Do It Yourself - Water Hose Blog

Texture, Movement and Subtle Color - Savor the Triple Treat of Ornamental Grasses

It’s easy for flowers to steal the show. No gardener would argue the awesome appeal of their gorgeous colors and blossoms. But once you discover the feathery beauty of grasses? Well, there’s no turning back. These beautiful and interesting perennials seem weightless, in a beautiful dance with even the slightest breeze. And the good news is, they’re practically no-maintenance.

Attracting Them Is Easier Than You Think, So Pull Up a Lawn Chair and Enjoy

What a magical sight to see a tiny hovering hummingbird. Less than 3 inches long, these amazing-but-mighty birds seem more like big bugs. Weighing less than a nickel, their wings beat up to 80 times per second. The flapping creates an audible buzz, thus the “hum” in “hummingbird.” They can’t walk or even hop, yet can fly up to 30 mph. When the ruby-throated hummingbird migrates south twice a year, it makes the 500-mile flight non-stop!

If You Can’t Recall What, When and Where You Planted, Your Garden Journal Will!

Every gardener has thought it: “This beautiful plant is unforgettable. I’ll definitely remember everything about it.” Then the busy months pass, winter ends and the first shoots of green begin to shoot. You sort through your basket of plant tags, and the only thing growing is confusion.

Every Gardener Gets the Blues. And the Pinks. And the Purples....  

If you’re ever asked which color hydrangea is your favorite, beware! It’s a trick question. The truth is, the beauty of this classic perennial – whether blue, pink, purple, lime green or pure white – cannot be denied. The hydrangea was first cultivated in Japan, but ancient fossils have been discovered in North America dating back 40 to 65 million years!

Whether It’s a Space for Spinach, or a Spot for Snapdragons, It’s Time to Prepare a Proper Garden Bed.

The power of definition can’t be denied. While a lush lawn is beautiful in its uninterrupted greenness, it often begs for an accent – a pop of plantings that command the eye. What a perfect way to sum up the appeal of the garden bed.

You Protect Your Petunias and Dote On Your Daisies – But Real Garden TLC Begins Indoors.

It’s a beautiful summer weekend. The hedges need a trim, the lawn needs a mow and there’s pruning to be done. It’s time to put your gardening gear on – but first, this refresher course on “must-haves,” for serious gardeners and yard putterers alike.

If Plant Insects Are Driving You Buggy, Squash the Problem with Simple, Safe, Smart Solutions.

It’s the day you’ve put aside to get outside. The sky is blue, and you’re armed like a yard warrior: wide-brimmed hat, bug spray and the garden gloves you did not skimp on. The garage doors open, and there they are. The tools you’ve collected through the years. The ones your Uncle Bob gave you. A few that were here when you moved in. The general purpose for must have gardening tools is pretty obvious (or is it?), but there are gray areas when it comes to greening. So what better time than spring to brush up?

Look! It’s a new branch. A young bud. A bush nearly bursting with blossoms. Who wouldn’t want to sit back, and let the growing take place? Smart gardeners, that’s who. They know that – especially in spring – all plants need routine maintenance, otherwise known as pruning.

You Made Your Bed. Now Plant in It!

It’s almost time. Open the seed catalogs, grab your garden gloves and start thinking. What’ll it be this season? An explosion of vibrant wildflowers, a garden of fresh herbs, or all the makings for fresh summer salads?

For a growing number of gardeners, the raised bed has become the solution to a spectrum of backyard challenges. Whether it’s built from stones or logs, the raised bed offers terrific advantages, like…