Gardening Archives - Page 4 of 16

Pennies From Heaven

Environmentally, there are numerous benefits to using rain barrels. Water collected in a rain barrel would otherwise run or drain off the roof and become stormwater runoff, which is problematic. When excess water is directed into storm-drains the streams that they feed into are subjected to sudden surges of water, causing erosion and flooding. Unlike treated water from your tap, rainwater is free of chlorine and chloramines, chemicals added to water to make it safe for human consumption. Rainwater is also free of salt, which can build up in the roots of your plants when they’re watered with tap water.

By M Kolenut|2023-01-17T13:18:36-05:00January 17th, 2023|Gardening, Landscaping, Native Plants, Sustainable Landscaping|

What goes on in the soil during winter

Winter has arrived, which once again brings to mind how as a young boy I’d be looking out the kitchen window at the now barren landscape wondering what goes on in the soil over the winter? Eventually I’d end up outside with a shovel, but all I ever got was a sore foot from trying to drive the shovel deeper to see what I could find. After the first snowfall, the soil lies beneath, frozen in a rock-like crust. At first glance it seems lifeless and barren; but millions upon millions of micro-organisms are there, all eager to provide a buffet of nutrients once warm weather returns.

By M Kolenut|2023-01-13T16:22:18-05:00January 12th, 2023|Gardening, Organics, Sustainable Landscaping|

MAKE 2023 A SUSTAINABLE YEAR

MAKE 2023 A SUSTAINABLE YEAR With These New Years Resolutions - Chances are, you have never thought of your garden – indeed, of all of the space on your land – as a wildlife preserve that represents the last chance we have for sustaining plants and animals that were once common throughout the United States.

By M Kolenut|2022-12-22T17:07:23-05:00December 25th, 2022|Design, Gardening, Landscaping, Lawn and Turf, Maintenance, Native Plants, Organics, Sustainable Landscaping|

Seasons Greetings

Though we believe in different faiths, we hope for the same things throughout the holiday season: a life full of love, peace, and joy.

By M Kolenut|2022-12-21T14:52:10-05:00December 21st, 2022|Gardening, Landscaping, Native Plants, Organics, Sustainable Landscaping|

6 Plants for Winter Interest

Winter is often described as cold, dark, and dreary. Driving through suburban communities we see dull and dormant lawns, landscaped beds that are barren and empty, which all in all present a depressing atmosphere. The good news is it doesn’t have to be that way!

By M Kolenut|2022-09-12T12:21:15-04:00September 12th, 2022|Gardening, Landscaping, Native Plants, Organics, Sustainable Landscaping|

Great Blue Lobelia

Great Blue Lobelia forms a flower spike covered in deep blue flowers from late summer to early fall. The erect, 2-3 ft., stems produce lavender-blue, tubular flowers crowded together on the upper stem. Showy, bright blue flowers are in the axils of leafy bracts and form an elongated cluster on a leafy stem. This blue counterpart of the Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a most desirable plant for woodland gardens especially since it blooms bright blue in late summer.

By M Kolenut|2022-08-21T09:39:24-04:00August 20th, 2022|Gardening, Landscaping, Native Plants, Organics, Sustainable Landscaping|

Autumn Blooming Native Perennials

Pollinators need sustenance, i.e. pollen and nectar all season long. Within you will find a diverse selection of plants that offer support to pollinators well into fall. It always seems the growing season is short in comparison to the barren, long, gray days of winter. We want our colorful flowers to last as long as possible before surrendering our gardens to the first frost. Native perennials provide an array of flowers that bloom late into the growing season and support pollinators.

By M Kolenut|2022-08-17T13:02:00-04:00August 16th, 2022|Gardening, Landscaping, Native Plants, Organics, Sustainable Landscaping|