Over-fertilizing your lawn can occur not only when you apply too much fertilizer, it can also occur in soil with poor drainage where fertilizer builds up, or when the lawn does not get sufficient water after fertilizing. How Fertilizer Affects Lawns Every lawn needs fertilizer. Think of your lawn as a crop that gets “harvested” by mowing, usually weekly. The grass is in a constant state of regrowth and for that to happen, the nutrients in the soil need to be replenished....

It’s important to note, though, that carpenter ants do not actually eat wood in the way that termites do. Carpenter ants simply remove wood that is already decaying in order to establish colonies. If the soft, rotting wood is removed and replaced, the ants will disappear almost instantly in search of new nesting areas. Identifying Carpenter Ants The presence of ants is a serious problem only if you have the wood-damaging carpenter ants, so it’s important to be able to distinguish them from similar ant species....

Wait Until After the Last Frost Date I live in the deep south. We have days during the winter when you get spring-like temperatures. Sometimes, it gets tempting to throw caution to the wind and put the houseplants outdoors before the last frost date. Don’t do it—they are tropical species. Even early spring temperatures may be too cold for their liking. When in doubt, wait until the overnight temperatures are well into the upper 50s or 60s, and there is no chance for a surprise frost or freeze....

Like other deciduous species in the genus, anise magnolia is generally planted in late fall in warmer climates, early spring in colder climates. It is usually sold as a container-grown or ball-and-burlap tree and has a moderate growth rate typical of many magnolias, 1 to 2 feet per year, though it will slow down considerably after 5 to 6 years. Dig a hole twice as wide as your tree’s root ball, or container, and just as deep....

In garden landscapes, cattails are well suited for growing around ponds, in water gardens, or areas prone to flooding; they can easily grow in water up to ten inches deep. They can also be a good choice for erosion control on wet slopes, and they make a great privacy screen too. The attractive stems are frequently added to flower arrangements in fresh or dried form. When planting a cattail, make sure you select a species such as Typha latifolia, which is native to parts of the United States instead of an introduced species that can become invasive....

They begin blooming in the summertime, starting off as a white or light pink color. Typically within one to three days, the color changes to a magenta pink and then a dark pink to red. The blooms then last for several more days. The shrub usually will have flowers at various stages of the color-change process on it all at once, providing exceptional visual interest. Fuzzy seed pods, whose cotton-like appearance gives the plant its common name, follow the flowers....

It does well in a variety of soils and even thrives in dry, rocky conditions, such as climbing on walls and in rock gardens, and can cope with little irrigation. Light A sunny or partial shade location is what creeping wire vine prefers. It can cope in areas with no shade, but just expect much slower growth. Soil Creeping wire vine isn’t fussy when it comes to soil types. It copes well with dry, infertile soils and this is part of its appeal for use on rocky slopes where other plants struggle to thrive....

Unless you are willing to prune regularly to keep this tree shrub-sized, give it lots of space, as it quickly matures into a very large specimen. Individual trees should be planted at least 20 to 30 feet away from any other trees or shrubs. Light This tree does well with at least four hours of direct sunlight each day. The hotter the climate, the more it appreciates some shade....

Fatsia spider web plants are disease-resistant. However, they may encounter problems from a mealybug infestation or scale insects. When given the right conditions, these plants add a tall, unique specimen to your indoor plant collection or outdoor garden. Light These shrubs thrive in partially to fully shaded areas. Too much sunlight can burn the leaves, so protect outdoor plants from harsh sunlight. When potted indoors, place them in bright, indirect light, such as near an east-facing window....

Marsh marigold is a very fast-growing plant that is normally planted from seeds sown in the late fall or early spring. Although the leaves are sometimes cooked for consumption, no part of the plant should be eaten raw. The leaves contain protoanemonin, which is toxic and can cause burning of the throat and other digestive symptoms. Consuming large quantities has been known to cause convulsions. Light This perennial will bloom consistently in full sun to full shade, an unusual feature, as most flowering plants for water gardens demand full sun....

There are nasturtium varieties for almost every gardening purpose: bushy plants for borders and edges, trailing plants for walls and containers, and climbers that add dramatic height. The leaves and flowers are edible, with a peppery tang, so you’ll often find this plant in vegetable gardens planted alongside broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, where it keeps pests away. Nasturtiums spill beautifully over walls and onto pavers when used as edging. They also hold up well in containers....

In northern climates, you can plant New England asters from spring to early fall, and they should become established before winter. In southern climates, it’s best to plant them only in the spring and fall because hot summer temperatures can be damaging to a plant that isn’t yet established. Asters are fast growers and will typically bloom in their first year. Light New England asters need full sun to grow and bloom their best....

Oakleaf hydrangea makes a good specimen plant, and it also works well as a foundation plant or when massed in shrub borders or open woodland gardens. The big leaves give these plants a coarse texture, providing contrast with plants with more delicate features. Fall foliage color is attractive—the leathery leaves turn purple, orange-bronze, or red. The peeling, exfoliating branches also provide winter color and texture. Like all hydrangeas, the shrubs are toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and horses....

Because the Osakazuki cultivar grows to a maximum height of 25 feet, and do well in partial or dappled shade, they make a good choice for a smaller tree to plant beneath larger trees with high canopies, such as tulip poplars, oaks, large maples or catalpas. This tree, if properly cared for, will provide many years of beauty in the landscape. Japanese maples are fairly slow-growing, so it’s worthwhile getting a mature specimen if you can acquire one....

When grown in the garden in the tropical and subtropical climates where they are hardy, peace lilies are normally planted in the spring while it is still cool. When you care for a peace lily indoors, they can be purchased and brought into the home at any time of year, though you will want to protect them from cold temperatures as you transport them. They are moderate growers and will reach maturity in around three years....

Whether choosing the tree because it is a native and the idea of fresh berries is enticing, or the grand spreading shade tree’s pendulous red fruit is attractive to the eye, the red mulberry deserves closer inspection. Site selection will be an important aspect of the mulberry tree’s success. It is a large tree in height and spread. Consider a spot that will not just fit the tree now but 15 years in the future....

Surprise lily bulbs are large and can reach about two inches in diameter. Choose the plumpest bulbs to get the best show of blooms. If you’re dividing bulbs, you can replant the smaller bulblets that form, but they might not flower for a year or two. Plant the bulbs about five to six inches deep or slightly deeper if you’re planting them in a zone they’re marginally hardy in. Plant them in a location that receives full sun or partial shade....

This incredible specimen is an example of color theory in garden design, with its blazing scarlet that is often set against the bright blue chilly fall skies, or a stark white field of early snow. The scarlet oak’s scientific name is Quercus coccinea, Quercus meaning oak and coccinea being the word for scarlet in Latin. This tree, besides being a wonderful home and food source for countless forms of wildlife, and an excellent provider of shade, is defined by the amazing color display it puts on every year....

Although it is commonly referred to as satin pothos, silver pothos, and even silver Philodendron — this tropical plant is not a pothos or a Philodendron. Instead, it is a part of the Scindapsus genus, which is distinct from the Epipremnum (pothos) and Philodendron genera. That being said, its growth habit, care, and appearance are similar to many of the popular pothos and vining Philodendron species, which explains the confusion....

Light While lots of pothos plants grow well in low light conditions, this highly variegated variety should be given plenty of bright, indirect light in order to keep ithe foliage bright. Without enough light, the white variegation will begin to fade and revert back to green. Keep your Snow Queen pothos away from direct sunlight which will burn the delicate leaves. Soil This plant requires moist but well-draining soil. Standard indoor potting soil compacts easily which can suffocate the plant’s roots over time, so it’s best to create an airy, well-draining potting mi x....