How to Fertilize a Norfolk Island Pine Tree Norfolk pine trees don’t require a lot of fertilization. If you are lucky enough to be able to grow these trees outdoors, they should be able to take care of themselves, especially once they have become established. If your tree is in a container, however, it will benefit from some regular feeding. Norfolk pine trees have a very regular growing schedule – they grow in the summer months and they are dormant in the winter....

Growing Palm Trees in Containers Here are some of the more popular palm trees for pots in sun: Adonidia (Adonidia merrillii) – Also known as Manila palm or Christmas palm, Adonidia is one of the most popular potted palms for full sun. Adonidia is available in a double variety, which reaches about 15 feet (4.5 m.), and a triple variety, which tops out at 15 to 25 feet (4.5-7.5 m.). Both do well in large containers....

About Graptoveria Porcelain Plant Succulents Graptoveria titubans porcelain plants are hybrid crosses between Graptopetalum paraguayense and Echeveria derenbergii. They have thick, fleshy, grey-blue leaves that form into compact rosettes. In cooler climates, the tips of the leaves develop a tinge of apricot. These little beauties only grow to about 8 inches (20 cm.) in height with rosettes that are up to 3 inches (7.5 cm.) across. Their diminutive size makes them ideal in combination succulent garden containers indoors or in a rockery outside....

How to Grow Elderberry Plants Growing elderberries is not all that difficult. They can tolerate different conditions like poor soil or overly wet areas. One thing growing elderberries cannot tolerate, however, is drought. When planting elderberry bushes, you should note that the berries will grow on the bushes the first year you plant them. Just remember that the berries will do better the second year. Elderberry planting is done best in well-draining, loamy soil....

How to Grow Valerian Plants What is valerian? It’s a hardy perennial native to Eurasia. It’s very cold tolerant and thrives in USDA zones 4 through 9. A valerian herb plant will die back to the ground in the winter, but the roots should be fine and will put up new growth in the spring. It will grow in a wide variety of conditions, from full to sun to partial shade and in any well-draining soil....

Zone 6 Nut Trees The following nut tree varieties are all hardy to zone 6 regions: Walnut Black Walnut (Juglans nigra), zones 4-9 Carpathian Walnut, also known as English or Persian walnut, (Juglans regia), zones 5-9 Butternut (Juglans cinerea), zones 3-7 Heartnuts, also known as Japanese walnuts (Juglans sieboldiana), zones 4-9 Buartnuts (Juglans cinerea x juglans spp.), zones 3-7 Pecan Apache (Carya illinoensis ‘Apache’), zones 5-9 Kiowa (Carya illinoensis ‘Kiowa’), zones 6-9 Wichita (Carya illinoensis ‘Wichita’), zones 5-9 Pawnee (Carya illinoensis ‘Pawnee’), zones 6-9...

About Harko Nectarine Fruit Most people who invite a Harko nectarine tree into their orchard do so with the intention of enjoying its fruit. Harko fruit is both beautiful and delicious, with solid red skin and sweet yellow flesh. But those growing Harko nectarines also rave about the ornamental value of this tree. It is a vigorous variety, filled with huge, showy pink blossoms in springtime that develop into freestone fruit in late summer....

Plants that Grow Well with Hosta Once you’ve decided that hostas are the best plant for that shady garden spot, it’s time to think about the best hosta plant companions. Although they’re gorgeous on their own, it helps to add a few plants that show them off to their best advantage. Hosta performs well in full or partial shade, so the best companions for hosta are those that are suitable for the same growing conditions....

Watering Norfolk Pines How much water does a Norfolk pine need? The short answer is not very much. If you live in a warm enough climate to have your trees planted outdoors, you’ll be happy to know that they need basically no extra irrigation. Container grown plants always need more frequent watering because they lose their moisture quickly. Even so, Norfolk pine watering should be limited – only water your tree when the top inch (2....

Cabinets for Outdoor Kitchen Use The extent of your kitchen outside will help determine how many cabinets you’ll need to install. If you have a full kitchen with appliances and food storage, include plenty of storage spaces. Cabinets can be built or purchased and installed on your site. Materials for outdoor cabinets differ somewhat from those used inside, as they must withstand the elements. Brick, stucco, and block are options to consider....

This distinctive vine is a beautiful evergreen plant that thrives in difficult areas most plants won’t tolerate. The plant is also useful for covering up unsightly defects in brick or masonry walls. Although Boston ivy has many benefits, it has nearly as many negative qualities. Consider carefully before planting Boston ivy in your garden. Will Boston Ivy Vines Damage Walls? English ivy, Boston ivy’s extremely destructive, distant cousin, can destroy walls as it digs its aerial roots into the surface....

Lippia Information What is Mexican oregano? The herb that we call oregano can be split into two main varieties: European (Origanum vulgare) and Mexican (Lippia graveolens). They don’t taste particularly similar, and Mexican oregano has a stronger flavor with a hint of lemon to it. The plant is hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11, but it is so fast growing that it can be cultivated in virtually any climate and grown as an annual that dies with the first frost....

Mayhaw trees, like other hawthorns, are susceptible to a bacterial disease known as fire blight. The disease can be deadly in some situations, sometimes killing a tree in a single season. Fortunately, fire blight on mayhaw can be controlled. Read on to learn about mayhaw fire blight control and prevention. Symptoms of Mayhaw with Fire Blight What causes mayhaw fire blight? The bacterium that causes fire blight enters through blossoms, then travels from the flower down the branch....

Growing Different Mint Plant Varieties Most types of mint require the same, or similar, growing conditions. They like full sun to partial shade and most prefer moist but well-draining soil. Another aspect that most mint types have in common is their invasive tendency. Therefore, regardless of the types of mint grown, care should be taken in keeping these plants under control — preferably with the use of containers. In addition to their invasiveness, consideration must also be given to spacing when growing various mint plant varieties in the garden....

Frugal gardeners have known for years that saving flower seeds is the best way to create a garden for free, year after year. Learn how to save seeds of the morning glory to continue your garden in next spring’s planting without buying more seed packets. Collecting Morning Glory Seeds Harvesting seeds from morning glory is an easy task that can even be used as a family project on a summer day....

How to Make Moss Terrariums A terrarium is, basically, a clear and non-draining container that holds its own small environment. Anything can be used as a terrarium container – an old aquarium, a peanut butter jar, a soda bottle, a glass pitcher, or whatever else you might have. The main objective is that it be clear so you can see your creation inside. Terrariums don’t have drainage holes, so the first thing you should do when making a mini moss terrarium is put down a one inch (2....

What is Orchid Crown Rot? Crown rot in orchids is very common. It occurs when the crown of the plant (the area where the leaves join with the base of the plant) starts to rot. It’s so common because it’s pretty much always caused by human error. Crown rot occurs when water is allowed to pool at the base of the leaves. It can come from allowing the roots to stand in water, usually if the saucer isn’t drained after watering....

Causes of Peppers Falling Off the Plant There are a couple of answers to why do peppers fall off the plant. When immature peppers fall off, the first things to check are the stems they fell from. If it’s jagged or gnawed, the culprit is an insect, and an all-purpose garden insecticide is in order. Check the label to be sure it is effective for pepper critters. Baby peppers falling off plants with no sign of insect damage could be a case of improper pollination....

When to Pick a Pineapple Pineapple is a most amazing, seedless fruit called a syncarp. This basically means that the fruit is produced from the fusion of several flowers into one large fruit. These herbaceous perennials are easy to grow and only get to between 2 ½ and 5 feet (0.5-1.5 m.) tall, making them a perfect size for most gardens or as a potted plant. When the plant produces flowers, it is considered to be mature and you can expect (barring unseen complications) fruit in about six months....

Five Easy Garden Ideas Make a Plan Before you jump into designing your garden, make a plan. Take a look around and decide where you want the garden. For those new to gardening it is best to start small, which might be a small shade, perennial, or even container garden. Site your garden accordingly but also considering who will see it. For instance is the purpose of the garden to beautify the front of the home or do you want to add color to a different area or do you want to cover up an unsightly rocky hillside?...