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Gardening with Fewer Chemicals

Wednesday, June 12, 2024
by Tucker Robbins

When it comes to gardening, going organic can be difficult, especially when there are so many manufactured products to keep weeds and insects at bay. It’s not uncommon knowledge that the fewer chemicals we use in our lawns and gardens, the better it is for everyone.  Follow these tried-and-true tips to get you started on a more natural approach to a healthy garden. 

 

  • - Make sure your garden soil is enriched with natural compost, and one way to do that is with grass clippings!  According to Mother Earth News, a mulch of 1”-2” of cut grass can feed your garden for the season.   
     

  • - Another way to get free compost is saving vegetable scraps from your kitchen. When you’re prepping for dinner, keep the parts you would normally throw away in a small bucket or jar with a lid nearby, and throw it in your compost pile or worm bed. 
     

  • - Speaking of earthworms:  vermicomposting is one very beneficial thing you can do to improve your soil.  Learn how to have your own worm beds from gardeningknowhow.com.  Kids love this project! 
     

  • - The little tags in the cell packs of plants aren’t there for nothing.  They have important and necessary planting information on them.  Put your plants in the right place, in the right amount of sun, and it will reward you with good growth. 
     

  • - When and how you water your garden plays an important part in keeping diseases and pests at bay.  A morning shower with a water hose can rid your plants of nasty aphids.  - Watering your plants in the evenings can cause fungi and mildew to grow, and neither is easy to get rid of once they set in. 
     

  • - Learn the difference between detrimental and beneficial insects.  We don’t want to be bitten, but many stinging insects are taking care of the bad ones that are eating up our vegetables.  
     

  • - Row covers are a great and chemical-free way to keep not only insects away, but veggie-loving birds as well.  As long as they cover your plants completely as they grow, they will provide a barrier between your plants and the bad guys. 
     

  • - If your plants are being taken over by soft-bodied insects like aphids and whiteflies, make your own insecticidal soap--it’s easy with these instructions from Horticulture magazine. 

 

Whether you’re interested in going completely organic in your gardening, or just trying to cut back on man-made chemical use, it takes knowledge and a little extra work.  Growing a Greener World is an excellent television source for all things natural, and there are many books and magazines on the subject.  Look for sources that have been certified as an organic entity or is written or produced by someone who has been gardening the natural way and has lots of experience.  Reap the rewards of not only a great vegetable harvest, but the rewards of keeping chemicals out of the ground, and our water sources. 

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtor Tucker Robbins.   

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Selecting Plants and Flowers for Your Home Garden!

Wednesday, March 20, 2024
by Tucker Robbins


Many of us select plants for the garden at our New Castle County DE home based on their visual effect—color, height, size of blooms, etc. And so we should, as the sight of our plantings should be pleasing to our sense of sight. As we plan our garden, however, we should also be aware of the other four senses—and include plants which appeal to each of them.

SMELL: Aromatherapy is a powerful practice. With nothing more than a simple scent, the brain can be triggered to remember long forgotten memories, emotions, and feelings. With that being said, it is important to carefully select the flowers you want in the garden of your New Castle County DE home. With a few simple choices, you can create your own "memory lane' or relaxing oasis. In terms of fragrance, it’s hard to beat roses or lavender. Wisteria and jasmine are scented climbers which can really enhance the sensory pleasure of a garden, and amaryllis belladonna and spirea both add pleasant scents.

SOUND: Few of us associate the sense of sound with our garden, but the rustling of long grasses and the chirping of birds add a much-appreciated dimension. To attract songbirds, use fruit-bearing understory trees like dogwoods and service berries and shrubs such as viburnums and hollies and introduce low growing perennials and dwarf shrubs like creeping juniper and cotoneaster. You can also plant vines, ground covers, and sunflowers to increase chirping and tweeting.

TOUCH: Texture in garden design refers to the surface quality of the plant. Plant textures range from delicate and fine to coarse and bold. The feel of the foliage in your New Castle County DE home’s garden is not the only element of texture, however, as the texture can change with the play of light and shadow and even with viewing distance. Plants with thread-like leaves call out to be touched, so consider adding cosmos, baby's breath, asters, and grasses. In addition, iris and lamb’s ear will each provide softer tactile experiences.

TASTE: The world of herbs is nearly without limits. Think about basil, chives, rosemary, chamomile, cilantro, mint, and parsley, to name just a few tasty garden additions. Consider, too low bush blueberries or ligonberries. Lesser known, but equally valuable as salad additions are the flowers of the hibiscus shrub, columbine, and daylilies.

Some of the plants you have selected for your garden will serve more than one purpose and will appeal to more than one sense, so be sure to sniff, feel, taste, listen to, and view each of them!

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins.   

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Grow These 8 Houseplants - No Green Thumb Necessary

Wednesday, November 9, 2022
by Tucker Robbins

One welcome comeback in home decor is the use of houseplants! Indoor plants bring so much to our homes, and one does not have to have a lot of gardening knowledge to grow beautiful plants. Here are just a few plants that will give even the brownest thumb success! 

 

  • - Succulents are at the top of the easy indoor plant list. No wonder–they need just a little bit of attention, take up very little space, and most only need indirect light. 
     

  • The spider plant is as lovely in a pot stand as it is hanging from a ceiling hook. Available in green or variegated leaf color, these plants offer a bonus: easily-rooted baby plants to share or keep for yourself! 
     

  • A proven air purifier, the ZZ plant is great for homes with low light. These plants will thrive in even the darkest corner of a room, but keep in mind that they need to be out of the reach of pets and is not for human consumption, either. 
     

  • For a bit of color, grow a variety of bromeliad. Other than needing to be misted often and keeping their natural “cups” filled with fresh water, these tropical beauties will reward you with splashes of color. 
     

  • The name “air plant” is synonymous with “easy to grow!”  These plants do not need soil, can be placed in virtually anything, and need only indirect sunlight and weekly misting or soaking. 
     

  • Lavender as an easy indoor plant? Absolutely! As long as there is bright light and occasional watering, the room will be filled with its comforting scent. 
     

  • A hanging basket of philodendron is a common sight, but this plant is easily grown in water! Choose an opaque container, keep the water fresh and chlorine-free, adding water-soluble fertilizer occasionally, and this trailing plant will thrive! 
     

  • If you want blooms, the tried and true African violet is the plant to grow indoors! This dainty plant simply asks to be placed in bright light and its soil kept moist. Many hybrids are available in several colors to brighten any space. 

 

There are many proven benefits to growing plants indoors, so why not try one or several easy-to-grow plants shared by Guide to Houseplants? Your health, home, and happiness will get a much-deserved boost, and it could be the start of a rewarding hobby! 

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

 

Photo credit: Readers Digest

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Low-Maintenance Landscaping

Wednesday, June 24, 2020
by Tucker Robbins


The seed catalogs and plant nurseries seem to be calling our name! Unless you’re truly committed to gardening and the work and time involved, you probably need to consider using plants and grasses that don’t need a lot of TLC, as well as ways to get around certain time-consuming aspects of keeping everything alive. Here are a few ideas to get you started: 

 

  • Growing a lawn is labor intensive:  keeping it green requires large amounts of water and regular mowing. Gardening Know How has a guide for creating a meadow, growing ground cover, or ornamental grasses, all perfect solutions for going lawn-free. 
     

  • Faux grass--it’s not just for indoor sports arenas anymore. The industry has come a long way in the production of synthetic grass, and it could be the perfect solution for those in drought-prone regions, or for someone who simply doesn’t want to mow their lawn every weekend.  Depending on the size of your property, it can be expensive, but HouseLogic just might change your mind about installing fake turf! 
     

  • Drought-tolerant plants will thrive without a lot of water, obviously. You can find twenty-one plants listed here, with their USDA hardiness zone included. 
     

  • Every yard has its problem areas:  rocky soil, drainage issues, shady areas--these can all be planted with a little effort, and don’t normally need a lot of care afterward.   
     

  • Mulch is a landscaper’s friend!  One tip from the Love Your Plants website is to add at least two inches of mulch for it to be effective. Check their website for more information about using mulch to benefit your plants and cut back on keeping up the flowerbeds.  
     

  • If you’ve ever seen a hedge of hydrangeas in full bloom, you know how beautiful shrubs can be!  Hydrangeas are one shrub that doesn’t require a lot from you, and This Old House lists many more according to plant zone to encourage you to plant a low-maintenance hedge. 
     

  • A traditional flower bed filled with annuals isn’t necessarily maintenance-free, but using drip irrigation or soaker hoses under the mulch will certainly cut back the amount of time it takes for you to water them yourself, and use the water more wisely than using sprinklers or hose attachments. 

 

Probably the most common type of low-maintenance landscaping is xeriscaping.  If you’re in a water-restricted area, a very hot climate or simply want to garden using as few resources as possible, xeriscaping is the way to go. With so many ideas to choose from, having beautiful landscaping without all the work is an easily attainable goal. 

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

 

Photo credit: Pinterest

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Tips for the First-Time Gardener

Wednesday, May 13, 2020
by Tucker Robbins


Gardening--no matter if it’s a veggie garden or a landscape filled with flowering plants, it’s no small undertaking. Many first timers spend a great deal of money on plants, fertilizer, and tools, only to find that their plants die or simply don’t produce as they’d planned. There are a lot of factors to a successful garden or landscape, and the basics are covered here in these tips! 

 

  • Start talking to gardening friends and family now. They have been where you are and know it’s not easy to have a magazine-worthy garden the first year. Find out what grows best in your area and choose a few vegetables to try. 
     

  • Your first plot needs to be small and in a part of your yard that gets at least six hours of sunlight per day. Shade in the evening is great to help cool plants on those hot Summer days, but full sun is best during the day. 
     

  • A soil test is important and is most easily done through your local cooperative extension service. The results normally include recommendations for improving your soil quality. 
     

  • Consider using a raised bed for your first attempt! It will make soil-amending easier and gives you more control of water retention/drainage.   
     

  • Purchase seedlings from your garden center instead of starting everything from seed. You’ll have a head start on the harvest!  
     

  • Don’t forget to add some flowering plants to your vegetable garden! Planting a few companion plants will bring pollinators and beneficial insects that help keep the bad bug population down. 

 

    Flower Gardening 

  • Once again, talk to your neighbors; look at what they are growing in their landscapes and flower beds, and ask them what is the easiest to grow and care for. 
     

  • Soil prep is just as important for blooms as it is for the vegetable garden; test the soil from the areas you’re planning on planting. 
     

  • Flowering plants have different needs when it comes to sunlight. While geraniums thrive in full sun, impatiens need mostly-to-full shade. Take care to note the sunlight recommendation on plant tags when you’re making your purchases. 
     

  • If you don’t have time to lug the water hose or sprinkling can all over the yard, you might want to plant in one main area, or purchase a soaker hose that will stay put so you only have to turn the water on. 
     

  • Planning is important, and you’ll save time in the nursery if you decide what you’d like to grow before you go. Check out this list of easy-to-grow flowers from HGTV. 

 

Virtually all gardeners have learned by trial and error, and it’s likely you will, too. Don’t let a few failures keep you from falling in love with growing plants and vegetables. It’s such a rewarding undertaking, and recent studies are even looking at how digging in the dirt can improve your mental health as well! 

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

 

Photo credit: miracle gro

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House Plants for Dark Rooms

Wednesday, November 13, 2019
by Tucker Robbins


Daylight hours have become noticeably less, and so are our landscaping duties! If you’d like to bring the outside in but are concerned about the plants needing sunlight, don’t worry.  Many houseplants can be tucked away inside for Winter that thrive in low light!  Find one, or two, in this list: 

 

  • Aglaonema, or Chinese Evergreen, has many hybrids, and come with splashes of silver and red.  Not only will you have a plant that doesn’t need a lot of watering, but you’ll have a plant that brightens without having to buy a bouquet of fresh flowers every week! 
     

  • Using contrast in your rooms can apply to plants as well.  Calathea is a plant with variegated leaves, and some types have red stems and undersides of its leaves.  Placed in a corner with light-colored walls will make this low-light lover take the stage! 
     

  • What sounds tougher than cast iron plant (Aspidistra)? These long-leafed plants thrive in shady spots, can handle poor soil, and if you forget to water them, they will survive! 
     

  • Corn plant or dragon tree, (Dracaena fragrans) is a great plant if you’re looking for height.  It might need pruning once it starts getting too tall but is great for medium light.  Children would love to tell their friends they have a dragon tree in their house! 
     

  • Turn your room into a tropical oasis with parlor palms (neanthe bella)!  The best thing about this palm is that it doesn’t grow very tall and can do well in virtually any amount of light. 
     

  • Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is a common houseplant, and rightly so.  While enjoying medium-low light, they do need water at least once per week to keep their beautiful dark green leaves and white blossoms. 
     

  • There are so many types of philodendron that you can find one for any houseplant need you have.  They prefer medium-low light, but in perfect conditions, they can grow tall. You get a bonus with philodendron, as they are proven air-cleaners! 
     

  • If you have a dark corner but no space for placing a container on the floor or furniture, pothos is the plant for you. The trailing vine is perfect to hang in a dark corner, and there are several hybrids to choose from. 
     

  • Does your grandmother have a pot of Swedish ivy that she’s been caring for as long as you can remember?  Plectranthus verticillatus grows very well in low light and be sure it has plenty of room to spread its trailing vines.  
     

  • When there’s little light and almost no room for a plant in your home, a terrarium filled with mosses, small-growing ferns, Pilea glauca “Aquamarine,” and sweet flag (Acorus) are just a few of the plants that will grow well tucked inside an enclosed case.  Learn more about this age-old type of gardening. 

 

Bringing the outside in doesn’t mean you have to use the only sunny spot in the house.  Growing green things indoors can keep the air clean, and boost your spirits, both of which are important, not only during the dark Winter months but year-round. 
 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins. 

 

Photo credit: gear patrol  

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Attracting Wildlife to Your Landscape

Wednesday, May 29, 2019
by Tucker Robbins


Most homeowners landscape their property for aesthetic reasons, and there’s not a thing wrong with wanting your home’s outdoor areas to look beautiful.  Not only can your gardening be pleasing to the eye, you can attract beneficial insects and small mammals to your plantings.  Follow these tips if you’d like to create a mini-habitat oasis in your yard. 

 

  • - If you’re not sure where to begin, contact your local USDA Extension office, and they offer a wealth of information to educate you and get your started on your way to attracting wildlife. 

  • - Using native plants is the first step in attracting birds and butterflies, and most of these are perennials that have a short blooming season.  Don’t be afraid of losing color; you can intersperse the native plantings with colorful annuals. 

  • - Purchase or build housing to attract birds, making sure dimensions are correct for certain types of birds, and be sure birdhouse placement is where it will be most attractive to the birds. 

  • - Other man-made shelters can be made or bought to attract wild things:  houses for bats, butterflies, carpenter bees and ladybugs will not only add charm to the landscape, you will be bringing insects that will help you fight the bad bugs. 

  • - To invite frogs to take up residence, take any old clay pot, use ceramic tile cutters to make a doorway around the top edge, and turn the pot upside down on the ground for a frog house. 

  • - Besides placing feeders in different areas, clean water is essential for wildlife, and having small shallow dishes with clean water scattered about (under cover of plantings) will keep little animals coming back to your yard again and again. 

  • - Attracting wildlife can be wonderful and educational, but having deer devour your landscaping isn’t wonderful at all. Keep them at a distance by using this list of plants that don’t appeal to deer from Old Farmer’s Almanac. 

 

One of the first things you need to commit yourself to if you’d like all sorts of beneficial animals to visit and even live in your landscaping is going non-chemical for bad insects and weed control.  Education is the key, so do a lot of reading and learning before you begin this venture.  Landscaping that incorporates plants and animals is landscaping that benefits everyone. 

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

Photo credit: naplesnews.com

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Tucker Robbins
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
3838 Kennett Pike
Wilmington DE 19807
(302) 777-7744 (direct)
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