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Symptoms of Bacterial Leaf Spot of Peach Trees The most characteristic sign of peach tree leaf spot are angular purple to purple-brown spots on foliage, followed by the center of lesion falling out, giving the leaves a “shot hole” appearance. Leaves soon turn yellow and drop. Fruit has small, water-soaked markings that enlarge and merge to eventually cover large areas. Cracking or pitting occurs along the lesions as the fruit grows, enabling brown rot fungus to infiltrate the fruit....

Badger Damage in the Garden Badgers have a wide range in North America and European nations. They are a protected species in the United Kingdom but laws are more flexible in the United States. Badgers in the garden tend to dig up lawns to find insects and, occasionally, flower beds to eat bulbs or vegetable beds when other food is scarce. Because these animals are creatures of habit, it can be very difficult to control them....

Do some research when growing a basement garden so you can solve these problems if they crop up and decrease your produce bill while providing healthy veggies for your family. Needs for Basement Gardening The majority of vegetables require warm temperatures, but basements are notoriously dank and cold. You need to ensure that the area is draft free and provide heaters to keep the area warm. If the basement is also damp, you will need fans to move air around and prevent rot....

Beaver Tree Damage Prevention It’s taken a long time, but beavers are making quite a comeback after an unregulated fur trade decimated numbers across much of the country, driving the animals nearly to the point of extinction. It’s important to note that beavers are extremely beneficial residents of riparian environments, helping the ecosystem by controlling floods, improving water quality, and providing habitat for plants and animals. Unfortunately, if you own waterfront property, beavers may be creating havoc with trees in your landscape....

So, “How do I choose a Christmas tree?” you wonder. Choosing Christmas Trees As you begin your journey to find the best Christmas tree, you need to consider the space where the tree will be in your home. The best Christmas tree for that corner in your family room will not be the same as the tree you need for the spacious and rarely used formal living room. Note whether people will see the tree from all sides to decide how lush the tree needs to be....

When to Prune Fruit Trees Most fruit trees don’t need pruning annually once they have been trained. Initial fruit tree pruning is important to help young trees produce thick stems and open canopies where light and air can enter and promote flowering, as well as reduce fungal and bacterial diseases. The best time for pruning fruit trees is at planting and in subsequent years, in early spring before buds break and trees are still dormant....

Bitter Tasting Basil Leaves A member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family, basil (Ocimum basilicum) is renowned for its aromatic and sweet tasting leaves. The herb is cultivated for the use of these leaves, which are high in essential oils and impart delicate flavor and aroma to a multitude of cuisines. It can be used either fresh or dried, although most people agree that dried basil doesn’t hold a candle to fresh basil....

However, fruit bearing plants can be susceptible to pests and diseases that ornamentals are not bothered by. Citrus trees can be infected by Asian citrus psyllids, apple trees can be attacked by twig-cutter weevils, and stone fruit trees can be infected by brown rot. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at brown rot plum tree disease. Plums with Brown Rot Brown rot on plums is a fungal disease scientifically classified as Monilinia fructicola....

Division and Bulb Chipping Propagation Many flowering bulbs multiply easily in the ground by forming bulblets around the base of the parent bulb. These offsets are easily recognizable when new shoots of greenery appear beside the mother plant. Daffodils and crocuses are easily propagated by the removal and replanting of these offsets. Plants such as lilies produce bulbils in the leaf axils. These bulbils can be easily removed when ripe and planted in a pot until they reach a size suitable to survive outdoors....

California Lilac Information California lilac comes in several forms for use in the landscape. Some are upright bushes reaching 8 or 9 feet (2 to 2.5 m.) in height while others are compact, low growing groundcovers that seldom reach more than 6 inches (15 cm.) in height. Plants are evergreen and have small to medium glossy green leaves which accent the bright to light blue flowers. You can see California lilac growing wild in Oregon, California and Washington, and some species are found as far as Guatemala....

Calla Lily Feeding at Planting Feeding calla lily plants at planting and again each spring can help promote huge blooms with more flower production. Avoid high nitrogen feeds that will encourage foliar development but reduces flowers. These South African natives are heavy water users and require plenty of the right kind of nutrients for maximum flowering and healthy growth. Some tips on how to fertilize calla lily will ensure beautiful flowers and erect, vigorous plants....

Gardening with Bubble Wrap There are so many ways to repurpose bubble wrap in the garden. For instance, many of us live in climates where temperatures dip during winter months. What better way to protect sensitive plants from the ravages of cold temperatures than with bubble wrap? If you don’t already have some on hand, it comes in easy to handle rolls. It can be stored and reused year after year....

Epihyllum Information Epiphyllum make excellent hanging basket plants with their jointed stems that grow 18 to 30 inches (45.5-76 cm.) long. They are native to tropical Central and South America and span approximately 20 species. The pendant stems crown with spectacular flowers that last only a couple of days but produce from early winter through spring. They are a peculiar plant that flowers best when exposed to cool temperatures and shortened light periods....

About Zone 7 Flower Bulbs Daffodils, tulips, fritillaria, lilies… the list could go on and on. Whether you prefer dish-sized dahlia or dainty grape hyacinths, there is a color and shape for every gardener. As a zone 7 gardener, you are especially lucky with the wide range of flowers that are hardy in the region. Time your bulb-planting activities correctly. The best times for planting bulbs in zone 7 are in the fall for spring bloomers and in spring for summer flowering varieties....

What Plants Irritate the Skin? Most people are familiar with poisonous plants like sumac, poison ivy, and poison oak. However, some of our most innocuous plants are toxic and carry poisons that can cause visible reactions. There are several types of skin irritant plants, some of which cause allergic reactions. Geraniums, tomatoes, roses, and even our holiday favorite, the poinsettia, have the potential to cause skin irritation. Not all plants affect all people the same way....

Although you can find reusable composting sacks made from sturdy material, you can save a few bucks by making a bag of compost in a sturdy garbage bag. Read on for a basic compost bag DIY. Compost Bag DIY: Can I Make Compost In A Bag? Compost made using a couple of large, sturdy, black plastic garbage bags is great for a small amount of material. But keep in mind, making compost in a bag probably isn’t the best idea if you’re planning on making a lot of compost....

What to Do with Corn Husks Since you’ve been left hanging, here’s what my grandfather used to make for my sister and me using corn husks – corn husk dolls. In fact, the process is quite simple and only requires corn husks and twine or raffia. Very quickly my sister and I were making our own. If you’re really artistic, corn husks can also be used to make other animals and shapes as well....

How to Make Pumpkin Planters Any pumpkin is suitable for making pumpkin planters, but a round, fat pumpkin with a flat bottom is easier to plant in than a tall, skinny pumpkin. Purchase two or three nursery bedding plants to plant in your pumpkin. To turn a plain old pumpkin into a flower pot, use a sharp knife to slice off the top. Make the opening large enough to allow for digging and planting....

Why are My Cukes Cracked? Cracking in cucumbers is an uncommon symptom that can occur in fruits that have been overwatered. Other common causes of cucumber fruit split are common plant pathogens — angular leaf spot and belly rot can both cause fruit cracking in cucumbers when conditions are right. Abiotic Problem: Irregular Irrigation Cucumbers that receive irregular watering or that have been exposed to erratic weather patterns where lots of rain fell all at once may develop long, deep cracks....

Deer Resistant Garden Ideas There are many borders and chemical deterrents to prevent deer in the landscape. The problem is that what works in one region may not work in another. Much of the reliability on such items depends upon how hungry and how adapted to humans deer are and even the weather can be a factor. Planting deer-resistant plants may be a better bet than investing in odor, noise, or barrier deterrents....