Why are there so many different types of lilies? Before I introduce you to my favorite types of lilies, it’s important to know that these summer-flowering bulbs are classified by botanists into 9 different divisions based on their genetics and hybridization history. Putting this large family of plants into categories like this helps both professional horticulturists and home gardeners know what the flowers of a particular variety of lily look like, when they bloom, and what conditions they thrive in....

Here are 10 steps to grow potatoes in small spaces: Step 1: Pick the right variety Start your tater-growing adventure by deciding what variety of potato to grow. Russets are great for baking and storing, fingerlings are perfect pint-sized spuds, and heirloom varieties come in a rainbow of colors and textures (the potato in the feature image is an heirloom called ‘All Blue‘). No matter what type you choose, be sure to purchase certified disease-free seed potatoes from a reliable source....

What is a lithops plant? Lithops are succulents in the family Aizoaceae. These little charmers are in the genus Lithops, and they are native to South Africa and Namibia. They really do look like stones. Their natural habitat is arid, rocky areas, which is why they evolved such a clever camouflage to protect themselves from browsing herbivores. Each lithops plant has a pair of leaves that look more like squishy rubber pads than leaves, with a fissure separating them....

Basil is one of the most popular herbs grown by gardeners. Its spicy clove flavour is essential in pastas, pizza, sauces, and pesto. It loves heat and shouldn’t be planted outside until the risk of frost has passed in late spring. When picking a site for basil, look for a garden bed or spot on the patio where the plants will receive at least eight hours of direct sun each day....

The Canadian Shield™ rose The Canadian Shield™ rose was introduced this past spring at Canada Blooms as part of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre’s new brand called 49th Roses. This first variety that they’ve released is hardy to zone 3a here in Canada. That means it will survive -40 Celsius and Fahrenheit. It’s also self-cleaning and disease-resistant. Why did this new hardy rose change my mind? After listening to Amy Bowen, a program research leader at Vineland, describe all the research and work that went into breeding this rose for our harsh, Canadian climate, I was curious....

Sprouts vs microgreens Often the terms “sprout” and “microgreen” are used interchangeably, but technically they aren’t the same. Sprouts are newly germinated seeds. When you’re eating them, you’re consuming the initial root and the initial shoot system of the plant, along with the seed itself. Sprouts are highly nutritious because they contain the germination-fueling “food” that was stored within the seed. Microgreens, on the other hand, consist of only the shoot system of the young plant....

What is a mother of thousands plant? One look at this plant and you’ll see where its common name comes from, but the plant has other common names as well, including devil’s backbone, Mexican hat plant, and alligator plant. There are two species of plant that are commonly called mother of thousands: Kalanchoe daigremontiana (syn. Bryophyllum daigremontianum) and Kalanchoe x laetivirens. Both species are in the Kalanchoe genus (which is in the broader Crassulaceae family), and the two plants look a lot alike....

The problem: Carrots fork because the growing tip of the root has been impeded or damaged by someone or something. The someone may be a soil insect or nematode that has nibbled on the tip of the root. The somethings are likely obstacles in the soil like small pebbles or stones. Gardeners who battle heavy clay soil may also notice a larger percentage of forked carrots. Sometimes the reason for forked carrots can be traced back to the gardener....

What is mulch anyway? Mulch is any material placed on top of the soil to suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture, add organic matter, and provide an attractive backdrop for plantings. Mulch can also reduce erosion, improve the soil’s structure and fertility as it breaks down, and stabilize soil temperature fluctuations. As you can see, there are so many good reasons to make mulch a part of your garden. Digging into mulches But, not all mulches are created equal....

How much light do low light succulents need? In the northern hemisphere, south-facing windows receive the greatest amount of light throughout the course of the day. Windows that face east are brightest in the morning and those that face west receive sun in the afternoon and evening. North-facing windows have the least amount of sun streaming through them. For most sun-craving succulent plants here in the northern hemisphere, a south-facing window is the best choice....

In this article, I’m going to share a list of companies that mail hard copies of their garden catalogs, and others that feature their catalogs online. Many catalogs also function as mini magazines, with editorial content that offers growing advice, seed-starting tips, recipes, and more. Ordering garden catalogs online Many companies offer free printed versions of their catalogs. Most will feature the option to request one prominently on their website. However if you’d prefer to just peruse online, often the full catalog is offered in a flip book format....

A last-minute Lee Valley garden gift guide From our bug-loving horticulturist, Jessica Walliser: Raspberry Cane Cutter “When I spotted this handy cutting tool on the Lee Valley Tools website, ideas immediately started swirling around inside my head. Though it’s marketed as a raspberry cane cutter, my husband and I have found a myriad of uses for this bad boy. Not only do we cut down and clean out the old raspberry canes with it every spring, we also use it to help manage multi-flora rose, honeysuckle vines, barberry stems, weed brambles, and lots of other invasive plants in the woods at the back of our property....

Why prune tomato plants? There are many reasons to prune tomato plants. Pruning helps the gardener direct growth and control the mature size of the plant, as well as fit more plants into the garden, maximizing space. Tomato pruning to promote airflow can boost plant health and reduce the occurrence of diseases. Removing unnecessary growth also prevents over-crowding and permits lots of sunlight to reach the center of the plant. Pruned plants may crop earlier than unpruned plants and produce larger fruits....

What is a climbing nasturtium? Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are among the most popular of the annual flowers and beloved for their ease of cultivation and quick growth. The vigorous plants produce masses of large rounded leaves and brightly colored flowers, both of which are edible and delicious in salads. The fragrant, cup-shaped blooms come in shades of reds, oranges, yellows, and creams, as well as pink, apricot, peach, and purple. Many varieties offer bi-colored blooms with splotches or streaks that add another layer of interest to the summer garden....

What is potting soil? Before I introduce my favorite DIY potting soil recipes, let’s talk about what potting soil actually is. The most important thing to understand about potting soil is that it doesn’t actually contain real soil. Potting soil, also called potting mix, is a soilless blend of ingredients used to grow plants. Whether you’re starting seeds, rooting cuttings, potting up houseplants, or growing patio containers and hanging baskets, potting soil is the ideal growing medium for containerized plants....

When can I pick broccoli? Broccoli heads picked at the right time are filled with vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium. The texture when raw is crisp and firm. When cooked, ripe broccoli is bright green and flavorful. There are two stages of broccoli growth that can be harvested. The first is when the plant has produced a main head. This is the primary cluster of flower buds that forms at the center of the rosette of leaves....

What does it mean to have northern exposure? When it comes to growing houseplants, northern exposure is the term used for windows that are north facing (meaning they are on the north side of your home, and if you look out the window, you’ll be facing north), eastern exposure is the term for a window that faces east, and so on for the other two cardinal directions. While this differs in the Southern Hemisphere, this is a basic rundown of the quality of light received by each different exposure here in the Northern Hemisphere....

Why plant groundcovers that stay green all winter The reasons for including evergreen groundcover plants in your garden are many. These plants provide visual interest at a time when many other plants are completely dormant. They give shelter to overwintering beneficial insects and pollinators. In addition, many varieties of evergreen groundcover have fibrous roots that help limit soil erosion. All year long, their green shoots help diffuse heavy rain and snowfall before it hits the soil....

This is called plant dormancy in the gardening world. To make plants go dormant, you need a cold, dark room where the plants will not freeze. I happen to have a weird little cold cellar room in my basement that is the perfect size for my fig tree (it’s a Verte that I got from fig expert Steven Biggs as a wee little twig) and a few other plants. A dark garage or shed, or uninsulated basement will also do the trick....

I learned a lot about composition and placement while researching gardens to appear in Gardening Your Front Yard. It’s amazing to see what green thumbs can do in a limited area. For example, in the front garden of the urban home below, different levels of tiers were formed to create depth. All the planted shrubs are around the same size. Of course you can also create this effect by carefully selecting your plants based on their height, with the tallest being strategically placed in behind the shorter ones....