Identifying Cilantro Powdery Mildew White, fluffy growth on the leaves of a cilantro plant signify an outbreak of a fungus, powdery mildew. Powdery mildew of cilantro is unlikely to kill the plant but does make it less productive and the leaves can develop an “off” flavor. The fungus appears on leaves and stems. Simple cultivation tips early in the season, as well as an understanding of why powdery mildew on cilantro occurs, can help nip this fungus in the bud....

Pre-emergence weed killers are used on established lawns as part of an annual effort to combat plant pests. What are pre-emergent herbicides? These chemical compositions are used before weeds take hold to kill off infant root systems and keep them from growing. Learn how pre-emergent herbicides work so you can decide if they are the right method for you. What are Pre-Emergent Herbicides? Pre-emergence weed killers are used before you see the weeds to prevent them from showing up in the garden or lawn....

While you can’t stop cats from killing birds entirely, there are some things you can do proactively in your landscape that will go a long way in keeping garden birds safe. Keeping Birds Safe from Your Feline When it comes to protecting birds in the garden from your own pampered cat, the best idea is to keep the animal indoors. That said, cats are famous escape artists and even the most cautious owner has been known to have an escapee on occasion....

If the foliage of your lovely Norfolk pine is turning brown or yellow, jump in and try to determine the cause. Although most browning Norfolk pine foliage results from problems with cultural care, it may also indicate diseases or pests. Read on for information on how to figure out the cause of yellow/brown Norfolk pine branches. Yellow/Brown Norfolk Pine Troubleshooting Whenever you spot yellow/brown Norfolk pine foliage, your first and best step is to walk through the cultural care you are giving your houseplant....

How Much Does Sod Cost? One of the biggest questions when thinking about installing sod is “How much does sod cost?” While this usually depends on the type of grass and how much is needed, it typically costs anywhere from 7 to 35 cents a square foot (0.1 sq. m.), in addition to installation fees. Laying sod is time consuming, taking hours to install; therefore, professionally installed lawns can cost between $300 and $1,000 or more....

Favorite Shrubs for Southern Gardens Use flowering shrubs as single specimens for a focal point in the front landscape or as an attractive border that provides privacy. A shrub border may also block noise from street traffic or noisy neighbors. Take advantage of a mixed border to add all your coordinating favorites. Classic Southern Azalea In the Southeast, these sometimes-fragrant blooms are a staple in many beds and gardens. Azalea shrubs come in a variety of types and a range of colors....

Spring Checklist While it is a fact that a spring checklist may vary from region to region due to weather and temperatures, there are some garden tasks for spring that everyone should undertake. Spring garden chores will include general maintenance, propagation, fertilizing, and getting a jump on handling pests and weeds. Spring is also a great time to plant bare root trees and plants. Garden Tasks for Spring Depending upon your area, the ground might be particularly boggy....

What are Stuffer Tomato Plants? As the name implies, stuffer tomato plants bear hollow tomatoes for stuffing. Hollow tomato fruit is not a new-fangled idea. In fact, it’s an heirloom enjoying a resurging popularity. During my childhood, a popular dish at the time was stuffed peppers or tomatoes, wherein the interior of the fruit was hollowed out and stuffed with tuna salad or other filling that was often baked. Unfortunately, when a tomato is stuffed and cooked, it usually becomes a gloppy mess....

About Calamint Plants Calamint plants are thick stemmed, bushy herbs that spread from rhizomes like most mint plants. The leaves are heavily veined and highly textured, many sporting ridges and most with hairy or fuzzy foliage. Some types of calamint may be 4 to 24 inches (10-61 cm.) tall and bloom in mid to late summer with some varieties flowering in fall. Flowers are two-lipped slender tubes in hues that range from purple to red and into white and cream....

Types of Giant Garden Vegetables Do some research and decide what giant veggie varieties you would like to attempt to grow. There is quite a variety beyond the gigantic pumpkin, although those are quite dramatic with the world’s record going to a 1,400 pound behemoth. Giant veggie varieties of broccoli (35 lbs., 16 kg.), carrot (19 lbs., 8.5 kg.), beet (43 lbs., 19 kg.), celery (49 lbs, 22 kg.), and red cabbage (45 lbs, 20 kg....

What is Micro Gardening? Indoor or urban micro container gardening is the practice of cultivating vegetables, herbs, roots and tubers in small spaces. These gardening spaces might be balconies, small yards, patios, or rooftops which make use of containers – anything from plastic-lined wooden crates, old car tires, plastic buckets, trash cans, and wooden pallets to purchased “nourishmats” and polypropylene bags. Small scale hydroponic systems are another option as well as aeroponics, growing plants in hanging containers with little to no soil, or aquaponics, which is growing plants (or fish) directly in water....

As someone that feels the need to reuse or upcycle nearly anything I can, bars of soap are no exception. And as a gardener, there’s always a need to use soap in one form or another. Soap for Garden Pests Okay, if you garden, you’re no stranger to bug bites. I know I’m not. Anytime I step outside the house, it’s a safe bet that mosquitoes and other pesky blood-sucking bugs will be feasting on me....

Can I Compost Cardboard? Yes, you can compost cardboard. In fact, cardboard waste makes up over 31 percent of landfills, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Composting cardboard is a practice that is becoming more popular now that people are beginning to realize the benefits of composting. Composting cardboard is perfect if you have just moved or you are cleaning up the attic. Types of Cardboard to Compost Composting cardboard, especially large boxes or individual sheets of cardboard, is not difficult as long as you set up and maintain your compost pile correctly....

The Differences Among Pumpkins, Squash and Gourds In the simplest terms, we carve pumpkins, cook squash and decorate with gourds. Yet, the lines between these three terms are somewhat blurred. Not all pumpkins are grown for jack-o-lanterns and some gourds can be eaten when young. Let’s unravel this mystery by first talking about the similarities between the three. They are all members of the Cucurbitaceae family. In addition to pumpkins, squash and gourds, this family is also home to cucumbers and melons....

There are about ten known species of Wisteria, with numerous cultivars associated with each that are native to the eastern United States and eastern Asia. One of my personal favorites is Kentucky wisteria (Wisteria macrostachya), the type my grandmother grew. Read on to learn more about caring for Kentucky wisteria vines in the garden. What is Kentucky Wisteria? Kentucky wisteria is notable because it is the hardiest of wisteria, with some of its cultivars rated for zone 4....

Mycorrhizal Activity The word “mycorrhiza” comes from the words myco, meaning fungus, and rhiza, meaning plant. The name is a good description of the mutually beneficial relationship between the two organisms. Here are a few of the advantages the plant receives from mycorrhizal activity: Increased resistance to drought Enhanced ability to absorb nutrients Better stress resistance Better seedling growth Cuttings that form a strong root structure Quick transplant establishment and growth...

As the weather begins to warm, many gardeners wonder what fertilizer to use in spring, and when to fertilize garden plants. The best fertilizer for spring can be determined accurately by using a soil test. This will tell you what nutrients and minerals might be lacking in your soil. Each plant’s needs vary, so it is also important to know the nutrient requirements of specific varieties. When to Fertilize in Spring As soil temperatures begin to increase, plants start to actively grow after a dormant period....

White Rust Disease – What is White Rust? What is white rust? It’s a disease that causes distinctive chalky white spore masses sometimes referred to as pustules that first show up on the underside of leaves. These blister-like masses, called sori, form under the leaf’s dermis (skin) and can’t be scraped off without damaging the leaf. The stem and leaves can become twisted and deformed. White rust disease can and will infect the floral parts as well....

Wildflower Gardening Most wildflower and native gardens are planted in borders and beds, sometimes along tree or property lines. A quick scan of your property and surrounding landscape will enable you to see exactly what plants thrive in your area. These plants and others with similar attributes will be the ideal choices for your desired wildflower gardening planting scheme. How to Use Wildflowers and Native Plants Typically, you’ll find the most wildflower species growing within woodland environments, and these are often the more commonly planted....

Yellow plants as a single color scheme greatly enliven the garden, especially when the area is small or shaded, brightening and enlarging the garden space. Yellow gardens also bring warmth to the landscape at those times of the year when the sun’s rays are not at their peaks, such as spring and autumn. How to Create a Yellow Garden When designing garden schemes with yellow plants, beware that a monochromatic planting can look unpleasant....