David's Landscaping Blog November 2006 Archive

Fig Trees
Fig trees were among "the first plants ever to be cultivated by humans," writes Steve Nix. "Fossilized figs dating to 9400-9200 BC were found in an early Neolithic village in ... Read More

Thursday November 30, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Warming Up to Yard Work
For some people, yard work -- be it digging in the garden, raking leaves or shoveling snow -- is their major form of exercise. It's hardly an ideal exercise regimen ... Read More

Wednesday November 29, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Help, My Tree Turned Black!
Would you have a panic attack if a tree or shrub of yours turned black? Well, before you do anything drastic, see if you can rule out "sooty molds," first. ... Read More

Tuesday November 28, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Plants That Attract Birds
Growing plants that attract birds, such as dogwood (pictured here), is a natural extension of feeding the birds in winter. It also makes a great deal of sense from a ... Read More

Saturday November 25, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Sage Plants
We can't help but think of Thanksgiving when mention is made of sage plants. What would stuffing be without sage? But as Marie Iannotti observes, they can also be useful ... Read More

Thursday November 23, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Selecting a Christmas Tree
What should you look for when selecting a Christmas tree? About's Gardening Guide, Marie Iannotti, presents a thorough article on selecting a Christmas tree that's right for you. Discover the ... Read More

Tuesday November 21, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Oleander Bushes and Intrigue in the Desert
About's Guide to Phoenix recently published an email she received from a reader concerning oleander bushes. I guess when folks love a plant, they really love it, and when they ... Read More

Monday November 20, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Tips for Flowering Houseplants
Do you ever buy flowering houseplants at the grocery store? For the holidays, let's say? Well, this article on getting more bloom out of your flowering houseplants has a tip ... Read More

Sunday November 19, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Hens-and-Chickens: Plants for the Sun
With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching in the U.S., many are now thinking about turkey. But for a few moments, I urge you to think, instead, about hens and chickens -- ... Read More

Saturday November 18, 2006 | permalink | comments (2)

Testing Soil pH
About's Gardening Guide recommends testing soil pH at least every two years. The reason everyone harps on soil pH is that "if the soil pH is too alkaline or acidic, ... Read More

Friday November 17, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Winterizing Trees
"Trees may look inactive going into winter but the fact is they continue to regulate their metabolism and only slow down some physiological activities. This decrease in photosynthesis and transpiration ... Read More

Thursday November 16, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Landscaping in Australia -- Tips for Saving Water
Those of you landscaping in Australia may be used to water restrictions, but it never hurts to review your irrigation techniques, right? This Australian site has some tips for saving ... Read More

Wednesday November 15, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Deck Materials - Wood Decks vs Composite Decks
Building a deck to extend out from your house and afford outdoor living space is a major undertaking. After all, if decks aren't constructed so as to blend in ... Read More

Tuesday November 14, 2006 | permalink | comments (10)

Landscape Design and the Natural Landscape
How much of the natural landscape can you tolerate in your landscape design? That is the question posed by IPM Access in this look at how reasonable tolerance for ... Read More

Monday November 13, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Landscape Management and Wildlife Management
You can kill 2 birds with 1 stone, if you play your landscape management cards right. To be more accurate, you can attract wild birds and other wildlife to your ... Read More

Sunday November 12, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Overwintering Potted Plants
Marie Iannotti has a sure-fire way to spot avid gardeners. Look at their yards this time of year: Do you see a bunch of potted plants "sitting at the edge ... Read More

Friday November 10, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Bad Trees
Is there such a thing as a bad tree? In a philosophical sense, perhaps not; but one could certainly compose a list of "bad trees," in the sense of trees ... Read More

Wednesday November 8, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Outdoor Rooms
Folks used to be content with "outdoor rooms" that consisted of not much more than outdoor furniture, a barbecue grill, and perhaps a hammock and lawn umbrella. But oh, how ... Read More

Monday November 6, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Outdoor Holiday Decorations
Isn't dreary November weather reason enough to decorate your lawn or patio with outdoor holiday decorations? With the short days and long nights we're now enduring in the Northern Hemisphere, ... Read More

Sunday November 5, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Growing Pumpkins and Fall Decorating Outdoors
Did you carve a jack-o'-lantern this fall? Some of us have made pumpkin carving a standard part of our fall decorating outdoors for many years, but each year we derive ... Read More

Friday November 3, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Elm Tree Alternatives -- Chinese Elm Trees
Many of you have probably steered clear of planting American elm trees in your yards, due to their susceptibility to Dutch elm disease. But did you know that alternatives do ... Read More

Thursday November 2, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)

Halloween to Thanksgiving - Transition in Yard Decorations
One of the great things about landscape design in autumn is the continuity of decorating theme between its 2 major holidays: Halloween and Thanksgiving. Oh, sure, after Halloween it's time ... Read More

Wednesday November 1, 2006 | permalink | comments (0)