Table of contents for Summer 2025 in Garden Gate

As a kid, I complained about those hot afternoons weeding green beans and the early morning wake-up calls to pick in a dew-soaked strawberry patch. So it was quite a surprise to my mom when I developed an interest in gardening as an adult. But I have garden memories with so many people I love: My Grandma Safrona grew sweet pea flowers on a chicken wire panel at the end of her vegetable garden and introduced me to garden-fresh ground cherries. Initially it was disappointing to learn that the little brown disks in Grandma Maxine’s pantry were not, in fact, cookies. But when she soaked those peat pellets in water, it was fun to watch them puff up before we started seeds together. And Mom has always had a bouquet…

Feeling unmotivated in summer’s heat? Spend a little time in a vivid, dynamic garden to recharge your batteries and buoy your spirit. It’s no secret that plants can create an energetic mood. For instance, boisterous, vibrant hues offer excitement and stimulation. Dramatic vertical plant habits can give the garden an uplifting vibe. Bold, defined bloom shapes command attention and inspire action in high-visibility spots like an entryway, leading you to the door. The plants in these three borders have the components to add that exuberance and give you a boost of energy to tackle summer garden tasks you’ve been putting off. Elevate the Mood Like arrows pointing the way, spiky ligularia and astilbe flowers pull your eye into and upward through the garden. Tall, spiky flowers create a dramatic background,…

How would you like to step out the back door of your home into a lush planting that reminds you of your favorite vacation spot? Give these tropical garden design ideas a try. With a few simple additions, you can create drama and give an exotic flair to almost any spot. Think dense borders full of large plants and colorful foliage and bold flowers. Sound like something you’d like to see in your garden? Here are four easy-to-try tips. 1 Choose Large Plants In a tropical rainforest, plants and foliage grow extra large because they can grow year round, and get plenty of moisture. To replicate this look in your garden, use a few big plants with big leaves. If you can create structure with the exotic-looking Tasmanian tree fern’s…

Q Rinsing with water doesn’t get rid of the little black beetles in my raspberries. What can I do? Bill Dawe, PA A When you bring the harvest indoors, add 1 part table salt to 9 parts cold water and soak the fruit for 10 to 20 minutes. The insects will float to the surface. Don’t let the fruit soak too long or it might become mushy and take on a salty taste. And always rinse the fruit again in cold, clean water before eating or processing. Q What’s the best drainage material for my ceramic garden containers? Polly March, MO A Old habits die hard, but for years studies have shown that all that’s needed for good drainage in a pot is at least one hole in the bottom.…

5 Ways to Bring More Butterflies to Your Garden Want to attract more butterflies? Check out these five design tips! GardenGateMagazine.com/articles/how-to/ SEE MORE ONLINE Scan the QR code to access these articles, additional information from each issue, how-to videos and more smart garden tips online. GGMagExtra.com Keep Plants Healthy! GardenGateMagazine.com 5 Ways to Get Rid of Weeds Without Pulling Them Make gardening easier on your back with these no-pull weed-control methods. Summer Flowers That Can Take the Heat Tired of your garden wilting when the weather gets hot? These flowers won’t miss a beat! Different Types of Garden Hoses We’ll show you how to choose the right hose for your garden and share tips for keeping it from kinking and leaking. Summer Garden Checklist Make sure you’re doing everything you…

Tomatoes are some of the most rewarding crops to grow—but they can also be one of the most frustrating. One day, they’re thriving, and the next, their leaves are curling, fruit is cracking or mysterious spots appear. Pests, diseases, nutrient imbalances and even the weather can wreak havoc on your plants, leaving you wondering what went wrong. Fortunately, most tomato troubles have a solution. With a little know-how, you can diagnose the problem, get your plants back on track and enjoy the delicious harvest you’ve worked so hard for. Let’s dig into some of the most common tomato problems and how to fix them. Every year, Marisa battles squirrels for her tomatoes — but covering them with mesh cloth at night has finally let her enjoy her harvest (and sleep…

1 | Pappelina Boo Reversible Indoor/Outdoor Swedish Woven Plastic Area Rug We found this luxurious area rug to be a great investment at our test garden. Woven by Swedish artisans, it puts a finishing touch on your patio, deck or sunroom. It is made of phthalate-free PVC plastic that is nontoxic, 100% recyclable, doesn’t emit microplastics and is UV resistant so it won’t fade. You can vacuum, power wash or machine wash the smaller sizes of this rug to keep it looking sharp. Available in five sizes and six colors. (6x8.75-foot rug pictured is $1,200) Fjørn, fjorn.com 2 | Watex® Mobile Green Wall, Single Frame Keep salad greens, herbs or colorful flowers close at hand to your outdoor dining area in a vertical garden perfect for the deck or patio. The…

Susan’s go-to gardening outfit? Used scrubs from the thrift store! They’re durable, lightweight and loaded with pockets. Plus, they’re easy to toss in the wash at the end of the day.— Susan Ricker, NC Get creative with stumps Barbara Athanas, WA When Barbara moved into her new home, she didn’t see a half-rotted stump as an eyesore—she saw an opportunity. Barbara chiseled out a space for a wooden birdhouse at the base of the stump above. Then she added a metal bird ornament and trimmed the existing ivy to enhance the whimsical, hobbit-like feel. Rather than remove the stump, Barbara has created a focal point that brings structure and personality to the garden. Slug-free hostas Colleen Muldowney, NJ Slugs are a constant problem in Colleen’s garden, often leaving her hostas…

ICON KEY: = North American Native = Deer Resistant Botanical Names BrunneraBrunnera macrophylla HostaHosta spp. and hybrids Jack-in-the-pulpitArisaema triphyllum Lamb’s earStachys byzantina A garden doesn’t have to be filled with bright colors to be beautiful. Some of the most captivating landscapes embrace the darker side of the plant world. A midnight garden, or what some might call a gothic-style garden, is designed around plants with moody hues that evoke drama and mystery. While no flower is truly black, many appear nearly so, with deep tones that shift depending on the light—richer and darker in shade, more burgundy or purple in full sun. SHADOWY ALLIES Even the darkest colored blooms and foliage need the right company to truly shine. Think of it as setting the stage—the darker plants create the drama,…

Fairly new to the garden center scene, South African phlox is making its mark as a top-notch container plant. Though you might first mistake this plant for its cousin, bacopa (Sutera cordata), it is much more heat tolerant. With loads of blooms all summer long, Safari Sky South African phlox is a winner for any hot spot where others often fail. Safari Sky’s flowers have lilac-purple petals with a white throat surrounding a bright gold-to-orange eye. As the blossoms age, they fade to a pink-tinged white, giving the plant more depth of color. The flowers will fall off by themselves so there is no need to deadhead, but you can run your fingers through the stems and shake dried blooms off if you want to speed up the process. CARE…