Dahlias: August's flower
/In August, dahlias begin to bloom in abundance and will carry on with the show until frost. A new old-fashioned favorite in the garden or the vase, they are hard to beat for style and substance.
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In August, dahlias begin to bloom in abundance and will carry on with the show until frost. A new old-fashioned favorite in the garden or the vase, they are hard to beat for style and substance.
Read MoreJune through August is prime time for lightning strikes that can kill or seriously injure the unwary. Keep a weather eye peeled when you are outdoors in the summer. And learn how to protect yourself when thunderstorms roll through.
Read MoreThere have always been gardeners who see plant hardiness zones as a challenge, rather than a limit. With our hotter summers and the boom in plant availability, growing tropical plants has gone mainstream. If you like big and gaudy, this is for you.
Read MoreTrue blues are rare in the garden but highly sought-after. It's not just that they set off to perfection hot hues and pale ones. There's something ethereal about flowers the color of the sky.
Read MoreTired of hydrangeas that fail to bloom? Consider upgrading to the newer re-blooming types that won't let you down. There are more choices than ever.
Read MoreWe may think of praying mantises as one of the "friendlier" insects, but that's only because they aren't sizing us up for dinner. They are actually ruthless (if short-lived) predators that will tackle bugs, spiders and even small birds.
Read MoreIt's good to have heat-resistant and drought-tolerant plants in the garden when temperatures push toward triple digits. As summers trend hotter, we'll need to rely more on these tougher plants. Actually, some like it hot.
Read MoreOf course we love trees -- most of them. The weedy Ailanthus tree is an exception. An alien invader from China, this one will take over if you let it.
Read MoreClose encounters with poison ivy can cause serious harm with an oozing, blistery rash the usual result. Take defensive steps by learning to recognize this hazard in all of its guises. Forewarned is forearmed.
Read MoreNasty summer thunderstorms often blow through with high winds and damaging lightning. If storms topple or damage your trees, you'll have some decisions to make. Best advice: Bring in the pros.
Read MoreMoon gardens featuring ethereal white flowers offer a reason to linger outdoors after dark. Watch a moon flower unfurl or breathe in the fragrance of night-scented flowers. You'll be experiencing another dimension in gardening.
Read MoreGardening to attract wildlife is more popular than ever. Choose plants that offer food, shelter and nesting sites, avoid harmful chemicals and provide water. Your garden can be a place where the wild things are.
Read MoreIf it's June, let there be roses. Don't be put off by their temperamental reputation. Roses can find a place in any garden if you choose the right type and adopt a common-sense attitude.
Read MoreMemorial Day weekend is the traditional time to set out tomato seedlings in hopes of reaping a mouth-watering summer harvest. Let's review the basics of good tomato culture. And do have a look at my New York Times article from last year, documenting the quest for the real Jersey tomato.
Read MoreGardening takes a lot of green -- from your wallet, that is. Spring planting season with all its temptations can be a budget buster. The frugal gardener can prune costs by adopting some of these ideas.
Read MoreSlimy little slugs can leave your newly planted seedlings and favorite garden specimens in tatters. They apparently enjoy a passionate love life, too -- which only leads to more slugs. Here's how to fight back.
Read MoreLilacs are just plain voluptuous with their dense flower clusters and heavenly scent. If yours aren't blooming well, here are some suggestions for revving up the flower power.
Read MoreBlooming with the dogwoods and bleeding hearts, bluebells are a charming addition to the spring garden. These woodland hyacinths are totally carefree, critter-proof and fragrant -- and will spread a carpet of heavenly blue under your trees.
Read MoreBleeding hearts are always on the receiving end of jokes in the political sphere. But nothing could be lovelier in the shady spring garden. Their airy sprays of heart-shaped flowers are pure romance.
Read MoreAre more experienced gardeners confusing you newbies with arcane gardening terms? What's a "drip line" and must deadheading be performed to a soundtrack of classic rock? Fear not - we can explain.
Read MoreThe icons above take you to my Twitter feed, Pinterest boards and Facebook page. News of interest to gardeners has moved to my Facebook page, Valerie's Garden Diary. There you'll find posts about events and developments in the Garden State, as well as items about plants and backyard wildlife culled from the web. If you "like" my page, these posts will show up in your Facebook news feed. It's a public page -- no need to request "friend" status.
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