Activities & DIY Projects
Garlic scapes (seedheads) are removed now. How to harvest and store garlic
A little less than half my garden is filled with garlic, there are even containers filled with the plants. ...
Free “You Dig” daffodils
These daffodils need to be saved! Mark Honess has property in Cranberry that's going to be sold and ...
Testing for Doug’s Free Seed Shack at Hahn Nursery
I've converted old newspaper sales boxes into Doug's Free Seed Shacks. Most of them will be placed in ...
Doug’s Free Seed Shacks
Doug's Free Seed Shacks will offer lots of vegetable and flower seeds and will placed around Western ...
How to start seeds: Allegheny Front interview
Learn how to start seeds indoors.
How to plant microgreens as seen on PTL
Planting microgreens is fun, easy and a great project for kids (of all ages).
Doug’s favorite bulbs
Here are some of my favorite bulbs to plant.
Backyard composting classes, rain barrel workshops and more from PRC
The Pennsylvania Resources Council can teach you how to compost, use rain barrels and recycle. This ...
Virtual Tomato and Garlic Days runs from 8/24-8/27 benefits food bank
Tomato and Garlic Days at Phipps supports the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Summer Organic Gardening Webinar series
Free garden classes for gardeners on Medicare or receiving SNAP or WIC benefits.
Succession planting with Pitt Moss in your Victory Garden
Succession planting is a great way to have a wonderful garden.
Planting tomatoes for early and healthy harvest from PTL
Harvest the first tomato of the season and keep those plants looking good.
In Doug’s Garden: Making more tomato plants
You can make more tomato plants by taking cuttings, it's easy!
Garden Tips
Tired of varmints, he built a cage around his garden.
He's gardened for seven decades and has a "unique" way to keep his garden varmint free!
What to do about artillery fungus
Here's how to clean artillery fungus off the side of a house and kill the fungus.
Planting cool weather crops and perennials as seen on PTL
Keep planting for fall and winter harvests along with spring beauty.
Doug’s Ultimate Guide To Growing Your Own Tomatoes
Growing lots of different tomatoes is a good idea. Each one reacts differently to pests, diseases and ...
Doug and Andy back together again talking about trees
It was fun to do this video with my friend Andy Amrhein. We talk all about trees, how to plant, prune ...
Helleborus niger blooms through winter. The Christmas Rose!
Helleborus niger begins blooming in November and has continued through the winter despite a foot of ...
Getting amaryllis and paperwhites to rebloom, planting microgreens in Pitt Moss
Learn how to grow paperwhites, amaryllis and make them re-bloom.
Dance of the Snow Birds, feasting at the feeder.
Here's a stress reliever, enjoy watching the birds at the feeder.
How to get your garden ready for winter
There's lots to do before winter arrives in the garden.
How to plant garlic this fall for five harvests
"It would be a sad world without garlic," Johno Prascak
‘J’Adore Pink’ poinsettia available at Drew Mathieson Greenhouse at Bidwell
'J'Adore Pink' is a wonderful new poinsettia.
Discount code for Power Planter auger I use
This is the Power Planter Earth Auger (3"x7" version). It's great for planting bulbs and other things ...
PENNSYLVANIA RESOURCES COUNCIL ANNOUNCES NOVEMBER 2020 ONLINE CONSERVATION WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Learn to compost and recycle the right way.
Extending the garden season in the Victory Garden
Don't stop gardening! Plant now for a great winter harvest.
What to do with all those green tomatoes
Don't pitch those green tomatoes, store them this way and enjoy them into winter.
Saving seeds is simple, but here’s what you need to know
There are lots of plants that are easy to collect seeds from.
Debut of new video series “You Should Grow This.”
Debut of "You Should Grow This." Plants that thrive where they shouldn't.
Slugs emerge during wet weather, here are organic controls.
There are many organic controls for slugs
Splitting tomatoes after the rain and a weird looking cuke and new fav bean
Splitting tomatoes are common after a rain.
Ask Doug: Don’t kill this hornworm, crape myrtle hardiness and when to move iris
Learn why this tomato hornworm should never be killed
In Doug’s Garden: Making more lilies (hopefully)
Planting little bulbs found on a lily plants might lead to many, many more lilies.
Ask Doug: Serviceberry problems, perennial hibiscus and are tomatoes edible after groundhog damage?
Marlene-Hi Doug. My 'Shadblow' serviceberry is inundated with small black seed looking creatures under ...
Poison ivy control tip from gardener is safe and inexpensive
This is a great way to garden and stay safe from poison ivy.
China seeds and Christmas in July on PTL
Here's what to do if you get a strange seed packet in the mail and celebrate Christmas in July with ...
Watering the garden the right way from PTL
There's a right way to water the garden to keep plants thriving and healthy.
How to foil blossom end rot on tomatoes
Here's how to stop blossom end rot on tomatoes.
The “other” radish harvest provides a taste of spring
Did you know radishes produce something else edible besides the root?
Making Garlic Scape Pesto on Pittsburgh Today Live
Garlic scape pesto is my favorite way to use the seed heads in a recipe.
Making more tomatoes and succession planting with Pitt Moss.
Here's a great trick to make more tomato plants from the garden.
Container planting 101 for flowers and veggies as seen on PTL
Here's a great formula for planting containers in the veggie and flower garden.
Planting a container with Pitt Moss
Planting a big container with Pitt Moss!
In Doug’s Garden: Bargain hanging basket fun!
It's so much fun to save money! It's bargain hunting time.
Succession planting with Pitt Moss in your Victory Garden
Succession planting is a great way to have a wonderful garden.
ShrubBucket offers unique plants in a new way (with discount code)
ShrubBucket ships interesting plants right to your garden.
In Doug’s Garden: The I can’t throw anything away show
Growing up with two parents who lived through the Great Depression has made me just a touch frugal, ...
Planting tomatoes for early and healthy harvest from PTL
Harvest the first tomato of the season and keep those plants looking good.
Advice for Japanese maples after the freeze from Davey Tree
Here are tips to deal with a Japanese maple after a freeze.
In Doug’s Garden: Making more tomato plants
You can make more tomato plants by taking cuttings, it's easy!
Plant a Victory Garden with Pitt Moss
Plant your own Victory Garden with Pitt Moss!
Podcasts, Webinars, & Virtual Appearances
Davey Planting Project offers free seeds through Talking Trees podcast.
Trees are the answer! Get your free tree seeds and get planting!
Talking Trees podcast: Teaching kids the importance of trees
Teaching kids the importance of trees is a valuable lesson for children.
Talking Trees New Podcast alert: Weather Whiplash
In the latest episode of the Talking Trees podcast from the Davey Tree Expert Company we talk "Weather ...
Talking Trees new podcast alert! Saving special trees with cabling
Cabling trees can help save a special specimen.
Talking Trees podcast: How trees help wildlife
Dana Karcher, area manager and project developer for Davey Resource Group, Inc., talks about how trees ...
Talking Trees Episode 5: Sugar Maples, Syrup and Frost Cracking
Maples are just some of the trees which can be effected by frost cracking. This week's Talking Trees ...
This week’s Talking Trees podcast: Winter Walk Through and stewartia love!
This week's Talking Trees podcast covers a winter walk through and a special tree you should plant! ...
Stories From the Garden
Chuck Leavell Documentary ‘The Tree Man’ Explores Pianist’s Legendary Music, Environmentalism
By Doug Oster September 29, 2021 Chuck Leavell is keyboardist and musical director for The Rolling Stones. ...
What to do if you discover Spotted lanternfly
Here's what to do if you come across the invasive Spotted Lanternfly.
Garden Restores Once Scarred Landscape at the Carrie Blast Furnaces in Pittsburgh
The Iron Garden at the Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark is one of Pittsburgh's hidden ...
A Special Tour Through Highland Park’s Secret Garden, Choderwood
Choderwood is a wonderful secret garden in Highland Park.
Come with Doug to the Chelsea Flower Show, Gardens of England and Floriade in Holland, May 2022
I'll be traveling to England and Holland to explore the Chelsea Flower Show, the gardens of England ...
An Urban Garden Work of Art
This Lawrenceville garden is an uban oasis, filled with wonderful plants.
The Hidden Life of Trolls at Phipps from PTL
The Hidden Life of Trolls at Phipps is an amazing display. It's a fun Summer Flower Show.
Tribute to Pearl With a Pearl Bush: A Memorial Garden to Honor Loved Ones
May 5, 2021 When I posted a picture of my pearl bush (Exochorda) in full bloom on my Facebook page, ...
Surprise Spring Cold Snap Tested Pittsburgh Gardens
Most plants shook off a recent cold snap. Here's a list of plants and when to get them in the ground. ...
Everything You Need to Know About Growing A Lush, Organic Lawn
Don't buy into the "Great Lawn Lie." You can have a great organic lawn.
Everything You Need to Know About Growing A Lush, Organic Lawn
Don't believe the "Great Lawn Lie." Nothing will outgrow grass when it's happy. Organic lawns are safe ...
Planting Peas and Other Early-Spring Crops to Start on now
St. Patrick's Day signals the start of planting, but there's still plenty of time to get seeds and plants ...
How to garden: There’s no such thing as a green thumb!
How to garden: There's no such thing as a green thumb
Chanticleer Garden designs with vegetables as COVID begins. Donates nearly 5000 pounds of produce.
David Mattern harvests lettuce from the Cut Flower Garden which was repurposed last year to grow vegetables. ...
Unique snowdrop and homemade container evoke memories of garden friends
A special spring flower and a handmade container bring back memories of two garden friends.
This beautiful orchid reveals a touching story
This orchid has a very special story.
‘Duet’ is Pittsburgh’s famous dahlia, bred by the late Fred Scott
'Duet' dahlia was introduced in 1955 and was discovered by Fred Scott of Pleasant Hills, Pa.
Making more plants by taking cuttings and rooting in Pitt Moss.
Taking cuttings is a great way to make more plants.
Tour the Spring Flower Show at Phipps with Doug from PTL
I spent the day with Laura Schoch, a display horticulturist at Phipps Conservatory, exploring "Canopy ...
Ralph Brock was Pennsylvania’s first African-American forester
Read the fascinating story of Ralph Brock who overcame racism in the 1900's to have an illustrious career ...
Tour the Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show at Phipps
Follow me on a tour of the Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show at Phipps.
Watch this webinar about Doug’s upcoming trip to Croatia.
Join me Thursday 1/28 at 7pm for a webinar about my upcoming trip to Croatia.
Getting amaryllis and paperwhites to rebloom, planting microgreens in Pitt Moss
Learn how to grow paperwhites, amaryllis and make them re-bloom.
You Should Grow This: Anemone ‘Queen Charlotte’
You Should Grow This: Anemone 'Queen Charlotte.'
You Should Grow This: Japanese pieris
You Should Grow This: Japanese pieris.
You Should Grow This: ‘Big Duck’ marigolds
You Should Grow This: 'Big Duck' marigold. It blooms just about anywhere!
You Should Grow This: ‘Amistad’ salvia w/hummingbird footage
'Amistad' salvia is a treasured gift from a wonderful group of gardeners. You should grow this!
The Great Garlic Giveaway
Follow me as I deliver garlic for planting to a wide range of garlic fanatics!
Guest Post: Losing an old friend growing in the front yard
One gardener reflects on the loss of an old friend, which graced the front yard for 15 years.
Had enough? Ready to throw in the towel? Keep gardening!
Gardening is easy when it's easy and hard when it's hard. Don't stop!
Giant tithonia, deadheading, fertilizing containers and more
Check out this giant Mexican sunflower and learn how to fertilize containers to make them thrive.
The story of the 3945 tomato found on WWII battlefield
The '3945' tomato was discovered while crossing a battlefield during WWII
Thursday 7pm webinar about my trip to Croatia in 2021
I'll be hosting a webinar on Thursday at 7 p.m. about the trip I'm taking gardeners on to Croatia in ...
Joe Hamm’s Daffodil Hortus bulb sale
Below is an email from Joe Hamm who runs an amazing place called Joe Hamm's Daffodil Hortus in Washington ...
Poison ivy control tip from gardener is safe and inexpensive
This is a great way to garden and stay safe from poison ivy.
Watering the garden the right way from PTL
There's a right way to water the garden to keep plants thriving and healthy.
Making Garlic Scape Pesto on Pittsburgh Today Live
Garlic scape pesto is my favorite way to use the seed heads in a recipe.
Tour the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden as seen on PTL
The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden has reopened. Come on a tour with me.
Container planting 101 for flowers and veggies as seen on PTL
Here's a great formula for planting containers in the veggie and flower garden.
Planting a container with Pitt Moss
Planting a big container with Pitt Moss!
In Doug’s Garden: Bargain hanging basket fun!
It's so much fun to save money! It's bargain hunting time.
Phipps to reopen as seen on PTL
Phipps is reopening!
Something new, something old for you to grow!
We all need to hear about new introduction in the plant world, but what about something tried and true ...
Join Doug on a trip to Croatia on a private yacht July 2021 Webinar below explains the trip
We're going to have fun exploring Croatia next summer.
Donate extra vegetable seedlings to Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
You can help the hungry by donating your extra vegetable seedlings.
Succession planting with Pitt Moss in your Victory Garden
Succession planting is a great way to have a wonderful garden.
ShrubBucket offers unique plants in a new way (with discount code)
ShrubBucket ships interesting plants right to your garden.
In Doug’s Garden: The I can’t throw anything away show
Growing up with two parents who lived through the Great Depression has made me just a touch frugal, ...
Planting tomatoes for early and healthy harvest from PTL
Harvest the first tomato of the season and keep those plants looking good.
Advice for Japanese maples after the freeze from Davey Tree
Here are tips to deal with a Japanese maple after a freeze.
In Doug’s Garden: Making more tomato plants
You can make more tomato plants by taking cuttings, it's easy!
Garden clubs donate seeds to food bank and others in need
Garden clubs donate nearly 4000 packets of seeds.
