Gardening
Page 1 2  Pruning shrubs will keep them healthy and safe
One of the major causes of anxiety among amateur landscapers is the subject of pruning shrubs. After all, you’ve invested a fair amount of time and money in them, and now you’re expected to cut chunks out of them?! Eeeek! "Ain't No Ticks On Me?" You Hope!
You've probably heard that advertising jingle on the radio for a product
to keep bugs away. The second verse begins, "There ain't no ticks on
me..." "Easy care" plants for the horticulturally challenged!
"I have a brown thumb," a reader of this column recently moaned.
She meant that she had the opposite of a "green thumb," a description we often apply to people who seem to have a knack of growing just about anything successfully. "Head's up! Literally that is.
When we're planting tree seedlings -- or any other kind of plant -- it's only natural that we spend
most of our time looking at the ground. "Made in the Shade" on a hot summer's day
Does this sound good to you right now? You are outside on a pleasant
summer's day. You can hear the chirp and twitter of various birds, and maybe
the distant drone of a faraway tractor or mower. "Roses are red..." and so are these trees!
When St. Valentine's Day is on the calendar, it seems that everything you see is colored red! Every billboard, every store display... even neck ties and sweaters. “Sold” on compost? Here’s how to make your pile
Creating a compost pile is one of the simplest jobs you can do around your garden and landscape. However, it is also just about the most effective use of your time because it pays big dividends in the form of vibrant soil and healthy plants. “Thinking green” adds beauty, saves money
When you think of St. Patrick’s Day, what color immediately springs to mind? The answer of course is green! A planting primer for trees and shrubs
Perhaps you visit a garden center or look at an online catalog and see various intriguing plants but hesitate to make the buying decision because you’re not sure about the correct planting procedure. Add pathways to your landscape and save your lawn!
Recently, a reader asked me what to do about some well worn patches across her lawn. It seems that her family continues to "beat a path" across a particular area, despite her gentle requests, more forceful suggestions and downright threats! An all-natural snake repellent? This one has many benefits!
In a recent "Plant Man" column, a reader asked for suggestions to rid his landscape of snakes without having to kill them. One reader responded with a fascinating (and non-toxic) idea that you'll find in this week's column, below. Analyzing Your Soil
Testing your soil is the smart way to start and maintain your garden. Only by knowing the nutrient levels in your soil can you determine what you need to add to your garden in order to maximize growth. Attractive groundcover can repel deer, too!
Groundcover: Can it really be practical as well as attractive? In a
previous column, I discussed the pros and cons of adding groundcover around
your trees. Avoid these landscaping hazards!
Reports tell us that the majority of personal-injury accidents occur in the home. If that's the case, then garden and landscape-related injuries can't be far behind! Bird bedding, herb gardens and groundcover
I love e-mail. Even with all the spam and the worries about viruses, it's
still a modern marvel. For instance, almost as soon as this column is
published, I start receiving e-mail from readers commenting on what I've written or offering helpful Bird bedding, herb gardens and groundcover
As you know, this column is about trees, shrubs and all things
"landscaping." So it might seem strange when I tell you that today I'm talking about houses. Wait! Stay right there! This isn't about the house that YOU live in. Bird bedding, herb gardens and groundcover
I love e-mail. Even with all the spam and the worries about viruses, it's
still a modern marvel. For instance, almost as soon as this column is
published, I start receiving e-mail from readers commenting on what I've written or offering helpful Bird bedding, herb gardens and groundcover
As you know, this column is about trees, shrubs and all things
"landscaping." So it might seem strange when I tell you that today I'm talking about houses. Wait! Stay right there! This isn't about the house that YOU live in. Birds, bats and butterflies: How to make them welcome!
Lions and tigers and bears (oh my!)... It's my guess that you'd agree with
Dorothy on this one. There are some critters you just don't want to invite
into your landscape. Compost: the free gateway to super soil
Is it really worth starting your own compost pile? Aren’t you simply creating a smelly eyesore that’s just a glorified trash dump? Container gardening opens up new landscaping options
When it comes to getting creative with your landscaping, don't overlook containers! Perhaps you haven't really considered container gardening because you think of it as only for apartment-dwellers and others who have little or no land... Container water garden: a fun and easy project!
A water feature is a charming addition to your landscape. But with water
comes the potential problem of mosquitoes! Correct planting gives shrubs and trees a head start
Of course, YOU’D never say something like that. But maybe you’ve heard someone else say it, though not in so many words.
The fact is that young trees and shrubs are at their most vulnerable when you are planting them in your landscape. Create a haven of privacy with the right trees and shrubs
Ah, privacy! If you live on a ranch in Wyoming or in a cabin in the wilds of Montana, that’s probably not a problem. But if you’re like most of us, you have neighbors quite close on each side of you and maybe overlooking the back of your lot... Create privacy and drama with a living fence.
The wide open spaces might sound romantic or even desirable to us. But, even though America is a vast country, most of us only own and occupy a small portion of it. One or two acres are now described by Realtors as "large lots" and... Creative plant names add fun to your landscape
What's in a name?
Some plants have acquired names that boast fascinating back-stories, while others have monikers that are so descriptive, they're irresistible! Here are two of my favorite examples. Cucumber time in the Garden
Cucumbers, although available year round in the stores nowadays, are most plentiful during the summer months when many folks are raising them in their gardens. Dish the dirt! What's your soil type?
It feels a little odd to be saying this with the August sun beating down on
us, but it's a fact: Fall is just around the corner! Dogwoods, cedars or shrubs: spouses have different ideas!
Sometimes, the questions I receive are more concerned with “domestic relationships” than with the specific landscape problems they describe. Two people who agree on most everything can have very differing opinions concerning what to plant... Dry your own herbs to enjoy all year.
Have you ever sat in a traffic jam and seen a billboard beside a new development that reads "If you lived here you'd be home by now"? Earlier in the spring, I wrote three columns about planting and enjoying container herb gardens. So now I can say.. Enjoy the look and taste of a "fruitful" landscape
It shouldn't be only rabbits, squirrels and deer who get to enjoy the taste of your landscape. You planted it and you should get to eat some of it too! Evergreen planting brings year-round life to your garden
This time of the year is perfect for planning some of the exciting projects you can get started on in the spring. This week I have a suggestion for a project that is a lot of fun to plan and will be very satisfying to create. Finding natural solutions to garden and landscape
From time to time I hear from people who are interested in finding
alternatives to chemical-based products to use as fertilizers or for
weed control. Page 1 2
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