Darrell Blackwelder, Author at Salisbury Post

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Salt damage to plants

It’s winter and snow and ice are possible. Sidewalks, driveways and entryways are treacherous when covered with ice and snow. Many apply rock salt to ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, January 11, 2025 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Time for winter chores

The holidays are over and, when weather permits, many will want to get outdoors to their gardening chores. Below are a few gardening activities that ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, January 4, 2025 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Avoiding cold damage

The extreme cold this past week was a wakeup call that winter is indeed here. Fluctuating temperatures can take a toll on plants, especially newly ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, December 28, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Amaryllis bulbs can be saved to bloom again

A lady at church had a very large amaryllis bulb that was encapsulated in a red, waxy coating. She was wondering what to do with ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, December 21, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: How to maintain Christmas cactus

Holiday cactus is often received as a gift over the Christmas holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter cactus are often grouped into the term “Holiday cactus” ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, December 14, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Mistletoe is a parasitic plant

The Christmas holiday season would not be complete without a dangling of mistletoe under the doorway. Traditionally, mistletoe is used to decorate the doorway, leading ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, December 7, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Gingkos are hardy trees with beautiful leaves

The leaf color on the maples, oaks and hickories are outstanding. The ginkgo trees located near Bell Tower Green park in Salisbury are culminating the ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, November 30, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Preventing cold damage

By Darrell Blackwelder For the Salisbury Post Unpredictable winter weather can take a toll on landscape plants and flowers, especially those just planted. Our unusual ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, November 23, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Planting pecan trees

I often get questions about pecans, especially during the holidays with all the holiday baking. Many want to plant the trees as nursery and garden ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, November 16, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Mowing newly planted lawns

Those that have re-seeded their fescue lawns are now beginning to experience emerging turf because of our warm, wet fall weather. It is important to ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, November 9, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Fall and winter pansies

Rowan County has had very good weather for pansies and other fall annual plants over the past few weeks. There are a few ongoing maintenance ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, November 2, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Ryegrass is a problem in lawns

A friend of mine asked me if they could plant ryegrass instead of fescue for their lawn. They haven’t had much luck with fescue, and ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, October 19, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Bring in houseplants

Cooler temperatures and falling leaves signal those who moved houseplants outdoors for the summer to move them indoors. Temperatures dipping down into the 40-degree range ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, October 12, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Time for planting chrysanthemums

Planting chrysanthemums in the fall has become the normal gardening project that adds a splash of color to our planters and landscapes. Chrysanthemums, also known ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, October 5, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Mulching newly planted fescue

Fall is the best time of the year to reseed thin and bare areas in fescue lawns. The seeding rates depend on your lawn’s condition; ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, September 28, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

H&G Q&A: Questions about clover, pruning and sprouts

Generally, September is a slow month for consumer gardening questions, however, I still receive a variety of gardening questions. Below are a few inquiries from ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, September 28, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Questions about fall pruning

One of the most frequently asked gardening questions when I’m out and about concerns when to prune trees and shrubs. As the season changes, cooler ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, September 21, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Core aerating is an important part of regular lawn maintenance

Core aerating is an important part of regular lawn maintenance, especially for renovation and maintenance of cool-season fescue lawns. Core aerating penetrates the soil and ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, September 14, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Time for fall webworms to appear

I got a text message from a neighbor that was worried about some strange nests in her neighbor’s trees. She was worried it may be ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, September 7, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Controlling Japanese beetles

This summer, a couple of homeowners recently called about swarms of Japanese beetles. Japanese beetles have been a thorn in gardeners’ sides for many years ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, August 24, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

H&G Q&A: Even though summer gardening is winding down, questions still come in

Summer gardening is winding down, and it would be a natural assumption that gardening inquiries would dwindle. However, I still receive several homeowner questions at ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, August 24, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Preventing weeds and fertilizing fescue

I have a confession to make about my lawn. It has done well all summer, but the last few weeks, it looks terrible. With all ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, August 17, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: ‘Shroom situation: Moisture, heat and humidity encourage toadstool growth

I’ve had quite a few people ask questions about mushrooms that are popping up all over the county over the past few weeks. They seem ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, August 10, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Mosquitoes have arrived

In late summer months, mosquitoes are an extreme nuisance upon those that venture outdoors, especially with all our recent rainfall over the past few weeks. ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, August 3, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Lantana in hot sunny areas

There are areas in the landscape that are hot and dry but need summer color. Lantanas are an excellent choice of summer color in landscapes ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 27, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

H&G Q&A: High temps and humidity bring on questions

High humidity and above-average temperatures are the normal for our summer weather. Many have questions about their landscape when working outdoors when our weather is ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 27, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Heat damage on fescue

A friend of mine asked me what to do to his lawn in this crazy summer heat. His lawn, as well as mine, looks like ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 20, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Maintenance tips for bedding plants

Bedding plants continue to be a popular part of spring and summer gardening. By now, most annuals and perennials are well established, but still require ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 13, 2024 12:00 am

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