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COMPOSTING
Although composting can begin any time of the year, fall is an excellent time to begin with all of the fallen leaves! Getting started is fairly simple if you keep in mind the following… Smaller particles break down faster. Shredding garden wastes will help speed up the process. Turning helps aerate the pile, shifting outer […]
WHY LIME?
Fertilizers can’t do the whole job of keeping your lawn healthy and beautiful because they can’t raise the pH of acidic soil. Poor lawns are often the result of acidic soil. Lime is an excellent way to correct low soil pH. Fall is the best time for liming your lawn because the soil expands and […]
THE N-P-K of FERTILIZER
Simply put, a fertilizer has nutrients to help plants grow. Many years ago, farmers found that composted manure from their farm animals were beneficial for healthy plant growth. Today, most of us buy fertilizer in bags and bottles at our favorite garden center. A trip to the store, however, can be a little confusing. What […]
HEALTHY SOIL, HEALTHY PLANTS
The key to successful gardening is “healthy soil.” This basic principle of organic gardening applies to all plants. Quite simply, when you feed the soil the proper nutrients, you let the soil feed the plants. So how do you “feed” the soil? First, you need to understand some elementary information about your soil and why […]
PROTECTING TREES FROM DROUGHT STRESS
Summer can be the most stressful time of year for landscape plants with heat and drought being the main offenders. When not receiving sufficient moisture, plants are much more susceptible to insect and disease damage. Trees are the most valuable landscape plants and therefore should be given priority during periods of drought. Identify Wilting and […]
ERGONOMICS IN THE GARDEN
Merriam-Webster defines Ergonomics as: an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely. Experts in the field of Ergonomics strive to design and produce items that better match the capabilities, limitations and needs of the people who use them. The result is […]
DEALING WITH DROUGHT
Because plants require moisture to grow and thrive, your garden will probably suffer during periods of low rainfall and intense heat. Insufficient soil moisture will result in smaller flowers and fruit, stunted plant growth, decreased root development and increased plant disease and insect damage. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to minimize […]
WHAT TO DO DURING A DROUGHT
Spray Trees & Shrubs With An Anti-Transpirant If pruning, only remove dead material from trees and shrubs, anything more will encourage new growth. This takes energy that a drought stressed plant cannot afford. Instead, spray leaves with an anti-transpirant or anti-dessicant to help leaves retain what moisture they have. Water Early Morning temperatures are cooler […]
DETERRING DEER
Strictly vegetarian, an average adult deer can eat between 4 and 6 pounds of food per day. Not only are they big eaters, they aren’t the slightest bit picky. Deer eat over 500 different varieties of plants, but, if they’re really hungry, they’ll eat just about anything in the garden or landscape. Short of a […]
WATERING TIPS AND WAYS TO CONSERVE WATER
* Water slowly and thoroughly. * Recycle water: Final rinse water (except loads with bleach) Drip from air conditioners (produces 5 gallons in a 24 hour period) Dehumidifiers Divert water from downspouts toward dry areas Used water from the kitchen (cooking, leftover drinking, etc.) * Use Gator Bags (plastic bags that slowly release water) for […]
GARDENING WITH CHILDREN
By gardening with your children or grandchildren, you can help give them an awareness and appreciation of nature and the world around them that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Even very young children enjoy helping with simple garden chores such as weeding, spreading mulch and harvesting. Older children love to […]
CAUTION IN THE GARDEN…CHLOROSIS
Yellow means caution, even in the garden. While leaf yellowing, chlorosis may be a signal that there is a problem that requires attention, it may also be normal. Chlorosis is the scientific word used to indicate the full or partial yellowing of plant leaves or stems and simply means that chlorophyll is breaking down. Normal […]
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% of the food we eat depends on the pollination of bees? Although there are many bees that are great pollinators, like carpenter, mining, sweat and cellophane […]