July 25, 2025

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Mid-Summer Garden Care: Feeding, Watering and Pest Defense

As summer heat peaks, home gardeners are giving their beds a mid-season boost to maintain vigor through August and beyond. From Louisville’s Wallitsch Gardens to DIY backyard enthusiasts, three key strategies have emerged:

Fertilize regularly: Liquid root-and-bloom feeds for ornamentals and granular insurance for vegetables

Automate moisture: Soaker hoses paired with smart timers and soil moisture sensors

Control pests naturally: Soap-based sprays to stop Japanese beetles at the perimeter

By combining targeted feeding, remote watering and eco-friendly pest management, gardeners can sustain growth, flavor and health in the dog days of summer.

Native Gardening Blooms from Texas Heat to Colorado Front Range

Home gardeners in Texas and Colorado are turning to native plants to withstand heat, drought and growing water restrictions while restoring local ecosystems. In San Antonio, The Nectar Bar and Pollinatives nurseries report surging demand, aided by WaterSaver rebates of up to $125 per lawn conversion. Meanwhile, in Colorado, experts urge shoppers to overlook “ugly” potted natives—like sagebrush and blue grama—with deep roots and superior drought tolerance.

Seasonal advice: Start small with container-friendly species—Flame Acanthus, Fragrant Mistflower, Rocky Mountain Penstemon—and use minimal supplemental irrigation. By choosing regionally adapted plants, homeowners cut water bills, attract pollinators and help nurseries expand their native offerings.

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Texas Ranks Among Nation’s Most Affordable for Home Upgrades as Paint Delivers Big Impact

Texas homeowners pay just $6,803 on average for renovations, ranking the Lone Star State in the top ten most affordable markets, according to Universal Windows Direct. Meanwhile, painting remains one of the highest-ROI projects, with a RE/MAX survey showing 43% of homeowners refresh outdated colors and 29% paint to express personal style.

Key tips for budget-savvy makeovers:

Stick to neutral palettes (warm grays, creamy whites, taupes)

Add bold accents on one wall, doors or trim

Focus on entryways, kitchens and living rooms for maximum resale value

With low state costs and durable, fast-dry paints, Texans can boost curb appeal and home value without breaking the bank.

11 Essential Steps to Prep Your Home Project

Proper preparation is the cornerstone of any successful home project, from small DIY updates to major renovations. By setting a clear goal, researching materials and tools, and building a realistic budget with at least a 10–20% contingency, homeowners can avoid common pitfalls such as delays, cost overruns and safety hazards.

Key early steps include securing permits, gathering all necessary supplies and protecting your workspace. Arranging help, scheduling breaks and staying adaptable for surprises—like weather changes in spring or humidity in summer—round out a foolproof prep plan that keeps your project on track and under budget.

Experts Warn: Bird Feeders and Landscape Fabric Pose Hidden Risks

Home gardeners are being urged to rethink two popular accessories after conservation experts and regenerative landscapers raised alarms about bird feeders spreading disease and landscape fabric harming soil life. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) now recommends suspending flat feeders and cleaning active feeders every two to three seed refills to curb finch trichomonosis and other avian illnesses. Meanwhile, Florida-based native nursery Amelia’s Natives highlights how standard weed-barrier fabrics release microplastics and forever chemicals, block air and water flow, and ultimately create more weeds and wildlife hazards than they prevent. Gardeners are instead advised to adopt hygienic feeder practices, swap tables for tube or hopper feeders, and nurture soil with organic mulch, compost, and native plantings—strategies that safeguard bird health, foster pollinators, and maintain resilient garden ecosystems.

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Garden Alert: Hidden Dangers in Bird Feeders & Landscape Fabric