Table of Contents We gardeners are a very romantic group. You’ll find this quite evident when you examine certain plant names, like the philodendron for example. Its name literally means “love tree” in Greek. And that goes double for the most common variety of that group, the heartleaf philodendron or sweetheart plant. I sometimes imagine my own heart to be shaped like a large, glossy-green leaf like those of the heartleaf....
While recent events have only accelerated the trend towards city-dwellers, urban gardeners, and suburbanites keeping their own chickens, buying any animal based on a trend or whim is a dangerous proposition. Odds are that the chickens will happily survive, and people who only bought them for something to do while stuck at home will suddenly have a new problem: a chicken coop full of chickens they no longer want. So how long do chickens live?...
Lilacs provide floral abundance from trouble-free shrubs. Their moderate size and orderly growth make the flowering shrubs very versatile, valuable landscape bushes. Small lilacs have the same floral bounty and fragrance for which makes the species popular, but these versions are finer textured and more graceful than their larger siblings. Because of their fragrant spring display, these smaller versions may be planted close to the house, beside a veranda or as a feature in a lawn....
Asparagus growers have been aware of Fusarium crown and root rot since at least 1908, and things have not improved much since then. Fusarium and Phytophthora crown and root rot can devastate asparagus plots and cause a total loss of yields. There are steps you can take to minimize the stress to your plants and enhance their chances of survival. Learn how to identify and treat these diseases with our guide....
Lobelia laxiflora is a sprawling perennial with medium green leaves and colorful tubular flowers. Also known as Mexican Lobelia, the plant is native to Mexico, Central America, and Southern Arizona. As a care-free perennial plant with bright orange and red flowers, it grows best in warm and dry regions – a perfect plant for xeriscape gardens. As gardeners, we love these species as they’re beautiful, easy-to-grow, and attract colorful hummingbirds....
But while it’s related to true oregano (Origanum vulgare) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris), it’s actually a species of coleus. Cuban oregano is one of those special plants that adds year-round beauty to your home and flavor to your dishes. Outdoors, it will grow as a perennial only in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, which makes it an ideal addition to your indoor kitchen garden if you don’t happen to live in those parts of the US....
We noticed that, unlike some cacti we had seen, it didn’t have long, sharp spikes but rather tufts of small yellow bristles. My daughter thought she could root the paddle, so she grasped it gingerly while I opened my canvas shoulder bag. I was visiting my daughter out West, and on one of our walks, we came upon what turned out to be prickly pear cacti growing on a hillside by the road....
So you sprouted, cut, and dried your seed potatoes in the spring. You dug your trenches, mounded your soil, watered, and waited. A fellow gardener once asked me if growing potatoes was worth it. Why waste the space, dig the trenches, mound the hills, interfere with tomato rotation, and risk battling with potato bugs for a vegetable that we often experience in ways that are far from special? Here’s why:...
If you have a container garden, the chances are that it may be a collection of plants than a garden. But if you arrange and organize your container garden rightly, you can create an interesting garden like look and relaxing space in your home. Container Garden Design Tips 1. When designing a container garden, plant a beautiful shrub or tree in a large unusual or artistic container and place it in a prominent spot in the container garden as a focal point....
Must remember these tips when buying plants at a garden center or nursery. These tips will help you in choosing the best plants that’ll survive and thrive after you buy them. 1. The quality of the garden center in general You can get an initial idea of the quality of plants from the first general impression of the garden center or nursery you are visiting. See if there are many pots fallen and there are many kinds put through one another or if the care has not been optimal in recent days or weeks....
Agave ovatifolia, also known as whale’s tongue agave, is an evergreen perennial succulent that is known for its super-thick rosette of powder blue and gray leaves – a unique color combo! The plant belongs to the family of Asparagaceae and is a beautiful succulent for adding texture to coastal, city, and xeriscape gardens. Table of Contents Native to North-eastern Mexico, Agave ovatifolia was introduced into cultivation by the esteemed nurseryman, Lynn Lowrey, from Texas in the mid-1980s....
Microgreens are trendy right now for a very good reason; they’re incredibly healthy and easy to grow. Whether you’re a newbie to this recent gardening fad or an old hand at microgreens, we’re sure you’ll love learning to grow buckwheat microgreens. They’re a basic crop that’s hardy, low-maintenance, and absolutely delicious! Table of Contents All microgreens have health benefits, but buckwheat microgreens may just be the most nutritious ones out there....
If you’re looking for a succulent houseplant to make a striking statement, look no further than the pencil cactus or Euphorbia tirucalli. This firecracker of a plant goes by many names: aveloz, firestick plant, Indian tree spurge, naked lady, and milkbush. Table of Contents That last name refers to the cloudy, latex sap it releases if it’s damaged, which can be toxic. But with a little precaution, you can successfully plant, cultivate, and enjoy a pencil cactus plant in your home or landscape....
6 Ways to Get Super Soil 1. Look out for the color of your garden soil A pitch-dark soil is best. As a general rule of thumb– Darker soil has more organic content as the substances resulting from decomposition of the organic matter are oxidized and acquire a dark coloration. Here’s an informative article that’ll teach you more about soil color and its effects on plants. 2. Soil texture is also important Identifying the texture of the garden soil is important too....
When we use the term “bramble,” it often has a negative connotation. It might refer to a plant in the Rubus genus that is growing in a place where we don’t want it. Rubus spp. I was on a nature walk near my home and my pant leg was grabbed by a tenacious Himalayan blackberry. I cursed the evil cane as I unhooked it from my pants and plucked an errant thorn free....
Table of Contents Imagine that it’s your best friend’s birthday. What, oh, what do you give to that special person that has been with you through thick and thin? The one that shares with you all those ridiculous inside jokes know one else understands? The one that remembers your most embarrassing moments and brings them up at least once a year? The one that picks you up when you fall down?...
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) is a popular houseplant that can thrive on neglect. It has several uses and medicinal benefits. However, people often get confused when it comes to eating the plant. So, Can You Eat Aloe Vera Plant? Let’s find out! Check out our article on proven aloe benefits here! Can You Eat Aloe Vera Plant? Aloe vera is a great indoor houseplant that can survive on neglect and has numerous medicinal properties and health benefits on offer....
1. Wine Barrel Ring Succulent Wreath Use a wine barrel ring to create a succulent wreath. They used faux succulents. You can use real plants as well. Click here for the tutorial. 2. Wine Barrel Garden If you have got some wine barrels, use them to grow your favorite annuals, herbs, or other ornamental plants in them. Take inspiration from here. 3. Wine Barrel Tumbling Composter Create a wine barrel composter like this to make your own compost....
What does that mean? Don’t throw them away! Your garden can benefit from all of those extra nutrients. Leaves aren’t the only thing you should be composting from your yard! By following these few simple tips you can compost weeds without the risk of spreading them throughout your garden. Listen to this post on the Epic Gardening Podcast Subscribe to the Epic Gardening Podcast on iTunes Remember: We will never eradicate weeds, they blow about, birds drop them and they can sleep in the soil for years then soil disturbance will set them off....
If you’ve decided to start a Vegan Garden based on veganic principles, this beginner’s guide is going to be an informative read for you. So you’re thinking about a garden that’s gentle on the Earth and all its living creatures. Veganic gardening is your answer–An increasingly popular combination of “vegan” and “organic,” it’s both eco-friendly and non-exploitative. The key is to stay away from chemical and animal products. With a little planning, it’s not hard to do, and you can even create a container vegan garden....
