Darrell Blackwelder, Author at Salisbury Post - Page 3 of 18

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Winter weed control

With our recent usual cold winter weather, it’s difficult to contemplate weed control in lawns. Even though weather this month has slowed down weed growth ... Read more

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

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Protecting plants from winter cold

Extreme drops in night temperatures can cause damage to both mature and newly planted plant materials. Sudden temperature fluctuations may cause bark damage to trees ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, January 6, 2024 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Seed catalogs for 2024

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

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, December 30, 2023 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Tips for keeping your poinsettia looking its best

Poinsettia producers spend almost 5 months producing beautiful holiday plants that provide only a few weeks of enjoyment during the Christmas holidays. Below are tips ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, December 23, 2023 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Christmas rose is now in bloom

Outdoor landscape plantings are generally not a major priority during the Christmas holidays, but there is a special plant now in bloom that has an ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, December 16, 2023 12:00 am

Lifestyle

December H&G Q&A: Poinsettias, pruning and pansies

The Christmas holidays seem to come faster each year. Many have questions relating to plants and the upcoming holiday season and other landscape questions. Below ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, December 16, 2023 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Winter pansy care

Even though we’ve had some usual weather and drought over the past few weeks, fall pansies still look very good. A friend asked what they ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, December 9, 2023 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Gardening trends

When I’m out and about, people frequently ask gardening questions. The No. 1 question is how to prune trees and shrubs. This seems to be ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, December 2, 2023 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Fraser fir Christmas trees

Black Friday after Thanksgiving Day is the kick-off day for Christmas shopping and also for Christmas tree sales. Christmas tree stands are scattered throughout the ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, November 25, 2023 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Preventing cold damage to plants

Unpredictable weather can take a toll on landscape plants and flowers, especially those just planted. This fall presented a myriad of varying weather conditions — ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, November 18, 2023 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Q&A: The change in weather brings out questions

We’ve had a few days of winter weather, but lately it seems more like early May than November. Many are working outdoors with ongoing gardening ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, November 18, 2023 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Applying lime on the lawn

Fall has arrived and now is the time to fertilize fescue lawns. Our soils need proper nutrients to allow for maximum fescue growth during the ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, November 11, 2023 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Bring in amaryllis bulbs

A friend of mine at church has an amaryllis bulb that she had brought indoors after being outdoors over the summer. It was a large, ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, November 4, 2023 12:00 am

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 ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, October 28, 2023 12:00 am

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

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 ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 29, 2023 12:00 am

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