Vintage Gardening Tips | Legacy Posts from 2017 and Earlier

Jerry’s Legacy Posts offer a delightful collection of vintage gardening tips, perfect for those who cherish old-school gardening wisdom.

Looking for advice and timeless tips on vintage gardening that stood the test of time? You’ve come to the right place. Jerry’s Legacy Posts are a handpicked collection of golden advice from the early days of our blog—covering everything from how to grow greener gardens to whipping up tried-and-true tonics and tackling household chores the old-fashioned way. These posts might be from before 2017, but they’re still packed with power and purpose!

This archive showcases the best of Jerry Baker’s early blog writing—wisdom that never wilted. You’ll find practical advice for pruning roses, composting kitchen scraps, mixing up his famous tomato tonic, and keeping pests at bay with ingredients you already have in your pantry. Whether you’re a beginner or a backyard pro, this library of classic garden wisdom is brimming with tips. It’s rich with vintage gardening ideas, a treasure trove of solutions. It’s like flipping through pages of a horticultural history book, only digital—and searchable!

These legacy gardening posts are more than just blasts from the past. They’re reminders of a simpler time when remedies were homespun, tools were reused, and the garden was a place of healing, learning, and growth. If you’ve ever wondered what made Jerry such a trusted voice in the garden community, this archive offers a glimpse into the practical magic he shared with millions. His tips are as relevant today as ever, especially for gardeners seeking sustainable solutions based on vintage gardening methods.

Explore posts featuring old-fashioned gardening tips that still deliver results—whether it’s fighting weeds without chemicals, feeding plants with household staples, or turning kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost. Each entry is easy to follow and grounded in Jerry’s folksy, encouraging tone. Even after all these years, his voice remains a comforting guide through every season of the gardening journey.

This digital garden vault includes over a hundred legacy gardening posts originally published before 2010. And while we’ve updated the site since then, we’ve preserved these posts just as Jerry wrote them—unfiltered and full of character. These gardening tips continue to inspire and instruct, especially those coming from vintage gardening perspectives. If you enjoy what you read here, don’t forget to visit our main blog for newer posts with fresh seasonal advice and new takes on Jerry’s most beloved formulas. And, remember, to head over to shop.jerrybaker.com for all of Jerry’s best sellers!

Whether you’re here for nostalgia, research, or just a good old garden read, we hope this collection brings you both joy and inspiration. From seed starting secrets to classic compost recipes, every one of these gardening posts offers insight you can dig into today. It features a wealth of vintage gardening insights. Bookmark this page, share it with fellow green thumbs, and come back anytime you need a refresher on gardening the Jerry Baker way.

Happy digging!

Be sure to dig into old favorites like Watering Wisdom, 8 Glorious Rose Guardians, and Hooray—Foiled Again!. These posts continue to offer vintage gardening tips that stand the test of time.

• Happy Easter!
  Here’s hoping you have a wonderful, sun-filled day, and that the Easter Bunny leaves lots of treats for you and yours. And if you’ve got ...
• Tea for Two—Birdy and You!
  Make a springtime treat for your own backyard and invite the birds to tea with this attractive teacup birdfeeder. You will need: Old teacup and saucer Glue (make ...
• Celebrate Earth Day April 22!
  Even though Earth Day is only celebrated once a year doesn’t mean your green-up efforts should be a once-a-year effort.  And one easy way to ...
• 5 Old-Fashioned Edibles Your Garden Will Gobble Up
  Gardeners didn’t always have all the fancy chemical fertilizers that we tend to rely on these days. So they had to use whatever was on ...
• Be Fruitful!
  You can attract birds to your backyard by planting trees and shrubs that have the fruit, seeds, or berries they love. Mountain ash, wild cherry, ...
• Happy Memorial Day!
  To a lot of folks (yours truly included), nothing says “summer” like hanging baskets spilling over with colorful annuals. My absolute favorite is the kind ...
• Watering Wisdom
  Not sure when it’s the right time to water your flowers? Listen to your plants—they’ll tell you! Here are some signs that indicate they’re thirsty: Leaves ...
• Happy Father’s Day!
  Here’s wishing you a wonderful celebration of dads, granddads, and even dads-to-be this weekend!  And if you’re looking for a fun family project to do—that’ll ...
• Turn a Castoff Treasure Into a Trellis!
  The best trellises don’t simply support vining plants; they also add visual pizzazz to a garden. If you’d like an out-of-the-ordinary touch for your landscape, ...
• Containers on Parade!
  I’ve sung the praises of growing plants in containers as simple solutions to problems ranging from poor soil to drought to pest invasions. And it’s not ...
• How About That Drought?
  According to environmental experts, the United States is currently suffering through the worst drought conditions in 50 years. The lack of rain—combined with stifling, record-high ...
• When in Drought…
  Rainfall in the upper Midwest over the last couple of weeks has helped bring some relief to parched corn and soybean crops, but more rain ...
• Drought Defense
  We all know that prolonged dry spells seem to be hitting more of the country every year, and Summer 2012 is certainly driving that point ...
• 5 Super Secrets That’ll Get Cooties to Scoot
  The summer’s drought and record heat has done more than dry up lakes and fry up crops. It’s also brought out a whole lot of ...
• Stop Those Sneaky Squirrels!
  If you have big shade trees around your house, then you probably have squirrels scurrying everywhere. And this time of year, those bushy-tailed critters are ...
• 4 Steps for a Bounty of Spring Bloomin’ Bulbs
  It’s time to plant your bulbs for beautiful blooms next spring! This year, try my secret layering trick for getting twice—or even three times—the number ...
• Get Ready for Winter!
  It’s beginning to look a lot like winter. And with just a little preparation this fall, you can head off a whole lot of headaches ...
• Perky poinsettias all season long!
  There’s no plant more popular this time of year than the poinsettia—except perhaps the Christmas tree itself! If you’re the lucky recipient of one of ...
• Beat the Winter Blahs with a Bird-Pleasin’ Buffet
  Unless you’re lucky enough to live where flowers bloom all year long (aloha, Hawaii!), winter means plenty of gloomy days. But days are short everywhere, ...
• Force Forsythia to Help You Face the Winter Blues
  I never want to let the gray days of winter to start givin’ me the blues. So I do my best to add a bit ...
• Terrific Tips for Fresh-Cut Tulips
  This time of year, I like to add a splash of color to winter’s gloomy days with a vase or two of fresh-cut tulips.  And ...
• Get Set for Showy Spring Shrubs!
  January may kick off the new year for most folks, but March is really where it’s at if you’re a die-hard gardener. From under your ...
• The Grass-Growin’ Season is Under Way!
  It was Opening Day this week for your favorite Major League baseball team—so how’s the turf at your home field looking? Take some time between ...
• Give Bulbs a Beneficial Boost
  Now that the long cold winter seems to be headin’ for the hills, you can find me out in the yard on milder days, hunting ...
• It’s Arbor Day…Plant One for the Birds!
  On a nice, sunny spring day, there’s nothing better than strolling around the yard, listening to the sound of birds singing their sweet songs. So, to celebrate ...
• Perennials Are Poppin’ Up…So Are Weeds!
  Early spring perennials are sure putting on a gorgeous show! But if you’ve got weeds—ugh!  Don’t let weeding woes take all the fun out of ...
• Time for Terrific Tomatoes!
  There’s nothing better on a hot summer day than a ripe, juicy tomato, picked fresh from my own garden. And since things are finally heating ...
• Get Set for Perfect Patio Pots
  If you love flowers (and who doesn’t?), but don’t have much space to grow them, then it’s time to try container gardening. With a little ...
• Ramble On, Raccoons!
  Don’t look now, but here come the critters to kick off their season of mischief making. Raccoons seem to be the wiliest of the bad guys—they’re ...
• Herbs Are a Gardener’s Best Friend!
  Herbs deliver a bigger bang for the buck than any other kind of plant. Not only do they require little maintenance, but they also decrease ...
• Garden Help Wanted!
  Feel like bugs are taking over your backyard? Don’t sweat it—of all the millions of insects in the world, the vast majority of them are ...
• Surefire Snacks for a Bird-Pleasin’ Season
  Feeding birds during the summer is a whole different ballgame than it is the rest of the year, especially if you’ve spiffed up your backyard ...
• Amazing Annuals All Summer Long
  This time of summer, it’s not unusual for annual flowers, such as impatiens and petunias, to look a bit raggedy. And if you want them ...
• Plastic Bottles are Great in the Garden
  With all the emphasis these days on protecting the environment by recycling, I’m always looking for clever ways to reuse empty containers. You know me—I’ll ...
• Make a Blackstrap Grasshopper Trap
  Some years, you don’t even notice grasshoppers. They go about their business, not bothering anybody. Then one day, out of the blue, BAM! They descend ...
• Build a Flowerbed Without Bustin’ Your Back
  The summer growing season is winding down, so it’s time to start planning for next spring’s flower beds. And what would you say if I ...
• Don’t Pitch the Pop! Pour It in the Plants!
  Happy Labor Day! There’s nothing like a holiday weekend to get us out of the house enjoying the unofficial end of summer. So invite your ...
• It May Be Fall, But Your Grass is Still Growing!
  Fall is just about officially here, and while your flower and vegetable gardens are starting to slow down, your grass is gearing up for one ...
• Multiply Your Perennials by Dividing
  Some flowers are incredibly vigorous, and they’ll take over the whole backyard if you don’t divide them. Others grow better after dividing because you get ...
• Layer Bulbs for Longer Bloom
  I’m heading outside this weekend to plant a bunch of tulip, daffodil, and crocus bulbs for a terrific explosion of color next spring. My super ...
• It’s Time to Put Your Mower to Bed
  It’s gettin’ on toward hibernation time for your lawn mower, and there’s a few important things to do before you store it over the cold ...
• Winter-Weather Warning for Roses!
  If you live in an area where winter is serious business and temperatures dip below 0 degrees F, your radiant roses could be in big ...
• Purchasing the Perfect Poinsettia
  Tis the season for poinsettias—the beautiful staple for holiday decorations everywhere.  And whether your favorite is red, pink, or white, the most important thing is ...
• Protect Your Turf from Winter Salt
  When it comes to lawn care this time of year, remember that it’s plain and simple—salt kills grass!  But with wintry weather heading your way, ...
• Happy Valentine’s Day!
  If you’re lucky enough to have a sweetie who gives you cut flowers for Valentine’s Day, you’ll want to keep those extra-special blooms lookin’ good, ...
• To Seed or to Sod? That Is the Question!
  Are you ready to dazzle your neighbors with a lush, green scene when the weather finally warms up? It’s not too early to start planning, ...
• It’s Almost Time to Wake Up Your Lawn!
  If your goal is to finally grow that “look-at-me” lawn this year, then you’ve come to the right place. Because you and I both know ...
• All We Are Saying…Is Give Bees a Chance!
  By now, you’ve probably heard about the decline of the honeybee—those little buzzing pollinators that are responsible for producing billions of dollars’ worth of our ...
• Bee Backers Swarm Pesticide-Selling Stores
  I recently heard about a group of folks in Minnesota who are as concerned about the decline of the honeybee as anyone (click here to ...
• Save the Bees—Sign the Petition!
  This month, my blog has focused on the devastating decline of bees in our country. The important little pollinators have continued to die off in ...
• Bats Are Dying in Droves—But Why?
  There’s no question that bees are an extremely important part of our lives. And lately — thanks to the colony collapse disorder that’s quickly killing ...
• Grow Drought-Busting Veggies in Your Own Backyard!
  This summer, growing your own garden-fresh greens and mouthwatering tomatoes may be more important than ever. The months-long drought in California has led to skyrocketing ...
• Make Mom Smile with Lovely Mosquito Repellents (Really!)
  If you’re looking for a last minute suggestion to make mom smile this Mother’s Day, you’ve come to the right place. Because here’s a way ...
• Here’s an Afternoon Snack to Share with Your Yard!
  Ah, the wisdom of youth. And my 3-year-old neighbor Gracie is the smartest of the bunch, no question. Why, just the other day, we were ...
• The Big Cover-Up
  Do you think you’ve got this year’s growing season all figured out? Trust me—you don’t. Because, just when you least expect it, Mother Nature can ...
• Bring on the Thunder for the Greenest Garden in Town!
  Have you ever noticed how your lawn and garden seem to suddenly green up after a storm? That’s because the electricity in the air joins ...
• Get Usable Compost in 14 Days!
  Looking for the perfect “black gold” to keep your garden growing like nobody’s business? Then it’s time to start your own compost pile. When you’re building ...
• Put “Pest Peeves” in the Past!
  Annoying insects come in all shapes and sizes, from munching mosquitoes to freewheeling fruit flies. Try whipping up a pest repellent from simple ingredients that ...
• 8 Helpful Hints for a Hasty, Tasty Harvest
  You’ve been hard at work in your garden all summer long, and now you’re finally ready to enjoy the fruits — and veggies — of ...
• Drought Survival 101: Play Defense
  We all know that prolonged dry spells seem to be hitting more of the country every year, and lasting longer than they used to. When ...
• Stop 2 Tiny Garden Terrors in Their Tracks!
  No gardener likes to hear this, but regardless of what kind of plants you’re growing or how well you take care of them, it’s almost ...
• 6 Wacky Ways to Control Ant Antics
  Are you up to your elbows in ants? The enterprising little insects seem to be everywhere lately — from your pantry to your veggie beds ...
• What to Do after the Deluge
  Labor Day weekend is here already, but don’t give up on summer just yet. There are plenty more warm sunny days to come — and ...
• Holy Moley!
  Given the flying-off-the-shelves success of our recent Solar Molechaser sale (sorry if you missed it — it was a doozy!), I figured there must be ...
• Get the Best of Those Sneaky Squirrels!
  Squirrels have started stocking up on their stash for the long winter ahead, and they’re making a mess of my deck as they forage through ...
• Plant a Tree to Liven Up Your Landscape
  Besides adding a jolt of seasonal color with their festive spring flowers or bright autumn leaves, trees can perform a lot of purely practical feats ...
• Happy Herb Harvesting!
  You’ve picked the last tomato and pulled up the last of your carrots. But what about your herbs? If you’re anything like me, harvesting herbs ...
• Make Birds Flock to Your Migration Menu!
  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Bird feeding is just plain fun. And the peak feeder season has already begun in my ...
• Plant Bulbs Now for a Spring-Bloomin’ Bonanza!
  To my way of thinking, bulbs are one of the greatest gifts a gardener could ask for. They’re literally wrapped-up packages of leaves and flowers, ...
• 4 Steps to Perfect Poinsettias All Season Long
  There’s no plant more popular this time of year than the poinsettia — except perhaps the Christmas tree itself! If you’re the lucky recipient of ...
• Happy Houseplants—No Green Thumb Required!
  Most folks have at least a few houseplants sitting around their homes, and for good reason! Our potted pals purify the air we breathe and ...
• Deer Me!
  In early spring, buck deer love to use trees as scratching posts to scrape the velvet off their new antlers—scraping off the tree bark in ...
• Home Sweet Birdhouse
  The question I used to hear most often from folks around the country was, “Jerry, how can I get rid of all these pesky pests?” ...
• Rise Up!
  The weather this week was a mixed bag of tricks. Sunny and warm one day, and snowflakes flying through the air the next. But if ...
• Potted Plants on the Job
  As you’re figuring out what to plant where in your garden this spring, don’t forget about pots! Even if you have a glorious yard and ...
• What Can a Little Birdie Do for You?
  Sometimes, gardens are literally for the birds! You can plant your garden with individual flowers matched to specific types of birds, or you can let ...
• A Cure for Bald Spots (In Your Lawn!)
  Brown patches can appear overnight, even on the best-tended lawns. And right now is the perfect time to patch them up! Unfortunately, in most cases, ...
• 8 Glorious Rose Guardians
  Roses are tasty gourmet fare for a whole lot of gluttonous insects — which is why the Queen of Flowers is generally bombarded with more ...
• 3 Sinister Spiders
  I was clearing away some fallen branches earlier this week, when I came upon a spider so nasty looking that I dropped what I was ...
• They Sure Don’t Look Like Strawberries!
  Few containers are finer-looking than a terra-cotta strawberry jar with healthy herbs spilling out of its pockets. This is a great way to grow low, ...
• Hooray—Foiled Again!
  You may think of aluminum foil as simply a handy kitchen aid. But its strength and light-reflecting texture make it one of the most potent ...
• 3 Plants That Keep Wasps at a Distance
  There are more than 75,000 kinds of wasps in the world. Nearly all of them are not only harmless, but also highly beneficial because they ...
• Help—or Trouble—on the Wing
  Most birds gobble up so many destructive insects during the growing season that they’re worth their weight in hundred-dollar bills. And besides eating up the ...
• Declare Victory over Vampires!
  Don’t become an unwilling blood donor to hungry mosquitoes when you’re relaxing outside this summer. Set out oscillating fans to keep the air moving, and ...
• 6 Signs of a Skeeter-Borne Disease
  While mosquitoes do most of their dirty work in tropical countries, they can spread a number of serious diseases in the United States, the most ...
• The Secret to Fending Off Flower Maladies
  Diseases that traumatize flowers cause the most trouble in yards that are heavily treated with chemicals. But they can strike even the best-tended gardens. Fortunately, ...
• Deputize a Pest-Control Posse
  If you’re using chemical pesticides in your yard because you’re afraid that insects will destroy your lawn and gardens, I have one word to say ...
• That is NOT your litter box!
  All across the country these days, more and more folks are doing their gardening in containers. And judging from the letters in my mailbag, the ...
• A Little Off the Top, Please!
  When it comes to trimming your grass, the four most important words to remember are these: Mow high, mow sharp. “Mow sharp” simply means that ...
• 4 Frightening Facts about Chemical Lawn Foods
  Here’s a creepy quartet of reasons that you’ll be doing yourself, your family, and everyone else on the planet a big favor if you trade ...
• Compost Conquers All!
  Spreading compost over your lawn is a terrific alternative to chemical fertilizers. But “black gold” can do a whole lot more than keep your turf ...
• Beware of Treacherous Trees and Shrubs
  Thinking about planting some trees or shrubs this fall? Good for you — autumn is the perfect time to do it. Just be aware that ...
• Hints for a Happy Harvest
  When it’s time to bring in what’s left of your garden bounty, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind. First, try to pick ...
• Get Your Landscape Ready—Here Comes Winter!
  With just a little preparation this month, you can head off a whole lot of springtime landscape headaches. Here’s your to-do list: LAWNS While cool-season grasses stay ...
• Turn winter woes into summer WOWS!
  March came in like a lion in much of the country — which is certainly no surprise after this winter’s constantly changing weather patterns. So ...
• Is your lawn making your family sick?
  Every time you turn around, there’s another study confirming the dangers of chemical pesticides. But what you don’t hear about is the fact that the ...
• Send Pests Packin’
  With warmer spring weather come all the things I look forward to — flourishing flowers, beautiful birds, lush lawns, green trees, and a vibrant veggie ...
• Treat your turf to some TLC!
  It’s time to wake up your lawn! So treat it to this marvelous mixture, and it’ll rise, shine, and be rarin’ to grow: Spring Wake-Up Tonic Mix ...
• Groundcovers Are Perfect Problem Solvers!
  If you find that your patience for lawn-care chores grows shorter with each passing year, do yourself a favor: Replace some — or all — ...
• 3 Surprising Secrets to Successful Food Gardening
  Vegetables, fruits, and herbs thrive on the same kind of chemical-free TLC that ornamental plants do. So if you’re setting out to plant your first ...