I needed some showy flowers for three large containers near our front door and decided to try tuberous begonias. Here’s what happened. Read more
I needed some showy flowers for three large containers near our front door and decided to try tuberous begonias. Here’s what happened. Read more
All gardeners have favorite plant varieties. Whether it’s a new hybrid or heirloom seed saved by great Aunt Matilda and passed down through the generations, mention seeds in gardening circles and you can expect a vigorous discussion. Read more
For the last couple of years I’ve planted a hybrid cleome (“spider flower”) named ‘Señorita Rosalita’. This award-winner gets 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide and blooms profusely all summer. Here are some notes on a really beautiful annual. Read more
We have two dwarf globular blue spruces about 8 feet apart on a shaded slope. While I was in that area watering some new perennials I noticed that one of the plants was losing needles at a rapid rate. So I clipped off a sample and took it to the plant clinic to identify the problem. Read more
When you plant a native tree or plant, you have helped create a nursery of life that supports wildlife. Read more
Marketing has long since taken over the pesticide industry. Popular brand names that were associated with one particular pesticide are now used for a variety of different formulations. For example, take a look at the products sold under the RoundUp brand name: Read more
This is the third in a multi-part series Read more
This is the second in a multi-part series Read more
In the 21st century numerous man-made dangers stalk our lives. These range from automobile accidents to agricultural pesticides. Read more
Arguably the biggest issue in any lawn, ornamental landscape, or vegetable garden is pest problems. Read more
The coolest thing about being a Master Gardener is that friends are always asking you gardening questions. Read more
Haywood County residents who have received seed shipments that they did not order from China or other foreign sources are advised not to plant these seeds because they could be a pathway for introduction of invasive species, insects and plant diseases. Read more
Two very powerful organic insecticides made from different oils are available to homeowners. Here are some notes about their applicability to your particular insect problem. Read more
It seems like if something stings or bites, it likely makes its home in North Carolina. From those maddening no-see-em biting flies to disease vectoring mosquitoes and ticks, there is no shortage of critters that can make life outdoors a very unpleasant experience. Read more
Master Gardener Jim Janke had a question about a fungus, Mycorriihiza, so he decided to conduct an experiment last year to find out more information about this mysterious fungus. Read more
Wave® is the most popular petunia family, both for nursery plant sales in spring and seed sales from catalogs. Since 1995, I’ve used more than a dozen Wave types and colors successfully in beds, containers, and mixed planters. Five Wave petunia types are currently available in a wide variety… Read more
Gardeners have their favorites when it comes to plant varieties. Read more
Dealing with overgrown shrubs? Need to prune young shade trees but are unsure of how much to cut? Read more
The internet is full of advice for gardeners. But many of these websites and blogs are loaded with incorrect information. And even if the advice is good in general, it might not apply to gardens here. Read more
In seed-starting presentations, I always caution folks to be aware of damping-off, a disease that can devastate seedlings. Read more
Winter will be upon us before we know it. The vibrant colors of spring, summer, and fall will give way to grays and browns and fog and snow. But you can brighten your winter landscape with plants that have displays of foliage, bark or fruit. Here are some to consider. Read more
They are about to be among us, big time. Every June and July swarms of Japanese beetles attack all kinds of valuable plants. As they feed, female beetles release pheromones that attract additional beetles to the site. Read more
Bush beans are one of the easiest, most nutritious vegetables you can grow. Read more
Here are several options to consider when planning a spring garden. Read more
Want to begin growing vegetables? This is the first of three articles on starting a new vegetable garden. Read more
We moved here from Chicago, where there are only two seasons: winter and road-under-construction. Read more
Plant roots need moisture, air and nutrients to grow, and a loose soil to provide room for that growth. “Double digging” is the best way to improve your soil; it improves drainage and aeration and adds organic matter. There are several good double digging methods; here’s what works for me: Read more
In the mountains, wild garlic (Allium vineale) and wild onion (Allium canadense) appear in late winter and spring in lawns, along roadsides and seemingly everywhere else. Read more
Oregano (the “pizza herb”) is a well-known ingredient in tomato sauces, but is also used for flavoring meats, bread stuffing and vegetables. Supposed benefits also include treatment of respiratory tract and gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, skin conditions and a litany of other problems. Read more
Sow tomato seeds in the pots that the seedlings will grow in. Tomatoes grow quickly, so use a pint size or larger pot. In mid-April, sow 2 to 3 seeds in each pot about a quarter inch deep. Read more
For germination to occur, conditions both inside and outside the seeds must be favorable. All seeds need water and air. Read more
Many people tell me that they want to grow plants from seeds, but just don’t have the indoor space. Read more
I hadn’t tried growing gladiolus for a couple of decades. Inconsistent germination, weak stems and having to dig them up every fall led to abandoning the attempt. Read more
For most gardeners, late summer is the best time of the year. Read more
Most homes here have lots of windows to enjoy the mountain views, and that means lots of targets for birds to attack. Read more
It happens every year in the mountains. A warm spell in mid-winter causes daffodils to poke their heads out of the ground, causing people to believe that the plants could die when cold weather returns.The only problem with these plants is that the floral display is often limited to just a we… Read more
The plant clinic gets this question every year. A mophead hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is growing like gangbusters, but nary a bloom in sight. Or the flowers are the wrong color. Read more
Do you have a shady spot that needs some perking up? Here are two of my favorite shade perennials, including one that can be easily grown from seeds. Both have year-round interest. Read more
I’ve been collecting precipitation data at our place for a decade to ensure that my garden gets the moisture it needs (and because I have OCD and just HAVE to know). And while the monthly and annual averages for my garden are not that different from the official Waynesville numbers, the vari… Read more
Spring is coming fast, and it's time for gardeners to start planning and plotting for the growing season. Several free programs are coming to the Canton and Waynesville libraries during the month of March for gardeners looking for a jumpstart. Registration is recommended. Read more
We wanted to hide the pressure treated posts holding up our deck, so installed trellises in front of the posts to support some vines. Initially three different clematis varieties were planted, but the blooms were sporadic and not visible from a distance. And the foliage was not sufficient to… Read more
The 2018 All-America Selections winners have officially been announced. Read more
Dahlia lovers go to great lengths every year to get the biggest and best blooms.In the fall, they carefully dig up the tubers; store them in controlled conditions; and replant in spring. They attach stems to sturdy stakes with special tape. And if they are entering the flowers in a competiti… Read more
A trio of new gardening books has arrived in the last few months with the same theme, as evidenced by their titles. Here’s a review of these three volumes, and what I did or didn’t like about them. Read more
The purpose of Master Gardener programs nationwide is to multiply the efforts of Extension agents to get horticultural information to the public. Haywood County Master Gardeners volunteer over 4,000 hours each year, in activities like:— Organizing the biennial Haywood County Garden Tour.— Tu… Read more
In 2005, I planted a 25-foot row of blueberry bushes — three each of three different varieties — in a 12-foot wide space between two retaining walls in full sun. I conscientiously removed all the flowers for the first two years so that the plants’ energies would be focused on root developmen… Read more
We were looking for easy-to-maintain plants that could provide seasonal color to a fairly steep slope in part shade. A catalog arrived picturing several varieties of iris, something we’d never tried, and we placed an order. Here’s what happened.Iris is the name of the goddess of the rainbow … Read more
A lot of homeowners around here head south for half the year; many take no precautions to keep their home secure. There are lots of things you can do — two of the more obvious are to install a home security system and join a neighborhood watch group.Yet your landscaping can also prevent pote… Read more
My chef likes shallots for their mild onion flavor, so (guess what!) I grow them every year. For several years, I started seeds indoors in February, transplanting outside in May for a fall harvest.But although seeds are much less expensive than sets (small shallot bulbs), yields were inconsi… Read more
Last year I grew a new sweet basil named Dolce Fresca and loved its self-branching, compact habit. Its flavor was just like Genovese, the standard for all large-leafed basils.But in late August, the leaves suddenly turned brown and the plants looked like they were dying. Diagnosis: downy mil… Read more