How to Compost in the Home Exciting, isn’t it? Now the question is, “how to compost in the home?” It’s really very simple. First you must choose a composting vessel or bioreactor suitable for making compost indoors. These containers are much smaller than the outdoor bins, so they need to be appropriately designed to provide the perfect conditions for aerobic heat production, which is responsible for breaking down the food waste....
Aubrieta Growing Conditions Aubrieta is a perennial suited for United States Department of Agriculture zones 4 to 8. This temperate to cool region plant can spread up to 24 inches (61 cm.) over time and forms lovely purple carpets of color in spring. It is non-invasive and self-sufficient for the most part. Learn how to grow Aubrieta in your landscape so you can enjoy its charm in your border, rockery or even container garden....
What is a Yard Long Bean? In my neck of the woods, the Pacific Northwest, a large majority of my friends and neighbors are of Asian origin. First generation or second generation transplants, long enough to enjoy a cheeseburger but not so long as to dismiss the cuisines of their respective cultures. Therefore, I am quite familiar with the yard long bean, but for those of you who are not, here’s the run down....
Choosing the Best Container for Gardening Tall pots are best suited for deep-rooted plants, shrubs or small trees. Small pots are ideal for shallow-rooted plants and flowering bulbs. Trailing and cascading plants or vines are excellent additions for hanging baskets. Then there are the other alternate choices. From bowls and boxes to barrels, wicker baskets and old boots, nearly anything can be used to accommodate plant life. As long as there are adequate drainage holes and a flat bottom, you really shouldn’t worry so much about choosing the best container for gardening....
Is Christmas Cactus Toxic? The bright salmon to red flowers and intricate pads are characteristic of the Christmas cacti, which tends to bloom around Christmas and gives them their name. The plant is not a true cactus, however, but an epiphyte. It needs bright light and well-drained soil, with moderate water needs. To ensure blooming, withhold water in October and gradually resume again in November. Good news! Unlike many of the holiday plants, Christmas cactus toxicity is not damaging....
What is Comfrey? Symphytum officinale, or comfrey herb plant, has a long history of use as a medicinal herb but not as a culinary plant. Otherwise known as knitbone or slippery root, comfrey plants have been used medicinally since 400 B.C. to stop heavy bleeding and to treat bronchial issues. From the family Boraginaceae, comfrey is a perennial herb with a spreading habit that attains a height of up to 4 feet (1 m....
What is Cool Grass? Most cool season grasses are turf grasses. The plants do best in spring and fall when there is a plentiful supply of water. The most common types of cool season turf grasses include: Perennial ryegrass Annual ryegrass Tall fescue Creeping fescue Kentucky bluegrass Bluegrass Bentgrass There are also some cool season ornamental grasses, suitable for beds and containers. Cool season ornamental grasses come in many varieties but a few are:...
Using Cottage Garden Plants for Dry Areas Xeriscaping means reducing the amount of water needed to maintain a garden or landscape by using drought-tolerant plants, smaller lawn areas, mulch, hardscape, and more shade elements. To create a cottage garden in a xeriscape setting, select heat tolerant plants that are also drought tolerant. Some plants for cottage gardening in the south include: Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii): This shrub-like perennial blooms from spring to frost....
What are Cover Crops in the Garden? The organic matter we use to amend our soils provides food for earthworms, bacteria, fungi, nematodes and others that live in the soil and in turn make it fertile. Planting cover crops for vegetable gardens is just another method of infusing organic matter into the garden to facilitate healthier growth and production. Cover crops in the garden improve the soil’s physical structure and fertility....
Bleeding Heart Symptoms of Disease Powdery mildew – If your bleeding-heart plant is covered with powdery patches of black, gray, white, or pink “dust,” it is probably infected by powdery mildew. Left untreated, the patches will grow, causing deformed buds and curled, stunted leaves that eventually drop from the plant. Powdery mildew is unsightly, but it usually isn’t deadly for healthy plants. Leaf spot – The first sign your bleeding heart is infected with fungal leaf spot is generally small brown or black spots on the leaves....
When to Split Horseradish Roots Horseradish is suited for growing in USDA zones 4 through 8. The plant grows best in full sun to partial sun in warmer regions, in almost all soil types, provided they are well-draining and highly fertile with a pH of 6.0-7.5 and thrive in cooler temperatures. Horseradish root division should occur when the leaves have been killed off by frost or late in the fall in warmer regions....
What are Cold Hardy Xeriscape Plants? Xeriscaping is all the rage. Conserving our natural resources and avoiding waste while keeping our utility bills down is the goal. Sadly, many xeriscape plants hail from regions with consistent warm temperatures year-round and are not suitable for zone 4 gardens. There is light at the end of the tunnel, however, as zone 4 regions such as Colorado, Montana, and North Dakota extension services have compiled lists of plants that will not only survive but thrive in these cold season climates....
While garden kits are not the most inexpensive option for growing succulents, they do include everything you’ll need. Grow succulents from seed by using a succulent seed starter kit to learn the process and to check your results. Contents of Succulent Garden Starter Kit We must consider that purchasing succulent seeds in any form has the potential to be a rip-off. Many reviewers of these kits appear pleased with their seed germination....
About Elm Trees Elms are native to Europe, Asia, and North America. They are used as specimen trees in residential landscapes and as street and park trees. They have a shallow root system that makes it difficult to grow anything under them, but their natural beauty and the quality of their shade makes it worth forgoing a garden under the tree. Chinese lacebark elm (U. parvifolia) is one of the best elms for residential properties....
The Rooibos Tea Plant Unlike most other types of herbal teas, rooibos is not a blend of plants, fruit and spices. Instead, it is created by carefully fermenting and drying the leaves of Aspalathus linearis. This shrub is native to Africa, where it can be found growing on sandy hills and the sides of mountains. Rooibos tea was traditionally used by the indigenous people of Southern Africa, but has been cultivated for commercial sale within the last 100 years....
Eggplant varieties were first crossbred for different fruit color and shape in China, and the new resulting varieties were instant hits. Breeding new varieties of eggplant gained popularity all over the world. For centuries, deep purple to black varieties were all the rage. Today, however, it is varieties which are pure white, or have white striping or mottling, that are highly coveted. Continue reading for a list of eggplants that are white and tips on growing white eggplants....
Can I Transplant A Clematis? Replanting a clematis vine requires a little extra work and patience. Once rooted, a clematis will struggle if it is uprooted. Sometimes, replanting a clematis vine is necessary because of a move, home improvement or just because the plant is not growing well in its present location. Even with special care, transplanting will be very stressful for the clematis and you can expect it to take about a year for the plant to recover from this trauma....
When To Repot a Snake Plant As a general rule of thumb, snake plants can be repotted every 3 to 5 years. These popular houseplants prefer being a bit snug in their pots. In fact, snake plants won’t produce flowers unless they feel the stress of being rootbound. Yet, holding off the repotting process for too long can be detrimental to the health of the plant. If you’re unsure, look for these telltale signs that it’s time to transplant a snake plant: There are roots growing on the surface of the soil or through the drain holes of the planter....
Do Fruit Trees Attract Wasps? Almost an inane question, “Do fruit trees attract wasps?” While wasps feed on a variety of pests during the early to mid growing season, their interest shifts from those protein sources to the irresistible sugary taste of ripe berries and fruits in the late summer to early fall. Don’t we all lust after the fresh produce of that season? It’s no wonder wasps in fruit trees are as intrinsic as people in fruit trees....
A good lawn is an easy-care lawn. Mowing and other lawn maintenance chores should not be complicated or time consuming. Minimize these tasks by implementing edging around beds, walkways, foundations, steps, etc. Using Edging for the Lawn An attractive edging can be constructed with paving stones or brick and laid flush with the lawn. This kind of edging will also reduce the need for hand trimming. Steel, aluminum, and plastic edgings are attractive and readily available alternatives as well....
