2020 Hosta of the Year: Hosta ‘Dancing Queen’
Hosta ‘Dancing Queen’: spring color. Photo: www.perennialresource.com A lot of hosta lovers look towards the American Hosta Growers Association’s Hosta of theContinue Reading
Author: Larry Hodgson
Garden writer and blogger, author of 65 gardening books, lecturer and communicator, the Laidback Gardener, Larry Hodgson, passed away in October 2022. Known for his great generosity, his thoroughness and his sense of humor, he reached several generations of amateur and professional gardeners over his 40-year career.
Thanks to his son, Mathieu Hodgson, and a team of contributors, laidbackgardener.blog will continue its mission of demystifying gardening and making it more accessible to all.
Ugly Tomatoes
Cat-facing on a heritage Beefsteak tomato: ‘Big Beef’. Photo: MJ Guilbault Question: There is something wrong with my tomatoes and IContinue Reading
An Apple Tree Overloaded With Fruit
When an apple tree bends, it could break! Photo: Indie452, reddit.com Question: I have a 5-year-old apple tree that is currentlyContinue Reading
The Hibiscus Trio
Perennial hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) left, Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) middle, rose of sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) right. Photo: www.plant-world-seeds, www.amazon.ca &Continue Reading
Controlling Powdery Mildew on Squash and Cucumbers
Powdery mildew affects older leaves first. Photo: u.osu.edu In many areas, it’s been a dry summer … just the conditionContinue Reading
Has the Gypsy Moth Met Its Match?
Gypsy moth caterpillars often appear in their thousands! Photo: www.dufferincounty.ca When I was a boy (back in the 1960s andContinue Reading
Fun With Flowers: Turn Blooms Rainbow Colors
Dying flower is a fun and easy experiment. Photo: activity-box.com Here’s a simple summer rainy day project for bored children.Continue Reading
Edelweiss: the Garden Plant Inspired by a Song!
Edelweiss (Leontopodium nivale alpinum). Photo: J&Konrad, flickr.com EDELWEISSLeontopodium nivale alpinum Dimensions: 6 to 14 in (10–40 cm) high × 8 to 14Continue Reading
No Pesticides in Hot Weather
Ill.: planetpermaculture.wordpress.com, www.pngguru.com & clipart.me, montage: laidbackgardener.blog Most gardeners clearly understand that applying pesticides on a rainy or windy day is not goingContinue Reading
Garden Myth: Exposing Tomato Fruits to Sun Helps Maturation
Even tomatoes completely hidden by foliage ripen. Photo: www.denverpost.com At the end of the summer, my father always stripped theContinue Reading