What are Smart Mowers? If you have better things to do on your day off than mow the lawn, you might consider getting an automatic lawn mower. These smart machines are part of a growing movement to utilize robotic technology. They take the work out of mowing, giving you more leisure time. However, are they as effective as a human’s mowing job? Just like everything new, there are some kinks to work out of the machinery....
Air Purifying Plant Numbers There was a famous NASA study that was conducted back in 1989 that found that many houseplants are able to remove many toxic and cancer causing volatile organic compounds from our indoor air. Formaldehyde and benzene are two of these compounds. Bill Wolverton, the NASA scientist who conducted this study, provided some insight into the number of plants per room that you would need to help purify indoor air....
Worms on Geranium The tobacco budworm (Helicoverpa virescens) can do serious damage to many popular garden flowers including geraniums. Other common garden hosts include petunia and nicotiana. These budworms are the larvae of a small harmless moth. The moth’s wingspan tops out at about 1 ½ inches (around 4 cm.), which is also the mature length of the budworm. These worms are usually brown but can also be green or red....
If you don’t have the room to grow these plants in a flower bed, you can still grow Iceland poppy in a pot. Growing Iceland poppy as a houseplant isn’t really feasible, but you can easily grow them in pots outdoors. Indoor Iceland poppy culture is too difficult and not recommended. Iceland Poppy in a Pot There are several important things to know about Iceland poppy care in order to be successful....
Info on Climbing Hydrangeas Climbing hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris) are large, heavy vines that need substantial support. A climbing hydrangea plant clings to the supporting structure by two methods — twining vines that wrap themselves around the structure, and aerial roots that grow along the main stem cling to vertical surfaces. The flower clusters consist of a central mass of tiny, fertile flowers surrounded by a ring of larger, infertile flowers....
Info on Yaupon Holly Like most hollies, yaupon is dioecious. This means that only the female plants produce berries, and there must be a male plant nearby to fertilize the flowers. One male yaupon holly produces enough pollen to fertilize several female plants. Standard yaupon hollies grow 15 to 20 feet (4.5-6 m.) tall, but there are several cultivars that you can maintain at heights of 3 to 5 feet (1-1....
What is White Campion? White campion (Silene latifolia syn. Silene alba) is a broadleaf plant (dicot) that first grows in the form of a low-to-the-ground rosette. Later, it bolts and produces 1 to 4 foot (0.3-1.2 m.) tall, upright stems with flowers. The leaves and stems are both downy. White campion is native to Europe and was probably introduced into North America in the early 1800’s. Besides being an annoying weed, white campion can also host viruses that affect spinach and beet plants....
How to Create a Sunflower House So you’re ready to begin making a sunflower house with kids. Where do you start? First, choose a sunny location with a source of water nearby. Sunflowers love the sun but still require lots of watering. Sunflowers grow in almost any soil, but if you have heavy clay or sandy soil, the plants will grow better if you work some compost or other organic matter into the soil before planting....
Kohlrabi History and Appearance Kohlrabi is in the same family as mustard and close relatives with cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts. The plant was grown first in Europe around 1500 and came to America 300 years later. It produces a swollen stem that has a broccoli or turnip type flavor and can be steamed or eaten fresh. Many people have questions about growing, caring for, and when to pick kohlrabi in the garden....
Delphinium Pests Larkspur is susceptible to damage and infestation by several types of pests: Aphids. These little insects feed on larkspur and reduce their growth. Aphids are easy to identify by the honeydew they leave on the flowers and foliage. Often, fungus grows on the honeydew. You can use certain species of midges to biologically control aphids or use neem or an insecticidal soap. Cyclamen mites. Mites feed on delphinium, resulting in distorted and stunted growth of buds and flowers....
What is a School Garden? There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to creating school gardens, however, many gardens take on a theme of some kind. A school may have several smaller garden sites, each with their own theme such as: a butterfly gardena vegetable gardena rose gardena sensory garden Or even a combination of these, depending on the objectives for the garden site. A school garden is usually organized by a group of interested teachers, administrators, and parents who agree to take responsibility for the overall upkeep of the garden site....
Using Tree Stumps as Planters Creating planters from stumps is not only a good way to spruce up these eyesores but offers other benefits too. For example, as the wood decays, it will help nourish plants with additional nutrients. Plus, the more you water, the quicker your stump will deteriorate. You also have a number of options when it comes to planting and designing your stump container. While I find annual flowers to be the easiest to plant, there are many other types you can choose too, depending on your needs and personal preferences....
Cactus enthusiasts love growing thumb cacti (Mammillaria matudae). They are diminutive but fit perfectly in dish gardens with other interesting succulents. Young plants are tidy columns but as they age, they tilt beguilingly and may add other stems for fascinating chaos. This native of Mexico is easy to grow and thrives where other plants cannot. What is a Thumb Cactus? The mammillaria thumb cactus is a drought-tolerant, heat-loving succulent. It hails from regions with low fertility and hot temperatures....
Echeveria Minima Information The wide variety of succulent forms, sizes, and colors ensures the group are a collector’s dream. Echeveria minima plants are perfect either alone in containers or as part of a group of showy succulents. These plants are not cold hardy but growing Echeveria minima outdoors during the spring and summer will give your patio a desert feel. At just 3 to 5 inches (8-13 cm.) tall, these succulents fit into almost any garden scheme....
Reasons for No Blooms on Flowering Bulbs Sunlight: Are your bulbs planted under the shade of a tall tree, or is something else blocking sunlight? Flowering bulbs need at least six hours of bright sunlight per day. Poorly drained soil: Bulbs need regular moisture, but they won’t tolerate soggy soil. If you think this may be the reason why bulbs won’t bloom, dig up a couple and see if they have rotted....
Care of a Norfolk Island Pine Plant Growing a Norfolk Island pine as a houseplant starts with realizing a few important things about Norfolk pines. While they may share the name and even resemble a pine tree, they are not true pines at all, nor are they as hardy as the standard pine tree that people are accustomed to. In terms of proper Norfolk pine tree care, they are more like a gardenia or orchid than a pine tree....
When to Harvest Paper Birch Bark? Paper birch trees can be identified by their bright, white bark. Each spring, much of this bark begins to peel back and pull away from the tree. Bark may be collected at other times throughout the year too, but may require additional treatment before its use in crafting. Is It Bad to Peel Birch Bark? Understanding the best way to peel birch bark is vital to ensuring the continued health of the tree....
What is Bella Bluegrass? Bella grass is a Kentucky bluegrass. It was developed by the University of Nebraska more than 10 years ago and slowly impacted the market. It spreads quickly laterally but has very limited vertical growth. This is a winning situation for most gardeners who consider mowing a chore. The grass establishes quickly and provides a deep blue-green lawn from early spring until late fall. No-mow grass is the way to go for most lawns due to its versatility and durability....
Effects of Potassium on Plants Potassium is important to plant growth and development. Potassium helps: Plants grow faster Use water better and be more drought resistant Fight off disease Resist pests Grow stronger Produce more crops With all plants, potassium assists all functions within the plant. When a plant has enough potassium, it will simply be a better overall plant. Signs of Potassium Deficiency in Plants Potassium deficiency in plants will cause a plant to perform more poorly overall than it should....
How to Make a Pumpkin Centerpiece Ideas for pumpkin centerpieces are nearly endless. For instance, slice the top off the pumpkin, scoop out the seeds and pulp, and replace the “innards” with floral foam. Fill the pumpkin “vase” with fall flowers or colorful autumn foliage. Alternatively, fill a hollow pumpkin with potting mix for cacti and succulents and then plant it with a few hens and chicks, sedum, or other small succulents....
