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Moving a Bay Tree Bay trees are relatively small, and some gardeners grow them in containers. You may be thinking of moving a bay tree from one container to a garden site or from one garden site to another. In either case, you’ll want to be sure to do it right. When you are transplanting bay trees, you’ll want to get information on how to transplant bay trees. Before you pick up that shovel though, you need to figure out when to move a bay tree....

What are Garden Scissors Used for? If you read pretty much anything by your favorite gardening guru about which tools are must-haves for the garden, you will find no mention of scissors. I strongly disagree. Perhaps, my adoration for my garden scissors stems from a childhood memory of snipping dandelion heads from the lawn. The adults didn’t have time to mow, so I was paid a penny for each dandelion head....

Growing Ginger Mint Ginger mint plants are usually sterile and don’t set seeds, but you can propagate the plant by taking softwood cuttings or rhizomes from an existing plant. You can also purchase a starter plant at a greenhouse or nursery specializing in herbs. These plants prefer moist, rich soil and full sun or partial shade. Ginger mint is suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. Once established, ginger mint spreads by runners, and like most types of mint, may become aggressive....

Giant Dogwood Information The wedding cake dogwood has the grown-up moniker Cornus controversa ‘Variegata.’ This lovely tree grows up to 50 feet (15 m.) tall but more commonly 25 to 30 feet (8-9 m.) in height. It is a native of Asia, which can be planted in United States Department of Agriculture zones 5 through 8. These trees are easy to grow and susceptible to only a few pests and diseases....

How to Care for a Venus Fly Trap The Venus fly trap needs slightly acidic moist soils. Grow a Venus fly trap in a peat moss and sand mixture, which will provide mild acidity and help hold water without keeping soils too soggy. The plant needs at least 60 percent humidity and day time temperatures of 70 to 75 F. (22-24 C.). Nighttime temperatures should not go below 55 F. (13 C....

What are Golden Delicious Apples? These apple trees are self-pollinating and quite hardy, thriving in USDA zones 4 through 9. The medium to large yellow apples have a mild, sweet flavor that is delicious in pies as well as adding sweetness to pork dishes and salads. The trees can be found in dwarf, 8 to 10 feet (2-3 m.), and semi-dwarf, 12 to 15 feet (4-4.5 m.), sizes, fitting easily into a variety of garden spaces....

Rust Spots on Bean Plants Rust spots on bean plants can look like a reddish brown powder. Sometimes these red-brown patches may have a yellow halo around them. Rust fungus can appear on the plant’s leaves, pods, shoots, or stems. A field of beans affected by rust fungus may look like it has been burned or badly scorched. Other symptoms of rust fungus are wilted foliage and small, deformed bean pods....

Echeveria Red Velvet Plants Red Velvet Echeveria (Echeveria pulvinata) is a hybrid plant named for Athanasio Echeverria Godoy. The secondary name, pulvinata, refers to its cushion-like leaves. Red Velvet has softly hairy stems and chubby leaves. The species is from Mexico, but this particular cultivar originated in California. You will be charmed by Red Velvet. It is a small plant, growing only 12 inches (30 cm.) in height with a shrub-like form....

Where Does the Toborochi Tree Grow? The tree is native to countries in South America. It is not native to the United States. However, the toborochi tree is or could be cultivated in USDA plant hardiness zones 9b through 11. This includes the southern tips of Florida and Texas, as well as coastal and southern California. It’s not hard to identify a toborochi tree (Chorisia speciosa). Mature trees grow trunks shaped like bottles, making the trees look pregnant....

Turf Bench Info Turf benches began with a frame constructed of various materials such as wood, stone, brick, or woven reeds, twigs, and branches. According to turf bench information, the benches were often simple rectangles, although fancier turf benches could be curved or circular. Trellises or arbors were often added to turf seats, adorned with climbing roses or other vining plants. Turf benches were placed strategically around the circumference of a garden, or as a focal point in the center....

What is Alum Used for? Alum is implemented in water treatment and other industrial applications, but food-grade alum, approved by the FDA, is safe for household use in small quantities (less than one ounce (28.5 g.)). Although alum powder has a variety of purposes around the house, the most common is to add crispness to pickles. For other applications, you can also purchase liquid forms of aluminum sulfate. Although alum isn’t a fertilizer, many people apply alum in the garden as a way to improve soil pH....

What is Citrus Phymatotrichum? Fungal diseases in fruit trees are very common. The Phymatotrichum omnivorum fungus attacks many plants but really causes issues on citrus trees. What is citrus Phymatotrichum rot? It is a disease also known as Texas root rot or Ozonium root rot, which can kill citrus and other plants. Diagnosing cotton root rot on citrus can be difficult because initial symptoms seem to mimic many common plant ailments....

What is Flat Top Goldenrod? On a nature hike in many eastern states, you might come across this native goldenrod. What is flat top goldenrod? It is a tall, sprawling, fall-over-itself mess of a plant with beautiful flowers. Growing grass leaved goldenrod can help tempt pollinators to your landscape. Several bees and butterflies are drawn to the lovely flowers and their nectar. Combined with other native wildflowers, flat top goldenrod plants will pack a powerful golden punch....

What is Lawn Painting? Lawn paint has been a landscaper’s secret weapon at athletic fields and golf courses for years, but the current drought is prompting homeowners to consider lawn painting as a way to maintain an emerald green lawn when water is in short supply. Good quality lawn paint is formulated to be biodegradable and safe for the environment. Once the lawn paint dries, the painted turf is safe for children and pets....

What is a Garden Knife? A garden knife is simplicity itself. It’s just a blade and a handle with no moving parts. Don’t let this simplicity fool you. I find it absolutely invaluable and use it every single time I’m in the garden. A hori hori garden knife, which is most popular, is a digging tool (and so much more!) that originated in Japan. The name stems from the Japanese word ‘hori,’ which means to dig and when doubled, ‘hori hori’ refers to the sound of digging in spoken Japanese....

Why Grow Succulents? Once you learn a few basics, you’ll find succulent plants are easy to grow. When you discover how to mix up the perfect well-draining soil and, most importantly, how to limit watering, you’ll find succulent plants are simple. Even if you sometimes forget to care for these plants, you’ll learn succulents are easy to get along with. Medicinal Succulent Benefits This ease of care is a definite benefit for those who like a few pots of greenery on the desk at work or scattered throughout sunny areas in the home....

Reasons for Wilting Fuchsia Plants Why is my fuchsia wilting? Fuchsias require a lot of water, especially in hanging baskets. Problems with wilting fuchsia plants may be due to lack of moisture. During the heat of the summer, potted fuchsia plants may need water twice daily, especially if the plants are exposed to sun and wind. On the other hand, wilting fuchsia plants may also be the result of too much water, especially if the roots don’t have adequate drainage....

Yucca vs. Dracaena What’s the difference between yucca and dracaena? While both yucca and dracaena have long strap-like, pointed leaves, this is where the similarities between the two end. First of all, yucca hails from the family Agavaceae and is native to Mexico and the Southwest United States. Dracaena, on the other hand, is a member of the family Asparagaceae, which encompasses an additional 120 species of trees and succulent shrubs....

Cold Hardy Grape Varieties Growing grapes in zone 4 is no different than anywhere else, though additional winter protection or prepping may be necessary in some instances. The key to success largely depends on your zone 4 grape selections. Here are some good zone 4 grapevines: Beta – Hardy down to zone 3, this concord hybrid is deep purple and very strong. It’s good for jams and juice but not for winemaking....

Aster Seed Growing Asters are a group of perennial flowers that belong to the Asteraceae family, also called the daisy family. Many species and varieties, both wild and cultivated, are available to gardeners. This means you have a lot of options, including tall or short plants with flowers in many different shades of blue, purple, pink, or white. In North America, asters provide valuable food sources for butterflies, native bees, and other insects....