Landscaping & Gardening Information

Tomatoes...Tomahtoes — There Is A Difference In The Varieties


Tomatoes are one of the favorites for the home vegetable garden. It is a good idea to try and grow some of the newer hybrids due to their resistance to some of the common diseases that cause trouble with this vegetable in our gardens. There are some opportunities to compare the taste of many of the varieties that are available at your favorite nursery.

The Challenges of Gardening in the Summer


This is the time of the year when some of the problems with our plantings are noticed. Some of our vegetables and a few of our flowers begin to show signs of not doing so well and the calls start coming for help to solve these situations.

How Are Your Hanging Baskets and Container Gardens Looking?


This is the time of year when some gardeners with container gardens or hanging baskets become frustrated because their spring investment is starting to look a little shaggy.

What Is Getting Ready to Damage My Plants Now?


Some insects that feed on plants in our landscapes are not that damaging but some of them, if allowed to go unchecked, can ruin a plant and actually kill it. We are not necessarily concerned about a few caterpillars that do a little nibbling on a few leaves and then turn into a beautiful butterfly or moth. We need to let these 'friends' eat their few leaves and develop, so we are helping Mother Nature and enjoying the beauty around us.

Does the Weather Repeat Itself?


This is the way this commentary started off the end of April 2016

Powdery Mildew on Roses...An Ounce of Prevention


Powdery Mildew (PM) can be a serious disease on roses and it looks like white fuzzy powder that accumulates on leaves and stems of many plants, predominantly in spring. It is actually a fungus that is spread by millions of microscopic spores. By the time the naked eye can see the white 'powder,' it has already invaded the plant tissue and is feeding and reproducing at a rapid pace.

Plant Recovery Is Happening Quickly


This past winter was not severe but there was still some damage to plants in our landscapes. Some plants have experienced damage to the top portion of the plant and they will recover nicely after this set back, if given time. A plant that has an established root system will try to balance the top to the roots so this "recovery" growth normally is very rapid and vigorous after this setback.

Caring for Those Hanging Baskets


Many Moms received hanging baskets for Mother's Day and now it is time to keep them looking beautiful for the rest of the summer. After these beauties are taken home it isn't long when the beauty isn't looking so beautiful if they aren't given some basic care. It really isn't that difficult to keep those planters and baskets looking good for the summer. Here is what you need to do.

Moms Love Flowers All Summer Long


Help Mom enjoy "HER DAY" this weekend with plants that will last all summer and beyond! Flowers start off from little seeds and cuttings and last a long time when they get to a home that cares for them. Mom's will be delighted as they work with their plants when they follow a few basics that are understood by longtime gardeners.

How Much Did Your Watering REALLY Benefit Your New Plantings?


Now that you are ready to really get serious about planting your vegetable garden and container gardens for the patio or getting those shrubs in the landscape we need to talk about something that is critical for good healthy plant growth. Unfortunately many people who garden don't understand the importance of thoroughly watering their "new" plants.

Ready, Get Set...Gooooo!


Most gardeners are hard at it with flower beds all cleaned up, (aren't they?, I'm sure you are) the pre-emergence weed control, Preen or something similar, has been applied to the areas that are not going to be disturbed soon and your mulch is in place.

Raised-Bed Gardening Is MORE Fun


Raised-bed or square-foot-gardening has become a popular way to garden during the past few years. Let's take a look at the basic principles and advantages of this type of gardening.

It's Time to Get Into the Garden


The changing temperatures and cooler days that are sprinkled among the warm days, is an advantage. This gives us more time to make some of the applications of chemicals that will make taking care of our landscape and gardens easier later in the year. Cooler temperatures delay the development of not only flowers and growth but also some of the pests.

Let's Go----Spring Has Us In Garden Again


Most of us have been in the garden by now or at least trying to get outside as the weather cooperates. One of the latest spring snows we have had in recent years was the first week in April but I doubt that is going to happen now. All any precipitation does now is postpone our activity in the garden and landscape because it makes everything so soggy.

The A, B, C's of Container Gardening


Container Gardens are "IN" today because of their decorative use on patios, decks and entry areas. Commercial plantings in towns, shopping centers and institutional sites and places where soil conditions are poor are all the places where you will see these beauties.

Planting Trees & Shrubs, For the LONG HAUL


The spring season brings a "FEVER" to do some planting in our yards and gardens. Many times this includes "key" trees and shrubs that will be with us long into the future, hopefully decades. Let's be sure we follow some basic principles that will give us a good chance at long term success.

My Oh My, the Forsythia Are Blooming!


As you know, we are having a very early spring and this weather is pushing the dates forward to get busy in the yard and garden. Broadleaved evergreens like hollies, boxwood and euonymus are nice and green while other years, at this time, we may have noticed a lot of brown leaves due to "winter burn" from very cold temperatures coupled with windy conditions.

Colorado Blue Spruce Decline


Our landscapes are changing. Many of you are seeing the problem Colorado Spruce is having in this part of the country. They are dying by the thousands wherever you go.

Spring is Here Early...Now What ?


Phenology is the study of recurring biological phenomena and their relationship to weather. Bird migration, blooming of wildflowers and trees, are examples of phenological events. We have all observed that plants bloom earlier in warm springs. Insects also emerge earlier when it is warmer than in cooler seasons.

If Spring Comes Early Will You Be Ready?


This winter has been rather mild so don't get fooled like the frog in the tepid water on the low heat burner. He was so comfortable that he ended up boiled as the heat increased slowly. That can happen to us in our gardens when we are lulled into complacency during the winter months.

Harmful Insect Control, In the Landscape


Most of us are still waiting for spring to get here so we can get out in the yard and start cleaning up after the winter. Speaking of cleaning up, hopefully we did a good job of getting the leaves off lawn areas last fall. There is sure to be damage to grass areas if leaves were not removed from the lawn.

2017, The Year of the Pansy


Pansies are a friendly-faced flower! But until the 19th century most people considered them a weed. Today, pansies are a hybrid plant cultivated from those wildflowers in Europe and western Asia.

Garden Catalogs are HERE !


I'm sure you have or are receiving gardening catalogs in the mail. It is always interesting to see the new varieties that are offered. There are some real fun veggies that are very healthy eating.

House Plants Bugs...Do You Have Any?


Your house plants may start to have some issues about this time of year. We are getting questions about a few of the major insects that can cause problems now. There are 3 or 4 bugs that can cause our plants to deteriorate if we don't keep them under control.

Seed Catalogs


Now that we are indoors for our Ohio winter hiatus, it's time to start to formulate ideas for the coming gardening season that's just around the corner.

Winter Gardening? Really?


Winter is here and we have several weeks to get some things completed before we get into the busy spring season.

2017 Gardening Resolutions


Since we are in a new gardening year, here are some resolutions we need to try and keep. There are a few critical items, that if done on time in the landscape and garden, can make gardening more enjoyable. Timing is everything when it comes to making working in your yard more fun.

Caring for House Plants this Winter


Since we will be inside most of the time for the next couple of months let's make our indoor environment better. This can be done by having plants that not only purify the air we are breathing but also feed our psyche. Consider having one or more of the holiday plants in your home or office.

Compost Is Referred To As "Black Gold"


Composting makes "cents" and plants will tell you by the way they grow with ample amounts of organic matter, how happy they are because they will have nice green leaves, good healthy growth and plenty of flowers.

Fall IS Really for Planting


Since fall is just around the corner it is a good time to think about planting in your landscape, this is absolutely the best time of year for planting trees and shrubs

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Landscaping/Gardening Information:

Related Articles

Planning a Vegetable Garden
It is important when you start to plan a garden, to know what you want the garden to do.For instance, if you are hoping to feed a family of four all year round, you will need to plan a garden that is approximately 100 square meters of space (not includingwalking paths) that produces more than once.
The Home Garden
The garden should be near the house and away from trees. If it's some distance away from the house, it will not be as well looked after, nor will most use be made of vegetables grown.
How to Grow Snow Peas
Snow peas may have been named because in bright sunlight their light green pods look as if they might be tinged with frost. One of the oldest vegetables, the earliest recorded pea was grown in 9750 BC on the Thai-Burma border.
Organic or Chemical Feeding of Plants - Whats Best
A fundamental question in vegetable gardening is - what is the proper use of organic and/or chemical materials? Let's determine the truth of the matter, with four basic principles and a few brief examples from Dr. Jacob R.
How to Choose Between Goldfish and KOI
Many people have asked us over the years "Should I addgoldfish or KOI (or both) to my pond? The answer is "itdepends."Goldfish are better suited to smaller water gardens andponds, in the 50 - 500 gallon range.
Hummingbirds
Many individuals are fascinated by hummingbirds. So much so, that they will do anything in their power to attract these petite creatures to their yards.
Some Poinsettias Last, Others...Not So Much
Locally grown poinsettias look better and last longer in your home or office, and, when you can make your purchase directly from the grower, that is even better.
Lawn Care Business Owners - Dont Buy Yourself A Job
Most businesses consist of the owner only or the owner and a few employees. The owner continues to do the same activity whether it is labor or crew management for many years.
Care of Hanging Baskets
This is the time of year when gardeners with container gardens or hanging baskets become frustrated because their spring investment is starting to look pretty shaggy.
Basil: The King of Herbs
One of the most popular herbs is Ocimum basilicum commonly called sweet basil. Often called the 'king of herbs,' basil can be grown indoors or out.
How to for Lawns - Mowing
How often you mow your lawn will depend on a number of factors. Firstly how much time you have to devote to your lawn's maintenance.
Is Your Landscape Ready for Winter?
The warmer than average temperatures this fall may create some problems for our landscape plants. Cool temperatures along with shorter days cause our plants to "harden off" and prepare for winter.
Skip The Pesticide And Use Natural Alternatives
For best health, it is important to keep your environment as chemical free as possible. With better weather coming up, consider this:Many people do not realize that using pesticides and weed killers on lawns can cause health problems for your children and animals, as they often are on the lawn daily in the summer.
10 Free Gardening Products
One of the pleasurable spin-offs in organic gardening is finding alternative ways of coming up with the same, if not better, end result..
Sleeping Beauties: Porches For Dreaming
There's something magical about sleeping outside, drinking in the night sounds of crickets, frogs and wind chimes, watching fireflies and stars, and feeling the cool night breeze. You'll find children giggling long past their bedtime from sheer excitement.
It's Gardening Season!
It's gardening season again! Are you ready? Whether you are a seasoned gardener, or are looking to start gardening, you will likely need supplies and plants. If you shop smart, and use the tips below, you can get that garden running with very little money.
Wooden Greenhouses
An important addition to any British back garden, the greenhouse is firmly established in the British way of life. It's probably the inclement weather that drives the british gardener 'inside'.
Cat Repellent or How to Keep Cats Out of Your Garden
Do cat repellents work? How to stop a cat from using garden as litterbox? Tell me how to keep cats out of my garden. These are common questions of concern to all gardeners but is there a real answer?The first line of defence is to ensure that your yard boundaries are secure.
Garden Hot Tubs
Imagine starting your morning with a saunter out the back door to enjoy a cup of coffee in your garden hot tub, or relaxing just before bed with a lazy soak in your backyard hot tub under the stars. More and more homeowners are taking the plunge (pardon the pun!) and installing a hot tub in their backyard or garden.
Understanding Weeds - But mostly How to Kill em
When I was a child, I loved to pick Dandelions. The pretty yellow flowers were small, colorful, and looked nice tucked behind my ear! However, if one had popped up in the front yard, my hair accessory would have been considered an atrocity!I often feel sorry for weeds.