About Late Flat Dutch Cabbage Plants Cabbage is such a versatile vegetable. It is equally good in salads, stews, or sautéed. Late Flat Dutch cabbage seeds germinate easily and the resulting heads store for weeks. This open pollinated heirloom variety requires 100 days from seed to head and can be planted for an early summer or late fall harvest. This large cabbage variety has bluish green leaves and flattened heads with a creamy light green interior....

Planting Succulent Seeds Is it realistic to attempt succulent seed propagation? Let’s discuss the fine points of what is different about growing succulents from seed. Starting new succulents in this way is a slow process, but if you’re willing to devote the time and effort, it can be an inexpensive way to get unusual plants. Finding quality seeds that are properly labeled is of utmost importance. Many that write online about growing succulents from seed say they use local nurseries as their source....

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....

Growing Zone 4 Cherry Trees The best and most prolific fruit-growing regions in the country offer at least 150 frost-free days to allow the fruit to mature, and a USDA hardiness zone of 5 or above. Obviously, zone 4 gardeners can’t provide those optimal growing conditions. In zone 4, winter temperatures dip to 30 degrees below zero (-34 C.). Climates that get very cold in the winter—like those in USDA zone 4—also have shorter growing seasons for fruit crops....

Butternut squash, a type of winter squash, is a flavorful source of complex carbohydrates and fiber. At 80 calories per cup, this naturally sweet treat is a dieter’s delight. It’s also a great source of iron, niacin, potassium, and beta carotene, which is converted in the body to Vitamin A (necessary to healthy vision, skin, and bones). It’s great to know that without canning or freezing, you can store your butternut squash harvest for use through the winter and spring....

What are Hobby Farms? There are various hobby farm ideas out there which leave the definition of ‘what are hobby farms’ slightly loose, but the basic gist is that a hobby farm is a small-scale farm that is worked for pleasure more than for profit. Generally, the owner of a hobby farm does not rely on the farm for income; instead, they work or rely on other sources of income....

Fertilizing Holly Bushes Gardeners have lots of options when choosing a holly plant fertilizer. Compost or well-rotted livestock manure makes excellent (and often free) slow-release fertilizers that continue to feed the plant throughout the season. A complete fertilizer that contains eight to ten percent nitrogen is another good choice. The first number of the three-number ratio on the fertilizer bag tells you the percentage of nitrogen. For example, a fertilizer ratio of 10-20-20 contains 10 percent nitrogen....

Reasons for Harvesting Horsetail Herbs Horsetail herbs are 35 percent silica, one of the most abundant minerals on the planet. Silica may strengthen bones, nails, hair, skin, and teeth, as well as bodily tissues, membranes, and cell walls. It may also help the body absorb calcium and restore a healthy balance between calcium and magnesium. Herbalists believe horsetail may strengthen lungs, kidneys, and the bladder. It is valued for its diuretic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat bronchitis and chronic urinary tract infections....

Though flowering shrubs and perennials play a major role in ornamental plantings, the addition of hot weather annuals can further add diversity and interest to these growing spaces. Annuals For Your Specific Region When considering the best heat tolerant annuals for one’s garden, it’s important to recognize other characteristics of your growing zone that could also impact your plants’ health. Most heat tolerant annuals require periodic rain or supplemental irrigation in order to truly thrive....

Eggshells in Compost A common question is can you put eggshells in compost heaps? The answer to this is yes, you can. Adding eggshells to compost will help add calcium to the make up of your final compost. This important nutrient helps plants build cell walls. Without it, plants cannot grow as fast, and, in the case of some vegetables like tomatoes and squash, fruit will develop blossom end rot because there is simply not enough building material (calcium) coming into the plant....

Indoor Dandelion Plant Care Growing dandelion plants indoors may seem odd, but it is easy, and they can be grown at any time of year. Here’s how: If you want to grow dandelion indoors, you may have to purchase seeds online, although you might find them at a nursery specializing in herbs or wildflowers. If you’re adventurous you can save seeds from wild dandelions at the puffball stage. Be sure the dandelions haven’t been treated with herbicides, pesticides, or other chemicals....

Recognizing Physiological Leaf Roll in Tomato Plants Curled tomato leaves can be caused by factors like disease, environmental changes, and even herbicide drift. In healthy plants, the causes of physiological leaf roll in tomato can be difficult to uncover. This is because the effect may be caused by one situation or the result of several, and nature has a place in the occurrence. This can make uncovering the reason a bit tricky....

About Kabocha Squash Pumpkins In Japan, “kabocha” refers to winter squash and pumpkins. Elsewhere, “kabocha” has come to refer to Cucurbita maxima, a type of winter squash developed in Japan where it’s referred to as “kuri kabocha” or “chestnut squash” due to its nutty flavor. Originally cultivated in South America, kabocha winter squash was first introduced in Japan during the Meiji Era and then spread to North America in the 19th century....

Steps to Using Garden Sculptures Well Most neighborhoods have that one yard that make the rest of us cringe. This is the home that includes a seemingly endless number of gnomes, metallic spheres, and concrete wildlife in an overly cluttered yard. To avoid being that neighbor, try these steps for including statues and sculptures in a way that looks just right. Start with a plan. Making a plan before buying or placing garden statues can be very helpful....

Disease resistant roses have been getting a lot of attention lately. What is a disease resistant rose and how can a disease resistant rose help you in your garden? Read on to find out. What are Disease Resistant Roses? This term “disease resistant” means exactly what it states — the rose bush is resistant to disease. A disease resistant rose bush is a hardy variety of rose that by its breeding can resist many attacks of disease....

Big Bluestem Grass Information Big Bluestem grass is a solid stemmed grass, which sets it apart from most grass species that have hollow stems. It is a perennial grass that spreads by rhizomes and seed. The stems are flat and have a bluish coloring at the base of the plant. In July through October the grass sports 3 to 6 foot (1-2 m.) tall inflorescences that become three part seed heads that resemble turkey feet....

About the Passion Flower The passion flower is a beautiful tropical-looking vine, though not native to tropical regions. In spite of its tropical appearance, the passion flower, also known as the Maypop because it pops out of the ground in May, is actually native to the southeastern United States and can be seen growing along roadsides, open fields, and even in some wooded areas. The passion flower was named by early missionaries in the early 1500’s, who believed parts of the plant symbolized features of the crucifixion of Christ....

What is Herbal Lemon Balm? Lemon balm is a perennial herb in the mint family, Lamiaceae. Herbal lemon balm is native through south central Europe, the Mediterranean and into Central Asia. Today it has become naturalized through much of the Americas. Like its relative mint, lemon balm has a distinct aroma, albeit more citrusy. Cultivated since at least the 16th century, lemon balm leaves have long been used to infuse teas and to flavor foods, as well as in traditional and alternative medicine....

Tips to Make a Christmas Tree Last Longer Wrap the tree for the trip home Most Christmas trees travel to their owner’s home on the top of a vehicle. Without some kind of covering, the wind can dry the Christmas tree out. The first step to keeping your Christmas tree fresh is to cover the tree as you go home in order to keep the wind from damaging it. Recutting the stem on the Christmas tree When caring for a live Christmas tree, remember a Christmas tree is essentially a giant cut flower....

How to Grow Mesquite from Seed Plant propagation by amateur gardeners is an interesting way to develop new plants and enhance your garden expertise. Sowing mesquite seeds for intentional propagation requires some specific steps to enhance germination. In the wild, any animal who eats a bean pod will spread the seed, and the animal’s digestive tract provides the necessary treatment to break embryo dormancy. For the home gardener, additional treatment will be necessary....