Posts

Golden Zucchini Information Zucchini is a rapidly growing, prolific producer. Golden zucchini plants are much the same. There is some confusion about yellow squash vs. golden zucchini. The two are not the same and yet are similar, being classified as summer squash. The major difference between the two is that golden zucchini has the classic elongated zucchini shape and yellow squash has a fat bottom and tapers towards the neck or even curves like a swan at the neck....

Growing Gooseberry Plants When you are considering planting gooseberry plants, you need to prepare the soil well before putting the plants in. Gooseberry plants require a soil with a pH of 6.2 to 6.5. Your soil should contain at least one percent of organic matter that runs 18 to 24 inches (46-61 cm.) deep into the area you are going to plant in. Make sure your soil has been prepared by removing any weeds and rocks....

About Graptoveria ‘Moonglow’ The Moonglow plant is in a class by itself due to its color, form, and flower. While many Echeveria have a similar appearance, the influence from Graptopetalum lends the plant an iridescent tone and soft magical color. The diminutive plant looks very at home either in its own container or combined with other succulents, including cacti. Moonglow is a flowering succulent that is mostly grown as a houseplant....

How to Garden in the City Do not let the rules discourage you. Most towns have very few restrictions. There are dozens of books about edible landscaping. Lettuce and greens, for instance, make a beautiful bed edging. A large healthy bush squash can become a beautiful feature plant in a flower bed. Mixing and staggering your planting of flowers and vegetables often keeps them healthier by discouraging pests. Most neighborhoods need uplifting with beautiful flowers and attractive beds, so you are only limited by your imagination....

Can Flower Bulbs Grow in Water? Even a novice gardener can learn how to grow flower bulbs in water. You only need a few materials, some fresh water and your choice of bulbs. Not all spring bulbs are good choices for forcing but you can try daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, crocus, and many more. Provide the right container, lighting, and clean water and properly chilled bulbs can fill your home with their winter blasting color and form....

About Planting Catnip for Cats It wasn’t until relatively recently that folks began growing catnip, Nepeta cataria, strictly for their cats. It used to be more commonly used to treat medicinal ailments, or grown for tea or even as a culinary herb. Someone, somewhere, soon discovered its psychotropic effects on cats and, today, most people grow catnip for cat uses. There probably isn’t a cat lover out there who hasn’t tried catnip out on their fur baby....

About Claytonia Spring Beauty Spring beauty is a perennial spring flower native to the Midwest. It grows naturally in the woodlands of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Missouri. They spread by tubers that are actually edible and were eaten by early pioneers, but growing Claytonia tubers for food is not very efficient—they are small and time-consuming to collect. Claytonia flowering typically begins in April, but this depends on the location and weather....

Leonotis Plant Information Leonotis is a fast-growing plant that can quickly reach heights of 3 to 6 feet (0.9 m. to 1.8 m.). The plant consists of sturdy, upright stems that bear rounded clusters of fuzzy, reddish-orange, tube-shaped blooms measuring 4 inches (10 cm.) across. The colorful blooms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. In its native habitat, Leonotis grows wild along roadsides, in scrublands and other grassy areas....

The only problem with pineapple mint is that it spreads vigorously. This can be good if you want to use it as a groundcover to fill an area, but it will eventually find its way into the rest of the garden unless you install a deep edging around it. Growing pineapple mint in containers is a good way to keep this and other mints under control, but you’ll still need to take some precautions....

How to Grow Pitcher Plants from Seed If you are growing pitcher plants from seeds, you have to provide them with a lot of humidity to get them to germinate. Experts recommend that pitcher plant growing take place in transparent pots that have lids to keep in the moisture. It is also possible to use regular pots with glass or plastic domes over them to serve the same purpose. Most growers recommend that you use pure peat moss as a growing medium for pitcher plant seeds to be sure that it is sterile and won’t mold....

History of Planting Pomegranate Trees The pomegranate is an ancient fruit native to Persia, in what is now modern day Iran. Once the plants were discovered by travelers, people were quickly planting pomegranate trees throughout the regions of Asia, Africa, and Europe surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Over the millennia, the luscious fruit has worked its way into the mythology of the Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks; been praised in both the Bible and Talmud; and featured in major works of art....

About Puschkinia Bulb Planting Because it grows only 4-6 inches (10-15 cm.) tall, Puschkinia can be used as a substitute for a ground cover. Striped squill is also a good choice for planting under deciduous trees, as long as it can access some sunlight, and it is one of those rare plants that can tolerate growing under a black walnut tree. It doesn’t tend to suffer from pest or disease problems and also tolerates deer....

Sorrel makes a nice change from spinach and works well fresh or sautéed. You can grow it from seed, division, or root cuttings. No matter how you start your plants, growing sorrel in pots is ideal. Container grown sorrel may even perform better than in-ground plants because you can move the cool season perennial away from hot sites during the day. Tips on Potted Sorrel Plants Select a well-draining container that is at least 12 inches (31 cm....

Succulent Planting in Southern Regions Even though succulents are described as low-maintenance, they need proper care and especially the right location. Morning sun areas are best for your southern succulent garden. Temperatures in the high 90’s and 100’s (32-38 C.) can cause leaves to scorch and roots to shrivel. The right container is particularly important for outdoor succulents in the South and a well-prepared garden bed is necessary to keep rain off sensitive roots....

Hanging vegetable plants, such as dwarf tomato varieties and snow peas, allow the space-challenged green thumb gardener the ability to provide his or her own organic produce. Mix herbs in with vegetables that grow in hanging baskets to provide a near complete meal in a container. Types of Vegetables for Hanging Baskets Vine crops and smaller vegetables work well in hanging baskets. Dwarf tomatoes, like cherry or grape, are perfect for the hanging container....

Growing hawthorn plants comes with its share of problems because they are susceptible to a number of diseases, including apple scab, fire blight, leaf spots, leaf blights, and several types of rust. Some of the diseases are potentially fatal and they leave the foliage and twigs looking tattered by the end of the season. If you decide to grow a hawthorn tree, look for a disease resistant variety such as ‘Winter King’ or ‘Washington’ hawthorn....

How to Grow Filbert Trees Hazelnut trees, also called filbert trees, are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. When growing hazelnuts in the coldest part of this range, choose American hazelnuts, which are more cold tolerant than the European types. Temperatures below 15 degrees F. (-9 C.) after the flowers bloom can cause crop loss. Hazelnuts need 15 to 20 feet (4.5-6 m.) of space to spread. They adapt to almost any soil as long as it is well-drained, but perform best in a soil with plenty of organic matter....

Challenges of High-Altitude Gardening Perhaps you have recently moved to an area with high altitude and want to get going on your landscaping. What grows at high altitudes? The mountain garden should feature native plants that are already adapted to the conditions. When installing non-native plants, pay special attention to the plant label, noting the hardiness zone and the plant’s requirements. High elevations are often harsh and exposed to rough weather....

Covering Potato Plants Traditionally, in March to May seed potatoes are planted 1 ½ to 2 feet (46-61 cm.) apart in a 6 to 8 inch (15-20 c.) deep trench. They are covered with soil or organic material, such as sphagnum peat moss, mulch, or straw and then watered deeply. In early spring, Mother Nature may do much of the watering. When the potato vines grow to about 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm....

Risks of Under Watering Plants The ultimate risk of too little water for a plant is death. Like animals, plants need water to function to thrive, and to live. Some of the most important reasons plants need water include: Maintaining rigidity and the ability to stay upright Engaging in photosynthesis to create energy and food Moving nutrients from the soil up the stem Several factors determine how much you need to water plants, including the plant type, the climate, soil conditions, weather, and location....