Garden Gal

Tomatoes continue to rate among the top summer plants in gardens. As large as they are, they’re challenging to grow in small containers. Here are five insider tips to growing better tomatoes in containers.

We don’t all have room for a mighty Maple or the outstretched branches of a native Sycamore in our backyard. After reading this article, you will know about the fantastic few smaller trees that outshine the rest in today’s modern yard. Whether you are looking for shade or spring’s bright colors, these beauties grow to a maximum of 25 feet and require minimal maintenance to look great. Insider tip: If you have a small yard, focus on vertical space—select plants with an upright growing habit. Also, garden in hanging baskets raised beds, and containers to maximize your ground space.

The seals on today’s ultra-efficient homes keep outside air from penetrating their interiors, thus recirculating inside air without added freshness. A three-month-old air filter cleans only so many particles before choking on its own dust. We won’t mention formaldehyde-ridden foreign products brought into the home for the holidays. In the past, toxins weren’t an environmental problem because fresh air was ever-present. Now that we’ve made our homes nearly airtight, the freshness that indoor plants provide is more vital than ever.