A reader reached out to share her question with me about her beautiful forsythia hedge surrounding a birdbath in her garden. As she cleaned the bird bath, she poured the diluted bleach water onto the forsythia, not realizing the impact it would have. Unfortunately, bleach doesn’t agree with forsythia, even if it does keep the […]
Larry Phillips
I've lived in Richland County since 1990, married here, our children were born here. This is home. I have two books published on a passion topic, Ohio high school football. Others: Buckeyes, Cavs, Bengals, Reds, History, Disney.
Posted inLife and Culture
A Stroll Through the Garden: Witch Hazel is an enchanting scent on a sunny day
Have you been out in your garden yet to smell the flowers? That may seem a strange question, after all, much of the snow has just recently melted. Still, I hope to bring you ideas you may never have considered trying in your own backyard. As I discuss the beautiful plant Witch Hazel, I hope […]
Posted inLife and Culture
A Stroll Through the Garden: Woodpeckers are on my barn
Starting in late fall, I feed the woodpeckers suet cakes. A while ago, I was at Home Depot picking up a shovel for a job when I heard someone asking how to fix a woodpecker that was leaving holes in their barn. One of my readers was standing at Home Depot and asked if we […]
Posted inLife and Culture
A Stroll Through the Garden: What’s the best way to keep Bambi out of your yard?
It’s an often-asked question these days, “How do I keep deer out of my yard?” If you’ve ever watched a group of deer wander by, you know they’re fascinating — especially since most does have twins every year. The issue of deer encroachment in residential and agricultural landscapes is a significant concern across Ohio and […]
Posted inLife and Culture
A Stroll Through the Garden: Here’s how to approach Rhododendron pruning
Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many gardeners and homeowners who share my love of rhododendrons and azaleas. One experience that stands out was when a client — who has since become a good friend — in Orrville called me one August to look at her overgrown rhododendrons. Maybe you’ve faced […]
Posted inOutdoor
ODNR stocks Ohio’s waterways with 36 million fish in 2025
COLUMBUS – More than 36 million fish were stocked by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife in Ohio’s public lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams in 2025. Eleven different species of fish were stocked at 233 locations statewide. Annual fish stockings play an important role in providing excellent fishing for Ohio’s 827,000 licensed anglers. The Division of […]
Posted inLife and Culture
A Stroll through the Garden: Hot colors dot a cloudy, cold landscape
Not too long ago, a friend (and loyal reader) asked me a great question: “Eric, is there something we can do to make our winter landscape less boring?” I smiled and said, “Absolutely!” Winter can feel a bit dull when everything fades to pastel — and let’s be honest, winter in Ohio is usually anywhere […]
Posted inNews
A Stroll Through the Garden: Landscaping ideas for adventurous people
On a cold weekend a few years ago, a friend from church and a reader of our column asked me if I used unusual plants in my designs. If you are unable to get out into your yard, you can begin making plans. I hope this column inspires you to take on some new exotic […]
Posted inLife and Culture
A Stroll Through the Garden: Potted evergreen plants save Christmas trees
A few years ago, I got a question from a good friend,” Can you buy a tree that is balled and burlapped and plant the tree in a pot and keep the tree in that same pot all year, outside and in front of your house?” My instant answer was yes, but it would take […]
Posted inLife and Culture
A Stroll Through the Garden: Why aren’t there songbirds in my yard?
A reader recently asked, “Why are there fewer birds in my yard than there were a few years ago?” There are many reason why there are fewer birds which needs a column all its own. The key is understanding the factors that influence bird presence in your yard and using that knowledge to develop a […]