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Using an Unheated Greenhouse in Winter An unheated greenhouse in winter will not only allow you to grow hardy veggies, but you can start tender annuals, propagate perennials, and overwinter cold sensitive plants. Of course, it helps to know how to use an unheated greenhouse (or “cold house,” as it may be called) effectively and what plants will be most suited to this cooler environment. During the day, a typical greenhouse will trap heat from the sun, which allows the plants inside to stay warm at night....

How to Grow Different Beet Types The table beet is also referred to as the garden beet, blood turnip, or red beet. Beet tops are extremely high in Vitamin A, while the beet root is a good source of Vitamin C. These cool weather veggies are fairly easy to grow. Most types of beet plants are tolerant of heat, but truly thrive in temps between 60 and 65 degrees F. (15-18 C....

The 3 basic components necessary for rain garden water drainage solutions are; inflow, basin, and outflow. The inflow is the area where extra water enters the garden. The basin is what catches that moisture, while the outflow is the rain garden’s overflow area. This is often a ditch dug in such a way that it moves the extra moisture off the property. Planning Landscaping for Water Drainage Attractive and useful water drainage solutions can come in the form of rain gardens....

What are Dolphin Plants? A quick search on dolphin plant info reveals that it is a cross between hot dog cactus and string of pearls. Dolphin plants are hybrids that bring extra charm to a sea-themed planter. Their unusual leaf form has typical succulent plumpness with low maintenance and few growing issues. The main thing to remember is that the plant is a succulent and requires well-draining soil to thrive. One of the worst offenses is overly wet soil, but don’t be fooled – dolphin plants do like regular moisture....

What are Sourgrass Plants? Plants in the Oxalis genus are similar to clover but an entirely different family. Oxalis grows from little bulbils, while clover is a seeded or rhizomatous plant. Yellow woodsorrel (Oxalis stricta) appears like a small variety of clover but has none of the nitrogen fixing capabilities. There are several yellow woodsorrel benefits, though. Woodsorrel sourgrass is a native North American plant. It is found from the Eastern U....

What Causes Small Rhubarb Stalks? Young Plants It takes rhubarb plants two years to become established. During this period, it’s normal for the plant to produce spindly rhubarb stalks. Harvesting during this establishment period can reduce the vigor of the plant. The solution: hold off harvesting young rhubarb plants for the first two years. This establishment period allows the plant to develop a strong root system that supports future plant growth....

If you’re lucky enough to come across this interesting aloe plant, tips on how to grow spiral aloe will be next on your list. What is a Spiral Aloe? Spiral aloe (Aloe polyphylla) information says pups don’t often grow on this plant, but propagation from seed is simple. Lack of babies partially explains the rarity of this South African native. That said, seeds are available for purchase online. The spiral aloe is unusual, with symmetrical leaves twirling around in a circle of growth....

Without a crystal ball, nobody can say whether the economic situation in the country will deteriorate to the point that you and your family will need a survival garden to survive. However, like putting plans together in case of an earthquake or other disaster, the key to survival is preparation. Read on to learn about designing a survival garden and survival gardening tips. What is a Survival Garden? It would take quite a few plants to feed you and your family, if all you had to eat were the crops you raised....

How to Grow Tomatoes Indoors Tomatoes need full sun and at least eight hours of light to produce any fruit. Temperatures should be in the range of 65 F. (18 C.) or more indoors. Use unglazed pots that will breathe, with good drainage holes when growing indoor tomatoes. One way to preserve your summer tomatoes is to bring them inside at the end of summer. You may be able to save the tomato plants over winter for a period....

Fungal Leaf Disease in Wisteria The fungal leaf diseases commonly known as powdery mildew and leaf spot are frequently observed in wisteria, but they’re not a major concern. Both may start as small yellow spots on leaves, but powdery mildew eventually develops a white, fuzzy coating that may engulf the whole leaf. Leaf spots don’t generally spread, but they may dry out, turn brown or give affected leaves a shot hole appearance....

Bulbs are storage organs that hold short-term supplies of fuel for leaf production and the embryonic flowers that will soon grace your space. Most bulbs require some sort of specific temperature change to force them out of dormancy. Forced bulbs in pots have been exposed to the chilling requirements necessary to get the bulb to grow leaves and flowers. This is generally three months at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 C....

Tips for Growing an Azalea Houseplant You can grow azalea indoors much like any other houseplant, but as with other blooming plants, there are a few tricks you need to know about the care of indoor azalea if you want to keep them blooming year after year. The first step in growing an azalea houseplant is to choose the right shrub. You are looking for greenhouse azaleas, not hardy azaleas, which are only grown outdoors....

Composting on Balconies The same principles of composting apply whether you have acres of land or a concrete balcony. Kitchen scraps are considered the green component of compost and are layered with browns. Suitable greens for a balcony compost bin include vegetable peels, discarded produce, eggshells, and coffee grounds. Landowners usually have access to leaves, pine needles, and shredded wood which typically make up the brown layers. These materials may be in short supply for balcony composting projects....

Sadly, bee populations are declining. Bees are becoming few in numbers. The way things are heading, bees and prairies may someday just be things we see in our daydreams. However, like Emily Dickinson’s one bee, each one person who takes steps to help our pollinators is also helping our prairies and the future of our planets. Honeybee decline has made many headlines in the past few years, but bumblebee populations are declining too....

Greenovia Succulent Info Cacti and succulent aficionados are forever looking for the next new plant and building unique collections. Rose-shaped greenovia is one of those hard-to-find specimens that many of us would give our eye teeth to own. If you are lucky, you might find them at a specialty online nursery or a friend’s plant may have pups you can acquire. Caring for greenovia is very similar to the maintenance for other succulents....

Cranberry Plant Problems There’s nothing that says fall quite like the unassuming cranberry. What nature neglected in size and grandeur, it made up for in intensity and sheer unforgettably flavored berries. Growing cranberries at home can be challenging, since they have very specific growing requirements, but if you’re willing to give it a go, it’s best to be armed with information about problems in cranberry vines so you’re prepared. Both cranberry pests and diseases can be devastating and difficult to manage, but we’ll get you started on the path to success....

Does Compost Smell? A properly balanced compost pile should not smell bad. Compost should smell like dirt and if it does not, there is something wrong and your compost pile is not properly heating up and breaking down the organic material. There is one exception to this rule and that is if you are composting manure in your compost pile. This will commonly smell until the manure breaks down. If you wish to suppress the smell of composting manure, you can cover the pile with 6-12 inches (15-30 cm....

Backyard Possum Control The best way to combat opossum problems is to understand their habits. While they prefer wooded areas or open fields near streams, they will take up residence in abandoned burrows, tree crevices, brush piles, or areas beneath steps, decks, and outbuildings. These animals are also nocturnal, meaning they’re typically active only at night, sleeping throughout the day. This can make it somewhat difficult to “see” the intruder attacking your garden....

Selecting Full Sun Flowering Plants With all the options available from online nurseries, specialty growers and local offerings, it can be difficult to choose which flowers are right for your garden. Full sun flowering plants for zone 9 are one of the easiest to find and the choices are rampant. Whether you want native plants for their superior adaptability or exotic flora, zone 9 gardeners are fortunate to have sunny climes and warm temperatures that encourage blooming....

Garden Tool Selection Guide We all have our favorite garden implement. It may be a 20-year-old shovel or your new rototiller, but what they all have in common is their usefulness and comfort. To get to that place where all your tools are exactly as you need them to be, you must first do some research. Whether you are looking at gardening tools for beginners or you are a professional landscaper, the tools you choose need to suit your body and the tasks you require of them....