Don’t give poinsettias the cold treatment
When fall officially starts, it’s time to start preparing your poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) for its Christmas bloom. Its flowering is stimulated byContinue 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.
Can You Harvest the Seeds of Hybrid Plants?
If you’re into growing plants from seed, especially vegetables and annuals, you’ve undoubtedly been warned you’re not supposed to collectContinue Reading
Surprising Facts: Bamboos are Grasses
Despite their size, the bamboos are grasses, that is, they belong to the Poaceae, like the grasses in our lawns andContinue Reading
Bulbs Leafing Out in Fall? Maybe It’s Normal!
Every year, I receive emails from concerned gardeners whose bulbs have already begun to produce leaves early in the fall.Continue Reading
How the Narcissus Got its Name
In this season when thousands of gardeners are planting fall bulbs, among them daffodils or narcissus (Narcissus spp.), it mayContinue Reading
Time to Bring Your Tomatoes In?
Every year there comes a point where you have to accept the fact that summer is over and with it,Continue Reading
Trap And Release for Squirrel Control: Not Such a Good Idea
It’s frustrating to see squirrels and chipmunks dig up and eat the tulip and crocus bulbs you just planted. FortunatelyContinue Reading
The Other Chives: Allium tuberosum
Garlic chives, also called Chinese chives and oriental garlic, is a plant grown both for its edible foliage and itsContinue Reading
The Best Fertilizer for Any Plant is… its Own Foliage
When fall comes around, many gardeners get itchy fingers. They want to get out and do a thorough fall cleaning.Continue Reading
Planting in Shallow Soil
Not every gardener has deep soil in which to plant. In mountainous areas, your shovel will pretty much alwaysContinue Reading