Meet my nemesis: Convolvulus arvensis, commonly called field bindweed. I commonly call it something much, much worse. Related to the lovely annual morning glory, field bindweed is a creeping perennial with roots that can penetrate up to 5 metres and produce more than 500 seeds per plant per year. If that doesn’t scare you, consider that bindweed seed can remain viable in … [Read more...] about Bindweed must be cut — not yanked
Tips for gardeners
Grow better with plant stimulants
What gardener can resist providing a little treat to help plants grow vigorously? If you're installing new plants, growth stimulants help them to become established more quickly. Or you may want to enhance the performance of a plant already in the garden. Natural growth stimulants increase the performance of your plants without jeopardizing their health with excessive amounts … [Read more...] about Grow better with plant stimulants
Just say no to tree staking
Gardeners threw out their sticky cans of pruning paint after learning that sealing tree wounds with the paint increased the risk of insect and disease infestations, and the trees healed faster without it. When research showed that planting new trees in deep holes, backfilled with heavily enriched, amended soil actually hindered new roots from growing into the surrounding … [Read more...] about Just say no to tree staking
Coping with clay soil
Simple clay amending techniques for a clod-free garden After almost 40 years of gardening, I’ve learned that the limitations of climate, shade and space are nothing compared to coping with heavy clay. Wise plant choices help mitigate the shortcomings of shade and a small lot. Careful cultural practices lessen the impact of drought and unwelcome frosts. But coping with sticky, … [Read more...] about Coping with clay soil
