Late winter, after the worst of winter weather has passed through early spring before growth begins, is a great time to prune trees. Make proper cuts to insure the health and longevity of your plants. Use the three-cut method when removing large branches. This prevents trunk damage caused by the weight of the branch ripping it and the bark…
Plant some flowers and herbs, add a bit of water, put away the pesticides and wait for the butterflies to appear. Plant in masses whenever possible so butterflies expend less energy traveling between flowers. But even a container of blooms will be appreciated, Include a variety of flowers that provide nectar throughout the season. Plant parsley, dill and other food…
Increase your lawns health and beauty with proper mowing and fertilization. Mow high and often removing no more than 1/3 the grass height at one time. Tall grass is more drought tolerant and better able to resist pests and compete with weeds. Consider using an environmentally friendly hand propelled push mower. Leave clippings on the lawn. Short clippings don’t…
Can’t wait for that first red ripe tomato? Or maybe you want an abundant harvest. Select the training method that helps you meet your gardening goals. Allow tomatoes to sprawl across the ground for the largest, though latest harvest. Unfortunately, many of the tomatoes are lost to disease, insects, and gardeners’ feet when weeding and harvesting. Or place a…
Be the first on your block to harvest a red ripe tomato. Grow early ripening varieties like Early Girl, Fourth of July and Celebrity, that produce fruit earlier than most tomato varieties Further shorten the time to harvest by warming the soil and air. You’ll be able to plant as much as a month earlier than normal. And thanks…
Give your garden an impressive pop this summer with plants you *canna* start growing in your home before the soil warms up. Melinda Myers has more in this week’s garden moment. Add some bold beauty to the garden with the help of cannas. The attractive foliage and bright flowers are sure to attract the attention of passersby and the…
Convert kitchen scraps into compost right in the garden with trench composting. Just like other composting methods, use only plant-based materials since meat, dairy and fat can attract animals. And this is no place for perennial weeds, annual weeds gone to seed or invasive plants that can survive and take over the garden. Simply dig a 12-inch-deep hole between…
Get the most beauty and edibility from every square inch of your garden or container. Use color and texture to create attractive edible displays. The silver foliage of the artichoke contrasts with the bold red cabbage. The purple fruit of eggplant and leaves of red onyx pepper echo the purple to unify the planting. Fill every space by interplanting…
The storm is behind us and the sun will shine this weekend, bringing rays of hope for gardeners throughout the valley that we will be able to start planting eventually. So take the time until then to prepare a garden that pops with color. Melinda Meyers is back for another year of Melinda’s Garden Moments. The colorful and uniquely…
Are your evergreen needles turning different shades? Melinda Myers says there’s no need to worry. Don’t panic if the inner needles along the trunk of your evergreen are yellow or brown. This is a common occurrence called seasonal needle drop. Most evergreens shed some of their older needles every year in late summer or fall. Some species like white…
