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Grow Hydrangeas the Easy Way

by Farima Alavi May 14, 2013 5 Comments

It’s hydrangea season, and it seems like everybody around you (including Grant) has gotten the hang of growing this beautiful flowering shrub. If you’re feeling overwhelmed (I know I can’t be the only one!) — don’t panic. HGTVGardens.com has come up with a little cheat sheet to help you on your way. They’ve made it easy to pick the right type of hydrangea for your climate and how to care for it.

Nikko Blue Hydrangea

Give it a try, and let us know how you’ve successfully grown hydrangeas this season.

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Home Survival Skills: 5 Tips to Make Your Garden Grow

by Jessica Yonker May 14, 2013 1 Comment

It’s time for another Tuesday confession from your resident Home Survival Skills blogger: I can’t grow basil.

Many of you who have successfully grown basil (and without much effort, at that) are probably laughing at me right now. From what I hear it “grows like a weed.” If only the weeds in my yard were as “lively” as my poor basil plants, I would never have to pull another weed again.

See which HGTV editor is struggling to grow basil and get tips on starting your first garden from the Design Happens crew.

Pictured: Not my basil plant. Get tips on recovering basil right here.

There’s probably something you’re struggling to grow. There’s also a chance that your fear of wilting plants is keeping you from gardening entirely. But don’t let any of that stop you – give those “ungrowables” another shot or start your first garden with these basic tips.

Pay attention to the labels. Though there are plenty of low-maintenance plants that don’t require more than a pot and some water to thrive, the process of creating intricate flower beds and thriving vegetable gardens is a little more delicate. There are thousands of species of plants that all have different needs, so make sure to note the specific variety of your plants to ensure proper care.

Get Growing

Daily Delight: Electronic Garden Pot (No Green Thumb Required!)

by Grant Dudley May 10, 2013 2 Comments

If most of your plants never survive longer than a few months, don’t worry, you’re not alone — “Hello, my name is Grant Dudley — and sadly, I kill plants.” To offer folks like us a hand, Click and Grow has created an easy-to-use solution.

A Click and Grow starter kit contains everything we need to become instant gardeners: a smartpot and a plant cartridge. These kits will grow our plants without us having to water or fertilize. Just add batteries, fill their water tanks and everything else is taken care of by smart technology.

Click and Grow Pot

Daily Delight: Doors for Your Garden Gnomes

by Grant Dudley May 6, 2013 3 Comments

Some people find them creepy, some find them plain tacky — some, like me, find garden gnomes absolutely charming. I think having a gnome or two nestled subtly in your yard or garden adds a touch of whimsy to your landscape. Having a little fellow with a pointy cap keeping watch over things is sweetly exciting.

EXTRA: GARDENING TIPS FROM HGTVGARDENS.COM >>

So, you get where I’m coming from, yes? I. Like. Garden. Gnomes. With that in mind — these garden gnome doors from Nothin’ But Wood on Etsy are making my Monday. You can attach them to the bottom of a tree (or whatever else suits your little dude). This is an overload of cuteness! Can’t you just see a kid stumbling across one of these doors — and, how fascinated they would be with it? Their imaginations would run wild!

Garden Gnomes

Your Monday’s icy heart is beginning to melt, isn’t it?

Adventures in Antiquing: Charleston Garden Tours

by H. Camille Smith April 24, 2013 9 Comments

After recently spending a few (blissful!) days in Charleston’s historic peninsula touring private homes and gardens, I can attest that gardening is a full-contact sport in the Holy City. From manicured formal gardens to rambling flower-lined paths, Charlestonians definitely know how to rock their green thumbs.

In addition to full gardens, flower-filled windowboxes were everywhere: Window boxes in Charleston

Formal gardens boast mounds of color and charming weather-worn statuary: Charleston formal garden

Charleston’s sub-tropical climate provides ideal conditions for South Carolina’s state tree, the Palmetto Palm, and camellias whose ruffly flowers are synonymous with the South: Pink camellias and a palm tree in Charleston

Enter HGTVGardens.com’s Pic of the Week Contest

by Farima Alavi April 16, 2013 2 Comments

Now that spring is finally here, have you been working on your garden? With so many options, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. I used to walk around my neighborhood admiring other gardens, but my yearning days are over. If you haven’t checked out HGTVGardens.com, now’s the time. You can rest assured that you’re picking the right plants for your climate with the easy-to-use plant finder, and you can search the thousands of how-tos to help you grow your favorite flowers and vegetables.

China Aster

While you’re browsing the site, create a profile and share your favorite gardening photos and tips. Once you sign up, you can enter the Editors’ Pic of the Week for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card! What are you waiting for? It’s time to show off all your hard work!

Sign Up for the HGTVGardens Newsletter>>

How to Make a Spring-Inspired Living Wreath

by Kayla Kitts March 26, 2013 6 Comments

I lack a green thumb and I’m not embarrassed to admit it. I just didn’t get the know-how or special touch when it comes to gardening. But there are some projects even I can’t possibly mess up. This gorgeous, spring-y living wreath designed by Kim Foren is one of them. It looks complicated, but it’s not! All you need are a few supplies and you’re all set.

How to Make a Living Wreath From HGTV's Design Blog Photo by Erica Ann Photography and Fine Art

Materials: 3-D wire wreath ring, potting soil, plants with 3-inch roots (succulents, pansies, annuals) and sphagnum moss

Directions: First, soak the potting soil and moss in water. Line the inside of the wreath with moss, then fill with soil. Plant your plants around the wreath. Pat down to secure. Water and lay flat for at least one week. After a week, hang your wreath or use as an eye-catching green centerpiece.

Get the Full Step-by-Step Instructions >>

More Seasonal Wreath Ideas:

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Daily Delight: Jessica’s Secret Garden

by Jessica Yonker March 22, 2013 5 Comments

You’ve seen beautiful photos of our HGTV.com editorial staff’s gardens, but I bet you’re wondering whatever happened to those terrariums and herb gardens I’ve been rambling about.

There’s good news and bad news. The bad news is I discovered the cat had been using my seedlings as his own personal obstacle course:

Your four-legged friends are often the culprit of soil problems in the garden.

The good news is I started fresh (okay, I cheated and bought plants at a greenhouse) and can finally share my garden with you. Enjoy!

Peek into one of our HGTV.com editor's colorful array of container gardens and terrariums.

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Daily Delight: Grow Your Own Easter Basket Grass

by Jessica Yonker March 20, 2013 1 Comment

We’ve been wishing, hoping and practically pleading with Mother Nature and now the day is here: it’s officially spring! And what better way to celebrate than by growing your own Easter basket grass?

If you start now, you’ll have a good-sized patch of grass within a few days. Kind of makes you wonder why you ever bothered with the fake stuff, right?

Get the full growing instructions>>

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Daily Delight: Leprechaun Garden

by Jessica Yonker March 13, 2013 4 Comments

As kids, Marianne and I would have made an odd St. Patrick’s Day duo. While you’d likely find her scrambling to find something green to avoid getting pinched, I spent many a March 17 outside searching for four-leaf clovers and chasing rainbows. That leprechaun’s pot of gold was as good as mine.

Four-leaf clovers proved hard to come by and I was only allowed to follow the rainbow to the end of the street, so as you can imagine I never found the gold. But that’s okay – this year I’m bringing that pesky leprechaun to me with this easy shamrock garden.