Why, why, why! Why and how the excessive use of mulch became popular is something I will never understand. I have seen mulch piled so high that it looked like an earthworks. Is the goal to protect the tree or plants from flood or invasion by a foreign power? Where has anyone seen this atrocity … Read more about Death by mulch
Fall veggies? YES!
Start tilling that garden What a change a year has made. Last year at this time, fall gardening was on the bottom of our stack of mental post-it's. Even thinking about it made us start to sweat. With the cooler summer and much appreciated rain, it seems easy to start dreaming about planting … Read more about Fall veggies? YES!
Chinch Bugs….GGGGGRRRRRRRR
Got a hot, sunny and dry spot? Yup? Then you have the perfect conditions for chinch bugs. Now that our much appreciated summer rains seem to have come to an end, start looking for these little stinkers. Their dirty work can destroy your lawn in no time. At about 1/4 of the size of a grain of rice, … Read more about Chinch Bugs….GGGGGRRRRRRRR
Mulch volcanos and other pet peeves
I can't help it! No matter where I go, I look at the landscaping. I suppose for the sake of others I should be looking at the road or where I'm walking. Since nothing seems to change between my house, work and the places I shop at, all of you are safe. I just got back from vacation and it's … Read more about Mulch volcanos and other pet peeves
Weed wars
A simple fact of life Even the most dedicated gardeners have uninvited guests. Suddenly, a stranger pops up in our yard, leaving you to wonder where it came from. You certainly didn't plant it (or did you??). There it is...eating your food...robbing your friends of water and sunlight. Weeds can … Read more about Weed wars
Mental benefits of gardening
SSSHHHH, I won't tell As some of you know, I did a bunch of work to my yard this year. I had the driveway widened and made the house entry wheelchair accessible. I corrected the erosion problem along the drive by edging it with stone then back filling, so the lawn would be level (that's going to … Read more about Mental benefits of gardening
Grass!
Love the lawn Lawns offer us several benefits. Beside preventing erosion, filtering the air, muffling noise, weed control, insect control, varmint and snake control (that's an important one for some of you), lawns also give us a place to entertain family, friends and pets. Yards define … Read more about Grass!
Water is water…right?
Rain vs. tap water If you have paid any attention lately, you will have noticed that we have enjoyed some much-needed rain. We haven't heard one complaint about it. Even though most of us watered our yards last year, the plants just seemed to exist, almost like a suspended animation. We didn't … Read more about Water is water…right?