Gardening and Gardens

The popularity of native plants has grown considerably in recent years as more people recognize their importance in supporting local ecosystems and pollinators. Articles and social media posts are constantly promoting the benefits of native plants—and for good reason. Native plants aren’t just a trend—they truly make a difference.  But why are they so important? And do non-natives deserve the bad reputation they sometimes get?  The Benefits of Native Plants  Native plants support biodiversity  Native plants have evolved over thousands of years, adapting to local conditions like climate, soil, and seasonal rhythms. Native insects, birds, and mammals have co-evolved alongside these plants and rely on them for food, shelter, and nesting. This intricate relationship helps preserve a healthy ecosystem. For example, many native flowers are shaped specifically to accommodate local pollinators’ feeding habits and anatomy, making them a more efficient and reliable food source...

With gardening season just around the corner, now is a great time to take stock of your current supplies, clean your tools and maybe do a little shopping to get yourself ready. I've compiled a list of 5 garden gizmos that may look a little quirky but are made specifically for the job at hand. A few of them I have tried myself, so I'll give an honest review. Let me know your thoughts in the comments! All of these can be found on Amazon or maybe even your local garden center. (Please note that as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) 1. Claw Gardening Gloves   Claw Gardening Gloves These creepy looking gardening gloves work as a 2 in 1 product. The strong plastic "claws" and puncture-resistant cloth both protect your hands and make your fingers stronger and "tool-like" for various garden tasks. Use them for raking out leaves from the garden bed, digging up weeds and digging holes for planting. No additional tools needed! I have a pair of thes...

Start your flower garden now by planting seeds inside during the winter.  Here are 5 tips! The wind is howling outside and the calendar is telling me it's almost February. To me, this is the perfect time to start some seeds indoors! Honestly, this task helps me get through the last bit of winter. Taking the time to figure out the germination needs of each seed, the relaxing sensation as soil is spread over the seed trays and lesson in patience as we wait until the first little sprout appears. It may not be for everyone, but it certainly is for me! And if you are like me, but need a little refresher, I've got you covered. Here are top 5 things to get your flower bed started now: 1. Buy seeds By now, you may have already received a few seed catalogs in the mail. Some of my favorites are: Johnny's Seed , Burpee , Select Seeds , Hudson Valley Seed Company , and The Gardeners Workshop . If you haven't received any, you can look them up online and order directly from their we...

Hi! I'm happy to announce I've launched a new website and with it, a new blog! Please head on over to KW Gardens & Flowers  to check out my offerings in garden consultations and design help, as well as floral designs and subscription bouquets using locally grown flowers. There, you can also find my new blog  where I will be posting new and interesting content. This site and blog will remain, but I welcome you to find me over there and follow along. 

I love seeing the little blue flowers that appear in the spring. They often appear naturalized in the lawn or showing up in the garden bed among the daffodils and hyacinths. But which are they -  Scilla  or  Chionodoxa ? The main difference is the direction the flower head faces. Scilla   siberica,  or Siberian squill, have electric blue flowers that are bell-like, drooping downward.  It's six blue petals surround stamens that have thread-like filaments and are not clustered together.  Scilla  can grow 3-6 inches high and each bulb produces 3-4 stems with medium, strap-like leaves. It's very tough and cold hardy that easily naturalizes by bulb offshoots and self-seeding.   Chionodoxa  is commonly called Glory-of-the-Snow because it is among the first bulbs to bloom in the spring. Each bulb produces six petaled, soft blue flowers with white centers that face upward and are surrounded by narrow, basal leaves. If y...

My backyard is still under over a foot of snow with more expected this week. My bird feeder has been a busy gathering place for my feathered friends. And the squirrels are just as happy to dine on whatever mess they find on the ground from those messy birds. But yesterday, I saw them munching on a different treat - rose hips. During the summer, my carpet roses are a beautiful shade of pink and emit a sweet scent. Rose hips are swollen seed pods that form under the blossom, turning orange and red, and last for months after the blossom is long gone. Here's how mine looked in October . Rose hips are a tasty treat for squirrels, birds and rabbits. Humans can eat them too, but only the fleshy outer part. The hairy inner seeds can irritate human intestines. Personally, I've never eaten one, but I've read that they taste like a tart apple crossed with a rose petal. Rose hips are rich in vitamin C and can be made into jams, jellies, syrups and tea. Looking a...

It's hot and humid here on Long Island, NY this month, which is typical for July. Around this time, I'm happy I did most of my big gardening tasks in the spring when the weather was more comfortable. Still, there is always a flower to deadhead or a perennial to relocate. Thankfully though, the garden is mostly on auto pilot and I'm enjoying the blooms. Here's what's growing and blooming in my garden this month:  The Russian Sage mingles with the Black Eye Susans Echinacea 'Hot Papaya' really stands out (and above!) the  Sedum, Liatris and more Black Eyed Susans  A beautiful pink bee balm - Monarda 'Raspberry Wine' More pinks! Above, coneflowers (echinacea) in bloom and below, a hydrangea - Over in the shade garden, the Japanese Painted Fern is looking lovely next to the small Hosta 'Mouse Ears' and Hosta 'June.' This whole garden is finally starting to fill in! Do you have any of these same ...