Charlie Nardozzi: Gardening Expert
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Charlie Nardozzi has worked for more than 20 years bringing expert gardening information to home gardeners through radio, television, and the printed page. He delights in making gardening information simple, easy, fun and accessible to everyone. His energy, exuberance, and love of the natural world also make Charlie an exciting public speaker and presenter. He presently is the senior horticulturist and spokesperson for the National Gardening Association (NGA). He also writes the national news for the Regional Reports Newsletter, conducts media interviews about gardening and NGA provides horticultural consultation to NGA programs and writes a free Edible Landscaping e-newsletter.
For 12 years, he was an editor with National Gardening magazine, writing stories on a variety of gardening topics from roses to tomatoes. He has written for national magazines such as Organic Gardening and contributed to many of the Gardening for Dummies titles, authoring Vegetable Gardening For Dummies. He also contributed to other book projects such as All in 1 Gardening for Dummies and the Better Homes and Gardens’ Yard and Garden Owners Manual.
Charlie’s skills as a garden communicator extend beyond the printed page. In 2005, he was the host of PBS’s Garden Smart, reaching more than 60 million households. He has also been a gardening expert on many national syndicated television shows such as HGTV’s Today at Home and Way to Grow, Discovery Channel’s Home Matters, DIY’s Ask DIY, as well as appearing on QVC and the Home Shopping Network. At his home in Vermont, he co-hosts In The Garden tips on the local CBS affiliate television station (WCAX-Channel 3), a weekly, call-in radio show on WJOY-1230AM and is a commentator at Vermont Public Radio.
For 12 years, he was an editor with National Gardening magazine, writing stories on a variety of gardening topics from roses to tomatoes. He has written for national magazines such as Organic Gardening and contributed to many of the Gardening for Dummies titles, authoring Vegetable Gardening For Dummies. He also contributed to other book projects such as All in 1 Gardening for Dummies and the Better Homes and Gardens’ Yard and Garden Owners Manual.
Charlie’s skills as a garden communicator extend beyond the printed page. In 2005, he was the host of PBS’s Garden Smart, reaching more than 60 million households. He has also been a gardening expert on many national syndicated television shows such as HGTV’s Today at Home and Way to Grow, Discovery Channel’s Home Matters, DIY’s Ask DIY, as well as appearing on QVC and the Home Shopping Network. At his home in Vermont, he co-hosts In The Garden tips on the local CBS affiliate television station (WCAX-Channel 3), a weekly, call-in radio show on WJOY-1230AM and is a commentator at Vermont Public Radio.
REVIEWS
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In this age of environmental awareness, many homeowners are rethinking the tools they use around the house. One of the most common is that all American tool, the lawn mower. Gas powered mowers are ubiquitous in this country. Just take a walk in any suburban neighborhood on a Saturday morning in the summer and you'll see and hear what I mean. However, gas powered mowers are noisy, polluting, and getting more expensive to run and maintain. It's estimated that five percent of the air pollution in our country is produced by gas powered mowers. Running a gas mower for one hour is the equivalent of driving your car for twenty miles. These reasons, along with the rising price of gas, has turned many homeowners to buying electric mowers.Read More »
Electric mowers offer many advantages over gas-powered machines. They are quieter, don't pollute, and easier to maintain. Most electric mowers emit 60 to 75 decibels of noise while gas powered mowers emit around 95 decibels. It's thought that any noise louder than 85 decibels can injure your hearing. While a gas-powered mower will cost $30 to $40 dollars a year in gas costs, an electric mower can run on $5 to $10 worth of electricity a year. Electric mowers also don't have plugs, filters, and oil that need to be changed periodically.
However, electric mowers are not for every yard. They work best on small to medium sized lawns. Lawns more than one-third of an acre aren't practical to mow with an electric mower. Also, they mow certain grass types, such as Kentucky blue grass and fine fescue, more easily than others. They aren't as powerful as gas-powered mowers so you have to be more careful mowing tall grass that can clog the mower. Also, it's not as easy to bag grass clippings with electric mowers.
There are two types of electric mowers: corded and cordless. Corded mowers need an extension cord to plug into an outlet to run the machine. They're more powerful and lighter weight than the cordless mowers, but you run the risk of tangling or cutting the cord. Plus, you can only mow as far as your cord will reach (usually 100 feet). They often have handlebars that fold up for easy storage in winter.
Battery-powered electric mowers offer the freedom of mowing away from the house, but their batteries need recharging (sometimes overnight depending on the battery size) and only last on average 30 to 60 minutes. The batteries may need to be replaced after a few years of usage and can be expensive. Most battery powered mowers run around $300 to $500 dollars, while most corded mowers run about $100 dollars less.
Best of the Best:
Here are some of the best corded and cordless mowers on the market. They are good quality machines that require little maintenance. For a small yard, they certainly are a good investment for you and for the environment. -
Over the past ten years, no other perennial flower has gone through such a popular transformation as this Midwestern native wildflower. What first began as a beautiful perennial only found in wildflower mixes has now become a widely popular standard in many perennial gardens. Its popularity in the perennial flower world was heightened when it became widely used as a medical remedy as well. Now many millions of people take Echinacea extracts for colds and the flu.Read More »
The purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is the most common species of Echinacea available. However, there are many other species that feature other flower colors such as white or yellow. Recently breeders have begun creating Echinacea hybrids that feature more vivid colors than the original species (such as red, pink, green, and orange), different flower forms, and fragrant flowers as well. Coneflowers actually get their name from the spiny “cone” in the center of the flower. Now you can purchase varieties with double flowers and even flowers stacked on top of each other.
Despite all these external variations, deep down, Echinacea is still a tough perennial flower that is widely adapted to growing in many regions of the country. It's hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9. Most varieties grow three to four feet tall and flower from midsummer until fall. They are relatively pest free and the flowers are great for cutting. Although widely adapted to growing in a variety of soil types, they perform best in well-drained sandy-loam soil. Echinacea flower best in full sun, but can take some afternoon shade and still be prolific. The 2- to 4-inch wide flowers come in a range of colors mentioned. They can flower for up to three months, especially if deadheaded. Even after the flower petals have dropped, the cone is an attractive addition to the garden and a favorite of birds. Small birds, such as finches, will eat the tiny seeds in the cone as it matures in fall.
The plants have deep tap roots so are drought tolerant. It's the taproot that is often used in making cold tinctures. However, they don't transplant easily, so be sure you like where you plant them since they will be hard to move later.
The most popular species are the common coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), yellow coneflower (Echinacea paradoxa), pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida) and the narrow leaf coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia). I'll be focusing mostly in the hybrids of the purple coneflower in this article.
Best of the Best:
Many of these new hybrid Echinaceas are the result of crosses between species. In general, a cross is not as vigorous, and sometimes not as hardy as the original species. However, the new characteristics are highly desirable. I think you'll like these. -
For any homeowner with a hedge or shrubs around their home, they know these plants periodically need trimming. For this task, a hedge trimmer is a necessary piece of equipment. While traditional manual hedge trimmers are quaint, to get the job done quickly and efficiently, a powered tool is better. Hedge trimmers are classified by their power source: electric, battery, or gas. Each type of hedge trimmer has advantages and disadvantages.Read More »
Electric hedge trimmers are probably the most popular. They can cut branches up to ½-inch in diameter. They're light, least expensive, and quiet. Plus, they don't pollute like a gas-powered trimmers. On the downside, the electric hedge trimmers require a power cord that can be awkward to maneuver while you trim. This also limits your range of trimming to within a certain distance to a power outlet.
Battery powered hedge trimmers eliminate the need for a power cord, so are more portable. However, they aren't as strong as the gas or electric trimmers and generally last about 45 minutes before you need to recharge the battery or replace it. These are best for small trimming jobs.
Gas powered trimmers are certainly the strongest, cutting branches up to ¾-inch in diameter. They are portable, but the most expensive of the powered trimmers. However, they pollute, give off fumes and are heavy. Gas powered models are best for large yards or professional use.
Other features to look for in your trimmer include safety switches. Many models require both hands to be on the trimmer before it will run. This greatly reduces the chance of cutting a finger. Some have lock-on and lock-off switches that don't require you to have both hands on the trimmer to operate. Although, more convenient, they are more dangerous.
The best trimmers will have two, double-sided, dual-action blades that pass by each other making for a cleaner, easier cut. The blade lengths range from 13 to 30 inches long. For homeowners blade lengths are between 16 and 24 inches long for the best balance and weight. However, longer blades allow you to cut wider hedges in one pass. Good quality trimmers will have blades that stop quickly after letting go of the handle as a way to avoid injury. Gas powered trimmer blades should stop while the engine idles and have vibration controls to minimize hand and arm fatigue. Some gas power models also have safety shields to protect the user from flying debris.
For tall shrubs consider a pole trimmer. These gas or electric powered trimmers are safer than standing on a ladder and trying to trim with a traditional model. Pole trimmers that are dedicated to just trimming are better than string trimmers with a pole pruning attachments.
When buying a trimmer, check for good balance and comfortable grips. Although most trimmers weigh less than twelve pounds, they can be tiring to use over time if the handles are awkward and the unit imbalanced. As with any power tool, wear protective goggles, gloves, sturdy shoes, and ear protection (for gas powered models).
Best of the Best:
Here's a good mix of high quality electric, battery, and gas-powered trimmers. Select the best trimmer for your yard based on the type and quantity of trimming that needs to be done. -
Once considered your “grandma's flower”, this widely grown group of shrubs is enjoying a revival of late. No plant rivals the hydrangea when it comes to midsummer blooming shrubs. This diverse group of plants is composed of species native to North and South America, and Asia. However, only five species are commonly grown in the United States. Not only are these shrubs diverse, they produce spectacular flowers that bloom for months into the fall. Some varieties are small enough to be grown in containers. Others grow as large as small trees. One species has a climbing habit and is a great choice for a partly shaded arbor or trellis.Read More »
Perhaps the most popular hydrangeas are the blue flowered varieties (Hydrangea macrophylla). These mophead, French, or bigleaf hydrangeas actually have the unique habit of being able to change the color of their flower. A gardener can match colors with other shrubs by raising or lowering the soil pH (acidity or alkalinity). The more acid the soil, the bluer the flower becomes. The more alkaline the soil, the more the flower turns pink. A lacecap version of this hydrangea species has large sterile flower petals surrounding smaller, fertile flowers for an intriguing effect. While older varieties of blue hydrangeas often don't consistently flower in the North, newer varieties are more reliable and have longer flowering times.
Most hydrangea species thrive in fertile, well-drained, moist soils. Most grow in full sun; however, many will also grow and bloom in partial shade, which makes it ideal for many yards with large trees or a building nearby. In warm climates, provide frequent watering so your hydrangea can tolerate more sun and heat.
The hardiest hydrangea is the panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata). It can be grown into a small tree. One type of hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) has attractive oak-shaped leaves. Another has large “snowball-like” white flowers. It grows quickly in spring from new growth to flowering.
Some varieties, such as ‘Annabelle,' have been around for years, but are still considered exceptional. Others are new to the trade and worth trying in your landscape. -
Americans have created all types of machines and tools to fulfill their quest for the finely manicured lawn. One of the most popular tools is the string trimmer. After the lawn mowers are through cutting, string trimmers come in and polish off the edges. They feature a plastic string that’s whipped around at the end of a metal shaft to mow down soft grasses and weeds. They are great at cutting grass and weeds close to buildings, under fences, and between rocks. Heavier duty trimmers can be used to cut back weeds and with the blade attachment, even brush and small saplings.Read More »
What type of string trimmer you buy depends on your yard and usage of the machine. String trimmers come with gas powered engines (two or four cycle) or electric (corded or battery-powered). Gas powdered machines are more powerful, heavier (ten to fourteen pounds) and more expensive than the electric units. If you have a good size yard and plan on using the trimmer to tackle weeds and some brush, the gas-powered unit is the way to go. The four-cycle engines burn cleaner, start easier, pollute less, and are less noisy than the two-cycle engines, but are heavier and more costly.
If you have a small yard or you’re planning to exclusively just trim grass, then an electric unit may be a better choice. Electric units are simple to start, clean running, and less noisy than their gas powered counterparts. Corded electric string trimmers allow you to trim until the job is done and are the lightest weight (around five pounds) trimmers available. However, you have to contend with the extension cord and it’s best to have multiple outdoor outlets to use this machine. Battery-powered trimmers are heavier (around ten pounds) than corded machines and you’ll have to recharge or switch batteries after about twenty minutes of usage. However, they are very portable and perfect for a small yard.
Beside the type of engine, there are a few other choices to keep in mind. A string trimmer with a curved shaft allows you to get up close to a wall, plant or building without having to bend the machine at odd angles. A straight shaft machine is more durable and usually the type commercial landscapers use. The straight shaft units allow for a longer reach under benches, tables, and plants. Some units also have interchangeable heads so you can remove the trimmer head and place an edger, blower, or other yard tools on the shaft.
Most trimmers have two plastic lines extending from the rotary head. The lines are either automatically fed out as needed or you bump the ground to get more line. Newer versions have short lines that are clipped onto the head and easily replaced instead of having to wind a whole ball of plastic string around the head.
For heavy-duty units, or if trimming for hours on end, consider getting a shoulder harness attachment to lessen the weight of holding the trimmer. For trimming brush with a blade attachment or trimming on slopes, consider getting a bike handle bar attachments for easier and more even cutting.
There is even a string trimmer on wheels. These units look like a lawn mower, except in front there is a string trimmer attachment. They are great for trimming large areas and are easy to use, but they are expensive and limited when trying to do detailed trimming.
Whatever trimmer you chose, remember the cord is whipping around at about 400 mph. So wear the appropriate protective clothing. Sturdy boots, long pants, ear and eye protection will prevent accidental injury from flying material and debris.
Here are some of the best units available. I’ve listed a selection of string trimmers from gas to electric for small and large yards.
Best of the Best:
These units are some of the toughest on the market. They are durable, long lasting and powerful. When buying a string trimmer try out the balance and weight in the store. It should feel comfortable and not awkward to use. -
If there ever was a foolproof perennial flower that can grow in most parts of the country, daylilies are it. Although not a native plant (they hale from Asia), daylilies have adapted to our varied climate. They grow in all U.S. regions, but thrive in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9.Read More »
Daylilies are loosely grouped by their foliage habit as evergreen, deciduous (often called dormant), or semi-evergreen. In general, evergreen daylilies are well suited to USDA hardiness zones 6 through 9. Some evergreens are also hardy to USDA zone 4, but their foliage dies back.
Conversely, the foliage of deciduous types (hardy in zones 3 through 8) dies in winter even in mild climates. Most are not well suited to zone 8 and warmer gardens, or wherever summers typically include more than 90 days above 86° F.
Daylilies are stalwarts of the perennial garden. They grow in less than idea soils, in partial or full sun, and are well suited to a variety of uses. In the flower garden, their vigorous growth chokes out weeds. They can prevent soil from eroding on banks, dwarf varieties make a beautiful edging along perennial beds, and this tough plant can survive occasional flooding and road salt along walkways and streets.
Daylilies produce flowers in a wide range of colors in single and double forms. Some blossoms are bent back or “recurved”, others have ruffles and some are fragrant. While the individual flowers only bloom for a day, the scapes (flower stalk) on which the blossoms are born have multiple flower buds. Depending on the variety, flowering can continue for weeks and sometimes repeat bloom throughout the summer. Some plants only grow one foot tall while others reach 3 feet tall. If you don’t like the ornamental qualities of daylilies, you can always eat them. In the Far East, daylily flowers are used in recipes and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are often found as a dried food in stores.
Best of the Best:
There are more than 48,000 daylily varieties registered and more than 13,000 commercially available. They are bred in at least 25 states by hundreds of individual hybridizers. To help consumers decide the best ones to grow the All-American Daylily Selection Council tests varieties for three to five years in five different hardiness zones. The daylilies are evaluated for 50 different growth characteristics such as disease resistance and length of flowering time.
All the daylilies listed below are deciduous, unless otherwise noted. All of these are All American Daylily Council winning varieties. -
In China, peonies are known as the “King of the Flowers” for good reason. The colorful blooms can reach 10 inches in diameter, flowering in early summer to herald the upcoming summer season. The plants are no slouch either. Shrubs grow from a diminutive one-foot tall to up to huge six feet tall depending on the selection. Peony flowers come in a variety of forms and in nearly every color of the rainbow except blue. Not only are the flowers alluring, the dark green summer foliage provides a great backdrop to other blooming perennials and turns a vivid red in fall. Once established, this long-lived perennial (some plants can live 50 to 100 years) can thrive in your garden with little care.Read More »
Peonies are generally grouped into two basic types: herbaceous and tree. Herbaceous, or garden peonies (Paeonia hybrids), grow 1 to 4 feet tall (depending on the variety) and are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8. In areas with freezing winter temperatures, the foliage dies back to the ground each winter, but the crown and roots survive. In mild climates plants can stay green year-round. Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) have woody stems that survive the winter, and can grow to 6 feet tall. They look more like a landscape shrub than an actual tree. They are hardy to zone 3, however they may need winter protection in the coldest climates. Tree peonies also can withstand some heat. In fact, they grow better in warmer climates than herbaceous peonies. So, if you’re trying to grow peonies in a zone 9 or warmer garden, try the tree types.
There are newer intersectional (Itoh hybrid) peonies that are a cross between the garden and tree peonies. Itoh hybrids combine the large, unusually colored flowers and attractive foliage of the tree peony with the compact plant and foliage of the herbaceous peony.
Peony flowers are grouped according to their shape. Single, semi-double, anemone or Japanese, and double flower forms are the most common. Although peonies only bloom for 1 to 2 weeks in early summer, by planting early-, mid-, and late-season varieties, you can extend the bloom time to four to six weeks. They grow best in well-drained, fertile soil. Grow peonies in full sun in the North and part shade in the South.
Best of the Best:
All the peonies listed below are herbaceous, unless otherwise noted. All of these are American Peony Society award winning herbaceous and tree varieties that bloom from early to late and have different shaped and colored flowers. Many are fragrant and good for cutting. -
If you’re growing trees and shrubs around your yard, sooner or later you’re going to have to prune them. Whether it’s to shape the plants, get them to produce better fruit, or repair storm damage; removing or shortening branches will be in order. While hand pruners are great for removing small branches and cutting flowers, for limbs 1 to 4 inches diameter, a hand saw is the best tool for the job. In fact, my garden pruning saw is indispensable and I always carry one around the yard in case of emergency pruning needs.Read More »
While there are many good quality hand saws on the market, a garden pruning saw is different. It is lightweight, portable, and designed to cut live, green wood. Because of their small size, they are good for pruning in tight places without damaging other branches nearby. Good quality garden pruning saws have soft grips that lessen hand fatigue and strong blades with tri-edged blade teeth (tri-cut blades, turbo-cut, razor-tooth, and Japanese-tooth). These blades cut on the pull and push enabling you to remove a branch quickly with less work. Blades have an average of 6 to 8 teeth per inch or point. Bow saws and large raker saws have bigger blades. These saws average four points and are best used for cutting firewood rather than pruning landscape plants.
The blades can be curved or straight. Curved blades are easier to work with especially pruning at or above shoulder height on a ladder and in a tight place. Straight blades require less work to cut and are better in more open spaces. The length of the blade determines the size of the limb you can cut. Ten-inch long blades can cut up to 4-inch diameter limbs. If you’re mostly cutting small limbs stick with an easier to handle 6 to 8 inch blade.
For tree and shrub pruning choose a folding or rigid handled garden pruning saw. The rigid handled saws often come with a sheath that fits on your belt and have a sturdier connection with the handle compared to the folding saws. However, folding saws are more convenient, fitting right in your pocket. For safety, look for a folding saw with a lock that secures the blade when open or closed. Both types of saws come with replacement blades which is important since the tri-cut blades are difficult to sharpen.
Best of the Best:
All of these saws have tri-cut blades that cut on the push and pull making them efficient and quick at making pruning cuts. -
The shovel is the workhorse in the garden. While most people think the words shovel and spade are interchangeable, there is a difference. Spades are typically short handled with a square blade. They are meant for edging and dividing plants. The traditional garden shovel is an all-purpose, long or short-handled tool with a pointy-tipped blade that’s meant for digging holes and moving soil and materials.Read More »
When buying a garden shovel consider the usage. Long handled shovels have good leverage. They are best for digging large holes for trees and shrubs or throwing piles of topsoil or sand long distances. Short handled shovels, usually with a D-shaped grip, are best for working in tight places, digging smaller holes and moving soil short distances.
Handles are a matter of personal preference. Most wooden shovels are made from a hardwood such as northern ash. If cared for properly, they can last for years. Newer designs use stronger fiberglass handles that are less likely to snap under pressure.
Most professional-grade shovels have a solid shank construction. Solid-shank tools have both blade and socket forged from a single piece of metal with a crimped piece of metal wrapped around the handle. The solid-shank construction is stronger at precisely the point where the greatest forces are exerted on the tool - the fulcrum. They also prevent soil from building up behind the blade. Many of these shovels are more expensive but pack a lifetime warranty.
Most consumer-grade shovels have either closed or open back construction. Open back shovels are usually stamped from a metal sheet that's rolled over to create a depression called a frog. Though less durable than the solid-shank tools, open-back construction produces a lighter, less fatiguing and less expensive tool. Closed back shovels are similar to open backed version but have a piece of metal on the back for extra strength and to prevent soil buildup.
Finally, there are ergonomically designed shovels that exert less pressure on your back when digging. These long handled tools also come with comfort grips for easier holding, an oversized step for easier pushing of the shovel into the soil and are lighter weight.
The bottom line is if you’re doing a lot of digging in heavy soil, moving stones and cutting roots, get a long-handled, solid shank tool. If you’re working mostly in tight quarters, choose a short handled shovel. For general, all-purpose use digging the occasional hole, moving small piles of soil and sod and forming garden beds, choose an open or closed back tool. -
Roses have the reputation of being finicky to care for and hard to grow. While that may be true of some of the traditional hybrid cut flower roses such as the ones you buy your spouse on Valentine’s Day, there is a whole group of roses that grow with much less fuss.Read More »
Landscape or shrub roses feature beautiful, disease- and insect-tolerant plants that produce flowers throughout the growing season with little care. These plants aren’t meant for the formal rose garden, but fit in well in the landscape as foundation plants around the house, as a hedge or planted in with other shrubs and perennial flowers. Landscape roses come in many shapes and sizes, but there are some characteristics that are common with all of them.
Landscape roses have continuous blooms from spring through to frost. The plants have good insect and diseases tolerance. They are hardy in most climates. They require little pruning other than removing dead or broken branches and the occasional errant branch. They have an attractive and functional shape that allows them to be used in many locations around the yard.
When choosing a landscape rose for your yard first determine the function of the plant. For planting near the house or in with other shrubs and flowers, consider the color of the flower and the ultimate size and shape of the shrub. Since these plants flower all season, choose colors that will go with the house color and other plants. If you are growing your landscape rose as a hedge, select varieties that fill in quickly and grow to the ultimate height you desire. On slopes, look for low-growing landscape roses that will cover hard-to-mow areas yet not grow out of control.
Here are some of my favorites.
