Gardeners know the importance of mulching around plants to suppress weeds and conserve soil moisture, but are there instances when mulching is not a good idea? The answer is yes, in particular when creating a pollinator-friendly landscape. To understand the importance of bare ground, you must first be aware of just how many pollinators it…
Author: grobigred
Goofy Gorgeous Gourds
Along with pumpkins, corn shocks and mums, gourds are symbols of autumn. Their quirky sizes, shapes, bumps, and lumps are fun and their color makes them terrific additions for fall décor. Gourds belong in the Cucurbitaceae family, which means they are related to cucumbers, zucchini, acorn squash, melons and pumpkins. Gourd seeds can be directly…
Autumn Hues of Yellow and Gold
The yellows and golds of autumn bring brightness and warmth to the landscape. Sitting beneath my ash trees in the fall, the air is awash with a golden glow as the trees appear to be lit from within. It’s truly magical. Sometimes I think we’re so fixated on the reds of autumn we fail to…
3 Things to Know about Fungus Gnats
When you bring in those potted plants, you may not be bringing in just your photosynthetic pals! Many different kinds of arthropods may take up residence in the potting medium, one of the most annoying of which is the fungus gnat. Fungus gnats are small flies that infest potting mixtures, soil, and anything else that…
Bringing in Houseplants
For gardeners like me, it’s tough to think about the Fall ritual of bringing in houseplants from outdoors because it is an acknowledgement that winter is coming. On the other hand, the houseplants are gorgeous right now and having them inside this winter will be cheering. So here are some things to keep in mind…
It’s Time to Think About Spring-Flowering Bulbs
If you have a fall to-do list, be sure to add “planting spring-flowering bulbs”. New gardeners are enchanted when they see these harbingers of spring and are sometimes dismayed when they find that the time to plant spring-flowering bulbs is in the fall. Spring-flowering bulbs pack a punch with their color, size range and adaptability. …