ArcaMax

Q: I heard from a friend that since I have some shrubs that bloom early in the spring, I can prune some branches early to bring indoors. I thought that spring-blooming shrubs were supposed to be pruned after they bloom. What do you think?

Many spring-blooming shrubs and trees are best pruned by what is called the shrub renewal method of pruning...Read more

Q: I have seen so many headlines saying that vegetables are contaminated with E. coli bacteria. I grow a lot of my own vegetables, and I am wondering how this happens and how to prevent it. Why do commercial farms that have so many ways to protect their product seem to be the worst at this?

A: I am not sure you are right in your premise that ...Read more

Q: After two years of trying to grow a vegetable garden, I am almost ready to give up. You know -- three strikes and you are out. I have been doing some reading and am now more confused than ever, but it appears that the soil is the problem. The garden is in full sun, and I use a drip hose to keep it watered. There are so many things I could buy...Read more

Q: I was digging around in the back of my refrigerator and found a sealed package with leftover vegetable seeds from last year. There are some that are in the original packaging and some seeds in baggies that I harvested from a few tomatoes and peppers. How do I know if the seeds are still good? I don't want to plant them and not have them grow ...Read more

Q: I received a Phalaenopsis orchid as a present last fall, and it is still blooming. I have never tried growing an orchid even though I do have some other house plants. I am wondering what I should do with it this summer when it is warmer outside. Are there other orchids that grow in similar situations that also bloom for a long time?

A: Yes, ...Read more

In just a few weeks, winter will be over. Most birds will be happy it is over, too. The typical sparrow or cardinal that comes to a backyard feeder weighs about as much as a quarter. They spend virtually every waking moment looking for food (just like teenagers) and may consume 15% of their body weight on a cold winter's night trying to stay ...Read more

The American Garden Rose Selections judges have announced the newest roses to be selected in their testing program. This year, there are an unprecedented nine new winners.

The All-America Rose Selections program ran from 1940 until 2013. The AGRS program began in 2016. If you are looking in a garden catalog and see that a rose was the winner of...Read more

My birthday is coming up, and I was asked what my favorite plant is.

My favorite plants have to meet a few important criteria. They must come back on their own, because I can be a lazy gardener. Insects and diseases must be rare, so there will be no need to spray. I like plants that can grow in the water along the shoreline of my water garden, ...Read more

For the past two weeks, I have been writing about the All-America Selections winners. The AAS program trials the plants at test gardens all over the country, and judges rate the plants all during the growing season. The Green Thumb Awards program winners have been announced, so let us talk about them today.

Winners of the 2025 Green Thumb ...Read more

Last week, we looked at the flowers that won the 2025 All-America Selections awards, and this week, we look at the five new vegetable winners.

The AAS testing program is an independent nonprofit organization that tests new plants. They have about 80 test gardens from Alaska and Canada to California and Florida. They also have almost 200 display...Read more

One way I know a plant could work well in my garden is that I look for the red, white and blue logo of All-America Selections on seed packets, on bedding plant tags or in catalogs. Even AAS winners from several years ago are more likely to prove successful than nonwinners.

The AAS testing program is an independent nonprofit organization that ...Read more

Well, we made it through last night's parties, and we have a whole year ahead of us. How are we going to use it to our full advantage? Most people at least think about New Year's Resolutions, even if they don't follow through with them for very long. How did you do with last year's resolutions? Resolutions that involve or help other people are ...Read more

People like to give plants as gifts for birthdays, when a baby is born or for funerals. Very often an entire basket of plants is given. Did you get a basket of plants for Christmas?

Usually, all of the plants in the basket are houseplants that need the same amount of sunlight, the same temperatures and the same amount of water in the soil. They...Read more