Landscaping
Landscaping improves the beauty and the value of property. Whether you want to redesign an old landscape or start fresh with a new one, proper planning is the first step. The plan does not have to be elaborate. Take into consideration the environment and use minimal resources.
When you are trying to construct a landscape, you will need to root your efforts in the cultivation of plants. You should not be afraid to try planting some new plants, shrubs or trees in your yard. The primary paint you will use to create your landscape is plant life, including a lawn that is healthy and well-maintained.
In Lassen County, it is important to consider fire danger when planning your landscape. Create defensible space around your home and choose fire-wise plants to create a fuel-free area surrounding the home.
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Understanding Chafer Beetles From Root to Ruin
I was dealing with a gopher problem in a lawn awhile back and I came across another turfgrass pest that you may or may not be familiar with; a chafer beetle. These white grubs are the immature larval form of a chafer beetle. Here in...
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Flow Focus: Irrigation Friction Loss
I recently helped one of our local student gardens install a drip irrigation system in some raised beds. During the installation, I had to explain why we were using ½” tubing for most of our system instead of ¼”. Some...
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Mixing Matters: Maximizing Herbicide Potential
I was talking with a friend the other day about weed control. He had bought a jug of herbicide concentrate and planned to apply it to his weeds undiluted. I told him that it wouldn't be a good idea and started on the usual talking points: the label has...
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Garden Rotation Rules of Thumb
Vegetable gardening is both an art and a science, and an important technique for success is crop rotation. By rotating crops, you can improve soil health, reduce pests, and increase yields. Continuous planting of the same kind of plant in the same place...
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A History of the American Lawn
Most of us grew up with a lawn. For many of us, mowing the lawn was a part of our weekly chores growing up; yellow spots were treated like a black mark, and a dandelion popping up was like a declaration of war. We have all been brought up in or...