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What is BioClay? Basically, BioClay is a clay-based RNA spray that turns off certain genes in plants and seems to be highly successful and promising. The spray was developed by the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) and the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN). In lab testing, BioClay has been found to be very effective in reducing or eliminating a number of potential plant diseases, and could soon become an environmentally sustainable alternative to chemicals and pesticides....

What is Bird’s Nest Fungus? Soil and organic debris are full of all kinds of marvelous natural composters. One of them, the bird’s nest fungus, is also a master of mimicry. It has the appearance of a cup-shaped nest with little spheres inside that resemble eggs. In fact, the spheres are the method through which the organism reproduces itself. Whenever I see one of these little nests in my bark mulch, it makes me smile....

Common Causes of Bitter Lettuce Most gardeners will tell you that bitter lettuce is the result of summer heat; lettuce is known as a cool season vegetable. When temperatures rise, the plant snaps into maturation mode and bolts — sends out a stalk and flowers. It’s during this process that bitter lettuce is produced. This is a natural process that can’t be stopped, but it isn’t the only answer to what makes lettuce bitter....

What is a Black Bell Eggplant? The eggplant variety ‘Black Bell’ is an Italian type of eggplant with the classic oval pear-shape and glossy purple-black skin. The fruit is generally about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.) in length. The overall mature plant size is about 3to 4 feet (around a meter) in height and 12 to 16 inches (31-41 cm.) across. Black Bell is a hybrid eggplant that is pretty much like the heirloom Black Beauty in appearance, taste, and texture although it does produce a bit earlier....

About Blackberry Planting Blackberries are a common sight in many regions of the United States, eaten fresh or used in baked goods or preserves. Those who pick the wild rambling berries do so forearmed with the knowledge that the prickly vines are likely to inflict some damage whilst plucking the tender fruit. The good news is that growing blackberry bushes in the home garden doesn’t have to be an exercise in pain; there are new thornless cultivars available....

What Causes Watermelon Belly Rot? When the bottom of watermelon is rotting, the fruit is probably suffering from a fungal infection. There are a few species of fungus that can cause this problem, including Pythium aphanidermatum, Rhizoctonia and Sclerotium rolfsii. These fungi are more likely to cause a problem during hot weather, humid weather, and after a lot of rain. You may also be more likely to see it in your watermelon patch if your soil doesn’t drain well....

But do those patches of brown foliage result from cicada damage to leaves? Cicadas may or may not be responsible. Read on for more information about cicada branch damage and the many other potential causes of brown leaves on trees. Cicada Damage to Trees It’s quite rare to have just one or two cicadas in your garden. While their populations are limited in forests, in backyards, parks and orchards, higher populations are the norm....

Lawn Care California Starts with Landscaping Water is an issue when it comes to lawns everywhere, but drought in California and other western states has moved irrigation to the top of the lawn maintenance list. Most gardeners are aware of this, but not everyone landscapes with water in mind. What does this mean? It means that the time to begin thinking of irrigation issues is when you are designing your backyard vegetation....

Camzam Apple Info A dwarf cultivar with a rounded habit, Camelot crabapple trees have dark green, thick, leathery leaves with a hint of burgundy. In the spring, the tree sports red flower buds that open to aromatic white flowers tinged with fuchsia. Blossoms are followed by ½ inch (1 cm.) burgundy colored fruit that ripen in the late summer. Fruit left on trees may persist into the winter, providing nourishment for a variety of birds....

Zone 8 Blueberry Bushes The types of blueberries grown most extensively in the United States are highbush blueberries and rabbiteye blueberries. Highbush includes both northern highbush and its hybrid, southern highbush. Some of these varieties are more likely than others to thrive as zone 8 blueberries. You’ll want to choose the best types of blueberries for zone 8 as well as the best cultivars when you start growing blueberries in zone 8....

Can You Dehydrate Cucumbers? It seems you can dry almost any food, but can you eat dehydrated cucumbers? Cucumbers are easily preserved, much like plums or nectarines. As such, it would be logical that eating dried cucumbers would be just as tasty. You can put whatever flavor spin you want on the fruit too. Go savory or sweet, either works beautifully on cucumber. Using up a bumper crop of cucumbers can be burdensome....

When to Divide Maiden Grass Miscanthus is a large family of grasses. There are many varieties of maiden grass in this group, most of which are excellent landscape plants and valued for their dramatic inflorescence and gaily waving foliage. Splitting ornamental grass plants should happen every three to four years. Can you divide maiden grass? Maiden grass responds favorably to division and will come back better than ever after a season....

About Toxic Horse Chestnuts You’ll find horse chestnut trees growing across the U.S., but they originally come from Europe’s Balkan region. Brought to this country by the colonists, the trees are widely grown in America as attractive shade trees, growing to 50 feet (15 m.) tall and wide. The palmate leaves of the horse chestnuts are also attractive. They have five or seven green leaflets united in the center. The trees produce lovely white or pink spike flowers up to a foot (30....

Problems with Concrete Over Tree Roots Concrete workers are not arborists or landscapers. Their expertise is in laying concrete not growing trees. When a concrete worker is at your home giving you an estimate on a driveway, patio, or sidewalk, that is not the right time or the right person to ask how the concrete will affect trees near the project. Ideally, if you have large trees that you would like to keep safe and healthy, you should first call an arborist to come tell you the best location to place a concrete structure without damaging the tree roots....

Can You Grow Calendula in Pots? Calendulas are also known as pot marigold, although they have no relation to those lion-headed blooms. Container grown calendula plants brighten up mixed pots or provide stand-alone golden beauty. Pot marigold in containers goes particularly well with vibrant red tones, giving the whole affair a sunset appeal. Plus, calendula is easy to grow from seed and blooms long without the need to deadhead. As long as a plant has the right nutrients, soil, moisture, and lighting you can grow almost anything in a container, and calendula is no exception....

Cape Marigold Information As the name indicates, cape marigold (Dimorphotheca sinuata) is native to South Africa. Although cape marigold is an annual in all but the warmest climates, it tends to reseed readily to produce stunning carpets of bright color year after year. In fact, if not controlled by regular deadheading, boisterous cape marigold plants can become invasive, especially in warmer climates. In cooler climates, you may need to replant every spring....

The spring-blooming spirea has a delicate cascading habit with large clusters of white flowers poised on arching branches. The summer-blooming spirea bush boasts beautiful pink, white, or red flowers atop upright branches. Both varieties are prized for their shape and flowers. How Do I Grow Spirea? Growing spirea shrubs is extremely easy, and these flexible plants are hardy in just about any growing zone. Spirea bushes are available at most garden supply stores and greenhouses and should be planted during the spring or fall for best results....

Can Carrots Grow Indoors? Carrots are among the easiest vegetables to grow indoors, and your indoor carrot garden will be attractive as well as functional. Potted carrots fill their container with dark green, lacy foliage that you’ll be proud to display in any room of your home. You can grow baby carrots in any size container, but longer varieties need deeper pots. Choose a pot that is at least 8 inches (20 cm....

Catchfly perennials are most suited to moderate weather in full to partial sun. Campion is another common name of Silene, which is also called sweet william catchfly plant. This flowering perennial will spread and add a swath of color to your garden. About Catchfly Perennials Silene is a genus of flowering plants with approximately 700 species. Many of these are attractive for the gardens of the Northern Hemisphere. Commonly found forms, such as the sweet william catchfly plant, provide easy-to-care for carpets of flowering mounds....

Celeste Fig Tree Info What is a Celeste fig? The Celeste fig tree produces fruit that is medium in size and has light brown to purple skin and bright pink flesh. The flesh is very sweet, and it’s popular eaten fresh as a dessert fruit. In fact, it is also referred to as “sugar fig” on account of its sweetness. This fig is also a good processing fruit and is frequently used for both preserves and drying....