Creating a Low Maintenance Backyard

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on creating a low maintenance backyard.  Having a lovely backyard that you can be proud of takes a lot of work. If you prefer not to do any gardening, then your yard will be dull.  So, you can’t have a gorgeous garden and not put any effort into it. 

However, you can have a wonderful garden that is extremely low maintenance.  Low maintenance backyards allow even the busiest of people who have no interest in gardening to enjoy their outside space.  Check how you can create a low maintenance backyard that you can enjoy too. 

 

 

creating a low maintenance backyard

 

Creating a Low Maintenance Backyard:

 

Choose The Right Plants 

Some plants take an awful lot of upkeep. They need to be pruned, they need to be watered regularly.  And, some even need to be fed to keep them looking their best. These are not the plants you’ll want in a low-maintenance backyard. Instead, it’s best to research the type of plants that will work best in a low maintenance garden.  Doing research is better than just picking the ones that look prettiest, but require time and attention.  

So, the best plants for a low-maintenance yard are hardy perennials.  Perennials are plants that come back year after year. Additionally, they can survive practically anything without much help.  In other words, you can plant them and leave them.  

 

 

creating a low maintenance backyard

 

Spread Beds With Mulch

Weeding is probably the worst job in the entire yard. It’s back-breaking, messy work, and no sooner have you completed the task than you’ll spot more weeds breaking through the surface of the soil. 

If you want to prevent doing this job over and over, simply spread mulch over your flower beds. Mulch will help to keep your soil nutrient-rich, and when it comes to weeds, it blocks out sunlight and warmth, and therefore they are unable to grow. 

 

Think About Your Lawn 

Once the flowerbeds have been dealt with, the next issue is the lawn. There are several ways to deal with your lawn, depending on just how low maintenance you want your yard to be. The first option is to remove as much grass as possible and install entertainment areas.  For example, a patio with table and chairs to enjoy outdoor meals.  Expand your deck or install one.   

Another option is to install a pond.  Koi ponds are beautiful, ponds with a waterfall are relaxing and enjoyable to look at.  

If you have small children remove the grass and install a swing set and play area with mulch.  

 

 

creating a low maintenance backyard

 

 

Finally, you can keep your lawn, but ensure you use your lawnmower from Bradley Mowers on it regularly. Or rather, you can pay someone else to cut the grass for you. In this way, you can enjoy natural grass in your yard, but you won’t have to worry about keeping it mown.

I hope you enjoyed my tips on creating a low maintenance  backyard and will implement a few ideas.  

Cleaning Garden Tools for Beginners

I’m sharing gardening tips on cleaning garden tools for beginner gardeners today. It’s imperative that you keep your garden tools sanitized.  Gardening season is here, so lets get this task done.   

 

Importance of Cleaning Garden Tools: 

 

First, cleaning gardening tools is task that most gardeners do when they close their garden for the season. Using unsanitary tools can spread disease to your plants.  Imagine all your beautiful flowers and veggies being diseased simply because you missed a task that should be performed yearly. 

Fortunately, cleaning your tools in the spring is as effective as cleaning them in the fall.  As a result, it’s not too late.  Tools need to be cleaned regularly to avoid spreading disease.  Cleaning your tools regularly also helps prevent rust, dirt build-up and helps keep them sharp.  Keeping your tools in good condition will help cut down on your gardening expense too.  Purchasing new tools over and over can get expensive, and it’s an unnecessary if you care for what you have.   

 

Clean the Following Garden Tools with the Baking Soda Method:  

  • trowels
  • loppers
  • scissors
  • by-pass shears
  • pruning shear
  • spade
  • garden fork
  • shovels
  • rakes
  • hoes

 

Note: Make sure you wash your gardening gloves with a good non-chlorine bleach throughout the gardening season too.  

 

 

 

cleaning garden tools

 

 

Cleaning Garden Tools Steps:  

  • Baking Soda
  • Water
  • Rubbing Alcohol (at least 70%)
  • Rags
  • Wire Brush
  • Newspaper or Cardboard Box 

 

 

cleaning gardening tools

 

 

 

  • Use a garden hose to remove any lose dirt from your garden tools. Dry the towels and proceed to the next step.  
  • Make a Paste with the Baking Soda and Water – It should be thick, but thin enough to spread on the blades of your tools without crumbling.  
  • Allow the paste to penetrate the blades of the tools for at least an hour or two.  

 

 

cleaning garden hand tools

 

 

  • Use your wire brush to remove any rust and grime.  
  • Wipe the baking soda paste from the tools with a wipe cloth. 

 

 

cleaning garden hand tools

 

 

 

Disinfect the tools by wiping the blades and handles with Isopropyl Alcohol and a clean rag.  The alcohol should be at least 70%; however, I use a 91% brand.  You can use the alcohol directly from the bottle without diluting it.  You can purchase alcohol from the dollar store, CVS, Wal-greens, Walmart etc.  

Add this task to your gardening schedule at least once a year.  However, twice a year is good.  I like to clean my tools mid-season and than in early spring if time doesn’t allow me to clean them in the fall.  Again spring or fall is appropriate, just make sure you clean them. 

Also, if you use the tools on a diseased plant or an area in your garden that has been infected, clean your tools immediately.  This is important, you don’t want to further spread any diseases.  You may also like common garden diseases.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

History of Mother’s Day for Kids

Do you know the history of Mother’s Day. Today, I’m sharing homeschooling tips and kids printables on the History of Mother’s Day for kids.  Each year we celebrate mothers; however, very few people know its history.  So, I researched the history and I thought I would share it with you.   

First, the history of Mother’s Day can be taken back to Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis who was born in Culpeper, Virginia, September 30, 1832.  She moved to Philippi, WV with her mother and father.  Ann’s father was a Methodist minister who was transferred to the area.

Next, Ann later married the son of a Baptist minister.  She became known as Mother Jarvis.  Her husband ran a mercantile and she was a Appalachian homemaker who taught Sunday School.  Furthermore, she lead a Mother’s Day Work Club who’s mission was to teach mother’s how to eliminate unsanitary living conditions.  Additionally, she taught them how to take care of their children safely. After Mother Jarvis’ husband passed away, she moved to Philadelphia with to live with her daughter and to be close to her sons.  Sadly, Mother Jarvis passed away in 1905 from heart problems. 

 

Anna Jarvis Founder of Mother’s Day:  

 

Anna Jarvis, Mother Jarvis’ daughter, was the founder of Mother’s Day. She attended the Augusta Female Seminary in Staunton, Virginia.  Today it is known as Mary Baldwin College.  After Anna completed college, she returned to her mother in West Virginia.  She worked in the school system and became involved in church.   

 

 

history of mother's day

 

History of Mother’s Day:  

 

Several years after Anna’s mother passed away, she held a memorial ceremony to honor her and all mothers at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia.  The church built a shrine and dedicated it to all mothers in the church on May 10, 1908.  Anna did not attend, but she sent 500 white carnations for those who did.  From there the idea of honoring mothers annually became a mission for her. Anna Jarvis spent countless hours working to have Mother’s Day recognized as a holiday.  During her campaign, the holiday spread throughout the United States and internationally.  In 1914, Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed Mother’s Day a national holiday.  

 

Print my History of Mother’s Day Fact Sheet and use as a part of your homeschool or extra educational activities.  

 

 

history of mother's day

 

 

 

Emblem of Mother’s Day

 

Furthermore, the white carnation is seen as the emblem of Mother’s Day.  In Anna Jarvis’ words, “Its whiteness is to symbolize the truth, purity and broad-charity of mother love; its fragrance, her memory, and her prayers. The carnation does not drop its petals, but hugs them to its heart as it dies.  So, it symbols mothers hugging their children to their hearts, their mother’s love never dying. “When I selected this flower, I was remembering my mother’s bed of white pinks”. – Anna Jarvis.   

 

 

history of mother's day

 

 

Popular Flowers for Mother’s Day:  

 

  • Tulips – Meaning perfect, love and charity
  • Roses – meaning love and appreciation
  • Daffodils – meaning rebirth and new beginnings
  • Gladiolus – meaning strength of character and integrity
  • Orchids – meaning love and rare beauty
  • Lilies – Meaning virtue, prosperity and motherhood

 

 

history of mother's day

 

 

Finally, you have the history of Mother’s Day.  And, I wish each mother a Happy and Blessed Mother’s Day.  My children will be visiting this week, and my son-in-law will be preparing dinner for all the mothers in the family. This act is a token of his love for me and a reminder of my greatest role, a mother.

 

 

Best Vegetables for Container Gardening

Today, I’m sharing beginner gardening tips on best vegetables for container gardening. Do you think you can’t garden because you don’t have a garden plot, raised beds or simply don’t have space?  Wrong, if you have a patio, balcony or a small area of ground space you can garden.  The possibilities of what you can grow in containers is endless.

Furthermore, there are plants and seeds that are grown specifically for patio or small garden spaces. Look for container or patio varieties for small spaces.  These plants and or seeds are grown specifically for patio and small garden spaces.

 

Best Vegetables for Container Gardening

 

Also, if you’re wondering what containers to use for your vegetables, you can use 5 gallon buckets, large flower pots, grow bags, plastic or galvanized tubs to grow vegetables  The key is to make sure the containers have drainage holes and are large and deep enough to house your plants.  Grow bags don’t require drainage holes drilled into them.   

 

 

best vegetables for container gardening

 

 

Best Vegetables for Container Gardening:   

 

Growing Tomatoes in Buckets or Containers:

  • Tom Thumb
  • Sun Gold
  • Roma
  • Red Robin
  • Plum Regal
  • Sunrise Sauce
  • Tomato Patio
  • Bush Early Girl
  • Tiny Tim
  • Husky Red

 

So, these tomatoes are great container gardening varieties to growPlan tomatoes in large buckets from Lowes or Home Depot, or your local paint store, flower pots, or grow bags.  These are all perfect for growing on a patio or deck. However, you will need to drill holes in the bottom of the containers for drainage.  But, if you’re using grow bags you don’t needs holes drilled into them. But, make sure you drill holes in the bottom of your containers. Furthermore, make sure your containers are deep enough to house the tomatoes.  Tomatoes need to be planted deep.  

 

 

 

best vegetables for container gardening

 

 

 


 

 

Growing Basil in Containers: 

  • Spicy Globe
  • Genovese
  • Sweet Basil
  • Purple Ruffles
  • Dark Opal
  • Cinnamon
  • Lemon

Next, grow basil in regular flower pots, colanders, baskets, grow bags or flower bed borders.

 

Best Carrots for Container Gardening: 

  • Kaleidoscope
  • Thumbelina
  • Little Fingers
  • Scarlet Nantes
  • Short and Sweet

All of these carrot varieties are great for containers.  Just make sure your containers are deep enough for the carrot to grown down and straight in the pot.  

 

Growing Lettuce For Container Gardening: 

  • Romaine
  • Buttercrunch
  • Black Seeded Simpson
  • Arugula
  • Gourmet Blend
  • Spring Mix  

I love fresh lettuce for my BLTs in the summer.  Additionally, I love to use the long window boxes to grow my lettuce.  You can set the planters on your patio or deck for easy access.  You can also use baskets, colanders, buckets, tubs and chair planters to grow this delicious treat.  

 

Best Radishes For Container Gardening: 

  • Cherry Belle
  • French Breakfast
  • Gourmet Blend
  • Fire and Ice
  • Pink Beauty

These radishes can be grown in a variety of containers.  They can be grown in raised beds, flower pots, baskets, colanders, galvanized tubs or buckets. These are a few varieties that can be grown in a container.  

 

Best Herbs for Container Gardening: 

  • Rosemary
  • Oregano
  • Mint
  • Basil
  • Thyme
  • Sage

Herbs can grown in pots, mason jars, buckets, baskets, colanders and other containers with drainage.  You can also plant herbs in flower beds or borders, rock gardens or raised beds too.  

 

 

best vegetables for containers

 

 

 

Cucumbers

  • Bush Cucumber
  • Space Master
  • Salad Bush
  • Salty and Crispy
  • Burpless

These cucumber have been given a thumbs up by container gardeners around the world. Furthermore, they don’t require a trellis to support their growth.  Flowers pots, 5 gallon buckets or grow bags will house these delicious treats.  

 

Potatoes

  • Red Norland
  • Yukon Gold
  • Adirondack Blue
  • Red Pontiac
  • Fingerlings
  • Russet
  • Kennebec

Potatoes can be planted in grow bags, 5 gallon buckets or contractor garbage bags.  I use contractor garbage bags for my leaf and shrubbery cuttings.  They are much studier and stronger than regular lawn bags.  However, you will need to poke holes in the bottom of the bag.  You can use a stick or skewer to poke holes in the bag.  Make sure you make the holes big enough for water to drain out.  You will need to drill holes in your 5 gallon buckets too.

 

 

best vegetables for containers

 

 

Peppers

  • Mini Belle
  • Jalapeno
  • Cayenne F1
  • Banana
  • Bulgarian Carrots
  • Super Chili
  • Mohawk Patio


Last, look for container variety peppers.  Grow bags or 5 gallon buckets with holes drilled in the bottom are perfect for growing peppers. Use a tomato cage or sticks to stake your belle peppers.

Finally, start small by selecting a few vegetables from my list.  And, add a few more veggies to your container garden next year.  You may also like easiest flowers and vegetables for pots.  

 

Naming Your Baby Tips for Parents

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on naming your baby tips. When you are having a a child, one of the most important decisions that you will make, is what to name them. Many people struggle from time to time with this process.  Furthermore, it can be hard to know how to approach it.  Some people like to wait until they have actually met their child before naming them.  Others have names selected before birth.  If you are struggling to come up with a perfect name for your child, we have a few tips for you.  

 

 

naming baby tips

 

 

 

Naming Your Baby Tips

 

Family History

One of the first places to look is in your family history, specifically the names of people in your immediate family.  That might include your parents, grandparents, and of course the same on your partner’s side too. The beauty of this is that you can easily continue a number of traditions and have a sense of unity in the family.  Many parents are using the middle names of parents, grandparents or aunts and uncles.  Older names are becoming popular again too.  For example, Charlie, Abigail, Jack, Evelyn, Samuel, Lillian, and Violet.  

 

National Ancestry

You might also like to think about the ancestry part of the equation, particularly if you have an especially strong affinity with any particular nation or people. If you are Irish, for instance, or you just have some Irish family members, you might find yourself looking at an Irish name for your child. Likewise, if you have a Scottish background or any other background check out names from that culture.  This can be a great way to make sure you are representing your family’s history in name.  

 

 

 

naming baby tips

 

 

 

Meaning

Some people choose to be led instead by meaning, which is great if you want to show that you have really put a lot of thought and effort into choosing a name. You can look up meanings of names, but be sure to corroborate with a few different sources.  There can be different meanings, so you want to make sure that you really understand what the name means.  You will be happier with a name that you’ve given thought to rather than one that was chosen randomly.

 

Common Mistakes

There are common mistakes that people often make when they are naming their children. For example, they may have compromised too much with their partner.  Or, they might have chosen a name which is hard to pronounce or too similar to many other names, which makes it tricky to distinguish how to pronounce it. You should aim to choose a name that is clear and obvious.  Although there are no hard rules here and it is up to you, consider my naming your baby tips and please enjoy naming your baby. 

Staying Healthy Through Your Pregnancy

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on staying healthy through pregnancy.  You need a healthy body for your baby to develop well for nine months. Ideally, you can start planning for a healthy pregnancy before you get pregnant. Early preparation will allow your physician to show you how to avoid exposing your baby any form of toxins.

 

To achieve the best outcome without any prenatal or delivery complications, treat all chronic medical conditions properly before getting pregnant. You must also refrain from smoking, taking alcohol or illicit drugs, and excessive drinking of caffeinated drinks.

 

 

staying healthy through pregnancy 

 

Staying healthy through pregnancy:  

 

  1. Keep a Healthy Weight

Work on your weight before you get pregnant. During pregnancy, you will be eating to keep two people healthy. That means weight gain will occur during a normal pregnancy.

Tracking your weight gain during pregnancy helps you avoid putting on weight that you will struggle to lose. Check your body mass index to know if you are overweight, underweight, or normal. If you have a normal weight, you should limit your weight gain to between 25 to 35 pounds.

 

  1. Do More Exercise

Engaging in regular exercise improves your health. It also cuts down stress and weight gain while enhancing blood circulation.  If you want to improve your mood and sleep well at night, exercise for at least 20 minutes daily. You can walk, do Pilates, or yoga. 

Kegel exercises are also helpful while you are pregnant. They boost the strength of the lower muscles of the pelvis, and provide strong support for your uterus, bowels, and bladder. Kegel exercises may be done anywhere at any time of the day by simply squeezing your muscles to prevent the flow of urine like you do while you are in the toilet.

 

  1. Take Vitamin Supplements

Your baby’s brain and spine start developing from the first month of pregnancy. Ask your doctor to recommend a suitable vitamin supplement that contains essential nutrients like calcium, iron, and folic acid. You should take your prenatal vitamins early in the day, but if they nauseate you, you may take them at night. Consult your doctor if you have any issues or concerns.  

 

  1. Increase Your Knowledge

If this is your first pregnancy, you need to learn all you can about pregnancy and childbirth. But, if you are having a second or third child, going to prenatal classes is still a good idea. It will enable you to be well-prepared for a happy pregnancy and joyful delivery.

Attending prenatal classes gives you a chance to ask all the questions you may have about your body and baby. You can also bring up issues you’ve had during previous pregnancies with your doctor. Discuss your medical history and if possible, attend the classes with your partner.

 

  1. Modify Your House Chores

When you are pregnant, some house chores can become risky. For example, you may be exposed to toxins while cleaning the litter box or washing the bathroom with toxic cleaning agents. These toxins can be harmful to you and your baby.  Some of the house chores you need to avoid are:

  • Changing your cat’s litter
  •  Lifting heavy objects 
  •  Stripping lead based pain or using solvent-based paints 

 

You need to take special precautions if you have cats. Cats carry a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. So, put on gloves if you are working in a place where cats play and have someone clean the litter box for you.

 

 

staying healthy through pregnancy

 

 

 

Boost Your Diet With Fruit and Vegetables

Aim for at least five balanced meals with a rich supply of vegetables and fruit. Green vegetables contain folic acid. It is an essential vitamin for the development of your baby’s neural tube that covers the spine. You need folic acid to build new blood cells in your bone marrow.

Also, taking fruits like apples and bananas can boost your energy levels. Remember that you won’t be able to consume a lot of caffeine during pregnancy. So, eating taking natural fruits will give you the energy boost you used to get from caffeine.

 

By applying these health-boosting tips daily, you can reduce the risk of sickness, poor fetal development, and birth complications. However, these tips are simply for informational purposes. Always consult your physician before you do anything that can affect your health or that of your baby.

Budget Roof Replacement Tips for Homeowners

Today, I’m sharing home improvement tips on budget roof replacement tips.  So, replacing your roof is necessary because the roof protects the interior of your home. Fortunately, it can be replaced even if you are on a budget.  We all know that budgeting is important; however, maintaining a roof that will protect you home is important too.  If you have an older roof, you may need more work than you realize.

 

Budget Roof Replacement Tips: 

 

 

budget roof repair tips

 

 

 

When starting on your budget, there are a few steps of planning:

 

Roof Inspection

Have a professional roofing technician inspect your roof. The technician will tell you if the repairs you need are minor or if the entire roof needs replacing. 

 

Get an Estimate

Call a roofing company, such as Dominion Roofing Company, for a free estimate. This step will give you a better insight into what work is needed on your roof. You’ll also learn what materials, and the number of labor hours that might be needed.

 

Get a least three estimates before accepting one. You’ll want to avoid picking a company just because it’s offering a low rate too.  

 

The companies you want to consider will offer competitive rates. Also, they should be properly licensed and insured. A good company will take the time to explain the details for your roof replacement.

 

Materials

You’ll want to know what materials you’ll need and how much they cost. Certain materials are cheaper than others. Pricing roofing materials before calling a roofer means you’ll have an expectation of what the quote is going to be.

 

Save

Unless your roof needs immediate repair, then get estimates and save your money. Another thing to do is plan ahead and set money aside over the course of years if possible.

 

Time it Right

You’ll want to schedule your roof replacement in late winter or spring. Roofers are busy in the later summer and fall.

 

 

 

budget roof replacement tips

 

 

 

Use Insurance

While homeowners insurance doesn’t cover damages due to neglect, your insurance can help cover costs due to something like a hailstorm.

 

Do some of the Work

If you have the skills, time and proper equipment, you can do some of the work yourself. This can help you cut the costs of repairing your roof.

 

In budgeting for a roof replacement, plan for it. Get estimates, research the cost of materials, save your money, and schedule  your repairs for the off-season. Do some of the work yourself to help save some money. Doing all of this to repair your roof correctly will protect the rest of your home and is an excellent long-term investment.

 

Zone 6B Plants for Spring Gardens

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on Zone 6B plants for spring gardens. March is the time to clean up your garden and start cool weather vegetable crops.  This includes removing any weeds and adding compost.  Decide what you want to plant in your spring garden and prepare to purchase your plants or sow your seeds.  April is a great time to start planting spring vegetables.

 

Know Your Garden Zone

So, I garden in Zone 6B. The lower the number on the zone map, the colder the climate is in that particular area.  It’s important that you know your gardening zone.  Please, take some time and look up your zone now.  This will help you determine what you can plant in your area and when you should sow your seeds or plants in your garden or containers.

 

 

 

spring vegetables for zone 6B

 

 

 Zone 6B Plants for Spring Gardens:

 

  • Carrots
  • Swiss Chards
  • Beets
  • Lettuce
  • Radishes 

 

 

spring vegetables for zone 6B

 

 

  • Peas
  • Potatoes
  • Onions
  • Spinach
  • Collards
  • Kale

 

 

Understanding Cool Weather Crops

These vegetables are considered cool weather crops.  Cool weather crops can germinate in cold soil and grow in cooler weather like spring and fall.  So, make that you direct sow your seeds in a timely manner.  You want your seeds to germinate and the plants to mature before hot weather sets in.  So, sow your seeds or plants as soon as the ground is workable. Cool weather crops will wilt or bolt in the hot summer heat.  Although, I have had luck with keeping a good crop of lettuce going throughout the past two summers. I plant it under a ladder close to my tomatoes plants that provides lots of shade.   

I have direct sown peas, lettuce, carrots and radishes and they have done great in the timeframe that I allowed for my spring garden.  It’s important that you allow time for the plant to mature and harvest your produce before you need the space for your summer crops. 

 

The picture directly above are Cherry Belle Radishes that were planted in April and are maturing in May.  Belle means beautiful in French. The germination timeframe is approximately 25 days, and they are perfect for beginner and experienced gardeners.  This radish has been around for many years, and has been tried, tested and true. It’s a great plant for a fall planting too. 

 

 

 

growing radishes in zone 6B   

 

So, pick a few Zone 6b plants for spring and get them in your vegetable garden.  You can plant in containers, raised beds or in a garden plot.  

Using Banana Peels as Fertilizer

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on using banana peels as fertilizer for beginner gardeners. I love recycling and upcycling things, and banana peels just happens to be one of those things.  So, I’ve found ways to use in banana peels in my gardens and I make a banana tea fertilizer for my plants.  Read on for this simple fertilizer recipe

 

 

banana peel fertilizer

 

 

 

Using Banana Peels as Fertilizer

Making banana peel fertilizer is easy and beneficial to both flower and vegetable garden.  Bananas are a great source of potassium, sodium, iron, zinc, and manganese, all of which plants need for healthy growth and blooms. 

Furthermore, potassium helps plants use water better and be more drought resistant.  Because it contains no nitrogen, it is perfect for low nitrogen plants like tomatoes and peppers. Banana peels contain calcium, which helps prevent blossom end rot.  You can also use the fertilizer on flowers, house plants and roses. 

 

  • Remove any stickers from the bananas.
  • Place 1 – 2 banana peels in a quart jar. 
  • Cover banana peels with rain water if available or regular water. 
  • Cover quart jar loosely with a top.  
  • Allow peels to stand in water for 48 hours to a week.  
  • Remove banana peels from the jar, and chop them into small pieces.  
  • Bury the banana peels beneath your plants when planting your garden and posts.
  • Store the fertilizer in a pitcher or gallon jug until ready to use. 
  • Water the plants at the base with the banana peel fertilizer.  

 

 

banana peel fertilizer

 

 

Furthermore, you can save banana peels throughout the year by freezing them.  You can make the fertilizer with fresh or frozen banana peels.  I freeze banana peels all year to ensure that I have enough to make fertilizer throughout the gardening season.  Once used they can be tossed into your compost bin. 

You can also lightly mist your tomato and pepper plants throughout the growing season. Place your fertilizer in a spray bottle and mist.  Don’t saturate your plants, a light mist will do.  Pepper and tomato plants don’t like to stay wet too long.

Try using banana peel fertilizer on your plants this growing season.  You’ll give them the boost they need to produce delicious fruit, vegetables and flowers.  You may also like:  Building Healthy Soil.

 

Easiest Plants to Grow In Your Garden

Today, I’m sharing gardening tips on the easiest plants to grow in your garden.   Growing a flower garden is probably among the most satisfying activities you can do.  But, it can also be a very unpredictable experience too.  For example, you may get amazing results one year and pests and disease catastrophe the next. Also, you’ll quickly learn that some growing conditions are easier to deal with than others.  But, in most cases it comes down to choosing the right plants.

Whatever the challenge, there are always ways to solve these problems.  Experienced gardeners understand this, but it might get tough or frustrating for beginner gardeners. The key is to plant healthy plants that are native to your area.

 

Benefits of Native Plants

  • Already acclimated to your area
  • Requires less watering
  • No fertilizer needed
  • Not invasive
  • Better for pollinators

 

 

easy to grow plants

 

 

 

Easiest Plants to Grow Plants:

 

Butterfly Bush

 

The butterfly bush attracts butterflies and pollinators such as hummingbirds and honeybees. However, this bush can become is quite large plant growing up to 8 feet high and 5 feet wide if not contained.  It has strong, woody stalks, and in colder zones it dies back each winter.

However, a little pruning in early spring will have your plants looking good as new. Your bushes should be pruned each spring down to 8 to 12 inches to boost its growth. You can also find dwarf varieties which are more convenient for smaller gardens. The plants come in a number of colors such as yellow, pink, purple, red and white, and love full sun exposure with a medium amount of moisture.

 

 

easy to grow plants

 

 

Lavender

 

Lavender comes in many varieties and is quite a short-lived perennial.  But, if you’re looking to add a fragrant element to your garden, this plant is the perfect addition. The color varies from light blue and purple to pale blue and white.  Its perfumed quality make it an attractive addition to any garden. Lavender can also be used in cooking as well as the dried, which is also more potent in smell and flavor. The plant grows to about 20 inches and blooms in late spring/early summer.  It enjoys full sun. Having shallow roots, lavender declines in wetter conditions so it needs less moisture and well-drained soil.

 

Daisies – Yarrow, Aster, and Tickseed

 

The daisy family is quite large, offering a great range of plants to choose from. Starting with yarrow, this plant is quite sturdy with lacy leaves and a wide variety of colors. It’s easy to grow in any well-drained soil, loves the sun, and tends to spread heartily, crowding other plants.

You can find it in pastel colors but also in deep red, rust, white and yellow. It grows up to 4 feet and blooms throughout summer and into fall. Prune it following the blooming period and make sure to remove the dead stalks when the season is over.

Aster is another daisy family member that is a late-season bloomer with a color variety ranging from white, blue and lavender. This will bring pops of color to your garden after most other perennials have finished their bloom. Bear in mind that it needs well-drained soil with medium moisture and slightly acidic conditions. It’s a self-sow plant that grows up to 4 feet in height requiring its root groups to be divided every few years.

Similar to most members of the perennial daisy family, tickseed or coreopsis is a durable choice that’s quite easy to grow. It reaches 3 feet in height and blooms much longer than other perennials, over the whole summer into late fall. You can divide the plants into several smaller ones every couple of years. They react well to pruning or shearing by producing new flower buds. These come in varieties of yellow, pink, red, orange, or a combination of the two. They also love the sun and dry to medium moisture.

 

Cineraria

 

Cineraria is a warm-weather perennial that prefers shade and is typically grown as an annual. It is a clustering plant that grows up to 12 inches in height. It’s frequently planted in containers and produces beautiful purple, white, or blue daisy-like flowers that combine perfectly with ferns.

This plant reseeds itself, and it can grow in surprisingly shallow, but cool and well-drained soil. It does require moderate moisture as constant wetness causes the roots to rot. On the other hand, underwatering will hinder its bloom as well.

 

Daylily

 

The daylily is one of the oldest and best groups of ornamental perennials.  It has countless varieties available. Its upright flower stems grow from 2 to 5 feet producing trumpet-like flowers.  Unfortunately, many blooms only last for one day. Colors range from red, purple, orange, white, and yellow to bi-color combinations. It’s very well-suited for beginner gardeners as they are very resistant to common insects and diseases.

Most daylily types bloom for several weeks during summer.  However, some repeat their blooming cycle giving your garden lively colors throughout all summer. So, daylilies spread in clumps and should be divided every three years.  Overcrowding hinders flowering. Daylilies require sunny to partially sunny conditions with medium wet, well-drained soil.

 

 

easy to grow plants

 

 

 

Oriental Lily

 

The Oriental lilies are a great transitory flower.  They bloom in early summer after the Asiatic lilies have blossomed and before most other lily varieties have begun. Oriental Lilies are planted as bulbs, and gradually spread. Lilies love rich to medium moisture, well-drained, and slightly acidic soil.

They can grow from 1 to 8 feet in height with a wide range of blooming colors such as red, orange, pink yellow, and white. Lilies are quite fragrant and if you remove withered flowers, you’ll boost additional blooming.

 

 These Plants Are Also Colorful

 

Gardening can be an excellent way to express your creativity. Furthermore, it’s a great benefit to your health and wellbeing.  Additionally, achieving a lust, beautiful and lovely smelling ideal garden can be incredibly rewarding. Allow yourself to explore different ideas and layouts, mixing different plants and flowers to create a garden that will be fragrant and colorful throughout spring, summer and fall.

 

Add a few of my suggested easy to grow plants and flowers to your backyard.  You will be enjoying beautiful flowers, butterflies and bouquets of lilies in no time.