Whirligigs are outdoor objects that have a spinner and at least another moving part. The wind would blow the spinner and pump a little piston rod for another action. Usually, there were made of wood, then metal, and now, plastic.…
Whirligigs
Category: Gardening & Landscape
Fall is Coming to the Garden
As fall is coming to the garden, it is time to prep it for winter. Start by clearing off all of the debris and remove it by bagging, composting, or burning. This reduces the number of disease spores and insect…
Fall Color for your Perennial Bed
Want some fall color for your perennial bed? There are more choices than mums for adding color in the fall. Try asters which come in purple, red, and white daisy-like flowers. They start blooming in September to a hard frost.…
Time to Plant Fall Bulbs
It is becoming time to plant fall bulbs showing up in stores now or order online from bulb companies. You can plant the usual tulips, daffodils, crocus, and hyacinths, but there are other less familiar bulbs you can try. One…
Fall is a Good Time to Plant Trees and Shrubs
Fall is a good time to plant trees and shrubs even better than spring. It is cooler and the weeds are less of a problem and you have more time to spend in the garden or landscape. Most container plants…
Weeping Mulberry
Many of us that plant shrubs and trees, anything that will take the heat of summers and the cold of winters. While that is the main consideration, there are others like leaf color, growth habit, fruit, and so on. A…
Weeping Trees and Shrubs
Landscaping with weeping trees and shrubs should always be considered. Since they will attract the attention of the viewer, they should be planted in the background with other plants around them. The picture of the full-grown weeping willow next to…
Putting in a Rock Garden
Putting in a rock garden is fairly easy especially after the first few steps. The garden can be as big or small as you want and be placed anywhere in the landscape where you want it. Maybe in a dull…
Homemade Water Fountains
Homemade water fountains make a statement in any yard, from the visual and sound of flowing water to creating a mini nature preserve for dragonflies and butterflies. All you need is a close basin for the water to collect in,…
Savoy Cabbage
This cabbage type is called a savoy cabbage type. They have the puckered leaves and looser heads. It is a milder and lighter texture than the regular green and red types of cabbage. So, what is the advantage of growing…
Ugly Areas Around the Home or Yard
Everyone has ugly areas around the home or yard. Instead of living with them, hide them. Whether garbage cans, AC units, utility boxes, or an unsightly garden shed, here are some ideas. If you are cramped for space, there are…
Marshmallow Plant
A new plant this year, the marshmallow plant which is related to the hollyhock. Grown as an annual reaching 4 to 5 feet with hollyhock-like blooms. The candy origin comes from this plant. The ancient Egyptians boiled the root to…
Three “Bugs” in Gardens this Week
Three “bugs” are showing up in gardens this week. One is the cabbage butterfly. It is a white butterfly with a couple of black spots on the wings. The butterfly is harmless; however, they lay eggs on cabbage, broccoli, and…
Using Stone and Rocks in your Landscaping
Using stone and rocks in your landscaping gives the area another interesting element. This is called hardscaping, using a material other than living plants. The term rock is much bigger than a stone which is smoother due to weathering. I…
Two Problems are Happening in Tomatoes
Two problems are happening in tomatoes right now. One is leaf spot diseases whether early blight or Septoria (both are caused by fungi). Things to incorporate in your routine are to stake or use tomato cages to keep the plants…