The Thrifted Planter

Just Grow Something

Growing Perennials

5 Fall Bulbs to Plant in Mass for Spring Blooms

     Leave a Comment

Fall is a great time to think about spring. Starting around September you will start seeing displays in your local stores and online selling fall planted bulbs for spring blooms. Many spring bulbs are planted in fall because they need a cold period to be able to bloom properly. There are so many different varieties that you can choose from but here are 5 that do very well and put on a great spring show!

Daffodils

Daffodils are so gorgeous and easy going. I have several naturalized areas of daffodils in the garden and they require no maintenance after planting. There are many different types of Daffodils to choose from so you can plant as many are you like. Be sure that once your blooms are spent you leave the foliage up for several weeks. This allows the bulbs to store energy for next spring.

yellow cluster petaled flowers. spring bulbs
Photo by Hilary Halliwell on Pexels.com

Hyacinths

Hyacinths are an amazing flower to add to the spring garden. They offer a cool flower structure and a great floral smell. Plant them in mass and you’ll have the best smelling spring garden in the neighborhood.

selective focus of blooming purple hyacinth flowers. Spring Blooms
Photo by ambrosiniv on Pexels.com

Crocuses

One of the first to pop in the spring these petite beauties make a big impact planted in mass. Be sure to not cut the foliage too soon after the flowers are spent.

purple and white petaled flowers
Photo by Heiner on Pexels.com

Tulips

When most people think of spring blooms they think of tulips. Tulips are classic among many gardeners for many years. Did you know tulips were once used a currency? Crazy right? Plant Tulips in mass and watch your neighbors heads turn as they drive or walk past your home.

yellow and pink tulip field selective focus photography. Spring Blooms
Photo by Jos van Ouwerkerk on Pexels.com

Alliums

Adding Allium to your spring garden will create a space full of whimsy. There are many different types you can plant that have eye catching blooms!

purple allium flowers in close up photography
Photo by Jeffrey Eisen on Pexels.com

Fall is a great time to start planning and planting for spring blooms. Having a pop of color in the garden early in the year will motivate you to get outside.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

How to plant Fall Bulbs for spring color

     Leave a Comment

bed of tulip flower
Photo by Co Sch on Pexels.com

There’s a wide variety of fall bulbs you can plant for spring color. Fall gardening is such a fun time because the temperatures are cooler and there are less bugs buzzing around. Planting fall bulbs doesn’t have to be a scary task. It’s one of those set it and forget it chores in the garden. Some great bulbs to plant in fall are Tulips, Daffodils, Crocus, Hyacinth and Alliums. All of them come in many varieties and offer tons of spring color.

close up photography of yellow flowers. Planting fall bulbs
Photo by Jacek Mleczek on Pexels.com

Find a spot that gets great light

You can grow bulbs in part sun but I wouldn’t go any darker than that. Bulbs need a lot of light to grow well and bloom.

Dig your hole

Dig your hole according to the package directions for deepness. It is important that you don’t plant them too deep nor too shallow when planting them in ground.

purple flower
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Add in fertilizer

Fertilizer is great to add in your holes prior to planting. It will give the bulbs a head start to the season. After planting the bulbs will develop roots and a little fertilizer will help them along the way. When they wake up in the spring you are welcome to add a little more fertilizer when you see them break through the soil.

purple allium flowers in close up photography
Photo by Jeffrey Eisen on Pexels.com

Cover your fall bulbs and Water in

Now it’s time to cover your bulbs up with soil and water them in. You do not have to water them regularly but once a week is ok until your first frost. Once spring rolls around you will want to start them back on a regular watering schedule with the rest of your garden.

Planting fall bulbs is a task that can be very annoying at the time but I promise that come spring you will be thanking yourself for taking the time in the fall to plant.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

10 Tips For Small Space Gardeners

     Leave a Comment

selective focus photography of strawberry fruit
Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com

You would be surprised at how much food and flowers you can grow in a small space garden! Even if all you have is a windowsill you can grow! When you start thinking differently about the space you have you’ll begin to see all the possibilities. Once you seed the possibilities you’ll be able to grow a garden to its full potential!

This blog post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my houseplant habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me in the garden. It’s a win for everyone, really.

  • Maximize Your Space

No matter the size of your outdoor space, there’s always room to grow food and flowers. Sketch out your space and what you would like for it to look like. Then make a list of what you would like to grow and what materials you’ll need. Check for container-friendly plants that won’t grow as large, but will still produce lots of fruit. Planning is the key to a good gardening season.

  • Install Drip Irrigation

Automating your watering will save you so much time and money. Drip irrigation waters your plants for however long you want and how often you want; it’s a garden game changer! To get you started, here is a basic drip irrigation system to reference.

  • Prune to Maintain Size

Because you are growing in a small space, you will want to make sure you are pruning to maintain the size of your plants. If you are growing indeterminate tomatoes or flowers like petunias, they can easily take over your garden space, so pruning is a must. Here are my favorite pruners.

To purchase reliable garden seeds and plants check out Park Seed!

  • Grow Vertically

Growing vegetables and flowers vertically is a great way to utilize your small space garden. Use hanging planters and trellises to grow off the ground.

dog resting in cafe garden
Photo by Thắng Lê on Pexels.com
  • Utilize Hanging Baskets

Using shepherd’s hooks or hooks screwed into posts, you can hang many hanging baskets and grow a multitude of plants.

  • Grow in Raised Beds

Raised garden beds are a great way to grow in small spaces. They come in so many configurations, or you can build your own. Here is a raised garden bed that I love and use every year!

For tip on how to grow in raised beds checkout this post!

  • Grow in Pots

If all you have is a patio, then pots will be your best friend. You can grow flowers, vegetables, herbs, trees, and so much more in pots.

  • Plant Multiple Plants Together

What could be a better way to grow more than to plant multiple plants in the same pot?! You can mix and match plants like herbs and vegetables, or petunias and hydrangeas. Dealers choice!

person digging on soil using garden shovel
Photo by Lisa on Pexels.com
  • Leave Space for Sitting

Don’t forget to leave space to sit and enjoy! The garden shouldn’t just be about work. It’s also about the view, so nestle in a little table and chair so you can sit amongst the jungle you’ve created.

  • Love Your Space

No matter how big or small your garden is, you have to love it. You’ve put your time and energy creating a space that is edible and beautiful. Take pride in what you create even if you only planted one plant or harvested one tomato.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

11 Tips on How to Save Money Gardening

     Leave a Comment

I’m going to be completely honest with you. Gardening is EXPENSIVE. This is not a cheap hobby to have and pile that on top of all the other financial responsibilities you may have and it can quickly become too much. There are so many ways to save on garden expenses but you have to be realistic with yourself, that while you are saving money you will still be spending. It’s no secret that gardening is beneficial to our well being as well as mother earth but how can we save money?

assorted plants with trees photography
Photo by Creative Vix on Pexels.com

Stop growing grass

People spend hundreds of dollars trying to achieve the perfect lawn. I used to be one of them. While I wasn’t as crazy about it I did spend money on weed killers and fertilizers to keep my grass looking green and lush. Using weed killers are so bad for the environment. The run off of these chemicals make their way into various bodies of water and cause harm to the living creatures that inhabit those areas. Aside from that those pesticides and fertilizers are very expensive and if you use a company to come spray and fertilize your going to be emptying out your wallet. I’m not against grass but there are other alternatives that look great, require less water and are beneficial to our environment.

Propagate Your Plants

This is a great way to expand your garden without spending money on new plants. Many plants require dividing after a few years to be healthy. Many plants are easily propagated from cuttings which will also help to expand your garden.

Trade with neighbors or go to plant swaps

This is a great way to meet people and share plants, tips and maybe even make a few friends. Having a community you can always count on for your garden questions is priceless.

tender white edge hosta plant leaves
Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com

Save Seeds from your plants

There are many plants that can easily be grown from seed. Hosta’s, Black Eyed Susan and Heuchera are a just a few that I’ve grown from seeds collected in my garden.

Shop second hand

Second hand is the way to go if you are short on funds. You can buy second hand in many ways such as yard sales, thrift stores, auctions, word of mouth, heck people put good garden tools and supplies on the curb all the time.

Take care of your tools

This is very important for the longevity of your tools. Clean and sterilize your tools after use. Oil and sharpen your shears. Clean your edger and lawn mower after each use. Keeping up with regular maintenance can prolong the life of your garden tools.

red and silver hand tool
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Be a forever student

This! The more you learn the better gardener you will be. Research every question you have. Research every plant you have and how to take care of it. The more you learn about plants the less plants you will kill. The less you kill the less you have to replace.

Start your own compost pile

There’s no doubt that having your own compost pile is beneficial to your garden and your budget. Getting started can be as easy as taking a storage bin your not using, poking holes in the bottom and tossing your scraps in.

Save your potting soil

This is a BIG tip! I have always tossed my old soil but with rising costs of everything I decided to not trash it. I either toss it into the compost pile or I “recondition” it by adding compost and a granular fertilizer then reuse it. I do not keep the soil from tomato plants. Tomato plant diseases can survive in the soil and if your compost doesn’t get hot enough to kill it, it can come back and harm your tomatoes the next year.

Buy clearance

Shopping clearance is a big money saver! Not only can you buy some great plants on clearance you can get soil, pots and other garden accessories. It is worth it to check for clearance garden supplies every time you walk into a store.

person digging on soil using garden shovel
Photo by Lisa on Pexels.com

Use what you have

The best way to save money is to not spend any. Work on improving what you already have. You don’t have to bring in new plants to have an amazing garden. Keep your plants happy by watering when needed and pruning when necessary and they will reward you with beautiful foliage and blooms.

Using these tips will save you money for sure but the act of gardening provides you with so much more!

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

5 Tips To Grow Beautiful Hydrangeas

     Leave a Comment

There’s no doubt that the Hydrangea is America’s favorite flowering shrub! Not only is it loved by Americans, but it’s loved all over the world. Growing beautiful Hydrangeas can be tricky for some gardeners because of their gardening zone, but once you read these tips you’ll be on your way to gorgeous Hydrangeas!

bunch of pink hydrangea flowers
Photo by Tiểu Bảo Trương on Pexels.com

This blog post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my houseplant habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me in the garden. It’s a win for everyone, really.

There are many different types of Hydrangeas, and knowing what type you have is the first step in growing this beautiful shrub. There are over 75 different varieties of this shrub, but we are only going to cover the most common Hydrangeas: Hydrangea Macrophylla, Panicled Hydrangea, Smooth Hydrangea, Oak Leaf Hydrangea, and the Climbing Hydrangea. If you already have Hydrangeas on your property and are unsure of the variety, you can at least learn what type and begin caring for your Hydrangea properly.

Oakleaf Hydrangea
close up shot of hydrangea flowers in bloom
Photo by Keijiro Takahashi on Pexels.com
beautiful white hydrangea flower
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com
bed of hydrangeas flowers
Photo by Andreea Ch on Pexels.com

Water them properly

Hydrangeas are water-loving plants. They are named after water for that very reason: Hydr is a Greek word for water. So make sure your Hydrangeas are kept consistently watered during your growing season; and if your Hydrangeas get full sun, they will need extra water. Set up a routine of once a week watering for your shade loving Hydrangeas, and twice a week for your full-sun Panicle Hydrangeas. If your area is getting consistent rain, you can alter this schedule accordingly.

If you find that your Hydrangeas need more or less water, make adjustments. Even though Hydrangeas love water, they can still suffer from root rot. The goal is moist but not soggy soil. A 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the plant can help to hold in moisture and cut back on watering needs.

blooming cluster of white hydrangea
Photo by Petr Ganaj on Pexels.com

Prune at the right time

Many people are confused as to when they should prune their Hydrangeas. This is a big reason your hydrangeas may not be blooming or are misshapen. To get started with pruning, you need to know what kind of Hydrangea you have before getting out those shears. Different varieties of hydrangeas have different pruning requirements. Now mind you pruning is only needed to manage the plants size or to cut out the three D’s, which are Disease, Damage, or Dead branches. If your Hydrangea has any branches that are one of the three D’s, feel free to prune and discard those at anytime.

Many varieties of Hydrangea bloom on old wood. Old wood is last years new growth, or the years prior. If you prune those branches, you will be pruning off next seasons blooms. Hydrangea varieties that bloom on old wood are Oakleaf, Macrophylla, Climbing, and Mountain, and shouldn’t be pruned.

Some Hydrangeas bloom on new wood, only and if you prune those branches in spring you will cut off that years blooms. Panicle Hydrangeas bloom on new wood, so don’t prune this shrub until winter or early spring before the plant starts putting out new growth.

nature man people woman
Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.com

Now there are also Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood and new wood. If you needed to prune this Hydrangea for size management or shape, It’s best to do it in winter or very early spring like you would a new wood blooming Hydrangea. You will lose the old wood blooms for that year but still get new wood blooms.

To figure out what type of Hydrangea you have, the rule of thumb is to watch it for a year without pruning. You can use twist ties to mark old branches to see if they bloom and use a different color for new branches.

Once you know when and how your Hydrangea blooms, you will be empowered to prune if needed!

Make sure they are in the right light

Most Hydrangea do extremely well in partial shade conditions, meaning morning sun and shade in the afternoon. Panicle Hydrangeas however will need full sun which is 6 plus hours of direct sun a day. If you live in a southern area where the sun is blazing all day long, then a dappled shade spot would be perfect for your non-Panicle Hydrangeas.

You’ll know your Hydrangeas are in too much sun when you see leaf burn. Plant’s can get sunburned so keeping them in the right lighting is key.

close up view of blooming hydrangea flowers
Photo by Allan V on Pexels.com

Fertilize them at the right time

Hydrangeas do very well without being fertilized. It’s not necessary to fertilize in order to have blooms. However if you are growing Hydrangeas in pots, you will need to add a Hydrangea fertilizer to the soil in early spring just before your plant is waking up. If you want to fertilize your in-ground Hydrangeas, you can do so in early spring as well just before they wake.

Leave them alone

Sometimes, one of the best things we can do for a plant is to just leave it alone. Keep it watered and let it do its thing. The plant will tell you if there’s something wrong, and then you can troubleshoot.

Happy Gardening!

Ciearra

Heuchera Care Guide

     Leave a Comment

This blog post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my houseplant habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me in the garden. It’s a win for everyone, really.

Heuchera is an all-star plant in the garden. It is an evergreen perennial in zones 4-9 and is an extremely low-maintenance garden plant (To find your growing zone, click here). You can find them in many different sizes, colors and foliage shapes. Starting Heuchera from seed is so easy that once you try it, you will want to grow it from seed every year. This is definitely a plant that you don’t have to worry about in the garden.

heuchera
Heuchera in the landscape

To grow Heuchera from seed, check out this post!

Heuchera are adaptable to many different lighting conditions, from shade to full sun. This makes them a great plant to grow in all areas of your garden. You don’t have to worry about them being burned by the sun or stunted by shade.

During the first year you plant Heuchera in your garden, you will want to keep them watered regularly. The first year in the garden they will be establishing their root systems and may not be able to handle the stress of drought like conditions. The same goes if you plan to keep them in a pot. Keeping the soil moist and not soggy is the key to keeping Heuchera happy the first year. After your first year is up you don’t need keep them on a strict watering schedule. However, I would make sure that if your area has been experiencing a period of drought, give them and any other plants a drink.

Heuchera rainbow colors
Heuchera at a garden center

Each Spring, Heuchera appreciate a boost from fertilizer. You can add a granular fertilizer or compost or both to help your Heuchera get going for the season. You also do not have to add any fertilizer and they will still perform well.

**There is no need to prune your Heuchera unless they have damaged, dead or diseased foliage.**

There are so many ways to style your Heuchera in the garden. You can plant them in hedges, containers, boarders, random plantings and in hanging baskets. Experiment and see what you like best. You can always move them around the garden to find the spot that brings you the most joy.

Heuchera
Heuchera

During the winter months you don’t have to do anything to your Heuchera. You can insulate them with extra mulch but they really don’t need it. What’s even more amazing about Heuchera is that they are evergreen perennials which means they keep their foliage year round. This is great during the winter months when the garden is asleep. The Heuchera are still colorful and gorgeous.

Heuchera are beautiful and easy going plants. They brighten up the darkest areas of the garden and shine in the brightest areas of the garden. Add Heuchera to your garden and watch it transform.

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

%d bloggers like this: