Pruning is a such a broad subject that there have been entire books devoted to the subject. Obviously, it is hard to begin to answer all the questions we are asked on the subject in just a few paragraphs. The following is a few general tips. We are often asked when is the proper time to prune a specific plant.…
Practice the ABC’s of Composting The American Association of Nurserymen (AAN) says that compost heaps cut down on landfill usage, and provide you with a rich and renewable source of nutrients for your garden. Starting a compost heap is something you can do any time of year, and with the three steps described below it’s as easy as A-B-C! Step…
Crepe Myrtles are one of the South’s favorite trees. Visit any old southern farm, and you may see crepe myrtles that exceed 100 years of age. They can be found growing from the Gulf Coast to as far north as Baltimore and Philadelphia. Crepe Myrtles offer full season appeal and are easy to grow. They have many outstanding features such…
A little whiff of fresh lavender or spirits of lavender oil is said to calm the soul, relieve tension, or cure a headache. The scent of lavender can reduce the stress level of an entire room of people. Try using lavender in a mist bottle in the office to lower the tension and calm the nerves. Lavender-beautiful, fragrant, tasty and healthy!…
There are many choices of seed on the market. You have old standbys such as Kentucky 31 (KY-31) and Kentucky Bluegrass. There are many selections of the so called tall turf type fescues as well as Bermuda grass, Zoysia, and lots of rye grasses. How do we decide which is the right one for us to plant? In my opinion,…
The loss of a newly planted dogwood can usually be traced to one of two problems, improper planting or improper watering. Improper planting means the tree was planted too deep or that dirt or mulch was piled up around the trunk. Let’s look at how to plant first. Dogwoods are shallow rooted trees and it would be difficult to plant…
An azalea purist doesn’t plant an azalea. They loosen the soil, take the plant out of the pot, loosen the root ball, and then gradually work the plant into the soil. This assures that the plant is planted very shallow which is ideal for an azalea. Most of us, however, do dig a hole when we plant. The secret is…
All fertilizer labels must have three bold numbers. The first number designates the amount of nitrogen (N), the second number designates the amount of phosphate (P2O5), and the third number is the amount of potash (K2O). These three numbers represent the primary nutrients (nitrogen (N) – phosphorous (P) – potassium (K). This label, known as the fertilizer grade, is a national standard.…
SOIL OR DIRT? Do you know the difference between the two? When should you use compost? What makes up vermiculite and perlite? I thought it might be helpful to point out how to distinguish between the different types of basic media. Hopefully it will help you in deciding what is best for your gardening needs. DIRT: Dirt is rocky, silty, and…
What is fire blight? It is a contagious, systemic, bacterial disease, prevalent on apple and pear trees during cool wet periods of spring weather. I thought it would be good to share some ideas on how to recognize the disease and control the spread of it. The bacteria attacks the blossoms in early spring and then starts to move up…
