The Ruby Throated Hummingbirds Will Migrate through Mississippi in March – How Do I Prepare?

Image Credit: Mississippi State Agriculture Extension Attracting Hummingbirds to Mississippi Gardens “Many Mississippi gardeners enjoy attracting hummingbirds to the landscape. These active birds provide hours of entertainment for children and adults alike and display extraordinary abilities to turn, hover, and fly. The males of these high-octane bundles of energy exhibit beautiful plumage colors of red,…

Herbs, Pollinators, Shrubs, and Flowers Planted in My Garden in 2024

I work in my garden almost every day, and planting is a continuum for me. I’ll start with December of 2023, when I planted 2 gallon-sized Zepherine Drouhin Roses. I planted them on each side of an entrance into my rose garden. I was a bit worried about how they would fare during the winter–especially…

Daffodils, Jonquils, and Other Spring Bulbs in My Garden for 2024

Snowflakes (Leucojum) Image Credit:  North Carolina State Extension Office “Snowflakes (Leucojum) have white bells and green dots and are very common pass-along bulbs in the South.” John Rushing Mississippi Gardening Facebook Post – February 16. 2024 Narcissi Miniature ‘Tete a Tete’ Daffodil Image Credit: Votaniki Lent lily (Narcissus pseudo narcissus) Image Credit: De Warrande Words…

How to Grow Kentucky Wonder Pole Green Beans – Heirloom

Kentucky Wonder Pole Green Bean – Heirloom Image Credit: Burpee “You get big crops of sweet and always stringless pods. “Kentucky Blue is an All-America Selections winner that combines the excellence of the all-time greatest pole beans: Kentucky Wonder and Blue Lake. You get big crops of sweet, straight, stringless pods 7″ long. A heavy…

How to Grow Contender Green Beans – Heirloom Bush Beans

Contender Green Beans – Heirloom Bush Beans – (Phaseolus vulgaris) Image Credit: Burpee Height; 18″ – 30″ “Great bean flavor. “Contender is one of the best bush beans ever. It is a heavy cropper with round-oval pods and a strong, distinctive flavor. It’s an early bean that does well under short seasons and cool conditions,…

Swiss Chard: A Beautiful Plant that Is Also Nutritious

Swiss Chard ‘Bright Lights’ (Beta vulgaris var cicl) I must be twitterpated by the thought of starting my 2024 garden, but today I noticed, for the first time, a gorgeous vegetable plant Swiss Chard Bright Lights. I had always heard that Swiss Chard is bitter, and perhaps I have simply blocked out this gorgeous plant…

Setting Up My Flower, Herb & Plant Business – First Steps

Cottage Garden Living Plant Shop For many, many years, I have been building a plant business, but until now,  my efforts have been on the back burner. But this spring, I’m moving forward with my plan. I have maintained my garden website Cottage Garden Living for at least ten years: https://cottagegardenliving.com/ This spring, I’ll set…