The concept of gargoyles for home protection comes from medieval Europe and was designed as statutes looking down from cathedrals and churches. The myth of the gargoyle is it offers protection against evil, even if some of the early ones…
With flowerpots, bigger is better. They do not dry out as fast and they hold more types of plants for larger root growth making for a dazzling display. The pot must have a drainage hole, so the roots do not…
Spring is tough for gardeners in South Dakota. We get the twitch when temperatures get to the upper 70’s and think it could not possibly freeze now. But how wrong we are forgetting the last frost date is usually May…
Is your garden missing something? You might want to incorporate some garden art into it. Make a statement can bring everything together creating a conversation whether it is a fountain, gazing globe, or a homemade, personal item. I place something…
People are noticing a browning of needles in their pine trees. If these needles are behind last season’s growth, do not panic, it is natural needle cast. If the browning is affecting last year’s growth and we can rule out…
The backyard fence is like a canvas and you are the painter. No doubt, you can paint the fence any color. How about decorating the fence as a focal point in the yard?You can hang a large mirror up or…
In growing tomatoes, there are some things that people do not tell you about. First, there are two different types of tomatoes, indeterminate and determinate varieties. Indeterminate types produce tomatoes thru the season while the determinate ones produce tomatoes faster…
Using mulches for landscaping reduces many problems. Group plants together and use a mulch to reduce weed growth, hold in water, protect your plants from heaving in the winter, prevent erosion, and of course, gives your beds a refined look.…
Why did nature evolve with hot peppers? Nature wants its plants to spread, so if an herbivore eats something, it will spread through its digestive tract. Mammals will not eat hot peppers, so how are they supposed to spread? By…
If you want to start another hedge of lilacs from your existing hedge, try tip cuttings. This is an easy and cheap way to increase your plants. Do this by selecting stem cuttings from your lilacs between 3 to 5…
Wait until the soil temps are 55 or above to plant summer blooming bulbs. You can get a head start by planting your bulbs early. I have started cannas in 6-inch pots a month before placing them outside. Plant them…
People are seeing rodent damage on trees, especially young fruit trees. The worst-case scenario is if the rodent (whether mouse or rabbit) ate into the heart of the center wood circling the entire trunk, there is not much hope for…
Now we have seedlings growing in our containers, not what? It is time to transplant seedlings. After the seedlings get their first set of true leaves (the first leaf set is called seedling leaves and will turn yellow and die).…
This is pics of very early flowering bulbs in the flower bed. Should have taken pics of them before the cold and snow when they were blooming full force. These flowers are scilla siberica, jumbo crocus, and snow (star) crocus which…
Starting your flower and garden seeds indoors is easy if you follow a few simple steps. Start with a seed starting soil mix, however, if use Miracle-Gro potting soil for larger seeds. Place the “soil” in a bucket and add…