Preparing your garden for winter is a fall activity for millions of gardeners and homeowners. If you are reading this story right now, you are in good company! Most people tend to think of spring when it comes to planting and gardening. However, autumn is a great time to get a head start on your garden for the following year. Here are a few things you should consider when preparing your garden for those cold winter months. Trim Hedges and Shrubs Preparing your garden for winter can begin with trimming your hedges and shrubs. The growth rate of plants slows down due to the cooler temperatures and reduced daylight. If you complete some prep during autumn, you won’t be faced with a lot of yard tasks during the winter. Pruning your hedges and shrubs in autumn makes them less vulnerable to freezing. And autumn is not bird nesting season, which is an important consideration when cutting back hedgerows. Working with heavy power tools can be dangerous, so you may want to … [Read more...] about Preparing Your Garden for Winter
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Gas vs. Electric Power Equipment
The choice between gas vs. electric power equipment continues to evolve. But one thing is certain: battery powered cordless electric power equipment keeps getting better. For homeowners and even professional landscapers, that makes it easier and easier to buy cordless electric power equipment. I know. As the editor of HomeGardenandHomestead.com, I am on the front line of the gas vs. electric power equipment battle. When I needed to replace my old gasoline powered lawn mower, I bought an EGO Power Self-Propelled Cordless Electric Mower. I replaced my gas-powered string trimmer for a battery-powered string trimmer. I also have a cordless electric leaf blower, too. So, I am firmly in the electric power equipment camp. I think battery powered tools are the future. In the decision between gas vs. electric power equipment, here are the reasons why I choose electric. Gas vs. Electric Power Equipment: Less Maintenance for Electric A cordless electric lawn mower, leaf blower … [Read more...] about Gas vs. Electric Power Equipment
Best Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmers
The best cordless electric hedge trimmers can make quick work of trimming your hedges and shrubs. The blades are sharp. The trimmers are ergonomically designed to be comfortable to hold and use. The cordless electric motors are quiet, powerful, and efficient. And the rechargeable batteries pack plenty of power to get the job done. Back in the old days (the 1990s), I owned an electric hedge trimmer. This was before cordless electric trimmers existed. My ancient hedge trimmer needed to be plugged in to get its electric power. That meant I could only trim as far away as my extension cord would reach. And that was a hassle. Even worse, one day I was trimming a shrub and accidentally used the trimmer to cut my 100-foot extension cord. That was an expensive mistake. So, I am a BIG FAN of today's impressive cordless electric hedge trimmers. I love the power of the brushless electric motors. I love the quick-charge lithium-ion batteries. And I love the freedom of taking my cordless … [Read more...] about Best Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmers
2020 Green Thumb Awards Honor New Plants and Garden Products
The winners of the 2020 Green Thumb Awards have been announced, and a total of six new plants and products have taken home the “green” trophy. Here are this year’s winners: Clematis ‘Lady Kyoko’ from Spring Hill Nurseries European Beech InstantHedge from InstantHedge KangaRhu Rhubarb from Gurneys Seed Treasure Island Sweet Potatoes from Concept Plants Garden Tutor Online Course and Kit from Botaniworld Vertex Wall Trellis from Gardener’s Supply Company The DGA Green Thumb Awards are presented by the Direct Gardening Association (DirectGardeningAssociation.com), a trade group of companies that sell gardening plants and products through catalogs and websites. Winners of the 2020 Green Thumb Awards were chosen by independent judges. 2020 Green Thumb Award Winners: Ornamental Plants and Seeds Division Clematis ‘Lady Kyoko’ (Clematis x ‘Lady Kyoko’) Spring Hill Nurseries Clematis ‘Lady Kyoko’ is a variety that … [Read more...] about 2020 Green Thumb Awards Honor New Plants and Garden Products
