In my head, I feel about 25, but each spring, my garden brings me back to reality. I’m not a kid anymore. My aching back, knees and feet remind me that I’m growing older along with all of my plants – only they look better and complain less. Want some ideas on how to make changes? Check out my review on Toni Gattone's new book 'The Lifelong Gardener: Garden With Ease And Joy At Any Age.

Ek! I can hardly get down the path. Around mid-summer, gardens can get out of hand quickly. What was lush in June suddenly looks overgrown, tired and sloppy. It's too early in the game to let the garden go down the tubes!  Here's how to perk it up.

Why are focal points are important? They give your eye a place to land, especially important in a small space. If you've ever floundered around not knowing what to do next, this post is for you.

Shopping for trees and shrubs is tough. It's easy to get sidetracked on beautiful flowers,cool branching habits or flashy foliage. A good way to start? Focus on shapes to narrow down the choices. 

Finding interesting annuals for a shade garden can be tough. Lots of flowers prefer full sun and sometimes foliage plants just don't hold their color. If you're searching around for something a little different, read on. 

Don't you hate waiting for plants to get big? Practicing patience in pots helps. By that I mean container gardening - and I'm not just talking about the ornamental factor. In my efforts to have what I want, I've discovered more practical uses for stashing plants in pots. Read on to find out what they are.

In February, I escaped to the tropics of Vietnam where just about anything grows. I found it fascinating to see how they garden on the other side of the world and wanted to share it. If you're fed up with winter, and want to see bodacious greenery and flowers, read on.

Chomping at the bit to see flowers again? Prune some branches off the flowering shrubs and trees you have in your yard. Just about any deciduous tree or shrub can be coaxed into bloom inside. Here's how.

Want to add a little bling in your garden? There's nothing like a blast of gold foliage to liven things up. Adding beauty doesn't mean more work - it's all about choosing bulletproof plants that do the job. Check out my 10 favorites.  

Who wants to look at this all winter?  Unfortunately, outdoor urns and pots that aren't frostproof have to be covered to prevent freezing and cracking. What can you do? Take a look at what I did with a bunch of greens, a bit of wire, some bungee cords and an old tomato cage.

Who knew snow was going to hit so early? In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'm giving thanks to some of the plants that entertained me all summer.  Here's my ode to a few I want to include in next years garden.

It's easy for things to get out of hand in a garden. Figuring out where to start can feel overwhelming. If you're feeling daunted about how to impose law and order on your gardens, read on.

Don't give up on your containers at the end of the summer!  Add shrubs that will provide interesting shape, color and texture to keep you entertained well into winter.

I wouldn't be without basil for cooking, but visually, it's just more green leaves. Check out some varieties I planted that are flavorful, fun and floriforous.

There's a lot to be said for leaving things alone. I've become a reformed neatnik - partly from sheer laziness and because I was curious to see what would happen if I relaxed a bit. Read on and find out what happens when you stop interfering so much!

Tough places to plant? Everyone has them. Don't we all long for rich loam, perfect drainage and just the right amount of sun? Here's an idea to try if you have less than ideal conditions.

Keeping up with the care of annual containers is a big job. Personally, I can never keep up with them - all that deadheading, feeding and fussing makes me nuts.  Want to try something easier? Plant perennials instead - find out how to put sizzling combinations together that look great past labor day. 

No matter how often or well you shear a hedge it will slowly expand in height and width over time. When it starts getting out of hand, it's time to bite the bullet and do some hard pruning. 

Does your garden need a little help? Start from the ground up by feeding the soil. Quit getting rid of your leaves, spent grasses and other garden debris and use them to nurture your plants.

Bromeliads thrive in dry shade and hot humid conditions. As houseplants, they're easy to grow,if you happen to live in a tropical climate you can enjoy them in your garden. These colorful gems give you lots of bang for your buck.