Gardening on a windy site

Gardening on a windy site

Q: The constant, driving winds atop the scenic hill where I garden certainly pose a challenge. I have lost plants reportedly hardy in my zone, and keeping my plants upright is a perennial problem. Can you provide some tips for gardening on a windy site, and suggest plants that would do well in these conditions?
Rose McCutchin, Glenwood City, WI

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

3 Ways to Prune Rhododendrons

3 Ways to Prune Rhododendrons

Here's how to maintain, shape, or rejuvenate your shrubs according to your needs

by Charles W.G. Smith

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Introduction to Dividing Perennials (Video)

Introduction to Dividing Perennials (Video)

Mastering this technique is the best way to get more plants for free
with Janet Macunovich

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Time-Saving Tips

Time-Saving Tips

Garden smart by following these low-maintenance strategies

by Kerry A. Mendez

With so many time demands in our lives, our gardens should be the least of our concerns. Why can't someone invent self-cleaning gardens like our self-cleaning ovens? You simply flip a switch and the garden takes care of itself. I know—"Keep dreaming." But there is no reason why we cannot have gardens that are low maintenance and fit into our on-the-go lifestyles. Here are some trusty maintenance strategies that I use to put precious time back in my pocket.

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

A Low-Maintenance Garden

A Low-Maintenance Garden

Three great ways to decrease chores and increase enjoyment of your landscape

by Ann Lovejoy

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Right Plants, Right Places

Right Plants, Right Places

Taking the first rule of gardening to heart, you can create a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape

by Donna Ohland

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Moss Makes a Lush Carpet

Moss Makes a Lush Carpet

This easy-to-tend ground cover forms the foundation of a sculpted woodland retreat

by Jeff Osser

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Creating a Low-Maintenance Garden

Creating a Low-Maintenance Garden

Sustainable approaches decrease chores and increase enjoyment

by Ann Lovejoy

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

25 Robust Summer Bloomers

25 Robust Summer Bloomers

Rely on a mix of colorful perennials and shrubs that can practically take care of themselves

by Suzanne Knutson

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Bulbs for roadside strips

Bulbs for roadside strips

Q: What spring-flowering bulbs—besides daffodils—can stand up to the rigors of being planted on roadside strips and boulevards?
Robin Lillis, Bridgewater, CT

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Establishing a prairie planting

Establishing a prairie planting

Q: I’m interested in creating a wildflower prairie garden in our backyard. Can you tell me the pros and cons of starting with plants vs. seeding the area?
Samuel Bunting, St. Louis, MO

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

How to Reduce Maintenance

How to Reduce Maintenance

Some time-saving tactics can make your garden easier to care for

by Sydney Eddison

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Patching turf with cheesecloth

Patching turf with cheesecloth

When clients ask me to reseed bare spots in their lawns, I use cheesecloth as mulch. Unlike straw and hay mulches, it contains no foreign seed, and it transmits more light than they do. Cheesecloth protects the grass seed from birds, it looks neat while the seed is germinating, and the new grass grows through it readily. I peg the edges of the cheesecloth with 2-inch-long pieces of pencil-thick bamboo, and I don’t have to take up the cloth or the pegs at the end of the season—they both rot away.
Tom Vasale, Charleston, WV
From Fine Gardening 3, pp. 6

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

A grass-seed shaker

A grass-seed shaker

I often sow grass seeds, but not in enough quantity to warrant the purchase of a lawn spreader. And casting the seeds by hand often results in uneven coverage. No matter how hard I try to let the grains sift slowly through my fingers, they always seem to land in piles.
My solution is to convert a tin can into an oversize saltshaker. I punch holes in the bottom of the can with an ice pick or a hammer and nail. Then I fill the can with seeds and shake it over the area I’m seeding. If the holes aren’t big enough, I enlarge them slightly with a screwdriver and then try the shaker again. I repeat the process until I get the desired flow rate. With holes the appropriate size and using an oscillating wrist motion, I can get seeds to fall evenly from the can.
Jerome Knapp, Minooka, IL
From Fine Gardening 27, pp. 8

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

An efficient way to pick up leaves

An efficient way to pick up leaves

Picking up fallen leaves with your hands quickly becomes tedious and tiring. To increase your haul, try using two garbage-can lids held as you would a pair of cymbals. With a little practice, you’ll soon be able to pick up a bushel of leaves every time. If you have back trouble, you might try using a pair of tennis rackets in the same way.
Robert E. Semrad, Hales Corners, WI
From Fine Gardening 34, pp. 10

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

A touch of grass brightens winter

A touch of grass brightens winter

In mid to late winter when the ground is still snow covered, I become desperate for some green. So for the past few years, I’ve kept a shallow, decorative dish planted with grass seed on my kitchen windowsill. I enjoy charting its progress on bleak winter days. The grass can be trimmed with scissors as it grows. Come spring, I plant the turf outside to fill in bare spots in my lawn.
Rebecca Rose, Maplewood, NJ
From Fine Gardening 60, pp. 10

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Autumn Turf Tips

Autumn Turf Tips

Pamper your lawn in fall to promote a lush green carpet in spring

by John C. Fech

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Say Good-bye to Weed Worries

Say Good-bye to Weed Worries

Recognize your tolerance level, then decide what controls to use

by William Quarles

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

An efficient way to pick up leaves

An efficient way to pick up leaves

Picking up fallen leaves with your hands quickly becomes tedious and tiring. To increase your haul, try using two garbage-can lids held as you would a pair of cymbals. With a little practice, you’ll soon be able to pick up a bushel of leaves every time. If you have back trouble, you might try using a pair of tennis rackets in the same way.
Robert E. Semrad, Hales Corners, WI
From Fine Gardening 34, pp. 10

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

A touch of grass brightens winter

A touch of grass brightens winter

In mid to late winter when the ground is still snow covered, I become desperate for some green. So for the past few years, I’ve kept a shallow, decorative dish planted with grass seed on my kitchen windowsill. I enjoy charting its progress on bleak winter days. The grass can be trimmed with scissors as it grows. Come spring, I plant the turf outside to fill in bare spots in my lawn.
Rebecca Rose, Maplewood, NJ
From Fine Gardening 60, pp. 10

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Star of Bethlehem is a weed

Star of Bethlehem is a weed

Q: Please tell me how to rid my lawn of star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum). It’s the worst garden pest I’ve ever encountered.
Marilynne VenJohn, Dodge City, KS

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Seed versus sod

Seed versus sod

Q: Is it better to use grass seed or sod when installing a new lawn? When is the best time of year to install it?
Jeff Wiehe, Meridian, ID

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Grass seed buyers beware

Grass seed buyers beware

Q: The label on my bag of grass seed lists inert matter, other crop seed, and weed seed as minor ingredients. What is inert matter and why are other crop and weed seeds included in the mix?
David Balaban, Chardon, OH

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Lawn Talk: Springtime blotchiness may be a symptom of fungal disease

Lawn Talk: Springtime blotchiness may be a symptom of fungal disease

by John C. Fech

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Vinegar-Based and Citrus-Based Weed Killers

Vinegar-Based and Citrus-Based Weed Killers

Learn how they work, and how to use them effectively

by Ann Lovejoy

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.

Perfect Edges

Perfect Edges

Follow these four steps to keep lawns and beds looking neat

by Ray Baker

fine Gardening is but one of the published magazines of The Taunton Press. Their web site is a wealth of information. The topic of this post is derived from pages at the web site. We do not post the whole articles here. Highlights with selected pictures may be cited and commented on.

The hyperlink for the article can be found here! The fine Gardening web site is found at: http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/

The information published by The Taunton Press has copyright requirements. They are very generous in allowing reference by way of creating a Web link. There is much information, and we will attempt to focus on that which relates to our northern hardiness zones.