Gardening Tips

How to Care For Succulents – A Handy Guide

How to Care For Succulents – A Handy Guide

What is a Succulent? If you ever stroll through a greenhouse, you will likely walk by a selection of plants that look like they are from another world.  Their leaves look plump and rigid and they often have vibrant, almost iridescent, colors or patterns.  These, my friends, are succulents.  Succulents, by definition, are plants that store water in their leaves or foliage - hence the thicker, more substantial looking leaf.  When I think of a succulent, a cactus is always the first thing that pops into my mind - one of those big…continue reading →
Best Trees and Shrubs for Birds in the Winter

Best Trees and Shrubs for Birds in the Winter

During the colder weather here in Maryland, birds have to find their own food. Berries, seeds, and habitats in protected tree limbs are not as plentiful as they are during the warmer summer months. But, there’s an easy solution to this problem: planting trees and shrubs for birds to get sustenance from throughout the cooler weather. Let's talk about the best trees and shrubs for birds in the winter! Great examples of smaller shrubs that attract the birds in the winter are bayberry, winterberry holly and viburnum. All of these have berries that persist throughout…continue reading →
3 Tips for Adding Privacy to Your Yard with Trees and Shrubs

3 Tips for Adding Privacy to Your Yard with Trees and Shrubs

When we walk outside into our yard it is always nice to have a little privacy.  But not everyone likes the expense or the look of traditional fencing. Over the years, we have had countless customers looking for creative ways to add privacy to their yards with trees and shrubs. Trees and shrubs create a natural barrier that not only looks beautiful, it is also functional. Here are some of our tried and true tips for adding screens to your yard with fast growing privacy trees and shrubs: Tip #1  – Add a…continue reading →
6 Reasons You Should Mulch

6 Reasons You Should Mulch

Nothing heralds the coming of Spring quite like a freshly mulched yard. But mulch isn’t just for aesthetics; it is also very beneficial to your plants and soils. Here are just 6 reasons you should mulch this Spring: Mulch helps improve soil moisture and prevents plants from drying out too quickly. Mulch helps reduce soil erosion and soil compaction. Mulch helps maintain optimal soil temperatures by creating a barrier from the heat and cold. Mulch helps increase soil nutrition as it decomposes by improving soil structure, thus providing better drainage and better use…continue reading →
What is the Difference between Pansies, Violas and Panolas?

What is the Difference between Pansies, Violas and Panolas?

Gardeners often confuse Pansies, Violas, and Panolas with each other. All are wonderful fall and winter, as well as early spring, plants but they have slight differences that are worth noting. Pansies vs. Violas In the fall, winter and early spring season there are few flowers that will bloom and produce lots of color despite the cold weather. Surprisingly, one of the sturdiest plants are pansies. Pansies look and act a lot like violas but they have a much larger flower, and larger leaves as well. Another difference between the two fall favorites…continue reading →
Get Your Roses Ready for Winter

Get Your Roses Ready for Winter

What is the number one question we are being asked right now? It's without a doubt, "How do we get our roses ready for winter?" We are here to help! Our first task is to take one last whiff, then clean the pruners.Roses are a tough bunch of plants to cover with one rule. There are a few general priorities that they all will need: mulch, fertilizer, and water. No matter if they climb a trellis, form a hedge, or stand alone in the perennial border, they need to have the dead and…continue reading →
Easy Steps to Fall Lawn Renovation

Easy Steps to Fall Lawn Renovation

Did you know that fall is the best time of the year to make your old lawn look better than ever or to establish a new lawn? Early to mid-fall is a great time to take on the important job of a fall lawn renovation. The soil is still warm and yet the air is cool; the perfect combination for grass seeds to germinate and turf to take root quickly. Here are some simple tips to renovate your lawn. Seeding or Overseeding an Existing Lawn If you are planning to seed a new lawn or overseed…continue reading →
Mixing Annuals and Perennials for Fall Color

Mixing Annuals and Perennials for Fall Color

Even though it’s the end of Summer and the daytime temperatures are still 80+, fall and cooler weather are approaching. As the temperatures start to decrease, and the days start to get shorter, it’s time to start thinking about what to color your containers, patio or yard with. The plants will be grouped by type, annual or perennial, but all will be plants designed to be showy in the fall and winter. Annuals last only one season, either summer or spring/fall but usually have more color, while perennials will last for many years…continue reading →
7 Easy Steps to Install a Soaker Hose

7 Easy Steps to Install a Soaker Hose

With the heat upon us, our plants are struggling to survive. Just like us, our plants need watering, some of them even daily. Let's discuss how to make this process easier for you. A soaker hose is a wonderful tool and much easier to use than you might think. Installing Your Soaker Hose Attach the soaker hose to a lead hose (a standard garden hose) that is connected to a faucet. Dig a path in your mulch big enough to sit a hose around your plants. Place the hose in the path and…continue reading →
How to Care for Frost Bitten Plants

How to Care for Frost Bitten Plants

How to Care for Frostbitten Plants Springtime in Maryland can be unpredictable! This year we’ve seen everything from warm, picture-perfect days to typical rainy days to downright cold and snowy days. It's the middle of April and we are still getting frost. This kind of weather takes its toll on your garden and your plants. Even if you cover your plants with frost cloth and protect them with mulch, temperature swings like this can be too much for some plants to handle. If you have frost-bitten plants in your garden all hope is…continue reading →