Boxwoods aren’t just for hedges anymore. The compact, bushy shape and pretty little leaves of the Japanese boxwood make a handsome, fine textured evergreen shrub that can be used effectively in many parts of the home landscape. A Japanese boxwood pruned by the thinning method (as opposed to formal shearing – see Perfect […]
Temperatures are falling, colors are changing, holidays are passing, and winter is approaching. Before you hunker down and settle in for the season, you should consider how to keep safe trees. While nature has built in some organic winterizing processes, there are also steps you can take to winterize trees to protect them from pests […]
Choosing the right trees for your yard is important because it’s a long-term decision. Given the long lives of trees, you should make sure you understand the purpose you want your front yard trees to serve, as well as the details of the trees you choose. For example, you need to know the tree’s size, […]
About Those USDA Climate Zones The familiar United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map is based on the average annual minimum temperature for each zone. Needless to say, some years a zone will get a minimum temperature lower or higher than the average. Nevertheless, the average minimum temperature is a fairly good indicator […]
We prune our young trees and shrubs to control their size, shape and scale within our landscape. Proper pruning also stimulates flowering and fruit bearing and helps to keep shrubs and trees healthy and vigorous, thus reducing the likelihood of future problems. Plants that produce fruit such as growing bananas need pruning to encourage growth […]
Frost and Cold Protection Frost is the enemy of most flowers and some leaves. A dusting of frost can kill blossoms and even the leaves of many kinds of plants. Frost forms on surfaces when the temperature goes below water’s freezing point of 32°F (0°C). Note that the temperature at ground level and on plant […]
Vegetable gardens in the summer can be frustrating, especially in the South. The heat and humidity make for great growing conditions for molds, funguses, viruses and bacterial diseases. Vegetables, not so much. The cooler days of fall promise a respite from the heat and humidity and better growing conditions for many of our favorite vegetables. […]
Consider the potato. Round, brown (typically), and a staple on most tables. If you believe the Earth is round and the sky is blue, then chances are you’ve consumed a potato. Predating the New Testament (somewhere between 8000 and 5000BC), the potato was first domesticated in the region of modern-day southern Peru and northwestern Bolivia. Today there […]
The tomato is so much more than just your French Fries’ best friend or the third metric when making your favorite sandwich. It’s farm to table, to palate. Done. Simple, effective, easy to grow, with ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’-type outcomes. There are many different kinds of tomatoes out there to cultivate in your garden. Each […]
When you think of the tomato what comes to mind could very well be “I could sure go for a BLT,” or “Why is Pico de Gallo the best thing about my burrito?” But it typically isn’t “Man, tomatoes sure do have versatility, don’t they?” But that’s exactly why we love tomatoes so much – besides […]
In case you missed Vegetable gardening for beginners – Part 1, be sure to check it out to get answers to other frequently asked vegetable gardening questions! Vegetable gardening is a pastime that brings with it many perks and benefits. Not only can it save you money by providing a fresh, free and home-grown selection of […]
Having your own vegetable garden can be beneficial in a variety of ways. For starters, a vegetable plant you buy at the store for $3 can provide you with pounds of fresh produce over the course of the season. On top of that, gardening is fun! It’s a great way to get out of the […]