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Tips Techniques

Daffodil Field of Dreams on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Daffodil Field of Dreams

When we heard there was a person in Sparta TN that had taken steps to make a planting dream come true, we had to find out from the source. Sheri Gramer introduces us to Tracy, who set out to plant 5.000 daffodil bulbs in the half acre in front of her front porch. With the help of lots of family and friends, this is now a reality that is sure to increase in the 'wow' factor each and every year.


Residential Composting System on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Residential Composting System

Compost is one of the best things to add to the garden. Marty DeHart shows off a simple design for a backyard cool weather composting system that features 3 connected bins with wood slats. Garden waste and vegetable scraps are the important elements that get transformed within this type of composting system.


Amaryllis: Culture and Care on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Amaryllis: Culture and Care

Hippeastrum, commonly referred to as amaryllis, is in the grass family and is native to South America. Bulbs can remain viable for many years with the correct care. When dormant, they only need watering once a week. When the bulb starts producing a shoot, watering should be more frequent.


Greenhouse Operations on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Greenhouse Operations

April Moore visits the greenhouse at Andrew Jackson's Hermitage to learn about their propagation efforts. In the fall, most of the propagation is from cuttings. Then in January they begin propagating from seed. The new plants are used both in the landscape beds onsite, and also for the annual plant sales.


Fig Tree: Ornamental and Edible on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Fig Tree: Ornamental and Edible

Two fig tree fans enumerate the attributes of this notable tree. We learn the optimum growing conditions, and they share their favorite variety.


Propagating native plants on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Propagating native plants

Columbine, Virginia bluebell, Major Wheeler honeysuckle, and dwarf crested iris are a few of the native plants discussed. Highlighted is how each plant contributes to wildlife sustainability, and how they are propagated. Several methods are demonstrated.


Winter-time seed sowing on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Winter-time seed sowing

Want to feed your gardening soul during the bleak winter months, and save money? Annette Shrader gets a lesson on starting seeds at home on a large scale. Some go in the soil as early as January.


Protecting Plants during Winter on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Protecting Plants during Winter

Whether it's a tender perennial, an herbaceous perennial, or a sub-tropical like dahlias, April Moore explains how to protect plants over winter so they'll be good to go next growing season.


Winter Blooms for Indoor Spaces on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Winter Blooms for Indoor Spaces

Troy Marden shares his experience and some growing tips for plants that offer blooms during the winter months. Holiday cactus, poinsettias, and spring bulbs - including paperwhites, are highlighted.


Growing Cherry Tomatoes for Market on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Growing Cherry Tomatoes for Market

Jeff Poppen learns the methods necessary for growing a successful crop of cherry tomatoes in a market garden greenhouse. Bloomsbury Farm in Smyrna TN uses mulched leaves as compost to improve the soil structure. They use the Florida weave trellising system for some varieties, while with others the Lower and Lean Method is used.


Freshening garden containers mid-summer on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Freshening garden containers mid-summer

It's the middle of summer, and those garden containers that were lovely and full in the spring are showing signs of fatigue and stress. Good news! You don't have to completely start over to get it through the remainder of the growing season. Annette Shrader guides us through several examples of how to go about rejuvenating the plants, and the overall look.


Seed Collection/Storage on NPT's Volunteer Gardener

Seed Collection/Storage

Seed collecting costs nothing, and you'll find you have plenty to share. April Moore explains what plants are suitable, the best time to harvest, how to separate the seed from plant debris, and also how to store seeds to keep them viable.