The BloomYard Journal
Practical gardening guides for every level — from your first bed to your best season yet.
October 31, 2026 · 7 min read
In the South, Texas, the desert Southwest, and California, November is the best month of the year to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials — and to sow next spring's wildflowers. What to plant now, region by region.
October 31, 2026 · 7 min read
A garden can flower from November to March in almost every part of the country — witch hazel and hellebores in New England, camellias in the South, manzanita in California. The plants that bloom in winter, organized by where you live.
Read more →September 29, 2026 · 6 min read
Learn to assess plant symptoms, check growing conditions, and gather evidence before choosing a treatment. Includes a free plant health workbook.
Read more →September 29, 2026 · 6 min read
Build a bloom calendar, find flowering gaps, and choose plants that fit your site. Includes a free four-page bloom planning workbook.
Read more →September 29, 2026 · 6 min read
Learn how to space perennials using mature width, center-to-center measurements, and a simple bed sketch. Includes a free plant spacing workbook.
Read more →September 28, 2026 · 6 min read
Learn when to water garden plants, how to check soil moisture, and how to adjust for new plants and containers. Includes a free watering workbook.
Read more →September 28, 2026 · 6 min read
Learn to map direct sunlight, understand full sun and partial shade, and choose plants that fit your garden. Includes a free printable workbook.
Read more →September 27, 2026 · 6 min read
Learn to check soil texture and drainage, get a useful lab test, and decide whether to improve your flower bed or choose plants that fit.
Read more →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.
Read more →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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