What is Terra Preta? Terra Preta History Scientists believe that part of the reason the soils are so deeply dark and rich is due to plant carbons which are retained in soil for thousands of years. These were the result of clearing the land and charring the trees. This is quite different from slash and burn practices. Slash and char leaves behind durable, slow to break down carbon charcoal. Other theories suggest volcanic ash or lake sediment may have deposited on the land, fueling nutrient content....

Transplanting Container Grown Daffodils Forcing bulbs like daffodils to bloom out of season is relatively easy, although it takes quite a bit of time, and it takes a lot out of a bulb. Many gardeners consider these bulbs spent and simply discard them. If you’re frugal and want to try to transplanting spring daffodils, keep in mind that they probably won’t have the energy to flower for two or three years....

Watermelon Anthracnose Info Anthracnose is a disease caused by the fungus Colletotrichum. Symptoms of watermelon anthracnose can vary and affect any or all aboveground parts of the plant. This can include small yellow spots on leaves that spread and darken to black. If the weather is damp, fungal spores will be visible as pink or orange clusters in the middle of these spots. If the weather is dry, the spores will be gray....

What is Wound Dressing? Wound dressings are petroleum-based products used to cover freshly cut or damaged wood. The intent is to prevent disease and decay organisms and insects from infesting the wound. Studies (as far back as the 1970’s) show that the disadvantages far outweigh the benefits of wound dressing. Wound dressings prevent the tree from forming calluses, which are its natural method of dealing with injury. In addition, moisture often gets beneath the dressing, and sealed in moisture leads to decay....

Uses for Tricolor Sage in Gardens Tricolor sage (Salvia officinalis ‘Tricolor’) is mainly distinguished from its cousins by its leaves. Though the main color is green, the edges are bordered with uneven splotches of white and the interiors splashed with shades of pink and purple. The overall effect is a very pleasant, somewhat subdued mottling of color. Is tricolor sage edible? Absolutely! Its flavor is the same as that of any common sage, and its leaves can be used interchangeably in any recipe that calls for sage....

Can You Grow Knock Out Roses in Zone 8? Yes, you can. Knock Out roses grow in zones 5b to 9, and they certainly do well in zone 8. Knock Out roses were first developed by breeder Bill Radler and released to the market in 2000. Since the introduction of the original variety, eight additional Knock Out rose varieties have been made available. Types of Knock Out roses include specimens suitable for a wide range of planting sites and flower colors that include red, pale pink, white, yellow, and even coral....

How to Grow Tomatoes Upside Down When planting tomatoes upside down, you will need either a large bucket, such as a 5-gallon (19 L.) bucket, or a specialty planter that is easy to find at your local hardware or department store. If you are using a bucket for growing tomatoes upside down, cut a hole about 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm.) in diameter in the bottom of the bucket. Next, select the plants that will become your upside down tomatoes....

Gardening Help – New Mexico Planting Map New Mexico experiences a wide range in average winter extreme temperatures, from a chilly 4b in the northern part of the state to a very warm 9a in the south. There are many flowers, shrubs, and trees that thrive in all parts of this state and knowing which planting zone you live in will help you make the best selections for your area. The 2012 New Mexico USDA planting map, as pictured above, is based on data collected from 8,000 weather stations all over the United States over a period of thirty years....

Valor Plum Information Valor plum trees originated in 1968 at the Vineland Research Institute in Ontario, Canada. The trees are appreciated for their abundant harvests and the excellent flavor of the firm, amber flesh. Valor plum trees tend to be resistant to bacterial leaf spot. Look for Valor plums to ripen in late September or early October. How to Care for a Valor Plum Valor plums require at least one plum tree nearby for pollination....

Read on for suggestions for a West Coast planting list to get you ready for spring. West Coast Planting The milder areas of the west coast enjoy a Mediterranean climate. This means that the summers are long, warm, and dry while winters are cooler and wetter. Native plants adapt to this in various ways, while non-natives may need more irrigation than elsewhere. When it comes to veggie gardening or flower planting though, the sky’s the limit for western region gardening....

How Do Plants Fix Nitrogen? Nitrogen fixing plants don’t pull nitrogen from the air on their own. They actually need help from a common bacteria called Rhizobium. The bacteria infects legume plants such as peas and beans and uses the plant to help it draw nitrogen from the air. The bacteria converts this nitrogen gas and stores it in the roots of the plant. When the plant stores the nitrogen in the roots, it produces a lump on the root called a nitrogen nodule....

Small Grain Information What are small grains? The term ‘small grains’ is generally used to refer to crops such as wheat, barley, oats, and rye. Small grain crops consist of plants that produce small, usable seeds. The role of small grain crops is extremely important for both large- and small-scale farms. In addition to grain production for human consumption, they are also valued for their other uses. Growing small grains is beneficial to farmers as a means of farm feeding, as well as in the production of straw....

Growing a Calico Kitten Plant Calico Kitten crassula requires plenty of sunlight but should be planted where it isn’t blasted by direct sun on hot afternoons. You’ll find that Calico Kitten succulents are especially pretty in dappled or filtered light where their colors can shine through. Like all succulents, Calico Kitten plants require fast-draining soil. Indoor plants do well in a potting mix formulated for cacti and succulents, or a blend of regular potting mix and sand....

The cup plant, for example, is a wildflower that can show just how advantageous planting native perennials can be. What is a Cup Plant? Cup plant, or Silphium perfoliatum, is a native flowering plant found in most parts of the eastern United States. Reaching heights of up to 8 feet (2.5 m.), this bright yellow perennial flower is a welcome addition to gardens for its attractiveness to bees and other beneficial insects....

What is a Green Bell Pepper Tomato? Green Bell Pepper tomatoes are indeterminate plants which produce medium sized tomato fruits that look and can be used just like green bell peppers. Described as a stuffing tomato, Green Bell Pepper tomatoes produce medium, 4 to 6 ounce (113-170 g.) sized tomato fruit that grows about the same size and shape as green bell peppers. While the fruit looks like any other tomato when young, as it ripens it develops dark green, light green, and yellow streaking or stripes on its skin....

What is a Pot in Pot Garden? A pot in pot garden is a simple idea and one that is easy to construct. Essentially, you bury containers in the ground and insert other containers with plants in them. To construct a bed like this, start by choosing the container sizes you’ll use. Dig holes in the bed in the desired arrangements and put the containers into the holes. They should be in the ground all the way up to the lip....

Butterkin Squash Information What is butterkin squash? As its name suggests, it’s a hybrid between a butternut squash and a pumpkin, and it looks the part. The fruits have the smooth, light orange skin of a butternut and the round, ridged shape of a pumpkin. Inside, the flesh is the best of both worlds – deep orange, smooth, and extremely sweet. The fruits tend to come in at 2 to 4 pounds (1 to 2 kg....

Giant Sacaton Info Giant sacaton (Sporobolus wrightii) isn’t as well known as other big grasses like pampas, but it has both winter and drought tolerance that make it a star in the garden. The perennial, warm season grass is relatively maintenance and disease free. In fact, giant sacaton care is so minimal you can practically forget the plant is there once it establishes. Giant sacaton has several seasons of interest and is deer and salt resistant....

What is Purple Deadnettle? Purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) is a common annual weed that belongs to the mint family, which explains why it’s such a pest. Like other mints, purple deadnettle is an aggressive grower that spreads like wildfire anywhere it can get a foothold. You’ll recognize it and its cousin, henbit, by their distinctive square stems that hold up an umbrella of tiny flowers and small, pointed leaves reaching up to an inch (2....

Understanding Different Types of Hand Pruners When to use hand pruners depends on the type of pruner and what is in need of being pruned. Here is a quick rundown of common pruners for gardening. Bypass pruners make a precise, clean cut that when held properly, prevents damage to live wood. They are best for smaller branches measuring less than ½ inch (1.5 cm.) in diameter. Anvil pruners are great for cutting old, tough, or brittle deadwood, but not so ideal for live wood because the scissor-like action may damage live tissue on each side of the blade....