Gardening by the Book How often do gardening questions come up at your house? Where do you go to get advice? I try to answer as many questions myself as I can that come my …

Mums the Word #GardenSense
Mums are a fall favorite plant. Use them as potted decorations in your fall displays. These perennial beauties come in every shade of the rainbow. White too! We moved into our present home in the …
Fall Garden Chore Bored? #GardenSense
What are your garden plans for fall? Planting and weeding? Raking and staking? Well, you’re not alone. According to a national survey conducted by The Garden Writers Association of America, 71 percent of American households …
These Berries Have Gone to the Dogwood #GardenSense
If you’re thinking about planting an ornamental tree for wildlife, consider a Kousa Dogwood. This tree is native to Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan. Hardy to zone 5 and can take the summer heat. In …
Rain Chains Review #GardenSense
Rainwater means different things to different people. To a weatherman, the amount of rainwater we’re getting is big news. It could determine drought or floods. To a farmer, rainwater means the amount of soil moisture …
Taming Vines With Topiary
It’s a jungle out there! Are your belligerent beauties growing wild? Out of control vines take over a woman’s sunroom! Relax, these aren’t tabloid headlines and the plants aren’t taking over the country. Taming philandering …

Grilled Veggies Time #GardenSense
It’s grilling season. For a gardener it is time to think about kabobs, grilled veggies and grilled fruit. Corn is the most popular grilled vegetable. Remember to choose ears that are firm with bright green …
Of Cabbages and Marigolds Companion Planting #Garden Sense
We have all heard of growing herbs in our flowerbeds, but what about growing flowers in our vegetable beds? Companion planting of roses with chives has been around for a long time. Many flowers, herbs …
Poison Ivy Fact or Fiction #GardenSense
Few plants spark fear in the hearts of mankind like Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison Sumac. The blistering rash caused by poison ivy is the result of direct contact with the oily toxin called …
Bulbs Get Spring Fever Too Garden Sense
Bulbs Get Spring Fever Too According to a Zen proverb-Sitting quietly, doing nothing, Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself. That fact is hard to swallow for those of us with Spring Fever. We …