Growing Vegetables in Containers

If you use clean potting soil, container plantings will eliminate problems with:

• Soil borne diseases 
• Infestations by harmful nematodes 
• An invasion of weeds

Try these vegetables in a container:

Tomatoes 

Peppers 

Spinach 

Chard 

Herbs 

Eggplant 

Green Onions

Beans 

Lettuce 

Squash (Bush varieties) 

Radishes 

Carrots 

Parsley 

Cucumbers (Bush varieties)

Vine vegetables such as cucumbers and pole beans will also do well if they’re given some sort of support in the form of a pole, cage or trellis.

Choosing Containers

Use certain containers, wooden tubs, planter boxes, bushel baskets or anything deep enough to accommodate roots. Lettuce, peppers, radishes, herbs and the leafy vegetables need to be in a container that holds about eight inches of soil. Plant tomatoes in containers that are at least two feet wide and two feet deep.

Make sure you have drainage. Drill holes along the bottom edge of the container about a half-inch up from the bottom. If you’ve chosen a container that can’t be drilled, add two inches of coarse gravel in the bottom.

Watering

Container plantings might have to be watered more than garden plantings, particularly if the container is porous, such as a bushel basket or an un- glazed terra cotta container.

9 Easy Summer Flowers

These garden beauties thrive in summer heat and bloom nearly nonstop into fall.

Aster

These daisy-like flowers are available in lavender, pink, or white. Three varieties we like: A. cordifolius 'Cape Cod' (Sunset climate zones 1-10, 14-21), A. c. 'Little Carlow' (zones 1-10, 14-21), and A. novi-belgii 'Melody' (zones 1-24).

Coreopsis (C. grandiflora)

Fluffy, golden yellow blooms atop tall stems. 'Sunray' is a dense, compact selection with double and semidouble flowers. Zones 2-24, H1, H2.

Dahlia
Bold blooms in a range of vibrant colors grow from tuberous roots. We planted pink and coral decorative dahlias and a red-and-yellow, cactus-flowered variety. Provide light shade in hot areas. Zones 1-24.

Gloriosa Daisy
DaisyDeep golden petals radiate from chocolate centers on 2- to 4-inch-wide flowers. Plants reach 3 to 4 feet tall and 1 ½ feet wide. Shorter varieties such as ‘Goldilocks’ and ‘Toto’ top out at 10 inches tall.

Guara (G. linheimeri)
White flowers cluster like butterflies atop tall spikes on these airy 2½- to 4-foot-tall plants. Selected forms include 'Siskiyou Pink' (to 2 feet tall), with rose-pink flowers and 'Whirling Butterflies' (to 3 feet tall), with white flowers.

"Moonshine" Yarrow
One of the most carefree and generous bloomers, yarrow has tight clusters of deep yellow flowers on 2-foot tall plants. Pair it with blue flowered catmint.

Penstemon (P. gloxinioides)
These bushy plants are fairly short lived, but to make up for it, they produce lots of trumpet-shaped blooms over a long period. Deep purple ‘Midnight’ and scarlet ‘Firebird’ are standouts for their vivid, south-of-the-border colors. Pink and white ‘Appleblossom’ looks fresh and springlike.

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Daisy flowers of rosy purple with knobby orange-brown centers, which resemble small beehives, atop clumps of bristly oblong leaves. Grows to 4 feet tall. Zones A2, A3, 1-24.

Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum'Rubrum')
Feathery, rose-colored plumes fade to beige atop clumps of reddish brown foliage. Grown as an annual in cold climates, it is especially pretty beside gloriosa daisies or purple coneflower. Zones 8-24.

Source: http://www.sunset.com/garden/flowers-plants/easy-summer-flowers-perennials

Best Time of Day to Mow the Lawn

There are varying opinions on this … Some professionals say it doesn't matter, so long as you do not mow when the ground is very wet, as this can cause damage to the turf, and also rutting if you have a riding mower.  If you are flexible there is an optimal moment for lawn mowing

However, there are some pros that say mid-morning this the optimum time of day to mow the lawn. The logic behind this is that the lawn needs time to heal before evening, that the freshly shorn grass blades are susceptible to fungus and disease and really need the benefit of the day to dry and heal before evening sets in.  So, if you have the luxury of choosing when to mow in the day, there is a case that mid-morning is the optimal time of the day.

Now, more importantly make sure that your blades are sharp, as this will affect the lawn more so than the time of day that you mow.  IF your blades are not sharp then the lawn is torn as the dull blades hits it, this causes damage to your turf and makes it more susceptible to disease and damage.

Keep in mind, if you are going to be working with a professional service you will probably have to pay a premium if you are wanting to have the lawn mowed at specific time of day.  These professionals make their schedules out by route density. Meaning they complete their stops in the most efficient manner possible as they navigate their way throughout the neighborhood, town, or city.  So asking for a specific time will be invasive to their schedule, and you will probably have to pay extra.  Take for example a St. Augustine turf that grows in Florida, it would be extremely hard for a lawn service provider to bag and haul all those clippings off.

The Street Smart Gardener recommends keeping your lawn mowing blades higher during the summer heat. 

Source: http://www.yourgreenpal.com/blog/when-is-the-best-time-of-day-to-mow-my-lawn-morning-afternoon-does-it-matter

Attracting Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are attracted to a bird garden habitat:

• Make fresh water available for drinking and bathing. 
• Provide both sun and shade areas. Hummingbirds need shade to perch and to build their tiny nests. 
• Hummingbirds may become reliant on your garden. When there are no blossoms, provide hummingbird feeders hung 30 feet apart throughout your garden. The best color for a feeder is red. 
• Fill feeders with a sugar-water mix of one part sugar to four parts water. 
• Keep feeders clean and filled. 
• Never use honey that can develop a fungus fatal to hummingbirds. 
• Hummingbirds are attracted to flower colors and nectar, not fragrances.

Favorite Flowers—Perennials

Bee balm .................. Monarda didyma 

Butterfly weed......Ascelpias tuberosa 

Columbine........................Aquilegia sp. 

Coral bells ......... Heuchera sanguinea 

Cosmos...............................Cosmos sp. 

Dahlia.....................................Dahlia sp. 

Delphinium...........Delphinium elatum 

Foxglove ................................... Digitalis 

Fuchsia.......................................Fuchsia 

Geranium....................Pelargonium sp. 

Hollyhock........ Althea rosea (biennial) 

Lupine..........................Lupinus hybrids 

Penstemon.................... Penstemon sp. 

Red Hot Poker ........ Kniphofia uvaria 

Sage ..............................Salvia officinalis 

Speedwell...................Veronica hybrids

Favorite Flowers—Annuals

Mountain garland ...... Clarkia elegans 

Touch-me-not ................ Impatiens sp. 

Flowering tobacco .... Nicotiana alata 

Nasturtium............Tropaeolum majus 

Petunia..........................Petunia hybrids 

Spider flower ....... Cleome hasslerana 

Zinnia.....................................Zinnia sp. 

Verbena .............................. Verbena sp.

Bulbs, Corms and Tubers

Tuberous begonia............. Begonia sp. 

Canna.....................................Canna sp. 

Gladiolus .......................... Gladiolus sp. 

Iris.................................................Iris sp. 

Montbretia..................... Crocosmia sp.

Vines

Bougainvillea..............Bougainvillea sp. 

Cardinal climber..Ipomoea quamoclit 

Honeysuckle......................Lonicera sp. 

Lantana...............................Lantana sp. 

Rosary Vine.............. Ceropegia woodii 

Trumpet vines.....Campsis grandiflora

Shrubs and Trees

Abelia........................Abelia grandiflora 

Azalea ...................... Rhododendron sp. 

Bottlebrush....Callistemon lanceolatus 

Butterfly bush ............Buddleia davidii 

Cotoneaster............... Cotoneaster sp. 

Eucalyptus......................Eucalyptus sp. 

Flowering quince.....Chaenomeles sp. 

Fuchsia.................Fuchsia arborescens 

Hibiscus..............................Hiviscus sp. 

Lilac ...................................... Syringa sp. 

Weigela.......................... Weigela rosea

Invincibelle Spirit and Incrediball Hydrangea on sale now. Large 5 gal. $29.99 #hydrangea

Invincibelle Spirit and Incrediball Hydrangea on sale now. Large 5 gal. $29.99 #hydrangea

www.wwnursery.com

Common Pests of Indoor Plants

Scale Insects

Typical damage: Clustered or single green-to- brown disc-like scales under leaves and on stems; also mottling of foliage when seen against the light. Leaves may turn yellow and have a sticky substance on them. Timely attention is essential because bad infestations are difficult to eradicate.

Control measures: Rub off scales with moist cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol or—on thick leaves—a soft toothbrush soaked in rubbing alcohol. Check plant for sensitivity by wiping only one leaf and waiting 24 hours to check for adverse reaction. Spray with Horticultural Oil Spray to smother adult insects. Pyrethrin, Neem Oil and Insecticidal Soap will help control the immature crawlers. Systemic Houseplant Insect Control may control both stage. Repeat one week later.

Red Spider Mites

Typical damage: Tiny white or yellow spots on leaves, later becoming a mottled and dusty residue or webbing. Fine webs under leaves and in growing tips. Leaves may curl and dry. Mites thrive in hot, dry weather.

Control measures: Wash with a clean, strong spray of warm water several times over two to three weeks. Also apply a miticide, Horticultural Oil Spray, Neem Oil or Systemic Houseplant Insect Control.

Thrips

Typical damage: Streaked, flecked or distorted leaves and flowers remain after insects have sucked plant juices.

Control measures: Remove flowers and buds on infested plants, as insects hide inside them. Apply Insecticidal Soap as recommended. Control thrips with insecticide containing Pyrethrin, Insecticidal Soap, Neem Oil, Horticultural Oil Spray, or Systematic Houseplant Insect Control.

Note: Insecticidal Soap may be purchased at W&W Nursery & Garden Center, and is composed of potassium salts of fatty acids. It is not the equivalent of the common household dish soap.

Aphids (pictured above)

Typical damage: Green, red/orange or black/ gray insects visibly sucking plant juices. Cause small, distorted, weak growth and leave a sticky, clear residue. Shoot tips and flower buds most susceptible. Control measures: Apply Insecticidal Soap, Pyrethrin, Neem Oil, Horticultural Oil Spray, or Systematic Houseplant Insect Control as recommended.

Fungus Gnat

Typical damage: Harmless tiny black insects fly up when disturbed. Destructive white larvae come to soil surface, feed on nutrients in soil and occasionally on young roots.

Control measures: Water plant less frequently; discard drained water from saucer. Spray soil and plant with Garden Safe Houseplant & Garden Insect Spray. Place a venus flytrap plant near affected plants. Place a sticky trap on the soil to catch adults as they emerge from the soil.

Leaf Miners

Typical damage: Irregular yellow, cream or brown channels across leaves.

Control measures: Spray with Isotox or treat the soil with a granular systemic insecticide.

Whiteflies

Typical damage: Tiny white fly-like insects fly up when plant is disturbed. Larvae suck plant juices, causing general weakening and yellowing. Thrive in dry climates, generally on flowering plants. Can spread rapidly. Timely attention is key.

Control measures: Remove leaves that have a large number of larvae on them. Flying adults can be caught with a vacuum cleaner. Spray with Pyrethrin, Insecticidal Soap, Neem Oil, Horticultural Oil Spray, or Systematic Houseplant Insect Control.

Mealybugs

Typical damage: Cottony white masses along stems and under leaves. Small flat insects move very slowly. Leaves may have a sticky substance on them and be distorted.

Control measures: Kill by wiping or spraying with rubbing alcohol after first checking plant’s tolerance: Apply alcohol to one leaf. Wait 24 hours to check for harmful reaction. Spray Insecticidal Soap, Pyrethrin, Neem Oil, Horticultural Oil, or Systematic Houseplant Insect Control as recommended. Remove cottony masses (egg sacs) from under pot rims, shelving, stakes and under pots.

Front Yard Walkway Ideas

Walkways are an important part of front yard landscaping. A beautiful walkway will greatly enhance your home's curb appeal and provide a way for you and guests to get to your front door. You'll want the walkway to look nice and be easy to walk on since it will serve as an entrance to your home. Whether it will lead straight to your front door, or to a small courtyard garden or porch, there are many design options for front yard walkways.

Three important front walkway design considerations:

• Width
• Shape
• Paving Materials

Determining Front Walkway WidthWhether your walkway leads from the street to the front door, from the driveway to the front door, or from the front yard to the backyard, the walkway width is very important. When you are hosting parties or family gatherings it is likely that many people will be using the walkway. It should be wide enough that two people can comfortably walk side-by-side. Four feet is the minimum width for a front walkway, but five feet is preferred. Get more information about walkway dimensions.

Choosing the Shape of a Front Yard WalkwayThere are a few factors that should be considered when deciding on your front walkway shape. The first factor is the size of your yard. Typically, small front yards look best with a simple straight walkway, while a curved walkway can add much needed design interest to a large front garden. The second factor is the style of your home. If your home has a traditional colonial or Victorian style than a formal, straight path is the best option. A straight entry walkway will help to emphasize your front door as the focal point of your home. If your home has a ranch or Mediterranean style an informal, curved path is the best option. However, be careful not to overdo the curves because then people will take shortcuts through your front lawn.

Selecting Paving Materials for a Front WalkwaySince a front walkway is a big part of your home's curb appeal you should select materials that complement the exterior of your home. For example, if your house has brick accents a concrete walkway with a brick border would look especially nice. When selecting materials for your walkway, keep in mind that solid paving, such as concrete, stone or pavers, is easier and safer to walk on than stepping stones or gravel.

Source: http://www.landscapingnetwork.com/walkways/front-yard.html