Winter can sometimes spell doom for hydrangeas across much of the United States, but not so this year. Winter was mild, with record-breaking warm temperatures in the northeast, where gardeners regularly experience angst about whether their big leaf and mountain hydrangeas will flower. The other factor that can thwart the flowering cycle is wild temperature […]
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Posted inThe Outdoors
Outdoor Play Each Day Will Help Keep the Screens Away
It’s difficult to distance ourselves from screens; they follow us everywhere — in the car, into stores, at restaurants and all around our houses. Children often become reliant on screens for entertainment, and parents sometimes use screens as a distraction. While there’s high-quality, educational digital content available, even too much of a good thing can […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
How to Plant a Meadowscape for Natural Beauty
Are you tired of spending every Saturday mowing your lawn instead of relaxing in the garden? Was your last water bill higher than your car payment? Would you rather spend money on pretty plants for the garden — instead of fertilizer for the lawn? And — do you worry about the environmental impact when lawns […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Selecting the Right Potting Mix for Your Plantings
As gardeners, it seems we are all looking for an ideal potting mix for our houseplants and containers. Like any gardening endeavor, a lot depends on what is available, the plants you’re growing and the type of maintenance you provide. That said, there are some things you can do to increase your success and reduce […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Top 10 Annual Seeds to Sow this Spring to Make Your Garden and Containers Flowery
Do you want to make your garden or container plantings really flowery this year? If so, try adding some easy-to-grow annual seeds to your spring shopping list. Annuals are plants that complete their whole lifecycle in one growing season. You can plant the seeds either directly outside or you can start them inside, in little […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
How to Grow Fruit in Containers
Have fun and enjoy picking fresh fruit right outside your door thanks to compact varieties you can grow in containers. Just clear some space on your patio, deck, balcony or front steps that receives at least six hours of sunlight and get busy planting. Consider starting with strawberries. They provide seasonal interest with their white […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Five Messages Your Yard Sends Potential Home Buyers
More than three-quarters of Americans who have a yard say it’s one of the most important parts of their home, according to a poll commissioned by the TurfMutt Foundation and conducted online by The Harris Poll. Another report from Zillow indicates that the backyard is a must-have feature for buyers.
Posted inThe Outdoors
Extending Your Home Renovation and Improvements to Your Backyard
The housing market always has its ups and downs, and home renovations appear to be hitting some record highs in the last few years. With more people staying home to work, relax and play, many homeowners have chosen to renovate rather than move to a new home to obtain their dream house and have it […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Fall Landscape Care with Pollinators in Mind
No matter where you live, investing time into your landscape care now will pay off with a healthier, more beautiful landscape next spring and for years to come. Incorporate the following practices into your fall maintenance to support pollinators and the plants in your landscape. Don’t rake the leaves to the curb or haul them […]