A vertical garden in an apartment may be the just the thing for plant lovers who are short on space. Vertical gardening indoors isn’t difficult, and hundreds of plants are suitable for growing vertically indoors. Take time to plan carefully and make the best use of available space. Vertical Gardening Inside Indoor vertical gardens must be attached to sturdy supports. Pots filled with plants and damp potting mix are heavy....
Prepping Beds for Potatoes Properly preparing beds for potatoes is of primary importance. Neglecting potato bed preparation may result in inferior crops. Improperly prepared beds may be predisposed to soil compaction and poor aeration and drainage, three things that potatoes abhor. Consider what type of previous crop was in the bed. Be sure that any debris has been well composted and avoid planting in the area if it was recently planted with any other Solanaceae members (nightshade family) to reduce the risk of passing on bacteria or virus pathogens....
What are Potato Tuberworms? The question, “What are potato tuberworms” is a little bit more involved than the short answer of “pests.” Commonly found in tropical to subtropical regions, potato tuberworms are actually larvae, or at least it is this stage of the insect that wreaks the most havoc on your spuds. Potato tuberworm adults are small moths that lay tiny oval eggs of white to yellow hue. Once hatched and full grown, the resulting larvae are caterpillars, which vary in color and feed upon leaves and stems....
Cactus lovers know there are Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas cactus. Their cheery flowers are a treat when hardly anything is in bloom in winter. Schlumbergera cuttings are how to propagate Easter cactus and its cousins. Just a few steps and the gardener is well on their way to producing baby cacti that will bloom in future years. Keep new cacti in a shady location in summer, bringing the plant in before temperatures become cool....
Plants That Grow Well With Radishes Companion planting has been practiced for centuries and was a common Native American practice illustrated perfectly in the “three sisters” method of cropping where corn, squash, and beans were planted to support each other, enhance nitrogen, utilize space, and shade weeds. Each plant has something to offer the other and radish companion plants can fulfill the same needs. Planning is a key feature in intercropping where space, size, growing conditions, and nutrient needs are all considered for a seamlessly compatible garden....
Raspberry Plant Propagation Raspberries, whether red, yellow, purple, or black, are susceptible to viruses. Resist the urge to propagate raspberries from an existing patch or your neighbor’s garden as these plants may be infected. It is always best to acquire stock from a reputable nursery. Raspberry propagations are available as transplants, suckers, tips, root cuttings, or tissue-cultured plants. How to Propagate Raspberries Raspberry propagations from nurseries arrive in culture vessels, in rooting cubes, or as year old dormant plants....
When a Rose Bush with Red Leaves is Normal The new foliage of many roses starts out a very deep red to nearly purple in color. From this new growth comes the forming of buds and future beautiful blooms. Every time we deadhead our roses (remove the old blooms), we will see this new foliage coming forth. Its rich and healthy coloration is truly a joy to see, as we know blooms will soon follow and we also know the bush is happy and healthy....
Rose of Sharon pruning done later than early spring may cause the loss of some blooms, but those that are not removed will be larger. Learning how to prune a rose of Sharon and when to prune rose of Sharon is simple once you learn the methods. Younger shrubs may benefit from a light pruning while older specimens may need more extreme branch removal. When planning to trim a rose of Sharon, stand back and take a look at the overall form....
What is Agretti? Popular in Italy and hot in high-end Italian restaurants in the United States, agretti is an 18-inch wide by 25-inch tall (45.5 x 63.5 cm.) herb plant. This annual has long, chive-like foliage and when mature, in about 50 days or so, looks like a large chive plant. Salsola Soda Information The flavor of agretti has been described variously as a bit bitter, almost sour, to a more pleasant description of a plant with a pleasant crunch, hint of bitterness, and the tang of salt....
About Autumn Joy Sedum Plants Sedum Autumn Joy plants (Sedum x ‘Autumn Joy’) are not garden divas. They thrive in conditions that other plants might consider rude. Once established, they are drought tolerant, but they also flourish in rainy regions. The key is well-draining soil and plenty of sunshine. Provide these circumstances and your plant will not only bloom and grow quickly but can be separated to produce many more of these un-fussy beauties....
The key to this woodland retreat? Layering and incorporating shade plants for texture in woodland gardens under trees. Native Plants for Texture in a Shade Garden Shade plants are naturally found growing as understory plants beneath trees. They occupy a unique niche and provide habitat, food, and protection for many woodland creatures. Many shade plants don’t have flashy blooms, but what they do have is texture and often colorful foliage....
The world is facing a honey bee crisis. Bees are one of the top pollinators, but by no means the only ones. Moths, wasps, birds, and even bats are also part of the pollinating chain. Building a pollinator garden in the southwest can encourage these important creatures to make their home in your landscape. Native Southwest Plants for Pollinators Native plants can be just as beautiful as imported and cultivated varieties....
Vines for Southwest states must be able to grow happily through the dry, hot summers of the region. If you are wondering about Southwest region vines, read on for information. About Southwestern Vines Vines are useful and attractive additions to any backyard. Vines in the Southwest can help you beat the heat that comes with the region’s bright sunshine and dry summers. A vine covering an arbor provides quick, attractive shade in patios....
Sunflower Seed Heads There is a myriad of sunflower varieties to choose from that are suitable for growing either as ornamentals or for edible seed harvest. Traditional sunflowers grow to a height of about 5 plus feet (1.5 m.) and are typically a sunny yellow, but modern hybrids come in dwarf varieties of 1 to 2 feet (31-61 cm.) and a wide range of yellows, burgundies, reds, bronzes, and browns. All of these sunflower seed heads are enticing to birds, from chickadees to siskins, redpolls, nuthatches, and goldfinches....
What are Tree Tomatoes? Tree tomato tamarillo (Cyphomandra betacea) is a lesser-known plant in many regions but makes a very nice addition to the landscape. The South American native is a small-growing shrub or semi-woody tree reaching heights between 10 and 18 feet (3-5.5 m.). Tamarillo trees bloom in early spring, producing fragrant pink flowers. These blooms will eventually give way to small, oval or egg-shaped fruit, reminiscent of plum tomatoes—hence the tomato tree’s name....
About Scented Geraniums Like their fellow hothouse cousins, scented geranium plants are not true geraniums at all, but members of the Pelargonium genus and are considered to be tender perennials. They are treated as annuals throughout most of Europe and the United States and their beauty is appreciated all over the world. It’s an added bonus that they are so easy to grow! Scented geraniums were originally found in Africa and brought back to Holland by early explorers....
Growing Ginger Plants that Flower Ornamental, or flowering, gingers are different from the edible variety. These are just for show, and they can certainly be beautiful, with a range of sizes, flower shapes, and colors. These are also tropical and sub-tropical plants that will not tolerate winters that are much colder than 50 degrees F. (10 C.). If you do have a south Florida garden, or one in a similar climate, you can grow these ginger plants that flower and enjoy the blooms without much effort....
Most Popular Unique Indoor Plants Here are a few of the more common interesting plants you can grow indoors: Bromeliads Bromeliads are unique and beautiful indoor plants. In nature, most bromeliads are epiphytes so they grow attached to trees and branches. They are different because they have a central cup which you should keep filled with water. In the home, you should give your bromeliads three to four hours of sun....
Can Uprooted Plants be Saved? Yes, sometimes uprooted plants can be saved. That’s the best answer you’ll get out of an experienced gardener because dealing with uprooted plants is a gamble at best. Uprooted plant damage ranges in severity from annoying and cosmetic to extremely damaging, especially when large portions of the root system are broken or left exposed to the air for extended periods. Tree roots coming out of the ground are especially problematic, both because of the challenge of up-righting the tree and that of re-anchoring it....
What are Citrus Trees? What is the difference between citrus vs. fruit trees? Citrus trees are fruit trees, but fruit trees are not citrus. That is, the fruit is the seed-bearing part of the tree that is usually edible, colorful, and fragrant. It is produced from a floral ovary after fertilization. Citrus refers to the shrubs or trees of the family Rutaceae. Citrus Fruit Information Citrus cultivars can be found from northeastern India, east through the Malay Archipelago, and south into Australia....
