The BloomYard Journal
Practical gardening guides for every level — from your first bed to your best season yet.
August 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Prune a bigleaf hydrangea in fall and you will cut off next year's flowers. Prune a panicle hydrangea in fall and it does not matter at all. The only thing that determines when to cut is the type — here is how to tell them apart and what to do with each.
August 4, 2026 · 6 min read
Crowded hostas, hollow-centered daylilies, coneflowers that stopped blooming — dividing perennials in fall fixes all of it. Here is when to do it by zone and how to actually make the cut.
Read more →July 29, 2026 · 3 min read
Zinnias, marigolds, cosmos, petunias — the annual flowers that bloom all summer with almost no effort. Which ones to pick, how to deadhead, and what works in every zone.
Read more →July 25, 2026 · 2 min read
Tulips, daffodils, alliums — the best spring color comes from what you plant this fall. Zone guidance so you know which ones perennialize vs. bloom once and fade.
Read more →July 18, 2026 · 2 min read
Timing is everything in fall. When to plant bulbs, cut back perennials, and mulch beds — organized by USDA grow zone so you can stop guessing and start doing.
Read more →June 12, 2026 · 4 min read
If your plants keep dying despite your best efforts, zone mismatch, wrong sun, and poor timing are usually to blame. Here is how to diagnose the problem and fix it for good.
Read more →June 16, 2026 · 3 min read
Most gardens peak in May and go bare by July. Here is how to plan for continuous color from spring through fall using bloom succession — and the plants that make it work.
Read more →June 21, 2026 · 3 min read
Should you plant perennials or annuals? The answer depends on what you want your garden to do. Here is an honest breakdown — and how to use both together for the best results.
Read more →June 25, 2026 · 4 min read
Planning your first garden bed does not have to be overwhelming. Here is a step-by-step process — from choosing the spot to picking the plants — that works for any yard and any goal.
Read more →June 29, 2026 · 4 min read
A beautiful garden does not have to mean hours of work every weekend. The right plant choices make all the difference. Here is how to build a garden that largely takes care of itself.
Read more →July 3, 2026 · 5 min read
Most gardeners fall behind because they do not know what to do when. This month-by-month garden care calendar tells you exactly what needs to happen — so you stay ahead all season.
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