Tag: garden plan

How to Get Your Garden Ready for Spring

Carol 26 Comments

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. – Lao Tzu

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! I’m wishing you good luck and happiness today. This last week has been incredible in the amount of snow that hit the country. Many of us are wanting spring while nature gives us more winter. Here in central Florida we had high 80s degree weather last week. This week the cold front came down and Wednesday was in the 50’s F. I know that is not cold to most of you but it was to me. The sky started out gray with cold rain. Later the sun came out. I know that eventually the weather will start to warm up everywhere. When the sun shines brighter and little green things poke their heads out of the soil, it’s the perfect time to bring your garden to life. Create a vibrant outdoor space to enjoy throughout the summer. Though, it’s important to remember that nature doesn’t rush its processes. As Lao Tzu once said, “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” Take the time to plan your garden layout, choose the right plants, and incorporate the elements that will make it beautiful and functional. Several years ago, I shared basic garden landscaping ideas and printables. They’re great to use when you want to update your garden too.

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How to Make the Most of Your Garden

Carol 3 Comments

A few days ago I wrote about summer maintenance tasks for the garden: weeding, mowing, and weed and feed for lawns. Today I’d like to talk about projects in the garden to enhance your enjoyment. If you’re lucky enough to have outside space at home, are you making the most of it? At this time of year especially, it’s so nice to get into the garden whether it’s to entertain friends, make memories with the family or just to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet by yourself. We all need a spot in the garden for a morning or evening drink. A place to sit and read or just relax and enjoy the view. When the weather is nice, the garden essentially gives you another ‘room’ in your home to enjoy.  Here are a few ideas that can help you create or improve your special space and make the most of your garden.

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Garden Accessories For Spring

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When the holidays are over and a new year begins, I look forward to spring. It doesn’t matter that it is over 2 months away.  Spring is my favorite time of year.  Living in central Florida which is semi-tropical, my winter is mild and spring starts early.  It is so close that I can almost feel it.  Up north you may have months of cold, wet, grey tones of winter, but now is the perfect time to plan your spring garden.

 

 

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How to Grow Zinnias, The Butterfly Magnets

Carol 18 Comments

 Zinnias, Annual Flower

Growing Zones USA  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

A warm-season annual flower, zinnias like full sun and rich, well-drained soil. 

 

Have you made plans for your  2020 garden? Now is the perfect time to consider what you like and don’t like about your garden.  You can use my garden planning printables to make changes to your landscape and choose plants to add to your garden. For a colorful flower to add to your butterfly garden or classic cutting garden, you can’t go wrong with adding zinnias. Zinnias are popular garden flowers because they come in a wide range of flower colors and shapes, and they can withstand hot summer temperatures and are easy to grow from seeds. They are also highly attractive to songbirds, butterflies and pollinators.
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Garden Planning Guide with Printables

Carol 10 Comments

This post was originally published on 2/7/18. It has been updated 6/10/22.

In most of the country, winter is a “downtime” in the garden. During those months, you have time to consider what you want to add or change in your garden. I always start with a piece of paper and a rough drawing of my yard.  It’s never to scale but it helps me plan what projects I’m doing this year.  Are you adding new flowers? Growing vegetables or making a raised bed?  Removing a bush that was a mistake? Adding to the shrubs or trees that form your basic landscape? Winter is the time to dream and plan.

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