Tag: gardening

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener There are lots of annuals grown for their foliage, like coleuses and caladiums, but blooming plants remain the most popular annuals. That’s because annual plants bloom repeatedly, giving undemanding joyous color throughout our warm…

Preparing Garden Soils for Spring Planting Once you’ve tried digging the first planting hole in a mountain garden you learn that our native soils are HARD !!!  Skimp on spring soil preparation to “soften” the ground and your garden’s production…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Gardeners are some of the “tough customers” on our annual gift lists; it’s hard to know what they like/need. Here are a couple of suggestions: Wildflower seeds for the gardener in your life will…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Autumn leaves are a wonderment of the season. Although dropped leaves make for extra work, I really enjoy the seasonal change.  When most of the leaves have dropped, we pile them high and play…

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Many of us have gardened in places where the soil is rich, its pH perfectly balanced, the climate blessed with consistent rainfall, gentle sun, and plant-coddling humidity.    Mountain soil and climate present the opposites…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener How to attract more butterflies into the gardens was this week’s most-asked question from friends, family, and garden center customers.  Because butterflies have their favorite foods, the answer is the same whether you are…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Roses that grow best. Are roses easy to grow? When to buy a rose bush.  What is the prettiest rose? World’s prettiest flower this year. Do floribunda roses bloom all summer? How to keep…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Easiest to Grow self-sowing vegetable plantsSelf-sower Vegetables for early spring gardens Succession bed When adding and “turning in” some Barnyard Manure, the ideal soil amendments, and plant nutrients for the perfect garden soil, have…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Mulch is any material that is spread or laid over the surface of the soil as a covering. It is used to retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds, keep the soil cool, and…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener                              Red Heart Hibiscus in Bloom How big can a single flower blossom be? The rare corpse…