What’s your favorite tree, and why?

SuperUser Account — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:47:48 GMT

Nothing adds beauty, structure, and value to your landscape like a tree. Whether you prefer a large maple tree that provides a cool summer canopy and colorful autumn display or an evergreen tree that provides year-round color, we’d like to hear about your favorite tree. Send your response to forum@gardeningclub.com. Please use both common names and botanical names, if possible. Include your first and last name, city and state, and member number. If we choose your entry, it will appear in the September/October 2008 issue of Gardening How-To. Deadline is June 1, 2008.

How do you clean up the garden for autumn?

SuperUser Account — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:52:23 GMT

Autumn is a beautiful season in the garden. It’s a good time to clean up your garden beds and get ready for the colors of fall. Whether you remove spent summer annuals, add mulch, or pull stubborn weeds, we’d like to hear your tips for cleaning up your garden in the fall. Share your best tip in two or three sentences and you could win a prize!Send your best tip to tips@gardeningclub.com, including your first and last name, city and state, and member number. If we choose your tip, we’ll print it in the September/October 2008 issue of Gardening How-To and contact you about your prize. Deadline is June 1, 2008.

Regional Gardening Tips

SuperUser Account — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:39:41 GMT

Wonder what region you live in? See our map here or visit the “Site Specific” column in each issue of Gardening How-To.Pacific Northwest • Repot houseplants in new soil. • Keep harvesting cool-season crops like asparagus, peas, and spring lettuce. • Divide crowded perennials and share.Southwest • Lantana, red bird of paradise, Oleander, and other winter damaged plants may be emerging at this time. Do not remove them prematurely. These plants will emerge if watered occasionally during winter. • Deadhead spring-blooming bulbs, but let the foliage grow until it yellows. • Plant heat-loving vegetables such as tomatoes, hot peppers, okra, and sweet potatoes.Midwest/Mountain• Finish up any pruning this month with the exception of spring-blooming trees and shrubs. You can prune them immediately after they're done flowering. • Start warm-season melons and squash indoors, to transplant after Memorial Day, when the squash borer has moved on. • Plant or transplant trees and shrubs before the heat of summer.Northeast • Deadhead and begin replacing pansies and primroses as the blossoms fade. • Divide most perennials as long as they're not spring bloomers and as long as the foliage isn't more than 5 or 6 inches high. • Rip out invasive plants while the soil is damp, before they spread even further.Southeast • Keep a sharp eye out for fungal problems during the rainy season. • Finish planting new citrus trees and berry bushes for a late harvest. • Watch for asparagus beetles, aphids, cabbage worms, cutworms, scale, slugs and snails, and any signs of fungal diseases (leaf spot, mildew, rust, etc.).

National Home Gardening Club

What’s your favorite tree, and why?

How do you clean up the garden for autumn?

Regional Gardening Tips