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About Zone 8 Deer Resistant Plants There are no plants that are completely deer proof. That being said, there are plants that deer prefer to eat, and there are plants that deer rarely eat. When food and water are scarce, however, desperate deer may eat anything they can find, even if they don’t particularly like it. In spring and early summer, pregnant and nursing deer require more food and nutrition, so they may eat things that they don’t touch any other time of the year....

Let’s look at some nearly foolproof plants for dorm rooms that are easy to care for and hard to kill. Plants for Dorm Rooms Choose plants that match the surrounding conditions. If you are in a cold, dank basement devoid of much sunlight there are still options for you. Plants suitable for low light situations may include: Snake plant (mother-in-law’s tongue) Philodendron Grape ivy Lucky bamboo ZZ Plant Plants that come from rainforests are ideal choices, since the dim light is similar to the dappled sun they receive as understory plants....

Signs of Boron Toxicity Boron toxicity symptoms usually aren’t the result of small amounts of boron generally found in soil. However, some areas have boron in the water in high enough concentrations to cause boron toxicity in plants. Plants with too much boron initially display yellowing or browning of foliage. Leaf tips become dry, with the symptoms eventually taking over entire leaves. Boron toxicity symptoms are different depending on the plant, and instead of damage to the foliage, some plants may ooze a gummy substance from the branches or trunk....

If you have a poorly sited shrub, it’s time to learn about elderberry transplant. Fortunately, moving an elderberry is not a difficult proposition, as long as you choose the right time of year and pick an appropriate new location. Read on for tips on how to transplant elderberry. Moving an Elderberry Native Americans have made use of elderberry plants for thousands of years and they still rely on them today....

Types of Grow Lights Fluorescent Tubes – Since they are inexpensive, easy to use, and readily available in a variety of sizes and shapes, fluorescent grow lights are the first choice for many home gardeners. Fluorescent lights, which provide light primarily on the blue end of the spectrum, are cool to the touch, so they are safe to use above tender seedlings. Compact fluorescent lights are great for small-space gardening. You can also use newer, full-spectrum fluorescent grow lights which, because they provide light on the both ends of the spectrum, are very close to natural daylight....

What is Gentian? Gentian wildflowers grow all over the world, except on the continent of Antarctica, and have unusual pollination habits. More than 1,000 species have been identified, some in boggy forest areas and others in the desert. Plants in the Gentian species range from a small herb to a tree that grows in the rainforest. Growing gentian is pollinated by moths, bees, birds, bats and flies. An unusual aspect of gentian flowers is that the buds on some types do not open until the right pollinator forces them to expose their inner pistils and stamens....

Native to Central and Southern America, where many species grow on trees in the rain forests, just one anthurium plant can give a room a more tropical feel. Naturally, homeowners are adding this exotic plant to their outdoor rooms as well. However, while anthurium tends to grow well inside, anthurium outdoor care is more difficult. How to Grow Anthuriums in the Garden Anthuriums grow very well in controlled environments of the home when given indirect sunlight, consistent temperatures, and regular waterings....

Leaves on a growing Swedish ivy plant are glossy with scalloped edges. Tubular mauve to white flowers appear in spring throughout summer but these are not nearly as showy as the dramatic foliage. The easy care of Swedish ivy houseplants make them great for even the most novice of gardeners. How to Grow a Swedish Ivy Houseplant Learning how to grow a Swedish ivy houseplant is not at all difficult....

Gunnera Plant Information Sometimes called Dinosaur Food (Gunnera manicata), the Gunnera’s deeply-lobed leaves can get up to 4 feet (1+ m.) across, and the plant can stand up to 8 feet (2+ m.) tall. Gunnera tinctoria, also known as prickly rhubarb, is similar and just as big. Both of these prehistoric-looking greenery plants will fill in large empty spaces in the corners and edges of your yard, and will thrive in boggy ground where other plants’ roots might drown....

In mild climates, grow this nutritious crop almost year-round by planting successive crops and using heavy mulch to protect the carrots from winter temperatures. If your soil is hard or heavy, grow short varieties to get the most come carrot harvest time. How to Tell When Carrots are Ready to Harvest Knowing how to tell when carrots are ready to harvest is important for getting a good crop. First, consult your seed packet to see how many days it takes your chosen variety of carrots to mature....

You can save seeds from your favorite flowers, fruits, some vegetables and even shrubs or trees. Perennials that need a cold stratification can be planted right away, while annuals such as marigolds and zinnias can be saved until next spring to plant. Tree and shrub seeds can usually be planted in fall too. Collecting Fall Seeds from Plants As the season ends, let some flowers go to seed rather than deadheading....

Common Hellebore Problems Hellebore diseases are not a common occurrence. However, in recent years a new hellebore viral disease known as Hellebore Black Death has been on the rise. Though scientists are still studying this new disease, it has been determined to be caused by a virus known as Helleborus net necrosis virus, or HeNNV for short. Symptoms of Hellebore Black Death are stunted or deformed growth, black lesions or rings on plants tissues, and black streaking on the foliage....

How to Use DIY Christmas Bows Make a holiday bow, or two, for decoration on gifts and around the house, even out in the garden. Here are some ideas for how to use your DIY bows for the holidays: Give the gift of plants and decorate them with bows in lieu of wrapping paper.Add a pretty holiday bow to your wreath.If you have a lot of material, make small bows to decorate the Christmas tree....

Rooting Succulents with Honey As you’ve likely heard, honey has healing properties and is used to help with some medical conditions, but it’s also been used as a rooting hormone for plants too. Honey contains antiseptic and anti-fungal elements which may help keep bacteria and fungi away from succulent leaves and stems you’re trying to propagate. Some growers say they dip succulent propagation pieces in honey to encourage roots and new leaves on stems....

How are Radishes Grown? Radishes are generally grown from seed and require a loose soil for proper root formation. Composted manure, grass and leaves can be added to improve soil fertility. Removing rocks, sticks and inorganic debris from the planting site is recommended. Radishes grow best in cool weather and consistently moist soils. Heavy rains can compact soil and form a hard crust on the surface which inhibits root formation. On the other hand, drought stress makes radishes tough and alters their mild flavor....

Apple Leaf Curling Midge Pests The apple leaf curling midge, also known as apple leaf gall and apple leaf midge, is an exotic pest from Europe. The adult is a small black-brown insect with clear wings. The females lay their eggs on the folds of apple leaves. These eggs hatch into little sticky, yellowish maggots. It’s at this larval/maggot phase that the apple leaf curling midge pests cause the most damage....

Southern Blight of Apples For years, scientists thought that southern blight in apple trees was only a problem in warm climates. They believed that the fungus structures that overwinter were not cold hardy. However, this is no longer considered true. Gardeners in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan have reported incidents of southern blight of apples. It is now known that the fungus can survive winter cold, especially when it is covered up and protected by layers of snow or mulch....

Columbine is a perennial wildflower that commonly grows in woodland environments and typically isn’t well suited for growing indoors. A columbine indoor plant may not live long and will probably never bloom. If you want to try your hand at growing container columbine inside, though, the following tips may help. Caring for Columbine Indoor Plants Plant columbine seeds in a pot filled with a mixture of half potting mix and half garden soil, along with a generous handful of sand to promote good drainage....

Easy-To-Grow Edible Indoor Plants By far, leafy greens are one of the easiest indoor edibles to grow. These fast growing and shallow-rooted veggies require a minimum of four to six hours of direct sunlight and can often be grown in a southern-facing window in the dead of winter. Most leafy greens can be planted 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.) apart in 4 inch (10 cm.) tall containers. Here are some excellent leafy edibles to grow inside the house:...

What is a Xanadu Plant? Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ (sometimes called ‘Winterbourn’) is a member of the Philodendron genus, and is a delightful and easy-to-grow houseplant. Unlike many other philodendrons, this is not a vining plant, so no support is needed. It will form a dense clump of beautifully lobed leaves and will tend to grow wider than taller. The Xanadu philodendron houseplant can grow to 2 to 4 feet tall (61 cm....