Gardening Tips & Tree Care Blog - Rootwell Products Inc.

The Water Crisis on Earth: What You Need to Know

Last updated: June 12, 2018 by Rootwell Products Inc.

Lake Mead depicting the world's water crisis

In the film, The Big Short, the all-star cast and quirky storytelling pulled humor and drama to the forefront. This brought clarity from an industry that is otherwise difficult to understand.

In addition, the subject is one we all want to know more about. What on earth caused the catastrophic 2008 recession? Was there anyone who saw it coming?

The film includes Dr. Michael Burry, CEO of the company he founded, Scion Asset Management. Dr. Burry is depicted in the movie as knowing the financial collapse is coming when everyone around him believes otherwise. He was one of the few men who ended up making money on the economic collapse because of this foresight.

However, the thing that stands out in the last frame of the film is, “Michael Burry is focusing all his trading on one commodity: Water.”

Let’s stop for a minute.

in Drought

Evergreen Shrubs: Pros and Cons – Gardening Tips

Last updated: August 14, 2018 by Rootwell Products Inc.

Evergreen shrubs have traditionally been a homeowner’s staple landscape plant. If you are considering planting shrubs or removing them, there are pros and cons to having this standard outdoor decoration.

Some homeowners consider evergreen shrubs an eyesore. They become overgrown, cover the fronts of houses, block out windows, and can be very hard to shape or remove.

However, taking them out can also have the effect of making your house or property look bare, or leaving you with an ugly stump to stare at or work around.

If you are wondering whether to take out your shrubs or try to make the best of them, here are a few good things to know about evergreen shrubs.

in Gardening Tips

How to Grow Terrific Tomatoes

Last updated: June 1, 2018 by Rootwell Products Inc.

Growing terrific tomatoes does not happen overnight. There are many theories about the proper way to grow tomatoes from using the correct soil preparation to proper planting techniques followed by regular maintenance of the tender plants.

It may get overwhelming. However, when you bite into that delicious, sweet tomato, you know that all your hard work was well worth it.

in Gardening Tips

Are Food Swamps The New Food Deserts?

Last updated: May 16, 2018 by Rootwell Products Inc.

The term food deserts has made it into the common language of many American citizens as the conversation about health and obesity have come to the forefront.

in Go Green

How Singapore Became the Greenest City in the World

Last updated: May 8, 2018 by Rootwell Products Inc.

Did you know that Singapore is the greenest city in the world?

It was the enormous man-made trees, covered with growing plants and softly lit in the darkness that caught my attention at the beginning of a “Planet Earth” documentary featuring cities.

in Go Green

5 Invasive Perennials You May Regret Planting

Last updated: May 3, 2018 by Rootwell Products Inc.

Invasive Perennials - Lily of the valley

What are invasive perennials?

It always starts out innocent enough. You think you have found the perfect plant for that spot in your garden that always looks bare or is hard to plant.

You find a perennial that boasts its hardiness and promises to be low-maintenance or no maintenance. The plant takes to the spot readily and all your cares are over!

What you may have just done, however, is plant a highly invasive plant that will end up taking over your garden and eating all your other plants.

in Gardening Tips

Strawberries & Blueberries: Unlikely Companion Fruits

Last updated: April 24, 2018 by Rootwell Products Inc.

Have you ever thought about growing companion fruits? How do freshly picked strawberries and blueberries sound?

Regardless of their appearing in July 4th fruit spreads, you may know if you have grown or picked either of these fruits that they don’t ripen at the same time.

However, that is not what makes them ideal companion plants!

in Beginner Gardener / Gardening Tips

Organic vegetables depicting Community Supported Agriculture

Community Supported Agriculture: What a CSA Can Do For You

Last updated: April 17, 2018 by Rootwell Products Inc.

Do you have a favorite summer vegetable or garden-grown fruit that you just can’t wait to come in season each year?

I know I do. Tomatoes, strawberries, and watermelons are at the top of my list. Actually, they are all so much better when homegrown; sweeter, crunchier, with more depth of flavor.

There are times I’ve tasted my homegrown produce and thought I really didn’t know that vegetable was so delicious. Most of the time supermarket staples aren’t even close to tasting the same. It’s a shame, too. I think more of us would enjoy vegetables more if they had a chance to taste them in their fullness.

There is a way!

in News / Organic Gardening

How to Start Your Vegetable Garden Indoors

Last updated: April 10, 2018 by Rootwell Products Inc.

It’s the beginning of spring, but there are still several weeks of cold temperatures and gray days before things start to warm up – that is, if you live in the Midwest like I do.

In some places in the country, it’s already time to plant seeds, or it will be soon. However, did you know you can get a jump on your seedlings weeks before the ground outside is ready to accept them?

Did you know that you can get a jump on having fresh vegetables on your table from your very own garden?

in Beginner Gardener / Gardening Tips

Top 10 Garden Spring Cleaning Tasks

Last updated: April 3, 2018 by Rootwell Products Inc.

No doubt most of you are itching to be outside cleaning up your garden and getting to work on what you have planned for this year.

If you live in Michigan, you are probably looking glumly out the window at the snow swirling around outside right now. In addition, you may have looked at the 15-day forecast to see if any warm weather is on the horizon.

This time of year can be tough for everyone. It’s technically spring. However, spring is nowhere to be seen. It will come fast, though, and when it does you can be ready to pounce on that nice weather and sunshine to make the most of it.

Here’s a task list for helping your garden bounce back from winter.

in Beginner Gardener / Gardening Tips