Darrell Blackwelder, Author at Salisbury Post - Page 7 of 18

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: How to winterize geraniums

By Darrell Blackwelder For the Salisbury Post I did a double take a few days ago when I joined my friends for breakfast at The ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, January 22, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: Don’t plant shrubs too deep

A homeowner came to see me one day years ago questioning why his forsythias had died a few months after planting. My first comment was, ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, January 15, 2022 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Darrell Blackwelder: Unseasonably warm temperatures in the winter can be detrimental to plants

Ice and snow are usually a major topic of discussion in January, however, unseasonably warm weather earlier in December has many gardeners concerned about the ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, January 8, 2022 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Darrell Blackwelder column: Evaluate trees before they become a hazard

The windy weather earlier this week reminded me of a lady that called a few years ago complaining that she hadn’t slept in three days. ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, January 8, 2022 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Ways to recycle Christmas trees, packaging

Many have asked what they should do with their spent Christmas trees. There are a couple of options to consider. Rowan County’s Department of Environmental ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, December 26, 2021 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: Poinsettias are the quintessential holiday plant

Poinsettias are undoubtably a holiday favorite and a standard decoration for the Christmas season. Many continue to ask questions about this popular holiday plant. Below ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, December 18, 2021 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: The Christmas rose is a cool-season plant

Our landscape plantings are not a major priority during the Christmas holidays; we’re more concerned about decorating with greenery. However, there is a special plant ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, December 11, 2021 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: Preparing your gas-powered equipment for winter

Winter is upon us and use of gasoline-powered equipment, especially lawn mowers, has greatly diminished. I mowed my lawn for the last time this year ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, December 11, 2021 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: Tips to help pansies survive winter

Pansies look very good now even though we had some unusually cold weather last week. A friend asked what they needed to do for these ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Saturday, December 4, 2021 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: Avoiding cold damage

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, Sunday, November 28, 2021 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder column: Pecan tree crops can vary from year to year

Harvesting pecans can be a challenge for those who live in the Piedmont. My family farm has four gigantic trees planted in the ’40s that ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, November 21, 2021 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Pruning, planting and removing leaves

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

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, November 14, 2021 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Darrell Blackwelder: How to avoid shrub problems

Fall is an opportune time to plant trees and shrubs as they acclimate at this time to both weather and soil conditions. Unfortunately, it seems ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, November 7, 2021 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Summer amaryllis bulbs will rebloom for holiday

Many have decided to retain their spent amaryllis bulbs last winter for another spectacular holiday bloom. These Christmas bloomers are expensive and can be saved ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, October 31, 2021 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Darrell Blackwelder: It’s important to keep irrigating during fall and winter

October is one of the driest months of the year. Those with newly seeded lawns are faced with the problem of irrigating the grass to ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, October 24, 2021 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Q&A: Moving houseplants indoors for the winter, pruning hollies

Sounds crazy with our usually warm October weather but frost will be here soon, and many homeowners still have gardening and landscaping chores. Inquiries concerning ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, October 17, 2021 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Darrell Blackwelder: Mums add a splash of color to the landscape

Planting chrysanthemums in the fall is an annual event that adds a splash of color to our planters and landscapes.  Chrysanthemums, also known as “garden ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, October 17, 2021 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Spring flowering bulbs should be planted in October and November

Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and crocus and other spring flowering bulbs should be planted in October and November. Various types of bulbs are now available at ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, October 10, 2021 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Darrell Blackwelder: Straw for seeding and mites

September and October are the best months to reseed thin and bare areas in fescue lawns. Seeding rates depend on your lawn’s condition, as completely ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, October 3, 2021 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Aquatic midges can resemble mosquitoes

A homeowner from High Rock Lake sent an email claiming her home was being inundated and overrun by small insects resembling mosquitoes. Ironically, these insects ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, September 26, 2021 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Q&A: Edible kousa fruit and crape myrtle shoots

We’re transitioning from summer to fall — maybe. Hot weather and lack of rainfall present delays in fall annual plantings and lawn renovations. Many are ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, September 19, 2021 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Darrell Blackwelder: Virginia buttonweed can be tough to kill

Earlier this week, I had a question from a homeowner having problems with an aggressive weed in his lawn. It was growing rampant in his ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, September 19, 2021 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Darrell Blackwelder: Primrose weed has beautiful yellow flowers

One of the breakfast buddies at Richard’s BBQ brought me a flower one of her friends asked to identify. It was a beautiful yellow flower ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, September 12, 2021 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Darrell Blackwelder: Now is the best time for seeding fescue

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, Sunday, September 5, 2021 12:00 am

Lifestyle

Alaska adventure: Rowan Travelers enjoy tour of picturesque state

After a year’s delay in travel, the Rowan Travelers were finally able to return to their travel adventures and tour Alaska. Alaska had been on ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, August 29, 2021 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Darrell Blackwelder: Yellow jackets can deliver extremely painful stings

I was pruning dead flowers in a container planting last week and was stung five times by yellow jackets. These insects are generally in the ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, August 29, 2021 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Darrell Blackwelder: Now is the time to prepare for fescue lawn renovation

August is the time to prepare for fescue lawn renovation in September. September is the best time to fertilize and reseed fescue or cool-season lawns ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, August 22, 2021 12:00 am

Farm & Garden

Darrell Blackwelder column: Pokeberry can be rather invasive

There is a giant weed that pops up in our hydrangeas every spring. No matter how many times my wife cuts it back, it always ... Read more

by Darrell Blackwelder, Sunday, August 22, 2021 12:00 am

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