How to Grow Snap Peas Growing sugar snap peas is best when the temperature is 45 F. (7 C.) or higher, so wait until you’re sure chance of frost is past. The soil should also be dry enough to till without the dirt clumping up and sticking to your garden tools. After the early spring rains is definitely best. Sow your snap peas planting seeds 1 to 1 1/2 inches (2....

Using Montana Planting Map for the Best Garden The vast majority of the state of Montana falls into Montana USDA growing zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, and 5b. There is a small section in the northwest region of the state that falls into a 6a-growing zone. This growing map is used to determine which plants, trees, and shrubs will overwinter without damage in particular areas. The new 2012 USDA plant hardiness map is the result of 30 years of data collection from over 8,000 weather stations throughout the country....

Mazus Reptans Information Mazus (Mazus reptans) spreads quickly by means of creeping stems that take root where they touch the ground. Even though the plants spread aggressively to fill in bare spots, they aren’t considered invasive because they don’t become a problem in wild areas. Native to Asia, Mazus reptans is a tiny perennial that can make a big impact in the landscape. It’s the perfect, quick-growing groundcover for small areas....

What is Mexican Zinnia? What is Mexican zinnia? It’s an annual with daisy-like flowers in vivid orange, yellow, pink, or white. Mexican zinnia flowers bloom prolifically all season long in sunny locations. Mexican zinnia flowers are ideal for sunny locations in warm climates. These spreading zinnia plants make great groundcover in summers, but they are also bright and lovely in beds or pots. If you are wondering how to grow Mexican zinnias, the fact is, you can hardly go wrong....

Can You Grow Fruit Trees in Wet Soil? If you’ve found your way to this article, you probably have an area of the yard which retains too much water. You may have even been given the advice that you should just plant a tree in that wet area so the roots can soak up all the excess moisture. While certain trees are excellent for wet soil and rainscaping, damp soil and fruit trees can be a bad mix....

About Nemesia Trimming Nemesia can be grown in USDA zones 9 to 10 as perennials and as tender annuals in other zones. It is an easy plant to grow and comes in a variety of colors and bi-colors. Nemesia prefers to be grown in well-drained soil in full sun but the blooms last much longer in hot climates when the plant is grown in an area of afternoon shade. Regardless, Nemesia blossoms in the spring and is done blooming by the time summer heat arrives....

Oleander Bushes for Privacy Oleander, Nerium oleander, is a tall bushy evergreen shrub in zones 8-10. Growing 3-20 feet (6-9 m.) tall depending on the variety. Oleander’s dense, upright growth makes it an excellent screening plant. As a tidy hedge or privacy wall, oleander is tolerant of salt, pollution, and drought. Add in the beautiful, fragrant clusters of blooms and oleander sounds too good to be true. There is a downfall, however....

Centers Dying in Ornamental Grass The best way to prevent ornamental grass dying in the middle is to divide the plant every two or three years. However, if your ornamental grass center is dying, you may need to dig and divide the entire plant. The best time to divide ornamental grass is in spring, before new growth emerges. Be sure to have a sturdy, sharp spade on hand; digging a large clump isn’t an easy task....

What Are Outdoor Zones? In reference to garden zoning, backyard zones simply refer to the use of different areas for designated purposes. At a basic level, outdoor zones allow landscapers to divide a backyard into multiple interesting “rooms” in order to maximize overall enjoyment. While careful planning is often required to achieve the desired effect, any size garden can be split into several useful areas. How to Divide a Backyard While the concept of splitting a garden may initially seem somewhat daunting, the process is actually quite straightforward....

Pitahaya Information Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus), also known as pitahaya, is native to Central and South America and needs year-round heat. It can tolerate a brief frost and will recover quickly from any freeze damage, but prolonged exposure to below-freezing temperatures will kill it. It can tolerate heat up to 104 degrees F. (40 C.). Although it is a cactus, it requires a relatively high amount of water. Dragon fruit trees are vining and need something to climb....

About Plane Tree Seeds The seeds of the plane tree can be found in the fruiting balls that develop from female flowers. They are also known as the fruit or the seed pods of the tree. The balls typically mature mid-fall and break open to release seeds in early winter. The seeds are small and covered in stiff hairs. There are many seeds in each fruiting ball. When to Collect Plane Tree Seeds The best time for plane tree seed collection is in late fall, around November, just before the seed pods start breaking up to disperse seeds....

Japanese Snowbell Information Japanese snowbell trees (Styrax japonicus) are native to China, Japan, and Korea. They are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8a. They grow slowly to a height of 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 m.), with a spread of 15 to 25 feet (4.5 to 7.5 m.). In late spring or early summer, usually in May and June, they produce mildly fragrant, white flowers. The flowers appear in clusters of small, five-petaled bells that show up very clearly as they hang down below the upward-growing foliage....

Signs of Plant Poisoning in Cows Not all plants poisonous to cattle will be lethal or make animals severely ill. It’s important to be on the lookout for any signs that your cows may have gotten into some toxic plants. Some are subtle, while others may be obvious: Not eating at all or as much as usual Losing weight An overall unhealthy appearance Muscle weakness Failure to grow or develop normally...

Why Lettuce Has Flowers Cool season annual vegetables, such as spinach and lettuce, bolt when chilly spring days turn into warm spring days. Bolting lettuce plants become bitter and sharp in taste as they shoot towards the sky. Other crops that are sensitive to bolting include Chinese cabbage and mustard greens. Lettuce bolt will occur when daytime temperatures go above 75 degrees F. (24 C.) and nighttime temperatures above 60 degrees F....

Prince of Orange Flower Info Although they may not be flashy, Prince of Orange scented geraniums have plenty to offer with glossy foliage and clusters of pale pinkish lavender flowers marked with purple veins. Blooming usually continues throughout the growing season. Prince of Orange pelargoniums are perennial in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11 and may survive zone 9 with winter protection. In cooler climates, Pelargonium Prince of Orange is grown as an annual....

Quince Fruit Tree Problems Quince are small, irregularly shaped trees that grow to some 15 feet (5 m.) high. They bear dramatic flowers on the tips of the shoots in hues of white or bright pink. Quince trees are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 to 9. Quince trees are vulnerable to various quince fruit tree problems, including: Fire blight Borers Codling moth Curculio Scale Tent caterpillars The fruit itself can suffer from quince fruit split....

Tips for Rain Boot Container Gardening Flowerpots are designed and constructed specifically for growing plants; boots are not. Making a recycled rain boot pot is easy but not as simple as just adding dirt and a flower. Follow these tips to make sure your plant will thrive in its unique container: Make drainage holes. The water needs to run through to avoid rot, so make some holes in the soles of the boots....

Saskatoon berries, with a flavor reminiscent of cherry with a hint of almond are rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Saskatoon bushes generally reach heights of 6 to 10 feet (2-3 m.), depending on the cultivar. Similarly, fall color may vary from red to bright yellow. Growing Saskatoon Bushes A type of serviceberry, Saskatoon shrubs are especially valued for their cold hardiness, as this tough plant can survive numbing temperatures of -60 degrees F....

What is Scaling? What is scaling? Scaling plant bulbs is the process of breaking certain bulbs apart into small pieces and rooting the pieces. These pieces, called scales, will grow into full-sized bulbs within a year or two. Propagation Scaling of Bulbs Lily bulbs are a common type of bulb for scaling. Look for bulbs that grow in layers, almost like an onion. You can achieve propagation through the scaling of bulbs in the fall, then after a winter’s sleep in the refrigerator, they will be ready for spring planting....

Signs of Spinach Aster Yellows Spinach that is yellowed and stunted may have Aster yellows. This common disease causes foliar damage, and in crops grown for their foliage, such as spinach, the effects can be devastating. Aster yellows on spinach is transmitted by an insect vector. The disease has a symbiotic relationship with the insect, who overwinters it and incubates it until it has multiplied. In spinach, the foliage becomes faded and yellow....