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Trimming and Dividing Ornamental Grasses Is Easy If You Follow These Steps

trimming ornamental grasses

Spring is the time to trim your ornamental grasses.                 It is still a little wet to divide the perennial grasses.  As soon as the soil dries up a bit, it will be a good time to divide your clump(s) if you feel they are getting too large. …Read more

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How To Become A Better Locavore

durham farm fresh

Are you one? Do you know one? Do you want to be one? Is it a trend or a passing fad? The Oxford dictionary definition of ‘locavore’ is a person whose diet consists only or principally of locally grown or produced food. I think Wikipedia defines it better as a person interested in eating food …Read more

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Warning: Why You Should Avoid Impatiens Right Now

Bed of impatiens

Do you plant impatiens every year in your garden or containers? Well this year (2013) you might want to consider something else. Downy Mildew is currently wiping out plantings of this popular annual and even causing growers to stop growing them. I have filled many benches with flats and flats of these annuals and spent …Read more

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Mulch Volcano Season Begins!

Mulch volcano

This (pictured above) is how to literally *kill* a tree with kindness. Please don’t bury the flare at the base of the trunk in soil or mulch — it will cause moisture damage to the bark and cambium, eventually harming the thing you’re trying to help. If you’re going to mulch, spread it out in …Read more

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Hiring A Landscape Contractor

Portfolio: Front steps and porch

Please welcome my guest author and friend, Mohammed Jacquesson.  Mohammed is a Paralegal specializing in Small Claims Court matters and is providing you with some great tips today when hiring a contractor. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – As a paralegal specializing in Small Claims Court matters, …Read more

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Pruning Of Evergreens

spruce

Cedars, Boxwood and Yews, can be lightly pruned in early spring to remove any winter dieback and prune for shape prior to spring growth. Note to trim hedges a little more narrow at the top to let light get to the bottom of the plant, this is a common mistake that leads to the dying …Read more

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Pruning Of Summer Flowering Shrubs

Summer flowering shrubs like Spirea, Potentilla, Weigela, Hydrangea and even Roses should be pruned in early spring before growth begins and then again later in season to remove spent flowers and encourage more blooms.   If this all appears a little daunting, give me a call and I can arrange to have a trained professional …Read more

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Spring Planters

Pussy Willow Stems, Purple Pansies and Irises

Here are some ideas for Spring planters… hope they inspire you!   Photos courtesy of North Shore Views, Terrassa – Outdoor Living, The Vancouver Sun, Little Leaf Design, Urban Garden

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Let Spring Begin!

Spring flowers

Despite the current cold entrance of spring, warmer temperatures are around the corner, spring cleanup shouldn’t begin until the ground has dried. Keep in mind walking or raking in garden and lawn too early compresses soil and causes the important spring rains to just run off the garden instead of being absorbed by the plants. …Read more

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Irrigation Systems: Do You Need One? This Will Help You Decide!

The winter is a perfect time for planning for the summer.  This is the time we often plan our summer vacations, our kids’ summer camps or any outdoor renovations we might be considering. Now is also a good time to consider an irrigation system… especially if you are as tired as I am with moving …Read more

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