Darrell Blackwelder, Author at Salisbury Post - Page 6 of 18

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Butterfly bush — good or bad??

Butterfly bushes are now in full bloom and literally covered with butterflies. I’ve counted as many as 10 butterflies covering one of our bushes. Usually ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, August 20, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Controlling noxious weed chamberbitter can be tough

There is a relatively new lawn and flower bed weed that has become a royal pain for many home gardeners. The aggravating weed which appears ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, August 13, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: What to do about late-summer lawn problems

In early summer, fescue lawns looked fantastic. Now, many lawns are nearing a total disaster. Here are a number of situations that have caused fescue ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, August 6, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Hummingbird moth is a gentle, pollinating insect

A friend of mine was looking at their butterfly bush this week and noticed a rather unusual insect flying slowly around the blooms. At first ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 30, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Cicada killer wasps are not aggressive to humans

Late July is generally the month when insects and other pests flourish in our landscapes. Some have expressed concern about giant “hornets” buzzing them and ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 23, 2022 12:05 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: Solar soil sterilization kills plant pests

During a gardening interest meeting last week, home gardeners brought up an issue. The problem was that planting the same plants each year in the ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 16, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: Yellow nutsedge is a very difficult weed to control

A friend of mine told me she had some type of fast-growing grass in our flower beds that seemed to grow even more when she ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 9, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: Controlling lace bugs

The foliage of some azaleas and rhododendron appears bleached with yellow splotches. It’s a common problem caused by lace bugs. This very small, clear-winged insect ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, July 2, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Mud daubers are back

Anyone that lives near water — the lake, pond or creeks — are probably going to have orange cylinders of mud pipes from mud daubers ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, June 25, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

H&G Q&A: Insect galls, crape myrtle growth and Japanese beetles

High humidity and afternoon showers create the perfect environment for a multitude of problems for home gardeners. While some are having difficulty with insects and ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, June 25, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Irrigation is critical during high summer heat

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 ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, June 18, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: What to do about brown patch in fescue

The cool weather and abundant rains during spring weather provides perfect growing conditions for fescue. Unfortunately, as the temperature climbs in early summer, so does ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, June 11, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: Annual trampweed is difficult to control

Driving through Rowan County, I noticed a few lawns infested with a weed that looks much like a weak, spring snow. Facelis or annual trampweed ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, June 4, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: Controlling crape myrtle bark scale

Walking on the St. John’s Lutheran Church campus a few weeks ago, I noticed a recently planted crape myrtle that didn’t appear to have its ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, May 28, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Container gardens can add a splash of color and green space

Container gardens can add a splash of color and green space to areas void of plant materials and bloom. These mini-gardens are becoming extremely popular, ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, May 28, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: False dandelions are blooming profusely

This is one of the best springs in years for blooming trees and shrubs. Azaleas, dogwoods, rhododendron and other flowering shrubs blooms have been spectacular; ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, May 21, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

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

A few people have already complained about poison oak/ivy and how to eliminate the noxious weed. Both poison oak and ivy contain powerful compounds which ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, May 14, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: Yellow twig dogwood and banana shrub

COVID has produced a plethora of flowers including azaleas, dogwood and others blooming this spring. There are a couple of spring flowering shrubs that you ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, May 7, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Spring issues for gardeners to look out for

Unpredictable and erratic weather in the spring is a challenge for home gardeners. Many are working feverishly outdoors to get caught-up from the winter. Below ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, May 7, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Vines are a popular choice for landscaping

Multiple uses of vines around the home and landscape make these plants one of the most popular sellers at retail outlets and garden centers. Arbors ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, April 30, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: Native and deciduous azaleas are in full bloom

In many areas of rural Rowan County and on the shores of High Rock Lake, you may stumble across a very unique flowering shrub in ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, April 23, 2022 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Darrell Blackwelder column: Pruning hydrangeas

The tips of hydrangeas may have been killed back during freezing weather earlier this spring. Many ask when is the best time to cut them ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, April 16, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: Wild garlic

Wild garlic, often called wild onions, seems to be instantly appearing in lawns throughout Rowan County as the weather warms. The weed is easily identified ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, April 9, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Questions about controlling English ivy, fertilizing shrubs

Retail outlets are very busy with customers anticipating the chance to plant flowers and improve their lawn and landscapes. Many have questions about their gardening ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, April 2, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: Questions about a second season for tulips

Every spring, I always get a question about bulbs. This year, I’ve gotten a lot of comment on the tulips in full bloom at Hurley ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, April 2, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: What to do for tea scale infestation on camellias

Camellias were almost at their peak of blooms a few weeks ago and then frigid temperatures ended our spring flower show. With a closer examination ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, March 26, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Questions about bulbs

I had a couple of questions sparked by the daffodil article a few weeks ago. Below are a couple of questions about bulbs that may ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, March 19, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: Things to consider when sprucing up landscapes

With warmer weather now upon us, many are considering sprucing up their landscapes. Winter damage, constant pruning or just bad plantings warrant a landscape makeover. ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, March 12, 2022 12:00 am

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