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Category: Lawn & Garden

Bob Vila Radio: Starting Seeds

by , April 12th, 2013

If you get a thrill out of watching your garden grow, you might want to get a jump on the season by starting from seeds this year. Seeds are less expensive than young plants, so starting from seeds saves money, but the real benefit just might be the joy of seeing those new seedlings peek out of the soil for the first time.

Starting Seeds

Photo: etsy.com

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Keep Off the Grass: 5 Traditional Lawn Alternatives

by , April 10th, 2013

Grass. It’s easy to plant, covers most types of terrain, and feels good under bare feet in the summer. It’s also… kind of ordinary.

Grass Alternatives

Photo: lawnshelp.com

NASA satellite imagery shows that in America, lawns occupy about fifty thousand square miles, an area roughly the size of New York State. All that green requires many homeowners to shell out “green” for maintenance. That’s because many yards are planted with non-native grass species in need of extensive upkeep, from mowing and fertilizing to weed-killing and watering. In fact, it’s estimated that one-third of all water usage in the U.S. goes toward landscaping.

So if you’re ready to turn your resource-stealing suburban savannah into a low-maintenance oasis filled with color, texture, and fragrance, consider planting one of these five grass alternatives:
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Top Tips for Watering Your Lawn

by , April 5th, 2013
Watering the Lawn

Photo: blackburnsprinklers.com

Now that spring has arrived, it’s time to think about lawn maintenance again. Go ahead and tune up your mower and start focusing on what is required to care for your grass—that includes watering.

Most lawns require about one inch of water per week. How long should you leave the sprinkler running? There’s an easy way to find out. Simply set out a small container and water until it’s holding one inch. If it takes 60 minutes, then that’s how long you need to water your lawn each week.

Related: Watering Well: 10 Sprinklers to Quench Your Garden’s Thirst

Indeed, best practices in watering the lawn can help keep your grass healthy. Here are some top tips:

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Bob Vila Radio: Spring Lawn Preparation

by , April 5th, 2013

There’s nothing like a beautiful green lawn to make your house look great. Now that spring is here, it’s time to get your lawn ready for its big debut.

spring-lawn-preparation

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We Heart Azaleas: Top Tips on Care

by , April 3rd, 2013
Azaleas Care - Winterthur

Photo: gardenblog.winterthur.org

Azaleas are getting ready to set gardens on fire. The fluorescent shades of this plant’s hallmark blooms tend to make a near-instant impact on the landscape. Though a signature of the South, azaleas—classified in the genus Rhododendron—thrive on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line.

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Bob Vila Radio: Hiding Trash Cans

by , March 29th, 2013

Nothing kills a home’s curb appeal faster than a couple of trash cans and recycling bins parked in the driveway, or littering the front yard. Keeping them out of sight can stop your home from looking… well, trashy.

trash-cans

Photo: premierdsp.com

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How To: Dry Your Garden Herbs

by , March 28th, 2013
Drying Herbs - Jar

Photo: tallgrassdesign.blogspot.com

If you want to keep a little bit of your summer garden with you all year long, you can do so by drying herbs and storing them for use after your plants have fallen to the frost. Drying herbs is simple, can save you money, and imparts peace of mind—it’s nice knowing exactly where your food ingredients come from!

Related: Top Tips on Growing Herbs Indoors

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5 Spring Garden Favorites to Plant Right Now

by , March 25th, 2013

The time to dream about your spring planting has passed. Now is the time to get going in the garden. So here are five flowering choices to consider for your landscape. Just remember that no matter what you’re planting, it’s important to water frequently as the growing season rapidly approaches.

 

1. HEATHER

Spring Planting - Heather

Scottish Heather. Photo: oregonstate.edu

Heathers come in a variety of colors and as an added bonus, they are a big draw for pollinators. Choose your variety of this Scotland native according to the needs of your garden design. A lower, spreading-type variety is suitable as a ground cover while an upright heather would work wonderfully as a border.
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To Fertilize or Not to Fertilize?

by , March 22nd, 2013
Fertilizing Grass - Spreader

Photo: Ace Hardware

As the growing season picks up, so does the drive to fertilize. Surely, your lawn could use a little help as it gets going—that’s what you’d assume anyway, based on all of the fertilizer tips and products appearing in stores this time of year.

If you really want to give your lawn a boost, it helps to know a bit more about what fertilizer is really doing.

Grass requires small amounts of many nutrients (calcium, magnesium, and sulfur to name a few). Macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are needed in larger quantities.

Nitrogen—which promotes growth and gives grass its green color—is the nutrient your lawn needs the most of. But you shouldn’t indiscriminately lay down a nitrogen supplement.

Instead, follow these tips:

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5 Ways to Use Bamboo in Your Landscape

by , March 21st, 2013

Bamboo is one of the most exotic and eco-friendly materials used in construction. Long associated with Asian cultures and design, this giant grass has been trending in the U.S. for the last few years, especially in flooring. It is strong, beautiful, and thanks to speedy growth, an economical choice for consumers and a renewable resource for producers. Outdoors, there are countless ways you can use bamboo to stunning effect, and here are five ideas to help you envision bamboo landscaping possibilities for your property.

 

1. EDGING

Landscaping with Bamboo - Edging

Photo: oregonlive.com

The varying heights of the bamboo posts in this edging installation give the garden path a timeless, natural look. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy a zen-infused stroll along these step stones?
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