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Damage from Sand Storms in the Desert Deserts aren’t the only place plants can become exposed to extreme arid wind storms, but the combination of the sand and the gusty weather scrub plant leaves and dry out the entire tissue. The symptoms noticed are leaf scorch, torn foliage, seedlings ripped out by their roots, dropped leaves or cactus pads, and other physical injury. A desert dust storm swirls scratchy dry soil and sand around the area, leaving behind plants that look like they have been in a blender....

Gardening with disabilities is not only possible, but it’s a great way to maintain one’s lifestyle and happiness during a time of physical adversity. Gardeners with disabilities are people who are very much attuned to the outdoors. Having a garden that’s suited to the needs of the disabled can be a vital part of recovery and care. What is an Enabled Garden? So what is an enabled garden? In much the same way homes and vehicles can be remodeled to accommodate people with various handicaps, so can a garden....

Since a majority of the plant’s nutrients comes directly from the air around them, air plants are frequently used in hanging arrangements or in decorative planters. Exploring air plant holder ideas can help growers to determine how to best display their air plants. For many creatives, the process of designing and making their own air plant hanger is both exciting and rewarding. DIY Air Plant Holder The creation of a DIY air plant holder is an easy way to arrange air plants in a way which is consistent with a home’s existing décor....

About Succulent Soil Mix Proper potting soil for succulents should encourage the entire pot to dry out quickly, as many issues come from wet soil on or below the root system. The difference in what we use for traditional plants and the media in which we plant succulents lies in the water retention aspect. Soil that is well aerated and well drained, while still holding moisture, is appropriate for other plants....

Does Mulch Cause Termites? You may, on occasion, see termites in mulch piles. But mulch does not cause termites. And termites don’t typically thrive in mulch piles. Termites typically pre-exist deep underground in moist environments. They tunnel through the earth to find woody food products for their food. Mulch typically dries out enough that it is not a conducive environment for termites to build a nest. Termites in mulch piles are possible only if the pile is constantly kept very moist....

Why is My Dogwood Dripping Water? Oftentimes, dogwood tree dripping, especially when watery in nature, is due to pests. Some of the most common pests that affect dogwoods and lead to dripping tree leaves include borers, scale, aphids, and ants. Dogwood Borers – One very devastating problem with dogwood trees is dogwood borers, which are caterpillars that drill tunnels into the trunk of the tree. Weak and older trees are most susceptible to borers that leave wet areas on the bark early on....

About Dracaena Plant Varieties There are many kinds of dracaenas that are commonly used as houseplants. One reason that they are so popular indoors is that they are easy to grow and maintain. They accept low and indirect light and only need to be watered about once a week. A little fertilizer once or twice a year is all these plants need, and pruning isn’t necessary very often either. These plants became famous when a NASA study found that they can cleanse indoor air of toxins....

About Elodea Plants Elodea is an aquatic plant that is found in ponds and waterways. All varieties of elodea are herbaceous perennials with a spiral pattern of dark green leaves along the stem. All are dioecious, bearing only male or female blooms. Plants reproduce by asexual fragmentation and do so rapidly. Elodea does have thin, wiry roots that attach to the soil at the bottom of the waterway, but they also grow well floating....

European Mountain Ash Identification The European mountain ash tree is a small deciduous species with a slender trunk and upward-curving branches. Mountain ash can grow to around 30 feet (10 m.) tall in appropriate climates. It dislikes heat and humidity, growing best in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 6. If you are looking for European mountain ash identification info, keep in mind that the tree has an erect, oval form when it is young, but as it ages, you begin to see more of its slender trunk....

Winter Damage of Evergreen Shrubs Winter burn occurs when evergreens dry out during the winter. This happens when moisture evaporates through the leaves or needles and the roots are unable to absorb water from the frozen ground. This is most common when evergreens are exposed to cold winds and periods of warm, sunny days. A winter-burned shrub displays dry leaves or needles that die and drop from the tree. However, the damage may not be apparent until the temperatures rise in spring, when growth turns reddish brown or yellow....

What is a Zero Turn Mower? A riding zero turn lawn mower boasts a larger output when cutting grass than standard mowers. The unit has the ability to turn each wheel independently. That means one side may turn in reverse while the other side is going forward. The hydraulic motors on each axle create a turn that makes a 180 degree turn quickly. The motion allows the unit to spin in one place....

Why are My Flowers Fading? You may be asking “why are my flowers fading?” Some flowers are acutely sensitive to heat and extreme sun. Too much exposure to sun or heat drains the flowers of their bright colors. Many flowers prefer morning sun and filtered afternoon light. Other causes of faded flower color include the fact that flowers generally fade after pollination. Once pollinated, flowers no longer need to attract their pollinating suitors and, thus, begin to fade....

As students head back to the classroom in fall, or even for those who may be homeschooling, there is no reason that garden learning and growing has to cease. Fall gardening with kids can be a fulfilling and satisfying way to continue teaching core curriculum content, as well as spark an interest in nature. Gardening in Fall with Children For seasoned growers, the process of planning an autumn garden for kids may seem extremely simple....

When to Pick Figs Wait until the figs are ripe to harvest. Figs will not continue to ripen after they are picked like many other fruits. You can tell that it is time for harvesting figs when the fruit necks wilt and the fruits hang down. If you pick a fig fruit too early, it will taste horrible; ripe fruit is sweet and delicious. As long as the fruit is still perpendicular to the stem, it is not ready to be picked....

About the Best-Smelling Roses Among the most popular of all flowering shrubs is the rose. People have been enjoying these flowers for thousands of years and changing them too. Selective breeding has led to thousands of varieties with different sizes, petal types, colors, and fragrances. Not all roses have a fragrance; some have been bred simply for appearance. Here are some other interesting facts about great smelling roses: The fragrance of the bud is different from the fully-opened bloom....

Fruit Flies in Citrus There are a number of fruit flies in citrus. These are some of the most common marauders: Mediterranean fruit fly One of the most disastrous pests, the Mediterranean fruit fly, or Ceratiitis capitata (Medfly), has afflicted areas from the Mediterranean, southern Europe, the Middle East, western Australia, South and Central America, and Hawaii. Medfly was first recognized in Florida in 1929 and damages not only citrus fruits but the following:...

How to Set Up a Scavenger Hunt for Flowers First, determine how old the children who will be participating in the flower scavenger hunt will be. If they are children who are not yet reading easily, you may want to give them a list with pictures so that they can match the picture to the flower. Elementary age children can simply be given a list of the common flower names for this flower game....

How to Turn your Green Thoughts into a Book Here’s the thing, writing a book about gardening may seem daunting, but you very well may have already been garden writing. Many serious gardeners keep a journal from year to year itemizing plantings and their results. A garden journal in any form can turn into some serious fodder for a book. Not only that, but if you have been ardent about gardens for some time, it’s likely that you have read your share of books and articles, not to mention attending the occasional symposium or discussion on the subject....

Because native plants are “at home,” they are hardy, drought-tolerant and generally require no pesticides, herbicides or fertilizer. These plants even improve water and air quality and prevent soil erosion too. Are you convinced to try your hand at gardening with native plants? Before you begin, it pays to learn about gardening with natives and native plant environments Native Garden Plants Native plants are defined as plants that occur in a particular area without human assistance....

Controlling Geese in the Garden Before we discuss what you can do about geese in the garden, you should know that there are some things you can’t do to Canada geese because they are protected by law. You can’t capture or kill Canada geese, except as outlined by your state’s hunting regulations. You can’t disturb a goose that is sitting on a nest or remove or destroy the eggs. You can’t harass geese once they begin nesting, but you can remove accumulated nesting material before they nest....