by Ashley Andrews, communications specialist This time of year is my favorite; I love how autumn-colored leaves drift gently down from above. For me, it is easy to get lost in the beauty of the seasons changing around us, summer to fall and fall to winter. It is important …
by Ashley Andrews, Horticulture Communications Assistant The autumnal equinox, which marks the transition between summer and fall, has passed. So, it makes sense to see tree leaves turning glorious fall colors. A lesser-known secret about trees is that a lot of their leaves’ autumnal hues have been there all year …
There are many good reasons to clean up the garden in fall. One is that you may want to impress neighbors, family and friends who come by for trick-or-treating and holiday gatherings with a tidy landscape. Another is that a neat garden in fall means fewer dried plant materials an …
When the forecast calls for frost, I do not cover my plants with sheets or blankets. I keep the cloth for myself and shout into the cold garden from my warm home, “It’s Nevada, plants, we’re the Battle-Born state for a reason!” A warm house of their own, like a …
Gardeners love plants. This simple truth is most noticeable during the growing season. Trips to favorite local nurseries all too often take longer and involve more plants than planned. And, when we get our treasures back home, we then spend many hours planting perfect outdoor spaces. Our love of plants …
Turfgrass does more than lay there. It works hard to improve water, air and soil quality. Lawns help water quality by preventing erosion, filtering runoff and helping the soil absorb water. Turf traps dust and produces oxygen. This helps air quality. Grass adds organic matter to the soil as it …
During the growing season, cases of stickiness occur in the garden and landscape. Sticky fingers hold melting Popsicles, and sticky faces press into watermelon slices. Sometimes plants get sticky too. In all cases, a quick spray with the garden hose does the trick. But why do plants get sticky? One …
Memorial Day honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. It was first established after the American Civil War as Decoration Day, and it was extended after World War I. Now the national holiday commemorates U.S. Service Members who died in all wars and includes a …
Backyard gardeners enjoy many benefits in return for their labor. For example, research shows urban adults who garden eat fruits and vegetables nearly 5 times per day. People who do not garden do so about 4 times per day. And, 37 percent of home gardeners meet national recommendations to eat …
Each spring, plants appear in my office. They are from co-workers, Master Gardeners or clients whose seed-starting ambitions exceeded their garden size. The first time this happened, I was not ready. I placed the tomato plant in my living room, under the window with the best light. It grew big …
