Roots & Blooms Learning Library
From the plant-curious and those just starting their gardening adventures… To those of you with seasons of experience under your trowel… You’ll find a wealth of inspiration, information, and guides to help you on your journey to successfully care for and grow your gardens. Happy learning!
Bloom Times for Perennials, Shrubs and Trees in WNC
Wondering when your favorite plants will flower, or looking for something to fill a gap in your garden’s bloom season? Our WNC bloom-time and color charts make it easy to see when popular perennials, shrubs and trees typically put on their show.
Plant Fruit Trees in Fall for a Sweet Start
Why plant fruit trees in the fall? Well, when most people imagine planting fruit trees, they picture a sunny spring day, but fall often offers even better conditions, especially here in zones 7a and 7b. The combination of warm soil, cooler air, and consistent rainfall creates an ideal ...
How to Save Seeds from Your Blooms
Save flower seeds from your WNC garden with confidence. Learn when to harvest, how to identify and store seeds, and which flowers are easiest to collect.
Fall Veggie Seeds: What to Direct Sow
Late summer through early fall is a prime planting window for fast-growing, cool-loving vegetables in the Asheville area. Many crops can be sown directly into garden beds and harvested before frost, or protected with row covers to extend your growing season into early winter.
Fall Flower Seeds: The Secret to Spring Flowers!
Fall is the perfect time to plant certain flower seeds that need a period of cold (stratification) to germinate. By sowing in fall, you’re mimicking nature’s rhythm and setting yourself up for an earlier, more abundant spring bloom.
Why Native Plants are Important
Discover why native plants matter in Western North Carolina, how they support pollinators and wildlife, and which easy-care native plants to grow at home.
Composting: Turning Kitchen Scraps and Yard “Waste” Into Garden Gold
Learn the benefits of composting, how to start, what to add, and which method fits your space, from backyard bins to kitchen-counter options.
Why Botanical Plant Names Matter
Learn why botanical plant names matter, how common names can be confusing, and how proper nomenclature helps gardeners choose plants with confidence.
Grafting Made Simple: A Fun Way to Grow More of What You Love
Whether you're curious about growing a favorite apple again, improving a rose, or experimenting with a tree that offers multiple varieties on one trunk, grafting opens the door to a whole new side of gardening. See what tools you need and how to do it!
Start Your Garden Strong with the Right Seeds
Seed starting is a great way to kick off your growing season. It’s affordable, fun, and deeply satisfying, and with a little guidance, you can set yourself (and your seedlings) up for success.
Spring Frost Protection Tips for WNC Gardeners
What's a gardener to do when Mother Nature can be fickle and tonight's forecast is calling for 25 degrees? How do we protect our plants when temperatures dip? Check out these helpful tips...
A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Starting Seeds Indoors
Whether you’re dreaming of juicy summer vegetables or a yard filled with blooms, starting your own seeds gives you a head start on the growing season, saves money, and opens the door to varieties you may not be familiar with... Here's how to start seeds successfully, from choosing your ...
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