Growing Wisdom with Dave Epstein

Selecting the right rose for the right location

Sat 21 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

When you go to a garden center or nursery to buy a rose the selection of plants can be overwhelming. In this video Growing Wisdom explores various types of roses and which rose plant works best in different locations.

Some roses tend to grow more upright and become a tall shrub. Knockout brand roses are one plant that fall into this category. Other roses grow lower and expand more in width rather than height. Flower Carpet brand roses fall into this group. Some r...

Growing Microgreens

Sat 14 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Microgreens are fun to grow and quite easy. Since microgreens are not grown beyond their first set of true leaves, you don't need much light. As a matter of fact, you can get microgreens to grow in almost any window in the house, even a north facing window. You can grow microgreens in any shallow container. Try one of those plastic strawberry containers or the ones in which you get cherry tomatoes. You can cut the greens as soon they get their first leaves. They won...

Natural Containers For Planting

Wed 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Natural containers are a great way to recycle resources and do something creative in the garden. A tree stump is one possible choice for a container. In this video, Dave Epstein visits the New England Wild Flower Society to see how Scott LaFleur, the Society's Director makes use of old tree stumps to create unique plantings. If you use a natural container be sure to remember that all containers need to have soil, water and be place in an area with the appropriate light for the ...

Christmas Tree Alternatives

Mon 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

If you live in a small home, apartment or perhaps are in a hotel for Christmas you can still celebrate with a "tree". There is no shortage of plants available that can make a nice small tree and you can even decorate them! A few things to look for. First, bonsai trees can make wonderful Christmas trees if decorated carefully. How about buying a rosemary plant that has been grown in the shape of an evergreen tree? Head to your local nursery and purchase a...

Forcing Bulbs To Bloom Inside

Thu 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

A longtime tradition of many is to grow flowering bulbs indoors. Two of the easiest varieties of these types of bulbs are the paperwhite narcissus and amaryllis bulb. These bulbs can be found on the internet, in stores and nurseries during the fall and first part of the winter.

When selecting the bulbs look for firm and large bulbs. These will tend to yield more flowers and be healthier. I recommend star...

Keeping Your Christmas Tree Healthy

Wed 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

There are a few tips to follow if you want to keep your Christmas tree alive throughout the Christmas season. Watch this video and learn some of Growing Wisdom's tips on how to select and keep your tree looking its best.

Lawn Alternatives

Tue 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

Lawns with grass make a great space to play and also can frame our gardens in a beautiful way. There are however, lawn alternatives such as carex, thyme and other groundcovers that make great lawns. These alternative lawns can often, after becoming established, take less water and time to maintain.There are a few tips to follow if you want to keep your Christmas tree alive throughout the Christmas season. Watch this video and learn some of Growing Wisdom's tips on how to ...

Growing Magnolia 'Betty'

Mon 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

The Magnolia Tree 'Betty' is an upright deciduous grower with 8" flowers that are deep purple-red on the outside and cream colored on the inside. Betty can grow to be 12 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide. Betty is one of the most vigorous of the "little girl" hybrids and tends to grow more upright than wide. Plant in full-part sun and give adequate moisture especially the first couple of years. You may find that Betty will rebloom for you in the summer which is an added bon...

Living Wall Containers For Privacy

Tue 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

Creating a living wall on your deck can give you a sense of privacy from a neighbor just a few feet away. In this video we use Buxus, (boxwood) 'Graham Blandy' as the plants to create the wall. This variety of boxwood will grow 6-8 ft tall and stay quite narrow making it an ideal specimen for narrow spaces and to create a wall affect.If you plant these boxwoods in containers be aware that they are hardy to zone 6. Whenever you put plants in a container, they tend to...

Pink Chintz Thyme as Lawn Alternative

Thu 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

Thymus 'Pink Chintz, is one of the earliest blooming Thyme plants available. It can also handle a moderate amount of foot traffic. In general thyme plants are drought tolerant but will truly thrive with regular moisture. Pink Chintz is one of the earlier blooming thymes and can be trimmed back for a neater appearance. The salmon pink flowers make a great lawn alternative. The plant is hardy in zones 4-9. This means all but the very hottest and cold...