Spotted Asparagus Beetles in Gardens Asparagus is a favorite food of two very similar bugs: the asparagus beetle and the spotted asparagus beetle. Of the two, the spotted asparagus beetle is much less of a concern, so it’s important to be able to tell them apart. The asparagus beetle is blue or black with six off-white spots on its back. The spotted asparagus beetle, on the other hand, is a rusty orange color with a varying number of black spots on its back....

Earthstar Plant Info Earthstar fungus isn’t hard to spot because of its distinct, star-like appearance. The colors aren’t star-like though, as the oddly beautiful earthstar fungus displays various shades of brownish-gray. The central puffball, or sac, is smooth, while the pointy arms have a crackled appearance. This interesting fungus is also known as barometer earthstar because it reacts to the level of humidity in the air. When the air is dry, the points fold up around the puffball to protect it from weather and from various predators....

They have become the highest selling potted plant in the United States, bringing millions of dollars in profits to growers in the southern U.S. and other warm climates around the world. But why? And what’s up with poinsettias and Christmas anyway? Early Poinsettia Flower History The story behind poinsettias is rich in history and lore. The vibrant plants are native to the rocky canyons of Guatemala and Mexico. Poinsettias were cultivated by the Mayans and Aztecs, who valued the red bracts as a colorful, reddish-purple fabric dye, and the sap for its many medicinal qualities....

About Sugar Daddy Pea Plants Sugar Daddy peas have a lot going for them. They are bush vine peas that grow fast and furiously. In two short months, the plants are laden with tightly packed pods at every node. Before you grow Sugar Daddy peas, you’ll want to know the type of garden space you are committing. The plants grow to 24 inches (61 cm.) tall, and each tender, curved pod is about 3 inches (8 cm....

When to Till a Garden Before you can learn how to till a garden, you need to know when to till a garden. For most people, the best time for tilling dirt is in the spring. Before tilling your soil, you must wait for two things: the soil must be dry enough and warm enough. If you don’t wait for these two things, you may cause more harm than good to your soil and plants....

How Many Types of Beans are There? While there are far too many specific bean types to name, the majority of bean plant varieties can be divided into a few main subgroups. One very big distinction is between pole beans and bush beans. Pole beans are vining and need a structure to climb up, like a trellis or a fence. Some varieties can get quite long. However, these plants offer the added advantage of a small footprint; so, if your space is limited, any vegetable that can be grown vertically and still produce high yields is a great choice....

Backyard Beehives It doesn’t take much time or money to begin keeping backyard beehives. Oftentimes, you can purchase a new hive complete with bees for less than $200. You may be able to recoup that amount the following year if you harvest and sell your honey. You’ll need three kinds of bees for backyard beehives: The queen, who lays all the eggs in the hive Drones, who fertilize the queen’s eggs Worker bees, who perform all the remaining functions– including nectar gathering and care of the eggs....

Bunch Disease in Walnut Trees Bunch disease in walnut trees is characterized by stunted leaves and deformed stems. Clusters of fast-growing, wiry shoots take on a bushy, “witches’ broom” appearance when lateral buds produce growth instead of remaining dormant. Symptoms of bunch disease also include growth that appears earlier in spring and extends later into fall; thus, trees lack cold-hardiness and are highly susceptible to damage in winter. Wood is weakened and prone to wind damage....

Watering Instructions for Tulips Tulip plant watering is all about minimalism. When you plant your bulbs in autumn, you’re actually doing them a favor by forgetting about them. Tulips require very little water and can easily rot or sprout fungus if they’re left in standing water. When you plant your bulbs, put them in very well-drained, preferably dry or sandy soil. While you want to plant your bulbs to a depth of about 8 inches (20 cm....

What is a Possumhaw Holly? Generally, holly (Ilex) species are evergreen, holding onto their shiny green leaves all year. Possumhaw holly (Ilex decidua), however, is a type of holly that loses its leaves every winter. Possumhaw holly can grow to a tree some 20 feet (6 m.) high, but it often is grown as a shorter, clumping shrub. As a shrub or small tree, possumhaws can be useful and ornamental. These small holly trees generally produce a number of thin trunks or stems....

What is Ajwain? The traditional Indian herb ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), which is also called carom, ajowan, and bishop’s weed, is both a culinary and a medicinal plant. It grows quickly and readily, spreading and filling in spaces in beds. The leaves are attractive and ridged, so ajwain can be grown for use in the kitchen, but also for enjoying as a border or as clumps in ornamental beds. The leaves have a fresh herbal taste, reminiscent of thyme....

What is Creeping Wire Vine? Creeping wire vine is a low growing, twining plant that originated in Australia and New Zealand. The small, dark green leaves and reddish or brownish stems remain attractive through the winter, and the tiny white flowers appear in late spring. Unusual five-pointed white fruits follow the flowers in late summer. This plant fits in well in a rock garden, growing alongside a walkway, or cascading over a wall....

Information about Basil ‘Spicy Globe’ Herbs Just what is Spicy Globe basil, you may ask. Ocimum basilicum ‘Spicy Globe’ is a member of the basil family that is usually grown as an annual herb. If you keep an indoor herb garden during winter, you may include this basil, as it is actually a perennial plant. The taste is more spicy than other basil varieties and is at its best when used fresh....

Xylella Fastidiosa and Olives Olive tree Xylella disease has wreaked havoc on the olive industry. The growing problem of Xylella and a resulting disease known as Olive Quick Decline (OQD) has been catastrophic in Italy and other countries in southern Europe, where it has wiped out many ancient olive groves. The Xylella bacterium is native to the United States, where it has created problems in the southeastern states and California, particularly in riparian areas....

American Persimmon Tree Facts American persimmon trees, also called common persimmon trees, are easy to grow, moderate-sized trees that reach about 20 feet (6 m.) tall in the wild. They can be grown in many regions and are hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 5. One of the uses for American persimmons is as ornamental trees, given their colorful fruit and intensely green, leathery leaves that turn purple in the fall....

Types of Asters Aster flowers may reach 3 to 4 feet (1 m.) or can be compact and mounding as with the Alpine type. Six-hundred or more varieties of aster exist. Pair asters in the natural garden with coneflowers and goldenrod for a striking display. Caring for asters can include staking and/or pruning taller types for a bushier and more compact plant. How to Grow Asters Growing asters is a simple garden chore....

What is a Bergamot Orange Tree? The bergamia variety of Citrus aurantium is what is commonly known as bergamot or bergamot orange. Its origins are mysterious but may be a cross between citron or lemon and sour orange. It has been known and cultivated in the Mediterranean for at least a few hundred years. Bergamot is evergreen in warm, dry climates, like the Mediterranean. It can also be grown in tropical regions....

Cold Hardy Fern Plants Growing ferns in zone 5 really doesn’t require any special treatment, provided the plants you ultimately choose for the garden are, in fact, zone 5 ferns. This means as long as they’re hardy to the area, the ferns should pretty much thrive on their own, other than the occasional watering in overly dry situations. Lady fern – Hardy to zone 4, lady fern can reach anywhere from 1 to 4 feet (31 cm....

Can You Prune Cabbage? Cabbages are cool season veggies that have a long shelf life of several weeks when kept in the refrigerator. Prior to harvest, cabbage must be nurtured and maintained as it grows, and part of this maintenance may include pruning cabbage plants. So, the answer is yes, pruning cabbage plants is possible and, in some cases, necessary. The purpose of pruning cabbage leaves back is to create overall healthier plants....

How to Grow Cabbage from Kitchen Scraps I do all the grocery shopping for my family and over the course of the last year have steadily watched the receipt stay the same size while the total grows. It’s no secret that food is expensive and getting more so. We already have a garden, so that cuts the cost of produce at least, but what else can a self-professed budget queen do to slash the grocery bill?...