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How to Care for African Daisies Osteospermum is from Africa, hence the name African daisies. Growing African daisies require conditions similar to those found in Africa. It likes heat and full sun. It needs well-drained soil and, in fact, will tolerate dry soils. Osteospermum is an annual and, like most annuals, it enjoys extra fertilizer. But the nice thing about African daisies is that they are one of the few annuals that will still bloom for you if they are planted in poor soil....

Pruning a Yew Shrub The first question when you are pruning yew bushes is when to pick up the pruners. Clipping at the wrong time can have unpleasant consequences. It is safest to start cutting back yews when they are dormant. Late winter is perhaps the ideal time to start pruning a yew shrub. The types of pruning cuts to use depend on the outcome you desire. To make a yew tree bushier and fuller, just clip off the outer growth....

When to Harvest Garden Greens Most leafy greens take very little time to mature and can be eaten at most any stage of their development. They can be harvested whenever there is enough of the crop to make it worthwhile picking. Most greens are cool season veggies that are planted in the spring for an early summer harvest. Some of them, like spinach, can be planted again late in the summer for a fall harvest as well....

It takes only about four days from the time of flowering to the time to pick okra. Harvest okra every other day to keep them producing as long as possible. Harvesting okra is something you can do when you are out harvesting your green and wax beans, then it becomes habit to go out and harvest okra as it ripens. When is Okra Ready? Picking okra should be done when the pods are 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm....

Deadheading Calla Lilies Unlike many other flowers, calla lily deadheading won’t cause the plant to create more blossoms. Each calla is designed to create a certain number of flowers, sometimes one or two and other times as many as six. Once those blooms have died off, the plant will only show foliage until the following spring. So if it won’t create more flowers, why do you deadhead calla lily plants? The reasons are twofold:...

Growing Jiaogulan Plants Immortality herb is suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. In cooler climates, you can grow the fast-growing herb as an annual. Alternatively, bring it indoors during the winter, or grow it as an attractive houseplant all year round. Grow Jiaogulan in nearly any type of well-drained soil, or use a commercial potting mix if you’re growing Jiaogulan in containers. The plant tolerates full sun but thrives in partial shade, especially in hot climates....

What is a Pebble Tray? A pebble tray is exactly what it sounds like: a tray that is full of pebbles. It’s also full of water, of course. The main purpose of a pebble tray is to provide humidity for plants, typically houseplants. Most houseplants are tropical varieties, but most houses have dry, conditioned air. A pebble tray is a simple, low-tech way to provide those plants with a healthier, more humid local environment....

Northwind Maple Information Jack Frost maple trees are crosses between Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) and Korean maples (Acer pseudosieboldianum). They have the beauty of the Japanese maple parent, but the Korean maple’s cold tolerance. They were developed to be extremely cold-hardy. These Jack Frost maple trees thrive in USDA zone 4 in temperatures down to -30 degrees F. (-34 C.). The official cultivar name for Jack Frost maple trees is NORTH WIND® maple....

Judd Viburnum Information In 1920, horticulturist William H. Judd of the Arnold Arboretum crossed Koreanspice viburnum (Viburnum carlessi) with Bitchiu viburnum and created what we know today as the Judd viburnum or Viburnum juddii. Judd viburnum plants have the fragrant 3 inch (8 cm.), dome-shaped flowers of its parent plant Koreanspice. These flower buds start out pink, then open to a creamy white. They bloom for about 10 days in spring to early summer and attract pollinators who feast on the sweet nectar....

How to Harvest Cilantro When it comes to cilantro, harvesting is relatively easy. All that is required is cutting cilantro plants about one-third of the way down. The top one-third is what you will use to cook with and the bottom two-thirds will grow new leaves. How Often Should You Harvest Cilantro? You should be harvesting cilantro about once a week. If the plant is growing well, you can harvest more often....

Drought Resistant Flowers Drought hardy flowers are flowers that will thrive in areas that receive little rainfall or areas with sandy soil where the water may drain away quickly. Of course, like all flowers, drought tolerant flowers are broken into two groups. There are annual dry area flowers and perennial dry area flowers. Annual Xeriscape Flowers Annual drought resistant flowers will die away each year. Some may reseed themselves, but for the most part, you will need to plant them every year....

How Does Tree Grafting Work? Grafting trees begin with healthy rootstock, which should be at least a few years old with a firm, straight trunk. You must then find another tree, which can bear the fruit, referred to as the scion. Scions are usually second year wood with good leaf buds and about ¼ to ½ inch (6 mm. to 1 cm.) in diameter. It is important that this tree be closely related to the rootstock tree....

Gardening for Millennials The millennial garden trend may come as a surprise to some, but it’s quite well established. Gardening for millennials includes both backyard veggie plots and flower beds, and offers young adults the chance to get out and help things grow. Millennials are excited about planting and growing. More people in this age bracket (21 to 34 years old) are engaging with their backyard garden than any other age group....

About the USDA Minnesota Plant Map While there are many trees, shrubs and flowers that can survive a chilly Minnesota winter, it is useful to know exactly which ones these are before you purchase your plants. The Minnesota USDA plant hardiness map provides information based on average winter low temperature data collected over a 30-year time period. The USDA plant hardiness map for 2012 indicates that Minnesota growing zones include 3a and 3b in the northerly regions, 4a in the middle of the state and 4b in the south....

No Pups on Aloe? How to Get Aloe Pups Like most succulents, aloe tends to produce more pups when the plant is slightly crowded in the pot. If you repot your aloe, make sure the new pot is only slightly larger. How old is your aloe plant? Sometimes an aloe won’t produce pups because it isn’t mature enough. Often, aloe vera pups don’t show up until the plant is five or six years old....

How to Repot a Norfolk Island Pine In its natural environment outdoors the Norfolk Island pine can grow as tall as 200 feet (60 m.). When you grow it in a container though you can manage its size and restrict it to 3 feet (1 m.) or smaller. These trees grow slowly, so you should only have to repot every two to four years. Do it in the spring as the tree is beginning to show new growth....

Overtime, continuous investment in annual tropical plants can become quite costly. It is only logical that many gardeners are left to ask how to overwinter a penta plant indoors. How to Overwinter a Penta When growing any plant, first consider the growing zone of each. Native to tropical regions, pentas will perform best in frost free growing zones. In areas which experience cool winter temperatures, penta cold hardiness can be a major obstacle....

Basic Xeriscape Principles Here are seven basic tips for water-wise xeriscaping: Additional Water-Wise Gardening Tips Don’t fertilize lawns or plants excessively, as fertilizer encourages rapid growth that demands more water. Consider alternative, more advanced ways of conserving water. For example, many gardeners in rainy climates are finding ways to incorporate rain barrels or rain gardens. It’s also possible to recycle gray water (household water from washing machines or showers). Take advantage of shady areas....

When to Prune Viburnum While light pruning can be performed anytime throughout the year, it’s best to leave any major shearing or severe pruning for late winter or early spring. Of course, much of viburnum pruning depends on the variety grown too. In many cases, pruning just after flowering but before the setting of seedpods is sufficient. If frost is imminent in your area, you should put off pruning so as not to damage new shoots....

Is Pumpkin Good for Wildlife? Yes, both the pumpkin flesh and seeds are enjoyed by a number of animals. It’s good for you, so you can bet all kinds of critters will enjoy it. Just be sure not to feed animals old pumpkins that have been painted, as the paint might be toxic. If you don’t want to attract wildlife, feeding animals old pumpkins isn’t the only pumpkin use after the fall season....