Darrell Blackwelder, Author at Salisbury Post

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Spring star flowers are in bloom

I was visiting a friend’s home last week and she seemed to be concerned about masses of small, bright, colorful flowers spotted throughout various sections ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, March 29, 2025 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Pecans can be difficult

A friend of mine asked me why he would have pecans for some years and none other times. Harvesting pecans can be a challenge for ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, March 22, 2025 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Bradford pear seedlings

I had a friend ask me about his Bradford pear this past week. Bradfords across the county are now in full bloom with beautiful, radiant ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, March 15, 2025 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Reasons why daffodils do not repeat bloom

Daffodils are now in bloom throughout the county. They are about as colorful as I have seen in years. Interestingly enough, I had a person ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, March 8, 2025 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Preventing winter shrub damage

Warmer and dryer weather has homeowners evaluating their lawns and landscapes. Lawns are starting to turn green; daffodils are starting to bloom and flowering shrubs ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, March 1, 2025 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Some camellia japonicas are blooming now

I had a lady email a photo of a beautiful camellia bloom last week. It’s hard to believe that there are some shrubs blooming now ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, February 22, 2025 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Lenten roses are blooming now after warm spell

I’ve seen a few daffodil plantings blooming this spring because of our unusual warm weather. There is another plant, the Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis), that ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, February 15, 2025 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Is English ivy becoming the new kudzu?

A friend of mine at breakfast told me that he felt English ivy was becoming the new kudzu. He has a good point. When you ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, February 8, 2025 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Caring for house plants in the winter

House plants have a difficult time adapting to a different environment when moved indoors for the winter. Most house plants were bred and developed from ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, February 1, 2025 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: When is the best time for pruning?

One the most frequently asked gardening question concerns pruning. Many ask if it’s OK to prune any time the temperature changes, particularly if there is ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, January 25, 2025 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Now is the time to start perusing seed catalogs

Early winter is generally when home gardeners receive a steady supply of seed and gardening supply catalogs. With the weather we’ve had lately, seed and ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, January 18, 2025 12:00 am

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

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