99Tangents

Oh, our achin’ backs. It’s no surprise that baby boomers who take care of the yard have plenty to complain about when it comes to aches and pains, including problems with backs, shoulders, arms, legs, hands and feet. And new research confirms what many of us know to be true — that yard care can be tough on the body, particularly for adults in the baby boomer generation.

For many long, cold months, the avid gardener sits inside the house, eagerly thumbing through seed, plant and gardening catalogs. At last, spring is in sight. But before turning the first spade-full of dirt, it’s time to gather your gardening friends: those tools that save you time, defend your garden from pests and generally make your hobby a delight.

Long adored for their luscious blooms and stately stature in the garden, azaleas remain one of the most popular shrubs in modern-day landscapes. But to ensure that these super-bloomers operate at peak performance, there are a few tips that every well-intentioned gardener must know.

With the summer growing season approaching, water is a key element of successful gardening. One of the most important factors in successful gardening is knowing when and how to water. Check out these wise water usage tips for your garden this summer.

Many gardeners who love their ornamental landscape are not sure if they want to give up space for a vegetable garden that needs to be replanted every year. Fortunately, there are dozens of incredible edibles that add beauty and style to the garden — and provide a bounty of fruits and herbs.

Great-looking garden design doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. If you don’t forget about the basics, it’s easy to create a professional look like you see in gardening magazines. Better Homes and Gardens magazine editor Justin Hancock reveals his time saving tips and money saving tricks for backyard beauty:
Great-looking garden design doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. If you don’t forget about the basics, it’s easy to create a professional look like you see in gardening magazines. Better Homes and Gardens magazine editor Justin Hancock reveals his time saving tips and money saving tricks for backyard beauty:

Living green doesn’t mean yielding your yard to birds, bugs and critters that can be both a nuisance and a health hazard. It’s possible to keep unwanted animal guests away from your gardens, landscaping, lawn and outdoor living areas without contributing to the groundwater contamination associated with many chemical pesticides.

Most of us go to the grocery store to get our produce. By doing a little planning, you will be able to grow your own. There are numerous vegetables to choose from and many gardening tips to help you obtain a fruitful garden.

Tomatoes are in my opinion the best fruit vegetable there is. Cherry tomatoes with their sweet and tangy taste can be eaten whole. As they are small in size you can just pop them in your mouth. Tomatoes give salads a dash of red color. Pasta and pizza are made even tastier with fresh tomato sauce poured over them. And these are just some of the benefits you will get from tomato gardening.

A basic herb garden is easy to create and it can be made in a small amount of space. If you live in an apartment or you have a small back yard you can still have a basic herb garden for daily use.