tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253103912011-12-22T14:25:55.159-05:00The GreenMan offers features on environmental subjects from Earth-friendly gardening and horticulture, to resource conservation, renewable energy, sustainability, and outdoor education.Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.comBlogger1481100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-79290188547742990462011-12-12T09:00:00.000-05:002011-12-12T09:00:02.638-05:00

For many people, the upcoming holiday season is the most special time of year. It is a period somewhat set apart from daily living and reserved for families, friends and celebrations. Above all, it is a time rich with customs and rituals, where even our simplest holiday decorations, songs and stories are the product of complex legends and myths from numerous countries and religious

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-4644336983621446262011-12-06T09:00:00.000-05:002011-12-06T09:00:12.928-05:00

In our previous posting, Big, Bloomin' Bulbs (Dec. 3, 2011), we examined a number of spring-flowering bulbs which are easily forced to bloom indoors to brighten our winter windowsills. While some of these bulbs can be successfully transplanted outdoors for future use in the garden, others proved to be too finicky to make a repeat appearance. A notable exception to this group of plants

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-27625930496228995802011-12-03T09:00:00.000-05:002011-12-03T09:00:10.120-05:00

Coaxing spring-flowering bulbs to bloom during the winter is a popular trick for adding brilliant color to the home and a welcome boost to the spirit. Unfortunately, the trick does not work well for everyone, while even successful practitioners often look at the faded foliage and wonder what next?The process of "forcing" bulbs simply means inducing plants to bloom ahead of schedule

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-41107555729434077682011-12-01T09:00:00.000-05:002011-12-01T09:00:01.525-05:00

For many of us, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a fragrant, fresh-cut Christmas tree in our home. And for a lucky few -- those with large yards and strong backs -- the holiday is an opportunity to celebrate with a living Christmas tree; a cheerful, green guest whose role in this holiday tradition is only matched by its future value in the landscape.In the wilds of Baltimore

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-16522436819450265482011-11-27T09:00:00.000-05:002011-11-27T09:00:05.257-05:00

However you prepare to decorate for the upcoming holiday season, you might want to expand your spirit of giving to include your feathered and furred neighbors. You will find that creating colorful, edible outdoor ornaments is a fun, imaginative, and rewarding activity that will bring your family closer together, and may launch a wonderful new tradition.An increasingly popular trend is

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-73479829734853795392011-11-15T09:00:00.000-05:002011-11-15T09:00:13.339-05:00

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, a holiday full of swirling memories and preparations, like so many colorful autumn leaves. It’s a celebration of family and food and delightful traditions. And it can be a reminder that our traditions are actually anything but traditional.I was rather young when I first learned that my family’s traditional Thanksgiving dinner was not the universal

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-70162533685034742382011-11-13T09:00:00.000-05:002011-11-13T09:00:01.146-05:00

You can beat the blahs of a winter landscape by remembering the three B’s of off-season gardening: blooms, branches, and berries. Admittedly, there are only a handful of introduced plants, and even fewer native species, which bloom and provide colorful relief during the gray days of mid-winter, with the striking and noteworthy exception of witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), alternately

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-49112785706604639682011-11-11T09:00:00.000-05:002011-11-11T09:00:03.952-05:00

The key to successful composting is getting started simply and properly, avoiding unwanted surprises, and learning how to slowly adjust your composting technique to achieve a rich, beautiful product to serve the needs of your garden -- and your lifestyle.Location: Before starting, determine an appropriate location for the compost pile. Vegetable gardeners should set up piles or bins

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-58583034258745067692011-11-08T16:07:00.000-05:002011-11-08T16:07:00.148-05:00

Wooden shipping pallets are easily recycled into large, heavy-duty compost bins. Pallets are available for free from many area businesses, assemble in minutes, and with them you can produce rich humus, mulch and compost year after year. Here's how:A Simple Pallet BinObtain five pallets with narrow spaces between slats (1/2" - 1") and of uniform size. Many pallets measure 40" by

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-91598517540265681092011-11-04T09:00:00.000-04:002011-11-04T09:00:10.548-04:00

The days are growing shorter and colder, and your mailbox is already full of winter catalogs. You might think your garden chores are finished for the season. Think again. The garden year actually begins with the misty, mellow days of autumn.Spring only seems like the perfect time to resume work on your landscape. After all, garden centers are overflowing seductively with flowering

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-48772381979660410952011-11-03T16:03:00.000-04:002011-11-03T16:04:13.612-04:00

Autumn is perhaps the most mellow and reflective season of the year. Shorter days encourage reading in the evening while crisp air and colorful vistas invite weekend hikes and trips to the countryside. Regrettably, too many people waste their precious weekends raking leaves into piles or shatter the quiet peace of sunny afternoons with leaf blowers. There is a better solution.Rather

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-80158695742163569602011-07-14T09:00:00.001-04:002011-07-14T09:00:09.937-04:00

There’s no denying that townhouse communities are popping up like weeds across the land. Townhouses are popular and often more affordable than single family homes, and with a bit of horticultural slight of hand, they can provide almost as many satisfying garden options as larger yards.The trick to mastering these smaller, confined landscape areas is to realize the inherent limitations of

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-70961766158017776212011-07-12T09:00:00.001-04:002011-07-12T09:00:07.838-04:00

This year, to combat an onslaught of creepy, crawling critters, many homeowners will spend a small fortune on toxic chemicals, pheromone lures, and even propane-powered mosquito traps. Interestingly, there’s a simple solution that’s just a short hop (and croak) away.In the world of natural pest control, one of the brightest players is the humble toad. Toads have a phenomenal appetite for

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-7287243237927448492011-07-10T21:40:00.001-04:002011-07-10T21:42:29.372-04:00

Since the early 1970s, garden enthusiasts have flocked to Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton, Maryland, for a view of horticulture taken to a fanciful extreme. Of course, with a little effort, most patient gardeners can create their own topiary displays, whether to adorn a doorway or grace a dining room table.Traditionally, topiary has been the art of training and pruning small trees and

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-45782805389697728092011-07-05T08:26:00.001-04:002011-07-05T08:28:07.020-04:00

Few plants have commanded such a central role in human history as common garden sage. First revered for its medicinal properties in antiquity, this unassuming member of the mint family was held sacred to the Greek and Roman gods, traded by the Dutch for tea from China, and has been revered by herbalists for millennia, from Dioscorides and Galen to your local GNC outlet.Common sage (Salvia

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-82065504626651916332011-06-30T06:45:00.000-04:002011-06-30T06:47:58.171-04:00

The introduction of ornamental grasses to the American landscape is one of the defining moments in modern garden design. These grasses, planted in clumps or large masses, recall elements of the nation's vanishing prairie, while adding sophistication and panache to even the most groomed garden.Regrettably, many of the grasses frequently used, especially those with ostrich feather-like plumes

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-36734686919852341142011-06-29T09:00:00.000-04:002011-06-29T09:00:11.611-04:00

There is something special about pathways. Some lead directly to the welcome mat of our homes, while others lead to secluded patios and gardens. Pathways can extend an invitation to friends and guests or lead us away on new adventures. Unfortunately, most of the paths we typically design are sterile ribbons of concrete. However, with some alternate paving materials and a nose for

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-54694220398890976542011-06-27T09:00:00.000-04:002011-06-27T16:44:20.182-04:00

It is a tribute to composting that humans have taken such a simple, natural process and elevated it through myth and misunderstanding into a form of new age alchemy. The spread of these myths has been facilitated by word of mouth, misguided publications from solid waste managers, and, worst of all, hard-core marketing. In order to keep composting simple and inexpensive, let's put to

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-25159460921338005812011-06-23T09:00:00.001-04:002011-06-23T09:00:08.645-04:00

For imaginative landscapers, rain gardens may represent the perfect marriage of heaven and earth. Specially-designed garden areas help to receive and store rainfall, using that moisture to nourish an oasis of interesting native plant communities reminiscent of lush stream banks and freshwater marshes.The notion of developing rain gardens has received a lot of attention across the

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-78705888236436480692011-06-21T09:00:00.001-04:002011-06-21T22:19:12.418-04:00

Indoor hanging plants seem to come and go in style. Unfortunately, many people lose interest in them because they become bored with little more than green fronds hanging over their heads. But hanging plants can offer a great deal more, depending on how they are selected.A hanging plant does not simply mean Boston ferns, Swedish ivy, and spider plants, although these are remarkably

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-34214150850380657452011-06-19T09:00:00.001-04:002011-06-19T09:00:04.404-04:00

During the hottest summer months, our lawns and gardens face a number of environmental challenges which threaten their health and beauty. Wilting and discoloration of lawns and foliage is a common example, as are flowers dropping buds, or tomatoes succumbing to blossom-end rot. And yet these symptoms also herald additional complications, as voracious insect pests and fungal diseases find an

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-85020424662751843342011-06-17T09:00:00.000-04:002011-06-17T09:00:10.060-04:00

Orchids are perhaps the most exotic, breathtaking, and unique of all flowering plants. However, their frequent association with mist-shrouded jungle canopies has led many gardeners to think that growing them is beyond their everyday ability. Fortunately, you need not move to a remote tropical island or invest in a greenhouse to enjoy these fantastic jewels of nature.If you can

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-21293816810529226782011-06-15T15:15:00.001-04:002011-06-15T15:18:32.080-04:00

Maintaining healthy turf areas around most commercial properties requires a considerable investment of time and resources. Moreover, those lawns also produce a prodigious amount of clippings that must be recycled, either through the preferable practice of grasscycling, or by transporting clippings to an appropriate recycling facility, which is also an expensive proposition.Fortunately

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-81994679466478274772011-06-12T09:00:00.000-04:002011-06-12T09:00:07.032-04:00

There is something special about pathways. Some lead directly to the welcome mat of our homes, while others lead to secluded patios and gardens. Pathways can extend an invitation to friends and guests or lead us away on new adventures. Unfortunately, most of the paths we typically design are sterile ribbons of concrete. However, with some alternate paving materials and a nose for

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-48887104648581930072011-06-10T09:00:00.000-04:002011-06-10T09:00:05.981-04:00

The modern office is generally a product of strict efficiency and economic design. Lines are straight, wall-coverings are bland, windows are sealed shut, lights fluorescent, and cubicles ubiquitous. And this is where many of us spend the better part of our lives. Perhaps it’s time to consider personalizing – and naturalizing – these uninviting spaces. And the best place to start might

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-1495503331269954262011-06-09T07:31:00.001-04:002011-06-09T07:34:40.103-04:00

In a world where we are most often reflected in baseline demographics, gardening becomes a rare opportunity to express personal interests and creativity. Perhaps all that is wanted is a touch of inspiration. For that, what better source than Shakespeare? The bard’s works overflow with flowers and botanical allusions, with magical moonlit glades, and with gardens as both settings and

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-28140880677816164432011-06-06T09:00:00.001-04:002011-06-06T09:00:07.612-04:00

A common axiom in gardening is putting the right plant in the right place. Where bamboo is concerned, most people think that the only appropriate location is somewhere on the far side of hell. Bamboo is cherished and ardently defended as a vigorous landscape screen by some, although it is usually cursed as an invasive, unstoppable menace by most others, especially irate neighbors who find

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-50344381201281916602011-06-05T16:16:00.003-04:002011-06-05T16:22:22.302-04:00

Lawns can play an important part in our landscape: providing a welcome, green space for children, backyard barbecues, and other outdoor activities, in addition to their aesthetic value. Lawns also contribute significant environmental benefits: preventing erosion, nutrient runoff, filtering air, and providing natural "air conditioning" during the summer.However, all of those advantages are

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-26414457195881022392010-12-15T09:00:00.000-05:002010-12-15T09:00:04.759-05:00

For many people, the upcoming holiday season is the most special time of year. It is a period somewhat set apart from daily living and reserved for families, friends and celebrations. Above all, it is a time rich with customs and rituals, where even our simplest holiday decorations, songs and stories are the product of complex legends and myths from numerous countries and religious

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-55891417242443003182010-12-12T09:00:00.001-05:002010-12-12T09:00:00.258-05:00

For many of us, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a fragrant, fresh-cut Christmas tree in our home. And for a lucky few -- those with large yards and strong backs -- the holiday is an opportunity to celebrate with a living Christmas tree; a cheerful, green guest whose role in this holiday tradition is only matched by its future value in the landscape.In the wilds of Baltimore County,

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-25821751344818670112010-12-09T09:00:00.000-05:002010-12-09T09:00:08.365-05:00

You can beat the blahs of a winter landscape by remembering the three B’s of off-season gardening: blooms, branches, and berries. Admittedly, there are only a handful of introduced plants, and even fewer native species, which bloom and provide colorful relief during the gray days of mid-winter, with the striking and noteworthy exception of witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), alternately

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-46545975608577662992010-12-06T09:00:00.000-05:002010-12-06T09:00:14.928-05:00

In our previous posting, Big, Bloomin' Bulbs (Dec. 3, 2010), we examined a number of spring-flowering bulbs which are easily forced to bloom indoors to brighten our winter windowsills. While some of these bulbs can be successfully transplanted outdoors for future use in the garden, others proved to be too finicky to make a repeat appearance. A notable exception to this group of plants is the

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-38683919939867011772010-12-03T09:00:00.000-05:002010-12-03T09:00:02.242-05:00

Coaxing spring-flowering bulbs to bloom during the winter is a popular trick for adding brilliant color to the home and a welcome boost to the spirit. Unfortunately, the trick does not work well for everyone, while even successful practitioners often look at the faded foliage and wonder what next?The process of "forcing" bulbs simply means inducing plants to bloom ahead of schedule and out

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-53747445800993838412010-12-01T09:00:00.000-05:002010-12-01T09:00:00.907-05:00

Homeowners across the colder portions of the country are about to find themselves yet again being uncomfortably squeezed between cold temperatures and increasingly higher natural gas and energy prices. In fact, depending on the size of the home, residents can expect to spend between two to three times as much on basic heating costs, if not more. Not surprisingly, in many a home chilled

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-88822358247113987052010-11-29T09:00:00.001-05:002010-11-29T09:00:05.397-05:00

However you prepare to decorate for the upcoming holiday season, you might want to expand your spirit of giving to include your feathered and furred neighbors. You will find that creating colorful, edible outdoor ornaments is a fun, imaginative, and rewarding activity that will bring your family closer together, and may launch a wonderful new tradition.An increasingly popular trend is to get

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-74878698949619255282010-11-24T08:30:00.000-05:002010-11-24T08:30:02.595-05:00

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, a holiday full of swirling memories and preparations, like so many colorful autumn leaves. It’s a celebration of family and food and delightful traditions. And it can be a reminder that our traditions are actually anything but traditional.I was rather young when I first learned that my family’s traditional Thanksgiving dinner was not the universal norm. We

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-35674571716079369012010-11-10T08:30:00.002-05:002010-11-10T08:30:02.386-05:00

You can beat the blahs of a winter landscape by remembering the three B’s of off-season gardening: blooms, branches, and berries. Admittedly, there are only a handful of introduced plants, and even fewer native species, which bloom and provide colorful relief during the gray days of mid-winter, with the striking and noteworthy exception of witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), alternately called

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-90404515890218099442010-10-29T08:30:00.000-04:002010-10-29T08:30:01.847-04:00

The modern office is generally a product of strict efficiency and economic design. Lines are straight, wall-coverings are bland, windows are sealed shut, lights fluorescent, and cubicles ubiquitous. And this is where many of us spend the better part of our lives. Perhaps it’s time to consider personalizing – and naturalizing – these uninviting spaces. And the best place to start might be

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-76998117968303766012010-10-24T08:30:00.001-04:002010-10-24T08:30:00.645-04:00

Wooden shipping pallets are easily recycled into large, heavy-duty compost bins. Pallets are available for free from many area businesses, assemble in minutes, and with them you can produce rich humus, mulch and compost year after year. Here's how:A Simple Pallet BinObtain five pallets with narrow spaces between slats (1/2" - 1") and of uniform size. Many pallets measure 40" by 48" and

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-8586123373462510732010-10-20T08:30:00.001-04:002010-10-20T08:30:01.450-04:00

As you select and prepare to carve a pumpkin this Halloween, you should pause to reflect on the vast impact this humble gourd has had on our cultural history.Pumpkins generally trace their origins to Central America, and collections of seed have been found in Mexico dating back several thousand years. Today, pumpkins are grown on every continent except Antarctica, and have found their way

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-67907820478806703882010-10-18T08:30:00.000-04:002010-10-18T08:30:00.411-04:00

The key to successful composting is getting started simply and properly, avoiding unwanted surprises, and learning how to slowly adjust your composting technique to achieve a rich, beautiful product to serve the needs of your garden -- and your lifestyle.Location: Before starting, determine an appropriate location for the compost pile. Vegetable gardeners should set up piles or bins in the

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-11803659521721286272010-10-16T08:30:00.000-04:002010-10-16T08:30:00.284-04:00

Indoor gardening can introduce a wide array of benefits into your home and office, from decoration and fragrance, to fresh-cut culinary herbs. Unfortunately, indoor plants can also introduce annoying pests and other unforeseen problems, especially if some of those plants were brought indoors to overwinter.There is nothing more disheartening for the indoor gardener than to see a swarm of

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-84625174112248207402010-10-14T09:00:00.000-04:002010-10-14T09:00:07.572-04:00

Autumn is perhaps the most mellow and reflective season of the year. Shorter days encourage reading in the evening while crisp air and colorful vistas invite weekend hikes and trips to the countryside. Regrettably, too many people waste their precious weekends raking leaves into piles or shatter the quiet peace of sunny afternoons with leaf blowers. There is a better solution.Rather than

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-74621562166449263672010-10-12T08:30:00.000-04:002010-10-12T08:30:00.865-04:00

Indoor hanging plants seem to come and go in style. Unfortunately, many people lose interest in them because they become bored with little more than green fronds hanging over their heads. But hanging plants can offer a great deal more, depending on how they are selected.A hanging plant does not simply mean Boston ferns, Swedish ivy, and spider plants, although these are remarkably easy to

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-25916527198889807082010-10-10T08:30:00.000-04:002010-10-10T08:30:01.017-04:00

Composting is a simple, natural process. There is no need to purchase special activators or fertilizers to make the materials in your compost pile or bin break down. Compost just happens! Here are some basic strategies for making compost "happen" for you:Slow and Easy CompostingBuild your compost pile anytime of year.Create a simple, freestanding pile no more than 5 feet high (preferably 3

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-39053976999087641212010-10-08T08:30:00.000-04:002010-10-08T08:30:00.646-04:00

The overall quality of indoor air in our homes and offices has been declining steadily during the past three decades. Concerns regarding energy conservation during the 1970s led to superior insulation materials, tight-fitting windows and doors, and other construction features which have effectively bottled up our living and work spaces. Unfortunately, while keeping out cold drafts, those

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-86979622142666920952010-10-02T08:30:00.000-04:002010-10-02T08:30:01.248-04:00

Tired of our artificially-scented and perfumed world, bubbling with pots of potpourri and plug-in air fresheners? A more natural choice to add aroma to our homes and offices can be found in an amazing assortment of plants which are as beautiful in bloom as they are richly laden with extraordinary fragrance.The most popular fragrant plants for the gloomy days of winter are usually

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-19575037525400689472010-09-30T08:30:00.000-04:002010-09-30T08:30:00.654-04:00

Glorious Autumn! Keat's season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. It is also (alas) the season of the rake. It seems that you spend the better part of your precious weekends just raking up leaves. And just when you have gotten them under control, along comes a brisk gust of wind, a sprinkling of rain, and your lawn is covered all over again. Groan! Time to drag out the rake once more.Here is

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-82463953142273402602010-09-28T08:30:00.000-04:002010-09-28T08:30:01.635-04:00

There is something special about pathways. Some lead directly to the welcome mat of our homes, while others lead to secluded patios and gardens. Pathways can extend an invitation to friends and guests or lead us away on new adventures. Unfortunately, most of the paths we typically design are sterile ribbons of concrete. However, with some alternate paving materials and a nose for fragrant

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-37573936276955207542010-09-26T08:30:00.000-04:002010-09-26T08:30:01.640-04:00

A common axiom in gardening is putting the right plant in the right place. Where bamboo is concerned, most people think that the only appropriate location is somewhere on the far side of hell. Bamboo is cherished and ardently defended as a vigorous landscape screen by some, although it is usually cursed as an invasive, unstoppable menace by most others, especially irate neighbors who find

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-46209102552177768262010-09-24T08:30:00.000-04:002010-09-24T08:30:00.966-04:00

Orchids are perhaps the most exotic, breathtaking, and unique of all flowering plants. However, their frequent association with mist-shrouded jungle canopies has led many gardeners to think that growing them is beyond their everyday ability. Fortunately, you need not move to a remote tropical island or invest in a greenhouse to enjoy these fantastic jewels of nature.If you can successfully

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-75930156207489630012010-09-22T08:30:00.001-04:002010-09-22T08:30:01.444-04:00

In recent years, ornamental grasses have become de rigueur for most modern garden designs. They are graceful, tall, and elegant – rather much the Audrey Hepburn of horticulture. But how can we translate this vertical effect to our indoor gardening environment? The solution comes replete with a rich and stunning history dating back to the ancient Nile, Pharaohs, Egyptian gods, and Moses in

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-28755635314521592552010-09-20T09:00:00.000-04:002010-09-20T09:00:01.496-04:00

Maintaining healthy turf areas around most commercial properties requires a considerable investment of time and resources. Moreover, those lawns also produce a prodigious amount of clippings that must be recycled, either through the preferable practice of grasscycling, or by transporting clippings to an appropriate recycling facility, which is also an expensive proposition.Fortunately, a

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-53668346780743160582010-09-17T21:00:00.000-04:002010-09-17T21:00:02.135-04:00

Labor Day has just passed, and for many of us, it signals the near arrival of fall. Not surprisingly, a recent visit to my neighborhood Whole Foods market was greeted by an especially color sight. Mums. Mountains and mounds of them. And how timely. After all, as the sun slips lower in the sky, we'll find a new kind of light. An "autumn light" which is mellow, warm and golden, and

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-65431435318573549922010-09-15T09:00:00.000-04:002010-09-15T09:00:02.139-04:00

A garden can play many roles in our lives, depending on its design and intent: a treat for the senses, a source of sustenance, or a simple place to mess about with plants. But certainly one of the most important and traditional roles is as a unique place away from the world and worldly concerns. This special sort of garden can serve as an area for reflection, meditation, and spiritual

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-37252484447490063492010-09-14T12:36:00.000-04:002010-09-14T12:37:37.248-04:00

Homeowners often make the mistake of thinking that the secret to a good lawn is lots of work in the spring. However, perhaps the most vital period of time for healthy turf is the fall, where proper feeding and care will result in a naturally lush and beautiful lawn in the spring, which will keep its green all year long.Grasscycling for All Season Lawn CareHealthy lawn care year-round starts

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-26668505881927266512010-07-11T14:58:00.002-04:002010-07-11T15:08:56.709-04:00

During the hottest summer months, our lawns and gardens face a number of environmental challenges which threaten their health and beauty. Wilting and discoloration of lawns and foliage is a common example, as are flowers dropping buds, or tomatoes succumbing to blossom-end rot. And yet these symptoms also herald additional complications, as voracious insect pests and fungal diseases find an easy

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-28189685211340720882010-05-23T07:01:00.001-04:002010-05-23T07:02:22.459-04:00

For imaginative landscapers, rain gardens may represent the perfect marriage of heaven and earth. Specially-designed garden areas help to receive and store rainfall, using that moisture to nourish an oasis of interesting native plant communities reminiscent of lush stream banks and freshwater marshes.The notion of developing rain gardens has received a lot of attention across the country.

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-5903825333884807142010-04-14T07:50:00.001-04:002010-04-14T07:50:59.654-04:00

With warmer days at hand, many of us are heading outdoors to spruce up our yards. These spring chores offer an excellent opportunity to significantly improve the health of our lawns and gardens, which will later save time, energy, and resources.To begin, start cleaning up fallen leaves, broken branches, twigs, and dead foliage lying under shrubs, trees, and in planting beds. Sanitation is

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-26807766189263266232010-02-25T14:46:00.001-05:002010-04-14T07:48:16.357-04:00

During the cold, gray days of winter, few things brighten and warm a room like the sweet, rich aroma of lemon blossoms or the glow of maturing oranges among glossy, green leaves. Thanks to the widespread cultivation of dwarf citrus trees, any gardener with a bright window can enjoy all the sensory pleasures of lemons, limes, oranges, and more, all year long.Like most fruit tree cultivation, where

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-49942018925150189892010-02-17T10:33:00.002-05:002010-02-17T10:35:41.108-05:00

Join the GreenMan as he learns they whys and wherefores of conducting a home energy audit.

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-49160517700726954442009-12-10T09:00:00.000-05:002009-12-10T09:00:04.226-05:00

For many people, the upcoming holiday season is the most special time of year. It is a period somewhat set apart from daily living and reserved for families, friends and celebrations. Above all, it is a time rich with customs and rituals, where even our simplest holiday decorations, songs and stories are the product of complex legends and myths from numerous countries and religious traditions,

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-44803939869611371242009-12-03T08:06:00.000-05:002009-12-03T08:07:48.446-05:00

However you prepare to decorate for the upcoming holiday season, you might want to expand your spirit of giving to include your feathered and furred neighbors. You will find that creating colorful, edible outdoor ornaments is a fun, imaginative, and rewarding activity that will bring your family closer together, and may launch a wonderful new tradition.An increasingly popular trend is to get

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-51051121713744099852009-11-27T09:00:00.000-05:002009-11-27T09:00:02.747-05:00

Students looking to apply to college this year have a new online tool to help them in their search. A free directory of environmental information at nearly 2,000 U.S. colleges and universities is now available at www.ourearth.org. The directory, which is the first of its kind, provides listings of environmental degree programs as well as environmental opportunities and organizations at

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-63848117900576874862009-11-19T09:00:00.000-05:002009-11-19T09:00:00.506-05:00

Tired of our artificially-scented and perfumed world, bubbling with pots of potpourri and plug-in air fresheners? A more natural choice to add aroma to our homes and offices can be found in an amazing assortment of plants which are as beautiful in bloom as they are richly laden with extraordinary fragrance.The most popular fragrant plants for the gloomy days of winter are usually spring-flowering

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-91922258847365310932009-11-15T09:00:00.001-05:002009-11-15T09:00:00.696-05:00

Homeowners across the colder portions of the country are about to find themselves yet again being uncomfortably squeezed between cold temperatures and increasingly higher natural gas and energy prices. In fact, depending on the size of the home, residents can expect to spend between two to three times as much on basic heating costs, if not more. Not surprisingly, in many a home chilled fingers

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-44631379314483888332009-11-02T12:07:00.005-05:002009-11-02T12:16:10.300-05:00

Earlier this year, the "Energerium" opened to enthusiastic crowds in Arlington, Virginia, exploring the interconnectedness of people, the land, and the energy that runs through all living systems. Join me as I discuss this new educational opportunity and resource with Chief Naturalist and Park Manager Martin Ogle at Potomac Overlook Regional Park.

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-58475031967120678952009-10-30T16:48:00.000-04:002009-10-30T16:49:07.791-04:00

As you select and prepare to carve a pumpkin this Halloween, you should pause to reflect on the vast impact this humble gourd has had on our cultural history.Pumpkins generally trace their origins to Central America, and collections of seed have been found in Mexico dating back several thousand years. Today, pumpkins are grown on every continent except Antarctica, and have found their way into

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-21538094915584735102009-10-27T11:17:00.002-04:002009-10-27T11:19:43.307-04:00

The modern office is generally a product of strict efficiency and economic design. Lines are straight, wall-coverings are bland, windows are sealed shut, lights fluorescent, and cubicles ubiquitous. And this is where many of us spend the better part of our lives. Perhaps it’s time to consider personalizing – and naturalizing – these uninviting spaces. And the best place to start might be with a

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-33346946786043805812009-10-25T12:32:00.000-04:002009-10-25T12:33:26.959-04:00

The overall quality of indoor air in our homes and offices has been declining steadily during the past three decades. Concerns regarding energy conservation during the 1970s led to superior insulation materials, tight-fitting windows and doors, and other construction features which have effectively bottled up our living and work spaces. Unfortunately, while keeping out cold drafts, those design

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-60190870663978813462009-10-23T09:00:00.000-04:002009-10-23T09:00:05.699-04:00

Glorious Autumn! Keat's season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. It is also (alas) the season of the rake. It seems that you spend the better part of your precious weekends just raking up leaves. And just when you have gotten them under control, along comes a brisk gust of wind, a sprinkling of rain, and your lawn is covered all over again. Groan! Time to drag out the rake once more.Here is a

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-70304843761616786142009-10-21T09:00:00.001-04:002009-10-21T09:00:08.720-04:00

Composting is a simple, natural process. There is no need to purchase special activators or fertilizers to make the materials in your compost pile or bin break down. Compost just happens! Here are some basic strategies for making compost "happen" for you:Slow and Easy CompostingBuild your compost pile anytime of year.Create a simple, freestanding pile no more than 5 feet high (preferably 3 feet

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-29487885190758500462009-10-19T09:00:00.001-04:002009-10-19T09:00:03.458-04:00

Indoor gardening can introduce a wide array of benefits into your home and office, from decoration and fragrance, to fresh-cut culinary herbs. Unfortunately, indoor plants can also introduce annoying pests and other unforeseen problems, especially if some of those plants were brought indoors to overwinter.There is nothing more disheartening for the indoor gardener than to see a swarm of

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-5332094861243003082009-10-17T13:50:00.001-04:002009-10-17T13:52:01.460-04:00

Autumn is perhaps the most mellow and reflective season of the year. Shorter days encourage reading in the evening while crisp air and colorful vistas invite weekend hikes and trips to the countryside. Regrettably, too many people waste their precious weekends raking leaves into piles or shatter the quiet peace of sunny afternoons with leaf blowers. There is a better solution.Rather than trying

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-58896394228377519182009-10-07T16:21:00.001-04:002009-10-07T16:22:47.339-04:00

The key to successful composting is getting started simply and properly, avoiding unwanted surprises, and learning how to slowly adjust your composting technique to achieve a rich, beautiful product to serve the needs of your garden -- and your lifestyle.Location: Before starting, determine an appropriate location for the compost pile. Vegetable gardeners should set up piles or bins in the

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-81271332839703603362009-09-28T09:00:00.000-04:002009-09-28T09:00:06.436-04:00

As you select and prepare to carve a pumpkin this Halloween, you should pause to reflect on the vast impact this humble gourd has had on our cultural history.Pumpkins generally trace their origins to Central America, and collections of seed have been found in Mexico dating back several thousand years. Today, pumpkins are grown on every continent except Antarctica, and have found their way into

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-71872291683385268462009-09-26T09:00:00.000-04:002009-09-26T13:33:18.569-04:00

The days are growing shorter and colder, and your mailbox is already full of winter catalogs. You might think your garden chores are finished for the season. Think again. The garden year actually begins with the misty, mellow days of autumn.Spring only seems like the perfect time to resume work on your landscape. After all, garden centers are overflowing seductively with flowering plants,

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-4552822173384880712009-09-11T08:33:00.005-04:002009-09-11T08:55:47.267-04:00

Join me as I meet Patty Shields in Arlington, Virginia, to tour the first LEED Platinum residence built in Virginia. LEED is a program of the U.S. Green Building Council.You can learn more about Patty Shields and her Arlington construction project at 5803 N. 16th Street , as well as information about her Metro Green residential construction consulting services, at her company's website:

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-22219470808641836622009-09-10T08:30:00.000-04:002009-09-10T08:31:51.910-04:00

It is a tribute to composting that humans have taken such a simple, natural process and elevated it through myth and misunderstanding into a form of new age alchemy. The spread of these myths has been facilitated by word of mouth, misguided publications from solid waste managers, and, worst of all, hard-core marketing. In order to keep composting simple and inexpensive, let's put to rest some of

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-23408032331617165652009-09-08T09:58:00.002-04:002009-09-08T10:03:26.298-04:00

Labor Day has just passed, and for many of us, it signals the near arrival of fall. Not surprisingly, a recent visit to my neighborhood Whole Foods market was greeted by an especially color sight. Mums. Mountains and mounds of them. And how timely. After all, as the sun slips lower in the sky, we'll find a new kind of light. An "autumn light" which is mellow, warm and golden, and almost

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-45300527332823589222009-09-07T08:24:00.001-04:002009-09-07T08:29:00.521-04:00

For those of us with a drop or two of chlorophyll in our veins, propagating and sharing plants with friends and neighbors is second nature. You might think of it as hand-me-down horticulture.One of the most bizarre and entrancing pass-along plants in my personal collection is the Orchid Cactus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum), often erroneously called “Night Blooming Cereus” or “Queen of the Night.” The

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-59985943245995129802009-09-06T08:46:00.001-04:002009-09-06T08:49:41.075-04:00

Wooden shipping pallets are easily recycled into large, heavy-duty compost bins. Pallets are available for free from many area businesses, assemble in minutes, and with them you can produce rich humus, mulch and compost year after year. Here's how:A Simple Pallet BinObtain five pallets with narrow spaces between slats (1/2" - 1") and of uniform size. Many pallets measure 40" by 48" and will form

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-49635893097099871662009-09-02T08:16:00.001-04:002009-09-02T08:18:17.900-04:00

Gardeners in the temperate zones of North America can select from hundreds of small trees and shrubs which will readily flourish in our climate. However, among all the choices there are only a handful of “must-have” species, with viburnum at the very top of that fairly short list.There are approximately 200 species of viburnum worldwide, with more than 120 species in North America alone. Locally

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-71387584747659575472009-09-01T10:08:00.001-04:002009-09-01T10:12:04.589-04:00

The introduction of ornamental grasses to the American landscape is one of the defining moments in modern garden design. These grasses, planted in clumps or large masses, recall elements of the nation's vanishing prairie, while adding sophistication and panache to even the most groomed garden.Regrettably, many of the grasses frequently used, especially those with ostrich feather-like plumes or

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-58506850755170900652009-08-31T09:00:00.001-04:002009-08-31T09:00:01.382-04:00

In a world where we are most often reflected in baseline demographics, gardening becomes a rare opportunity to express personal interests and creativity. Perhaps all that is wanted is a touch of inspiration. For that, what better source than Shakespeare? The bard’s works overflow with flowers and botanical allusions, with magical moonlit glades, and with gardens as both settings and

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-47615262704248220392009-08-30T18:03:00.002-04:002009-08-30T18:07:21.221-04:00

Since the early 1970s, garden enthusiasts have flocked to Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton, Maryland, for a view of horticulture taken to a fanciful extreme. Of course, with a little effort, most patient gardeners can create their own topiary displays, whether to adorn a doorway or grace a dining room table.Traditionally, topiary has been the art of training and pruning small trees and shrubs

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-87974908853270063272009-08-28T09:00:00.000-04:002009-08-28T09:00:09.595-04:00

Few plants have commanded such a central role in human history as common garden sage. First revered for its medicinal properties in antiquity, this unassuming member of the mint family was held sacred to the Greek and Roman gods, traded by the Dutch for tea from China, and has been revered by herbalists for millennia, from Dioscorides and Galen to your local GNC outlet.Common sage (Salvia

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-25709895267377220422009-08-27T09:00:00.001-04:002009-08-27T09:00:03.470-04:00

Late summer is probably not the most exciting time to hike through our native woodlands. Weekend rambles present varying shades and textures of green. It’s pleasant, but not engaging. A cool breeze may flutter a yellow leaf or two to the ground, a mere portent of the colorful autumn-kissed leaves to come. Then suddenly, across the greenness, a brilliant scarlet spike appears. It’s nearly luminous

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-4171507491137741692009-08-26T11:40:00.004-04:002009-08-26T11:46:24.530-04:00

Periodically, severe droughts settle in across various regions of our nation, typically forcing gardeners and other landscapers to make some important decisions in their irrigation habits, especially as both voluntary and mandatory water use restrictions are put in place.The first, and perhaps toughest, decision involves whether to begin any large planting projects at all. While mandatory water

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-10660588914040124532009-08-25T08:59:00.001-04:002009-08-25T09:00:23.379-04:00

There’s no denying that townhouse communities are popping up like weeds across the land. Townhouses are popular and often more affordable than single family homes, and with a bit of horticultural slight of hand, they can provide almost as many satisfying garden options as larger yards.The trick to mastering these smaller, confined landscape areas is to realize the inherent limitations of your

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-51918642884417079062009-08-23T12:30:00.001-04:002009-08-23T12:32:19.687-04:00

This year, to combat an onslaught of creepy, crawling critters, many homeowners will spend a small fortune on toxic chemicals, pheromone lures, and even propane-powered mosquito traps. Interestingly, there’s a simple solution that’s just a short hop (and croak) away.In the world of natural pest control, one of the brightest players is the humble toad. Toads have a phenomenal appetite for insects

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-65566624325439147282009-08-22T11:54:00.001-04:002009-08-22T11:57:38.225-04:00

There are few sights outdoors more delightful than the charmed beauty of hummingbirds. They seem to appear as if by magic, hovering with nearly invisible wings, silently darting from flower to flower. These visitors adorned in iridescent green and scarlet can easily be coaxed into almost any garden with just a handful of the appropriate nectar-rich flowers.To attract the Ruby-throated

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-769220602681638592009-08-21T13:38:00.000-04:002009-08-21T13:41:18.050-04:00

Ecoschools US, is a non-profit and independent advocacy network that promotes the greening of K-12 educational facilities and daycare centers.The organization’s website, www.ecoschools.us, provides a new and integrated platform to exchange contacts, ideas and resources between green schools experts, advocates and school system employees. The site also features related news, presentations, events,

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-18059263429870105992009-08-19T17:58:00.002-04:002009-08-19T18:00:12.267-04:00

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-4286274455086896842009-08-18T14:12:00.003-04:002009-08-18T14:19:32.265-04:00

I was recently asked to tour and explore some of the initiatives of the Crystal City Business Improvement District in Arlington, Virginia, where the community has adopted green practices for its popular Farmer's Market, supports regional agricultural efforts, and a wide range of sustainable practices, from transportation and energy efficiency, to waste reduction and innovative composting programs.

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-69442453333682344632009-08-17T11:55:00.002-04:002009-08-17T11:57:46.544-04:00

One of the most daunting challenges facing the average gardener is planting in full shade. Not the partially sunny, light-dappled kind of shade that feels so lovely in midsummer, but the deep Amazonian shade so dark that moss will grow on your garden trowel if you don’t keep moving. Not surprisingly, many folks facing full shade simply give up and resign themselves to a dull landscape of invasive

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-35038729455224304122009-08-13T11:11:00.001-04:002009-08-13T11:15:07.905-04:00

Welcome to midsummer! Not really a dream, is it? The hot, blistering sun is back and many of us are trying to spend a lot of our outdoor time in the cool, dappled shade of large spreading trees. As your sunflowers and tomatoes shoot up to the heavens, why not look under your leafy canopies and start giving some thought to shade gardening?Perhaps one of the most common -- and frustrating --

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-29696986866796583912009-08-12T12:18:00.000-04:002009-08-12T12:21:08.064-04:00

In a world seemingly filled with unlimited choices, gardeners are finding that many traditional varieties of vegetables and fruits have disappeared. More than 80 percent of the seed varieties sold a century ago are no longer available today. That loss of genetic and cultural resources has led to a quiet, though growing, revolution known as heirloom gardening and seed-saving.At one time, most

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-83008479027251810902009-08-11T08:39:00.001-04:002009-08-11T08:43:32.413-04:00

Recently, upscale horticultural venues have been tempting gardeners with an exciting array of prefabricated arches, arbors, and trellises, often with exquisite designs which echo the costly wrought-iron structures found in estate gardens. In addition, there are also less expensive and traditional wooden options. Whatever your budget, if you envision a trellis in your future, consider treating

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25310391.post-19274878901378679902009-08-09T09:00:00.000-04:002009-08-09T10:57:56.532-04:00

Vines are one of nature’s greatest gifts to gardeners. They can cover ugly fences and utility poles, camouflage storage sheds, or bring color, fragrance, and panache to trellises and arbors. Vines fit into almost any available space, whether spilling out of a balcony window box, climbing up the front of a town house, or running free like a ground cover. It is too bad gardeners seldom think to use

Joe Keyserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15865253518626968394noreply@blogger.com0