Early Spring
Spring Lawn Renovation
Seeding: If you are planning to seed a new lawn or over-seed an existing one, it is best to seed as early as possible. It is important to get seed germinated and growing before trees begin to leaf out. This is especially true in shaded areas. Keep the area moist at all times until the […]
Heath or Heather
Often mistaken for one another, heath (Erica) and heather (Calluna) look amazingly similar. To confuse things further, heath is frequently referred to as “spring heather” and some landscapers, garden centers and nurseries may use the names interchangeably. Both types of plants belong to the Ericaceae family, and they share many similarities. Which is Which? The […]
Protecting Our Pollinators
Every garden requires pollinators, and bees are among the finest. Without them there would be limited flowers and far fewer fruits and vegetables. Did you know that about 30 percent of the food we eat depends on the pollination of bees, including onions, cashews, coffee, carrots, chocolate and vanilla? If we don’t protect these prolific […]
Growing Under Black Walnut
If you have a black walnut tree on your property, you know how difficult it can be to find anything that will grow anywhere near this plant. Black walnuts release a substance called juglone into the soil, which is toxic to many ornamental and edible plants and can stunt their growth significantly – in fact, […]
Mowing. Do It Right
If you have a lawn then you need to mow. If you need to mow then you may as well do it right. Here are the basics: Service your lawn mower in the fall, after your last cut, so that you start the next season right. Change the oil, drain the gas, replace the spark […]
Biokovo Geranium
“So many Geraniums, so little time.” If this is your motto, we completely understand. There are so many fantastic varieties to choose from, but Geranium ‘Biokovo’ is extraordinary. Allow us to tell you why. First, a little clarification regarding geraniums. Unlike our tender summer annual, commonly called “geranium” (genus: Pelargonium), true Geraniums are hardy, low […]
Acid-Loving Plants
Soil pH is a critical factor for gardening success. Some plants thrive in neutral soil while other plants prefer soil on the acidic side. The difference lies in the plant’s ability to use nutrients present in the soil. For plants that prefer an acidic soil a critical nutrient is iron. Iron is most easily available […]
Putting on Airs: Tillandsias
Looking for something easy to grow? The air plant, Tillandsia, should be on the top of your list. Tillandsia is the largest genus in the Bromeliad family with over 550 species that vary in color, size, texture and shape. In its native habitat, it will attach itself to trees and rocks using its roots. The […]
Pruning Forsythia
Forsythia is a true spring favorite and never disappoints with its shocking yellow blooms atop a mass of unruly branches. This early-flowering shrub can thrive for decades on neglect but there will come a time, whether out of want or necessity, that your forsythia will require pruning. But how can you do so without dampening […]
Trackable Tools
It’s the beginning of a new gardening season. Hopefully you took out last year’s journal in January or February and reviewed your notes on what you wanted to change, improve, experiment with or eliminate from your garden and landscape. Now is the time to begin implementing some of those great ideas, and it starts with […]
