Gardening Articles by Linda Ann Nickerson

Practice Creative Pumpkin Carving for Charity with Free Halloween Stencil Downloads

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:13:22 EDT

Halloween pumpkins can be ornate and artistic holiday craft projects. Simple jack-o-lanterns still abound, but detailed designs are popular. Better Homes and Gardens now offers free pumpkin carving designs to benefit charities. Here’s how to use them.

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Sep 29, 2011

8 Great Reasons to Mulch a Garden

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:54:56 EDT

Mulch is a protective garden bed covering that is usually made of organic items (such as bark, peat moss, wood chips or shavings). Papers, rocks or textiles may also be used as garden mulch. Here are eight top reasons to mulch a garden.

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Jul 06, 2010

How to Plant with Mulch: Choose from 12 Popular Mulching Materials

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:43:35 EDT

Mulch may be messy, but mulch can also be a gardener's ally. The trick is to select the right mulch for the particular plantings, soil types and climate. Here are 12 of the most popular mulching materials preferred by many gardeners.

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Jul 06, 2010

Recipe: Creamy Garden Goodness Soup

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:39:12 EDT

Nothing warms the body -from head to toe -like a wonderful cup of delicious soup. Try this smooth, savory and soothing soup for a winter brunch, luncheon or supper. Creamy Garden Goodness Soup is simple to make, but healthy and simply spectacular.

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Jan 07, 2010

5 Organic Garden Weed Controls that Work

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:26:39 EDT

How can gardeners keep weeds at bay without introducing harmful chemical compounds? Try these top five organic garden weed controls that actually work. Organic gardening may take more effort than gardening with chemicals. The results are worth it.

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Aug 03, 2009

Mulching Made Simple: How to Mulch a Flower Bed

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:44:09 EDT

Mulch is a garden covering, generally composed of organic materials. Mulch is ideal for nourishing plants by adding organic material to the soil. The gardener may step back and enjoy the polished look of the well-managed mulched garden.

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: May 11, 2009

Not Shaken, but Stirred - a Rhyming Prayer for the Gardener's Care

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 08:12:53 EDT

Why does wickedness seem to win in our world? Tyrants and terrorists wreak their havoc. Peacemakers and promoters of positivity struggle, while evildoers seem to flourish. This poem, written in iambic pentameter, asks: Where may justice be found?

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Apr 26, 2009

Winter's Last Laugh

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 09:40:54 EDT

Is God having fun with us, painting the world in winter white before sending spring? We eagerly await great green gardens and lush lawns, we must admit fresh snowfall is pristine. God has a sense of humor. Maybe He's just giving spring a fresh start.

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Mar 29, 2009

Top 5 Online Gift Cards for Gardening Enthusiasts

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:23:09 EDT

Christmas shopping for a gardening enthusiast? Grab your credit card and your mouse, or pick up the phone. Choose one of these popular online Christmas gift cards for horticulturalists. Many merchants offer e-mailed gift cards for late shoppers.

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Dec 05, 2008

Therapy

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:41:18 EDT

Finding Accord and Feeling Restored - "My garden is a place of peace, Where worries stop, and troubles cease."

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Jul 02, 2008

Bring Spring - a Haiku Bouquet for a Brighter Day

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 08:26:50 EDT

What garden-lover doesn't eagerly anticipate great garden days to come each spring? This trifold haiku celebrates the arrival of spring, as gardeners begin digging in the soil and discovering green treasures sprouting towards the sun. The spring thaw awaits!

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Apr 05, 2008

Zoned Out

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:08:10 EDT

Yard work and garden chores may elicit groans from children, particularly when parents request the voluntary labor of their offspring. However, as parents are wont to say, the work will not do itself. How do children respond to this request? With LIMERICKS, of course!

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Mar 17, 2008

Gardening: Cultivating to Control Weeds

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:08:00 EDT

Planning for flowerbeds and other landscaping can pay off in the long run. Cultivating your garden areas in advance will provide ideal environments for your flowers, vegetables, shrubs and other desirable vegetation.

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Sep 28, 2007

Which Weed is Which?

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 06:18:00 EDT

Is that a weed or a wildflower? Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell. Basically, a weed voluntarily appears in your cultivated garden or lawn areas. How can you identify which weeds are popping up in your garden?

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Sep 12, 2007

Lovely Ladybirds

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 20:36:00 EDT

Much adored by savvy gardeners, the adorable ladybird (or ladybug) is the most popular form of natural pest control. How can you introduce ladybirds to your garden, and what can you do to encourage them to stay?

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Sep 04, 2007

Horticulturists and Honey-Makers

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 20:31:00 EDT

Bees can spoil a day at the park, but you really do want to welcome them to your garden. How can you draw bees to your backyard? If your garden includes plants that give bees what they seek, they will be eager to visit.

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Sep 04, 2007

Welcoming Bats to Your Garden

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:20:00 EDT

Why are we afraid of bats? These gentle creatures consume enormous amounts of night-flying bugs. They provide excellent fertilizer. How can you attract bats to your garden? How do you go about building a bat house?

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Aug 31, 2007

Garden Bugs: Friends or Foes?

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 08:06:00 EDT

Insects can be a horticulturist's nightmare. On the other hand, certain bugs can be just what the plant doctor ordered. Beneficial insects can prey on infesting pests, restoring your garden to good health!

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Aug 16, 2007

Gardening with Children: Growing Green Thumbs

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 09:38:00 EDT

Where does a love of gardening begin? Kids love bright flowers, and they adore digging in dirt! Who knows what they might find living under the dirt in a planting bed or window-box? Hands-on practice can sow seeds of interest that last a lifetime.

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Aug 11, 2007

Violas - Sweet Dainty Flowers for Partial Sun or Shade

contributor-community@yahoo-inc.com (Linda Ann Nickerson) — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 21:07:00 EDT

Johnny Jump-Ups, or violas, are the volunteers of the garden. Plant a few this year, and these dainty, delightful flowers will spring up in unexpected spots for years to come!

Contributor: Linda Ann Nickerson
Published: Jun 14, 2007