Indiana Yard and Garden – Purdue Consumer Horticulture A Purdue Extension Service for Home Gardeners

Category: Seasonal Information

Please Don’t Burn Your Leaves

B. Rosie Lerner Purdue Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist The recent Arctic blast that visited our area made for a rather dramatic leaf fall in many neighborhoods. With large quantities of leaves blowing around their yards, some people may be tempted to resort to the old-fashioned and effective method of burning. However, in addition to being illegal in many areas, leaf burning leads to air pollution and is a health and fire hazard. The smoke from…Read more about Please Don’t Burn Your Leaves[Read More]

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Mulch for Winter Protection

Winter mulch isn’t necessary for all garden plants, but it can mean survival for some less hardy ones. Winter mulch has a different purpose than summer mulch. The main benefits of winter cover are to protect against wide temperature fluctuations in the soil and to prevent extreme cold temperatures from harming plants. The goal is to keep the plants dormant, rather than to keep them warm. If plants are kept too warm, they may break…Read more about Mulch for Winter Protection[Read More]

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Mulch for Winter Protection

By B. Rosie Lerner Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist Winter mulch isn’t necessary for all garden plants, but it can mean survival for some less hardy ones. Winter mulch has a different purpose than summer mulch. The main benefits of winter cover are to protect against wide temperature fluctuations in the soil and to prevent extreme cold temperatures from harming plants. The goal is to keep the plants dormant, rather than to keep them warm. If…Read more about Mulch for Winter Protection[Read More]

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Outstanding New Plants Named For 1998

Four new garden plants have been awarded the prestigious honor of being an All America Selection (AAS) for 1998. These new cultivars have been judged as superior in their class based on their performance in test gardens all over the country. Lemon Basil ‘Sweet Dani’ was selected for both its culinary and ornamental value in the garden. ‘Sweet Dani’ was bred by a team of Purdue University researchers for its strong lemon scent and its…Read more about Outstanding New Plants Named For 1998[Read More]

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Propagate Herbs Now For Yearlong Enjoyment

B. Rosie Lerner, Consumer Horticulture Extension Specialist Herb gardeners can snip fresh herbs throughout the winter by propagating their garden plants now. There are several approaches to overwintering plants. One easy method is to dig up a plant, or a portion of one, and pot it up. Plants such as chives, lemon balm, mint, burnet and sweet woodruff can be lifted and divided into sections to create more plants. Dividing is a fairly foolproof method…Read more about Propagate Herbs Now For Yearlong Enjoyment[Read More]

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Prune, Propagate Raspberries For Tidy Garden, Better Crop

It’s time to sharpen up the pruners and head to the raspberry patch for a bit of midsummer gardening. Raspberries grow long stems (canes) that are biennial, meaning they produce foliage the first year, flowers and then fruit the second year. The second-year canes then die after the fruit is harvested. The specific pruning technique for raspberries depends on which type you’re raising. Summer-bearing red and yellow raspberries should be pruned to remove all old…Read more about Prune, Propagate Raspberries For Tidy Garden, Better Crop[Read More]

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Tomato Troubles Don’t Bother Most Gardeners

Despite the endless list of potential problems, tomatoes continue to be the most popular plant in Midwestern vegetable gardens. Many tomato problems are related to environmental factors such as temperature and moisture, rather than insects or disease. The good news is that these environmental problems are not infectious, meaning they don’t spread to other fruits and plants. The most common tomato affliction is known as blossom-end rot, so named for the black, leathery scar that…Read more about Tomato Troubles Don’t Bother Most Gardeners[Read More]

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It’s Time to Renovate the Strawberry Patch

The strawberry harvest may be over, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to forget the strawberry patch. Post-harvest care is an important part of keeping your patch healthy and productive. With yearly renovation, strawberry plants can remain productive for 10 years or longer. Begin renovating the strawberry bed immediately following the last harvest. Mow or trim off the leaves near the base of the plant, being careful not to injure the crown. Removing this foliage…Read more about It’s Time to Renovate the Strawberry Patch[Read More]

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Remove Faded Flowers? Yes and No!

Taking time to remove spent blossoms from your shrubs and garden flowers can pay off with more attractive, healthier plantings. The removal of dead flowers is often referred to as “deadheading.” Though it often seems like a big bother, pinching or pruning off dead flowers helps keep plants looking cleaner and prevents them from producing fruit and seed. This allows the plants to put more of their resources into root and foliage growth and development…Read more about Remove Faded Flowers? Yes and No![Read More]

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Grow a Windowsill of Flavor This Winter

(Released: 07 November 1996) By B. Rosie Lerner Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist Although the outdoor garden may be getting ready for its long winter nap, you can continue to harvest the fresh flavor of herbs by growing a windowsill garden. Many herbs, including dill, parsley, thyme, chives, oregano, and mint, are adaptable to growing indoors in a sunny window. While some of these herbs may grow to be several feet tall in the garden, thankfully,…Read more about Grow a Windowsill of Flavor This Winter[Read More]

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Page last modified: February 17, 2017

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