June is a busy month in the northern flower garden. To have cutflowers for August and September cutting, sow larkspur, cosmos, annual chrysanthemums, babysbreath, giant zinnias, Phlox drummondi and annual black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta). If you want nice pot plants for Christmas, purchase small 3-inch pots of red salvia, set the plants where they will […]
Archives for May 2011
pH Tops In Important Garden Developments
Summary: The “discovery” of pH has been one of the most important developments for plant growers. It gives a convenient, practical method of measuring acidity, and helped advance our scientific knowledge of nutritional requirements of plants and helped in understanding of the importance of soil acidity to all kinds of crops. The “invention” of pH […]
Butterfly Iris
Summary: The butterfly iris is often tucked away in forgotten corners of many gardens. Given little attention and care, the butterfly iris plant faithfully reward their owners with a short but glorious period of bloom every spring. For decades, the butterfly iris, or spuria, iris has been the neglected member of the iris family. But […]
Tree Stump Grinding In The Landscape
Summary: Old gardens sometimes have remnants of old stumps sticking out of the ground where the “complete” tree stump removal was not a part of the finished tree removal job. Should you remove them? Question: Our garden has some old tree stumps left over from some previous trees that were cut down. Should we leave […]
Pruning and Transplanting – Garden Rehab
Summary: Pruning trees in and old garden or landscape often times needs to be done drastically. However, drastic pruning does not mean cut with wild abandon. There are some steps to follow for the best pruning results. Question: Our new house has an “old garden” that needs pruning badly. My husband wants to chop everything […]
Edging Flower Beds
Summary: Edging flower beds come in many shapes and sizes, from plastic, concrete, vinyl, metal and but how about using plant material? Using plants to edge flower beds can create a much different look to the landscape. When using plants for edging flower beds often a good choice is a very dwarf evergreen. The so-called […]
The Landscape Planting – A Balanced Garden
As we continue our “garden Rehab Project” it is time to look at the planting of the landscape. The treatment of the main garden, which may be described as a balanced garden, with a little of everything, should be self-explanatory. It could be changed in accordance with the owner’s taste. The Terrace Tree The ornamental […]
The Terrace Patio
A terrace or patio is usually raised about six inches above the level of the garden. The lawn will thicken, and if the terrace is made flush with the ground, or only an inch or two above it, it will soon be below the level of the grass. This will make it difficult to drain. […]
Landscaping Rehab – Edging the Front Yard
In suburban and small town gardens, the boundary of the front yard is often left to meet the sidewalk without any edging whatsoever. A curb at least eight inches high undoubtedly adds to the finish of the yard. In the problem under discussion, the drive and walk are light colored concrete, and this material would […]
Rehab The Garden – A New Front Yard
Summary: Landscaping a small front yard can be tricky. It is usually best to keep the small front garden simple, and to carefully select a garden design that will be in harmony with the architecture of the house. Treatment of a small front yard is controversial subject. The one on the plan is thirteen feet […]