The Most Fun You Can Have With Your Bibs On!
Pruning apple trees is usually best accomplished during late fall or early winter as the tree goes into dormancy. This will let you see better what you are cutting and how each branch you remove affects the look of the tree. Pruning apple trees to keep them healthy and to help make lots of fruit… Click here to read more…
Straw bale gardening gives you advantages over growing a garden in the conventional way. Straw, as it decomposes, often provides better nutrients, and a better growing medium than your soil. If you don’t have enough space, straw bales are an ideal way to grow in small spaces like on a patio, deck or balcony. Straw… Click here to read more…
How to can tomatoes from your garden. Canning is one of the most popular ways to preserve delicious, garden fresh tomatoes. Assemble the following tools: Large canning pot with jar rack (also called a canner). A very large stock pot that will allow room for the jars to be covered by at least 2 inches… Click here to read more…
Ground squirrels can damage many food-bearing and ornamental plants. They will enter gardens and devour vegetables in the seedling stage, gnaw on plastic sprinkler heads and irrigation lines, eat the eggs of ground-nesting birds and can be quite destructive. This humane DIY squirrel trap can help you eliminate those pesky little varmints! Step 1: Gather… Click here to read more…
How To Net Your Small Fruit Trees and Bushes If you want to keep more berries and fruits for yourself here’s an easy way to cover your fruiting plants. You can always leave one bush uncovered to feed the birds! You will find that this fruit tree netting helps protect the leaves on your plant… Click here to read more…
Step 1: GATHER THE TOOLS, PALLET AND SPARE WOOD Here are some of the tools I used to build this potting bench. I also used wood glue, a building stapler and landscaping fabric. I used an 8x 4 pallet with a good half and a not quite as good half. I also needed spare wood… Click here to read more…
You can grow lavender from seed in 5 easy steps. Step 1: Choosing your seeds Choosing your lavender seeds is important depending on what you will be using it for. If you plan on using it for culinary purposes, such as tea, “True Lavender” has a smooth flavor and is probably the best variety for… Click here to read more…
After a long season of watering your plants, garden and yard, it is time to take apart and winterize your irrigation system. Step 1: Supplies White vinegar, bucket, pliers,adjustable wrench Step 2: Disconnect and empty rain barrel (if you use one) Rain barrels are excellent for catching and holding rain water. They have to be… Click here to read more…
You can grow strawberries in a pot as long as they have the right soil and get enough sunlight. Strawberries have shallow roots, so it is easy to grow them in pots, both indoors and out. You can place your strawberry plants on a balcony, patio, or indoors in front of a sunny window. Anything… Click here to read more…
This is no means an exact science. You can create your 5-gallon chicken feeder for less than $5. Step 1: Obtain Items and Hardware 5-gallon bucket with lid 1 Gallon Utility Pan – the one I used was a 1-gallon utility pan from Tractor Supply. 1 bolt/nut/washer – I used a ¼ inch (any size… Click here to read more…
You can create your own 5-gallon chicken waterer for less than $5. Step 1: Obtain Items and Hardware 5 Gallon bucket 1 Gallon Utility pan-the one I used was a 1-gallon utility pan from Tractor Supply. 3/8″ drill bit for drilling water holes drill marker safety glasses Step 2: Draw where you want the holes… Click here to read more…
Daylilies come in a variety of colors and multiply quickly. When they are overcrowded they compete for water. Divide and transplant Daylilies to give them room to grow. The three parts of the daylily are the foliage which are the green tops, the crown which is white, and the roots. The best time to divide… Click here to read more…
Step 1: Obtain Pallets and Hardware You will need 4-6 pallets that are similar in size. Check the pallets for any nails that may be loose or sticking out. A power drill, screw driver, hammer, 4-6 L brackets, 2 heavy duty strap hinges, wood screws, one gate hook and latch, cupboard handle/utility pull, and for… Click here to read more…
Did you know that mums (chrysanthemums) don’t have to only last one season? With a little work, your hardy mums can survive the winter! Step #1: Prepare the Soil for Water Drainage A very important part of winterizing your mums begins when you plant them. Make sure that the soil drains well so puddled water… Click here to read more…
Butterfly bushes are a favorite among many gardeners. The showy, fragrant blooms attract all sorts of beneficial insects to your garden. You may even find a hummingbird or two stopping by to enjoy the nectar inside the tiny flowers. When and how to prune a butterfly bush is a topic that comes up quite a… Click here to read more…
My 4 year old daughter, Gabby, and I decided to tackle this project yesterday afternoon. We worked at a leisurely pace and from start to finish it took about two and half hours. Being plant enthusiasts, we already had some potted plants set aside that we wanted to make a permanent home for. Since I… Click here to read more…
We’re giving away two full memberships to the Backyard Grower’s Business Center, a $610 value! To enter to win, all you have to do is leave a comment below. We will choose two numbers at random and match those numbers with the comment number below. (NOTE: only we can see the comment numbers, they’re not… Click here to read more…
Growing basil from seed is a simple, inexpensive way to keep fresh herbs at your fingertips. Basil is pretty commonly grown. You should have no problem finding seeds in the garden section of nearly any store in the springtime. You can start your seeds indoors or out. If you are going to start your seeds… Click here to read more…
When is the best time to prune shrubs in your landscape? The answer is: When it needs it. Some experts might tell you that you need to wait until winter or early spring to cut back your shrubs or trees. Here at Mike’s Plant Farm, we ignore the calendar and prune as needed. We prune… Click here to read more…
Remember back in grade school when your teacher gave you a dixie cup full of dirt? You planted a flower seed, kept the cup in the window and watered it each day. Your flower sprouted, grew and bloomed. Then you carefully brought it home for Mother’s Day. (For many of us, it didn’t survive the… Click here to read more…
