Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Climbing aster is a vine that can provide fall color
Chrysanthemums are in full bloom, adding to color all across Rowan County. Most mums are grown as annuals and discarded after blooming, however, there is ...
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Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: October garden chores
There are many garden tasks which need attending before the permanent arrival of cold weather. Cooler weather earlier this week is a sure indicator that ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, October 21, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: True hue: Trees are showing fall colors
My wife, Gerrie and I were driving through the mountains of West Virginia and Virginia last week and we had the opportunity to observe a ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, October 21, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Fall watering practices
Historically, October is one of the driest months of the year, especially this fall with the excessive heat late this summer. Many forget when cold ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, October 14, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Spring flowering bulbs should be planted now
Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and crocus and other spring flowering bulbs should be planted in October. Various types of bulbs are now available at local garden ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, October 7, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
H&G Q&A: Questions about seeding, planting and pruning
Generally, September is a slow month for consumer gardening questions. However, when I’m out and about I still receive a variety of horticultural and other ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, September 30, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Pansies can add color in the fall
Landscape color can be extended throughout the fall with mass plantings of pansies. Pansies are actually perennial plants, but used in the landscape as winter ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, September 30, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Questions about grass and shrubs
We’ve experienced usual late summer weather with extremely hot weather followed by scattered showers in the evenings earlier this week. Many have questions about lawns ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, September 23, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Fall fescue seeding
September and October are the best times of the year to seed cool-season fescue lawns. This narrow time frame promotes optimum root growth and development ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, September 16, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Kousa dogwood fruit
Dogwood trees are well noted for their seasonal display of showy spring blooms and fall leaf color. However, these trees have a dual purpose of ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, September 9, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Sweet autumn clematis provides pleasant sight and smell
You may see a rather ornate vine coated in beautiful flowers mingling in trees and shrubs as you drive across Rowan County. It can be ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, September 2, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Japanese stilt grass is hard to control after germination
Hot weather and frequent rainfall, our now normal weather over the past few weeks, has provided perfect growing conditions for the spread and growth of ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, August 26, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Dealing with the root cause of herbicide problems
Those with unwanted plants or weeds often have little or no control. Many have asked why a recommended herbicide doesn’t work to get rid of ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, August 19, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Smilax is a tough vine
Every time I work on my hedges or shrubs, I often wind up with briar cuts on my fingers, ankles and arms. There’s always a ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, August 12, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
H&G Q&A: High temps and humidity bring in questions
It’s July and extremely high temperatures and humidity always keeps homeowners and gardeners busy. Below are questions posed by friends at local restaurants and church ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 29, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Irrigation in hot weather is critical for plants
Rowan experienced near record high temperatures earlier this week. Irrigation during this type of weather is critical for survival of plant materials, especially those that ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 29, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Mushrooms
Mushrooms are popping up all over the county as a result of scattered rainfall, unusually warm temperatures and extreme humidity over the past few weeks. ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 22, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Lantanas are a great choice for summer color
Lantanas are an excellent choice for summer color in our landscapes, especially with the excessively hot weather we’ve experienced over the past week. It is ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 15, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: The importance of irrigation in the summer
By Darrell Blackwelder For the Salisbury Post Even when we get evening rain showers, supplemental irrigation is necessary to keep bedding plants, lawns and vegetables ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 8, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: String trimmers, wire can cause bark damage
At breakfast one morning, a friend was talking about mowing and the issue of using string trimmers to detail and finish his lawn. He liked ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 1, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
H&G Q&A: Hot weather, rains prompt questions
Hot weather has arrived and with its blunt heat many have questions about their gardens and landscapes. Plant growth has accelerated for most plants with ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 1, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Adding mulch to a landscape
Over the years, adding fresh mulch is an essential part of our landscape. Fresh mulch can turn a drab, lackluster landscape into a flowing master ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, June 17, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
H&G Q&A: Squash bugs and St. John’s wort
Occasional afternoon and evening rain showers along with warm temperatures create the perfect environment for insect, disease and other problems. Many have asked about problems ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, June 10, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Sometimes variegated plants revert to solid colors
Many people choose variegated plant materials in an effort to provide an accent or a bit of color in their landscape. What can be very ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, June 10, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Elderberry blooms are popular for teas, syrups and wine
Along roads in Rowan County the embankments, thickets, marshes and byways are dotted with large, white blooms of elderberry shrubs. Elderberry is a native, deciduous ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, June 3, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Questions about pruning, fescue and disease
The weather has been nearly perfect for work outdoors over the past few days with warm days and cooler nights. Below are a few gardening ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, May 20, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Maintenance tips for container gardens
Container gardens are now extremely popular, especially where traditional flower beds are not possible. There are some maintenance requirements necessary for them to standout in ...
by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, May 20, 2023 12:00 am
Lifestyle
Darrell Blackwelder: Carpenter bees can be difficult to control
Carpenter bees are starting to show up in all areas of Rowan County. The initial activity is often by males buzzing about looking for the ...