Symptoms of Botrytis Blight in Blueberries Recognizing blueberry with botrytis blight can help some, but prevention is always the best line of defense. Blueberry blossom blight affects fruit, blossoms, and twigs. All plant parts can be covered with a hairy, gray fungal growth, and tips of shoots may appear brown or black. Infected flowers take on a brown, water-soaked appearance, which can spread to the twigs. Unripe fruits shrivel and turn bluish purple, while ripe berries are tan or pale brown....

Curly Dock Control Curly dock (Rumex crispus) is a perennial native to Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. In its native range, different parts of curly dock are used as food and/or medicine. However, outside of this range it can be a problematic, aggressive weed. Also known as sour dock, yellow dock, and narrowleaf dock, one reason controlling curly dock weeds is so hard is because plants may bloom and produce seeds twice a year....

Controlling Grubs in Containers The most effective way to eliminate grubs in potted plants is getting rid of the infested soil. This won’t hurt the plant if you work carefully; in fact, your plant may benefit from repotting, especially if the roots are crowded in the pot. Here’s how to eliminate grubs in container plants: Put on a pair of gloves, then spread a sheet of plastic or newspaper over your work area and remove the plant carefully from the pot....

What is Bacterial Leaf Spot of Radish? Radish bacterial leaf spot is a disease caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. It may cause a mild infection that impacts the leaves only, but when severe, the pathogen can destroy the entire plant, ruining your crop. The bacteria are carried in infected seeds and in soil because of infected crop residue. Once you have an infected plant in your beds, the disease can spread by rain and insects....

About Crushed Velvet Dusty Miller It’s a unique and exciting look, whether in your garden beds or as a houseplant. The soft, bluish silver foliage offered by Senecio ‘Crushed Velvet’ plants will turn heads and complement more vivid garden hues. Impressive both in the landscape and in containers, Crushed Velvet creates a dense silver mound of foliage. Each leaf is as soft and fuzzy as a teddy bear. Also known as Crushed Velvet dusty miller, the plants grow in a sort of vase shape to about 16 inches (40 cm....

Cushion Bush Information Cushion bush does produce small yellow flowers on the tips of its stems, but most gardeners grow the plant for its foliage. The stems grow thick and outward in a shape very much like a tumbleweed, and the soft leaves stay close to the stems. Both stems and leaves are a bright silver, almost white color that reflects light very well and makes for a spectacular contrast against neighboring green plants....

What is Indian Corn? Indian corn is that beautiful, multi-colored corn that you see used as decorations in the fall. It’s also known as flint corn or just ornamental corn. The name flint corn for this ancient variety comes from the fact that the outside of the kernels are hard. Despite this hardness, Indian corn is edible and especially good for popcorn. The hard starch exterior of Indian corn makes it great for decorations....

Gloves, spades, rakes, hoes, and shears – the list of required tools grows quickly. Though many gardeners manage to accumulate these implements over time, the cost of such items may feel impossible for others. Donate Old Garden Tools Seasonal care of gardening tools is among the most commonly overlooked garden tasks by gardeners. Each fall, garden tools should be thoroughly cleaned and stored out of the weather during the winter....

Edamame Companion Planting These low growing, bush-type beans are complete proteins that provide calcium, vitamins A and B; and the big news, isoflavins, which have been touted to reduce the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and breast and prostate cancer. Incredibly nutritious they may be, but everyone needs a helping hand once in a while so even these powerhouses might need some edamame plant companions. Companion planting is an age-old method of planting that involves growing two or more symbiotic crops in close proximity to each other....

If you haven’t tried your hand at heirloom vegetables, growing Eva Purple Ball tomatoes is a good way to start. Read on and learn how to grow an Eva Purple Ball tomato plant. Eva Purple Ball Care Growing Eva Purple Ball tomatoes and their subsequent care is no different than when growing any other tomato plant. Like many heirloom tomatoes, Eva purple ball tomato plants are indeterminate, which means they will continue to grow and produce fruit until they are nipped by the first frost....

What hydrangeas are evergreen year-round? Are there hydrangeas that don’t lose their leaves? There aren’t many, but evergreen hydrangea varieties are stunningly beautiful – all year. Read on and learn more about hydrangeas that are evergreen. Evergreen Hydrangea Varieties The following list includes hydrangeas that don’t lose their leaves, and one that makes a great alternative plant: Climbing evergreen hydrangea (Hydrangea integrifolia) – This climbing hydrangea is an elegant, rambling vine with glossy, lance-shaped leaves and red-tinged stems....

Planting Fall Annuals Before planting fall annual flowers, first consider your growing zone and your region’s first frost date. While many growers are able to plant tender annuals for display in fall flower beds, if your region has an early first frost date you may need to consider more hardy autumn annuals that demonstrate some tolerance to cold. When to Start When to start the seed for autumn annuals is an important consideration....

Golden Korean Fir Information Golden Korean fir trees (Abies koreana ‘Aurea’) are slow-growing conifers with truly beautiful foliage. The needles grow in golden, then mature into chartreuse. They remain chartreuse throughout the winter. Another colorful feature of the trees is the fruit that appears as cones. When these are immature, they are a deep violet-purple. As they mature, they lighten into tan. Golden Korean fir trees are not for every setting....

How to Grow Kale Although kale is quite versatile, there is a proper way for planting kale in the garden in order to attain the healthiest growth. Kale prefers well-drained soil in sunny locations but will tolerate shade too. This means you should choose your garden area wisely, as kale grows best when planted after the soil reaches temperatures of 60 to 65 F. (16-18 C.). However, hot weather can turn it bitter, so you may want to mulch the ground to protect from too much heat and to keep down weeds....

Spearmint resembles peppermint, though spearmint plants have bright green leaves that are pointed, and lavender flower spikes that grow up to 4 inches (10 cm.) long. When planted in ideal conditions, spearmint will reach a mature height and width of 12 to 24 inches (31-61 cm.). Growing spearmint plants in the garden is a rewarding and useful experience. How to Grow Spearmint Learning how to grow spearmint isn’t much different than growing other mint plants....

Growing with Aeroponics Growing with aeroponics is not difficult and the benefits far outweigh any drawbacks. Nearly any plant can be successfully grown using aeroponics, especially vegetables. The plants grow faster, yield more, and are generally healthier than those grown in soil. Feeding for aeroponics is also easy, as aeroponic-grown plants typically require less nutrients and water. Regardless of the system used indoors, aeroponics requires little space, making this method of growing plants especially suited to urban dwellers and the like....

Curry Leaf vs. Curry Plant Although curry leaf (Murraya koenigii) is often known as curry plant and is frequently misidentified by unknowing garden centers or nurseries, it is actually a small tropical tree. The small leaflets are often used to flavor curries and other Indian or Asian dishes. Curry leaf plants, also known as curry tree, reach heights of up to about 30 feet (9 m.). They are difficult to grow, even in greenhouses; thus, they are extremely rare in the United States....

Hindu Temple Gardens Hinduism is the world’s third largest religion, and many historians believe it is the world’s oldest religion. It is the predominant religion in India and Nepal, and is widely practiced in countries around the world, including Canada and the United States. Hindu temple gardens are places of worship, designed to connect people with gods. The gardens are rich in symbolism that reflects Hindu values. Creating Hindu Gardens A Hindu garden is a tropical paradise resplendent with beautiful tropical flowers that explode with bright color and sweet aroma....

How Do Air Plants Reproduce? Air plants, which belong to the genus Tillandsia, reproduce like other flowering plants. They produce flowers, which leads to pollination, and the production of seeds. Air plants also produce offsets– new, smaller plants that are known as pups. Air plant pups will form even if the plant has not been pollinated. Without pollination though, there will be no seeds. In the wild birds, bats, insects, and wind pollinate air plants....

Forcing Grape Hyacinth Indoors To force grape hyacinth indoors, you’ll need to dig up existing bulbs or purchase them in late summer or early fall. To enjoy blooms from January through March, pot the bulbs for chilling in September or October. Grape hyacinth bulbs require a cold period of 35 to 48 degrees F. (2-9 C.) for at least ten weeks. Plant the bulbs, anywhere from 12 to 15 inches (31-38 cm....