There are two types of stakes: metal or wood.  Both will get the job done, you just have to make sure that you install them correctly.  The first thing you need to do is make sure the stakes are planted deep into the ground.  Because you have to sink the stakes so deep, it is important that you install them when the tree is young.  If you wait until the tree’s roots have developed, installing stakes could damage the roots.  Another thing to keep in mind when installing stakes is that they should not be placed too close to the trunk.  Unlike the stake supports you would install for flowers, tree supports are supposed to be installed at a fairly large distance from the trunk.

The number of stakes you use is up to you.  You can use one stake if you are protecting a tree from the wind.  You should put the stake on the side of the direction of the wind.  Two stakes will be better if the wind comes from several directions, or if the tree is very young.  However, three stakes would always be best.

If you need stakes to support a young tree, try the Jobes Tree Start Kit.  This set comes with 3 large stakes, 36 feet of rope to tie up your tree, and 3 tree tubes (which protect the tree from any damage that could potentially occur from the rope).  The Jobes Tree Start Kit ensures that your tree will grow nice and straight.  The best part of this set is that the stakes can be reused.  Another great set of stakes is the DeWitt Tree Stake Kit 15 in. (Case of 14), pictured above.  Each case comes with 3 stakes, plus 3 support straps that will not injure the tree trunk.

How long do you need to keep stakes up?  If the stakes are used for young trees, you will only need to keep them up for  a year.  After that, the tree should be strong enough to support itself.  If you are using stakes because of wind, you need to use them until the trunk is strong enough to withstand the wind.

Hanging Baskets: I personally love hanging flower baskets.  You can use any types of flowers in them, but overflowing flowers particularly look gorgeous in these flower baskets.  There are a few things you have to keep in mind when purchasing hanging flower baskets:  First, you need to make sure the basket has good drainage.  Also, you have to make sure that you have a proper support system!  There are a variety of outdoor hangers and clamps to choose from, so you can find one that matches the decor of your garden.  Something I have in my backyard is the Hanging Basket Tree with 4 Baskets, which is like a coat rack, bu it holds 4 hanging baskets!

Wall Containers: Wall containers can be fastened or leaned against any vertical surface!  They look good anywhere from the sides of houses to fences. These containers are normally flat on one side, with trellises being one common type of wall container.  Trellises are great for growing vine plants.  They come in many shapes and sizes, but I usually choose a fan shape one, like the Open Fan Trellis – 6 ft.

Stake Planters: Stake planters are baskets that sit on top of a pole.  The pole can be planted in the ground anywhere in your yard!  It is very interesting and different, and I always get compliments on my stake planters.  I have a couple of the Elizabethan Parasol Stake Planters, and I place them near the sidewalk leading up to my front door.  One nice thing about stake planters is that you can vary the height of them by how deep your place them into the ground.

Creative Planters: There are so many creative planters!  They are different and unusual, and really add charm to your yard!  One of my favorite planters is the Coco Chair Basket Flower Planter, pictured above.  There are many planters that come in a similar style, like the Wheelbarrow Coco Basket Planter and the Bicycle Coco Basket Planter.  Choose one that best matches your taste!

Now that you know how important it is to grow your herbs in their own pot, there is one more important thing to keep in mind: you need to water herbs constantly.  Potted plants are notorious for drying quickly, and dryness can be detrimental to the growth of the herb.  Clay pots tend to dry out the quickest of any type of pot.

The placement of the pot is important, because you need to keep on eye on them to check on their growth.  A good place to keep the pot(s) is right outside the backdoor or right outside the kitchen window. The Panterra Flower Pot Planters, mentioned above, are versatile as they can be used as hanging pots, or simply based directly on the ground.  This way, you can put them in the place you pass by most often.  Another reason the Panterra Flower Pots are perfect for growing herbs is because they have a drainage hole in the bottom.  Although herbs require frequent watering, they do not like to be sitting in damp soil all day.

Pots come in a variety of colors, so you can be sure to find something that will match your personal tastes.  They come in different sizes, so you can have mixed displays of herbs!  For example, you can plant a variety of herbs in one large pot, and surround it will smaller pots filled with either more herbs or flowers for added color.  Or, you can place your pot of herbs right in your garden.  The only important thing is to make sure that you do not let herbs share soil with other plants!

First, you could plant seeds indoors, getting a jump-start on their growth before you put them in the ground when the last spring frost passes.  With the Stack-A-Pot Stackable planter, shown to the right, you can plant herbs, fruits, or flowers, and enjoy them indoors!  This planter is collapsible, allowing for easy storage when you eventually move your plants outside.  This planter has 3 layers of pots, so you can enjoy a variety of plants during the winter months.  The planter is durable enough to keep outside, so you can choose to use it indoors or outdoors.

Winter is also a great time to sharpen your tools in preparation for gardening season.  The Gardensharp Tool Sharpener will make tools look brand new.  It can also sharpen lawnmower blades, large shovels, hoes, and scythes.  There is a full-length guard to protect your hands.  It will not rust, and can be easily cleaned with soap or water, or you could even through it in the dishwasher. This is safe easy to use sharpener is a must have for all gardeners!

There is no time like the present to start planning your garden for the spring.  One great thing to do is read and learn about new plants.  Planning the layout for your garden is a perfect way to pass the winter months.  Follow all of the suggestions about and the gardening season will be here before you know it!

This animal planter will accommodate any 6″ growers pot. You can use the included removable pot, or replace with a terracotta pot of your own for additional style and color. The included pot has a sealed bottom making it great for non-leaking home and office use.

Although enjoyable indoors, this planter was crafted with high durability and intended for extended outdoor use.

A spring tail and spring mounted head will have this fun loving stray cat planter bobbing and purring with excitement at any slight touch of attention. A perfected overspray technique using UV protected paint plus a powder-coat process not only makes this high quality cat planter extremely durable, but also gives it a rich depthness in shading from the start and as it ages. Legs and paws are permanently connected to the holder for lifelong stability. Shiny glass marble eyes at just the right hues catch the warm sunshine and your heart at the same time. Hypoallergenic too, we promise!

Arborists, naturalists, manufacturers and socially conscious artists/entrepreneurs Angie Walls & Mike Pack of Georgetown Home and Garden pour over 50 years of combined love and experience into these refined animal planter designs and GardenFun is thrilled and honored to be one of their exclusive dealers. We thank them for helping us bring an element of surprise and delight to all of our favored customers!

• This little hobo makes a charming setting for a small plant, indoors or out
• The stray cat planter is made of welded steel with a spring neck and tail; she has bright green marble eyes and an adorably scruffy mane
• A fun gift for the cat lover, the delightful sculpture holds a 6″ plant pot
• Assembly required; no tools needed

Meet Buddy the Lab Planter, your garden’s new best friend!

This wonderful metal dog planter is full of smiles and whimsical garden personality. Constructed of steel in a high quality design, each doggie detail is added with extra love and careful attention.

This lovable dog planter will accommodate any 6″ growers pot. You can use the included removable pot, or replace with a terracotta pot of your own for additional style and color. The included pot has a sealed bottom making it great for non-leaking home and office use.

Although enjoyable indoors, this planter was crafted with high durability and intended for extended outdoor use. (You can easily nail a few holes into the bottom of the pot for additional outdoor drainage if you prefer.)

A spring tail and spring mounted head will have this fun loving dog planter bobbing with playful excitement at any slight touch of attention. A perfected overspray technique using UV protected paint plus a powder-coat process not only makes this high quality dog planter extremely durable, but also gives it a rich depthness in shading from the start and as it ages.

Legs and paws are permanently connected to the holder for lifelong stability. Shiny glass marble eyes at just the right hues catch the warm sunshine and your heart at the same time.

Arborists, naturalists, manufacturers and socially conscious artists/entrepreneurs Angie Walls & Mike Pack of Georgetown Home and Garden pour over 50 years of combined love and experience into these refined animal planter designs and GardenFun is thrilled and honored to be one of their exclusive dealers. We thank them for helping us bring an element of surprise and delight to all of our favored customers!

1. The first step is to pick a good location for your tree.  The location and tree you choose will depend on the amount of sun the tree needs and the amount of sun that the location gets.  In addition, think about how big the tree will grow and the type of drainage that it will need. 
2. Next, it is time to dig a hole for the tree.  The hole should be twice as big as the tree’s width and a few inches deeper than the height of the root ball.  Use a rounded-tip shovel like the Round Point Shovel With 30 in. D-Grip Wood Handle to cut into the soil and scoop out the dirt.  You may also want to use a wheelbarrow or a tarp to place the dirt into while shoveling to make it easier for you to shovel the dirt back into the hole. 
3. Place the tree in the hole and fill in the hole with dirt.  It is not a good idea to fill in the hole with soil that is rich in organic matter because you want to encourage the roots to spread and grow to get additional nutrients.  Use the dirt from the ground to fill in the hole.  Make sure that the tree is placed at the same level that it was growing at before being transplanted.  You may also want to have someone hold the tree up right as you fill in the hole with dirt to help it grow straighter.
4. Water your new tree well to help set the soil and water the roots.  Since new trees need lots of water when starting off, it is a good idea to create a basin around the tree and add mulch to catch rain water or water from the hose and help keep the soil and roots hydrated.  
5. Lastly, add one or more tree stakes to help your new tree grow straight and help keep it stable.

• The Stack-A-Pot Stackable Planterby Akro Mils is a great way to display a variety of plants that your mom loves.  This stackable plant is perfect for use as an herb garden if your mom enjoys cooking with fresh herbs.   You can also fill it with several trailing plants to trail down the sides of the planter.  This planter has the look of terracotta, but is much lighter and easy to place.  It looks great placed on a sunny porch or patio area.
• For moms who love to get their hands dirty, the Breast Cancer Awareness Garden 5 piece Gift Tool Set makes a great gift and helps to support a great cause.  This five piece set includes a multi-purpose pink gardening bag, a pair of stainless steel pruning shears, a comfort grip bypass pruner, an ergonomic grip cast aluminum trowel, and an ergonomic grip cast aluminum cultivator.  The beautiful pink bag is great for carrying all of your mom’s gardening essentials and the pockets on the outside make access to gardening tools easy and convenient.
• To keep your mom’s hand looking great, give her the Atlas Garden Grip Glove, which is made of textured rubber for a great grip, to wear when working in the garden.

One of my favorite planters this year is the Wheelbarrow Coco Basket Planterby Misco Home and Garden.  This charming planter has intricate wire details on a frame that is shaped like a wheelbarrow.  A square shaped coco liner helps to keep all of the planting materials in place.  Fill this planter with colorful pansies, trailing plants, and more.  The frame of this planter has a black powder coat finish to keep it looking great all season long.

For an antique look in your garden or outdoor living space, choose the Rose Bud Fiberglass Planter to add plenty of character and appeal.  The muted colors of this planter really allow the colors of the flowers to stand out and take center stage, while the planter itself has a rich look that is sure to make your garden look grand.

The Grecian Plastic Urn in White gives your garden or porch a classic look without the expense.  Made of durable plastic, it is lightweight and can withstand a variety of temperature changes. This planter is great for showcases any color of flowering plant and makes a classic and grand statement when placed at your doorstep.

• First, determine the amount of plants that you have space for and the time to take care of.  While daily care will not be difficult, it will take a little time out of your day.  It is a good idea to start off on a small scale and then gradually add in more plants if you are unsure about how much time you will have.
• Next, choose a type of planting container.  It is a good idea to choose a color scheme that will go well with your decor.  Choose simple containers that will show off your plants, while not competing with your decor. Remember to choose containers that have good drainage and are made of durable materials.  If your container does not have drainage holes, you can add some rocks at the bottom to help keep the roots from sitting in the water.  A great container to choose is the Ella Square Planter.  These planters are available in earth tones, have a sleek modern look and have a hole for drainage.
• Get creative with your plant choices.  Since your garden will be an indoor garden, you can have fun and choose plants that you would not normally plant outdoors.  Tropical or exotic plants look great indoors and add vibrant colors and unique textures.
• Think about air space.  Add hanging plants for additional character and to add life to your walls.  Choose a hanging planter with lots of charm, such as the Canterbury Hanging Basket with Coconut Fiber.   One of my favorite hanging planters is the Braided Hyacinth Hanging Cone.  This hanging basket has an interesting cone shape and is made of braided hyacinth for extra texture.
• Add more interest with ornaments.  Another way of livening up your indoor garden is to add some fun garden ornaments.  Choose a variety of colors to add depth and interest to your display.  It is a great opportunity to experiment with materials, such as metal, that may not last if placed outdoors.