There are, however, a few things to keep in mind when creating a rooftop garden. How to Make a Rooftop Garden First of all, find out how local ordinances, rental property rules, or home owner association regulations view a rooftop garden. Rooftop gardens may be prohibited or require special treatment and it is always best to know these things before you spend time and money. Second, get an architect or contractor involved as soon as possible....

Tiger Lily Mosaic Virus Lilies are some of the most regal and beautiful flowers in the garden but, unfortunately, most of them are susceptible to a disease called mosaic virus. Tiger lily is particularly notorious for carrying this disease and spreading it to other lilies in a garden. Tiger lilies will not be affected by the disease they carry but will cause damage by spreading it to the other plants that are nearby....

Cotton Seed Planting Before you begin, you should know that it is illegal to grow cotton in your garden if you live in a state where it’s grown commercially. That’s because of the boll weevil eradication programs, which require the growers to use traps that the programs monitor. The eradication zone runs from Virginia to Texas and as far west as Missouri. Call your Cooperative Extension Service if you aren’t sure whether you are in the zone....

What is Oak Wilt? Oak wilt is a serious disease of oak trees, caused by the fungal pathogen Ceratocystis fagacearum, which is believed to be native. It can be spread by boring beetles or through root-to-root contact between trees. The fungus grows in the transport tissues of infected trees, making it highly communicable between trees that are sharing connections in their root systems. Red and black oaks are considered highly susceptible to oak wilt and may die completely within four months of initial infection....

Take a look at any forest, and you’ll notice that different species of trees are growing in different places. Some of this is random, of course, but a lot of it comes down to microclimates. What Are Microclimates? Microclimate might sound like an intimidating word, but really it’s just a way to describe the environmental differences that occur in a given area. Have you ever noticed that gardens under trees stay snowier in the spring?...

Growing Camellias Camellias usually grow best in partially shaded areas in well-drained soil. Although planting can take place at any time, fall is more favorable, as the roots have more time to establish themselves. Camellias require frequent watering once planted, eventually shortening to about once a week once plants are established. A generous layer of organic mulch will help retain moisture and keep down weeds. Pruning of camellia is usually not necessary but may be performed in spring for appearance....

Toadflax Control If you already have toadflax in the garden and need to get it under control, then you should know that controlling toadflax is a challenge. If these competing plants are growing in the area, focus on the support of these plants. Dalmatian toadflax is susceptible to herbicide treatment, and yellow toadflax is somewhat susceptible. Choose an herbicide labeled for use against toadflax, and apply it according to the label instructions....

Becoming more familiar with potential diseases that may impact or diminish tree health is one way to accomplish this. Thyronectria canker on honey locusts, for instance, is an infection that can cause undue plant stress and decline. You can learn more about it here. What is Thyronectria Canker? Thyronectria canker on honey locusts is caused by a fungus called Pleonectria austroamericana. In most cases, ideal conditions for Thyronectria infections occur during extended periods of drought....

Tutsan Plant Info If you are looking for an easy-to-grow, showy plant with several seasons of interest, look no further than Tutsan St. John’s Wort. The plant is fast growing and can even be sheared severely, giving it a refreshed look in spring. It is a high groundcover that may get 3 feet (1 m.) tall with a similar spread. Mass plantings of Tutsan flowers evoke woodsy appeal in even the most manicured of landscapes....

Wondering how to choose a winter squash for your garden? Read on for more details about different kinds of winter squash. Winter Squash Varieties Acorn – Acorn squash is a small squash with a thick, green and orange rind. The orange-yellow flesh has a sweet, nutty flavor. Buttercup – Buttercup squash is similar in size to acorn squash, but the shape is round and squat. Buttercup’s rind is dark green with pale gray-green stripes....

Is Unbleaching Tree Bark Necessary? Sunscald is a common problem in home landscapes and orchards. Many tree growers paint the trunk with a latex based paint for sun bleach prevention, but where trees haven’t been treated the bark will lighten, dry and can crack. You can, however, darken bleached out trees’ bark and protect the plants from sunscald, moisture loss and even insects with paint or tree wrap. Usually, a light color is used to help prevent sunscald, but you can use any light color for the same effect....

What are Chemical Fertilizers? Chemical, or conventional fertilizers, are synthetic (manmade) products that appear in many forms, such as granular or liquid. Although conventional fertilizers are still widely used, they do have their downsides. For instance, conventional fertilizers can be harmful to the environment and, if overused, can burn the plants. Nonetheless, millions of gardeners prefer using conventional fertilizers over other methods, as they are less expensive and fast acting....

Do Hot Peppers Deter Pests? Informed folks today are concerned about synthetic pesticide use on foods used for human consumption and are increasingly looking for and using alternative natural products. Research scientists have been listening, and there are a number of articles on studies done on the efficacy of using hot peppers for pest control, specifically on the larvae of the cabbage looper and on spider mites. What did they find?...

Why Warming Soil for Early Planting Makes Sense For your perennials and flowers, there is really no need to get started early with growing, but for your vegetable garden, why not get some of your early plants in the ground even earlier? It is possible to make your soil conditions just right for some of those hardy early vegetables like greens, radishes, peas, and beets. Warming up soil in late winter or early spring means that you can start these vegetables early and get a harvest sooner....

Sweetheart Cherry Info Sweetheart cherry trees, which reach heights and widths of 7 to 10 feet (2-3 m.), are highly ornamental year round, with beautiful pink and white blooms against a backdrop of shiny, dark green leaves. The beauty continues with red and orange autumn leaves, followed by bark that adds textural interest throughout the winter. Unlike many cherry trees, Sweetheart cherry trees are self-pollinating, so it isn’t necessary to plant another cherry tree nearby....

With so much beauty, it is easy to understand why we become avid observers of our flying garden visitors. Among these unique creatures is the hummingbird moth, who most frequently gains attention once sighted bouncing about the flower beds. What is a Hummingbird Moth? Hummingbird moth facts can be somewhat confusing when using common names. Generally, there are several types of moth belonging to the Hemaris genus, many of which display a flight habit quick and consistent with that of a hummingbird....

What Causes Brown Edges on Leaves of Plants? When there are whole brown leaves on a plant, this can indicate several dozen problems; but when just the sides or tips of the leaf turn brown, there is only one problem– the plant is stressed. Most commonly brown leaf tips or brown edges on leaves are caused by the plant not getting enough water. There are several reasons why this may happen....

To understand the rules for trimming fall-bearing red raspberries, it’s important to get a clear idea of their growth cycle. The roots and crowns of these plants live for many years, but the stems (called canes) only live for two years. In the first year, the canes are called primocanes. At this point, the canes are green and you will see them form fruiting buds. The buds are at the tips of the primocanes fruit in autumn, while the lower cane buds do not fruit until early the following summer....

While cooler growing zones may experience dieback, lantana can actually exhibit invasive qualities in warmer regions. This trait makes lantana ideal for growing in containers or ornamental raised flower beds. With proper care, gardeners can enjoy the small showy flowers for many years to come. In doing so, learning how to repot lantana will be important. When to Repot Lantana Growing lantana in containers is popular for many reasons. Blooming throughout the entire growing season, lantana in pots can be used to add a much-needed “pop” of color just about anywhere....

What is a Fir Clubmoss? Fir clubmoss has a long history of medicinal and magical use. In medieval times, the plants were woven into wreaths and armbands. When worn, these adornments were thought to give the wearer the ability to understand the language of birds and beasts. The spores from the clubmosses were used to create bright, but brief, flashes of light in Victorian theater, allowing magicians and actors to disappear....