Posts

Container Grown Cyclamen While they prefer cool weather and actually bloom in the winter, cyclamen plants can’t tolerate temperatures below freezing. This means that if you live in a cold winter environment and want your plants to make it past their dormant summer period, your only options are growing them in a greenhouse or in pots. Unless you already have a greenhouse, pots are certainly the easier route. Growing cyclamen in containers is also a nice way to take advantage of their blooming period....

What is Tomato Fruit Zippering? Tomato fruit zippering is a physiological disorder that causes a characteristic thin, vertical scar running from the stem of the tomato. This scar may reach the entire length of the fruit to the blossom end. The dead giveaway that this is, indeed, tomato plant zippering, are the short transverse scars crisscrossing the vertical marring. This gives the appearance of having zippers on the tomatoes. The fruit may have several of these scars or just one....

When to Prune a Maple Tree Many gardeners are confused about when to prune a maple tree. In late winter, when the days are warm and the nights are cold, root pressure causes sap to flow from any wound made in the bark of the tree. This makes it look as if the tree is suffering. However, maple tree pruning in winter generally won’t hurt a mature tree. You would have to remove an entire limb for the loss of sap to negatively impact a fully grown tree....

Why Do Radishes Bolt? Radishes bolt for the same reason anything else does– as a result of high temperatures and long days. Radishes are considered cool season crops and are best grown in early spring or fall when temperatures range between a comfortable 50 to 65 degrees F. (10-16 C.) and day length is short to moderate. They also like plenty of moisture while growing. If radishes are planted too late in spring or too early for fall, the warmer temps and longer days of summer will inevitably lead to bolting....

What is a Rocky Mountain Bee Plant? Rocky Mountain bee plant (Cleome serrulata) is native to the north and central states and the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. It is considered a weedy annual, but it is also a useful plant that some people are interested in cultivating. Probably the most important reason to grow it today is to attract bees or provide a source of nectar for beekeepers. In the past, though, Native Americans cultivated this plant for the edible seeds and young leaves, as a medicine, and as a dye plant....

Thinning Apricot Trees Although it’s great to see a tree laden with juicy apricots, branches can easily break under the excess weight. Apricot thinning ensures that the remaining fruit receives more sunlight and air circulation, which improves the size and quality of the fruit and benefits the overall health of the entire tree. Crowded fruit places the tree at risk of diseases and insect infestation. Thinning apricot trees is best done in early spring when the apricots are about ¾ to 1 inch (2-2....

When and How to Harvest Rutabagas Rutabaga plants require 90 to 110 days to mature. They need at least four weeks longer to mature than turnips do. Rutabagas can usually be pulled from the ground quite easily, but care should still be taken not to bruise them in any way to avoid issues with rotting later. Although rutabagas can be harvested once the root crops have reached about 2 to 3 inches (5-7....

Staghorn Fern Repotting When to repot a staghorn fern is a common question to many but an easy one to answer. Staghorn ferns are happiest when they’re slightly crowded and should only be repotted when they’re nearly busting at the seams – usually once every few years. Staghorn fern repotting is best done in spring. How to Repot a Staghorn Fern Here are some tips to follow when you begin transplanting staghorn ferns into another pot....

Symptoms of Sweet Corn Nematode Pests Sweet corn affected by nematodes may display discolored, stunted growth, and the plants may wilt quickly during hot, dry weather. However, the easiest way to determine nematodes in sweet corn is to examine the plant roots. Roots affected by sweet corn nematode pests will have visible swollen areas and knots, and the entire root system may be shallow with dead areas. If you’re still not sure, your local cooperative extensive office can provide a diagnosis....

What is Tumbled Glass Mulch? Glass mulch is a commonly used synthetic, or inorganic mulch. Using tumbled glass mulch made from used glass bottles, old windows, and other glass products keeps glass out of the landfills. The ground, tumbled glass, which may display minor flaws common to recycled glass, is available in various shades of amber, blue, and green. Clear glass mulch is also available. Sizes range from very fine mulch to 2 to 6 inch (5-15 cm....

Uses for Black Currant Leaves Proponents of the plant claim that herbal black currant leaf may: Boost the immune system Reduce joint or muscle pain and inflammation Decrease the buildup of plaque in the heart Increase blood flow throughout the body Improve eye function, including night vision Benefits the kidneys, spleen, pancreas, and liver Improves lung function Helps with sore throat and hoarseness Relieves diarrhea Eases coughs and colds Stimulates appetite and digestion...

Borage Plant Types Below are the common varieties of borage: Common borage (Borago officinalis) – Also known as starflower, common borage is the most familiar of the different types of borage. Common borage displays intensely blue blooms with contrasting black stamens. Variegata (Borago officinalis ‘Variegata’) – This interesting variegated plant displays delicate, blue borage flowers and green leaves mottled with white. Alba – (Borago officinalis ‘Alba’) – Also known as white borage, Alba is a great choice if you’re looking for a plant with intense, white blooms....

What are Deer Mushrooms? Deer mushrooms are a type of mushroom commonly found in North America. This specific type of mushroom is typically found on dead or decaying hardwood. This can include decaying logs, downed trees, and even some types of mulches. However, deer mushrooms in the lawn or on conifer trees have also been noted. These prolific mushrooms are likely to be found growing at any time throughout the year, as long as temperatures are not too cold....

Purpose of a Cherry Tree Plant Guild Think of creating a cherry tree plant guild as a polyculture technique. It allows you to plan and plant an entire natural, useful landscape using one tree as the focal point. The guild starts with the cherry tree, then encompasses other plant species. You select each additional species for a specific reason that makes it beneficial to the other plants in the guild. Holistically minded gardeners love the concept of cherry tree guilds....

Sub-Zero Rose Information When I first heard the term “Sub-Zero” roses, it brought to mind those developed by Dr. Griffith Buck. His roses grow in many rose beds today and very hardy choices for cold climates. One of Dr. Buck’s main goals was to breed roses that could survive harsh cold winter climates, which he achieved. Some of his more popular Buck roses are: Distant Drums Lobelle Prairie Princess Pearlie Mae Applejack Quietness Summer Honey...

What Are Sweet Cherry Peppers? So exactly what are sweet cherry peppers? If you read up on cherry pepper facts, you’ll discover that they are peppers unlike any you’ve seen before. About the size and shape of cherries, cherry peppers are a visual delight. Sweet cherry pepper plants produce these tiny peppers. But tiny refers to the size of the fruit, not the flavor. The small veggies offer rich, sweet flavor....

How to Make a Mermaid Garden Nearly any container can be magically turned into a mermaid fairy garden. The container must have good drainage holes in the bottom (unless you’re making a mermaid fairy garden in a terrarium). Fill the container nearly to the top with commercial potting mix (never use regular garden soil). If you’re using cacti or succulents, use a mixture of half potting mix and half sand, vermiculite, or pumice....

What is a Plant Swap? A plant swap is exactly what is sounds like—a forum for swapping out plants with fellow gardeners. Seed and plant exchanges allow gardeners in the community to come together and share seeds, cuttings, and transplants from their own gardens to swap with others. Organizers state that plant swap rules are easy to follow, and the only real concern is that plants are healthy and have been well cared for....

About Fringepod Seeds This plant is native to central areas of Northern California and Oregon. Official fringepod info says not enough people are aware of this attractive specimen. It appears to be somewhat rare when searching for seeds. Fringepod seedpods rise above a mound of tall racemes on delicate stems. Flowering, then turning to seed from March to May in California grasslands and meadows, the wildflower grows best in part sun areas....

What is a Zen Garden? Zen gardens, also called Japanese rock gardens, appeal to people who like carefully controlled settings of raked sand or rocks and precisely clipped shrubs. If you’re more likely to find serenity in the natural look of a woodland setting and find peace when surrounded by wildflowers and soft-textured plants, you should think about a more traditional or natural garden. Zen gardens emphasize the principles of naturalness (Shizen), simplicity (Kanso), and austerity (koko)....