It takes imagination and a lot of time to create an exciting and colorful garden. But Barb Grams was up for the challenge. She began gardening while in ninth grade, planting primroses for her mother. In September 1975, Grams and her husband purchased a (now 108-year-old) home in Manette. The one-third-acre corner lot was a […]
gardening
Posted inGardeners Corner
5 Safe Pollinators and How to Attract Them to Your Backyard
You water, you prune, you fertilize. But you can’t pollinate. Pollination is essential for a beautiful garden, but it’s also important in the bigger picture of ecology. By welcoming pollinators to your backyard, you’re inviting them to stay in the area and support our apple and cherry trees and genetic diversity. While wasps will pollinate […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Fall Landscape Care to Keep Plants and Pollinators Healthy
As the weather and gardens transition from summer to fall, it’s time to adjust your maintenance practices to ensure the health, longevity and beauty of your landscape. Proper fall care will increase winter survival, support pollinators and reduce your future workload. Continue watering as needed. This is especially important for new plantings and moisture-loving plants. Don’t […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Low-Maintenance Lawn Substitutes for Grass
Editor’s note: This post is brought to you by the experts at Angi, who specialize in connecting consumers with vetted pros, verified reviews and fair pricing for home projects and services. A well-kept lawn is one of the marks of successful homeownership; however, for some, grass lawns just aren’t worth the time and resources. Bright-green […]
Posted inGarden
Growing Culinary Herbs
Growing culinary herbs gives you a little bit of everything you garden for: beauty, scent, a pantry filled with your own fine seasonings and a connection to the history of gardening. Throughout history, people all over the world knew the value of herbs for health and delight. Cooks through the ages also found that herbs […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Nine Noble Purples to Add to Your Garden
Whether you choose perennials or bulbs, annuals or vegetables, there are sure to be many hues and shades of purple you can use to delight the senses. With its origins tied to royalty, purple flowers represent dignity, pride and success. In a bouquet, either alone or mixed with other colors, purple blooms represent accomplishment and […]
Posted inGarden
Moss — To Grow or Not to Grow?
Moss is one of those plants that can be both beautiful and problematic, depending on where it grows. Although that’s potentially true of most plants, few besides moss will grow on a roof, a sidewalk or even a car. The key to why moss grows equally well in gardens and barren rooftops is rooted (pun […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
How to Keep Your Pets Safe in the Garden
If you have pets that enjoy spending time outdoors, it’s important to make sure your yard is a safe place for them to be. Consider these hazards that can negatively impact the wellbeing of your furry friends. Poisonous Plants Some common plants can be dangerous for animals, causing anything from mild oral irritations and upset […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Designing Gardens for Year-Round Color and Protecting Your Investment
Create a colorful year-round garden filled with flowers, greenery, colorful fruit, fall color, winter interest and a few surprises. Consider seasonal interest when planning a new garden or landscape. Adding a few key plants to existing gardens can help boost your landscape’s seasonal appeal. Include a variety of plants with multiple seasons of interest as […]