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Pretty Weeds for the Lawn The term “weed” may call to mind a scraggly, ugly plant that is hard to get rid of. But the word simply means a plant you don’t want on your land. This group generally includes wildflowers; yet, wildflowers have many of the advantages gardeners seek when they go looking for lawn alternatives. Although individual plant requirements vary, most native plants require neither fertilizer nor extra irrigation....

What are Robber Flies? Robber flies are members of the family Asilidae and distant relatives of the common housefly. Their appearance is somewhat frightening — after all, a big, hairy, humped flying insect isn’t usually a good thing. Robber fly insects are a mixed blessing to gardeners; if they’re seriously perturbed, they can inflict a painful bite, but they also help rid the garden of harmful pests like grasshoppers, other flies, wasps, leafhoppers, white grubs, and pupating beetles....

Russian Cypress Information Russian arborvitae/Russian cypress shrubs (Microbiota decussata) are dwarf, evergreen conifers. They grow from 8 to 12 inches (20 cm. to 30 cm.) tall, with spreading tips that nod gracefully in the breeze. One bush can spread as much as 12 feet (3.7 m.) wide. The shrubs grow and spread in two waves of foliage. The original stems in the center of the young plant grow longer over time....

What is a Scion? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a scion as “a detached living portion of a plant (such as a bud or shoot) joined to a stock in grafting.” In simpler terms, the scion is a young shoot, branch, or bud that is taken from one plant variety to be grafted onto the rootstock of another plant variety. In fruit tree production, for example, scions from different apple trees may be grafted onto an apple rootstock to create a tree that produces several varieties of apples and can self-pollinate....

Flowering Shrubs for Cold Climates In the U.S. Department of Agriculture zone system, zone 3 regions have winter temperatures that dive to negative 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit (-34 to -40 C.). That’s pretty cold and may be too cold for some perennials to survive. The cold can freeze the roots despite the snow cover. What areas are in zone 3? This zone stretches along the Canada border. It balances cold winters with warm to hot summers....

Why Test Soil in the Garden? Most soil nutrients are readily found in the soil provided that its pH level is within the 6 to 6.5 range. However, when the pH level rises, many nutrients (like phosphorus, iron, etc.) may become less available. When it drops, they may even reach toxic levels, which can adversely affect the plants. Getting a soil test can help take the guesswork out of fixing any of these nutrient issues....

What is Southern Blight on Carrots? Carrot southern blight is a fungus (Sclerotium rolfsii) that is associated with warm temperatures following heavy rains. While a fairly minor disease in the home garden, southern blight is a more major problem for commercial growers. This is because the fungus affects a diverse group of crops (over 500 species!), especially those grown in tropical to subtropical regions and survives for long periods in the soil....

Squash Bug Identification & Damage Squash bug identification is relatively easy to recognize. The adult bugs are approximately 5/8 inches (2 cm.) long, have wings, and are brownish black in color with some gray mottling. When crushed, they will give off an undeniably foul odor as well. The nymphs are usually a white to greenish gray color and have no wings, though they do have legs. On average it takes about four to six weeks for them to mature into adult squash bugs....

Why Use Egg Cartons for Seeds? There are a few great reasons to start using egg cartons for your starting seeds, especially if you are just starting out gardening or are starting plants from seeds for the first time. This is a great option. Here’s why: An egg carton seed tray is so cheap it’s free. Gardening can be expensive at times, so any way you can trim some costs helps....

Strawberry Anthracnose Information Anthracnose of strawberries was once thought to be a disease of warm, humid climates, but the problem is becoming more widespread wherever strawberries are grown. The disease is usually introduced on infected strawberry plants. Once established, the fungus can live in the soil for several months. The fungus overwinters on dead leaves and other plant debris, and is harbored by several types of weeds. Although the spores aren’t airborne, they are distributed by splashing rain, irrigation, or by people and garden tools....

About Perennials in Winter Winter is different in the many regions of the country. In some locations, winter means ice, snow, and freezing winds. In others, it means a slight shift from mild to cooler temperatures in the evenings. Regardless of where you live, you’ll need to put a little effort into the perennial garden in winter. Otherwise, you may not find your plants healthy and vibrant as spring and summer arrive....

This also means routine observation of potential pest and disease issues which may damage plants or diminish yields. One specific issue, allium white rot, should be monitored carefully, as it can result in complete loss of allium plants. What is Sclerotium on Alliums? Sclerotium on alliums, or allium white rot, is a fungal issue. What causes white rot specifically? Allium white rot is caused by a fungus called Sclerotium cepivorum....

Do Potatoes Produce Seeds? Yes indeed, potatoes produce seeds. As with most plants, potato plants bloom, but usually the flowers dry and fall from the plant without setting fruit. You’re more likely to see potato seed growing on plants in regions where temperatures are on the cool side; these cool temps combined with long days promote fruiting in potato plants. Additionally, some cultivars are more prone to fruiting than others. Yukon Gold potatoes are one example....

Kermes Scale Life Cycle Pinning down kermes scale life cycle is a difficult task. According to Illinois State University Extension, there are more than 30 different kermes scale species. Identification of the specific species is difficult and hatching times vary widely. Your local Cooperative Extension Agent can advise you on what types of kermes scale are present in your area, and about the best times for treating kermes scale pests on your trees....

What is Clara Eggplant? The eggplant variety, Clara, is an Italian hybrid that produces gorgeous, brilliantly white fruit offset by a bright green calyx. The oval-shaped fruit grows to around 6 or 7 inches (15-18 cm.) in length by 4 or 5 inches (10-13 cm.) across. Clara eggplant is an early season crop that matures in approximately 65 days. Since Clara eggplant has thin skin, it is best suited for the home garden, as the delicate exterior bruises easily during shipping....

What is a Ficus Ginseng Tree? A quick scan of ficus ginseng tree info reveals that its botanical name is Ficus microcarpa. The tree is the result of a graft where the rootstock is developed into the characteristic “potbelly” trunk, and a scion of a variety of small-leaved ficus is grafted to the top. The tree is also known as a potbelly fig as well as Taiwan ficus, Indian laurel fig, or banyan fig....

What is a Pluot? Pluots are unique, interspecies hybrids, mixing a lot of plum with a lesser amount of apricot genetics. The fruits look like plums and taste like plums but they have a texture more like apricots. The pluot is an “interspecific” hybrid, a complex mix of two species of fruit. It is some 70 percent plum and some 30 percent apricot. Smooth-skinned and sturdy, the fruit is full of sweet juice without the tough skin of a plum....

What is Buffalo Grass? Buffalo grass is native to North America. What is buffalo grass? It is the only native grass that is also useful as a lawn grass. Buffalo grass lawns are warm season turf which are drought tolerant with better cold resistance than other warm season grasses. The grass is quite tolerant of a range of conditions and establishes with seed, sod, or plugs. As an extra bonus, care of buffalo grass is minimal, and mowing is infrequent....

What is Crisphead Lettuce? Crisphead lettuce is mostly grown in cooler, northern climates. It needs a bit more maintenance than the loose-leaf varieties and has a characteristic flavor and texture not found in those types. They bolt in summer but can be started in fall or early spring, producing at least two seasons of produce. They also need a longer growing period as compared to the upright or loose-leaf varieties. Some crisphead lettuce info will help you navigate this more picky but definitely worth growing head lettuce....

What is Dichorisandra Blue Ginger? Blue ginger gets its name from its resemblance to ginger plants. It isn’t a true ginger. Blue gingers belong to the same family as inch plants and spiderworts. All are very easy to grow indoors. Blue ginger (Dichorisandra thyrsiflora) is a huge plant with big spikes of blue flowers atop a tall tower of foliage. Fortunately, there is also a pretty little version of this plant, the weeping blue ginger (Dichorisandra pendula)....