Tag: Lemon Tree

4 Great Spring Gardening Tips

Lupins

For landscape designers, April showers usually bring much more than just May flowers. They also invite us to think about best-practice gardening ideas, some of which can be universally applied pretty much any type of exterior design scheme.

Just came across a great article in The Epoch Times in which writer Mark Cullen outlines some great, and timeless, gardening trends to keep in mind.

Here are four of my favorite…

Native plants: Use of native plants in the landscape to reduce maintenance (fewer bugs and diseases), increase natural biodiversity cycles

Gardening in containers: Canadians are ‘pushing the envelope’ by mixing annuals and perennials together in containers, often adding vegetables and herbs for both a practical and decorative touch.

Color: Demand for annuals and perennials that produce a reliable abundance of colour for the longest possible length of time is on a steep rise.

Invest in your own outdoor ‘retreat’: Spend hard earned cash to improve your yard and garden rather than booking costly travel vacations or purchasing a vacation property.

Well, what do you think about these tips/trends? Do you have any of your own?

Marvin Gardens Awarded Blue Ribbon at Philadelphia Flower Show

The Philadelphia International Flower Show is strongly considered one of the premier gardening events in the world, in part because so many outstanding talents make their way to the Show each year the showcase their finest plants and design work.

So when it was announced this past Sunday that Marvin Gardens won the Blue Ribbon for Best Retail Exhibit, we were absolutely thrilled!

Since 1829, the Philadelphia has maintained a tradition of showing some of the most exceptional and unique plants and displays from around the world, so to be now listed in the Shows history as one of the best in class, well, that’s truly an honor.

The Philadelphia Flower Show continues throughout Sunday, March 13, and we plan to be around and take in as much of the scenery as possible. Be sure to stop back to the blot later in the week, as I’m sure there will be plenty more great photos to post!

Lemon Tree, Oh Lemon Tree

“Lemon tree, very pretty, and the lemon flower is sweet/
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat”

While these lyrics from the  illustrious 1960 song “Lemon Tree” by Will Holt suggest that  lemons aren’t ideal for the taste palate, this zesty fruit is one of the most-used for culinary purposes (among many others) throughout the world. In fact, amongst all citrus trees planted and harvested for fruit across the United States, lemon trees are the most popular. And when it comes to aesthetics, they add a touch of tropical beauty to any backdrop.

If you’re thinking of growing one in your own backyard, keep this list of Lemon Tree Care Tips from eHow.com handy:

  • Use a shovel and soil (leftover from the hole or somewhere else) to construct a watering ring surrounding the newly transplanted lemon tree. Pile up the soil to create a wall around the tree that measures at least 2 feet in diameter.
  • Fill the ring with water and allow draining. Continue to water the new lemon tree every other day for two weeks and then water it weekly, until the water ring naturally disappears into the soil. After this time, only water the lemon tree when the top 1 or 2 inches of soil dries.
  • Add a 3- to 6-inch layer of mulch around the new lemon tree to deter weeds and to maintain moist soil conditions. Keep the mulch at least 1 foot away from the trunk of the tree and extend it out to a diameter of 3 feet.
  • Apply a small amount of citrus fertilizer around the lemon tree once growth begins. Repeat each six weeks through summer. Water the lemon tree after fertilizing to ensure the nutrients reach the soil.
  • Inspect the lemon tree often for any signs of diseases or pests. Check the entire tree for any changes in appearance. Contact your area extension office to identify the problem and to learn about the treatment required.

Do you have a lemon tree in your own yard?

Photo Credit: Club Algarve