Gas or electric yard trimmers, which is right for you? The answer is determined by what size yard you have. Electric trimmers are easier to maintain, but are limited to the length of an extension cord. Gas powered models have engines that must be fueled and properly maintained. However they will provide greater power that can be used without boundaries.
If you have a heavily shaded area that you just simply can’t grow grass, ground covers look and work great. However, if you simply must have grass, than there are a couple of grass species that will do moderately well in shaded environments. In the Northern climates Creeping Red Fescue is the best shade tolerant turf and in the Southern climate St. Augustine performs the best. For CRF to survive it is important to quickly remove tree leaves in the fall. This is the only time of the year that the plant will see the full sun and you will want to maximize this. Keep the fertility low, the soil acidic and the turf as dry as possible. Also, neither of these turf species will handle traffic very well.
Watering heavilly once a day is better than several smaller sessions. Getting the water down to a depth of 4-6 inches promotes deeper, stronger root growth.
Once the flower fades, the flower and stem can be removed. The leaves must remain on the plant until they turn yellow and die. The leaves provide food to build up the bulb and form next year’s flower bud. Foliage cut for flower arrangements is taken from several plants, not all from one.
Water new trees once a week, regularly, during the first season, with 10 gallons of water. More for large trees. Pour the water down the trunks so it goes into the root ball, not along the top of the ground. In addition, whenever the leaves droop down or it is very hot, water again and mist the tops with the hose. Do not fertilize the first year except for shrubs.
Put a large mulched circle over the roots of new trees and shrubs, but do not mound bark mulch up around the trunk. Trees and shrubs grown under mulch develop stronger roots and are healthier. Be aware that mulch should be no more than 2-3 inches total or plant health can suffer.
Perennial herbs that are not hardy in your region can be overwintered indoors, then brought back outdoors in the spring. For example, in USDA Zones 7 and colder, bring rosemary and lavender plants indoors in late fall. Maintain them in a cool, bright spot over the winter, and move them outdoors again in the spring. In USDA Zones 8 and warmer, rosemary and lavender can be left outdoors year-round.
An underwatered lawn cannot thrive. Weeds that are more drought resistant can overtake dry grass. A thorough watering once or twice a week is sufficient in most climates.
The best advice for the novice gardener is to start small; a well prepared small garden will yield plenty of produce or ornamental beauty. As skills and confidence grow, gradually increase the garden’s size to fit your time and energy commitments.
Biennials are started from seed the first year then they flower and die the second year. There are many exceptions to this description. Some biennials self seed so appear to be perennial. Others, such as pansy, are grown as annuals. The seed is usually started during the summer of the first year.
