Ruth Vangorder
Ruth Vangorder is a work at home mom living in New York. As a wife of one, homeschooling mom of four, small business owner, freelancer, and habitual student, she is never without something to keep her occupied.
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Displaying Results 1 - 176 (of 176) for All Content
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Espaliered Trees Fill a NeedSpace in many gardens is often limited, therefore, espaliered trees and shrubs fill a need. They can provide desired beauty in places that otherwise might have to go implanted or permit one to grow fruit, where an ordinary tree would be too large.
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Couch Grass: Weeding Out WeedsIn the gardening-game, you hear a lot of beefs about a lot of problems and around about this time of year, just about the most common complaint that's likely to bend your ear over the back fence concerns that peskiest of weeds, couch grass.
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Tips on Restoring GardensMany vacations are planned with Labor Day weekend the target for return to familiar surroundings. On returning from your sojourn anxiety may set in that you didn't take all the advance garden precautions that you should have.
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Planting Bearded IrisJune is a good month to divide crowded clumps of bearded iris and to plant new varieties that might have been viewed and ordered at flower shows in spring.
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The Herb Patch is a Friendly SpotOne of the friendliest and most interesting spots in any garden is the kitchen herb patch, as we gourmet gardeners continually find new herbs, perhaps from a neighbor, to try, and as we find ever-new uses for our old favorites.
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Aster Plants like Warm Days and Short NightsIn summer, your garden can be brighter every day with asters. These popular annuals create spectacular effects in the outdoors and are very long-lasting as cut flowers in the home.
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Jade Plants Need Special AttentionJade plants have been indoor favorites for so many years one would think by now everybody would know how to treat them. Yet, as is true of many familiar houseplants, too many people growing them have no idea what they require.
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Plants to Keep Deer Out of Your GardenAside from their decorative value, some of our garden plantings can prove to be valuable additions to the landscape in a practical sense.
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Lawn Renovation Must Be Done ProperlyMost every established lawn requires some leveling and seeding each year.
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Salvaging Leftover VegetablesEach year as we begin to think about winding up our vegetable gardens for the season, it seems there is a superabundance of vegetables left after eating, freezing and canning. I'll pass along some ideas for the efficient clearing out of the backyard plot.
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Garden Pesticides: The Dangers of PesticidesSince we are prone to use chemicals in our garden in time of dire need, it is a good idea to be armed with a certain amount of basic knowledge about the garden chemicals available these days, and how each type works.
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Clematis Returns TriumphantIt is odd that many native North American plants, like prophets without honor in their own house, are often not accepted as plants worthy of consideration in their own land.
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Seed: The Basic Ingredient of Farming and GardeningIf I asked you to name the fourth essential ingredient in agriculture - an ingredient as vital as soil, sun and water - what would you say? An understanding banker? A strong back? Lots of good luck?
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Holland Bulbs: Spring Bulb FlowersPut your Holland bulbs to bed before winter. The sooner the better is the advice of the experts.
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Dried Flowers Provide Double the EnjoymentFlowers that can be dried give double enjoyment. They give pleasure in the Summer garden, and dried, provide color and beauty in the house when the outdoor flowers are finished.
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Helpful Tips for Growing African VioletsA large number of people have the idea that African violets, among the loveliest of houseplants, are very difficult to grow.
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How to Take a Soil SampleMagazine articles and handbooks on lawn care and gardening frequently make general recommendations for applying lime and fertilizer to garden and lawn areas.
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Orchid Growing Tips: Easy-to-Grow OrchidsContrary to general belief some orchids are easier to grow than most houseplants. They are remarkably free of insects and disease and require only occasional watering and feeding.
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Different Types SquashThose of you gardeners who grew winter squash the last season can enjoy the fruits of your labor stored in a garage or a cool spot in the basement.
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When to Plant Gladiolus CormsIn general, it is best to dig gladiolus corms about six to eight weeks after blooming. Some gardeners leave them in the ground although the practice is not recommended at least for the better varieties.
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Gloxinia and Philodendron Plants: Keeping the Leaves SplitWhen the leaves of a split-leaf philodendron fail to do what comes naturally - that is, to split - it generally indicates poor light or too low humidity.
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Alternative Tomato Types for GardeningAccording to the people who sell bedding plants, by far the most popular garden vegetable is the tomato. That's not surprising. There's just nothing quite like the flavor of a freshly picked, sun-ripened tomato.
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Watch for Root TroubleRoots, being the plant's foundation, hold the plant firmly in the soil. Their most important function is to absorb water and nutrients.
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Spring is Tulip Time, Fall is Time for PlantingThe Turks were the first to become interested in the tulip and when they overran Southern Europe, the tulip went with them. These tulips were native species.
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Deciding on a Garden PesticideSince we are prone to use chemicals in our garden in time of dire need, it is a good idea to be armed with a certain amount of basic knowledge about the garden chemicals available.
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Ferns Do Well when DividedMany people have an interest in the propagation of their houseplants, which tend to be neglected sometimes.
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Air Layering for New PlantsWhen some indoor plants, like a rubber plant or split-leaf philodendron become leggy and unattractive, the answer is to make new plants by air-layering.
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Tips for Transplanting Young PlantsSeveral home gardeners these days buy their plants already started for them at a nearby nursery.
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Flower Preservation TechniquesMore and more people are catching onto the very practical idea of retaining a patch in their garden for flowers to cut for bouquets.
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Marguerites Don't Need Much CareThey look like daisies because they have the daisy's shy and clean look, but botanically marguerites are a member of the chrysanthemum family.
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Dooryard Pest Safeguards UrgedCommonly known as dooryard pests, these insects normally live outdoors and are noted generally for their nuisance value when they appear in large numbers.
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Planting Caladium BulbsCaladiums, a spectacular group of dazzling foliage, are just the plants for a shaded garden bed or to be grown in pots.
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Caring for Delphinium PlantsIf there are delphiniums in your garden you'd better take time to look at them.
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Garden Tips: Plant Growth FactorsIt's easy to get along with Mother Nature when you learn to expect the unexpected and accept the things she does as a part of gardening.
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Growing TulipsAny child recognizes a tulip. It is a charming red, white, pink or yellow cup-shaped flower on a tall stem. But is it? Mother Nature has at times tucked her tongue in cheek and come up with quite a selection of tulips that "don't look like tulips".
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Use Chrysanthemum to Fill Bare SpotsBare spots in your garden? Don't worry, there is nothing more willing to fill those spots with color than chrysanthemums.
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Helpful Tips on Growing PotatoesHere are a number reasons to love the lowly spud potatoes.
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Make a Festive Meal with Your Garden GoodiesA backyard gardener can, in my opinion, enjoy the blessings of the holiday season in a very special way.
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Planning Your Fall Vegetable GardenFall gardening is simple. All that you have to do is the right thing at the right time in the right way with the right plant.
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Garden Plant SpacingOne of the most serious troubles found in the fall home garden is that the plants are frequently too crowded.
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Planning Property's Landscape DesignIf your neighbor's grass is greener and flowers brighter, landscape architects and horticulturists have important advice for you: Don't change a thing.
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Planning Your Plant PurchasesHouse plants should be planned purchases, not impulse items bought on a whim at grocery stores or discount houses.
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Potted Chrysanthemums are Year-Round FavoritesAnemone, daisy decorative, fuji, quill, and button may sound like a group of unrelated words, but all these terms are used to describe flower forms of potted chrysanthemums.
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Discover Secrets of Good GardeningThere are certain basic tenets of good gardening which must be followed if one is to have a successful garden in almost anywhere.
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Vegetable Pest ControlMany people prefer to grow vegetables by using as few pesticides as possible. Depending on the area, it is almost impossible to grow vegetables without pesticides unless one takes unusual methods of protecting them from weeds and pests.
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Loafer's Garden: A DIY Garden ProjectThere are many people who hate the work involved in gardening but love the results.
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Growing Cactus: An Excellent HouseplantOne catch-all word used to describe certain plants la "succulent." It is used for many widely different plants that have in common thickened leaves or stems in which water is stored. They are plants that came from the desert or other fairly dry areas.
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Smart Amaryllis for January BloomWhen we are preparing for the holiday season, we might look ahead also and plan for colorful indoor flowers during January and February.
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Children Can Learn from GardensIf you want to impress the socks off your kids, help them plant a garden.
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Caring for Container PlantsThe use of plants in containers on decks, balconies and patios is becoming more and more popular. Not only are they used as flowering plants during summer, but also as small trees and shrubs giving year-round effect.
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Mole Control: How to Get Rid of Moles in Your GardenHere is some advice for mole control in your garden.
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Mulching Tips: To Mulch or Not To MulchFor the small area garden, mulching is advisable. For the gardener who has large areas to consider, there might be the need to mulch only those which are most demanding of protection during a very cold weather.
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DIY Home Vegetable Gardening TechniquesAs people become more conscious of the food they eat as well as the chemicals sprayed on that food, growing one's own garden produce takes on a greater priority.
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Ideas for Planting Summer FlowersWe can look upward to the flowers of summer if we include in our landscapes one or more trees that produce summer flowers.
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Square Foot Gardening PlansHow to use the square foot garden method to easily offset the negative considerations of growing a vegetable gardening.
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When and How to Start Seeds IndoorsA great deal depends on available facilities if seeds are to be started indoors.
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Planning a Kitchen GardenUnfortunately, the suburbs are home to people who are a long ways removed from the source of their food.
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Summer-Flowering Bulbs Need Proper StorageMany summer-flowering bulbs are not hardy and must be dug up and stored if they are to bloom again next year. Even though bulbs and roots seem lifeless during storage, they are not, and they must be treated with care.
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Tree Leaf Scorch ProblemsLeaf scorch is a warning sign by which a tree is trying to say that it is in trouble and needs help. If the problem is recognized early, the condition can often be corrected.
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Last-Minute Gift Ideas for the Gardener on Your ListMany people still have much to do but only a few days left to get everything finished for the family Christmas. With so many unexpected parties or chores that arise, they find time is an unrelenting task master.
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Garden Cleaning in Fall Yields Compost MaterialsFilling a compost while cleaning gardens for Winter is one of the major ways to practice good conservation in the garden.
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Grow Springtime Flowers: Simulate Spring Year RoundAnnuals and perennials come and go with the seasons, but flower enthusiasts need not go without during the months their beds are bloomless.
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Plants Have Their Own Set of Friends and EnemiesFlowers and shrubs often have good companion plants but may be foes of insects, rodents, and even other plants.
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Plant Drought Problems: The After-EffectsWhile we are more aware of the immediate effects of drought, such as wilting, scorching and dieback, other problems may appear on evergreens, trees, and shrubs for years after a drought has ended.
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Sow Seeds of Flowering Perennials Using a Cold FrameSow seeds of flowering perennials in a cold frame outdoors, or in flats indoors for transplanting into a cold frame in early fall.
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How to Grow DogwoodFlowering dogwoods are a lovely addition to the home grounds. They will soon be at their peak of bloom, so admire them while you can.
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Understanding Soil Components and Soil TypesGardeners show great concern about soil - and they should. Although it is a complex substance, understanding soil is greatly simplified if we break it down into its basics, and also define some descriptive terms.
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The Right Tools for GardeningThe right tools can mean the difference between hours of gardening pleasure and painful, back-breaking work. Invest in a few quality tools and your time in the garden will be far more rewarding.
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Stressed Plants Need Feeding Before FrostsFrequently, callers have questions about feeding, especially as fall approaches. At one time, many gardeners were adverse to autumn feeding. This still is considered poor practice in some parts of the country.
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Wildflowers Growing Wild in PopularityWildflowers, described by one wag as "weeds with a press agent", are experiencing a flurry of popularity in the home garden these days, and for a surprising variety of reasons.
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Repair Lawn Disease DamageThere are many lawn diseases and they are known by such descriptive names as melting out, fade out, fusarium blight, brown patch, greasy spot, cottony blight, leaf spot, tip blight and many more.
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Growing Plants in Shady AreasBooks have been written about growing plants in shady areas. So in a sense, it's ridiculous to attempt to cover this subject to any serious depth in one column. The best we can hope to do is to point out a few basic principles and offer a few suggestions.
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Drooping Houseplants: Signs of Insect InfestationThere is nothing more discouraging to the houseplant lover than to find plants suffering the effects of insect attack: leaves with holes, ragged edges, brown spots, and stems that are stunted and dying.
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Impatiens: A Favorite Mother's Day PickHere's a few growing tips for those of you who enjoy growing Impatiens.
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Growing Chestnut Trees: A Holiday FavoriteIn many American and European cities, street vendors with carts of roasting chestnuts were once a common sight during the holiday season.
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The Right Time to Begin Lawn RepairBy late August or early September lawns are at their lowest ebb, and it is time to decide what steps, if any, need to be taken to bring them back to their best condition.
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Needled Evergreens Respond to Fall WeatherWhile maples and oaks catch the eye with vivid colors, needled evergreens are also responding to fall weather, but are undergoing less spectacular changes. Their oldest needles gradually turn yellow, then brown and finally drop.
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Growing Cucumber: Midsummer Cucumber CareThe spring cucumber planting should be producing, or be near production by this time. If cucumbers are to be kept vigorous and productive all summer, a continued watch for pests and problems is necessary.
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Flowering Plants with Strange NamesFlowering plants come in many shapes and forms. However, we sometimes receive plants with names we can't remember and with no directions as to what to do with them.
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Deciduous Shrubs Provide Spring ColorDeciduous shrubs, which drop their leaves every fall, are particularly effective as plants that are both easy to grow and provide a splash of spring color. Some are large and must be given adequate space.
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How to Grow Tomatoes in CagesNot only animals may be kept in cages; growing tomatoes in cages is becoming more and more popular.
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Houseplant Care During VacationThose who plan to be away on vacation need to make plans not only for their pets but for their house plants as well.
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How to Prune a Peach TreeWhile apples flower and produce fruit on two-year-old wood, peaches flower and fruit on one-year old wood. Therefore, pruning techniques for peaches differ somewhat from those for apples.
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Conquer Crabgrass and ChickweedTwo of the most common and serious home lawn pests are chickweed and crabgrass.
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Heat and Drought May Damage Trees and ShrubsThe heat and drought can cause some trees and shrubs to show marginal leaf scorch, leaf drop, wilting and in some cases abrupt death.
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Cyclamen Provides Hearts and Flowers for Valentine's DayOne of the house plants best suited for Valentine's Day is the cyclamen.
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Winter Houseplant CareMost house plants come from tropical climates. They have never experienced snow or freezing temperatures and are ill equipped to face them. Exposure to such conditions may mean severe injury or death.
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Check Lawn Weeds in Early SpringNestled among the blades of grass in your lawn may be little plants barely noticeable at a casual glance. When warm weather comes, these little plants will become vigorous monsters and form dense mats that may crowd out grass or small ornamental plants.
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How to Grow EggplantEggplant have come a long way since 5th century China when they were used to make a black dye which fashionable ladies used to stain and polish their teeth to give them a metallic look.
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Chills and Fevers Can Damage PlantsWe have all experienced the unpleasant feeling of chills and fevers associated with illness. While it is doubtful that plants experience such sensations, rapidly fluctuating temperatures around tropical plants being moved in midwinter may cause damage.
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Plants for Shady AreasShady areas close to the house or in the lawn may need special ornamental plantings.
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Fall Color Comes in Many FormsThe joy of fall color need not be limited only to woodland walks or weekend drives.
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Pollination Problems of Lonely Fruit TreesThe lonely fruit tree in the backyard may grow and flower well, but produce little or no fruit. Another type of tree may produce fruit abundantly.
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Indoor Light-Gardening: A Popular HobbyGrowing plants indoors under artificial lights is an increasingly popular hobby. In many homes there is often an empty corner where plants could be used but where natural light is insufficient.
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Planting Hyacinth for Spring Color and FragranceAs a Spring flowering bulb, the hyacinth has a quality far surpassing that of tulip, daffodil or crocus. It has a distinctive fragrance that gives an added dimension to the spring garden.
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Plant Care: Location May Influence Autumn ColorTo insure good autumn color, plants must be selected carefully in fall and placed in the proper location.
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Houseplant CareWhen we face the long, dark days of winter, indoor plants can brighten our homes. Not only is there pleasure in having plants close by, but part of the fun of growing plants indoors is in choosing them from the many available.
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Planting Around the PatioTo most of us the word "patio" brings to mind a type of outdoor living area. Very often the patio is essentially a slab of concrete behind the house surrounded by lawn, often exposed and unattractive.
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Red Berries Brighten the LandscapeBerries come in all colors, and we can select plants to produce almost any color we desire. Red berries, however, are most popular.
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Protect Holiday Plants During Outdoor MovesHoliday plants make colorful additions to holiday decorations as well as excellent gifts. Prevent disappointment resulting from cold weather damage by providing proper protection for them during the move.
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Design a Landscape with Spring BulbsPrompt planting, proper site selection and proper arrangement are important to make the most from your bulbs.
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Raspberries Require Spring PruningRaspberries require pruning several times during the growing season. The first pruning is done in early Spring before growth begins.
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Fertilizer Spreaders: The Key to a Good LawnEarly fall is fertilization time for most home lawns. Lawns of bluegrass, fescue, or ryegrass may benefit more from the fall fertilizer application than any other single application during the year.
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Home Storage for Fall HarvestAn abundant fall harvest can mean too much to eat too soon. While some crops may be canned, frozen, or processed in other ways, their enjoyment may be spread throughout the fall and well into the winter with proper storage.
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Get Maximum Cut Flower LifeHoliday decorations take many forms, but the decoration for special occasions is often an arrangement of cut flowers. Proper handling both before and after arranging is necessary to insure maximum life and avoid premature collapse.
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Landscape Ideas to Save EnergyMany people feel that the only purpose for putting plants around a home is to make it attractive. While plants certainly add much to the beauty of our homes, plants also have functional uses in the landscape.
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Euonymus in the LandscapeEuonymus (pronounced yew-ON-im-us) is the word given to a genus of plants that have become quite popular for landscape planting.
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Planting Peas EarlyWhether you plant peas to eat or peas for flowers, early planting is important.
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Prune Apple Trees in Late SummerTo many people, especially those faced with an overgrown or neglected apple tree, pruning becomes a puzzle. We try to create organization from a maze of trunks and twigs.
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Snow and Ice Become Plant EnemiesThe weight of ice and snow can break or deform branches of trees or shrubs, making them less attractive, or entirely ruining their landscape value.
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Planting Daffodils for DependabilityOne of the earliest large-flowered spring bulbs is the daffodil. Varieties can be found that flower with the crocus and continue in succession until the tulips provide a rainbow of color.
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Proper Watering for HouseplantsWatering houseplants should be simple, because there are only three possible conditions: too wet, too dry and just right. However, improper watering is one of the most frequent causes for failure with houseplants.
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Holiday Plants: How to Handle a Christmas KalanchoeIf the flowering plant you received or purchased for the holidays had a name that is hard to remember, there is a good chance you have a Kalanchoe.
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Proper Tree Planting is a Good InvestmentThe first line of a well-known poem goes, "he who plants a tree plants hope," but there is not much hope for a tree that has not been properly planted.
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Vines Provide Color and Cover Dull FencesThe old wire or chain-link fence can be a thing of beauty in summer when covered with one or more colorful ornamental vines. Both annual and perennial types of vines grow on such fences.
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Planting Peach Trees: A Popular Home Garden FruitThe peach is one of the most popular fruits for home planting. Its delightful flavor and texture are even more desirable when tree-ripened, picked and eaten directly.
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How to Evaluate Your Landscape DesignWhen the Spring arrives and more time is spent out of doors the time comes to take a critical look at our home landscape and the condition of plants around our homes.
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Tall Fescue as a Lawn GrassMany homeowners, disappointed with the performance of their bluegrass lawns, are looking to tall fescue as a possible replacement.
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Space Landscape Plants ProperlyNo one likes to see a favorite plant crowded out by another plant. Proper plant spacing at planting time can avoid later problems and disappointments.
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Fertilizing Lawn Care: A Late Summer BoostLate summer or early fall is the best time to make lawn repairs, seed a new lawn, or fertilize bluegrass, fescue, or ryegrass lawns. -
Growing Tulips: Plant in Fall a Rainbow for SpringDaffodils welcome Spring with whites and yellows, crocus with purples and yellow, but for a rainbow of color in spring, plant tulips in fall. Tulips are available in more colors and forms than any other spring flowering bulb.
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Hanging Baskets Need A Midsummer BoostHanging baskets or containers are an excellent way to add a spot of color to the home's entrance, patio or porch.
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How to Control Crabgrass ProblemsCrabgrass was introduced into the United States in 1849 to provide good forage for a large number of imported domestic animals. However, there was no agricultural organization at that time to control or promote the grass, and it was soon forgotten.
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Growing Orchids at HomeAs a houseplant, orchids can be very satisfying or very frustrating. Contrary to popular belief, orchids are not one of the most difficult plants to grow indoors.
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Deck the Halls with HollyWhile many of us may sing "deck the hall with boughs of holly" few of us actually use much holly for holiday greenery, relying more on pine, spruce or other needled evergreens. Nevertheless, holly can add a special meaning to holiday decorations.
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Potted Plants Provide Pre-Holiday ColorMany people now use flowering holiday potted plants in pre-holiday decorations. The longer use of plants indoors means that good care is necessary so they remain in good condition both before and during the holiday.
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Revitalize Perennial Flowers in FallAfter many perennial flowers finish blooming, they enter a dormant or semi-dormant state in late summer and early fall.
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Tree Planting: Trees for Wet PlacesLow places where soils remain wet much of the year present real problems where large trees may be needed.
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Fall House Plant Clean-Up and CareHouse plants that have been outdoors for the summer may need a clean-up before returning indoors.
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Live Christmas Trees Need Special HandlingSeven or eight years are necessary to produce the average pine Christmas tree, and as much as 10 to 11 years for a similar size spruce.
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Environmental Extremes Cause Tree ProblemsToo wet, too dry, too hot, too cold - these are a few of the environmental extremes that can lead to plant problems.`
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Low-Growing Shrubs Fit Modern LandscapesSelect shrubs for beauty, permanence, reliability and easy maintenance. Many low-growing shrubs can provide these characteristics and still fit well with architectural lines of popular home styles.
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Growing Lilacs: Minimum Care RequiredEase of growth and spectacular fragrant flowers have made Lilacs popular for hundreds of years.
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Red and White Gloxinias for Valentine's DayThe Gloxinia is a potted plant that might be fitting in a red and white Valentine's Day color scheme.
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How to Use Christmas Greens ProperlyIn many American homes the use of evergreens as holiday decoration is traditional and the season would seem dull without them. It has been estimated that about two-thirds of American homes contain some form of greens for decoration during holiday periods.
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Pecans, Walnuts and Chestnuts: Popular Holiday TreatsNuts reach their peak of popularity during the holiday season. Pecans, walnuts and chestnuts are among those most used and can be even more satisfying when they come from our own trees. If we grow them or buy them, proper care and handling are important.
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Winter Vegetables Last Throughout SeasonsThere are several vegetables that endure cold weather and can be used late into the fall or throughout the Winter. These include the turnip and its close relative, the rutabaga, as well as parsnips and salsify, or oyster plants.
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Planting Fruit Trees: Some Plants Need PartnersIf there are no berries on the holly, nor apples on the tree, your plant may need a partner.
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Canker Plant DiseaseThe word "canker" refers to a localized dead area on a twig, limb or trunk of a woody plant. This dead area may be surrounded by living tissue. It may be sunken, cracked, discolored, oval or irregular in shape.
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The Christmas PoinsettiaWithout the brilliant red of poinsettias, the holiday season would seem a little duller.
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Poison Ivy Identification: Beware of Poison Ivy PlantPoison ivy can be particularly vigorous and widespread. It is estimated that one out of every four persons is sensitive and develops skin irritation from poison ivy.
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Watering Plants: The Importance of Water to PlantsTissues of growing plants may contain from 60 to 95 percent water by weight. Water is the most important chemical in the world, and without it there would be no plants.
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Houseplant Care: Wilting and Watering PlantsOne of the most frequently asked question is, "How often should I water my houseplants?"
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Houseplants in Indoor PlantersIndoor planters and planter boxes provide a means of growing and showing houseplants in a more unified way as an alternative to an assortment of separate pots. They also provide some benefits in handling and growing the plants.
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How to Have Early-Bearing Fruit TreesGardeners want their fruit trees to bear a crop as soon as possible.
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How to Repair and Replant Iris in AugustTo most gardeners, the word "Iris" instantly brings to mind the colorful and spectacular German Iris, also known as Bearded Iris. Although there are many other types of Irises, the German Iris still remains the garden favorite.
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Hollies Have Many FacesHollies should not be hidden until Christmas. They are one of our most diverse and ornamental landscape plants. Some have red berries, yellow berries or blue-black berries.
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Red and Purple Leaves: Not Just for Autumn GardeningAs we look forward to the splash of autumn color, we are reminded that we can have foliage color all summer.
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Tips for Starting Seeds IndoorsFebruary is a month to look for signs of spring and also to start the seeds of flowering annuals and some vegetables for the garden.
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How to Add Landscape Plants in SummerEarly spring and late fall are traditionally the times for landscaping. For many years these were the seasons when most plants could be moved with least damage.
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Beware of Wild Berries When GardeningPlant poisonings often occur in later summer and early fall. Children are the most common victims because of their tendency to put toxic berries into their mouths.
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Flowering Shrubs and Trees: Forcing BranchesFor a glimpse of Spring indoors, gather branches from flowering shrubs and trees during warm days.
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What to Do After Buying PlantsBe prepared for new plants when they arrive whether you buy plants from the local nursery, mail or Internet, plan ahead so that plants can be put in their permanent location as soon as possible.
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Potted Plants: Hydrangeas for Pots and GardensThe hydrangea is one of the showiest potted plants sold during Spring. Its huge ball-like clusters of pink, blue or white flowers are eye-catching.
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Growing Tomatoes on StakesThere are many advantages to growing tomatoes on stakes. More plants may be placed in limited space. Fruit is easier to harvest. Fruit is larger, cleaner and free of ground rots. Staked plants lend themselves to easier insect and disease control.
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The American Bittersweet PlantAlong with turkey, cranberries and corn, Bittersweet is an American native that deserves display at Thanksgiving.
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Reworking Old Strawberry BedsStrawberries have been a table delicacy since ancient Rome when they were available only to the rich. There they were served soaked in wine and sprinkled with salt or spices. -
Leaf Scorch is Hot Weather ProblemBy mid-summer, trees or shrubs may cause concern as leaves brown and curl along the edges. -
Growing Vegetables Carefully for a FairMany gardeners have been pleased with the quantity and quality of their vegetables. As state and local fair season approaches, thoughts go toward exhibiting some of that good produce.
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Hanging Plants for IndoorsIn recent years hanging baskets and planters have gained much popularity for outdoor use. This has also led to greater interest and acceptance for their use indoors.
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Tomato Care: Keep Tomato Plants in Good HealthTomatoes are one of the most popular home garden vegetables because they are relatively easy to grow and have a wide variety of uses. -
Summer Care for Hanging BasketsHanging containers with plants, commonly called hanging baskets, have become very popular in recent years. They are an excellent way to add a spot of color or greenery in many places outdoors, on porches, or beneath the eaves on a balcony deck. -
Proper Care Aids TerrariumsGardens in closed glass containers generally require little care. As a result, terrariums have recently become very popular. Proper positioning and care are important, however, if the plants in the terrarium are to thrive. -
Light Pruning of Plants During SummerLight corrective pruning of plants may be done at any time of year, and Summer is no exception. -
Hedge Clippers: Maintaining the Clipped HedgeThe clipped hedge is not a low maintenance planting. It is formal in effect and best suited to formal architecture styles. Nevertheless, it is popular and often included as part of landscape plantings. -
Potato Planting: June Harvest Includes "New" PotatoesFresh peas and "new" potatoes are a tasty treat available to the gardener during June. Even the best preservation techniques cannot capture the flavor of these two fresh vegetables for enjoyment in other seasons. -
Cabbage and Relatives Need Early StartWild cabbage was known and used by the ancient Greeks, worshiped by the ancient Egyptians, and planted by man for food for over 4,000 years. -
Tomatoes: Heat and Drought Increase Blossom-End RotThe long period of hot weather, along with drought conditions in many areas, can intensify the occurrence of a common tomato problem called blossom-end rot. -
Zoysia Care: A Popular Warm-Season GrassHomeowners, sometimes frustrated by their lawn problems, consider changing their lawns to a warm-season grass. One of the warm-season grasses receiving much publicity as an alternative lawn grass is zoysia. -
Grass and Lawn MaintenanceThe best month for making lawn repairs, or generally improving the bluegrass lawn, is September. When in some areas soil is still warm, but night temperatures become cooler, the grass makes its best growth.
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Bring Garden Flowers IndoorsOutdoor flowers in spring often last longer when allowed to remain on the plants than when cut. But during summer, properly cared for cut flowers often last longer indoors.
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Garden Flowers: To Save, or Not to SaveDuring the fall, many plants we have used in the summer flower garden put on a spectacular show.
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Indoor Plant Care TipsThe late vacationing apartment dweller who is communing with nature via the plant route and the house dweller who loads his house with plants for winter enjoyment may have the same plant problem: what to do about their plants when away from home.
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Summer Garden Fertilization BenefitsEven though garden soil has been well prepared with fertilizer and manure before planting, additional vegetable fertilization is needed during the summer. -
The Right Time to Plant Summer VegetablesWhile excess rains in many areas can delay vegetable garden planting, there is always plenty of time for planting summer vegetables. -
Plant Pansy Seeds Now for Spring Bloom SoonPansies are a favorite flower of American gardeners. Because pansies are cool weather plants, they tolerate frost and freezing weather better than many garden flowers.