Gardening Features

How To: Tap a maple tree to make maple syrup

Check out this video tutorial to learn how to tap a maple tree from seventh generation maple farmer Arnold Coombs, from Coombs Family Farms. It will explain what you'll need and how easy it is to begin making your own delicious pure maple syrup, the small family farm way.

How To: Style a yamadori bonsai

This step-by-step tutorial will teach you the correct way make a Light-Saber effect using Paint.net.In this video, you will learn how to gather the Light-Saber image, paste the image into Paint.net, choose the preferred color for the Light-Saber, and other special effects such as: sizing your Light-Saber, 'blurring' your Light-Saber, and learning the correct way to save your project.Your first step is to right click on the Light-Saber image and click 'Copy'. Next, you open Paint.net. Then you...

How To: Plant garlic in containers instead of the ground

Whether you lack the space in your home garden or simply want to exercise greater control over your plant's interactions with the surrounding environment, container gardening is a great way to go. And it's also easy to do. With this home gardening how-to from Growing Wisdom, you'll learn how to plant and grow garlic in your own container box.

How To: Set up drip irrigation for a container garden

Patti Moreno, the Garden Girl, shows how to install a drip irrigation system in a container garden for growing herbs and vegetables. Container plants also need more fertilizer. First, at the spigot, connect a manifold/timer with a fertilizer dispenser and a filter to remove particles. Then run a half-inch main tube line to the patio, using clamps to secure the tubing to fencing and elbow joints at any corners. For each container, punch a hole in the main tube and attach a quarter-inch tube wi...

How To: Care for clematis

Scott from Spring Hill Nursery gives advice on caring for clematis, a beautiful plant that is easy to grow. Clematis blooms in late summer or early fall, and thrives in almost any conditions. It does fine in either full sun or a partly shaded location, but you should use mulch around the roots to keep them cool.

How To: Grow watermelon

Watermelon is not only a refreshing treat but is full of nutrients and energy. Prepare for a summer you will never forget by starting a watermelon patch today. From seeding to watching your plants grow, this is a fun project for the whole family.

How To: Save heirloom tomato seeds for gardening

Heirloom tomato seeds are easy to dry at the end of the season so that you can plant your favorites in the garden next year. Saving seeds of heirloom tomato plants will let you control the plants you grow next year. Watch this Gardening how-to video and learn how easy it is to save the seeds.

How To: Fix bare spots in your backyard

Want to get rid of unsightly bare spots in your front or backyard lawn? In this video tutorial, home improvement expert Danny Lipford shows you three different solutions for fixing small dead spots of grass in your yard. For more information, and to get started reviving your own lawn, watch this helpful landscaper's guide.

How To: Plant and grow Snapdragons

This video series with Jose Zuniga as your Snapdragon guide, covers all aspects of planting, growing and caring for Snapdragons. He discusses both keeping them in tubs and as well as in your yard or garden. The series is broken into 12 video parts that will play sequentially.

How To: Remove a canker-diseased branch with a saw

Cankers, if left untreated, can grow and prove lethal for your trees. In this installment of the Fruitwise Heritage Apple guide to apple pruning, Stephen Hayes demonstrates how to amputate a diseased tree branch with a saw. Watch and learn why, as Stephen puts it, "a seen canker is a gone canker."

How To: Identify fall web worms in trees

Curtis Smith (Extension Horticulturist) and Rick Daniell (Bernalillo Co. Horticulture Agent) examine the bark of a poplar tree. The young bark is smooth and will furrow as it grows older. There are straight horizontal lines on the bark that look like sap-sucker damage but in this case, the markings on the poplar is the normal bark development of the poplar. They also look at and discuss Fall Web Worm cocoons which look like bird nests on a tree. Web worms do not do as much damage to the tree ...

How To: Grow the perfect tomato (for you)

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to grow tomatoes. Begin by some tomatoes at a supermarket. Then extract the seeds from the tomatoes and wrap them into a paper towel. Then place the seeds in between the pages of a phone book to quickly dry them. Now plant about 8-10 seeds into a small pot with soil. The seeds should be planted 25 inches deep into the soil. As the plants grow larger, change the pots to a larger size. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy gardening and would ...

How To: Identify problems with the peace lily, fern & rhubarb

This video explains how to solve several problems associated with gardening in arid environments. Rhubarb is a plant that is commonly grown in colder environments. In arid environments, its very important to not over water it, so keep it in a sandy soil with lots of organic compost material. Plants such as the peace lily also need well irrigated soil, so it is important to pot it in an organic potting soil in a location that allows the water to drain away from the pot instead of soaking back ...

How To: Water seedlings from the bottom up

This Survival Podcast teaches how to water seedings from the bottom up. After you have transfered your plants to new pots, preferably sterilized bins, you put holes in the bottom of the pots. If they are too high, the watering technique will not work. The plants in the pot are placed into a larger bucket. You just add water to the outter bin and allow the plants to "draw up" the moisture through the soil. You want to make sure not to add too much water or the plants will "over-draw". About on...

How To: Use chickens to control garden pests in orgainic farms

Curtis Smith provides information on how to use chickens to control garden pests. Using chickens keeps the use of pesticides to a minimum and keeps plants healthier. In the organic garden, chickens are used because they'll eat any insect as well. The process is known as Integrated Pest Management, Curtis explains that its basically knowing your pest. It also reduces the amount of feed that has to be purchased for the chickens because they're eating the insects in the garden. It also controls ...

How To: Install a lawn irrigation system

In this how-to video, you will learn how to install a lawn irrigation system. You must have a digital controller with an AV program. This controls the zones at which the water comes on. These can save you a lot on water use. The controller controls the valve which accesses the water. Make sure all your sprinkler heads are all the same. There are different types of heads, each serving for different situations. Backflow preventers are needed as well, as they prevent contaminants from going back...

How To: Bonsai style a yamadori spruce

There are many different trees to use when it comes to the art form of bonsai. Many of the trees can be found in mountain regions and are perfect for using bonsai. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to style a yamadori spruce tree. Good luck and enjoy!

How To: Do simple bonsai styling

Graham Potter of Kaizen Bonsai shows Bonsai beginners how to make interesting trees from relatively available materials. He first details the history of the specific tree he will be working on. He points out that this specific specimen has small, compact foliage, branches that support itself, craggy bark, and a nice taper in the trunk. He begins to shape the tree by cutting the small amounts of foliage that are dead or weak as well as the foliage grows beneath the branches. He then uses hand ...

How To: Style a cork bark oak for the first time

Graham Potter shows how to stylize cork bark oak. The main way to stylize is to avoid the carving of the bark, but to carving the branches. Its recommended to start carving when the branches are young. First you will start removing all the branches you have no use for (e.g.. shortening branches to about 4 to 5 leaves). Graham says while trimming the branches, do not worry about the immediate image of the branches, but of the image of what it will look like in the future when it fully grows. G...

How To: Plant and care for sweet peas

Learn how you can plant and care for sweet peas with this gardening tutorial. Sweet peas are one of the best annual climbing plants for the garden and they can be grown in several different ways to get a superb display of flowers through the summer months. Traditionally sweet peas were sown in the autumn and planted out in early April, but spring sown plants can be planted out into May and will still flower well, albeit slightly later. If you haven't sown any seeds but would like to grow some...

How To: Transplant a cactus

The narrator introduces Patrick Quirk as the horticultural expert to whom is going to demonstrate how to safety transplant a cactus. Patrick highlights the ease of doing this if we use the right tools. Patrick recommends using an old garden hose and 2 types of tongs as part of his tools. Safety is paramount to us and to the plant. Cactus need to have is roots loosen and dried, which it different to other plants. It is important to keep the same soil level as you previously had. Patrick finish...

How To: Plant flowering bulbs with Lowe's

Flowering bulbs require some few common tools before planting such as compost or peat moss, work gloves, fertilizer, garden trowel or bulb planter and the garden bulb of your choice. During the spring season you can plant tender bulbs such as, irises, gladiolus and elephant ears. In terms of fall plantings you can plant bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocuses which could give a beautiful bloom in the spring. In general the blooms will last till three to four weeks, bulbs such ...

How To: Bonsai style a larch

Bonsai is an art form that requires patience and a good eye. It's a relaxing hobby that anybody can take up, just as long as they are willing to learn a few things. This tutorial is a beginner video for those who are interested in bonsai. This video will focus on styling a larch tree. So sit back and enjoy!

How To: Breed and deal orchids

This video series gives you expert knowledge on growing orchids and finding help in your local area. Bill Hutchinson talks with you about breeding and crossbreeding orchids, the importance of naming new orchids, and how to research your plants. He also gives you advice on taking the next step, how to connect with other orchid growers in your area and find support.