Rant of the Month

3 days ago

Getting Rid of Unwanted Woodies

I often address unwanted woodies in my talks and assessments. While the topic brings a lot of snickers, it is an especially important gar...

Nov 1

Python Vine

Asiatic (Oriental) Bittersweet AKA Python Vine or Round-leaved Bittersweet is a monster. This woody vine is an east Asia native that has ...

Oct 1

Compost

I am a big advocate of compost. I make it, use it and occasionally buy it. Plants love it. Compost and worm castings are my primary so...

Sep 1

WORM POO AND YOU

Worm castings (aka WORM POO) is a product and topic any serious gardener should want to know about. Some, the germaphobic and squeamish ...

Aug 1

River Birch -- Overused

One of the most overused ornamental trees is river birch (Betula nigra). Do not presume that I mean it is unattractive. The bark can be...

Jul 1

Miscalculating

One of the most common gardening mistakes is miscalculating size and then mislocating based on this miscalculation. It seems almost no o...

Jun 1

Failing to Get There, Again

I had a rant about Asiatic Bittersweet (aka Python Vine) ready to post and will post it closer to fall, but hours before my first of the ...

May 1

Asian Bush Honeysuckle

Regrettably, most of the wood edge, understory and blocking roadside shrubbery you see in the Midwest is Asian Bush Honeysuckle (ABH). AB...

Apr 1

EARTH DAY - Golden Anniversity

What were you doing April 22, 1970? It was a perfect spring day in my south-central Illinois hometown. I was a high school senior, the...

Mar 1

Would That It Were That Simple

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map was originally compiled at the Arnold Arboretum, first published in 1938 and most recently updated (for...

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Unfortunately, most people know little about gardening and environmental issues including many "professionals" employed to choose, install and maintain plants and design landscapes. This page highlights specific issues with commentary on remedy or recommendation for course of action. Examples are numerous and easy to find -- rarely requiring me to travel far from home. Hopefully, these postings will make the task of finding examples more difficult. I occasionally also post outstanding and approved examples in an effort to educate.

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