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Dividing Garden Plants to Give Many gardeners look forward to routine plant division to increase the size of their ornamental gardens. Division of plants is relatively simple, provided the task is completed at the right time and with the correct technique. This will vary from plant type to another, however, most division is done in spring as soon as new growth has started. This allows for doing minimal damage to the plant and for ample time to recover from the procedure....

Our 5 top springtime tips for springtime hydrangea care will provide information on pruning, feeding, transplanting, mulching and even changing the flower color of certain species. Springtime Hydrangea Care

How to Plant Standing Cypress Growing standing cypress is suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 through 10. This hardy plant prefers dry, gritty, rocky, or sandy soil and is susceptible to rot where the ground is moist, soggy, or too rich. Be sure to locate standing cypress plants in the back of a bed or wildflower garden; the plants can reach heights of 2 to 5 feet (61 cm....

Stevia Plant Information Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a nondescript looking leafy plant reaching 2 to 3 feet (61-91 cm.) in height. It is native to Paraguay, where it’s been used for centuries, possibly millennia, as a sweetener. Stevia leaves contain molecules called glycosides, essentially molecules with sugar attached to them, making the leaves taste sweet. The human body, however, cannot break apart the glycosides, meaning they have no calories when consumed by humans....

Right now you might be wondering how to keep vegetables storing longer and any other helpful vegetable storage tips. Read on to learn more. Storage Guide for Vegetables If you are planning on storing fresh vegetables, the first rule of thumb is to handle them with care. Don’t break the skin or otherwise nick or bruise them; any open wounds will hasten decomposition and can spread disease to other stored veggies....

Strawberry Anthracnose Information Anthracnose of strawberries was once thought to be a disease of warm, humid climates, but the problem is becoming more widespread wherever strawberries are grown. The disease is usually introduced on infected strawberry plants. Once established, the fungus can live in the soil for several months. The fungus overwinters on dead leaves and other plant debris, and is harbored by several types of weeds. Although the spores aren’t airborne, they are distributed by splashing rain, irrigation, or by people and garden tools....

What is a String of Buttons Plant? Crassula perforata, also known as string of buttons succulent, is a sprawling and shrubby plant that reaches 18 inches (46 cm.), beginning as an upright specimen. Later, this plant becomes prostrate due to height and weight. Short stacks of triangular leaves often turn pinkish red on the edges, making the plant stand out. Small, white,star-shaped flowers blossom on the well-placed and happy string of buttons....

What to Plant on the Summer Solstice Solstice signals the first day of summer planting. The varieties of plants you start this late in the growing season will usually be fall crops. Summer solstice gardening is a great way to extend the season well after your tomatoes and corn have all been consumed. You can look forward to a late season harvest if you plant on the first day of summer....

Spring vs. Summer Titi How to tell spring and summer titi apart? What are the differences between spring and summer titi? Let’s begin with the similarities: Summer titi and spring titi are both shrubby, moisture-loving plants that grow best in riparian areas, such as bogs or along stream banks. Both are native to the warm, tropical climates of the southeastern United States, as well as parts of Mexico and South America....

Dasheen Plant Info Dasheen (Colocasia esculenta), as mentioned, is a type of taro. Taro plants fall into two main camps. The wetland taros, which you may have encountered on a trip to Hawaii in the form of Polynesian poi, and the upland taros, or dasheens, which produce a multitude of eddos (another name for taro) that are used like potatoes and an edible mammy. Growing dasheen plants are often called “elephant ears” due to the shape and size of the plant leaves....

Don’t stop there. A little planning in spring can increase your “fall décor harvest.” Buy seed packets to grow gourds, mini pumpkins, Chinese lanterns, and herbs. If you don’t have berry-producing shrubs, consider adding those wildlife friendly plants to the yard. Thanksgiving Garden Decorations Growing fall decorations for Thanksgiving is easy. Here are some ideas to “grow” your fall décor: Order seeds from seed catalogs in the spring and plant according to package directions in time for a fall harvest....

How to Grow a Silver Lace Vine Growing silver lace vines is easy. Plants can be started with 6 inch (15 cm.) tip cuttings taken in the spring or early summer. Prepare a planting mix of half sand and half perlite. Water the planting medium thoroughly and poke a hole for the cutting with your finger. Arch a piece of sturdy wire over the top of the pot. Remove the leaves from the lower two-thirds of the cutting and dip the cut end in rooting hormone....

What is Stinkweed? There are two types of stinkweed, and both are annuals. One begins growing in spring and can be a problem throughout summer. The other grows in fall and winter. Management for both weeds is the same. Stinkweed plants begin as a low rosette of leaves. Stems grow from the center of the rosette and eventually support branches topped with clusters of small, white flowers. Flat, winged seed pods form after the flowers fade....

Thyme Alternative to Grass A creeping thyme lawn is not only drought resistant, but it generally requires much less water than traditional turf grasses too. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, can be walked upon, and will rapidly spread to fill in a space. As an added bonus, thyme blooms in a long-lasting profusion of lavender hued flowers. The downside of planting thyme as lawn replacement is the cost. Planting a creeping thyme lawn with plants set 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm....

The scientific name for rosemary plant is Rosmarinus officinalis, which translates to “mist of the sea,” as its gray-green foliage is thought to resemble mist against the sea cliffs of the Mediterranean, where the plant originates. Evergreen Rosemary Plant Care Rosemary plant care is easy. When growing rosemary plants, provide them with well-drained, sandy soil and at least six to eight hours of sunlight. These plants thrive in warm, humid environments and cannot take extremely cold temperatures....

Reasons for Trimming a Chestnut Tree Whether you grow one chestnut tree in your backyard or have an orchard for commercial production, the most important reason to begin pruning chestnut trees is to improve their health. You should remove any branches that might cause the tree problems in the future. This includes broken branches, diseased branches, and branches with to narrow a crotch angle. Keeping your chestnut tree balanced is also important to its health....

Tortrix Moth Lifecycle Tortrix moth caterpillars are the larval stages of a type of moth belonging to the Tortricidae family, which includes hundreds of tortrix moth species. The caterpillars develop from egg stage to caterpillar very quickly, usually two to three weeks. The caterpillars, which pupate into cocoons inside the rolled leaf, emerge in late summer and early autumn. This second-generation batch of larvae usually overwinter in forked branches or bark indentations, where they emerge in late spring or early summer to begin another cycle....

When is the Best Time to Transplant Wisteria The downside of transplanting wisteria that is well established is that it may take several years for the vine to bloom again. The best time to transplant wisteria is in the late fall or early spring when the plant is dormant, but the soil is workable. Choose your site carefully. You don’t want to do this again! How to Transplant Wisteria Vines Cut the vine back to about 3 feet (1 m....

Breadfruit Diseases and Health There are a number of diseases, pathogens, and infections that may attack your breadfruit tree. It is important to be aware of breadfruit disease symptoms and types so that you can take measures to save your tree before it is too late. Your tree will be less likely to succumb to illnesses if you take care of it and provide it with everything it needs to grow and be healthy....

Are Streetlights Bad for Plants? The simple answer is yes. Deciduous green plants, particularly trees, measure light and detect when days are getting shorter and longer. This helps them decide when to go dormant in the fall and when to start to come out of dormancy in the spring. The effect of streetlights on plants and trees can disrupt this important process. In the fall, take notice of trees under street lamps....