Tip: Maintain Ground Covers Source: National Gardening Association & ArcaMax.com
Spruce up ground covers such as ivy and vinca by mowing off the top growth and raking all the dead leaves and debris from the area. Fertilize and water to stimulate new growth.
For more Help please contact:
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posted by Unknown @ 6:31 AM
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Home and Garden - Dan Vierria: Ask now what you can do for your garden - sacbee.comhttp://www.sacbee.com/content/lifestyle/home_garden/story/12615342p-13469371c.html
Concepts:
gardeners, roots, plant, tomatoes, containers, impassioned plea, Dan Vierria, soil, Heartfelt response, blossom-end rot, mounds, wire, digging, California Arboriculture Law, tree limbs, www.do-it-now-landscaping.com
Summary:
I've compiled a few examples of the most emotionally charged questions asked by Sacramento-area gardeners.Heartfelt response: Disputes over intrusive tree limbs and roots cause more neighborhood ill will than a garage band.Basically, the decision says you no longer have the absolute right to hack off the neighbor's tree limbs and surface roots.If not, California Arboriculture Law can be purchased from the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture, (530) 892-1118 or www.wcisa.Impassioned plea: Those (insert expletive) squirrels are constantly digging up my flower pots!Seriously, our furry friends are persistent in their quest to excavate craters in containers.Hefty rocks strategically placed in the containers deny them access.Also, try covering unplanted container surface areas with pieces of chicken wire secured by U-shaped florist pins.When you do plant, cut an opening in the wire.A densely planted container with no visible soil works for me.Impassioned plea: How can I kill whatever is making those annoying mounds of dirt in my lawn?Even grizzled gardeners sob at the sight of blossom-end rot, caused by calcium deficiency.The root system can't carry enough calcium up into the plant, so cells begin dying at the bottom of the tomato.Be careful not to damage roots if you hoe weeds around tomatoes.If they're gnarled and the root tissue is grossly enlarged (galls), you may have nematodes.
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posted by Unknown @ 6:37 AM
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Tip: Source: National Gardening Association & Arco Max.com Some perennials, such as hellebores and foxgloves, will self sow many babies that will be evident in spring. Carefully dig and move crowded or ill-placed seedlings now to a new location.
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posted by Unknown @ 5:26 AM
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Q&A: Pinching Back Overwintered Petunias
Source: National Gardening Association & Arco Max.com
Question: I brought petunias inside late September, and here it is, March, and they are still blooming--although a bit "leggy". Would pinching back improve their appearance? Do you think they will continue to survive indoors until I can safely put them back on my porch?
Answer: Wow! You've wintered over petunias! Yes, pinch shoots back to just before the first healthy pair of leaves on the stem. Growth should occur at the point where the leaf stem (petiole) joins the main stem. Try this on one stem before you go crazy and pinch the whole thing back just to see what happens...and be patient. It takes a while for the plant to adjust to your pinching! If you've made it this far, they should do fine outside this summer.
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posted by Unknown @ 5:19 AM
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Summary:
WASHINGTON, March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- As the weather warms, American families are turning their attention to in-home spring cleaning as well as outdoor projects and play.Whether household chores and cleaning, do-it- yourself tasks or playground games, these common spring activities are often associated with a number of serious home dangers including falls, poisonings, fires/burns and drowning hazards.* Cover areas under and around play equipment with soft materials such as wood chips, wood mulch, pea gravel and sand (materials should be nine to 12 inches deep and extend six feet from all sides of play equipment).
Spring Activities May Increase Risk of Home Injurieshttp://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050325/dcf009_4.html
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posted by Unknown @ 3:24 AM
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Q&A: Planning Cut Flower Garden
Source: National Gardening Association & Arca Max.com
Question: Can you recommend some annuals I can plant so I can have fresh cut flowers spring through fall?
Answer: There are numerous possibilities, and much depends on your own preferences. Some easy-to-grow annuals from seed for cut flowers include sunflowers, tithonia, zinnia, coreposis, cosmos, gaillardia, bachelor buttons, larkspur, snapdragons, asters, as well as pansies and Johnny-jump-ups for tiny bouquets. You might want to consider a wildflower mix, many of which provide a natural, "airy" feel to bouquets. Keep deadheading, or trimming off, spent blossoms to encourage the plant to continue producing flowers, rather than expending its energy on seed production. Consider planting some bulbs for spring bouquets, and remember that you can force some fruit trees branches to flower indoors in early spring. Many flowers also have attractive seedheads, which can be harvested throughout the fall and even into winter.
www.i-cut-large-lawns.com
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posted by Unknown @ 3:43 AM
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Starting herb seeds such as parsley, sage, and thyme indoors now. Start seeds in flats filled with moistened, seed starting potting soil grown under grow lights 14 hours a day.
Start Herb Seeds Indoors Source: National Gardening Association & Arca Max.com
www.do-it-now-landsacpingg.com
posted by Unknown @ 3:29 AM
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GARDENING: Dig in to help landscape recover from winter
The Register-Guard - Eugene,Oregon,USA
... The biggest job is always the first: weeding, pruning and mulching. ... I usually use a blended mint compost as a soil amendment and hemlock bark for mulching. ... <http://www.registerguard.com/news/2005/03/23/fd.gardencol.0323.html>
Sarah Robertson of Eugene writes a weekly gardening column.
www.do-it-now-landscaping.com
posted by Unknown @ 9:33 AM
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GARDENING: Dig in to help landscape recover from winter
The Register-Guard - Eugene,Oregon,USA
... The biggest job is always the first: weeding, pruning and mulching. ... I usually use a blended mint compost as a soil amendment and hemlock bark for mulching. ... <http://www.registerguard.com/news/2005/03/23/fd.gardencol.0323.html>
Sarah Robertson of Eugene writes a weekly gardening column.
www.do-it-now-landscaping.com
posted by Unknown @ 3:07 AM
0 comments
GARDENING: Dig in to help landscape recover from winter
The Register-Guard - Eugene,Oregon,USA
... The biggest job is always the first: weeding, pruning and mulching. ... I usually use a blended mint compost as a soil amendment and hemlock bark for mulching. ... <http://www.registerguard.com/news/2005/03/23/fd.gardencol.0323.html>
Sarah Robertson of Eugene writes a weekly gardening column.
www.do-it-now-landscaping.com
posted by Unknown @ 2:59 AM
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Tip: Source: National Gardening Association & ArcaMax.com Protect young tomato, broccoli, and marigold transplants from cutworms by wrapping a 2 to 3 inch wide, 6-inch long strip of newspaper around the stem at least 1 inch below the soil.
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posted by Unknown @ 2:47 AM
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Summary:
Here's what you want: a little help in the yard or garden.Someone you can trust to mow or fertilize, to gently remove a dying tree branch or deftly wield a pair of pruning shears to restore a tired-looking shrub to glory.Here's what you're afraid you'll get: a back yard with a buzz cut.Flowers, plants and shrubs brutalized by indiscriminate hacking, digging or spraying.And to top it off, a budget-busting bill for the "help."More and more homeowners are coming to think of their outdoor spaces as another "room" that needs special attention --- and they're spending more money to hire yard, garden and lawn-care specialists to help them do it.Consumers spent $37.9 billion on professional landscape, lawn and tree-care services in 2003, up 30 percent from 2002, according to the American Nursery & Landscape Association.Some are aging baby boomers looking for someone else to do the heavy lifting in the garden.Local gardeners and experts offer some advice and tips on what you should think about, and watch out for, in hiring someone to help take care of your yard or garden.Walk around and make notes, even a map, of the features in your yard and problem areas or plants.They may have little or no training in horticulture, said Jeanne McNeil, executive director of the Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association.Your best bet is to have them stick mostly to the grass, McNeil said --- even weeding can go wrong if the person doing it doesn't distinguish between a weed and a plant.On the other hand, a gardener will have experience or training in horticulture and professional affiliations or certification."There's a huge difference between pruning a tree and lawn care," said Susan Papanikolas, a local garden consultant whose business is called How Does Your Garden Grow?"Go to the nicest-looking garden in the neighborhood and ask who does their maintenance," McNeil advised.The Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association has a searchable database of its members.You also can see which ones have earned its professional certification as Certified Professional Horticulturists (CPH) by passing a written exam and demonstrating work experience: www.wsnla.org.The International Society of Arboriculture certifies tree-care professionals with at least three years' experience who have passed a written exam.Expect to pay $30 to $50 per hour for a gardener in the Puget Sound area, said Annie Bilotta referral-service coordinator for Plant Amnesty.You probably don't need someone with specialist credentials if the job involves just mowing, but you may get a better-quality job and more reliable service if you pay a little more, said Papanikolas.Make sure to ask whether there are dump, equipment or mileage fees, drive-time charges or other extra charges.For comparison: Ken's Yard Service, which works mostly in West Seattle and Burien, charges on average $30 per visit for mowing only.Ann Baron said her company's fees vary from $15 to $35 an hour, depending on the skill level of the worker or workers hired.She recommends homeowners be clear about how many people they're getting --- will it be a crew or a single person?Her company also charges a drive-time fee, meaning the clock starts ticking when the crew leaves the office and covers the drive to the homeowner's property.
The Seattle Times: Gardening: How to hire help for your yard or gardenhttp://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/gardening/2002208431_gardenhelp16.html
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posted by Unknown @ 9:22 AM
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Scotsman.com News - Features - Yours, naturally
http://news.scotsman.com/features.cfm?id=282732005<
Summary:
For the gardener, growing herbs is rewarding, whether that means simply potting up some basil for the kitchen windowsill or something a little more ambitious: designing and planting a dedicated herb garden, for instance.The New Book of Herbs is a colourful introduction to growing and using these versatile plants and was an exciting project - even if it did give McVicar a headache, trying to choose a "top 100" list.Growing herbs the organic way may mean a bit more work - picking off caterpillars by hand or creating your own liquid feed from comfrey leaves - but the long-term rewards, she says, are worth it.If youâ¬(TM)re going to grow your herbs in a bed, clear the ground of weeds, add any soil improvers and then apply a mulch.When faced with such a wide variety of herbs it can be difficult to decide which ones to grow.So many have multiple attractions - lemon balm can be used to make a refreshing drink, while rubbing the leaf on to the skin acts as an insect repellent.Maybe you want to grow a selection of medicinally beneficial herbs to make tisanes.Herbs can also make a decorative addition to the garden, whether you want to opt for the rectangular beds of a physic garden or mix them into the flower bed.At the planning stage itâ¬(TM)s worth considering the physical properties of the herb - angelica reaches 2.5 metres, so works best at the back of the border, while mint is notorious for spreading and is best grown in containers.McVicar has been experimenting with mixing salad herbs together in pots - in effect growing a salad bag, at a fraction of the cost.That sweet basil plant youâ¬(TM)re looking forward to using in cooking will also deter pests from growing tomato plants and acts as a fly repellent when planted in pots for the home.McVicar says that to enjoy the best flavour and medicinal benefit, the leaves, flowers, seeds or berries of herbs have to be picked carefully and in the best possible conditions.In the kitchen, the uses for herbs are pretty much endless.As well as throwing them into a dish to add flavour, they can be used in salads, vinaigrette, mayonnaise, mustard and oils.
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posted by Unknown @ 10:56 AM
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Think before grabbing the shearshttp://www.indystar.com/articles/4/230195-5874-053.html
When you're out there getting into spring, don't be too quick to prune woody shrubs, especially those that flower in spring.These shrubs bloom on what's called old growth or year-old growth -- branches and buds that developed during last year's growing season.If pruning is needed, the time to do the job is about a month after spring-flowering shrubs have bloomed.Though the books say to prune in spring or fall, you don't have to do the task unless the plant needs it.If a viburnum will be 6 feet wide and 15 feet tall when full-grown, planting it 18 inches from the house under a 12-foot-high eave means a never-ending job of pruning to keep the shrub from growing where you don't want it.When selecting shrubs, plan for their mature size, and add 12 or 18 inches to the width, especially if you will need to walk around them.Mulching with shredded bark or chopped leaves is a great way to add all the fertilizer most woody plants will need.If you just have to whack back something, take on the ornamental grasses, which can be cut back at this time of year.
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posted by Unknown @ 2:53 AM
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STLtoday - Life & Style - Columnistshttp://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/lifestyle/columnists.nsf/gardentalk/story/6EEC2AD8DA4D25B786256F81005EE953?OpenDocument
By spring, I mean around mid-April at the earliest, all the way through May. Prior to mid-April we are still subject to erratic weather and chances of hard frost.If the soil is dry, it's a good idea to water your plants the day before you transplant them.If possible try and time your transplanting project for a cloudy or overcast day, which eases the shock and trauma that moving can cause.(However, this is one of those gardening "rules" we've all broken; we usually tackle these projects when we have the time and energy. But in an ideal gardening world, we wouldn't have weeds either, right?)Q. My zoysia lawn is severely trampled by my dogs.If you have the right exposure for zoysia (full sun), it is a pretty tough choice for a durable lawn.Flushing the site with water to dilute the damage as promptly as possible would help, although I'm not sure how feasible this would be!Because zoysia is a warm season grass, if set out too early the plugs will still be in a dormant stage and ideally you want them to begin active growth as soon as they're "plugged in".
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posted by Unknown @ 2:37 AM
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What in my youth was a common occurance in the "old contry" has it's depute in the US and ddoes not need Swimming Pool Chemicals. We found this article in:Mother Earth News: Natural Swimming Poolshttp://www.motherearthnews.com/article/2075/toparticles
Whether you like to practice your dolphin dives or lounge away the day on a raft, swimming is one of summer's perfect pleasures.With a minimum of materials and without an arsenal of chemicals, you can build an idyllic water oasis right in your own back yard and thwart summertime's sultry dog days.Though fairly common in Europe, natural swimming pools (like the one pictured above in an Austrian family's back yard), are in their infancy in the United States.Ask most American swimming-pool contractors to build a backyard pool and chances are they'll roll out a long list of goods, including rebar, gunite, fiberglass, chlorine and an energy-sapping filtration system.But in recent years, a few builders and a growing number of homeowners have learned how to build pools without relying on a mass of manufactured materials and chemical additives.They've found it's possible to construct pools that are more about building with nature and blending into the natural landscape.Natural swimming pools use gravel, stone and clay in place of concrete or fiberglass, and aquatic plants instead of harmful chemicals and complicated mechanical filtering systems.The plants enrich the pool with oxygen, support beneficial bacteria that consume debris and potentially harmful organisms, and give habitat to frogs, dragonflies and other water life.The result is a beautiful, ecologically diverse system that is relatively inexpensive to construct.(A natural pool can be constructed for as little as $2,000 if you do it yourself, while conventional pools can cost tens of thousands of dollars.)Natural swimming pools require no harmful chemicals, are fairly low-tech, and once established call for only a modicum of management.You won't have to drain the pool each autumn.While it's true aquatic plants do not remove all contaminants from the water - and pools constructed of dirt, concrete or rubber liners don't necessarily keep bacteria at bay - the probability for contracting a serious disease from your natural swimming pool is low.You can make your pool as shallow or as deep as you want, but the key is to make sure the sides slope: Otherwise the soil will cave in.One of the main reasons traditional swimming pools are constructed with a steel framework is to ensure the walls stay vertical and perpendicular to the bottom surface of the pool.Reserving at least 50 percent of your pool's surface area for shallow plants, either at one end or in a ring around the sides, eliminates the need for chlorine and expensive filters and pumps.Rushes, sedges and water lilies not only provide a beautiful border around your natural pool, but the keep the water clear and clean.Establish you plant beds around the outside perimeter to naturally filter and clean your pool.A rim within an inch of the water's surface keeps plants in their place but allows water from the swimming area to move to the plant zone for filtering.As water passes through the fibrous root structure of the plants, bacteria concentrated on the plants' roots act as a biological filter, removing contaminants and excess nutrients in the water.Inside the plant zone, the water should get steadily deeper, reaching a maximum depth of 18 inches near the swimming zone.Water can be channeled from your pump into your plant zone through the use of PVC tubes.Place your aerator, pump and skimmer in a plastic container, such as a bucket or large plant container, and put a steel-mesh filter mat over the top, to keep debris out of your equipment.Once you've dug the hole for the swimming pool and the plant zone, you have a couple of options, depending on your soil conditions, to make sure the pool holds water: You can apply a layer of bentonite clay to seal the soil or lay a synthetic liner.Liners can cost 25 cents to $1 per square foot, depending on their composition and weight.Some soils may contain enough clay that simply compacting the pond bottom will enable it to hold water.In arid climates, Zingaro recommends bentonite be applied beneath a plastic liner that is woven or textured on the bottom.Before treating your pool with bentonite or any other clay powder, thoroughly compact the soil.In water 6 to 18 inches deep, plant a mix of floating, submergent and emergent plants.Water lilies (Nymphaea) adapt to any depth, so use them liberally.Floaters, such as pondweeds (Potamogeton) and common duckweed (Lemna minor), drift freely on the surface and quickly cover the surface of the plant zone.Before you make plans to tromp off to the nearest country pond and gather up a truckload of greenery, wait!Before collecting a single plant from the wild, know the laws protecting wetlands and their plants.If you do collect, be careful to guarantee the health of the wetland by selecting only a few samples from larger populations.Consider rescuing plants from a threatened site.Perhaps a new corporate headquarter's construction is going to destroy your favorite frog hollow.Contact the company to see if it will allow you to rescue the imperiled plants and maybe a few amphibians.Once you've purchased your plants, you can plant them in the filled pool.Stick to a plan, grouping plants according to height and type.Place your plants into the soil, anchoring them with plenty of gravel.Pond owners have been battling algae - the mighty green menace - for eons.Algae compete with plants for nutrients and light, but spring algae blooms often decline as soon as water lilies and other plants emerge to shade the water.Promote plant growth and deter algae by adding plants and eliminating phosphorous to maintain a lower pH (5.5 to 6.5).The easiest remedy, and the least risky to your aquatic ecosystem, is to add more plants, which will outcompete the algae for nutrients.A second option is to monitor the pool for phosphorus.Fertilizers and urine are the two major sources of this nutrient, so make sure your pool is free of nutrient-rich runoff and remind everyone to use the bathroom before swimming.You can also increase your aeration schedule to stimulate more biological activity.If algae problems persist, adding small amounts of straw to the pool will help.For full details, visit the Institute of Arable Crops Research Web site at www.iacr.bbsrc.ac.uk/pie.Go to the Center for Aquatic Plant Management link and download "Control of Algae Using Straw."For barley straw sources, go to www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/wildlife/nf429.htm or www.naturalsolutionsetc.com.Enzymes, bacteria, acids and other strange brews have been offered as magic bullets for obstinate algae.Introducing additives to your pool may be an interesting scientific experiment, but it won't necessarily improve the pool you've invested plenty of time and money in.Inexpensive test kits, available in garden centers, will allow you to monitor your pool's nutrient levels, alerting you to problems.Environmental writer and educator Douglas Buege is an avid organic gardener and beekeeper.Freelance writer and editor Vicky Uhland has written about holistic lifestyles for a variety of publications.
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posted by Unknown @ 2:09 AM
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Tip: Source: National Gardening Association & Arca Max.com Prune back dead, broken, or diseased branches of candytuft, lavender, and thyme, add a layer of compost, and fertilize with 10-10-10 to stimulate new growth to create a bushier plant.
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posted by Unknown @ 1:51 AM
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Q&A: Source: National Gardening Association & ArcaMax.com
Question: Can yarrow, balloon flower, margaritas, and other perennials that get too tall and flop be pruned back during growth? If so when and how often?
Answer: Well, that's kind of a tough question. You should always "dead-head" (pick off the spent blossoms) your perennials (as well as annuals). That will help them put energy into the plant instead of trying to generate seed. If you have a late blooming perennial like asters and chrysanthemums, you can (and should) trim them down very early in their growing season. This will generate a fuller, shrubbier growth habit. However, for early bloomers if you cut them back too early you'll cut off their flower buds. With them, you can trim them back after flowering and hope for a second round of bloom. If you don't get that second round, at least you'll have a "shrubbier" plant.
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posted by Unknown @ 1:37 AM
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Apply Horticultural Oil Source: National Gardening Association & ArcaMax.com.
Spray horticultural oil on dormant apples, plums, and cherry to smoother overwintering insects hiding in bark crevices. Spray on a calm day covering all sides of the branches until the oil drips off.
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posted by Unknown @ 2:41 AM
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Here are some very good suggestions from our friends at Miracle-Gro.com:
Check flowering times of plants and stagger these throughout the gardening months so that you have an endless supply of color and fragrance that lasts all season long. Most gardening books will offer blooming charts that help you coordinate your blooming periods.
(see more tips at Miracle-Gro.com)
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posted by Unknown @ 2:32 AM
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Tip: When to Cultivate Soil Source: National Gardening Association & ArcaMax.com
Cultivating or rotary-tilling soil in spring before it is dry damages soil structure and impairs plant growth. Squeeze of handful of soil. If water drips, it's too wet to cultivate.
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posted by Unknown @ 4:10 AM
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Fort Morgan Times - Today's Headlineshttp://www.fortmorgantimes.com/Stories/0,1413,164~8312~2768653,00.htmlConcepts:
tree, city, residents, Brush, watering, Guide, Morgan, elm, tree species, variety, pay, tree cost, purchase, Community, Colorado.
Summary:
The City of Brush is again offering the 50/50 Tree Planting program to all residents.Through the program residents are able to purchase a new tree at 50 percent of the city's wholesale tree cost.The city will pay the remaining 50 percent of the tree cost and will deliver the new tree to residents' property.A large variety of tree species is available.Choices include maple, golden raintree, mayday tree, Ohio buckeye, Kentucky coffeetree, crabapple (no fruit) and pine.There is also one of the new hybrid elm tree varieties that is resistant to Dutch elm disease.Participants pay one-half of this and have the tree delivered to their doorstep.A newly planted tree will need proper watering.Depending upon soil conditions, a deep watering every one to two weeks is all that is needed.Also, the city will provide free mulch for any tree purchased through this program.Mulching with wood chips reduces the need for frequent watering.The program's deadline for registration is March 30 or until the city runs out of trees.Trees will be delivered April 14 and must be planted in the front yard.A more detailed list of the tree species available through the program and registration forms are available in Brush City Hall.The City of Brush tree board encourages residents to add to the city's forest by taking advantage of this program.For further information call Karen Schminke at 842-5001.© 1999-2005 MediaNews Group, Inc. and Eastern Colorado Publishing Co.
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posted by Unknown @ 1:29 AM
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Nutri-Lawn Soil Core Aeration Service - Natural Organic Lawncare - Lawn Carehttp://www.nutrilawn.com/aeration.htmConcepts:
lawn, soil, thatch layer, aeration, compacted soils, water, root, insect, turf, penetrate deep, thick, turfgrass, root zone, fertilizers, insect control.
Summary:
SOIL AERATION ....the best thing you can do for your lawn!Soil aeration is the mechanical removal of small cores of soil from the lawn using an aeration machine.It is often described as the most important thing you can do to create a healthy, thick and robust lawn.This thatch layer acts as a barrier, blocking the movement of air, water and fertilizers into the root zone.The thatch layer is the perfect environment for disease organisms, and insect pests.Chinch Bugs thrive in a thick thatch layer, and a variety of pathogenic turfgrass fungi can be found within a thatch layer.By keeping your thatch layer to a minimum you will reduce turf damage from insects and disease without the use of any pesticides.A compact soil results in the water and fertilizers sitting on the surface of soil, and this causes the roots, zhizomes and stolons of the lawn to grow on the surface, rapidly creating a thatch layer problem.In a lawn with a compacted soil, most of the root grow occurs close to the surface, and this creates a lawn that is highly susceptible to summer drought.Aeration opens up the soil so water, fertilizers and air can penetrate deep, encouraging roots to grow deep, resulting in a lawn better able to tolerate the periods of summer drought.Compacted soils or a thick thatch layer inhibit the penetration of the water into the soil.Thatch layers can become hydrophobic, repelling water and making it almost impossible to get water down into the root zone.
www.lawn-care-edu.com
posted by Unknown @ 1:09 AM
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Tip: Harvest Root Crops >Source: National Gardening Association & ArcaMax.com Quality drops fast once overwintered root crops, such as carrots and parsnips, resume growth in spring. Harvest and use them now before warm weather gets them growing again.
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posted by Unknown @ 3:23 AM
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Tip: Harvest Root Crops >Source: National Gardening Association & ArcaMax.com Quality drops fast once overwintered root crops, such as carrots and parsnips, resume growth in spring. Harvest and use them now before warm weather gets them growing again.
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posted by Unknown @ 3:18 AM
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This must not have been an easy task. "How can a garden editor--a professional plant lover!--limit a list of favorite perennials to 50?"
50 Favorite Perennials..... For the full story please click below
http://www.midwestliving.com/mwl/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/mwl/story/data/50_favorite_perennials.xml&catref=cat3750002&esrc=nwwua031505
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posted by Unknown @ 2:25 PM
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This article is about a community in Arizona but can apply to every part of the world. The best choice of plants and trees for your yard are your local varieties. Let's see what the people in the article have to say ....... "will water saved by planting drought-resistance trees be more than just a drop in the bucket we call Arizona?"www.newszap.com
http://www.newszap.com/articles/2005/03/14/az/north_valley/tpv01.txt
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posted by Unknown @ 6:23 AM
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Source: National Gardening Association, ArcaMax.com
If daffodil or tulip buds are visible and frost threatens, cover and protect them with a old sheet or a lightweight fabric row cover. Leaves are hardy and won't be damaged by a frost.
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posted by Unknown @ 2:27 AM
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Source: National Gardening Association, ArcaMax.com
If daffodil or tulip buds are visible and frost threatens, cover and protect them with a old sheet or a lightweight fabric row cover. Leaves are hardy and won't be damaged by a frost.
www.do-it-now-landscaping.com
posted by Unknown @ 2:25 AM
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Source: National Gardening Association, ArcaMax.com
If daffodil or tulip buds are visible and frost threatens, cover and protect them with a old sheet or a lightweight fabric row cover. Leaves are hardy and won't be damaged by a frost.
www.do-it-now-landscaping.com
posted by Unknown @ 2:23 AM
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Source: National Gardening Association,ArcaMax.com
Question: I planted one dwarf peach tree two years ago. I recently read that you should plant two different apple varieties for cross-pollination, to get good fruit production. Do I need to plant a second variety of peaches?
Answer: You have nothing to worry about. While it's true that many tree fruits do require a pollinator tree of a different variety (apples and cherries, for example), most peach trees are self-fruitful. Enjoy those homegrown peaches! ArcaMax.com
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posted by Unknown @ 2:14 AM
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Create a low-pollen garden! Health and Wellness: Conditions: Asthma-friendly gardens.
When you have asthma, the typical garden is not a very friendly place at all.There are mold spores to contend with and worst of all, is all that pollen.Typical gardens have pollen-producing male trees and male shrubs and other plants that can provoke asthma attacks. http://sheknows.com/about/look/3146.htm
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posted by Unknown @ 7:59 AM
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Flowering dogwoods signal spring's arrival - gainesvilletimes.comhttp://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/stories/20050311/localnews/83973.shtml
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posted by Unknown @ 5:14 AM
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ArcaMax Gardening Tip: Plant Asparagus Source: National Gardening Association Plant asparagus in full sun on well-drained soil. In a one-foot deep trench, plant crowns every 1-2 feet on small soil mounds. Cover the crowns and as the spears begin to grow.
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posted by Unknown @ 4:12 AM
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SANDVIK Coromant - 719AN - Wiper inserts increase machining productivityhttp://www.ferret.com.au/articles/ed/0c02dbed.asp
SANDVIK Coromant has released wiper inserts for cemented carbide, cermet, ceramics, cubic boron nitride (CBN) and for Coromant U-drills.The inserts improve machining productivity by increasing the feed rate.The T-Max P programme will be further extended with wiper inserts in smaller sizes as well as inserts in CBN and CB7015, which are suitable for turning case hardened steels.The programming of wiper inserts for finish turning will be incorporated in the EdgeCAM suite of CAM solutions
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posted by Unknown @ 12:54 AM
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Brought to you by: Do-it-now-landscaping.com News: Water Polution href="http://www.oregonlive.com/metrosouthwest/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/metro_southwest_news/1109941646323820.xm">http://www.oregonlive.com/metrosouthwest/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/metro_southwest_news/1109941646323820.xml
Survey after survey reveals that the public believes the biggest source of water pollution is industry.From street to stream, the urban storm sewer system carries this poison.You can pick up after your dog, quit fertilizing your lawn and get those oil leaks fixed on your car.And by all means, don't dump paint, motor oil or anything else down the storm drain.But personal responsibility, at least this type, has its limit.Streets, roofs and parking lots are piped directly to streams.Yes, we should behave more responsibly, but we also must break the street-to-stream connection.Even if the water running through storm drains was boiled, distilled, filtered and sanitized for your protection, we would still have a problem with urban stormwater.Ordinary storms cause flash floods that flush our neighborhood streams, eroding stream banks and stirring up sediments that deplete dissolved oxygen.Because water does not soak into the ground, the groundwater system is running on empty.Perverted pipes are a bigger problem than individual responsibility can address.This month, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is collecting public comments about Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permits that it will issue to other government agencies in Washington, Clackamas and Multnomah counties.Urge agency officials to issue permits that require urban stormwater agencies to meet state water quality standards.Brian Wegener is watershed watch coordinator for the Tualatin Riverkeepers, a nonprofit group that works to protect and restore the Tualatin River system.
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posted by Unknown @ 12:42 AM
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Protecting the groundwater's environ By Ron McAdow/ Knowing our place
Thursday, March 10, 2005
TownOnline.com - Tewksbury Advocate - Opinion & Letters
If the following keywords are of concern to youwater, groundwater, rivers, streams, lawn, wastewater treatment plants, soil, aquifers, precipitation, protecting water. and you have a sprinkling system please read on:
http://www2.townonline.com/tewksbury/opinion/view.bg?articleid=199917
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posted by Unknown @ 5:10 AM
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Many gardners wish that spring would come soon but if you love to garden here are some excellent suggestions for your winter garden chores.
SPECIAL TO THE POST-INTELLIGENCER
Dry gardens especially need nurturing soil
Seattle Post Intelligencer - USA
gardens especially need nurturing soil ... faster. We also spend part of each fall and winter mulching, alternating layers of mature compost and washed dairy manure. Although ... <http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/nwgardens/215199_lovejoy10.html>
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posted by Unknown @ 6:31 PM
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According to:ArcaMax's Gardening Report, by Maggie Oster, Loisville KY.
"Research studies have shown that trees and shrubs planted early in the spring grow better than those planted later. Bare-root plants, especially, should be planted before they leaf out. So, plant trees and shrubs whenever the soil is dry enough to work. Don't dig in the soil when it's wet, as this will damage the soil structure. To check, pick up a handful of soil and form a ball. If it crumbles when you poke it, the soil is dry enough to work."
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posted by Unknown @ 8:37 AM
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Press Release Source: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Pennsylvania DCNR: Garden Expo to Feature Largest Indoor Native Plant Display in Mid-Atlantic Region
Monday March 7, 11:00 am ET
HARRISBURG, Pa., March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- A nearly 4,000-square-foot Home Habitat Garden built by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and other conservation partners will be one of the showcase gardens at the Pennsylvania Garden Expo, March 10-13, at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
For the full article b=please click here:http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050307/phm008_1.html
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posted by Unknown @ 2:55 PM
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Source: National Gardening Association and Arca Max Publishing
Remove energy-stealing root suckers from the base of crabapple, plum, and cherry trees in spring, as they appear. Cut as close to the ground as possible.
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posted by Unknown @ 7:56 AM
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According to the National Gardening Association, "Alder, Green Ash, River Birch, Gray Birch. Bald Cypress, Silver Maple, Swamp Oak, White Poplar, and Willow" are best suited for Flood prone Properties.
Source:ArcaMax Publishing, Inc
For more information, please write to us:sales@i-cut-large-lawns.com
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posted by Unknown @ 3:26 AM
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The Wichita Eagle has a very good lawn care article; we would title it: Lawn Care with Moderation.The article sites a very good source for their Sat. article; The Kansas State University Research & Extension and here is the full and excellent article.
http://www.kansas.com/mld/eagle/living/11054612.htm
We suggest you consider to aerate your lawn more often. For the depleted, heavy trafficked lawn, compacted turf or sports arena consider the full natural and organic topdressing procedure with compost and other natural soil amendments.
This article is brought to you by:
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www.lawn-care-edu.com
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posted by Unknown @ 1:17 PM
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Source: National Gardening Association Question: Do you have any specific information about the health benefits of having plants in our surroundings?
posted by Unknown @ 5:09 AM
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Source: National Gardening Association Question: Do you have any specific information about the health benefits of having plants in our surroundings?
posted by Unknown @ 5:09 AM
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This information was brought to you by www.do-it-landscaping.com. For addiditional questions please contact sales@i-cut-large-lawns.com. Here are the standard set by the Chesapeake Bay Program:http://www.lawnandlandscape.com/news/news.asp?ID=3116
Keep fertilizer off any impervious surfaces. This may involve sweeping granules back into the grass from sidewalks, driveways and other areas after application;
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Leave behind Chesapeake Club lawn care materials provided by the Chesapeake Bay Program and explain to the homeowner that he/she should follow the provided lawn care guidelines if they perform any lawn care on their own;
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Visit the Web site twice a year – once before June 15 to sign up, and once by Nov. 15 to fill out a short online form estimating the area of lawn being serviced under the Chesapeake Club brand; and
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Meet ALL the nitrogen and phosphorus application criteria listed in the table. These criteria require the lawn service to:
*
Limit the total amount of nitrogen applied during the year (based on the type of grass);
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Apply fertilizer only after a specified date in the spring (based on the county, and the type of grass.)
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Apply fertilizer only before a specified date in the fall (based on the county, and the type of grass.)
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Only apply phosphorous to new lawns, or as deemed necessary through soil testing.
posted by Unknown @ 2:00 PM
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If you look at your lawn in horror as the snow is departing and the moles have moved in on you, here is an excellent article of how to handle the situation.
http://www.syracuse.com/living/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/living-0/1108805711150080.xml
If you need help, please contact us at sales@i-cut-large-lawns.com
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posted by Unknown @ 6:43 AM
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Are concerned with the environment but still would like to reduce your weeding chores please contact us at sales@i-cut-large-lawns.com. Our spring mulch & mulching installation discount is 25% off on 5 cubic yards and over of Black Mulch.
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posted by Unknown @ 6:28 AM
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While searching for good information to pass onto you we found this excellent article on Natural Lawn Care
TURNING on to Mother Nature's little (organic) helpers Cleveland Plain Dealer - Cleveland,OH,USA ... is in providing customers with tools to take care of their ... "You can maintain a great lawn and garden ... Natural weed control can be achieved by creating a thick ... <http://www.cleveland.com/living/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/living/1109759744127881.xml>
For more information please contact: sales@i-cut-large-lawns.com
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posted by Unknown @ 9:47 PM
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Source: National Gardening Association
Recipes by Zola: Receive special recipes by Zola and party tips by clicking on the above link (sent every Monday).
Question: How should I prepare a new, wooden strawberry barrel for planting strawberries?
Should I put stones in the bottom, and use screen to keep dirt from coming out holes while planting, etc?
Answer: Everbearing strawberries are the best for a strawberry barrell, since you are putting so much effort into the ornamental aspect of the project, you should get a more consistent edible reward!
When I plant them I simply fill them up as I go...add a little soil, put a plant or two in the holes, move up to the next layer until I have filled the whole barrel, and then plant the top of the pot.
Here is one of my favorite tips: Before planting, get a piece of PVC pipe about 2" in diameter, cut it to be about 1" taller than the soil line of your pot and drill small holes in it all along the length (perhaps 12-15 total).
This creates a very efficient watering "tube" to insure all the plants get ample water all the way down the pot...you simply pour your water down the tube.
Plant raspberries and blackberries in spring about the time of your last frost.
Dig a hole 1 or 2 feet deep and add generous amounts of compost.
Consumer Online Buying Guide: FTC Tips for shopping online Answers to our most frequently asked questions.
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posted by Unknown @ 3:38 AM
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