Garden Medley

It’s really hot out this year, which is a great reminder of how wonderful a shade tree can be in the back yard. It helps to keep your home cooler in times like this. It can also be good for those parts of your garden which do not want full sun.

You will probably want something that grows fast and gives a good amount of shade. Of course, if a tree grows quickly it is more likely to be short lived. You’ll have to pay attention to where you plant it too, as the roots may be rather aggressive. You don’t want to plant it near anything you don’t want the roots to get into. (more…)

Bugs. The word alone can make many people’s skin crawl. You picture spiders, ants, aphids and other pests that destroy your plants and make growing a beautiful garden much more work. However, there are many bugs you want your garden to have. They may keep away the problem bugs or otherwise help your garden.

The ladybug is popular with children, and is one example of a beneficial bug. You probably picture them as having a red body with black spots, but they may also have an orange or yellow body. They eat certain other insects, including aphids. Similarly, the aphid midge also eats aphids. (more…)

If you’re an avid gardener, you know how important worms are to your garden. You may also have had trouble getting what you feel to be enough worms into your garden. Worms help to aerate your soil, break down organic matter so that plants can use the nutrients and break up clods of dirt.

Have you ever considered farming your own worms? It’s actually not that hard. (more…)

Living in the San Diego means that even in good years there isn’t a lot of rain. Things get even worse during droughts, when they start asking residents to conserve, set up rules on when you can water and recommend other steps. During these times it can be quite difficult to maintain a lawn or garden.

The steps you may need to take may seem a little extreme, but they can be necessary, depending on the current condition of your garden. (more…)

I live in a very dry area - San Diego, California. One of the most important issues when it comes to landscaping is minimizing the need for water. You don’t want to need to water your plants all the time, especially if you do live in a place prone to drought.

Fortunately, living in a drought prone area does not mean you have to landscape with cacti and succulents. There are many more options for you. (more…)

The compost heap is more or less a staple of the home garden. It’s a great way to dispose of organic material in an ecologically friendly manner while making something that will help your garden grow. (more…)

Many people love to garden, but quite simply don’t have the room, or they want to bring a part of their garden indoors. Container gardening allows you to grow your garden any place you have the room. (more…)

While many types of insects, birds and animals seen in the home are unwanted intruders, others play a vital role in pollinating plants and moving seeds from one place to another. In fact, without these animal and insect helpers most plants would be unable to reproduce. (more…)