Posts

What is Mile a Minute Weed? Mile-a-minute weed grows fast, and that’s a fact. Experts say that these prickly annual vines can grow up to 6 inches in 24 hours, and are much akin to kudzu! The vines germinate in early spring, then grow amazingly fast, growing on top of and smothering out neighboring plants. The white flowers are followed by berry-like fruit. The vine dies off by the first frosts, but not soon enough to prevent its spread....

What are Nut Tree Pests? It may seem like nut trees are impervious to pest insects, but the truth is that they can succumb just like any other plant. Their relatively large size in comparison to many other plants only means that it takes a larger insect load before you notice significant nut tree pest symptoms. Regular inspection of your nut trees can keep them pest free, which is why we’ve compiled a list of the most common nut tree pests and how to treat pests on nut trees below: Aphids....

Reasons for a Thin Wall on Peppers There are a number of reasons for having thin walls on peppers. Improper Harvesting The most elemental reason when pepper walls are not thick is that immature fruit is being picked. Sometimes it’s hard to tell when fruit is ripe, or sometimes patience isn’t one of our virtues. Many peppers appear to be full sized, so we pick them only to find a thin wall on the peppers....

About Radishes Radishes can be sown directly from seed in the early spring, and are one of the first crops ready for harvest. Radishes are known for their peppery crunch but they are also rich in calcium, potassium, sodium and vitamins A, B, C and K, not to mention they are low in calories. These cruciferous veggies also aid in lowering blood pressure and have been purported to lower the risk of heart disease....

Growing pitcher plants as indoor plants is common, but raising them outdoors requires a little know-how. Learn how to grow a pitcher plant for an interesting conversation piece in the home interior or exterior garden. Types of Pitcher Plants There are around 80 types of pitcher plants found in the genus names Sarracenia, Nepenthes and Darlingtonia. Not all of these are suitable for outdoor growing, as Nepenthes are tropical pitcher plants, but purple pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea) has a zonal tolerance of 2 to 9 and is exceptionally adaptable to a wide range of areas....

Types of Plant Support The type of plant support you will need depends on the type of plant you are supporting. Woody climbers, like climbing hydrangea or climbing roses, will need a much different support than perennial or annual climbers, like clematis, morning glory, or black-eyed susan vine. Bushy plants, like peony, will need a different type of support than tall, single-stem plants like Asiatic or oriental lilies. Woody vines will be much heavier and need a strong structure to climb on, such as obelisks, trellises, arbors, pergolas, walls, or fences....

Landscaping Beneath Oaks Few trees add more character to a backyard than mature oaks. They anchor the soil, offer shade in hot summers, and also provide room and board for birds and other wildlife. Mature oaks also take up a lot of space. Their spreading branches cast such deep shade in summer that you may wonder what will grow under oak trees if anything. The best way to address this question is to look at oak woodlands in the wild....

Climbing Vines Climbing vines add interest to just about any landscape. They’re available in a variety of forms, textures, and colors. Many of them will even delight you with beautiful flowers or fruit. Vines can be incorporated into nearly any garden style using supports such as fences, trellises, and arbors. They can even be grown in containers wherever space is limited, adding height and dimension to these areas. The type of vine you grow often determines the type of structure used to support it....

About Plants Rabbits Can’t Eat Rabbits have a fairly sensitive digestive system. They require a high fiber, low sugar, and low-fat diet. This is why most ‘people food’ is a no-no; rabbits can’t tolerate foods like bread, rice, chips, or chocolate for instance. When Thumper is nosing around for a treat, refrain from sharing your chips or other snacks and opt for rabbit healthy options instead. So just what plants are toxic to rabbits?...

What is a Ponderosa Lemon? Ponderosa lemons derive from a chance seedling discovered in the 1880’s and are most likely a hybrid of a citron and a lemon. They were named and launched into commercial nurseries in 1900. The fruit of the dwarf Ponderosa lemon looks much like that of citron. It bears large, grapefruit-sized, pale green fruit with a thick, furrowed rind. While the fruit is juicy, it is extremely acidic....

You’ll also have to consider different compost so the plant lives longer than half a year. For this reason, it helps to know how to choose containers for houseplants and potted planting mediums that will improve their overall health. Pots for Houseplants In choosing containers for potted environments, it helps to know that planters or pots range in many sizes but there are four sizes that are most used. For most houseplants, sufficient pot sizes are 6 centimeters (2 in....

Ranunculus Buttercup Plants A colorful field of flowers livens up the landscape and is easy to achieve with Ranunculus plants. Ranunculus bulbs come in several sizes and are best planted 4 inches (10 cm.) apart. Using buttercups for the garden will reward the grower with an abundance of color and texture from early spring into the first month of summer. Buttercups for the garden come in an array of colors from white, red, and gold to orange, yellow, and pink....

Why is My Passiflora Losing Leaves? Passion flower is an intricate blooming plant whose flowers were used to teach the Stations of the Cross. Several varieties are native to North America and many are hardy to USDA zones 7 to 10. Some varieties are tropical and not frost hardy, causing them to lose leaves during cold snaps and often die. If you find a hardy passion vine dropping leaves, causes may be fungal, insect related, or cultural....

Tips on How to Make Rose Honey Herbal preparations have been part of human history farther back than the oldest recordings. The use of plants as food, seasoning, and medicine is a time-honored tradition. Honey affords numerous benefits in each category, but when you make a rose petal-infused honey, you combine the flower’s benefits with that of the sugary syrup. For a fun, delicious, and healthy option, learn how to make rose honey....

Growing Roses in Zone 4 There are several rosebushes that are not only listed for zone 4 and lower, but many that have been tested to make sure they are hardy enough to grow nicely there. The Rugosa rosebushes developed by F.J Grootendorst are hardy enough for even zone 2b. Another would be the rosebushes of Mr. Georges Bugnet, who brought us the wonderful Therese Bugnet rose. When looking for roses for zone 4, take a look at the Agriculture Canada Explorer and Parkland series, as they are known for their hardiness....

How Much Water Do Rubber Tree Plants Need? Ficus are a large genus of tropical to semi-tropical plants, many of which are perfect for the home interior. The rubber plant produces a perfect home sized tree and is adaptable to indoor growing. Water requirements for rubber plants are consistently moist but never soggy. Soggy plants can get root rot, soil gnats and other problems. Dry soil causes leaves to drop and reduces the overall health and growth of the plant....

My Sago Palm Looks Sick Planting a sago palm in your landscape means you have a living fossil that is unique and ancient. These amazing plants resemble palms but are in a class all to themselves. Their leaves and growth habit are similar but they produce a cone rather than a flower to reproduce. The large, slow-growing trees bear feathery, needle-like leaves arching from the trunk. These may grow up to 4 feet (1 m....

What are Seedless Grapes? If you’re concerned that seedless grapes are the result of some sort of genetic modification or weird scientific wizardry, you can relax. The first seedless grapes actually came about as a result of a natural (not laboratory-produced) mutation. Grape growers who noticed this interesting development got busy and grew more seedless grapes by planting cuttings from those vines. How does a seedless grape reproduce? The seedless grapes you see in the supermarket are propagated the same way – through cuttings that produce clones of an existing, seedless grape variety....

Why is Rhubarb Plant Division Necessary? Rhubarb leaf stalks and petioles are used primarily in sweet treats and, are hence, regarded as a fruit. Actually, rhubarb is a vegetable, but due to its high acidity, lends itself nicely to pies, tarts, jams, and other sweets. Rhubarb is a perennial plant that does indeed require very little care and can be relied upon to return each spring. However, if your plant predates the millennium, it is perhaps time for a little refreshing....

Why Sweet Potato Leaves Turn Yellow This vining, herbaceous perennial, of the family Convolvulaceae, is usually grown as an annual and harvested at the end of its first growing season. The plant is cultivated for its delicious nutritious edible tubers, which may be red, brown, yellow, white, or even purple in color. The spectacular vines are dotted with lobed, heart-shaped leaves that may reach up to 13 feet (4 m.) in length....