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Jan 3, 2025 | 
northeastohioboomer.com | Donna Hessel
Gardening Sweet SpotsBy Donna Hessel1. Eco-Friendly GardensAs expected, emphasis continues to be on selecting native plants for gardens. This year, a new term—“nativar”—will appear on plant tags and nativars will be available at garden centers. Nativars are created by selecting and crossing native plant seedlings to produce desired traits such as compact size or brightly colored flowers. Nativars are specifically designed to thrive and fit into residential gardens.
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Dec 3, 2024 | 
northeastohioboomer.com | Donna Hessel
Gardening Sweet SpotsBy Donna HesselStart with a ContainerThe best containers are waterproof, durable, strong and easy to move. Metal or concrete pots or urns are suitable, but resin or fiberglass are ideal. Consider the shape. Wide and short pots work well with smaller greens and shorter branches. A tall, thin container looks best with a strong vertical arrangement. Any color will work, but shades of green or terra cotta lend themselves to winter.
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Nov 3, 2024 | 
northeastohioboomer.com | Donna Hessel
Gardening Sweet SpotsBy Donna HesselThe Winter Weather ForecasterIf you live in Ohio, you have likely heard that the width of the fuzzy bands on this caterpillar are the predictors of our forthcoming winter weather. Maybe you’ve even attended the well-known, one-day festival in Vermillion, Ohio that was initiated by Dick Goddard in 1973 and draws thousands of visitors every year.
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Oct 3, 2024 | 
northeastohioboomer.com | Donna Hessel
Gardening Sweet SpotsBy Donna HesselWhy a Rock Garden? If you have a difficult area on your property—a slope, too much lawn to maintain, an area where nothing will grow, beds or walkways that need to be defined; or just a small area needing a focal point—consider adding a rock garden. Well-designed rock gardens are low maintenance and enhance the landscape year ’round. Rock gardens connect manmade landscapes to nature. How to Build a Rock GardenChoose the location. Consider the elevation.
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Sep 3, 2024 | 
northeastohioboomer.com | Donna Hessel
Gardening Sweet SpotsBy Donna Hessel“I’m Not as Young as I Used to Be”Research confirms that the health benefits for seniors from gardening are significant. A bit of gardening every day reduces the risk of stroke and promotes a longer, healthier life, according to results of a study published in 2023 by the British Journal of Sports Medicine. That said, however, eventually the time comes to admit that, while you would like to tackle garden chores like you did at 35, it isn’t going to happen.
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Aug 3, 2024 | 
northeastohioboomer.com | Donna Hessel |Sherri Ribbey
Gardening Sweet SpotsBy Donna HesselIt’s that time of year when garden borders begin to look either overgrown or have spots where plants have died out. August is a good time to consider dividing and rearranging perennials. Which ones should you divide now? It’s a good idea to dig 4 to 6 inches away from the base of the plant. If the plant is large and heavy, simply tilt the mass of soil back on the spade so the roots are visible, or cut the old plant into smaller sections.
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May 4, 2024 | 
northeastohioboomer.com | Donna Hessel |Heather Wheatley |Ed Brotak
Gardening Sweet SpotsBy Donna HesselResidents in hot, dry states have created gardens using drought tolerant plants that thrive in those conditions. Cacti, succulents, aloe, yucca and ornamental grasses that love full sun and don’t require frequent watering are selections that can be grown in sandy soil or even in gravel beds. Lush, green lawns are few and far between. Fortunately, in northeast Ohio drought-resistant plants will survive a long dry spell. Drought Tolerant vs.
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Apr 1, 2024 | 
northeastohioboomer.com | Donna Hessel
Gardening Sweet SpotsBy Donna HesselA rain garden is a shallow area on residential or commercial property designed to capture rain runoff and drainage, protecting nearby bodies of water by filtering and soaking water back into the ground before it reaches a drain or sewer. Why Do We Need Rain Gardens? In most towns and cities, rainfall and snowmelt drain into an engineered stormwater system of pipes and basins that funnel water, unfiltered, directly into local streams, rivers and lakes.
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Mar 3, 2024 | 
northeastohioboomer.com | Donna Hessel
Gardening Sweet SpotsBy Donna HesselGrowing your own vegetables and herbs is becoming more popular every year. Picking fresh produce from your garden to complement your food preparation is not only healthier, but also a source of “I did this” psychological fulfillment. Many of us, however, are moving to homes with smaller spaces for any kind of garden, and the thought of the amount of labor required to dig and prepare a traditional vegetable garden can be overwhelming.
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Feb 3, 2024 | 
northeastohioboomer.com | Donna Hessel
Gardening Sweet SpotsBy Donna HesselIt’s February, and romance is in the air—along with thousands of bouquets of red roses that will be delivered to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The florists are salivating. It’s one of their busiest holidays. FTD estimates it will sell 15 million roses this year, mostly bouquets of a dozen red ones that traditionally signify true love. Using Floral Symbolism is Thousands of Years OldFloral symbols were used by the early Chinese, Assyrians, Egyptians and Indians.
