Posts

Sweet Lime Varieties The sweet lime (Citrus limettioides) has a number of names depending upon what language is being spoken. In French, sweet limes are called limettier doux. In Spanish, lima dulce. In India, mitha limbu, mitha nimbu, or mitha nebu, with “mitha” meaning sweet. Other languages have their own names for the sweet lime and just to confuse matters, there is also a sweet lemon (C. limetta), which in some circles is also called a sweet lime....

Growing Guava Trees in Containers There are three different types of guavas, all of which are suited for container grown guava. Tropical guavas (Psidium guajava): Tropical guavas are the juiciest of the three with the largest fruit. They are more frost tender than the other two and grow 10 to 15 feet (3-5 m.) in height. Strawberry guavas (Psidium lucidum): Strawberry guavas are shrub-like trees with smaller, tarter fruit. They tend to have high yields and attain a slightly smaller height of 12 feet (4 m....

There are, of course, a few questions that need to be asked and answered before you start your seed plants; questions about when to start an artichoke seed, what’s the best process for germinating artichoke seeds, and how long does it take artichoke seeds to sprout. Let’s begin at the end which, in the cycle of life, is also the beginning. Harvesting Artichoke Seeds Harvesting artichoke seeds is much the same as the one every gardener uses to collect flower seeds....

Why Build a DIY Insect Hotel? All insects don’t fly south when winter approaches. Some board down the hatches and go into diapause, a suspended state of development, kind of like hibernation. Homemade hotels for insects fill a role that many people think doesn’t need to be filled. After all, don’t insects find shelter and a place to raise the next generation on their own anyway? It turns out that many gardeners are too tidy....

Cottage Garden Info Cottage gardens are similar to Colonial gardens and are designed much the same way using many of the same types of plants. The most popular flowers found within an English cottage garden would be: Hollyhocks Delphiniums Daisies Herbs – mint being one of the most popular With their mystical charm and abundance of scents, English cottage gardens exhibited a style that evolved through the necessity of the times....

When to Cut Back Mature Trees Most young tree pruning is done to build a strong, stable branch structure or to create a desired shape or form. On the other hand, the purpose of trimming a mature tree usually involves size control and safety. Trees that were pruned appropriately when young rarely require major structural pruning. Weak branches have been removed and the tree’s shape is balanced and pleasing. You may wonder then, why prune mature trees at all?...

How to Make an Herb Wall Garden Vertical herb garden ideas abound and it’s a creative, fun and useful project. Let’s look at how to make a DIY herb wall. There are all sorts of really cool indoor and outdoor vertical herb gardens that can be purchased, and most of them are pretty pricey. If you like to tinker a bit and have more time than money, a DIY herb wall garden is the perfect fit for you....

What are Neonicotinoids? So the first question that needs to be clarified, obviously, is “what are neonicotinoids?” If you haven’t heard this term, that’s probably due to the fact that it’s a relatively new class of synthetic insecticides. Neonicotinoid pesticides (aka neonics) are similar to nicotine, which is naturally found in nightshade plants like tobacco, and supposedly less harmful to humans but is poisonous to bees and many other insects and animals....

What is Katniss? Katniss plant (Sagittaria sagittifolia) actually goes by many names such as arrowhead, duck potato, swan potato, tule potato, and wapato. The botanical name is Sagittaria. Most katniss species have arrow-shaped leaves but in a few species the leaf is long and ribbon like. Katniss has white three-petaled flowers that will grow on a long, upright stalk. There are about 30 species of katniss. Several species are considered invasive in some areas so when planting katniss in your garden, make sure that you double check that the variety you have selected is not invasive....

Successful roadside landscaping is better achieved by adhering to some of the following roadside planting tips. About Landscaping Along Roads As you travel across the highways of the United States, there is plenty to note and admire regarding roadside plants. Landscaping next to roads is done primarily when nearing a city or town while the remainder of the plants along roadsides are native plants of the region. Planting with natives is an excellent idea when selecting plants for roadside landscaping....

Bean Tips for Insect Pests Several insect pests attack beans. However, most of them can be easily removed by hand or with soapy water. If you’re having problems growing beans, you may want to check the garden for evidence of insect damage. Frequent inspection and prompt removal are important steps in order to control or alleviate the development of heavy infestations, which usually require more drastic measures, such as the use of pesticides....

Causing smaller plants to have to fight for water and nutrients to survive – many of which may not be able to win the battle. Making it nearly impossible to dig a hole to plant new shrubs, other trees, or perennials in your soil. Clogging up your underground drainage system with roots that seek water. Constantly littering your yard with fallen softwood branches. You won’t have any of these problems with the Royal Empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa) though....

What is Maple Tar Spot Disease? Maple tar spot is a very visible problem for maple trees. It starts with small yellow spots on growing leaves, and by late summer these yellow spots expand into large black blotches that look like tar has been dropped on the leaves. This is because a fungal pathogen in the genus Rhytisma has taken hold. When the fungus initially infects a leaf, it causes a small 1/8 inch (1/3 cm....

How to Make Paper Carton Herb Containers DIY herb carton planters can be crafted from any size milk carton, but the half gallon size provides sufficient root space for growing herbs in milk cartons. These planters can be crafted in three different ways: The top or folded portion of the milk carton can be cut off and discarded. This makes a tall, thin planter (unfortunately, this still sends a portion of the milk carton to landfills)....

Birch Syrup Taste Birches are hardwood trees commonly found in northern hardwood and boreal forests in areas of the northern hemisphere. The trees are tapped during the birch sap harvest, and then the sap is boiled to concentrate and caramelize the sugars. The result is delicious, albeit much different from maple syrup. So how does birch syrup taste? The taste of birch syrup is described variously as reminiscent of raspberries, tart cherries, apple butter and molasses or as a combination of balsamic vinegar and molasses with a fruity nuance....

Help! My Snake Plant is Drooping! If your snake plant has droopy leaves, there are a few likely possibilities. Improper watering Mother-in-law’s tongue is a succulent plant with thick, moisture-holding leaves. This built-in watering system allows the plant to survive in its native environment – dry, rocky regions of the West African tropics. Like all succulents, the snake plant is susceptible to root rot in soggy conditions, and droopy snake plant leaves often result when the plant is overwatered....

The type of tree or shrub species you select will impact how effective the plants are at aiding wildlife. Read on for some top choices of native trees for birds and other wild creatures. Native Trees for Wildlife Planting windbreaks or individual trees for wildlife is a wonderful way to help local fauna and attract birds and other wild animals to your yard. But when it comes to trees, one size doesn’t fit all....

The organic and natural gardener may wonder, “Where do I get earthworms for garden health?” Outdoor vermicomposting can produce some of these important creatures and scores more can be encouraged to make your garden their home with specific cultivation practices. Let’s learn more about adding worms to a compost pile. Where Do I Get Earthworms for Garden Use Unless your landscape is in a location devoid of organic matter or in sand or dense clay, you already have a supply of worms....

Many gardeners feel that pole beans have better flavor and, of course, their habitat is vertical and are, therefore, a better choice for those of us with limited vegetable garden space. They are also much easier to harvest. Pole beans can be planted in rows and allowed to grow up frames, fences, or pretty much anything, even in teepee like A-frames amongst other plants or flower gardens. Pole beans also yield two to three times as many beans from the same amount of space as bush beans....

Choosing Red Petunia Flowers Petunias come in a myriad of not only colors, but shapes and sizes and habits – from clumping to trailing. The abundance and choice of red petunia varieties is just as varied. Many petunia flowers that are red are particularly fragrant as well as attractive to hummingbirds and pollinating insects. Before choosing red petunias, you will want to consider whether you wish to plant grandiflora or multiflora varieties, or a little of both....