A couple of weeks ago, I did a blog on repelling mosquitoes. I had a customer come in and say her biggest problem was not mosquitoes—it was squirrels. So here’s how to live with them. First, Some Interesting Squirrel Facts The word “squirrel” comes from the Anglo-Norman esquirel, meaning “shadow-tailed,” with roots in Greek skiouros. … Read more
I’ve Got All My Veggies Planted, Now What? After all the hard work of getting my veggies into the ground, it’s tempting to kick back and relax. But the job isn’t over yet! There’s still plenty to do to ensure my garden thrives. Here’s what I’ll be focusing on next: Keep Up with Weeding Right … Read more
I have a raised bed at the front of my yard, just under a large maple tree. I used to grow impatiens there. They did great in the shade; however, they are thirsty little plants. By mid-summer, I was having to water every single solitary day—and if it was a little on the hot and … Read more
CAN A TROPICAL LANDSCAPE BE DONE HERE IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA? Can we create a tropical oasis in this area? A quick answer to this question is yes! You will need to put on your creative cap because there are a few steps that you can do now, knowing that you will add to this landscape … Read more
In order to support FEBRUARY IS HOUSEPLANT MONTH, I decided to step out of my comfort zone with my weekly blog and highlight a very popular tropical plant—the Prayer Plant. The Prayer plant is a member of the Marantaceae family, which also includes the beautifully colored and patterned leaves of the Calathea. A ground cover … Read more
Winter is officially here. For the past month, I have been fielding questions about potted evergreens in outdoor containers. People are asking about the care of their plants through the cold, winter months. Also, some people, more recently, are asking about using a potted evergreen for use as Christmas décor, which is a wonderful trend. … Read more
We are now into the second week of December, and the pine tags are really falling fast out of our pine trees. FREE MULCH, BABY!!! The other day, as I was driving home, a landscaping crew had just finished raking and cleaning the landscaping bed, and they made huge piles of a mixture of pine … Read more
This time of year, I watch the birds. I also feed them. Because there aren’t many insects available over the winter, most birds that winter here are seed eaters. Some seeds are better than others, however. Seeds and nuts with a higher fat content are best for winter feeding—black oil sunflower seeds and even peanuts. … Read more
When to Plant October is a good time for planting most bulbs. The exception is tulips, which should be planted in November—they like to be planted in cooler soil. To store them until time to plant, keep them in a paper (never plastic) bag at an average room temperature. You do not need to chill. … Read more
As July wraps up with its hot, dry, and humid days across Virginia, ornamental grasses step into the spotlight. This is their moment to shine with graceful blades and elegant flower plumes. Many Virginians recognize Pampas Grass, especially near the coast, towering with its tall white plumes. But closer to home, native varieties like Standing … Read more
