Shrubs and trees don’t get too big. Just as we were genetically capable of reaching a certain height, so are trees and shrubs. They each have expected ultimate sizes. When deciding to replace an "overgrown" shrub or extend landscape beds, you should have an idea on what you are trying to achieve before you run off to the garden center. When you come to Highland Gardens at this time of year, (I know you aren’t shopping any where else!), you will be greeted with a huge selection of shrubs and trees. Wandering through them all is a favorite of many gardeners. Circling aimlessly because you don’t know what you want might not end up being one of your favorite things to do.

Before you set off to HG, really look at the area. A shrub or tree that got how big would be perfect? This awareness will keep you from having to trim the shrub or cut back the tree some day because it got ‘too big". If you only want the shrub to get 3 feet tall and wide, then choose one that does just that. Do not, on the other hand, pick something because it is cute, and tell your self you can always prune it if it gets "too big". If deciding on a tree, look up. Are there power lines that the tree could grow in to some day? At what height? How close will it be to the house? Any other obstructions?

After the size requirement becomes forefront in your thoughts, the next awareness to a greener thumb is cultural. Where will this plant be planted? Is it very sunny? Shady? I am continually amazed by the number of people who have no idea how the sun moves across their properties. The conversations sound like this: "Hello, can I help you find something?" (Friendly HG employee...) "Yes, I want a shrub that doesn’t get too big." (New gardener.) "Well, how big would you like it to get?" "Not tooo big." "Oh." "Will it be planted in sun or shade?" "It will be in the front of the house."

Greener thumbs turn greener because of awareness and information on the plants. If you want a shrub that ultimately gets 4x4', will grow in ½ day sun (3-8pm), in a dryish spot due to a large tree, that hopefully is evergreen and flowers, you will find a shrub that does just that after a bit of hunting around. If you are looking for a shrub that doesn’t get "too big" for the front of the house, you might get lucky, or you might find yourself spending Saturday afternoons trimming back that bush that was so cute when you bought it so you can find your front door.

Shrubs and trees don’t get too big. Plan wisely. Get that green thumb! :)

Happy Planting! ~Erica

Off to the races most people are to have the greenest, most weed-free lawn that can be had in the eyes of the neighborhood. As far as my reading can pinpoint, some architect in New York (yes I have his name somewhere...perhaps I put it behind my dart board.....) announced that the most beautiful garden would be nothing without the most perfect stretch of perfect lawn. For some reason, the country said, "hmmmm, that is just a marvelous idea" and the race was on. This on-going contest totally resonates with the USA citizen's need to be better. So much so that the lawncare industry is a billion dollar industry. They don't even have to work for it any more. We are deeply conditioned, deeply competitive, deeply manipulated. (whoops did I type that last part outloud??) So along comes this "Green Movement" growing across the country. And the GREEN part is not coming from synthetic Nitrogen. What to do? What to do?

One of the main points I hope you leave with after reading this is that Grass is a plant. "Well, duh" you are projecting back at me right now. "No really", I am projecting back. Grass is like spoiled children. They need this and that and more of this and alot of that or they will pout and get spots or, worse yet....egads a dandelion or two might mysteriously appear. Grass likes lots of sun, wonderful soil, regular fertilizer, regular watering. So any step off any of those requirements means your grass is struggling. Weeds (known in some circles as wildflowers) are opportunistic. Bare spots of soil are just the home they are looking for. If you are in a new home where your top soil was stripped and sold to someone else, and you are left with rocky, clayey soil, you are not growing good grass no matter how many bags of fertilizer you buy and dump on your earth. No matter how many dandelions you kill, your grass is not going to thank you by becoming the best grass in the neighborhood. No matter how many times you try to start grass seed in the shade of your big lawn tree with the big thirsty root system, it isn't going to take and be a beautiful lawn. Most people know not to try to grow a Rhododendron in full hot sun, we understand and accept it likes part shade and moist, well-drained soil. But for some reason, there is a disconnect in our heads that believes if we throw enough money into our lawn grass, it will mysteriously and magically respond in thanks and be the best it can be. (disconnect = deep manipulation??)

We spread weed and feed like complete maniacs to kill the few intruders in the lawn. The commercials do show children and pets playing on the lawn right after application. It must be safe, RIGHT? Organic Gardening magazine found that the active chemical in lawn weed killers has been proven to cause cancer in dogs, and is detectable in your home for 3 days after it is applied. Furthermore, we apply weed and feed to an entire lawn when perhaps only 10% of the lawn has weeds. If you must kill weeds (what did they do to you anyway??) use a liquid and spot treat just the weeds that exist, not the whole lawn. Spread less chemicals! Save money! (* Also here on our website a short article on weeds in your lawn and what they are trying to tell you- "Praise to the lowly dandelion!")

Fertilizer choice is really easy, just pick organic. Synthetic fertilizers in the lawn is putting it on a chemical habit. It gets a "fix", responds by turning green, doesn't last long, then soon needs another "fix" or shows its displeasure by not being the greenest in the neighborhood. Organic fertilizers won't turn your grass green overnight, but that is because they release their nutrients slower, lasting longer, and as a bonus, the organic ingredients work to make your soil better. Your green will be a healthy organic green, not a strange "glowing" green.

Grass also likes a higher pH, many people just buy a few bags of lime each year without ever testing the soil. A soil pH test kit is a whopping 99 cents and is easy to do. Then you can apply the proper amount. Another great thing to consider is applying Gypsum. An organic soil conditioner, it will work to make your clay soil have better air spaces, and add calcium. Calcium levels are often low in the soil, and it is one of the top 6 nutrients plants need to grow. Grass loves calcium.

The easiest thing of all toward a better lawn is to put your lawn mower blade at 3" and don't bag the clippings. For some reason, lots of people think if they cut it shorter, it won't grow as fast. That may be so, due to the fact it doesn't have the leaf surface it needs to bask in the sunshine- therefore struggling. The higher blade will allow for better photosynthesis, therefore a plant that can better compete with other plants. It also shades the ground, helping keep moisture in. A study in Maryland found cutting the grass at 3" is as effective as the Crabgrass pre-emergence chemicals in controlling crabgrass. Leaving the clippings on your lawn will add nitrogen back into your soil (free fertilizer!) and also work towards better soil.    

So what if the neighbor's grass is weed free and a bright, unnatural green? What price are you willing to pay to show how much you have bought in (literally) to the Great American Manipulation? My lawn is beautiful. The bright yellow dandelions are cheery, the clover patches will soon be teaming with bees. I hand pull the crabgrass when I am feeling crabby. Let go and be brave. Sure the neighbors might not get it at first, but I want to be a pioneer not a sheep!!

YAY to chemical free lawns everywhere! Yay for being bare foot, yay for laying in the grass looking up at the deep blue sky. :)

~Erica