Judith Paul | Profile

Profile

Join date: Sep 30, 2025

About

Hi, I'm Judith Paul, with a gardening style best described as “Oooo, there’s a gap over here!” My work history is equally unpredictable (possibly even quirky) and ranges from pulling eel-infested cow carcasses out of creeks to managing multi-million-dollar projects across various industries. I’m a Kiwi (referring to the iconic flightless bird of NZ, not the fruit) who has also lived in Australia. Currently, I run a licensed and inspected plant propagation nursery in North Carolina (USA) when I’m not teaching, writing, or editing.

Posts (24)

May 30, 2026 ∙ 8 min

The Secret Sauce for Hanging Baskets

One of the biggest misconceptions about hanging baskets is that if the potting mix looks light, fluffy, and professional, it must also be rich in nutrients. In reality, many commercial mixes are designed more for texture than nutrition.

May 27, 2026 ∙ 5 min

Potting Mixes for Hanging Baskets

Most ready-made hanging baskets are planted in a lightweight nursery mix based on peat moss and perlite, and for many plants, that combination works well. Peat moss holds water surprisingly well for its weight, while perlite creates air pockets that help oxygen reach the roots and excess moisture drain away. Together, they create a fluffy, easy-to-handle growing medium suited to many basket favorites, including petunias, calibrachoa, bacopa, lobelia, and ivy geraniums.

May 25, 2026 ∙ 6 min

Hanging Baskets – The Crown Jewels of Gardens

Hanging baskets are the crown jewels of a garden: bright, theatrical, and wonderfully capable of turning the plainest porch, patio, balcony, fence, or courtyard into something that feels lush and loved. They draw the eye upward, soften hard edges, and bring flowers and foliage right to eye level, where every bloom can be admired rather than overlooked.