Category Archives: Gardening

Don’t Prune that Crown!

Posted on July 20, 2017 by

It’s a common question. You’ve just planted a new tree. In the process, the plant has lost a significant portion of its roots—sometimes up to 95! Should you prune back the crown to compensate? The intuitive answer would be yes. … Continue reading →

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Impressive Pineleaf Penstemon

Posted on July 13, 2017 by

  Looking for a small perennial with a big impact? Consider Pineleaf Penstemon (Penstemon pinifolius). True to its common name, this low-growing plant has long, narrow leaves similar to pine needles. They hang on well into winter, and may be evergreen … Continue reading →

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Garden Advice: Kelp Belongs in the Ocean

Posted on July 6, 2017 by

The products sold to improve the health of our landscapes seem endless; I just wish more of them actually worked. I recently received an advertising postcard in the mail. At first glance, it appears that they are selling a valuable … Continue reading →

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Garden Hopping

Posted on June 29, 2017 by

As an enthusiastic gardener, I spend a lot of time in my yard, but it’s always a treat to visit other gardens. Just as sandwiches always taste better if I don’t have to make them, a garden I haven’t tended … Continue reading →

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Natural Landscaping

Posted on June 22, 2017 by

Two years ago, our new home was a blank slate. Nothing grew on our lot, not even weeds. We’re located on a hillside, and the summer rains were eroding the subsoil left by the builder. It could have been discouraging, … Continue reading →

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Bountiful Bugs

Posted on June 19, 2017 by

The bulldozers are at it again. Another swath of short-grass prairie is being turned into houses. I can’t complain—I live in such a house. A mere three years ago, birds and bunnies made their home in what is now my … Continue reading →

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Going Native

Posted on June 15, 2017 by

We hear that it’s better to choose native plants over exotics for a variety of reasons. They’re perfectly adapted to the soils and climate. They host native insects that provide food for birds and other wildlife. They fit into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Landscaping, Xeriscape | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment