Aerating is something many people don't think about for their flower bed or garden. They just naturally assume nutrients and water will effectively soak through the soil and get to the roots, but this isn't always the case. Rocks, weeds and compacted soil can keep the water and nutrients from penetrating … [Read more...]
Soil pH: A Tricky Concept
May 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Look up any kind of care information about a flower or vegetable and you’ll come across their ideal soil content pH. This number describes how acidic or basic a soil should be. For example, blueberries prefer soil that is highly acidic, but cabbages prefer soil that is more basic. The pH meter is … [Read more...]
How To Grow Tomatoes
May 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I, personally, have never been fond of tomatoes, but everyone else in my family and extended family absolutely loves them and, as the resident gardener, it's my duty to make sure the family is supplied with fresh, ripe tomatoes every year. Tomatoes are actually hardy plants and easy to grow, but if … [Read more...]
Getting Rid of Insects the Natural Way
April 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I hate bugs. They bite, they're ugly, they're...they're...just ewww. Yet every year I have an army of them invading my flowers and veggies in an effort to undermine all the work I have done. I think it's an insect conspiracy. I'll start a black-hat operation to kill anything living in my yard. The … [Read more...]
Tree Trimming: Who Needs it?
April 27, 2011 By 2 Comments
As I sit here typing this very story, I can look out my window and see a tree with about a dozen little "mini trees" sprouting out of it. It makes my front yard look like something out of the The Hobbit or the Whomping Willow from Harry Potter. What I should do is go out with a hack saw, axe or cutting … [Read more...]
Outdoor Protection: Proper Garden Attire
April 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
If you were to see my mother-in-law out in her garden, you would say she looks like a hobo. She’s decked out in the strangest garb you have ever seen, but it's something she must do in order to protect herself. She has spent most of her life outdoors and in her garden, but never protected herself … [Read more...]
Don’t Forget About Native Flowers
April 21, 2011 By 1 Comment
The new gardener - and even some old pros - tend to stick to the more exotic types of flowers when starting their garden. They go to the greenhouse, or store, and see the beautiful colors and large blossoms and think, “I would love to have that in my yard.” The problem is that the more exotic … [Read more...]
Fruit Trees: Are They Worth the Investment?
March 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
My father was ever the backyard gardener, and he planted everything from carrots and cucumbers to radishes and pumpkins. We didn’t need to grow watermelons; we had plenty of midnight raids to farm fields for that. After years and years of gardening, he got this idea that he needed to plant fruit trees. He … [Read more...]
Gardening Tips: Beware of the Frost
March 16, 2011 By 1 Comment
As temperatures here in the Midwest begin to eek into the low '60s, it's easy to forget that Mother Nature still has a few tricks up her sleeve to ruin your attempts at gardening. Temps during the day may be nice and warm, but when the sun sets, the dreaded frost may come out to hurt or kill your plants. Don't … [Read more...]
Endless Coupons: Free Overnight Shipping and Returns
March 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
When going outside to work on the garden or house, I often don't pay attention to what I'm wearing. I usually just throw on a t-shirt, shorts and either an old pair of slippers or worn out running shoes. For the first few hours, everything is fine and I'm getting all the work done without problems. However, … [Read more...]
