African violets have stunning velvety blooms in an explosion of colors and patterns. More popular in the 60s, they are making a comeback as chic and vintage houseplants that thrive indoors!
05.09.2024 - 14:25 / gardengatemagazine.com / Jennifer Howell
How to Establish a Monarch Waystation in Your Garden Help monarch butterflies by providing essential nectar and host plants in your own Monarch Waystation. The amazing monarch butterfly journey
Did you know that a single monarch butterfly can migrate up to 3,000 miles? That’s a lot of ground to cover! This amazing insect makes a fascinating journey, unlike any other butterfly.
Adult monarchs that hatch in late summer or early fall do not mate or lay eggs — their only job is to migrate south to roosting grounds where they will overwinter. The map below shows the paths they take. Southbound monarchs stop to feed along the way, storing fat that will sustain them for the flight and throughout the winter in their abdomens. In spring, these same monarchs begin the trip back north, laying eggs on milkweed plants in the southern United States before dying. Newly hatched caterpillars feed on the milkweed. When they reach adulthood, they continue the journey north, feeding and laying eggs along the route until the third or fourth generation reaches the home of its ancestors from the previous year.
Help provide habitat for monarch butterfliesThis process takes a lot of energy. Loss of wildlife habitat has been detrimental to the monarch, both in nectar plants for adult butterflies and milkweed host sources for feeding caterpillars. Monarch Watch, an education, conservation and research organization dedicated to preserving this butterfly’s population, has established the Monarch Waystation program to encourage home and public gardeners to feed and house these insects along their migration routes. You may already have most of the features of a successful waystation in your garden.
Monarch migrationThe red arrows on the map above
African violets have stunning velvety blooms in an explosion of colors and patterns. More popular in the 60s, they are making a comeback as chic and vintage houseplants that thrive indoors!
Deter Garden Pests with Thorny Rose Canes Do you deal with critters tracking through your winter garden? Try this smart reader tip that utilizes rose canes to keep them out. Use thorny rose canes to deter pests in the garden
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Chrysanthemums or mums are a must-have for autumn décor. They are perfect for pairing with pumpkins and gourds, and steal the spotlight with an explosion of blooms in fiery red, orange, and yellow hues that echo the autumn foliage. You’ll also find vibrant pink, lavender, and even white mums to dress up containers and gardens. Mums are easy to care for but require regular watering to keep them flowering for many weeks. How much water plants need and how often you should water mums varies depending on where the plant is growing. Follow these simple tips to determine when to water mums and keep them looking their best all season.
Creating a butterfly garden is a rewarding way to bring vibrant life into your outdoor space while supporting local ecosystems. Butterflies are not only beautiful creatures; they are also crucial pollinators that contribute to the health of plants and flowers. A well-planned butterfly garden can attract various species, turning your backyard into a lively, colourful haven. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to create your own butterfly garden, ensuring you can enjoy the sight of these enchanting insects right near you.
Green leaves are the energy engines that fuel our gardens. Without them there would be no flowers, no sugars for summer tomatoes, and no cooling or oxygenating the air while growing the mighty trees that give landscapes a sense of time and permanence. A gardener’s admiration of leaves can quickly fade, however, when faced with brown leaves blanketing everything from azaleas to annuals, and patios to pools. Leaves are suddenly a problem, something to manage—in other words, work.
Let's be honest: staying on top of cleaning and organizing every room in your home can get overwhelming—and before you know it, piles of junk on countertops and crammed-full kitchen cabinets can feel unmanageable.
Have you ever thought about installing a pond in your garden? A pond can offer numerous advantages and serves more purposes than just being a decorative feature. Whether you have a spacious garden or a modest area, a pond can be a valuable addition. Here are five reasons why your garden might benefit from having a pond:
Even if you aren't fortunate enough to live next to a meadow of wildflowers, you can still capture their untamed beauty in a container or garden this summer by planting cosmos. Cosmos come in various colors, from burgundy to pink to white. Mix them up for a more natural look, like a wildflower meadow. Bonus: this colorful flower, native to tropical America, attracts birds and butterflies with its cheery blooms. Because of their wildflower characteristics, cosmo flowers are considered invasive in some environments. Cosmos are prime not only for containers but for creating a mass of color in borders or backgrounds or as a filler among shrubs.