So you've decided to plant a wildflower garden. Where do you start? Here are our top 5 tips for wildflowers in the garden.

1. Select the best seed for your area. Read the label carefully to be sure the plants are suitable for your growing conditions, or better yet, purchase wildflower seeds from a local grower. Native plants support a healthy, diverse ecosystem, unlike invasive or exotic plants that can crowd out useful native plants, destroy wildlife habitat and upset entire ecosystems.
2. Choose a planting site carefully. Wildflowers require six to eight hours of sun per day, and well-drained soil is absolutely critical. Start with a small area, as your wildflower garden may require more maintenance than you expect, at least at first. Wildflowers naturally reseed themselves and your wildflower garden will soon begin to expand.
3. Prepare the soil. Remove weeds, rake out rocks and large clods, and then dig the soil to a depth of 12 to 20 inches. Dig in manure, compost or other organic material if the soil is poor, but don't bother with fertilizer; wildflowers don't need rich soil and may not survive. Rake the soil smooth before planting wildflower seeds. If the area is weedy, consider waiting a couple of weeks, and then remove weeds that have sprouted before planting your wildflower seeds.
4. Plant seeds in spring or fall. Late fall is best in most climates because some seeds require a dormant period before they can germinate. Many wildflower seeds are tiny, so mix the seeds with sand for more even distribution. Once planted, tamp the seeds down lightly with a board or roller so they make contact with the soil, but don't cover them, as wildflower seeds can't germinate without sunlight. If squirrels or other rodents are a problem, cover the area with wire mesh. A layer of straw or mulch prevents moisture loss and discourages seeds from eating newly planted seeds.
5. Water regularly until plants are established. Thereafter, wildflowers are drought-tolerant and can survive very dry conditions. However, an occasional watering produces bushier plants and showier flowers. As a general rule, about ½ inch of water per week during warm, dry weather is plenty.

A sweet, juicy slice of watermelon on a hot summer day evokes iconic thoughts of simpler times. Whether you want to capture moments like these or you simply enjoy the sugary embrace of this delectable fruit, growing your own watermelon is a cost efficient way of providing fruit for your family. But if you haven't had much success growing melon in the past, the reason might be one of these common melon mistakes.

Common Watermelon Growing Problems 

Here's a breakdown of the 5 most common cultivation issues with watermelons, complete with the solutions needed to correct these melon mistakes:

1. Improper Planting

Poor germination, slow growth or loss of plants can usually be traced back to planting issues with watermelons. To prevent these problems, plant watermelons in loose, organically-rich soil. Work plenty of compost and organic material into the bed to loosen the soil and to provide the nutrients melon plants crave. 

Watermelon prefers hot weather and many varieties require at least 100 days to produce fruit. In climates with shorter growing seasons, start seeds indoors. The use of biodegradable pots will reduce stress when transplanting seedlings into the garden. Plant watermelon in raised hills once all danger of frost has passed. 

2. Neglecting Weeds

Weeds not only compete with watermelon plants for nutrients and growing space, they also harbor harmful pests and diseases. Watermelon plants have a moderately deep root system, so pulling weeds around watermelons is not as problematic as it is with more shallow-rooted garden plants. 

Use mulch to reduce weeding chores and conserve moisture. Mulch provides a barrier which deters pests and provides a dry resting place for developing fruit. Grass clippings or straw mulches decompose within a year and replenish the soil with beneficial nutrients.

3. Inconsistent Soil Moisture Levels

A consistently moist, but not soggy, soil helps watermelon plants grow quickly. This keeps the plants healthy by reducing the amount of time for pests and disease to attack. Consistent moisture levels also allow the fruit to steadily increase in size. 

Fruit cracking on the vine is indicative of hot, dry spells followed by heavy rain. Provide supplemental water during dry spells to prevent the soil from drying out completely. The root system of a watermelon extends beyond the base of the plant. Be sure to apply water in a ring around the plant, not just where the stem emerges from the ground.

4. Ignoring Pests and Disease 

Periodically checking the melon patch for signs of diseases or pest damage will allow you to address the issues with watermelons before they become widespread. Leaf damage is one of the most common signs of disease and insect infestation. Missing leaves are more likely due to deer. 

The best way to deter insects and disease is to keep plants healthy and growing fast. If these problems still exist, opt for organic methods of control whenever possible. Chemical pesticides also kill pollinators and can result in poor yields due to low fruit set.

5. Harvesting at the Wrong Time

Picking watermelons too soon or waiting too long are common melon mistakes. To pick melons at the peak of ripeness, look at the curly tendrils nearest the fruit. When they turn brown, the plant is no longer feeding the melon. 

Blueberries are not only delicious but extremely nutritious as well. Once established, they will reliably produce buckets of yummy berries for years to come. Before you can expect large hauls of berries however, you need to avoid the 5 most common mistakes with blueberries. Learning about these common blueberry problems is the key to growing healthy, productive blueberries. 

Growing Blueberries

Blueberries need acidic soil with a pH of 4.5-4.8. They prefer a sunny area in well-draining soil and a consistently moist root system during the growing season. Provided they have enough sun and drainage, blueberries can not only be grown in the garden but in containers as well. 

These are blueberries basic requirements and if these needs aren't met, problems with disease and production will soon follow. 

 5 Common Blueberry Problems

One of the biggest mistakes with blueberries is discounting their need for acidic soil. While many plants can tolerate a little leeway when it comes to the pH of the soil, blueberries cannot. Test your soil before planting blueberries. If the soil is not acidic enough you can take steps to rectify the soil or opt to plant them in a container or raised bed. 

To raise the acidity of your soil, amend the soil with sulfur. Be careful. Too much sulfur can be toxic. You can also include pine needles and coffee grounds to amend the soil. 

The safest way to amend the soil is to incorporate peat moss. Dig up an area about 2.5 feet across and a foot deep per plant and remove ½ to 1/3rd of the soil. Add pre-moistened peat moss to make up for the amount of soil removed and mix well. 

Four More Common Mistakes with Blueberries

• The second most common mistake with blueberries is planting only one blueberry bush. Most blueberry cultivars need a partner to pollinate with. Be sure to plant at least two bushes or you will end up with flowers but not fruit. 
• One of the requirements mentioned above when growing blueberries is keeping the root system consistently moist. Blueberries have shallow root systems that tend to dry out quickly which will affect the quality of the berries. To prevent drying, mulch around the plants with 2-4 inches (5-10 cm.) of wood chips or pine needles in the spring and fall. Don't use leaves or sawdust as mulch; it limits how much water can reach the plant's roots. 
• The fourth mistake with blueberries also has to do with irrigation. While blueberry roots should stay consistently moist during the growing season, the contrary plant also dislikes "wet feet". If you incorporate plenty of organic matter at planting and mulch accordingly, your blueberries should thrive without "wet feet". 
• The last most common problem when growing blueberries is lack of pruning. Blueberries benefit from a heavy annual prune which will result in healthier, more robust plants with prodigious fruit production. To prune your blueberry bush, remove any dead, broken or diseased branches. Remove any low growth at the base of the bush. Prune out any stunted branches. Continue to prune the bush until you have removed about 1/3 to ½ of the wood. Annual aggressive pruning may be difficult because you feel like you are removing so much of the plant, but it is guaranteed to result in a healthier, more prolific bush.

If you're new to gardening, how things are stated in garden guides or on plant labels can leave you wondering. But even for those of us that have been around awhile, it can be interesting.

Humorous Side of Garden Jargon

You hear a lot of various terms when it comes gardening. Some of these are fairly obvious, like "may require support," meaning it's a vining type plant that needs something to grow along or a plant that needs staking to keep it from toppling over. You may be familiar with things like "sun lover," "drought tolerant" or "deer resistant."

But sometimes gardening terminology can be confusing if not downright humorous. For example, maybe you've come across a label that mentions something like "water sparingly" or "thinly sow." Well could you be any more vague? How much water exactly, and does thinly mean depth or spacing? Perhaps you've seen a plant labeled with "prone to bolting" or another described as having "alternate leaves."

Just what do these mean? Is the bolting plant gonna run away? Is the alternate-leafed plant going to grow something other than actual leaves?

As confusing as it can be, the humorous side of garden jargon can at least be a welcoming escape from all the day-to-day stress we experience. Here are 10 of my personal favorites:

A favorite of birds - In other words, look out! Yes, birds obviously enjoy this plant, but do you? They will delight in the plant's fruit/berries so much, for example, that they'll eat and eat and leave the subsequent droppings all over the landscape, where more of these "favorite of birds" will sprout.

Vigorous or carefree growth - Here's another one to beware of. From the plant's perspective it means, I grow so well that I may likely take over your entire garden. I've had many of these "vigorous" growers, so I speak from experience. Lesson learned.

Blind plant - Perhaps you've heard mentioned that a plant is blind. What do you envision? Sorry, but the plant doesn't actually have eyes, except potatoes (sorry, "eye" couldn't resist) and cannot see. Technically, they're all blind if you think of it that way. If you see garden related terms like this, it simply means the plant isn't blooming when it should be, usually because of poor growing conditions.

Requires period of rest - Unlike me after a day of weeding, planting, or pruning, this means the plant needs to go into dormancy. Most plants require this anyway and do it naturally (when they "sleep" through winter), like flower bulbs, perennials, shrubs and trees. Some plants, especially when grown indoors, may need some coaxing to achieve this.

Self-cleaning - No, this does not mean the plant will groom itself! Instead, it's referring to the flowers. Rather than having to remove spent blooms yourself by deadheading, plants that self-clean drop the old blooms on their own.

Plant heaving - This doesn't mean a plant is sick or nauseous. It has to do with the freezing and thawing of the soil, which can result in "heaving" the plant from ground.

Volunteer - Wouldn't it be nice if this meant help in the garden? But, alas, it does not. As far as gardening terminology goes, a volunteer plant is one that comes up, often unexpectedly, on its own"¦ sometimes with the help of birds or from tossing out veggies, the seeds of which germinate and grow right there. These are normally some of my best looking plants. Lol

Enjoys wet feet - Plants don't have feet so they won't be dipping their toes in the pool and won't "bolt" from your garden. What they do have are roots and this is what's meant by "feet." In this case, it refers to plants that prefer moisture. If you live in a desert-like environment, this may not be for you unless you're willing to provide the extra maintenance in keeping the soil well watered, another confusing garden related term.

Plant sucker - While this could easily refer to someone like me that's a sucker for all things plant related, suckers are actually odd growths found around the base of a tree, especially one that's been grafted. These are normally undesirable and should be removed. Suckers can also refer to shoots on tomato plants.

Plant sport - This is not an athletic event, though with gardening it can sometimes feel like it. A sport in the garden is a very different growth habit or mutation on a plant, such as a pink bloom with a single white petal. These are some of my favorite garden discoveries.

As with many ornamental plants found in the flower garden, novice growers and collectors alike are always on the look-out for rare and hard to find cultivars of plants. Various types of iris flowers are certainly no exception, and many growers have amassed impressive colorful green spaces filled with these plants. Learning more about the need to preserve rare iris plants will be imperative to the plants' survival.

Growing Heirlooms

In recent years, the need to save various heirloom varieties of fruits, vegetables, and flowers has come to the forefront of garden related news. These cultivars are especially important in the introduction of new hybrids; as they offer a wider range of genetic diversity which breeders can use to promote plant vigor, resistance to disease, and even adaptability to specific climates. 

Learning to grow irises that replenish rare plant stock in gardens can be difficult and time consuming. However, thanks to the restoration efforts of dedicated volunteers, many once scarce and unusual iris bulbs/rhizomes have been reintroduced to the public for growth in our own gardens. 

Rare Breeds

• Indian Chief Iris - Dating back to 1929, these rare iris plants are among one of the most colorful and visually appealing cultivars of heirloom iris. This flower is prized for its dark burgundy falls and unique shades, and its yellow and pink standard regions.
• Loreley Iris - Yet another showy heirloom for those wishing to grow irises in garden beds, Loreley irises are recognized for their elegant purple-plum falls, which are striped with intense veining. Standards of this variety range in color from light to vibrant shades of yellow. 
• Swerti Iris - Dating back to 1612, this iris is certain to make an interesting visual statement in the garden. With a sweet grape fragrance, this heirloom white iris features appealing purple edging on both the falls and the standards of the flowers. The falls of the flower also curl slightly to create an interesting ruffled appearance. 
• Crimson King Iris - Immensely fragrant, Crimson King iris flowers are mostly solid purple blooms. Flower signal regions vary, but most commonly range in color from white to whitish-yellow. This variety of iris is also unique in its ability to bloom in the fall, depending upon the garden growing zone. 
• Demi-Deuil Iris - A truly beautiful rare iris plant, this Victorian flower consists of white petals with intense dark purple veining throughout both the falls and the standard. Flower signal regions glow a beautiful yellow-bronze color, which only emphasize its dramatic appearance.

Growing flowers is a reward in itself: seeing the blooms come in, enjoying the fragrances, cutting fresh flowers for indoors, and just being surrounded by beautiful flowers in your outdoor space. But have you considered other creative uses for the flowers you grow? Fresh flowers for hair make beautiful hair decorations, particularly for special occasions. Here are some of the best flowers to tuck into hair, casually in a ponytail or weaved into more complex updos for weddings, garden parties or just for fun. 

1. Daisy. Who hasn't used daisy flowers to tuck into hair at least once? A classic white daisy with a yellow center is evocative of innocence and childhood. This is a great option for summer and for little girls. Make a daisy chain to wear like a crown for a hippie look. 
2. Chrysanthemum. Mums are great for hairstyles because they come in a variety of colors and are sturdy. For something really eye-catching, try a Fuji mum with its spiky, long petals. 
3. Gardenia. Go with gardenia when choosing flowers for hair that will be attention getting. This large, pretty flower has one of the most intoxicating smells. 
4. Freesia. For smaller budgets, try freesia. They resemble lilies, come in a few different colors, and are widely available and inexpensive. 
5. Rose. This is a classic flower that evokes romance. Perfect for weddings, try a spray rose, which is a little smaller than many other rose varieties. 
6. Baby's breath. This is a wedding staple that adds texture and visual interest with its tiny white buds. You can use baby's breath alone or as part of a hair arrangement. 
7. Anemone. Truly striking is a white anemone with a dark blue center. If you're going for an exotic, unique look, this is your flower. 
8. Lily. Any kind of lily, from a bright orange daylily to an elegant white calla lily, is a great flower for a hairstyle that requires just one, prominent bloom. 
9. Feverfew. Raid your herb garden for a cluster of these small, daisy-like flowers. Feverfew blooms offer a more rustic, natural look for an updo or a flower crown. 
10. Greenery. Don't forget the greens. A little bit of foliage tucked into an updo next to a colorful flower will really set it off. Choose any kind of greenery you like and that looks good with your chosen blooms. 

To help keep flowers fresh for a party, keep them in the refrigerator right up until the time you're ready to put them in your hair. Use any hairspray or other products first, and then add the flowers, as they can damage the blooms. There are many flowers to wear in your hair and many ways to wear flowers in an updo. Choose the ones that you like best.

For most of my amateur gardening career, I have relied on plants from my local nursery. It's easier after all. I have tried saving seeds, which sounds simple but comes with some potential pitfalls. Before you start harvesting seeds from your garden, learn from the seed saving mistakes I've made.

Seed Harvesting Tips

• Don't expect to eat the herbs and veggies you grow for seeds. If you want to save seeds from plants like herbs or certain vegetables, you'll need one or two plants solely for that purpose. Once an herb like basil or a leafy vegetable like lettuce produces flowers, it's no good to eat. Include a plant that you'll allow to bolt and let it develop flowers and then seed heads.
• Don't save seeds from hybrids. If you are growing a hybrid plant, the resulting seeds will not give the same result. A hybrid is a combination of two varieties that produces a third with unique traits. The seeds from that hybrid contain random genetics that will not likely match the parent plant. Try it for fun and see what you get, but it won't be the original.
• Don't make it harder than it needs to be. One of the easiest ways to benefit from the seeds already in the garden is simply to let plants reseed themselves. Harvesting seeds from your garden can be tricky with some plants, so when it makes sense to rely on reseeding, let nature take its course. Some flowers reseed readily and allow you to get new plants year after year with minimal effort. Just stop deadheading in late summer to allow seed heads to develop.
• Don't start with difficult seeds. Flower seeds are pretty easy to collect and save. Simply let the seed head develop and dry, shake the seeds loose and store. With vegetables, it can get a little more challenging. Carrot seeds, for instance, are tiny and hard to find. Then there are plants that cross-pollinate, which means that as with hybrids, you won't get a true plant from the seeds. The easiest veggies to start with have bigger seeds and self-pollinate: tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, melons, and peppers.
• Don't forget to dry the seeds. Before you store seeds, they need to be dry. For flowers, simply leave them on the plant until dry. Beans are easy too. Leave the pods on the plant until dry and then pull out the seeds. For wet seeds, like cucumbers and tomatoes, you need an extra step. Put the seeds in water for a few days to ferment. This helps remove the pulpy material. The good seeds will sink to the bottom. Collect these, rinse them, and let them dry before storing.
• Don't harvest seeds too early. Seeds must be fully ripe to be ready to plant next season, so don't jump the gun. Flowers and any seed in a pod should stay on the plant until fully ripe and dry. For plants like tomatoes, melons, and cucumbers, allow the fruit to overripen before harvesting. 

Iris flowers are easy to grow and require little maintenance, but they do have certain demands in order to produce an abundance of beautiful blooms. Fortunately, potential mistakes you're making with irises are easily remedied. Read on for tips I've learned along the way for avoiding iris issues.

Top Iris Growing Mistakes

Are these mistakes you're making with irises? If so, learn how to avoid them.

• Mistake No. 1: Planting Too Deep - Iris rhizomes like to be planted near the surface of the soil. Rhizomes planted too deep may not produce blooms, and worst-case scenario, they may rot. Plant the bulbs with a bit of the tops showing. If your summers are hot, cover the tops with a thin layer of soil.
• Mistake No. 2: Overcrowding - Bulbs multiply and become tightly packed in the soil. As a general rule, rhizomes should be divided every three or four years. Replant some of the rhizomes and move the others to another location, or give them to friends. Be patient; transplanted irises won't flower until the roots are well-established.
• Mistake No. 3: Too Much Nitrogen - Too much nitrogen can produce lush, beautiful leaves with few blooms, or none at all. Provide a fertilizer with an NPK ratio such as 5-10-10 at planting time. Thereafter, feed the rhizomes lightly in early spring, and again just after flowers fade. Make adjustments if the rhizomes are absorbing high-nitrogen fertilizer from your lawn.

Avoiding Iris Issues

Although planting too deep, overcrowding, and excessive nitrogen are the most common iris growing mistakes, there are other factors to consider:

• Irises need at least six hours of sunlight per day and may not flower in too much shade.
• Start with the best bulbs (rhizomes) you can afford. Rhizomes that are defective or too small may produce scanty blooms, or no blooms at all.
• Keep weeds in check, as they will draw moisture and nutrients from the rhizomes.
• Irises are drought tolerant, but they'll be stressed if they don't receive enough moisture, especially when the weather is hot and dry. On the other hand, don't overwater, as soggy conditions can result rot or fungal disease. As a general rule, water when the top 2 inches (5 cm.) of soil is dry.
• Watch for pests such as iris borers, which are usually controlled by Spinosad or Bt (bacillus thuringiensis). Aphids are a common pest, relatively easily controlled with insecticidal soap spray. 

We all make mistakes in the garden now and then. That's part of the process. It's learning from those mistakes, and avoiding those same issues in the future, that counts.

If you're lucky enough to have a pond or lakefront property, you can extend your garden to the aquatic. A water garden or a clean, pretty lake can be such a joy, but aquatic weeds can ruin the experience. Know what the worst aquatic weeds are, how to control them, and get back to enjoying a natural, beautiful aquatic feature in the garden.

Aquatic Plants are Not All Bad

Some of the aquatic plants you see in ponds and lakes are native and part of the ecosystem. You may add plants to your backyard pond to enhance the ecosystem and appearance too. There are three broad classifications of aquatic plants:

• Emergent plants - Emergent plants root in the soil, grow along shorelines, and stick out of the water.
• Floating plants - Floating plants do not root and can drift across the surface.
• Submerged plants - These plants live completely submerged under water.

Native aquatic plants provide shelter for fish, birds, frogs, and other animals. They provide habitat for insects, many of which are food for fish. Some plants act as natural filters in the water and shoreline plants prevent erosion.

Aquatic Weeds in Ponds and Lakes

There are a lot of reasons to watch out for invasive species. Aquatic weeds and fish often have a symbiosis, but invasive plants can destroy fish species' natural habitats. They may not support the insects that native fish eat. Certain aquatic weeds even cover the surface of the water to the extent that fish and native plants die. They tend to grow very fast, reproduce, and survive better than native species.

These are the top damaging aquatic weeds to watch for:

• Water hyacinth - This is one of the worst weeds, and it grows rapidly. Aquatic gardeners brought water hyacinth from South America, but it has taken over many areas in the southeast U.S.
• Hydrilla - Brought from Asia for aquariums, this submersed plant will block out sunlight and choke out life below. Hydrilla grows an inch (2.5 cm.) or more per day.
• Milfoil - Another submersed plant, Eurasian milfoil can grow new plants from tiny fragments.
• Alligator weed - This emergent species is prevalent in Florida where it forms dense mats that choke out life and clog canals and ditches.
• Purple loosestrife - If you have native wetlands on your property, watch out for this invasive weed. Purple loosestrife is in all states but Florida and is choking out native species.

Aquatic Weed Control

Controlling aquatic weeds, especially fast-growing invasive species, can be challenging. If it's a big job across a lakefront or entire pond, call in a professional. There are companies that will mechanically remove weeds, so you don't have to worry about harming fish or other plants with herbicides.

In smaller areas, you can simply pull the plants out as they emerge. This has been found to be the best way to control water hyacinth. Researchers are also working on introducing insects that eat specific plants. Check with your local extension office for advice on the specific weeds you have in your aquatic garden.

As someone who has had lots of fish (and other aquarium critters) over the years, I've acquired quite a bit of interest in this area. You may not think it has much to do with gardening, and in some cases it doesn't, but sometimes it does - like when plants are involved. And just like gardens can be calming, so too can fish.

Keeping fish is actually quite fun and entertaining (ask anyone with a toddler at home). Yet, having and using fish tanks is more than simply getting fish and plopping them in. Not sold on the whole fish in a tank idea? That's okay. There are still plenty of things you can do with an aquarium.

Keeping Aquarium Fish

The possibilities are literally endless when it comes to having an aquarium set up for fish. For starters, you have to select the type of fish, decorations and setup (including themes if you want), type of tank display, and placement. A few ideas include:

• Glow-in-the-dark tank - This is one I always wanted to try and haven't. You can get these with bright colored backgrounds, different colored 'glo fish,' glow-in-the-dark decorations and black gravel to really make the colors pop, likely a most "spooktacular" choice for Halloween.
• Betta tanks - There are numerous varieties of betta tanks available. I've had small fishbowls, some with dividers for multiple fish, some with lights, some with plants growing on top, and one called betta falls (a three-in-one with a waterfall style connecting them all).
• Fry tanks - I've never been ready to try my hand at it, although I might in the future if my angelfish keep mating, but you can have fry tanks set up specifically for breeding and raising baby fish.
• Saltwater tanks - Although this expands the possibilities even more and provides endless color appeal, this is another one I've not tried. I would love to have a saltwater tank (which house saltwater fish), but I'm not prepared for the work that comes with it. There is far more maintenance and upkeep involved with these versus freshwater tanks.
• Natural Habitat tank - This idea is one we have used for many years with our biggest tank. It has all-natural rocks, logs, and plants. This tank is where we have kept young fish and other critters - we've had brim, sun perch, baby bass, minnows, turtles, crawfish, and native water snails.

Themes for your tanks is where you can get most creative. From a home, office, or classroom aquarium to a Nemo and friends, SpongeBob, or beach theme, you can make it completely your own. You could even decorate for holidays if you wanted.

Creating a Terrarium

Using an aquarium to create a terrarium is another idea, especially if you're not big on fish. There are many ways to create this setup too, but you'll need a layer of gravel and soil (and some suggest activated charcoal as well) rather than water when creating this type of live ecosystem. So, what can you put in a terrarium?

• Plants - Nearly anything from ferns and mosses to succulents and houseplants work well in a terrarium. With your own research, you may find other suitable plants to use. Just be sure the plant you select is compatible with your terrarium style and its conditions (my mom could tell you what happens when you don't. LOL).
• Animals - When adding animals, you may choose to have a wet or a dry style terrarium. Animals for a wet style include tree or African dwarf frogs, certain toads, tadpoles, and crawdads (water is needed for this type). Dry animals include tarantulas, chameleons, toads, salamanders, geckos, and hermit crabs. Be sure to choose plants accordingly - moisture lovers for wet tanks and drought tolerant for arid types.
• Snailarium - This is one I recently became familiar with, as my son decided to keep two garden snails he found. Your snails will thrive as long as you keep your soil neutral or alkaline (acidic is bad for their shells). Mist daily for moisture. We added native plants that our snails were familiar with but can also use as food. Also, do not place in direct sunlight.
• Bug terrarium - Another interesting idea, a complete bug ecosystem. My son's recent fascination with bugs, including the giant Hercules beetle he put in his bug catcher, prompted us to explore this option. Use an old aquarium and fill with soil or substrate. Add some native plants and provide places to climb and hide. Then collect your bugs. You can use just about any local insects you find, just do your research to see if there are any that cannot be housed together or have special considerations. Pill bugs, ladybugs, beetles, praying mantis, and stick bugs are common choices.

Other Uses for Aquariums

• Aquascaping - Another way to use an aquarium is to set it up just for plants. Maybe you don't want the hassle of keeping up with a critter or you're just a plant enthusiast and you want more possibilities to try out your green thumb. Consider aquascaping. You still need the basics as if setting up a regular aquarium - a filter, an air pump or way to oxygenate the water, a light and substrate for plants, and possibility even a heater depending water temps. Thoroughly research plants since aquatic doesn't necessarily equate to being fully submerged.
• Food tank - A unique, but convenient, use for an aquarium is to create a "food tank." This is useful if you have other pets that you have to provide food for such as turtles, large fish, lizards, or toads. Some ideas include making a worm farm with earthworms or adding mealworms, a live-well to keep minnows, or a habitat for keeping crickets.
• Pet tank - If you still want a unique pet but don't want to set up your aquarium with fish, create a reptile habitat for snakes, turtles, and lizards. You can make a home for amphibians, varieties of crabs, and crayfish. If you have large enough tanks, they can be used for hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, and other small animals. I've used them for baby chicks until they're old enough to go outside. The glass helps hold in warmth, it's safe for them, and easy to clean.
• Garden tank - Lastly, if you have old fish tanks laying around and need something to do with them, try repurposing them for use in the garden. They can be used as mini greenhouses, a fairy herb garden, a way to display a unique succulent collection, or to create an aquaponics or hydroponics system. 

On warm summer nights what better place to be than in the garden, enjoying the soft, perfumed breezes and luminous plants in a moonlit garden. White flowers, silvery foliage, and fragrant blooms combine with discreet lighting to lend a dramatic flair to your garden. Ready to enjoy some foliage and flowers at night illuminated by the moon?

Top Plants for a Night Garden

Creating a night garden can offer a unique and mysterious venue for your next evening get together. Or simply sit back and enjoy these wonderful flowers at night as you relax after a long day. Nothing quite beats the calming feeling associated with plants that look good at night. Here are my top choices for stunning moon garden plants:

Silvery Foliage for Night Gardens

The silvery foliage of Artemisia, painted ferns, and dusty miller all have that iridescent quality that stands out. The same is true of lamb's ears, although it seems to die out in high humidity or moist soil. I have grown all of these and word of caution with Artemisia "” it can be aggressive. The 'Valerie Finnis' variety is supposed to be less so. Try these silvery plants:

• Dappled or variegated willow (Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki')
• Euphorbia (E. hypericfolia 'Diamond Frost')
• Ghost fern (Athyrium 'Ghost')
• Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum hybrids)
• Licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare 'White Licorice')
• Senecio (S. candicans 'Angel Wings')
• Silver sage (Salvia argentea)

Night Flowers for Fragrance

For fragrance, moonflower does, indeed, have a heavenly scent and so does the large, white blossom of Casa Blanca lily. Gardenia has a heady, unmistakable aroma.

• Casa Blanca lily (Lilium 'Casa Blanca')
• Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
• Nicotiana (N. alata 'Jasmine' and N. Sylvestris)
• Night Phlox (Zaluzianskya capensis)
• Moonflower vine (Ipomoea alba)
• Star Jasmine (Jasminum nitidum)

White Flowers at Night

Bright white flowers such as Angelonia, Profusion zinnia, 'David' phlox, and Blue River II hibiscus are sure to turn heads in the garden. Angelonia (summer snapdragon) looks great in containers too. Mix it with Profusion zinnia and Diamond Frost euphorbia for a stunning display. Here are some others:

• Black-eyed-susan vine (Thunbergia alata 'White-Eyed Susie')
• Fleece flower (Persicaria polymorpha)
• Hardy hibiscus (H. moscheutos 'Blue River II')
• Pinky Winky hydrangea (H. paniculata 'DVPpinky') - stunning pink and white flowers
• Night phlox

Several of these plants are hardy in warm zones 9 to 11. In cooler zones, the plants can be treated as annuals or grown in pots and overwintered. Even without moonlight, you can cast a warm glow on evening specimens with landscape lights, candles, and torches.

The USDA recommends we eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. This might seem like a lot, especially if your veggie repertoire only consists of carrots and celery. 

The thing is there are tons of unusual types of vegetables out there that might pique your interest and get you excited about not only ingesting them but growing these veggies.

Unusual Types of Vegetables to Grow

What are some unusual vegetables to grow? Well, I suppose some of them depend on a person's definition of 'unusual,' but here are my top 10 picks for weird vegetable growing:

• Yardlong beans - Green beans are a staple of the American diet, but what about Chinese yardlongs? To many of us these near 2-foot long beans seem otherworldly. Pick them when they are about a foot long, though, and cook them just as you would a regular green bean. They are pretty entertaining to use on a crudités (assorted vegetable) platter too.
• Winter radishes - Speaking of crudités, radishes feature prominently on many a veggie platter, but kick it up a notch and try growing some winter radishes. Winter radishes include the mild, white daikon giants, the jet black radish varieties, and even a watermelon hued radish.
• Fiddleheads - I'm sure you have seen this weird vegetable growing in the woods. Fiddleheads not only have a great name, but look as intriguing as the name suggests. Fiddleheads are the curled-up fronds from young ferns like ostrich fern or vegetable fern. They need to be cooked prior to eating and taste much like asparagus.
• Kohlrabi - Kohlrabi is an old-fashioned veggie that my grandmother grew. The edible part of the plant looks like a bulb but is actually the swollen stem. We used to eat it sliced raw with salt on it, but a more modern twist is to slice it lengthwise into long, thin rectangles and then bake for a healthy French fry substitute.
• Salsify - Salsify is a truly weird vegetable to be growing. For one thing, it looks like you are growing a stick. Unattractive it may be, but it is highly versatile and tastes much like an oyster when cooked!
• Celeriac - Another unusual and ugly vegetable to grow is celeriac, which is uncommon here but widely used in Europe. Celeriac is an amazing substitute for potatoes and can be cooked in the same way but lacks the high starch content of tubers.
• Sunchoke - Sunchokes are another versatile veggie that tastes quite a bit like an artichoke. They can be cooked or eaten raw but you do want to be careful when eating them, as they are notorious for causing bloating and gas, hence their nickname 'fartichoke.' Grow this one just to get the kids giggling!
• Lotus root - Lotus root is about as weird looking as you can get. It is grown for the root, which is then cooked in a number of ways, most commonly stir fried.
• Kai lan - To go along with the stir-fried lotus root, try growing Kai lan, also known as Chinese kale or Chinese broccoli. Like lotus root, Kai lan can be cooked in a myriad of ways and can also be eaten raw.
• Kerala - Kerala, also known as bitter melon, is extremely popular in India where the entire plant is consumed. As the name suggests, this vegetable is, indeed, bitter with a texture like a cucumber and is usually pickled or stuffed when eaten.

These unusual vegetables to grow only touch the tip of the iceberg. There are so many other weird and wonderful veggies out there to try. 

Soon enough you'll find consuming 10 servings a day to be a snap.

Hands down, my favorite vegetable to grow every summer is the tomato. Of course, it's technically a fruit, but either way it's tasty, easy to grow, provides an abundance at harvest time and, for me at least, is the essence of summer.

If you haven't yet tried your hand at growing tomatoes in the garden, then what are you waiting for. Here are 5 reasons to grow tomato plants no matter where you are:

Easy peasy - If you haven't yet tackled veggie growing, tomatoes may seem a daunting place to start. But they're actually really easy to grow. Tomatoes are well-suited to containers too. As long as your plants have enough space to grow, plenty of sunlight, regular watering, and good soil, they'll grow strong and steady.

So many varieties - I'm not the only one who loves tomatoes, which means you can find a seemingly endless number of tomato varieties to try in your garden. In addition to some of the common types, there are also lots of heirloom tomatoes available on the market. Try my favorites:

• I love cherry tomatoes because they taste great and you can just pop them like candy as a snack. Black Cherry is a unique and flavorful variety.
• The Brandywine heirloom tomato is delicious and great for slicing - choose the black or pink types; they're both yummy.
• The heirloom Cherokee Purple not only has attractive fruit but they're tasty too.
• Sometimes, you just want something different and Green Zebra is definitely that. I adore the tart flavor of this green tomato variety.
• A classic, big red tomato, Better Boy is hard to beat, so if you are new to tomatoes and trying just one, this is it.

The taste of summer - My grandfather always grew tomatoes, and we would spend sunny afternoons in the garden picking and eating them. To me, tomatoes are simply the taste of summer. My favorite recipe is simple: cut a tomato into thick slices and sprinkle with sugar. Delicious.

That smell in the garden - It's not just the taste of tomatoes that represents summer to me, it's also the smell. And I'm not talking about the fruits. If you're a tomato grower, you know what I mean. The smell of the plant itself, especially under the hot sun, is unique and so summery.

Abundant harvest - Besides being easy to grow, tomato plants give a great harvest. If you choose varieties wisely, including some earlier varieties, you can a few weeks of fresh tomatoes every single day. Here are a few tips I've learned over the years for getting more on each plant:

• Pinch off the tips of plants in early summer so more energy goes into flowering. Also pinch off any suckers, the little stems growing between two bigger stems. These won't flower, so get rid of them.
• As the plant grows, pull off the bottom leaves. These can pick up disease from the soil and excess moisture.
• Plant seedlings deep in the soil so that most of the stem is buried. This may seem damaging, but actually it helps the plant grow more roots, which will help it grow bigger and produce more fruit in the long run.

Eat the flowers. Yes, really. If you love to eat from your garden but have low light, edible shade flowers come to the rescue. Shade flowers you can eat provide wonderful color and flavor as garnishes and additions to salad. Just make sure your flower variety is safe to eat and don't use pesticides or herbicides around edible crops.

As someone who has cooked plenty, especially with blooms from the garden, it's only natural to want to share some of my favorites with others. And for anyone plagued by a shady landscape, it's only natural to seek plants suitable for those conditions, making edible shade flowers a win-win for all.

Shade Flowers You Can Eat

There are many varieties of edible blooms, some of which will even produce flowers in the shade. Most edible flowers that grow in the shade need some sun during the day, but just a few hours will suffice. Even low light spaces can surprisingly produce tasty blooms.

Edible flowers for shade are few and far between, but do exist. Here are my top picks for shade flowers you can eat:

Violas - Johnny Jump Ups

One of the most classic include members of the Viola family like johnny jump ups. These little guys will freely reseed, so you will have a crop of them every year. The tiny pansy-like flowers are not only attractive but dress up baked goods, salads, cheese, and more. The flavor is lightly minty and the tender texture mixes well with a variety of foods. Best of all, they produce blooms in very little light, frolicking merrily in either containers or across a garden bed. They are also great for interplanting in a shady vegetable garden. Their cousins, wild violets, will also thrive in shade and you can eat those too.

Nasturtiums

Looking for more edible flowers for shade? Some varieties of nasturtiums fare well in shady locations. Their sunny colors brighten any dish and they have a lightly sweet green taste.

Coneflowers and Calendula

Purple coneflower has medicinal and edible properties. You will get more flowers in full sun, but the few produced in shade make a delicious tea when dried. The same is true of calendula, but you can also use the petals in a salad for a refreshing flavor and color.

Borage and Hyssop

Borage is an extremely tough herb that will grow in partial shade. It produces tasty blue flowers with a flavor similar to cucumbers. Another partial shade option is anise hyssop. It has a delicate licorice flavor, which I love.

Daylilies

While considering edible flowers that grow in shade, don't forget daylilies. That's right - daylily flowers will not only tolerate shade but you can eat them too! These may get a bit obnoxious over time, but you can eat the shoots, roots and flowers. Roast or braise the tubers (which develop a nutty flavor). The young spring shoots have a lightly oniony flavor, great for adding to a salad or other dishes. The buds and flowers have a cucumber note and can even be stuffed much like squash blossoms. When added to soups or stews, they act as a thickening agent while imparting a delicate fresh flavor. Daylilies are hardy, tenacious and delicious.

Like many dog owners, I'm a sucker for those wishful eyes that follow my every movement while I'm eating. It's difficult to resist the temptation to slip my dogs a bite of human food. Luckily, many of the vegetables I grow in my garden are safe for my dogs to consume. That's right - dog-friendly vegetables! Additionally, these veggies to grow for dogs can be a healthy, low calorie snack alternative to store-bought treats!

Vegetables Dogs Can Eat

Like any snack food, I feed these veggie treats in moderation. (My vet tells me treats and table scraps should make up no more than 10% of my dog's total daily diet.) And just like in my own diet, it's best to avoid added salt, sugars, and fats. So, here's a list of the top 7 garden vegetables for dogs that I grow and share with my pooches:

• Carrots: This beta-carotene rich vegetable is a popular ingredient in many high-end dog foods. Use raw carrot chunks as "pocket-ready" training treats or shared cooked carrots with dogs. Be sure to cut these vegetables for dogs into bite-sized pieces to prevent choking. Danvers and Nantes are among my favorite carrot varieties to grow.
• Corn: Once the staple of many dog foods, corn contains essential proteins, fiber and vitamins. For dogs which don't have a grain allergy, simply top off a bowl of dog food with a spoonful of cooked corn. Be sure to remove the kernels from the cob, as corn cobs aren't digestible and can cause intestinal blockage. I like to share sweet corn varieties, like Peaches and Cream, because they have small, tender kernels.
• Cucumbers: This juicy vegetable contains few calories, but cucumbers are loaded with vitamins and minerals. I add extra peeled, half slices of cucumber to the side of my salad in the "no-dressing" area to share during meal time. I find the small-sized Boston Pickling cucumber to be the perfect amount for sharing with my dogs.
• Green beans: Dogs can eat all types of green beans, both raw and cooked. I steam up a batch of fresh-picked Blue Lake or Golden wax beans, then share with the dogs during dinner. This low-calorie table food is high in fiber, so the pups feel full without the weight gain. Just watch the kids to make sure they're not slipping their portion of beans to the dogs!
• Peas: English peas from the garden rarely make it to the stove top in my house. I love to shell peas and eat them raw. Unfortunately, many peas end up rolling onto the floor. No problem, since peas (shelled varieties), snow peas or sugar snap peas are perfectly safe vegetables dogs can eat.
• Pumpkin: Pumpkins are easy to grow and this popular Halloween decoration is also a natural and safe remedy for doggie diarrhea and constipation. When I prepare pumpkin to freeze for future pies, I also freeze dog-size portions of pumpkin in ice-cube trays. Anytime digestive upset strikes, I thaw a frozen pumpkin cube and add to their doggie diet.
• Watermelon: Although technically not a vegetable, many dogs like watermelon. I remove the rinds and seeds before offering this hydrating treat to my dogs. I've found Sugar Baby watermelons are the perfect size for sharing!

If you're a long-time gardener, you can probably add to the list of benefits I'm providing. However, if you're new to planting outside, these incentives may offer some insight as to why you should expand your gardening efforts.

Why You Should Grow a Garden

• Gardens are aesthetically appealing. Flower garden benefits most obviously add beauty to your landscape. As you know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so everyone's feelings are different. Growing a flower garden allows you to practice self-expression. Hopefully, your expression translates to curb appeal in the landscape. Such activity creates a mood boosting benefit and helps reduce stress. Gardening is also proven to help reduce blood pressure.
• Gardens are good for you. Where do we begin with a phrase like this? Gardens help us in countless ways, depending on how we think of them. Want to learn something new? Visit a garden. Working in the garden is healthy for us physically. Hoeing, raking, bending and kneeling provides some of that aerobic exercise we don't always get from our workouts. Studies have even shown that gardening can reduce your risk of developing dementia by 36%, meaning it's great for cognitive and mental health too.
• Gardens have many styles. Gardens come in many shapes and sizes, as do the plants that grow in them. Include different styles of gardens in your yard. Flowers and plants with unusual or attractive foliage and exotic blooms add that extra wow factor. And there's no shortage of gardening styles to choose from either. You can grow a garden based on a particular region, like a Mediterranean style or one having a specific use, like a cutting garden. Whatever type of garden you want to create is up to you.
• Gardens can be grown anywhere. The most popular and commonly grown gardens are those we use for food. With today's various enclosures and bedding options, several gardens in our yard is not unusual. Some of us grow vegetables in containers with good results, especially when space is minimal. Perhaps, there is a raised bed or other area that only gets appropriate sun before the trees leaf out in spring. This might be our salad growing patch or even the carrot and radish bed.
• Gardens provide healthier food options. An ongoing way of improving our physical health is consuming our harvest. This keeps us and our families healthier, especially if our garden grows organically. Avoiding those store-bought fruits and vegetables is always a positive step in the right direction. These can sometimes be laced with pesticides and chemicals used to get them to us in a presentable manner. We can also avoid the sprays used to slow natural ripening.
• Gardens can help with privacy and noise. This is not an absolute, but rows of shrubs and trees may be used for privacy. Rows of trees block noise from a busy street or slow otherwise unstoppable winds. We see results and the benefits of gardening when growing windbreaks or shrub borders at our home.
• Gardens promote community. Combat loneliness by meeting people when you volunteer with others in a public or community garden setting. Hanging out with like-minded people is a good reason to take up public gardening. Get involved and see the positive changes in your body and your life.

Quite a few people like to grow foliage houseplants, but I think that gets pretty boring! There are so many gorgeous, unusual flowering houseplants out there that can really spice up your indoor space. Here are some of my favorite flowers to grow indoors. 

What are Good Flowers to Grow Indoors?

• Lipstick Plant - Nothing is as lovely as the lipstick plant. This relative of the African violet is a beautiful and easy-to-grow trailing plant that produces bright red lipstick-like flowers. I have one hanging under a skylight and it produces flowers throughout the year.
• African Violet - African violets are not just your grandmother's plants! They come in a lot more colors than the plain purple. There are even ones with fantastic variegated leaves. While many people hesitate to grow them thinking they're too difficult, that could be further from the truth. Given suitable conditions, these are easy flowering houseplants to grow.
• Orchids - It's no secret that I'm obsessed with orchids. Anyone who likes growing flowers inside should always have orchids! Phalaenopsis flowers can easily last 3-5 months indoors and even longer as your plant reblooms off old flower spikes and gets larger. Of course, there are many other types of orchids to experiment with once the orchid bug bites.
• Hibiscus - If you are blessed with very sunny windows, hibiscus make stunning indoor blooming plants. I normally grow these plants outdoors in the summertime, only because my indoor space doesn't get enough direct sunshine to do them justice indoors. Flowers come in a stunning array of colors including red, white, pink, yellow, and even multiple colors in one flower.
• Christmas Cactus - What most people call Christmas cactus is actually Thanksgiving cactus. Regardless, the care is the same, and these are just loaded with flowers in fall and winter when we need color most indoors!
• Crown of Thorns - The crown of thorns is a gorgeous flowering succulent houseplant if you have a sunny window. Flowers come in white, pink and red. Be careful of the thorns though. 
• Bromeliads - Bromeliads are one of my favorite houseplants to grow indoors. What most people think of as flowers in bromeliads are actually the flower bracts. Bromeliad flowers are often very small and found within the bract. Regardless, they make very showy houseplants. Remember that once a bromeliad flowers, the original plant will start to die slowly. But the good news is that they will produce pups so you can keep those growing. 
• Peace Lily - Yes, these are very common, but the fact is that they will bloom in areas where almost no other houseplant can. On top of that, peace lilies are also rated by NASA to be great at removing indoor air pollutants. 
• Anthurium - Although there are quite a number of Anthurium species, the one with waxy red flowers is the most commonly available. You will also see them in shades of white and pink. The flowers will last quite a long time, but will need good light in order to bloom.
• Streptocarpus - Another relative of the African violet, Streptocarpus plants can also be kept in bloom for much of the year given the right care. I used to have some years ago and now I'm regretting not having one in my houseplant collection. Flowers come in a staggering variety of colors and like similar growing conditions to African violets.

Do you look forward to Groundhog Day, as you learn when spring will physically begin? Many of us love it for just that reason. I'm always excited when temperatures warm right away, but six weeks is not so long to wait for something as wonderful as spring.

The best early springtime chore is planting. Maybe not for all of us, but I assure you it is a favorite of the gardening public. So it's only natural that, as gardeners, we're curious about when we can get started planting in spring. But what other things can we look forward to with the onset of spring?

Fun Facts About Spring

There are many wonderful things that occur each spring, some that have nothing to do with planting, but many that do. We all know that spring is a time for rebirth, renewal, rejuvenation, and regrowth - and who doesn't love that? Here are 10 spring fun facts you may or may not already know:

• Spring is when baby birds learn to sing. Who doesn't enjoy songbirds in the garden? While they're born with the ability, most birds have not learned the songs that are specific to their species. Bird babies usually learn the songs during the first two months of their life.
• Many wildlife animals are born in spring. Use caution if you've located a den or other hideaway with baby animals in the landscape, especially if you have a wildlife garden. The mother is never too far from them and they are extremely protective of their young.
• Spring is a time for bees. Did you know that you're most likely to see a swarm of honeybees in spring? If you happen across these in the garden, do not panic or try to remove them. Most of the time they are only passing through as they search for a permanent place to stay.
• Springtime brings color to gardens. We can't forget springtime flowers that appear, seemingly in succession. In many areas, you'll see blooms from hellebores and crocus. These are closely followed by daffodils, tulips, dandelions, violets, lilies and many others.
• Leafing out begins in spring. Trees and shrubs leaf out in spring and some of them bloom - like dogwoods and cherry trees.
• Time changes in spring. Other springtime occurrences are not such fun, at least for some of us. How about getting up an hour earlier? Daylight Savings Time (DST) begins on the second Sunday in March - spring forward everyone! Two states, Arizona and Hawaii, have plenty of sunshine and don't follow daylight savings time.
• Spring doesn't begin the same time for everyone. Springtime starts differently in some parts of the world. Spring in the Northern Hemisphere occurs when it is autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.
• More daylight means gardening longer. Days and nights are the exact same length on the spring equinox. Length of the night decreases as spring continues, which means we can stay out in the garden for longer periods of time.
• Spring cleaning is a ritual. This annual practice is actually rooted in various ancient traditions from around the globe, dating back centuries. While most common with Jewish, Iranian and Chinese cultures, spring cleaning became important in American history in frontier homes to remove soot accumulation from winter oil lamps and stoves and dust. The earliest use of the term "spring cleaning" is said to have been in 1857. This is a great time to spring clean the garden.
• Spring fever isn't just a saying. Back in the day, around the 18th century, people came down with scurvy around springtime after having gone through winter with little to no fresh vegetables, resulting in a depletion of vitamin C. This seasonal illness became known as "spring disease" or "spring fever." Nowadays, the term is often used to express anticipation of spring - when we gardeners cannot wait to get our hands dirty once again.

If someone calls you a dirty rat, that could be considered fighting words. But in a different context, being labeled a rat can be advantageous. In fact, in the Chinese zodiac, the rat is the very first of all the animals.

If you aren't up on Chinese zodiac signs, every year "belongs" to an animal and people born in that year get their character and luck from that animal. It also assigns lucky numbers, signs and flowers to a person based on their animal year. Want more information on Chinese zodiac flowers for the year of the Rat? Read on.

Chinese Year of the Rat

It's pretty cool to be born in a Chinese year of the Rat, including 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 and - don't look now - but 2020 is yet another Rat year. The year of the Rat is the first in a 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac with much good fortune.

How did an animal like a rat get to be have the first year? One myth states that the Jade Emperor said that he would determine the order of the animals by the order they arrived at a festival in his honor. The Rat asked the Ox to give him a ride but at the finish line, the Rat leaped ahead of Ox and arrived first.

Lucky Chinese Zodiac Flowers

Many people know the animal of the Chinese zodiac that rules their birth year, like the Rat, the Horse, the Snake, etc. But considerably fewer have heard of lucky flowers for your Chinese zodiac.

The Chinese consider some flowers and plants lucky for any and all, no matter your birth year. These include pussy willows, lucky bamboo plants and mandarin orange trees. But in addition, each animal in the Chinese zodiac actually has "lucky" flowers associated with it.

Those witty souls born in the year of the Rat can bring luck into their lives by surrounding themselves with certain Chinese zodiac plants and flowers. These include all types of lilies and African violets.

But if that's not enough direction for you in terms of how to get luck, there's more. Lucky numbers for those born in the Chinese year of the Rat? They are 2 and 3, while 5 and 9 are unlucky. Gold, green and blue are lucky colors while yellow and brown are unlucky.

So, are there any unlucky Chinese zodiac plants for Rats? Nope, there are only the lucky flowers, so you are free to grow any other plants or flowers you like, Rat-year people, without any impact, positive or negative, on your life.

If a plant is really, truly a goner, you'll need a magic wand to help. But many plants that look dead can be resuscitated with prompt, effective action. Here's a short list of 7 things you can try to revive a dying plant.

• Take a close look at the damage. Most ailing plants are suffering from improper cultural care. Your best chance of helping the plant is to figure out what's going on, so look carefully at the damage. Drooping, yellowing leaves can indicate too much water. Brown, dry leaves and stems may mean too little water. Scorched or transparent leaves? Too much or too little sun. Deformed or nibbled leaves signal pests.
• Prune away dead foliage. You won't be able to assess the chance of reviving your plant if it is choked with dead leaves. Clip off all dead leaves and branches from plants that look dead and remove all fallen foliage. If you aren't sure whether a branch is dead, try the scratch test - use a fingernail to scrape off some of the outer layer of skin. If you see green inside, it's alive and should not be removed. Keep the faith! Any green, flexible stems make it likely you can revive your plant.
• Water a thirsty plant. A plant's home is its container or garden bed, so dig around in the soil for evidence. If the soil is hard, compacted, cracked and dry, inadequate water is probably the issue. This kind of damage can be corrected quickly if you catch it in time. It's easy to rehydrate dry plants. Pour water into the plant pot until it runs freely from the drainage holes in the bottom. After that, hose or spray down all remaining stems and foliage. Plants intake water through their leaves as well as their roots.
• Let soggy soil dry out. If the container soil is wet to the touch even though you haven't watered in a while, the plant's is suffering from excess water caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Stop watering immediately and let the soil dry out. Check the pot's drain holes. A small plant container needs a drain hole of at least ½ inch (1.2 cm.) diameter, while a larger plant container needs holes twice that size. If your pot's drainage is inadequate, it's time to transplant.
• Adjust the sun exposure. Some plants need direct sun, some indirect sun and some shade. If you aren't sure what this particular plant prefers, find out online or at the garden store. Then move the plant into an appropriate location.
• Provide humidity. For some plants, getting enough water is not sufficient. Plants like ferns require humidity to thrive, humidity that the average living room might not offer. This can be solved quickly. Place a shallow pan filled with small rocks beneath the plant and add a little water. The water will evaporate and humidify the air near the plant.
• Consider repotting. Over time, most plants outgrow their pots. The roots may even wind around the inside of the container, making it difficult for them to uptake water and nutrients. Gently remove the plant from its container. If you see more roots than soil, or roots coiling round the inside of the pot, it is time for a bigger container. Sometimes, all it takes to revive a dying plant is a little repotting.

Plant resuscitation isn't always successful, especially if it's too far gone. However, it doesn't mean plants that look dead cannot be given new life. It never hurts to at least try - who knows, you may just have what it takes to bring dead plants back to life before it's too late.

Thanksgiving dinner is all about tradition. The meal usually revolves around the original staples served at the first Thanksgiving: turkey and side dishes of roots, vegetables and grains introduced to the settlers by the Native Americans. Recipes are often handed down from generation to generation and, yet, as decades pass, the dishes have often been tweaked or new menu items added. That means that the few standard ingredients the Pilgrims and native people enjoyed are not the only items on the menu anymore. It also means that the gardener has more options for crops to grow for Thanksgiving. Here are the top 10 crops you can grow for Thanksgiving.

Corn - Well, corn has to be number one. Corn sustained the Pilgrims through the frigid winter of 1620. Until they reached the New World, Europeans had never seen maize, but it was a staple crop for the Native Americans who introduced it to the Pilgrims. Corn is an ancient crop dating back at least 7,000 years and was a mainstay of Inca, Maya, and Aztec civilizations. Plus, it's easy to grow and there are so many ways to prepare this vegetable.

Winter squash - Winter squash would be my second recommendation. It stores well, comes in many varieties, and was part of the original trio of the "three sisters," a Native American planting technique which incorporates corn, squash and beans. Pumpkins, too are essential. Plus, what would Thanksgiving be without pumpkin pie?

Beans - Piggy backing off the "three sisters," would, of course, be beans. Again, there are different bean types, from green beans to drying types of beans like pintos. Dried beans have the advantage of a lengthy shelf life and can be enjoyed for months. Green beans can be canned or frozen to extend their life. And who doesn't enjoy green bean casserole?

Potatoes - Potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple and can be roasted, baked, fried or boiled and mashed, wedged, scalloped, etc. New World veggies from the Andes, potatoes area good source of carbohydrates along with a modicum of protein and minerals.Try something new this year and serve blue potatoes or yellow Yukon Golds.

Root crops - Root veggies, such as carrots or turnips, are excellent additions to the holiday meal. They can often be harvested up to or nearly up to Thanksgiving in many areas and are as versatile as potatoes.

Leeks - Leeks are one of my favorites. They are started in the early summer to be harvested as needed from October until January. Similar to an onion in flavor but much milder, leeks add superior flavor to stocks, sauces, and soups.

Brussels sprouts - In my temperate zone, Brussels sprouts are a must in the garden and on the holiday table. They can be harvested from September to March, are resilient to freezing and, in fact, taste even sweeter after a frost.

Kale - Nothing beats kale, and Dinosaur kale, especially, has a mild, sweet flavor and can be harvested into January. To harvest, cut the larger, outer leaves and leave the smaller,interior leaves to grow. You can pick nutritious kale until the snow buries it.

Leafy greens - Greens, such as arugula, can be planted every 3-4 weeks to ensure successive harvests of fresh green salads. Most leafy greens tolerate frost, but if you live in a particularly cold region, protect the crop with a floating row cover.

Herbs - There is no comparison between fresh and dried herbs. Fresh herbs win hands down. While parsley is a tender herb, others such as sage, rosemary and thyme are hardy perennials that will often be harvestable around Thanksgiving. Plus, they will continue to grow and provide delicious fresh herbs for years to come.

We all have them lurking somewhere within the landscape, or our gardens. WEEDS! They drive us nuts as we tirelessly pick, pull, hoe, spray and curse their presence. But did you know that many of these pesky plants have another more endearing and useful side? What if you could look at them differently, almost lovingly? What?! It's true. A number of common weeds are actually edible and, as such, can be welcome additions to our gardens instead of the bane of our existence.

Here are 10 surprising "weed" plants you can eat:

1. Dandelion. The quintessential "weed," dandelion plants are easily identifiable, ubiquitous, and completely edible. Eat the young greens and flowers raw in salads, or cook up the more mature leaves and roots like any other vegetable.

2. Nettles. The leaves of stinging nettles have to be cooked thoroughly in order to wilt those prickly hairs, but once they are, these plants are quite tasty and can be used like any other greens.

3. Chickweed. A common weed that grows in mats with tiny white flowers, chickweed is a plant that normally drives gardeners insane. That needn't be the case, however. The leaves of this plant can actually be eaten raw or cooked and are extremely high in iron.

4. Purslane. Another matting weed that seems to pop up overnight, this plant's succulent leaves and stems have a somewhat acidic taste and are very high in calcium, iron, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids. Now you have a reason to keep those purslane plants around.

5. Chicory. While chicory is often viewed as a weed, the plant's pretty blue flowers actually make wonderful additions to an ornamental bed. But that's not all it's good for. The leaves can be used in teas or as greens, and the roots (along with the leaves) also make an exceptional coffee substitute.

6. Violet. You may become annoyed with all the wild violets popping up in the yard, but these flowers, like their pansy relatives, can be useful in the kitchen. Both the leaves and flowers (which bloom in late winter and early spring) are edible and rich in vitamins with a delicate, slightly minty flavor.

7. Daylily. We often refer to these tenacious orange flowers as ditch lilies, as the plants can be commonly found growing along roadsides and in ditches, as well as throughout our gardens. But did you know these old-fashioned daylilies are edible? That's right. The shoots, buds, flowers and tubers are edible, and nothing beats those fried daylily flower fritters.

8. Lambsquarter. Lambsquarter, sometimes also called wild spinach, this leafy green weed can be eaten raw or cooked, just like its more traditional namesake. It is loaded with nutrients such as iron, protein, and vitamin B2.

9. Plantain. Not to be confused with the banana-like fruit, broadleaf plantain is a low-growing weed native to Eurasia that produces edible leaves and seed shoots, sometimes called poor man's asparagus.

10. Cattail. We love the looks of the corn-dog-like appearance of cattails, but not necessarily their invasiveness in pond areas. That said, these famous water plants are actually almost entirely edible. Early in the season the brown tops can be steamed and eaten just like corn on the cob (they even have a similar flavor). The leaves and stems can also be boiled and eaten.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article is for educational and gardening purposes only. Before using or ingesting ANY herb or plant for medicinal purposes or otherwise, please consult a physician, medical herbalist or other suitable professional for advice.

It's no secret that as gardeners we all want healthy plants. While healthy soil is vital to this, fertilization plays a significant role too. But what if you don't have lots of money to spend on plant fertilizer? That's not a problem. There are actually a number of "fertilizers" that may already be available right at your fingertips - and they're all found in the kitchen!

Here are 7 surprising household fertilizers that you can use in the garden that won't cost you any extra:

1. Milk - Got milk? You probably didn't know that milk isn't just good for you but also your plants. In fact, using milk as fertilizer is an old-time remedy from long ago. It's a great source of calcium but also contains beneficial proteins, vitamin B, and sugars that benefit plants, improving their overall health and yields. 

You can use fresh or outdated milk, evaporated milk, or even powdered milk. Just be sure to dilute it with water, at least 50/50. Use this as a foliar spray or pour around the base of plants where the roots will gradually absorb the milk. If using powdered milk, simply sprinkle into the soil and water in.

2. Gelatin - "Watch it wiggle, see it jiggle." That's right, I'm talking about Jell-O, or more specifically, unflavored gelatin. This is actually a great fertilizer for houseplants and other foliage plants in the garden. Why? Gelatin is essentially a form of collagen made from animal bones, skins, and the like, and is a great source of nitrogen, promoting healthy plant development and growth. 

You'll want to dilute this with plenty of water - one packet to a quart of water (typically dissolving the package of gelatin in a cup of hot water, then adding 3 cups of cold water). Pour directly on the soil around your plants once a month.

3. Eggshells - Most of us know that calcium builds strong bones, but did you know that plants benefit from this nutrient too? Eggshells are loaded with calcium as well as small amounts of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and other trace elements. As a fertilizer, this helps increase cell division and promote stronger, healthier growth. It can also help reduce blossom end rot in tomatoes. 

Wash and crush the eggshells (you can even toss in the blender and grind), and then sprinkle onto your garden soil or add them to your compost pile. Likewise, you can make your own calcium fertilizer spray. Fill a gallon jar with water and eggshells, steeping for about a month. Mix 1 cup of the solution with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle and use as a foliar spray. 

Note: You can also use leftover water from boiling eggs to attain the same results.

4. Cooking water - And speaking of boiling water, this too (cooled down, of course) can make an excellent fertilizer for garden plants. Water that's been used to boil potatoes, vegetables, eggs, and pasta is actually filled with nutrients, such as phosphorus, nitrogen, iron, calcium, and others. Now, instead of pouring that useful cooking water down the drain, allow it to cool off and give your plants a drink. They will thank you for it with healthier growth. It's especially beneficial to houseplants, but any plant can benefit from this low-cost fertilizer.

5. Coffee - Life wouldn't be bearable without that morning coffee and your plants will appreciate it too. Using coffee grounds as a fertilizer adds organic matter to the soil, improving overall drainage, water retention and aeration. It also contains about two percent nitrogen. Coffee grounds are said to be good for acid-loving plants too. Just keep in mind that this is only true for unwashed coffee grounds - fresh grounds are acidic while used grounds are nearly neutral. 

The best way to use your coffee grounds is to compost them but you can also scatter them on top of the soil around your plants and water in. And, in addition to adding nutrients, if you're wanting to give those acid lovers a boost, don't toss that leftover coffee. Using diluted coffee as a fertilizer can increase the acidity of the soil since it has a pH of 5.2 to 6.9.

6. Bananas - Bananas are not only healthy for us, but they can benefit plants too. Bananas are an excellent source of potassium and great for soil. They can also provide plants with phosphorus. While some sources say to simply lay the banana peels directly on the soil to leach nutrients into the ground, it's usually recommended that banana peels be composted first, generally cutting them up into smaller pieces where they can break down quicker. 

You can, however, forgo the composting and make a homemade liquid fertilizer instead. Just chop up all some banana peels, put them in a jar of water, and allow this to sit for about a week or so. Then water your plants with it, tossing those remaining peels in the compost heap.

7. Vinegar - Okay, we know that vinegar is great for many things, and in the garden, white vinegar makes a good organic herbicide. But what you likely didn't know is that apple cider vinegar (with 5 percent acidity) can be used as a fertilizer to maintain healthy plants. That's right! Just a tablespoon of vinegar (one tablespoon of vinegar to one gallon of water) can boost a plant's defense mechanism, helping it fend off insect pests and microbes. 

It also accelerates germination and increases yields. Pour the diluted vinegar/water mixture onto the soil around your plants to help keep them healthy and happy.

BONUS: Just another helpful FYI for those of you having fish aquariums (freshwater only, no saltwater). As you're cleaning out the tank, don't toss that water. Instead, use it to give your houseplants some much needed love. It's rich in beneficial bacteria, potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, and trace nutrients that help promote lush, healthy growth. And the fish waste makes a great plant fertilizer too.

Some gardeners are lucky enough to have sprawling acres of countryside to plant everything their hearts desire. But for the rest of us, the big concern is space, space, space, and the name of the game is optimization. Here are the top ten tips for maximizing your growing space and getting the most bang for your garden buck.

1. Grow vertically. Perhaps the easiest and most effective way to increase your growing space is to grow up with vertical gardens. Nothing says plants have to be flat on the ground. Install trellises, cages, and arbors, and focus on vining plants like squash, cucumbers, and indeterminate tomatoes to minimize your footprint and maximize your yield.

2. Plant successively. Maximizing space is also about maximizing time, and when you're going big, the last thing you want is downtime. Succession planting - the practice of sowing new seeds every week or two - will ensure that you'll always have new harvests just around the corner, even as older plants are slowing down.

3. Grow in containers. Containers are an excellent way to spread your garden beyond the garden itself. As long as there's light, container plants can grow anywhere - patios, ledges, even indoors. Hanging baskets are a real gift, and an ingenious new take on vertical gardening.

4. Grow in the shade. There's no such thing as an impossible part of the garden. Even deeply shady spots can produce food and flowers, as long as you know what to plant. Rhubarb, hostas, leafy greens, and even mushrooms can thrive in the shade. So take advantage of these areas and fill them with shade-loving plants.

5. Keep walkways small. It's important to have room to move, and to carry tools, but you might be surprised by how much extra space you can gain by inching your growing space into pathways. How much room you need is up to you, and it's different for everyone, but planting right up to that line will increase your square footage more than you think.

6. Grow up fences. Do you have a fence or boundary wall on the edge of your yard? Grow creeping, vining plants at the base of it to earn yourself a free trellis. As a bonus, you'll get a beautiful living wall.

7. Grow double duty plants. Are you worried about finding the space for both landscape plants and vegetables? Plants like sunflowers, swiss chard, banana plants, and sweet potatoes are both beautiful and edible. Don't be afraid to grow both edibles and ornamentals together. The bees and other pollinators will thank you.

8. Grow indoors. Who says a garden has to be outdoors? Planting inside, with the help of grow lights or just bright windows, will extend your planting space as well as your growing season.

9. Plant everywhere. Don't feel bound by big plots of land. Do you have small patches of soil around your house? Do you have spots where small patches of soil could go? Some plants need very little space to thrive, and having small pockets of vegetation around your house will give it a beautiful, green look.

10. Plant microgreens. While you can't change your square footage, you can change the size of your crops, and how long they spend in the ground. Microgreens, leafy vegetables picked very early for tender and delicious salads, are incredibly efficient both in terms of space and days to maturity, and a single plot of earth can produce several bountiful harvests over one growing season.

Though sometimes frustrating, learning to garden can be a lifelong process. From planting to watering, inexperienced growers may begin to feel as if they will never have a green thumb when the demands of needy plants are not adequately met. Fortunately, when it comes to houseplants, there is a plethora of options for those of us who still feel that we lack the skill required to maintain potted plants and truly help them to thrive.

Below are 10 houseplants for people without green thumbs that are nearly certain to thrive. These easy-to-grow options will not only add color and life to your indoor space, but make growers feel like seasoned professionals in no time. As always, make certain to research each plant before growing, and keep in mind that some houseplants are toxic to pets and small children.

1. Air Plants - Air plants, or Tillandsia, are completely different than any other plant in that they actually don't require soil to grow. Most air plants do well with frequent misting or brief periods of soaking in water to maintain proper moisture levels.

2. Spider Plant - Spider plants are another great option for those who have the tendency to neglect houseplants. Strong and robust, the thin foliage of spider plants does well with indirect sunlight. Spider plants also propagate themselves somewhat readily in the spring, thus allowing the grower to build his or her plant collection.

3. Echeveria - Succulent plants vary greatly in size and shape. In fact, succulent plants such as echeveria come in a wide range of colors. Naturally a good option for dry climates, it is obvious that succulents would be a good choice for those who may forget to water houseplants on occasion. Grown in a bright space, succulents will readily fill containers and offer an interesting indoor aesthetic.

4. Aloe Vera - Another succulent plant, aloe vera plants are popular today due to their amazing properties and interesting shape. These attractive plants also do quite well when grown indoors in containers. Aloe vera plants are able to tolerate a wide range of light as well as varied or infrequent watering.

5. Peace Lilies - The peace lily plant offers growers lush and glossy green foliage. In tandem with its large white flowers, it is easy to see why this plant is such a popular choice for houseplants. Though the plants can grow to become quite large, they can thrive even in low-light conditions.

6. Pothos - With their waxy leaves and vining habit, pothos can be an interesting addition to houseplant containers. Praised by many for its ability to help purify air, this plant can also withstand neglectful owners.

7. Christmas Cactus - As one would imagine, various types of cacti can be grown indoors in containers. One such plant, the Christmas cactus, is an ideal candidate for those wishing to grow plants that flower indoors during the winter. Though this plant will tolerate low light conditions, it does best when grown in indirect light.

8. Cast Iron Plant - Though the cast iron plant seldom flowers indoors, its beautiful glossy foliage makes it worth growing as a houseplant. As its namesake would imply, these strong plants can withstand adverse conditions in the home.

9. Dieffenbachia - Also known as dumbcane, these plants offer growers stunning variegated foliage that is sure to become a focal point of the growing space. Dieffenbachia plants are adaptable to many growing conditions; however, their growing medium should be well-draining.

10. Snake Plant - Also known as mother-in-law's tongue, snake plant is yet another tough houseplant with intense green foliage, with many varieties also available in variegated forms. Stiff, upright leaves offer dramatic height.

Fresh vegetables from the home garden don't have to be a thing of the past once summer days wane. Mid-summer is the perfect time to start a second garden that will extend your harvesting. Many crops even produce and taste better as temperatures cool while warmer months would have them bolting, tasting bitter or becoming woody. Here are the top 7 must grow vegetables for end of summer planting: 1. Kale. Healthy kale is by far the most tolerant of the cool weather crops and will survive down to 20 F. (-7 C). Kale matures in 40-65 days. 2. Collards. Collard greens come in a close second and fair well down into the 20's. They also mature in 40-65 days. 3. Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts are right behind kale and collard greens for cold tolerance. They take a while to mature, 90-100 days, so take a bit of planning. 4. Peas. A second crop of sweet garden peas can be yours well into the fall months as they tolerate temperatures down into the 20's as well. Peas mature in 70-80 days. 5. Radish. Radishes add color and zest to salads and take very little time to mature, 25-60 days depending upon the variety. 6. Spinach. Speaking of greens, one of the most versatile, spinach survives light frost and may even over winter. Plus, it can be eaten fresh or cooked and even frozen for later use. 7. Turnips. Turnips are lovely root veggies that store well (4-5 months in the refrigerator!). They will survive a light frost and take about 50-60 days to mature. There are plenty of other crops suited for planting mid-summer for a late fall harvest. Be sure to check the first frost date for your area. This will enable you to decide exactly when to sow each crop. Next, prepare the garden bed for planting by removing any previous crop detritus and tilling down 6-8 inches (15-20 cm). Incorporate a complete 10-10-10 fertilizer into the soil at this time or plenty of organic matter. If sowing seeds, be aware that they should be sown deeper than if sown in the spring, 1 ½ to 2 times deeper. Water the seeds in well and continue to provide an inch of water per week depending upon weather conditions. Keep an eye on the weather. You may need to protect the crop from early frost, especially if the plants are tender and immature. Cover them with sheets, row covers, old blankets or even newspaper or cardboard, but never plastic! Plastic transfers cold. Use some type of support to keep the material you use from squishing the plants.

If your garden is a productive one, and not just a landscaping effort for curb appeal, you want it to be as efficient and productive as possible. It can be much harder than it looks to increase yield and get a better harvest, but we've got a few tips to help you work smarter and to get more out of your garden. Below are 7 smart ways to increase your harvest:

1. Extend your growing season. To produce more, you need a longer growing season. Of course, you're limited by your climate, but only to a certain extent. Even if you can't afford a greenhouse, you can start earlier with indoor seedlings or by using cloches and cold frames. Go further in the fall with cold frames and row covers as well as by doing second plantings of cold-weather plants, like lettuce.

2. Compost, compost, compost. Make your own compost from kitchen and yard waste and you will be sure to grow more and harvest more. The nutrients added to the soil from compost will definitely increase your yields.

3. Practice succession planting. Use the same space for more than one plant. When an early season crop is done, put in a warm-weather vegetable. Then, plant more cold-weather plants in the fall. You can also plant the same thing in succession, re-seeding after one set of plants has expired.

4. Grow vertically. Whenever possible, start growing plants up to get more out of your garden's space. Any plant that has a vining nature can be trained upward with a trellis or other structure. Not only does this get you more for your space, it helps prevent fungal infections.

5. Choose high-yield plants. When you choose plants that naturally produce a lot, you get more harvest with less work. Think tomatoes, squash, lettuce and greens, peas, and beans.

6. Prune thoughtfully. Don't let your plants run rampant. Pruning and pinching in a strategic way will keep them healthy and lead to a greater yield. When you pinch off extra foliage, your plant puts more energy into making fruits.

7. Encourage bees to do their thing. The more active bees in your garden, the better it is for yield thanks to pollination. Include native, flowering plants in your flower beds and minimize pesticide use and the bees will help make your garden more productive.

Bees can't survive without access to a variety of pollen- and nectar-rich blooms, but often, what we consider pesky, unwanted weeds are actually beneficial plants that attract hordes of happy bees. As an added benefit, many also draw butterflies and a variety of beneficial insects to your garden. The best thing we can do for bees is to put the hoe back in the shed, say goodbye to the toxic chemicals, and make peace with those bee-friendly weeds. Here are 7 common, easy-to-grow weeds that you should keep definitely around. Dandelions (Taraxacum spp.) - Although dandelions tend to get a bad rap, these weeds are actually quite beneficial to both us and the bees. Keep them around and this bee-friendly plant will bring in the pollinators galore. Plus, you can harvest the greens and puffy yellow flowers for yourself. They're edible and nutritious. Creeping charlie (Glechoma hederacea) - The creeping charlie weed is rivaled only by dandelions in terms of its difficulty to control, but why go through the trouble. Bees love the small purple flowers and its scalloped foliage is attractive in the landscape too, earning its other name of ground ivy. Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) - There are many creeping thyme varieties, and some are considered weedy plants because of their spreading capabilities. That being said, these plants provide a nice carpet of fragrant blooms that bees find quite enticing. Bee balm (Monarda spp.) - Most people love adding bee balm to their gardens even though in some places the plant is considered as nothing more than a pesky landscape weed. But the plant's name says it all and bees find the blooms nearly irresistible. Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) - Typically found growing along roadsides or woodlands, this hardy geranium can also make itself right at home in the garden. Also called cranesbill geranium, the plant may produce blooms of pink to purple with some types that are white. Joe pye weed (Eutrochium spp.) - Why would you grow this weed in the landscape? Why not would be more like it, as the pinkish-purple flowers of joe-pye weed attract not only bees but a multitude of butterflies with its sweet nectar. Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) - Not sure why anyone would consider this plant a weed, as anise hyssop is anything but, with the exception to its self-seeding which can be remedies with pruning or deadheading. The bees will appreciate its presence in the garden almost as much as you since the plant makes a useful herb and flavorful tea.

We commonly celebrate major events with the "snap, crackle, pop" of fireworks - namely momentous occasions like New Year's or Independence Day, which here in the U.S. falls on July 4. But you don't have to wait for these celebrations to enjoy the sparkling light shows. As nature would have it, you can actually create your own fireworks display in the garden for season-long enjoyment.

Add Some Sparkle to Your Garden

Whether found in the form of interesting foliage and flowers or in the name of specific plant cultivars, you can find the perfect celebratory addition to enhance your festive garden display. Ten plants that can add some "fireworks" in the landscape can be found below.

1. Alliums

One of the most popular plants that can give the impression of exploding fireworks comes from the unusual blooms found in allium plants. These easy-to-grow bulbs are in the onion family, and are also known as ornamental or flowering onions. Allium schubertii is a popular type or look for the Fireworks mix. You can also allow some of your traditional onion bulbs to bolt (bloom) too.

2. Hosta 'Fireworks'

You'll find that a number of hosta varieties work well in a Fourth of July garden, especially for those shadier areas. Most common is 'Fireworks,' but there are others to include, maybe even all of them, such as 'Patriot' hosta, 'Loyalist' or even the 'Liberty' cultivar.

3. Firecracker plant

Also known as cigar plant (Cuphea ignea), it's easy to see how this attractive specimen earned its moniker "firecracker," as it produces fiery, bright reddish-orange, tubular flowers. If you have a spot for it, the firecracker plant will definitely shine in your garden.

4. Rosa 'Fourth of July'

This beautiful climbing rose provides an explosive pop of vertical color with its sweetly scented red and white striped blooms. Grow alongside some blue flowers for a dramatic patriotic garden scheme.

5. Cleome hassleriana 'Sparkler Blush'

If you've never grown Cleome spider flowers in the garden, then now is the time to start. This dwarf variety produces attractive spidery blooms throughout the summer in various shades that will no doubt add to that overall "sparkling element" you're looking to achieve.

6. Pennisetum 'Cherry Sparkler'

This fountain grass plant is a great choice for anyone wanting some extra "flare" in the garden. Its foliage starts out with variegated green and white stripes, but as it matures and the weather warms, the blades become blushed with pink or red tones. The purplish, foxtail-like plumes are another bonus of this prized ornamental grass. Other popping cultivars include 'Fireworks' and 'Skyrocket.'

7. Impatiens walleriana 'Sparkler Rose'

Like hosta, impatiens plants make great additions to help brighten dull shady spots, and this particular double flowering impatiens will add an extra sparkle to the garden with its abundant colors. As a bonus, the attractive rose-like blooms also attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

8. Carex phyllocephala 'Sparkler'

Looking for a little sparkle in your woodland garden or other moist, shady bed? Many people overlook the ornamental appeal found in sedge plants but some, like this fun evergreen variety, can provide drama just where it's needed with whorls of appealing green and white-striped foliage. "Spark Plug" is a dwarf version of this palm sedge in case you're lacking in space.

9. Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks'

We all know how low-maintenance this native plant is. In fact, that's one of the reasons so many of us love growing goldenrod in the garden, especially since it blooms when most others are fading out. The 'Fireworks' cultivar creates an "explosion" of color with arching spires of bright golden-yellow blooms.

10. Gomphrena 'Fireworks'

This globe amaranth produces massive flower displays that look just like tiny fireworks explosions with tufts of deep, long-lasting colors - hot iridescent pink tipped with bright yellow.

Of course, these are just a sampling of what's out there. Many plants can be found with sizzling names or explosive looking appeal. In addition to these, you can add nearly any flower within the aster family, or similar looking plant varieties having petals reminiscent of exploding fireworks, such as chrysanthemums, zinnias, coneflowers or even dahlias.

Everyone loves annuals because they're flashy and they fill in flower bed space, giving you color and visual interest all summer. But wouldn't it be great if you could get those advantages along with a plant that comes back year after year? You can if you select annuals that re-seed themselves. Here are the top 10 self-seeding annual plants:

1. Alyssum. This pretty, sweet-smelling flower grows like a mat, which makes it perfect for edges of beds and walkways or even around the edge of a mixed container. Avoid hybrids of alyssum, though, as they may not grow true from seed.

2. Nasturtium. Nasturtium flowers provide bright, sunny blooms,but also edible leaves and flowers. Let the seeds drop after the plants bloom and you should get them back next year.

3. Calendula. Also known as pot marigold, this is another sunny-colored flower that is edible. Let some of the flowers proceed to seed and get more next season.

4. Hyacinth bean. Go for this climbing vine if purple is your color. Hyacinth bean produces purple flowers, stems, seed pods, and even leaf undersides. Both the flowers and seed pods are attractive and decorative.

5. Balsam. For a self-seeding annual to grow in your most difficult shady spot, try balsam, or touch-me-not. These are related to impatiens, and they will grow rapidly up to 18 inches (46 cm.) tall and self-seed with vigor.

6. Tobacco plant. These plants are easy to grow in a variety of conditions and will reach heights up to three feet (one meter). You'll get pretty flowers in red, pink, purple, white, or even chartreuse. In addition to a self-sower, expect tobacco flower to bring hummingbirds to your garden.

7. Vine petunias. Petunia is a popular annual for its showy, abundant, trumpet-shaped flowers. Unlike typical petunia annuals, the vine petunia will grow well in some shade and will spread to cover the ground or climb up a trellis.

8. Cosmos. These pretty flowers bloom abundantly and can give you a wide range of colors. Try delicate pastel blossoms or bold and vibrant reds or oranges. Cosmos is a good self-seeder and also draws pollinators.

9. Forget-me-nots. With delicate little lavender or blue flowers, forget-me-nots are definitely hard to forget. They self-seed more readily than almost any other flower, to the extent that you may need to thin them a little bit each year to keep your beds manageable.

10. Gloriosa daisy. This pretty annual variety wins out against its perennial cousin black-eyed-Susan in stunning and bold appearance. As an annual, though, you do have to rely on its re-seeding itself to get more next year, so let some of those gloriosa daisy flowers develop seeds.

Why plant annuals year after year? Work smarter, not harder in the garden. Use varieties of annuals that will happily re-seed themselves and appear again next spring.

Most of us are familiar with the fabulous powers of a four-leaf clover to bring luck, but what other plants have such significance?We can all do with more luck, whether it's in love, money or health. Growing these fortune making plants will not only provide blessings but add beauty tot he home and landscape. So, if you're looking for some flora that will attract prosperity and good fortune to your family, here are the top 7 plants to encourage good luck.

1. Lucky Bamboo - This is a classic lucky plant that is often gifted. It is easy to grow and will even thrive in an office building and spaces with limited light. Lucky bamboo is not a true bamboo or even a grass. It is a Dracaena and the more stems the plant has, the more attracting power it brings.

2. Jade Plant - Another easy to grow specimen, jade plants are traditionally thought to bring wealth and attract business. When placed at the entry to the home, expect good fortune to all who'd well there. The succulent has slightly chubby, rounded leaves and an attractive tree-like form when older. In Feng Shui, rounded leaves bring good luck.

3. Money Plant - As the name suggests, the money plant is thought to bring happiness, prosperity and financial good luck. A common houseplant, it is also a popular gift, often bestowed at graduation to give young people a good start at life and business. Glossy heart-shaped leaves may feature gentle variegation and larger specimens boast braided stems.

4. Peace Lily - If you are looking for a flowering plant that is low maintenance, peace lilies are a good fit. The name stems from the white spathe that unfurls above the foliage, representing a white flag of surrender. Expect a sense of calm and well-being when this plant graces your home.

5. Orchids - Outside of their outstanding good looks, orchids are more than pretty flowers. They are said to enhance romance and can help attract a new love or boost a current relationship. There are many varieties from which to choose and their beauty also brings peace to the heart and the home.

6. Hawaiian Ti Plant - Polynesians believed the ti plant had mystical powers and warded off evil. It is a tropical foliage plant that comes in many colors, including the most amazing fuchsia hue. Some even have striking blended colors on the leaves.

7. Basil - In India, the basil plant is considered holy and attracts love, beauty, wealth and more.Even better, a pot of basil on the kitchen window sill will attract culinary inspiration. Basil is delicious in many regional cuisines including Italian, Indian, Thai, etc.

Surrounding oneself with plants of any sort can help cleanse the air, emit relaxing scent and simply pretty up the area. Almost any plant has the ability to enhance our lives, making us feel better. That's a lucky practice that will bring good fortune.

One of the most amazing occurrences in life is to fall in love, but the loss of such a relationship can be devastating. The real physical and emotional pain can take a toll on day to day life. Sleep and eating may become affected and sometimes we turn to certain bad habits to help us over the hump. Pharmaceutical remedies may help us cope with heartbreak, but they come with side effects, high costs and potential addiction. But what if there was a way to naturally relieve the symptoms of a broken heart?

Mother Nature has her own way to help us feel better, and it may be just outside your back door. Common herbs and plants can help melt away melancholy, fight fear and make spirits soar anew. Here are the top 7 herb plants for healing a broken heart:

1. Skullcap - The name is almost macabre, but this pretty little herb is featured in many heart healing recipes. Skullcap is purported to calm the mind and prevent thinking in circles, where no matter how hard you think you come to the same ineffectual conclusion.

2. Lavender - Any bath aficionado is aware of the hypnotic, calming effect of lavender. Its aromatherapy softens all the edges and both relaxes and calms the soul. All these effects are beneficial as we go through a grieving period.

3. Borage - With its cute fuzzy stems and brilliant blue flowers, borage is a treat in the garden but it can also drive away sadness and help bring in a little light.

4. Valerian Root - You may have seen this in tea form as a sleep aid. Its relaxing properties will help bring sleep back into your life and calm a frantic mind. A cup of valerian tea or drop full of tincture should bring restorative sleep and sweet dreams to help heal your soul.

5. Lemon Balm - Another herb with aromatherapy properties, the name is apt as it also provides a balm to a wounded heart. Solace for the soul can be had in a cupful of lemon balm tea or even a bath soak with this delightfully sensory herb.

6. Holy Basil - There must be something that ties pleasant scents to happier thoughts. This basil herb has heavenly aroma and brings balance to heart, mind and body.

7. Rose - A plant that is often used to represent love, roses are also crucial to healing a broken heart. The hips are high in Vitamin C and boost your health and energy levels. The petals make a soothing bath and the flowers themselves are a reminder that life is full of beauty and worth waking up for a new tomorrow.

Who doesn't love chocolate? Sure, there may be a few out there, but for most of us there's nothing quite like the rich, creamy succulent taste of this sweet treat - chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, chocolate ice cream, chocolate candy, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolaty hot cocoa, chocolate cream pie, chocolate truffles, and the list goes on and on. This much loved "sweet" didn't start out that way though...it was actually first enjoyed as a bitter beverage nearly 4,000 years ago. That's right, ancient Mesoamericans cultivated cacao plants (Theobroma cacao), the original chocolate tree from rainforests of Central America, and then fermented, roasted and ground the beans into a paste mixed with water, vanilla, honey, chili peppers and other spices to brew a frothy chocolate drink. And while it may not have been sweet, they loved it, and throughout history, chocolate lovers have all believed in its mood enhancing, and even aphrodisiac-like powers. For chocoholics like myself, the ooey-gooey goodness of chocolate can't be beat, and frankly, seems to make everything better still today. So what could be better than having your own chocolate smelling garden right in your backyard - a special place to enjoy some chocolaty bliss anytime you want, maybe even while you savor the flavor of your favorite chocolate treat. It's easy to do simply by growing plants that look and smell just like chocolate. Even Mother Nature would agree that these plants deserve a special place in the garden. With that said, here the top 10 plants for creating a chocolate-inspired garden: Chocolate sunflower (Helianthus annuus 'Chocolate') - Having various shades of deep red to maroon or chocolate colored petals, this sunflower is a surefire winner that will be right at home in your garden of sweet delights. Summer Chocolate mimosa (Albizia julibrissin 'Summer Chocolate') - With its tropical, fern-like chocolaty colored foliage and puffs of fragrant pink summer blooms, it's hard to resist adding this charming tree to the garden. And, unlike other mimosas, 'Summer Chocolate' isn't invasive. Chocolate Mint scented geranium (Pelargonium 'Chocolate Mint') - Scented geraniums are favorite additions to gardens for their aromatic foliage - hence the name. And the Chocolate Mint variety is no exception. While the plant smells more like mint than chocolate, it's the chocolate-colored vein of the leaf that earns its moniker. Chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus) - Dark reddish-brown to nearly black, the stunning Chocolate cosmos is more than just beautiful in the garden. The flowers look and smell just like chocolate. I grew these myself and can attest to this. Chocolate flower (Berlandiera lyrata) - This yellow daisy will not only brighten up your garden space but will make your belly growl for more of its chocolate-scented blooms. Plant chocolate flowers up close to enjoy their fragrance as it wafts through garden. Chocolate mint (Mentha piperata) - As with most mint plants, this herb is great for use in many dishes and drinks. And chocolate mint has the added bonus of smelling a little like those cool, refreshing Peppermint Pattie candies. Plant them in containers to avoid any invasive tendencies. Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa) - Commonly known as chocolate berry for the tiny purple edible berries said to taste like toffee or caramel, Himalayan honeysuckle plants offer something unique to the garden, white blooms that hang from brilliant scarlet bracts. Chocolate Soldier columbine (Aquilegia viridiflora 'Chocolate Soldier') - This unique columbine doesn't get its name for the smell of its flowers but does produce stunning, chocolate-brown to purple blooms, which earns Chocolate Soldier a special place in a chocolate-inspired garden. The compact form makes it a great choice for the front edges of borders and beds too. Chocolate vine (Akebia quinata) - Preferring a partially shaded location in the garden, planting chocolate vine plants can provide gardeners with chocolaty-purple flowers having a sweet scent of chocolate with hints of vanilla and edible seedpods that are said to taste similar to tapioca pudding. That said, without continuous pruning, they can become invasive. Chocolate boneset (Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate') - Also called chocolate joe pye weed, this boneset plant produces clusters of tiny white flowers above reddish cocoa brown foliage. In addition to these plants, there are many varieties of coleus and heuchera available with chocolaty names that offer attractive dark colored foliage. And there's even a chocolate rose variety that may tickle that sweet itch. Best of all, you won't be the only one that enjoys a garden filled with "chocolate," as all the above plants are known for bringing in pollinators too.

Bringing evergreens into your landscape is a great way to prevent your backyard from looking bleak and bare in winter. If the term "evergreen" makes you think of Christmas trees, you're in for a delightful surprise. Evergreen plants - those that do not lose their foliage in winter - come in all shapes and sizes, including some that light up your garden with summer flowers or even produce fruit. Here are a few of our favorite evergreen garden plants. 1. Lavender - With thin fingers of silvery-green leaves and deep purple, fragrant flowers, lavender is a garden favorite. Some use it in cooking. 2. Bay Laurel - Here's an evergreen that multitasks. The bay laurel makes an imposing shrub in a garden, and its shiny leaves can be pruned into topiary shapes. But it's also used as a culinary herb. 3. Heath - For evergreen groundcover, heath/heather is an excellent selection. Heath foliage spreads across and hugs the ground, producing pink blossoms in springtime. 4. Camellia - This is another evergreen shrub that is famous for its lovely flowers. The blossoms of camellias, in pink, white or red, appear in later winter to spring and contrast dramatically with the shiny dark foliage. 5. Pyracantha - It's also known as firethorn, after the numerous sharp thorns that cover its stems. Pyracantha is a favorite shrub for defensive hedges, but it also produces bright berries appreciated by wild birds and small mammals. 6. Mountain Laurel - With shiny dark evergreen leaves and an explosion of summer flowers, mountain laurel has a lot to offer in a garden. It grows best in acidic soil. 7. Rosemary - This shrub shouldn't be restricted to a small pot in an herb garden. In warmer climates, rosemary bushes can grow impressively large, while the needles remain fragrant. In summer, look for lavender flowers. 8. Yew - It grows slow and stays low, making yew a wonderful, easy-care ground cover. Its habit is naturally spreading, and the drooping shoots produce bright berries in autumn. 9. Holly - Don't restrict holly to holiday decorating. This shiny-leafed evergreen deserves a spot in the garden to show off its vivid autumn berries. Hollies can be kept shrub-size or allowed to grow into towering trees. 10. Yucca - With its spiky long leaves and high-stemmed blossoms in summer, yucca proves that evergreen plants come in unexpected shapes and sizes.

Witches get a bad rap. Most are just nature worshipping individuals who have a close relationship with plants and animals. Witches in the Wiccan religion revere wild things and use plants and minerals that are provided by the earth in their rituals. In so doing, witches are paying honor to the Spirit of the One. Plants play an extremely important role both in observance of the religion but also in healing and teaching practices. Some of the most frequently used plants for witches are:

1. Rosemary - This common herb has both culinary and magical uses. The plant can also be used to repel bugs, as a dye, in cosmetics and medicinally. The fresh scent has aromatherapy properties and can be used as a sachet or in incense. Rosemary is easy to grow, producing evergreen small shrubs that develop beautiful purple flowers that attract pollinators. The plant's magical attributes are said to be useful as a love spell, protection, and as an aphrodisiac

2. Mugwort - Also known as Artemisia or wormwood, the plant has a history of use regulating menstruation, as an antiseptic and to calm the digestive system. Young shoots and leaves can be used in recipes and dried leaves and flowers make an interesting tea that may help in the digestion of fatty foods. In magic, mugwort enhances divination and psychic dreaming. If leaves are placed in shoes, they supposedly ward off fatigue on long journeys. The plant is bushy and has grayish green, feathery leaves and panicles of tiny daisy-like yellow flowers.

3. Sage - Not only would Thanksgiving taste different without sage, but the herb has been used for medicinal uses before medieval times. The bright flowers are gorgeous and the shrubby plant has softly gray-green leaves with a downy feel. When dried and "smudged," it can ward off evil and is part of traditional cleansing ceremonies. The plant has anti-inflammatory properties and may help fever and as a diuretic. It was once used to cure snakebite and palsy and also enhances memory and cognition.

4. Mint - Mints, especially peppermint, feature prominently in magical rites and spells. The plant is very easy to grow and will take over the garden plot if not controlled. In cuisine, it adds aroma and flavor to beverages, desserts, baking, and is a common ingredient in East Indian, Asian and Mediterranean foods. Mint aids in digestion and calming the stomach, and is used in aromatherapy for a host of healing purposes. The scented oils in the leaves and stems repel some insects, but their essence is a pleasure in the home, both as an air freshener and in some cosmetics. The pungent oils can relieve fatigue in muscles and joints when used topically. It is used in magic to draw money, ward off evil, lure love and enhance wellness.

5. Lavender - The scent of lavender is unmistakable and is widely used in cosmetics, cleaning products and other household items. It is also an astoundingly lovely landscape plant, with spikes of vibrant purple flowers and green to bluish-gray leaves. Like many herbs, the natural oils are said to repel some insect pests. Both the oils and dried flowers have soothing properties and are commonly used in aromatherapy. Medicinally, the plant reputedly aids digestion and has antiseptic properties. In the witch's garden, it may be part of protection rituals, used to enhance clarity, encourage fertility and bring love.

Medicinal plants don't have to be exotic specimens that grow in jungle climates, and they aren't always ancient herbs propagated by our ancient ancestors. In fact, you may already be growing some of the best medicinal plants, as many are not only useful but highly ornamental. Here are our top 5 medicinal plants. 1. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) - Also known as coneflower, echinacea is a beautiful but rugged perennial that reaches mature heights of 12 to 24 inches (30-60 cm.). Suitable for USDA zones 3-8, echinacea grows in plenty of sunlight and nearly any well-drained soil. Medicinally, it is used to build immunity and relieve symptoms of chest colds and other upper respiratory ailments. Echinaea may also promote healing of minor wounds and skin irritations. 2. St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) - St. John's wort is well known for its ability to treat mild depression and insomnia, and the oils are used to relieve sunburns and minor wounds. However, gardeners love this bushy perennial for the fragrant, bright yellow flowers that appear in midsummer. St. John's wort is suitable for growing in USDA zones 4-8. 3. German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) - If you want to grow chamomile for its medicinal qualities, plant German chamomile (not Roman chamomile, a perennial most often grown as a groundcover). You'll love the masses of small, daisy-like blooms, and while chamomile is well known for its relaxing properties, the herb is also beneficial for tummy aches, hay fever, and many other ailments. Although German chamomile is an annual, it usually self-seeds. 4. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) - A flowering plant that produces gorgeous, bright yellow flowers, ginger is commonly used to treat a host of tummy problems, including diarrhea, gas, morning sickness and motion sickness. It may also relieve muscle aches and arthritis pain, and many proponents think it may lower heart attack risk and improve blood sugar levels. Ginger is a warm climate, sub-tropical plant, but if you live north of zone 7, you can plant ginger in a container and bring it indoors for the winter. 5. Garlic (Allium sativum) - Garlic is usually planted in fall, but you can also plant this trouble-free member of the allium family after the last frost in spring. Rich in antioxidants, garlic is believed to combat the common cold, purify the blood, improve cholesterol levels, lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, and promote healthy skin and hair.

When pondering the "top 10 plants every garden should have," I recognized that recommending 10 specific garden plants was leaning towards impractical because, let's face it, we all live in different climates. Instead, I viewed this more as, "What are the top 10 types of plants every garden should have." If you're looking to make your backyard more fun, interesting, visually dynamic, practical and more successful, read on to learn more. 1. Easy-to-care-for plants. Nothing takes the fun out of gardening more than plants that are labor intensive, unless you're into that sort of thing. If you lean towards the lazy side (like me), choose plants that are somewhat forgiving so you can avoid the avoidable plant funerals. Forgiving plants are ones that are labeled as 'drought' or 'heat' tolerant, for starters. Purple coneflower (USDA hardiness zone 3-9), for example, is considered to be very drought tolerant. 2. Plants that are appropriate. This may seem obvious to some but it bears repeating and is especially true for those of us ogling over a seed catalog, circling all the pretty "I got to have it"¦my precious" choices without facing the facts. And, let's be honest - we've all been there. Are you choosing a plant that needs full sun when your property is mostly shaded? Are you buying a plant rated for zone 8 when you live in zone 5? Just keeping it real... 3. Plants for every season. Every garden should have plants for every season. Spring, summer, fall, and winter should all be represented to keep the garden looking lively and interesting year-round. 4. Pollinator plants. Without getting onto a soapbox, it is vitally important that we help to create and maintain habitats for our pollinating friends - namely the bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, etc. Your plant options are plentiful when it comes to pollinator plants - butterfly bush, bee balm, and yarrow are just a few possibilities and they are very aesthetically pleasing. If everyone were to plant some of these plants, it would literally make a world of difference. 5. Edible plants. The benefits of growing your own food are widely documented. Not to mention that it's always good to be a little self-sustainable and have more control over the quality of foods you eat. I can tell you from experience that it's very satisfying to eat your own homegrown food and I feel it tastes much better. Also, many edible plants, such as rainbow chard and artichoke, are highly ornamental, adding visual interest to a landscape. Two for the price of one - who can argue against that? 6. Non-invasive plants. There's nothing worse than the headache of plants gone amuck in your garden. When selecting plants, do your homework. Make sure that the plant you are choosing does not have invasive tendencies. Bamboo instantly comes to mind as an invasive plant you should really think through. 7. Heirloom plants. By planting heirlooms, and by saving the seed from those heirlooms, you will be giving a nod to history and will be stewarding biodiversity into the future. 8. Big bang for your buck plants. If you're going to choose flowers, get ones that are going to stay awhile. Choose flowers that are prolific bloomers rather than ones that go out in a quick blaze of glory. 9. Plants that appeal to all the senses. When planning a garden, consider plants that appeal to just more than your sense of sight. With sensory gardens, you can add layers of interest to a garden space by adding plants that cater to our sense of smell, touch and hearing. 10. Plants that you enjoy. It's your garden so make it "you," not Martha Stewart. Be sure to choose plants that you enjoy and which speak to you personally. Do not fall prey to keeping up with the latest gardening trends.

The wind in the willows sang softly to me / Follow my voice wherever it leads / From mountains, through valleys, to deep rolling seas / Born on the wings of a breeze.

~ Ralph McTell, The Wind in the Willows

As gardeners, we work our sites to make them accommodate our needs or we adapt to the site's natural conditions. When soil is poor, rocky, chalky or sandy, we amend it or build up berms. In dry, arid locations, we add irrigation systems or xeriscape. In windy sites, we plant windbreaks or select plants that not only tolerate thee conditions but also beautifully sway and dance in the breeze.

High winds not only damage plants with weak root systems or branches, but they cause plants to dry out quickly. Planting large plants as windbreaks is a common solution to windy gardens. Large evergreens with needle-like foliage can soften high winds. Broadleaf evergreens, needle-leafed evergreen, as well as deciduous shrubs can be planted as a straight shielding hedge or staggered to break the intensity of the wind. However, not all yards have the space for these large plants. In city lots, for instance, wind can be intensified as it bounces off buildings, walls and fences.

In some cases, gardeners must simply grow plants that can tolerate windy conditions. These plants sway and bend, not snap and break. They also tolerate dry conditions and do not have high water needs. The effect of wind can actually add more interest to certain plants; for example, the beauty of grass blades and plumes swaying in the breeze or the soothing sound of quaking aspen leaves rattling against each other in the wind.

Below are the top 10 plants for windy areas:

1. California Lilac (Ceanthus spp.) - Hardy in zones 8-10. California lilac plants can be shrubs or trees depending on variety.

2. Mountain Ash (Sorbus spp.) - Hardy in zones 3-7. Mountain ash trees are not true ash trees. They are actually town trees and thrive in wind-prone landscapes.

3. Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) - Hardy in zones 7-9, crepe myrtle trees offer attractive summer blooms and interesting peeling bark. Many varieties tolerate wind well, making them suitable for planting in these areas.

4. Hawthorn (Crategus spp.) - Hawthorns look great when planted in groups and can provide much needed screening from harsh winds. They're hardy in zones 3-9.

5. Olive Tree (Olea spp.) - Hardy in zones 8-11, olive trees add ornamental appeal to the landscape - the fruit is a bonus. They make great screens in wind-prone areas.

6. Century Plant (Agave spp.) - Some varieties of agave are hardy down to zone 5, but most are hardy in zones 8-11. They make exceptional specimens in the garden and tolerate windy conditions.

7. Juniper (Juniperus spp.) - Hardy in zones 2-10, there are a number of juniper shrubs that will tolerate windy landscapes.

8. Japanese Silvergrass/Maiden Grass (Miscanthus spp.) - Miscanthus grasses look attractive as they move and sway in the breeze. They are hardy in zone 4-9.

9. Sea Holly (Eryngium spp.) - Hardy in zones 4-9, sea holly not only adds interest to the garden but tolerates both windy and arid conditions.

10. Gazania (Gazania spp.) - Some varieties of gazania are hardy down to zone 4, but most are hardy in zones 8-11.