Common Boston Fern Problems If you fail to water your potted fern appropriately, over or under irrigation can lead to unhealthy Boston ferns. Most fern instructions advise you to keep the soil constantly moist. But this is not the same as allowing the soil to be wet or the plant to become water-logged. To avoid issues with Boston ferns, water the plant thoroughly when the top of the soil is dry....
Some plants, like African violets, get discolored and covered in spots if you drop water on the leaves. If your plant is becoming root bound, moisture might not soak into the soil and may run down the sides of the planter instead. Watering potted plants from the bottom eliminates these problems and adds moisture to the soil in a more efficient way. You’ll save time and effort as well as give your plants a healthier environment once you learn how to water plants from the bottom....
About Broccoli Companions Utilizing companion plants for broccoli or for any other crop means growing plants nearby that have a symbiotic relationship. This beneficial relationship may be one-sided or benefit both types of plants. Many times the benefit is that one plant acts as a pest deterrent for another plant. Repelling insects often have the benefit of preventing disease too, since many pests act as vectors for diseases. Companion planting also increases the diversity of the garden, which is nature’s way of thwarting disease and pest infestations....
Houseplant Allergic Reaction If you are allergic to houseplants, it could be caused by inhaling airborne allergens, such as pollen, from any houseplant. Typical symptoms can include a runny nose, itchy eyes, and even asthma. It can be difficult to diagnose common houseplant allergies, though, because there are many other types of indoor allergens. Another way to be allergic to houseplants is by having direct contact with plants. If your skin is in contact with certain liquids or sap from various plants, it may cause itching, eczema, and possibly even swelling in more extreme cases....
Potatoes contain nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. Composting potato peelings adds these nutrients to the pile and benefits the plants that will eventually be grown using that compost. So why the controversy? Can Potato Peels Go in Compost? The problem that can arise from adding potato peels to compost piles is that whole potatoes and their skins can carry potato blight. This is a fungal infection that affects both tomato and potato plants....
Keeping Caraway in Winter If you use caraway seeds in cooking, you may know that caraway (Carum carvi) is a biennial herb. Caraway “seeds” are the dried fruit of this plant that have small seeds on the outside like strawberries do. Caraway winter planting is possible since some seeds can germinate at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 C.). However, they germinate best at temperatures closer to 70 degrees F. (21 C.) and are more frequently planted in spring or fall....
What are Cloves? Clove tree uses range from basic gardening and landscaping uses to actually harvesting and cooking with your cloves. You can even use cloves medicinally. The clove tree, Syzgium aromaticum, is an evergreen tree that is native to south Asia. It requires a lot of water and warm temperatures. The actual clove from the clove tree is the unopened bud of the flowers of the tree. They are harvested before they bloom and then are tried....
About Elderflower Uses Before cooking with or ingesting elderflowers, it’s important to understand a couple things. While most species of elderberries are edible when cooked, the other parts of the plant, including leaves, stems, and roots, are toxic to humans. Sambucus nigra, or black elder, is the most commonly used plant for elderflower harvest. Even though these elderflowers are frequently ingested, they are technically high in certain alkaloids and cyanidin glycosides that, if consumed in excess, can lead to problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea....
Common Flowering Trees for Zone 9 Whether you’re looking for a quaint little ornamental tree or a large shade tree, there is a zone 9 flowering tree that can meet your needs. Another benefit of growing flowering trees in zone 9 is that with the warm climate you can select trees that bloom in any season. Some of the same trees that flower only for a short period in spring in northern climates can bloom throughout the winter and spring in zone 9....
Bacteria are able to survive extreme conditions where other life forms crumble. In nature, compost exists in areas such as the forest, where compost-enhancing bacteria decompose organic matter like tree and animal droppings. Putting beneficial bacteria to work in the home garden is an environmentally friendly practice that is well worth the effort. The Job of Compost Bacteria Beneficial bacteria found in garden compost are busy breaking down matter and creating carbon dioxide and heat....
Can You Grow an Elderberry in a Pot? In the ground, elderberry bushes grow into dense masses similar to a thicket, and overtime they spread to cover a wide area. While they aren’t a good choice for a small balcony or patio, you can grow elderberries as a potted plant if you have a large container and plenty of room. Elderberry shrubs in containers have confined roots so the plants won’t grow as large as they would in the ground, but they will need severe pruning in the spring to help control the size and keep the canes productive....
About Tall Fescue Weeds Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) was introduced to North America by European settlers who planted it to provide hardy, nutritious forage for livestock. Since the plant remains green even in dry conditions, it was widely planted in the 1990’s to replace thirsty Kentucky bluegrass in drought-ravaged regions. Tall fescue weeds are opportunistic, popping up in disturbed habitats, including along roadsides and railroad tracks, in pastures and abandoned fields, and sometimes along streambanks....
When to Transplant Crabapple Trees The best time for moving a crabapple tree is when the tree is still dormant in late winter or very early in spring. Make it a point to transplant the tree before bud break. Before Transplanting Crabapples Ask a friend to help; moving a crabapple tree is much easier with two people. Prune the tree well, trimming branches back to nodes or new growth points. Remove deadwood, weak growth, and branches that cross or rub on other branches....
What are LED Grow Lights For? LED grow lights are a relatively new horticultural introduction, although NASA has been studying them for decades. Are LED lights better than traditional grow lights? That depends upon the crop on which they are used, as well as economic and energy expenditure factors. Just like fluorescent and incandescent bulbs, LED bulbs produce light that is needed by plants. Most plants need light waves of red and blue....
About Lawn Mowing Equipment Which type of lawn mowing equipment is right for you and your yard will depend on a few things: the size of your yard, the terrain (i.e. hilly or sloped), obstacles and/or turns, as well as your budget and how much physical energy you are willing to put into mowing. Different types of lawn mowers will work better for different sites and different people. The type of mower you choose will also affect cutting heights, as some mowers cut better at different heights....
What is Uplighting? When you install ground lights that shine on higher objects or plants, you have accomplished DIY uplighting. Uplighting means that you are illuminating objects from below. It simply refers to the angle of the light. Most types of uplighting are installed at ground level or even below ground level. Uplighting allows you to spotlight your most beautiful garden features, like your favorite shrubs or the architectural elements of your hardscaping....
Are Anise and Fennel the Same? While both fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and anise (Pimpinella anisum) are native to the Mediterranean and both are from the same family, Apiaceae, there is, indeed, a difference. Sure, they both have a licorice flavor profile similar to tarragon or star anise (no relation to P. anisum), but they are completely different plants. Fennel vs. Anise Anise is an annual and fennel is a perennial. They both are used for their licorice flavor, which comes from the essential oil called anethole found in their seeds....
What is Early Blight? Early blight is a fungal infection caused by the fungus Alternaria solani. While early blight is one of the most common diseases seen in tomatoes, it also affects eggplants, potatoes, and peppers. Early blight usually results from contamination with infected plants or infected plant debris, or from plants being too close together without enough air circulation. Alternaria Symptoms in Eggplant One of the earliest signs of eggplant early blight is the presence of brown spots on the leaves....
Using Face Masks for Gardening Most notably, masks are often worn by gardeners who suffer from seasonal allergies such as grass and tree pollen. Masks for gardeners are also essential during the use and application of certain types of fertilizers, soil conditioners, and/or compost. Still, recent events have led more and more of us to consider the need to better protect ourselves, as well as those around us. Learning more about Covid, gardening masks, and their uses can help us all make more informed decisions regarding how best to enjoy time spent outdoors....
What are False Sunflowers? By now you may be wondering, “What are false sunflowers?” Also known as smooth ox eye sunflower plant or sun glory flower, false sunflowers are closely related to sunflowers and are a member of the large Asteraceae family. Yellow-orange, daisy-like blooms appear in June as the plant grows to reach 3 to 5 feet (1-1.5 m.). Blossoms are 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm.) in diameter, with yellow to brownish centers....
