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How Much Water Does Ginkgo Need? Watering ginkgo trees is similar to other trees in the landscape. They tend towards needing less water and being more tolerant of drought than overwatering. Ginkgo trees do not tolerate standing water and soggy roots. Before even considering how much to water your tree, be sure you plant it somewhere with soil that drains well. During the first few months after you plant a young, new tree, water it nearly every day or a few times a week....

Groundcover Lawn Alternatives for Northern Plains States Groundcover is too often overlooked as a type of plant for filling in spaces in lawns. A good selection of groundcover has a lot of advantages over turf grass such as having more options for type of cover, less need to water, and are overall easier and less costly with maintenance. Options are also more suited to the local environment. When choosing a groundcover for West North Central lawns, select for shade or sun....

What are Billbugs? You can distinguish billbugs from other lawn pests because their larvae have no legs. These cream-colored, c-shaped grubs are the phase of the life cycle that damages the lawn. You won’t see the grubs unless you dig around the roots and look for them. The adults emerge from the lawn thatch and leaf litter where they spent the winter when temperatures rise about 65 degrees F. (18 C....

Do Potted Plants Need Saucers? In choosing containers, drainage will play a vital role in overall plant health. Using containers which are able to adequately control soil moisture levels will be imperative to success. While purchasing pots with drainage holes may seem obvious, other aspects of growing in containers may not be as clear. Many first-time growers, for example, may be left to ask, “What are plant saucers for?” Saucers under plants are shallow dishes used to catch excess water that drains from a container planting....

What is Grapevine Leafroll? Leafroll of grapes is a viral disease that is complicated and difficult to identify. The symptoms are not always obvious until well into the growing season, but sometimes there are no visible symptoms that a grower can recognize. Other diseases cause symptoms that may be just like those of leafroll, complicating the situation even more. Symptoms are more prominent in red grapes. Many white grape varieties show no signs at all....

What is Phony Peach Disease? As its name indicates, Xylella fastidiosa on peach trees is a fastidious bacterium. It lives in the plant’s xylem tissue and is spread by sharpshooter leafhoppers. X. fastidiosa, also referred to as bacterial leaf scorch, is widespread in the southeastern United States but can also be found in California, southern Ontario, and into the southern Midwestern states. Strains of the bacterium also cause various diseases in grapes, citrus, almond, coffee, elm, oak, oleander, pear, and sycamore trees....

What is Potato Elephant Hide? Researchers are unclear on the exact causes of potato elephant hide disorder, but they believe it happens when potato tubers grow irregularly. Sometimes part of the surface of the potato will expand faster or slower than another part, causing potato tuber cracking on the surface. This cracking isn’t serious, but it can give potatoes a scaly appearance. Although these potatoes look ugly, they’re perfectly safe to eat because the cause isn’t pathogenic....

Yellow Dock Herbal Uses There are said to be many benefits of yellow dock herbs, and yellow dock herbs have been used since ancient times, and their use is still implemented by herbal medicine practitioners today. Yellow dock leaves and roots are used to improve digestion, remove toxins from the body, and are often taken as a gentle laxative. It is also used to treat various skin conditions (including burning from stinging nettle) and may be useful as a mild sedative....

Is Squash Blossoms Falling Off Normal? The first thing is not to panic. This is very normal. Yes, you read right, it’s normal for squash vines to lose their blossoms, especially early in the growing season. Squash plants are monoecious, meaning that they have both male and female blossoms growing on the same plant. The female blossoms are the only ones that will eventually produce fruit. Early in the growing season, squash plants tend to produce more male blossoms than female blossoms....

One problem that people often see, however, is droopy Fittonias. If you have ever owned one, you know that a wilted Fittonia plant is a common issue! If your Fittonia is wilting, it can be caused by a few different things. Keep reading to determine which cause you may be dealing with and how you can fix it. Why Fittonia is Wilting Overwatering can cause yellowing and discolored leaves, as well as wilting....

Zone 4 Shade Gardening Choosing cold hardy plants for a shade garden need not be a daunting task. There are actually plenty of zone 4 shade-loving plants out there: Hellebore – Suited for dappled light to heavy shade. Hosta – Available in hundreds of varieties with varying shade requirements. Bleeding Heart – Beautiful, signature flowers, partial to full shade. Japanese Painted Fern – Full shade or some sun if the soil is kept moist....

5 Plants from the Caribbean The tropical Caribbean region is home to so many gorgeous plants. Many of them make great houseplants for anyone who wants to bring the tropics into their home. How to Grow Tropical Plants Indoors Tropical houseplant care is all about recreating their natural environmental conditions. You can’t create a tropical rainforest, but you can take steps to ensure these plants thrive inside your home. For instance, many Caribbean indoor plants will need more humidity than a home in winter generally has....

Nematodes of African violet are tiny worms that infest the roots. They are extremely destructive. For information about African violet root knot nematodes, read on. African Violet with Root Knot Nematodes You’re not likely to ever lay eyes on African violet root knot nematodes even if your plant is crawling with them. That’s because nematodes are so tiny that they are not visible to the naked eye. What’s more, nematodes of African violets dwell in the soil....

American Holly Information These attractive, broad-leaf evergreen trees grow 15-50 feet (4.5-15 m.) tall. They are pyramidal in shape and are known for their striking red berries and deep green, leathery leaves with sharp points. American holly trees are terrific landscape plants. They are great for habitat, too. The dense foliage provides cover for small critters and the berries provide food for many birds. The most important note of American holly information is that these trees are dioecious, meaning these plants are either male or female....

Ants in Plant Containers Infestations of honeydew-producing insects, such as aphids, soft scales, mealybugs, and whiteflies may explain why you’re finding ants in potting soil. Honeydew is a sweet, sticky substance that the insects secrete as they feed, and ants think it’s a banquet. In fact, they will go to great lengths to protect honeydew-producing insects from predators to keep a supply of this tasty food handy. Get rid of the insects that produce honeydew before killing ants in containers to keep the ants from returning....

What are Spider Wasps? Spider wasps in gardens can be an intimidating sight. These wasps are actually hornets related to yellow jackets. They are large and mostly black. They have long legs and dark wings that may look oily. You’re most likely to see them on and around your flowers, as they feed on nectar. What gives spider wasps their name is the fact that the females of the species prey on spiders....

What Is a Bird Garden? Bird friendly gardens are specifically curated to meet the needs of birds. This can include growing certain plants, as well as the addition of structures which provide food, water, and/or shelter. While manmade feeders, bird houses, nesting boxes, and bird baths are frequently used, you can meet these needs through the incorporation of natural materials and plant based design elements. Regardless of the garden size, the creation of a safe and inviting habitat for birds is key in attracting birds to the yard....

Tools for Bulb Planting Several garden chores can be extremely strenuous, and planting flowering bulbs is no exception. Digging, along with frequent bending and stooping, can leave even the healthiest of us feeling tired and sore. Fortunately, there are several planting tools specifically designed to reduce the time spent putting flowering bulbs into the ground. Most bulb-planting tools fall into one of two categories: handheld or standing. While tools for planting bulbs should feature a strong, sturdy design, understanding the soil conditions within your own garden will be essential to the selection of the right type....

What is Calico Hearts Succulent? Also known as Adromischus calico hearts, these small succulent plants are prized for their unique color and patterns. While young plants may not show this distinctive pattern, larger specimens range in color from light green to gray with appealing, brownish-red spots or splashes on leaves and leaf margins. Native to South Africa and hardy in USDA growing zones 10-11, this succulent is tender to frost and must be grown indoors in cooler regions....

Recognizing a Cactus Damaged by Cold When you have a cactus damaged by cold, how can you tell? The first sign of freeze damage to cactus plants is softened tissue. This tissue often turns white initially. However, in time, the damaged areas of the plant turn black and decay. Finally, the freeze-damaged parts of the succulent will fall off. How to Care for a Frozen Cactus Can a frozen cactus be saved?...