Articles written by Barbara M. Martin

Tourists and local visitors alike will thrill to the flowers, plantings and natural areas at Descanso Gardens. Don't miss the blooming camellias, rosarium and lilacs!

Mar 4, 2008 - Barbara M. Martin

Say it with flowers! Gardens have made the heart sing in poetry and verse, a natural inspiration since the beginning of time. Find your favorite gardening quotation here.

Jan 23, 2008 - Barbara M. Martin

Words to garden by -- use these quotations and phrases to decorate your yard and garden with inspiration and fun, happiness and joy.

Jan 23, 2008 - Barbara M. Martin

Increase the enjoyment of your garden by designing a better lay out to please all five senses -- touch, taste, smell, hearing and of course, sight!

Jan 17, 2008 - Barbara M. Martin

An outside marriage ceremony in a garden setting surrounded by flowers is a romantic way for bride and groom to begin their life together. Don't stress over the flowers!

Jan 9, 2008 - Barbara M. Martin

Every winter gardeners crave blooms, color, flowers, green leaves and spring! Try raising some of these easy flowering plants inside.

Jan 8, 2008 - Barbara M. Martin

The best basic tools gardeners need (or don't need) from tiller to pruner to spade and trowel. How to pick the right equipment for your essential flower gardening chores.

Dec 7, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Are you growing these lovely old time nostalgic flowers? Many terrific old roses, perennials, annuals, bulbs, and flowering vines have stood the test of time!

Dec 7, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Spring bulbs sometimes grow too soon in spring or come up in the fall. Why they emerge now, what to do (and what not to do) when spring flower bulbs sprout extra early.

Nov 13, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Mulch is the flower gardener's number one tool, offering multiple benefits for your flowers and the soil all year long. Take advantage of this work saving secret weapon.

Oct 14, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Each state in the United States of America has a formal flower. Some blooms are claimed by more than one place. Check this complete state by state listing.

Oct 14, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Old fashioned cures, remedies, protections, amulets and charms from your herb and flower garden to make your Halloween trick or treat night a safe, relaxing experience.

Oct 14, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Ten simple ways to stop wild animals from digging, eating or stealing your newly planted tulips & crocus. Save your bulbs from hungry wildlife or destructive critters!

Sep 27, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Fall is a busy time in the flower garden. Use this list of reminders and tips to keep up with your fall garden chores, prepare for winter and anticipate spring!

Aug 30, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Buying plants and garden supplies by mail order from a catalog or web site is handy and can be educational but read flower plant and nursery catalogs carefully!

Aug 29, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Directions how to lift, divide, dig & save gladioluses for planting in your flower garden next year to increase and grow more of your favorite varieties or save money.

Aug 28, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

First impressions count! Curb appeal sells houses. Inexpensive pretty flowers in beds, border, pots and containers quickly fix up the street view appearance of your home

Aug 13, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Cottage gardens should be filled with flowers all season long. Grow these pretty and popular annual flowers for masses of easy color in the cottage garden.

Aug 6, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Whether you went on vacation and came home to weeds or you have been battling weeds in your garden all season, follow this guide to summer weed control now.

Jul 31, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Follow this simple how to guide to garden frugally and save money. Easy ways to grow beautiful flowers and stick to a limited budget.

Jul 20, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

A quick guide to flower care during the hot summer months -- and tips on how to enjoy your flower garden more, too.

Jul 18, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Use these tips and plant lists to select red, white and blue annual and perennial flowers to plant a traditional flower garden design with a patriotic theme this summer.

Jul 4, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Many herbs have pretty flowers and should be grown in flower gardens. Many favorite flowers are also herbs. Do you grow these herbs in your flower garden?

Jul 3, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Learn how to combine favorite old fashioned flowers of all kinds to design your own colorful cottage garden filled with fragrant roses, lilacs, peonies and more.

Jul 2, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Shaded flower gardens are a delight when done right. Learn how to design and plant a lovely shady flower bed to enjoy all season long. You'll have it made in the shade!

May 30, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Every perennial gardener wants a showy display of flowers all season from spring to fall. Here's how to get it. Follow this guide for your best perennial garden yet.

May 13, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

A hanging basket or pot of flowers is the perfect decoration for your porch or deck. Use this guide to grow your best looking hanging containers ever.

May 12, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Flowers and butterflies (and caterpillars) go together. Plan your flower garden to attract butterflies and grow a magical butterfly habitat in your own back yard.

Apr 30, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Every garden has a difficult hot sunny spot where most flowers fail. Plant some or all of these proven hardy perennial performers in your flower garden this summer.

Apr 30, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Problem cats can turn your garden into a litter box, ruin plantings, bring in disease, ticks or fleas. Try these humane ways to discourage and repel nuisance kitties.

Apr 21, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Grow your best flower garden yet with these super tips on plant selection, soil preparation, watering, mulch, fertilizing and care for annual and perennial flowers.

Apr 5, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Your landscape and flower garden look neat and professional with the right edging to border the flower beds. There are many choices. Which border edging is best?

Mar 25, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Children's gardening or gardening with children is more popular every year. Get ideas for a child's garden and what to grow with your kids. Have fun gardening together!

Mar 16, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Many perennial flowers should be staked. Learn the best techniques and methods to use in your flower garden and when and why to stake your flowers.

Mar 14, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Top heavy floppy perennials need staking. Learn ways to stake flowers such as peonies, lilies, delphiniums or gladiolus to hold them safely upright in the flower garden.

Mar 13, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Follow these practical design tips and planning advice to plant a flower garden in part or full shade.

Mar 8, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Plant these beautiful, easy to grow flowers in your shady or partially shaded garden for colorful blooms all season from spring through summer and fall.

Mar 8, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Scented geraniums are heirloom plants still grown today for their fragrance, essential oil, culinary use and foliage. Learn about these fragrant, easy care plants.

Mar 4, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Scented geranium (Pelargonium) is easy to grow. Learn scented geranium care: correct light, soil, watering, pruning, fertilizer, repotting, pest prevention.

Mar 4, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Scented geraniums are highly collectible, fragrant plants. Children (and adults) love them. Find out what to collect and where to buy your scented geraniums.

Mar 4, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Raised planting beds or planters offer many benefits and are easy to build. Learn how to plan and construct your own raised garden bed to enhance your landscape.

Mar 3, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Once you install or build a raised garden bed you need to fill it with good soil before planting. How much dirt, top soil or compost do you need? What kind is best?

Mar 3, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Enjoy colorful blooms wherever you want them all summer! Instructions, tips, advice on how to select, design, plant and care for flowers in pots, planters & containers.

Mar 1, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

An animal theme garden or plant zoo is fun to design and plant. Use this plant list of animal name flowers from A to Z to start your own pet theme garden.

Feb 26, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Plant these flowers to grow a garden that is deliciously, wonderfully, romantically fragrant, perfumed with floral scent and in bloom all season from spring through fall.

Feb 24, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Design a perfect tiny fairy theme garden for flower fairies or flower faeries. Plant favorite fairy flowers, add the best fairy toys, treasures and trinkets.

Feb 23, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

The secret to successful seed starting. Step by step instructions how to pretreat many flower and other seeds with special needs so they germinate and grow.

Jan 28, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Many perennial flower seeds (tree and shrub seeds, too) need to be chilled or cold stratified to germinate. Step by step instructions using refrigerator to stratify.

Jan 27, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Tips on finding and planting cheap or free, recycled or improvised seed starting containers from seed pan to individual plant pot to waterproof tray. Garden green!

Jan 2, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin

Seedlings need light. To grow healthy seedlings or transplants indoors, grow them under lights, not on the windowsill. Fluorescent or gro lite? Here's how.

Jan 2, 2007 - Barbara M. Martin