Preventive Tree Care
Thursday May 31, 2007
Are there any high-risk trees on your property? A tree with structural defects can result in damage to vehicles, passersby or homes. Preventive tree care is the answer to this ... Read More
Pictures of Coneflowers
Wednesday May 30, 2007
Marie Iannotti remarks that purple coneflowers initially became popular because "they grew so easily and bloomed so long." But now you're not limited to purple coneflowers: as these pictures of ... Read More
Preventing Fires During Hot, Dry Summers
Tuesday May 29, 2007
Wildfires are frequently in the news, increasing public awareness of the damage they can cause. Are there any measures homeowners can take for preventing fires during hot, dry summers? You ... Read More
Sawdust Mulch: Is Sawdust Mulch Safe for Plants?
Monday May 28, 2007
If you live near a sawmill, it might appear to be a no-brainer to bypass more typical mulches and make use of free sawdust mulch. But Steve Jones issues one ... Read More
Canna Plants
Sunday May 27, 2007
What's not to like about canna plants? Marie Iannotti informs us of several reasons for growing these tropical beauties, including gorgeous foliage and flowers. And don't be scared off by ... Read More
Ready to Add Hydrangeas to Your Landscape Design?
Saturday May 26, 2007
"Hydrangeas are generally grown for their dazzling flowers and spectacular foliage," remark the experts at Bluegrass Gardens Plant Nursery. See which types make their list of popular hydrangeas to grow ... Read More
Bird Control
Friday May 25, 2007
Some may wonder why bird control is ever necessary. After all, says Marie Iannotti, "Gardeners love the company of birds in the garden... most of the time." But, warns About's ... Read More
How to Apply Tree Fertilizers
Thursday May 24, 2007
When should you apply tree fertilizers, and how? Steve Nix, About's Guide to Forestry, has the answers to those questions, opening the article by noting, "Ideally, growing trees should be ... Read More
Cleaning and Sharpening Hand Pruners
Wednesday May 23, 2007
"There are few tools we rely on more than our hand pruners, but most of us don't really take very good care of them," observes Marie Iannotti. Ready to turn ... Read More
Blue Hill Salvia Plants
Monday May 21, 2007
Do you strive to attract well-behaved wildlife to your landscape? Blue Hill salvia flowers attract fluttering butterflies and buzzing bumblebees, providing hours of tranquil wildlife viewing (unless, of course, you ... Read More
Iris Flowers
Sunday May 20, 2007
Many new homeowners plant iris flowers, those old-time perennials, remembering the fragrant plants from their childhoods. But alas, not all iris flowers are created equally fragrant! That's why it is ... Read More
Stella de Oro Daylily
Saturday May 19, 2007
Stella de Oro daylily is a dream for landscapers but a nightmare for linguistic purists. Instances of the renegade spelling, "Stella d'Oro" are numerous, even in the catalogs of wholesalers ... Read More
Hostas for Sunny Areas
Friday May 18, 2007
"Hostas are shade plants, right?" asks Marie Iannotti. But the answer provided by About's Gardening Guide may surprise some novices: "Well, yes and no. We think of hostas as shade ... Read More
Project EverGreen
Friday May 18, 2007
Today, Project EverGreen "is preparing to deliver a giant care package to the families of thousands of American servicemen and women." The program is called, "GreenCare for Troops," and its ... Read More
Pictures of Redbud Trees
Thursday May 17, 2007
Of redbud trees in spring, Steve Nix writes, "Leafless branches are loaded with aromatic pink flowers that grow right off the trunk and limbs. Quickly following the flowers come new ... Read More
Black Rats
Wednesday May 16, 2007
Is your property susceptible to an invasion of black rats, also called "roof" rats? "If you have the following items around your home, you may be more prone to attracting" ... Read More
Dividing Perennial Flowers -- Divide and Conquer!
Tuesday May 15, 2007
How do you get the most out of your perennial flowers? Well, you've heard the expression, "Divide and conquer!" Strange as it may sound, the answer lies in dividing perennial ... Read More
Swimming Pool Landscaping
Monday May 14, 2007
Swimming pool landscaping is full of unique challenges and opportunities. Considerations when landscaping around swimming pools include privacy, safety, beauty and convenience. This piece on swimming pool landscaping briefly discusses ... Read More
What to Do About Standing Water on Lawns
Sunday May 13, 2007
"I've noticed areas in the lawn with standing water after a big rain," writes this week's featured poster in the Landscaping Forum. It's a common question, especially in the spring: ... Read More
Landscaping Driveways
Saturday May 12, 2007
Like the entrance to your house, the entrance to your property, via the driveway, is often treated as a landscaping focal point. Driveway landscaping can consist of such elements as ... Read More
Mother's Day Ideas -- Drawing Flowers
Wednesday May 9, 2007
Running out of Mother's Day ideas? "Your mom will appreciate something hand-made whether you are four, fourteen or forty, so grab whatever colors you have and try some of these ... Read More
How to Build Stone Walkways
Tuesday May 8, 2007
Need to create a sturdy, attractive path from point A to point B? Then learn how to build stone walkways. This article will show you how, injecting reminders along the ... Read More
Weed Control Without Herbicides
Monday May 7, 2007
You can accomplish weed control without chemicals. These resources show readers how to practice effective weed control and still have organic yards. But rest assured: my focus is not on ... Read More
Overview of Natural Deer Control Methods
Sunday May 6, 2007
You could plant whatever you want in your landscaping, then try to keep the deer away from it. Homeowners in deer-control country often erect deer fences or apply deer repellents ... Read More
How to Trim Hedges
Saturday May 5, 2007
You've recently bought some boxwood or other shrubs, and you're wondering how to trim them into hedges? Trimming hedges is fairly easy, if you start when they're young and set ... Read More
Rose of Sharon Shrub
Friday May 4, 2007
Although some people think of rose of sharon as a "tree" (because it gets tall and can be pruned so as to have a single trunk), rose of sharon is ... Read More
Never Fear: It's "Phenology," Not "Phrenology"
Friday May 4, 2007
Not to be confused with "phrenology," (a controversial psychological theory from the past), "phenology" is defined as "the science dealing with the influence of climate on the recurrence of such ... Read More
How to Build Garden Arbors
Wednesday May 2, 2007
Building small garden arbors is an easy do-it-yourself project -- cheap, too, if you're willing to shop around a bit for your pressure-treated lumber. Follow the step-by-step instructions, supplemented by ... Read More
Saucer Magnolia Trees
Tuesday May 1, 2007
"Saucer" magnolia trees have one of those common plant names whose significance may be somewhat mysterious to the uninitiated, but which makes perfect sense to those who have experienced them. ... Read More