The fall provides an opportunity for gardeners to reflect on the successes of the season and assess garden maintenance.  This period of the season brings new and different tasks to our gardens and prepares our gardens for the spring.  Some tasks to consider in the fall include:   Utilizing our compost to enrich our beds and garden spots. Cover our water gardens and ponds with netting to eliminate leaves fro...read more

Fall is a wonderful time to experience the beauty of chrysanthemum in your garden and they have become a staple for outdoor fall decorating. This time of the year garden centers are selling millions of chrysanthemum for gardeners to plant for fall color as the chrysanthemum flowers are bought specifically for fall displays. Gardeners often fail to plant them early enough to allow the chrysanthemums to become established before...read more

You have successfully produced flowers in your garden and you want to bring them indoors to enjoy.  By following these easy flower care tips will help to increase the longevity of your fresh cut flowers. Certain varieties of fresh cut flowers last longer than others. Carnations, for example... can remain vibrant for long periods. Roses have a shorter vase life, but are prized for their special and delicate beauty. Whatev...read more

With the growing season upon attention should be given to the lawn including weed control; mowing; and fertilization for a healthy green lawn.  Here are some tips for your consideration for lawn care.   Weed Control   The best thing you can do to control weeds is to not cut your lawn too short.  Weeds love really short grass and when grass is short it allows sun to easily penetrate the soil.  Weed ...read more

Give some real thought before planting these aggressive plant in you garden as they my take more control then you wish. Chinese Lanterns—are aggressive plant and are great for dried arrangements, but the plant spreads quickly via its underground stems.  Once this plant is established you can spend years trying to eliminate it from you garden. Common Yarrow—is a perennial that can be found listed in both weed...read more

You will be rewarded with more abundant blooming, the more hours of sunlight your new rose bush gets. Knockout roses are very easy to grow, and will thrive in most landscapes conditions. Shrub roses prefer moist well draining soil and good nutrition. Soils consisting of high organic matter will retain moisture and promote strong abundant blooms. Knock Out roses are a shrub rose bush that grows to about 3 feet in height and sta...read more

Your deck and patio can seem bare compared to your budding garden. To help accentuate your seating area you need to be creative, think outside the box and utilize all surrounding areas in a positive way.             First, decide on a theme or purpose when surveying your landscape. Ask yourself, “What type of furniture should I buy? What special features do I wan...read more

Mulching trees and shrubs is a good method to reduce landscape maintenance and keep plants healthy. Mulch helps conserve moisture --- 10 to 25 percent reduction in soil moisture loss from evaporation. Mulches help keep the soil well aerated by reducing soil compaction that results when raindrops hit the soil. They also reduce water runoff and soil erosion. Mulches prevent soil and possible fungi from splashing on the foliage -...read more

Both annuals and perennials have their place in the garden. Annuals are best for beginning gardeners since these plants offer instant gratification, ample variety, and they're also easy to grow. Shallow-rooted, these plants don't require a lot of deep soil preparation before you set them out. They bloom only once and must be replaced at the end of the season. Perennials will return each season for years to come, but they also ...read more

The bulbs you planted last fall have bloomed and are making way for the color your annuals and perennials will add to the yard. That doesn’t mean that you can forget about your tulips, hyacinths or daffodils, though. Steps you take now can help these beauties bloom again next spring. Bulbs are actually self-contained, growing entities that have to manufacture and store enough food during the spring and early summer to ...read more

No flower as beautiful or as loved as a rose and they are the undisputed favorite of growers and flower buyers alike. Growing rose bushes is easy and rewarding and with a little knowledge you can turn your rose bushes into a perfect bush providing a profusion of roses. Like any other form of gardening the more gardening care and information you know for the particular plant you are growing the more successful you will become...read more

Many people love home grown potatoes, but not everyone has the room to grow their own. Whether you live in the city, or are simply lacking in space, there is a simple way to grow a batch of your own potatoes. All you need is a sunny spot on a porch or balcony, some good soil and a plastic garbage bag.  Items you will need:  2 - 30 gallon garbage bags, potting soil and peat moss, sprouted potatoes, paper towel and hay...read more

Mulching trees and shrubs is a good method to reduce landscape maintenance and keep plants healthy. Mulch helps conserve moisture --- 10 to 25 percent reduction in soil moisture loss from evaporation. Mulches help keep the soil well aerated by reducing soil compaction that results when raindrops hit the soil. They also reduce water runoff and soil erosion. Mulches prevent soil and possible fungi from splashing on the foliage -...read more

Early spring is a great time for gardening and there are crops you can plant that can tolerate and thrive in cooler weather.  Below are four suggestions of vegetables that will do well with cooler weather.LettuceLettuce is a cool weather crop and prefers it when the days and nights are cooler than 70 degrees. You can often buy some lettuce plants at greenhouses, but it is just as easy to grow lettuce by seed. Buy some let...read more