The Japanese Beetle has made itself known in our area as a plant/shrub & tree leaf decimator! Many flowering roses, rose of sharon, fruit trees and hibiscus can be attractors of the japanese beetle. (there are more than 300 known varieties of plants that the beetle is attracted to) To start at the beginning of a Japanese beetle’s life cycle …
Making Mistakes
Love the idea of having a beautiful garden? Hold that thought! If you are fairly new to gardening you will need to know a few things that will help keep you out of trouble. Being a gardener means you will likely make a few mistakes, even armed with gardening know-how and well meaning advice, and that’s okay – you can …
Fertilizers
Fertilizing your plants can sometimes be a bit overwhelming if you are unsure of what to use. It is essential though to use fertilizers when you are looking to get the best out of your plants, as most soils will not provide the essential long term nutrients needed for full plant potential. Whenever you see a fertilizer product, it will …
Watering Tips
After all the trips you’ve made to the garden center, and all of the flowers and vegetables have been planted into the garden, many gardeners feel that their work is done. Now is the time to sit back and enjoy all your hard work. Yet, when Mother Nature turns up the heat in your garden, it’s time to get watering! …
To Deadhead or Not?
First, what exactly is deadheading? This gardening term simply means to remove the old spent blooms including any developing seed from a plant to help keep it blooming longer. Why does a plant bloom more if you remove old flowers? Flowers are a means to ensure the continued survival of the plant and the next generation as well. In some cases, …
Garden Answers
Hobby gardeners often do not have experienced gardeners around who are able to answer all of their questions that they may have on any given day or throughout the season. You can find answers to some common gardening questions by trading tips with friends who are seasonal gardeners or by searching through gardening guides online. Plus, there are likely some …
Heat Stress on Plants
When temperatures in the summer start creeping up, you’re not the only one who can get stressed. A lot of plants will suffer when the weather turns hot out. Irreversible damage can occur to the plant with decreased functions in growth, failure to flower, or failure to produce seeds. However, with adequate care, outdoor plants in the extreme heat, and …
Pollinator Gardens
Butterflies and flowers were made for each other, and there are certain flowers that butterflies absolutely love to be around. Different species of butterflies have different preferences of nectar, in both colors and tastes. Searching for nectar they help pollinate plants, ensuring seeds for future generations. Planting a wide variety of plants will give the greatest diversity of visitors in your garden. …
Growing Side By Side
Seasoned gardeners know that a diverse mix of plants makes for a healthy and beautiful garden. Many believe that certain plant combinations have extraordinary powers to help each other grow and thrive. Gardening wisdom says that certain plants, when grown together, improve each other’s health and yields. For instance, some plants attract beneficial insects that help to protect a companion plant, …
Marigolds in your Garden
Marigolds are an excellent plant to grow. They look lovely in planters or as ornamental beds and borders. But they can also be an excellent addition to your vegetable garden. Many gardeners don’t think to plant flowers in their vegetable garden, but by doing so will help increase the diversity of plants and wildlife, attract more pollinators, increase resilience, protect the …