Happy Plants

11/09/2017

TIP OF THE WEEK: Wondering what to do with your ornamental grasses this fall? You can cut them down now or wait until early spring. Here's what I do:
1. Tie the clump together about 15" from the ground. You can use anything as a tie. I like to use cut up strips of old t-shirts.
2. Cut the clump straight across about 6"-12" above the soil.
3. Throw away the clump!
It's that easy!
Some ornamental grasses, like blue fescue and blue oat grass will keep their color all winter long, and don't need to be cut back at all.

10/26/2017

Attack of the Parasitic Plant! (Cuscuta)

TIP OF THE WEEK: During the first week of November, apply a quick-release nitrogen fertilizer to your lawn. You probably only need 1/2 lb of nitrogen per 1000 square feet to give your lawn a boost that will help it store carbs for the winter and wake up healthy and green in the spring. Please note: 50 lbs of 26-0-0 fertilizer only contains 13 lbs of actual nitrogen. Please ask in the comments if you need help figuring out how much fertilizer to apply to your lawn.

Here's a spooky Halloween video for you... this is the stuff of my nightmares!

Cuscuta pentagona (dodder) is an obligate parasitic plant that lives by forming connections via haustoria to host plants, in this way satisfying all its wate...

10/18/2017

TIP OF THE WEEK: If you have a difficult planting area, try this beauty! It's called Hardy Plumbago or Leadwort (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides), and tolerates a wide range of conditions: full shade to full sun, dry soil to wet soil, sand or clay! It has blue flowers from late summer into fall, and has a purple-red fall color. Also, it wakes up late in the spring, which allows you to interplant it with tulips and daffodils for season-long interest.

Joke time! What do you call a gymnastics-loving dandelion?

10/11/2017

Hi Happy Plants followers! I'm starting back up with my weekly tips. I'm also looking for garden weed maintenance clients in the Orem and Provo area starting March 2018. Think about it, and let me know if you want help controlling your garden weeds!

TIP OF THE WEEK: Mulching your grass clippings instead of bagging them can return up to 1 pound of nitrogen back into your soil each year. That's 1/3 to 1/2 of the nitrogen your lawn requires. Contrary to popular belief, the clippings do not contribute to thatch problems.

08/28/2015

TIP OF THE WEEK: Consider planting more perennial flowers in your garden. They require less fertilizer and water than annuals.

08/21/2015

TIP OF THE WEEK: You can tell if your houseplant is getting the right amount of sunlight if it regularly forms new leaves that are dark green. A plant with yellowing leaves and a "leggy" appearance may not be getting enough sun. A plant with very small new leaves and a bleached-look is getting too much sunlight.

08/14/2015

TIP OF THE WEEK: Over-watering causes serious problems for houseplants. A wilting houseplant could be suffering from over-watering. Check your soil moisture before watering. Soil should be only slightly moist, not completely dry. Apply water until some drains from the holes on the bottom of the pot. This removes unwanted salts that would otherwise damage the plant's roots.

06/01/2015

TIP OF THE WEEK: Apply mulch to your garden to weed 5X less this summer! Mulch also decreases how often you'll need to water. Grass clippings, wood chips, and plastic are a few commonly used mulches.

05/25/2015

Water your garden using a drip system to reduce pests (such as snails) and disease problems (like powdery mildew).

05/18/2015

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TIP OF THE WEEK: Lilac, Mock Orange, and Forsythia bushes should be pruned withing 1 month after they finish blossoming. This allows them to establish plenty of flower buds for next spring!

Correct pruning:
-Removes all dead and diseased wood.
-Eliminates rubbing branches.
-Increases air flow and light penetration.
-Decreases height, if desired.
-Creates pleasing aesthetics and visual balance.

Some other shrubs that can be pruned right now are Barberry, Boxwood, Privet, and Honeysuckle. Call me if you want help with your pruning!

Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them. People use Facebook to keep up with...

05/11/2015

Happy Plants's cover photo

05/11/2015

TIP OF THE WEEK: Transplant into your garden on an overcast day or in the evening, and water the plants right before transplanting. This reduces shock to the plants.

05/11/2015

Happy Plants