Archives by: Donna Hessel
About the author
Donna Hessel is the author of our Gardening Sweet Spots blog and has been working in gardens for as long as she can remember, pulling weeds and planting beans and radishes in her grandfather’s garden. A recent move to a smaller home and very small garden restricted to “containers only” has presented gardening challenges as well as new opportunities. She enjoys the camaraderie and benefits of belonging to the Emerald Necklace Garden Club, which is open to new members and encourages guests to attend its monthly meetings. To learn more, go to emeraldnecklacegardenclub.org.
Donna Hessel Posts
If the idea of a “white garden” has always appealed to you, then you'll want to read our garden blogger's tips on capturing that moonlit ambience in your own backyard with plants to enjoy now and next season.
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The best advice for new gardeners is usually, “Plant perennials. They come back every year.” But sometimes they don’t. Spoiler alert: It turns out that “perennial” doesn’t mean “forever.” To find out why, read on. ...
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Homes with window boxes extend a warm welcome. Their design, dimensions and depth are like open arms in living color. For information on how to add them or keep them looking great, read on. ...
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Who needs a calendar to tell when to plant your perennials or veggies? With current global warming and climate change, “phenology” may be a more reliable indicator. And then there’s the ancient practice of planting by the moon. To find out how you can use these methods to better assure gardening success, read on. ...
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House Bill 59 made Ohio one of the first states in the nation to have a month dedicated to native plants. It’s a reminder every April to renew our commitment to removing non-native invasive plant species and to selecting native plants when planning our spring gardens. To find out how you can add native plants to benefit pollinators, read on! ...
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If you love your garden as it currently exists, congratulations! You’re way ahead of most of us. But, if there’s any doubt that your garden isn’t the best it can be, reading about what’s trending with gardeners for 2022 will point the way to "Intentional Gardening" perfection. ...
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Everlastings may not be forever, but last a year or longer. When the green foliage of your houseplants tends to overwhelm, an arrangement of dried “everlastings” will break up the monotony. And pressing everlasting flowers provides unlimited options for craft projects. Plan now to include them in your garden for 2022. ...
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Poinsettias and Cyclamen are traditional plants that add welcome indoor color to the holiday season. But now it’s January and all the holiday decorations are safely stored for another year. What to do with the plants that are still merrily blooming? If you’d like to try keeping them, here are some tips. ...
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