Hartley Magazine

All the latest news, hints, tips and advice from our experts

Mississippi Greenhouse enthusiasts encouraged to step up learning

Garden and greenhouse enthusiasts in the Adams County area of Mississippi have been encouraged to attend the upcoming Master Gardener classes. The programme begins later this month and helps horticulture fans to become more adept at their hobby, the Natchez Democrat reported. The Adams County Master Gardeners held their first class nine years ago and […]

Garden and greenhouse website launched

Greenhouse enthusiasts may be interested in a recently-launched website dedicated to home and garden decor. PhilbecksOnline.com was founded by Faith and Justin Philbeck to sell a range of items designed to improve houses and green spaces. As well as sales, the site also features a useful blog, which is used by the owners to distribute […]

Soil pH ‘the most important element for success’

Gardeners have been advised that before they even consider which fruits and vegetables to grow in their greenhouses, they need to think about dirt. Writing in the Christian Science Monitor, Doreen Howard noted that soil is the “most important element for success” when it comes to growing garden produce. As a result, she advises keen […]

New Seed Ideas For The Greenhouse

Finally, a chance to peruse seed catalogs and plan for the new gardening season to come. Here are a few selections to consider, from some of my favorite seed sources. Johnny’s Selected Seeds This Maine-based company introduces a new heirloom green tomato this year– ‘Cherokee Green’ has medium size fruit that mature green with a […]

Free tree care workshop in Iowa

Garden and greenhouse growers in Muscatine, Iowa, might be interested in attending a horticultural event due to take place this weekend. Saturday (January 23rd) will see Muscatine Branching Out – a group dedicated to raising cash to plant trees – host a free Tree Care Workshop, according to the Muscatine Journal. Beginning at 09:45 local […]

Orchids in History

“If nature ever showed her playfulness in the formation of plants, it is visible in the most striking way among orchids.” – Jacob Breynius, 17th century botanist Orchids through the ages Growing orchids in glass or greenhouses dates to the mid-19th century, when wealthy landowners in England and elsewhere constructed elaborate glass structures to cultivate, or conserve, […]

The Best Orchids for Glasshouses or Greenhouses

Temperature and Light Many orchids are comfortable in glasshouses or greenhouses, and are organized into three temperature groups that mimic their preferences in nature. Warm-temperature orchids prefer daytime temperatures in the 80s, with night temps from 60 to 70 degrees. Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilums, Vanda (the vanilla orchid), Ryhynchostylus and Dendrohiums are examples of orchids in this […]

Overwatering and Over-fertilizing Orchids

The Death Knell for Orchids Overwatering-including growing certain species in high humidity-is the death knell for many orchids, as many genera store moisture in the plant itself, thus reducing the requirement for water from an outside source. Cattleyas, Laeliocattleyas, Brassolaeliocattleya, Oncidiums, Miltonias and Odontoglossums, are epiphytes with “pseudo bulbs” that retain water. Phalaenopsis, while also […]

Gardening Trends Survey Reveals Need for Education About Organics

The average consumer is hungry for education about the costs and benefits of organic gardening practices, a recent study of gardening trends revealed. The research, a 2008 Winter Survey of Consumer Attitudes on Organics, was conducted for the Garden Writers Association Foundation by TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence, in October, 2008. Nearly 1000 people were interviewed in […]

Growing Herbs in Greenhouses

There are few things as delightful as a fragrant bouquet of fresh herbs. Whether collecting a combination from the garden for a culinary treat, or strolling through a glasshouse brimming with the essence of seasonings, herbs are quite simply heavenly. It‘s no wonder they‘ve played a prominent role in many cultures throughout the world, and […]

Gardeners advised to act now to attract hummingbirds

Gardeners in America‘s warmer states have been urged to start planning ahead and laying the groundwork should they wish to attract hummingbirds later in the year. While the cold weather may mean that even the keenest gardening enthusiast is tempted to stay indoors until the start of spring, one expert has warned that only by […]