The start of school this year may not have been surrounded by the usual end-of-summer/beginning-of-fall fanfare, but signs that the seasons are advancing in their usual inexorable way are still upon us. Mid-Atlantic mornings are becoming cooler, and big box stores are breaking out the “Happy Fall, Y’All” knickknacks. And if you’re a gardener, you […]
“Chance of late afternoon thunderstorms” is a part of nearly every meteorologist’s forecast between May and October. Even on the sunniest summer day, the possibility exists for dark clouds, high winds, pounding rain—even hail—when the right combination of cool and warm air, humidity, and other triggers are present. Humans and pets can take cover indoors, […]
Gardeners are known to pore over seed catalogues and websites during the long winter—planning and plotting their garden’s layout and plantings. In most areas, April and May are the months when we condition the soil, dig, plant, fertilize, and water—with fingers crossed. June is the time of hoping and enjoying, as new growth springs from […]
Summer in the Mid-Atlantic boasts a long growing season— from mid-May to mid-October at most elevations. It’s the perfect time to explore how you can create an oasis of peace and tranquility using the colors and textures of the many annuals, perennials, woody plants, and shrubs that thrive here. Need some inspiration? Here are some […]
Just three months ago, very few people had ever heard of the phrase “social distancing.” Today, you’d be hard-pressed to find a single adult anywhere in the world who is unfamiliar with the term or its meaning. As the pandemic continues, social distancing is recognized as one of the most important things we can do […]
If you already love to sink your hands elbow-deep into the good earth, your coping skills for dealing with the stress and unpredictability of the coronavirus quarantine are far superior to many. For those of you still up to your eyeballs in harrowing news reports and negative social media, put down the remote and back […]
Cleaning up your garden area, especially after Maryland’s warm, wet, windy winter, can be a daunting task. Use this 15-point checklist to help pace yourself so you can see progress and stay motivated while you get your flower beds and shrubs cleaned up. Check for Signs of Growth In Maryland, some of the earliest “proof […]
Once the ground has thawed and the hard frost warning dates have passed, many of us can’t wait to get elbow-deep in the rich, good earth. For many, just this will be more than enough to soothe the soul and begin to create the beauty we all want in our outdoor spaces! Some of us, […]
Adding stairs to your outdoor landscape is a relatively simple way to add interest, texture, and value to your home. Don’t consider yourself especially handy? Modular pavers will be your secret ingredient! Modular pavers are an extremely versatile, cost-effective material for building outdoor patios, pathways and stairs. With basic tools and a general understanding of […]
Enhancing your outdoor living space will add functionality and value to your home. Steps, pathways, retaining walls, and patios— all known as “hardscapes”— add dimension, texture, and “curb appeal” to houses of all kinds. Adding a patio is an especially good choice for enhancing your outdoor living space. The material you choose for your patio […]