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What are Willow Galls? If you don’t know about galls on willow trees, you are not alone. They are unusual growths on willow trees caused by various insects and bacterium. Willow tree galls are different in color, shape, and placement depending on what insect or bacterium causes them. Read on for a run-down on different pests that cause galls on willow trees and what those galls look like. Willow Gall Sawflies – Willow galls can be caused by willow leaf gall sawflies, Pontania pacifica....

Cottage gardens are known for their carefree elegance. There is so much going on in these small spaces that the effect can be chaotic without some balancing influences. Spring and summer bulbs and flowers abound, while smaller fruiting bushes or trees and herbs lend a culinary aspect. Much of this dies back when cold temperatures arrive, however, leaving a cottage garden in winter a bit dull. A few suggestions can help perk up the winter garden....

How to Grow Tomatoes Indoors Tomatoes need full sun and at least eight hours of light to produce any fruit. Temperatures should be in the range of 65 F. (18 C.) or more indoors. Use unglazed pots that will breathe, with good drainage holes when growing indoor tomatoes. One way to preserve your summer tomatoes is to bring them inside at the end of summer. You may be able to save the tomato plants over winter for a period....

Can You Plant Wisteria Suckers? Plants propagate in different ways. Some, like the wisteria vines, send up offshoots called “suckers” from their underground roots. If you allow these suckers to grow, they form a close-knit hedgerow. Can you plant wisteria offshoots? Yes, you can. In addition to propagating wisteria seeds or cuttings, you can dig up suckers and use them as young wisteria plants ready for a new home. Moving wisteria shoots is not difficult if you know how and when to do it....

What are Yellow Rattle Plants? Yellow rattle plants are semi-parasitic weeds that survive by drawing nitrogen and other nutrients from nearby plants. The plant thrives in sunny, open locations. Although the plant attempts to tap into the roots of any type of nearby plant, it tends to parasitize grasses more than any other plant. Yellow rattle is especially problematic in hay and grass fields. What Does Yellow Rattle Look Like? Yellow rattle plants are recognized by the serrated, dark-veined leaves and its stems, which are marked with black spots....

Trees for Zone 6 If you live in plant hardiness zone 6, the coldest winter temperatures dip to between 0 degrees and -10 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -23 C.). This is chilly for some people, but a lot of trees love it. You’ll find plenty of options for growing trees in zone 6. Take a look at your garden and figure out what type of trees would work best. Think height, light and soil requirements, and whether you prefer evergreen trees or deciduous trees....

What is a Biofungicide? A biofungicide is made up of beneficial fungi and bacteria that colonize and assail plant pathogens, thereby thwarting the diseases they cause. These microorganisms are commonly and naturally found in soil, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides. Additionally, using biofungicides in gardens as an incorporated disease management program reduces the risk of pathogens becoming resistant to chemical fungicides. How Do Biofungicides Work? Biofungicides control other microorganisms in the four following ways:...

Nematodes of African violet are tiny worms that infest the roots. They are extremely destructive. For information about African violet root knot nematodes, read on. African Violet with Root Knot Nematodes You’re not likely to ever lay eyes on African violet root knot nematodes even if your plant is crawling with them. That’s because nematodes are so tiny that they are not visible to the naked eye. What’s more, nematodes of African violets dwell in the soil....

How to Propagate Alocasia Plants Alocasia grows from rhizomes in the ground, and the best method of alocasia plant propagation involves splitting up these rhizomes. Propagation of alocasia should be done in spring or early summer, when the plant is just coming out of dormancy from the winter. With a shovel, carefully dig around the plant and lift it out of the ground. Dig at least 12 inches (31 cm.) around the plant to avoid damaging the roots or the rhizomes themselves....

How Do You Get Ants Out of Camellias? To get rid of ants on camellia flowers, you must first get rid of the aphids. Once the honeydew source is gone, the ants will move on. Look for aphids on the buds and on the undersides of the leaves near the buds. First, try knocking the aphids off the camellia bush with a strong spray of water. Aphids are slow-moving insects that can’t make their way back onto the shrub once you knock them off....

Symptoms of Apricots with Phytoplasma Phytoplasmas fall into the 16SrX-B subgroup of European stone fruit yellows, commonly referred to as ESFY. Symptoms of ESFY vary depending upon the species, cultivar, rootstock, and environmental factors. In fact, some hosts may be infected but show no signs of the disease. Apricot yellows symptoms are often accompanied by leaf roll followed by leaf reddening, reduction of dormancy (leaving the tree at risk of frost damage), progressive necrosis, decline, and eventual death....

Controlling Peacocks in the Garden Nearly anyone can agree that peacocks are magnificent birds. However, they have a tendency to become nuisance animals in domestic situations. Tales abound of birds digging up garden beds and making dust hollows in them, ripping screen doors with their talons and pecking at their own image when seen on expensive shiny cars. Often simply getting after them with a good blast of the garden hose will get rid of peacocks....

About Artichoke Agave Parryi The succulent has glorious, serrated blue-green thick leaves, tipped with wicked barbs. The leaves form a tight rosette that will enlarge over time. How big do Artichoke Agave get? The rosette can span 3 to 4 feet (1 m.) and grow 2 to 3 feet (61-91.5 cm.) tall. Some gardeners say the plant will flower after 10 years while others claim it takes up to 25, but the bloom is worth the time....

Shedding Bark on Ash Trees When your ash tree is shedding bark, it may feel like the time to panic, but try to keep your cool. Often, this is simply indicating an easily correctable environmental problem. Ash trees typically grow on or near the banks of permanent water sources like streams and ponds. Because of this, they’re not very adaptable when the weather dries out and they can’t get the moisture they require....

Bachelor Button Flowers Bachelor buttons (Centaurea cyanus) offer many uses in the landscape, as this European native naturalizes easily in most parts of the United States. Attractive flowers, now in shades of red, white and pink are available in addition to the traditional blue color of bachelor button flowers. Combine red, white and blue varieties for a patriotic display on the 4th of July. Plant bachelor button flowers in borders, rock gardens and sunny areas where they can spread and naturalize....

What is Banana Squash? With this dizzying array of uses, I’m sure the question, “What is banana squash?” is foremost in your mind as well as how to grow banana squash. Banana squash plants are a member of the Cucurbita family (C. maxima). There are hybrid varieties referred to as “rainbow,” heirloom varieties such as Sibley or Pike’s Peak as well as blue and pink banana types of squash. Banana squash plants can be traced back to ancient sites in Peru and were traded across the Americas....

Why are My Beans so Small? If you’re dealing with beans too small, you’re not alone. There are a number of things that can lead to plants and bean pods too little for your taste. First of all, beans are a warm-weather crop that requires a short growing season, with most major commercial production occurring in Wisconsin, western New York, and Oregon in the United States. While all growing beans need full sun and fertile, well-draining soil for optimal production, too much sun or rather high temps may have an adverse effect on the bean plot....

Help For Beet Seedlings Falling Over Seedlings can become leggy if they’re started with a light source that is too far away; the beets stretch to the light, becoming leggy. The result, of course, will be that they simply can’t support themselves and you get beets that are falling over. If you see that your beet seedlings are falling over, an additional cause may be wind, especially, if you are hardening them off outside prior to transplanting....

What are Daffodils Good for Medicinally? Daffodil flower uses are mostly limited to ornamentation. However, researchers are finding ways to extract compounds from daffodils with the potential of treating diseases. Some of the daffodil benefits to medicine may include treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and even cancer. Traditionally, daffodil flowers and bulbs have been used for inducing vomiting. It is very risky to try this, however, as there are reported cases of deaths related to using the bulbs....

The U.S. Product Safety Commission warns that over 80,000 gardeners are treated for mower induced injuries annually. This is an alarming number and reflects the great respect we should have for lawn cutting machines. Knowing how to mow grass on a hill can help prevent the operator from slipping, or the machine from tipping. Always follow the manufacturers’ instructions and remove obstructions before beginning mowing. Tips on Cutting Grass on Steep Slopes In hilly areas, avoid mowing when the grass is wet....