Gardening Talk

Choose a plant that already has two strong bottom side shoots or laterals. Dig a hole directly under the trellis. Place the tree into the hole and position the laterals in the same direction as the wire. Back fill and water in. Now tie the …
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Choosing the right fern varieties is important in a water smart garden but there are other things you can do. Mulching is vital for keeping the soil moist. One of the big reasons the ferns are doing so well is because of the protection they get …
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Mowing with a Brill
push reel lawnmower

Push reel mowers are undergoing a revival in popularity. Not only are they friendly to the environment (no air or noise pollution), they are also inexpensive to purchase and operate (no fuel), and many people find them an enjoyable form of exercise.

Modern reel mowers are light and easy to push. However it is definitely worthwhile to keep the blades sharp, as blunt blades will make the reel mower significantly harder to use. Sharpening kits for most models of mowers are available, and well worth the investment.

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Southwest Garden

When most people think of drought-tolerant plants, they immediately think of cactii. Indeed, most succulents require very little water, storing moisture in their leaves and stems, and conserving moisture by have small of vestigial leaves.

Bulbs are another category of drought-tolerant plants. They can evade drought by remaining dormant until rains arrive. However, this makes the garden appear rather barren.

Deep and infrequent watering of lawns and other garden plants encourages deep root growth. Plants with deep roots can better tolerate drought conditions, as the deepest layers of soil remain moist the longest.

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