Posts

What is Spotted Winged Drosophila? Native to Japan, spotted winged drosophila was first discovered on the U.S. mainland in 2008 when it infested berry crops in California. From there it quickly spread across the country. It is now a serious problem in areas as far away as Florida and New England. The more you know about these destructive pests, the better you will be able to deal with them. Known scientifically as Drosophila suzukii, the spotted winged drosophila is a tiny fruit fly that ruins orchard crops....

What is Thimbleweed? You may find tall thimbleweed growing wild in the central to eastern United States and southern Canada in moist, rich prairies, the edges of forests, savannah and among thickets of other native plants. The name comes from the distinct thickly populated yellow pistils that resemble a thimble. The plant is perfect for native flower gardens and caring for tall thimbleweed is a breeze with its easy going nature....

Why Tomatoes Split In many areas, tomato ripening coincides with the drier months of the year. A heavy rain following a dry spell results in plants uptaking more water. This water is absorbed into the fruit. The end result is fruit, such as tomatoes, splitting. If not caught early and harvested quickly, split fruit will begin to decay. Likewise, fruit which has cracked has a shortened shelf life. Whether you are a home gardener or a commercial grower, the end result is lower yields....

About American Ginseng American ginseng is a native North American plant that grows in eastern forests. Originally used by Native Americans, ginseng root has a number of medicinal uses. It is especially important in traditional Chinese medicine, and the majority of harvested roots in the U.S. are exported to China and Hong Kong. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that wild ginseng is a $27 million per year industry. Very similar to Asian ginseng, American ginseng has been harvested and used medicinally for thousands of years....

Reasons for Wisteria Not Leafing Out Still Dormant There are actually several reasons why wisteria does not have leaves. Most commonly this can be due to weather. Those having cooler than normal spring weather can often expect delays in trees and other plants, such as wisteria, leafing out. So how do you know if your wisteria with no leaves is simply slow to start (dormant) or actually dying? Check for stem flexibility first....

Shade Plants for Zone 8 While there are numerous choices for evergreen plants that thrive in zone 8 shade gardens, below are some of the more commonly planted in the landscape. Conifer Trees and Shrubs False cypress ‘Snow’ (Chamaecyparis pisifera) – False cypress ‘Snow’ reaches 6 feet (2 m.) by 6 feet (2 m.) with gray green color and rounded form. Suitible for zones 4 through 8. Pringles Dwarf Podocarpus (Podocarpus macrophyllus ‘Pringles Dwarf’) – Pringles dwarf podocarpus gets around 3 to 5 feet (1-1....

Plants with Star-Shaped Flowers Plants with star-shaped flowers aren’t a rarity. The simple arrangement of five petals can be found in the common bellflower. Of particular note in the Campanulaceae family, however, is Isotoma axillaris, common name laurentia. Native to Australia, laurentia is hardy in zones 7-10 and is also known as blue star plant or star flower. It produces fragrant star-shaped blooms of blue, pink or white throughout the growing season up until the first frost....

Allegra Echeveria Growing Info Learning about Echeveria ‘Allegra’ before growing it can help keep your plant happy and healthy. As with other succulent specimens, grow this plant in a gritty, well-draining soil. Amend your potting soil or make your own. It is simple, there are many instructions online and more information here. Allegra echeveria growing in containers and those planted in the ground need excellent drainage so water does not remain on the roots....

Growing Allstar Strawberries You can grow Allstar strawberries in USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9, and maybe as low as zone 3 with a generous layer of mulch or other protection during the winter. Allstar strawberries aren’t grown commercially because the delicate skin makes shipping difficult, but they’re ideal for home gardens. Allstar strawberries need a location with full sunlight and moist, well-draining soil. If your soil drains poorly, consider planting strawberries in a raised garden or container....

Apple Winter Protection Apple trees provide beauty all year, with frothy blossoms in spring, foliage and fruit in summer, culminating with mature apples in autumn. Apples in winter also have a serene, stark beauty. Proper winter care powers the entire, year-long cycle. Regardless of apple tree cold tolerance, your tree needs help getting ready to face the colder weather. Apples that get good care in summer and fall are already on the way toward appropriate winter protection....

Erwinia Soft Rot in Cactus Erwinia carotovora bacterium is a bacteria caused by the soft rot of cacti. Bacterial soft rots affect many other plants besides cacti and succulents. In fact, soft rot contributes to major crop failure of many vegetables. Plants with calcium deficiencies are specifically at risk. Erwinia carotovora is also known as Pectobacterium carotovia. Erwinia soft rot in cactus plants is caused by bacteria entering wounds or natural openings of the plant....

Perennial Plants for Full Sun Before planting, you’ll need to carefully consider the conditions within your own growing space. While some plants are able to thrive in low light and shady locations, a majority of species require full sun. In selecting a perennial, this full sun requirement applies to those that need at least 6-8 hours of direct light each day. Fortunately, options for full sun perennials abound. Other growth conditions worthy of your consideration include soil fertility, drainage and irrigation needs....

How to Deter Birds and Squirrels from Sunflowers Admittedly, it’s kind of cute when squirrels shimmy their way up towering sunflowers to feast on the seeds, but what if you want to save that seed? Protecting sunflowers from birds and squirrels will help you keep the harvest all to yourself. You can get creative to deter birds eating sunflowers and squirrels taking your hard won harvest. Using netting over the flower or entire plant can prevent many seed thieves....

If you like the look of the shiny leaves, but don’t wish to deal with the plant’s aggressive behavior, consider growing Boston ivy as houseplants or in containers outdoors. Boston Ivy as Houseplants When planting Boston ivy for indoor use, choose a container that will allow the amount of growth you desire. Larger containers allow for more growth and development. Locate the newly planted container in partial, direct sunlight. Boston ivy care indoors will include pruning of the rapid growth, no matter the location....

Braeburn Information Braeburn apple trees grow about 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 m.) tall and wide. With the proper pollinator, Braeburn apples will produce a plethora of white, sweetly scented apple blossoms in spring. These blossoms are an important nectar source for many pollinators. When the blooms fade, the trees produce large orange to red streaked apples which are usually harvested in October. Many apple lovers rate the flavor of Braeburn higher than other classic favorites such as Granny Smith....

Tips for Planting Grapevines in Pots Can grapes be grown in containers? Yes, they can. In fact, the care of container grown grapes isn’t at all complicated. There are, however, a few things you need to know beforehand to make growing a grapevine in a pot an easier, more successful endeavor. Growing a grapevine in a pot requires some specific materials. First, you need to pick your container. Black or dark colored plastic pots heat up in the sun and can cause your grapevine’s roots to get too hot....

What Causes Canna Rhizome Rot? When digging for storage or cutting back for tidiness, keep an eye out for canna lily rot. This may happen following an especially rainy year or when canna rhizomes have multiplied and gotten tight in their planting spot. Soil without proper drainage and too much rain (or overwatering) on a crowded bed of canna rhizomes allow fungi like Sclerotium rolfsii and Fusarium to enter and grow, causing decay at the base....

What is Stratification? In nature, seeds require certain conditions in order to germinate. Seed stratification is the process whereby seed dormancy is broken in order to promote this germination. In order for the stratification of seeds to be successful, it is necessary to mimic the exact conditions that they require when breaking dormancy in nature. Some seeds require a warm and moist treatment, while others require a cool and wet treatment....

Dogwoods for Winter It is hard to find more versatile ornamental shrubs and trees than those in the dogwood family. Most flowering dogwoods put on the petal-show in spring, offer bright foliage in summer, and put on a fiery fall show. There are many dogwoods with winter interest as well. Don’t expect flowers or even foliage from winter dogwood varieties. Instead, dogwoods are attractive in winter because the lack of foliage reveals their attractive trunks and stems....

Preventing Swiss Chard Diseases Infections are more likely to spread and take root when plants are close together, so give your chard plenty of space. One plant should not be touching another. Chard likes moisture and will taste bad after a drought but standing water can increase the chances of infection. Avoid overwatering and make sure your soil drains well. You can also use row covers to protect your plants from insects....