About Strawberries for Zone 9 Most of zone 9 is made up of California, Texas, and Florida, and of these, the major areas within this zone are coastal and central California, a good chunk of Florida, and the southern coast of Texas. Florida and California, as it happens, are actually good candidates for growing strawberries in zone 9. In fact, many popular strawberry varieties are actually patented in these two states....
Does Soil Affect Microclimates? The term microclimate is normally defined as “a smaller area within a general climate zone that has its own unique climate.” Soil is an integral part of the microclimate for the gardener. Does soil affect microclimates, you might ask. It is most often the other way around, as microclimates can affect the soil’s temperature and moisture. The soil in microclimates can also be influenced by vegetation that is growing there, such as trees....
These things can damage your plants and ruin all the hard work you’ve put into your garden. If you are wondering how to keep squirrels out of gardens or how to get rid of squirrels, keep reading to find out more. How to Keep Squirrels Out of Garden So, what keeps squirrels away? There are some things you can do that will help with repelling squirrels. However, depending on where you live, you might find that these methods are truly inconvenient and inappropriate....
Barrenwort Plant Info Barrenwort (Epimedium grandiflorum) is an unusual and rare herbaceous plant. It is an Epimedium that is also called Bishop’s Hat and Longspur. It is a shade lover that is native to the Mediterranean and temperate east Asia. Try growing barrenwort under overstory trees and other tall plants to add a touch of woodland whimsy to the landscape. Some interesting barrenwort plant info includes that these Epimedium may be deciduous or evergreen, though most species are evergreen except when grown in northern climates....
Organic Container Gardening Indoors Almost any vegetable can be grown in containers. Pots, hanging baskets, and numerous other containers can be used to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers organically indoors. The key is to match the vegetable with the proper sized container. The larger the plant will be at maturity, the larger container you will need. Organic potting soil is available at any good garden center. Once you determine how much you will need for your available containers, make your purchase....
How Do I Take Care of an Orchid Flower? Care of indoor orchid plants is easy once you learn how to grow them properly. These interesting flowers can be found in a range of colors and sizes depending on the variety. They make excellent accent plantings to nearly any home décor. Orchids require little care once all their basic needs are met such as light, temperature, and humidity. Orchid Growing Tips Most orchids require moist, well-draining conditions....
What is Japanese Parsley? Japanese Mitsuba parsley (Cryptotaenia japonica) is a member of the Apiaceae family, which includes carrots. Although it is technically a biennial/annual herb, Japanese parsley use is more commonly cultivated as a vegetable in Japan. Mitsuba may also be found under the names Purple-Leaved Japanese Wild Parsley, Mitsuba, and Purple-Leaved Japanese Honewort. Plants are low growing, about 18-24 inches (45.5 to 61 cm.) tall by 8 inches (20....
How to Avoid Garden Mistakes It may sound overly simplistic, but avoiding mishaps in gardens really comes down to long-term planning. Some of the most common garden mistakes are due to enthusiastic gardeners who don’t take the mature size of their favorite plants into consideration when designing a landscape or vegetable garden. It’s important to space your plants so they have plenty of room to grow — annual or perennial nursery plants don’t stay small for long....
How Much Water Do Lantana Plants Need? Plant watering needs vary by species and region. Lantana watering needs will differ in humid regions versus arid zones. Too much water may cause root rot and other problems while too little can affect foliage and flower development. Water application is always a fine line between too much and too little in any species. Watering lantana plants is necessary, but how do you determine how much and how frequently to do so?...
What is an Heirloom Tomato? The strict definition of an heirloom tomato (or heritage tomato in the UK) is a tomato variety that has been open pollinated propagated for more than 50 years, but most people today consider any open pollinated (non-hybrid) tomato as an heirloom tomato. Heirloom tomatoes can be almost any color imaginable (including white and black), and many varieties have wild shapes, color combinations, and markings. You can get heirloom tomato varieties that are hollow inside, shaped like sausages, as small as your pinky nail, and even multi-lobed so they can be torn apart....
Midwest and Ohio Valley Native Flowers From Ohio to Missouri, native plants in the Midwest include many flower garden beauties. These plants often have long bloom times, and many can be used in fresh and dried arrangements: Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) – The yellow daisy-shaped flowers of black-eyed Susan bloom on multi-branching stems in summer and early fall.Cardinal flower – (Lobelia cardinalis) – Add color to the garden with spiky flower stalks of cardinal flower, bearing five-lobed, bright red flowers....
Why New Growth is Dying Well, that’s really the question, isn’t it? The reasons for tender growth dying are numerous, but they can generally be divided into these categories: bugs, vascular disease, and root damage. Pests – When you’re trying to determine how to fix dying growth, bugs are by far the easiest. Tip and twig borers, like those common on many evergreen trees and blueberries, prefer to burrow into the soft tissues at the end of shrubs and trees....
Cultural Reasons for No Blooms on Crocus Crocus corms produce best in a sunny location with organic rich, well-draining soil. The soil pH should be between 6 and 7, and fertilizer should go into the planting hole at the root zone. Even the best planting area may suffer from non-flowering crocus. What went wrong? If you live in a very arid region, you will need to water the corms after planting....
Interested in incorporating different plants for Christmas? Read on to learn about unique Christmas plants. Holiday Season Plants We all know which holiday season plants will be available: poinsettias, Christmas cactus, amaryllis, and the like. Once the season has passed, many of us toss them out but there are a number of unique Christmas plants available that will keep on giving long after that season has passed. Non-Traditional Holiday Plants When looking for different plants for Christmas, think about plants that can be maintained year-round....
Facts About Opium Poppy Laws The Poppy Control Act of 1942 was repealed in the 70’s, but it is still illegal to grow poppies from which narcotics can be made. I know they are gorgeous and it seems a shame. In fact, there are many varieties that are offered in gardening catalogs. That is because it isn’t illegal to sell or purchase seeds. They have a minimal amount of the opiate....
Popular Crabapple Varieties There are both fruiting crabapple trees and non-fruiting crabapples. While most flowering crabapples develop fruit, there are a few varieties that are virtually fruitless. Below are some common types of crabapples to choose from: Fruiting Crabapples Golden Hornet – This is an upright variety that produces white to pale pink blooms followed by greenish-yellow fruit. The foliage turns from medium green to yellow in fall. Snowdrift – This rounded form produces pink buds that bloom white....
Diseases of London Plane Trees London plane trees are notable in their ability to withstand pollution, drought, and other adverse conditions. The first hybrid appeared in London in around 1645 where it quickly became a popular urban specimen due to its ability to acclimate and even thrive in the city’s sooty air. Resilient the London plane tree may be, it is not without its share of problems, specifically disease. As mentioned, plane tree diseases tend to mirror those that afflict its close relative the Oriental plane and American sycamore tree....
Plant Ideas for a Fairy Garden If we are lucky, a little bit of magic from our childhood adheres to us even into adulthood. That tiny spark of imagination needs to be nurtured to allow it to grow and flourish. One way to do that is to indulge in your fantasies. Traditionally, there were plants that attract fairies, and lore said that these impish creatures were both mischievous and prankful while also taking care of the garden....
Gardening in Cracks and Crevices Whether you are faced with truly rocky terrain in general or you just want to pretty up a path or patio, planting in crevices can be challenging. Plants for small spaces between stones and rocks must be installed properly and babied while they establish. These spaces have very little soil and can get dry in hot weather and soggy in wet periods. Plants for cracks and crevices will need some monitoring during the first year of planting....
Garden Face Mask Plants to Grow First, make sure you have the right plants for creating face masks. Different herbs and plants can do different things for your skin. For oily skin, use: Basil Oregano Mint Sage Rose petals Bee balm Lavender Lemon balm Yarrow For dry skin, try: Violet leaves Aloe Chamomile flowers Calendula flowers If you struggle with red, sensitive skin, you’ll benefit from: Lavender flowers Rose petals...
