Mary Simpson

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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.

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Stories By Mary Simpson

  • Maple tap in tree
    Trees
    Trees By Mary Simpson November 3rd, 2022

    Damage Caused By Tapping Maple Trees

    Damage Caused by Tapping Maple Trees. Drilling holes to let the sap flow out undoubtedly injures a maple tree. New Englanders who ply the sugaring trade say that healthy trees recover from the damage and can produce for decades. Instituting new, more conservative measures than their predecessors used, these woodsmen value the longevity of their trees over quick, careless tapping. Under optimal conditions, a sugar maple (Acer saccharum) can live 150 years or more in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 to 8.

    By Mary Simpson November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Mary Simpson November 3rd, 2022

    Does The Amount Of Sunlight That A Tomato Plant Receives Affect The Size Of The Tomatoes?

    Does the Amount of Sunlight That a Tomato Plant Receives Affect the Size of the Tomatoes?. A tomato plant (Lycopersicon esculentum) requires lots of sunshine in order to bear an abundant, full-size crop. Gardening experts recommend a minimum of six to eight hours of full-sun exposure daily for tomato. If the plant receives less than that amount of sunlight, its fruits will be smaller than they would be with more sunlight, according to a 1994 study sponsored by the University of Florida. The amount of difference in the study, however, fluctuated greatly by tomato plant variety.

    By Mary Simpson November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Mary Simpson November 3rd, 2022

    Indoor Plants For Northern Exposures

    Indoor Plants for Northern Exposures. As urban sprawl encroaches on the beauty of nature, houseplants offer a way to connect with the natural world from inside. While making our homes more attractive, indoor plants also convert carbon dioxide to oxygen, and trap and absorb some pollutants. Adequate light is the most crucial factor in the well-being of a houseplant. In general, green foliage plants tolerate lower-light locations better than those that flower or have variegated leaves.

    By Mary Simpson November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Structures
    Structures By Mary Simpson September 6th, 2022

    Shade Ground Cover In Texas

    Shade Ground Cover in Texas. Because all Texas lawn grasses do best in full sun, homeowners in the state often find bald spots in shady areas of their yards. Even St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum), hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10 and the most shade tolerant, needs four hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive. As a remedy, plant something in the problem sites that requires less light. Fortunately, a number of ground covers flourish in full to partial shade, and some of them offer the bonus of seasonal flowers.

    By Mary Simpson September 6th, 2022 Read More