Pruning Spring-Blooming Shrubs
It’s been a beautiful spring in Central Indiana, with spectacularly blooming magnolias, redbuds, dogwoods, flowering cherries, azaleas,...
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TFG BLOG
45 YEARS OF GARDENING EXPERIENCE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
John Chapin
Apr 181 min read
Petunias That Glow in the Dark!
The biology lab Light Bio has worked for decades to develop luminous plants that continuously glow in the dark. The first bioluminescent...
John Chapin
Mar 21, 20232 min read
Time to Divide Hostas!
Hostas, of which there are literally hundreds of varieties, remain one of the most popular garden perennials, reigning supreme in shady...
John Chapin
Jan 24, 20232 min read
Early Indoor Seed Sowing
We’re all itching to get started sowing vegetable and flower seeds indoors to have transplants ready for our gardens this spring, but...
John Chapin
Jun 13, 20222 min read
Grow Yezberries as a Delicious Substitute for Blueberries in Indiana
With continuing interest in all things gardening, some people are taking vegetable gardening to a new level by planting fruit trees and...
John Chapin
May 4, 20222 min read
For Stronger Tomatoes, Plant Horizontally
One of my aunts always had a hugely productive vegetable garden that was the envy of the neighborhood. Among her harvest of peas, string...
John Chapin
Apr 21, 20222 min read
Spring is for Planting!
It’s the perfect time of the year for planting grass (both seed and sod), as well as most any perennial, shrub, or tree. Planting in...
John Chapin
Apr 14, 20222 min read
What’s Eating My Rose’s Leaves?
Roses are increasingly popular with gardeners in Central Indiana. The days of hard-to-grow, finicky tea roses are long gone with the...
John Chapin
Apr 7, 20222 min read
Taking the Mystery Out of Pruning Hydrangeas
With the continuing popularity of the many types of hydrangeas available to gardeners, there remains quite a bit of confusion as to how...
John Chapin
Mar 31, 20222 min read
Beware the Mulch Volcanoes! Tips for Successful Mulching
One of the first activities of spring gardening is mulching. The benefits of mulching are many. The most important is moisture retention...
John Chapin
Mar 22, 20222 min read
You Can’t Rush Mother Nature! Avoiding Freezes and Frosts
Every spring, gardeners are eager to get their hands dirty working in their flower and vegetable beds. Veteran gardeners know from...
John Chapin
Mar 14, 20222 min read
Up in Flames! Ornamental Grass Maintenance
Ornamental grasses are popular in Central Indiana. The only maintenance needed is an annual removal of the dead, dry stems.
John Chapin
Mar 8, 20222 min read
Transplant Indoor Vegetable Seedlings With These Simple Steps
For those gardeners who’ve gotten a jump on the planting season by starting seeds indoors, it’s usually safe to transplant cool-weather...
John Chapin
Feb 28, 20223 min read
Bringing Spring Indoors
For gardeners, this time of the year can be downright depressing! Cold temperatures, snow, freezing rain, and ice can make spring seem...
John Chapin
Feb 21, 20222 min read
Now is the Perfect Time to Plan for Spring Garden Work
The daylight hours are lengthening, birdsong is everywhere, and hardy plants are budding in anticipation of spring. With the signs and...
John Chapin
Feb 1, 20222 min read
Sowing Seeds for Spring
One of the most rewarding activities for gardeners is growing flowers and vegetables from seed. This not only saves money, but greatly...
John Chapin
Jan 10, 20222 min read
The Great American Gardening Boom
Gardeners start the new year with great hope and excitement in anticipation of spring. Although midwinter, now is the time to start...
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