Darrell Blackwelder, Author at Salisbury Post - Page 13 of 18

Columns

Darrell Blackwelder: Japanese beetles are pillaging our plants

It’s the time of the season and Japanese beetles are pillaging our plants. Gardeners have complained that the pests are damaging roses, crape myrtles and ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, June 30, 2019 12:00 am

Food

Peaches are here and ready to eat

Kevin Huffman’s peach orchard is at its peak, loaded with golden fruit ready for the public. When Huffman removed his declining orchard a few years ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Tuesday, June 25, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

Darrell Blackwelder: This gentle pollinator does not sting

Kristin’s dad was looking at his butterfly bush this week and noticed something unusual flying slowly around the blooms. At first glance it appeared to ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, June 23, 2019 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

The fire ants are back with a vengeance

SALISBURY — Infestations of fire ants are widespread and have become very active over the past few weeks. I can attest, as I have been ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Friday, June 14, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

Darrell Blackwelder: Now is an excellent time to control poison ivy

A few have already complained about poison oak/ivy and how to eliminate the noxious weed that seems to be a constant problem. Both poison oak ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, June 9, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

Darrell Blackwelder: Are your florals droopy?

The abnormally hot weather has put many outdoor gardening activities on hold. But as the heat lingers, it’s important to irrigate trees and shrubs, especially ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, June 2, 2019 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Higher heat and humidity causing brown patch

Many fescue lawns looked perfect earlier, but brown circles are beginning to be tainted yellow, dead circles. With warmer temperatures and humidity, brown patch has ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, May 26, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

Darrell Blackwelder: False dandelion: an intriguing weed

Nobody will argue that this is one of the best springs in years for blooming trees and shrubs. Azaleas, dogwoods, rhododendron and other flowering shrubs ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, May 19, 2019 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Make the most of your container garden

Using container gardens can add a splash of color and green space to areas devoid of plant materials and bloom. Container gardens are extremely popular, ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Friday, May 17, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

Darrell Blackwelder: Kousa dogwood

Our native flowering dogwood blooms are gone, however there is another interesting dogwood now in full bloom. Kousa dogwood is a showy flowering tree that ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, May 12, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

Darrell Blackwelder: Whiteflies are making your shrubs ugly

Many flowering shrubs are in full bloom looking their best in years. However, some shrubs are developing unsightly foliage. Gardenias, camellias and other shrubs have ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, May 5, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

Darrell Blackwelder: Ground bees are beneficial

Someone asked me about some type of bee flying in their backyard, wondering what they were and if they were dangerous. They looked just like ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, April 21, 2019 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Strawberries are ripening all over the place

Local strawberries are one of the great pleasures of springtime in Rowan County. As wet as the weather may be, strawberry producers have again survived ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Friday, April 19, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

Darrell Blackwelder: Blackhaw: Lovely blooms, and hardy too

You may see a smattering of white blooms dotting the woods and outlying areas in Rowan County. From far away the small blooms resemble that ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, April 14, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

Darrell Blackwelder: Proper lime application guidelines

Spring has arrived, and many are excited about their yards and gardens. Adding lime to lawns and gardens is often a required chore, but some ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, April 7, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

Darrell Blackwelder: Fences and roadways are a-bloom

Yellow jessamine/Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is now in full bloom on fences and trees along roadsides in North and South Carolina. South Carolina’s state flower ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, March 31, 2019 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Darrell Blackwelder: Spring blooms with questions

When I’m out and about people ask me a variety of garden questions. The weather has been unusually wet this spring and with drier and ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Friday, March 29, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

A lovely bloom, whether accidental or on purpose

Along with the normal springtime blooming flowers, there are masses of small, bright, colorful flowers spotted in the landscapes of the homes along Main street ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, March 24, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

An aggressive lawn invader

With all the rain and warmer temperatures many have beautiful, green lawns. Unfortunately, there is a weedy grass that seems to be invading our fescue ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, March 17, 2019 12:00 am

Lifestyle

What’s not to love about daffodils?

Daffodils are in full bloom across the county and it’s one of the best blooms in years for the spring flowering bulb. The bulbs seem ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, March 10, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

Darrell Blackwelder: Bradford pears – a huge down side

Bradford pears across the county are now in full bloom with radiant white canopies. They are also dotting their blooms along fence rows, abandoned fields ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, March 3, 2019 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Darrell Blackwelder: Magnolias are blooming early

Many flowering trees are in their splendor, especially deciduous magnolias. Some of these magnolias are a few weeks early and their blooms are quite spectacular. ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Friday, March 1, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

Is there hope against wild garlic?

Wild garlic seems to be instantly appearing in lawns throughout Rowan County. The weed is easily identified by its blue-green tufts dotting the yellow-brown winter ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, February 24, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

An interesting yellow version of the dogwood

Driving past Hurley Park along Mahaley Drive in Salisbury, you will notice an unusual tree bursting with bright yellow blooms. That tree full of blooms ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, February 17, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

What if you have more moss than grass?

Cool season fescue is growing with the warming weather, but moss seems to be a continuing problem. Moss grows because of poor growing conditions such ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, February 10, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

The scent of a shrub — Winter Daphne

As drab and cold as it is outdoors, take heart — there is a spring flowering shrub with a beautiful citrus-like fragrance that is nearing ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, February 3, 2019 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Get out there and spread some mulch

Mulch is a considered a normal aspect of landscaping. Now is an excellent time to apply mulch around trees, shrubs and barren landscape areas. Pine ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Friday, February 1, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

Ivy’s pretty, but can cause problems

English ivy is often used as an ornamental ground cover in Rowan County landscapes in areas where shade from trees prohibits growth of grass or ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, January 27, 2019 12:00 am

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