Working in a garden center while in college, Pamela Bennett decided plants and trees would become her profession and passion. Now as associate professor and state master gardener program director for The Ohio State University Extension in Springfield, she helps people build that passion and helps them with questions. Many […]
When news stories flash across the television about an infestation of bed bugs at a hotel or college, people cringe. Those pesky, biting insects just seem to gross people out. But bed bugs can happen anywhere and come from anywhere. In fact, Columbus ranked No. 5 out of 50 U.S. […]
Taking photos of your front and back yards and then printing them out can give you a beginning to landscaping for four seasons in the Columbus area. “I’m a visual person. By taking the photos, you can start growing ideas,” says Lori Swihart, program coordinator for the Master Gardener Volunteers, […]
Homeowners continue to be interested in creating backyards for comfort, fun, and relaxation. The area becomes a family gathering space or a place where they can enjoy wine by a fire with friends, says Jesse Van Walsen, sales and designer at Landscapes by Terra, Marysville, Ohio. “Other areas they are […]
The trees in the Columbus area and surrounding counties have been taking hits from Mother Nature the past few years with conditions including extreme dryness, record-breaking wetness and frigid temperatures. “Trees can tolerate lots of different kinds of stresses occasionally, but repeated extremes take a toll — unless the trees […]
Sean Barnes worked in a garden center for years, and many of the people he helped had no idea what kind of trees were available to them and which ones would thrive in their area. “Many of them just knew what they grew up with or what their dad told […]
Most homeowners want that perfect lawn. When they view a burnt or bare spot because of some lawn pest, it can be frustrating — but there’s always a reason for it. “A lot of times, the damage starts out as spots that don’t match the healthy areas of the lawn. […]
Some Ohioans just don’t want to bother day after day with their plants and trees, but still want their landscaping to look beautiful and inviting. And who can blame them? “I think that many people think that low maintenance means no maintenance, and that is not true,” says Barbara Arnold, […]
It’s a movement that has swept the nation, with the sweeping taking place behind elephants, giraffes, zebras and hippos: Zoos across the United States gather, compost and sell their animal waste to homeowners to beautify their gardens and lawns. “A lot of people tell us their gardens look amazing because […]
In Columbus, OH residents are lucky to experience all four seasons in vibrant glory throughout the year. However, the drastic changes and unpredictable nature of this region’s climate can make it difficult to maintain a thriving, beautiful lawn. Here is a summer lawn care guide filled with simple tips to […]