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What Causes Fungus on Bean Plants? Root rot in bean plants is produced by several different soil dwelling fungi. It might stem from a Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, or Pythium species, but that doesn’t really matter. What matters is the effect it has on your crop. Harvest yields are diminished, plant vigor is compromised, and, in some cases, the entire plant may die. Bean root rot control starts before planting with careful cultural considerations....

Japanese Plum Information Plums, Prunoideae, are a sub-member of the family Rosaceae, of which all stone fruits such as peach, cherry, and apricot are members. As mentioned, Satsuma Japanese plum tree produces fruit that is most commonly eaten fresh. The fruit is larger, rounder, and firmer than its European counterpart. Japanese plum trees are more delicate as well and require temperate conditions. Japanese plums originated in China, not Japan, but were brought to the U....

It is sometimes possible to limit the damage caused by extreme weather events by choosing your plants and trees with that in mind. If you want to learn more about yard design for natural disasters, read on. We’ll also give you tips on what to plant in storm resistant landscapes that will help protect your property from nature’s worst. (Please note that this may not fully guard against Mother Nature’s fury, but it can at least help and certainly won’t hurt to try....

Is Hottentot Fig Invasive? The hottentot fig ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis) was introduced from South Africa to California as a ground stabilizing plant. The spreading roots and groundcover nature of ice plant helped halt erosion on California’s coastal dunes. However, the plant became so naturalized that it is now classified as a weed and requires careful management to prevent it from taking over native plant habitats. The hottentot fig flowers do not turn into any verifiable fruit and it’s not related to the fig tree, so the reason for the “fig” in the name is not clear....

How to Tell if Soil is Draining Well Most plants won’t survive if their roots are sitting in water. You may not be able to tell by looking because the problem lies under the surface of the soil. Here’s a simple test to check the soil drainage. Try this test in different parts of your landscape to get an idea of where plants will thrive. Dig a hole about 12 inches (31 cm....

Kaffir Lime Leaves The glossy, dark green leaves of the Kaffir lime tree are quite distinctive. Kaffir lime leaves look like two leaves joined together, as one appears to grow from the tip of the other. Kaffir lime leaves are most often used as an essential ingredient for flavoring many Asian dishes such as soups, curries, and fish. They can be used fresh off the tree or from dried leaves. Kaffir lime leaves can also be frozen to retain their freshness....

Centipedes and Millipedes Millipedes are normally dark in color with two pairs of legs for each segment of the body while centipedes are flatter than millipedes and have a set of well-developed antennae on their head. Centipedes can also be a number of colors and have a single pair of legs for each body segment. Millipedes generally move much slower than centipedes and break down dead plant material in the garden....

Why Plant Native Species? Native plant gardening is a growing trend. More gardeners and homeowners are coming to realize the benefits of choosing native species: They support and stabilize the natural environment in a region.Native species support wildlife, providing habitat and food sources.Many native flowers attract pollinators.They require less water and maintenance.Natives are particularly well-suited to their area and are better able to survive and thrive. Choose native plants that grow in your region for a successful, beautiful, and environmentally friendly garden....

Can Blueberries Be Pink? Pink blueberry bushes with pink fruit are not a fantasy. In fact, pink blueberry plants have been around a long time. The cultivar ‘Pink Lemonade’ was developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture some 50 years ago, but nurseries were sure people wouldn’t like pink berries on a blueberry plant and the bush went nowhere fast. But ‘Pink Lemonade’ is staging a come back as gardeners increasingly want blueberries for their cancer-fighting antioxidants....

Flower Garden Bulbs Flower garden bulbs are available in so many types that it’s not hard to find one that fits your region and gardening style, which is especially important when growing them in the south. The health, vigor, and flowering of bulbs depend greatly on where, when, and how you plant them. Both winter garden bulbs and spring bulbs require a dormant period in cool temperatures to stimulate their growth and development....

Common Toxic Garden Plants Although there a numerous plants that can be toxic, here are eight of the most common garden plants to look out for: Rhododendron – The nectar of certain types of rhododendron, including a popular variety known as Rhododendron ponticum, is so toxic that even honey produced in nearby hives can be extremely dangerous. (The leaves of the plant are reportedly less toxic). The nectar of other members of the Rhododendron family, including azalea, may also be toxic....

Ponderosa pine information must mention their economic importance as a wood source, but stands still remain of these fast growing giants of the forest. Planting one in the home landscape will eventually add dimension to your yard and provide generations of fragrance and evergreen beauty. About Ponderosa Pines Ponderosa pines grow in high elevations where they are exposed to winds, heavy snow, and scorching sun. They produce a massive taproot to help the tree anchor its extreme height and delve deep into the earth for water and nutrients....

What is Pre-Seeding? Pre-seeding is when you plant seeds for your spring garden in late fall or early winter. In essence, you plant the seeds for next year’s garden the year before. When you pre-seed your garden, you are allowing Mother Nature (rather than the nursery industry or your own judgment) to have control over when the seeds germinate. This results in earlier seed germination in the spring, but also in healthier plants better suited to outdoor weather....

Why are My Homegrown Tomatoes Sour? There are over 400 volatile compounds in tomatoes that give them their flavor, but the prevailing factors are acid and sugar. Whether a tomato tastes sweet or acidic is also often a matter of taste – your taste. There are hundreds of varieties of tomatoes with what seems like more options all the time so there is bound to be a tomato for you. One thing that most people can agree on is when something tastes “off....

Red Raripila Mint Information Pollinated and extremely popular to bees and butterflies makes the red raripila mint extremely susceptible to cross-hybridization. Growing red raripila mint plants are, however, not attractive to deer, making them a nice addition to rural landscapes. Red raripila mint is also a great companion plant to vegetable crops such as cabbages and tomatoes as they act as a deterrent to troublesome insect pests. As mentioned, it may be a bit more of a challenge to obtain these plants in North America, but if one does obtain seed, be aware that this little hybrid is generally sterile and thus, the seed will usually not breed true....

Reasons for Soaking Seeds What happens to seeds when you soak them? Why should you soak your seeds? The short answer is because your seeds were designed to be abused. Mother Nature is not kind to a little seed. In the wild, a seed can expect to encounter harsh heat and cold, very wet or dry conditions and may even need to survive the acid-filled digestive tract of an animal. In short, seeds have developed over millions of years with defenses to survive awful conditions....

Lawn Seeding Tips If you are seeding your first lawn, roll up your sleeves and prepare to put in more than a few hours. Every task takes time and must be done carefully. If you don’t know what you are doing, follow a lawn seeding how to that will walk you through the necessary steps. The first step is preparing a lawn for seeding. Preparing a Lawn for Seeding This is the biggest step, since it requires the most physical effort....

What are Spotted Lanternfly Bugs? While the adults look like a rather pretty moth, Spotted Lanternflies are not moths or flies, but are insects in the order Hemiptera, which includes cicadas and hoppers. Spotted Lanternfly bugs are easily identifiable. Black juveniles with white spotting hatch in the spring. As they mature, these nymphs become red and black with white polka dots. In late July-August, the nymhs mature into adults. Adults are rather pretty with black heads, grey/black forewings and reddish black spotted rear wings....

About Holly Spring Leaf Loss Holly leaf loss in spring is normal if the older leaves (those closer to the shrub’s interior) turn yellow and then shed from the plant, while newer leaves (those closer to the tips of the branches) stay green. You should still see green leaves on the exterior of the shrub even if the interior is thinning out. While it may appear alarming, this is normal holly behavior....

These slimy members of the mollusk phylum like moist soil and warm temperatures. They generally feed at night and target young seedlings. During the day, slugs like to hide under mulches and in wormholes, so handpicking these intruders is difficult. Tilling and cultivating destroy their hiding places, but this can dry out the soil and damage plant roots. Perhaps, you’ve heard of killing slugs with beer and wonder if this alternative method for non-chemical control is effective....