Lowcountry Gardens

HERE’S HOW TO PLANT YOUR VEGETABLE GARDEN

BY DEAN ROWLAND

Temperatures in the Lowcountry can be slightly temperamental, a few degrees here and there. Barring a dramatic swing in temps that rattles the thermometer, homeowners can safely mark their calendars with cool to warmer climes in the spring and warm to cooler climes in the fall. (March 15 is the traditional date for the last frost of the spring.) Planting vegetables too late in the spring or too early in the fall poses risks that are naturally inherent: plant yields, maturity, weather damage, negligence, etc.

HERE’S HOW TO KEEP YOUR GRASS HEALTHY

BY DEAN ROWLAND

An oasis of greenery greets homeowners and guests from Bluffton to the island.

The lushness of Bermuda grass in the sun, St. Augustine turf in the shade and Empire everywhere are plentiful in the Lowcountry.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CONTAINER GARDENING

BY DEAN ROWLAND | PHOTOS SUPPLIED 

The greening of the Lowcountry in early spring invites dreaming about gardening and the bounty of fruits, vegetables and flowers the soil provides.

But there is an alternative to getting down and dirty and contending with insects, weeds, poor soil and the investment of time, risks and expense outside: container gardening.

HOUSE PLANTS THAT FLOURISH AT HOME

Beautiful, and functional, indoor greenery can improve your home space, enhance your mood and purity the air with popular options that will have you breathing easy. 

“Every plant is different, just like every child is different,” said certified master gardener and Hilton Head’s The Greenery greenhouse supervisor Erin Carpenter.

THE PERFECT SUMMER GARDEN

A flourishing garden makes for a cheerful grower. We invited local landscape and nursery experts to impart their green-thumb wisdom on healthy soil, proper moisture and the best way to harness that balmy Lowcountry sun.

“When first starting out, you need to know your sunlight,” says Bruno Landscape and Nursery manager Jordan Bruno. “After that, we just have fun exploring ideas.”

OUTDOOR PROJECTS THAT EXPAND YOUR LIVING SPACE

Spring is upon us and it’s time to take entertaining and lounging outside so we can take full advantage of the beautiful Lowcountry weather. 

This time of year, everyone is busy sprucing up their outdoor space and planning those projects they’ve been putting off. One of the most popular outdoor projects is the incorporation of those key elements you love about the interior of your home and mimicking them on the exterior. Think cozy outdoor living rooms, fire features, outdoor kitchen and bars. 

The change of season is a chance to enjoy the bloom of gorgeous autumn flowers. From vibrant colors to sweet scents, these flowers are pleasant to plant.

The vision was always about color. Bright colors. Inviting colors. Blue, purple, yellow. A little fuchsia.

When Jeremiah Dunn, owner of Greenscape Services in Bluffton, was tasked with updating the landscaping at a Hilton Head homeowner’s property in the Moss Creek community, he knew he wanted to make it stand out. “We wanted to make this special,” Dunn said.

BLUFFTON’S MAY RIVER MONTESSORI SCHOOL ADAPTS AND PRODUCES

This spring, the organic garden at May River Montessori School was bigger and better than ever. Kale, swiss chard, carrots, radishes and other crops planted by the students were almost ready to harvest, and the tomato plants the school sells were growing stronger in greenhouses.

Then the coronavirus hit and May River Montessori, like all other schools in South Carolina, had to close.