Advice
Organic Material – Soil’s Best Friend
Organic material is essential to soil. It provides nutrients for growing plants and is beneficial to earthworms and microorganisms which aid in water and nutrient retention. It also minimizes compaction of the soil by creating pore space. Composting Compost is … Continue reading
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City Trees and Soils Have An Important Role In Fighting Climate Change
Our forests absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere than they contribute. This makes them a key player in controlling global temperatures. Studies are looking at just what environments optimize this natural process and how humans can capitalize. Even though … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Trees & Shrubs
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Magnolia Scale
This summer I noticed the lower branches of my Star Magnolia (Magnolia Stellata) covered in something dark, sooty and sticky. Examination of branches revealed small elliptical bumps, mostly on the underside of branches. This was a sure sign of Magnolia … Continue reading
Posted in Advice, Pests & Diseases
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Consider Adding Hydrangeas to Your Landscape
There are lots of reasons why hydrangeas are a good choice for your landscape. The most obvious reason is that hydrangeas provide long lasting bloom in your garden, starting in July and continuing through till frost. In fact, you can … Continue reading
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Creeping Bell Flower
Creeping Bellflower, Campanula rapunculoides, has because of its aggressive nature, been classified as an invasive species. Creeping bellflower produces an abundance of seeds, (upwards of 15,000 per plant), which are then easily distributed by insects and gentle breezes. It also … Continue reading
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How to Grow Peonies for Cut Flowers
I recently attended a Canadian Peony Society Zoom seminar “How to Grow Peonies for Cut Flowers”. The presenter was Piet Wiersta of the Oregon Perennial Company; a large scale grower of perennials. Most of their peonies are grown for the … Continue reading
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