Permaculture, coined from “permanent agriculture” may seem an obscure or unobtainable theory that doesn’t apply to the average yard or garden. But there is no need to adopt the entire permaculture philosophy to derive some benefits. Just a few of the concepts can be applied to make your yard and garden more beautiful and [Continue]
Good gardeners know that before choosing a plant for a specific location, some research should be done as to what plants grow best in the conditions at the site. You wouldn’t plant shade-loving hosta on the hot, dry south-facing side of the house anymore than you’d plant tulips in the deep shade of an [Continue]
Just an eight-hour drive from the Fox Valley, Lima, Ohio, sits in the northwest corner of the state. About the size of Oshkosh, Lima is similar to many other Midwest cities of its size. But there is a jewel tucked into what was formerly a vacant lot filled with trash and choked with weeds [Continue]
Gardeners have known for centuries that some plants grow better when certain other plants are growing nearby. Science has determined some of the basis for this, but many successful plant combinations still have no explanation. The practice of purposely placing two plants in close proximity for the benefit of one or both of them is [Continue]
The French call basil herbe royale. In Italy, basil has been and still is a sign of love. The name basil is a derivative of basileus, Greek for king, and in India, people worship basil more highly than kings. In Haiti, it belongs to the pagan love goddess Erzulie as a powerful protector, and [Continue]
It’s strawberry picking time! Wouldn’t it be nice if you could walk out to your garden and pick strawberries at your convenience rather than scheduling a trip to the pick-your-own place or paying exorbitant prices for the ready-picked? Strawberries are not exactly carefree plants, but with just a little effort you can grow luscious [Continue]
There are many basic items on your kitchen shelves that can be used in the yard or garden to enhance growth or discourage pests and diseases without resorting to the use of poisonous chemicals. The most obvious things that go from kitchen to garden are those that can be made into compost either [Continue]
Until recently, a large evergreen shrub grew to the right of my garage door. It was there when we moved here fifteen years ago. Twice every year I dutifully trimmed it to a perfect mounded shape. In between, its shaggy growth hung over the driveway and covered part of the garage door. It grew so [Continue]
Even the most experienced gardeners are sometimes intimidated when it comes to growing herbs. They shouldn’t be. Growing herbs is no different than growing any other flower or vegetable. Herbs come in annual and perennial varieties and can be started from seed or from purchased plants. They need to be matched with the [Continue]
You’ve made the plans for your new flower bed and have just returned from the nursery with your trunk full of plants. You unload the car and wonder why you ever thought making a new flower bed was a good idea. How do you do this right and make it look good? Ideally, [Continue]