Composting Made Easy: Tips from the WPTF Weekend Gardener
One of the most economical and practical things you can do for the plants in your landscape and vegetable garden is to start a compost pile. We’ve discussed it fairly often on the “WPTF Weekend Gardener” over the last 40 years. The first step is to find a relatively shady well-drained location in your back yard. You don’t have to buy a container, just build your own or find a proper spot on the ground. A wire cylinder 3 to 4 feet in diameter will work or build a three-sided box that’s 4 to 5-feet high and wide. However, if you prefer, ready-made bins are easy to find.… Continue Reading
KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Ollie!
Ollie is a 2-year-old Shepherd mix with a heart as big as his smile. Weighing about 40 pounds, he’s the perfect medium-sized companion — full of energy for outdoor adventures, yet gentle and affectionate at home. This sweet, friendly boy loves everyone he meets. Ollie is well-behaved, crate trained, and potty trained, making him an…… Continue Reading
KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Fieri!
Hi I am Fieri! I am a little tabby that I share a name with the famous chef, but my real specialty is serving up cuddles and playtime. I am always the first to investigate, the first to pounce, and the first to dash into new adventures with my siblings, Flay and Nigella. After a…… Continue Reading
Ironweed: The resilient perennial transforming North Carolina landscapes
We all want resilient plants for our landscape. Frankly we want something that is cost effective. A plant which fulfills that description and expectation is “Ironweed” (Vernonia noveboracensis). This seems to be the most common variety grown in North Carolina. Anne Clapp used to say: “A weed is a plant you don’t want in your yard,” but you definitely will want Ironweed! It is a popular and hardy herbaceous perennial that you’ll find in a lot of landscapes in North Carolina. Herbaceous means it does not have a woody stem and dies back to the ground after it flowers. By the way, “Ironweed” was named for the English botanist William Vernon who traveled extensively in the late 1600’s and early 1700’s.… Continue Reading
KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Ziggy!
Ziggy is a 3-year-old poodle mix with a big heart and plenty of pep! He’s the best of both worlds—happy to go for walks and burn off his energy, then just as content to curl up on the couch, the bed, or even the floor for a cozy nap. While he may give a few…… Continue Reading