It pains me to see customers spending hundreds of dollars on new plants and simultaneously refusing to spend a few more on a bag or two of compost and a box of starter fertilizer. These two items are not unnecessary “add-ons” that the retailer is just trying to add to the sale, they are critical components of a successful transplanting process - or as I like to refer to them as “plant insurance”. Unless you have phenomenal soil, you should always add compost and starter fertilizers when you are planting new plants. Here is why…
Ornamental grasses are an interesting class of perennials. They have some unique qualities that make them an essential part of my borders, as they should yours. Unfortunately, many gardeners still see them as weeds that either need to be sprayed with Roundup or trimmed with the Weed-Eater. This column will hopefully find some converts…
Last week I mentioned that August was a good time to plant all sorts of plants, but I failed to mention vegetables. It might seem hard to imagine that in the heat of August we would be planting vegetable crops that thrive in the cooler time of the year, but in reality this is the time to get them established…
There is an old expression that goes like this: “Doctors bury their mistakes, architects plant ivy”. Admittedly, this is a crude analogy but it is very true that vines can cover a multitude of sins. Perhaps a more positive way to put it is that vines have the ability to soften the edges of our structures, be they buildings or fences, and in the process create a more pleasant environment in which to recreate. A classic example of this would be ‘Boston Ivy’ or ‘Virginia Creeper’, both of which…
The Golfing Gardener
Trevor Cameron
Over the course of each and every season, a myriad of gardening questions are thrown my way. I am always happy to answer them all because that it is what I truly enjoy – helping in any way I can, attempting to steer each unique gardener towards unbridled success. There are no black thumbs after all, just duller green ones that require some polishing to bring out the hidden shine. One consistently common issue that many gardeners inquire about is…