I enjoy looking back at plant history and seeing how things have changed. Weeds continue to be a battle almost 60 years later. Here is an article published in 1952 to show what they were doing back then. Weeds – man’s opponent since he first grew crops—are loosing the fight. With the discovery of 2-4-D […]
Archives for March 2011
The Garden Cultivator
The garden cultivator has been in use for centuries from the simple hand-held wheel cultivator to the gas powered mini cultivator almost anyone can handle and turn the soil in a garden fast. Types of Cultivators There are many types of hand cultivators. Some of them are made to attract the buyer, but when used, […]
Landscape Plants Suited For The Modern House
Most people agree that the architectural features of a home influence its landscape plantings, the garden and even the landscape lighting used. Colonial, Tudor, Victorian, Spanish and even nondescript architectures have served as a basis for our home designs for many years. Garden plantings about such homes universally include more or less heavy foundation groupings […]
Hardy Begonia For The Landscape – Begonia Evansiana
A “Hardy Begonia” is somewhat of a misnomer for the small-flowered, tuberous-rooted Begonia plant we call Begonia evansiana. This Asiatic species, known to the Chinese for centuries as Tsou Hoy Tong, was used as a motif both by the Chinese and the Japanese in decorating china, fans and silks. When first noticed by botanists, it […]
Steal Landscape Ideas and Designs At Spring Flower Shows
Summary: A great place to pick up landscape design ideas for the small yard landscape along with the backyard, front yard and patio area is at the Spring Flower Shows. You’ll find tools and garden gadgets galore along with ways of using old items in new ways. Ever since the final day of last years […]
For the Northwest Rhododendrons A Rich History
The Pacific Northwest is natural rhododendron country. In that narrow belt along the Pacific slope running from Vancouver and Victoria, BC, to San Francisco, the winters are tempered by warm waters, the air is moist the year round, there is very little extreme summer heat and the soil is naturally acid. All this adds up […]
The Northeast Rhododendrons – 100 Years And More
One hundred years ago the word “”rhododendron”” was a name touched with magic, conjuring up images of mansions framed in priceless shrubberies, the utmost in beauty and exclusiveness. Today that magic is slowly fading from the name. What has happened? A wild shrub, Rhododendron maximum, with leaves resembling garden rhododendrons, but with ungraceful stalks and […]
Cold Frame Designs And Hotbeds
Question: What is the difference between a cold frame and hotbed for the garden. My husband says we need a coldframe and I say hotbed. I’m not sure if they are the same thing or not. All I know is that they are suppose to extend the growing season. Lil, Rochester, NY Answer: The place […]
