Carmen DeVito

For Carmen’s final gardening video of 2020, she shows us some plants that bring color indoors. Pink poinsettias and paper whites (aka narcissus) are very easy to maintain through the winter and are ‘disposable’ come spring – Carmen suggests adding them to the compost pile.

If you’re up for more of a challenge, Carmen suggests cyclamen, a flowering plant that does well in a bright room with little water. They go dormant in the summer and can be brought back the following winter.

She also demonstrates how to plant two types of bulbs tat will grow beautiful flowers. Amaryllis is a large tropical bulb you can purchase to grow show-stopper flowers indoors. You want to search for the biggest bulb possible, for multiple stalks and flowers. Carmen shows us how to properly plant and support the bulb with pea gravel and stakes to ensure it grows successfully. They’ll bloom in about 8-10 weeks from planting.

An even more challenging bulb to grow is hyacinth. It needs a cold period after planting in order to bloom into colors like purple, pink, and white come early spring.

Finally, Carmen shows us a plant that’s new in her indoor rotation: ardisia crenata (aka spice berry). This festive looking indoor plant is perfect for the holidays!

As the weather turns cold, Carmen heads out to her garden to show you how to prep your garden for winter. She cuts back plants and puts down a shredded hardwood mulch to ensure weed-free, fertile soil come spring.

Then, she builds a container garden, or window box, to enjoy some texture and color during the long winter. (Hot tip: Adding insulation and landscape fabric for drainage to your planting box ensures your plants stay healthy in the coldest months!) Carmen shows her selection of winter-hardy plants and how to arrange them artistically for maximum enjoyment.

Next week, for Carmen’s final video of the year, she’ll show you how to bring the garden indoors!

It may seem far away, but spring is coming and the time to plan is now! Carmen shows you a mix of bulbs that she’s planting today, so that she can enjoy beautiful flowers in her backyard one winter’s over. Then, she shows you exactly how you get bulbs into the ground to ensure success.

Stay tuned for a preview of what Carmen has up her sleeve for future videos and projects!

Carmen DeVito shows you how to prepare your plants for the cold weather. She cuts her roses and brings olive and lemon trees indoors. She shows you some cold-hardy leafy greens that you can continue growing for the next few months. Finally, to get prepared for the spring, Carmen plants garlic bulbs!