How to celebrate Earth Day in your backyard

How to celebrate Earth Day in your backyard

by adminNo Comments
Celebrate Earth Day 3 ways in your own backyard: plant milkweed for Monarchs, bee friendly flowers & stop using herbicides & pesticides. Monarchs and bees are disappearing at an alarming rate. Aside from beauty & honey, their role in pollination means survival of plants on our planet, and the people/animals that feed on plants. I am no Einstein (and the bee quote is questionable), but it doesn't really take a renown scientist to figure this one out. : ) Monarchs depend on milkweed to survive. This stuff appeared everywhere when I was a kid! We loved opening the pods and watching the silky strands release and carry the tiny seed on the wind. Aside from the crafts projects (and there were many), the pods had the most beautiful linings. This summer, my backyard will sport some milkweed in the flower beds as a small way to help keep the butterflies from extinction. And sadly, extinction could happen. Want to plant your own...
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8 reasons I love White Clover

8 reasons I love White Clover

by barbNo Comments
Every year when I look out and see clover in my yard, my heart leaps with the happiness of seeing an old friend. I absolutely love the stuff. Why on earth anyone would want to kill it off with herbicide goes beyond my comprehension! Here are just a few of the things I love about it: White clover attracts beneficial insects, and naturally controls bug populations. As a gardener, this means a lot. Whiteflies? Watch out! White clover attracts parasitic wasps (the itty bitty kind, not the big nest building kind) and bees. Bees pollinate vegetables, fruits and flowers. Unless you are allergic to them, welcome them to your gardens for much greater abundance! Beautiful to look at, white clover also smells good! Rabbits absolutely LOVE to eat white clover. Last week I looked out to my garden to see a rabbit, with his back turned to my garden, happily munching on the adjacent patch of clover. Made us both...
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Books, tips and garden “how-to”

by barbNo Comments
Much of the garden knowledge I've gained came from some wonderful books. Lots of people ask me about them, so I added a new section at barbsbackyard.com for these recommendations, cleverly titled Books, gadgets & great stuff. The first book on my list is a classic. Carrots love tomatoes. First published in the 70's, I've been referring to it for about as long. What makes it so special? How easily it teaches the concept of companion planting. That means: certain plants, like good friends, when planted near each other, help each other. For example: planting carrots near leeks and onions helps repel the dreaded carrot fly, onion fly AND the leek moth! Good for both the carrot & the leek! Not to mention how much you will enjoy a delicious veggie soup with carrots & leeks come harvest time. To be direct: most of them bring a small commission to me to help defray the costs of this blog. Just click...
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Mulch isn’t just for looking pretty

Mulch isn’t just for looking pretty

by adminNo Comments
  Year-Round Benefits   Spreading chopped up wood chips around your plants has become a pretty popular standard for many yards in many areas. But why do we do it and what is our reasoning behind which mulch we choose? It's not just to keep up with the neighbors. And while most mulch is purchased in the spring, mulch is actually plentiful in year-round benefits. - Protection from the sun and heat. Providing an extra barrier between the hot sun and those sensitive roots. - Protection from the cold of winter. Just think of it as a little winter blanket of insulation for the roots of all your prized plants. - Prevents weeds from popping up - the more obstacles you give the weeds, the less likely they are to come up. - Helps hang on to some of that moisture, not only does mulch provide shade for the roots, it keeps the roots a little moister for a little longer. - Organic...
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Cosmos: carefree and great for cutting

Cosmos: carefree and great for cutting

by barbNo Comments
Have you planted Cosmos before? A beautiful flower, prolific bloomer and a butterfly magnet to boot! The plant boasts feathery green foliage, and flowers have long stems. Perfect for cutting. The flowers come in a variety of colors and shades - from hearty yellows to vibrant pinks and soft white. I usually plant a range of pinks and some white Cosmos in my garden. They require regular watering, and I give a feeding boost about once every four weeks. Try them in a bouquet by themselves. They are equally at home in a humble jam jar and in an elegant vase. They also round out a mixed bouquet beautifully, and the foliage adds a great softness and depth. (more…)...
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Spring time – time to till & prep for planting

by barbNo Comments
Before you plant, take these three steps to prepare the soil and your garden will reward you all season. Just like you and I, your garden needs to breathe – the soil as well as the plants. Tilling and aeration keep the soil loose, allowing for air and drainage near plant roots. An added bonus: if you take the time to prepare the soil and make it healthy, the odds favor a more bountiful harvest and healthy, robust plants. That means less pest control, fertilizing and plant loss for you. (more…)...
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