Tag Archives: lawn

More Simple and Affordable Ways To Spruce Up Your Garden

We’ve established that despite the bitterly cold temperatures wreaking havoc on most of the nation, there are still some lucky gardeners (the world over) who are busy cultivating their prized petunias. Most gardeners here in the United States are anxiously waiting a good spring thaw—-but let’s get through Christmas first. Until then, consider tucking away these simple and affordable tips for your garden. Make Your Own Compost This is my neighbor’s second job (I say that with a smile). She is a die-hard when it comes to turning household organic waste (vegetable peelings, grass cuttings, fallen leaves) into compost and … Continue reading →

Simple and Affordable Ways To Spruce Up Your Garden

Your yard and garden may be covered with snow, but in some parts of the world homeowners are getting ready for a new planting season. (See my previous blog.) If you happen to be one of them I’m sure the prospect of cultivating delicate blossoms is quite exciting. For those of you who are currently staring at a dormant garden, consider tucking away these simple and affordable garden tips for the spring thaw. Save Money—Chuck the Containers When transporting a plant from the garden shop to your backyard, don’t waste money on its container. A burlap wrap will do fine … Continue reading →

How Does Your Garden Grow?

I just received a beautiful Christmas card in the mail from one of my best friends. It features a photo of her three children sitting in her front yard surrounded by plump hydrangeas, colorful azaleas, and big purple orchids. (Did I mention she lives in Hawaii?) After staring at the picture for a while I looked out my own bedroom window at the brown grass peaking out from what remains of our recent snowfall. When you are surrounded by snow, frigid temperatures, and dormant vegetation you often forget there are areas of the world where homeowners are treated to year … Continue reading →

What is Xeriscaping?

Unless you live in a warm climate you are likely in the midst of winterizing your yard and garden. We winterized our yard a few weeks ago (and it’s a good thing since it has snowed twice since then). Our recent snowfalls got me thinking about all of the other homeowners who don’t have to deal with the white stuff… or the wet stuff—rain. If you happen to live in a hot dry climate and are struggling to maintain a bountiful garden you should know about xeriscaping. Xeriscaping is a term used to describe low water gardening or landscaping. Xeriscape … Continue reading →

Five Winter Lawn Care Tips

Currently, our lawn is covered with a blanket of fresh snow. Nothing compared to what our neighbors to the north received (more than a foot fell there in less than 5 hours). We just have a couple of inches, but it is enough to get me thinking about what should be done out there prior to the inevitable—I know that we were spared by this storm, but next time I can guarantee we won’t be as lucky. Here are five things you should do before your yard hibernates under a blanket of snow this winter: 1. Aerate. (Otherwise known as … Continue reading →

The Lawn You Never Have To Mow

No weeds, no watering, no bugs, no pesticides, and no mowing… sound too good to be true? If you are the one who maintains the yard, it may be. But, it’s true—there is a way you can achieve a pristine lawn without hired help—-get a fake one. Hold on, don’t check out just yet… allow me to explain. According thousands of homeowners who recently participated in a study sponsored by a major synthetic turf manufacturer—-fake lawns are in style. But are they worth it? If you spend countless hours fighting weeds, brown spots, the lawn mower and pet damage, I … Continue reading →

Lawn Care: Pesticides

We all want our lawns to look like the outfield at Yankee Stadium, but what lengths are you willing to go to get them to look that green and pristine? Are you the type that personally gets down and dirty, combining natural products with patience and pride? Or do you have a landscaper who has cultivated an immaculate lawn with the use of grass protecting pesticides? Don’t get me wrong; I am not saying that all landscapers use harmful pesticides. I am merely suggesting that you check to see whether or not they do. The reason I say this is … Continue reading →

Man’s Best Friend = A Garden’s Worst Enemy

My mom loves dogs… she just doesn’t like what one pooch has done to her garden. He’s not a wild dog. He belongs to a neighbor and is simply not trained very well. My mom doesn’t want to “make waves” by informing the man that his four-legged friend is mauling her plants, digging up her flowers, and leaving brown “presents” in various places in her yard. I, on the other hand, feel like calling him (from 5000 miles away) and telling him that his (I’m sure lovely) canine is destroying the garden my mom has spent countless hours tenderly and … Continue reading →

Lawn Care Tips

In my previous blog I told you that we (residents of the Midwest) are smack in the middle of a horrendous heat wave. With each passing day our lawns get crispier and crispier. The blades of grass in my front lawn look like deep-fried potato sticks. I don’t even want to venture out of my air-conditioned haven to get my mail, so you can imagine what I was thinking when I saw my shirtless neighbor mowing his lawn last night. Had the heat compromised his better judgement? Should you even be mowing your lawn during a drought? I wasn’t sure … Continue reading →

To Water Or Not To Water

“Heat Wave;” “Dangerously Hot;” “Hazing and Humid;” these are the various ways local meteorologists have chosen to describe our current weather conditions. The oppressive heat is predicted to last at least until early next week. I plan to ride out this heat wave in the comfort of our air-conditioned home. From here, I will be able to watch our green lawn bake into a toasty brown. To water or not to water… that is the question. If you are suffering through similar conditions and pondering the same question, perhaps these lawn care points will help you make your decision. (Keep … Continue reading →