Q: I think I remember you writing one time that a fall garden would be easier to take care of and that it should be planted in the middle of the summer. Am I right? What should I plant? A: You are right. Planting a fall vegetable garden is a good idea, and now is…

As the mercury rises, keeping plants properly hydrated and thriving becomes a battle that requires a significant change in watering practices, protecting plants from the sun’s scorching rays, and more. First things first: Make sure you’re staying safe, cool, and hydrated yourself. Schedule yard work during the cooler times of day, such as early morning….

Question: I plant my annuals and perennials the same way, and some plants flourish while some just sit there. What am I doing wrong, and can the problem be fixed after the plant is in the ground? For instance, I planted six tomato plants at the end of May, and though their color is fine,…

Q: As you may know, many of us are in a moderate drought this summer. My husband and I have been discussing how much we need to water our landscape and lawn. We live in the upper Midwest, and we normally get summer rain in thunderstorms. July and August are usually the dry months, not…

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho—Traditional naturopath and clinical herbalist Patrick Jones said that in the beginning, “there were weeds—and the war began.” The weapons to fight the weeds improved over the centuries, he said, as “our troops were well-armed. Our resolve was firm.” But the weeds were winning; it was time for a new strategy. Clinical herbalist…

For some homeowners, the “grass is always greener” in their yard, largely because of their near-constant efforts, and they don’t want to give up a single blade. They buzz around their yard on their riding mower with the water bottle holder, wearing their oversized garden hat and happily singing, “Mow, mow, mow your lawn, gently…

There’s an art to watering your garden. When you know the best time of day to water outdoor plants, and the tricks to watering them most efficiently, you’ll have happier plants. The Best Time to Water Plants The best time to water outdoor plants is in the morning when temperatures are usually cooler. This gives…

With the hot weather of summer, there may not be much to do in your landscape, but there are a few things that need to be watched for so that the landscape stays healthy. Rain in summer across North America usually comes in a few heavy thunderstorms with many hot, sunny days in between. Heavy,…

By Bob Dluzen From The Detroit News Comfrey, until fairly recently, was used for centuries as a medicinal herb. Some of the common folk names for it, such as “healing herb” and “bruisewort,” reflect the healing properties that people once thought it had. Nowadays we are told that any internal healing properties it might have…

Q: I bought a half-barrel to use as a planter. It does not have drainage holes. Besides the regular watering I do for the plants, we have had more rain than usual. Now the barrel is at least half full of water. The plants are starting to drown. I don’t want to drill holes in…