Darrell Blackwelder

1 week ago | salisburypost.com | Darrell Blackwelder

Published 12:00 am Saturday, June 21, 2025 A friend of mine complained that a recommended herbicide did not work to get rid of their weed problem. This seems to be a common problem for many home gardeners. Below are a few reasons why their weeds are still living after trying a herbicide. • Incorrect mixtures — Some feel if they use more than the recommended amount it will kill their problem easily. In most cases, over application of herbicides is wasteful and will not provide needed results.

2 weeks ago | salisburypost.com | Darrell Blackwelder

Published 12:00 am Saturday, June 14, 2025 Implementing vining plants can be very useful in any landscape, pot or outdoor planting providing colorful blooms, texture and fillers for barren areas. Confederate jasmine or star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is generally recommended in the coastal and the eastern region or North Carolina. However, these vines have survived our winters here in Rowan County for the past eight years and are doing quite well.

3 weeks ago | salisburypost.com | Darrell Blackwelder

Published 12:00 am Saturday, June 7, 2025 In warm weather, container plants will need water every day just to keep them alive, especially window boxes. Lack of rain and low humidity can be a challenge for those with potted plants and a vegetable garden. Even with afternoon rain showers, irrigation is a way of life for those that want to keep bedding plants, lawns and vegetable alive. The ideal time to irrigate is in the early morning to avoid evaporation during the heat of the day.

4 weeks ago | salisburypost.com | Darrell Blackwelder

Published 12:00 am Saturday, May 31, 2025 A friend of mine is so excited that her husband purchased her a truckload of fresh, new mulch. Fresh mulch can turn a drab, lackluster landscape into a flowing master design in just a matter of a few minutes. A layer of mulch also protects trees and shrubs from freezing weather and helps maintain moisture during dry weather. However, some mistakes are made applying to landscapes and other areas. Below are a few major mistakes.

1 month ago | salisburypost.com | Darrell Blackwelder

Published 12:00 am Saturday, May 24, 2025 The cool weather and abundant rains during spring weather provides perfect growing conditions for fescue. Unfortunately, as the temperature climbs in early summer, so does turf disease. Brown patch is a common turf disease caused by a soil borne fungus Rhizoctonia solani. Early symptoms are small circular brown patches of turf a foot in diameter. Small patches often melt together and may engulf entire areas of a lawn.