Posts

Safflower Harvest Info Safflowers (Carthamus tinctorius) deserve a spot in your garden just for their pretty blossoms, bright as marigolds. They are annuals that turn into small bushes with sturdy stems up to 3 feet (1 m.) tall. Each safflower stem is topped with a big blossom that combines multiple florets in shades from pale yellow to red-orange. These flowers are magnets for bees but also make excellent cut flowers. They are also one part of a potential safflower harvest, since both the petals and young foliage can be used in salads....

Sea Buckthorn Information It is always fascinating to go to the farmer’s market and check out new and unique cultivars of fruit that can be found there. Seaberries are occasionally found whole but more often crushed into a jam. They are unusual fruits introduced to the United States in 1923. Sea Buckthorn is hardy to USDA zone 3 and has remarkable drought and saline tolerance. Growing Sea Buckthorn is relatively easy, and the plant has few pest or disease issues....

Sky Blue Aster Information Fortunately, growing a Sky Blue aster doesn’t necessitate pronouncing the name (Symphyotrichum oolentangiense syn. Aster azureus), but you can thank botanist John L. Riddell, who first identified the plant in 1835. The name is derived from two Greek words – symphysis (junction) and trichos (hair). The rest of the rather unwieldy name pays homage to Ohio’s Olentangy River, where Riddell first found the plant in 1835. This sun-loving wildflower grows primarily in prairies and meadows....

What is a Sweet Dumpling Squash? Sweet Dumpling squash (Cucurbita pepo) is a winter squash variety that bears small, individually-sized acorn squash. The fruit is about 4 inches (10 cm.) in diameter, perfect for roasting whole or stuffing. The exterior is a deeply ribbed, ivory white or cream marked by dark green stripes, while the interior is an incredibly sweet, tender orange color. This winter squash stores well post-harvest and is incredibly productive, generally producing 8-10 fruits per vine....

About Barley Take-All Disease Take-all disease in barley is caused by the pathogen Gaeumannomyces graminis. As mentioned, it afflicts small cereal grains such as wheat, barley, and oats as well as bentgrass. The disease survives on crop debris, grassy host weeds, and volunteer cereals. The mycelium infects the roots of living hosts and as the root dies it colonizes the dying tissue. The fungus is primarily soil borne but soil fragments can be transmitted by wind, water, animals, and cultivating tools or machinery....

What Botanical Gardens Do The origins of the botanical garden can be traced back to ancient China, but the more modern footprint of today’s botanical gardens dates to the Renaissance in the 1540’s. This era was a time ripe with horticultural study regarding the medicinal uses of plants. At that time, only doctors and botanists were interested in botanical gardens. Today, botanical garden activities draw thousands of visitors. So what are some things to do at botanical gardens?...

What is Marjoram? Marjoram (Origanum majorana) is an easy to grow herb well suited for growing in containers as well as the garden. There are generally three varieties that are commonly grown: sweet marjoram, pot marjoram, and wild marjoram (also known as common oregano). All types of marjoram are popular for use in the kitchen as seasoning for numerous dishes. They’re also grown for their enticing fragrance. How to Grow Marjoram Herbs Although marjoram plants are tender perennials, they are typically treated as annuals as freezing temperatures will cause serious injury or death to the plants....

Red Oak Tree Characteristics and Info Red oak is a hardy tree suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. This moderately fast-growing oak tree reaches mature heights of 60 to 75 feet (19-23 m.), with a spread of 45 to 50 feet (14-15 m.). The tree is valued for its deep root system, which makes it useful for planting near urban streets and sidewalks. How to Grow a Red Oak Tree Planting a red oak tree is best done in spring or fall so the roots have time to settle in before the arrival of hot, dry weather....

Disposal of plant leaves, houseplants and other small debris from diseased plants is easily accomplished by sealing the debris in a plastic bag and placing it in a garbage can with a lid. Large debris such as tree limbs and large numbers of plants present special challenges. It is a good idea to learn about other methods for what to do with infected plants should this be your situation....

Reasons for an Empty Husk on Tomatillos Empty tomatillo husks are usually due to environmental factors, such as extreme heat and humidity or lack of insect pollinators. You may also find empty husks on tomatillos when you have only planted one plant. Besides the environmental factors that cause empty husks, tomatillos are also susceptible to diseases that prevent the fruit from forming and growing properly. Fixes for No Tomatillo Fruit in Husk Tomatillos are pollinated by bees and other insects that move from flower to flower....

Crocus Plant Varieties For most gardeners, selecting crocus plant varieties from the vast array of selections is the most difficult thing about growing crocus— and also the most fun. Spring Blooming Crocus According to the University of California Extension, gardeners can choose from approximately 50 different types of crocus bulbs in colors ranging from white or pale pink and lavender to more intense shades of showy blue-violet, purple, orange, pink, or ruby....

About Garden Stone Varieties Choosing decorative stones is crucial when planning outdoor hardscapes or when xeriscaping. Coming in a wide range of colors, sizes, and textures, different varieties of rock are best suited to different uses. When using types of decorative stone, it will first be important to consider the purpose of the stone. While some stones are more suited for high traffic areas, others may be best used as accents in flower beds or in borders....

Tips on Bird Feeder Craft Birds have varied diets depending upon species, but most count plants and insects as their primary food. Cold weather means the disappearance of many insects and the die back of plant life. A bird feeder craft can help satisfy that scarcity and make sure they will stay well fed. Different birds have different dietary needs. For instance, millet may satisfy sparrows, bobwhite, and mourning doves, but sunflower seeds are better for blue jays, cardinals, and finch....

Identifying Zone 8 Weeds Here is a list of some of the most common zone 8 weeds and how to both recognize and manage them: Crabgrass – Crabgrass resembles miniature corn plants, but as the plant matures, the blades bend to the ground and takes on a star-like appearance. While the plant branches out, it continues to develop new shoots from the center. A healthy lawn that is regularly watered, mowed, dethatched, and fertilized will have the best chance of withstanding an invasion of crabgrass....

What Are Harvester Beans? Harvester bush beans are hardy plants that grow in a sturdy upright bush habit. The bean variety was initially developed as a green bean that could be harvested mechanically, but it has become a home garden favorite. What are harvester beans like when they are harvested? These green beans grow in straight, pods five to six inches (13-15 cm.) long. They are tender to eat and remain stringless longer than other varieties....

Shagbark Hickory Tree Info Shagbark hickory trees are native to the eastern and midwestern sections of the country and are usually found in mixed forests with oaks and pines. Slow-growing giants, they can rise to a mature height of over 100 feet (30.5 m.). Shagbark hickory tree info suggests that these trees are very long-lived. They are considered mature at the age of 40 years, and some 300 year old trees continue to produce fruits with seeds....

Growing Snowflake Peas Plant Snowflake peas as soon as the soil can be worked in spring and all danger of hard freeze has passed. Peas are cool weather plants that will tolerate light frost, however, they don’t perform well when temperatures exceed 75 degrees F. (24 C.). Snowflake peas prefer full sunlight and fertile, well-drained soil. Dig in a generous amount of compost or well-rotted manure a few days prior to planting....

“What are spanworms and how do I go about getting rid of spanworms before they strike again?” Read on to learn more about spanworms, their sneaky habits, and spanworm control. About Spanworm Damage While snowbush is among their favorite host plants, they will take up residence on others, such as cranberry bogs or blueberry bushes. Managing spanworms is possible when you know their forms and movement and how to scout for them....

Freeman Maple Information So, what is a Freeman maple? Freeman maple (Acer x freemanii) is a large shade tree that resulted from a cross between red and silver maple trees (A. rubrum x A. saccharinum). The hybrid has inherited the top qualities from each of these species. According to Freeman maple information, the tree gets its attractive form and blazing fall color from its red maple parent. Its rapid growth and broad soil tolerance are attributable to the silver maple....

What is a Long Keeper Tomato? Long Keeper tomatoes are storage tomatoes grown specifically to be stored so they can be enjoyed in the early winter. While there are not many to choose from, there are several varieties of storage tomatoes. These include the Red October, Garden Peach, Reverend Morrows, and Irish Eyes Long Keeper. Long Keepers are a semi-determinate tomato that takes 78 days to harvest. The fruit is harvested before frost when it is a pale blush and stored at room temperature until ripened into a red orange about one and a half to three months post-harvest....