Whatever the reason, the decision to make a “fitness garden” will require thought and planning in order to be implemented successfully. Before starting your own garden gym, there are several considerations to take into account to determine whether or not this concept is the right fit for your yard. What is a Fitness Garden? While the concept of a gym in the garden may seem far-fetched to some, there are actually quite a few valid reasons that many grow to consider it....

Medicinal Dandelion Uses Knowing how to use dandelion for medicinal purposes dates back millennia. Always check with your doctor before using an herbal or natural medicine, but generally, dandelions are considered safe to consume. Traditionally, dandelions have been used as a diuretic or even a laxative. The leaves may have a slight laxative effect and may also improve digestion. The roots of the dandelion may be used to treat issues associated with the liver, kidneys, and gallbladder....

Cherry Tree Problems Common cherry tree problems include rot, spot, and knot diseases. Trees can also get blight, canker, and powdery mildew. Root and crown rot diseases result from a fungus-like organism that is present in most soils. It only infects the tree if the moisture level of the soil is very high, like when the tree grows in standing water. Symptoms of rot diseases include slowed growth, discolored leaves that wilt quickly in hot weather, dieback, and sudden plant death....

It is an extremely resilient plant able to tolerate a variety of conditions, and is often grown as a windbreak. Since Elaeagnus growing conditions are so varied, it can be utilized in a multitude of ways. The following article contains information on how to grow Elaeagnus ‘Limelight.’ Information on Elaeagnus ‘Limelight’ Elaeagnus ‘Limelight’ is a hybrid comprised of E. macrophylla and E. pungens. This thorny evergreen shrub grows to about 16 feet (5 m....

Friendly Toad Control One of the best ways to get rid of garden toads around your garden or landscape is to make it less attractive to toads. Generally, for toad control, if you remove their favorite hideouts and water or food sources, they will move elsewhere. For instance, toads enjoy dark, damp places. Look for and remove pots, water containers, or ground-level birdbaths. Also, remove any wood, old lumber, or brush piles....

What to Do with Grape Leaves If you or someone you know has a grapevine that is grown organically, you can make one of the classic Greek staples, dolmas. Also known as dolmades, dolmas are stuffed grape leaves. The classic is only one of many grape leaf uses. Keep reading to find more things to do with grape leaves for a culinary journey around the world. Original grape leaf uses were as wrappers for a variety of mixed fillings....

Highlighting Techniques in Gardens The term highlighting can mean two different things. Sometimes people use the term highlighting when they are talking about uplighting. Other people use the term highlighting to describe general landscape lighting. Path lighting– Of the many highlighting techniques in gardens, path lighting is the most common. Path lighting creates a sense of safety along a walkway. Alternate the lights on either side of the path and place them 6 to 8 feet (2 to 2....

Why is My Sweet Corn Not Sweet? “Get the water boiling before you pick the corn.” This is advice of long-time gardeners, and it’s true. The longer the corn sits after picking, the more the sugars convert to starch and sweetness is lost. This is frequently the simple reason for corn that is not sweet. Harvest time is also critical for sweetness. Harvest when corn is at its peak because sweetness fades quickly....

Abelia shrubs, Abelia grandiflora, have attractive foliage, which partially accounts for their longtime use in the landscape. The evergreen abelia has red foliage throughout the summer, becoming even deeper and more brilliant in autumn through winter. Flowers offer several bursts of bloom from spring to fall, with clusters of fragrant and frilly pink and white tubular flowers. In colder areas of the country, the glossy abelia plant is considered semi-evergreen, as it may lose half its leaves in cold winters....

How to Grow Golden Acre Cabbage Reaching maturity in about 60 to 65 days, Golden Acre cabbages are often among the first cabbages to be harvested from the garden in the spring. At peak harvest time, early Golden Acre cabbage plants produce heads that range from 3 to 5 pounds (1-2 kg.). These smooth cabbage heads are exceptionally firm, and a good choice for growth in smaller garden spaces. The crisp, crunchy texture of Golden Acre cabbage variety makes it a fantastic choice for use in slaw and stir fry recipes....

Also known as wire grass, it has any airy appearance due to its wiry stems and small, shiny leaves. While it is a groundcover in nature, container grown angel vine plants will cascade and spill over a pot’s edges beautifully. It can also be easily grown on a trellis or topiary. Growing Angel Vine in a Pot Angel vine is typically grown as an annual outdoors but is adaptable in a container as a houseplant or outdoors too....

Trees and Vines Trees and vines have a troubled relationship. Some vines climb up your tree trunks and add color and interest. Vines on trees can also cause structural problems as the extra weight breaks branches. Other vines shade out the tree’s foliage. Do vines harm trees? Should you let vines grow on trees? As a general rule, trees and vines should grow separately. Certainly, evergreen vines and fast-growing vines should not be allowed to take over your trees....

What is Asian Woodland Peony? There are several types of shade tolerant peony. Woodland peonies (Paeonia obovata and Paeonia japonica) are among the most frequently available species to home gardeners. Both herbaceous species grow to reach approximately 2 feet (60 cm) in height at maturity. Rather than producing showy blooms, woodland peony plants offer a multitude of smaller, highly-fragrant single flowers. Their flower color range is also comparatively limited, opening in varying shades of white to blushed pink....

Using Hens and Chicks Plants Hens and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) is an alpine plant, which gives it an amazing tolerance for poor soils and unwelcoming conditions. The mother plant is attached to the babies (or chicks) by an underground runner. The chicks may be as small as a dime and the mother can grow to the size of a small plate. Hens and chicks make excellent container plants both for the interior and exterior of the home....

Planting Impatiens Flowers Impatiens plants are normally purchased as well-rooted plants from the garden center. They can also be propagated from seeds or cuttings very easily. When you bring your annuals home from the store, make sure that you keep them well watered until you get them in the ground. They are very sensitive to lack of water and will wilt quickly if they lack water. You can use impatiens flowers as bedding plants, border plants, or in containers....

How to Make an Irish Garden Crafting an Irish garden is all about making it your own as well as being inspired by and using Irish gardening ideas. You may not be able to recreate a perfect Irish garden if you don’t have the climate for it, but there are still many ideas you can incorporate. For instance, start with architecture. Ireland is full of stone and slate, and the gardens use these materials in low walls, walkways, and decorative elements....

Is My Rosemary Sick? Rosemary disease control is almost unnecessary since they are naturally resistant to almost all common plant plagues. However, fungal diseases of rosemary do occur as well as a couple of bacterial infections. The best defense is good cultural care and proper siting. Questions regarding whether your rosemary is sick or not can be answered by first giving a thorough inspection of the plant. If plant stems, leaves, or tissues are discolored, it could be from the feeding activities of certain pests....

Mites Aphids Whiteflies Snails Slugs Nematodes Mealybugs Cabbage worms Gnats Roaches Flies Termites Mosquitos Scale It also is used as a fungicide and helps fight off plant viruses and pathogens. So you may be thinking: sounds too good to be true and what about our beneficial insects, like ladybugs in gardens? Is Neem Oil Harmful to Ladybugs in the Garden? On the label of any Neem oil product, it boasts Organic and Nontoxic or safe for humans, birds, and animals....

What is a Tree Flare? If you aren’t experienced with tree planting, you may be curious about tree flares. A tree flare, also called root flare, is the broadening of a tree’s trunk just above the soil line. Is root flare important to a tree’s health? It is very important as an indication of where the trunk ends and the root system begins. Most roots are found in the 12 inches (30....

If you are looking to plant an easy-care hedge in a mild region, Japanese holly can work well. These pretty evergreen shrubs have small green leaves, shiny and spineless, and require very little maintenance. It’s easy to learn how to care for Japanese holly if you plant it in the right hardiness zone in an appropriate garden location. Read on to find out everything you need to know about growing Japanese holly shrubs....