Click picture to enlarge What you need: Soil test kit String Stakes Line level Compost pH adjusters(lime, sulfur) Lawn roller Rake Tiller It’s imperative that you know the makeup and the pH of your soil before you sow a new lawn. Performing a soil test will ensure that you know the right type and proper […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Hoe Mulch Pre-emergent herbicide Unwanted seedlings are a big nuisance in a garden, whether the plants are common weeds like purslane or crabgrass, baby trees or shrubs, or garden plants that have self-sown. Where there is one weed seedling, there are likely to be more. Click picture to […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Pruning saw Pruning knife Pruning a large limb from a tree can be done in four easy steps. The first is to undercut the branch about a foot out from the trunk. This cut should be about 1/4 of the way through the branch. This will make the […]
Click picture to enlarge Materials List Butcher knife Spade Pruning shears The first step in dividing an iris is to dig up the plant. Take care not to damage the root system while digging. Click picture to enlarge Shake any excess dirt from the root ball and trim the leaves and roots by about half […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Post hole digger 8′ 3/4″ metal pipe that is threaded on one end Threaded flange 2″x4″ supports Post level 1 bag of concrete Shovel Metal tub or wheelbarrow A post of wood makes it easier for predators to access a birdhouse, so ” galvanized pipe is preferred. The […]
Click picture to enlarge Miltonias or Pansy Face Orchids are charming plants with richly colored flowers. These orchids have modest light requirements. Place them in a bright window, usually with an eastern exposure. Do not put them in an area with direct sunlight. They will perform well under bright fluorescent lights. Click picture to enlarge […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: A glass or vase Pruning shears Rooting hormone(optional) Using a sharp, clean knife remove a shoot from the donor plant. The size of the cutting will depend on the type of plant you are using. Make a cut directly underneath a node. This is where the roots will […]
Click picture to enlarge Suckers often form below the union of a grafted tree. They are shoots originating from the rootstock rather than the grafted scion. Generally, extremely vigorous varieties are chosen as rootstock, so a sucker can swiftly surpass its more desirable counterpart. To remove a sucker, simply prune it off flush with the […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Ball and burlap shrub Shovel Hose Mulch 3′ length of wood doweling Dig a hole at least twice the width of the root ball and the same depth. Click picture to enlarge Scarify the sides of the hole with a garden fork. This will allow the roots to […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Slow-release fertilizer Wooden stake or 1/2″ rebar Regular hammer or 3# sledgehammer Fertilizer should be applied underneath mulch, but what if you already have a thick, semi-permanent layer of mulch (such as bark chips) on your landscape? Here’s a way to get optimum results without moving the mulch. […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Spray bottle Vinegar Salt Measuring cup Tablespoon Copper garden ornaments are popular, especially when the surfaces are weathered to the green finish (copper carbonate), known as verdigris. Years may pass before untreated copper naturally evolves from tarnished to verdigris. This technique will patinate copper in a few days. […]
Click picture to enlarge Plants can wilt as a result of not being watered frequently enough or from damaged roots sometimes caused by watering too often. Click picture to enlarge If the wilting is the result of the soil being too dry, water the soil thoroughly with a sprinkling can. Use warm water (room temperature) […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Assorted small cacti Gravel Ceramic container Cactus mix Grit for topdressing First, fill the planter with 2-3″ of gravel. This is essential to provide adequate drainage for your plants. Click picture to enlarge Next, fill the container within an inch or two of the rim with commercial cactus […]
Click picture to enlarge The back of a lawn seed bag contains a lot of valuable information. Before selecting a brand of seed, read the label to learn what is contained within. This is an example of the back of a typical seed bag. Click picture to enlarge First and foremost, look at the varieties […]
