By Michael Albert
Fall and spring are times of the year to plant bulbs, which season depends on the species and bloom time. Tulips are a fall planted bulb that blooms in spring. Tulips are a perennial bulb, but many gardens use them like an annual. Tulips should be planted around the time frost first hits the ground or a little before that time. Continue reading
By Carly Hatfield
We all seem to appreciate the work of the honeybee, who pollinates over one hundred crops useful to humans. The butterfly and the hummingbird are loved for all their glamour and whimsy, even the moth receives appreciation for her nocturnal duties. Yet humankind seems to forget about the less adorable, so-called pests that make our world go around; where ere is their applause? Continue reading
By Karen Fraizer
A poisonous plant is by definition, “a plant that when touched or ingested in sufficient quantity can be harmful or fatal to an organism”.
People sometimes think if they do not directly ingest a piece of a plant (such as leaves or seeds), that they are probably safe from being poisoned. Or, maybe you think that if you see an animal consume the plant, it is probably okay for you to eat. Both of those statements are false and could get you into a sticky situation! Some plants are poisonous just by touching them. Some may be alright for the birds… but are definitely not okay for us.
By Ellen Azotea
It’s the end of August, and we have been slogging through the dog days of summer this month. The heat and humidity have done a number on our gardens and container plantings, and it’s time to start tidying things up in preparation for autumn. There is still color in the garden, so this is where deadheading and cutting back come into play.
By Karen Fraizer
You may think that because we are Professional Gardeners here at Kingwood, everything in the gardens comes easy to us. Well, you would be wrong!
When we are planning our annual displays a year in advance, you can be certain that we are picturing the perfect specimens. The problem is, rarely do we get that “perfect specimen”. We must fight mother nature as well as human error, to make the annuals look as good as everyone expects them to.
By Michael Albert
Irrigation can be an intimidating prospect to many gardeners. I would like to provide people with a few helpful hints about irrigation.
Effective irrigation is about getting the right amount of water directly to the plant roots. Water in the air or on leaves can be inefficient and can cause disease, sunspot and pests. The best time to water is early morning for this reason. Irrigation that is broken, turned the wrong way, spraying into the plant, or not level, will waste water.
By Michael Albert
A butterfly garden can be a great addition to your yard. But to create a habitat suitable for butterflies, you should focus on four things; food, shelter, water and safety.
By Carly Hatfield
My childhood home always had a small vegetable plot during the growing season thanks to my parents. Our backyard had blackberry and honeysuckle bushes as well as a pear tree. My brothers and I would dodge the hovering bees to pluck a tiny honeysuckle bloom and suck the sweet nectar from it. We would show our friends our newly acquired talent, giving a glimpse into the wonders of the world in our own backyard. Picking apples, blueberries and strawberries showed us how to appreciate fresh fruit because once winter came, store bought blackberries didn’t hold a candle to the ones we just happened to have all summer long in our backyard.
By Ellen Azotea
It’s a gorgeous summer day, and the garden is calling. Perhaps the lawn mower and hedge trimmers are chiming in too. In my garden, I tend to jump right in without planning for what my body might need—my plants take top priority after all! But as the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” so let’s review some warm-weather gardening safety:
By Carly Hatfield
The beloved Ruby-Throated Hummingbird will be back very soon to capture our attention for yet another season. This small bird is a wonderful guest in any garden. Migrating to the south from October through April to escape the harsh winters, this bird is always a sign that favorable weather is on its way. One can provide a reliable food source and shelter for these small wonders with just a few steps.
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird