Registration Opens for Gardening Classes
May 11, 2012 by Fayette Woman
Filed under outdoor
The Fayette County Parks and Recreation Department is currently accepting registrations for the following activities in May. Advance registration is required, and spaces are limited. For more information, call 770-716-4320 or visit online at www.fayettecountyga.gov/parks_and_recreation. The following programs for adults and teens are offered in partnership with the Fayette County Extension and will be taught [...]
Gardening tips to avoid injury and discomfort
April 20, 2012 by Fayette Woman
Filed under outdoor
It’s that time of year again when you can dig your hands into the dirt, spread seeds over the freshly turned earth, and smell the delicious scent of green plants growing. Gardening is very healthy, both physically and mentally. In addition to providing exercise, gardening delivers health benefits in the fresh foods you eat and [...]
10 Tips to Host a Great Garden Party
March 15, 2012 by Bonnie Helander
Filed under outdoor
As warmer days arrive and your garden springs back to life, why not share your outside space with family and friends by hosting a garden party? You can’t beat the beauty of nature and the lift to your spirits when you are outside. Whether you are planning a formal wedding or just having a casual [...]
Tips to Grow a Lush Lawn
March 3, 2012 by Bonnie Helander
Filed under outdoor
As springtime approaches, we yearn for the smell of a freshly-mown lawn. While we are weeks away from getting out the mower, you can begin preparations now to grow a lush lawn this year. To get expert advice, I talked to George Long, a Fayette master gardener extension volunteer with a degree in Agriculture and [...]
Rose Pruning Made Easy
March 1, 2012 by Fayette Woman
Filed under outdoor
by Cindy Dale, Master Rosarian This is the time of year for gardeners to prune their roses. The South Metro Rose Society would like to offer the following information to help with this task: 1. The purpose of rose pruning is to remove dead wood, reduce the size of the bush which concentrates the energy [...]
Go “Green” in the Garden – Start Composting!
February 18, 2011 by Bonnie Helander
Filed under At Home, Etcetera, outdoor
Spring is almost here and soon you’ll be busy cleaning up the garden and filling trash bags with dried leaves, pruned branches and other yard debris ready for the dump or recycling center. Stop! Don’t throw away your landscape refuse but turn it into “black gold” compost for your own garden. Composting is a practical [...]
Great Gifts for Gardeners
November 30, 2010 by Bonnie Helander
Filed under Focus, outdoor
If you’ve got a gardener on your holiday gift list, you’re in luck! Gardeners are down-to-earth (pun intended), and easy to shop for because they love anything that helps them enhance their landscape. I asked some avid gardeners about gifts on their wish list this year, and here is just a sample of great gift [...]
More Ideas from the Garden for the Perfect Thanksgiving Celebration!
November 15, 2010 by Bonnie Helander
Filed under Garden Views, outdoor
Do you want to save money and go a little “greener?” If so, why not decorate your home and Thanksgiving table with items foraged from the garden or picked up at a local farmers market? Right now you’ll find a bounty of beautiful natural elements just waiting to be creatively re-purposed into holiday displays. Last [...]
What Makes a Great Garden
November 6, 2010 by Bonnie Helander
Filed under At Home, Focus, outdoor
Most people think a great garden is all about the plants. However, a garden is more than just a collection of plants; in fact, plants are not the first thing you should think about when trying to create a garden. A great garden starts with great bones. In design terms, ‘garden bones’ refers to the [...]
Ten Fall Tasks for a Great Spring Garden
September 20, 2010 by Bonnie Helander
Filed under At Home, Garden Views, outdoor
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. Albert Camus We often think of autumn as a time to put the garden to bed and ignore it until next spring. Experienced gardeners know, however, that what is accomplished in the fall reaps big rewards in the spring. Do you want a spectacular [...]
Jr. Master Gardener Program Connects Kids to Nature
August 12, 2010 by Bonnie Helander
Filed under At Home, Focus, Garden Views, outdoor
Kids love dirt, bugs, pretty plants and digging holes. Why not channel their energy and interests by signing them up for the Jr. Master Gardener program? What kid wouldn’t enjoy discovering the wonderful world of worms or making greeting cards that you can actually plant in the ground! There is compelling evidence that children today [...]
Blooming Plants that take the Heat
August 2, 2010 by Bonnie Helander
Filed under At Home, Garden Views, outdoor
August has just arrived and we have already experienced weeks of 90 degree weather! We can only look forward to several more weeks of the same. If your garden is like mine, it is looking a little bedraggled. Take heart – there are many blooming plants that take the heat and keep on performing. Look [...]