Ever stood in the grocery store, trying to pick the perfect avocado for guacamole and secretly wish you had your own avocado tree so all you had to do it walk outside for avocados? Or should I admit I have a gardening addiction and need to stop thinking about all the […]
For a long time, it was common practice to use a pruning sealer when trimming trees — a practice recommended by trained arborists and nursery workers alike. So it came as a surprise to many that such a sacred tenant in gardening was no longer recommended. This probably caused many […]
Ahhhh … the fabulous fig tree! There’s a handful of reasons these beauties were one of the first fruit trees cultivated in ancient times and why they still remain so popular with homeowners for both their fruits and as an ornamental tree. Besides being a biblical wardrobe choice, fig trees […]
I’ll admit that at first the idea of backing a tree up against a wall, flattening it into a single plane occupying a mere few inches, and then training branches to grow outward instead of upward seemed rather silly. Why wouldn’t you plant a tree with the intent of having […]
Chances are if you live in the North and bought a tree, the nursery staff recommended you wrap its young trunk to guard against damage. So let’s talk about the what, why, and how of tree wrap, and if it’s even necessary! What is Tree Wrap? Tree wrap is a […]
Having fruit trees is a great perk of owning a backyard. Planting fruit trees requires a little more thought and effort that nonfruiting or evergreen trees but it isn’t difficult if you have the right information. Fruit Tree Basic Questions, Answers Let’s start by answering some basic questions people have […]
Pumpkin spice? Pffffftttt. I can take it or leave it. For me, fall means fresh-picked apples turned into mile-high pies with a crumb topping and ice cream, warm apple crisp right out of the oven, and freshly pressed cider. Having an apple tree in my backyard means easy access to […]
Cows eat grass. Horses graze on grass in pastures. Once in a while, even your pooch snacks on lawn greenery. So it’s not surprising many people wonder if feeding lawn clippings to their livestock or pets are safe. The truth may come as a shock! Feeding lawn clippings from your […]
Dirt is dirt, right? It gets under your nails, it gets tracked into your house and it creates a lot of laundry if you have young children. Most people don’t give topsoil a second thought other than to grumble about the mess it makes. But your soil deserves respect. It […]
Soon, summer will wind down. The weather will turn colder, the leaves will change colors and begin falling, and many of us feel sad our gardening season is wrapping up. It doesn’t have to be that way! Fall gardening can include more than yard cleanup and winter prep. As gardeners […]