It may have felt a little more like summer this week, and hopefully your lawn & garden are hitting their summer stride as well- because ready or not, it’s officially here! The June or summer solstice, marking the first day of the season is Saturday, June 20, 2020. In the southern hemisphere, the June solstice […]
What to do with late season frost damage
It’s *almost* hard to believe we’re still contending with frost warnings around and AFTER Mother’s Day, but then we remember: we’re in Cincinnati, it’s 2020, we’re in the middle of a global pandemic, and just about anything seems possible. It does seem like we’re in the last week of the danger weather for tender new […]
Veggie & Herb plants, soil temperatures & a little patience
Given the uncertainty we are facing at the moment, it’s a normal reaction to want plan for the future and to become more sustainable- i.e., plant & grow your own food. Also, some of us have a great deal more time at home and in our yards, and rather than sit and be idle, we […]
Zoo’s Best Plants for Pollinators!
After more than 25 years of trialing plants, The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden knows which plants grow and look best in our region. By focusing that list to the plants that benefit pollinators the most, they have created the Zoo’s Best Plants for Pollinators Plant Series. They are calling these the “Zoo’s Best” Plants. Working with […]
Spring Time Pruning
How and When to Prune Which Plants BY MARIE IANNOTTI Updated 11/27/17 Chris Clinton/Digital Vision/Getty Images Most plants benefit from some sort of regular pruning and maintenance. It keeps them healthy and encourages fresh, new growth. The trick is in knowing when to prune what. A great many flowering and fruiting plants prefer to be pruned while […]
Why do we decorate with holly at Christmas?
Why do we decorate with holly at Christmas? BY SAM ABRAMSON Before holly was hung in houses to accompany Christmas trees, it was considered to be a sacred plant by the Druids. While other plants wilted in winter weather, holly remained green and strong, its berries a brightly colored red in the harshest of conditions. The […]
Why do we eat turkey at Thanksgiving?
Why do we eat turkey at Thanksgiving? When Americans sit down with their families for Thanksgiving dinner, most of us will probably gorge ourselves on the same traditional Thanksgiving menu, with turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and pumpkin pie taking up the most real estate on our plates. But how did these dishes become the national […]
It’s cold outside, but now is the time to start thinking about getting your favorite vegetable, herb or flower seeds started
While the temperature this weekend is supposed to be cold, what a better way to ward off the winter blues than by starting to plant some spring time green. Yes, now is the time to start thinking about planting some of your favorite vegetables, herbs and flowers from seed. Its also a great indoor project that […]
Gardening Tips – Mr. Burger, I See Little Red Spiders On My Plants. Are they Harmful?
First of all you need to figure out if the “little red spiders” are clover mites or red spider mites. Clover mites are relatively harmless while red spider mites are a garden pest that you will need to control. Clover Mites In late spring to early summer you tend to see the “little red spiders” […]
Gardening Tips – Mr. Burger, I Think My Crape Myrtle Is Dead; How Can I Tell for Sure?
Patience, patience, patience! Crape Myrtles typically are very slow to show signs of being alive and showing new growth in the spring. While Crape Myrtles are hardy for our area; it’s not uncommon for prior year’s growth to be “dead as a doornail” after a hard winter. Last Year’s Growth May Be Gone But Your […]