Plus, you would get that one, two, or three hours back that it takes to mow your lawn each week. And with skyrocketing gas prices, not feeding the lawn mower looks better every day. Some people do and are rewarded by the scads of wildflowers, birds, bees and butterflies that pop up. Of course, you could let nature take its course, stop mowing altogether and return your lawn to the wild. Have you ever stopped to think if there might be a better way, an easier way? They impose bans on washing cars and using sprinklers, making it even harder to maintain a green lawn. Municipalities all over the country ration water during the summer. It’s no surprise then that your lawn is more often scorched grass than a soft, green yard.Īlong with these soaring temperatures, we’re experiencing longer stretches without rain. Summer temperatures are increasing for longer periods with each passing year. Where once you walked barefoot on dewy grass, you’re now careful to put your shoes on before venturing outside. No matter how much new seed you put down or how often you water, there will come a point where your lush green lawn turns into a crunchy brown landscape. You'll be up and running in no time.It happens every summer. The minute they emerge, take the plastic off for good. Remove them to plant your seeds, then put them back on and wait for the seeds to bump ground. Finally, try laying strips of clear plastic on the soil to warm it. Creating a windbreak, whether it's one you plant or one you build, will have the same effect, because reducing the wind-chill effect in your garden will help it to warm up. Tilting the garden toward the sun will raise the temperature of the soil several degrees - you might even use a French technique called 'ados' beds, where the soil is sloped up against a board on the north side, making the bed tilt sunward. And if the area slopes a bit to the south, all the better. Unless leafy trees will eventually shade it, this is the spot. If you live in a cold area, notice where snow first melts in your yard. While you may not be able to hurry up spring, there are several things you can do to meet it halfway. (Even Mediterranean plants need winter moisture.) I feed them once a month with fish emulsion, then biweekly when the longer days of February begin, and a fresh new burst of foliage signals winter’s end.Įveryone looks forward to the warm weather that spring brings, especially gardeners who are itching for the soil to warm up, dry out and be ready to receive their treasured seeds. I set them on a tray of pebbles to make watering easier and to help humidify the dry winter air. I bring in small plants, not ones that have become old and woody, and give them a light, not-too-rich potting soil. Tarragon and Chives come indoors too, after a few freezes~those are needed to trigger new growth. A pot of bay for seasoning those fortifying soups and stews. Certain tender herbs must share the space too.

What’s winter without sprigs of Thyme inside the roast chicken, or Sage in skillet-fried cheese sandwiches? These plants must spend the winter in pots in a sunny window not far from the kitchen. There’s no problem leaving them in the ground, as long as you don’t mind their loss of leaves. Plenty of perennial cooking herbs, such as Sage and Thyme, survive cold winters. They're better at it and if you make your yard poison-free and hospitable to wildlife, all will thrive. Rely on your local birds, ladybugs and frogs to keep the bugs in balance. Even the most notorious plant predators, such as aphids, tend to attack plants that are already stressed by poor growing conditions. Keep your plants healthy with proper watering and fertile soil. Plant enough for both them and you, and marvel at their gorgeous diversity. Is there an odd-looking caterpillar on your Parsley or some other plant in your garden? Don't douse him with a toxic dust or spray and poison your little Eden! Is he doing any real damage, or just nibbling a leaf here and there? And what will he become: one of the resplendent swallowtail butterflies you've been trying to lure to your flowers? Most caterpillars are relatively harmless in the garden. Pinch back the plants toĪvoid flowering and to encourage leaf production. Feed lightly with kelp or fishĮmulsion once seedlings are well established.

Others such as Chives, Sage orįennel prefer to be direct-sown outside once the Perennials like Lavender, Catnip or Savory prefer toīe started indoors. Outdoors when the threat of frost has passed. Lightly in sterilized seed mix, lightly moisten andĬover with plastic wrap until germination takes Moderately rich, well-draining soil with at least 5 Threat of frost has passed, or started indoors for Herbs may be either direct-sown outdoors after the

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