Category: Garden Maintenance

  • Weeding Tools Recommendations

    Weeding Tools Recommendations

    Today I used several weeding tools to maintain a garden overgrown with weeds.

    Truth be told it was my fault.

    Last fall I overseeded the lawn and some seed found its way into the beds.  The gardens were a mix of grass, dandelions and chickweed.

    I spent the afternoon ‘hacking’ away at the weeds with my weeding tools.  I’d like to share the method to my madness with you.

    Weeding Tools Recommendations

    First, I went through the beds with my weeding knife (Far right) and pulled the dandelions.  If you cut dandelions with a hoe the long tap-root will grow back.  You have to dig down and remove the root.

    Next, I went through the front of the bed with my grub hoe (Second from left).  The grub hoe packs more of a punch than a hoe.  It’s perfect for removing heavy weeds and sod.

    I used my cutting hoe (Second from right) where the weeds were sparse.  A cutting hoe with a sharp edge is the right tool for stray chickweed.

    Four Weeding Tools Results
    Piles of weeds at the front of the bed ready to pick up with a manure fork.

    A manure fork is a perfect tool to load weed piles into a wheelbarrow.  A manure fork has sharp tines and lightweight.  I recommend you buy a 5 tine manure fork.

    I hope you’ll try one of the weeding tools above to improve your productivity when weeding gardens.

  • Flame Weeding Garden in February

    Flame Weeding Garden in February

    My season started yesterday morning.  We had a dusting of snow that changed to sleet and then cold drizzle.

    When I wake up to rain I think of one thing.  Flame weeding.

    We’ve had an unseasonably mild winter.  It’s been so mild a better term for this winter is early spring.

    The winter annual weeds have thrived.  Patches of weeds are ready to take off with the warmer days.

    After I put the kids on the bus I went right to the propane tank.  The ground was damp, aka fire resistant, and ready for flame weeding.

    The cold drizzle turned to downpours during the day and high winds and thunderstorms last night.

    I look forward to picking up branches in the yard today.

    If you don’t like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes. – Mark Twain

  • Prune Lawn Trees High

    Prune Lawn Trees High

    I just returned from an evening walk with Theo and my forehead burns from a fresh scratch.

    Theo walked around a tree four feet from the road.  As I went around the back a branch caught me 3 inches above the eyes.

    I did have a flashlight.  I was looking at the ground for footing and suddenly smack!

    This is a great example of why it’s so important to prune lawn trees above people’s heads.  Assume folks will be walking in the dark and can’t see where they’re going.

    People driving down the street or your driveway also appreciate not having their cars scratched.

    A final friendly tip.  Don’t leave stubs on a tree, especially at eye height, where someone can lose an eye.

    Theo the Great Pyrenees Mix Pupply
    Theo our Great Pyrenees mix puppy.  He’s 90 lbs at just over a year old.  What a sweetheart.  He loves people, dogs, cats and creatures of all shapes and sizes.

     

  • The Three Musts of Mulching

    The Three Musts of Mulching

    Three important tips on how to mulch your landscape.

    1. Never apply mulch deeper than 3 inches.  If the mulch in your landscape is over three inches you must remove some.  Mulch over three inches prevents air, water and nutrients from reaching your trees and shrubs.
    2. Never touch mulch to the base of trees and shrubs.  Leave a gap from six inches to a foot around trees and shrubs.  If mulch is in contact with the bark of trees and shrubs it keeps it moist and encourages insects and disease.
    3. Before re-applying mulch turn your existing mulch.  Over time mulch can become compacted and matted down.  By cultivating your mulch you loosen it up so air and nutrients can make it through.  My favorite tool to cultivate mulch is the Garden Weasel.

    Please remember the these tips when planning how to mulch your landscape.

    By John Holden