For thousands of years, gardeners have been piling organic wastes—weeds, leaves, grass clippings, manures —in heaps to decompose into soil-enriching compost. In a compost heap, dead materials are transformed into substances that nourish new life. Compost increases the fertility of the soil and improves its physical structure. It loosens hard-packed clays, binds sandy soil, aids … Read more
In the course of expressing herself about how I have helped awaken a desire for “beautifying our surroundings at a small cost,” a Kentucky woman has written some nice things to me which, like any other endeavoring soul, I have been glad to read. She has opened up again in my mind the whole matter … Read more
Colors will be subdued, to be sure, but the winter details in a garden need not be drab and dull. The textures of many plants, dormant or dried, are handsome and worthy of special consideration for winter beauty. And many are the objects you can add to provide interest points along a winter garden path. … Read more
When my mom was a kid she had a cellar on the farm. It was no problem to know where to store the jars of vegetables and fruits, potatoes, and apples. There was a back porch and space upstairs to ripen pears and store pumpkins and squash. Sweet potatoes were cured near the coal-burning furnace … Read more
A homeowner with a new yard to landscape thinks must select trees, shrubs and flowers to plant. A well-landscaped yard is not planned at a minute’s notice. It requires thoughtful attention and a plan on paper. You can get help in various ways. First, consult back issues of magazine articles on yard beautification. There are also … Read more
Before the ground freezes and it gets too cold for comfort, pull out or dig (root and all) all annuals. It is better to get them out of the ground to eliminate eggs and harmful larvae that overwinter on plant remains. Start the program for improving the soil for next year’s garden. Removing Frost Blackened … Read more
We learned in elementary history that: “one great cause of the continued prosperity of the United States has been a large number of rich acres, covered for the most part with gigantic forests and the great stores of coal, oil, and gas which are hidden away in the earth.” Over 100 years ago (May 1908) … Read more
Garden clean-up is the big chore for now. All vegetation killed by frost should be cut away from the plant as soon as possible. Toxic materials are often formed in cell sap as the plant is in the process of moving stored food to the roots, some of the toxic matter may also reach the roots. … Read more
October in the North closes the gardening season with a grand finale of golden chrysanthemums and the brilliant autumn colors of deciduous trees and shrubs. This lavish display of color tends to take some of the strings out of winter’s arrival. Take note of mum varieties that flower early enough to be enjoyed before frosts, … Read more
This matter of which native plants to grow in the carefree garden keeps popping up here on the West Coast. As far as water requirements are concerned, there are two classes of native Pacific Coast shrubs: those which can stand watering and those which can’t. Those who welcome watering (during drought. that is) often like … Read more