Mountain View
Randy Tayloe
Don't Skip Garden Tool Maintenance
Being cooped up indoors can feel like imprisonment for anyone who loves spending time piddling around the yard. But when you get those precious warm breaks, you receive an opportunity. A decent day is the perfect excuse to get outdoors for some fresh air. It's a good day for a garden tool tune-up.
Avoid Planting Bradford Pear Trees
This post may include content partially written by AI but carefully reviewed by a human. Once upon a time, in a not-so-distant past, garden centers around North Carolina sold the Bradford Pear tree to unsuspecting buyers. They extolled the beautiful early spring white blossoms and the lovely shape and size- all to ring up sales of this tree.
Patio Heaters: Propane vs Electric
Many homeowners in northeastern North Carolina take advantage of our mild-ish winters by investing in patio heaters. These units help extend the use of outdoor spaces into the cooler months during breaks from the bitterest cold. You'll find residential models in either propane or electric. They are hands-down the best tool for the job when you want to enjoy your patio all year long.
Moles: Battling Yard Destruction
This post may include content partially written by AI but carefully reviewed by a human. Moles are infuriating. Frustrating. Hard to get rid of. Their constant quest for food means non-stop tunneling. Their digging creates tunnels to trip over. As if that's not enough, they destroy everything in their wake, including your favorite plants. Getting rid of the infestation starts with understanding what makes them tick.
Dandelions: Pesky Weeds or Helpful Herbs?
Dandelions just might hold the title of the most misunderstood "weed" in your lawn. Most people view them as pesky weeds. But these sunny flowers have a more complex story than many realize. Sure, their bright yellow heads compete with a pristine emerald green lawn. However, there may be some benefits in letting them be.
Creating a Healthy Lawn: Soil pH & Structure
This post includes content partially written by AI and reviewed by a human contributor. Many homeowners in Northeastern North Carolina turn having a green lawn into an art form. But there's a considerable amount of science behind mastering it. In particular, it takes a general understanding of your soil pH and structure.
Winter Bird Feeding Tips in Northeastern NC
This post includes content partially written by AI and reviewed by a human contributor. Feeding Our Feathered Friends: Essential Winter Bird Feeding Tips in Northeastern NC. Birds are generally masters of self-sufficiency. Still, the cool winter temperatures in northeastern NC present a new challenge - scarcer food resources during these colder months. Have you ever wondered how to extend a helping hand to help your feathered friends survive the cold?
Mulching for Winter Plant Protection
Winter in Northeastern North Carolina can present some uniquely regional challenges. One is how we can have a sunny, warmish day at 50°F one day and an ice storm the next. So, how can you keep our perennials' roots cozy when facing these colder conditions? In one word - mulch.
Grow Healthier: UK Study Backs Home Gardeners
A recent U.K. study revealed that growing vegetables and fruits at home appears to lead to eating a healthier diet and increased food security. A 2023 study by the University of Sheffield reveals what avid gardeners have long suspected. Those who grow their fruits and vegetables positively impact their dietary habits and food sustainability.
Wintry Mix Ahead: Don't Walk on the Frosted Grass
With cold overnight temperatures in this week's forecast and a wintry mix predicted on Saturday, it seemed a good time to address foot traffic on your wintry lawn. Your typically soft and welcoming grass may lie beneath a delicate blanket of frost each morning, with each tender blade encased in a shimmering coat of ice crystals. It's a stunning, ephemeral work of art crafted by nature. However, this beauty comes with a cautionary note: don't walk on frosted grass - or drive over it, either!
Unsung Heroes: Study Reveals Moths' Key Role in Pollination
Moths might be the unsung heroes of garden pollination. The time has come to give them the credit long past due. Recent research from the University of Sheffield in the UK has highlighted the significant role of moths in pollination, particularly in urban environments. This study underscores the importance of these nocturnal insects in sustaining healthy ecosystems. Moths, often overshadowed by bees and butterflies, are crucial in pollinating many flowering plants, crops, and trees, contributing to about a third of all pollination activities.
Overwintering Ferns in NE NC
Ferns may often be perceived as delicate. But these are surprisingly resilient and make excellent garden perennials, especially in North Carolina's USDA zones 7 and 8. These plants not only enhance the beauty of a landscape with their varied textures and colors but also offer practical benefits like soil stabilization and air purification.
Randy Tayloe
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Randy Tayloe leads the Operations team at Tayloe's Lawn Care Services, LLC, in Aulander, NC. He is an outdoor enthusiast and lawn care expert who loves beautifying his clients' properties. He enjoys writing outdoor lifestyle articles and sharing facts about lawns and gardens...without judgment or opinion.
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