By: Shannon Sullivan Learn the basics for planning, prepping, planting, and harvesting for a successful edible garden. Choose the correct site, most edible crops need full sun to grow at least 6 – 8 hours per day. Raised beds allow you to garden in all types of conditions when dealing with poor or compacted soils, space, and maintenance. Edible landscaping boarders add beauty by mixing edible flowers throughout your […]
Irrigation in New and Mature Gardens
By: Andrew Obloy A lot of things go into keeping your garden happy and healthy, mainly soil condition, sunlight, and water. An irrigation system, whether done by hand or a programmed system, is important in both new and established gardens. Our unpredictable Mid Atlantic climate, in particular, makes an irrigation system crucial to keeping your plants healthy. However, it takes knowledge of both the property and plants to make sure […]
Introduction to Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
What is Integrated Pest Management? Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests and their damage, through a variety of methods, such as biological controls, habitat manipulation, changing cultural practices and the use of resistant varieties of plants. Chemical controls are carried out in the form of applications, performed only by a certified technician. Pesticides are used after careful monitoring indicates that they […]
Leaf Removal and the Environment
Are electric leaf blowers better than gas blowers? More and more towns and counties are implementing bans on gas leaf blowers including Chevy Chase Village and the Town of Chevy Chase. Noise pollution is often the biggest driving concern for communities deciding to ban gas leaf blowers as noise pollution directly impacts community members. An alternative to gas leaf blowers is electric leaf blowers, which are powered by a cord […]
Grasses – A Forgotten Feature
By: Elena Roman If you are looking to design a new garden or feel something may be missing from an existing garden, grasses may be what you are missing. They tend to be a forgotten and underrated feature, or even focal point to gardens, despite their versatility and reliability. Their success comes from their adaptability, allowing them to sustain in every environment and climate across the globe. Grasses grow quickly, […]
Fruit Trees for Zone 7
We all know how trying it can be to grow fruit trees successfully in zone 7. Our weather patterns can be quite unpredictable at times, making it difficult to maintain a steady yield year after year. But fear not! In this article we will explore valuable tips to keep in mind when growing fruit trees in our zone. There is surprisingly a lot of variety when it comes to the […]
Bee-Friendly Garden
By: Shannon Sullivan One of the most important tasks in the world, pollination, relies on the work of bees, bumblebees, hummingbirds, bats, butterflies, and other insects. Pollinators are important to the reproductive success of over seventy-five percent of the world’s flowering plants and over 150 food crops in the United States including blueberries, apples, oranges, squash, tomatoes, and almonds. Protecting pollinators with economically feasible and environmentally sound horticulture practices by […]
To Water, or Not to Water?
By: Elena Roman You go to the local nursery to buy a few perennials to fill in the garden bed in your front yard. You find what you like, you go home, plant them in the ground, and give them a good soak with the hose. You already know the bed has the appropriate sunlight for these specific plants, but you feel less certain about how much water they will […]
Integrated Pest Management
By: Andrew Obloy Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can be complicated and broad, to say the least. Essentially, it is a program to manage pests, but it is also so much more. Here are some ways we can use IPM to help keep your properties healthy and beautiful: Our use of IPM begins in spring, applying fertilizer to both plants and turf. Fertilizer ensures plants receive the nutrients they need for […]
Fungi in the Ecosystem
by Karl Deibert We wouldn’t have the plants we know today if fungi did not exist. They have played an integral role in how life has developed and come to flourish on this planet. Fungus generally is not something that people hold in high regard, often associated with decay and disease, which is true for some species, but there is a lot more going on out there. Humans are just […]