Animal friendly garden is a great way to start your gardening journey if you have pets or if you want beneficial insects to thrive in your greenery.
All gardeners start somewhere, and this is where you'll be able to learn the basics, allowing you to solidify a good foundation for your gardening projects.
Visit our knowledge base if you want to learn the basics down to the most unconventional questions.
A: No, plants prefer warm climates and do not tolerate frost well. If temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant should be brought indoors or placed in a warm, sheltered area. Exposure to cold temperatures can cause leaf drop, damage to the caudex, and even death.
A: Yes, the sap of the desert rose is toxic if ingested. It contains a milky latex that can cause irritation or poisoning in pets and humans. The plant should be kept out of the reach of children and animals. When handling the plant, especially during pruning or repotting, it is advisable to wear gloves and wash hands afterward.
A: The desert rose could grow up to 12 inches per year under optimal conditions. However, it is a slow-growing plant, especially when grown from seed. Taller plants develop over several years, and their growth rate depends on factors such as sunlight, temperature, and proper care.
A: Most early spring blue flowers like Crocus and Iris reticulata are perennials. They come back every year, giving you reliable, beautiful blooms each spring. However, some, like Scilla and Chionodoxa, are typically planted as perennials, too, but depending on your climate, you may treat them as annuals if they don’t come back reliably in colder areas.
A: Absolutely! If you’re looking to mix things up, there are some gorgeous white flowers that bloom just as early as blue ones. Snowdrops are a classic—these delicate flowers pop up right when the snow is melting. Anemone is another great option; it has simple, pure white blooms that are perfect for adding a clean, crisp touch to your spring garden.
A: For a stunning contrast, try planting blue ones like Crocus and Iris reticulata next to white ones like Anemone or Lily of the Valley. The combination of the cool blues with the fresh white blooms will create a striking visual impact. You can also create a natural look by planting them in clusters or drifts across your garden.
Yes! Dragonflies are attracted to pink flowers that attract pollinators, such as swamp milkweed, wild bergamot, and joe-pye weed. These flowers not only enhance the garden’s beauty but also draw in insects that dragonflies prey on, such as mosquitoes and gnats.
Yes! Dragonflies are natural predators of mosquitoes. Both their nymphs (which live in water) and adults feed on mosquito larvae and flying mosquitoes. By adding plants that will attract dragonflies and providing a water feature, you create a habitat that encourages dragonflies to lay their eggs in or near water, helping control mosquito populations naturally.
Dragonflies love tall plants like black-eyed Susan, meadow sage, and joe-pye weed, which offer excellent perching spots. These plants allow dragonflies to rest and scan for prey, making them essential for a garden to attract dragonflies.
Keeping a garden weed-free requires a combination of proper tools and maintenance techniques. Using a stand-up weed puller tool or a hand weeding tool helps to completely remove the weeds and their roots, preventing regrowth. Applying mulch to your garden beds can block sunlight and suppress weed growth. A garden hoe is useful for breaking up young weeds before they become established. Having a garden cart nearby allows you to collect and dispose of weeds efficiently. Regularly weeding your garden and using these tools will help maintain a weed-free space.
Once you finish removing the weed, there are several steps you can take to prevent it from growing back. Ensuring that you remove their roots completely with the best weed puller is the first and most important step. You can also use pre-emergent herbicides to prevent weed seeds from sprouting. Regularly pulling weeds before they flower and spread seeds can greatly reduce their numbers. Additionally, maintaining soil health with compost and mulch can create an environment where weeds struggle to grow. By consistently following these methods, you can keep your garden weed-free.
Yes! A hori hori knife is a great tool for removing weeds in tight spaces, especially in flower beds or between vegetable rows. This versatile tool allows you to cut through tough roots and even dig out deeply embedded weeds. If you are dealing with compact soil or stubborn deep-rooted weeds, a hori hori knife can be a valuable addition to your variety of weeding tools.
