Savvy Gardening

When to cut back amaryllis leaves—and help your bulb to rebloom!

Growing an amaryllis indoors brings a little magic and color to a room in the dead of winter. Long, luscious green foliage emerges from the bulb before sending up a stalk that will open to reveal gorgeous, lily-like blooms. For an extra bit of magic, if you know when to cut back amaryllis leaves and flowers, you can coax the bulb to flower again the following year. It just takes a little bit of patience and planning.

Fast growing flowers from seed: 10 easy options

Written by Niki Jabbour

Planting fast growing flowers is an easy way to transform your garden is a short amount of time. Quick growers like calendula, zinnias, and cosmos start to bloom in less than two months with the show continuing until the end of the growing season. In this article you’ll discover 10 of the best fast growing flowers to start from seed, get expert tips on when and how to plant them, and discover the top varieties to grow.

Planting ranunculus: How to grow these beautiful flowers

Written by Jessica Walliser

Ranunculus are adored for their multi-petaled, rose-like flowers and their ability to elevate bouquets and cut flower arrangements. Success with these plants comes down to timing, preparation, and understanding their ideal growing conditions and growth cycle. As a former market farmer, I’ve grown many ranunculus blooms for the cut flower bouquets we sold at our regional farmer’s markets. This guide to planting ranunculus shares my techniques and walks you through everything you need to know, from pre-planting prep to seasonal care. The advice here works if you want to grow ranunculus in containers or in the ground outdoors.
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Fast-growing indoor plants: The best houseplant choices

Written by Tara Nolan

When you need more greenery in your life, fast-growing houseplants are a great option. They can transform your home’s interior landscape, adding a splash of living color, especially in the winter. Placing just one or two plants in the rooms where you spend the most time can brighten your space and your mood. I love visiting a garden center in the winter and bringing home a new indoor plant (or two!) to jazz up a bookshelf or to admire on my mantel.

How to grow lavender from seed

Written by Tara Nolan

Have you ever thought of adding a lavender hedge or border to your garden, or a mini lavender “field” to a part of your yard? If you are patient, consider growing lavender from seed. While it can be a little challenging, particularly if you are a beginner, there are a few best practices you can follow in order to successfully start your own lavender seedlings. And, it can help save you money.
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Insecticidal soap vs neem oil: What’s the difference?

Written by Jessica Walliser

Although both are often suggested to control various pest issues on both indoor and outdoor plants, isn’t it time for an insecticidal soap vs neem oil comparison? After all, they each have distinct uses, benefits, and drawbacks, and once you understand those, you’ll know just which product you should reach for and why. In this article, I’ll discuss what both of these products are and share some valuable insight into their differences.
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