David's Landscaping Blog January 2008 Archive

Growing Shiitakes on the Lower 40?
When you're vacationing at a destination that's new to you, finding a decent restaurant that doesn't charge an arm and a leg is a dicey proposition. Being unfamiliar with all ... Read More

Thursday January 31, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Curb Appeal
When selling your home, give top priority to improving your property's curb appeal. Many sales are gained or lost depending on what potential buyers see as they drive by. Part ... Read More

Wednesday January 30, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

How to Build Ice Palaces
Looking for a way to spruce up the front yard in winter? Building an ice palace will provide your neighborhood with a topic of conversation, and entertain your kids to ... Read More

Tuesday January 29, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Desert Landscaping: Cactus Gardens
If you live in a state such as Arizona, then you may see the saguaro cactus routinely and be bored with desert landscaping. But those of us who hail from ... Read More

Monday January 28, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Weak Tree Branches Revisited
We had a January thaw earlier this month in my neck of the woods, and in a recent blog post I mentioned how I took advantage of it by doing ... Read More

Sunday January 27, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Emerald 'N' Gold Euonymus Shrubs
With their low-mounding habit, Emerald 'n' Gold euonymus shrubs can function as groundcovers; planted on a hillside, they are effective at erosion control. They are also just tall enough for ... Read More

Saturday January 26, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Common Houseplants You Can't Kill
Are there any common houseplants that you can't kill -- at least not without malice on your part? You bet there are, and About's Gardening Guide, Marie Iannotti features 6 ... Read More

Friday January 25, 2008 | permalink | comments (5)

Alien Invasion: Alien Invasive Trees
Some of the trees you see in your local forests, local parks -- or perhaps even in your own yard -- may look like they're just innocently standing around, improving ... Read More

Thursday January 24, 2008 | permalink | comments (1)

Realtime Landscaping Pro Software Review
Ah, the amazing world of computers and their software! I recently upgraded to a new computer. And as it turned out, my timing was excellent. For it was also time ... Read More

Wednesday January 23, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Deer Resistant Gardens
In musing about "why the buck stops here," Marie Iannotti notes that "deer resistant gardens" don't always live up to their name. "The frustrating truth is," says About's Gardening Guide, ... Read More

Tuesday January 22, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Stalking the Wild Pussy Willow
No matter how busy I am, I insist upon taking my daily walk, as I find so much joy in experiencing the great outdoors. I have many doubters question my ... Read More

Monday January 21, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Snow Shovels
Of all the snow shovels out there, do you know what my favorite type is? It's the snow shovel hanging up on its hook in the shed, collecting dust from ... Read More

Saturday January 19, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Why the Tips of Houseplants Turn Brown
Green thumbs and would-be green thumbs know that brown usually isn't a preferred color on a houseplant. But Marie Iannotti makes an important distinction regarding the color brown, as it ... Read More

Friday January 18, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Controlling Voles
Reader, Shelby Snider recently wrote in with some interesting advice on controlling voles: "David, I have a very natural method of getting rid of these critters. I have three little terrier ... Read More

Wednesday January 16, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Groundhog Day 2008 -- Watching the "Groundhog Day" Movie, Again!
In a little over 2 weeks, February arrives, which means Groundhog Day 2008 is right around the corner. Let's be blunt. When it comes to Groundhog Day, there are two ... Read More

Tuesday January 15, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Silver Maples
Silver maples are very popular landscape trees with the public in eastern North America. Why? Well, the fast-growing nature of silver maples is their main selling point. But as is ... Read More

Monday January 14, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

How to Survive Winter
If you're a plant lover and live in a cold climate, there's nothing trivial about the issue of how to survive winter -- psychologically, that is. We landscaping enthusiasts are ... Read More

Sunday January 13, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Shrub Problems
Readers write in to me with all sorts of shrub problems. Here's one I received earlier this year from Theresa J.: What can you recommend for a three-year-old rose of sharon ... Read More

Saturday January 12, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Edible Landscaping: Get Your Vitamin C From Rose Hips
Being a cheapskate, I'm always interested in 2-for-1 deals. That's why I so much enjoy examples of edible landscaping, such as rose hips: within the same package, I get something ... Read More

Friday January 11, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

January Thaw
Some of the colder regions of North America (including my own) have recently been enjoying an early January thaw. Denizens of warmer climes, upon hearing about our January thaw through ... Read More

Thursday January 10, 2008 | permalink | comments (2)

Keeping Safe in the Yard
Keeping safe in the yard is, of course, a paramount concern, even though I hate to spoil anybody's backyard serenity with worrisome thoughts. The potential hazards in landscaping must be ... Read More

Wednesday January 9, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Buying a House Calls for a Home Inspection, Yard Inspection
When buying a house, it's important to have a home inspection -- you probably already know that. But for us folks who care deeply about landscaping and gardening, the research ... Read More

Tuesday January 8, 2008 | permalink | comments (2)

How to Build a Sandbox
As we wend our way through the dreary winter months, many of us keep our sanity by planning spring projects. If you have small children, thoughts of building a sandbox ... Read More

Monday January 7, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Winterberry Bush
While driving around this past fall, I saw some knockout winterberry bushes -- both in people's yards and in the wild. What the top specimens have all had in common ... Read More

Sunday January 6, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Winter Landscapes for Winter Landscape Design Ideas
As you survey your winter landscape design (such as it is) with your already winter-weary eyes, think about how it could be improved for next year. Yes, I know, next ... Read More

Saturday January 5, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Regional Gardening Calendar -- January
Consult these gardening tips from About's Gardening Guide for January, organized by region. This handy resource will help you find the most relevant advice for what you should be doing ... Read More

Friday January 4, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Best Firewood Trees
Many folks who live in an urban or suburban setting dream of moving away and living in a more self-sufficient manner someday -- and I certainly count myself among them! ... Read More

Thursday January 3, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

American Sweetgum Trees
Perhaps you've heard about the fall foliage afforded by American sweetgum trees but have been put off by the messiness of their gumballs? Well, there are non-fruiting American sweetgum trees, ... Read More

Wednesday January 2, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)

Backyard Ideas
Do you spend more time cursing your backyard than enjoying it? If you associate your backyard with chores (mowing, weeding, etc.), that may very well be the case. So make ... Read More

Tuesday January 1, 2008 | permalink | comments (0)