There’s nothing mysterious about growing miniature trees or shrubs. We see countless examples of them all around us: the weed in the garden that is identical to the one growing along the roadside, except in size; the gnarled, stunted tree growing on a rocky cliff edge of the same species as the beautiful giant in … Read more
Some people are just naturally so tidy they could spread a cloth over the compost pile and hold a picnic there. Others use this heap, pile, or bin to satisfy a creative urge—tossing dried grass, coffee grounds, and all sorts of refuse into it with gay abandon! On a small lot, the compost pile may … Read more
It’s fall again, and with summer’s glow fading, we have many garden chores ahead. All of them are not routine, however, and one is a distinct pleasure—the selection of roses from new varieties being introduced this fall. New Personalities of Rose Growers These new personalities were developed by the following rose growers: War Dance War … Read more
If you have an aging shade tree, a stump, or even a pile of firewood in your garden, sooner or later, one of the six wild mushrooms shown in the accompanying photographs is almost sure to appear. They all grow on dead or dying deciduous wood. Not only country dwellers but also city and suburb … Read more
Here at sunny acres, we have 25 dwarf fruit trees planted in the spring of 1952. These include apples, pears, plums, and cherries. This fall, there will be fruit on all trees and good crops on the Number Nine Dwarf Mailings, especially the Macintosh and Red Gravenstein. In recent years, there has been an increased … Read more
Lammastide, as they used to call the first day of August and still do in places where the old names cling, was once synonymous with heavy rains and serious flooding. Not so last year, for over all the East and almost the whole country, the worst drought on record had held its grip since April. … Read more
Topiary goes back as far as Ancient Rome, but for the last 200 years, the British Isles have been the principal home for the art. It is a fascinating craft bound to gain your interest and respect. In this country, the topiary is reviving, as is Bonsai—both crafts require patient, individualistic skills. If you plan … Read more
Cool-climate grasses are the types most suitable for use in the northern sections of the country, including the northeastern, northern, midwestern, and northern Pacific coastal areas. In these climates, winter temperatures go down to zero or below; and the summers, while hot, do not normally have exceptionally long periods with no rainfall. The perennial grasses … Read more
To many people, Holly conveys the impression of a plant with thick, spiny evergreen leaves and bright red berries. Our well-known American Holly, Ilex opaca, and the almost equally familiar English Holly, aquifolium, both fit this description, as do the Chinese species, cornuta, and pernyi. However, it is a shock to some to learn that … Read more
Birds are most desirable in the garden for their unique insect and weed seed destruction powers. That does not mean they should be welcome to the gardener’s laboriously tended crop of cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and grapes! However, the latest studies on wildlife preferences for foods among the fruiting plants make it clear that by … Read more