No prizes for guessing what some of the contents of today’s vase will be – blooms from my gifted rescue plant, Salvia ‘Mystic Spires’! With so many blooms and autumn closing in around the garden, it is not surprising I chose to grab them while I could. Having already taken some with me to the voluntary work I do, I added them to the remains of the previous posy I had taken there, stems of Chrysanthemum ‘Emperor of China’. They made a surprisingly pleasing combination, so I decided to replicate this at home, adding foliage of Persicaria ‘Red Dragon’ and stems of Cornus ‘Midwinter Fire’. My cornus, unlike those of Cathy at Words and Herbs in Bavaria, still retain their foliage, so I snipped all the leaves from the stems apart from the topmost pair.
You’ve Been Raking The Leaves Wrong – Here’s The Right Way
19.10.2023 - 05:39 / gardeningknowhow.com
There are several slightly unpleasant chores related to yard maintenance, like mowing and weeding. But at the season’s end, raking the leaves can be tedious, back breaking and a seemingly thankless gesture. The job can be made a bit easier with some tips on how to rake autumn leaves with less strain, proper tools, and a better plan.
Few gardeners look forward to raking leaves. It twists the back, fatigues the shoulders, and blisters the hands. Depending on the number of trees, it can also be quite time consuming. But raking the leaves is important to preserving the lawn and it prevents plants from becoming buried. There are a few things that can reduce the pain of this necessary chore.
The first order of business is to be comfortable. Raking occurs in fall when we may experience wet weather. Select clothing that’s loose and breathable, but will keep you dry. Long sleeves and pants will keep sharp objects from poking your skin. Waterproof shoes may also be necessary, but sturdy, non-slip soles of any sort should be sufficient. Thick socks will keep feet warm and also prevent blisters. If the weather’s sunny, add a hat to keep the sun’s rays off your face. Gloves are crucial. Gloves can protect your hands from getting blisters and make the rake more comfortable to grip.
Young or old, stretching before any physical activity is a great idea. Loosen the shoulders, back, and legs with simple stretches and muscle warming moves. You don’t have to be able to touch your toes. Just twist and bend where you can with gentle, slow motion.
Technique is everything. There is a best way and a wrong way to do most things, and raking the leaves is no exception. Avoid twisting your back, which will cause strain. Use your arms for the movement
Can You Split Mums? How To Divide The Fall Garden Favorites
Mums are synonymous with fall. Thanks to their late bloom period, these beautiful flowers make a much-welcomed addition to the home landscape. Potted mums from garden centers adorn porches, patios, and even indoor spaces. Though some choose to treat these flowers as an annual, many have found success wintering mums in garden beds. You may also wonder if you can divide mums. “Can you split mums” is a question we often hear during the fall months.
5 Home Makeover Projects You Can Easily Do Before the Holidays
During the holidays, it's important to ensure your home is in its best condition since you'll be having family and guests over the majority of the season (especially if you're hosting). Although it may be too late for a full home renovation project, you can still make small updates to spruce up your space, so it looks new and put-together for all season long.
Create The Ultimate Outdoor Dining Space With These Tips
With the arrival of warm weather, outdoor dining becomes a delightful and practical option for meals with family and friends. To make the most of your outdoor space and create the ultimate outdoor dining experience, consider these tips for setting up a beautiful, functional, and inviting area.
The English Garden’s ’12 Days of Christmas’ Prize Draw
This month, we’re collaborating with some brilliant businesses to bring you our very special “12 days of Christmas” prize draw, offering 12 generous prizes to 12 lucky winners throughout the month of December.
How To Bring Your Outdoor Plants In For The Winter, According To Experts
You don’t have to say goodbye to all of your beautiful garden and patio plants when the first frost is headed your way. You can save many plants for next spring by bringing them indoors to enjoy as houseplants. This applies to tropical landscape plants, such as hibiscus or mandevilla, as well as houseplants that were summering outdoors. You’ll also save money because you won’t have to buy the same plants again next year.
11 Perennials You Should Plant in November
The 11th month of the year may seem like an unusual time for gardening in some regions. Still, getting your hands in the soil and preparing for the upcoming seasons is a chance you must not miss! Depending on your USDA hardiness zones, here are the best Perennials You Should Plant in November!
Colourful winter garden pot displays: Here’s how to get them right
Garden for long enough and you eventually come to the inevitable realisation that for several perfectly good reasons it’s not that easy to create a memorably good winter pot display. Why not? First and foremost is the fact that unlike its summer equivalent (a completely different creature) you can’t simply stuff a winter container full of lots of frothy annuals, heat-loving, dramatic foliage plants, gauzy grasses, and showy, frost-tender perennials and then hope for the best. Instead the planting must be chosen to be resilient in the face of cold winter winds, heavy rain and frost, as well as tolerant of short days and low light levels, while somehow still being decorative enough to justify its prime position for up to six months. It’s quite the ask.
When's the right time to harvest winter squash and pumpkins?
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How to Prune a Monstera in a Right Way
Monstera plants are known for their exotic appearance and large, fenestrated leaves. As stunning as they are, they can quickly outgrow their spaces, whether indoors or in a garden. Pruning can help you manage their size and promote healthier growth. Here are some PRO tips on How to Prune a Monstera in a Right Way!
These DIY Canvas TikTok Hacks Are the Secret to a Well-Decorated Home on a Budget
When it comes to decorating the walls of your home, we all know how daunting and pricey this kind of project can be. From prints and frames for a sprawling gallery wall to a high-end canvas statement piece, the price (and time) required to find the perfect wall decor often ends up being more (much more) than you bargained for.