Growing grapes in your home garden Story by Eric Stafne, Photography by Richelle Stafne Different kinds of grapes grow in the southeastern U.S. A “bunch grape” refers to grapevines having berries that hang as a cluster. The entire bunch is harvested as a single, uniformly ripe unit. Wine grapes (Vitis vinifera mainly) and table grapes …
Try the Florida weave trellising system for your tomatoes Story and Photography by Kristi Cook I don’t know about you, but I there’s one thing about growing tomatoes that I don’t care for – caging them. No matter what type of caging system I’ve tried, be it the classic flimsy tomato cage, the sturdier cattle-panel …
Using living plants to control energy costs Story and Photography by Helen Newling Lawson Everyone knows how soothing a carpet of green grass feels on bare feet or how the shade of a large tree offers relief on a summer’s day. But did you know you could harness the cooling effect of living plants to …
Creating cozy outdoor rooms in your landscape Story and Photography by Meaghan Clark “Putting together a great outdoor space is like fitting together pieces of a puzzle,” says Kenny Rabalais of The Plant Gallery in New Orleans. With lighting, sounds, water features, outdoor seating, pathways, and lush gardens to consider, it is a task that …
How to grow healthy and delicious produce without 8 hours of sunlight By Julie Thompson-Adolf Dreaming of delicious heirloom tomatoes? Pining for perfect peppers? Living with a shady garden presents challenges, particularly if your gardening niche focuses on edibles. As a gardener who prefers peas and pac choi to petunias, I’ve learned to search out …
7 of the most reliable species for Southern landscapes Story and Photos By Hubert P. Conlon Magnolias (Magnolia spp.) represent a diverse group of magnificent flowering trees and shrubs. Most bear huge showy blooms in purple, red, pink, yellow, white, and every shade in between. Choose from magnolias that are deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen in …
This illuminating garden is beautiful in sunlight and twilight Story and Photos By Yvonne Lelong Bordelon The gorgeous home and garden of Patrice and Richard Ellis is yet another example of the exquisite secret gardens that can be found hidden away in old Baton Rouge neighborhoods. This exceptional property was one of three lovely homes …
Using natural materials for your landscaping Story and Photos By Diane Beyer More and more gardeners and landscapers are heading “back to the land.” In addition to self-sufficiency, less pesticide use, growing heirloom vegetable varieties, urban homesteading, hardscaping using natural materials is also becoming more popular. Here in the South, where physiographic regions are so …
10 ways to become more water-wise in your landscape 1. Get your soil right before you plant anything – If your soil is too sandy, water will pass through it too rapidly and your plants will be thirsty. If your soil has too much clay, water will go though it too slowly, possibly drowning your …
15 problems solved in your warm-season vegetable garden Story and Photos By A.J. Heinsz-Bailey Every day there are changes in your vegetable garden. Along with these changes – temperatures, rainfall, insects and diseases – problems arise. The warm-season vegetable garden is a living entity that requires constant supervision to produce positive results (groceries). It is …
