Tree Bark Function For all intents and purposes, tree bark is the skin of the tree. The main tree bark function is to protect the phloem layer. The phloem layer is like our own circulatory system. It brings the energy produced by the leaves to the rest of the tree. How Removing Tree Bark Affects a Tree Because the tree bark’s function is to protect the layer that brings food, when tree bark is scratched or damaged, this tender phloem layer below is also damaged....

Selecting Yew Plants for Zone 5 Deciduous plants offer springtime excitement, autumn color, and a range of forms, but evergreens have the tenacity and durable green beauty. Yew plants are shrubs to small trees which enliven the garden even in the middle of winter. There are many cold-hardy yews that fit the bill for zone 5, most of which are adapted to full or partial sun locations and even some shady areas....

Theory Behind Aspirin for Plant Growth The use of aspirin on plants appears to be beneficial, but the question is: why? Apparently, plants produce minute amounts of salicylic acid on their own when they are stressed. This tiny amount helps plants cope when they are under insect attack, dry, underfed, or maybe even experiencing a disease issue. The component helps boost the plant’s immune system, just like it does for us....

Planting Groundcover to Deter Deer In areas where deer are a problem, the long-term solution is to plant groundcovers that deer won’t eat. In general, groundcover plants deer leave alone are those with thorny or prickly leaves and stems, herbs with pungent aromas, plants with hairy leaves and poisonous plants. Deer like tender young leaves, buds and nutrient-rich vegetation. The key is finding deer-proof groundcovers that grow well in your area....

What are Bulb Flies? You may have seen bulb flies flitting about your garden and thought nothing of it. The narcissus bulb flies look a bit like tiny bumblebees and seem charmingly innocuous. The lesser bulb flies look like flies but still don’t seem very sinister. The true villains are the larvae of either species. Once eggs are laid and larvae hatch, they creep into soil and burrow into the base of the bulb....

What are Common Garlic Pests? Garlic has both natural fungicidal and pesticidal properties. That’s why many gardeners plant it near certain crops. Garlic contains the compound allicin, which is released when the cloves are crushed or bitten. Possibly, this is garlic’s defense mechanism, but whatever the case, it serves to deter some pests like aphids near lettuce. Apparently, they don’t love garlic as much as I do; they view it as more like the repellent it is to Dracula....

For instance, did you know that there are orange cauliflower, purple carrots, yellow raspberries, blue corn, and yellow cherries? I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel like I’ve been living a very sheltered existence. For starters, what are yellow cherries? I did not know that there were cherries that are yellow, and now I want to know more about yellow cherry varieties. What are Yellow Cherries? Not all cherries are red....

What is a Bottle Garden? Gardens in a bottle are essentially the same thing as terrariums. Each one is a small greenhouse supporting a miniature ecosystem of plants. The first step in creating glass bottle gardens is selecting the bottle. Clear bottles allow the most sunlight to enter, so if you choose a colored bottle, you need to select plants that tolerate medium to low levels of light. Bottles with openings big enough to fit your hand through make planting easier....

Chamomile Tea Benefits There’s no wonder that a cup of chamomile tea soothes the soul. Not only does it have mild sedative properties, but has been used for centuries for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and for anti-allergenic uses as well. Chamomile has also been used to treat stomach cramps, irritable bowels, indigestion, gas, and colic as well as menstrual cramps, hay fever, rheumatic pain, rashes, and lumbago. The herb has been used as a salve for hemorrhoids and wounds, and the steam has been inhaled to treat cold symptoms and asthma....

What is Orchardgrass? Orchardgrass uses span more than erosion, fodder, hay, silage, and natural ground cover. It also enhances the nitrogen in soil when planted deep with abundant water. As manure and biosolids, it returns high levels of this necessary macronutrient to the soil. There are a wide variety of orchardgrass growing conditions suitable for this tolerant plant. Orchardgrass is also known as cocksfoot. It is a cool-season, perennial bunching grass....

What is Soil Conditioning? Soil conditioning means improving several aspects of the quality of soil: Tilth. This refers to the soil’s physical condition and larger-scale structure. It includes whether the soil has aggregates (clumps) and what size they are, whether it has channels where water can enter and drain, and its level of aeration. Soil with good tilth has a structure that supports healthy root growth. Water holding capacity. This is partially a function of the soil type, but there are other things that alter it....

What is Timber Rot? Tomato timber rot, also known as sclerotinia stem rot, is a fungal disease caused by the organism known as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. It appears sporadically around the time tomatoes start to flower due to the favorable conditions that heavy tomato foliage cover creates. Timber rot of tomatoes is encouraged by prolonged periods of cool, wet conditions caused by rain, dew, or sprinklers and the high humidity that builds between the ground and the lowest tomato leaves....

What to Grow Near Chives Companion planting isn’t anything new. Our ancestors knew what plants seemed to benefit from being close to each other, whether as a repellent, disease indicator, support, soil enhancer, or any other reason. Chives have a sulfur-based oil that is the heart of the flavors we enjoy but can also be a deterrent to many pests. They also have large, tufted, purple flower heads that are a bee magnet and draw pollinators to your garden....

When to Buy Mums for Fall Potted chrysanthemum plants usually begin to appear at retailers in late summer, enticing shoppers with their brilliant array of blooms. Due to their high demand, the plants are often offered at a wide range of retailers. Deciding when to purchase your own chrysanthemum plant will play a role in the duration of bloom and amount of time in which it is able to be displayed before the arrival of cold weather....

Causes of White Spots on Sweet Potato Foliage The most common causes of white bumps on sweet potato leaves are edema, mites, and mealybugs, which are all garden problems that are easy to control. Edema Edema occurs when the water distribution and intake systems in sweet potatoes get out of balance, causing high amounts of water retention. It may be caused by environmental problems, such as high humidity during cool, cloudy weather, or cultural conditions, like over-watering under high light where air circulation is poor....

Hens and chicks are so named because the main plant (hen) produces offsets (chicks) on a thin runner, often in abundance. What happens when you notice drying leaves on hens and chicks? Are they dying? What, if anything, can be done to remedy the issue? Why are Hens and Chicks Dying? Also known as ‘forever alive,’ the Latin translation for Sempervivum, there’s no end to the multiplication of this plant....

Cultural Causes of Oleander Leaf Drop Oleanders are more common in warm regions but can withstand winters in temperate zones. They are hardy to 35 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 C.) and have remarkable drought-tolerance once established. The best blooms come from plants in full sun and well-drained soil with average water application. If you are providing these conditions and still wondering, “Why is my oleander losing leaves?”, we may be able to provide some answers....

About Butterfly Gardening in Zone 5 Before you begin picking out plants for the butterflies, give some thought to their needs. Butterflies are cold blooded and need the sun to warm their bodies. To fly well, butterflies need body temperatures of between 85 to 100 degrees F. (29-38 C.). So, select a site for the zone 5 butterfly garden plants that is in the sun near a sheltering wall, fence, or stand of evergreens that will protect the insects from winds....

About Kiwi Plants in Zone 5 While the kiwi fruit found at the supermarket requires temperate conditions, there are also some hardy and even super-hardy kiwi varieties available that will ensure success when growing kiwis in zone 5. The fruit is generally smaller, lacking the exterior fuzz and is, thus, great for eating out of hand without peeling. They have a wonderful flavor and are higher in Vitamin C than many other citruses....

If you think of birch trees as having papery white bark and green leaves, you aren’t wrong. Many varieties of birch trees share these features. But did you know that there are dozens of varieties of birch, even without counting birch tree cultivars, and that some have a very different appearance? What Are the Different Types of Birch Trees? If you are wondering about the different varieties of birch trees, read on....