Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Julie M. asks, “All of a sudden, my flower garden, which is normally full of color all year, has turned green. Why aren’t my plants blooming?”

It’s so frustrating to take good care of your plants and be rewarded with a lack of blooms! Here are the main reasons why plants don’t bloom, and some things you can do about it. Read in full.

Sherry asks, “When I read about organic gardening, I see a lot of references to neem oil. What is it, and how do I use it in my garden?”

Neem oil is made from the seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) and is a popular choice for organic insect and disease control. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Well, here we are in late winter, and for once in the year, when asked if it’s a good time to prune, the answer is “Yes!” For many shrubs and trees, late winter/early spring is a great time to do large scale pruning and rejuvenating. Taking advantage of a rare warm day, I headed outdoors with my pruning shears in tow. What I found were the startling consequences of not practicing what I preach! Read in full.

Helen asks, “Is it safe to use pre-emergent herbicides around my established bulb beds?”

The short answer is “sometimes,” because in gardening a simple question doesn’t always have a simple answer! Read on to learn more about which weed prevention products are safe to use around bulbs. Read in full.

Once the holidays come to an end, many of us find ourselves with a lovely assortment of poinsettias that we guiltily throw in the trash during the great post-holiday cleanup. This year, why not practice a little year-round cheer and keep your poinsettias as houseplants? They’re beautiful, lush plants, and you’ve never received a holiday gift quite as special as coaxing a poinsettia into bloom. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

In most cases, snow is nothing to fear in the garden – it’s a great insulator, and it melts to provide much needed water to dry plants in the winter. However, heavy snow and ice buildup can cause devastating damage in the garden if limbs and trunks bend or break. Here’s what you need to know about dealing with snow and ice in the yard and garden. Read in full.

Meredith asks, “My summer flowers – like vinca and petunias – tend to get leggy. If I prune them back, will they bloom again?”

Absolutely! Summer annuals will keep blooming until frost. However, if you prune them back severely, it may take a few weeks for them to grow back out and bloom again. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

As you clean up your garden this fall, don’t forget the birds! Leave some seed heads to dry on your perennial flowers, to provide winter food for finches, cardinals, and other year-round birds. Read on for some popular garden plants that are great for feeding the birds. Read in full.

If you live in an area with foraging deer, you’ve likely watched with dismay as some of your favorite plants disappear overnight. But before you give up on gardening altogether, try making your yard less appealing to deer by choosing plants that deer find less appealing. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Geraniums are one of the most popular container and garden plants. You just can’t beat their bright colors and sturdy, well-shaped foliage. Geraniums can easily be stored over the winter and enjoyed again next year. So if you hate to see your lovely geraniums killed by frost this fall, read on to find out how to overwinter them indoors. Read in full.