According to the National Christmas Tree Association (www.realchristmastrees.org), 25 to 30 million real Christmas trees are sold each year.   Of those with real trees, about three out of four bought them at retail outlets, the others cut their own at a tree farm—a trend that has been increasing in recent years.  If you get a tree, either way, this year, […] The post Choosing and care of Christmas tree appeared first on Backyard Gardener ..read more

Your Christmas tree doesn’t have to meet its end at the local landfill after the holidays. There are many ways to recycle it. Send your tree back to nature by composting it. Shred the limbs finely and add them to the compost pile to improve the soil in your garden. Just keep in mind that it will take up to […] The post SEND YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE BACK TO THE FUTURE appeared first on Backyard Gardener ..read more

Primula vulgaris, also called Primula acaulis, bears clusters of 3 to 25 fragrant, usually pale yellow flowers, 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide, early in the season. This is an evergreen or semi-evergreen, rosette-forming perennial with obovate, serrated to scalloped, prominently veined leaves with hairy undersides, to 10 inches long. Native to Europe and West Turkey. ‘Miss Indigo’ bears double, […] The post Primula vulgaris ( Miss Indigo Primrose ) appeared first on Backyard Gardener ..read more

Hardy Primroses are showy plants which fit in well with any Spring bedding design. The small flowers are graceful and dainty and the varieties can be so chosen that they will be in bloom from April for a month. Primroses grow from 6 inches to 18 inches high and have light green, hairy leaves. The colors of the hardy sorts […] The post Primula – Primrose, Perennials Guide to Planting Flowers appeared first on Backyard Gardener ..read more

Many parts of the country reached record heat levels this summer. Whether this year’s summer weather left you with brown patches of grass or dried-out flower beds, now is the time to begin repairing and replenishing. Waiting until next spring to start over can leave you with a huge project. Instead, you might consider completing a few of the following […] The post Simple Ways To Repair and Replenish Your Yard After a Hot Summer appeared first on Backyard Gardener ..read more

It seems, as the numbers of people getting into gardening still rises, the same applies to the numbers of new plant introductions. With so many plants being introduced every year, there are always the variegated varieties that peak my interest. Not only is a beautiful flower produced on these plants, but the interest of the plant itself is held throughout […] The post Variegated leaves of plants win gardeners over appeared first on Backyard Gardener ..read more

As one who was raised in the cold climate of western New York State, I still find it incredible that December can arrive complete with green grass and a few surviving perennial blossoms. Shorter days always make me a little tired, and I see now that there is a real danger that I will go dormant before some of the […] The post True Gifts appeared first on Backyard Gardener ..read more

Picture this: you’re an enthusiastic gardener, ready for a weekend of fruitful toil, only to discover rust on your favourite shears or your lawnmower refusing to start. Sound familiar? Such is a common woe faced by garden lovers across the country. Your garden equipment – the heart and soul of your green pursuits – often faces the brunt of weather […] The post Protecting Your Garden Equipment: An All-Season Guide appeared first on Backyard Gardener ..read more

The big, bearded German iris (Iris germanica) in my backyard are going to need dividing this year. As it is, each plant has a full complement of muscular sword-shaped leaves, out of which sprout sturdy stalks with bulging buds that are almost ready to open. The show will be tremendous this year, though I have had almost nothing to do […] The post FLEUR DE LYS – Gardening appeared first on Backyard Gardener ..read more

ROOT CROPS Crisp, sweet carrots are just the beginning of delicious roots from the vegetable garden. Parsnips are back in style, possibly because of their sweet nutty flavor when lightly grilled. The new appreciation for vegetarian cuisine has also caused a surge of interest in turnips and rutabagas, two root crops long known only as stock-up foods for hard times. […] The post Growing carrots and parsnips root crops appeared first on Backyard Gardener ..read more