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What are Beneficial Nematodes? Members of the Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae families, beneficial nematodes for gardening purposes, are colorless roundworms which are non-segmented, elongated in shape, and usually microscopic and commonly found living within the soil. Entomopathogenic nematodes, or beneficial nematodes, can be used to control soil borne insect pests but are useless for control of pests found in the leaf canopy. Beneficial nematodes for gardening insect control may be used to squash pests such as:...

Here are plants for a south-facing wall that can withstand summer’s heat. Heat Tolerant Plants for South-Facing Wall Plants for hot walls need to be tough, drought tolerant plants that can withstand full sun. Succulents, such as agave, aloe, yucca, bromeliad, and cactus, are some of the best plants for hot locations in the landscape. They love full sun and hardly need any water. They do require well-draining soil, however....

Brown or Yellowing Boxwood Shrubs Here are some common causes of a boxwood turning yellow or brown: Winter Damage. If you live in a place that experiences freezing temperatures in the winter, your boxwood may have been damaged by excessive snow, ice, and cold– or even winter burn. The cold-nipped tissues can take many months to become obvious, so if the yellow leaves are appearing in the spring, try not to panic unless they continue to spread....

Can You Garden While Traveling? While keeping a garden in a moving vehicle may sound unwieldy and even impossible, many rovers do it with style and success. Start small and then work your way up to edibles. Even a cache of succulents can brighten the interior of a motor home and are low-maintenance. Choose what your goal is and get cracking on some of these traveling garden ideas. If you once had a garden and find yourself missing it as you wander the world, there is hope....

Growing Succulents in Zone 9 Succulents are adaptable charmers with quirky appeal and ease of care. Growing succulents in zone 9 is an excellent way to capture a desert feel in your own landscape. Zone 9 succulents might be dainty little sedum all the way up to giant aggressive looking agave. There are so many forms and colors from which to choose you may want one of each! Most succulents like a full sun environment but many can thrive in partial sun locations....

Cushaw Squash Plant Info Cushaw (Cucurbita argyrosperma) hails from the Caribbean and, thus, tolerates humid conditions. This squash is a green striped, crook-necked variety cultivated by Native Americans as a staple food. Fruit averages 10-20 pounds (4.5 to 9 kg.), grows to 12-18 inches (30.5 to 45.5 cm) in length and is around 10 inches (30.5 cm.) across. The flesh is light yellow and the flavor is mildly sweet. Cushaw squash is also often referred to as cushaw pumpkin or in Appalachia, as the Tennessee sweet potato....

Bugs Eating My Dahlias! Below are the most common insect pests affecting dahlia plants in the garden: Thrips – Slender pests with fringed wings, Thrips damage plants by puncturing the leaves and sucking out the juices. Although thrips rarely kill dahlias, they can affect the appearance by causing stippled leaves, leaf drop and stunted growth. Pesticides aren’t usually helpful because the pests move from plant to plant so quickly. Spider mites – About the size of a tiny speck of sand, tiny spider mites are difficult to see with the naked eye....

Does a Jade Plant Bloom? Jade plants are primarily known for their thick, glossy, succulent leaf pads. There are many types of jade but the most familiar houseplants are Crassula ovata and Crassula argentea. These succulents reproduce by vegetative means but can also flower and produce seed. We often hear, “my jade plant won’t bloom,” and strive to provide information on what may cause a jade plant not flowering and how to promote blooms in reluctant plants....

Protecting Plants from Dogs The internet is full of forums and discussion groups with gardeners asking for or sharing tips on protecting plants from dogs. Some of the tips are so simple you may wonder why you hadn’t thought of that yourself. Other tips are such outside-the-box that you never would’ve thought of that. One such tip, from the Louisiana SPCA, is to blow up some balloons and bury them where your dog has a habit of digging....

Low-Maintenance Landscape Design When planning a low-maintenance landscape, it often helps to draw out your ideas on paper. Go outside, pen and paper in hand, and survey your property. Take note of light conditions, drainage patterns, and existing plants. Pay attention to the soil in and around your landscape. This will make it much easier to find additional plants that thrive in your particular area. Include possible recreation areas in your drawing as well....

The shiny green, scalloped leaves and brilliant flowers enliven any situation, and care for flaming katy is a breeze. Discover how to grow flaming katy plants and charge up your interior with some vibrant tones and unique foliage. Information on Flaming Katy Kalanchoe Flaming katy is grouped within the succulent variety of plants. This lovely specimen is often found in the gift floral section of your local supermarket or big box nursery, but don’t let its availability fool you....

Can You Eat Fuchsia? The French monk and botanist Charles Plumier discovered fuchsia on the island of Hispaniola in the late 1600’s. It was apparent to the natives at the time that there was no fuchsia plant toxicity, and Plumier wrote a great deal on the flavor and medicinal uses of the plant. There are now over 100 species of this versatile flowering plant, which are spread in the warmer Americas and into New Zealand....

Shade herbs can make excellent companions for other shade-loving plants like hostas, ferns, and numerous types of bulbs. They make great companions with numerous types of flowering plants as well. Growing herbs for shade is a great way to add color and fragrance to the garden. Shade Herbs When growing herbs for shade, it helps to know what herbs will grow in shade. Knowing which herbs are more likely to succeed and understanding their adaptations in shady conditions can increase the chances of success....

It was as if an artist had painted the intricate landscape, readjusting and fine-tuning the painting every step of the way. To my good fortune, there was a rustic wooden garden bench a few feet from me so that I could sit down and take notes. Here’s what I discovered about creating eye-catching flower borders. Elements of a Flower Garden Border Natural products can make the very best borders. The path under my feet was composed of small river stones of various subtle shades of blue, grey, and red while the border between the path and the flower bed was constructed of large, almost white, driftwood logs....

Paperwhite Seeds Paperwhite plants can be propagated by seeds, which are found within the swollen seedpods that appear after paperwhites bloom. While this form of propagation is relatively simple, it does require lots of patience. The tiny, black seeds are collected and then planted in protected areas until they begin forming bulbs, at which time they are transplanted into pots. Germination will usually take anywhere from 28 to 56 days. However, it will take anywhere from three to five years before the seeds produce a blooming size bulb....

Care of Bromeliads after Flowering Bromeliads often come with their amazing flowers in bloom. These wonderful inflorescences last for months and the plant itself thrives with minimal care in bright indirect light. It is always sad to watch the bloom die, especially since the plant itself probably will not bloom. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. With good bromeliad care after flowering, the plant will produce pups....

How to Grow Spinach in Containers Spinach, for good reason, is Popeye’s favorite food, boosting his strength and energy. Dark leafy greens, such as spinach, contain not only iron, but vitamins A and C, thiamin, potassium, folic acid, as well as the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. These carotenoids keep eyes healthy, reducing the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts as you age. The antioxidants, vitamins A and C, help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke while folic acid shows promise in reducing the risk of certain cancers....

About Spring Starflower Plants The keys to spring flowers are good site location, soil drainage, and preliminary bulb care. Ipheion bulb care starts with proper installation and soil preparation. Knowing when to plant Ipheion starflower bulbs ensures healthy plants that won’t get floppy and produce enticing spicy, scented flowers and attractive arching strappy foliage for years. Try growing spring starflower bulbs in rockeries, borders, containers, and even under trees and shrubs....

Can I Grow St. John’s Wort? If you live in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 or 6 to 10 and have a partially shaded site, you can probably grow St. John’s wort. The plant isn’t particular about the soil type. It grows well in sand, clay, rocky soil or loam, and tolerates acidic to slightly alkaline pH. St. John’s wort adapts to both moist and dry soil, and even tolerates occasional flooding....

Wisteria for Cold Climates Wisteria vines are quite tolerant of a range of conditions but most varieties do not perform well in zones below USDA 4 to 5. Zone 3 wisteria plants were something of a pipe dream as cold, extended winters tended to kill these temperate climate darlings. A chance hybrid found across the swampy areas of south central U.S. from Louisiana and Texas north to Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Oklahoma, Kentucky wisteria is suitable for zones 3 to 9....