Search Results for: blog five winter lawn care tips

Five Winter Lawn Care Tips

Currently, our lawn is covered with a blanket of fresh snow. Nothing compared to what our neighbors to the north received (more than a foot fell there in less than 5 hours). We just have a couple of inches, but it is enough to get me thinking about what should be done out there prior to the inevitable—I know that we were spared by this storm, but next time I can guarantee we won’t be as lucky. Here are five things you should do before your yard hibernates under a blanket of snow this winter: 1. Aerate. (Otherwise known as … Continue reading →

Spring is the Season of Green… Barf

I think my dogs Moose and Lally are jealous. With spending so much time interviewing writer friends lately, I haven’t been talking about them as much. Somebody’s jealous. Somebody came up with a GREAT way to get featured in a blog: barf a mysterious green liquid in the living room while I was in the shower. I always know something is up if one or both of the dogs is in the bathroom with me when I’m done in the shower. Usually, they avoid it like the plague. Running water? Soap? That could mean a dreaded bath! Today, Lally greeted … Continue reading →

Creative Gardening

Beautifully landscaped gardens don’t come cheap… or do they? Yesterday I popped into our local Garden Exchange to pick out a Father’s Day gift for my uncle who is an avid gardener. Boy, some of the items in there cost a fortune… and I was just looking at the plants and flowers. A person could go bankrupt filling his garden with all of the gorgeous options that are blooming in gardening centers. I left empty-handed, but determined. I figured there had to be ways to add to or create a stunning garden without having to rob a bank to do … Continue reading →

A “Green” Way To Get Rid Of Garden Pests

It was a balmy 73 degrees today. (Seventy-three degrees in March in Wisconsin—that’s something to brag about.) Our family took advantage of the beautiful weather by visiting a local wildlife sanctuary. After I got a good look at the critters there I came home and surveyed our yard and garden. Lo and behold, not five minutes into my inspection, a big fat fly landed on my arm. (Ah, the welcoming committee doesn’t miss a beat.) With the spring thaw in progress it won’t be long before I am battling bugs and other garden-loving pests. In previous blogs I’ve written about … Continue reading →

How NOT To Heat Your Home

Our local Dairy Queen was closed today. Not because it ran out of soft-serve. Rather, the electronic sign outside the establishment scrolled: “CLOSED due to EXTREME COLD!” Not something you see everyday. Then again, our below zero temperatures (way below—windchills here have been around 45 below zero) are not something you experience every day either. Less than two weeks ago my daughter and I were in Hawaii baking in 84 degree tropical weather. This morning we woke up in Wisconsin where the temperature was –10. (A difference of nearly 95 degrees… but who’s counting). The Dairy Queen, the YWCA, the … Continue reading →

Fences—-Tricky Propositions: Finding A Solution

In my previous blog I discussed the topic of fences and how the installation and maintenance of them could be tricky propositions, especially if you inherit one from a pervious homeowner. For instance, if a fence separates your yard from your neighbors’ whose responsibility is it to care for the fence? What if you don’t like your neighbors’ style of fencing? What do you do if your neighbor put up a fence years ago and now it’s falling apart? To find the answers you may simply have to consult with your community association. More often than not they have written … Continue reading →

Even More Simple and Affordable Ways To Spruce Up Your Garden

In a previous blog I mentioned the Christmas card I received in the mail from one of my best friends, which features a photo of her three older children and her baby—her utterly gorgeous garden. Sure, she lives in Hawaii where she the climate allows her to toil in her soil year round, still it’s not just anyone who can write to Martha Stewart about a gardening dilemma and actually get a personal response from the domestic diva based on the pictures she sent and the information provided in her letter. Yes, my friend has quite the green thumb. It’s … Continue reading →

More Simple and Affordable Ways To Spruce Up Your Garden

We’ve established that despite the bitterly cold temperatures wreaking havoc on most of the nation, there are still some lucky gardeners (the world over) who are busy cultivating their prized petunias. Most gardeners here in the United States are anxiously waiting a good spring thaw—-but let’s get through Christmas first. Until then, consider tucking away these simple and affordable tips for your garden. Make Your Own Compost This is my neighbor’s second job (I say that with a smile). She is a die-hard when it comes to turning household organic waste (vegetable peelings, grass cuttings, fallen leaves) into compost and … Continue reading →

How Does Your Garden Grow?

I just received a beautiful Christmas card in the mail from one of my best friends. It features a photo of her three children sitting in her front yard surrounded by plump hydrangeas, colorful azaleas, and big purple orchids. (Did I mention she lives in Hawaii?) After staring at the picture for a while I looked out my own bedroom window at the brown grass peaking out from what remains of our recent snowfall. When you are surrounded by snow, frigid temperatures, and dormant vegetation you often forget there are areas of the world where homeowners are treated to year … Continue reading →

What is Xeriscaping?

Unless you live in a warm climate you are likely in the midst of winterizing your yard and garden. We winterized our yard a few weeks ago (and it’s a good thing since it has snowed twice since then). Our recent snowfalls got me thinking about all of the other homeowners who don’t have to deal with the white stuff… or the wet stuff—rain. If you happen to live in a hot dry climate and are struggling to maintain a bountiful garden you should know about xeriscaping. Xeriscaping is a term used to describe low water gardening or landscaping. Xeriscape … Continue reading →