Preventing Bamboo Diseases It’s easier to prevent bamboo plant diseases than to cure them once they take hold. Good growing conditions promote healthy plants that resist diseases. Here’s what a bamboo plant needs to thrive: Good water management is essential. The plants need a steady supply of moisture, but at the same time, the soil should drain well so that it doesn’t stay soggy for long. Organically rich soils help regulate moisture....
What are Bark Beetles? Trees in the landscape represent someone’s major commitment to remake the area in a very long-term way. Since most trees easily live 50 years or more, it’s hard to not see them as permanent residents, but no matter how much you think they’re basically impervious, a tiny beetle can quickly take down the largest oak in the whole forest. Bark beetles on trees are not a small matter; once these insects establish colonies, tree death is nearly guaranteed....
Thatch Removal with Fire Thatch is a fibrous you, tan-brown organic matter that builds up in lawns or field between the soil and the grass blades. Despite the common misconception that thatch is a buildup of grass clippings and other debris, it is actually comprised of living surface roots, stems, and runners. Lawn clippings and other organic debris usually decay and break down quickly rather than accumulating on the soil surface....
Plants That Calm You Down Several studies have shown that houseplants can have a positive impact on mood, stress levels, and anxiety. There is one study in particular which gardeners might find intriguing. It was conducted in China using 24 students inside an office setting. The study had the students evaluate the office space with and without plants. Various types of physiological data was also collected from the participants. When both qualitative and quantitative data was compared, it showed there were certain characteristics of plants that helped with anxiety....
Why Grow Caraway in Containers? Planting edible plants and herbs in containers is an ideal way to enjoy fresh seasonings and produce in areas without much, if any, room for gardening beds. Container grown caraway relies upon a large container to allow the deep taproot to develop. This taproot is delicious prepared as a root vegetable after the biennial plant has bloomed and seeds have been harvested. The plant will decline after bloom and the roots are sweet and tasty....
Can You Grow Chickpeas? Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) are ancient crops that have been cultivated in India, the Middle East and areas of Africa for hundreds of years. Chickpeas need at least 3 months of cool, but frost-free, days to mature. In the tropics, garbanzos are grown in the winter and in cooler, temperate climes, they are grown between spring to late summer. If the summers are especially cool in your region, it may take up to 5-6 months for the beans to get mature enough to harvest, but that isn’t any reason to shy away from growing nutritious, delicious chickpeas....
Native to Brazil, the cherry of the Rio Grande can be eaten fresh, used for jellies and jams, or frozen. Also known as big river cherries, these exotic fruit trees can be container-grown and young trees are available online. How to Grow Cherry of the Rio Grande When planting, choose a location in the garden that receives full sun or transplant the young tree into a pot slightly larger than the root ball....
Selecting Zone 5 Rosemary Plants The following list includes rosemary varieties for zone 5: Alcalde (Rosemarinus officinalis ‘Alcalde Cold Hardy’) – This cold hardy rosemary is rated for zones 6 through 9, but it may survive the upper ranges of zone 5 with adequate protection. If you’re in doubt, plant Alcalde in a pot and bring it indoors in autumn. Alcalde is an upright plant with thick, olive-green foliage. The blooms, which appear from early summer to fall, are an attractive shade of pale blue....
The cottage garden lends itself to images of English countrysides and farmhouse landscaping. The concept wouldn’t be valid without cottagecore flowers, which are essential to the plan. The informal design is perfect for setting off small homes, but can also be used in a grander estate. Cottagecore design relies upon different colors and textures that work together creating a moving, living space. Planning a Cottage Garden The most important part in planning a cottagecore garden is plant selection....
What is Brain Cactus? Mammillaria elongata ‘Cristata’ is also colorfully named the brain cactus due to its convoluted and sinuous growth. One of the more bizarre pieces of Cristata information is how the shape occurs. The form is a result of damage to the plant when it is young. The cells at the injury site go crazy and multiply at a far faster rate than normal. This causes the twisted nature of the pads....
Organic Farming vs. Permaculture In short, the answer is no. Organic farming differs from permaculture design in a number of significant ways. Before we can compare these differences, let’s first define the basic premise behind each agricultural method. Organic farming began as an agricultural movement in the 1940’s and the word “organic” has become a labeling term to denote products which are grown or raised without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, and growth regulators....
What is Leaf Mulch? Mulch is any material that is placed atop the soil to moderate its environment and enhance the landscape. There are many types of mulch, and leaf mulch is comprised of exactly what it sounds like, leaves. This organic mulch will decompose and needs to be replaced eventually but, in the meantime, it improves the soil’s fertility and its organic content. Mulching with leaves is a win/win in many situations where you want more rapid decomposition and is generally a free commodity to anyone that has deciduous trees....
Here are a few of our favorite sun-loving evergreen plants to consider for backyard landscaping. Evergreens for Full Sun Sun-loving evergreen plants serve many functions in the backyard. They can stand as impressive specimen trees or shrubs, create a privacy screen, and/or provide shelter for beneficial wildlife. Evergreens for full sun can be either conifers with needle-like foliage or broadleaf evergreens like azalea or holly. While some can tolerate partial shade, many prefer getting those rays for most of the day....
About Feverfew Plants Also known as featherfew, featherfoil, or bachelor’s buttons, the feverfew herb was used in the past to treat a variety of conditions such as headaches, arthritis, and as the name implies, fever. Parthenolide, the active ingredient in the feverfew plant, is being actively developed for pharmaceutical application. Looking like a small bush that grows to about 20 inches (50 cm.) high, the feverfew plant is native to central and southern Europe and grows well over most of the United States....
When it comes to the longevity of flowering bulbs, proper care and storage can keep them healthy for years to come. So how long can you keep flower bulbs and how do you know if they’re still good? Keep reading to learn more about flower bulb shelf life. Flower Bulb Storage Bulbs that are not winter-hardy in your area usually need to be dug up before the weather gets too cool and stored until the following spring....
Kids love colorful flowers in a variety of shapes. Here are some great selections to try: Sunflowers – What kid can resist the fun-filled sunflower? Sunflowers come in a variety of sizes and colors, from the nearly 12 foot (4 m.) tall ‘Mammoth’ variety to the smaller 3 foot (91 cm.) ‘Sonya.’ There are common yellow sunflowers, or you can grow red and orange varieties, such as ‘Velvet Queen’ and ‘Terracotta....
You can grow enough protein in the garden for your whole family if you know which plants provide the most of this basic need. Including Plants for Protein in Your Diet You don’t have to be vegan to want to eat more plants that provide protein. Studies show that switching to a mostly plant-based diet can help save our planet in several ways. You can even consider it a fun challenge to select and grow plants for protein....
Common Pests in a Greenhouse The most common pests in a greenhouse include sap-feeding insects, pollen feeders, caterpillars, and slugs. Some are considerably harder to control than others, making constant monitoring vital to successful greenhouse production. Sap-feeding insects Aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects are tiny, slow-moving sap-feeding insects that camp out in groups on the undersides of leaves and on stems deep within plant canopies. They exude a sticky substance, called honeydew, as they feed that sometimes coats plant tissues....
Problems with Mice in the Greenhouse For those who wonder what the problem with mice in the greenhouse is, let me clue you in. Greenhouse rodents can cause lots of damage. They eat seeds, germinating or otherwise, and nibble on tender young seedlings, not just the tender seedlings, but roots, bulbs, shoots, and leaves as well. They chew through wood, plastic pots, bags, and boxes and tunnel through the growing medium....
Growing Cactus That is Blue Feeling blue? Then try growing blue cacti. The sharp hue of these plants creates drama in the garden. There are many blue cactus types that offer some interesting difference of color combined with diverse forms and brilliant flowers. Why are some cactus blue? The thought is that it is some sort of adaptation the plant has developed. Cactus plants are among the most adaptive plants known and have evolved all sorts of interesting coping mechanisms to survive in harsh environments....
