Every autumn, gardeners gaze at some of their beautiful annuals and wish there was some way to save them. Then, every spring, they wish they didn’t have to spend money on the same plants they just discarded the previous fall. Some annuals can be over-wintered to make a Phoenix-like recovery the next season.          Some caveats […]

Fall is not only a time for pumpkins and mums, but it also time to plant those spring blooming flower bulbs for a much appreciated splash of color in the spring. The ideal time to plant bulbs, especially daffodils, are September to October as they need time for root growth ahead of winter freezes. These

Whether you’re looking to expand your planting of iris or just need to rejuvenate an older planting, late summer through early fall is a good time to lift and divide iris. Dividing every three to five years will help rejuvenate the planting, and encourage more blossoms for the subsequent years. Most iris plants spread by

Every homeowner wants the nicest and best-looking lawn and to have their neighbors be green with envy. Living in the Midwest for the most part means that we have cool-season grasses to care for and nurture. In our yards, turfgrass is the basis of a beautiful landscape. Keeping our lawns looking their best year-round is

Fall is an excellent time to grow many vegetable crops. During this season the gardener can take advantage of cooler temperatures and more plentiful moisture. Many spring-planted crops such as lettuce and spinach tend to bolt, or produce seed, and become bitterin response to the long, hot summer days. Fall gardening helps extend your gardening

Crabgrass is a summer annual that many homeowners have a difficult time managing. One plant can produce an enormous amount of shoots, and as many as 150,000 seeds. It is no surprise that most lawns have varying degrees of crabgrass, with it seeming to suddenly appear in large amounts. Read more about how you can

After the fall harvest is a great time to plant a cover crop. What is a cover crop? A cover crop is a plant or plants grown to cover the garden soil, and later may be incorporated into the soil as “green manure.” Cover crops have been used mainly by farmers, but home gardeners are

By the end of the growing season, many of our annual plants in the garden are gorgeous to overgrowing! It is hard to watch these prized flowers die after the first frost. Fortunately, some annuals can be propagated from cuttings and brought indoors during the winter. This is a great way to extend their beauty

August is National Tree Check Month: Are your trees safe and secure? When was the last time you really looked at your trees?  It’s all too easy to just enjoy their cool shade and the sound of their leaves, but if you don’t know what to look for you could miss deadly diseases or dastardly demons