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Review of Fiskars Quantum Hedge Shear: How Does it Compare to the PowerGear Model?
Over many years of managing a fine landscape maintenance company – one which focuses on the pruning, training, and finer work in the garden beds rather than the mow ‘n’ blow-type service so ubiquitous in the field – I’ve developed some strong loyalties to the workhorse tools which make the day’s pruning faster, more comfortable,…
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Low-Maintenance Water Features: Downsizing Ponds and Fountains
When you envision a water feature, it may evoke the gentle sound of a soothing waterfall, or perhaps your thoughts go to the splashing of a brook over rocks. Maybe a lovely pond with koi and water lilies will give you a sense of peace. What you don’t picture, though, is the hard work it…
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Monday Miscellany: Autumn Colors Year-Round, Edible Garden Designs, and Great Book Deals
The best articles and ideas from around the web, curated by North Coast Gardening. Fall colors year-round. Though I’m usually a fan of cool colors like blues, silvers and purples in the garden, there’s something about the fiery tones of fall which makes me feel extra enthused about plants with cinnamon, orange, and golden foliage…
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Educated Consumers Score a Big Win for Honeybees – With Thanks to Skagit Gardens
Wildlife gardeners have been fighting an uphill battle against the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, the ones that are thought to be responsible for colony collapse disorder in honeybees. One of the most heartbreaking things is that recently, many home gardeners have become aware that the bee-friendly plants they have planted in their gardens specifically to help…
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How to Compost Pet Waste: Making Pet Ownership More Earth-Friendly
With the number of pets people have, the safe disposal of pet waste has become a real problem for local governments. When you put it in a plastic bag and send it to the landfill, for instance, it just sits there forever until the bag is broken. And it doesn’t take much imagination to figure out…
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Monday Miscellany: Drunken Fried Apple Products, Forcing Bulbs, and more
The latest and greatest from around the web. . . curated by North Coast Gardening. Drunken. Apple. Fritters. Yeah. The Prudent Garden has a tutorial and recipe up on making these delicious lumps of heavenly goodness. Go, eat, be happy. Your diet can start again tomorrow. (A non-alcoholic version from Julie’s Garden Delights here). How…
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Jump On It! Great Deals on Fall Reading
Every so often Amazon has some wonderful things at a price that I can only describe as “WTF”. I think it has something to do with their algorithm and how their computers search for the best deals online, and then automatically match them. Sometimes these deals last a while, and sometimes they’re gone in a few…
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Monday Miscellany: Spigarello, Contemporary Design, Black Flowers and More
The latest and greatest from around the web. . . curated by North Coast Gardening. The new kale? Root Simple wants you to try Spigarello, which they say has the mild, sweet flavor of broccoli leaves. If (like my mom) you find the spicy flavor of kale a little much, this nutritious green might just…
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Keeping Dogs From Eating Organic Fertilizer
Using organic fertilizers is a great way to be green and give your plants a slow-release source of nutrients. However, some of the – ahem – more “fragrant” fertilizer ingredients just seem to call out your dog’s name. If you have a dog who likes to roll around in strong aromas, or worse, has a gourmand’s taste…
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Organic Fertilizer Recipes: How to MacGyver Up a Custom Blend
Developing a healthy soil is the goal of every gardener, but sometimes plants need an extra boost. Perhaps you are growing high-yield fruits and vegetables, plants with big blooms like roses, rhododendrons and camellias, or just feel that your soil isn’t performing well and your plants need a little help while you work to balance…
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DIY Organic Fertilizer: Demystifying Single-Ingredient Fertilizers
Single-ingredient organic fertilizers have long been a mystery to me, and since I haven’t wanted to screw things up, I’ve been using the already-blended mixes from brands like Gardner and Bloome, which have formulations that work well for the different labeled uses (acid-loving plants, flowering plants, etc). Yet using single-ingredient fertilizers, and blending them yourself,…