Make your yard a haven for our beloved pollinators Story and Photos by Jennifer Williams Pollinators – one of the latest gardening buzzwords. The decline of pollinators worldwide, and the many effects of this decline, is in the forefront of the minds of scientists, farmers, and gardeners. Planting even a small corner of your home …
It’s not just honeybees and butterflies Story by Helen Newling Lawson Helping pollinators is a hot gardening trend right now (dare we say there’s a “lot of buzz”?). Initiatives such as the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge are bringing attention to the need to create habitats for at-risk pollinators such as monarch butterflies and honeybees. But …
Pruning your Knock Out roses Story and Photos by Bob Westerfield If you have had any interest in flowering ornamental plants over the last decade, you are surely familiar with Knock Out roses. They came onto the scene in a big way, promising to be prolific bloomers, virtually disease free, and above all, low maintenance. …
An ongoing series of container recipes Story and Photos by Barbara Wise One mantra heard often in the horticulture world is “Get kids interested in gardening.” As I head into my years of grandparenting, I realize that learning is so much more appealing when it feels like playtime. So I started thinking about what I …
Story and Photos by Yvonne Lelong Bordelon Supertunia Vista Bubblegum and the others in the Vista series are wonder-plants for hot, humid Louisiana gardens. They are said to be the best petunia for landscapes. Vistas exhibit vigorous growth, are heat tolerant, disease resistant, and don’t require deadheading for continuous blooms from spring through fall. These …
A nostalgic take on Louisiana gardens Story and Photos by Jennifer Williams Creating a garden with a nostalgic look is a very personal project. The task of recreating a memory can be daunting but beautiful, as the process takes you back to the plants of your favorite memories. A tiny pink rose, tucked into the …
A hidden jewel in Baton Rouge Story and Photos by Yvonne Lelong Bordelon Tucked away along one of the tree-lined streets of Old Goodwood in Baton Rouge is a southern style hidden jewel that brings to mind the beauty of the classic children’s story, The Secret Garden. Visiting the enchanting garden of Chris and Sharon …
Tips for getting rid of squash bugs Story and Photos by Kristi Cook It happens every year. Carefully tended squash seedlings slowly mature into dark green, leafy bushes loaded with yellow blossoms, causing my mouth to water in anticipation of the summer’s first squash. And much to my dismay, I am never alone in my …
How to build a mason bee house Story by Sue Hughes The Problem If you’re like me, you’ve entertained the idea of beekeeping – until the over-$100 starter kits, ridiculous outfits, and the prospects of a sticky, syrupy harvest caused that thought to make a beeline right out of your head. Yes, I want to …
Secrets to having perennial cacti in the Southeastern United States Story by Nick Yorlano Succulents take many forms and come in many shapes and sizes. They are also widely known for their ability to survive in less-than-ideal conditions. Cacti are a type of succulent that is distinguished from other succulents by having areoles. It may …
