Posts

How to Control Kangaroos Gardeners in Australia and similar regions have to contend with all manner of wildlife. Controlling kangaroos is a popular forum topic and even the government has gotten involved with tips on how to repel these large marsupials. Kangaroos will jump a 6 foot (2 m.) fence easily and are attracted to all the interesting and diverse flora in an ornamental or produce garden. Their broad herbaceous diet spans many species of both native and introduced plants....

Karl Foerster Feather Grass Info One of the big landscaping trends for the last decade has been the use of easy-care ornamental grasses. Karl Foerster feather reed grass (Calmagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’) is an excellent specimen around ponds, water gardens, and other moisture-laden sites. It is hardy throughout the United States Department of Agriculture zones 5 to 9 and has no serious pest or disease problems. Some tips on how to grow Foerster feather grass will have you on your way to enjoying this versatile plant in your garden....

What is a Snailarium? Your snailarium is where you house pet garden snails. Pretty much an enclosure, some substrate, a food set up, and a water bowl are all you need. Pet garden snails aren’t fussy about their home but you can dress it up a bit to make it seem more natural. Adding plants, rocks, sticks or other organic material will make the container homier. Just avoid items that are sharp, as this could hurt the soft belly and foot of the snail....

Creating an Attractive Landscape Boundary Fencing: A solid fence can block an unsightly view and offer complete privacy. A more open fence, like chain link, clearly defines the borders of your yard but allows you to see out. The downside is that a good fence will be expensive. Before you invest any money, be sure the fence is legal in your area, and that you have any required building permits. Trees and shrubs: These can serve many purposes when it comes to creating neighborly borders....

Mulch Landscaping Ideas for Renters Mulching is useful for many reasons: it keeps moisture in the soil, warms the soil, keeps down weeds, and more. If you don’t own your property though, mulching can be a big chore and expense that provides little return on your investment. That doesn’t mean you can’t use and benefit from mulch. Here are some things to keep in mind when using mulch for rental properties:...

Symptoms of Barley with Leaf Blotch All types of barley plant are susceptible to barley septoria leaf blotch, which is caused by the fungus Septoria passerinii. Symptoms of leaf blotch in barley appear as elongated lesions with blurred margins that are yellowish brown in color. As the disease progresses, these lesions merge and may cover large areas of the leaf tissue. Also, a plethora of dark brown fruiting bodies develop between the veins in the straw-colored dying areas of the spots....

Tips on Growing Calla Lilies It is easy to grow calla lilies. These plants do not generally require too much attention. Proper planting and location are about the only important things to consider when growing calla lilies. Care of calla lilies requires that they be planted in loose, well-drained soil. They prefer to be located in full sun or partial shade in warmer climates. Calla lilies are typically planted in the spring....

What Causes Yellow Leaves on Rose of Sharon? Poorly drained soil is one of the primary reasons for rose of Sharon leaves turning yellow. The moisture can’t drain effectively and soggy soil suffocates the roots, which causes drying and yellowing rose of Sharon leaves. You may need to move the shrub to a more suitable location. Otherwise, improve drainage by digging a generous quantity of compost or bark mulch into the soil....

Causes for Lilac Bark Coming Off In most cases, the damage from lilac bark shedding isn’t serious. Young trees are more susceptible than older ones, but you may see the problem in trees of any age. Here are the most common causes of splitting or shedding bark: Rapid freeze and thaw cycles sometimes cause splitting and peeling bark on lilacs. This often happens at the site of a previous injury. Excessive late fall growth is a common culprit....

Lilac Phytoplasma In lilacs, witches’ brooms are almost always caused by phytoplasmas. These tiny, single-celled organisms are similar to bacteria, but unlike bacteria, you can’t grow them in a laboratory. Since they couldn’t isolate them, and you can’t see them without a powerful electron microscope, scientists didn’t discover them until 1967. Many phytoplasmas still don’t have proper scientific names or descriptions, but we know that they are the cause of several plant diseases....

Lizard’s Tail Information Lizard’s tail plants (Saururus cernuus), also known as lizard’s tail swamp lilies and Saururus lizard’s tail, are perennial plants that can grow up to 4 feet (1 m.) tall. They have a hairy stem with very few, if any, branches. Leaves are large and heart-shaped. Found in marshes, along the banks of ponds and streams, it is not uncommon to see some of the plant growing under water....

Local vs. Big Box Garden Center Okay, I won’t lie. Many of those big box stores with garden centers offer huge savings BUT they’re not always the best option. Keep in mind that you “get what you pay for.” Sure, if you’re an experienced gardener, you may easily be able to nurse that marked-down, yellowing plant back to health from the brink of death, but what if you’re new to gardening?...

The native plants of a region should be considered when developing log cabin landscape ideas. These types of plants are ready to survive without special care in their native range and can contribute not only to the garden’s beauty, but also to its sustainability during periods where the cabin is not in use. Whether the cabin is a weekend retreat, summer home, hunting lodge or has other applications, selecting the right plants can make it appealing, can encourage wildlife and can reduce upkeep when it’s not occupied....

Lettuce ‘Loma’ Variety Loma Batavian lettuce produces attractive, apple-green heads, with shiny leaves frilled around the edges. The large leaves are thick and firm, but the heads are relatively small and compact. The plant reaches maturity and is ready to harvest in about 50 days. It is somewhat heat tolerant, but it does tend to bolt in summer heat. Loma Lettuce Plant Growing Instructions If you have decided to start growing Loma lettuce, you can begin early....

Lucky Bamboo Indoor Plant Care Often, you will see people growing lucky bamboo indoors in their offices or low light parts of their homes. This is because lucky bamboo needs very little light. It grows best in low, indirect light. That being said, when you grow lucky bamboo inside, it does need some light. It will not grow well in near darkness. Most people growing lucky bamboo indoors will also have their lucky bamboo growing in water....

There are at least 30 species of lycaste orchids, and most are relatively easy to grow. Some species are deciduous, while others keep their foliage during dormancy. Lycaste Orchid Culture: Tips On Lycaste Orchid Care Lycaste orchid care isn’t difficult as long as you take care of the plant’s basic needs. Lycaste orchids perform best in moderate, indirect, or filtered light. Intense sunlight can burn the leaves, while low light will impact the number of blooms....

Symptoms of Plum Rust Fungus Early symptoms of rust on plum trees include stunted growth, small leaves, and blister-like cankers on the twigs. Tiny, yellow spots develop on the tops of leaves, with pustules of rusty or brown spores on the undersides showing up a little later. As leaves turn from yellow to brown, they often drop from the tree. Plum Rust Treatment When treating plums with rust, spray affected trees with fungicide as soon as you notice signs of the plum rust fungus....

Mandragora Plant Information The mandrake of myth, legend, and history is Mandragora officinarum. It is native the Mediterranean region. It belongs to the nightshade family of plants, and the Mandragora genus contains a couple different kinds of mandrake. Mandragora plants are flowering perennial herbs. They grow wrinkly, ovate leaves that stay close to the ground. They resemble tobacco leaves. Whitish-green flowers bloom in spring, so this is a pretty little plant....

Mazus Reptans Information Mazus (Mazus reptans) spreads quickly by means of creeping stems that take root where they touch the ground. Even though the plants spread aggressively to fill in bare spots, they aren’t considered invasive because they don’t become a problem in wild areas. Native to Asia, Mazus reptans is a tiny perennial that can make a big impact in the landscape. It’s the perfect, quick-growing groundcover for small areas....

Compass Plant Information Compass plants look much like wild sunflowers, but although they are both members of the Asteraceae family, they are not the same plant. Compass plants are tall plants with sturdy, bristly stems that reach heights of 9 to 12 feet (2.5 to 3.5 m.). The deeply cut leaves, which resemble oak leaves, can reach lengths of 12 to 18 inches (30.5 to 45.5 cm.). Clusters of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers bloom on the upper part of the plant during the hot summer months....