We are glad to report that this is absolutely false. Not only can you put citrus peelings in a compost pile, they are good for your compost too. Composting Citrus Peels Citrus peelings have gotten a bad rap in composting due in part to the fact that it can take a long time for the peels to break down. You can speed up how fast citrus in compost breaks down by cutting up the peels into small pieces....

Codling moths are common pests of apples and pears, but may also attack crabapples, walnuts, quince, and some other fruits. These small unassuming moths are dangerous to commercial crops and can cause extensive fruit damage. Actually, it is the moth’s progeny, the larva, which cause the damage while feeding. Controlling codling moths is important to prevent the spread of the insects and widespread orchard damage. Fruit trees need to be treated according to the codling moth life cycle to be the most effective....

Succulent Container Ideas One of my favorite plant groups are the succulents because there is an endless variety of form, color and texture available in these easy-to-grow plants. Creating cunning vignettes with succulents adds even more charm to already charismatic plants. Creative containers for succulents highlight their allure and enchant the eye. Many unusual items make exceptional pots for growing succulent plants while providing a functional container. Look around your house and see what you can find that would make unusual containers for succulents....

How to Get Rid of Dandelions There are several methods for dandelion control. All methods for dandelion removal must be performed every year. Due to the fact that dandelion seeds can travel several miles on the wind, it is difficult, if not impossible, to have permanent removal of this weed from a garden or lawn. How to Kill Dandelions with Herbicide There are two basic types of herbicide that can be used on dandelions....

Pine Tip Blight Overview Pine tip blight is a fungus that frequently attacks trees that are planted outside their natural range. The disease travels by spores, which require water as an activating substance. Tip blight of pine overwinters on needles, cankers, and two-year-old cones, which is the reason older trees are more frequently infected. Tip blight fungus can become active in a wide range of temperatures and will begin producing spores within a year of infection....

Boxwood wreath ideas can include Christmas items for a seasonal decoration, but this lovely greenery isn’t holiday specific. The lovely shape of the leaves makes a DIY boxwood wreath suitable for hanging anytime of the year, both inside and outside the home. What is a Boxwood Wreath? Boxwood is a versatile and popular landscape shrub typically found throughout USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8, with some varieties being cold hardy to zone 3 and others tolerating the heat of zones 9 and 10....

Growers who experience extended periods of high temperatures and drought throughout the growing season may find the task of choosing vines even more difficult. However, one type of vine – the yellow morning glory yuca – is able to thrive under adverse garden conditions with relative ease. Yuca Vine Information While commonly referred to as yellow morning glory yuca (Merremia aurea), it is actually not a type of morning glory at all, though it is in the same family....

Fertilizing Grapevines Prior to Planting If you are still in the planning stages with regards to grapevines, now is the time to amend the soil. Use a home testing kit to determine the makeup of your soil. Generally, but dependent upon the grape variety, you want a soil pH of 5.5 to 7.0 for optimal growth. To raise a soil pH, add dolomitic limestone; to lower a pH, amend with sulfur following the manufacturer’s instructions....

How to Grow Veggies in the Winter Warmth and sunshine are the two must-haves for a successful winter garden. Cold-hardy vegetables can survive below-freezing temperatures overnight. But for these veggies to grow, they need a minimum of 40 degrees F. (4.4 C.) and approximately 6 hours of sunlight during the day. Location determines the amount of sunlight your winter garden will recieve. When planting a winter vegetable garden in late summer or early fall, take into account that the days are shorter and the sun resides lower in the sky during the winter months....

Methods of Graffiti Paint Removal Freedom of speech is an inalienable right, but does it have to occur on your trees? When graffiti taggers hit your trees, the result is not only unsightly but it can convey unsavory messages. Additionally, some paints can cause toxic damage to trees and clog the lenticels which are necessary for tree respiration. Getting graffiti off a tree safely requires some scrubbing and careful monitoring of the plant’s health....

Common Zone 8 Annual Flowers Zone 8 is defined by a common low winter temperature, so there is a lot of variation in rainfall and summer high temperatures. The zone extends along the west coast of the U.S., through parts of the southwest, across much of Texas, through the southeast, and into North Carolina. This is a great zone for growing flowers, and there are plenty common zone 8 annuals to choose from....

Cacti and Succulent Info Cacti are associated with the desert, and many thrive in regions of Central and South America. Other cacti, though, come from as far north as Canada, and many are even native to the rainforests. Like bromeliads, a lot of cacti are epiphytes, and the cacti that are forest-dwelling species grow over forest trees. The desert-dwelling variety of cacti can survive for really long periods of time without rainfall....

A Growing Garden Hobby At first I wasn’t sure where to begin, but it didn’t take long before my gardening addiction grew. I was surrounded each day by the scent of fresh soil and an ever-growing display of plants waiting to be placed within the hoards of pots stacked near my feet. I was given a crash course in the care and propagation of numerous plants. The more I learned about gardening, the more I wanted to learn....

Growing Olive Trees Think of olive trees and one visualizes the warm sunny Mediterranean, but olive trees can be grown in North America as well. Most aptly suited to areas which are prone to high heat and plenty of sunshine, the olive tree should be planted outside and once established is fairly low maintenance. Olive trees have lovely silver leaves, which will compliment many other plantings of the garden but are also grown for their fruit....

Choosing Plants for Slopes and Banks The first steps to planting a sloping area are to evaluate the pitch and runoff. If the pitch is more than 30 degrees, it might be a good idea to terrace the area to prevent topsoil from eroding and all moisture evacuating every time you water or it rains. Once you have solved any moisture retention and erosion problems, it is time to evaluate the site further for exposure and zone, and plan what plants grow on slopes....

In order to successfully get a harvest before the freezing weather comes, you have to know when to plant chard in autumn. For a fall harvest, timing is everything, so plants have time to mature before eating. When to Plant Chard in Autumn Swiss chard is one of the wonderful foods you can plant in early spring for a summer harvest or in early summer for a late season crop....

Can You Use Guinea Pig Manure? So can you use guinea pig manure as fertilizer in the garden? Yes, you can. These small rodents, along with other common household pets such as gerbils and hamsters, are omnivores, eating both plants and animal proteins (mainly from insects). That being said, those kept as pets are typically fed a plant-based diet with much of their proteins and minerals obtained from specialized food, often in the form of pellets....

How Often Should I Water a Hanging Basket? Hanging baskets are eye-popping beauties that draw the eye upward and create decorative spaces where normally plants don’t grow. They are also useful in bringing the garden closer to the patio, lanai or deck. Hanging basket water requirements are more defined than in-ground plants, because soil doesn’t harbor moisture and much of the water will void through drainage holes and from the container exterior....

About Zone 7 Herb Gardening When choosing herbs for zone 7, if you have your heart set on a particular perennial herb that isn’t suited to zone 7 herb gardening, you might want to try growing it in a container and then bring it indoors over winter. If the difference is minor, say between zones a and b, plant the herb in a protected area such as between two buildings in an alcove or between a solid fence and a building....

Diseases of heliconia usually arise from cultural issues and previously contaminated plant material. Read on for info on recognizing heliconia diseases and how to cure these magnificent plants. Heliconia Leaf Diseases Gardeners lucky enough to live in a zone where they can grow heliconia are in for a real treat. The beautiful bracts house minor flowers and yet are a standout on their own. Unfortunately, the leaves, roots, and rhizomes of these plants are prey to several plant diseases....