One of the last garden jobs I do each spring is “plug the gaps.” I’d like to say it’s a carefully planned endeavor where I insert selected plants to finish off that year’s design. But what it really boils down to is me going around trying to figure out where I cram […]
We’re up, then we’re down. Then we’re back up again. This erratic but typical central-Pa. weather has us turning up the heat one day, then turning on the air-conditioning two days later. Plants don’t react to this any better than we do (especially since they can’t run to the thermostat for help). […]
Those couple of cold mid-May nights last week nipped the tips of some of my tender young peppers, tomatoes and basil. That was only the second time that’s happened to me in nearly 30 years of gardening in the suburbs of Hampden Twp. It’s rare around here to get frost damage beyond […]
Here’s a rundown of what I think of the various kinds of mulches as well as some thoughts on when and how to get the deed done.
Southeastern Virginia doesn’t strike me as a likely hot spot (irony intended) for spring bulbs. Crape myrtles and camellias seem a lot more fitting for the steamy summers near Williamsburg than tulips and daffodils. Holland it’s not. Yet Gloucester County is known as the “daffodil capital of America.” It stages a […]
I’m just back from a garden trip to Virginia, where the season is a good 2 weeks ahead of ours. They’re in our May mode already with azaleas and viburnums in full bloom, tree pollen coating cars yellow, and even the first few ‘Knock Out’ rose flowers poking out. One of my […]
People are asking me already about that deadly new downy mildew disease that wiped out just about everyone’s impatiens last year. I’m not very optimistic that we’re going to escape a repeat this year here in central Pennsylvania. It’s a highly contagious disease, capable of overwintering, and durable enough to stay […]
Here’s a look at eight planting techiques to follow to increase your new plant’s survival odds. Here’s hoping the advice still will be right by 2050.
Should you improve your soil before planting? Not everyone agrees on that or some other basic techniques about correct tree and shrub planting…
Now that we’re on the verge of another growing season (if winter ever decides to give up), I thought I’d share 10 of the most useful season-beginning, hands-on, work- and money-saving tips I’ve picked up over the years. 1.) Scout out your emerging colorful-leafed perennials for possible use in pots. Divisions of things […]