The best time to plant trees There are several factors that influence the best time to plant trees; your region, the type of tree you want to plant, and the time you have to care for a newly planted tree. Region – Location plays a big part in timing. I live in the northeast with cool, often wet springs, hot summers, long autumns, and cold winters. Trees are typically planted here in spring or fall....

3 berry recipes The last couple of years, my gooseberry bush has been especially productive. I had all these plans to make a gooseberry soda, inspired by a Twitter conversation I had (@richardlevangie recommended macerating gooseberries, draining, throwing in some simple syrup and club soda), but I have to admit I ended up just eating them all. There’s always next year. I also saved this Gooseberry and elderflower cordial recipe from The Guardian that I’d like to try....

Why grow carrots in containers There are many reasons to consider growing carrots in containers. First, you can grow them anywhere you have a bit of space and some sunshine. You don’t have to worry about rocky, weedy, or infertile soil as you control the growing medium when planting in pots. And because you’ll be growing them in stone-free soil, the roots can grow straight and fork-free. Because carrots are slender plants, you can also pack quite a few in a single pot!...

Beets: A two-harvest crop First, it’s important to point out that beets are a biennial crop that are grown as annuals. These root vegetables grow in full sun or partial shade. They can be harvested for two different edible portions: their leaves and their roots. Growing beet plants in your garden is a great way to increase your yields. All varieties of beets have edible greens, but some selections are more flavorful than others....

Why plant colorful shrubs? Shrubs with colorful foliage are among the shining stars of the garden. Not only do they dress up foundation plantings and shrub beds, they also add form and structure to perennial borders, mailbox gardens, and even hedgerows and privacy plantings. Their brightly colored leaves lend their hues to the garden for the entire growing season, not just while the plant is in flower. As an added bonus, shrubs with colorful foliage often change in appearance throughout the growing season....

A quick look at modern companion planting Today’s companion planting strategies are backed by current and ongoing research at university and agricultural research facilities throughout the world, rather than being based on old wives’ tales and folklore. In my book, you’ll find an extensive reference list of these studies, along with dozens of useful plant partnerships throughout the pages. This modern take on companion planting is called interplanting or intercropping, but regardless of the name used, it involves combining plants together for a specific benefit....

Pruning branches for winter containers Use sharp, clean pruners to make precise cuts that don’t crush the stems. Never try to tear off a branch. Avoid leaving stubs as they can invite disease. Trim a branch at its base where it meets a larger one. The best time to prune a pine tree is in early summer. So, if you’d like to snip branches from a tree in your yard now, take out a lower branch at the main trunk—or one that’s more hidden....