Plant Care Blog
Expert tips from our horticulturist
Creating a Garden with Pollinator-Friendly Perennials
By Patricia Vecchio, B.S. Plant Science, URI Master Gardener, OSU
Gardeners today are increasingly concerned about the plight of pollinators as their loss has been substantial (about 90% loss of monarch butterflies, for example, in the last 20 years), and thei...
Protect Your Plants from Winter Damage
By Patricia Vecchio, B.S. Plant Science, URI Master Gardener, OSU
Although it can seem like a quiet downtime for gardening, protecting your plants from winter injury can be critical to the longevity of your landscape. Sometimes even a small act that reduces cold or ...
Preparing Your Landscape for Winter
By Patricia Vecchio, B.S. Plant Science, URI Master Gardener, OSU
Helping your plants survive winter is actually a year-long endeavor. Healthy plants with strong root systems, sited well, and properly cared for, are much less vulnerable to the stresses of winter. Wh...
Frost Vs. Freeze
By Patricia Vecchio, B.S. Plant Science, URI Master Gardener, OSU
The importance of the difference between a frost and a freeze depends, from a gardener's perspective, on the effect they have on plants. The impacts of freezes are much less under our control and pote...
Houseplant Watering Essentials
By Patricia Vecchio, B.S. Plant Science, URI Master Gardener, OSU
Watering correctly is one of the most important factors in keeping houseplants healthy. While every plant has its own preferences, the principles below apply to most indoor potted plants and, if follo...
How To Stake a Tree
By Patricia Vecchio, B.S. Plant Science, URI Master Gardener, OSU
More damage can actually be done by improper staking than by not staking at all. The goal of staking is mainly to support the root ball, not the trunk. Wind movement is important to help the tree deve...
How To Plant - Shrubs and Trees
By Patricia Vecchio, B.S. Plant Science, URI Master Gardener, OSU
How To Plant - Shrubs and Trees Container Plantings of Shrubs and Trees After siting your plant in the area recommended for sun exposure, soil and moisture, thoroughly water the plant while it is stil...
How To Plant - Container Plants
By Patricia Vecchio, B.S. Plant Science, URI Master Gardener, OSU
After siting your plant in the area recommended for sun exposure, soil and moisture, thoroughly water the plant while it is still in the container. Space plants according to their mature size (usually...
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