Barbara Raskauskas

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Garden Guides uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the ever-evolving conversations surrounding gardening and landscaping, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert insight and tutorials from our talented team.

As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.

Stories By Barbara Raskauskas

  • Trees
    Trees By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    How To Dig Up A Lilac Tree

    How to Dig Up a Lilac Tree. A lilac tree variety such as Ivory Silk can reach a height of 30 feet and width of 25 feet. Cold hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4 through 7a, Ivory Silk grows in full sun and produces a profusion of summer blooms, even on a young tree. Fall is the best time to dig up a lilac tree, as the tree is dormant at that time. The root system of a lilac tree is deep and wide, often creating a large rootball requiring two or more people to pull from the ground.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    How To Prune Scabiosa

    How to Prune Scabiosa. Scabiosa is also called the pincushion flower because of the padded appearance of its domed blooms. Scabiosa is a perennial that grows to about one and one-half feet tall and wide and prefers full sun with shade in the late afternoon. You can prune scabiosa to prolong the duration of other blooms on the plant, to produce a fuller plant, to clean up the plant in the spring or to winterize it.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    How To Use A Dethatching Rake

    How to Use a Dethatching Rake. Lawn thatch comes from dead grass, leaves, roots and other organic material that can make the lawn look brown. Thatch on the lawn can prevent grass seed and fertilizer from reaching the ground, and blocks water, light and air. You can use a dethatching rake to remove the thatch. A dethatching rake has a double-sided rake head about 15 inches wide that is attached to a wooden handle about 54 inches long.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    How To Plant A Holly Hedge

    How to Plant a Holly Hedge. A holly hedge can provide privacy and mark a boundary like a property line. Holly is ideal for hedges because of its relatively rapid growth and dense form. The red berries also add festive spots of color against dark green leaves that are set off by snow covering the landscape. When choosing holly to create a living wall, check the nursery tag to see if the mature height meets your needs.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    Soil Preparation Tools

    Soil Preparation Tools. Whether planting a large vegetable garden or preparing soil for a small flower border, the right soil-preparation tools make the task easier and faster. Motorized tools and hand tools can both turn the soil, break clumps, and level the soil. Keep your tools sharp and clean them after each use to extend their lives.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    How To Grow Purple Corn

    How to Grow Purple Corn. Purple corn is also known as Indian corn. Grown for decorative purposes only, the genetic makeup of Indian corn gives its purple, white, yellow or multicolor kernels on one ear of corn that can be further impacted with cross pollination. Use the cob of purple corn, along with the attached dried husk, to make door wreaths, table centerpieces and other autumn crafts. Grow purple corn in the same manner as sweet corn.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    How To Make Bare Root Roses

    How to Make Bare Root Roses. If you order roses from a catalog, the plant most generally arrives as a bare root, ready to be nested in a hole in the ground. Think naked when you read the word "bare" because that is what a bare root plant is--no leaves and the roots are void of any soil. You too can make bare root roses to ship to family and friends or as a means to grab your favorite rose from the garden before you move away.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    How To Transplant A Flowering Purple Plum Shrub

    How to Transplant a Flowering Purple Plum Shrub. Flowering purple plum shrub, also known as purple leaf plum and purple leaf sandy cherry, is an ornamental flowering deciduous shrub suitable for a hedge in USDA zones 2 to 8. Red leaves appear in early spring followed by white flowers. It's the plum color the leaves turn in the fall that gives this shrub its name. Small, plum-colored berries also appear in the fall. A purple leaf plum shrub can grow up to 8 feet tall. Transplant the purple leaf plum shrub, making sure nutrient and moisture needs are met. Transplanting can occur in early spring before the shrub buds or in the fall after the leaves drop.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    How To Grow Mexican Evening Primrose

    How to Grow Mexican Evening Primrose. Mexican evening primrose (Oenothera speciosa), also known as pink evening primrose, is an 8- to 24-inch tall perennial flower that is cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9. Late spring to late summer, Mexican evening primrose will produce fragrant pink blooms with yellow centers. You can plant Mexican evening primrose seeds outdoors in the spring, or anytime summer to fall. Plant container Mexican evening primrose in the spring.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    How To Prune Phlox Paniculata

    How to Prune Phlox Paniculata. Phlox paniculata, or garden phlox, is a tall perennial plant suitable for the back of a flower bed or in front of a building or fence. The large, scented blooms display from July into September. The David variety of phlox paniculata produces pure white clusters of blooms. The Perennial Plant Association named David perennial of the year for 2002. You can prune phlox paniculata to encourage more blooms, control appearance and for seasonal cleanup.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    How To Get Rid Of Mold From Mulch

    How to Get Rid of Mold From Mulch. Wood landscaping mulch is made of shredded wood and bark. Given time, microscopic bacteria and fungi cause the wood to decay. Slime mold, or Fuligo septica, sometimes referred to as "dog vomit mold," is one common fungus that can grow on decaying wood. The mold is unsightly but causes no harm to plants or animals. The best thing to do is to leave it alone and allow it to finish its cycle of decay. You can, however, take steps that may prevent the formation of mold on mulch.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    How To Prune Althea

    How to Prune Althea. Althea is a shrub that can reach up to 12 feet high. Also known as Rose of Sharon, althea is hardy in USDA map zones 5a to 9a. Prune althea in late winter or early spring. Pruning at that time will encourage new growth which is important since althea blooms on new wood. You can prune althea to restrict height or width or to shape the shrub. Pruning can also help to balance the shrub if part of the shrub becomes damaged or diseased. Though young plants tend to put more into root establishment and new growth, if you prune young plants, it may produce more blooms, particularly at the base.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    How To Put Floodlights In Your Trees

    How to Put Floodlights in Your Trees. Floodlights in trees can provide light for security, landscape enhancement, or safety to illuminate a walkway. The light may be triggered to come on by motion within a few feet of the light, when the sun has set and will subsequently turn off when the sun rises, or a timer may be used to control the exact timeframe when the light will function. Choose LED (light emitting diode) lights, which last longer and provide better light than incandescent lights, and use less energy than compact fluorescent lights according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    The Best Plants To Grow In Full Sun In Southwest Virginia

    The Best Plants to Grow in Full Sun in Southwest Virginia. Southwest Virginia falls into USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6a and 6b, where many perennial and annual flowers can thrive in full sun. After panting, apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch, like pine bark, to hold in moisture and help to block weed growth. Full sun plants will need watering every seven to 10 days if there is no rainfall and can benefit from an all-purpose plant fertilizer.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    How To Prune Scots Pine

    How to Prune Scots Pine. Scots pine, scientific name Pinus sylvestris, is a coniferous evergreen. Originating in northern Europe, this fragrant evergreen was brought to North America where it is called Scotch pine and is customarily used for Christmas trees. Prune Scots pine like other pine trees to keep the tree healthy, but perform additional pruning if the desire is to create a conical shape favored for Christmas trees.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    How To Grow Mimosa Trees In Cold Climates

    How to Grow Mimosa Trees in Cold Climates. Mimosa trees (Albizia julibrissin) are cold hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 6 to 9. The tree produces fragrant pink pompom blooms that are 2 inches in diameter. Also known as the silk tree, mimosa grows rapidly to a height of 20 to 40 feet. The tree also has a short life span of 10 to 20 years. Mimosa is an easy to grow in clay or loamy soil. Contact local utilities to have them check for underground cables or pipes before digging.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    How To Plant Bulbs With An Auger Drill Bit

    How to Plant Bulbs With an Auger Drill Bit. Summer-blooming bulbs, like dahlia and gladiolus, are planted in the spring. Spring-blooming bulbs, like tulips and daffodils, are planted in the fall. If planting only a few summer- or spring-blooming bulbs, use a hand tool like a spade or bulb planter. If you are planting a large garden area with bulbs, a garden or bulb auger can make the planting process fast and easy. A garden auger is a drill bit with a screw-like, wide-spaced thread designed to dig holes in soil.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022

    How To Grow Onions From Bulbs

    How to Grow Onions From Bulbs. Soup, salad, sauce, sandwich---there are many uses for onions, which are low in calories, and have no fat or cholesterol. Onion bulbs are produced by over-planting seeds. As the seeds grow, the crowded onions are unable to expand or gain needed soil nutrients, resulting in small bulbs that are suitable for planting the following season. The small bulbs are called sets. Gardeners will find that growing onions from sets is one way to add this flavorful, aromatic and sometimes tear-evoking vegetable to the family table.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Barbara Raskauskas November 3rd, 2022

    How To Plant & Care For Ornamental Grass

    How to Plant & Care for Ornamental Grass. Ornamental grass needs cutting only once per year, unlike lawn grasses that may need weekly cutting during the growing season. Ornamental grass grows in clumps and can have arching foliage as tall as 15 feet or may have variegated green and creamy white foliage shorter than 1 foot. Some varieties produce flowers. Planting and care of ornamental grass is much like other perennial plants. Ornamental grass can be planted in spring or fall.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Barbara Raskauskas November 3rd, 2022

    How To Cure A Dying Shrub

    How to Cure a Dying Shrub. Healthy shrubs may lose leaves or needles as part of the growth process. A premature large loss or change in color of leaves or needles from a deciduous or evergreen shrub may be an early indication that something is wrong with the shrub. When attempting to diagnosis and cure a dying shrub, there are certain things you can change that may affect the long-term survival of the shrub.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Barbara Raskauskas November 3rd, 2022

    How To Read A Plant Moisture Meter

    How to Read a Plant Moisture Meter. A plant moisture meter has a brass or steel probe attached to a hand-size box with a gauge that measures varying levels of moisture in the soil. Costing less than $20 (in 2009) and operating without a battery, a plant moisture meter can take the guesswork out of watering plants in the house or garden.

    By Barbara Raskauskas November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Barbara Raskauskas September 6th, 2022

    How To Attach A Lighting Mount To A Tree

    How to Attach a Lighting Mount to a Tree. Outdoor lighting can serve many purposes such as security lighting, pathway illumination or as a landscape design element. Lighting positioned on a tree can allow for the widest beam shining downward and can be safer than ground-mounted lighting that could be tripped over or hit by a lawnmower. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests using LED (light emitting diode) lights that last longer and illuminate better than incandescent lights. Only a few supplies are needed to attach a lighting mount to a tree.

    By Barbara Raskauskas September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Barbara Raskauskas September 6th, 2022

    Flowers Named After People

    Flowers Named After People. The botanical name of flowers includes internationally recognized Latin words identifying the plant genus, subspecies and other specific characteristics. In addition to a Latin reference, all flowers have a common name. The common name of flowers may be a person's name, like the individual who discovered the flower or a living or deceased famous person. Roses, in particular, are often named after famous people.

    By Barbara Raskauskas September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Barbara Raskauskas September 6th, 2022

    The Disadvantages Of Flowers

    The Disadvantages of Flowers. A flower garden can bring beauty to the landscape as the flowers attract bird, bees and butterflies. Flowers can also cut for use in floral arrangement or dried for use in wreaths. Despite their beauty and useful purposes, there can be disadvantage of flowers.

    By Barbara Raskauskas September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Barbara Raskauskas September 6th, 2022

    How To Plant Vegetables With Landscape Fabric

    How to Plant Vegetables With Landscape Fabric. A layer of landscape fabric can block the growth of weeds while allowing water and air to reach the soil beneath. Used in a vegetable garden, landscape fabric will reduce the amount of time spent controlling weed growth compared to vegetable gardens not using landscape fabric. Landscape fabric can be 3 to 6 feet wide and 50 to 100 feet long. There is a simple technique to follow to plant vegetables with landscape fabric.

    By Barbara Raskauskas September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Barbara Raskauskas September 6th, 2022

    Ingredients In Miracle Grow Plant Food

    Ingredients in Miracle Grow Plant Food. Miracle-Gro All Purpose plant food is a water soluble (liquid or powder mixed with water) fertilizer. The product is designed to enhance the growth of flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs, lawns and houseplants by replacing nutrients depleted from the soil. Miracle-Gro's directions for use indicate the fertilizer should be applied every seven to 14 days.

    By Barbara Raskauskas September 6th, 2022 Read More