One of the most valuable additions to your garden is virtually free to produce. But it comes from some surprising sources -- items that are typically thrown away. Compost is the ultimate recyclable, turning kitchen and yard waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. By learning the how-to fundamentals, you can boost your garden's health, no matter if you grow vegetables or ornamentals. The Grounds ...
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Blog Posts in January, 2015
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The Basics of Building A Compost Pile
January 27, 2015 -
Animal Control: Protect Your Yard from Wildlife
January 22, 2015 A beautiful yard that beckons birds and butterflies may also have an invisible "Welcome to the Diner" sign that invites nuisance wildlife to feast on your backyard buffet of plants. Flowers and even foliage plants, such as hostas, are irresistible to cute critters that become anything but cute after you survey the damage they cause. At first glance, some of these visitors may appear harmless, but ...Continue Reading -
Giving a Little TLC to Indoor Plants
January 19, 2015 Everyone loves a little tender loving care (TLC). And plants are no exception! Just like taking care of your loved ones, vehicles, homes and other items, houseplants require some undivided attention every now and then to keep them performing at their optimal level. And who doesn’t appreciate a thriving green or blooming plant in the home or office? Indoor plants offer people many benefits, ...Continue Reading -
Pest Control: Take Action Before It Gets Out of Hand
January 13, 2015 Managing lawn and garden pests fulfills the adage that it's easier to prevent a problem than treat a problem. But unless you have a crystal ball, it's impossible to foresee all pest problems. So the second-best strategy for pest control is to take swift action as soon as you see early signs of damage. Otherwise, the uncontrolled pests may broaden their attack from the initially targeted plants to ...Continue Reading -
Types of Fertilizers to Use in the Winter
January 8, 2015 Like hibernating bears, most plants settle down for a long winter's nap. Their metabolism slows as they enter dormant states, while some plants -- such as deciduous trees and shrubs -- shut down almost completely after their leaves drop in autumn. But deciduous plants are able to survive winter dormancy on the stored food reserves they manufactured the previous growing season. And although ...Continue Reading -
Fertilizer: Fortifying Plants with a Balanced Diet
January 7, 2015 Eat your vegetables. Make healthy food choices. Don’t forget to take your vitamins! We’ve all been told these things at some point, whether by our parent, our doctor, or our friends. But did you know that just like people, plants also have certain food groups that they need to ingest to keep them nourished and healthy? It’s a fact! Plants need a healthy diet of food groups that includes carbon, ...Continue Reading -
Organic vs. Inorganic Fertilizers
January 2, 2015 A visit down the fertilizer aisle in your garden center can leave you scratching your head in confusion. With so many numbers to consider -- different formulations, ratios, grades and application rates -- you may decide you need a degree in math to figure things out. Then, as you consider the different nutrients listed on the package -- elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and iron -- you ...Continue Reading