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- SIBO (pronounced See-BO)

shrubs to know…

Autumn is my favorite time in the garden. In the f

Autumn is my favorite time in the garden. In the first image, the self sown red spike amaranth picked the perfect spot to grow. I leave them standing long enough in the fall to drop seed so that next year all I have to do is a little editing and voila! In the second, I’ve struggled to get things to grow beneath an Autumn Blaze maple. But this little trio of Anemone ‘Fall in Love Sweetly ‘, Pulmonaria’Trevi Fountain’ and Hosta ‘Earth Angel’ (my favorite) are muscling on in this parched shady spot and looking lovely together. And finally, what’s not to love about Sedum ‘Matrona’ and Salvia ‘Unplugged White? This little pairing is a pollinator powerhouse! #fallgarden #plantcombinations #septembergarden #perennialgardening #zone6a #chicagogarden #hereshegrows

While there are many ways to save seeds, tomato se

While there are many ways to save seeds, tomato seeds require a period of fermentation that produces microbes to break down their gelatinous coating. The coating contains a germination inhibitor that prevents the seeds from sprouting within the fruit. Mother Nature is incredible!

I grow open pollinated tomatoes from the Dwarf Tomato Project and am able to grow my favorites every year without ever having to buy new seed.

Fertilized with @true_organic_ tomato and vegetable fertilizer at planting time, flowering time and fruiting time, my dwarf plants produce loads of full-size fruit. And because I save seeds from slightly over ripe fruit, my plants grow accustomed to my growing conditions and become stronger every year.

While you can save seeds from both hybrid and open-pollinated varieties, the only way to ensure you produce the same genetically identical plant is to save seeds from open-pollinated varieties. This also includes heirlooms.

Hybrid varieties result from the crossing of different parent plants. Seeds from these plants produce a mixed bag of traits, often unlike your original plant. You never know what you’re gonna get!

#saveseeds #savetomatoseed #openpollinated #thetruecrew #organicgardening #soilhealth #gardentotable #budgetgardening #hereshegrows #seedsaving

The light streaming into the garden is different,

The light streaming into the garden is different, softer. There’s an insect hum that seems to get louder as the days get shorter. From sunrise to sunset, this little pocket of easy annuals is a smorgasbord for insects passing through. The female hummingbirds come daily, looking into the windows. I know they see their reflection but it’s nice to think that maybe they’re looking for me before they go. The pollinators and I get such satisfaction from Verbena bonariensis, Sunfinity Double Yellow helianthus, Flamingo celosia and Monarch Magic ageratum. In this little space, everyone wins. #fallgarden #pollinatorgarden #septembergarden #easyannuals #easyplants #smallspacegardening #chicagogarden #zone6a #hereshegrows

Welcome to Flora House! Can you think of a better

Welcome to Flora House! Can you think of a better way to celebrate late summer than with a pop-up garden event @ladureeus courtesy of @baileynurseries @firsteditionsshrubstrees @endlesssummerhydrangeas @easyeleganceroses in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. What’s not to like about sipping mimosas and nibbling famous macarons in a lush garden? And did you catch those fabulous plant combos? Flowers are great, but foliage and texture are what make a garden memorable! Cheers to sweet treats and pop-up gardens! Now what will you be planting this fall? #florahouse #popupgarden #gardeninspiration #gardenlove #gardeninthecity #urbangarden #hereshegrows

It was looking like the plumpest strawberry of the

It was looking like the plumpest strawberry of the year, until I turned it over and discovered the chipmunks beat me to it! 🤬 #gardenlife #gardendrama #gardenpests #strawberries #organicgardener #raisedbedgardening #chicagogarden #zone6a #hereshegrows

A few pretty moments in the garden today…

1️⃣ Looking into the sideyard garden and that Rudbeckia ‘American Goldrush’ from @brentahorvath is a workhorse
2️⃣ I have high hopes for Agastache ‘Rosie Posie.’ We’ll see how she comes through the winter 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼
3️⃣Verbena bonariensis is one of my favorite see-through 👀 plants and she loves to reseed.
4️⃣I’m loving these cute Patch for Kids pumpkins from @burpeegardening
5️⃣The sliver of space around my patio is a pollinator’s smorgasbord loaded with Ageratum ‘Monarch Magic,’ Sunfinity Double Yellowing sunnies and Flamingo celosia that’s self-sowed here since I planted it from seed several years ago.
6️⃣And last but not least, Belamcanda chinensis ‘Freckle Face’ has some of the best foliage and seed heads. It self sows too.

#septembergarden #suburbangarden #chicagogardening #zone6a #garden #hereshegrows

Did you know fall planting is better than spring p

Did you know fall planting is better than spring planting for many trees, shrubs and perennials?

Cool air and warm soil means your plants will be far less stressed and establish quickly before the ground freezes.

For shrubs and perennials, I like to add a handful of @true_organic_ Preplant Starter and a shovelful of compost to the planting hole to ensure my new plants have the nutrients they need to root in quickly before the ground freezes.

And when it comes to trees, it’s all about the hole! Don’t bother adding anything to the planting hole. You want those roots to grow into the native soil.

🪏Simply dig the hole twice the diameter of the can it’s growing in. As for planting depth, plant it at the depth it is in the can.

🌳Because my soil is very heavy, I plant my trees and shrubs approximately two inches higher to allow for settling and ensure good drainage.

Top your new plants with a few inches of mulch and water regularly by checking the soil often.

💦Tree root balls are big so be sure to water deeply and continue to do so until the ground freezes. The hose should be the very last tool you put away for winter. 😉

#trueorganic #thetruecrew #organicgardening #organichomegarden #fallgardening #fallplantingtips #hereshegrows

This is going to sound morbid 💀 but I have a sm

This is going to sound morbid 💀 but I have a small collection of rodent skulls and other interesting bits that were likely left behind by this huntress. Her name is Ally. She’s our neighbor’s cat and we love her. #gardencat #allycat #sideyardgarden #suburbangarden #augustgarden #chicagogarden #zone6a #hereshegrows

My favorite mangave, Silver Fox, is telling me the

My favorite mangave, Silver Fox, is telling me the end is near and I’m a bit bummed by that.

Of the mangaves, she’s my favorite, adding texture and interest to the garden while also easily overwintering in a sunny window without a gripe.

That flower stalk means she’s nearing her last hurrah and I’ll need to get in there and check for pups.

If you’re not familiar with mangave, they’re a cross between Manfreda and Agave, combining the faster growth habit and interesting color patterns of manfreda with the unique structure of agave. Interestingly, they are great for hot dry sites but can also endure areas receiving more moisture.

I hate to see her go, it’s been a great run these past four or five years. I can’t remember exactly, but I’ve enjoyed the interest and texture she’s added to this little area off the patio every summer.

I wonder what that flower will look like. 🤔

@waltersgardens @madaboutmangave @plantsplantsen #mangave #silverfoxmangave #succulents #xericgardening #chicagogardening #zone6a #hereshegrows

Marriage is full of compromise. For 25 years, lawn

Marriage is full of compromise. For 25 years, lawn care has been one of ours. I’m organic, he’s not. So we agreed he could do what he wanted in the front yard but was forbidden to come near the backyard…until now.

He finally ditched his four-step chemical lawn fertilizer ritual. And now, he’s fertilizing the front AND the back yards with @true_organic_ lawn fertilizer four times a year - early spring, late spring, late summer and early fall.

🐾 One hundred percent organic, it contains no harsh synthetic chemicals and is safe for pets and people to walk on immediately after application.

While it’s great for established lawns, it can also be applied to newly seeded and sodded lawns.

He’s happy with the results and I’m happy we’re on the same page when it comes to lawn care! What is it with guys and their grass anyway??? 🤔

#thetruecrew #trueorganic #organiclawncare #soilhealth #organichomegarden #hereshegrows

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