Sage Garden Blog

Date

October 10 2018

Written By

Dave Hanson

Houseplants can brighten your day

Written By Dave Hanson - October 10 2018

Ever notice just how good it feels to be surrounded by plants? I sure do and as we can see on Instagram - or observe in our homes, offices, public spaces and even some institutional settings - many people relate to the positivity that comes from being in proximity to greenery. When you think about this, even in the context of the massive renaissance houseplants are experiencing at the moment, humans hooking up with plants is nothing new; think about all of the ancient public gardens, Victorian hot houses, healing asylums in the countryside and other centuries-old examples of humans going out of our way to cozy up to cultivated botanicals.

Read more

Date

October 09 2018

Written By

Dave Hanson

Growing Container Veggies

Written By Dave Hanson - October 09 2018

Our March 10, 2018 Garden Club was all about growing veggies in containers, and WOW... this topic is obviously one that people are interested in. We had a full house, and then some! Thank you to everyone who came down in person for the workshop; but if you could not make it I thought it would be helpful to review some of the key points. 

Read more

Date

August 10 2018

Written By

Dave Hanson

Maintaining your plants during hot weather

Written By Dave Hanson - August 10 2018

The hot summer temperatures have actually been an important theme this gardening season, and we get a lot of questions that relate back to heat. So, we thought it would be a good time to review a couple of common scenarios: 
First up, gardeners heading out of town for a few days often wonder how best to keep thirsty plants happy and healthy during intense weather.  For in-ground gardens, some easy suggestions include watering deeply before heading out (soaker hose ideal for this), using wheat straw mulch to keep moisture in the ground (mulching reduces need to water by at least 50%) and doing appropriate pruning on leafy plants such as tomatoes (start with leaves at the bottom, and look for the foliage that does not end in flowers). Slow-release watering devices such as olas or gravity fed options such as Plant Nannies work wonders, as do simple temporary shade structures. In fact, providing a little shade is very appropriate for full sun plants during intensely hot weather. 

Read more

Date

September 16 2016

Written By

Dave Hanson

7 tips for bringing summer plants indoors

Written By Dave Hanson - September 16 2016

Many gardeners are preparing to transition outdoor patio and tender garden plants into the house for winter. Everything from herbs to hibiscus to haworthias are getting re-potted and re-positioned for the move. Some of these plants are just good-looking and make for attractive decor while many others are purposeful with fragrance and flavour. And let's not forget those plants that are just rare or cherished, so worth keeping year to year.

Read more

Date

July 12 2016

Written By

Dave Hanson

What to do about all of the wet weather...

Written By Dave Hanson - July 12 2016

A little rain and we are happy not to have to water; big down pours again and again, and plants can really start to suffer. The main trouble with soggy soil is that plants' roots become starved for oxygen, which gets displaced in the dirt by all that moisture. Plants require oxygen in the soil to facilitate healthy root functioning, and also to promote the health of the aerobic micro-organisms that support root and plant functions. As soil moisture lingers, so increases the potential for trouble. Poorly oxygenated, wet soil leads to root rot and generally weak plants; fungal diseases are particularly common during drenched conditions (both in the roots and on the leaves & stems). Unfortunately this is something many gardeners are now reporting. 

Read more

Date

June 22 2016

Written By

Dave Hanson

7 simple strategies to avoid drought-stress in containers

Written By Dave Hanson - June 22 2016

Summer can be a real challenge for container gardening. It is common for container grown plants - particularly in the ubiquitous peat-based potting mixes - to struggle during the heat of July and August. Hanging baskets are vulnerable, with such open exposure to the elements, and patio planters can become a chore during prolonged heat and sun. Aside from the worry associated with keeping on top of watering, the plants themselves can quickly suffer if the fine root hairs found towards the edge of containers dry out. The good news: there are tons of easy ways to alleviate these stresses.

Read more

Recent Articles

Tags