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When to Take Cuttings from Creeping Phlox If you are a lover of this plant, it’s easy to propagate creeping phlox from cuttings. This is a nearly foolproof way to make more plants and add different colors to your collection for free. Creeping phlox sends out runners, rooting stems that are also a quick way to propagate the plant. Creeping phlox cuttings should be taken in either summer or fall, but seem to root best if planted in autumn....

Growing hellebores is a worthwhile task for the gardener. Aside from lovely and unusual flowers, the hellebore plant has attractive, green foliage that is aesthetically pleasing in the landscape. Once established, hellebore care is minimal. This herbaceous or evergreen perennial is disliked by deer and other animal pests prone to munching on plants. All parts of the hellebore plant are poisonous, so take care to keep children and pets away....

What Spices and Herbs are in Pickles? Purchased pickling spices may have a virtual laundry list of ingredients. Some contain the following herbs and spices for pickling: Allspice Mustard seed Coriander seed Black peppercorns Ginger root Cinnamon Bay leaf Cloves Crushed peppers Dill Mace Cardamom Nutmeg Pickle preferences are kind of personal. It all depends on which flavors you prefer, so if you’re up to growing herbs for pickling, pick the ones that suit your palate....

Lemon Cypress Trees Lemon cypress trees come in two sizes: small and smaller. Grown outdoors in their natural habitat, the trees can grow to 16 feet (5 m.) tall. This is quite small for a cypress. The dwarf lemon cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest Wilma’) is the better choice for a houseplant. This small tree usually does not grow taller than 3 feet (91 cm.), making it perfect for indoor containers. The tree has many admirers, thanks to its green-yellow, needle-like foliage, conical growth pattern, and bright fresh citrus smell....

Choosing a Mushroom to Grow Mushroom growing at home starts with choosing the kind of mushroom you will be growing. Some popular choices when growing mushrooms at home are: shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) white button mushrooms (Agricus bisporus) Buy spore or spawn of your chosen mushroom from a reputable dealer (many can be found online). For the purposes of mushroom growing at home, think of spores as seeds and spawn as seedlings....

Growing succulents in the shade isn’t ideal for most varieties, but a prized few will actually flourish in low light situations. The trick is to choose the right succulents for shade and care for them appropriately. About Outdoor Shade Succulents It is not common to see succulents like burro’s tail or string of pearls hanging in planters under a covered patio or porch. These varieties will still prosper even though they usually only get filtered light....

A lazy gardener’s dream, yucca is a tough plant that tolerates extreme conditions including dry soil, punishing sun, intense heat, and harsh winds, which means it rarely requires water, fertilizer, or pruning. In general, too much care is worse than no care at all. However, the critical factor that can’t be ignored is soil. Type of Soil for Yuccas Grown Outdoors In its natural environment, outdoor yucca plants thrive in dry, sandy, gritty soil where most plants won’t grow....

There are a number of easy DIY garden gifts you can create using herbs, veggies, and flowers already in your garden. Edible Gifts from Garden Produce Naturally, the best time to make gifts from garden produce is during the growing season. You can turn that abundance of seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs into a wealth of garden gifts. Try some of these inspirational ideas for creating your own edible homegrown gifts:...

The good news is that a surprising number of plants can tolerate Canada growing zones, even in the northern part of the country. However, many can’t survive outside of their designated zone. Read on to learn more about hardiness zones in Canada. Hardiness Zones in Canada The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the first hardiness zone map for North America in 1960. Although the map was a good start, it was limited and included only minimum winter temperatures....

There are fruits that grow in extreme heat naturally: tropical fruits you can plant in your own hot backyard. But there are also specially cultivated, heat-tolerant varieties of fruits usually cultivated in mild climates. For more information on heat tolerant fruits, read on. Fruit That Likes the Heat Plants tend to prefer their native climates and grow best in these conditions. That’s why it makes sense that trees native to tropical climes will produce fruit that likes the heat....

Why a Nectarine Tree Oozes Nectarine fruit oozing is caused by a couple of major offenders — primarily environmental problems and insect pests. Sometimes, oozing nectarines aren’t cause for alarm, since it can be a natural part of the ripening process, but it can also be a sign that the tree isn’t getting adequate care. Environmental issues Improper care – Be sure to provide your fruiting nectarine with plenty of water during dry periods, adding mulch when necessary to help even the moisture levels out....

Fire Damage to Trees Fire can damage and even kill trees in your backyard. The extent of the damage depends on how hot and how long the fire burned. But it also depends on the type of tree, the time of year the fire occurred, and how close the trees were planted. An out-of-control fire can damage trees in your yard in various ways. It can completely or partially consume them, dry them out and scorch them, or simply singe them....

Looking for rock herb garden ideas? Here you will find the herbs that grow in rocks, how to set up the site, and what care it requires. Using herbs for a rock garden is an easy way to beautify a difficult site and provide you with the kitchen staples necessary for culinary success. Why Use Herbs For a Rock Garden Many of the herbs you find in the supermarket and stock in your pantry are native to regions with poor soil and plenty of rocks....

About Easter Lilies The Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) is native to southern Japan. Westerners discovered it in the 1800s and it became a popular cultivated plant, eventually becoming a symbol of the Easter holiday. Today, in the U.S., just a handful of farms in the Pacific Northwest cultivate these plants for commercial sale. They grow the lilies and ship them to greenhouses where they are forced to bloom out of season and in time for Easter....

Hold a sieve over a sheet of paper, and dump the contents of the jar into it. The tiny black eyed Susan seeds should fall through onto the paper. You’ll get a little bit of chaff as well, but that’s okay. When you plant your seeds, the extra bits will just go back into the ground. Once you’ve separated your seeds, put them in a paper envelope and store them in a cool dry place, then plant them in the spring....

How to Create a Lavender Garden Lavender is a low maintenance perennial herb originating in the Mediterranean. Grown for its fragrant flowers, lavender blooms can be used in soap making, potpourri, aromatherapy, and much more. Lavender is often planted along walkways and patios, added to herb gardens, or used in formal knot gardens. With a few simple steps, you can create your own garden of lavender. Begin by choosing a good location for your lavender garden....

Where to Get Seeds Before buying seeds for the upcoming growing season, many gardeners suggest taking inventory of what types and quantities of seeds you need. It’s generally best to purchase slightly more seed in order to account for low germination rates or other unforeseen seed starting issues. Purchasing seeds early in winter will help to ensure that you’re able to get all the varieties you want before they have sold out for the season....

Hardy gloxinia fern is perennial in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 7, or possibly up to zone 10 if you can protect the plant from hot afternoon sunlight. In cooler climates, grow hardy gloxinia fern as an annual. Read on and learn how to grow flowering fern plants. Hardy Gloxinia Care Plant hardy gloxinia fern in rich, well-drained soil, but first, work the soil to a depth of at least 8 inches (20 cm....

Is Star Jasmine Good for Hedges? Instead of the usual evergreen conifer hedge, consider using the beautiful star jasmine vine. Is star jasmine good for hedges? It is. A hedge of star jasmine grows fast and is highly decorative with the coveted fragrant blossoms. Star jasmine is usually grown as a vine that can cover a tall wall or trellis quickly once the plant’s root system gets established. You can create a hedge of star jasmine vine by regular and strategic pruning....

How to Grow Winter Squash Winter squash can grow from a size large enough to be one serving on up to serving a table full of people. Furthermore, they take a long time to be ripe for harvest. If you want to know when to plant winter squash, remember that it takes 80 to 110 days to fully ripen. Therefore, growing winter squash means planting it as soon as the chance of spring frost is over so you have enough time before the first frost in late fall....