How Does Your Garden Grow?

"A Visit to Crabtree Farms"

2010-02-11T13:20:00.000-08:00

On this show I took a trip to Crabtree Farms in Chattanooga, TN. Today more and more people are turning to locally grown produce for their food purchases. Not only does it help your area’s economy, but you also get wonderful fresh produce as well.Crabtree Farms is a non profit research and educational project promoting sustainable agriculture through their many programs. I had so much fun touring the farm and meeting some of the many people who sustain it and who make it all possible.

If you would like to learn more about Crabtree Farms please visit their website at www.crabtreefarms.org. I am sure they would love for you to come and visit. They are open from May through November. If you are unable to come here to Chattanooga be sure and search for a CSA program in your area. It's so important to support locally grown produce in your area!

"Getting Ready for Spring Planting"

2010-01-05T11:16:00.000-08:00

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Winter is here and there's not much to do outside in the freezing weather. So that means it's time to stay indoors and start planning for the spring. At this time of year I always get an abundance of seed catalogs. I love going through them all and dreaming of the things I will plant and maybe the possibility of trying something new in the garden. On this show, we will go step by step in ordering our seeds or plants for spring. I will also show you how to create your very own gardening journal to keep up with and catalog all of your lovely plants. I'll also show you how to start your seeds indoors to create those little seedlings that grow into gorgeous big vegetables and flowers.I even have a great little gift idea to make to put in your spring Easter baskets! Even though we have to stay inside while the weather is so cold, we can still start making plans for warmer weather and spring planting!

"Christmas Decorating"

2009-12-03T04:44:00.000-08:00

Christmas is here and it's time to start decorating! Why not get out in your yard and see all of nature's natural decorating tools? We'll be making pine cone ornaments, wrapping packages, making special food treats for our feathered friends, creating evergreen swags, making seed paper ornaments, and I'll show you some great gift giving ideas. Use the beauty that's right outside your door. It's fun for the family and easier on your wallet. I have included the planting instructions to put on your tags for your gifts. I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!!

Planting Instructions for Bulbs in soil:
Place soil in pot about ¾ deep. Place your bulb in the soil
and add additional soil around it leaving your bulb partially
exposed. Add some water and place in a dark space until
your bulb starts to sprout. Then place it in a sunny location.
Add water as needed but don’t over water it.

Planting Instructions for Bulbs in stones:
Fill your container with water until it reaches just
below your bulbs. Keep in a dark place until your bulbs
start to sprout. Then place in a sunny location.
Check on your water level and make sure it stays
right below your bulbs.

Planting your seed paper:
Soak your see paper ornament in water and then
plant ½ inch deep in soil once the danger of the last
frost has passed. Keep warm and moist until
the seeds germinate. The paper will recycle into the soil.

"A Very Berry Adventure"

2009-10-28T05:10:00.000-07:00

On this episode of How Does Your Garden Grow? I took a trip to The Blueberry Farm in Walker County, GA. Joe and Simone Kilpatrick own and run the farm. I love blueberries so much ,and I've wanted to start my own bushes for some time now. So Joe told me all about how to plant and nurture my berry bushes, and I even learned about blackberries as well. After getting my young seedlings, I then went home and put them in the ground. I am happy to say they have grown a bit since I planted them last fall. I even had a few blackberries this summer! Planting blueberries does take a lot of patience since it takes at least 3 years for your bushes to start producing. But, once they do, your patience will be rewarded! Try planting some for yourself.

"Fall Decorating"

2009-10-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

Fall is here and it's time to get out those pumpkins and cornstalks and ornamental corn! I love this time of the year. You can make your yard come alive with fall decorations. On this show, I make some cute and simple scare crows using items I already had at home. I also show you some neat ways to make your outdoor fall party even more fun. And to go along with it, I throw in some pumpkin trivia to test your knowledge on the subject. So join us for a lot of fall fun on this episode of How Does Your Garden Grow?

"Fall Planting"

2009-09-15T12:06:00.000-07:00

Winter will be here soon and it’s time to get those spring bulbs in the ground to start hibernating. On this episode, I will show you several ways to plant your daffodil and tulip bulbs. Then to bring some more color and beauty to the garden this spring, I will plant some lovely azaleas. Try some in your own garden. They will bring you great happiness when you see them start to bloom this spring. I also show you how to plant easy and hardy knock out roses. I love these because they don't take a lot of effort, but they reward you anyway with their vibrant color. And don't forget about your feathered friends this time of year. Take the time to clean out your birdhouses so they will have a nice clean area to build again in the spring. I hope you enjoy the show and that you will take the time to get your garden all cozy for the winter!

"Fall Festival of Flowers"

2009-08-25T05:53:00.001-07:00

Nothing says fall like a beautiful mum! Today they come in a wide assortment of colors and types. And if you live in a warmer climate like me, you can keep your mums coming back every year. On today’s show you will learn all about these gorgeous flowers along with that traditional cool season flower the pansy. That cute little flower with the little face is the perfect addition to your fall and spring bed. And for a special touch to your fall garden, try planting some ornamental kale and cabbage. These unique plants produce a rich vibrant color and are smiling at you all through the winter! For an added bonus, I will show you how to save those summer flowers by pressing them and using them for greeting cards. So tune in for our “Fall Festival of Flowers”.

"Going Green" - Recycling in Your Garden

2009-02-05T09:03:00.001-08:00

On this show I wanted to show different ways we can help our planet by recycling household products and using them in the garden. Many of the ideas I show use plastic soda bottles and water bottles, soda cans, and milk jugs. I even have a super simple idea to take an old T-shirt and turn it into a handy tote bag. Great to use when picking vegetables. I also wanted to show a couple of ways to take old furniture or pieces of furniture and turn them into handy items that are not only functional, but they look pretty in your garden. My biggest project today was to create a compost bin out of a large rubber trash can. A wonderful way to use up kitchen scraps and yard waste and turn it into nutritious food for your plants and vegetables. I hope you will take the time to think about what you can do to help conserve and waste less in order to help our world.

"Summer Flowers"

2008-09-04T11:04:00.000-07:00

To see a clip from this show, please click on the video below:

I have always wanted a cutting garden. And on this show I finally got one. I planted so many beautiful Gerbera Daisies and Shasta Daisies, plus a Hollyhock and a Delphinium. And no cutting garden is complete without Zinnias! So I included a couple of those as well. After that I planted and talked about the most popular summer flower around - the Petunia! I had no idea there were so many different kinds. I put them in my bed as well as in my hanging baskets. With all these flowers I just had to make some plant markers, so I could remember their names and so others would know what they were called when they visit my garden. I made some very inexpensive and easy markers using stones and craft board. The craft board won't last as long as the stones do, but they are pretty for the season. Don't forget to deadhead your blooms throughout the summer. This will ensure continual blooming and make for a more pleasant garden. Whatever space you have in your yard, take some of it to plant a cutting garden. There's nothing nicer than filling your house with beautiful flowers you have grown yourself.

"All About Herbs"

2008-07-18T05:58:00.001-07:00

On this show, I planted some of my favorite kitchen herbs like basil, flat leaf parsley, chives, dill, and oregano. I also made a salsa garden in a pot using cilantro, Roma tomatoes and jalapeno pepper plants. And I even included some tips on preserving your herbs well into winter time.
Herbs are a wonderful and healthy way to flavor your foods. I love making a delicious caprese salad using my basil, my home grown tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella cheese. Just drizzle a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper and yum,yum!! It's been very hot this summer here in zone 7. I have had to keep my herbs watered pretty frequently. Also, cutting them on a regular basis also seems to help their growth. The dill I planted didn't last very long. It does not like our heat! But I did enjoy it for a brief time. And the smell is incredible. I hope you will start an herb garden in your yard, or start small with a potted herb garden on your deck or back porch. If you've never grown fresh herbs before, you will be hooked and will never want to be without them. Happy herb gardening!

"Kim's Favorite Flowering Shrubs"

2008-07-02T08:09:00.000-07:00

To see a clip from this show, please click on the video below:

For this show I had a day of favorites! I start the show by planting hydrangeas. I love those big beautiful mophead flowers they produce, and they are very common here in the south. I changed the pH level for one of them to achieve a blue flower - and it worked!! After this, I planted my favorite flowering shrub in the whole world and that's the gardenia! This one is hardy to zone 7 and is called a Kleim's Hardy gardenia. Finally I plant a lilac, but this one is special to me because of it's name...."Miss Kim Lilac" I am not making that up. That's what it's called! It's a great lilac that is mildew resistant and produces big beautiful flowers, but I am going to have to wait a year or two before I see them. I am sure it will be worth the wait!
For a special tip, I plant another favorite of mine - the gerbera daisy - in a really cute tea cup planter. I love tea and having tea parties, so it seemed to fit in nicely in the garden. Since this show, all of the shrubs are doing wonderful. I can't wait to see what they will look like this time next year. Remember to plant what you love in your garden. You'll want to spend more time in it if you do.

"Decorating your Garden"

2008-06-12T13:08:00.001-07:00

This show is all about making fun, easy, and inexpensive ways to accessorize your garden. Have any old windows lying around? Then turn them into mirrors to hang outdoors or indoors. What about those stepping stones you see in the store? Now you can make your own and make them totally unique and personal. Just a little concrete and some decorations and you are all set. And what about that furniture in your yard that has seen it's share of wear and tear? All it takes is some new paint and a little imagination to make it look like new again. Since I did this show, I had a big cookout and so many people loved the new additions to the garden. To me it just makes me smile with all that color, and it makes me want to stay out there longer than I should! Remember your garden should reflect you and your personality and of course - make you smile while you are in it!

"Soil Testing"

2008-05-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

To see a clip from this show, please click on the video below:

This show is all about testing your soil and we manage to do some planting as well. Soil testing is key when planning your garden. You have to know the proper pH balance in order for your plants to grow healthy and strong.

Be sure to test your soil every spring and fall. Make amendments based on your soil needs -whether it be more acidic or more alkaline. There are several ways to test your soil: A home test kit you can purchase at your home improvement store, a soil testing gauge that measures the pH and the fertility, or send a soil sample to your local county extension office.

We also managed to plant some cool season vegetables like Lettuce and Spinach. I am happy to say they are have already begun to grow and my husband and I enjoyed a salad with them just the other night and it was YUMMY! Also in the show I planted spring bulbs in order to have beautiful flowers for summer. I planted gladiolas and ranunculus and the glads are already coming up!