Lawns 101
Ed answers questions on growing and caring for lawns.
Whenever I ask a group of Pacific Northwest gardeners what accomplishment they use to evaluate their success as gardeners, they inevitably say “the ability to grow one ripe, red tomato.” So, here are a few growing hints that I would like to share with you, so you can have success in growing more than one …
There are some wonderful types of annual, biennial and perennial flowers that have a tendency to reseed themselves. To some, particularly those that want to keep a tidy garden, this is a negative. However, if you are looking for a spontaneous meadow or cottage garden feel, or want to leave a space to its own devices but still have flowers, these varieties can be wonderful, coming back year after year with just a little bit of care.
June and July are excellent months to start perennials and biennials from seed. The warmer soil temperatures at this time of year encourage faster germination of seed and quicker development of plants. A small investment in a packet of biennial or perennial flower seeds will often provide up to one hundred or more starter plants.
Autumn is one of the most critical times of the entire year for houseplants. Because it is at this time of year that thermostats are turned-up and the air simply becomes too hot and dry for most tropical houseplants. But, by providing adequate humidity, a good location and proper water the plants should do just …
Spring is finally here! What a beautiful time of the year, with the rhododendrons, magnolias, camellias, forsythia, and all the other spring-flowering plants reaching their peak of beauty.
Spring is busting out all over (or will be soon). The primroses are blooming, bulbs are bursting into bloom, the lawn is starting to grow, and it’s beginning to get a little warmer. It’s time to get your spring gardening underway. Caring for the lawn, preparing the soil and planting vegetables, pruning roses, and starting seeds head the list of things to do this month.
Fertilizing, dormant spraying, pruning and starting seeds head the list of February projects. Weather permitting, this can be a great month to get your spring and summer gardening underway. PERENNIAL VEGETABLES – Rhubarb, horseradish, asparagus and artichokes are among the perennial vegetables that can be planted this month. Plant them along the perimeters of the vegetable …