Alyson Maticic

Tulips (Tulipa) come in a sea of colors and are a great sight to add to any landscape. If you are growing tulips of your own, you have questions about their care. In this article, we will answer when to cut tulips back, and how to get it done.  Your tulips can benefit from some summer …

The idea of growing microgreens may have crossed your mind for a small business idea or adding to your health. If so, you’ll need to consider the price. In this article, we will answer if microgreens are expensive to grow and just what that price is.  Consistently growing microgreens can become expensive when you factor …

The olive tree is a lush evergreen shrub or tree that produces the olive fruit, which is a staple in many kitchens. These trees can live more than 500 years if treated with care. In this article, we will answer why your olive tree might be dying and how to handle it.  There are varying …

Poa Annua is a common grassy weed that grows early in the season and dies off in the summer, leaving you with bare patches in your lawn. This article will answer if Tenacity kills Poa Annua and how to control this grassy weed from taking over your yard.  Tenacity is not labeled to kill Poa …

Lawn care takes work. If you recently overseeded your lawn, you may be wondering what type of work follows. This article will answer a common question: should you bag your grass clippings after overseeding or leave them behind? If seeding weeds were present, you should bag your grass clippings after overseeding. However, you can add …

Do you have ferns inside or decorating your landscape? In any location, it is annoying when they are affected by pests. Caterpillars are a common pest we see impacting these plants. This article will answer how you can get rid of caterpillars on your ferns.  There are a variety of ways to rid your ferns …

Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is fast-growing, hardy, and a top choice for those seeding their lawn. In this article, we will answer when exactly Bermuda grass grows and when you can expect it to go dormant. Bermuda grass grows most in the warm months, typically from late spring through summer. You can expect this grass …

Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) grows worldwide and, in some places, gets labeled as an invasive species. In this article, we will answer how deep the roots of Bermuda grass grow the factors influencing the root zone.  The roots of Bermuda grass can reach depths of six feet or more. However, most of the root system …

Clay soil is dense and can retain both nutrients and water well. However, even this moisture-retaining soil has a drying point. This article will answer how long clay soil takes to dry and more.  The time frame of clay soil drying depends on where the soil is. Shaded areas will take a longer time to …

Are you planting Bald Cypress trees in your landscape? You may be wondering what growing conditions they require to thrive. This article will answer if Bald Cypress trees will grow in shady areas and more.  Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) won’t grow to its full potential in the shade. This tree enjoys plenty of direct, unfiltered …

Are you thinking about planting Crepe Myrtle trees in your landscape? Their long blooming periods create a beautiful addition to the scenery. In this article, we will answer how long you can expect these trees to live and more.  The versatile Crepe Myrtle tree has an average lifespan of 50 years. However, some Myrtle trees …

Are you thinking about planting a Bald Cypress in your landscape? Before planting, it is wise to get familiar with the tree and their root systems. In this article, we will explain if the Bald Cypress has invasive roots and more.  Cypress trees [Taxodium distichum]), including the Bald Cypress, are known for their problematic roots, …

Not all landscapes have rich, well-drained soil. Are you working with wet, clay soil and wondering what to do with it? We have put together this list of eye-catching plants that thrive in clay soil with not-so-great drainage. This list ranges from flowering perennials to quickly spreading ground covers, offering something for every type of …

If you’ve seen a braided Schefflera, you probably are inspired to take on a braiding project of your own. We created this guide to show you step-by-step how to braid a Schefflera plant. Along with these steps, we will answer how to shape and create a bushy look for your plant.  To braid Schefflera, follow …

Schefflera, or the dwarf umbrella tree, is a flowering plant commonly grown inside. This houseplant has become popular due to its ability to withstand neglect and poor growing conditions. Growing new plants from cuttings allows you to keep your current plant going and can make great gifts. Did you know these plants can be propagated …

Hollyhocks, or Alcea, are annual, biennial, or perennial plants depending on the specific species. These beautiful ornamental plants can be easily grown from seed and attract other beings to your garden. Hollyhocks die back in winter, but you need to protect the roots to ensure you can enjoy their beautiful blooms again in the summer. …

Bonsai trees come in all sorts of species and designs. With small pots, shallow roots, and specific soil needs, Bonsai trees require a specific amount of care—and there is a slight learning curve. Did you recently find that one of your Bonsai has a squishy trunk? You can probably recognize that this isn’t normal, but …

Not only are blueberries delicious, but the plant is also a beautiful flowering perennial shrub. Blueberries thrive in full sun and acidic soil and make a great addition to any edible garden. Transplanting blueberries is a need if your plant isn’t doing well in its current location or you are cultivating a garden on another …

Retaining walls maximize space in your landscape while offering an extra accent and added protection for the soil. There are many types of soil, though, including sand, clay, silt, and more. Are you working with sandy soil and wondering if building a retaining wall is doable? Good news, it is. Furthermore, sandy soil happens to …

Ground cover plants are attractive, low-growing plants with practical use. These beauties will stop weeds from coming through while covering areas of your landscape that are otherwise difficult to grow plants on. You can use different plants as a ground cover, including vines, grasses, shrubs, and eye-catching bloomers. If you are reading this, you are …

A Bonsai is a living dwarf tree; almost any tree or shrub can be grown in a Bonsai form. Bonsai trees can live indoors or outdoors, and in either environment, they need a small amount of soil. Picking the right soil for your Bonsai is important, so your tree will get ample nutrients. We gathered …

Have you just brought home your first Bonsai tree, or are you thinking of cultivating some for your landscape? Bonsai trees come from regular stock and seed that go through pruning, root reduction, grafting, defoliation, and potting to produce a small tree with the tree’s look in mature form. If you are an owner of …

Growing moss on a Bonsai creates an aesthetically pleasing look, but did you know it also brings great benefits for your tree? Moss prevents dehydration in Bonsai trees and offers protection for the roots. If you are reading this, then you are probably interested in creating a textured environment for your Bonsai using moss. Luckily, …

Are you adding new trees to your landscape? Or, maybe you are moving trees that you currently have. Balled and burlapped is a process used to transplant trees and shrubs that had been previously planted and experienced growth. You may be wondering how to care, move properly, and transplant these balled and burlapped items. We …

St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a lawn grass that gives off a dark green color with its flat, broad blades. Due to the heat and drought tolerance of this grass, it is common in many states along the Gulf. Are you preparing to add some St. Augustine grass to your landscape? You may be …

Have you just finished building a retaining wall or laying the plans for one? Are you questioning what should go above or on top of your wall? Maybe you are considering adding a fence to the landscape. You might be wondering how you will incorporate all these structures. We combed through all the necessary sources …

Are you thinking of adding a retaining wall to your garden? Great choice; these accents are practical and allow you to make the most out of your space. If you are the one doing the heavy lifting, you may be wondering how much the blocks of a retaining wall weigh. What kind of blocks you …

Freesia is a herbaceous plant with tunnel-shaped flowers that create a beautiful focal point or accent to any garden. Freesia grows from bulbs that can be potted or planted in the ground. If you’ve planted these popular flowers this year, you may be wondering about their bulb care. Like, what do you do with these …

Retaining walls add an attractive element to any landscape. These walls may prevent floods and decrease soil erosion. There are many other benefits alongside these when it comes to retaining walls. It makes sense that you are planning for one. What if the land you are working with is on a slope? This may change …

Red spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) or the two-spotted spider mite is a pest to most plants. These mites not only eat the majority of plants, they lay their eggs on whatever is left.  This process will continue to take cells from your plants to feed the eggs. The damage these mites can do to your …

Echinacea, or the coneflower, contain bright flowery heads that you appreciate in the summer bloom. If you are coming to the end of one of these outstanding blooming seasons, you might be wondering how to protect these beauties in the upcoming winter months. Well, you are in the right place. We did the research to …

Building a retaining wall on your landscape has many benefits. You can customize your garden, increase your property value, and prevent floods in an eco-friendly fashion.  If you are jumping into this DIY project, you probably have some questions about the logistics of it all. A great question to ask from the start is, does …

Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), or the Northern White Cedar, is an evergreen widely used as an ornamental addition to the landscape. Emerald Green Arborvitae can add an accent to your garden or make up a living privacy fence.  If you’ve just planted some of these green beauties or are thinking about it, you probably …

The family of Orchids, or Orchidaceae, is a diverse, large selection of flowering plants. If you are a proud owner of one of these fragrant beauties, you know how delicate and sensitive they are. This is why many orchid owners get nervous around repotting or transplanting this flower.  Not to worry, we gathered our research …

Aloe Vera is a wonderful plant to have around. This succulent species is low maintenance yet beautiful. This easily recognizable plant has been known for its practical uses on the skin and is sometimes called the “wonder plant.”  If you have an Aloe, you must want to know how to care for it. Are you …

Are you adding Arborvitae to your landscape? Great choice. These coniferous trees bring a green accent or blanket to the scenery all year round. There are varying types of Arborvitae to choose from, so you’re sure to find the right one for you. With your tree picked out, one of the first care aspects to …

Arborvitae is a coniferous tree that includes five species of different sizes, seen as hedges grown widely as ornamental trees. The cone or thin pyramid shape is a typical shape for Arborvitae, popular for its low maintenance. Arborvitae is hardy, but some basic care is required. Part of this basic care to consider is watering …

Maple trees provide the well-known colors that come along with Fall. If you grew up in a location with four seasons, you probably jumped in a pile of Maple leaves at least once. These beautiful, large-leafed trees need space to reach their full potential, and the room required needs to be considered when planting.  If …

Deciding on which type of maple tree is the right fit for you will depend heavily on where you live. USDA plant hardiness zones are divided by temperature differences, while a tree’s hardiness gets determined by its ability to grow in a specific zone’s temperature extremes. If you are planning your landscape, you are probably …

Arborvitae trees are a type of coniferous tree. Belonging to the cypress family, there are five known species of arborvitae. This name comes from the Latin phrase, “tree of life.” These ornamental trees are often utilized as hedges or privacy trees. Are you thinking of getting a few of these evergreens to spice up your …