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What is a Vegetable Fern? The vegetable fern plant (Diplazium esculentum) is a species found and used in east to south Asia and Oceania. It is a cold sensitive plant suitable for the warmer regions and tender to freezing temperatures. Are vegetable ferns edible? You better believe it! It is an edible plant harvested and eaten in its native regions. The young fronds are the stars on this plant, as the tender young growth is a delicious addition to stir fries and other veggie rich dishes....

DIY Basket Planter Basics You can make your own basket from reeds and canes purchased online or at your local craft store. It’s much more fun to harvest basket making supplies from plants in your own backyard though. Here are a few plants, shrubs, and trees with the flexibility needed for weaving a basket pot: ForsythiaGrapevinesHoneysuckleIvyMulberryVirginia creeperWillow Autumn is the perfect time of year to harvest basket making supplies, as many plants benefit from pruning in the fall....

DIY Trellis Info A trellis is a simple support structure that can be made out of almost any material you can think of. Basically, a trellis is a framework of bars set vertically and used as a support for climbing plants or even fruit trees. A homemade trellis is also a space saver and allows those with smaller gardens to maximize space by growing vertically. Plus, it can be used to create privacy walls and “living fences....

Do Petunias Need Pruning? Many gardeners view annuals as disposable, and simply don’t know how to cut back petunias. But cutting back petunia plants is essential to keeping them looking their best during their short stay in your garden. You must have noticed how, over time, your fabulous hanging petunia baskets suddenly look awful, with stringy, long stems dangling limply down the side of the pot. The leaves are yellowing and the few colorful flowers hold onto the ends of the stems like sailors climbing out of the sea on ropes tossed their way....

However, growers frequently do not consider which types of pollinator they would like to attract. Shapes of flowers can actually impact which species of insects visit the garden most often. Learning more about flower shapes and pollinator preferences can help growers make the most of newly established flower gardens. Does Flower Shape Matter? While it’s true that most pollinators will be attracted to a wide range of flower types and flower shapes, attracting pollinators with flower shapes better suited to them is possible....

How to Dog Proof Gardens While it’s essentially difficult to fully dog proof gardens, you can make them more dog friendly simply by using the following potty training techniques in the garden: When nature calls, no doubt dogs will answer, but with a little effort your pet can learn to use a designated area. Begin by choosing a corner of the yard that affords your dog some privacy and is not a main thoroughfare for visitors....

Dracaena plants are easy to grow and tolerate a fair amount of neglect. Although most are purchased when they’re small, adventurous gardeners may like to try their hand at dracaena seed planting. Growing dracaena from seed is easy, but the slow-growing plants require a little patience. Let’s learn how to plant dracaena seeds. When to Sow Dracaena Seeds Early spring is prime time for dracaena seed propagation. How to Plant Dracaena Seeds There are a few things to consider when growing dracaena seeds....

Dragon Fruit Information Pitaya is commonly referred to as dragon fruit in English and is a reflection of its Chinese name which literally means ‘fire dragon fruit.’ It is also called pitahaya, night-blooming cereus, and strawberry pear, amongst other nomenclatures. Dragon fruit is a perennial, epiphytic climbing cactus that has fleshy, jointed green stems composed of three horny scalloped wings. Depending upon the variety, each wing has one to three short spines....

What is UC Verde Grass? Buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides ‘UC Verde’) is a grass native to North America from southern Canada to northern Mexico and into the Great Plains states that has been around for millions of years. Buffalo grass was known to be extremely drought tolerant as well as having the distinction of being the only native North American turf grass. These factors gave researchers the idea to produce varieties of buffalo grass suitable for use in the landscape....

Planting Guide for Fruit Trees in Containers Growing dwarf fruit trees in containers makes them easier to prune and harvest. Younger trees bear fruit faster. You can find dwarf varieties of almost any common fruit tree, but citrus trees are the most commonly grown. Containers for growing dwarf fruit trees may include those made from plastic, metal, clay, ceramic, or wood, as long as there is adequate drainage provided. A general rule of thumb, however, is to start with a container approximately 6 inches (15 cm....

Earliglow Strawberry Facts Earliglow is a popular strawberry variety, often used at U-Pick farms and commonly chosen in home gardens. The berry you get from this variety is large, red, juicy, and tasty. While these would be reasons enough to grow Earliglow, there are other reasons too, including high yield and ease of care and maintenance. The extensive runners that these plants produce will give you an even larger harvest next year....

It grows naturally as a 12 to 15 foot (4-5 m.) shrub, but you can also grow it as a tree. If you want to grow the tree form of Elaeagnus, pruning should begin while the shrub is still young. Remove all but one strong stem arising from the ground and the lower side branches. Russian Olive Information The common name Russian olive comes from E. angustifolia‘s resemblance to true olives, which are unrelated species....

Epiphyllum have flat-leaf stems set in disjointed connections. The stems produce brilliantly colored flowers that may span up to nearly 10 inches (25 cm.) in diameter but are more commonly an inch or two (2.5-5 cm.). As epiphytes, these plants grow on trees in their native regions. As houseplants, they prefer a lightly gritty soil with peat moss as an addition. Epiphyllum Cactus Fruit Epiphyllum flowers have a similar structure to any other bloom....

Reducing Soil Erosion Conditions that promote soil erosion are rain, wind, physical disturbance, and overuse. Overworked soils have few large plant species to help hold soil in place and have diminished nutrient resources. That dusty, lifeless soil is prone to blowing or leaching away, leaving exposed areas that become rife with weeds and unwanted species. Preventing erosion with native plants is a common ecological practice in land management. It is a relatively easy way to conserve topsoils and prevent open areas from wearing away....

Tomato Plant Ripening Ethylene gas is responsible for the tomato plant ripening process. This process begins with ethylene gas being produced inside the tomato once it has attained full size and is pale green. Once tomatoes turn about half green and half pink, called the breaker stage, cells form across the stem, sealing it off from the main vine. At this breaker stage, tomato plant ripening may occur either on or off the stem with no loss of flavor....

Facts about Flying Duck Orchids The complex flowers have evolved to attract male sawflies, which are tricked into thinking the plants are female sawflies. The insects are actually trapped by the “beak” of the plant, forcing the unsuspecting sawfly to pass through the pollen as it exits from the trap. Although the sawfly may not intend to be a pollinator for flying duck orchid plants, it plays a critical role in the survival of this orchid....

Lawn Care During Fall When temperatures cool and the blades of grass stop growing, the roots of the turfgrass continue to grow. That’s why grass care in fall includes watering and fertilization to provide the nutrients and moisture the lawn needs to develop strong roots and build a reserve of energy. You can use a hand-held spreader to fertilize a small lawn, but you’ll have better control and apply the fertilizer more evenly if you use a walk-behind spreader....

When to Feed Staghorn Ferns In nature, staghorn ferns can be found clinging to rocks, stumps, tree crotches, and almost any handy space. They are epiphytic and gather moisture and nutrients from the air with additional sources washed into the cracks their roots have grown into. In their native tropical setting, plant detritus decomposes and filters into the cracks, creating nutrient rich pockets. As houseplants, they may be mounted or pot bound, but their resources are thinner in an urban setting....

How to Help Animals in Winter Birds, beneficial insects, and other critters require natural, undisturbed areas. Helping wildlife overwinter means giving up the idea of a perfectly manicured lawn and tidy garden. For instance, you can: Leave a few piles of leaves to create a winter wildlife habitat. Rake them into a corner where they won’t be as visible. Create a bundle of plant stems where birds and beneficial insects can overwinter....

Dandelion Weed Fertilizer Dandelions are actually incredibly useful. Not only can you eat the tender young greens in the early spring, but later in the season, you can dry the larger leaves and use them for tea. The tight green buds can be eaten and the mature, fully opened blossoms can be used for jelly and tea. Even the milky sap extruded from the plant has been used topically to remove warts....