Hello Fellow Readers, I spent last weekend with over a hundred self-proclaimed tech-nerds participating in the first NJ Word Camp. There were non-techies too, that would be me, who use the WordPress platform for websites or blogging. I was there to improve this website of our weekly c

Hello fellow readers, One of my favorite evergreen conifer specimens is the Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata). It sits to the right of the garage giving it protection from winds as advised by experts when planted in zone 5. Michael Dir, the guru of woody plants, lists its hardi

Hello fellow readers, It’s been fun hearing about your favorite seed catalogs. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds is one of your favorites. And what a history of the American Dream! At age 3 owner Jere Gettle began growing plants and in 1998, at 17, he printed his first catalog. Since t

In the Northeast, late fall is the time to bring out the big guns to prevent transpiration – the loss of water from plant parts, mainly leaves. Deeply water plants before the grounds freeze, and continue to water during winter months when above freezing if Mother Nature doesn’t

Welcome to Rave Reviews! One of my favorite and most important recommendations:  Use Burn-Out, an organic alternative to Roundup, for weed control. Burn-Out Weed & Grass Killer by St Gabriel Organics made from clove oil and citric acid is a broad spectrum natural herbicide that ki