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May 9, 2008

Archived Features

Spring ideas
Working garden soil and leaving top-layer weed seeds to germinate is the easiest way to lower labor. Over 80 percent of weed seed will germinate in eight to 10 days. Retill. Do it one more time if you can, and you'll be practically weed-free for the season, or first planting in warmer zones. Most amateur gardeners tend to rush plantings. Controlling weeds and assuring proper soil tilth and fertility will create more produce than early planting. Thermal units add up fast as the season goes on, with later plantings maturing within a couple of days of earlier plantings.

Are you ready to compost?
USDA horticulturists offer some good getting-started advice for converting your yard and certain household wastes into treasures all summer long. So, no excuses, now ... LET'S COMPOST!

Container gardening**
Container gardening is becoming so popular that horticulturists are busy breeding new varieties that do well in small spaces. And even if you have a large garden in back of the house, it's fun to fill the patio or front porch with colorful flowers and vegetables. Click on these Web sites to learn how to add accents of live plants to your home's outdoor decor.

Gone to Pot

Small Space and Container Gardening

Container Gardening Indoors

Vegetable Gardening in Containers

Thirty tips for June
The gardening season is really heating up, and with it the demands from your garden and lawn plants. The nice days of spring are running into the heat, insects and diseases of summer. But let that get you down? Not for a minute of your outdoor activity, we hope. And to help you stay ahead of the elements, your GardenPride editors have searched the best sources and compiled this list of 30 garden tips for June. That's one for each day, but not necessarily in any order of need or importance. Hope they're useful.

Live trapping backyard pests
Tired of raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels, starlings or other critters raiding your bird feeders or stealing garden produce? Live trapping is a humane way to catch and remove them. Here are some tips for locating and using the traps. (Good advice: seek professional help if you're thinking of trapping skunks!)

Do-it-yourself landscaping
Follow along as a GardenPridestaff member takes you on a gardening journey. The yard has become a haven for butterflies and bees as the flowers and setting fruits of vegetables take over the newly dug beds. An ambitious, do-it-yourself project has turned the yard into a garden that brings back childhood memories and a summer of color. It also brought sore muscles and a healthy share of crabgrass! Stay with this project as it brings joy in success and humility with mistakes.

Hort students design neat Web sites
Ohio State University horticultural students had the opportunity last term to study ways to utilize and develop computer applications to help them in their careers. Part of the study involved designing their own Web sites. We're the lucky recipients of this exercise as you'll see when you click on these three selections that we particularly like.

GardenPride tips for July
We've pledged to be your best source of practical gardening advice and in that spirit we're continuing our "tip-a-day" feature. Get ready for July and the beginning of summer harvest for many eager gardeners. But its still a time for planting - of fall-harvested crops - and a busy time for maintaining the health and productivity of vegetables, lawns, flowers, fruit trees and ornamentals.

Backyard birding
Backyard birding goes right along with landscaping and gardening fun and enjoyment. Check out these sites for helpful tips on backyard landscaping, plus instructions for building bird houses and other structures that will help you encourage a wide array of feathered friends to make stops at your home.

Still time to plant
Hey, take a tip, and replant now for your second harvest. You will have plenty of time for some good short-season crops, including corn, beans, various bush plants, some tubers and other good things. Consult a guide for water and shade netting needs on second crops. Be bold. Take a chance and try some things for fun and good food.

Tomatoes!
They've been called the "fruit of love," and we sure do love to eat 'em, especially picked fresh and sliced immediately for the table. But like our GardenPride reporters, you probably wait and wait for that first ripe, juicy delight and then find that your tomato crop just doesn't seem to stop! Solution: turn those extras into a multitude of delicious, healthful foods – everything from spaghetti sauce and cocktail juice to frozen pizza.

We've searched the Web for a wide array of fun, including some hard-to-find, tomato recipes so you can plan ahead. Get that printer turned on and ready to go!

Save your own seeds?
Why not?
Many gardeners have learned another fun aspect of their hobby: save your own seeds! What could be more exciting than producing a strain of a vegetable or flower variety best suited for your own garden? But, first, take time to learn all about it. Start with these basic tips.

GardenPride tips for August
It's been a busy, therapeutic gardening season, but for a lot of us fall is only a month or two away. Still a lot to do, however, including harvesting, storage, preparations for fall bulb planting, fertilization and many other tasks. Check out our August tips column for ideas to make harvest more successful and for reminders of things to do this month to make your next season even better.

GardenPride tips for September
Cooler days, changing leaves and fall colors may be just around the corner but don't forget about maintaining your lawn and garden. There is still plenty to accomplish in September and GardenPride is there to help. Check out our September tips column to help ensure a beautiful beginning to fall.

Winterize your lawn and garden
With cold winds blowing and tree branches bare, it's time to prepare your outdoor garden for winter and nurture indoor plants.

Festive holiday plants
Learn all about festive holiday plants that you can decorate your home with. The usual decorations need not be in green and red, the typical Christmas colors. This week, read on to learn about the Amaryllis plant.

December gardening activities
Now that the outdoor garden is tucked in, check out some ideas for other easy gardening activities!

Holiday plant of the week
The Kalanchoe is our plant of the week. Learn how to take care of the beautiful plant for the holidays.

Garden Pride tips for January
With the outdoor garden snuggled under the blanket of snow, tend to your houseplants and create your own greenhouse for the winter.

Sweet peas in February
Start now on a fragrant addition to your spring garden!

Spring into March at big garden show
This year's Home and Garden Show was held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Twelve gardens were on display for thousands of people to see. With the beautiful weather outside and flowers blooming at the exhibits, many were ready and cheered up to welcome spring.

Celebrate spring at HerbFest!
Fredericksburg Herb Farm's sixth annual HerbFest April 14 to 16, 2000, at Fredericksburg, TX, celebrates spring with hundreds of herbs to make your life easier, happier and healthier. For the past 15 years, the farm has led the way in the best and newest uses of herbs for the garden, kitchen, home, bath and medicine chest. HerbFest also will feature speakers on wine and herbs, seminars on natural remedies and honeybees, family recipes and musical entertainment. For more information, visit the Fredericksburg Herb Farm Web site.

Ideas for a summer garden
Summer has arrived, and here are tips on how to have a beautiful garden this season.

Tree wrapping
Learn the proper way to wrap tree trunks.

Vegetable gardening
Learn how to combat those pesky vegetable diseases and save your crops from future pests. RFind ideas here on how to control them.

Garden tips
Learn to use the soil and weather where you are to your advantage by knowing your USDA plant hardiness zone.

Divine dazzling dahlias
Add some shine to your summer garden by planting dahlias.

Tips for June
Summer has arrived, and here are tips as to what you can grow and should do in your garden this month.

Recent horticulture studies
Results and recommendations of recent studies from horticultural schools around the country and the world.

Hanging flower baskets
Add color to your fence or patio walls. While hanging flower baskets might be a quick decorating fix, they need as much maintenance as any garden.

Tips for July
At the height of summer water needs of plants need to be carefully considered. Here's how to keep your plants well-watered for optimum growth.

Glorious peonies
Peonies are a highly prized and popular perennial and are widely grown in flower gardens. Their popularity can no doubt be partially attributed to the fact that they enjoy one of the longest life spans among perennials. They are also very hardy, thrive in most soils with minimal amendment, and are not demanding.

It is said that the peony (Paeonia) was named after the Greek doctor of gods, Paeon, since it was believed to possess healing qualities.

Some engaging meanings of "Peony" when used as a first name include compassion, love and good fortune, bashfulness and happy marriage.

Find out why the peony remains a favorite among gardeners.

Dealing with flood
To harvest or not to harvest. Even when it's receded, a flood leaves problems, often of a sanitary nature. Here's some important advice.

Tips for August
Make best use of rhubarb and carrots while summer is still here. Then also, find some tips on how to remove berry stains.

Harvesttime
What it takes to put delicious apples and pears on your family table.

Monthly to-dos
A short list and some last minute tips that can help you prepare your lawn and garden for winter.

Fall rose care
Get your roses ready for winter.

Know your hardiness zones
Knowing north from south may not be as important as knowing hardiness zones. Most people are surprised to see how hardiness zones twist and change in many areas. Often a more northern location does not require hardier varieties than a southern one. Keep in mind that these maps are drawn from long-term data, and short-term changes don't really affect them.

Asian beetle - friend or foe?
Homeowners all across the country may sometimes experience problems with the mostly harmless, but sometimes pesky Asian lady beetle. The multicolored beetle is similar to other familiar lady beetles or "lady bugs" commonly found throughout the United States. Like the familiar beetles, the Asian lady beetle feeds on insect pests in and forests, but may also occur on row crops and in gardens.

Illinois moves to preserve rare flora
The state of Illinois acquires land that contains as many as 19 rare plant and animal species. An ecosystem will be preserved for future generations.

Click on Veggie MD
Cornell goes on-line with a site that helps gardeners indentify and treat diseases affecting their plants.

Heirloom seeds are available
One of the most exciting trends in gardening today is the sustained interest in heirloom or antique varieties of vegetables and flowers. This new 2001 catalog offers a selection of some of the best varieties ever grown in America.

Time to get out those seed catalogs
Click onto our GardenPride shopping site for a list of some of the most popular seed and plant sources.

GardenPride Shopping

Give flower beds a step up
Building a raised flower bed means not settling for unsuitable soil.

Daydreaming about groundskeeping
Most men would like to try manicuring the lawns at the White House, Pebble Beach golf course or Graceland, according to the to the first-ever Murray Mowing Survey. Women, however, generally would like someone to mow their lawns for them, preferably Tom Cruise or Mel Gibson.

Compost coffee grounds
"Coffee grounds are rich in nutrients and beneficial for any backyard compost effort," says Ginny Black, communications chairperson of the United States Composting Council.

Sunscreen for fruits and vegetables
A mineral-based crop protectant used by conventional and organic farmers to shield crops from insects and "sunburn" is now available to home gardeners.

ER for early bloomers
Bearded irises are among the earliest-blooming perennials. And when there's still the possibility of freeze damage, they may need some extra tender loving care. Find out more.

Check dogwoods for anthracnose
Homeowners occasionally check their dogwood trees for signs of infection and have a trained eye look at trees or leaves that show signs of infection such as spots, blotches or blight.

Let ducks dabble
Dabbling ducks, like mallards float on shallow water and then pivot headfirst with tails skyward to feed underwater. They inhabit fresh and brackish ponds, marshes and streams. Small backyard ponds can provide habitat for these birds and other wildlife.

Beating tomato blights
Dreaming of a BLT made with vine-ripened tomatoes from your garden? Or how about colorful cherry tomatoes garnishing your summer salads? The key is controlling fungal blights.

Fertilize peonies after bloom
Both tree peonies and herbaceous peonies should be fertilized after they finish blooming and steps taken toward disease prevention and cure.

Try the Texas Two-Step with ants
There's a quick, cheap way to rid ornamental turfgrass areas around your home of biting, stinging red fire ants, says Dr. Bart Drees, coordinator of the Texas Fire Ant Research and Management Project. But you may want to think twice, because these insects can be beneficial.

Lily-leaf beetle found in New York
The lily-leaf beetle, an invasive species that dines on and destroys ornamental lily plants, has been found in New York state. This is another advance in the southward march of a Eurasian pest that is already a problem in three eastern Canadian provinces and the New England states - and seems capable of spreading throughout North America if no effective methods of control are found.

Imported maples harbor beetles
Three specimens of the highly destructive citrus longhorn beetle were found at a Tukwila, WA, nursery. Entomologists from the state's Department of Agriculture are searching for evidence of more of the pests, closely related to the Asian longhorn beetle. Despite its name, citrus longhorned beetles attack a wide range of living hardwood trees and a few conifers. They are fond of maple, alder and poplar trees. Forests and landscapes could be devastated if the pest establishes itself in the United States.

Daylily rust moves west
Daylily rust, a disease that can ruin the looks of the popular bloom, has been found as far west as California after spreading rapidly across the southeastern and central United States. Until recently, the disease was seen only in Asia, where the daylily is indigenous. An infected batch of daylilies is believed to have come from Central America to a nursery in Georgia in 2000.

Stately oak trees dying
Thousands of beautiful, stately oak trees in California have died, or are dying, from a new disease never seen before in the United States. What's more, the disease, now called Sudden Oak Death, appears to infect more than just oak trees. Other plants, like rhododendrons, may be affected as well.

An oasis of beauty and peace
Japanese gardens for centuries have been quiet places for contemplation and renewal of the spirit. Their beauty is a blend of water, rock and plant textures - which may be found as far from Tokyo as Bloomington, MN.

Shantung maple shines in Texas
After nearly 12 years of statewide testing, Texas A&M University has rated the shantung maple tree a Texas Superstar plant. These plants are recommended by Texas horticulturalists as hardy, heat-tolerant, disease- and insect-resistant, and provide beauty with minimal care and minimal reliance on chemical pest control. Reminiscent of Japanese maple but with much greater toughness, the shantung maple (Acer truncatum) has a spreading canopy with foliage that turns red to red-orange in late fall. It tolerates heat, cold, drought and alkaline soils and makes a wonderful shade tree for smaller yards.

Orthene passes EPA review
The widely used house and garden insecticide, Orthene, has emerged from close scrutiny with only minor restrictions to its current label. After an intensive review of acephate, the active ingredient in Orthene, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Valent Corporation, the basic manufacturer of acephate, has agreed to eliminate all professional applications inside residential buildings, including homes and apartments. In addition, some lawn uses by unlicensed consumers will be eliminated. According to a Valent spokesperson, Orthene will remain available for homeowner and professional use as a spot or mound treatment to residential turf for fire ant control.

Seed lawn in winter
"For a beautiful dense stand of grass next spring, consider seeding in winter months," says agronomist Bruce Williams. Tall fescue, ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass can all be seeded throughout the winter with good results.

Put planters to use indoors
Now that colder weather is setting in, do you need to store the planters on your deck or patio out of sight? "The answer is no," says Joseph Cilio of Campania International, Inc., distributors of fine garden accessories. "Clean them out and bring them indoors to use as accent pieces during the holidays and winter months."

Repot African violets right
If your African violets are looking a little peaked or the water runs right through your rubber plant, it's probably time to repot. "But don't repot with garden dirt," warns Charlotte Kidd, owner of In The Garden Design, Care, and Workshops in Philadelphia, PA.

How to arrange roses
A recent survey by the Gallup Organization revealed that more than 19 million American households have rosebushes in their gardens. While roses are beautiful on the bush, they're even more gorgeous in your home. Here are some ideas for displaying fresh cut roses from the California Cut Flower Commission.

State confident of beetle control
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has started to inspect trees in Tukwila for signs of citrus longhorned beetle activity. The inspections started near the site where three beetles were captured last August and entomologists found evidence that five other beetles escaped. A serious pest in Asia, the citrus longhorned beetle attacks 40 different species of trees. The citrus longhorned beetle was detected very early in Tukwila, compared to the five or six years that entomologists believe the Asian longhorned beetle was present before it was detected in New York City and Chicago. Consequently, Washington officials are optimistic that they can eradicate the beetle in Tukwila without the massive loss of trees and other costs experienced by those cities.

Count birds in your backyard
Wild Birds Unlimited will once again be a major sponsor of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and National Audubon Society’s Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) taking place February 15 to 18, 2002.

Get Tomato Festival tickets now
Every September, the Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival just north of Santa Rosa, CA, gives both city folk and country folk a shot at homegrown tomatoes and a whole lot more. The Festival features not only a wild range of tomatoes in every color, shape and flavor, but swing dancing, an art show, wine-tasting and a selection of gourmet foods. This year, the sixth annual celebration takes place on the lush grounds of the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center in Santa Rosa on September 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Landscaping for energy conservation
It is time to start planning your landscapes now before the planting season is in full swing. When planning your landscape, keep in mind that strategically planting trees and shrubs near buildings may be the best long-term investment for reducing home heating and cooling costs. The small initial cost of planting trees and shrubs provides a long-term investment that will continually reduce energy and fuel consumption. In addition, a well-designed landscape can add 7 percent to 15 percent to the resale value of your home. Visit Iowa State University and read the entire yard and garden column on landscaping for energy conservation.

Plan now for spring gardening
A well-planned garden is easier to care for. It saves time in the garden and is more productive than an unplanned garden. Start planning your garden well in advance so you will be ready to get to work when planting time arrives. If the soil was not plowed or tilled in the fall, that must be done early in the spring. Fertilizer probably will be needed. Get more information at the University of Illinois Extension Service Taste of Gardening web site.

British garden blooms in California
California wine country will bloom a little brighter this spring with the debut of a perennial garden by famed English horticulturist Adrian Bloom, one of the world's leading authorities on perennials.

Bloom designed and installed the garden in late February the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center.

Invasive plants in your yard
At first glance they may look pretty, but invasive plants can pose a serious threat in your own backyard. Once used widely in gardening, landscaping and erosion control, invasive plants can be found in yards and along roadsides across the country. Free from natural restraints, these invaders establish themselves and eventually supplant native species.

Visit The Nature Conservancy to learn what you can do to fight invasive plants and preserve the species native to your region.

Make seeds come to life
Seeds are the beginning and the end — miniscule miracles that contain all that's needed to produce a sunflower, cabbage, or great oak.

Watching these seemingly lifeless objects burst forth with growth is enough to capture the imaginations of most kids, but there are lots of ways to explore the wonder of seeds in addition to planting them.

At the National Gardening Association kidsgardening.com site, you'll find ideas for ways to make seeds come to life for your kids.

Test soil for quality
A good lawn and garden begins with good soil. How much do you know about the quality of the soil in your yard or garden? A soil test allows you to tailor your plant selection, or to make any necessary changes to your soil so the plants you're trying to grow can do their best.

For all the "dirt" on soil testing, visit Lowe's Home Improvement.

Starting healthy tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow from seed. However, unless you live in the tropics, your summers are probably too short to direct seed these heat loving plants.

Starting tomato seeds indoors gives them a jump on the season, especially with late maturing varieties. Start seed 6-8 weeks before your last frost. Visit www.yougrowgirl.com for more tips on starting healthy tomatoes.

Tree planting 101
This University of Minnesota Extension Service and Forest Resources Extension site takes you through a step-by-step guide to correct tree and shrub planting.

The steps include picking stock, transporting the stock, planting techniques, pruning, fertilizing and short- and long-term care.

Visit Tree Planting 101 for more information and the step-by-step guide.

Get growing with vegetables
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Web site features a complete guide to growing, storing and preparing all types of vegetables. With a little planning this spring, your family could enjoy the homegrown goodness of garden-fresh vegetables from early summer to fall.

Visit Watch Your Garden Grow for more information.

Ladies, gentlemen: Prepare to mow!
Since your mower works under a lot of heat and stress, it needs to be kept in top condition. Visit Lowe’s Home Improvement for step-by-step instructions on preparing your lawn mower for the busy summer season.

If your lawn seems like a bit too much for a pushmower (or if you're just tired of pushing), it's time to consider a lawn or garden tractor. Visit Lowe’s Home Improvement for tips on selecting the right lawn or garden tractor for your lawn size and equipment needs.

Garden Classroom
There are few things children enjoy more than digging in the dirt and making mudpies. They are fascinated by looking for worms and bugs and love to water the garden and anything else in the near vicinity. Children also enjoy planting seeds, watching them grow and harvesting what they have grown.

By cultivating their curiosity about these things, you can help them to develop a love of nature and gardening. Visit Colorado State University for more tips on getting your children or grandchildren into the garden.

Paint your garden with lettuce
Sweet, crisp, homegrown lettuce-it's not just the basis for delicious salads. Mixing varieties with different colors and textures allows you to create living paintings to dress your veggie garden.

Lettuce is the vegetable of the month at www.garden.org.

Savoring spinach
The very best spinach comes from your own garden, where you can harvest the leaves at their prime. You can grow a variety of spinach types to fit your cooking needs. Spinach cultivars are divided into three groups by leaf type: savoy (wrinkled leaf), semi-savoy and smooth.

Selecting the right type of spinach for a recipe is as important as knowing the difference between baking and boiling potatoes. For more information, visit garden.org.

National Arbor Day is April 26
Arbor Day Weekend, April 26-28, 2002, marks the 130th anniversary of the tree planters' holiday. April 27 is also the centennial of the death of Arbor Day founder J. Sterling Morton. Since his death a century ago, Arbor Day has come to be celebrated in all 50 American states and in many countries around the world.

This year, be a part of history - plant a tree, or join in your town's Arbor Day festivities. For more information, visit the National Arbor Day Foundation.

Stars, stripes bloom
Conjuring up patriotic sentiments from passers-by, a brilliantly hued American flag waves in the wind. Red, white and blue-violet flowers strategically planted on a 300 by 170 foot hillside pay tribute to the United States.

This artful display was created using colorful flowers from The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. During the spring, over 150,000 visitors enjoy the springtime bloom of 50-plus acres of world renowned Giant Tecolote Ranunculus.

Doubling as a robust working ranch and tourist attraction in Southern California, The Flower Fields shows off America's natural beauty. For more information, visit The Flower Fields.

Invite some shady characters
If your landscape isn't blessed with ample sunshine, don't despair. Well-chosen plants that thrive in shade can transform your yard into a relaxing green oasis. And, since a shade garden requires less maintenance than a sunny one, you'll have more time to enjoy it!

Tips for shade garden options and choices at Lowe’s Home Improvement.

Beets are buried treasures
Have you found any buried treasure in your garden lately? Tiny colorful gems can be yours for the taking when you grow beets (Beta vulgaris).

They come in a glistening array of colors, from garnet red to red-and-white striped to deep gold to creamy white, but the real hidden treasure is that the entire beet, from its robust and flavorful root to its buttery green top, is sweet and delicious.

Learn more at garden.org.

Get the right garden tools
Garden catalogs and stores are full of gardening tools, many highly specialized; some are very useful, others are nice but not necessary, and some are gimmicks.

The gardening equipment you need depends on the size of your garden, your age and strength, and whether you want to get the job done in a hurry or prefer to take your time.

More information is available at Virginia Tech Extension.

Brewing compost tea
Gardeners all know compost is terrific stuff. But there's something even better than plain old compost, and that's compost tea.

As the name implies, compost tea is made by steeping compost in water. It's used as either a foliar spray or a soil drench, depending on where your plant has problems. Get more information at Kitchen Gardener Magazine.

Waging a weed war
The battle lines are drawn, and it doesn't look good. Your favorite cosmos are surrounded by an angry troop of chickweed that keeps getting reinforcements. Your corn is short and malnourished, unable to defend itself against an invasion of velvetleaf. Your pretty garden path is being infiltrated through every crevice by knotweed. And you can't even bear to look at your once-lush fescue lawn, which is being ravaged by a regiment of crabgrass.

All gardeners know what it's like to have their yards invaded by unwelcome plants. Although there's no easy way to banish weeds, visit MSN's Home Advisor for a few techniques you can use to reclaim your turf.

Fence out pests
Fencing is the only surefire way to keep wild and domestic animals out of a prized garden over the long term. Although it can be expensive for large animals such as deer, it may be the only way to protect your yard from costly damage.

Fences work best when the animal doesn't know what it's protecting. A hungry animal that knows food is available will try harder to get through any fence. Solid fences provide a visual block so they don’t know what they're missing.

Read more about fencing options at garden.org.

Tomato tips
The tomato is the most popular garden vegetable planting in American gardens.

Organicgardening.com has put together a list of smart suggestions on getting your plants off to a healthy start this summer.

Cocoa-bean mulch and dogs
Humans love chocolate. In fact, some people love it so much they have it in their landscapes--as mulch, that is. Over the past few years, the use of cocoa-bean mulches has become more popular. They not only prevents weeds, they also looks attractive and smell wonderful. However, dogs are also attracted to this sweet, chocolatey smell, and that can be dangerous for your pooch.

Read more from the University of Illinois Extension’s Home, Yard and Garden Pest Newsletter.

Celebrate the year of the rose
The Year of the Rose - 2002 is a world-wide, year long, grassroots event designed to promote the rose as a universal symbol of love, friendship, beauty and peace; a flower of unsurpassed importance in art, history, literature and music. It is the world's favorite flower, one that has provided inspiration to mankind since the beginning of time.

Learn more at the American Rose Society.

'Berry' good summer fruit
Strawberries - red, ripe, luscious! Many of us enjoy eating berries frequently during the height of the season.

You can buy them at the grocer's or at a roadside stand, but many people enjoy picking their own strawberries at a Pick-Your-Own farm. At these farms you can enjoy the fresh vine-ripe quality and the opportunity to select your own fruit. You can also enjoy the ride in the country and the friendly atmosphere at the farm.

Read more tips for picking strawberries, plus plant care tips and delicious recipes, from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Extension Service.

All about houseplants
With frost around the corner you will be bringing in some of your favorite plants. It isn't necessary to turn your house into a tropical jungle to get the most from houseplants. In fact, just a few well-placed, well-grown houseplants can contribute a lived-in coziness to any room, whether it's filled with Victorian clutter or spare streamlined furnishings.

Read more at gardenguides.com.

Home lawn watering guide
As much as 80 percent of the water used around the home during summer is for outside uses. Watering the lawn is the main outside water use. During dry summers, local water authorities may cut off water for outside use or only allow watering on certain days. To avoid severe loss of turf and to conserve water, homeowners should manage their lawns each year in anticipation of water restrictions.

This guide, the University of Missouri Department of Horticulture, offers cultural practices that will reduce the need for irrigation while improving the competitiveness and appearance of your lawn.

Plan and plant now for fall vegetable garden
Fall is an excellent time to grow many vegetable crops, when the gardener can take advantage of cooler temperatures and more plentiful moisture. Many spring-planted crops, such as radishes, lettuce and spinach, tend to bolt (produce seed) and become bitter in response to long, hot summer days.

Fall gardening helps extend your gardening season so that you can continue to harvest produce after earlier crops have faded. Read more about fall vegetable gardens from Purdue University Consumer Horticulture.

Drought strategies for gardeners
Drought and hot, dry weather can have an adverse effect on garden and ornamental plants. When you find yourself in the middle of a drought, the West Virginia University Extension Service offers these strategies to save or salvage home gardens and landscapes.

How to dry herbs
Whether you harvest your herbs from your garden or the vegetable vendor, drying some for future use is always a good idea.

Learn how to dry herbs, plus get storage pointers and usage ideas, at www.herbreference.com.

Brush up on canning skills
Get ready for one of the few simple pleasures in life. Home canning. It's the perfect way to share your favorite tastes with family and loved ones. From a sassy salsa to award-winning chili, not to forget irresistible fruit jams, jellies, and whatnots.

Read more and brush up on your canning skills at www.homecanning.com.

Ten tips for gardening in a drought
Read 10 tips for gardening in a drought at www.about.com's About Gardening Web site. Tips include saving "wasted" water or collecting water from your air conditioner. Another good idea is colllecting rainwater whenever it is possible.

Trumpet vine blooms all summer
Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is a true North American plant. Native to the Southeast, it grows in most areas of the continent and is able to take the cold and the heat in stride. But it's northern gardeners like me that appreciate it most: Few hardy vines can offer an equal amount of color and vigor.

Many garden plants are described as blooming all summer long, but trumpet vine is one of the few to actually live up to this description. Read more at www.garden.org.

Keep on weeding, watering
Weeding and watering will benefit your garden throughout the growing season. August is not the time to give up on these activities, says horticulturist Deb Brown of the University of Minnesota Extension Service.

"Keeping after garden weeds is as important in August as it was earlier in the summer," says Brown. "Weeds compete with desired plants for moisture and nutrients."

Read more from the University of Minnesota Extension Service.

Save your garden's bounty
One way to enjoy the coming winter is to preserve the summer's bounty of vegetables. Here are some simple guidelines, from www.gardenguides.com for freezing a variety of vegetables commonly grown in home gardens.

Renovate drought-damaged lawns this fall
Fertilizing during fall's cooler temperatures stimulates root growth and encourages rapid carbohydrate production, said Anne Streich, horticulturist in NU's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. It also increases shoot density, improves turf color and thickens lawns to reduce weed encroachment. Read more at the Unversity of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Rings of wonder
How and why are rings of mushrooms suddenly appearing in lawns, fields or pastures? Some of them are the size of dinner plates! Could it be magic or fairies?

Read more about mushroom rings and why they appear in late summer and fall at Iowa State University's Extension Yard and Garden Column.

Choose drought-tolerant plants
No plant can survive without water. However there are some that are a little more resilient than others. If water availability is a concern, take a look at some of these suggestions from Lowe's. In addition to annuals and perennials for garden color, a few vines, ornamental grasses and ground covers are listed as well.

Make old beds new again
Bed renewal is the best cure for tired garden areas. It lets us give the garden a facelift and breathe new energy into the garden. The garden becomes rejuvenated, almost as though it went away for a vacation. Read more about renewing your perennial borders from Harriet McMillan of the Denver Botanic Gardens at www.womenof.com

Great garden without the work
You don't have to toil in the hot sun while gardening if you plant a shade garden. Carol Wallace, garden writer and columnist for the www.gardenguides.com Web site, offers insights on planning and planting a "nearly-no-work" shade garden.

Her plan includes hostas, bleeding heart plants, helloborus and ostrich ferns. Read more at www.gardenguides.com.

What's your composting personality?
Take the quiz at the National Gardening Association and become a better composter.

Naked ladies in your garden
Everyone wants to have something eye-catching in his or her garden. By adding a few unusual plants or bulbs to the garden, you can accomplish this task without the risk of arrest. Bulbs are inexpensive and easy to grow.

September is a great time to consider which bulbs you want to purchase, plant and see blooming in the garden next year. Read more at Iowa State University Extension.

Xeric gardens withstand weather
Xeriscaped gardens, in which native and adaptive vegetation is planted for ease of care and water savings, also withstand extreme weather because of the use of raised planting beds. The gardens of the Shultze House, a quaint Victorian cottage on the grounds of Hemisfair Plaza in downtown San Antonio, proved that point during San Antonio's floods in early July 2002 with the raised beds readily surviving the 30 inches of rain with minimal damage.

Roses honor Reagans
Jackson & Perkins has introduced two roses in honor of President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan. The roses will be available through the Jackson & Perkins catalog and Web site beginning this fall for $24.95 each or three of one rose for $59.95.

Gift ideas for the gardener
Gardeners love to get anything for the garden at any time of the year. So if you are stumped for that ideal holiday gift, look no further than some great tools to stuff in the stocking, a large-scale garden train to run around the tree or some long-lasting little roses.

T'is the season
Just south of Kirksville, MO, or in the Lake of the Ozarks, you'll find the Evergreen stores where the seasons are welcomed with great fanfare. Very nice pricing makes this a compelling stop. Or visit them on-line at www.evergreenmfg.net.

Speaking the language of roses
"How To Pronounce French Rose Names" by Diana Belluci is a one-of-a-kind reference guide for English-speaking antique rose enthusiasts.

Chelsea Show Opens
London's Chelsea Flower Show, organized for years by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), opens May 24, 2007, but tickets must be purchased months in advance.

March Garden Planning Calendar
With the passing of March, Spring is here. There are many things to do in your garden to get ready for your beautiful flowers and healthy fruits and vegetables.

April Garden Planning Calendar
Spring is here and there is a lot to be done in your lawn and garden.

SPRING LAWN CARE
Your lawn has just survived another long winter. In order to restore it to its former lush, green glory, it will need to be raked, renovated, repaired, and fertilized. Here are some tips for keeping your lawn beautiful and healthy.

Caring for Your Annuals
You have those annuals in the ground; now what? See how to give them the best start and keep them going through their entire growth cycle.

Growing Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a cool season, perennial plant that is very winter hardy and resistant to drought. Its crop is produced from crowns consisting of fleshy rhizomes and buds. Following a season of growth the rhubarb crown becomes dormant and temperatures below 40 F are required to stimulate bud break and subsequent growth. The first shoots to appear in the spring are edible petioles and leaves. These emerge sequentially as long as temperatures remain cool (below 90 F). As temperatures increase, top growth is suppressed, even appearing dormant in periods of extreme heat. With declining temperatures in later summer, foliage growth resumes.

June Garden Calendar
There is a lot of work to be done in the June garden. Keep on schedule with this calendar.

Summer Lawn Maintenance
Summer is the time you either love or hate your lawn. It requires some attention in order to keep it lush and beautiful.

July Garden Calendar
What do you need to do in July to keep that garden beautiful?

August Garden Calendar
What should you be doing to prepare your lawn and flowers for fall? Here is the information you need.

September Garden Calendar
Days are getting shorter and the plants are beginning to lose some of their beauty but this is not a time to neglect your garden.

October Garden Calendar
It isn't over yet. There is still work to do to insure a great harvest of vegetables and flowers for next Spring.

November Garden Calendar
It is time to move the gardening inside. Jack Frost will be making outside gardening impossible before long in most areas. That does not mean there is nothing to do with your lawn, garden and houseplants however.

December Garden Calendar
Be sure your houseplants get a good start for the winter months. Learn how to better care for your holiday plants.

February Garden Calendar
There's is more to gardening in February than setting by the fire watching snowflakes fall. There are many constructive things you can do to exercise your green thumb plus assure your summer dream garden will be a reality.