Flowering bulbs, gardenias, azaleas, bachelor buttons, poppies, lupine, cosmos, camellias, delphinium, hollyhock, snapdragon, foxgloves, begonia

Fruit

Citrus trees are a good addition to a yard or patio in the Southeast. Look for varieties that command higher prices and less availability in your local supermarket, such as kumquats, key limes, pink lemons, and seedless limes. Many of these fruit-bearing trees also come in dwarf varieties, making them ideal container plants and perfect for gift giving. Fruit shrubs, such as blueberries and kiwi fruits, can also be planted in the spring.

Midwest planting guide

Flowers

You can scatter wildflower seeds and start your sunflowers as early as spring in the Midwest. Growing plants and flowers from seed have been done for generations. A fun idea, and a great way to build community, are to host a “seed swap,” where everyone brings extra seeds they have at home and exchanges them with one another. This is also a good way to learn more about local plants.

planting guide with Gift Set Heirloom Seed Packets Herb Clippers and Organic Herbal Soap — Heirloom Seed Packet Gift Set

planting guide with Herb garden trio — Herb Garden Trio

Wildflowers dream bouquet — Wildflower Dreams Bouquet

Succession planting is a popular method that involves planting every two to three weeks to start a new crop of flowers for an ever-blooming garden. Bachelor buttons, cosmos, marigolds, sunflowers, and zinnias are all easy flowers to start from seed.

Flowers to plant: Sunflowers, wildflowers, zinnias, roses, poppies, snapdragons, bachelor buttons, cosmos, bee balm, lavender, marigolds, rosemary, calendula

Fruit

Spring plants, such as strawberries, blueberries, and fresh herbs, are popular choices in a Midwestern garden. For fresh fruit, apples, peaches, and pears grow well.

The best fruit: Apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, plums, strawberries, blueberries

Northwest planting guide

Flowers

The Pacific Northwest is a versatile region with a growing season from April to November.

planting guide Happy Daisy — Happy Daisy

planting guide with white azalea plant — White Azalea Plant

planting guide Lovely Lavender Rose — Lavish Lavender Rose

Many gardeners in the Northwest favor perennial plants and flowers for their ease of care; varieties such as daisies come back year after year and can fill a space quickly. They also attract birds, bees, and butterflies to your garden. Planting for pollinators is a hot trend right now, and you will find many of the most popular flowers in the Northwest are done so for this very reason.

Flowers to plant: Dahlias, bachelor buttons, borage, flowering bulbs, poppies, carnations, pansies, primroses, roses, hellebores, cyclamen, lilac, azalea, rhododendron

Fruit

Everyone has their favorite berry, and spring is the time to plant them. Make sure to read the plant labels as some varieties can quickly spread out and cover a space.

People often plant blackberries and raspberries along their borders or to cover a fence. Fruit trees are also a nice addition to your yard. If you have limited space, look for trees that have been grafted with a few different varieties. This is an emerging trend where you can grow two different types of fruit on the same tree!

If you are planning an urban garden, look for fruit plants that do well in small spaces or containers.

Fruit to plant: Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, apples, pears

Southwest

Flowers

Many gardeners in the Southwest have to start planting their fruit and flowers early in the spring due to the hot summer temperatures. Planting in the spring gives the plants time to get established and develop strong root systems.

planting guide Sending Sunshine Yellow Rose — Sending Sunshine Yellow Rose

planting guide with Honey Bee Farms Daisy — Honey Bee Farms Daisy

Planting bright flowers, such as angelonia, cosmos, and zinnias, is recommended. All of these thrive in full sun and hot temperatures, and will also attract pollinators to your yard.

“The key to growing flowers in the Southwest is to start your seeds early,” says Callie Works-Leary, founder of the Dallas Garden School. She loves planting marigolds, cape daisies, sunflowers, and gomphrena in her Texas garden.

Flowers to plant: Angelonia, cosmos, zinnias, gomphrena, sunflowers, daisies, marigolds, lavender, salvia, sweet peas, roses, rosemary

Fruit

The Southwest region, with its high temperatures and desert-type climate, is a bit of a challenge when it comes to growing fruit trees. Many types of fruit trees need an extended period of cold to produce fruit, called “chill hours,” so be sure to select ones that can survive without a long stretch of cold weather. Many citruses, avocado, and stone fruits successfully grow in this region. The key is to get new plants in the springtime so they can get established before the hot summer growing season.

Fruit to plant: Citrus, avocado, apricots, peaches, nectarines

8 Perennial Flowers to Grow in a Summer Garden

Maintaining an annual flower bed, though very beautiful, can be a lot of work. You have to fertilize the soil, plant the seeds, and nurture the flowers, only to pull them out once Old Man Winter comes knocking. Then, you start the process all over again when the temperature begins to rise.

That’s why even the most avid gardeners and plant enthusiasts have a fondness for perennials. With the warm months around the corner, you can achieve faster results by purchasing perennial flowers that bloom all summer.

What are perennials and why do we love them?

Perennials are flowers and plants that live for more than two years, whereas annuals live for only one growing season. Many homeowners want a beautiful garden in front of their home, but not everyone has the time to care for one. Perennials’ low maintenance and annual blooms make them a popular choice for homes across the country.

Most popular perennial flowers that bloom all summer

Certain perennials are more commonly found in gardens and around homes than others. Here are eight that stand out as being particularly desirable.

1. Black-eyed Susan

perennial flowers that bloom all summer with Black Eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susan give you the best of both worlds. This plant has become extremely popular because it resembles a sunflower but with almost none of the maintenance.

2. Dalmatian bellflowers

perennial flowers that bloom all summer with Dalmation Bellflowers- Purple

Don’t let the name fool you — this flower has enough color to liven up any home or garden. Their proclivity to spread make them ideal plants to use as groundcover.

3. Russian sage

perennial flowers that bloom all summer with Russian Sage Flowers

The flowers of the Russian sage are small, but the plant itself takes up quite a bit of space, making it a very economical choice. If your home has a large cement base you’re looking to cover, these flowers are the perfect choice.

4. Lavender

perennial flowers that bloom all summer with Lavender Field

From the medicine cabinet to the kitchen, lavender has a seemingly unlimited number of uses. Plus, this plant will fill your yard with its sweet, calming smell.

5. Dahlia

perennial flowers that bloom all summer with Dahlia Flowers- Orange & Purple

These bold blooms come in a wide range of colors and can be easily incorporated into any existing or new garden. And, unlike most plants, these flowers thrive in some shade. Although dahlias are perennials, they are tuberous rooted plants and should be replanted every spring after resting.

6. Butterfly weed

perennial flowers that bloom all summer with Butterfly Milkweed Flowers

Most gardeners cringe at the word “weed,” but in this case, it’s actually a good thing. This low-maintenance, vibrant yellow and orange flower grows as easily as a weed, making it perfect for those who just want to grow a “set it and forget it” garden.

7. Lenten rose

perennial flowers that bloom all summer with Lenten Rose

Not many flowers bloom while there’s still snow on the ground, but this one does! Not actually a rose but a member of the buttercup family, the lenten rose will add great pops of color to a garden at a time when not much else might be growing in it.

8. Valerian

perennial flowers that bloom all summer with Red Valerian Flowers Close-Up

Because of their captivating smell, valerian flowers were used in the 16th century as an early form of perfume. They can also grow to a towering 5 feet tall, making them a wonderful flower to plant around the circumference of your house or against a fence.

Top 10 Mosquito-repelling Plants

All winter we look forward to having the chance to sit outside once again, lounging with a cool, refreshing drink in hand, surrounded by friends and family. But while each summer brings new opportunities, new memories, and new experiences, one thing stays the same: those pesky critters creeping up on us, biting us until we can’t take the itch any longer. Yep, you guessed it, we’re talking about mosquitoes.

While some bug spray may hold you over for a while during your time outdoors in the summer, we have something else that can be helpful in keeping these blood-sucking pests away — plants! Here are the top 10 mosquito-repelling plants that we recommend.

1. Marigolds

citronella winterianus — A citronella plant

Marigolds are known to give off a rather distinct smell that mosquitoes aren’t a fan of. You can either plant new seeds or grab a potted marigold from a nursery nearby. Either way, make sure you place your marigolds in the area where you and your guests will spend most of your time.

2. Citronella

If you usually keep a citronella candle on your deck or patio, you know how helpful it can be in deterring pests. In fact, citronella is known to be one of the most commonly used ingredients in various insect repellents. Instead of a candle, try using an actual citronella plant — either planted in the ground or placed in a pot — to keep mosquitos away.

3. Lavender

Lavender can be your biggest saving grace when it comes to keeping pests out of your garden. Other insects and rabbits, in addition to mosquitoes, are just a few creatures that tend to stay away from lavender plants. Although you might enjoy the smell of lavender, mosquitoes can’t stand it. For the best results in growing a lavender plant of your own, place it somewhere that receives full sun.

4. Petunias

mosquito repelling plants with Beautiful yellow pink petunia flowers in garden over blurred nature background

Thanks to their licorice-like scent, petunias are the perfect choice if you’re looking to add some beauty to your garden and keep pests away. With their beautiful assortment of colors (choose from shades of pink, red, and purples), these flowers can quickly improve the aesthetics of your yard — so the fact that they also keep the critters away makes planting them a win-win!

5. Catmint

A part of the mint family, catmint (or catnip) can be found in both commercial plant form or as a weed. And though you may be deterred from choosing this plant due to its invasiveness, if you’re willing to put in the work to maintain one, you’ll be pleased with how few mosquitoes you see. A study by Iowa State University even showed that catmint is 10 times more effective at repelling insects than DEET!

6. Lemon balm

Like catmint, lemon balm is part of the mint family, and this plant does a great job at repelling mosquitoes. Also referred to as horsemint or beebalm, lemon balm is a great option for new gardeners, as it is relatively easy to grow and does well even in shady conditions — just make sure you have enough space to grow it!

7. Peppermint

mosquito repelling plants with peppermint leaves

A third plant in the mint family that can be extremely useful at repelling insects is peppermint. A lot of bugs, including mosquitos, are turned off by both the taste and smell of peppermint. However, even if you do get bit, your peppermint plant may actually be able to help you heal: When you rub the leaves on your skin, you can start to feel some relief from that terrible itch!

8. Scented geraniums

One of the more popular scents for repelling mosquitos is lemon, as it closely resembles the smell of citronella grass. These plants do best in sunny and dry climates, though you may be able to grow them even if you live in a region with a colder climate. A benefit to geraniums is that they grow quickly, so you can start your planting in the spring and take advantage of their repellent powers for the rest of the summer.

9. Basil

If you grow your own basil, you not only will help your yard stay mosquito free, but you’ll also provide yourself with a nice supply of this herb to use in the kitchen. Some recommendations to start with are lemon and cinnamon basil, but with so many varieties out there, it doesn’t hurt to try them all!

10. Rosemary

Bunch of green fresh rosemary herbs on rustic wooden table background

Rosemary is a natural mosquito-repelling plant that will work wonders in your yard. Keep an eye out for an increase in butterflies, too, if you use this particular plant, since although it works to repel mosquitoes, it’s also great at attracting other flying insects. Rosemary plants do particularly well in hot, dry climates, and they typically do best in containers.

Why You Should Start a Dorm Room Garden this Semester

Dorm rooms aren’t exactly known for their open spaces and lavish comforts. So you may be thinking to yourself, “I can barely get my bed and clothes in my room, how am I supposed to fit a garden?” But, luckily for you, we’ve got all the tips and tricks you’ll need to set up a beautiful garden right in the comfort of your new home away from home.

Why You Should Start a Garden

The benefits of having greenery in your room are surprisingly extensive. From improving your health to boosting your mood, these are just a few of the many things plants can do for you:
Increase productivity. Is your new change of scenery making it difficult to concentrate? Studies have shown that when workers can see just one plant from their desk, it makes them more creative, attentive, and productive.

Improve your air quality. In many ways, indoor plants are like air filters that take carbon dioxide in from the air and release oxygen.
Create a stress-free environment. There’s a reason why people head out into nature when they’re feeling stressed. Whether it’s the beautiful flowers or all the extra oxygen you’re getting (or maybe a little bit of both), greenery has a way of naturally improving your mood.
Help reduce background noise. When you’re the last person to have a Friday morning final, you’ll really appreciate this!
It adds personal style. Odds are, your dorm room is going to have white walls and wooden furniture — things that don’t exactly scream individual style and personality. Adding your favorite flowers can make your space truly feel like it’s your space.

Getting Your Garden Started

Picking Your Favorites

The first thing you need to do is decide what kind of plants and flowers you want in your room. Ideally, you want plants that are small, beautiful, and offer plenty of health benefits. If you’re looking for plants that help you sleep, try incorporating gardenias, jasmine, and peace lily into your bedroom decor. If you want flowers that will make your room smell like Spring all year long, add aromatherapy plants, like sage, lavender, and basil.

Pay Attention to Size

To keep them from overtaking your space, it’s important to know what kind of plants you’re getting. While ferns are beautiful and start out relatively average-sized, many of them can quickly grow to several feet wide — something you and your roommate probably won’t enjoy. Instead, make a big impact with several smaller plants, like elegant bonsai trees, dish gardens, orchids, and succulents.

Keep them Low Maintenance

Between studying, class, and the occasional party or two, you probably won’t have a few hours a day to dedicate to pruning, watering, and caring for your garden. Despite what you may have learned in elementary and middle school, there are dozens of low maintenance plants and flowers that require infrequent waterings and very little light — the perfect requirements for dry, dimly lit dorm rooms!

Get Creative with Your Placement

Plants always look great on tables and desks. But if you’ve already got papers, books, and a laptop covering all of the flat surfaces in your room, there’s still space for a garden. Rose bushes that sit beautifully in their container on the floor or magnetic pots that stick to your mini fridge are just a few of the ways you can incorporate plants into a small space.

How to Change the Color of Hydrangeas

Most people would agree that plants and flowers bloom in certain colors, because, well, they just do. And while this may be true for some plant and flower species, one in particular that you have some control over (and can even change) is hydrangeas. How so? It all has to do with your soil.

pH levels 101

In scientific terms, a soil’s pH level refers to the acidity or alkalinity of the soil; “pH” is the units in which this reaction is measured. PH levels are measured on a scale from 0 to 14; soils with a pH of 0 to 7 are considered more acidic, while a pH of 7 to 14 labels soil as being more alkaline.

Generally speaking, a pH of 6 to 6.5 is ideal for plants to access the nutrients they need. When pH levels are too high or too low, it makes it harder for plants to absorb the necessary nutrients from the soil. So, a soil’s chemistry plays a big role in plants’ survival.

pH levels and hydrangeas

For hydrangeas specifically, the difference in color from plant to plant has to do with how much or how little aluminum compound is found in the flowers. To take it a step further, blue hydrangeas get their color as a result of aluminum being abundant, whereas pink hydrangeas get their color from a lack of aluminum. Hydrangeas whose color is somewhere between indicates that some aluminum is present.

hydrangea color with purple blue hydrangea

Where does pH come in?

Ultimately, a soil’s pH level impacts a hydrangea’s color because it affects the amount of aluminum that is available in the soil. Aluminum is more abundant in acidic soils, so hydrangeas planted under these conditions are normally blue, and hydrangeas planted in soils that have a higher pH level tend to be pink.

Changing the color of hydrangeas

Interested in learning how you can change the color of your hydrangeas? Follow these four steps.

Step 1: Check that your hydrangeas can actually change color

hydrangea color with light blue hydrangea

Not all hydrangeas produce the same type of flower, and some varieties will only produce one color. For example, Annabelle hydrangeas will only bloom white or cream flowers. So, if you want to change the color of your hydrangeas, make sure you’re working with hydrangea macrophylla.

Step 2: Measure the pH level of your soil

You can measure the pH level of your soil using a simple soil test kit. Remember, soil with a pH level of 5.5 or lower will produce blue flowers, and soil that has a pH level of 6.5 or higher will give you pink flowers. With a pH level of between 5.5 and 6.5, you will typically see a variety of pink, blue, and even purple flowers.

Step 3: Make changes depending on your preference

If you’re happy with your pH level, great — just sit back and watch your hydrangeas bloom over time. However, if your soil has a lower pH level but you want to pink flowers instead of blue (or vice versa), there are a few ways you can go about manipulating the soil.

For example, if you want to raise the pH of your soil, start by adding some powdered Garden Lime to it; wood ash can also work too. If you want to lower the pH level of your soil and make it more acidic, add ammonium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, or a soil acidifier. Some other methods you can try to lower pH is adding oak leaves, coffee grounds, or sawdust to the soil.

Step 4: Monitor the soil

The process of changing your hydrangeas’ color won’t happen overnight, so you’ll need to continue to monitor your soil and treat it as necessary to produce the desired results.

Our Favorite Gardening Quotes

There’s just something about gardening that we can’t get enough of. Maybe it’s the health benefits we reap from gardening activities, the joy that we get from spending time outdoors, or the excitement that is watching our gardens grow – no matter how we look at it, gardening is something that we’ll always love! Do you share similar feelings?

Senior couple watering seedlings in their garden

In honor of this passion of ours, today we’d like to share some of our favorite gardening quotes with you – take a look below!

“The greatest fine art of the future will be the making of a comfortable living from a small piece of land.”

-Abraham Lincoln

“My garden is the most beautiful masterpiece.”

-Claude Monet

“To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves.”

-Mahatma Gandhi

“God Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures.”

-Francis Bacon

“Life begins the day you start a garden.”

-Chinese Proverb

“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.”

-Alfred Austin, English poet

“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.”

-Gertrude Jekyll, British horticulturist, garden designer, writer and artist

“The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies.”

-Gertrude Jekyll

“Garden as though you will live forever.”

-William Kent, Architect

“I think this is what hooks one to gardening: it is the closest one can come to being present at creation.”

-Phyllis Theroux, Journalist

“The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway.”

-Michael Pollan, American author, journalist, activist and professor of journalism

“If you have a garden and library, you have everything you need.”

-Marcus Tullius Cicero, Roman philosopher, lawyer, orator, politician, political theorist, consul and constitutionalist

“Gardening simply does not allow one to be mentally old, because too many hopes and dreams are yet to be realized.”

-Allan Armitage, Professor

5 Health Benefits of Gardening

There are a number of reasons why people may love to garden. For example, it’s relaxing, it makes your home look nice, and it gives you a chance to get outdoors and enjoy the nice weather. But aside from its recreational benefits, did you know that gardening also offers a ton of health benefits, too? It’s true: Spending time in your garden can result in you feeling better both physically and mentally — here’s how.

health benefits of gardening with mother and daughter gardening

1. Gardening can help reduce stress

Studies have shown that gardening can result in decreased cortisol levels. Cortisol is what many refer to as the stress hormone, so when your body experiences a decrease in it, that could translate to a reduction of stress.

2. Gardening can promote good heart health

If you’ve spent time gardening, then you know it can give you a good workout. Between preparing your tools and materials, cleaning up once you’re done, and actually planting, your body will be moving quite a bit, and we all know that regular exercise is important to keep our hearts healthy. Even if you garden for only about 15 minutes a day, what matters is that you are up and moving.

3. Gardening can keep you strong

Gardeners work with their hands and arms a ton, so the act of gardening can help strengthen those muscle groups in particular. In fact, gardening is sometimes used in rehabilitation programs since it can be so useful in regaining strength and movement in certain parts of the body. Since you don’t want to overwork anything, though, it’s important to make sure that your body is always positioned comfortably and that you adjust movements every so often so that you don’t strain yourself.

4. Gardening can help prevent illness

Spending time in the sun gives your body a chance to soak up vitamin D, and we’re sure you’ve heard that vitamin D is important for your immune system. In addition to the sun, the soil you’re working with may also help your immune system: Mycobacterium vaccae, which is considered to be friendly soil bacteria, has shown that it can help alleviate what one might experience with allergies, for example.

5. Gardening can boost self-esteem

Nothing feels quite as good as seeing the seed you planted grow into something beautiful. Watching your garden come to life and seeing your accomplishments right before your very eyes can work wonders when it comes to developing positive feelings toward yourself.

Now, this isn’t to say that you should cancel your gym membership and stop worrying about eating a healthy and balanced diet. But if you are looking for additional ways to keep your mind and body in check, gardening is a great place to start.

Gardening Tips For Beginners

We’re all born with special skills and talents – some of us can sing, some of us can dance, some of us can draw – but that certainly doesn’t mean that we can’t learn to be good at something else as we go throughout life.

Take gardening, for example. Some of us naturally have a green thumb and are able to grow and maintain everything from flowers, to exotic plants, to fruits and vegetables. On the other hand, some of us have trouble getting just one seed to sprout!

If you’d like to take on the challenge of growing a garden but don’t have too much experience, we’re here to help – check out our top gardening tips for beginners below!

Protect your car. Transporting flowers and plants from your nursery to your home can get quite messy, especially if you hit a bump in the road. To prevent all that soil from staining your trunk or your car seats, put down a tarp and then lay a small ladder on top of it – the space in between each step can help keep your plants in place!
Start off small. The best way to practice is by starting off small – that means, don’t overdo it on your trip to the nursery! Instead, pick out just one or two potted plants and maybe one or two bulbs so that you don’t overwhelm yourself by having to take care for too much.
Find the right spot. One of the most important things you have to do before starting a garden is find the right spot for it. For most blooms, that means choosing a place in your yard that receives full sun. However, if your yard is mostly shady, that’s fine too – just do some research to figure out which plants and flowers tolerate shady conditions best!
Do your research. Speaking of research, don’t jump into anything unless you’ve asked questions and gotten answers. For example, which plants and flowers thrive best in your climate? When should bulbs be planted in order to get the best results? What type of maintenance is required? We’re sure you can find the answers you’re looking for by doing a quick online search (our blog has tons of Care and Maintenance Tips!), or head on down to your nursery to ask an expert.
Look into garden protectors. The last thing you want is for all your hard work to be eaten up by animals, so look into some netting or fencing that can be installed around your garden. After all, the harder it is for critters to access your plants, the less likely it’ll be that they’ll damage them!
Invest in some mulch. Mulch isn’t just there to make your yard look pretty (though it certainly does!), it’s also a tool used to keep weeds from popping up in a garden. Not to mention, it also helps retain water, which your plants need to survive. That said, you’ll want to purchase a few bags that you can cover your soil with once you’ve finished planting.
Don’t over-water. Yes, your garden will need to be watered regularly, but that doesn’t mean you need to have the hose or sprinkler going every second of every day. Depending on the type of plants and flowers you choose, you may need to water once a day, once every few days, or just once a week – just make sure you follow whatever the care instructions say exactly!

So, are you ready to start a garden of your own? Even if things don’t go the way you planned on your first try (though by following these tips we think they will), don’t give up – practice makes perfect!

Backyard Privacy Ideas

There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting in your yard and soaking up some sun on a beautiful summer day, but your R&R time can easily be disrupted when you’re exposed to loud radios, other backyard parties and, your least favorite, neighbors peeking into your property. While yes, you could install a fence in an effort to get some of your privacy back, we have some other ideas – ideas that can not only give you the peace you’re looking for, but that can also add some natural charm and beauty to your yard.

Privacy Trees

Let’s start with privacy trees. If you’re looking for something tall that can really help you keep your home and yard to yourself, consider planting the following:

Bamboo: If you’re interested in giving your home a more modern feel, try bamboo. Although some types of bamboo can be invasive, fargesia bamboos, for example, are not. Along with being easier to maintain, they also grow pretty quickly, meaning you’ll have your privacy back in no time!
Arborvitae: Easy to grow and tolerant by nature, arborvitaes are the obvious choice for homeowners seeking privacy without having to add too much time to their yard work. That’s because arborvitaes really don’t require any pruning! You may have to wait a while to plant your first batch though, as evergreen plants like this begin to grow best in winter (if the soil can be worked) or spring (once the ground has thawed).
Cypress: You won’t have to worry about anyone peeking into your yard when you have cypress trees planted along the border! Tall and narrow, cypress trees can work wonders when you’re trying to create a privacy screen that makes it difficult for neighbors to peer through (try planting several close together in your row for the best results).

Privacy Shrubs

Not really the tree type? Then use shrubs to start developing your privacy screen! Here are the top three that we recommend using first:

French Lilac: French lilacs can grow anywhere between 8 and 15 feet tall (woah!) and are known for the beautiful, fragrant blooms that they produce. So, if you want more than just the luxury of privacy, plant these and see how quickly your yard starts to pop with color!
Red Twig Dogwood: With a projected height of about 8 feet tall and a width that is sure to take up several feet, red twig dogwood are an excellent choice due to the beauty they bring in summer and winter. In winter, you can expect to see the obvious – red twigs – and in summer, you can expect to see beautiful white flowers blooming.
Italian Buckthorn: Italian buckthorn shrubs spark our interest especially because of how quickly they’ll grow. Since this particular shrub is taller than it is wide, it’s best used in front of existing structures that may already be helping to provide privacy, such as a fence or wall.

Privacy Vines

If you already have a fence that does a pretty good job of providing privacy but that could use a little bit of help (say, for example, because the fence has openings), climbing vines may be the solution that works best for you. Some examples include:

Clematis: Clematis are a good choice if you’re looking for something to grow quickly, but be warned that they are the high maintenance type. If you are unable to dedicate a lot of time to pruning, consider option number two or three.
Confederate Jasmine: Though they require a longer growing time to fully cover your fence or wall, confederate Jasmine will provide a ton of privacy and add beauty to your home’s landscaping all year long. Give this a try if you have a chain-link fence or even a balcony that you’d like to make more private.
Ivy: We’re sure you’ve seen examples of ivy at work before – amazing, right? Like clematis, ivy will also grow rather quickly, and we have no doubts that it will help provide your home with the privacy and protection it needs.

It doesn’t matter what size yard you have or how much space you need to cover, we’re confident that one of the above trees, shrubs or vines will give your backyard all the privacy you’re looking for! Which one do you plan on trying? If you like more than one, you may even consider two – that’ll give you extra protection for sure!