Basic Gardening Tools

We all need 'em.  But do you have the very basics to garden properly?

Tools for Gardening defines and explains the functions of the absolute necessities for taking care of your landscape throughout the growing season.

Tips for removing unwanted shrubs and vines

Rampant plants in the landscape are a fact of life for homeowners. The former owner may have planted English ivy as a ground cover that currently covers the nearest tree or one side of the house. An older shrub sits in the perfectly wrong spot for the installation of a new deck or patio. Whatever your reasons for removing unwanted shrubs and vines, these plants have graduated from ornamental beauties to nuisances in the landscape.

Using chemical treatments to remove unwanted landscape plants isn't always the best option. While manufacturers and horticulturists say these products are safe, many homeowners prefer to skip topical herbicides in favor of manual removal of plants. Limiting the use of chemical treatments on your property makes a safe environment for your family, pets and local wildlife. Better yet, you'll be saving the local watershed from unwanted chemicals.

How to plant landscape trees

Planting a landscape tree differs from the method used to plant shrubs, annuals or perennial flowers. Trees require careful placement in the landscape and in the planting hole to ensure successful growth. Every time you add a plant to your landscape, you're making an actual transplant that shocks the plant. This is very much the case with trees.