Spring is right around the corner, and with it comes a fantastic new resource for gardeners who want to grow beautiful landscapes that support local wildlife, enrich the soil, and protect our waterways. We’re excited to share the newly released Maryland Native Plant Guide for the Piedmont Region, created by the University of Maryland Extension’s…
If you have been thinking about growing your own food but don’t have a lot of space, time, or gardening experience, lettuce is the perfect place to start! Lettuce grows quickly, thrives in containers, and delivers fast rewards – often in just a few weeks. It’s also a cool-season crop, which makes it an ideal…
As fall settles in and the garden begins to fade, many of us feel the urge to tidy things up by cutting back perennials, raking leaves, and preparing for a clean slate come spring. But when it comes to perennial plants, a little mess can be a good thing. Leaving some perennials standing through the…
Whether our desire is for privacy, to block an unsightly view or to create a wind barrier, sometimes we need a privacy screen and fast! The natural inclination is to plant trees close together. While this practice may achieve an instant screen, planting trees too close together is generally not sustainable for the trees’ long-term…
The Importance of Mulch Mulch can be a gardener’s best friend. It adds fabulous curb appeal as well as providing many benefits to the plants. A covering of mulch makes any garden look better. Mulch is a form of ground covering and is used around trees and shrubs, around the house foundation, under hedges, in vegetable…
Mulching Guide To use this chart, begin by selecting your required mulching depth in one of the first three columns. Within that column, select the square footage that is the nearest match to, but at least as much as, the area you will be mulching. Then simply follow that row across to determine how many…
Tips for Low-Maintenance Gardening “Low-maintenance”” is a plant feature that is at the top of just about everyone’s wish list. Here’s a secret: Most plants are low-maintenance, if they are planted in the right spot! For example, let’s say you want to plant evergreen shrubs along the front of your house, and there are windows that…
