Vegetable gardening is almost like parenting. We wait with eager anticipation for mid-May so we can safely plant our little transplants that are so delicate. We keep an eye on temperature and moisture levels and glare at any black clouds… Read More about Harvesting Vegetables »
Posted by gainans on August 18, 2017
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening
Are you caught up in that perpetual battle between high temperatures and watering? Let’s discuss your battlefield, weapons you have at your disposal and take a look at a few strategies that will help you have a winning yard. Know… Read More about High Temps and Watering »
Posted by gainans on July 13, 2017
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening
Do you remember playing outside in the summer, digging in the dirt, making mud pies, and trying to catch bugs? Children and the outdoors just go together; it’s a natural affinity. Harness that energy and curiosity by involving them in… Read More about Introduce Kids to the Joy of Gardening »
Posted by gainans on May 27, 2017
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening
Plants foster an appreciation of growing, living, thriving, reproducing and dying. For me, the outdoor landscape of a home is more than improving “curb appeal.” Of course, I appreciate the beauty of a manicured yard and botanical perfection, but what… Read More about Planning for Spring Gardening »
Posted by gainans on March 23, 2017
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening
This time of year I am literally counting the days until the first frost hits, hoping it will be later so I have time to get my yard ready for fall. According to the Yellowstone County Extension Office, our average… Read More about Planning for Fall Frost »
Posted by gainans on September 20, 2016
| Last Updated: October 6, 2020
Gardening
A broad range of perennials Each year renews my appreciation for perennials. Perennials are herbaceous plants, which is the way of describing a plant that doesn’t have a permanent woody stem such as a shrub. They die back… Read More about Perennials: Plant once, enjoy for years »
Posted by gainans on August 12, 2016
| Last Updated: September 29, 2020
Gardening
Are you caught up in that perpetual battle between high temperatures and watering? Let’s discuss your battlefield, weapons you have at your disposal and take a look at a few strategies that will help you have a winning yard. Read More about Heat vs Watering: A Summer Battle »
Posted by gainans on August 2, 2016
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
GardeningPlantsSummer
Talk about heat! Now wonder why we planted so many flowers! Primarily heat stress, lack of fertilizer and intermittent missed watering schedules make for bleak looking hanging baskets and container gardens. The key to successful container gardening is consistent watering… Read More about Summer Heat & Container Gardens »
Posted by gainans on July 30, 2016
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening
Vegetable gardening is a lot like parenting. We wait with eager anticipation for mid-May so we can safely plant our little transplants that are so delicate. We keep an eye on temperature and moisture levels and glare at any black… Read More about Harvesting Vegetables »
Posted by gainans on July 8, 2016
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening
You don’t have to be a gourmet cook to use fresh herbs. It just takes having them on hand and remembering to use them. Growing your own herbs is a great way to make this a reality because… Read More about Savoring Fresh Herbs »
Posted by gainans on June 28, 2016
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening
Do you remember playing outside in the summer, digging in the dirt, making mud pies, trying to catch bugs? Children and the outdoors just go together, it’s a natural affinity. Harness that energy and curiosity by involving them in your… Read More about Kids in the Garden »
Posted by gainans on June 10, 2016
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening
Excerpt from Jim Gainan’s article in the Billings Gazette from May 24, 2014 There are a couple schools of thought, but I’ve tried to take the best points from each to assemble my plan. There are two main issues. First,… Read More about TLC NEEDED AFTER HAIL »
My earliest family memories are that of a ‘typical’ child. My family was comprised of a dad, a stay-at-home mom, and a little sister. Pictures on the first day of school were taken in front of the house… Read More about Lessons learned from Mick Gainan, “The Plant Man” »
Asparagus grows well at elevations up to 5,500 feet in Montana. It requires very moist soil and needs a fairly sunny area and does better in full sun. It takes at least three years to establish a good… Read More about Asparagus »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
Clematis is the perfect plant to beautify chain link or other fences thereby providing a soft, natural backdrop for your other plants in the flowering border. Use clematis to frame porches or have it cascade over stones in… Read More about Clematis »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
The galls that are found on cottonwoods in Montana are of several kinds. Three of the most important are pictured. Others often occur as blisters on the leaves, swollen stems or branches, or rolled leaves. Popular… Read More about Cottonwood Galls »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
Dormant spraying is one of the easiest, most effective of all the spraying you will do in a growing season. Dormant disease control spray is lime sulphur. Lime sulphur helps to prevent diseases from occurring during the growing… Read More about Dormant Spraying »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Blueberries Each of these are acid-loving plants that will do well in Montana, when correct conditions are provided. Azaleas and rhododendrons are highly desired for their showy, colorful blossoms while blueberries are grown for… Read More about Growing Acid-Loving Plants in Montana »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
Insects and Related Pests of House Plants Aphids Minute, soft-bodied insects (1/8″), easily recognized by their pearlike body shape. Most species are green; however, some are brown, reddish or black. Adults may be winged or wingless. They… Read More about House Plant Pests »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
The Juneberry or saskatoon is a native fruit-bearing shrub of the Northern Great Plains with its range extending northward through the Canadian prairie provinces into the southern Yukon and Northwest Territories. This extremely adaptable plant will grow under… Read More about Juneberries »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
Perennials are herbaceous plants that die to the ground each fall and come up again each spring. Most perennials are valued in the landscape for their colorful blossoms. Some make excellent cut flowers as well, while others are… Read More about Perennials »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
Planting a tree has many intricate steps. You will want to follow these. 1. Dig a planting hole for your tree that is as deep as the root ball but three times wider. You may want to place… Read More about Planting a Tree »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
Planting 1. Begin by digging a hole approximately two times as wide and half as deep as the root ball of the plant. If the soil is very dry, fill the hole with water and allow it to… Read More about Planting New Shrubs »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
Apples Generally, apples are not self-fertile; use two varieties to be productive, and at least two varieties should be used in each apple planting to serve as a source of pollen for the varieties. Cross-pollination is possible… Read More about Pollination of Fruit Trees & Small Fruits »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
Xeriscape A “xeriscape” is a landscape which uses plants that have low water requirements. Any home-owner who has experienced drought, high summer water bills, or dissatisfaction with a stressed-looking landscape, despite the care given to it, can… Read More about Xeriscape »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
Planning Your Vegetable Garden By growing vegetables the new, wide-row way, you can expect your garden to yield 2 to 3 times more than the conventional, single row way – in the same amount of space! Make your… Read More about Vegetable Gardening in Yellowstone County »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
The rose has been referred to as the ‘queen of flowers’ for over 2,500 years, since long before they reached their present point of refinement. Today’s roses have inherited more from their revered ancestors than the concrete characteristics… Read More about Roses »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
Where To Make Your Cuts When you approach a plant with shears in hand and pruning on your mind, either to cut flowers, improve a plant’s shape or whatever, remember this: Always cut to something. You can… Read More about Pruning Techniques »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
Pruning an Evergreen Tree Pruning an evergreen tree or shrub is often necessary in order to limit the size of the plant, correct irregular growth, or maintain a desired form (such as a hedge). Normally, the natural… Read More about Pruning Evergreens »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
Tomatoes are probably the most popular vegetable grown by the home gardener. Success in growing good tomato transplants from seed depends on how well these basic requirements are met: 1. Disease-free soil-Use any mixture of either soil or… Read More about Tomatoes »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening Today
Fire blight is a common bacterial disease affecting apples, pears and over 75 other host plants, mostly in a section of the Rose family. Apples, pears, cotoneaster and mountain ash are affected most severely. The blight damages susceptible… Read More about Fire Blight »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
Native landscaping is a great way to reduce water use and to promote an eco-friendly garden! Xeriscape your yard today! The word Xeriscape is derived from the Greek word “xeros” meaning “dry”. In many parts of… Read More about Water-Wise Gardening »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: September 29, 2020
Gardening Today
Most damage or stress to plants in Montana is caused by non-infectious conditions. Insects, disease, animals, chemical and/or mechanical problems are expanded by environmental and soil conditions. Problems most often affecting Montana landscape plants are frost injury, winter… Read More about Tree, Shrub and Lawn Problems »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: September 29, 2020
Gardening Today
A small plot of ground can produce an appreciable amount of strawberries. About 100 square feet of a garden can produce 5 to 10 pounds of fruit, while an acre can produce 1500 to 4000 pounds of fruit, depending upon… Read More about Strawberries »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: May 6, 2021
Gardening Today
Raspberries: Raspberries may be grown successfully at an elevation as high as 7,000 feet. They do best in full sun on non-alkaline “fertile” loam soil. However, they may be grown in partial shade or under other environmental constraints. Read More about Raspberries »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening Today
Why Prune? 1. To remove dead or diseased wood. 2. To control the shape and strength of the tree. 3. To enhance fruit production. When Should You Prune? The best time to prune… Read More about Pruning Fruit Trees »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening Today
Potatoes: Potatoes can be a rewarding crop if you have room in your garden. Each plant takes up four square feet of garden space with vines growing about two feet high; however, for each pound of seed potatoes planted, the… Read More about How To Grow Potatoes »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: September 29, 2020
Gardening Today
Poinsettias: The assigned botanical name is Euphorbia pulcherrima. The United States’ first ambassador to Mexico, Joel Robert Poinsett, sent several plants back to his home in Greenville, South Carolina in 1825. The common name, poinsettia, comes from his… Read More about Poinsettias »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 13, 2019
Gardening Today
Planting Grapes: Grapes need full sunlight and high temperatures to ripen, so plant on southern slopes, the south side of windbreaks or the south sides of buildings. Avoid northern slopes and low ground since these will be cooler… Read More about Planting Grapes, Gooseberries and Currants »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening Today
Preparation: Use the following steps to lead you to a lasting, beautiful lawn: Test the soil Remove debris Control persistent weeds Rough grade the site Add high phosphate starter fertilizer or Jirdon Lawn & Garden Fertilizer Add… Read More about Planting a New Lawn »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening Today
Ornamental Grasses: Grasses have always been the predominant part of our native prairies. We are most familiar with the use of them in the landscape as ground covers, or what we would normally refer to as lawns. Read More about Ornamental Grasses »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: August 27, 2020
Gardening Today
Installing Landscape Edging: In order to create a low-maintenance landscape, it is essential to include lawn edging, weed barrier fabric, and a mulch in your planning. The use of these materials can add the finishing touch to your… Read More about Installing Landscape Edging »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening Today
Gypsum: Gypsum additions are food for improving clay and alkali type soils. Clay soils often contain high magnesium levels and little organic matter. This condition tends to make the soil particles so tight that air and water cannot… Read More about Gypsum »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening Today
Fertilization of Trees, Evergreens, and Shrubs: Soil type is important in determining the need for fertilizer. A fine textured, clay-loam soil will hold more nutrients than a coarse textured sandy loam. However, a tree growing in a heavy… Read More about Fertilization of Trees, Evergreens and Shrubs »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening Today
Do It Yourself Landscaping Site Plan YOU WILL NEED: Tape measure (50-foot, at least) Architect’s scale or ruler Pencil & eraser Grid paper INSTRUCTIONS Start by sketching the outline of your lot and the shape… Read More about Do-It-Yourself Landscaping Site Plan »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening Today
Compositing: With limits being placed on dumping leaves and grass, composting has become the logical alternative for disposing yard waste. Requirements for Proper Decomposition Aeration: A loose, well mixed pile of compost will reach high internal… Read More about Composting »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening Today
Caring for Established Lawns: The key to a healthy, attractive lawn is a balanced approach to maintenance. A lawn that is properly watered and fertilized will have fewer problems with weeds and disease. Mowing: Many people… Read More about Caring For Established Lawns »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening Today
Annuals: Nothing will add as much color to the landscape as annual flowers. Annuals come in virtually every color and in heights ranging from 2 inches to 6 feet. There are varieties of annuals that will grow and… Read More about Annuals »
Posted by gainans on April 18, 2009
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening Today
Geraniums: The popular geranium is one of the most versatile plants grown. It is equally effective when grown in borders, in mass display, window boxes, planters, or as a house-plant. The huge variety of leaf forms and flower… Read More about Geraniums »
Posted by gainans on April 8, 2009
| Last Updated: June 12, 2019
Gardening Today
