Maintain proper grass length.
Set mowers to 3-3.5” to keep grass longer, which crowds out weeds and helps the grass retain moisture. If your mower can mulch the grass, use that feature and leave the grass clippings on the lawn to provide nutrients and to prevent water from evaporating. This also keeps yard waste out of landfills.

Water appropriately.
Most people over water their lawns, which results in unhealthy grass and wasted water. If you walk across the yard and can see footprints, it is time to water. Watering only when it’s needed can save 750-1,500 gallons a month. Avoid the temptation of watering on every designated watering day if your lawn does not really need it. Also, when you do water, apply a sufficient amount of water, enough to make 6 to 8 inches of soil wet. This will enable the plants to grow deeper roots, decreasing the need to water often.

This maintenance, however, results in numerous environmental impacts to our air, water, and wildlife. Americans love lush green lawns, which have become a symbol of a well-kept home and part of the American dream. In all, Americans have turned 30 million acres of land into lawns, and we use a lot fertilizers, pesticides, water, and energy to maintain them.

The front door and window sills are painted a warm red. The red contrasts beautifully with the pink and cream to bring out the architectural details of the home yard machines by mtd. The rule of thumb is to have three colors on the outside of a home. New seating on the porch and the lack of the security bars help to make a great first impression and the longest yard. Remember, security bars without a quick-release option can be a fire hazard, so when selling a house, retro fit the bars for safety, or remove completely.
The sod is rolled out like a welcome mat — fresh green grass appeals to buyers. Multi-levels were cut into the tiny hillside. Stone steps lead to the upper level, where a bench and new plantings make an inviting sanctuary. Yellow flowers and plantings are used because yellow evokes an emotion of buying.

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With just a few short weeks until Christmas, it is time to buy the flower we all think of first when it comes to Christmas, the Poinsettia. Even though we think of it as being the Christmas flower, I imagine that you aren’t aware that it has its own day of the year, Poinsettia Day, that is well over a month prior to Christmas. The Poinsettia is not only an exceptionally beautiful flower, but an interesting flower that has been changing its coloring away from the traditional red we equate with Christmas. The poinsettia is also, contrary to old wives tale, an exceptionally safe flower to have in your home at Christmas.

We think of the Poinsettia as the Christmas flower and it growing in florists pots, but the Poinsettia is also called the Mexican flame leaf, Christmas star, lobster flower, Noche Buena, Pascua or Christmas star (Euphorbia pulcherrima), and is known to grow to a height of sixteen feet in Mexico. The Poinsettia’s bracts, which we call “flowers,” are actually large bunches of colored leaves. The flowers themselves are the small yellow flowers in the center of each leaf bunch. Mexican legend says that it resembles the flower of Bethlehem, and they have given it the honor of decorating churches at Christmas time. Read more…

Indoor gardening has many benefits. Indoor plants can brighten a room, provide moisture to the dry indoor winter air, and also supply oxygen during the day. You don’t have to have green thumb to grow indoor plants; there are some low maintenance plants available. Indoor gardening can be an extension of your outdoor gardening, filling in the gardening void experienced in the winter time.

Indoor Plant Pots

There are many different plant pots to choose from. Choose pots that reflect your decorating style. If you can’t find the perfect pot you can always make your own or improvise. As long as the object you choose can hold water and soil and has drainage holes, it will work. Drainage holes are important as plants do not thrive if they get “wet feet”. Soil is also important. Buy a good potting soil that has been formulated for the type of plants you choose. If you reuse your potting pots, make sure your thoroughly wash them before using them for the next plant. This avoids the spread of disease and fungus. Read more…

As a part of the Redlands Horticultural and Improvement Society, the Floral Design Group offers programs for those who enjoy and want to explore the ancient and modern art of floral design - for personal use, community programs and flower shows.

Meetings are held from September through June usually at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month in the lower level of the Lodge at Plymouth Village, 945 Salem Drive, Redlands.

Programs feature presentations and demonstrations by gifted floral designers, educational and creative workshops, tips on preparing for flower shows and much more. Read more…

Hummers racing through the mountainside property of John and Vera Johnson at Georgetown Lake are the winged variety, attracted by brilliant blossoms that thrive in the couple’s high-altitude perennial garden.

The tiny, testy hummingbirds dart among painted daisies and columbines, where butterflies and honey bees hover over nectar meals.

At 6,500 feet, the rock garden is a rainbow showcase bursting with blue delphiniums, crimson poppies, spiky lavender anise and purple liatris, pink Sweet Williams and puffs of blue-gray ornamental grasses. Read more…

Ah, summer. Warm sun, soft grass and lush, colorful flowers. Wouldn’t it be nice to keep some of that summer feeling around after the heat has drifted away?

Flowers can certainly do the trick, but Flower Lights, sparkling cords of decorative light, give you both lasting flowers and a colorful glow. Think natural plant surrounding a twinkle light, and you have Flower Lights.

Made in Thailand from the leaves of the Bodhi tree, these lights represent the rejuvenating abilities of the Bodhi or enlightenment tree. After the leaves have fallen, they are treated to give them a durable and translucent quality. Then they’re dyed with natural colors and hand-shaped into flowers. Read more…

Q: My African violet is flowering to beat the band, but the leaves look wilted. What’s wrong? Not enough light? Not enough fertilizer? Time for new potting mixture?

A: The plant would not be flowering in insufficient light. And if it were hungry, it wouldn’t be blooming so loudly. In fact, built-up fertilizer residue can wilt leaves. But the usual culprit is water stress: Foliage flops whether it gets too much moisture or too little. Read more…

Rotting wood, a sagging roof and windows that regularly need replacing have led John Pelzer, owner of Busch’s Florist & Greenhouse, 620 Madison, to seek a new greenhouse.

In the hopes of completing new construction prior to the Nov. 1 kick-off to the biggest season for the florist industry, Pelzer intended to return a demolition application Wednesday to the city.

At the Historic Preservation Commission meeting Tuesday night, Pelzer requested the commission release the project for demolition considering his time constraints.

The brick, original office building - which already was a floral shop before Hugo Busch moved to Jefferson City in 1890 - will remain. Read more…