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Seasonal tips, announcements, and more

The Strader's Blog

Check back often for the latest announcements, planting tips and ideas for your lawn and garden projects.

Insect-Repellent Container Gardens

Transform your outdoor entertaining with insect-repellent container gardens! Learn which plants like basil, lavender, citronella, and marigolds naturally repel mosquitoes, flies, and wasps. Get strategic placement tips for patios, dining areas, and seating zones to create bug-free outdoor spaces that are both functional and beautiful.

Summer Lavenders

Love lavender but frustrated by short bloom seasons? Discover the secret to enjoying lavender from early spring to mid-summer! Learn about the three lavender groups that bloom at different times, plus growing tips, popular varieties like Grosso and Provence, and creative uses from cooking to aromatherapy.

Top Ten Vegetable Garden Mistakes (and how to correct them)

Starting a vegetable garden? Don't make these beginner mistakes! From choosing the wrong location to overcrowding plants, learn how to avoid the top 10 pitfalls that lead to poor harvests. Get expert tips on soil prep, spacing, watering, pest control, and maintenance for gardening success.

Deer Browsing Blues

Deer browsing can decimate gardens, leaving homeowners frustrated. Understanding seasonal feeding patterns and combining multiple control strategies - from fencing to repellents to deer-resistant plants - offers the best defense.

The Power of Mulching for Gardens and Yards

Imagine stepping into a lush, healthy garden where every plant is thriving, the soil feels rich and cool to the touch, and weeds are nowhere to be seen. What's the secret behind this picture-perfect scene? Often, you'll find a thick, tidy layer of mulch.

Less Pain, More Gain: Ergonomics in the Garden

Garden smarter, not harder! Ergonomic garden tools are designed to reduce strain, prevent injuries like carpal tunnel and tendonitis, and make gardening more comfortable. Choose tools that fit your size, grip, and posture for pain-free gardening.

Adding a Taste of the Tropics Outdoors in Ohio

Transform your Ohio garden into a tropical oasis! Move houseplants like citrus trees and air plants outdoors for summer, add colorful caladiums and dramatic cannas, plus tropical plants like elephant ears and hibiscus for lush paradise.

Choosing Evening Plants for Fragrance, Color and More

Transform your garden into an evening paradise with plants that shine after dark! Choose white or light-colored flowers like moonflowers and jasmine, fragrant herbs like lavender and rosemary, and silvery foliage plants that glow under moonlight.