The Blog

by Kathy Van Mullekom, a lifelong gardener and gardening writer living in York County, Virginia

Dad taught me “it’s not what you make but how you spend it.”

That philosophy has guided me in everything I do, even in my garden.

What does spending wisely have to do with gardening? Everything, if you want to get the most out of your plants, time and money.

My gardening dollars are divided into categories: yard art, garden structures, maintenance and, of course, plants.

SCABIOSA (Pincushion Flower)

PRIMROSE

If you’re yearning for a kiss of spring, but Mother Nature seems somewhat slow to oblige, don’t despair. Primroses can be grown with minimum of effort on a sunny windowsill. They make cheerful gifts for anyone, even yourself while still held indoors in the grip of winter.

Japanese Maples

Without a doubt, Japanese maples are by far one of the most popular and versatile of ornamental trees. People absolutely love them, and for good reason - they are beautiful! Images of brilliant reds, vibrant oranges, surreal greens and any color in between come to mind when we think of Japanese maples. Their color and structure are unmatched, while their size makes them accessible to those whose gardens are measured in square feet instead of acres. With their small stature, tremendous variety, and four-season beauty, Japanese maples offer something all year long.

Great gardens start with great tools, and now is the perfect time to stock up on spring tools like rakes and pruners. The right tools make creating and maintaining your yard easier and faster and you really only need a handful of tools to handle the most common lawn and garden maintenance. Be sure to check out our complete line of economical Terra Verde Tools in stores and now 30% off through March 31. Here are a few must-have garden tools to help you be successful and efficient in maintaining your garden: