Posts

Planning a Balcony Flower Garden Before planting any outdoor balcony flower boxes or containers, you should first refer to rules and regulations provided by your building management or homeowners association. These guidelines will provide an easy reference as to what may or may not be allowed. Rules related to gardening often include the number or types of containers allowed, the maximum size/height of plants and any associated structures, and even which species of plants may be grown....

What is a Knifeleaf Acacia? Scented blooms; lovely, blue-green leaves; and statuesque appeal characterize Knifeleaf acacia (Acacia cultriformis). What is a Knifeleaf acacia? It is an arid, warm zone plant in the legume family that can fix nitrogen in soil. Additionally, the trees are easy to grow, have lasting appeal and Knifeleaf tree care is uncomplicated in appropriate sites. Knifeleaf acacia is a small tree or bush that can achieve between 10 and 20 feet (3 to 6 m....

What is a Lucky Bean Plant? Also known as the black bean or Moreton Bay chestnut, the seedlings of lucky bean houseplants (Castanospermum australe) are often sold as novelties with the bean-shaped seed still attached. The bean eventually dries up, but the plant continues to be a delight with its tropical spring blossoms in bright hues of yellow and red. After blooming, large cylindrical brown seed pods form, each containing three to five bean-shaped seeds....

We may forget about the many benefits of herbal poultices, simple herbal treatments used for various discomforts since ancient times. Homemade poultices are useful and they’re surprisingly easy to make. Take a look at the following information and learn the basics of how to make a poultice. What is a Poultice? A poultice is simply a way to apply herbal matter directly to the skin. Typically, the herbs are mixed with water or oil and applied much like a paste....

Some smaller cities and towns may not even have the funding necessary to develop such a valuable community resource. For this reason, community sharing gardens have gained popularity. Learning more about sharing garden ideas and creating these spaces successfully can play a major role in their formation. What is a Sharing Garden? Determining what is a sharing garden and what it is not varies from one situation to another. Generally, community sharing gardens are those that provide fresh produce for anyone in need....

What is a Spider Daylily? Daylilies are perennial flowers that are highly dependable in the garden. They return year after year to provide pretty, colorful blooms. They tolerate a variety of conditions, including most types of soil and both sun and shade. Even if you mostly ignore your daylilies, they will likely thrive and produce day-long flowers for several weeks at a time. There are many varieties of daylily, with variations in plant size, flower size and shape, and flower color....

What is a Tapeworm Plant? The tapeworm plant (Homalocladium platycladum) is also referred to as the ribbon bush, although the latter name is more appropriate as you will find out. Native to the Solomon Islands, this plant is a member of the Polygonaceae or knotweed family amongst which rhubarb and buckwheat count as relations. It is categorized as a shrub, but a shrub like no other. This plant is more or less leafless....

Are Azadirachtin and Neem Oil the Same? Neem oil and azadirachtin aren’t the same, but the two are closely related. Both come from the neem tree, native to India but now grown in warm climates around the world. Both substances are effective for repelling and killing insect pests and also interfere with feeding, mating, and egg laying. Both are safe for humans, wildlife, and the environment when used properly. Bees and other pollinators are also unharmed....

What is Cross Pollination? Cross pollination is when one plant pollinates a plant of another variety. The two plants’ genetic material combines and the resulting seeds from that pollination will have characteristics of both varieties and is a new variety. Sometimes cross pollinating is used intentionally in the garden to create new varieties. For example, a popular hobby is to cross pollinate tomato varieties to attempt to create new, better varieties....

What is Wintersweet? Wintersweet shrubs (Chimonanthus praecox) are very popular ornamentals in their native land of China. They were introduced to Japan in the 17th century where the plant is called Japanese allspice. Wintersweet is also cultivated in Japan, Korea, Europe, Australia, and the United States. Wintersweet is deciduous and, although considered a shrub, can grow into a rather small tree of around 15 feet tall (5 m.). It is known for flowering in the middle of winter in sites with appropriate wintersweet growing conditions....

Why Do African Violets Get Leggy? New growth on African violets grows from the plant tip. As new growth grows from the top spending much of the plant’s energy, the old leaves at the bottom of the plant die back. After a time, this can leave you with long-necked African violet plants. The leaves of African violets do not like to be wet. African violets should be planted in a well-draining soil mix and water right at the soil....

Reasons for Small Tomatillo Fruit It takes several grains of pollen to properly pollinate a tomatillo flower. The wind might blow around a few grains of pollen, but tomatillo pollen is heavy, and it takes a strong insect to move the pollen efficiently. This is where bees come in. Bees are by far the most efficient pollinators of tomatillo flowers. They have no trouble hefting around the heavy grains, but first, they must find the flowers....

A work from home garden room could be a “she-shed” or other outbuilding, but it could also be right in the great outdoors. It doesn’t have to take a lot of money, but it will take some planning to create a dedicated garden home office. Consider the needs of the space such as internet access, electricity, good lighting, shelter from extreme sun and the glare that comes with it, and privacy....

Characteristics of Zebra Grass Plants There are few showier plants for the garden. Zebra ornamental plants have long arching leaves with appealing stripes across the width, like dappled foliage in the sun. The plant is perennial but the foliage dies off in cold weather, leaving an architecturally interesting skeleton. It produces brand new deep green leaves in spring that begin to show more and more golden striping as the leaf matures....

What are Scarlet Runner Beans? So exactly what are scarlet runner beans? Scarlet runner bean plants, also known as fire bean, mammoth, red giant, and scarlet emperor, are vigorous climbing, annual vines that reach up to 20 feet (6 m.) in a season. This annual bean vine bears large, green leaves and an attractive cluster of red flowers from July through October. The bean pods are large, sometimes up to 1 inch (2....

The Benefits of Community Gardens Allotment gardens have many benefits, for both the gardener and the community, and as a result, the increase in community gardens is not surprising. These benefits include: Fresh Food – Many, many studies have shown the shorter the distance between harvest and table, the better the food is for you. If you cannot grow food in your home, a garden allotment will allow you to grow healthy fruits and vegetables for yourself....

Cultural Almond Tree Issues Some almond tree issues are related to improper cultural care, like irrigation. To keep these trees healthy and productive, they require regular water, but not too much. Insufficient watering causes problems with almond trees not just in the year the drought occurs, but in following seasons as well. Almond tree problems are most serious if the trees have inadequate irrigation in the early months of bud and leaf development....

The key to successfully using arborvitae in the landscape is selecting the proper varieties. This article is about the popular variety of arborvitae commonly known as ‘Emerald Green’ or ‘Smaragd’ (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’). Continue reading for Emerald Green arborvitae info. About Emerald Green Arborvitae Varieties Also known as Smaragd arborvitae or Emerald arborvitae, Emerald Green arborvitae is one of the most popular varieties of arborvitae for the landscape. It is often selected for its narrow, pyramidal shape and deep green color....

August Garden To-Do List When considering August garden chores, remember your primary objective is to keep your plants healthy through the heat. Extra water may be necessary for southeastern gardens in summer if rainfall is limited. Here are some things to do this month: Lawn Care Often there is little time left for anything extra, especially lawn maintenance that is needed badly in the heat of summer. The experts recommend mowing every five to ten days with a sharp mower blade and removing just one third from the height of the grass....

Baby’s Breath Seed Propagation Easily recognizable from bridal displays to any occasion flower arrangements, baby’s breath is a hardy perennial. It is suitable for USDA zones 3 to 9. Plants can be easily started from seed. Baby’s breath seed propagation can be done early indoors in flats or planted outside after all danger of frost has passed. Transplants and seeds should go outdoors after the threat of any frost has passed....