Landscaping & Gardening Information

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Does the Weather Repeat Itself?


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

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.

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.

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.

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.

More Resources

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

More Landscaping/Gardening Information:

Related Articles

Preparing Successful Seedlings
Growing your own seedlings is very gratifying and far more economic than purchasing them. It also gives you far greater control over your existing growing conditions.
The Perfect Porch Swing
There is a magical quality to porch swings. In his summertime classic Dandelion Wine, Ray Bradbury describes the "ritual of the front-porch swing.
The String Algae Blues
Now that Spring is upon us and things are coming back to life in your pond with the warmer weather, many of us are battling with string algae. String algae is caused primarily by a combination of the buildup of organic nutrients in the water, and sunlight.
Feed the Birds
Elaborate and decorative or simple and functional, birdhouses and birdfeeders are lovingly coveted by many people (and birds)!The collector seeking a new piece for the den or study need only consider personal taste and aesthetics- many who enjoy the careful art and craftsmanship of a beautiful birdhouse or feeder would never think of placing their precious gift outside in the rain and other elements.The serious or novice birder, on the other hand, has just a bit more to consider.
A Rose is a Rose?
There are many varied definitions of what each color of rose symbolizes. Florists and floral experts alike will agree that flowers hold the meaning we give them and the feeling with which they are given.
The Benefits of Landscaping
How much have you thought about landscaping? Do you know that a beautiful and well put together lawn has many benefits? Landscaping is lawn art and, like any other art form, it takes time, patience, and research to get your methods just right. So, what other benefits does landscaping provide besides just being "pretty"?Firstly, landscaping can add value to your home and surrounding property.
Funky Garden Plants 2
What's a perennial garden plant that blooms in the winter? A hellebore! It is an outdoor plant that is shocking to see blooming sometimes in the snow. There are many varieties.
Landscaping Design - The Primary Principles
Principles refer to standards or prescriptions for working with or arranging various elements to produce the intended landscape design. Good landscape design follows a combination of seven principles: unity, balance, proportion, focalization or emphasis, sequence or transition, rhythm, and repetition.
How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard Paradise For Less Than $100
Like many Americans, you may find bird watching to be a fascinating hobby. At the same time, perhaps you wonder how you can attract regular visitors to your yard without busting the bank by purchasing expensive foliage, feeders, and food.
Gardening and Flowers
Gardening is one of life's pleasures whether you grow flowers, vegetables or herbs; we look forward to the planting season. But whether you are new or seasoned gardener, it's important to remember a few basic things.
Fertilizing Your Water Lilies...
Unfortunately, sunlight is not enough.Your water lilies will grow, thrive, and bloom much better if youget in the habit of fertilizing them regularly.
Introducting KOI-Cam!
This is a project I've had on the back burner for many monthsnow, but now it's finally ready!We rigged up a wireless camera and aimed it at the KOI pond here,directly where my KOI get their daily feedings. To check it outright now, visit www.
How to Grow Hydrangeas
Whether you call them Hydrangea Macrophylla, House Hydrangea, French Hydrangea,, or Mopheads, growing Hydrangeas in the home garden can be an enjoyable experience. They are lovely, whether used as single plants or in mass, such as in a hedge, or border.
How to Win the War Against Slugs and Snails
Slugs are one of the most hated of garden pests. You may have spent time carefully planting out your seedlings into the bed, but when you return next morning, you find chewed leaves, the growing points nibbled away and a mass of slimy trails all around.
How to Grow Apples
The first thing you need to grow apples is a long-term commitment. Growing apples takes considerable time and quite a bit of work.
Gardening For Birds
What a cruel trick the weather is playing on us.WE HAVE SNOW ! ! !A bit depressing for us outdoor types.
Grey Water- Not Drinking Water- For Your Garden
The average home can reduce their water consumption by around 30% by re-using grey water on their garden.The figures are compelling.
Tuberous Begonias
If you appreciate plants that have no hesitation in boldly stating their presence with huge, almost artificially perfect flowers, then tuberous begonias are for you. While some may find them rather too overstated, downright brazen even, if you like colour, and plenty of it, with subtlety an option rather than compulsory, then look no further.
Fun, Funky Garden Plants
I have a love for funky, fun and unique garden plants. Here's one to try.
Flowers Wilting? Tips for Making Your Flowers Last Longer
We all know one disadvantage of flowers is that they don't last very long. While they are here they bring happiness and warmth to any dull decorating space.