Daylilies are among the most popular herbaceous perennials grown. They are hardy, relatively free from serious pests, have a long blooming period, and adapt well to home landscape plantings. Plants are available in a wide variety of flower colors and growth habits. The present flower color selection available includes shades of yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, and near-white.

The adaptability of daylilies to a variety of cultural conditions and their availability in a wide variety of flower colors and plant sizes make them well suited for landscape use.

Keep in mind the color of the building material when selecting varieties. Bright flower colors such as yellow should be used against redwood, brick, or dark backgrounds, and dark flowers used against white or light backgrounds.

Daylilies over 36 inches tall are suitable for foundation plantings, the back of daylily beds, or as mixed borders. Medium daylilies (16 to 36 inches) can be used in most settings. Dwarf daylilies (12 inches or less) are best used for border plantings

Your garden is now ripe for a devastating invasion of aphids, slugs and snails. Before we devise our battle plan to rid your garden of these pests, let's look at the inter-relationships in your backyard!

Aphids are to ants what cows are to humans. Ants actually protect and herd aphids for the honeydew nectar they secrete. Ants use their antennae to stroke the aphids, thereby activating the secretion cycle. Thusly, ant control should be part of the preventative cycle regarding aphid infestation. Get rid of the ants and it is much easier to get rid of their herds! We recommend Grant's Ant Stakes or Terro Ant Control.

Aphids can be brought under control culturally if the infestation is moderate. Often a thorough hosing of the afflicted plants will wash aphids away.

Biological controls include lady bugs and praying mantis colonies. Organic solutions include insecticidal soaps or pyrethrums. Another combination ingredient might be a 3-1 fertilizer, fungus control and systemic insecticide.

Should you have a severe infestation, a radical control would be malathion. Come on in and we'll show you the options that best suit your needs.

Snails are also active with our combination of heat and moisture. In most cases, snails are easily controlled with bait products. For the more exotic approach, there is a biological control for the common brown snail by utilizing a distant cousin, the Decollate snail. The Decollate snail species is carnivorous and will feast on the common brown snail. Should they run out of the snail entrée, they become herbaceous and eat trimming and waste.

In summary, now is the time to commence your control programs. Come on in and we'll assist in every way!

A raised bed for a garden is great where soil conditions cause poor drainage, or where the soil itself is poor. In addition, it's a very convenient way to garden, with less bending and stooping, and some natural protection for the plants. A raised bed can be surrounded by brick, cinder blocks, stone walls, wood, or other materials to suit your tastes.

When deciding where to put a raised bed, you'll have to consider several things. Will you want to grow sun-lovers or shade plants? Will you be growing plants that reach higher than your roof ? If so, you don't want to locate your raised bed under the eaves, even though that may be ideal for plants needing some extra protection at certain times of year. You also don't want to locate a raised bed against a frame house, of course!

Whether your raised bed will be against the house or free-standing, decide how wide it will be. Don't make it so wide you'll have difficulty reaching plants or so narrow the plants won't have room to spread. And decide what height you want, both for looks and convenience. Plan your garden bed for easy access!

Also keep in mind, if you have a hilly yard, that the raised bed concept can easily be adapted to create terraces.

Once you have an area selected, loosen the soil at the present ground level and get rid of any weeds. Fill the bed with a good soil mixture for the plants you intend to plant. You might also consider putting in extras such as a drip irrigation system, which can save both work and, more important, water. Plant your plants and add some good mulch on the top, and you'll have a garden plot that's both easy to care for and attractive.