I think that I shall never see, a poem lovely as a tree, wrote poet Joyce Kilmer in his poem Trees. Trees add so much to the beauty of our city, yards and parks. They add value to our property and they have benefits which include cleaning the air, fighting air pollution and cooling down...

Kennie Harris Volunteers at: Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Favorite plant to grow: “I don’t have a favorite, but something I’ve learned a lot about are dahlias. They look so unglamorous when you dig them up. They’re this ugly brown, shriveled-up tuber. But they are a gorgeous flower, and they get really tall in the...

How does your garden grow? With weeds and nests and way too many pests? Or with perennials, juicy fruits and healthy, deep roots? Whether your green thumb is well-established or you’ve never picked up a spade, each spring and summer bring the opportunity to begin anew. Tyler Wagner, manager and maintenance director at Wagner Nursery...

If there’s one trendy thing your parents (and sometimes grandparents) are way ahead of you on it’s recycling. Think about it. You’ve been in dad’s garage/basement/shed/workshop/weight room/cave of classic rock/World War II book depository, and you’ve seen all those glass jars filled with assorted screws/washers/bolts/nails/anchors/bits/bobs. If you’ve been in mom’s craft room, you’ve inevitably seen...

For most of us, our landscaping and our vegetable garden (if we have one) are two separate entities. Landscaping — trees, bushes, perennial and annual plantings typically adorn the front of our homes, while the vegetable patch is relegated to the backyard. But who says is has to be that way? Edible landscaping is the...