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The sturdy little plant then marches to its own drum. Yellow flowers appear and wither, producing surprising flower stalks, or pegs. These cool little structures lengthen on the stem, growing downward. Upon arrival, the peg pushes the flower’s ovary (pistil) an inch or two (2.5-5 cm.) deep into the soil. There the ovary ripens, growing into the pod with the peanuts (seeds) inside. In order to achieve this feat, though, certain peanut water requirements must be met....

The Most Common Bugs in Ohio Valley Gardens Aphids – Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects which feed on a number of garden vegetables. Look for curled leaves and honeydew. Cabbage Root Maggots – Suspect cabbage root maggots when cruciferous vegetable wilting is not due to dry conditions. The white legless pests can be seen on the roots. Cabbage Worms – From boring into cabbage to chewing holes in cruciferous leaves, cabbage worms can be prevented with barrier pest control methods....

Before Planting Cherry Tomatoes It’s a good idea to know the basics of how to grow cherry tomatoes before you get started. In early spring, whether you’ve started your seeds indoors or purchased seedlings, be sure there’s no more chance of frost by planting day. Tender seedlings will die if they get too cold. Wait until your little plants are 6 to 10 inches tall (15-25 cm.), and be sure you leave at least a couple feet between planting holes....

Is it Safe to Convert Sandbox to Vegetable Garden? The first step is determining the type of wood used for built-in sandboxes. Cedar and redwood are safe options, but pressure-treated wood is often southern yellow pine. Prior to January 2004, much of the pressure-treated lumber sold in the U.S. contained chromated copper arsenate. This was used as a pesticide to deter termites and other boring insects from damaging treated wood. The arsenic in this pressure-treated lumber leaches into the soil and can contaminate garden vegetables....

About Soil Depth for Raised Beds Raised beds can be framed or unframed. Unframed raised beds are often called berms and are simply garden beds made of mounded up soil. These are most commonly created for ornamental landscape beds, not fruit or vegetable gardens. Unframed raised bed soil depth depends on what plants will be grown, what the soil conditions under the berm are, and what the desired aesthetic effect is....

Choosing Shade Trees for the Southeast You’ll want your shade trees in the South to be hard-wooded, at least those planted near your home. They may be deciduous or evergreen. Fast growing southeastern shade trees are often soft-wooded and more likely to topple or break during a storm. The more quickly a tree grows, the more likely this is to happen, making it unsuitable for providing shade near your home. Select trees that don’t grow so quickly....

Some plants are toxic to cats and others are simply overly attractive to these curious fur-balls, especially when it comes to the spider plant. Why are cats so attracted by these plants, and will spider plants hurt cats? Read on to learn more. Spider Plants and Cats The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a popular houseplant and a common fixture in hanging baskets. When it comes to the nature of spider plants and cats, there’s no denying that cats seem to be weirdly attracted by this houseplant....

Growing strawberries is rewarding. Read on for specific tips on how to plant strawberries, when to plant strawberries, and strawberry plant care. How and When to Plant Strawberries When planning your strawberry patch, it’s important to know that strawberries thrive in full sun so locate a bright sunny spot where they’ll have six or more hours of full sun exposure. Many varieties produce blossoms in early spring that can be killed by a late frost unless there’s plenty of sun on your plants....

Suggestions for Ground Cover for Shade There are some great ground covers for shade. Below are some common suggestions to consider. Hosta – One of the most popular shade ground covers is the hostas. Hosta plants are a great ground cover for shade that can handle shade so long as the soil is well-drained. They look good in foundation gardens, but they also look good when well placed around trees. Periwinkle – If you have a hilly area around some trees, such as on the bank between your yard and your neighbor’s, you can plant something like periwinkle....

Why Leaves are Falling Off Dogwood? Dogwoods are elegant, beautiful ornamental trees with several seasonal displays. Their oval to heart-shaped leaves deepen to crimson and orange in fall. The green leaves add charm and movement during the growing season and set a perfect backdrop for the bright flowerlike bracts. Dogwood leaf drop is not only an unsightly problem but it can spell doom for a plant due to reduced vigor. It is essential to determine the cause and preserve the energy gathering foliage....

Common Dahlia Problems No matter how experienced you are as a gardener, some issues will arise with your plants. Those amazing flowers known as dahlias are no exception. Among the most common dahlia diseases are those caused by fungi, such as powdery mildew and gray mold. Dahlia flower pests tend to reflect the sap drinking forms but can also encompass leaf eaters such as a wide array of caterpillars and larvae....

Umbrella Pine Information Growing Japanese umbrella pines is not for everyone. The tree is unusual, and people tend to either love or hate it. In Japan, the trees are associated with Buddhism in the Kyoto Prefecture. In fact, centuries ago Japanese umbrella pine trees were at the center of worship in Kyoto temples and became a part of Buddhist prayers. Legends associated with the trees in Japan include the belief that the women who stroke the whorls of the wood will conceive healthy children....

What are Bee Mites? Mites are arachnids related to spiders. They can be pests because they bite people, but they can also be destructive to other species. There are two types of mites in North America that attack and harm individual bees and colonies: Tracheal mite (Acarapis woodii): American beekeepers first saw these mites in colonies in the 1990s. They are microscopic and live in the trachea. Young bees are most susceptible....

Figwort Plant Information Figwort herb plants are related to the mullein plant from the family Scrophulariaceae, and some of their growing patterns and appearances are reminiscent of one another. Growing in similar fashion to mint, figworts reach heights of around 3 feet (1 m.), with tops that bloom in summer. Some plants, in the right situations, can grow to heights of around 10 feet (3 m.). Flowers are inconspicuous yet unique, with round shapes and red-yellow colors....

What are Hardy Succulents? Many people are intrigued by the unusual plants that are unique to them and they are certainly appreciative of the low maintenance needed by succulent plants. As they impatiently wait for temperatures to rise so indoor (soft) succulents can move out to the deck or porch, they could be planting cold hardy succulents to liven up the outside beds. Cold hardy succulents are those that are tolerant of growing in temperatures that are freezing and below....

While in-store and online “end of the season” sales may help to alleviate this cost, it is important that growers know what to look for in terms of ensuring that the bulbs they purchase are healthy, hardy, and likely to grow into beautiful flowers. Bulb Health Guide The purchase of unhealthy flower bulbs may happen more than one would think. Both spring blooming and summer blooming flower bulbs are susceptible to issues such as mold and rot, and may arrive in less than ideal condition....

What is a Fruit Salad Garden? Many gardeners focus on a particular genre, growing just vegetables or focusing on perennials, for example. They forget or are intimidated by other plant groups. A fruit salad garden theme is simply the inclusion of fruiting plants into the garden. The choice of plants to choose for a fruit garden may be dictated by a number of things. First of all, before running out willy-nilly and purchasing a bunch of plants for a fruit themed garden, find out what the USDA hardiness zone for your area is....

What is a Jelly and Jam Garden? A jam and jelly garden is simply a garden that includes fruit that can be used to make these preserves. The most common plants to include are berry plants, but why stop there? Interestingly, there are a number of other plants that can be included to grow your own preserves. How to Grow a Jelly Garden Arguably one of the most popular jellies is grape jelly and if you have the space to grow grapes, do so....

Where Does Celeriac Grow? The cultivation and harvesting of celeriac occurs primarily in northern Europe and throughout the Mediterranean Region. Celeriac growing also occurs in North Africa, Siberia, and southwest Asia and even minimally in North America, where the cultivar ‘Diamant’ is most likely cultivated. The plant is indigenous to the Mediterranean and has long been a popular root veggie in a variety of European cuisines. What is Celeriac? Although the leaves are edible, celeriac plants are grown for their fairly large root or hypocotyls, which may be harvested when the bulb is about baseball sized to 4 inches (10 cm....

Dragon’s Eye Plant Info If you are a gardener who is interested in unique plant specimens and has an adventurous palate, the dragon’s eye tree (Dimocarpus longan) may be of interest. Its name derives from the shelled fruit, which is said to resemble an eyeball. This fruiting tree is a less sweet substitute for the infamous lychee nut. The fruit is easily separated from the aril, just as in lychee, and it is a common food crop that is preserved frozen, canned, or dried, and also marketed fresh....