What are the Easiest Roses to Grow? Below are some foolproof roses nearly anyone can grow in the garden: Sally Holmes – This climbing rose produces creamy white blooms that are blushed with pink. Averaging about 8-10 feet (3 m.), this easy-care rose is hardy in zones 6-9. Little Mischief – This is a beautiful shrub rose with deep pink blooms having a white eye, fading to hot pink. Reaching only 24 inches (61 cm....
Determining Your Citrus Blooming Season The answer to, “When do citrus blossoms bloom?” lies in the tree’s stress levels. Bloom can be triggered by temperature or water availability. Producing flowers and fruits is nature’s way of ensuring the continuation of the species. The tree chooses its time based on when the fruit has the best chance of maturing. In Florida and other subtropical regions where citrus is grown, there is usually a prolific bloom following the cooler winter dormancy....
Coir Discs for Seed Planting If you enjoy raising your plants from seed but hate the hassle, you might want to try coir pellets. For germination of seeds, pellets are an easy, fast, and clean method. When compared to peat pellets, coir discs for seed planting are an eco-friendly option. Although peat is a natural material, it’s not considered a sustainable product. Peat is the decaying remnants of sphagnum moss. It takes hundreds of years to form peat bogs and considerably less time to deplete them....
Common Geranium Diseases Alternaria Leaf Spot: Alternaria leaf spot is marked by dark brown, water-soaked circular spots that are ¼ to ½ inch (6 mm. to 1 cm.) in diameter. Upon examination of each individual spot, you will see the formation of concentric rings, which are reminiscent of the growth rings you see on the stump of a cut tree. Individual spots may be surrounded by a yellow halo. The most common course of treatment for geranium problems like this is an application of fungicide....
Orange Sunflowers Orange Sun – The fuzzy, double-petal flowers of this cultivar are an intriguing change from traditional sunflowers. Expect 6 inch (15 cm.) flowers on 6 to 8 feet (2 m.) tall plants.Soraya – An All American Selection winner, Soraya has golden orange petals and a chocolate brown center. This multi-branching variety reaches 4 to 6 feet (1-2 m.) tall.Velvet Queen – This variety produces a multitude of 6 to 8 inch (15-20 cm....
Identifying ladybugs and understanding the behavioral differences between lady beetles can help gardeners control unwanted populations of Asian lady beetles. Asian Lady Beetle Characteristics The harlequin or multicolored Asian lady beetle (Harmonia axyridis) has its origins in Asia, but these bugs are now found worldwide. Like other species of ladybugs, the Asian lady beetle feeds upon aphids and other garden pests. When comparing Asian vs. native lady beetle behavior, the major difference is native ladybugs overwinter outdoors....
How to Make a Gourd Wreath To create a beautiful fall wreath, you’ll need any type of store-bought wreath form or you can craft a homemade grapevine wreath from natural materials. If you wish to decorate the wreath with fresh items, you’ll want to have the wreath form on hand prior to collecting materials. An array of seasonal materials from the backyard and garden can be used to decorate a fall wreath....
How to Clean Your House Naturally You can turn to your herb garden for some natural, safe cleansers, just don’t rely on these to thoroughly disinfect or protect your family from the flu, cold, and other viruses. For general cleaning, however, try these natural disinfectants: Lavender. Lavender oil mixed with baking soda makes a great carpet deodorizer. Sprinkle it on, let it sit a while, and then vacuum. Mint. Mint oil with lemon juice and water makes a good glass cleaner that repels pests too....
Why is My Dogwood Dripping Water? Oftentimes, dogwood tree dripping, especially when watery in nature, is due to pests. Some of the most common pests that affect dogwoods and lead to dripping tree leaves include borers, scale, aphids, and ants. Dogwood Borers – One very devastating problem with dogwood trees is dogwood borers, which are caterpillars that drill tunnels into the trunk of the tree. Weak and older trees are most susceptible to borers that leave wet areas on the bark early on....
What to Do With Extra Vegetables There are a number of things you can do with your over abundant vegetables. Using and Storing the Surplus Garden Harvest I am sort of a lazy gardener, and the question of what to do with extra vegetables brings up a good point. One of the simplest answers to deal with the surplus garden harvest is to pick them and eat them. Go beyond the salads and the stir fries....
Control and elimination of this downy spot disease will probably be the next thing on your mind. You’ll want to know what to do for white spots on the leaves. Will it harm your tree? First, let’s take a closer look. What is Downy Spot? Early on, downy leaf spot presents itself as small (about 1/8 to 1/4 inch (3 to 6 mm.)), white, furry areas on the underside of the leaves, and pale green spots on the upper side....
Planting for the pantry garden starts with a little planning, seed acquisition, and soil augmentation. With a little advance prep, you’ll be making meals from your garden in just a few months. Keep reading for a little pantry garden info. How to Grow a Living Pantry Our parents or grandparents may have participated in a Victory Garden, but today’s gardeners grow a wide variety of food just for fun, as an economic gesture, and in order to ensure their consumables are safe and organic....
How Does Gardening Help with SAD? Can gardening improve the symptoms of those diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder? Absolutely! The onset of SAD is usually in fall and lasts through the low-light days of winter. When spring returns, and an increase in day length and light, the affliction normally subsides. Symptoms such as low energy, overeating, weight gain, social withdrawal, and daytime sleepiness are common in addition to major depression. It has been theorized that an activity such as indoor gardening can help ease the symptoms by bringing the person closer to light, such as when tending to plants near a window....
What to Use for Greenhouse Floors There are several options for greenhouse flooring materials. The most ideal is a poured concrete floor, especially if it’s insulated. A concrete floor is easy to clean and walk on, and if poured correctly, should drain away any excess water. Concrete will also reflect light and retain heat throughout the day. Concrete isn’t the only option available for the floor of a greenhouse, though. Depending upon your budget and consideration, there are plenty of other greenhouse flooring ideas, some with better results than others....
What is Amaranth? The amaranth plant is a grain and greens crop plant. The plant develops long flowers, which can be upright or trailing depending on the variety. The flowers are used to produce the amaranth grain, while the leaves can be used as amaranth greens. Varieties of Amaranth as Food When growing amaranth for food, it is best to select varieties of amaranth that work well as a food crop....
What is a Chokecherry? So, what is a chokecherry? Growing chokecherry trees are large suckering shrubs (small trees) that are indigenous to the Southeastern United States but may be grown as a perennial landscape specimen elsewhere. Prunus viginiana can attain heights of up to 41 feet (12.5) tall with a canopy of 28 feet (8.5 m.) across; of course, this is extremely rare and generally the plant can be maintained to a size of about 12 feet (3....
Planting Tangerine a Tree Unless you live in a tropical or sub-tropical region, you’ll be growing tangerines in a pot. While they withstand cold temperatures better than most citrus, they still can’t survive a hard freeze. Even in warmer climates, it’s best to choose a sheltered place for planting. Tangerine tree growth is dependent on lots of sun, so choose a sunny spot as well. You might be tempted to try growing tangerines from seed, but in all likelihood, the tangerine trees that result from your efforts won’t bear the fruit you’re expecting....
Choosing Native Hardy Ornamental Grass Plants Ornamental grasses offer movement, dimension, foliage appeal, and interesting inflorescences to perk up the landscape. They are also usually easy to care for and have minimal maintenance once you find the right species. Ornamental grass varieties in zone 5 should be “cool season grasses,” able to withstand some of the most extreme growing conditions in the Northern Hemisphere. Many are hardy down to USDA hardiness zones 3 to 4 with amazing tolerance of cold winters and unmatched beauty in short, hot summers....
Peach Tree Harvesting Before even thinking about harvesting peaches, I hope you have planted and cared for your peach tree correctly for optimal production. First, when you bring the tree home from the nursery, open the wrapping from around the roots and soak the roots for 6-12 hours. Then plant your tree in soil that has been pre-prepared, raked to remove stones and debris and with a pH of 6.5. Set the tree at the same depth it was planted at the nursery and work the soil in around the roots....
Designing Your Flower Border The length of flower borders usually depends on what is being bordered (walkway, property line, etc.), while the width is ultimately determined by your available space. Wide borders allow the opportunity to use a variety of flowers, layering them with varying heights, forms, and textures. Nonetheless, the size and shape of a flower border should stay within a suitable proportion to its surroundings; otherwise, it will look out of place....
