We dog and cat lovers know that some houseplants should not be in our homes. The furry friends in our lives are worth more in the hours of unconditional love they shower on us than those few houseplants we must sacrifice on their behalf. Cats and puppies instinctively like to nibble on greens, so we need to choose houseplants and create plant environments with our pets’ well being in mind. Provide safe edibles. One of the best strategies to divert pets from our houseplants is to provide them … [Read more...] about Houseplants Safe for Dogs and Cats
Lain
Ten Flowers that Insects Hate
Bugs wreak havoc on flowers leaving frustrated gardeners to ponder whether to fight back with chemical pesticides, organic poultices or angry machete chops. However, even if you've lost the battle with bugs this season, you can win the war by planting flowers that insects find unpalatable. These flowers naturally repel insects because of soapy sap, succulent leaves, hairy foliage and other natural defenses, meaning you have more time to devote to weeding, bouquet gathering or just relaxing in … [Read more...] about Ten Flowers that Insects Hate
Creating Landscaping Property Lines
It was Robert Frost that said, “Good fences make good neighbors.” In today's fast-paced, noisy world, we all need our privacy. Without it, we become moody – perhaps, even grumpy – neighbors. Sometimes it is enough just to define a line of demarcation along the boundary, so it's always clear where your land ends and your neighbor's begins. If that's the objective, some plants effectively discourage trespassers. Fast Growing Shrubs for Privacy Most gardeners who landscape to achieve … [Read more...] about Creating Landscaping Property Lines
Helping Bees Find Our Gardens
Bees are essential pollinators, pollinating about a third of our nation’s crops. We would have far fewer food options without these little workhorses, but bees are in trouble and local gardeners can help them. Bees rely on wildflowers, and some or our traditional agricultural practices have been traded for industrial techniques that increase crop productivity at the cost of our country’s wildflowers. Consequently, a decline in wildflowers results in a decline of bee populations. As of May … [Read more...] about Helping Bees Find Our Gardens
Creating Edible Plantscapes
Interestingly, the front yard often is the sunniest spot in a landscape, and although vegetable gardens thrive in lots of sun, we rarely install what is basically a working farm in the front yard. With careful planning, edible plants can become parts of a striking front yard design. “Hide them in plain sight” is the secret to a great-looking landscape that also adds to your harvest. Artichoke plants are the superstars of the front yard edibles. These attention-grabbing plants make quite a … [Read more...] about Creating Edible Plantscapes