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Why Bulb Depth Matters - Dig deep enough to ensure your plants stand tall and live the longest

When you're planting bulbs, it's tempting to just dig a hole as deep as your trowel will reach easily, nestle the bulb in, cover it up and move on. But the fact is, each type of bulb will flower best and thrive at a different depth.A good rule of thumb is to plant a bulb two to three times its height. One reason planting depth is important is because it helps to keep the bulbs protected from fluctuations in temperature that happen closer to the surface.

GARDEN ESSENTIALS

FALL GARDEN CLEANUP TOOLS

Saving Seeds

Saving flower seeds is a great way to get more plants with almost no investment. It's easy to do. Here's how to save seeds from some of your favorite annuals as the growing season winds down.

Cucumber Trellis Flop

I watched cucumber trellis growers online for several seasons with envy. What a brilliant way to save space in raised garden beds and make it look fancy! Finally, I was sold and decided to try it in my garden.

9 Tough Perennials for Clay Soil

Whether you garden in the nutrient-poor red clay of the Southeast, the calcium combined-with-clay caliche of the West or something in between, the common denominator is that clay soil is difficult to grow in. Why? Tiny particles of clay hold tightly together, slowing drainage and limiting the amount of oxygen that can reach plant roots. You've seen the resultsanemic-looking or rotting plants.

Garden Fences

Discover the perfect blend of functionality, style, and materials for your ideal fence.

A GARDEN OF STORIES

Learn plant and project tips from a couple who's been gardening here for nearly 50 years.

SPINACH

Learn the secrets to growing this tasty green in spring and fall.

Switchgrass

Adaptable switchgrass goes with the flow.

Establish a Monarch Waystation

Did you know that a single monarch butterfly can migrate up to 3,000 miles? That's a lot of ground to cover! This amazing insect makes a fascinating journey, unlike any other butterfly.

Birds & The Bees (and Bunnies)

Although I wouldn’t call my raised garden beds romantic, the rabbits in my neighborhood sure like to use them in spring for their bunny rendezvous and subsequent nests.

5 Ways to Stake Tomatoes

While it might feel early to be thinking about tomatoes, it’s never too early to start planning your next garden, especially if your tomato plants tend to look wild and overgrown by the time you remember to offer them a cage for support.

Destination Gardens

Don’t miss out on these four botanical treasures!

Bee Balm

Butterflies and pollinating insects can't resist this bold summer perennial.

2024's Best New Plants!

Instead of ringing in the new year with champagne and balloons, why not treat yourself to a few new plants that you can enjoy through the growing season? There are a lot of interesting introductions to get excited about this year.

6 Pro Garden Design Secrets

Starting a garden can feel overwhelming. And sometimes it’s hard to know if you’ll like something until you’ve seen it. By then, you’ve spent enough hours, hard work and money that it’s tough to make a change.

Dreaming of Summer

Unless you are lucky enough to live where it’s warm year round, when winter starts to drag on, it may feel as if the garden is awash in dreary, monochromatic browns and grays. Time to close your eyes and dream of summer—a colorful season when foliage is vibrant, fl owers are blooming and pollinators are active. If you need a bit of summer inspiration, here are three colorful low-maintenance combos that will also attract wildlife. Who wouldn’t dream of that?

Native Bees Find Winter Shelter in Surprising Places

As the buzz of busy bees gave way to the rustle of fallen leaves in my autumn garden, the last of the bumblebee stragglers hit up fading mountain mint blooms. Day by day, fewer sparkly green sweat bees and dwarf carpenter bees nectared on the asters, eventually vanishing along with the fluffy field thistle seeds.

Reader Tips

GREAT IDEAS FROM SMART GARDENERS

GARDEN ESSENTIALS

TOOLS THAT MAKE FALL GARDEN WORK EASIER

A HIDDEN SANCTUARY

Creative energy abounds in this zone 8 Oregon garden. With an abundance of nature's beauty and manmade structures and art, it's easy to be inspired by the hard work that's gone into making this backyard retreat where Meredith and Donald Hilderbrand designed and built the home and gardens.

NEIGHBORLY CURB APPEAL

This flower-filled garden supplies a three-season show everyone can enjoy.

Plants Pollinators Love

If you're trying to make your garden more pollinator friendly, knowing which plants to grow is key.

Add Quick Fall Color with Containers

Even as the rest of your garden starts to slow down in fall, there's still time to add a splash of color with a couple of high-impact containers.

HOW TO PRESERVE FRESH GARDEN HERBS

THE GROWING SEASON MAY BE ENDING SOON, BUT YOU CAN USE YOUR HERBS ALL YEAR!

Marvelous Marigolds

Don't overlook this tough, colorful annual.

Help Drought-Proof Your Garden

If you're tired of watering to keep your garden going through a hot, dry summer, take a few tips from Denver Botanic Gardens' Panayoti Kelaidis.

Reader Tips

GREAT IDEAS FROM SMART GARDENERS

Blast Off With Bright Color!

Peer at an individual flower from the inflorescence of Starship Scarlet lobelia, and you might be reminded of a hummingbird hovering in flight.

3 Invasive Tree Pests to Watch

It is devastating when a tree loses the battle with an insect pest, leaving a hole in the landscape that can't be refilled quickly. Sadly, many trees fall prey to invasive insects-here are three destructive ones to watch.