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What is Purple Ruffles Basil? Of the many available varieties of basil, Purple Ruffles is one which serves its purpose as an herb as well as a beautiful ornamental addition to the garden. With a mild taste similar to that of sweet basil, large plants produce bright purple-toothed leaves. Like many edible purple plants, these leaves contain an antioxidant called anthocyanin, which gives them their characteristic color. Purple Ruffles basil plants are a great easy-to-grow addition to mixed vegetable gardens, and can even be grown in containers indoors....

So, if you’re wondering what to do with garlic, grab a clove and get ready for some info on historical advantages with improved health. Is Garlic Good for You? There are many proven and unsubstantiated health benefits derived from garlic. Evidence of garlic use goes back 6,000 years in the ancient Egyptian era. It has featured prominently in many other classic civilizations and continues to be used in most global cuisine....

Antonovka Apple Facts What are Antonovka apples, you may ask. They are a winter producing group of apple trees originally from Russia. Antonovka fruit trees are often used as a rootstock to add cold hardiness to other apple types that can be grafted in. They are also used for seedling trees in northern areas. The common Antonovka apple is most normally grown in the U.S., but there are other varieties. Antonovka apple facts say it is a tasty, tart fruit right off the tree, having high acid, with flavor that mellows after time in storage....

Apricots with Rust Fungus Rust on apricot trees is caused by the fungus Tranzschelia discolor. As the fungus name suggests, rust discolors the apricot leaves. Look for the first symptoms of apricot rust fungus on the bottom side of the leaf. Mahogany colored blisters appear there, with a corresponding yellow splotch on the top surface. Apricots with rust fungus lose their leaves early. They turn black and drop from the tree late in the season....

Barbarella Eggplant Info Eggplant ‘Barbarella’ is a variety of eggplant that may also be sold as Violetta di Sicilia. This variety originated in Italy. Barbarella eggplant produces five to six, medium-sized, one-pound (0.5 kg.) fruits on plants that grow about 24 inches (61 cm.) tall. These fruits have dark purple skin, with white to light pink hues, outlining their dark purple, lightly spiny calyx. The fruit is round, like a grapefruit or softball, with deep grooves and has creamy white flesh....

What is Scorzonera Root? Also commonly referred to as black salsify (Scorzonera hispanica), scorzonera root vegetables may also be called black vegetable oyster plant, serpent root, Spanish salsify, and viper’s grass. It has a long, fleshy taproot much akin to that of salsify, but black on the exterior with white interior flesh. Although similar to salsify, scorzonera is not related taxonomically. Leaves of scorzonera root are spiny but finer in texture than salsify....

How and When to Plant Cactus Seeds Seeds form in blooms of the cactus. If you wish to attempt collecting them, remove flowers as they fade and place in a small paper bag. You’ll find the seeds when the flowers have totally dried up. You may also purchase seeds, as many are available online. Check to make sure you’re purchasing from a reputable source. You want healthy, viable seeds to sprout....

Indoor Rose Care If you have been wondering if you can grow roses indoors, the answer is yes, but you’ll need to know a few important things. The most important aspect in indoor rose care is being able to provide enough light. Miniature roses require quite a bit of direct sun indoors in order to thrive. Provide at least six hours of direct sun. Southern or western exposure windows are ideal....

Growing Conditions for Plums Growing plum trees is not too difficult as long as you give them what they need. Plums require full sun and well-drained, sandy soil in order to thrive. They prefer a soil with a pH that ranges from 5.5 to 6.5. It is always a good idea to have your soil tested before planting any fruit tree to be sure that they pH is appropriate. You should also work the appropriate amendments into your soil before planting....

What is Stonehead Hybrid Cabbage? Stonehead cabbage plants are easy-to-grow members of the Brassicaceae family. Like kale, broccoli and brussels sprouts, Stonehead hybrid cabbage is a cold weather crop. It can be planted early in the spring for a summer harvest or later in the season for a fall crop. Stonehead cabbage forms small, round globes that average between 4 and 6 pounds (1.8 to 2.7 kg.). The flavorful heads are perfect raw ingredients for slaw and in salad and is equally delicious in cooked recipes....

How to Save Eggplant Seeds The most important thing to remember regarding saving seeds from eggplant is to start with open-pollinated plants. Open pollination is pollination by wind, insects, birds, or other natural causes. If you use seeds from a hybrid eggplant, it won’t work. Look at the plant label on the container or ask someone at the nursery if you have an open-pollinated plant. When you’re collecting eggplant seeds, grow only one type of eggplant in a given area....

Whatever your reason for growing sunflower fields, you will find out very quickly that there is one detail that you need to pay attention to. This is weed control in sunflowers. Due to the fact that sunflowers grown from seeds can take up to two weeks to appear, weeds can very easily establish themselves and then shade the sunflower seedlings, which will stunt the sunflowers’ growth. You have three major options with weed control in sunflowers....

What is Copper Fungicide? Copper is a metal that, in dissolved form, penetrates plant tissues and helps control fungal diseases such as: Powdery mildew Downy mildew Septoria leaf spot Anthracnose Black spot Fire blight That said, its effectiveness is limited against late blight of potatoes and tomatoes. Since copper is toxic, it can also cause serious damage by killing plant tissues. If you are considering using copper fungicide, be sure to read the label carefully....

Why Conifers Drop Needles A conifer that sheds its needles may cause you to panic and ask: “Why is my conifer shedding needles?”. But there is no need. A conifer shedding needles is completely natural. Conifer needles do not last forever. The natural, annual needle shed allows your tree to get rid of the older needles to make room for new growth. When Do Conifers Shed Needles? When do conifers shed needles?...

Pollinator gardens don’t stop being important when the flowers stop blooming. Did you know the hollow stems of many perennials serve as hotels and nurseries for bees and other beneficial insects throughout the winter? When you do your fall cleanup, go ahead and remove the leaves and spent flowers, but make sure to leave at least a foot of your flower stalks standing. Pollinators will lay their eggs in them, and even burrow inside themselves, to ride out the cold winter months....

If your idea of a garden club involves neatly dressed ladies in fancy hats drinking tea, you’ve been watching too much television. Modern garden clubs unite men and women of all ages who share a common love of flowers, shrubs, and vegetable plants. If the idea sounds intriguing, consider starting a garden club. But, you ask, how do I start a garden club? Read on for all the tips you need to get going....

Challenge of Gardening in Zones 2-3 Gardening in zones 2-3 means dealing with punishing cold temperatures. In fact, the lowest average temperature in USDA hardiness zone 2 is a frigid -50 to -40 degrees F. (-46 to -40 C), while zone 3 is a whopping 10 degrees warmer. Cold Weather Plants for Zones 2-3 Gardeners in frigid climates have a particular challenge on their hands, but there are a number of tough but lovely plants that grow in cold climates....

How to Grow a Golden Barrel Cactus Think carefully before locating the golden barrel in your yard, especially if you have children or pets. In that circumstance, use a container or find a safe spot, as punctures from the spines are painful and, in some cases, these punctures may require antibiotics. Conversely, you can choose to use the plant as part of your home security system, locating it under low windows as a defensive planting....

Are Kohlrabi Leaves Edible? The avid home gourmet may well ask, “Are kohlrabi leaves edible?” The answer is a resounding yes. Although the plant is generally grown for the thick bulb, you can also take the smaller leaves that form when the plant is young. These are used much like spinach or collard greens. Kohlrabi greens are thick and taste best when cooked or steamed, but they are also eaten chopped in salads....

How to Grow Summer Squash In order to get the best crop of summer squash plants, wait to plant the seeds in the ground until after any danger of frost. In most states, planting summer squash should be done in early spring. Sometimes, however, it could be later, depending on climate. When planting summer squash you want to start them in the ground by seed. Start about two to three seeds in an area that should be spaced 24 to 36 inches (61-91 cm....