The all-green garden makes quite a statement Story by Nan K. Chase Sometimes we go overboard with color in the garden: carpets of pastel bulbs in spring, big bold patches of orange and red and purple in summer, and then washes of crimson and gold in fall. If it’s a crime to plant loads of …
Create a space to spark children’s imagination Story and Photos by Cindy Shapton Children seem to have a natural love of the outdoors, a connection if you will. As parents and grandparents, we can nurture that love by spending time and providing opportunities to experience what nature has to offer. One way is to incorporate …
Invasive insect pests in home gardens and landscapes Story and Photos by Dr. Blake Layton When the first Americans arrived in North America, they brought non-native insect pests with them. Head lice and body lice were among the first of hundreds of species of non-native insect pests to invade our country and make it their …
How it “functions” in the landscape Story and Photos by Susan Jasan There is a famous phrase in design: “Form follows function.” More correctly, “Form ever follows function,” which is often attributed to architect Louis Henry Sullivan (1856-1924). In fact, the concept has been debated for centuries, much as the eternal question, “Which came first …
Try this tasteful, rustic autumn look for your own garden gathering Story by Peggy Hill Photos by Trace Barnett Southern summers are brutally hot; all but the sweatiest of us spend them cocooned in our air-conditioned spaces, and when we finally emerge in fall, we are ready to party. For me, throwing a fall party …
What is dormancy and why is it so crucial? Story and Photos by Garry V. McDonald This is about the time of year I start getting inquiries from local media about why leaves turn colors in the fall. What they really want to know is the exact week of peak color to inform the leaf-peepers. …
Using nature’s harvest and a bit of imagination to liven up the landscape Story and Photos by Susan Jasan Fall is a delightful time of year with cooler temperatures, fall color, and a bountiful harvest from your summer garden. It’s a delightful time for youth and adults alike as Halloween brings alive a host of …
Using glass mulch in the landscape Story by Margo L. Emery, Ph.D. I first encountered the magical material known as glass mulch at the University of Tennessee Gardens, Crossville. My body froze as my eyes took in a large, neat bed of shiny, multicolored … something. Meanwhile, my brain was clamoring to know what it …
Some plants are just as interesting after the blooms have faded Story and Photos by Mark K. Stickley-Godinez One looks like a small green crown, another like the jester’s hat. This one appears like a beautiful swirling cloud, while the next one is a solid puff of white. My mother called this kind porcupine eggs …
A gardening tale of wonder and woe Story and Photos by Susan Jasan Living in the woods provides opportunities to observe and experience Nature’s creatures. It can also bring with it a variety of unexpected challenges for the gardener. Sometimes gardening in the woodlands is filled with wonder and amazement, other times it is exceedingly …
