'Landscaping' Category

Some hedge shrubs, such as boxwood, can be trimmed to just a couple of feet wide, while more sprawling shrubs, such as hibiscus, will need 8 feet or more. Because pruning stimulates new growth, prune evergreen ad most deciduous hedges in spring. However if your hedge produces spring flowers, wait until after they bloom to do any cutting. [...] Read More

Many plants don’t need severe pruning, just remove dead or diseased wood, and cut off the spindly shoots and suckers from roots and lower branches. Shrubs that are getting too tall may need thinning and shaping to control their size. [...] Read More

Get the most out of yur mower by following these simple maintenance steps. Clean the mower. With the gas tank empty, turn the mower on its side. Give it a good spray with a hose, especially the underside. [...] Read More

Having the correct lawn mower for your yard can minimize the time and effort you put into mowing. A riding mower is needed only for the largest lawns. Because of the danger of tipping, it’s not appropriate for any lawn with steep slopes. A push-type power mower is suitable for most lawns. [...] Read More

Even the most carpet-like lawn can develop problems. If your lawn is not healthy and you can’t diagnose the trouble, dig up a patch of soil and take it to a reliable nursery or the local Cooperative Extension Service for analysis. Here are some common situations. [...] Read More

As a rule, you should use a complete lawn fertilizer, one containing nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Apply at a rate that provides 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn in each application of fertilizer. Pay attention to how much fertilizer is being used, so the entire lawn will receive the same amount. Do not over-fertilize, it is not good for the lawn and can contaminate the local water through fertilizer runoff. [...] Read More

A beautiful lawn is usually not difficult to achieve as long as you follow some basic rules of care: Keep it mowed. Letting lawn grass get too long often leads to thin turf. Set mower blade high. Mow cool-season grasses to 2 1/2 to 3 inches high; mow warm-season lawns shorter, 1/2 to 2 inches high. Longer grass shades weed seeds, prevents them from germinating and keeps the soil cool and moist, reducing the need for watering. [...] Read More

Although soakers, sprinkler systems and drip irrigation have all but replaced hoses in many of the traditional watering chores around the garden, every household without a sprinkler system still needs a sturdy hose. And even if you have an automatic system you still need a hose to wash the car and soak newly transplanted trees, shrubs and flowers. [...] Read More

Ground covers require less maintenance than a lawn. Use these plants in areas that receive little traffic. Nearly any low-growing, spreading plant can be used for ground cover. The thicker and more vigorously a ground cover grows, the less you will need to weed the area and the less watering or other care it will need. [...] Read More

Choose a variety of plants to form an ensemble rather than buying piece-meal and hoping that they will look good together. Most successful gardens will have the following: foundation plants of trees and shrubs as well as other trees and shrubs, a ground cover, some perennials, annuals and vines. [...] Read More