Plants & Trees

Holiday Season is in full swing and many of our Garden Editors have prepared especially for the occasion. We invite you to follow this link to our Holiday Garden Party where you will find a listing of articles, both current and past that relate to the holidays. We've done the cooking, so to speak. Please come on in and don't forget the spice and the good cheer.

Dec 10, 2002 - Wesley Ford

From the time we are toddlers, we absorb and bury snatches of info about the lives of plants. Over time our brains lose track of the some of the nitches where that info is stored. Often information from two different sources is conflicting. Very often the knowledge is spotty, and is not organized well for good understanding. However with a book like Brian Capon's Botany for Gardeners we can gain a complete and accurate picture of the world of plant science and gain the power to move our gardening to another level. Written for the layman, an excellent volume for both the beginner and the passionate enthusiast, this book is a very readable text that will enhance your appreciation of your gardening experience.

Oct 2, 2002 - Wesley Ford

Efforts to brighten and beautify our interstate highways are erratic and subject to the whims of local officialdom, often to the detriment of the very goals sought.

Aug 26, 2002 - Wesley Ford

A "new disease" has daylily fanciers worried. The daylily Rust disease entered the US in 2000 and already may well already be well on its way to infecting the entire mainland. Whats more it is turning up in new locales abroad also. Whats it all about?

Jun 18, 2002 - Wesley Ford

Yes even the king and queen of evergreen shrubbery can get out of bounds and require remedial prunning. Rejuvenation pruning takes faith. Here's how you can tackle unruly, unsightly rhododendrons and azaleas.

May 9, 2002 - Wesley Ford

Drought is embracing the east coast of the U.S. and the entire region is facing restrictions and tough choices. Check this page for updates of the situation as it developes.

Apr 8, 2002 - Wesley Ford

Every Year new plant species and cultivars are released into the trade for home gardeners. But are they truely avaialble?

Mar 6, 2002 - Wesley Ford

More spring flower shows in the Atlantic Coast region.

Feb 16, 2002 - Wesley Ford

As winter wanes,the spring garden show season approaches. Spring shows offer hope to the winter weary heart, offer excellent opportunities for education, provide seeds for ideas, and introduce the gardener to new products for the upcoming season.

Feb 16, 2002 - Wesley Ford

As we reach the mid-point of our winter season there are several weather related concerns for gardeners this year.

Jan 31, 2002 - Wesley Ford

Rosemary is an herb associated with Christmas. Its culture is relatively simple. Explore the legends further along with some information on how you may include this herb in your gardening plans.

Dec 23, 2001 - Wesley Ford

Rosemary has long been associated with Christmas. Come explore some of the lore of this ancient herb.

Dec 23, 2001 - Wesley Ford

Black walnut establishment and culture is always a popular question for foresters. Here are a few of the authors thoughts and notes on planting and growing black walnuts.

Nov 30, 2001 - Wesley Ford

One of my great escapes is my garden. When bothered, confused, angry, or lost I retreat to my garden to make sense of the world. The events of the morning of September 11, 2001 drove me to my garden where I continued to muse on the events of that tragic day.

Sep 20, 2001 - Wesley Ford

After 2 1/2 hours of non-stop assualt on my senses by events on the morning September 11, 2001, Black Tuesday, I finally must retreat to my garden to churn my thoughts and try to make sense of the new world that dawned that morning.

Sep 19, 2001 - Wesley Ford

The once threatened White Tail Deer is now so abundant that it is invading suburban and urban enclaves. What is the attraction? How can gardeners effectively deal with Bambi?

Aug 1, 2001 - Wesley Ford

Native wild flower gardening is growing in popularity as an urbanized population seeks some contact with its agrarian roots. Books on this topic abound. However, this book by a well known TV personality is not one of the better selections from the genra.

Jun 27, 2001 - Wesley Ford

Joe Eck tackles an eclectic topic with a down to earth aptitude. This book is written to be understood. It speaks to the novice and experienced alike, each taking what one needs from its pages. It is definitely worth a read and a couple of re-reads.

Jun 1, 2001 - Wesley Ford

Mega stores are often the firstest with the mostest when it comes to spring landscape plants, but are they the bestest? Explore one early season plant exhibit with the author and discover what he found.

May 15, 2001 - Wesley Ford

Amelanchiers are reasons to celebrate new beginnings and say sad goodbyes

Mar 30, 2001 - Wesley Ford

The National Arbor Day Foundation is sponsoring an opinion poll on what tree Americans think should become the National Tree of the United States. Do we need a unifying symbol or should we celebrate our diversity?

Mar 4, 2001 - Wesley Ford

Trees play a prominent part in the winter landscape. Here are some of my favorites and why I love them.

Feb 2, 2001 - Wesley Ford

Here are a few of my favorite winter interest shrubs and why I like them. Could they have a place in your winter garden?

Jan 2, 2001 - Wesley Ford

Looking for the best kind of evergreen tree for a Christmas tree? Join me as I relive the many trees my family has enjoyed over the years. You may just find the tree best for you, and better yet, you may find the Best Christmas tree ever. We do......every year.

Nov 29, 2000 - Wesley Ford

Winter holidays are rife with botanical traditions- especially Christmas. Explore the tradition of the Christmas tree and its many origins.

Nov 28, 2000 - Wesley Ford

A harbinger of more glorious color to come, the Tupelo genus splashes August with eye teasing reds. Learn more about this little know, yet common native tree of our eastern American woodlands.

Nov 10, 2000 - Wesley Ford

The vast array of fertilizer products on the market today is a confusing web of claims and facts. How do you sort through this babble? Check out this article as a start to understanding what fertilizer terminology is all about.

Aug 1, 2000 - Wesley Ford

Soils are communities of living organisms that often form symbiotic relationships that function to enhance plant health, vigor and growth. In part 3 of PHC, check out the Micro-biota that inhabit the rhizosphere.

Jul 1, 2000 - Wesley Ford

Plant Health Care is largely dependent upon soil and rootzone conditions and management. Physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil have a very basic effect on plant vigor. Manipulating these factors can have a great impact on the need for other more environmentally intrusive treatments.

Jun 5, 2000 - Wesley Ford

A recent trend in the practice of arboriculture is the use of a holistic approach in the treatment of trees. This new approach, called "Plant Health Care", looks at the entire plant or tree in its environment with a special emphasis on the root system and soil.

May 30, 2000 - Wesley Ford

Idle thoughts of a mid-Atlantic Gardener as he mindlessly Schhhllippp's his way through his vegetable garden patch in one of his annual rights of spring. Join him as tackles the great mysteries of the universe.

Apr 4, 2000 - Wesley Ford

What we buy defines who we are as gardeners. How do you fit in the statistical profile of the millenial Lawn & Garden consumer. This article may open your eyes about who you really are.

Mar 22, 2000 - Wesley Ford

February has arrived and so have the Flower & Garden Shows. Here is a review of the more prominent shows in and near the Mid-Atlantic region. Damn the Ground Hog, Let a little taste of spring warm your blood

Feb 1, 2000 - Wesley Ford

Winter droughts are insidious. They creep out of long shadows of the winter sunshine to eat away at plant vigor. Because our plants are dormant and not actively growing we tend to put our awareness of the water needs of our gardens out of mind. There are some things we can do.

Jan 10, 2000 - Wesley Ford

Yes, friends, even though Old Man Winter reigns in the Mid-Atlantic States, and October had abundant rainfall, this region is still in the midst of drought conditions.

Jan 9, 2000 - Wesley Ford

"In the Garden with Andre Viette" is the Mid-Atlantic's and southeast"s premier garden question and answer show. Meet the host and learn about the knowledge and wisdom that goes into this sucessful production.

Nov 4, 1999 - Wesley Ford

Autumn Foliage Season brings a hundred and one questions. Find out the secrets of the changing of the colors and the how, where, when of seeing what all the comotion is about.

Oct 1, 1999 - Wesley Ford

As the 1999 drought continues the forests of our region are becoming tinder dry. National, state and local fire fighting agencies are geared up to meet the wildfire challenge presented by the drought. Get a taste of the factors and techniques that affect summer drought firefighting and find sources of information that will help you protect your own home.

Aug 15, 1999 - Wesley Ford

One of the most interesting lawn art exhibitions in the Mid-Atlantic States lies in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. From alligators to zebras, this place has it all in solid durable concrete.

Aug 1, 1999 - Wesley Ford

Drought conditions are recurring in the Mid-Atlantic states for the second summer in a row. Here are some ideas to help your garden deal with this added stress.

Jul 1, 1999 - Wesley Ford

Brood V of the periodical cicada is due in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio this year. Find out what this means for your garden and landscape.

Jun 1, 1999 - Wesley Ford

Celebrate Memorial Day and the rest of summer. Check out these annuals for great red, white and blue combinations.

Jun 1, 1999 - Wesley Ford

An introduction to the Plantsman column, including the direction I hope to take it, organization of links and a discussion topic area for feedback. Read this then tell me how I can serve you.

May 1, 1999 - Wesley Ford

The winter of 1998-1999 was sleezy (snow/ice/freezing rain)leaving broken trees and shrubs in its wake. Here's a two part guide for dealing with the after math of the sleeze monster.

Apr 6, 1999 - Wesley Ford