Lawn Care News

Frequently asked questions regarding garden mulches, especially leaves. Garden mulches discussed from the beginning gardener's perspective, including shredding leaves.

For lawns in shady areas, you need shade-tolerant grasses. In the South, St. Augustine is used as a shade-tolerant grass, while for Northern lawns, fescues work well in shady areas.

Glossary for terms used in landscape design and other aspects of landscaping. Includes word definitions of botanical and horticultural terms, carpentry and masonry word definitions, as well as word definitions pertaining to the art of landscape design and the plants used therein.

Landscape planning involves wise plant selection, among other things. My landscape planning course provides examples of plant choices for shady, sunny, and wet spots in the yard.

Picture of butterfly weed. An orange-colored perennial (as this photo shows), butterfly weed lives up to its name.

"Herringbone" is the name of a pattern, used, for instance, in brick laying. Herringbone stamped concrete patterns can mimic such brick designs.

Adonis plants are well-suited to rock gardens, because these flowers crave good drainage. Adonis plants can bear yellow or red flowers.

Definition of conifer. Literally 'cone-bearers,' conifers are distinguished from other trees by their method of reproduction.

Some spring bloomers double as "fall shrubs" -- bushes whose leaves lend outstanding autumn color to the yard. This article gives examples of fall shrubs for those seeking autumn color beyond what trees can provide.

Picture of calendula plants ('pot marigolds') with light orange flowers. Calendula plants have medicinal as well as ornamental value.

Interested in enjoying pizza straight out of your own brick oven? This article will help you make plans to have your own brick oven constructed.

Picture of purple allium flower. Magenta-purple alliums stand out nicely from a background of light-green ferns, for instance.

Purple petunias picture. Annuals, commonly used in hanging baskets, window boxes and as bedding plants, purple petunias (and other colors) are among our most recognizable flowers.

Snow-melt systems, or heated driveways, are state-of-the-art ice melting equipment of great interest to denizens of the icy North. Snow-melt systems operant on the same principle as do radiant-heat floor systems inside the house.

Pumpkin carving has come a long way. If what comes to mind when you hear "pumpkin carving" is cutting out three triangles (for eyes and nose) and a crescent moon lying on its back (for the mouth), then you need to visit a pumpkin festival this fall to see what creative carvers are doing nowadays. Or you could just view my pictures for some pumpkin carving ideas.

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Did you know...?

In 1772, American colonists in New Hampshire contested Britain's claim on the Eastern white pine trees there, valued for ships' masts. The resulting "Pine Tree Riot" presaged the American Revolution.

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These plant lists introduce beginners to the different types of flowers and foliage plants suitable to grow under particular landscape conditions. I.e., whether you're planting in sun or shade, in wet or dry conditions, you need to know which types of flowers will thrive there.

The need for information on salt-tolerant plants is especially great in beach-rich Florida, but is useful for any ocean-side community. If you wish to garden by the beach, select salt-tolerant plants or risk damage to your specimens.

Photo of Halloween inflatable jack-o'-lantern.

Gargoyle picture showing scary figures flanking a tombstone. Gargoyles are not currently enjoying prominence in outdoor Halloween decoration themes, and my sampling in this gallery of pictures concurs with that observation.