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What is Bacterial Soft Rot? Soft rot bacteria, or Erwinia cartovorum is, unfortunately, found everywhere. It survives in soil and water sources, even oceans, and is found all over the globe. Almost all commercial crops are affected to some degree by soft rot. Bacteria in the home garden can be introduced by insects, windblown rain, or leftovers from the previous year’s crop. One of the most common culprits on potatoes is the seed potato itself....

Information on Growing Bermuda Grass Bermuda grass is a cold tolerant, warm-season grass that will grow as far north as Virginia. In warmer tropical areas, Bermuda grass will remain green all year long. In other areas that drop below 60 degrees F. (15 C.), it will go dormant. Ideal growing regions for Bermuda grass include the United States Department of Agriculture Zones 7 through 10. Growing Bermuda grass is easy as long as you have the right conditions....

Growing Roses in the Midwest Some types of roses are finicky, especially when grown in a colder climate, like in the Midwest. Thanks to selective cultivation, there are now many varieties that are easier to grow and that adapt well to the Midwest region. Even with the right variety, there are certain things your new rose will need to grow well and thrive: At least six hours of direct sunlight Well-drained, rich soil Regular watering Plenty of space for good air circulation Spring fertilizing Regular pruning...

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...

Small Types of Blue Succulents Chlorophyll brings out the green tones in plants and is an important part of their photosynthesis. All plants need to perform photosynthesis to create carbohydrates which fuel growth, cell production, and other drives. So what makes a blue plant? Blue varieties of succulent have a different type of chlorophyll which refracts sunlight with a blue-green tone. Adding to certain pigment differences in the skin, the overall effect is a blue plant....

Eucalyptus Branch Drop When eucalyptus tree branches keep falling from the tree, it may mean that the tree is suffering from disease. If your eucalyptus tree suffers from an advanced rot disease, the leaves wilt or become discolored and fall from the tree. The tree may also suffer eucalyptus branch drop. Rot diseases in the tree occur when the Phytophthora fungi infects the roots or crowns of the tree. You may be able to see a vertical streak or canker on infected eucalyptus trunks and a discoloration beneath the bark before you see falling eucalyptus branches....

Can You Grow Lavender in Zone 8? For thousands of years, lavender has been valued for its medicinal, culinary, aromatic, and cosmetic properties. It has also always been regarded as a beautiful ornamental plant. Native to the Mediterranean, most varieties of lavender are hardy in zones 5-9. A few varieties are known to hold up in the cold of zone 4 or the heat of zone 10. In warmer climates like zone 8, lavender has an evergreen, sub-shrub habit and may bloom throughout the year....

Why Grow Potted Zinnia Plants? There are many reasons to grow zinnias. These pretty flowers come in a range of colors and sizes, they are great cutting flowers and look nice in arrangements, they are easy to grow, and they keep producing blooms all summer, even when it’s very hot. There are also great reasons to consider growing potted zinnia plants. If your garden space is limited, for instance, containers on a patio can add color and greenery....

All morning glory plants produce attractive funnel-shaped blossoms of various shades like white, red, blue, purple, and yellow with heart-shaped leaves. Blooming usually occurs anywhere from May through September, opening in the morning and closing in the afternoon. Most types are annual, though in some warmer regions they will come back yearly or may re-seed themselves in almost any zone they grow in. How to Grow Morning Glory Flowers Growing morning glories is easy....

Ornamental Grasses for Containers Ornamental grasses may be native or cultivated species that provide linear interest to the landscape. The most common species for use in containers are the true grasses and members of affiliated families such as sedge, rush, and bamboo. These vertical growers are easy to care for and need little supplemental maintenance. Caring for potted grasses is an excellent project for even novice gardeners. Choose grasses that are the appropriate size for your containers and suitable for your zone....

The foliage is also fragrant when crushed. Both the flowers and leaves are used to make potpourris; and in the past, they were used in dresser drawers and trunks to keep clothes and linens smelling fresh. Growing Allspice Bushes Growing allspice bushes is easy. They adapt well to most soils and thrive in a variety of climates. The shrubs are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5b through 10a....

Cercospora Spot on Beets Cercospora spot on beets can be pretty frightening to see in your crop, especially if you didn’t realize what it was at first and let the small spots spread before making a move. Fortunately, your crop should be able to weather this storm, but you must start by making a positive identification today. You’ll know beet Cercospora spot by the small, pale, circular to oval spots with purple or brown borders....

Growing Bushes in Zone 5 Shade The Department of Agriculture’s plant hardiness zone system runs from icy zone 1 to sweltering zone 12, with the zones defined by a region’s coldest winter temperature. Zone 5 is somewhere in the cool middle, with lows between -20 and -10 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 and -23 C.). Before you head to the garden store to buy a bush, look carefully at the type of shade your garden offers....

Can Radishes Grow in Containers? It is possible to grow many vegetables in pots and containers. Container gardening radishes allows you to control disease, pests, moisture, and other conditions more easily than planting in the ground. Planting radish seeds is also a fun project for kids and helps them learn about how plants grow. Radish Seed Germination Radishes are cool-season vegetables that produce the smaller, sweeter vegetables in spring. There are early season and late season varieties of radish....

Reasons for White Cucumbers One reason that cucumber fruit turns white is a fungal disease called powdery mildew. This problem begins on the upper surface of the fruit and the cucumbers may look as though they have been dusted with flour. As it spreads, the entire fruit may become covered with the mold. Powdery mildew usually occurs when the humidity is high and air circulation is poor. Treat powdery mildew by making the environment around the cucumber plant less hospitable to the disease....

About Cotoneaster Pruning Cotoneaster is not one of those shrubs that requires pruning to develop vigorous, strong branches. In fact, the shorter varieties of cotoneaster are creepers, without upright branches. To trim cotoneasters that are groundcover types, you want to keep the brakes on. Don’t get carried away with cotoneaster pruning here. Only dead or diseased branches should be removed, or those that detract from the natural symmetry of the plant....

Making Paint Can Planters Gardeners are increasingly creative when it comes to displaying their plants in containers in the garden. You may have heard of plants growing in old bath tubs, gutters, and even pallets. Why not plants in paint cans? Before you get started on making up DIY paint can containers, you’ll need to gather the equipment. You can recycle empty paint cans after you repaint your kitchen, but it’s also fun to buy empty metal paint cans from the hardware store and decorate them....

Pinecone Garland Ideas for Decorating Pinecone garland decorations are easy and inexpensive to make, so start planning all the ways you’ll use them this winter: String a garland of small pinecones and use it to decorate the Christmas tree. Use pinecone garlands in place of evergreen garlands, along a banister or the fireplace mantel.Wind lights around the garland for extra holiday cheer and lighting. Use garlands of pinecones to decorate outside for the holidays, on the front porch or along a deck or fence....

It is because of the earwig’s appearance there is a superstition that earwigs will crawl into a person’s ear and bore into the brain. This superstition is absolutely not true. Earwigs are scary looking, but they are not harmful to people or animals. Earwigs in the Garden However, that is not to say that earwigs are not harmful to your garden. Earwigs will chew on flowers, vegetables, and other plants....

Effects of Climate Change on Pollinators Climate change is a change in global (or regional) climate patterns in direct relation to increased levels of carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels. What is the effect on bees? Climate change affects pollinators in several ways, but the gist is that the extremes in weather create stressful conditions that affect feeding, habitat, and procreation. Most species have the ability to adapt to changing conditions within reason, and bees and butterflies are no exception....