Many of these catalogs offer you information and products that you cannot get in your own neighborhood. People who run these companies are usually very family friendly and will go the extra mile to give you exceptional customer service. Here are the 10 best seed catalogs that you should add to your gardening library.

Bountiful Gardens

They can supply you with organic as well as nonorganic seeds. As a nonprofit they are dedicated to teaching you a better way of gardening.

The Cook’s Garden

They have the ability to provide you with 50 varieties of lettuce and mixed greens. It is a vegetarian’s paradise.

Fedco Seeds

They are a cooperative that gives the customers the bigger profit, so you would highly benefit as their consumer. They have a great variety of products to choose from at great prices.

Nichols Garden Nursery

They have been around for over 50 years providing high quality products.

Peaceful Valley Farm Supply

Get everything you need in one place because they have it all. It’s perfect for organic farmers.

Redwood City Seeds

The place for hot peppers and endangered cultivated plants should be on your list.

Salt Springs Seeds

They can offer you 100 kinds of beans, 50 kinds of garlic and so much more.

Seed Savers Exchange

Are you looking for heirloom seeds? This is the place to get them. They are a nonprofit and ready to help save the planet.

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

They have over 550 kinds of open pollinated, heirloom and traditional seeds and they grow most of their seeds on their own farm.

Tomato Growers Supply Co.

They have a huge variety of tomatoes and peppers that you can’t find any place else.

There are so many more seed catalog companies to choose from that will provide you with whatever you may be looking for this year!

What are your favorite seed catalogs?

The post 10 Best Seed Catalogs To Help You Get Your Garden Started appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

One of the most delicious things that mother nature has provided us with is the natural delicacy of honey. It can only be made by the talented busy bees, and mankind can’t touch that. We are always stealing honey from the bees after they have done all the hard work of making it. With that in mind, we had to come up with ways to protect ourselves as well as the bees when doing so. Naturally we would eventually conclude that we must make life a bit easier for the bees because they put money in our pockets as well as sweet stuff in our bellies. Here is 101 on extracting honey from our precious bees.

Doing it by hand the hard way

You can put on all your protective gear and pull out your honey comb frames making sure that the bees are smoked and calm. Take a knife and cut off the wax and scrape out the honey by hand. Some people may put the frames in a warm room and let the honey slowly drain out. If you choose to manually scrape out the honey, you will need to drain the honey from all of the wax that will be in the honey. This will cause the bees to work more to recreate the wax and start all over again.

Using an extractor

You do have the option of using a centrifugal extractor and letting the honey fly out with the spinning motion. The honey will collect at the bottom of the machine, which will consist of wax, bee parts, as well as honey, so it must be strained and filtered to get the best clear honey possible. One tool that you can use to help keep the comb intact is a roller with spikes that can be rolled over the wax to poke tiny holes in each cell. This will allow the bees to repair the holes instead of starting over. There will also be the job of cleaning everything up and placing the frames back into the hive.

There is a better way

Thankfully times have changed and new revelations have been discovered. Now there is a way to get your honey from the hive without hurting a single bee or making a mess. There is a new invention called the Flow Hive, which you can turn on a tap and the honey just flows out.

No matter how you decide to extract your honey, be kind to the bees and try to make things easier on them if you can. The makers of honey will appreciate all the love and help they can get. Every bee matters.

What do you know about extracting honey from a hive?

The post The 411 On Extracting Honey From A Hive appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

Your garden is a personal monument that you manifest from your own two hands. How you decide to nurture and cultivate it is all up to you. Many people want things to produce as quickly and painlessly as possible, so they may use a product that promises quick fast results with materials that may be harmful and destructive when reading the fine print. There are those of us who want things to be all natural to the core, so every ingredient must be to a higher standard. Should you use a commercial plant food for your beloved plants? Well, that all depends on the results you are looking to achieve and how hard you want to work for it.

What’s the big deal?

You have the option to use strange chemicals that may be harmful to your health and the environment, or you can use organic products for your plants that are derived from nature. Basically, all of the vitamins and minerals that your garden need have been provided to us naturally. No synthetic product can do it better, although they can make things seem quicker, nicer smelling, with less mess.

Here is what nature has to offer:

A fish is quite tasty on your plate, but it contains nitrogen which will enhance your plant’s growth. You can get this in a more pliable form called fish emulsion that has been processed, in case you don’t want to use an actual whole fish.  Manure is the main organic plant food that many people flock to. It can be harvested from cows, chickens, pigs, and horses, or whatever farm animal you have on hand. Your neighbor may complain about the smell, but when you share your fresh juicy veggies with them, they will forgive you. There is also bone meal from animal bones, blood meal which is a natural form of nitrogen, and cottonseed meal derived from cotton.

The synthetic way:

Miracle-Gro products do give you choices of using their regular line or organic line. They make things grow quicker and bigger, but some of the ingredients are not always derived from nature, such as ammonium phosphate and traces of metals. Read the ingredients of your fertilizers and plant foods to see exactly what you are giving your plants. Just because this has been used for plants over the years doesn’t make it right, or safe for you.

We can all live without extra metals and salts in our system. If you will be consuming these vegetables, it would be advised to make the effort to use organic or natural plant foods. If you plan to use plant food for potted plants or your lawn, it may be safer to use the synthetic products. It is all in a matter of taste. Do what you feel is right for you and your family.

Do you use commercial plant food?

The post Should You Use Commercial Plant Foods? appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

• Cut: Give your yard one last cut. Even if the lawn appears to have hit that point where it is not growing, there is still new growth in some places. Around the end of November, give the entire lawn one last cut to make sure the grass blades are a uniform length for the winter. This allows even exposure to the winter sun and prevents mold and other issues.

• Test the pH levels: Before you reseed the lawn and take care of overly stressed spots left over for summer, send in a soil sample to test the pH levels of your soil. Only after you have addressed any deficiencies in the soil can you reseed with new grass. To do so in unhealthy soil is a waste of time and money. Soil testing runs around $15, and it is money well spent. Use a certified seed for reseeding as it will grow better and there will be less weed seed and almost no filler.

• Prune: Fall is a great time to prune back your hedges, trees and many flowering perennials. This allows for more controlled growth in the spring and keeps the plant healthy by not having to use energy to nourish unnecessary growth. Do not prune back hydrangeas or lilacs as they can be damaged and new blooms in the spring will be sparse.

• Plan for spring: Now is the time to plan for spring and maybe even plant for new spring growth. You may need to divide some fast growing healthy plants or you may need to plant new bulbs for spring growing. Now is the time to draw out a map of how you want the landscape to look and plan accordingly.

• Take care of your tools: Fall is also the time to take care of your tools. Clean and service any lawn equipment before putting it away for the winter. Flush out and store hoses and attachments so they will be protected during the winter months. Allowing water to stand in your hoses can damage them as water freezes and expands. Everything should be put away to await the spring when you will find your tools and equipment in good shape, saving you time and money.

These five things pro landscapers do to their yards every fall will help you make the most out of those last few yard maintenance sessions as the summer winds down and the crisp air of fall begins.

Do you have any fall gardening tips?

The post Five Things Professional Landscapers Do To Their Yards Every Fall appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

Moles can become a problem if there are several of them or if they dig where they disrupt the roots of your grass and plants. Unfortunately, if moles are a problem in your yard, the most reliable way to rid yourself of the problem is by trapping (and usually killing) the moles. If that’s not an option for you, here are two other ways to get rid of moles.

Barrier Method

While this method might not get rid of the mole completely, it will keep it out if certain areas of your garden. Once you locate the tunnel, you can burry small mesh, concrete or gravel at least two feet below the surface to block the little critter.

Soil Drainage

Moles are known to love moistness, so you can try to improve soil drainage to make the environment less comfortable for them.

Of course, if you want to capture and kill the animal, you can use a trap or call a professional to handle the situation, but try these ideas first, please!

Do you know of any other ways to get rid of moles?

The post Get Rid Of Moles Without Hurting Them appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

Evergreens

Of course, evergreens are a must in any yard. They are really the backbone of your landscaping all year long. Some good choices to consider when selecting evergreen trees for your landscaping needs are: silver Korean fir, blue spruce and dwarf spruces as well as any sort of pine tree. Choose trees that complement your overall look knowing these trees will be green year round.

Best Trees

There are several trees that are beautiful, even in winter, due to their unusual structure or the trunk or bark features. These dazzling trees can be used to plan ahead for the winter landscape.

Paperbark maple:

Flickr photo via FicARus

The paperbark maple has a peeling bark that makes it an interesting choice in any landscape. Its rich brownish red color will be a focal point in the colder months especially when there is snow on the ground.

Japanese maple:

With its intricately formed branches, the Japanese maple gives a sharp contrast to tall, straight tree trunks that may be in your yard. Growing to 15 or 20 feet, this tree grows well in almost any soil type and is easy to grow.

Tibetan cherry:

Tibetan cherry trees have a silk like red bark that is a very interesting pattern for winter viewing. The stark contrast of red against the dull landscape of winter is very striking and beautiful.

Stewartia pseudocamellia:

This peeling bark tree is also a gorgeous addition to your winter landscape. As the bark peels off the new bark creates a bright contrast in snowy landscapes. Stewartia pseudocamellia also has smooth lines that have an interesting shape.

Striped maple:

Flickr photo via placeuvm

Also known as tiger maple, striped maple has great vertical white lines on its bark that will provide a striking contrast to other trees in your yard. This is an ornamental tree that requires frequent pruning; however the year round beauty of this tree makes it a must have for your landscape.

Lacebark elm:

For that big shade tree, lacebark elm provides great shade in the summer while having an interesting bark that will still be beautiful in the winter. The exfoliating nature of the peeling bark and the interesting colors keep this tree interesting all year long.

The best tips to make your own trees dazzling is to choose interesting textures and growth patterns that suit your style and show up all year long.

Which do you think are the best trees for dazzling a yard?

The post Best Trees For A Beautiful Winter Landscape appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

How it all Works

If you have babies you have seen the amazing moisture retaining quality of today’s disposable diapers. These things have a small amount of crystals down the center that are embedded in cotton fibers. When moisture enters through the permeable barrier, these crystals can retain up to 500 times their weight! If you can harness that water retention potential in your flower pots and hanging baskets, your watering schedule could be cut in half and your plants could be protected from extremely hot and dry conditions that would normally stress it out even with the best watering schedule.

Make a Super Soil

The first way to use a diaper in gardening is to make a super soil. This is very simple to do. You will need to large container, a couple of disposable diapers, and some commercial potting soil. Open the diapers and place them in a container. Pour about four cups of water over each one and wait until all the water is absorbed. Detach and pull off the outer layer of material and you should see the gel like cotton and water crystals. Dump the gel into your mixing container. Pour in an equal amount of potting soil and use your hand to mix the gel and soil together. Now you can use this super soil to pot all your new plants.

Use the Crystals alone

You can open up a diaper and shake out the crystals. There is really a very small amount in each diaper. However, you can use the crystals alone and mix them with water to create a great solution for supplementing the soil in your potted plants or to help preserve fresh cut flowers for longer amounts of time. These crystals from diapers retain moisture and help you conserve water and grow healthy plants.

Do you know of any other uses for diapers in the garden?

The post Time To Try Gardening With… Diapers? appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

While a store-bought mosquito repellent can be effective, it also can be infused with chemicals that could be dangerous to you or your child. Thankfully, there are several herbs that can protect you and your family against unwanted mosquito bites. Here are three mosquito control herbs that are easy to grow and beneficial in protecting yourself against mosquitos and other biting insects.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is an herb from the mint family and is very effective in controlling the mosquito population around your home. Plant this herb around your porch or patio areas to limit the number of mosquitos entering the area. Mosquitos do not like the smell or the flavor of lemon balm. Yet, it has a very fragrant lemony smell that is a pleasing to most humans. You can also crush the leaves and then rub the leaves over your skin to protect yourself or your children from mosquito bites. As a bonus, lemon balm has been shown to improve digestion and alleviate stress and anxiety. It can also relieve cold sores or fever blisters. A lemon balm tea can also calm an upset stomach or sooth colic in an infant.

Lavender

Lavender is also a member of the mint family (believe it or not) and has a lovely smell and delicate flowers. While many of our beauty and cleaning products are scented with lavender, you can also grow your own to naturally repel insects in your yard or garden, and when they are mature, they can be dried and used in DIY products that repel insects as well. Mosquitos do not like the smell of lavender and will naturally avoid it. When harvested dried lavender flowers can be mixed with white wine vinegar to make your own natural bug repellant. Lavender is also a lovely addition to any garden giving both practical and aesthetic to this little herb.

Peppermint

Another member of the mint family, peppermint is easy to grow and can be applied directly to the skin to help prevent bites from mosquitos. Just crush the leaves and rub the resulting juice on your skin. If you do get bitten by a mosquito, peppermint can also help relieve the itching that can result. Peppermint is a great addition to any herb garden. Peppermint tea has also been shown effective in helping with tummy aches and other digestive problems. Fresh or dried, this herb is also good for flavoring fruits and salads.

These three mosquito repellent herbs are all easy to grow and add to your herb garden. They also will help you control mosquitos both in your yard and on your skin.

The post FYI: Three Herbs To Help Control Mosquitoes appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

Adding evergreen plants and shrubs to your landscaping will ensure that there is something interesting happening in your beds and yard all year long while also providing much needed color during the winter time

• Daphne: This slow growing evergreen plant is a great plant for borders or rock gardens. They also can thrive in the shade, so they can be used in obscure, shady spots in your garden where little else can grow well. They bloom in late winter and early spring with tightly bunched groupings of flowers that range in colors from greenish yellow to white to pink. Daphne comes in both plain leaves and variegated versions with a creamy yellow band running along the edge of the leaves.

• Box: Box plants are one of the most popular evergreen plants used to supplement home flower beds or hedges. They can be shaped through trimming to resemble a box hedge (hence the name) or be trained into traditional topiary shapes. They have tiny leaves that are bright to dark green. Box is another evergreen that does well in shade which adds to its attractiveness as a hedge around a home since it does well in all areas. When in full sun, the plant will need adequate water to prevent the leaves from scorching. Good drainage is important, so make sure you plant them in areas where the water is sufficient, but drains well.

• Lavender: The beauty and smell of lavender make it an attractive choice for gardens everywhere. Lavender is such a versatile plant that many feel it is a must for every garden. Good for container planting or adding to borders or flower beds, the silvery green plant blooms with purple, lilac or pink blooms that have a very sweet smell. Lavender can also flourish in drought conditions which make it a great evergreen for dry zones. Another plus is it is a favorite plant of both butterflies and bees.

• Euonymus: Euonymus is a great evergreen plant for ground cover. The leaves are bright, glossy green and trimmed in a white or creamy yellow color. They are hardy plants that can be used for ground cover or trained to climb. This plant is famous for enduring poor growing conditions which make them ideal for climbing north facing walls, growing in coastal regions and in the shade. Euonymus is also very low maintenance which makes them an attractive choice for someone who wants a maintained look without a lot of effort.

Try these evergreen plants and shrubs to keep your yard looking beautiful all year long.

The post Perfect Little Evergreen Plants And Shrubs appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

• Day’s Eye: The daisy got its name from old English and was once called the “daes eage” which translates to the day’s eye. The cute little flower closes its petals around its bright yellow center at night and opens back up with the sunrise, the start of a new day. The lovely yellow center is the sun and the white petals represent innocence. In the middle ages, children would make daisy chains to wear during May Day celebrations.

• Eat Up: Daisy petals are edible and can be used in making salads. Daisies have also been reported to reduce the pain of a headache. Daisy petals are related to the artichoke, and they are also high in Vitamin C which helps boost our immune system. So eat up and enjoy your daisies!

• Two Flowers: The daisy is actually two flowers in one. The yellow center is one bloom and the surrounding petals are another independent bloom. While native to north and central Europe, daisies can now be found on every continent except Antarctica. They are part of the largest group of flowering plants called Aster, and this family of plants constitutes around 10% of all flowering plants growing on the earth today. Most daisies have white petals and a yellow disc center, but there are also other colors to look for as well.

• Weeds: Unfortunately, if you don’t control your daisy population, they can become weeds. This is due to the fact that daisies are highly prolific and can thrive in almost any location and in almost any condition. There is a huge problem of English daisies as weed infestations in the American northwest. Just be careful and give your daisies adequate care and pruning to control the spread of the flowers beyond where you want or need them.

Do you know any fun Daisy facts?

The post 4 Delightful Things You Didn’t Know About Daisies appeared first on Gracious Gardening.