Family Plot

Connect with Family Plot

How to Properly Prune Azaleas for Healthier Growth and More Blooms

Pruning azaleas may seem intimidating, especially when shrubs become overgrown, thin, or uneven. But with the right approach, pruning can improve airflow, encourage fuller growth, and increase blooms the following season. One of the most important things to remember is that azaleas should be pruned shortly after they finish blooming, ideally in late spring or early summer. Pruning later will cut off next year’s flower buds. Keep reading the full article here.

Related Videos:
Planting Native Azaleas: Tips for Success
What is this growth on my azalea leaves?

Planting Through Sheet Mulch

Planting an Herb and Flower Container Garden

Find Create in your area: www.CreateTV.com/locate

Visit the Family Plot YouTube Channel

This Week in the Garden

How to Deadhead Irises for Healthier Plants and Better Blooms Next Year

After irises finish blooming, proper deadheading and stem removal can help maintain plant health and improve flowering performance the following season. Spent blooms should be removed only after flowering has completely finished. >>Watch

Garden Notes
Understanding Lavender: Sun, Soil, and Climate Needs

Lavender is a perennial herb valued for its fragrant foliage, purple blooms, and wide range of culinary and ornamental uses. It performs best in locations that receive full sun and have exceptionally well-drained soil, conditions that help support long-term plant health and winter survival. >>Watch

Tree Borers

Wood boring insects can cause the decline or death of a tree. UT Extension Entomologist Frank Hale says the borers tunnel into the tree and feed beneath the bark cutting off the flow of nutrients from the roots to the canopy. Usually they attack weakened or declining trees, but they can also attack healthy trees. Continue reading the full article and watch the video here.

Best Vegetables for Raised Bed Gardens

Raised bed gardening continues to grow in popularity, and for good reasons. Raised beds offer better drainage, improved soil control, easier maintenance, and a more organized growing space. However, not every vegetable is a good fit for these smaller garden areas. Choosing compact, productive varieties is the key to success. Read the full article, watch the video and get in-depth information on suggested plants, here.

Gardening in 5-Gallon Buckets

If you don’t have the space or time for an in-ground garden, planting vegetables in five-gallon buckets is a great option. UT Extension County Director Walter Battle shows how to plant a tomato in a five-gallon bucket. Walter recommends using a new bucket. >>Watch

Raised Bed Gardening Basics

Raised bed gardening offers a flexible way to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers, especially for gardeners dealing with limited space, poor soil, or mobility concerns. With proper planning, raised beds and containers can support healthy plant growth in a wide range of settings. >>Watch

Gardening Ergonomics

Gardening is great exercise and involves a lot of lifting, twisting and bending, which if not done correctly can cause back problems. UT Extension Agent Andrea Jacobo shows correct ways to lift and bend while gardening. She also shows how to work on your knees. Stretching after gardening can help loosen up and relax muscles that you used, and Andrea shows some easy stretches. >>Watch

Garden Safety
Water-Wise Gardening

The Q&A Show

Prep Garden Beds for Summer Planting

Setting Up a Bird Feeder

Refilling and Replanting a Raised Garden Bed

Planting Strawberries

How to Mix Soil for a Raised Bed

Looking for more garden info?

Viewer Questions

What happened to our rhododendron? Can I save it?

This looks like winter damage or winter burn caused by extreme cold temperatures or cold, dry winds. The plant appears to be well established so it will be fine long term. If the flower buds were affected by the cold it will not flower this spring, but should flower normally in future springs. >>Watch

Why is my asparagus suddenly only producing thin stems?

Asparagus typically has a productive lifespan of 15 -30 years. After that it only produces thin, spindly spears. The asparagus bed should be replanted with new plants in a different place. UT Extension Horticulture Specialist Celeste Scott talks about how to start a new bed and the best cultivars to plant. >>Watch

How do I get rid of pill bugs?

Pill bugs are generally considered beneficial bugs. They break down organic matter. They can cause some damage on some plants especially if there are a lot of pill bugs in the area. There are several things you can do to control them. UT Horticulture specialist Celeste Scott lists some organic and non-organic methods to control pill bugs. >>Watch

Why is my tomato plant dropping green tomatoes?

Green tomatoes falling off the vine can be frustrating, but the cause is often linked to stress on the plant. Poor pollination, extreme heat, sudden temperature swings, drought, overwatering, and even too much nitrogen fertilizer can all trigger tomato plants to abort young fruit before it matures. Low light conditions can also reduce fruit production and cause developing tomatoes to drop early. Understanding what stresses tomato plants helps gardeners improve fruit set, grow healthier plants, and harvest more ripe tomatoes throughout the growing season. >>Watch

My blue spruce is dropping needles. What do I do?

This is a needle blight fungus. There are several different kinds of needle blight, but the treatment for all the different kinds of needle blights is the same. A fungicide can be applied. >>Watch