My "Columbus Dispatch" articles

I can’t help it; I love newspapers.
​Maybe that’s like saying I love brontosauruses or rotary-dial phones, but at least newspapers aren’t quite extinct yet.
It’s still a thrill for me to write a weekly gardening column for The Columbus Dispatch, the largest newspaper in Ohio.
Summaries and links to my columns starting in 2016 are available below; skim through the list, and you'll probably find a topic or two that strike your fancy.
For columns before 2016, visit www.dispatch.com and type “Diana Lockwood” into the search window; you’ll get a menu of my work from the past several years.

Please note: Readers who are not Dispatch subscribers receive free access to a limited number of online articles per month. If you want to read more than that, you must pay to subscribe.
(Hey, Dispatch big shots: Would you consider some kind of commission for any new readers that I send your way?)
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Earth-friendly trends

A roundup of trends yields a common theme: sustainability. Appreciating seeds, reporting invasive species and harvesting rainwater are all in the news. (5/29/16; photo: Walters Gardens)

Summer bulbs

Tulips and daffodils may be but a distant memory, but summer-flowering bulbs are vying for your attention. Gladiolus, anyone? (5/22/16; photo: National Garden Bureau)

Back in style

As interest in heirloom plants takes off, everything old is new again. “Antique” varieties of both edibles and ornamentals are enjoying a resurgence. (5/15/16; photo: National Garden Bureau)

Hold everything

Wicker? Metal? Or maybe good old terra cotta? Picking the right container means understanding what your plants need and what look you're after. (5/8/16; photo: Proven Winners)

All out for alliums

Ornamental alliums never fail to turn heads. Gardeners love them, but deer and other pests can't stand them. And they're easy to grow. (5/1/16; photo: Walters Gardens)

Roses for noses

Most roses appeal to the eye, but only some to the nose. Here's a primer on those that boast a certain special quality: luscious fragrance. (4/24/16; photo: David Austin Roses)

Beautiful bulbs

“Thrilling” is an understatement for tulips, daffodils and other flowering bulbs. Read about adding these low-maintenance beauties to your own garden. (4/17/16; photo: Colorblends)

Spring cleanup

Beautiful Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio, shares tips on spring chores in the garden -- from flower beds to lawns.  (4/10/16; photo: Dawes Arboretum)

Bon appetit

Edible flowers -- such as these charming violas -- are easy to grow and fun to use in a variety of sweet and savory dishes.  (4/3/16; photo: Proven Winners)

Streams need your help

Learn about simple steps that you can take to help improve water quality in your community.  (3/27/16; photo: Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District)

Tips for eager gardeners

It's still too early for many outdoor tasks, but gardeners itching to get their fingers in the soil can find plenty to do.  (3/20/16; photo: mrsgardenperson.com)

Annuals that like it cool

It's not to soon to start planting colorful annuals. Pansies may be the most well-known, but dianthus, osteospermum and sweet alyssum also like cool weather.  (3/13/16; photo: National Garden Bureau)

Companions in containers

Companion planting isn't just for garden beds; you can also try the technique in containers. Zinnias growing in pots, for instance, attract pollinators galore. (3/6/16; photo: National Garden Bureau)

Forcing branches to bloom indoors

Invite spring into your home a little early by cutting some branches from flowering shrubs and encouraging them to bloom -- a process called "forcing." (2/28/16; photo: Proven Winners)

With seeds, timing is everything

Whether you plan to sow veggie seeds directly outdoors or start them indoors and then transplant outside, first consult your calendar. (2/21/16; photo: National Garden Bureau)

Plants and colors to seek out 

The shade of blue in this hydrangea has been declared a color of the year for 2016. In other briefs, read about some new ornamentals that have promise.  (2/14/16; photo: Proven Winners)

Nap-worthy hammocks

Get ready for lazy summer afternoons by choosing a hammock that suits your yard and your personal style. Here's a look at a variety of choices from different retailers. (2/7/16; photo: L.L.Bean)

Exciting new ornamental plants

Xanthos cosmos, with soft-yellow petals, is an easy-to-grow annual. Other notable introductions include a burgundy-hued hellebore and a compact Russian sage. (1/31/16; photo: Fleuroselect)

Top performers at Ohio State

The summer trials of annual plants at Ohio State University test hundreds of entries. Those that shone in 2015 included super-floriferous Solmar Yellow zinnia. (1/24/16; photo: OSU)

A book of hope and healing

Jenny Peterson, the author of The Cancer Survivor's Garden Companion, offers practical advice, genuine empathy and heartfelt inspiration. (1/17/16; photo: Jenny Peterson)

All America Selections

Summer Jewel Lavender, a type of salvia, is one of the latest plants honored by All America Selections, an independent, nonprofit organization.  (1/10/16; photo: AAS)

Aloha, and wow

A colorful variegated banana is one of the countless specimens that beguile visitors to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, located on the Big Island. (1/3/16; photo: HTB Garden)