Spring bulbs include dahlias, gladiolas, begonias, lilies, cannas, and a few others. These bulbs have rewarded garden enthusiasts with gorgeous, show stopping blooms year after year. When you plant spring bulbs, work a low nitrogen, high phosphate fertilizer, such as...
If your roses have been covered for the winter, you can start to remove the mulch as the weather warms and the threat of really hard freezes is past. Be gentle as you remove the mulch. Now you can prune off any canes that have died back, as well as removing dead ends...
Aerating your lawn in the spring will open up the root system to air, water and fertilizer, making your lawn more resistant to drought, disease, and insects. Aerating machines remove many little plugs of soil and root in a hurry, or you can do it with a hand held...
Systemic insecticides can prevent an insect infestation before it even begins, saving untold damage to your yard and garden. Systemic insecticides work from the inside of the plant, deterring and killing most insects when they take their first bite. The systemic...
Lovely black loamy soil doesn’t just happen- you make it happen by what you add to your soil. In our area, the most common problems are a soil that compacts and turns hard when watered- this is most likely a clay soil. A soil that remains soft and drains well,...
Nothing sets off a walkway or porch like a beautiful hanging basket or a gorgeous planter. The challenge with hanging baskets and planters is keeping them looking great. First, with both hanging baskets and planters, there are a lot of plants squeezed into a small...
Tomato plants are one of two general types, being "determinate" or "indeterminate". Determinate means they are bush tomatoes. The plants don't get over about three feet tall, and once the fruit starts setting on, it comes in a rush, which is what makes them great for...
The only limit to what beautiful planters or baskets can be created for your yard is your own imagination. Use old wheelbarrows, tubs or tires, pots or window boxes, or build your own planter boxes. Whatever container you choose, make sure it has plenty of drainage...
Rotating crops improves yields and prevents the spread of soil borne insects and diseases. Start with leafy crops the first year, plant root crops the second year in that same space, soil-enriching peas or beans the third year, and squash and tomato family crops,...
Sweet corns available today fall into several general genetic classes. The first is Normal Sugary, indicated by a "su" following the name. These are the standard sweet corns that have been around and enjoyed for decades. They are not as sweet as newer corn types and...