www.qns.com MARCH 25, 2022 26RIDGEWOOD TIMES
Interest in gardening continues to blossom
as more people decide to exercise
their green thumb and make the most of
their outdoor spaces. Whether it’s a quaint
balcony, large backyard garden or front
yard landscaping, gardening opportunities
are bountiful.
With a little creativity and some expert
insight, anyone can be a successful gardener.
The team at Ball Horticultural Company
shares simple tips and the top trends for
2022 to inspire every type of gardener.
LOW MAINTENANCE, HIGH
IMPACT
Do you want a magazine-worthy landscape
but don’t want to spend every day
tending to plants? The trick is to strategically
select eye-catching flowers that are
easy to care for.
There are many plants that offer beautiful
blooms with surprisingly little work.
Beacon Impatiens are the ideal plant for
flowerbeds with partial sun, rewarding
you with ample, long-lasting color for the
shade. Add Megawatt Begonias in pots and
transition spaces - this bigger-than-life hybrid
provides rich color and glossy foliage
with little care. For sunny spots, you can’t go
wrong with low-maintenance E3 Easy Wave
Petunias. This spreading petunia comes in a
variety of hues, adding sweeping color that
will be the envy of the neighborhood.
FUN AND FLAVORFUL FOODS
As the sustainability movement continues,
more people are interested in growing
their own food. Whether it’s a small herb
garden or a large vegetable plot, having
homegrown food at your fingertips can help
you eat healthier and fresher.
Many vegetables and herbs do as well in
containers as they do in the ground, so if
you’re short on space, you can still succeed
with growing vegetables as long as you can
give your plants a sunny spot and adequate
water. An insider tip is to skip seeds and buy
garden-ready plants that are already established,
such as Burpee vegetables and herbs.
This helps support successful growing and
faster harvests.
Tomatoes are a must for any vegetable
grower. But what if you don’t have an outdoor
growing space? No garden, no problem
with the Kitchen Minis collection of indoor
potted vegetables. Look for Siam Tomato,
which gives you several weeks of cherrysized
fruit for your fresh eating and recipes.
Enjoy it on a sunny windowsill indoors or
next to your other easy-access countertop
herbs.
POLLINATOR GARDENS
Pollination is essential for plants to flourish,
and according to the U.S. Forest Service,
pollinators are responsible for assisting
over 80% of the world’s flowering plants
to reproduce. This includes hard-working
insects like butterflies, bees and birds. Because
of their essential work, everyone can
enjoy plants that delight the eyes and tasty
foods that tantalize the taste buds.
Some pollinator populations are diminishing,
so people are taking action by
planting pollinator-friendly gardens. For
example, if you want butterfly bliss in your
garden, choose Chrysalis Buddleia. Known
as Butterfly Bush, this plant has an abundance
of flowers but grows in a manageable
size - perfect for a small hanging basket.
Add in a few Shamrock Lantana, whose
blooms are an attractive, soft landing pad,
and you’ll be creating a pollinator paradise.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
After spending the last few years close to
home, people are taking exceptional pride
in their property by prioritizing curb appeal.
Friendly yellows and vivid purples
are on trend and broadly appealing, making
your home stand out on the block.
For a sunny show all season long, plant
Bee’s Knees Petunias. The intense yellow
color of each big bloom adds brightness
to your landscaping. Juxtapose the yellow
with Jolt Purple Dianthus, adding a
vivid magenta shade that instantly adds
personality.
Curb appeal can come from more than
just flowering plants, of course. For visual
interest in a fruiting plant, check out Pepper
Candy Cane Chocolate Cherry. With
variegated foliage and uniquely striped
fruit that changes from green to chocolate
and cherry red, this is a treat for the eyes
and the stomach.
No matter the size of your garden space
or the time you can put into your plants,
there’s something for everyone in the top
gardening trends of the year.
— Courtesy of BPT
AT HOME
Top garden trends and expert tips for success
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