Darrell Blackwelder, Author at Salisbury Post - Page 14 of 19

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

Columns

Seed catalogs: a vacation in your head

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

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, January 20, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

That doesn’t look like normal grass

A popular lawn question this time of year is when an over-seeded fescue lawn has smatterings of grass that doesn’t look like a normal fescue-type ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, January 13, 2019 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Darrell Blackwelder: Gardening 101 for 2019

It’s 2019 and our annual gesture of self-improvement and moderation is always a test, especially for gardeners. Some fail quickly during the year, especially with ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Friday, January 11, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

A spot of color in your bleak winter yard

Walking in the yard searching for my dog, I noticed a gaggle of petite white flowers in the mulch. Blooming in a shrub bed was ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, January 6, 2019 12:00 am

Columns

A few tips to help our winged friends

Cold weather is on the way and we need to take care of indigenous birds. Providing ample feed and water during this type of weather ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, December 30, 2018 12:00 am

Columns

Everything you wanted to know about mistletoe, maybe more

When was the last time you were kissed under the mistletoe? Interestingly, mistletoe is a parasitic plant that infects many tree species worldwide. Mistletoe grows ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, December 23, 2018 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Some holiday plants are best enjoyed indoors

The holidays are upon us, and many are asking questions related to our holiday plants. Here are a few examples: Question: My friend from church ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Friday, December 21, 2018 12:00 am

Lifestyle

‘Is there life after Christmas for my amaryllis?’

A blooming amaryllis bulb is a perfect Christmas gift but … “What do I do with the bulb after the holidays”? Good news — these ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, December 16, 2018 12:00 am

Columns

My Christmas cactus bloomed at Thanksgiving!

Christmas cactus is often received as a gift over the holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter cactus have regained popularity due to the vast array of ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, December 9, 2018 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Christmas color: Rowan County growers have a multitude of poinsettia varieties

P oinsettias were introduced in 1825 as a gift from the ambassador to Mexico and their legacy now thrives as the official Christmas holiday plant. ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Friday, December 7, 2018 12:00 am

Columns

Christmas Trees 101

Black Friday is the kick-off day not only a key day for Christmas shopping but also for Christmas trees sales. Christmas tree stands are scattered ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, December 2, 2018 12:00 am

Lifestyle

The Rowan Travelers Weekender Group meets the iconic Rockettes

The Rowan Travelers had barely touched down from their Caravan National Parks Tour — but were still yearning for travel. The group speedily decided on ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, December 2, 2018 12:00 am

Columns

Silverling tree: is it invasive?

I had an inquiry this past week from former Salisbury resident now living in Durham with a question about a small, shaggy tree or shrub ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, November 25, 2018 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Plenty to do outside, but don’t prune now

Outdoor activities and chores never seem to cease even with the sudden onset of winter. Many people believe that fall is the best time to ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Friday, November 23, 2018 12:00 am

Columns

A bit of winter color: holly

It didn’t take long for the dreary days of winter to arrive with shorter days, falling leaves and cloudy, rainy weather. It’s a time when ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, November 18, 2018 12:00 am

Columns

Oh, my ailing pansies

“What is wrong with my pansies? They were beautiful when I planted them but after a few weeks they are all dying!” Pansies are declining ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, November 11, 2018 12:00 am

Columns

A bloomin’ bush: camellia sasanqua

One of my neighbors asked me what type of crepe myrtle was blooming at this time of year in my yard? It’s loaded with small, ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, November 4, 2018 12:00 am

Columns

Lichen: ‘Will this hurt my tree?’

A couple of people have recently asked if the grey moss-like growth on the limbs and twigs of their trees and shrubs is the primary ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, October 28, 2018 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Darrell Blackwelder: Still lots to do in the garden

There are many garden tasks which need attending to before the permanent arrival of cold weather.  Cooler weather this week is a sure indicator that ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Friday, October 26, 2018 12:00 am

Columns

The work of the twig girdler

A lady stopped me one morning on my way out of Richards BBQ wailing about something cutting off small limbs and twigs on her pecan ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, October 21, 2018 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Rowan Travelers tour the West

After two years of back-to-back traveling out of country to Ireland and Great Britain, the Rowan Travelers flipped the coin and decided to stay domestic ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, October 21, 2018 12:00 am

Columns

House plants: vacation’s over

Believe it or not, now is the time to move houseplants indoors for an end to their summer vacation. Seasonable cooler night time temperatures will ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, October 14, 2018 12:00 am

Columns

The Porcelain berry vine

As I was painfully making my way out of the Rowan County Tax Office in Salisbury last week, I spotted a colorful grape-like fruit on ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, October 7, 2018 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Home Improvement: After the rains, it’s a good time to work on the lawn

Fall fescue lawns should be already almost done, but above average temperatures, rainfall and Hurricane Florence has delayed much of the annual process. Now is the time ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, September 30, 2018 1:00 pm

Columns

Watch out for that Wheel bug bite

There was a strange looking bug that fell out of our oak tree earlier last week. It was rather large and looked like a strange ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, September 30, 2018 12:00 am

Columns

Hearts a bustin’ all over

You may have noticed a spindly plant with unusual red berried fruit when walking in the woods or thicket. Strawberry bush (Euonymus americanus) or hearts-a-bustin’ ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, September 23, 2018 12:00 am

Columns

Mums — a splash of color

Adding chrysanthemums in the fall adds a splash of color to our landscapes. Chrysanthemums, also known as “garden mums” or “hardy mums” are now available ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, September 16, 2018 12:00 am

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