Slugs are one of the most common garden pests, though unlike most other chewing critters you find in your garden, they aren’t insects. Instead, slugs are land-dwelling mollusks that are more closely related to clams than beetles or caterpillars. Facing a slug infestation is serious business, filled with slime trails, damaged leaves, and missing seedlings. But effective organic slug control is both manageable and affordable,... Read More

If your clematis vine is growing but not flowering, there are several reasons (or a combination of them) that could be preventing your clematis from flowering. Improper Pruning Pruning plants is both an art and a science. We prune for the welfare of the plant and our own aesthetics. With clematis, you really need to know what you’re doing because it’s easy to accidentally remove... Read More

Having a lush, colorful garden where deer live is possible, if you choose plants with known resistance. Flowering Tobacco There are several different garden-worthy flowering tobacco species, cultivars, and hybrids such as Nicotiana. All nicotiana have tubular flowers adored by hummingbirds, and since the blooms emit their fragrance in the evenings, the primary pollinators you’ll spy feeding on them are nocturnal moths. Just keep this... Read More

Tomatoes are easy to love and easy to grow. Here are a few tips for planting them, getting you on your way to this summer’s bumper crop. Get Off to a Great Start Choose healthy starts. Grow your own from seed or pick them up at Creek Side Gardens offering small, medium, large and extra-large plant selections. Know where you’re going to plant and prep... Read More

Most insect-repelling plants do so with their natural fragrances, which keep annoying mosquitoes away and introduce wonderful scents throughout your garden. Place these plants in areas where you and guests will often be such as by a seating area or a doorway. Lavender Their lovely fragrance comes from its essential oils that are found on the leaves of the plant. This plant is very tough... Read More

Aromatic. Spicy. Versatile. Downright addictive. That’s what we say about the incredible herb, basil. Whether you’re making pesto or tea, Italian or Thai food, Basil is so easy to grow at home, that you can always have some on hand.  Grow from Seed or Transplants There is a bit of a misnomer that basil is hard to grow from seed – that couldn’t be more... Read More

Container gardening is very popular, especially for gardeners with no yards or limited growing area in the ground.  All types of plants may be grown in containers.  Annual flowers, herbs and vegetables work very well because their growing will be over at the end of the summer season.  Your containers can then be replanted the following season with a fresh planting. Perennials, shrubs and trees... Read More