Gladiolus: Hardier Than You Think
Most gardeners in cold regions (hardiness zones 7 and below), even beginners, know you’re supposed to dig up gladiolus (Gladiolus xContinue 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.
New Houseplant Book
Houseplant Handbook, David Squire, 224 pages, suggested retail price: $19.99, ISBN: 978-1-612008-232-4. Editor: Fox Chapel Publishing. As a houseplant freak,Continue Reading
Mini Orchids Stay Mini
Those miniature phalaenopsis orchids (Phalaenopsis) with tiny flowers that are sold everywhere these days are not cute little babies inContinue Reading
When Garlic Sprouts in the Fall
Question: I planted 68 garlic cloves in late September and they’re starting to sprout barely a month later. Will theyContinue Reading
More Black Flowers for a Goth Garden
This blog, about black and near-black flowers you can grow, is the second part of the article Black Flowers forContinue Reading
Black Flowers for a Goth Garden
It seems particularly appropriate to write about black flowers at Halloween. Given the lugubrious nature of the fete, the mostContinue Reading
No-Dig Method for Planting Bulbs
Did you know that it’s possible to plant bulbs without digging a hole? Simply loosen the surface soil, add aContinue Reading
Miniature Village Reappears in Niagara
For many years, I used to take garden tour groups to the Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village in Whitby, Ontario.Continue Reading
Leaves You Don’t Need to Rake Up
Not all deciduous trees have leaves that you have to rake off the lawn in the fall! Some trees haveContinue Reading
Growing Trees From Nuts and Acorns
Start a tree from nuts* or acorns? The idea may seem far-fetched to beginning gardeners. After all, won’t these nutsContinue Reading