According to This Old House, the average American spends more than $600 a year on landscaping. But is maintaining your backyard more work than you'd like? Many homeowners struggle with the upkeep of outdoor spaces, leading to a need for practical, beautiful solutions...
This invasive plant has been around for quite some time. This plant was brought here from Eastern Europe and was used as a hedge and for landscaping. There was a well-maintained hedge of this shrub on West Fourth Street in Spencer for years that...
Asparagus is an amazing plant. It abounds along fence lines and in prairie areas and seems to be resistant to any chemical drift it may get in the country. It produces a yummy crop of spears in the spring that can be harvested and lightly boiled,...
Imagine stepping out onto your back porch, morning coffee in hand, only to be greeted by a sight that's far from inspiring. Patchy grass struggles to grow, shrubs sprawl unchecked, and flower beds sit barren and neglected. The disconnect between your outdoor reality...
Outdoor living spaces are becoming increasingly popular as homeowners invest in expanding their home's functionality beyond the indoors. According to experts, many homeowners are willing to spend up to 25% of their home improvement budget on enhancing outdoor living...
Each summer, Spencer residents flock outdoors to enjoy the warm weather, whether walking through one of the town's many parks or sitting in a backyard. If you're looking to spend more time outdoors this summer - most Americans spend about 90% of their time inside -...
Your yard could use a detail that makes it stand apart from others. Ornamental trees that bloom bright and beautiful flowers are one of the best features to add to your yard. The top ornamental trees add stunning color and texture to a garden or yard. It can be a...
We have had a call about eating garden produce regarding the recent flooding. Attached below is link to an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach article dated June 25, 2024, answering this question. Due to the amounts of contamination with the June 2024...
In the United States, where we ranked in the top three countries globally for gardening, around 55% of households actively tend to their own gardens. Americans have long taken pride in cultivating beautiful outdoor spaces, and today more than 185 million people can...
I enjoy mowing the lawn! I can experience nature from the seat of a riding lawn mower. I’ve seen newborn fawns, rooster pheasants, wildflowers, bird nests and Baltimore Orioles while mowing. The last two times I mowed the lawn I found that I was covered in green...
Few things in life are more enjoyable than the serenity nature provides. There's no shortage of mental health benefits that come with being outside, as well. Now, imagine if your favorite outdoor space was in your backyard. To make this part of your home as enjoyable...
Should you be worried about this plant? Heck no! This tough perennial plant is finding a home all over the Iowa Great Lakes! Golden Spikenard is being planted under the Burr Oak canopy in the Okoboji area and is becoming a common landscape plant. Also known as...