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What are Oxygenating Plants? Submerged water plants are also known as oxygenating pond plants because they actually filter the pond water. Submerged plants also keep algae growth under control and provide oxygen. Submerged plants grow fully immersed in water and get their nutrients from the water through their leaves, not their roots like other plants. Plants that grow completely under water provide shelter for fish, oxygen to the water, and filter out pollutants....

What are Weeping Trees? Weeping trees have branches that droop toward the ground. They often carry the species or cultivar name “Pendula” because of their hanging branches. Very few trees weep naturally. Weeping is generally caused by a mutation that does not grow true from seeds. Weeping trees are often grafted onto species rootstock because the species is usually more vigorous than the mutation. Be careful to remove root suckers as they appear because any species trees that grow from the suckers can overtake the weeping tree....

What are Microbes? A microbe is usually defined as any living thing that is too small to be seen without a microscope. By this definition, “microbe” includes microscopic animals like nematodes along with single-celled organisms. By an alternate definition, “microbe” means only single-celled living things; this includes microscopic members of all three domains of life: bacteria, archaea (also called “archaebacteria”), and eukaryotes (“protists”). Fungi are usually considered microbes, even though they can take single-celled or multicellular forms and produce both visible and microscopic parts above and below the ground....

What is a Gravel Garden? This type of garden concept is characterized by gravel mulch, but may also include trees, shrubs, groundcovers, flowers, larger rocks, and differently textured hardscape details. The best types of gravel garden plants are perennials, ornamental grasses, and herbs. The effect provides a Mediterranean style garden that is perfect for plants such as: Lavender Juniper Rosemary Thyme Cistus Some bulbs such as alliums and crocus will break through the gravel mulch and naturalize in clumps....

About Gardens and Hospice Hospice is end-of-life care designed to ease the passing of patients that have six months or less to live. Hospice is not only about palliative care but is also a philosophy of care that not only eases patient’s pain and symptoms but attends to their emotional and spiritual needs as well as those of their loved ones. The whole idea is to maximize the patient’s quality of life while at the same time tending to and preparing the patient for their impending death....

What is Hemp Seed? Hemp is the non-psychoactive variety of Cannabis. It has great potential as a grain and fiber material. There are approved varieties for planting depending upon where you live, so it is best to consult with your municipality to determine which, if any, varieties are permitted. There are also species which are noted for best grain or fiber production, so selection will depend upon the purpose for the crop....

Causes of Plant Lodging The causes of plant lodging are legion. High nitrogen levels, storm damage, soil density, disease, sowing date, overpopulation, and seed type are all contributing factors to lodging in cereal crops. The most common plants affected by lodging are corn, but other cereal and grain crops are also at risk. The two types of plant lodging can occur coincidentally or singly but their effect on the crop reduces overall health and harvest....

What Pests Do Cosmos Get? Plant pests abound in spring and summer. Those that eat plant parts and suck sap can cause stunting, disfiguring, and loss of vigor in our beautiful landscape plants. Bugs that eat cosmos flowers can do successive damage to plants over time. These tiny marauders are often difficult to spot, but their feeding activities bring obvious results. Identifying the insects on cosmos can help control the pests and restore your plant to health....

White Snakeroot Facts White snakeroot plants have coarse toothed, round-based leaves with pointed tips that grow opposite each other on erect stems that reach 3 feet (1 m.) tall. The stems branch at the top where white clusters of flowers bloom from summer through fall. Snakeroot prefers moist, shady areas and is often found along roadsides, woods, fields, thickets, and under powerline clearances. Historically, snakeroot plant uses included teas and poultices made from the roots....

Why are My Geranium Leaves Red? Red leaves on a geranium are a sign that the plant is stressed in some way. While the bright red coloration of stressed geraniums can actually be quite attractive, it is a sign of concern. Red geranium leaves can be a symptom of minor problems, such as over or under-watering, nutrient decencies, or cool temperatures. However, geranium leaves turning red can also signify more serious issues....

Although these are low-maintenance shrubs in summer, as the colder season arrives, you’ll have to think about winter care for azaleas. Caring for azaleas in winter is not difficult if you know what to do and when to do it. Preparing azalea shrubs for winter will ensure your plants are hale and hearty when temperatures rise in spring. How to Take Care of Azalea Bushes If you are wondering how to take care of azalea bushes, remember that this type of rhododendron plant is picky about soil....

Differences in Tomatoes that are Yellow In general, yellow tomatoes are less acidic and have a sweeter taste than red ones. This flavor balance is due to the absence of lycopene, the pigment that gives tomatoes their red coloration. Tomatoes that are yellow might be a better choice for those following a low-acid diet, but the lycopene found in red tomatoes are a powerful antioxidant linked to many health benefits. Does this mean we should forego growing yellow tomato plants?...

Yellow Eggplant Fruit Most people think of large, waxy, purple fruits when eggplant comes to mind. Although many eggplants are purple, not every variety produces this iconic fruit color. Eggplant fruits can range in color from pale green to a deep purple that looks black, including many that appear in shades of yellow, or even white. If you’ve never grown a specific variety before, yellow could simply be the color of the fruit on your plant....

Steps to Improve Clay Heavy Soil A great many gardeners are cursed with clay soil, but if your garden has clay soil, this is no reason to give up on gardening or suffer with plants that never reach their full potential. All you need to do is follow a few steps and precautions, and your clay soil will be the dark and crumbly soil of your dreams. Avoid Compaction The first precaution you will need to take is to baby your clay soil....

Barberry Plant Information Barberry bushes are hardy deciduous plants commonly used in gardens or as foundation bushes due to their low maintenance requirements and adaptability. Barberries are also frequently used as a hedge because of their uniform growth pattern. There are over 400 species of barberry plants. Many barberries have sharp thorns; however, some are without. Be sure to consider this when growing barberry bushes, especially if you have small children....

Help For Beet Seedlings Falling Over Seedlings can become leggy if they’re started with a light source that is too far away; the beets stretch to the light, becoming leggy. The result, of course, will be that they simply can’t support themselves and you get beets that are falling over. If you see that your beet seedlings are falling over, an additional cause may be wind, especially, if you are hardening them off outside prior to transplanting....

What is Biointensive Gardening? Biointensive gardening focuses a lot on the quality of the soil. When farmers use biointensive gardening, they loosen up the soil at least twice as deep as normal gardening preparations. This way, their plants’ roots can penetrate through the soil deeper, and get more nutrients and water from deep underground. Another important aspect of biointensive soil building is compost. It’s important to return nutrients into the soil after plants have taken them out of the soil....

Calendula and Insects While there are a few troublesome pests of calendula, it’s also important to realize that calendula blooms attract a number of beneficial insects. For example, the sweet nectar draws pollinators such as butterflies and bees. Calendula also attracts good guys such as ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies and other insects that help control aphids, thrips, and other destructive pests. If you walk through your garden in spring and summer, you’re likely to see beneficial insects hanging around your calendula plants....

California Poppy Info If you’ve ever been through California and seen a hillside of bright orange blooms, you are familiar with the California poppy plant. Knowing how to grow California poppies will provide the gardener with a foolproof plant and a wild native that is perennial and easy to maintain. The cheery, eye-popping flowers will enliven any scenario, but be cautious. The plant has a deep taproot and ferociously reseeds, making it a possible pest plant in some locations....

Can Compost Get Too Hot? If compost is too hot, it can kill beneficial microbes. Overheated compost piles pose no fire danger if they are properly moist but some of the organic properties will be compromised. Excessive temperatures in compost can cause spontaneous combustion, but this is very rare even among overheated compost piles. Properly aerated and moist compost piles, no matter how hot, are not dangerous. Even hot compost bins that are fairly enclosed will not catch fire if they are tumbled and kept moist....