Make gardening barrier-free

by Debra Anchors

The Enabling Garden at The Garden Club of America

When we garden, time stands still; cares and woes simply fall by the wayside.  This is why, as we age or confront physical challenges, it’s good to garden more, not less.  An aspiring gardener can learn how a flower bed can be adapted to a gardener’s needs rather than the other way around.  Make use of raised beds, hanging baskets and containers of all sizes to make this cherished pastime accessible to all.

Construct raised beds to elevate the soil level to a comfortable working height.  Tall containers also reduce the need to bend and stoop.

Attach pulleys to all of your hanging baskets so plants can be raised and lowered for easy maintenance.

Use soaker hoses (buried just below the soil level) to take the work out of watering.

Stop picking up after yourself.  Leave frequently used tools in designated spots right in the garden to save steps to the shed or garage.

Choose low-maintenance plants. Plant dwarf and slow-growing trees and shrubs, and noninvasive perennials such as cranesbill, bleeding heart and daylilies.


If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life.

Thank you for stopping by to spend time in my garden.  If you liked the article, please take a moment to let me know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog.

Leave a legacy, but garden like you’ll live forever! 
-Debra

Did you like this post? Please recommend it to other readers by selecting the g+1 box, below.

Plant and grow garlic

by Debra Anchors

Few cooks can imagine life without the bulb fondly known as garlic.  While still snubbed by a few cultures, most of the world enjoys garlic – for flavor, for excitement, and, in some cases, to improve well-being.

Garlic plants are started from bulbs, or heads (composed of a cluster of cloves), purchased from a garden center or nursery.  Although easy to grow and very hardy, garlic performs best in milder, dry climates.  Garlic is planted in the fall (in cold regions) or early spring for best development before the summer harvest season.  Ample and consistent water is needed for the first five months of growth, as well as full sun.  There are many varieties, in two major groups:  the so-called soft necks, often found in the grocery store, and hard necks, also known as rocambole.

Divide the garlic heads into individual cloves and plant about one to three inches deep and four to eight inches apart in rich soil.  In cold climates, apply a winter mulch of straw for protection, but remove it early as the weather warms.  Garlic is virtually free from pests and diseases.  The greens may be lightly clipped in late spring, and used as you would scallions.  Garlic is ready for harvest when the plant tops turn brown.  Dig the heads carefully, brush off excess soil, and allow them to dry on a screen in the shade.  To prevent the bulbs from rotting, retain several inches of dried stalk.  Store garlic in a cool, dry area (do not refrigerate).

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. 

Thank you for stopping by to spend time in my garden.  If you liked the article, please take a moment to let me know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog. 

Leave a legacy, but garden like you’ll live forever! 

-Debra

Did you like this post? Please recommend it to other readers by selecting the g+1 box, below.

Plant bulbs to add rich color to your garden

by Debra Anchors

Keukenhof Flower Garden by Vera Kratochvil

Bulbs are a variety of plants that have one thing in common - they store food in a plump structure regularly referred to as a "bulb."

Planting a bulb garden is an easy way to coax your winter-tired garden back to work with cheerful flower shows long before most perennials push their way out of the soil (and before it's warm enough to sustain annuals). Summer-blooming bulbs paint the landscape with vital color, adding beautiful flowers and glamorous foliage at a time of year when Midwest gardens can use a boost. Revive your garden early in the season with spring blooming bulbs and give your garden a little spark in the mid-to-late season with summer bloomers.

When?  Spring blooming bulbs (hyacinths, daffodils, snowdrops, tulips and crocus) are planted in the fall - any time before the ground completely freezes. They flower from January through June, depending on the variety of bulb and your growing Zone.

Summer blooming bulbs (dahlias, gladioli, lilies and cannas), are planted in spring, after the last frost. They flower from June through October, depending on the variety of bulb and your growing Zone.

Note: the majority of summer and fall blooming bulbs are not winter hardy and must be lifted and stored for the winter. Always be certain to check for your USDA Zone hardiness rating before you purchase or plant bulbs.

How?  Provide separate holes for each bulb, or a furrow for many bulbs, and place them in the ground without tamping-down hard. Invest in good hand tools; they are worth their weight in gold in the garden.

Bulbs need ample water and decent drainage. If water has an inclination to puddle in the planting area, you will need to break up the first 12-inches or so of soil and supply some drainage material such as coarse stones below the surface soil. Standing water will eventually rot your bulbs.

Use the size of your bulb as a guide and plant it two or three times the bulb depth. Space your bulbs about 2 to 3 bulb-widths apart.

Make sure the roots are placed downward. Cover your bulbs with dirt and pat them in firmly, being careful not to compress the soil.

Lift and Store:  Most summer bulbs are not hardy, so need to be lifted (removed from your garden beds) before the first frost. Bulbs generally prefer to be stored dry.

Remove any loose soil and gently pull or cut-off leaves. Leave the bulbs to dry overnight. Apply a fungicide (bulb dust) to help the bulbs stay healthy during storage.

Store the bulbs in dry paper bags or trays of dry sand in a cool place inside your house.

Be sure to read care instructions before storing your bulbs for the winter. A few bulbs need moist conditions and can be kept in slightly damp bark chippings.

The video offered and linked just below will be helpful as you prepare to dig and store your bulbs.

Storing Tender Bulbs for the Winter

A few more tips:  Mix bulbs in with your summer-blooming perennials. They will hide the faded foliage of spent spring blossoms.

Look for bulbs that bloom early, middle and late spring (or summer) to create a season-long succession of color.

Don’t plant your bulbs if the ground is really wet or frozen, they will just rot away to nothing. Wait for the ground to dry out a bit or for frosts to have finished.

Be generous! More bulbs always look better than a few.

Based on your personal preferences, experiment with curves and shapes for your beds instead of planting in rows.

Plant your bulbs at the right time of the year or they may rot in the ground.

Make sure you are planting in a sunny location – at least half a day’s exposure. The best way to confirm there is enough sun is to choose a site after nearby trees are in full leaf. Dig out a planting area slightly deeper than needed.  Always follow the specific instructions that come with your bulbs.

Be sure you purchase only good quality bulbs. If they are damaged in any way don’t buy them, the chances are very good that they will not grow, or not grow well.

Make a rough sketch of your bed design on paper using crayons, markers or colored pencils to create a pleasing color scheme.

A color wheel can be helpful if you aren't comfortable working with color. It’s easy to use and makes choosing colors a breeze.

Does this post leave you hungry for more information?  Read another of my articles about caring for bulbs.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. And, if you enjoy the world of fantasy that a fairy brings, or love beautiful images and inspirational quotes, be sure to take some time to relax in one or two of my garden rooms found under the navigation tabs.  

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life.

Thank you for stopping by to spend time in my garden.  If you liked the article, please take a moment to let me know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog.

Leave a legacy, but garden like you’ll live forever! 
-Debra

Did you like this post? Please recommend it to other readers by selecting the g+1 box, below.