
- Don't Drown Your Plants, Nurture Them with Micro/Drip Irrigation
Now that spring is here, garden centers across the country are once again bustling with activity. There are house plants, fruit trees and vegetables as far as the eye can see, and they all look great. So how do you keep them looking that way once you get them home?

- Adding Classic Styling to Porches and Patios
As the home improvement craze continues to sweep the nation, a lot of homeowners are beginning to look beyond sheer size and focus on ways to improve their home's styling. One of the more popular upgrades these days are exterior doors, and not just the ones on the front of the house but also those leading to outdoor living spaces.

- Gardening without a Garden
As days warm and mailboxes burst with garden catalogs, many people begin to find their green thumbs itching to play in the dirt. But if you're one of the countless people for whom a full-fledged garden isn't a possibility, you don't have to give up the vision of bountiful blooms and fresh produce. There are options available to provide everyone with a way to grow. Folks with limited space or mobility -- or those who want the beauty and benefits without the hours of work -- are discovering the many different types of container gardening.

- Patio-Ready Clematis Decorate Outdoor Garden Rooms with Columns of Instant Color
Table umbrella, barbeque grill, chaise lounge, clematis. That's right, when decorating your outdoor living room, be sure to remember the clematis. It's all the decoration you'll need to create a finished look. Introduced this spring, the Raymond Evison Patio Clematis are just the ticket for patio-ready, party-ready columns of color for your outdoor space. Growing only about three feet tall, these blooming beauties are ideal plants for people who have to garden in small spaces or prefer to garden in containers. "Clematis are all the rage this year," says James A. Baggett, editor of Better Homes & Gardens Perennials magazine.

- Flower Power! Wave, the Flower that Revolutionized Petunias, Turns 10
'Show-stopping.' 'Stunning.' 'Spectacular.' Ten years after its introduction, everyone still raves about Wave petunias. The number one petunia in the world, Wave is still a garden favorite but don't think it is anything like your grandmother's petunias. These easy to grow flowers deliver huge 'wow' appeal without a lot of fuss, according to Stephanie Cohen, author of The Perennial Gardener's Design Primer. "Wave revolutionized petunias," says plant expert Cohen. "Old-fashioned petunias were stringy and very demanding, needing a lot of pinching and deadheading. Now you can just plant Wave, feed and water, and you have a WOW display of color."

- The Allergy Sufferers' Guide to Gardening
Actor and Gardening Enthusiast Dean Cain Offers Tips for Creating a 'Sneeze-Free' Garden According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, more than 35 million people suffer from allergies which may prohibit them from participating in many outdoor activities, including gardening. Notable film and television star Dean Cain is one of them. "I love spending time outside, especially with my four year-old son," comments Cain, "but my allergies prevent me from enjoying some of our favorite outdoor hobbies. One of our favorite things to do every morning is to pick fresh oranges from our orange trees and cut fresh flowers from the garden.

- The Secret is in the Soil - New Tool Your Garden Shouldn't Be Without
Ever wonder how farmers manage to keep their crops so healthy looking, and the golf courses stay so green? The secret is in the soil. Before the seeds for crops or grass are planted, the ground is conditioned to encourage optimum growth. A combination of having all the nutrients they need and adequate watering is what allows the plants to thrive; but what if adequate watering is not permissible because of the hot summer months, or worse yet, drought conditions?

- Keep Your Lawn and Garden Lush this Summer
Americans have a love affair with their lawns and gardens that will continue to heat up this summer, according to a new national study. The "Why Americans DIY" Study of 1,000 American homeowners commissioned by Ace Hardware reveals that an overwhelming majority of American homeowners are active, do-it-yourself (DIY) landscapers. More than eight in 10 people polled -- 83 percent -- said they personally work in their yard or garden, reflecting the passion people have for these outdoor extensions of their homes.

- Let Containers take a Starring Role in Your Garden
It's easy for containers, even great ones, to get lost in the crowd at ground level. So, how do you set the stage for a winning container garden? Think of your potted plants like the members of an ensemble cast, and let each one shine with star quality. Creating different elevations shows plant and planter at their best. Give your pots a little boost while adding fun and fashion to your garden space. Sometimes planter "feet" are all the lift needed. Choose from many motifs; lion claws for old world elegance or simple leaves for a natural feeling. These simple accessories not only give your containers a finished look, but they significantly improve drainage of the container, which is especially important if pots are to be left out in the winter.

- Outdoor Lighting Provides Safety, Security and Style
Outdoor lighting products can be used for a variety of reasons. They help accentuate gardens, fountains and landscaping so you can enjoy the beauty of your outdoor living space. In addition, many studies have shown that a well-lit house will deter criminals. Plus, a lit pathway can help show the way through the yard and keep you from trampling your garden or from tripping and falling.