Symptoms of Alternaria Leaf Spots on Turnips Alternaria leaf spot of turnip shows up on leaves first, displaying small, dark brown or black spots with a yellow halo and concentric, target-like rings. The lesions eventually develop a thick buildup of spores and the centers of the holes may fall out, leaving a shot-hole appearance. The spots also show up on stems and blooms. The infection is frequently introduced on infected seed, but once established, it can live in the soil for years....

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) plant hardiness zones, based on minimum ten year average temperatures, were created in the 1960’s and are used by gardeners around the globe. The purpose of the designation is to identify how well plants tolerate the coldest temperatures in each zone. USDA zones begin at zone 1 for plants that tolerate severe, subfreezing temperatures to tropical plants that thrive in zone 13....

Pollinators in east-north-central states of the upper Midwest are an essential part of the native ecosystem. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, ants, wasps, and even flies help carry pollen from plant to plant. Many would not exist without these pollinators. For gardeners, whether you grow fruits and vegetables or you just want to support the local ecosystem, it’s important to use native plants to attract and keep pollinators. What are the Native Pollinators in Upper Midwest States?...

Is it Safe to Compost Human Waste? In the home garden, composted human waste is considered to be unsafe for use around vegetables, berries, fruit trees or other edible plants. Although human waste is rich in plant-healthy nutrients, it also contains viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens that are not effectively removed by standard home composting processes. Although managing human waste at home is generally not sensible or responsible, large-scale composting facilities have the technology to process the waste at extremely high temperatures for extended lengths of time....

Using Mums to Control Pests Pyrethrin is the best of both worlds- it’s a neurotoxin that kills insects but does not harm mammals or birds. Insects prefer to stay away from it, so using mums to control pests can be achieved simply by planting them throughout your garden, especially close to plants that tend to be plagued by bugs. To use a chrysanthemum for pest control, plant it about 1 to 1½ feet (30....

What are Hydrogels? Hydrogels are small chunks (or crystals) of man-made, water-absorbing polymers. The chunks are like sponges – they hold a tremendous amount of water in comparison to their size. The liquid is then released gradually into the soil. Various types of hydrogels are also used in a number of products, including bandages and wound dressings for burns. They are also what makes disposable baby diapers so absorbent. Do Water Crystals in Potting Soil Work?...

What is Cactus Fusarium? While the fungus itself is called Fusarium oxyporum, the disease that results from it is commonly known as fusarium rot or fusarium wilt. The disease usually starts in the roots, where cactus fusarium enters through tiny wounds in the plant likely caused by nematodes. The fungus then spreads upward to the base of the cactus, where signs of fusarium wilt in cacti become more visible. A pink or white mold appears around the base of the plant, and the entire cactus might start to wilt and become discolored, turning red or purple....

Salal Plant Information Salal (Gaulthoria shallon) is an evergreen plant with glossy, waxy foliage that remains beautiful year-round. Fuzzy white or pink, bell-shaped flowers droop from the plant in spring, soon to be replaced by bluish black berries. Hikers who pick the berries often find themselves sharing the bounty with bears, deer, elk, beavers, and other wildlife. The berries are also enjoyed by grouse, songbirds, and hummingbirds. What is Salal Used For?...

What is Sweet Vernal Grass? Sweet vernal is a small, 2 foot (61 cm.) tall, cool season perennial grass. It grows best in sun to light shade. It is sometimes referred to as vanilla grass because of the aroma emitted when it is cut – the smell of fresh hay with a hint of vanilla. This sweet, fresh hay smell comes from the substance coumarin, also found in sweet woodruff. Sweet vernal plants flower earlier than most other grasses, from early to midspring, with dense yellow clusters which are a favorite food plant for the larvae of brown and skipper butterflies....

What is an Agrihood? “Agrihood” is a portmanteau of the words “agriculture” and “neighborhood.” But it’s not just a neighborhood near farmland. An agrihood is a residential neighborhood specially designed to integrate gardening or farming in some way. Just like some residential communities have communal tennis courts or gyms, an agrihood might include a series of raised beds or even an entire working farm complete with animals and long rows of vegetables....

When to Transplant Aloe Plants One of the many things that make aloes such good houseplants is that they tend to like a little overcrowding. If your plant is getting big for its container, moving it isn’t urgent. It will get rootbound eventually, however, so potting it up is a good idea. Repotting an aloe is also important if it’s starting to develop pups. These are smaller offshoots of the mother plant that are still attached to the main root system but can live on their own as full plants....

Teak Tree Facts Few Americans grow teak trees (Tectona grandis), so it is natural to ask: what are teak trees and where do teak trees grow? Teaks are hardwood trees that grow in the south of Asia, usually in monsoon rainforests, including India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia. They can be found growing throughout that region. However, many native teak forests have vanished due to over-logging. Teak trees can grow to 150 feet (45....

Winterhazel Plant Info: Winterhazel vs. Witch Hazel Don’t confuse winterhazel with the more familiar witch hazel, although both are hardy shrubs that flower when most plants are dormant, and both have similar hazel-like leaves. Winterhazel produces long, drooping clusters of yellow, bell-shaped blooms, while the spidery, long-petaled witch hazel blooms may be red, purple, orange, or yellow, depending on the variety. Also, witch hazel reaches heights of 10 to 20 feet (3-6 m....

About Zone 6 Melons Can you grow melons in zone 6? Generally, you’ll have better luck with watermelons and other melon types if you garden in a warmer area with a lengthy growing season. These fruits need lots of sun. But there are zone 6 melons that may work in some areas. If you aren’t sure of your hardiness zone, you should probably find out before starting your garden. U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones are determined by the lowest winter temperatures....

A List of Basil Types Lettuce Leaf Basil Dark Opal Basil Lemon Basil Licorice Basil Cinnamon Basil French Basil American Basil Egyptian Basil Bush Basil Thai Basil Red Basil Genovese Basil Magical Michael Basil Holy Basil Nufar Basil Purple Ruffles Basil Red Rubin Basil Siam Queen Basil Spicy Globe Basil Sweet Dani Basil Amethyst Improved Basil Mrs. Burns’ Lemon Basil Pistou Basil Lime Basil Superbo Basil Queenette Basil Napoletano Basil Serata Basil Blue Spice Basil Osmin Purple Basil Fino Verde Basil Marseille Basil Minette Basil Queen Of Sheba Basil Greek Basil...

Agapanthus Bloom Season Bloom time for agapanthus depends on the species, and if you plan carefully, you can have an agapanthus flowering from spring until the first frost in autumn. Here are a few examples to give you an idea of the many possibilities: ‘Peter Pan’ – This dwarf, evergreen agapanthus produces pale blue flowers throughout the summer. ‘Snow Storm’ – Shows off in a big way with snow white clusters in late summer and early autumn....

Let’s take a look at the benefits of growing a southern annual flower garden: Sprout easily from seed Flowers develop the first season Add color while waiting for perennials to bloom Grow edible flowers Planting Southeastern Annual Flowers Annual flowers can be planted from seed for a less expensive way to fill your flowerbeds with beauty. Planting seeds allows you to know exactly what’s been used to feed the plants, important info if you’re growing edible flowers or planting an organic bed....

What is a Ghost Fern? Ghost fern (Athyrium x hybrida ‘Ghost’) gets its name from the silvery color that edges the fronds and turn a little bluish as the plant matures. The overall effect is a ghostly white appearance. Ghost fern grows up to 2.5 feet (76 cm.) and remains narrower than its height. The upright, compact shape makes it a great option for a small space. Also known as the lady fern ghost plant, this is a cross between two species: Athyrium niponicum and Athyrium filix-fimina (Japanese painted fern and lady fern)....

What is Avocado Phytophthora Blight? A specific species of fungus causes blight in avocado seedlings: Phytophthora palmivora. It favors humid and moist, warm conditions, especially after big rains. This infection is most common in subtropical areas, like southern Florida. In fact, the first infection discovered in the U.S. was in Florida in the 1940’s. Signs you may have this kind of blight in your avocado seedlings are reddish or brownish patches on the mature leaves that are irregular in shape....

Growing Baby’s Tear Plant Baby’s tear has a moss-like appearance with small round green leaves on fleshy stems. Mostly sought out for its low growing habit of 6 inches (15 cm.) tall by 6 inches (15 cm.) wide) and strikingly green foliage, this plant lacks a truly vibrant bloom. The flowers of the baby’s tear tend to be rather inconspicuous. This member of the Urticaceae group loves an elevated humidity level with moderately moist soil, perfect for terrariums and the like....