Tips for Growing a Chaste Tree

Have you been considering an update to your yard or garden? How about growing a chaste tree? Not only are they beautiful, but they have numerous other benefits that civilizations have been taking advantage of for thousands of years. Best of all, they are really easy to grow, so even if you’re new to the whole gardening thing, you should be successful.

What is a Chaste Tree?

The Chaste is known for its large blooms of bright blue flowers (although some varieties may be purple, pink, or even white). When first planted it takes the shape of a large hardy bush, but quickly grows into a multi-trunked tree about 15-20 feet high. It’s seeds and leaves have a long history of being used as an herbal remedy to support women’s health, digestive issues, and even as a potion to help curb the libido (hence the name)!

Where to Plant a Chaste

Growing a chaste tree is simple in comparison to many other blooming options. They are the perfect front yard addition, beautiful to look at, easy to maintain and can serve a variety of different purposes depending on how you plant them:

●      As a single focal point in your yard.

●      Grouped closely together to create a natural border or hedge. Just keep it pruned low to your desired height.

●      Used to line a driveway or road onto your property.

What the Chaste Needs:

●      Full Sun (at least 6 hours a day)

●      Well-drained soil

●      Regular moisture until established

Directions for Growing a Chaste Tree

●      Dig a hole at least 3 times as wide and deep as the root ball

●      Mix a healthy amount of the dug up native soil with some nutrient rich topsoil. Line the bottom of the hole with a shovel full of the mixture.

●      Drench the root ball thoroughly with water and carefully loosen the feeder roots so they take to the ground easier.

●      Place the root ball into the hole and begin filling the space around it with the soil mixture.

●      Once the tree is planted, water it well and keep it moist daily until established. Avoid overwatering or letting water pool around it.

●      Cover the planting area with mulch or pinestraw to conserve moisture and discourage weeds to grow there.

When growing a chaste tree, you can promote optimal blooms by keeping it well-pruned. In the winter cut back the limbs close to trunk to encourage regrowth in the summer. Are you growing a chaste in your yard? Tell us your tips for keeping it in top shape in the comments below!

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Photo by Neslihan Gunaydin on Unsplash

6 DIY Flower Pot Decorations

You know what’s almost as fun as planting a garden and watching it grow? Making a DIY flower pot, and watching beautiful things grow out of it! It’s actually quite simple, nearly anything can be made into a DIY flower pot… even shoes! Read ahead for some cool ideas to decorate your home or use as a memorable gift for someone special in your life.

The Hanging Colander

This hanging DIY flower pot gives you the perfect excuse to hit the kitchen section at your local thrift store. Extra points if you can find a colored colander, if not, just paint it yourself! Line the colander with coffee filters (or you can use burlap) to keep the soil in, while still allowing it to drain. Next, add a little soil and your flowers. Hang it with a small chain, or opt for twine if you prefer to tie it up instead.

Is that a Flower in Your Boot?

This is the cutest way to give some old boots, new life. It’s even cuter if you incorporate a different size boot from everyone in the family (mom, dad, sister, brother). After you’ve chosen your boots, just remove the inserts and drill drainage holes in the bottom of each, using a large drill bit. Fill the boots about halfway with potting soil and add your plants. Fill in the gaps with more soil, and voila, a super cute DIY flower pot (boot)!

Chalk About a Cool Planter!

What did crafters ever do before chalk paint was invented? It is a literal dream come true for DIY projects. Make a cute gift for your child’s teacher or a leave a special message for your sweetie when they get home. Just hit the dollar store (or the thrift store) and load up on plain ole flower pots and turn them into your own masterpiece. Chalk paint can be found at just about any hardware or craft store.

Pour Me Some Flowers

An old pitcher makes the perfect home for an eager plant. Simply drill drainage holes in the bottom, line it with some small rocks and fill it halfway with potting soil. Add your plant and fill in the gaps with more soil. If you want to keep your pitcher planter inside, use a saucer underneath to catch any excess water.

Got Shells?

What do you do with all those seashells the kids collected at the beach this summer? Duh, you make a super cute DIY flower pot out of them! This adorable seashell planter will take a little longer than some of the others, but will always provide great memories of your summer vacation. Just use a plain terra cotta pot, and glue the shells to the side using a hot glue gun. Line them in a pattern, or just get crazy with your design. Hey, it’s your pot – you do you!

Never Tired of Flowers

Have you ever looked at an old tire and thought, I bet there is something I could do with this? There is, you can make a really cool planter out of it! You can leave it black, but it’s way cooler if you paint it (spray paint plus primer). Start by making your drainage holes (at least six) using a heavy duty drill. Line the bottom of the tire with fabric weed barrier and maybe some small rocks or packing peanuts to keep the soil from caking. Fill with potting soil and plant away! The tire can be hung on a wall or on a shepherd's hook in your garden.

Do you have a great DIY flower pot idea? Share it with us in the comments below!

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Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplash

What Vegetables to Plant in Your Summer Garden

There is nothing quite like serving your family and friends a side of fresh green beans or sautéed zucchini recently harvested from your backyard garden. Although summer is in full swing, there is still time to plant vegetables plants for a late-summer or early fall harvest. Keep reading to find out which vegetables to plant in your summer garden and how to care for them to achieve an optimal harvest.

Know Before You Grow
Backyard gardens work best when you understand which zone you live in and what the growing conditions are like in your chose patch of earth (i.e.: soil quality, shade vs. sun, animal invaders). The more you know before you plant, the happier and more successful you will be tending and picking vegetables from your own summer garden.

7 Veggies for Your Summer Garden

Tomatoes

Freshly sliced, garden tomatoes are a heavenly experience, especially when compared with the mealy, pale variety available in the winter months. Your local nursery likely has hundreds of varieties to choose from, including classic beefsteak and heirloom tomatoes. Be sure to water the plants regularly and place stakes and cages around your tomatoes for support.

Peppers

Both hot and bell peppers grow well in the warm summer months. Although as the temperature climbs, you may want to focus specifically on small, hot peppers as they weather heat better than large, sweet bell peppers.

Green Beans

A summer garden classic, green beans are easy to grow and a staple warm-weather side dish. When grown in optimal conditions, you’ll find yourself harvesting more green beans than you can eat, in which case you can easily blanch and freeze them for use when the weather turns chilly.

Summer Squashes

Garden zucchini and its yellow-squash cousin are prolific garden staples, in fact when planted optimally, you’ll have a harvest you can hardly keep up with. All summer squash varieties are best harvested when young and tender, before they get large and tough. However, if you miss one and it gets massive, you can always shred summer squash for use in healthy, nutrient-packed breads and muffins.

Okra

Nothing says a southern summer like a plate of fried okra. This summer veggie is one of the easiest to grow in hot, dry climates, making it an easy choice for many southern farmers and gardeners. You’ll want to harvest okra every other day to ensure both optimal harvests and growing conditions.

Cucumbers

Whether sweet or spicy, few people can turn down homemade pickles or freshly sliced cucumbers with a side of ranch. To grow cucumbers in your summer garden, be sure to give them plenty of space to spread out and harvest frequently to make room for new growth.

Eggplant

A member of the tomato family, eggplant thrives in warm-weather gardens. This nightshade is best with in well-drained soil and watered often, especially when the days get hottest.

As you can see, there is no need to rely on the grocery store for seasonal produce. With a bit of work and planning, you can grow everything you need in your own summer garden!

Do you have any tips or tricks for growing veggies in the summer months? Share them with us in the comments section below!

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Photo by Lou Liebau on Unsplash