Author Archives: Maria Woodie

When to Set Up Nest Boxes for Garden Birds

February 10, 2014 | Maria Woodie | 0

Nesting boxes are great ways to bring an abundance of beautiful, fluttering birds to your yard—creating a peaceful, serene scene while also benefiting the native bird populations. To enhance your chances of a yard full of happily chirping birds and …

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Can Yew Hedges Be Pruned in Winter

February 10, 2014 | Maria Woodie | 0

Can I prune my yew hedges now, in winter?

New Golden Duchess Eastern Hemlock Shines in the Garden

February 10, 2014 | Maria Woodie | 0

Virtues: We love the Tsuga canadensis Golden Duchess for its striking golden yellow foliage that fills the dwarf shrub’s arching branches in opulent color. This cultivar of Eastern hemlock was introduced to the market by Monrovia in 2014. These stunning …

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Protect Your Early-Spring Plantings with Low Tunnels

February 4, 2014 | Maria Woodie | 0

Watch this short video from GrowOrganic.com in which Patricia Boudier, co-owner of Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply shows how to construct low tunnels to help protect plants from frost.

What Wind Chill Means for Plants

February 4, 2014 | Maria Woodie | 0

Wind chill is how cold the air “feels” outside, based on wind speed and the current temperature. For example, the outdoor temperature may be 40˚F but with the wind speed factored in, it may feel like it is 32˚ outside.

For a Tree With Gorgeous Winter Bark, Turn to River Birch

February 4, 2014 | Maria Woodie | 0

Virtues: We love Betula nigra for its lustrous deep green foliage and exfoliating bark that peels away from the single or multi-stemmed tree to reveal layers of browns, grays and creams. When developing, the bark is often smooth in a …

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Plant Pineapple Lily Bulbs in Spring for Summer Bloom

January 28, 2014 | Maria Woodie | 0

Virtues: We love Eucomis comosa for its lush, broad, strap-like foliage that arches gracefully in a basal rosette and its amazing, unique summer flowers.

How Deep to Plant Seeds That Are Being Sown Indoors

January 28, 2014 | Maria Woodie | 0

I am sowing seeds in pots indoors this winter and I will transplant them outdoors this spring. How deep should I plant the seeds in my pots?

Easy Recycled Containers for Starting Deep-Rooted Seedlings

January 21, 2014 | Maria Woodie | 0

A great, cost-effective and rewarding way to kick-start your garden is to start your seeds indoors. There are an abundance of successful methods for starting seeds, but one clever, easy-to-do technique is to use empty toilet paper rolls (or paper …

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Adam’s Needle Yucca Is a Low-Maintenance Hardy Succulent

January 21, 2014 | Maria Woodie | 0

Virtues: We love Yucca filamentosa for its long, narrow sword-like blue-green foliage that grows in a rosette form with an abundance of twining white fibrous threads along the margins. In late spring, a woody flower stalk ascends from the center …

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How to Grow African Violets as a Houseplant

January 21, 2014 | Maria Woodie | 0

What can you tell me about growing African violets? I never have success.