Guides

Each guide answers one gardening job, with the numbers taken from extension services and growers.

• Made or edited with AI tools, starting from a real photo. Annuals vs perennials: which flowers come back Annuals vs perennials for 11 garden flowers: which come back, why dahlias are not reliably winter hardy outside zone 9, and how biennials fit in. 8 min read
• Made or edited with AI tools, starting from a real photo. Cut flower garden: what to grow and when to cut it Plan a cut flower garden: best flowers for cutting, sowing sunflowers every 1 to 3 weeks, and the bud stage to cut zinnias, dahlias, peonies and tulips. 8 min read
• Made or edited with AI tools, starting from a real photo. Flowers toxic to cats: tulips, lilies, sunflowers and more Which garden flowers are toxic to cats and dogs? ASPCA status for 11 genera, why lily pollen can cause kidney failure within 3 days, and who to call. 7 min read
• Made or edited with AI tools, starting from a real photo. How to grow sunflowers from seed (and how tall they get) How to grow sunflowers: sow seed in full sun after the last frost, 1 to 2 inches deep (UGA), in succession for a long season. Heights from 1-foot pot types to 16-foot giants. 8 min read
• Made or edited with AI tools, starting from a real photo. How to grow zinnias from seed: sowing, bloom and seed saving How to grow zinnias from seed: sow ¼ inch deep in warm soil after the last frost or start indoors, thin, deadhead for more flowers and save seed. 8 min read
• Made or edited with AI tools, starting from a real photo. How to plant dahlia tubers: depth, spacing and staking How to plant dahlia tubers: lay them on their side 4 to 6 inches deep, eye up, 2 feet apart, in warm soil. Then staking, pinching, feeding and heights by form. 7 min read
• Made or edited with AI tools, starting from a real photo. How to plant daffodil bulbs: depth, spacing and aftercare How to plant daffodil bulbs: 6 to 8 inches deep, pointed end up, in fall while the soil is workable. Spacing, sun, choosing bloom times and care after flowering. 8 min read
• Made or edited with AI tools, starting from a real photo. How to plant peonies: depth, sun and spacing How to plant peonies: eyes 1 to 2 inches deep, 6 hours of sun, planted in fall. Depth rules for herbaceous, Itoh and tree peonies, cutting back and dividing. 8 min read
• Made or edited with AI tools, starting from a real photo. How to plant tulip bulbs: depth, spacing and pots How to plant tulip bulbs: pointed end up, 6 to 8 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart, in fall. Chilling in warm zones, tulips in pots and care after bloom. 9 min read
• Made or edited with AI tools, starting from a real photo. How to plant hostas: timing, spacing, dividing, cutting back How to plant hostas: crown at soil level, a hole twice as wide as the roots, spring or early fall, 1 inch of water a week, and division every 4 to 5 years. 7 min read
• Made or edited with AI tools, starting from a real photo. How to store dahlia tubers over winter How to store dahlia tubers: dig after the first frost, dry for a few hours, pack in vermiculite or wood shavings and keep them at 34 to 40 °F until spring. 9 min read
• Made or edited with AI tools, starting from a real photo. When to plant marigolds: seed, transplant and bloom dates Plant marigolds outdoors after your last spring frost. Start seed indoors 4 to 6 weeks earlier, or 8 weeks for tall African types, for summer flowers. 8 min read

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