Jay Golberg

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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 Jay Golberg

  • A top-down shot of a little rex begonia (Begonia rex) plant.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg November 8th, 2023

    How To Help My Exotic Angel Plants Grow

    How to Help My Exotic Angel Plants Grow. Exotic Angel Plants are a line of brand name tropical houseplants grown by Hermann Engelmann Greenhouses, which, as of 2010, boasts of nine locations and 2.8 million square feet of greenhouse space. The plants can be purchased throughout the United States and Canada in retail stores including grocery stores, home improvement centers and nurseries. With more than 100 varieties of plants, every plant has its own care needs, but if you care for its light, water and food properly, your Exotic Angel Plant will thrive.

    By Jay Golberg November 8th, 2023 Read More
  • A simple raised flower bed in Scotland.
    Flowers
    Flowers By Jay Golberg September 20th, 2023

    Rectangle Flower Bed Ideas

    Rectangle Flower Bed Ideas. Rectangular flowerbeds may consist of an island bed surrounded by lawn or paths, a border garden with its back against a fence or property line, or a raised bed. There are advantages to each type of garden bed. Border gardens can help to hide unsightly fencing, island beds are easy to access from all sides, and raised beds ease back strain by reducing the distance that gardeners must bend over.

    By Jay Golberg September 20th, 2023 Read More
  • A close-up of a Cymbidium iridioides flower with splotches of yellow, red, orange, and white on its petals.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg September 20th, 2023

    The Toxicity Of Cymbidium Orchids

    The Toxicity of Cymbidium Orchids. The cymbidium orchid is native to tropical zones in Asia and Australia. It can be grown as a potted plant with careful monitoring of temperature and light. These orchids have waxy leaves and as many as 20 flowers on a stem. The flowers may vary from 1 to 5 inches in diameter. While not poisonous, the plants may cause an allergic dermatitis.

    By Jay Golberg September 20th, 2023 Read More
  • Some poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) growing on the ground near some grass.
    Pest Control & Disease
    Pest Control & Disease By Jay Golberg September 19th, 2023

    Sprays That Will Kill Poison Ivy, But Not Grass

    Sprays That Will Kill Poison Ivy, But Not Grass. Poison ivy is an invasive plant that can be controlled with several types of herbicides. Many herbicides efficiently eliminate poison ivy, but most of them also pose a threat to nearby plants and grass. If grass preservation is a concern, a handful of commercial herbicides effectively kill poison ivy, as well as other types of broadleaf weeds, but do not have an adverse effect on grass.

    By Jay Golberg September 19th, 2023 Read More
  • A close-up of some Tasmanian blue gum tree (Eucalyptus globulus) leaves lying on the ground.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg September 19th, 2023

    How To Use Eucalyptus Leaves

    How to Use Eucalyptus Leaves. The scientific name for eucalyptus is Eucalyptus globulus. It is a tall evergreen tree with long, oval-shaped leaves. These leaves are covered with oil glands. The oil as well as the leaves from the eucalyptus tree have many uses. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, eucalyptus is made up of tannins, flavonoids and volatile oils. These ingredients lend eucalyptus to being used as a medicine, a flea repellent, and even as a home deodorizer.

    By Jay Golberg September 19th, 2023 Read More
  • A close-up of a few Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) flowers.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg August 19th, 2023

    Periwinkle (Vinca) Flower Information

    Periwinkle Flower Information. Vinca minor, known commonly as vinca vine, myrtle or periwinkle, is a popular ground cover and trailing perennial plant. Grown for its pretty blue blooms and glossy, deep green leaves, periwinkle provides long-lasting texture and color in partially shaded areas. A hard-working plant, periwinkle can also cover difficult to plant sloped areas, ugly wall facades, and bulb beds to cover fading foliage. Care is simple and well worth the effort for such a versatile garden staple.

    By Jay Golberg August 19th, 2023 Read More
  • A patch of healthy Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) growing in a botanical garden.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg August 19th, 2023

    How To Plant Grass Seeds In Maryland

    How to Plant Grass Seeds in Maryland. Seeding a lawn is an inexpensive way to establish a green turf area. While the process is time consuming, a seeded lawns roots form deep into the soil making it more durable than sod. According to the University of Maryland, the turf-type tall fescue grass is recommended to plant in Maryland due to the climate conditions. The best time to plant grass seed is late summer through early fall to prevent damage to new growth during the hot summer months.

    By Jay Golberg August 19th, 2023 Read More
  • A white orchid cactus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) flower in bloom at night.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg August 15th, 2023

    How To Care For A Night-Blooming Cereus

    How to Care for a Night Blooming Cereus. The night blooming cereus (Cereus peruvianus), also known as the Peruvian apple or apple cactus, is part of the cactus family and blooms only in the late evening. This tropical vine grows fast and vigorously with light-green stems. The night blooming cereus can look awkward and gangly during the daytime when it's not blooming, but the buds open to reveal stunning, large white blooms that are up to 12 inches wide. Each flower blooms only one night and then dies. Usually grown as a houseplant indoors, the night blooming cereus is low maintenance and easy to grow.

    By Jay Golberg August 15th, 2023 Read More
  • A lovely white gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) flower in full bloom.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg August 15th, 2023

    How To Winterize A Gardenia Bush

    How to Winterize a Gardenia Bush. Gardenias, also known as cape jasmine, are a native to southern China, Taiwan and Japan. The flowers are pure white and have an intoxicating scent that is used in perfumes, body lotions and household products. The blooms begin in the spring and last through summer, and are surrounded by dark green leaves. Gardenia is an evergreen bush that thrives in warmer regions, so some care is needed to help it survive through the cooler winter months.

    By Jay Golberg August 15th, 2023 Read More
  • A delightfully yellow tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis?) flower.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg August 15th, 2023

    Hibiscus Tree Identification

    Hibiscus Tree Identification. Hibiscus trees are a variety of flowering plant that is comprised of more than 200 different species. Hibiscus trees generally appear in warm climates, such as subtropical and tropical areas. Both annual and perennial hibiscus varieties exist. The trees are commonly used as ornamental plants, but also have a lot of other practical uses, as well.

    By Jay Golberg August 15th, 2023 Read More
  • A close-up of a Carolina rose (Rosa carolina) bush with some light pink flowers in bloom.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg August 15th, 2023

    How To Care For Wild Rose Bushes

    How to Care for Wild Rose Bushes. Wild rose bushes are some of the easiest flowers to grow, assuming the variety of wild rose bush you are growing is native to your area. They require little care and virtually no fuss, unlike other types of roses. While wild rose bushes don't have the complex blooms of hybrids, they also need no fertilizer or pesticides to keep them growing beautifully. Most of the time you don't even need to prune wild roses, unless you want to keep them in check, of course.

    By Jay Golberg August 15th, 2023 Read More
  • A close-up of some yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus).
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg August 15th, 2023

    How To Kill Sedge Grass

    How to Kill Sedge Grass. Although commonly referred to as sedge grass, sedge actually is a weed that closely resembles several types of lawn grasses, and encompasses many varieties of invasive plants often mistakenly identified as grass. This aggressive groundcover poses problems for many homeowners and gardeners: Invasive tubers choke out areas of desirable grass species, often damaging large areas of landscapes. Killing sedge grass requires correct identification and eradication procedures.

    By Jay Golberg August 15th, 2023 Read More
  • A close-up of a branch of a Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) pointing up to the sun.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg August 12th, 2023

    How To Plant Fraser Fir Trees

    How to Plant Fraser Fir Trees. Fraser fir is named after botanist John Fraser, who explored the Appalachian Mountains in the 1700s. The soft short needles, upward pointing branches and delightful scent of Fraser fir makes it an excellent choice for a Christmas tree. A Fraser fir that isn't cut to become a Christmas tree can expect to reach up to 80 feet in height. Fraser fir trees, whether from a rootball or a seedling, are planted like other evergreen trees are planted.

    By Jay Golberg August 12th, 2023 Read More
  • A ground-level shot of a grass lawn with a blue sky background.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg August 12th, 2023

    The Best Fertilizers For Lawns With Sandy Soil

    The Best Fertilizers for Lawn in Sandy Soil. Sandy soil presents some challenges when it comes to establishing a lawn. Water drains away quickly, as does anything that dissolves in water. Sandy soil lawns need more frequent fertilization, in smaller quantity, than denser, clay-based soils. Fertilizing with products that won't leach away and those that improve soil structure contribute to a beautiful, healthy lawn.

    By Jay Golberg August 12th, 2023 Read More
  • Some wonderful common jasmine (Jasminum officinale) growing along a trellis.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg August 12th, 2023

    Jasmine Plant: Habitat And Growing Requirements

    Jasmine Plant Habitat. Jasmine (Jasminum spp.) includes about 200 species of plants from Asia, Europe and Africa. These tropical plants reach 8 to 15 feet tall. They remain evergreen in warm climates with green stems and shiny green leaves. The fragrant flowers are produced throughout most of the year. Orange-red fruit pods are rarely produced in cultivation. Jasmines are used as shrub borders, hedges, background plantings and specimen plants. Jasmine plants grow in nearly any type of soil as long as plenty of water is available.

    By Jay Golberg August 12th, 2023 Read More
  • A bunch of yellow common primrose (Primula vulgaris) flowers growing in the partial shade.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg August 12th, 2023

    Primrose Flower Meaning

    Primrose Flower Meaning. Wild or cultivated, members of the genus Primula, or primroses, have been popular for centuries. The genus is part of the Primulaceae family, which also contains cyclamen and lysimachia. There are over 400 primula species, native mostly to the Northern Hemisphere. The plants are perennial and are distinguished by their rosettes of basal leaves that often look lettuce-like. The five petals of each flower are joined at the base and individual blooms or clusters of blooms appear on leafless stalks. Various primrose species sport blossoms in an array of colors, including white, cream, yellow, red, blue and blue-purple. Some species and varieties also bear bi-colored flowers. Primrose flowers have a host of symbolic, medicinal and culinary meanings.

    By Jay Golberg August 12th, 2023 Read More
  • A healthy patch of centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) growing at the University of Georgia.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg July 29th, 2023

    How To Sow Centipedegrass Over Fescue

    How to Sow Centipede Grass Over Fescue. Known as the lowest maintenance of the warm-season grasses, centipede grass is commonly grown by gardeners in southern United States. This perennial grass is planted by seed, sod or sprigs. Fescue grasses are shade-tolerant cool-season grasses that grow well in southern parts of the U.S. where it is either too hot or too cold for other grasses. You can sow centipede grass over fescue grass if your grass is patchy, has brown or bare spots or you want an easy grass that does not require much care.

    By Jay Golberg July 29th, 2023 Read More
  • An upshot of two queen palm trees (Syagrus romanzoffiana) set against a blue sky.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg July 29th, 2023

    How To Plant A Queen Palm

    How to Plant a Queen Palm. The queen palm tree is one of the most popular domestically grown palm trees in the world. Gardeners and landscapers love the queen palm's elegant fronds and its 6-foot summer blossoms. However, although extensively grown in the United States, the queen palm is actually native to South America. And in the US, it only grows successfully outdoors in growing zones 9B through 11--meaning only the warmest and most southern regions of the country.

    By Jay Golberg July 29th, 2023 Read More
  • A small hole in a lawn, possibly due to mining bees.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg July 29th, 2023

    How To Fill Holes In The Lawn With Soil

    How to Fill Holes in the Lawn With Soil. Digging dogs, uneven soil settling, poorly done grading and roots can cause depressions and holes in a lawn. Removing trees or shrubs from the area also will create a hole. The hole requires filling with soil for the area to be level with the remainder of the lawn. Leaving the hole open will not harm the lawn and grass will grow to cover it, but the area can be dangerous. Children or others walking across the area can trip on an uncovered hole and injure themselves. Using topsoil is a relatively inexpensive fix for filling lawn holes and depressions.

    By Jay Golberg July 29th, 2023 Read More
  • A close-up of some pretty Cleveland Select ornamental pear tree (Pyrus calleryana ‘Cleveland Select’) flowers.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg July 29th, 2023

    About Flowering Pear Trees

    About Flowering Pear Trees. The flowering pear tree (Pyrus calleryana) is one of the earliest and most beautiful spring-blooming trees. It adds ornamental value to any landscape, and many cities plant them along curbs as part of neighborhood decor. In fact, the tree has a high tolerance to tough, city conditions such as pollution. Sometimes called the ornamental pear, the flowering pear tree is a deciduous tree that requires very little attention and is highly recommended by nurseries across the nation.

    By Jay Golberg July 29th, 2023 Read More
  • Tall, skinny Mexican fan palms (Washingtonia robusta?) tower over the landscape.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg July 29th, 2023

    How To Take Care Of A Mexican Fan Palm

    How to Take Care of a Mexican Fan Palm. Mexican fan palm, (Washingtonia robusta), is an arrow-straight palm tree that can grow to heights of 40 to 50 feet, and in some cases, will reach a majestic 80 feet tall. Mexican fan palm is a fast-growing evergreen palm that can grow up to 6 feet per year for the first few years. Mexican fan palm can survive temperatures as low as 20 degrees F for short periods of time, but extended cold will kill even mature trees. The Mexican fan palm, also known as "Washington palm," is tolerant of poor soil and drought, and does well in hot, dry urban environments, where its grand height stands out against the city skyline.

    By Jay Golberg July 29th, 2023 Read More
  • An upshot of a corkscrew willow tree (Salix babylonica var. pekinensis ‘Tortuosa’) curling up to the sky.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg July 29th, 2023

    How To Care For A Corkscrew Willow Tree

    How to Care for a Corkscrew Willow Tree. The corkscrew willow tree (Salix matsudana) is a small to medium-sized tree that grows up to only 30 feet tall with a 15-foot-wide canopy spread. Corkscrew willows are ornamental trees with twisted branches that grow upright from the trunk, then curve back to grow horizontally. This willow tree grows rapidly, gaining up to 15 feet in height each year, but unfortunately this fast growth also makes it a short-lived and weak tree. Corkscrew willows are prone to breakage due to their weak wood and are highly susceptible to pests and diseases.

    By Jay Golberg July 29th, 2023 Read More
  • Two fruits still growing on a common guava (Psidium guajava) tree.
    Produce
    Produce By Jay Golberg July 21st, 2023

    How To Protect Guava Trees During The Winter Season

    How to Protect Guava Trees During the Winter Season. Hardy only in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10, guava trees (Psidium guajava) thrive in most of the same areas where citrus trees grow best. Cultural requirements for the two species are similar -- like citrus, frost-tender guavas need protection when winter’s freezing temperatures threaten. While a light, short-lived frost isn’t likely to seriously injure a mature specimen, you’re better off preparing your guava tree for the worst-case scenario. Consider taking the words of Patrick Young, of global investment and trading firm Liquidnet, to heart: “The trouble with weather forecasting is that it's right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it.”

    By Jay Golberg July 21st, 2023 Read More
  • A close-up of some lovely yellow wintergreen barberry (Berberis julianae) flowers.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Jay Golberg July 21st, 2023

    How To Propagate A Barberry Bush

    How to Propagate a Barberry Bush. The barberry bush consists of approximately 500 species of deciduous evergreen shrubs that are native to subtropical areas of Europe, Africa, Asia and North and South America. The bush produces yellow-gold colored flowers that turn into red berries later in the growing season. Barberry bushes are propagated through semi-hardwood stem cuttings taken in mid-July through the early fall season. The cuttings should be taken in early morning when the plant stem is hydrated and the temperatures are cooler.

    By Jay Golberg July 21st, 2023 Read More
  • A number of giant lilytruf (Liriope muscari) monkey grass plants growing together.
    Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Jay Golberg July 21st, 2023

    How To Thin Out Monkey Grass

    How to Thin Out Monkey Grass. Monkey grass is a fairly common name for a grass named Liriope or Ophiopogon. A native of Eastern Asia, monkey grass is used in many cases as a border plant or filler in landscaping to give a green color that lasts most of the three seasons. Monkey grass gets thick over time as it grows and spreads, and it can be invasive. It can, however, be thinned out without damaging the plants.

    By Jay Golberg July 21st, 2023 Read More