Most gardeners have stocked up their garages with all sorts of products to save their plants from natural enemies like hungry insects and overpowering weeds. What many gardeners don't know is this: even more important than defending against enemies is to see that plants get what they need for photosynthesis, especially water. Watering is an art, because under-watering causes water deficiency and over-watering can cause roots to rot.

These problems can easily be kept in check with only a few simple steps:

Follow Mother Nature's lead — if you have a desert plant, the soil it lives in may not need watering for days at a time. If the plant is in a fairly moist climate in the wilderness, it will need to be watered more frequently. Avoid being too generous, because the leading cause of plant death is not insects or diseases but simple over-watering.

Springtime watering — even though springtime is a time you would think you do not need to water, you should! No matter what age the plants in your garden may be they still need their water!

Get your hands dirty — test the soil with your finger, starting at the top for a moist-climate plant and pushing further in for a plant from a more arid climate. It is recommended to feel most plants about an inch below the surface of the soil. If the soil is moist to the touch but does not wet your finger, the water amount is correct.

Use good soil — sandy soil will let the water rush away, while clay-burdened soil will hold water too long, causing root rot.

Keep your weeds in check — frequent weeding will reduce competition among plants for the moisture in the soil.

Ready your plants for the daytime — water in the morning, fortifies your plants against the hot sun. Using mulch is another good defense. Mulch will keep the soil from taking too much sun and evaporating all the water, as well as helping to keep weeds down.

By Tamara Galbraith

Bunnies are, of course, just about the cutest thing on Earth. (Incidentally, their poop makes great fertilizer too, and doesn't need to be composted before use.) But what to do when Peter Rabbit spends his evenings munching on your beautiful lettuce, peas and beans?

First, conduct a thorough examination to see whether or not you really have a rabbit problem. Rabbits generally browse no higher than a couple of feet off the ground. Their pea-sized round droppings are their calling card.

There are several products on the market that work with varying degrees of success. Many contain diluted fox urine, an ingredient that is safe to use around plants, people and pets, and acts a repellent for all small furry animals that foxes usually dine on. We recommend Plantskydd, which is not harmful to pets or people when used as directed.

Vinegar, clumps of human or dog hair, and diluted aloe vera gel are also said to be effective rabbit repellants when placed strategically around the garden. Garlic pepper spray - the kind also used as an organic insecticide - is a big turn off for bunny taste buds, as is any bottled hot sauce.

By Tamara Galbraith
Although spring brings much hope and rebirth to the outdoors, it can be a stressful time for many gardeners. There is so much to do, and -- even with the longer hours that Daylight Saving provides -- seemingly never enough time to get it all done.
So, here are some tips for organizing your garden chores without wearing yourself out:

• If you start getting overwhelmed with how much needs accomplished in your landscape, take a deep breath and grab a pencil and paper. Make a list of everything that has to be done. Then, rank the chores by importance. Will a plant die in the next day or two if it doesn't get watered? Then by all means, do that first.
  
  
• If it seems like every single part of your landscape needs to be worked on, split the chores up into geographical sections. For example, if your bed of roses needs to be weeded AND fertilized AND watered AND sprayed for aphids, force yourself to stay focused on that area until you've achieved everything that needs to be done.
  
  
• Utilize smart gardening tools, accessories and products that help make your time in the garden easier and more efficient. For example, Bayer 2 in 1 Systemic Rose & Flower Care is effective and safe as both an insecticide and fungicide.
  
  
• For all of you 9-5ers, try to avoid being a "Weekend Warrior Gardener." That is, spread your gardening chores throughout the week whenever possible. An hour here or there will take a big chunk out of your weekend duties, and besides, a bit of gardening is quite relaxing at the end of a long day spent in a stuffy office.
  
  
• McAdam Garden Center will deliver compost, topsoil and mulch during the week along with bagged goods to save you a trip!

Featured product: NRG Weeder and Cultivator

• NRG Weeder
  -Perfect tool for removing dandelions and other tough-to-get weed roots.
  -Sharp serrated blade easily slides through compacted earth.
  -Curved fulcrum pops out deep, tough weeds.
  -Seed reservoir and planting channel guides herb and other small seeds exactly where you need them.
• NRG Cultivator
  -Unique shape angles tines into soil for deep cultivation.
  -Tines ridged along the pulling edge for easy cultivation.
  - Precision tool for working small spaces.
  -Made strong to pull out stubborn roots.