Applying mulch around trees, shrubs and other plants in your yard keeps the soil cool and moist and helps plants grow. Mulches also help control weeds by denying light to their seeds. They reduce the speed of water evaporation, simultaneously insulating plants from drastic temperature changes. Mulches can be great for providing a tidy, uniform [...]
Category: In The Garden
Attracting Butterflies
Butterflies can be seen in a variety of bright colors, making them a welcome guest in any garden. They are attracted to any garden with brightly-colored flowers that are rich in nectar. When possible, locate flowering plants in a sunny, protected area as butterflies need sunlight to stay warm. Also, avoid using pesticides in that [...]
Attracting Hummingbirds
A hummingbird garden can be as simple as a flower box or several containers on a deck, or as elaborate as a large perennial border. The height of the plants chosen is important to vary the space around blooms, allowing the hummingbirds to hover. The goal is to have some flowers in bloom at all [...]
Beneficial Bugs
There are many insects crawling around in our gardens which perform vital duties and help them grow. These naturally beneficial bugs perform valuable services such as pollination as well as pest control. Using these insects to control pests has been a common practice for many years now and is regularly implemented by many experienced gardeners. [...]
Beneficial Nematodes
Nematodes are tiny worm-like organisms, most of which are found living naturally in soil. They attack and kill soil-dwelling and boring insects such as weevils, grubs, beetles, maggots and cutworms. Nematodes are desirable to use since they do not endanger people, pets or even earthworms. Using living, natural biological control agents sustains and augments the [...]
Cactus Care
How much should I water my cactus? During the growing season, a cactus should be watered thoroughly and allowed to completely dry out between watering. The easiest way to check for soil moisture is to extend a slender object to the bottom of the soil and check for any damp soil clinging to it as [...]
Composting
Adding compost to any garden bed will dramatically enhance the fertility, texture and aeration of the soil and feed the billions of critters living in it whose activities create plant nutrients. The process of composting is achieved by combining organic waste such as dead leaves, grass clippings and vegetable scraps which are then broken down [...]
Deer
Deer are creatures of habit. Once they establish a feeding area, it is very difficult to keep them away. It is therefore important to take preventative measures so that deer don’t get in the habit of visiting your yard and/or garden. Some common methods include putting up fences, homemade and chemical repellents, and planting things [...]
Forcing Bulbs
Forcing bulbs is a popular way of stimulating them to bloom out of season. Among the most commonly forced bulb flowers are amaryllis, paperwhite narcissus and hyacinths. Although there are specially-designed containers for bulbs such as hyacinths and paperwhites, almost any container will suffice. The best soil mix for forcing bulbs should contain equal parts [...]
Ground Covers
Ground covers may include shrubs, vines or even grass. Typically less than 18 inches tall, most ground covers grow quickly as to cover a desired area. Because they spread across the ground but don’t grow tall, no cutting is required. Ground covers are usually chosen for texture, density and how well they spread. Other benefits [...]