Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs that transform from bare winter stalks into lush, green branches dripping with blooms in summer. Hydrangeas make a great addition to landscape borders, and the blossoms are gorgeous as cut or dried flowers. Here are some tips for growing this eye-catching plant in your yard. Read in full.

This summer, I am loving the mulberry trees in the back yard! The ripe fruit is sweet, juicy, and lightly tart, making it an irresistible summer afternoon snack, and the lush trees turn my back yard into a summertime rainforest. Here are some tips for growing and enjoying mulberry trees. Read in full.

I have a favorite running route in my hometown, that takes me through lovely residential neighborhoods and past a couple of nice parks, and gets me back home before I collapse. There are many reasons why it’s my favorite – nice long hills that aren’t too steep, well-tended sidewalks, water fountains at strategic milestones – but I have to say that nothing beats the greeting I get from these guys. Read in full.

Carrie asks, “Are there any soil additives or other recommendations to neutralize dog urine so that it doesn’t kill my grass?”

This is one of those topics that abounds with home remedies, old wives’ tales, and myriad commercial products, all with mixed results at best. Here are some facts and solutions that can help. Read in full.

Last summer, I planted a yellow Lady Banks Rose to grow up the column of my side porch. Lady Banks is a thornless climbing rose that explodes in clusters of miniature white or yellow blossoms in the spring, and it’s what we gardeners call a “vigorous climber.” That means that the thing is on the fast track to taking over my porch and possibly my entire house. Here are a few quick facts for growing this luscious rose. Read in full.

One of the biggest worries of gardeners is the threat of freezing weather and frosts that can harm or kill plants and damage crops. Here’s what you need to know to protect tender plants when the mercury drops. Read in full.

Gloria asks, “I have a tree root that is growing under my concrete sidewalk and raising it up. What can I do?”

You could work around it by replacing your sidewalk with adjustable or movable pavers that can accommodate the growing roots. However, to solve the problem and keep your concrete sidewalk, you’ll need to cut the tree roots and then repair the sidewalk. Read in full.

As a foundation shrub, or a specimen plant, camellias offer striking green foliage, elegant shaping, and brightly-colored blooms that make them one of the mainstays of the year-round garden. Here’s what you need to know to grow this nearly carefree shrub. Read in full.

Landscape fabric and plastic can help prevent weeds and control erosion by holding the soil in place and keeping weeds from sprouting. It’s easy to install, and we’ll tell you how, step-by-step, including some important information you need to know about the products that are available. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

If the late-winter blues have you begging for spring, try bringing some spring-flowering branches indoors for a bit of early color. Here are some tips for successfully forcing spring branches to bloom early in your house. Read in full.