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Gardening with "Brother"

"Brother", aka Uncle Ernie, has been gardening "since I was old enough to thump melons".
Now in his 90's, he still can work longer and harder than most younger men.
He arises just before "can-see", and gardens and handy-man's all the way to "can't-see", with just a lunch break (and, as we've spyed, a couple of short cat-naps in his swing).

Click on this link if you're looking for a GREAT Garden and Orchard Pest and Disease Guide

His column is updated every day or thereabouts, so check back to see what's doing in his garden.

Brother Gardening circa 1935

Is Your Mower Height Right?

Make sure your mower height is set right for the type of grass you are growing, as well as the conditions (sun or shade, moist or dry) in your yard.

The summertime mower setting for tall fescue and bluegrass lawns is normally 2-1/2 to 3 inches.

This higher setting will reduce weed infestations and improve rooting depth of the grass plants.

Grass growing in shadier areas elongates more rapidly than in the full sun, so mow these areas at 3 inches.


Add A Rock To Your Garden

For those of you who battle hard, rocky soil every time you try to plant something - I apologize!

'Twould be the proverbial "Coals to Newcastle," I agree, but what I'm talking about is a nice big decorative rock - placed strategically in a bed.

A rock would provide a foil or backdrop to a swathe of iris or a frothy bit of artemesia.

Evergreens such as Chamaecyparis spp. and Juniper look wonderful paired with rocks.

A wonderfully shaped, lichen-covered rock can be used as a focal point in a garden setting.


Pull yourself up a shovel blade and sit yourself down for a visit with "Brother" and his "Wise" Sayings.


If you're on the lookout for great gardening resources, check out

  • Square Foot Gardening, by Mel Bartholomew.

    Published by Rodale Press, this book offers very helpful information on garden basics such as soil preparation, planting techniques, and controlling weeds -- but it's much more than a general gardening manual.

    Square Foot Gardening will introduce you to a system of designing gardens that are easy to maintain, that conserve resources, and that produce abundantly in less space.

  • Gardens Alive!

  • Do you have some gardening knowledge to share or have a question for "Brother"?

    You can Write to Brother!

    Include your first initial and last name and put the word GARDEN in the subject.

    I'll try to use your contribution in a future column.

    (Please note that these columns are written several weeks in advance so publishing it will be delayed accordingly.)


    See y'all tomorrow and remember:
    Nowhere else in the world are we closer to the Creator than in the garden. Well, at least we're closer to His creation.

    "Brother"

    Brother Resting


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