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Presented by Elgin Feed and Garden Center
2663 Kershaw-Camden Hwy. -- Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 286-8400

Nationally renowned garden expert Melinda Myers helps everyday gardeners find success and ease in the garden through her Melinda’s Garden Moments radio segments. Melinda shares “must have” tips that hold the key to gardening success, learned through her more than 30 years of horticulture experience. Listeners from across the country find her gardener friendly, practical approach to gardening both refreshing and informative! On this page, Melinda shares some more extensive garden tips, which expand on the information provided in her one-minute radio segments.

New tips will be added throughout the growing season, providing timely step-by-step tips on what you need to do next in your garden! Visit Melinda’s website www.melindamyers.com for more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and answers to your questions.

	Echo-friendly Control for Fungus Gnats Don’t worry if you notice small fruit fly-like insects flitting across the room. It is not a sign of bad housekeeping nor are they harmful to your plants. These small insects, known as fungus gnats, are feeding on...(more)
	Controlling Tent Caterpillars and Gypsy Moths in Winter Start this year’s garden pest control with a stroll through the landscape. And as you walk be sure to look for any unwelcome pests that may be overwintering on the twigs of trees and shrubs. Look for egg masses of the Eastern and forest tent caterpillar...(more)
	How to Hire a Landscape Professional Is your gardening “To do” list much longer than the time you have to dedicate to caring for your landscape? Consider hiring a professional for large jobs, those that require special skills or for tasks you just don’t like to do...(more)
	Hosta of the Year for Your Garden Don’t let tradition and the overabundance of the common hosta keep you from adding this charming durable perennial to your landscape. A look through the catalogues or on the internet will reveal a plethora of hostas...(more)
	Air Layering Houseplants Don’t compost that overgrown leggy dumb cane or dracaena. Try air layering and pruning to get it back down to size. Leggy dieffenbachias, known as dumb canes, and draceanas are a common sight in many indoor gardens...(more)
	Eco-friendly Spider Mite Control Yellowing, speckled leaves and small spider webs are sure signs spider mites have taken up residence in your plants. These tiny pests are members of the spider family. They suck plant juices causing the leaves to look somewhat silvery or bronze...(more)
	2011 Perennial Plant of the Year Add season long interest to your garden with the 2011 Perennial Plant of the Year. Amsonia hubrichtii, is a deserving winner that is worthy of a spot in everyone’s garden. Also known as Arkansas blue star this plant provides season long interest...(more)
	Managing Snow and Ice Damage on Trees and Shrubs Heavy snow and ice can wreak havoc on our landscapes. Proper handling of storm damaged plants can help minimize long-term damage. Don’t shake heavy snow and ice off limbs of trees and shrubs. You’ll probably cause more damage than Mother nature...(more)
	Trimming Overwintering Leggy Annuals Some of your impatiens, geraniums and other annuals overwintering indoors may be looking a bit unkempt. Break out the pruners and get busy with a little grooming. Long leggy stems can be cut down to size...(more)
	Managing Early Sprouting Bulbs A break in the cold winter temperatures can be a welcome reprieve for gardeners, but not such a good thing for our spring flowering bulbs. As tulip, hyacinth and crocus begin peaking through the ground during a winter thaw, gardeners begin to panic...(more)
	Pruning Raspberries Prune raspberries in winter to increase your harvest and reduce pest problems. Summer and everbearing raspberries form fruit on 2-year-old canes. Start by removing any canes that bore fruit last summer...(more)
	Eco-friendly Aphid Control The hot dry air in our homes during winter is tough on us and our houseplants, but it’s great for insects. You may need to lend a hand this winter to keep your plants looking good. Check plants regularly for signs of insects...(more)
	Ornamental and Edible Fruits You don’t need to sacrifice beauty to grow a few edibles in your landscape. Many ornamental plants grown for their beauty also produce edible fruit. Juneberries are one of my favorites. Beautiful spring flowers, good fall color, smooth gray bark and tasty fruit you and the birds will enjoy...(more)
	Pruning Potentilla, Spireas and other Summer Blooming Shrubs Tame those floppy potentilla and spirea and bring other overgrown summer flowering shrubs down to size in late winter through early spring. Summer blooming shrubs produce flowers...(more)
	Reviving Wilted Cut Roses Nothing says Happy Valentine’s Day like a fresh bouquet of roses. And nothing is more disappointing than when the necks of those roses wilt and ruin the display. Fortunately, there is an easy cure...(more)
	Starting Cannas, Dahlias and Other Non-hardy Bulbs Indoors You can start your summer garden months before the traditional planting date. Start cannas, dahlias or other non-hardy bulbs indoors for bigger transplants and earlier bloom in the garden. Retrieve the rhizomes, tubers or corms (we’re calling bulbs) that you may have...(more)
	Check Stored Seeds for Viability Don’t discard those left over seeds from last season. When properly stored, many seeds can last for years, saving you money when you plan and plant this year’s garden. Use this quick and easy test to see if your stored seeds are still viable...(more)
	Growing Onions Make homegrown onions part of your diet. Their flavor is guaranteed to add zest to your meals and their health benefits include lowering the risk of many cancers. Onions can be started by seed, sets or plants...(more)
	Tips for Growing Healthy Houseplants Start or expand your indoor garden and keep plants growing their best with a few simple tips. Select indoor plants that match the growing conditions such as light and humidity as well as your schedule...(more)
	Pruning Young Trees Winter is often the time we break out the pruners and start shaping trees and shrubs. Before making that first cut, be sure you are pruning with a purpose in mind. Strive to maintain the trees natural shape and form...(more)
	Pet Friendly Indoor Gardening You can have pets and still grow an indoor garden. As a cat owner I have struggled with this issue for years. We love our pets and they love to eat or dig in our plants. Start by selecting plants that are safe for your pets...(more)
	Shrubs that Attract Birds Birds can add color and motion to your landscape year round. Planting shrubs that provide food and shelter is an easy and affordable way to bring birds into your backyard. Include evergreens like arborvitae and yews to provide shelter for the birds...(more)
	Windowsill Herb Garden Add fresh-from-the-garden-flavor to your meals year round. Grow a windowsill herb garden. All you need for this garden is a container with drainage holes, a saucer or shallow tray to capture excess water and protect your woodwork, a well-drained potting mix...(more)
	Low Maintenance Roses So you want to grow roses, but don’t want to fuss? Don’t worry - you can have beautiful roses with minimal care. I love the beauty of roses, but for years had to tell gardeners their plants are diseased, insect infested or had died...(more)
	Selecting Rain Barrels Save money and be kind to your garden and the environment by capturing rainwater and putting it to work in your landscape. You can make your own rain barrel or purchase one. In either case there are some features to consider when adding a rain barrel to your landscape...(more)
	Expanding Garden Beds, Chemical-free If each year you find yourself trying to squeeze more plants into less space, it may just be time to expand one or more of your planting beds. Start with a sketch of your garden and include the existing beds...(more)
	Eco-friendly Mealy Bug Control If your indoor plants have cottony masses on the leaves and stems, it is time to break out the rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs. Beneath this fuzzy mass are soft body scale insects known as mealybugs...(more)
	Flower Garden Design Basics Creating a beautiful flower garden can be overwhelming, but understanding a few key concepts can make it much easier. Use warm colors of orange, red and yellow to create a focal point in the garden, make large areas appear smaller and...(more)
	Damping Off Disease Don’t let past problems starting plants from seeds prevent you from partaking in this fun and budget-wise garden activity. A clean start and proper care can be the difference between success and failure...(more)
	Preparing the Lawn Mower for the Season Prepare your lawn mower now for the grass cutting season ahead. You will minimize breakdowns, frustration, and improve the health and beauty of your lawn. Start by disconnecting the spark plug. It is the smart and safe thing to do when...(more)
	Grow Calcium Rich Vegetables Keep a fresh supply of bone-building calcium growing in your garden all season long. Grow calcium rich greens like mustard, turnips and kale during the cooler months. These vegetables not only tolerate cooler air and soil temperatures, but taste better when...(more)
	Pruning Currants and Gooseberries Many gardeners are growing their own fruits and vegetables, including some traditional favorites like currants and gooseberries. Proper pruning will keep these plants looking good and productive. Late winter or early spring before growth begins is the best time...(more)
	Black Walnut Toxicity Part of the fun or for some the frustration of gardening is overcoming challenges and one big challenge for many gardeners is planting under a black walnut tree. All parts of the black walnut tree...(more)
	Caring for Bare Root Plants You decided to save money or perhaps try something new and ordered bare root plants from a catalog or through the internet. Now you are wondering what to do with them once they arrive. Most growers ship bare root plants just prior to the...(more)