Training Roses on Structures Just as it is with raising our children, it is of the utmost importance to start early on in helping guide them towards the proper way to go, training them to follow a good path. First on the list with roses is to pick the area and structure desired for the climbing roses. Suitable areas consist of good sunshine, well-drained soil, and a place in need of an eye-catching focal point....

Help, My Garlic Fell Over! First things first. I’m stating the obvious for most garlic growers, but here goes. When garlic is reaching maturation, the leaves begin to sag and brown. You end up with garlic plants drooping. If you do a quick math calculation to figure out how many months it has been since you planted the garlic, you may just realize that it’s nearing harvest time. If you’re still in doubt and your memory is like mine (that is like a sieve), simply pull up one of droopy plants....

About Glyphosate Herbicide There are over 750 products available in the United States that contain glyphosate, with Roundup being the most widely used. The way it works is by preventing a plant from making certain proteins that it needs for growth. It is a non-selective product that is absorbed in plant leaves and stems. It does not affect animals because they synthesize amino acids differently. Glyphosate herbicide products can be found as salts or acids and need to be mixed with a surfactant, which allows the product to stay on the plant....

Kale Uses and Benefits Have you wondered what to do with kale that’s growing in your garden? Kale is chocked full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. There is no doubt health-conscientious gardeners are growing this leafy green as a means to improve their diets. Yet, growing kale and using kale are two different undertakings. So, let’s explore how to use kale in the kitchen: Kale chips– This healthy alternative to potato chips is simply addictive....

Why Are Vegetables Popping Up in Compost? The simple answer to “why are vegetables popping up in compost” is because you are composting seeds, or rather not composting them. You either belong to the lazy group of people, such as myself, and just toss everything into your compost, or your compost is not superheating to a high enough temperature that will deter the seeds from sprouting. How to Prevent Veggie Sprouts in Compost Keep in mind the mechanics of the compost pile....

What is a Clove Pink Plant? Gardeners with tiny spaces to fill and sunny locations would do well to try growing clove pink flowers. Not only do the plants have a dense tufted form, but the attractive, heavily scented flowers have a long herbal history – both in medicine and as edible garnish and flavoring. Clove pink herb plants are also tolerant of a wide range of soil situations and marine regions, as well as mildly polluted zones....

Can I Grow Wheat at Home? It is very possible to grow your own wheat. It seems like a daunting task given the specialized equipment and large farms that commercial wheat farmers utilize, but the fact is that there are a couple of fallacies regarding growing wheat yourself that have turned even the most die-hard gardener from the idea. First off, most of us think you would need acres and acres to produce even a little bit of flour....

An evergreen is a tree that keeps its foliage year-round. There are two types of evergreens – narrowleaf or needled, such as pine and yew; and broadleaf, such as azalea and boxwood. The narrowleaf evergreens are usually sought for their foliage, while broadleaf evergreens are typically planted for flowers, fruit, and foliage. Trimming evergreen bushes can be minimized with the selection and placement of the proper plant for the space....

White Mold Information Fungal diseases come in all shapes and sizes, but white mold is one of the more common varieties that affects food and flower crops. In fact, it affects more than 400 species of plants, with the broadest impact on economic crops. The symptoms of white mold can mimic many types of disease. It is not until you get up close and identify its mycelia that a confirmed diagnosis can be made....

About Powdery Mildew Fungus of Lilac There’s nothing like the scent of lilac in the spring, but the amazing smell that reminds so many of us of our grandmother’s and their gardens often comes with tricky diseases like powdery mildew. If you see white powder on lilac leaves, it doesn’t mean your bush is at the end, but unless you correct the underlying cause, it can become a chronic condition that weakens your bush over time....

Can you plant hydrangeas in the fall? You can. And though the common wisdom is that you can plant hydrangeas in fall or spring, we think fall is the better idea. Read on to find out why. Meet the Hydrangea When you hear someone speaking of hydrangeas, do you automatically think of the bigleaf? Those snowball-size blossoms, (Hydrangea macrophylla), are so amazing that the bigleaf is one of the most popular types of hydrangea, and they can turn from blue to pink depending on how you amend the soil....

While some flowers are easily started from seed in spring, growers may find themselves frustrated by other types which fail to germinate. A common reason for this is that the seeds’ required conditions for growth have not been met. These requirements can include exposure to light, moisture, soil temperature, and even prolonged exposure to cold. Prolonged exposure to cold, often referred to as cold stratification, can help growers improve both rates of germination and overall seed starting success....

How to Prepare Vegetable Garden Beds for Winter The first order of business when getting the garden ready for winter is sanitation. Remove any spent crop detritus and compost. Break everything down into smaller pieces and mix in shredded leaves to create a balance of nitrogen to speed up decomposition. Do not incorporate any plants that show signs of disease or insect problems, as they will infiltrate the compost pile and cause future problems....

Can you compost yard waste? Yes, you can compost yard waste together with kitchen waste as long as you look out for weeds and maintain a proper balance. If you are ready to use yard waste as compost, read on. Can You Compost Yard Waste? Composting is a win-win endeavor, ridding the garden of dead leaves and clippings while, at the same time, creating organic compost. While you can buy this product at the garden store, why not make your own for free by learning to compost garden waste?...

About Growing Tomatoes in Zone 9 The neat thing about zone 9 tomato plants is that you can start the seeds directly outside. That said, you will almost always have better outcome if you transplant seedlings. Tomatoes for zone 9 can be started indoors for later transplant as early as late January through April and again in August. Tomatoes come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny cherry and grape to the enormous slicing heirlooms and somewhere in the middle, the romas....

What is Aquascaping? In gardening, landscaping is all about designing your surroundings. With aquascaping, you’re simply doing the same thing but in an aquatic setting – typically in aquariums. This can be a fun way to create an underwater landscape with plants growing in natural curves and slopes. Fish and other aquatic creatures can be included too. Most fish species work well with these underwater landscapes but some top choices include tetras, discus, angelfish, Australian rainbows, and livebearers....

Arnica Herb Uses What is arnica herb for? Arnica has been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Today, the roots and flowers are used in topical treatments such salves, liniments, ointments, tinctures and creams that soothe tired muscles, relieve bruises and sprains, ease the itch of insect bites, soothe burns and minor wounds, promote hair growth and reduce inflammation. Although the herb is usually applied topically, homeopathic remedies with highly diluted amounts of the herb are available in pill form....

General Life Cycle of a Plant Learning about the life cycle of a flowering plant can be fascinating, especially for kids. Start by explaining what a seed is. All seeds contain new plants, called embryos. Most seeds have an outer cover, or seed coat, which protects and nourishes the embryo. Show them examples of the various types of seeds, which come in many shapes and sizes. Use handouts, which can be filled out and colored, to help kids with seed and plant anatomy....

About American Beachgrass Beachgrass is found from Newfoundland to North Carolina. The plant is in the grass family and produces spreading rhizomes, which allow the plant to entrench itself and help stabilize soils. It is considered a dune grass and thrives in dry, salty soil with little nutrient base. In fact, the plant thrives in seaside gardens. Using beachgrass for landscaping in areas with similar environmental situations protects important habitats and delicate hills and dunes....

Accidents happen. If your prized flower or plant container has been smashed or cracked, there are ways to resuscitate it. Keep reading for ideas on how to repair a broken container, or use the shards in creative projects. Broken Planter Ideas Methods to fix broken planters vary and are subject to the amount of damage the container has sustained. For a severely smashed broken flower pot, you might not be able to put it back together, but you can use the pieces for fun crafts....