Growing Potatoes in Zone 8 Potatoes have been cultivated for over 2,000 years. There are somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 cultivars of these Bolivian tubers. They are related to eggplants and tomatoes and have the same potential toxins in their leaves and flowers. The tubers are the only edible part of the plant. The delicious spuds have innumerable uses and preparation methods. Such a versatile food is perfect for zone 8....
How to Make an Allergy Friendly Garden Every year, as spring brings forth new life in the garden, people begin to sneeze in response to pollen in the air. For pollen sensitive people and those allergic to garden plants, spring is an uncomfortable and agonizing time of year. The key to making gardens allergy friendly lies in selecting plants with low pollen. Contrary to popular belief, low pollen plants are not bland or unattractive....
Are Snapdragons Annuals or Perennials? The most common question about snapdragons is: are snapdragons annual or perennial? The answer is that they can be both. Some varieties of snapdragons are true annuals, meaning they grow, flower, set seed, and die all within one growing season. Other varieties of snapdragons are considered to be short-lived perennials, hardy in zones 7 to 11, which are usually grown as annuals. A few varieties of snapdragons are even known to withstand winter temperatures in zones 5 and 6....
There are over 6,000 species of lizards worldwide and it’s likely that native species of common garden lizards live near you. So why should modern day gardeners take an interest in these scaly remnants from the age of the dinosaurs, as opposed to getting rid of them, and how are lizards good for gardens? Let’s learn more. Lizard Friendly Gardens First and foremost, many species of lizards eat garden pests, such as slugs and harmful insects....
Meet the Autumn Olive Before we start a discussion of autumn olive lookalikes, let’s address more basic questions. What does autumn olive look like? Where does it grow in this country today? Read on to learn how to identify autumn olive. The autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) is a woody shrub that usually doesn’t exceed 20 feet (6 m.) tall. It is deciduous, dropping its leaves in winter. Those leaves are attractive, green above but, on the underside, covered densely with silver red scales....
Bacterial Wilt in Beans Bacterial wilt of dry beans is caused by Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. Flaccumfaciens. Both bacterial wilt and bacterial blight in bean plants are fostered by moderate to warm temps, moisture, and plant wounds both during and post-flowering. The bacterium affects many types of beans including: Soybeans Hyacinth beans Runner beans Limas Peas Adzuki beans Mung beans Cowpeas The first symptoms of bacterial wilt in beans appear in the leaves....
Plants with Multicolored Leaves There are several multicolored plants from which to choose. Many of these plants with colorful leaves require a bit more attention when placing them in the landscape. However, it’s worthwhile to get that additional burst of various shades through the summer. Many have insignificant blooms that can be clipped early to direct energy into producing the attractive foliage. Here are a few examples of multi-colored foliage plants for the garden:...
To keep up with consumer demand, commercial growers have dedicated thousands of acres each year to growing romaine lettuce. Unfortunately, it’s estimated green leafy vegetables account for 20% of food-borne illness. This has resulted in numerous recalls of romaine lettuce in the past decade and, for many families, eliminated salad from the Thanksgiving menu in 2018. Many gardeners find growing romaine lettuce at home to be a safer alternative....
What Causes Yellowing Leaves on a Bird of Paradise Plant? There are few bird of paradise plant problems that initiates should be aware of, but yellowing leaves on a bird of paradise plant is among the most common. This condition is typically caused by improper growing conditions, so let’s explore exactly what it takes to keep your plant green and happy. Lighting When growing outside, bird of paradise plants prefer full sun to light shade....
Why Do Pepper Leaves Blacken and Fall Off? Blackened leaves on pepper plants aren’t a good omen and are usually a symptom of one or a combination of several factors. The first one, overwatering, is most likely the reason for the blackened leaves on my pepper plants. I try very hard not to wet the foliage, but since I live in the Pacific Northwest, Mother Nature isn’t always as cooperative; we get a lot of rain....
How to Grow Bleeding Heart from Cuttings The most effective way to root a bleeding heart cutting is to take softwood cuttings – new growth that is still somewhat pliable and doesn’t snap when you bend the stems. Immediately after blooming is a perfect opportunity for taking cuttings from a bleeding heart. The best time for taking cuttings from a bleeding heart is early morning, when the plant is well-hydrated. Here are simple steps on growing bleeding heart from cuttings:...
Why are My Blueberries not Ripening? The most likely reason for blueberries that won’t ripen is the type of berry. Some varieties require longer periods of cold winter temps to fruit properly. If you live in a warmer region, the plants may not have had a long enough chill period. Blueberries bud in summer and flower the following spring, yielding berries from early summer to early fall. Shorter fall days combined with cooler night temperatures signal to the plant that it is time to become dormant....
Why Use Homemade Calcium Rich Foliar Spray? Calcium foliar spray lends necessary calcium to the plant, preventing leaf necrosis, short brown roots, fungal issues, weak stems and stunted growth (damping off). Making calcium spray for plants will increase cell division, an important component, especially in those rapid growers such as tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn. While it is true that acidic soils have a reduced amount of calcium compared to more alkaline soils, pH is not a true reflection of the necessity for foliar feeding with calcium but may be used as a general guideline....
What are Dewberries? To answer the question, “What are dewberries?” it’s helpful to look at the difference between dewberry and blackberry. While they are both trailing berry producing plants whose propensity for growth nears that of a weed, growing dewberry plants have a more shrub-like habit as opposed to the upright 3 to 6 foot (1-2 m.) vines of the blackberry. The berries of dewberry plants are purplish red, similar to raspberries, and the seeds are much larger and tougher than those of the blackberry....
What is Blackheart Disorder? Celery is a member of the family Umbelliferae amongst whose other members are carrots, fennel, parsley, and dill. It is most often grown for its crunchy, slightly salty stalks, but celery roots and leaves are also used in food preparation. Celery grows best in fertile, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. With a small root system, celery is an inefficient nutrient forager, so additional organic matter is essential....
Common Diseases of Kiwi Plants Below you will find some of the most commonly seen diseases of kiwi plants. Phytophthora crown and root rot – Soggy, poorly drained soil and excess moisture are to blame for phytophthora crown and root rot, a disease that is easy to spot by reddish brown roots and crowns. The disease is prevented by proper moisture management. Fungicides are sometimes effective. Botrytis fruit rot – Also known as gray mold, botrytis fruit rot causes mature kiwi fruit to become soft and shriveled with a gray growth that appears mostly at the stem end....
About Mugwort Weeds Prior to a big kill campaign, you should know your enemy. Mugwort leaves look like chrysanthemum leaves with smooth, dark green upper leaves and a lighter green underside that is hairy. The hairs have a whitish cast and give the leaves the impression of being silver. Leaves are elliptical and deeply notched, growing 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm.) long. Mugwort weeds are sprawling, spreading plants that bloom from July to September....
Can Corn Cross Pollinate? Corn pollinates with the help of the wind, which catches the fine dust and swirls it around the field. Some corn is self pollinating, but the majority relies upon the other plants standing with it for pollination. Can corn cross pollinate? Most varieties cross pollinate easily, but the resulting plants are not of the same variety as the parent plants, and may even be a completely different strain....
Cranberry Winter Requirements During a cranberry plant’s winter dormancy, the fruiting buds become mature. This makes winter and spring freezes potentially damaging, as they can kill the terminal growth and tender buds. Flooding as a part of cranberry winter care can help protect the roots and fruit buds. There are several other winter processes that occur to help increase cranberry winter hardiness and spring growth. Cranberries are evergreen, perennial plants native to North America....
If cutworms are attacking your seedlings, you’ll want to know how to get rid of cutworms. Control of cutworms is possible with a little know-how. Read on for more information on how to kill cutworm pests. Cutworm Damage in the Garden Identifying cutworms is not as easy as you might think since different species are different colors. Some are black, brown, grey or tan while others can be pink or green....
