After a long, gray winter, I’m usually very happy to see signs of green returning to central Pennsylvania. As an enthusiastic gardener, I tend to think all green is good. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. In many areas of Clinton County, the first signs of green I observed this spring ...
Asparagus isn’t the most common vegetable among home gardeners, and that’s likely because growing it is an exercise in patience. But three years of patience is a small price to pay for up to 20 years of relatively effortless tender green shoots. If you’ve never seen an asparagus plant, ...
METRO — A beautiful garden is a wonder to behold. After a homeowner toils in the yard amending the soil and planting, it’s imperative that a garden be given the best chance to thrive. However, the natural wildlife that shares the space might see that newly cultivated land as the perfect place to enjoy an easy meal or gather nesting materials. Every gardener likely has a tale about chipmunks, squirrels, woodchucks, and rabbits making nuisances of themselves in the garden. Many of these animals seem to have a taste for bulbs and other plants, which can wreak havoc on what gardeners ...
If you’re a human living on this planet, you should get to know Doug Tallamy, the entomologist and University of Delaware professor whose groundbreaking 2006 book, “Bringing Nature Home,” supercharged the native plants movement. Tallamy made a case that our native birds and insects ...
Spring brings the return of color to the garden as bulbs bloom, perennials re-emerge, and new annuals settle in. But there’s a less common category of plants that’s also worth knowing: native spring ephemerals. Compared to most garden plants, ephemerals are fleeting, but their role in ...
When used properly, organic mulch can provide numerous benefits for garden beds and landscapes. When used improperly, mulch can cause serious damage. With the growing season fast approaching, learning how to apply organic mulch properly can help gardeners maximize the advantages and avoid ...
