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Why Rotate Cover Crops? Cover crops impart their nutrients when tilled into the soil. Their root systems can loosen the earth and reduce compaction. Some plants, such as clover and legumes, fix nitrogen in the soil which has been leached by heavy crops and irrigation. The rule, “right plant, right place” is very true with cover crops. Their individual attributes can enhance future crops through their soil contributions. Almost any of the suggested cover crops will prove to enrich the soil but knowing how to rotate cover crop plants will create an even more effective biodiversity and tilth in soil....

Spartan Apple Tree Facts Spartan apples have a delicious, light, and sweet flavor. They are a Canadian offshoot from the McIntosh apple. Their trees bear a beautiful deep plum-red fruit that is somewhat smaller than the McIntosh. Great for eating and juicing, these apples have a long shelf life when kept at cool temperatures. The mature Spartan apple tree grows to a compact size with a high density of blossoms. The deep red color of the fruit is quite attractive, however, pruning is a major consideration because of the over-abundance of blossoms....

Bonsai Basics Although it can be done (by experts), it is more difficult to cultivate bonsai trees indoors. Bonsai can be accomplished by growing seeds, cuttings, or young trees. Bonsai can also be made with shrubs and vines. They range in height, from a couple inches (5 cm.) to 3 feet (1 m.) and are trained in various ways by careful pruning of the branches and roots, occasional repotting, pinching of new growth, and by wiring both the branches and trunk into the desired shape....

Sustainability in Mulching Gardeners are increasingly aware of how their practices impact the environment and local ecosystems. Sustainability means using methods, tools, and materials that have minimal negative impact or that actively promote the health of the ecosystem. For instance, more gardeners are planting native species to support local wildlife, attract pollinators, and avoid problematic invasive plants. Not everyone gives a lot of thought to mulch. They have a few options at the garden center and choose what looks good....

Dividing Lily Plants It doesn’t matter if they are Asiatic or Oriental; lilies bring serenity and beauty to any landscape. Most bulb flowers undergo a process called naturalization over time. This is when the plant produces more bulbs which grow and mature under the soil. The original bulbs will slowly fizzle out and either stop producing blooms or grow smaller flowers. As the newly formed bulbs get older, they will become the center of the action....

Types of Bergenia for Gardens Bergenia is a perennial, hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9, that grows best in dry, shady locations. Yes, I did say dry shade, which is a particularly difficult condition for plants. However, bergenia thrives in these sites where most plants struggle. Another bonus is that deer and snails rarely graze on bergenia plants. Bergenia produces thick, leathery, semi-evergreen to evergreen foliage which they find unpalatable....

Skunk Cabbage Thermogenesis Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is one plant that can stay toasty warm. Named for the smell emitted from bruised leaves, the skunk cabbage is one of the first plants to emerge in early spring. As it pushes its way up through the snow, this plant’s ability to generate heat is a survival tactic. For nearly two weeks, the spadix (spike of flowers) is able to maintain an internal temperature which is considerably warmer than the outside environment....

What are Golden Beets? Golden beets are simply a beet variety lacking that vibrant red pigment. They are bred to be golden in color, which is a wonderful thing for this beet lover who doesn’t like the mess. Golden beets and white beets are said to be sweeter and milder than their red counterparts. Intriguing, yes? So how do you grow golden beets? How to Grow Golden Beets There’s really no difference when growing gold beets than red beets....

What are Imperator Carrots? You know those “baby” carrots you buy at the supermarket, the kind the kids love? Those are actually Imperator carrots; likely so are the regular sized carrots you buy at the grocers. They are deep orange in color, tapered to a blunt point, and around 6 or 7 inches (15-18 cm.) long; the epitome of the perfect carrot. They are somewhat coarse and not as sweet as other carrots, but their thin skins make them easy to peel....

Chilean Myrtle Information Chilean myrtle trees go by many other names. Among these are Arrayan, Palo Colorado, Temu, Collimamul (kellumamul-orange wood), Short Leaf Stopper and its scientific designation, Luma apiculata. It is a lovely, evergreen tree with glossy, green leaves and edible fruits. In its wild habitat, the plant is protected in large forests situated along major water bodies. Trees can reach 60 feet (18 m.) or more in the wild, but in the home landscape, the plants tend to be large shrubs to small trees....

Information on European Pear Trees What is a European pear? The cultivated European pear (Pyrus communis) was most likely descended from two subspecies of wild pear, P. pyraster and P. caucasica. Wild pears may have been gathered and eaten as far back as the Bronze Age, but what is certain is that the ancient Greeks and Romans wrote of pear grafting and cultivation. Pears were brought by settlers to the New World where they eventually migrated to the Pacific Northwest in the 1800’s....

White Drupelet Disorder A drupelet is the individual ‘ball’ on the berry fruit that surrounds the seeds. Occasionally, you may find a berry that appears white in color, especially on its drupelets. This condition is known as White Drupelet Syndrome, or disorder. White Drupelet Disorder can be recognized by a tan or white discoloration of the drupelets on either blackberry or raspberry fruits, with raspberries being the most commonly affected. While a blackberry or raspberry with white drupelets may be unsightly, the fruit itself is still usable and relatively safe to eat....

Creating an All-White Garden If the area where you want to use a white garden has been planted previously, you’ll have to remove colorful specimens or include them in the white flower theme. There are many ways to proceed when creating an all-white garden. One of the easiest and most practical ways for the home gardener to implement a white garden design is to start planting white flowers, shrubs, and trees, then remove specimens of other colors as they bloom....

Due to their preference for full sun and drier soils, celosia is excellent for use in containers and xeriscaping. When grown in the right conditions, celosia can be a long-blooming, low maintenance plant, but it can also be susceptible to certain pests and diseases. If you’ve found yourself wondering: “why is my celosia dying,” continue reading to learn about common celosia problems. Celosia Plant Death from Pests One of the most common causes for celosia plant death is an infestation of mites....

What are Rampant Plants? So what are rampant plants exactly? Sometimes plants become extremely aggressive growers and before you know it, they can take over the area, becoming nothing more than annoying, invasive weeds in the garden. This is what’s meant as being rampant. Although many of these plants have positive attributes, such as attractive foliage or flowers, if left uncontrolled, the garden will quickly become one grand display of rampant plants and nothing else....

Common Diseases of Apple Trees Apple Scab – Apple scab is an apple tree disease that leaves warty, brown bumps on the leaves and fruit. It is a fungus that primarily affects trees in areas that have high humidity. Powdery Mildew – While powdery mildew affects a great many plants, and on apple trees it can decrease the number of flowers and fruit and cause stunted growth and blemished fruit. Powdery mildew on apples will look like a velvety covering on leaves and branches....

Rose Soil pH We know that the soil pH is optimum at 6.5 on the pH scale (pH range 5.5-7.0). Sometimes the rose soil pH may be either too acidic or too alkaline, so what do we do to effect the desired change in the pH? To make the soil less acidic, the common practice is to add some form of lime. Typically, ground agricultural limestone is used and the finer the particles the more rapidly it becomes effective....

Common Pests of Mesquite Even the toughest of plants have a few pest insects that will crop up from time to time. The mesquite tree is no exception. When your mesquite gets a bit buggy, you’ll need mesquite pest solutions! If you already know what type of infestation you have and how to handle it, it’ll make your battle much easier. Be on the lookout for: Sap-sucking insects. Sap-sucking insects are more of a nuisance than a serious problem of mesquite, but it’s important to know their call signs....

Do Caladiums Bloom? Big tropical looking foliage, deeply veined leaves, and an array of colors characterize caladiums. These plants in the Araceae family are classed as blooming plants. Do caladiums bloom though? Mature plants do develop a flower-like bud. This is a small spathe, a type of inflorescence found in the Aroid class of plants. The spathe is a far cry from what we usually deem as flowers, lacking petals and most other features of a typical bloom....

What are Ohio Valley and Central U.S. Conifers? Homeowners typically think of conifers as cone-producing, Christmas tree-shaped evergreen trees. While that catch-all description does adequately describe many conifers, there are some which produce berries, others that are deciduous, and a few types are more shrub-like than tree-shaped. Here are the main types of conifers for Ohio valley and central U.S. states: Pine (Pinus) – Pines prefer full sun. Common species include white pine, Austrian pine, Scotch pine, Japanese black pine, and mugo pine....