Dig This!

This was growing in front of the house in partial shade on the South and competing with the Maple tree for water.  I moved it 6 years ago to the North behind the garage, giving it afternoon shade, and away it went, nearly as tall as the garage. In the spring it is totally loaded with lovely pink and white flowers. Ron Smith, Horticulturist, NDSU Extension Service answers question about Weigela at:   http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/shrub/weigela.htm Submitted by sogrowsmygarden .

Do you have a small yard and want to get the most out of your garden space? Try V ertical Gardening ! I have what I consider a small garden about 30ftx30ft.  I find great enjoyment growing fresh vegetables for my family to eat. I like to get the most out of my garden space. So over the years I have used a technique called vertical gardenin g. So instead of allowing plants to vine horizontally spreading across the ground you can let them climb up a fence or poles or perhaps a trellis. Keeping vining plants off the ground and growing vertically minimizes diseases, and is a good use of space in a small garden. Of course pole bean s are a perfect example of this type of growing process. But how about using this technique for cucumbers, squash or even cantaloupes ? For more information about vertical gardening, go to the Vertical Gardening Video on the KSU Extension website. Written by Extension Master Gardeners mgcrocks.

       This time last year I began a project I had thought about all winter.  I had a tricky landscaping area under the deck. No grass grew there and it was an eyesore for backyard parties.  It was a very dry shady area creating a plant selection challenge. When I got my ideas organized and made the decision, I consulted my family to procure the necessary physical help I would need. It was labeled my "Mother's Day Project" because the right time for such a project seemed to be best f or spring. We got to work in April and finished in May. My first step was to use a garden hose to line the edge for the outline of the border. W e then s craped up all the sand, sifted it from the landscaping river rock, and saved them for later use. We put down a sand base and then weed barrier on top of the sand.  We added cotton seed hull mulch and red bark mulch. Next step was to try to lighten the shady area by adding some color and excitement. We created a garden path

Not all garden bugs are bad. Come learn about the good guys!