A common question in garden centers this time of year is “will this mum come back next year?” As with a lot in Mother Nature, the answer is “that depends.” The mums we buy ...
Blog
Cross-striped cabbage worm makes presence known
A caterpillar I didn’t recognize decided my kale was mighty tasty. In a matter of a couple of weeks a bluish-yellow worm devoured everything but the stems and ribs of the ...
Bicentennial: Indiana’s landscape then and now
A few days ago, I dialed up the WAYBAC machine and journeyed back 200 years to 1816 Indiana. From the Frank and Katrina Basile Theater at the Indiana History Center, a group ...
The strong-stemmed Prince Tut papyrus earns its crown
King Tut Egyptian papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) was a show stopper when it was introduced several years ago, favored for its dramatic height in a large container or in the ground. It ...
Hold off on pruning shrubs now
The temptation is great this time of year to shape up the shrubs. Don’t. Pruning forces new growth. The new leaves and branch tips will not have enough time to harden off or ...
Development threatens 300-year-old forest land at Crown Hill Cemetery
For the third time in 11 years, the oldest forested section of Crown Hill Cemetery is under threat of development. Instead of apartment buildings, condos and retail, this time ...
The high season of lawncare is upon us
If you’re like most people, you’re into the lawn big time in spring. Fertilizing. Sowing grass seed. Applying crabgrass and dandelion killers. Interest wans during the summer, ...
Prepare to move houseplants back indoors
Pretty soon, it will be time for our houseplants to leave their outdoor summer setting to return indoors. It’s best to bring houseplants indoors in early September, before ...
A begonia for every situation
Begonias are an under appreciated plant. There are so many types, forms and sizes that there’s one for every pot of annuals or in-ground planting scheme. Some thrive, even flower, ...
Sit back and enjoy the evening garden with a cocktail
The dog days of summer are upon us and what better way to enjoy this little bit of leisure time than with a cocktail in the garden. First up, set the stage for the evening, said ...