Growing Strawberries

Growing Strawberries

GARDEN TIPS Some historians have written about strawberries dating as far back as 2,200 years. Strawberries grew wild in Italy as long ago as 234 B.C. Some of the first Europeans coming to Virginia in 1588 enjoyed strawberries where their ships landed. Settlers in Massachusetts ate strawberries cultivated by American Indians as early as 1643. The westward movement after 1860 brought strawberries to many parts of the United States....

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Pruning Grasses

IN THE GARDEN Tips & Tricks in Your Garden HOW, WHEN, AND WHY TO CUT BACK ORNAMENTAL GRASSES Ornamental grasses are increasingly being used in our landscapes as an alternative to shrubs. In any region of the country, you can find native grasses that do quite well, and add textural variety and a soft, flowing aspect to the garden. These plants are particularly attractive when planted in groups. Examples include any of the many miscanthus...

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November Garden Tips

November Garden Tips

GARDENING TIPS There’s Always Something To Do In The Garden November is the time to finish your yard and garden clean-up and start your holiday decorating. Both tasks are more pleasant when the weather is a little warmer so try to complete them before the middle of the month. Garden Maintenance Tips: 1)  Keep mowing your lawn as long as the grass is growing. Meadow voles and field mice will damage turf and nearby trees and shrubs if...

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How To Prevent and Control Budworm Damage

How To Prevent and Control Budworm Damage

GARDEN TIPS Bedding plants like geraniums, petunias and nicotiana can create a riot of color when planted en masse, but gardeners aren’t the only ones drawn to these bright and prolific flowers. Feeding damage caused by budworm caterpillars is on the rise across the country, causing alarm and panic in the gardening community — so much so that some gardeners are refusing to grow the most frequent plant victims of budworm damage. What are...

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The Many Benefits of Houseplants

The Many Benefits of Houseplants

Seven GREAT Reasons to Bring Plants Into Your House! GARDENING INDOORS Great tips for your health! They Help to Improve the Mental Health Plants naturally help to heal. Just having them in the home can help to improve your mental health. Researchers found that people who live around nature feel much happier than those that don’t. This isn’t just about those who live in the countryside either. Just looking at the greenery in the home...

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