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The Greener View: Climate Change and Trees

Gardening / Jeff Rugg /

Q: We have a new landscape, and we want to plant trees that will help with climate change. Any suggestions?

A: What is your definition of climate change? Do you think your area is going to get warmer or colder? What are you trying to accomplish by planting a tree? Are you planting the tree to absorb carbon or to shade the house? Will a tree ...Read more

The Greener View: Purple Tomatoes

Gardening / Jeff Rugg /

Home gardeners can finally grow their own genetically engineered vegetable crop. Before I tell you what it is, we need to define the terms. "GMO" is a widely misused term. It stands for genetically modified organism. In the United States, this term has no legal definition. Many people think they are against anything that is genetically modified,...Read more

The Greener View: Florel the Little Chemical that Could

Gardening / Jeff Rugg /

Q: Didn't you write about a product that could stop all the stinky ginkgo fruit from falling off my trees? I think it was supposed to be applied in the spring, and spring is coming soon. I don't want to cut down my two ginkgo trees, but the fruit makes a huge mess in the fall.

A: I think you are right. The product is called Florel, and as far ...Read more

The Greener View: More All-America Selections Flower Winners

Gardening / Jeff Rugg /

Finding the red, white and blue logo of All-America Selections on seed packets, bedding plant tags or catalogs will help you find flowers and vegetables that will grow great in your garden. Last week, we discussed the three vegetable winners for 2024 and three of the flower winners. Today, we finish with five more flower winners.

The judges ...Read more

The Greener View: 2024 All-America Selections Winners

Gardening / Jeff Rugg /

One way that I know a plant could work well in my garden is that I look for the red, white and blue logo of All-America Selections on seed packets, on bedding plant tags or in catalogs. Even AAS winners from several years ago are more likely to prove successful than nonwinners.

The AAS testing program is an independent nonprofit organization ...Read more

The Greener View: Valentine Flowers

Gardening / Jeff Rugg /

I have a few questions about Valentine's Day, and maybe you do too. Why do they sell "I only love you" cards in a 10-pack? What is Galentine's Day? I can't answer the first question, but Galentine's Day is the day before Valentine's Day, and it is the day ladies celebrate their girlfriends.

No matter if you celebrate one or both days, flowers ...Read more

The Greener View: Are Cicadas Going To Be a Problem This Year?

Gardening / Jeff Rugg /

Q: We were planning on planting several new trees this spring, but we were told by some friends that this summer, cicadas are coming, and they could kill small trees. Do you think is it worth the effort to plant trees this year, or should we wait?

A: I say plant away. Trees are not made in a factory when you want one. The tree you want to plant...Read more

The Greener View: American Garden Rose Selection 2024 Winners

Gardening / Jeff Rugg /

The American Garden Rose Selections (AGRS) judges have announced the newest roses to be selected in their testing program. This year there are three new winners.

The All America Rose Selection program ran from 1940 until 2013. The AGRS program began in 2016. Roses that have been selected in either program are the best ones for gardeners to try....Read more

The Greener View: Attracting Cardinals to My Bird Feeder

Gardening / Jeff Rugg /

Q: I started feeding birds back when I was forced to stay home. I do get several species of birds daily but not cardinals. They come maybe once a week. I am wondering: What can be done to attract them more often?

A: Cardinals, like all animals, need food, water and shelter. They also don't live everywhere, and in the areas they do live, they ...Read more

The Greener View: Cats Versus Flowerpots

Gardening / Jeff Rugg /

Q: We have a new rescue cat. For reasons we don't know, it has been digging the soil out of the tops of all the house plants. It is using the litter box just fine, so it isn't that. We tried several home remedies and sprays that didn't work. I just want to put a barrier on the soil, but I am afraid of harming the plants and I don't want to make ...Read more

The Greener View: Garden Resolutions

Gardening / Jeff Rugg /

Do you ever wonder why some of the plants you were taking care of died? Usually, for me, it is my fault for not putting the plant in the proper growing conditions for it to thrive. Want to learn more about growing plants in the proper location?

Make a New Year's resolution to learn more about gardening. Resolve to take a gardening class with ...Read more

The Greener View: Gardening Winter To-Do List

Gardening / Jeff Rugg /

Let's look ahead to gardening in the new year, even though winter may have only officially started last week. The El Nino weather pattern has given us lots of warm weather in the northern half of the U.S. and lots of rain in the southern and eastern parts, so it hasn't felt much like winter yet.

For Northerners, winter is a good time to plan ...Read more

The Greener View: Last-Minute Garden Gift Ideas

Gardening / Jeff Rugg /

OK, this is your last chance to get a Christmas gift for your gardener or outdoor naturalist. Here are some quick but nice options.

I have a "glove" affair with gloves. Leather gloves are great, and insulated leather gloves are even better for cold weather chores. On the other hand, I really like the cloth gloves that have been dipped in rubber...Read more

 

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