4 Reasons to Grow Yucca

Looking for something new to grow?

Yucca, with their clean, sharp edges, and simple look offer a trendy, modern appeal to decor. 

The fact that it is a very low maintenance plant and can be grown in almost all parts of the United States, give it an added appeal to beginner gardeners. 

For potential consumers who garden primarily for the healthy lifestyle, the plant offers a wide variety of homeopathic and household uses.

Learn four reasons why you should grow yucca today.

Millennials in the Garden

This is an excerpt taken from an article by Elizabeth Petersen on Millennials in the garden in the December issue of Digger Magazine. Katie enjoyed sharing trends and insights about Millennials with Elizabeth for this insightful piece.  

As Baby Boomers have retired and downsized, their long-standing financial support of the nursery industry has fallen off.

But a new generation of gardeners called Millennials is poised to pick up where Boomers left off — grabbing their shovels, growing their own food, decorating their spaces with plants and re-invigorating the nursery industry.

Top Outdoor Tech Trends for Labor Day

We spoke to TecHome Builder about top trends driving the outdoor market. We believe millennials are continuing to drive growth, but a new demographic is starting to catch-up. What do you think? Read the full post here! 

Gardens go for Olympic Gold

The summer Olympics is in full swing, but that doesn’t mean you should just root for the athletes! There is something else competing for your attention: your yard. Read more about how trees are the gold standard in your landscape from Gardening Know How! The Davey Tree offers tips on how to keep your trees healthy this season. 

Start a Perennial Garden During Perennial Gardening Month With Tips From Costa Farms

Perennials are a great investment and the foundation of an attractive, long-lasting landscape. Year after year, these plants come back adding bold color and texture to the yard. Celebrate Perennial Gardening Month this June by planting these beauties in the heart of your garden.

With this in mind, Costa Farms’ has introduced a new free email course on perennial gardening hosted by gardening guru Justin Hancock.

In just four emails, Costa Farms’ gives gardeners the knowledge they need to become perennial gardening pros — from planning and designing tips to information on selecting long-living plants and caring for them.

Their free "Grow a Perfect Perennial Garden" eCourse is easy to navigate and filled with expert advice to help gardeners create perennial gardens that fit their lifestyle and needs.

Get started with these four simple tips from the new eCourse’s lesson on “How to Select the Perfect Perennials for Your Yard."

Mother's Day gifts that keep on giving!

Here at the Garden Media Group we’re sharing great last minute Mother’s Day gifts that are practical, long-lasting and stylish. Live plants for Mother’s Day are gifts that keep on giving and will add beauty to her home and garden.

1) Orchids. Orchids are exotic plants with stunning flowers that are surprisingly affordable and simple to grow. These gorgeous flowering plants keep blooming for months with little to no effort long after her special day is past. Look for Phalaenopsis orchids, which are the most popular and come in a variety of colors in decorative containers, for under $20 at your local retailer. For more tips on caring for your orchid, visit  http://www.orchidsareeasy.com/

2) Tropical plants. Surprise mom with an instant backyard make-over. New tropical plant varieties are ready to place in any sunny spot for immediate color. Carefree desert roses from Hines Growers like Adenium Kissable Pink, Red and Blush have bright, colorful flowers and a unique bonsai-like appearance. Sun-loving, Bahama Bay hibiscus ‘Amazon Queen’ has ruffled swirls of orangey blooms that look great in the landscape or on decks, patios and porches.
For more information on the many varieties of tropical plants and plant care, visit http://www.hinesgrowers.com/

3) Herbs. Mom will love a living herb plant that’s a meaningful, sustainable gift, no matter what variety you choose. Herbs are ideal choices for their low maintenance, beauty and versatility as both a functional flavor in the kitchen or aromatic scent to enjoy. Pamper mom with an easy to prepare homemade herbal facial scrub that’s great for her skin and smells citrusy.

For great herb choices visit The Growers Exchange http://www.thegrowers-exchange.com/.

Here's our own gardening expert and garden/ green living trendspotter, Suzi McCoy's favorite homemade facial scrub made from wonderful herbs and citrus fruit:

Juice from 1/2 ruby red grapefruit

2 sprigs of fresh rosemary (chopped)

2 cups of white sugar

1 Tablespoon of olive oil

(add pulp of grapefruit for color)

Mix all the ingredients until blended well and add enough sugar to form a thick paste. Put into a pretty jar, tie with a pretty ribbon and voila! Let us know how this works for you!

And to all you moms and your special mom, this Sunday, May 12th, have a wonderful Mothers Day from all of us at the Garden Media Group.

~Lynne, GMG

The Rise of Conscious Consumption

Earth Day is just around the corner. You don't have to pick bugs by hand off your plants or wash your car in rainwater to be a good steward of our planet.

Decades after Earth Day launched in 1970, support for a cleaner earth, air and water for us and future generations has adherents from boardrooms to bedrooms throughout the world.

The message of sustainability and our roles as Mother Earth's caretakers is quietly shaping how we grow gardens in our own backyards or within communities.

Suzi McCoy, the Garden Media Group's chief garden trendspotter and green living expert, has long proclaimed, "Just plant something." And this message is catching on as statistics bear out.

According to the Garden Writers Association's 2011 Fall/Winter Lawn & Garden Survey of nearly one-thousand people across America, close to 70% of American consumers have a lawn or garden and three of five believe the issue of sustainability in gardening is important. (TechnoMetrica)

We're calling this trend: Conscious Consumption.

GWA's survey indicates that nearly 58% of respondents have reduced the use of chemicals and 53% have reduced or eliminated watering their lawns. Plus, 48% have used compost or other natural nutrients instead of chemical fertilizers, 66% have grown edible plants, veggies, fruit or herbs and more than 52% have created habitats for insects, birds and wildlife.

According to the 2010 Cone Survey 83% of consumers still want to see more brands, products and companies that support worthy causes.

"We finally moved from "me" to "we" and consider the earth and each other when we purchase," says McCoy.

You can preserve the earth's delicate eco-system and enjoy the wonder of nature in your little piece of heaven with American Beauties Native Plants. Their partnership with the National Wildlife Federation is an example of the mindshift. When you buy an American Beauties native plant, a donation is made to NWF's Certified Wildlife Habitat Program.

And the birds, butterflies and bees will thank you.

~Lynne Garden Media Group

Garden Trends - The Power of Plants

"The Power of Plants: Gardening for the Good Life” is the over riding theme for our 2012 Garden Trends Report.

This appreciation of our connection with nature seems to ebb and flow with other big trends. We've been seeing it evolve over the past few years when people shifted from decorating their yards to gardening with a purpose. In our high tech, high stress world, people are searching for balance and purpose in their lives, and many are finding it in the garden.

And they are doing more than just decorate their decks. For the past few years we've seen this growing trend of people gardening with a purpose. People gardening to grow their own food, build a butterfly garden or create a happy place to just sit and relax. They are making connections with the garden in new - and old - ways.

We know it in the heart of our souls that by tapping into the power of plants we find some peace and harmony. Being 'within' or part of nature restores us mentally, physically and spritually.

People who garden, whether in a yard or a pot on a balcony, have known this little secret for years.

Plants are not a luxury, but a necessity for our lives. We need plants for the "new good life".

We need plants to breath. Without plants, the air would be so full of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) we would not be able to breath.

I never thought I'd be using those word. Volatile. Organic. Compounds. It's those nasty compounds like CO2, nicotine, and formaldehyde, that plants love to eat. Plants need those VOCs to live. It's a great balancing act.

Plants do more than scrub the air clean and provide pure clean oxygen for us to breath. Plants cool us and give us shade. They make us feel less stressed and happier. They help us heal and make us more productive. In other words, plants make our lives better. We clearly need plants to live a happy, healthy life. They have the power. If you want more research you will ever need, visit O2 for You http://www.o2foryou.org/ or Dr. Charlie Hall's blog for lots of white papers on the benefits of plants.

Why this connection with nature? According to Harvard professor Edward O. Wilson, we can't help ourselves. We are actually hard- wired in our DNA to bond with all living things. He calls this connection biophilia - love of life. Check out his book.

I agree 100%. We say around the Garden Media Group that plants are more than just a pretty face. From the power of healing to restoring neighborhoods, plants are vital for healthy, balanced lives.

A growing army of environmentally conscious Gen X & GenY’s agree, too. Taking care of Mother Earth is part of their culture. With exuberance, these compassionate givers are on a mission to preserve and protect the earth’s resources. These young curators of culture are planting gardens at home or on balconies, are sharing time and building connections in community gardens, and renewing urban spaces and restoring neighborhoods -- all with a fresh eye toward functionality combined with artistic design.

Spread the word. Read more about how to "Cultivate the New Good Life with the Power of Plants!"

Suzi
Garden Media Group

Garden #2: What should I plant?

My Husband and I are trying to decide what we are going to plant in our veggie garden this year and if we should attempt an even bigger garden this year! We have ideas of grandeur for our second attempt. Last year's plot was 2- 6x8 areas...we are thinking this year's will be 22x15!

I am not saying last year was a failure! NOT AT ALL! We are still enjoying the fruits of our labor with amazing homemade pasta sauce. (See last picture.)

But the entire process was a lot of work...fun work. We were going through the pictures from last summer and came across this little timeline in film of our very first veggie garden. WOW...what a transformation...from the row of bushes that were occupying the space which we (by 'we' I mean Mark & Dad) removed to make room for our spur of the moment idea!

So I thought I would share a few shots from beginning to end...from just plain dirt to amazing sauce!

 Big JUMP in the timeline here...

 FYI...These are all tomatoes.

 The green fence stakes are 3 feet tall. Needless to say we had VERY tall tomato plants!

What I would like to know is what are your favorite tomatoes to grow? I think we will grow from seed again this year...so I need to get those seeds bought!

Please help a novice gardener out and give me some suggestions of some of your favorite veggies (not only tomatoes) that you have had success growing and enjoying!

-Karen

GMG