Dahlias are tender perennials, meaning they will only survive mild winters, specifically for them in zones 9 – 11. How easy it is to grow them as annuals in other climates depends on the combination of length of season, heat, and humidity. Southwest Idaho definitely has the heat aspect of the trio, but is lacking somewhat […]
How to Kill Grass for a New Garden Bed
Lawns have many good properties, but it can be some of those very same properties that make it hard to get rid of when you want put in a garden bed. Any method will take time, but some will be easier and/or longer lasting than others. I have personally tried 5 different ways to […]
Dilemmas and Solutions for Old Garden Seeds
The nagging question about this time of year is “Should I just use all my old garden seed?” This is complicated by enticing seed catalogs, fears of low germination, and desires to plant exactly the right thing. Let me offer some things to think about, that will hopefully help you decide what you […]
Christmas Laser Lights in the Winter Garden for the Vertically Challenged
I really like Christmas lights, but I get dizzy with simple things like climbing on the roof. My husband equates putting up Christmas lights with a 4 hour commute in heavy traffic. In the rain. He also is less than enthused about spending money on them, but has been okay with me buying a few. […]
Learning How to Use a Sauerkraut Crock plus Other Winter Harvest and Storage Suggestions
I had managed to harvest 8 cabbages and a few pumpkins from my garden before a hard freeze hit. By “harvest,” I mean I piled them in the garage and hoped the freeze wouldn’t be low enough or long enough to damage more than a few layers of green. When the cold temperatures continued, I […]