New Species Discovered by Kew Gardens in 2019
Kew Gardens researchers travel the world in search of new plants. Ill.: www.vecteezy.com Researchers from the venerable Royal Botanic Gardens,Continue 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.
2020: Year of the Lavender
Every year, the National Garden Bureau, a non-profit organization promoting the pleasures of home gardening, selects one annual, one perennial, oneContinue Reading
Put Your Mulch to Double Use: Grow Mushrooms!
Edible mushrooms grown in ordinary garden mulch. Photo: Etienne Durand E-mail message: I’m a big fan of your blog and readContinue Reading
A Saint Patrick’s Day Story: The Famine Potato Rises Again
The famous ‘Lumper’: the deadliest potato in human history. Photo: myirelandspast.wordpress.com You might wonder why anyone would want to resurrectContinue Reading
Gardening as Coronavirus Therapy
Photo: www.piqsels.com I don’t know about you, but I’m in a self-imposed coronavirus lockdown. Actually, it’s more a wife-imposed lockdown:Continue Reading
The Best Time for Hydrangea Pruning
Smooth hydrangea (left), big leaf hydrangea (middle), panicle hydrangea (right). Only the first and last should be pruned in spring.Continue Reading
Spiders: Brainier Than Other Bugs
The common house spider (Achaearanea tepidariorum), found all over the world, keeps insects from taking over our homes. Photo: FynContinue Reading
WHAT IS “SOIL-FRIENDLY” EATING?
Ill.: Soil Science Society of America staff There you are at your local grocery store. Maybe you have a shoppingContinue Reading
Repotting an Orchid: So Simple!
Repotting an orchid is really quite simple. Photo: www.t-online.de Like any houseplant, orchids need to be repotted occasionally, especially whenContinue Reading
Understanding Sowing Dates on Seed Packs
Always read over any seed packet before you sow! Ill.: ccognh.wordpress.com & www.clipart.email So, you’ve bought a few packs of seeds: annuals,Continue Reading