It pains me to see customers spending hundreds of dollars on new plants and simultaneously refusing to spend a few more on a bag or two of compost and a box of starter fertilizer. These two items are not unnecessary “add-ons” that the retailer is just trying to add to the sale, they are critical components of a successful transplanting process - or as I like to refer to them as “plant insurance”. Unless you have phenomenal soil, you should always add compost and starter fertilizers when you are planting new plants. Here is why…
If your garden is anything like mine, then you are probably busy watering, staking, checking for bugs and diseases, harvesting veggies and fruits and bouquets of flowers, and planting - at least those are the things that we all should be doing in August if we want to call ourselves gardeners. I don’t think anyone ever manages to accomplish all the gardening chores they set out to do, but we should at least give it the old college try. Just for fun, here are some of the things I have been doing in my garden…
Ornamental grasses are an interesting class of perennials. They have some unique qualities that make them an essential part of my borders, as they should yours. Unfortunately, many gardeners still see them as weeds that either need to be sprayed with Roundup or trimmed with the Weed-Eater. This column will hopefully find some converts…
The Golfing Gardener
Trevor Cameron
As you read the title above, I am curious what comes to your mind. Could it be Irish or Scotch Moss? Maybe haggis or scotch eggs versus corned beef or colcannon (a funky Irish cabbage dish)? Did you think of Jameson, Bushmills or Tulamore Dew Irish Whiskey? Or is it a bit peatier Glenmorangie, Johnny Walker, or Macallan Scotch Whiskey you prefer? Guinness or a true Scottish Ale? Perhaps this article will…