Rae'n Gardens

07/27/2026

I'm not an arborist but I know shenanigans when I see them.

One of the amazing things about trees is their ability to compartmentalize damaged or infected wood (CODIT).
It appears that this tree suffered some sort of damage that ate away at the heart wood (inner wood) but it still thrives because the vessels that transmit nutrients and water (Xylem and Phloem) exist just under the bark layer with the cambium.

It was once common practice to fill voids with material, thinking that it would aid in protecting the tree.

DO NOT DO THIS!

I am going to award points for creativity anyway as this definitely made me stop and get out of my car

06/23/2026

Did you know that lightning fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil so plants can access it?

06/15/2026

06/09/2026

We've been slowly mapping out some dry creek beds on our property and these wet days are really helpful in showing us exactly where the water wants to go. The goal is always to work WITH nature, make it easier for her to do her job while making less work for ourselves in the long run. Stay tuned for the transformation!

06/04/2026

This friend's bed needed some spring love and we were more than happy to dig in! The Japanese Maple got a haircut to remove a bunch of dead and damaged branches, and then had a little more taken off to keep foliage off the ground and from pressing into the side of the house-Now she can breathe!
Everyone has their preferences and reasons and that is perfectly reasonable, but hearing the concerns about constant w**ding in this bed, we recommended to remove the lava rock used as mulch and replace it with thick cardboard and mulch. Worried about termites? Cedar mulch repels and smells great!
I can't wait to get back at it and bring this bed to it's full potential!

06/04/2026

Yesterday we performed emergency surgery on a couple of apple trees suspected of disease. Care was taken to sanitize tools after every cut as we methodically traced diseased branches back to decide where to cut. We walked the owner through our steps so they understood what we were looking for and why we made what cuts we did. We ensured to collect all branches and leaves on a tarp to minimize spread and gave the owner suggested tips on how to spray to possibly help prevent further infection.
We aim to build a relationship with our clients through transparency and education. We aren't just here to clean up your yard (unless that's all you need!), but to spread our knowledge and share our joy of gardening with you!

05/22/2026

Are your garden chores piling up? We can help! Sometimes a little w**ding (what is a w**d to you?), edging, and pruning can go a long way!

05/16/2026

Spring cleanup is easier when you know what actually wants cutting 🌱 A few reminders:
✂️ Cut back ornamental grasses, sedum, salvia, asters, bee balm, and Russian sage
🌸 Leave spring bloomers like lilac and forsythia alone until after flowering
🍃 Remove dead or mushy growth first
🌿 Don’t cut peonies too low if new shoots are already coming up
🐝 When in doubt, go slow and trim in stages
I like doing spring cleanup a little at a time so I don’t accidentally remove this year’s flowers.

05/11/2026

Pet peeve of the day-Girdling! Those beautiful and fragrant Honeysuckle? Virginia creeper? Bittersweet? These vines can take down an entire tree by essentially choking it out. Just underneath the bark of a tree is the cambium where the plant transfers it's nutrients and as it grows, whatever is in it's way will be consumed and those pathways will be cut off. It can be tedious to rip these vines down so at least give them a snip at the base to prevent any further growth. Or give me a call and I'll tackle those messy jobs for you!

05/03/2026

Planting around trees always calls for meticulous work with hand tools to ensure I don't damage any roots. This Sycamore will provide excellent shade for this Bleeding Heart, Brunnera, and Hosta! A quick trip to the nursery for some annuals to fill in the gaps and she'll pop!