Posts

Causes of Fungus on Potatoes The appearance of potato fungus happens mainly due to infected seed potatoes or planting in infected soil. Most potato fungi not only attack potatoes, but can survive (though may not kill) on other plants in the nightshade family such as tomatoes and peppers. Using Potato Fungicides to Control Fungus on Potatoes An excellent way to prevent blight fungus on your potatoes is to treat your seed potatoes with a fungicide before you plant them....

How to Winterize Gardenia Outside Be ready for unexpected cold snaps by keeping supplies on hand to protect your plant. On the fringes of the recommended climate zones, you can protect gardenias in winter by covering them with a blanket or cardboard box during brief cold snaps. A cardboard box large enough to cover the shrub without bending the branches is a must when temperatures drop. Gardenia winter care in areas that experience snow includes protecting the branches from the weight of heavy snow accumulation....

Visually Impaired Gardens A garden for the blind, or for those with diminished sight, is one that appeals to all the senses without overwhelming them. In fact, garden plants for visually impaired individuals include those that can be touched, smelled, tasted, or even heard. It’s a well maintained and easily navigated refuge with appropriate tools accessible at a moment’s notice. With careful planning and proper maintenance, visually impaired gardens are a place of beauty and efficiency that allow the gardener to be completely independent every step of the way....

Care of Bromeliads after Flowering Bromeliads often come with their amazing flowers in bloom. These wonderful inflorescences last for months and the plant itself thrives with minimal care in bright indirect light. It is always sad to watch the bloom die, especially since the plant itself probably will not bloom. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. With good bromeliad care after flowering, the plant will produce pups....

Kits for Edible Countertop Growing Kits work well for new gardeners as well as seasoned pros, indoors or out. When outdoor growing becomes an impossibility, look no further than countertop growing kits ideal for kitchens and windowsills. Here are some options for gifting kits to grow food. Herb and vegetable kits seem to be the biggest demand, but you can even find mushroom growing kits and, well, edible chrysanthemum greens. Pricing runs the gamut from low to high, so gift giving is easy....

Using Geometry in Gardens For centuries, designers have used the golden rectangle in garden design, sometimes without even realizing it. If you’re wondering how this could be, take a look at your own garden. How many groups of 3, 5, and 8 do you see? You planted them that way because you found a grouping that size visually appealing without knowing that groups of this size are an integral part of the golden ratio....

Tips to Help Get Rid of Gophers The main key to any kind of gopher control is to understand how gophers operate. Gophers dig burrows as a way to travel from feed location to feed location. Whether you are using gopher traps, gopher repellent, or poison to kill gophers, your battleground with this pest will be in these burrows. Using Gopher Repellent Gopher repellent is the least effective method of gopher control....

Getting Community Garden Grants Getting a community garden started can get costly. Depending on the size of your garden, its location, and whether or not it already contains a water source, you could be looking at anything from $3,000 to $30,000 just to get the ball rolling. Before you start despairing, you should look into grants. Check with your local government to see if your space may qualify. There are countless private grants that you can apply for as well, many of which are listed here....

How to Prepare Grapevines for Winter There are a number of protection methods for overwintering grapes. Choosing a variety hardy to your area is one of the most important things you can do to ensure their survival. In cold climates, grapevines are generally covered with about 8 inches (20.5 cm.) of mounded soil. Extremely cold regions should also add some insulating mulch such as straw or shredded cornstalks (which are more water-resistant)....

Why Do Potato Skins Turn Green? Why do potato skins turn green? Green skin on potatoes is caused by exposure to light. Green potato skin may be caused when a potato is stored on the kitchen counter or window sill, or even when the potato is grown too close to the soil surface, hence the recommendation to grow potatoes in a mound and store harvested potatoes in a completely cool, dark area....

Greens to Grow Over Winter Growing greens in winter is all about keeping them and the soil beneath them warm. This can be achieved a few ways, depending upon just how cold it is. Garden fabric works wonders when it comes to keeping greens safe and warm in cool weather. When the temperature drops, protect your winter salad greens further with a garden quilt. If growing greens in winter to you means all winter long, then you’ll want to switch to plastic, ideally held up with a structure called a hoop house....

How to Grow Carrot Tops First off, a word of caution; when we say you can grow carrots from carrots, we mean the plant, not the root vegetable. The orange, kid-friendly vegetable is actually a taproot, and once removed from the plant, it can’t regrow. Make sure you explain this to your kids before your project begins. Otherwise, if someone thinks they’re growing real carrots from carrot tops, they’re likely to be disappointed....

In order to properly grow grapefruit, you need to provide relatively warm conditions both day and night. This means growing them in temperate or tropical-like regions in full sun — preferably in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 and up, though some success can be achieved in zones 7 and 8 with suitable care. Grapefruit trees also prefer well-draining, loamy soil. Planting Grapefruit Tree Always get the planting area ready beforehand, amending the soil if necessary....

Worm plant Chinese jade Jade necklace vine Baby necklace Lucky for us colder clime growers, this plant is hardy and can even withstand a light freeze. The genus Crassula may exceed 200 species. Crassula marnieriana is one of the most unique with vertical stacked thick leaves adorned on the edges with blushed pink. Here are a few tips on how to grow a jade necklace and experience the architectural beauty and Dr....

What are Brazilian Candles? Brightly colored, pink blooms with unique, long petals, or bracts, are vital characteristics of Pavonia Brazilian candles. What are Brazilian candles? They are a group of plants endemic to tropical South and Latin America. The exotic plants require warm temperatures and regular water. The intense flowers really bring the Brazilian feeling into a northern or western home where tropical touches evoke sultry hot nights and searing skies....

Growing Clover Indoors It is important that you give your indoor clover the sunniest window that you have. This is necessary for best growth and flowering. If your window is not sunny enough, you will find that the stems will become weak and more stretched out, and the leaves will be smaller. Being attentive to watering is another very important task in order to have thriving potted clover plants indoors. Clover likes to be kept evenly moist....

Starting an Indoor Herb Garden Before starting your herb garden inside, decide what you’ll be growing in your indoor herb garden. Most popular herbs can be grown indoors. Some herbs you might want to grow are: Basil Rosemary Cilantro Chives Oregano Parsley Sage Thyme Mint If you’re new to growing herbs indoors, you may want to start with just two or three of your favorite herbs and add more as you become more confident....

F1 Hybrid Murdoc Cabbage Variety Murdoc matures in approximately 60 to 80 days, producing a cone shaped head that has a sweeter flavor than round cabbage varieties. The heads have heart-shaped centers and the thinner leaves give it a silky texture that’s perfect for a variety of fresh or lightly sautéed cabbage dishes. Additionally, this cabbage variety is a key ingredient in many Bavarian weisskraut recipes. This braised cabbage dish has a sweet and sour flavor that’s milder and easier to make than traditional sauerkraut recipes....

How to Grow Ocotillo Plants in Containers Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is a desert plant that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11. If you live in a cooler climate, bring the ocotillo indoors during fall and winter. The best ocotillo potting soil is a fast-draining potting mix such as a product formulated specifically for cactus and succulents. Plant the ocotillo in a container with at least one drainage hole....

Can Parsley Be Grown from Seeds? Parsley is a biennial that is primarily grown as an annual. It’s suitable for USDA zones 5-9 and comes in both curly-leaf and flat-leaf parsley. But I digress from the question, can this herb be grown by seed? Yes, parsley can be grown from seed. You just might need to pack a little patience. Parsley takes a whopping six weeks to germinate! How to Grow Parsley from Seed Parsley, like most herbs, does best in a sunny area with at least six to eight hours of sun per day....