Today is the first day of Summer—depending on who you ask. Meteorologists consider June 1st as the first day of summer. Astronomers consider June 20th (or 21st/22nd depending on the year) as the first day of summer based on the position of the earth to the sun. It’s the longest day of the year. Every … Read more
AND THE WINNER IS: Schizachyrium scoparium, or Little Bluestem Grass Schizachyrium is better—and easier—known as Little Bluestem grass. To be honest, it has taken me some time to be able to enunciate the botanical name correctly. I embarrassed myself while on TV stumbling with the enunciation. The Perennial Plant Association selects a different perennial each … Read more
It is midsummer and insects are out, setting their sights for your garden. Here’s what you need to know. As much as I love my vegetable garden, there are nasty little pests who like it just as much. Here is a list of some of the more common vegetable pests and some suggestions as to … Read more
THE PERENNIAL PLANT ASSOCIATION HAS DESIGNATED JUNE AS PERENNIAL GARDENING MONTH AND FOR GOOD REASONS. The main reason why the PPA has selected June is that so many beautiful perennials are in bloom in June. Secondly, June is a great gardening month for planting perennials. Planting perennials in June couldn’t be better. May was a … Read more
Is anything more “summery” than that first bite of a “home-grown” tomato? So here are a few facts: Tomatoes are native to Peru and were an important food crop of the Aztec Indians. The Aztec name for tomato is “tomatl” meaning “fat thing.” The botanical name is Solanum Lycopersicum, meaning “wolf Peach.” According to Wikipedia, … Read more
SUMMER OFFICIALLY STARTS LATER THIS MONTH. HERE ARE SOME TIMELY GARDENING TASKS FOR JUNE Gardening never comes to a complete standstill. But, gardening does slow down with the summer months and the heat upon us. So people may ask if it is too late to be doing any planting. The quick answer is no. You … Read more
One of the most important things we can do as a gardener is to keep weeds out of our vegetable and flower beds. Too many weeds can crowd plants and force them to compete for water and nutrients. This competition means your plants have less energy to grow or bloom. Weeds can also provide hiding places … Read more
DEER-LEERIOUS – PLANTS DEER DO NOT LIKE TO EAT A couple of weeks ago my blog was on AMERICAN BEAUTY NATIVE PLANT lines that we carry and are very popular. This week I am highlighting the DEER-LEERIOUS line of plants that we are carrying for the first time this spring. The plants chosen to be … Read more
When I was a child, I was terrified of praying mantises. I thought they looked like little mini-space aliens. And I really didn’t like the way they’d turn their head to look right at you. As an adult, I developed a respect for these hungry little predators. Praying mantises are related to cockroaches and termites. … Read more
DO YOU HAVE AZALEAS AND CAMELLIA SHRUBS? This past week I have had two different guests come into the garden center with samples of gall on their azaleas. Not to make light of this disease but I love using the tagline “you have some gall” with our guests. We both laugh. On a serious note, … Read more
