Indiana Yard and Garden – Purdue Consumer Horticulture A Purdue Extension Service for Home Gardeners

Category: Gardening

Cover Crops Serve Dual Purpose

Gardeners have long used certain plants known as cover crops to help keep soil from blowing away during winter. An added benefit of raising cover crops is that their foliage and root growth can be tilled under in late winter to help loosen heavy soils and improve overall soil structure and fertility. Cover crops generally are sown in late summer or early fall, after summer vegetables are harvested. The type of plant you grow will…Read more about Cover Crops Serve Dual Purpose[Read More]

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Consider Garden Mums for Fall Color

While many of summer’s perennials are winding down for autumn, you can refresh your garden’s color with garden mums. Colors ranges from many shades of yellow, orange, red, purple, bronze, pink and white. The flowers themselves come in many different forms, from spider types with long, narrow petals to cushion types that have wider, more compact flowers. Some mums are bred as outdoor garden plants, but many are bred as florist-potted plants, meant to be…Read more about Consider Garden Mums for Fall Color[Read More]

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Consider Garden Mums for Fall Color

While many of summer’s perennials are winding down for autumn, you can refresh your garden’s color with garden mums. Colors ranges from many shades of yellow, orange, red, purple, bronze, pink and white. The flowers themselves come in many different forms, from spider types with long, narrow petals to cushion types that have wider, more compact flowers. Some mums are bred as outdoor garden plants, but many are bred as florist-potted plants, meant to be…Read more about Consider Garden Mums for Fall Color[Read More]

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March 1996

Q. I’m moving into a new home where the previous owners had a small garden. What do I need to do this spring to prepare it for planting? Also, are the inexpensive seeds you buy at the department stores adequate, or should I go to a garden center? Is it better to plant seedlings than seeds? – Carrie Powell, West Lafayette, Ind. A. Start with a soil test of your new garden. Your Cooperative Extension Service office…Read more about March 1996[Read More]

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Gardening Online at Purdue University

Gardeners will find a wealth of information at their fingertips from the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. And the best part is, thanks to the Internet, this information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays! Several departments at Purdue have Web sites of interest to gardeners. Horticulture offers a broad range of information on the Consumer Horticulture Web site, including current news releases, Extension publications, upcoming events and a list…Read more about Gardening Online at Purdue University[Read More]

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Gardenia: A Gardener’s Challenge

Gardenias have a well-earned reputation for being difficult specimens for even the experienced indoor gardener. They are usually in great shape when selected at the local greenhouse, where growing conditions closely match this plant’s needs. Bright light, high humidity, and an even supply of moisture and nutrients bring out the best in gardenias. Its glossy leaves and heavenly scented blooms just about cause the plant to leap into your arms, whether it’s a gift for…Read more about Gardenia: A Gardener’s Challenge[Read More]

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Prepare Garden Tools and Equipment for Winter

Though you may have thought your gardening chores were behind you, don’t forget to tuck your gardening tools into bed for the winter. Too often we forget to prepare our tools and equipment for their winter hiatus, but a little bit of attention now will be rewarded with years of good service from gardening tools. It’s hard to know when to call the gardening season quits some years. Just when we think we’ve mowed the…Read more about Prepare Garden Tools and Equipment for Winter[Read More]

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Prepare Garden Tools and Equipment for Winter

(Released: 02 November 1995) By B. Rosie Lerner Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist Though you may have thought your gardening chores were behind you, don’t forget to tuck your gardening tools into bed for the winter. Too often we forget to prepare our tools and equipment for their winter hiatus, but a little bit of attention now will be rewarded with years of good service from gardening tools. It’s hard to know when to call the…Read more about Prepare Garden Tools and Equipment for Winter[Read More]

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Keep Plants Watered for Drought Recovery

Much of Indiana found rainfall scarce throughout the summer, and even into the fall, so gardeners need to make sure their landscape plants have an adequate supply of moisture before winter arrives. Most plants could benefit by a deep watering every couple of weeks or so, right up until the ground freezes. But some plants will need even closer attention. Newly planted trees and shrubs may have limited root systems and may need a weekly…Read more about Keep Plants Watered for Drought Recovery[Read More]

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Fertilize Woody Plants This Fall

(Released: 05 October 1995) By B. Rosie Lerner Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist Although most people think of spring as the time to fertilize, fall feeding can give trees and shrubs a boost. Not all landscape plants need fertilizer, but young plants and those that are recovering from stress can benefit. Timing fall fertilizer application is important because feeding too early can promote late fall growth. Young tissue will not have a chance to harden off…Read more about Fertilize Woody Plants This Fall[Read More]

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Page last modified: February 17, 2017

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