Moira Clune

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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 Moira Clune

  • Trees
    Trees By Moira Clune November 4th, 2022

    How To Transplant Mature Cedar Trees

    How to Transplant Mature Cedar Trees. Evergreen and easy to grow, cedar trees can be used a windscreen, privacy fence or shade trees. Cedars can reach a height of 50 feet, but for the most successful transplantation, select trees that are less than 6 feet tall. Larger trees are more difficult to handle and can suffer severe transplant shock. Smaller transplants recover and grow more quickly, often surpassing larger trees within two or three growing seasons. For best results, transplant mature cedar trees in early spring.

    By Moira Clune November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Moira Clune November 4th, 2022

    The Characteristics Of Neem Trees

    The Characteristics of Neem Trees. A native of India, the Neem tree is related to mahogany. A hardy and long-lived evergreen, Neem trees are, according to the non-profit organization Winrock International "a versatile multipurpose tree for urban regreening, agroforestry, fuelwood production and for a variety of other products, including biopesticides." Whether used as a decorative landscape accent or houseplant or grown for their oil and bark, Neem trees are easy to grow and maintain.

    By Moira Clune November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022

    How To Plant A Creeping Myrtle Or Vinca Minor

    How to Plant a Creeping Myrtle or Vinca Minor. Vinca, also known as creeping myrtle or periwinkle, is a popular ground cover for partial to full shade. Grown as a perennial in zones 3 through 8, vinca's glossy green leaves and pinwheel-shaped purple flowers make it a good choice for shady rock gardens, landscape beds, containers and steep slopes where it spreads quickly to control erosion. Drought, disease and pest resistant, creeping myrtle is also unpopular with local deer populations.

    By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022

    How To Change The PH Of Potting Soil

    How to Change the PH of Potting Soil. Commercial potting soil mixtures vary widely in pH levels. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14; the lower end of the scale is acidic and the higher end represents alkalinity. The middle point---7.0---is neutral. According to SUNY College of Environmental Science, plant nutrients are most available when soil pH is in the range of 6.0 to 7. Many potting soil mixtures contain high levels of acidic peat and may be too acidic for most houseplants.

    By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022

    Safe Insecticides For Tomato Plants

    Safe Insecticides for Tomato Plants. Although they are small, insects can cause big problems. Damage can be as mild as discolored or misshapen leaves, but a severe infestation of cutworms, thrips or beetles can kill young tomato plants or render the ripening fruit on older plants inedible. To control insect populations on tomato plants, identify the pest and apply appropriate and safe insecticides. Used correctly, these products will protect your plants with minimal environmental impact.

    By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022

    Thrips On Ficus Trees

    Thrips on Ficus Trees. Ficus trees (Ficus benjamina), also known as weeping fig, are popular container-grown houseplants. Many ficus owners take their small trees outdoors in the summer months to allow the sun and rain to restore their winter-weary plants. While ficus trees enjoy their summer respite, they can attract thrips--small, soft-bodied insects that damage leaves and buds. Before bringing your tree inside, identify and take steps to control thrips.

    By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022

    Larkspur Fast Facts

    Larkspur Fast Facts. Larkspur, a member of the delphinium family, is a fast-growing garden favorite. Native to Europe, it has naturalized throughout North America. When planting larkspur, keep in mind that the seeds and leaves are poisonous if eaten. While mildly toxic to people or pets, larkspur is particularly dangerous to cattle.

    By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Trees
    Trees By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022

    Why Your Evergreen Shrubs Are Turning Brown

    Why Your Evergreen Shrubs Are Turning Brown. When valuable evergreen shrubs turn brown, don't panic. Many evergreens drop needles naturally in fall and require no treatment. The browning or loss of needles during spring or summer, however, might indicate a serious problem.

    By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022

    The Best Plants For Topiary

    The Best Plants for Topiary. Topiary is an ancient form of living sculpture. From simple geometric designs to complex animal or still-life scenes, topiaries can be used indoors or out to create formal or fanciful garden accents. Beginners may want to start by training vines around a pre-designed frame. For more advanced or adventurous gardeners and artists, free-form topiary shapes can be trained and trimmed from a variety of shrubs and plants. Topiary requires patience and maintenance, but the results are worth the effort.

    By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022

    What Are The Causes Of Spindly Tomato Plants?

    What Are the Causes of Spindly Tomato Plants?. Ripe, juicy, homegrown tomatoes are one of the highlights of the summer. Healthy and robust tomato plants produce the heaviest fruits, but a weak plant will struggle to set fruit and be more vulnerable to pest, weather and disease damage. There are several causes of spindly tomato plants, and most are easily remedied.

    By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022

    Bottlebrush Tree Facts

    Bottlebrush Tree Facts. A small, evergreen, shrubby tree native to Australia, the bottlebrush tree (Callistemon citrinus) is widely grown in Florida and Southern California. In spring, the tree is covered in red flowers that resemble---you guessed it---bottle brushes.

    By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022

    Winter Care For Rhododendron Plants

    Winter Care for Rhododendron Plants. In both northern and southern climates, Rhododendrons are popular landscaping plants. Hardy and low maintenance, evergreen Rhododendrons flower reliably in summer and provide a hint of color throughout the winter months. When grown under favorable conditions, "rhodies" will perform well and resist common cold weather injuries such as leaf burn, bud kill or bark splits. With appropriate care, they will survive even the harshest winter.

    By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022

    Facts About Pink Muhly Grass

    Facts About Pink Muhly Grass. Pink muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris) is a popular ornamental grass featuring airy pink flower heads above wiry, unbranched leaves. Easy to grow from seeds or clump division, pink muhly forms dense clumps that do not produce runners.

    By Moira Clune November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Moira Clune September 6th, 2022

    Ways To Keep Critters Out Of Raised Vegetable Beds

    Ways to Keep Critters Out of Raised Vegetable Beds. Raised-bed gardening promotes large, vigorous plants. A well-built raised bed provides a sturdy framework for soil, and is easier to weed and water. Raised bed crops are also healthier and more resistant to insects and disease. In additional, the raised sides of the structure discourage rabbits and other critters while providing a ready-made surface for fence posts other protective devices.

    By Moira Clune September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Moira Clune September 6th, 2022

    How To Separate Elephant Ears

    How to Separate Elephant Ears. Elephant ear or taro (Colocasia spp.) is a tropical herb with large, showy leaves. In the north, it can be grown in large pots or directly in the garden bed, but the tubers must be dug up and stored indoors for the winter. Over time, plants can become crowded in their container or bed. At this point, separate elephant ears for the health of the plant. Divided tubers can be stored or replanted, as conditions and needs dictate.

    By Moira Clune September 6th, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Moira Clune September 6th, 2022

    How To Transplant A Viburnum Bush

    How to Transplant a Viburnum Bush. Viburnum is a medium-sized, spring flowering shrub that grows in most locations across the U.S. Hardy and easy to grow, its four-season interest makes it a popular choice as hedging, in group plantings or as a specimen. Most viburnum, however, are not self-pollinating and require a different variety in order to produce fruit. Gardeners can transplant viburnum easily because they have a fibrous root system and readily take up supplemental water, thus increasing transplant success.

    By Moira Clune September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Moira Clune September 6th, 2022

    How To Keep Birds From Eating Fruit On Trees

    How to Keep Birds From Eating Fruit on Trees. You've planted, you've pruned, you've fertilized and fretted. Your trees are finally flowering and ready to produce fruit. But you're not the only one with eyes on your cherries, apples and pears. Bird damage can severely limit your harvest and leave you with mutilated, inedible fruit. To protect your trees, take steps to protect your fruit early in the growing season. Use a variety of deterrents to scare off the widest variety of birds and keep bolder species from growing accustomed to your tactics.

    By Moira Clune September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Structures
    Structures By Moira Clune March 23rd, 2022

    How To Set Up Armillary Sundials

    How to Set Up Armillary Sundials. Based on ancient designs, armillary sundials--when properly sited and positioned--are surprisingly accurate. In use since Grecian times, armillaries are composed of complex, interlocking spheres supporting an arrow-shaped gnomon. As the sun travels across the sky, the gnomon casts a shadow onto a surface that indicates the hour. Armillary sundials are usually made of cast brass, bronze or aluminum. Sizes, materials and designs vary, but placement instructions are the same for any style.

    By Moira Clune March 23rd, 2022 Read More