Horticulture 101

November and December in your garden

11/11/20

In November and December there is still work to do in your garden. 


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Creating a Biodiverse Pollinator Garden

11/03/20

We are fortunate to live in an area where growing Pollinator Gardens is simple, easy and effective. There are numerous varieties of plants that attract butterflies, hummingbirds and bees.  A garden in our area of the country can attract these pollinators for approximately 9 months out of the year, given favorable weather conditions.  They need a fertile and organic soil and a minimum of 6-7 hours of sunlight for them to reach their full blooming potential.   If planting correctly, there should be blooms from late March to November.


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Winter Gardening with Succulents

12/05/16

It is hard to believe another year has passed and we are in the midst of winter once again! The winter season is not the kindest of seasons for our outdoor spaces and the plants growing there. However, succulents, especially hardy succulents, those that originated in more northern climates, can not only survive but thrive during these months. To ensure we are all on the same page, let’s first understand the term “succulents”…this is a catch all term to mean “plants that have succulent or fleshy leaves, stems or roots, and use drought smart strategies to survive”.


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Watering Down the Facts

10/10/16

“With the possible exception of oxygen, it’s tough to imagine any one substance being more essential to life than water. And increasingly, water is becoming an ever more precious resource” as stated in the July 2016 edition of Turf Magazine’s article “The Changing Landscape of Water”. This article prompted my thinking about the manner in which we are protecting or maximizing our use of water in our daily lives, of course most notably as it relates to our gardens and landscapes. Water is crucial for the survival of our lawns, decorative plantings or fruits and vegetables.


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Latta Park Invasion

07/18/16

Dilworth, as a community, offers its residents an infinite list of quality assets making it an ideal neighborhood to call it home. One of these assets is Latta Park…a centrally-located space used for working out, family time, dog walks, birthday parties and much more. However, the park has seen a decline in maintenance causing several invasive plants to take over and choke out the native plants and trees of the park’s natural area. As a small business owner, I understand the ebbs and flows of budgetary needs and know the county cannot handle all necessary items. As a community though, we can do our part for our home.


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Summer and Drought Tolerant Plants

07/23/14

~Summer is definitely upon us and I have a few suggestions for drought tolerant plants. These are heat-loving, hardy plants that thrive in hot weather and are also an ideal for lower maintenance outdoor spaces and sustainable gardens. I tend to use several drought tolerant plants in my designs but some of my favorties are Blue Muffin Viburnum, varieties of Carex and Sedums, each of which can thrive in our Southern climate.


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