Here are tips on how to get the party started. Garden Party for Memorial Day Need some ideas on how to celebrate Memorial Day in the garden? We’re here to help. Plan Ahead To make any party a success, be sure to plan ahead. Start with a guest list and invitations (if social distancing is still in place, keep the invites limited to less than 10 people). Invites can be mailed out or just emailed to friends and family....

Can You Grow Spider Plants in Water? Many houseplants are easy to grow in water for a period of time, such as Pothos and spider plants. Taking cuttings or offsets is an easy way to propagate a favorite plant. These cuttings root quickly in just a glass of water. Once rooting is established, the new plant needs nutrients for future development. Plain old water is unlikely to sustain the cutting for very long....

Growing Info and Care of Aquarium Plants Sometimes called hydrophytes, these different types of aquarium plants offer such a variety of shape and form. It’s entirely possible you’ll want to create an underwater garden without the fish! For the best and easiest care of aquarium plants, your tank should receive plenty of light. Like their surface-bound cousins, these plants need the energy produced through photosynthesis to survive and photosynthesis can’t occur without sunlight or an artificial substitute....

Growing Herbs for Health As a type of alternative medicine, herbal remedies contain chemical compounds which comprise the active ingredients of an herbal treatment. Since these compounds can react with traditional medications, it’s advisable to discuss natural remedies with a doctor before embarking on a routine of herbal treatment. Additionally, growing herbs for health and beauty can produce varying results depending upon when and how the herbs are grown, harvested, and used....

Can You Grow Eggplants Indoors? Some people call them aubergines, but by any name eggplants are a dining treat. Growing eggplants inside is a bit tricky because it is difficult to provide enough heat and candle hours of light. The obvious solution is to build a grow system that not only enhances heat but includes grow lights. It still might not result in fruit, but you will have an elegant eggplant as a houseplant....

Birdbath Planter Ideas Maybe there are no birdbaths on your property at all but you’d like to include one somewhere in hopes you might entice part of a migrating flock. There are numerous DIY ideas available that include a bird bathing tray on top and a wide range of foliage plants, flowers, or both planted on a different level. You can put together your own ideas for creating birdbath flowerpots. If necessary, you can even start with a new birdbath for your project or if there is not a used one available....

Choosing Tulips for the Garden Spring bulbs like tulips already have an embryo flower tucked away inside. This embryo is just waiting to begin growing. When choosing tulip bulbs, make sure they are fat and firm. Avoid any bulbs that are soft, flabby, moldy, or whose papery cover is missing. You will want to purchase your tulip bulbs in late August or early September (late summer/early fall), but wait to plant them until mid-autumn....

Vegetable Show Planning One of the biggest challenges of growing vegetables for show is harvesting them at peak maturity for the opening day of the vegetable show. Planning is essential to get the timing correct. This begins with picking up an entry book or finding the competition rules and requirements online. Here’s some additional tips to get you started: Read the rules and requirements carefully. Look at the availability of classes and take note of all entry deadlines and requirements....

Vegetable Gardening in Zone 3 Both fresh organic produce and herbs can be grown in zone 3 from May through to the middle of October provided the gardener has selected cool weather varieties and gives the crops protection from frost. Crops growing well in warmer zones 5-8 may not succeed in zone 3, as the ground just doesn’t heat up enough to garner sweet melons, corn, or peppers. Growing them in containers, however, may provide possibilities....

Hanging Container Lettuce Hanging basket lettuce makes an attractive accent to any home or office and takes up virtually no floor space. All you need for growing hanging lettuce is a sunny balcony or southern facing window that receives six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. This method also works great for gardeners searching for an easy way to grow slug free greens. How to Make a Hanging Lettuce Basket To grow lettuce in hanging baskets you’ll need to gather a few supplies:...

What is a Plant Growth Regulator? A plant growth regulator (PGR) is a natural chemical substance produced by plants, also called a plant hormone, that directs or influences some aspect of a plant’s growth and development. It may guide the growth or differentiation of cells, organs, or tissues. These substances operate by acting like chemical messengers traveling between cells in a plant and play a role in root growth, fruit drop, and other processes....

Should You Deadhead Geraniums? The first step in determining whether you should deadhead geranium plants is conducting some further research on the specific species you are growing. Though common bedding geraniums are often found at garden centers, there are actually hundreds of types within the genus Geranium. Furthermore, the use of the term “geranium” as a common name can lead to further confusion regarding their growth and maintenance. Fortunately, deadheading is considered to be beneficial to most annual plants — more specifically, those which are repeat bloomers....

Growing Sage from Seed Whether you’re adding sage plants to the garden for the first time or you need to replace woody ones, growing sage from seed might be your first thought. Sage plants can be started indoors in early spring or direct-seeded outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. It’s best to sow sage seeds thinly, then cover them with 1/8 inch (.3 cm.) of fine soil. Keep the area moist, but not soggy, as it can take two to three weeks for sage seeds to germinate....

The good news is that there are simple ways of controlling bees in hummingbird feeders, although you may still have a few that stick around. Keeping Bees from Hummingbird Feeders Controlling hummingbird pests in feeders is sometimes necessary in order to prevent issues later. Bees and wasps at a hummingbird feeder is no different. Here are some tips for managing bees and wasps at your hummingbird feeder. Invest in a couple of “no-insect” feeders....

Powdery Mildew on Houseplants Powdery mildew on houseplants is a fungal disease. Initially, it produces circular powdery white spots on the foliage of plants. As the disease spreads, the entire plant material can be affected with the fluffy white fungus. Over time parts of the plant will succumb to the disease and die. It is very contagious and, once one part is affected, it will infect the rest of the plant if not checked....

Growing Junipers in Zone 3 Gardens Once established, junipers are drought tolerant. All prefer full sun, although a few types will tolerate very light shade. Nearly any type of soil is fine as long as it’s well-drained and never soggy. Here’s a list of suitable junipers for zone 3. Spreading Zone 3 Junipers Arcadia – this juniper reaches only 12 to 18 inches (30-45 cm.) and its nice green color and creeping growth makes it a great ground cover in the garden....

In addition to their attractive blooms, the foliage remains green throughout the growing season before turning into a rich bronze color in fall. How to Grow Liatris Plants Growing liatris plants is easy. These prairie wildflowers provide many uses in the garden. You can grow them nearly anywhere. You can grow them in beds, borders and even containers. They make excellent cut flowers, fresh or dried. They attract butterflies. They’re relatively pest resistant....

What are Deciduous Trees and Shrubs? Deciduous trees and shrubs are some of the most beautiful elements in the home landscape. They range in size, form, and color and shed their leaves each fall before they go to sleep for the winter. The term deciduous is a fitting name for these plants as the word means, “tending to fall off.” Deciduous shrub varieties and trees shed the part that they no longer need to survive for the season....

When you find African violet pests attacking your favorite potted plants, you need to take appropriate action. Read on for information on managing African violet insects, including tips for African violet aphid control. About African Violet Pests African violets have come a long way from their native home in the coastal woods of east Africa. Their vibrant blossoms in blues, pinks, and lavenders can be seen on window sills everywhere since they have become one of the most popular house plants in our country....

Often, a peace lily won’t flower no matter how you care for it. This can be frustrating but there is a very good reason for this condition. Peace Lily Facts Peace lilies are members of the same family as philodendrons, both of which are Aroids. They are very popular tropical houseplants. Peace lily’s flower is especially appealing set amongst the dark green leaves. It lasts for at least a month but eventually fades and dies....