Using Compost in Gardens If you want to build healthy soil to develop permanent fertility in the garden, using compost is a good idea. Mixing in compost improves the soil structure, which allows the soil to hold more moisture. It also adds nutrients to the soil. Unlike fertilizer, compost improves the soil nutrients at a slow, steady pace. It fosters microbial activity in the soil as well, which improves nutrient uptake....
What is Angular Leaf Spot? Angular leaf spot in plants is caused by several bacteria that survive in seeds and plant debris, including Pseudomonas syringae and Xanthomonas fragariae. These bacteria are somewhat host-specific, with P. syringae targeting cucurbits and X. fragariae attacking strawberries. Symptoms first appear as small, water-soaked spots on leaves, but spread rapidly when conditions are moist and ambient temperatures are between 75 and 82 F. (24-28 C.). Spots expand until they fill the entire area between leaf veins, but do not cross over, which creates a tiled appearance on larger leaves....
Are Aphids Farmed by Ants? Aphids are sucking insects that are common on both outdoor and indoor plants. They feed on the sap of plants and secrete a substance called honeydew. This sticky resin is a favorite food of ants, who actually “milk” the aphids for it by stroking their abdomen. The relationship between aphids and ants is symbiotic in that both receive some benefit from the arrangement. The unique relationship between these two organisms provides protection for the aphids and food for the ants....
Apple Maggot Signs While apple trees are the main host for apple maggot pests, they may also be found in any of the following: hawthorn crabapple plum cherry pear apricot wild rose The most susceptible apple varieties are the early maturing types as well as those with thin skins. While other worms affecting apples may be confused with these pests, you can normally tell them apart simply by taking a closer look....
Apricots with Rust Fungus Rust on apricot trees is caused by the fungus Tranzschelia discolor. As the fungus name suggests, rust discolors the apricot leaves. Look for the first symptoms of apricot rust fungus on the bottom side of the leaf. Mahogany colored blisters appear there, with a corresponding yellow splotch on the top surface. Apricots with rust fungus lose their leaves early. They turn black and drop from the tree late in the season....
Are My Seeds Viable? Seed viability will vary from one type of plant to another. While the seeds of some plants will readily germinate for five or more years, others have a shorter life span. Fortunately, seed viability testing is an easy way to determine whether or not saved seeds are worth planting when the growing season arrives in spring. To begin the seed viability experiment, gardeners will first need to gather the required materials....
What Do Bluebirds Need? If you’re in the eastern half of the U.S., you can encourage bluebirds to stay a little longer. Ready and available supplies of food and water are essential, as is the right nesting spot. Eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis) have no issue with moving into a tree that was previously prepared in past years by a woodpecker or other bird. As secondary cavity nesters, they look for hollowed-out spots in trees....
Badger Damage in the Garden Badgers have a wide range in North America and European nations. They are a protected species in the United Kingdom but laws are more flexible in the United States. Badgers in the garden tend to dig up lawns to find insects and, occasionally, flower beds to eat bulbs or vegetable beds when other food is scarce. Because these animals are creatures of habit, it can be very difficult to control them....
Ferocactus Plant Info Barrel cactus varieties share much in common. Flowers, which appear at or near the top of the stems between May and June, may be various shades of yellow or red, depending on the species. Flowers are followed by elongated, bright yellow or off-white fruits that retain the dried blooms. The stout, straight or curved spines may be yellow, gray, pinkish, bright red, brown or white. The tops of barrel cactus plants are often covered with cream- or wheat-colored hair, especially on older plants....
Brown Spot Bean Plant Diseases Brown spots on beans are common symptoms of bean disease, and many even occur under the same conditions, making it hard to know if the fungal or bacterial disease is your problem. If you look closely though, you may be able to tell the bacterial bean spots from the fungal ones, simplifying treatment. Anthracnose of beans causes large brown spots to appear on bean leaves, with damage most severe near the soil line....
Cultural Beaver Control Information Unfortunately, there isn’t an effective beaver repellent available to keep them at bay. However, you can generally deter these critters simply by avoiding certain plants within the landscape and by clearing shrubs and trees near ponds and similar water sources. Beavers are vegetarians, feeding on small herbaceous plants and twigs. Tree bark is one of their primary food sources with cottonwood and willow trees being a particular favorite....
Top Reasons to Be a Thankful Gardener To be thankful in the garden is to truly embrace and enjoy the outdoors, working with your hands, and doing something that is both practical and rewarding. There are days when gardening is frustrating or disappointing, but at Thanksgiving remember what is so good about being in the garden. Gardening is good for the soul. Thank your garden and your hobby for improving your mental health....
Fruit Tree Spray Schedule Tips on proper fruit tree spraying times are normally dependent on the types of sprays used. Here are the most common types for spraying fruit trees and the best time for spraying trees to prevent future issues. General-purpose spray – The easiest way to take care of all possible pests and problems with your fruit trees is by using a general-purpose spray mixture. You won’t need to identify every pest and disease that is bothering your tree, and it will cover those you might even miss....
When are Walnuts Ready to Pick? Walnuts may be either English or the black walnut varieties, with the latter having a thicker shell and more intense flavor. Both types are fruiting, deciduous trees that are fairly easy to grow and lacking in few serious issues especially once mature. They can grow to 100 feet (30 m.) tall and 50 feet (15 m.) across, which makes the tree a bit unmanageable for some landscapes....
Black Eyed Susan Vine Plant Thunbergia alata, or black-eyed Susan vine, is a common houseplant. This is probably because it is easy to propagate from stem cuttings and, therefore, easy for owners to pass along a piece of the plant. A native of Africa, the vine needs warm temperatures but also requires shelter from the hottest rays of the sun. Stems and leaves are green and flowers are usually a deep yellow, white or orange with black centers....
Black Radish Info Black radishes (Raphanus sativus niger) are heirloom radishes that are significantly more peppery than the rosy red radish. They also take about two to three times longer to mature than the common red radish. There are two varieties: a round one that looks much like a black turnip and a long one, which is cylindrical and can get to about 8 inches (20.5 cm.) long. The long variety is more pungent than the round but both have flesh that is crisp, white, and peppery....
About Blackfoot Daisies Blackfoot daisy plants (Melampodium leucanthum) are native to Mexico and the southwestern United States, as far north as Colorado and Kansas. These tough, drought-tolerant wildflowers are suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 11. Blackfoot daisies thrive in rocky or gravelly, acidic soil, making them an ideal choice for dry environments and rock gardens. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the sweet smelling, nectar-rich flowers....
Is There a Such Thing as a Black Rose? So far there are not any rose bushes on the market that truly have black blooms and could qualify as a black rose. Not that many a rose hybridizer has not tried over the years or is not still trying to come up with one. When seeking out a black blooming rose bush, look for the names: Black Beauty Black Jade Black Pearl* Blackout...
Identify Broomsedge Grass You may wonder what does broomsedge look like. This troublesome weed is identified by the hairy, flattened leaf sheaths growing from a basal crown with folded young leaves. Young plants are bluish green, turning brown and dry in maturity. Broomsedge control is easier in the lawn than the native pasture. Turf grass that is thick and healthy can aid in broomsedge control and eventually the short-lived perennial may disappear, no longer creating issues in the landscape....
How to treat a fruit tree with brown rot fungus is of the utmost importance to the home gardener because the disease can and will occur again without proper precautions. Brown Rot Fungus Treatment For the home gardener, how to treat a fruit tree with brown rot disease is largely a case of prevention. For trees that are already infected, treatment with a brown rot fungicide is the only course of action....
