Watering - The Three T's!
Not sure how or when to water your landscaping? The following tips may shed some light on watering basics.
1. Time:
It is recommended that watering be performed in the early morning or early evening. Watering in the heat of the day often results in excessive evaporation.
2. Technique:
Depending on the weather, it is preferable to water two to three times a week versus watering several times a week. Watering a few times a week for a longer duration encourages deep root growth.
3. Type:
Aside from watering with a typical garden hose or watering can, another alternative may be more effective when trying to quench the thirst of your landscaping. Soaker hoses are relatively easy to install and offer the advantage of delivering much need water directly to the the root system.
1. Time:
It is recommended that watering be performed in the early morning or early evening. Watering in the heat of the day often results in excessive evaporation.
2. Technique:
Depending on the weather, it is preferable to water two to three times a week versus watering several times a week. Watering a few times a week for a longer duration encourages deep root growth.
3. Type:
Aside from watering with a typical garden hose or watering can, another alternative may be more effective when trying to quench the thirst of your landscaping. Soaker hoses are relatively easy to install and offer the advantage of delivering much need water directly to the the root system.
Plant Hardiness: Can someone please tell me if my plant will survive outside all year long?
Interested in purchasing a plant, but are not sure if it will survive the winter outdoors? The following information may help you decide if a plant will survive in your yard or if it should stay indoors.
One of the main factors in determining if a plant will survive outside year-round is its cold hardiness. In order to help gardeners determine if a plant will survive the winter, The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) delineated a series of maps known as the USDA Hardiness Zones. These maps give an individual a visual representation of the average annual extreme minimum temperature (or to put it simply - a map showing the average coldest temperature).
When selecting plants, it's important to check its tag to see if it can survive the winter based on the listed hardiness zone. For example, New Jersey contains two hardiness zones: Zone 6 and Zone 7. If you found a particular plant with a plant tag that read 'Zone 9', you may want to reconsider placing it in the ground as it may not survive the winter.
Selecting plants that can survive all year long can be simplified by matching the zone listed on the plant tag with the zone where you live. If you would like more information regarding cold hardiness or would like to find out which zone you live in, please click here.
One of the main factors in determining if a plant will survive outside year-round is its cold hardiness. In order to help gardeners determine if a plant will survive the winter, The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) delineated a series of maps known as the USDA Hardiness Zones. These maps give an individual a visual representation of the average annual extreme minimum temperature (or to put it simply - a map showing the average coldest temperature).
When selecting plants, it's important to check its tag to see if it can survive the winter based on the listed hardiness zone. For example, New Jersey contains two hardiness zones: Zone 6 and Zone 7. If you found a particular plant with a plant tag that read 'Zone 9', you may want to reconsider placing it in the ground as it may not survive the winter.
Selecting plants that can survive all year long can be simplified by matching the zone listed on the plant tag with the zone where you live. If you would like more information regarding cold hardiness or would like to find out which zone you live in, please click here.
Getting acquainted with two types of plants: Annuals and Perennials
Would you like to add some color to your landscape, but are unsure of the plant types? The following explanation may help you decide if you’d like to start a plant from a seed or if you’d simply like to enjoy watching a flower bloom year after year on its own.
Annuals – This type of plant starts off as a seed, grows, blooms, and then dies in one year. Popular types of annuals include the marigold, impatiens and begonias.
Perennials – This type of plant grows and blooms throughout the spring and summer, wilts during the fall and winter, and then grows and blooms once again the following year. Common types of perennials include the lily, iris, and black-eyed susan.
Annuals – This type of plant starts off as a seed, grows, blooms, and then dies in one year. Popular types of annuals include the marigold, impatiens and begonias.
Perennials – This type of plant grows and blooms throughout the spring and summer, wilts during the fall and winter, and then grows and blooms once again the following year. Common types of perennials include the lily, iris, and black-eyed susan.
Bring on the Hummingbirds!
Do you like hummingbirds, but don't get to appreciate them as often as you’d like? Simple humming bird feeders made of dissolved sugar water work well, but not as easily and naturally as these beautiful flowers. Red bee balm, Delphinium, and Rose of Sharon are well known for their color, but are highly sought after for their ability to attract hungry humming birds.