Fall Turf Tasks
Although it’s hard to believe with temperatures hitting the upper nineties on a daily basis, fall really is rapidly approaching. That means it’s time to start scheduling the critical fall turf tasks that help keep your lawn area healthy throughout the winter and help jump start spring growth.
Which Ornamental Grass Is Right For You?
Just like in making other garden choices, the old adage “the right plant in the right spot” applies to ornamental grasses too. While many thrive in full sun and dry soil, some prefer a little shade and consistent moisture. Some are towering, structural specimens perfect as a focal point, others are diminutive varieties, better suited to edging a border. Some are cool season, some warm. Knowing the typical characteristics of the ornamental grasses you are considering before you do any planting can help you choose just the right one.
The Next Insect Armageddon
The cicada Armageddon has ended here. The endless droning has subsided. I can now walk across my yard without being attacked by miniature flying torpedoes or crunching a plethora of brown carcasses with each step.
I have definitely been enjoying the quiet and have been looking forward to a time of peace in the garden. And then my son-in-law, the arborist, stopped by and announced, “The Japanese beetles are here, and it looks like a bad year.” I really wanted him to be wrong, but, as usual, it appears that he was right. They are here – and they are hungry.
November's To-Do List
It never ceases to amaze me how much work there is left to do in my gardens in November. Even though the blooms are long gone and the foliage is a squishy shade of greenish-gray, I need to motivate myself to bundle up, get outside and get to work. There are 10 chores that, if done now, will make my spring garden thrive.
Love It or Leave It? The Lawn Debate Continues
According to NASA’s latest satellite pictures, the United States currently boasts 49,000 square miles of lawn area. That’s larger than the entire state of Mississippi and the nation’s single-most irrigated “crop.” It’s also one of the most expensive, costing Americans roughly 76 billion dollars a year and 14 hours a week to maintain. But, where did this obsession with a lush, green lawn originate?
Dos and Don'ts of Winter
One of the problems with winter garden maintenance is that many best practices are often dependent on location, weather conditions and plant species. While this makes it difficult to provide hard and fast rules for everyone, there are a few wintertime maintenance dos and don’ts that hold true regardless of where you live. To help the newer gardeners this winter, we’ve put together a short list of some important winter do's and don'ts.
Don't Stop Watering Now
It started raining yesterday afternoon and hasn’t really left off at all. On one hand, it’s no fun to have to venture out in this cold autumn drizzle, but on the other, we desperately need the rain. As of the latest National Weather Service figures, over 80% of our state is currently experiencing some level of drought conditions. Our area is behind at least 8 inches just since June. I know we are not alone. Across the country, people are experiencing incomprehensibly dry weather.
Eight Ways To Love Fall Leaves
When we left ten days ago, our lawn looked like this:
When we came back, this was what our lawn looked like:
and this was the neighbor’s:
After six years I still can’t convince him that there are much better ways to get rid of fall leaves than sending them to the dump in black plastic bags.
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