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 […]
A Stroll Through the Garden
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.
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.
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 […]
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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 […]
Posted inLife and Culture
A Stroll Through the Garden: Bagworms are eating my spruce
An Ashland reader recently noticed some curious little, almost lantern-like attachment appearing on her spruce. At first glance, these little cocoons looked like little lanterns in her evergreen. These clear wing moths infested many of her spruce trees and potentially there are 130 other plants.
Posted inLife and Culture
A Stroll Through the Garden: Design a delectable diet for Baltimore Orioles
One of my readers asked me, “How can I encourage a Baltimore Oriole to come into myyard?” You can get a Baltimore Oriole or Icterus galbula to notice your feeders in an easy way with the feeders that you might find at various stores that have sections that specialize in feeding birds. The challenge is […]
Posted inLife and Culture
A Stroll Through the Garden: Sweet potatoes are a staple at holiday meals
One of my readers asked me recently when a person should dig up her sweet potato vines and harvest her sweet tubers. Despite its name sweet potato is not a true potato. Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) is related to field bindweed. This nutritious tuber is a wonderful addition to any Christmas meal.