manganese A trace mineral in the soil that helps plants with their growth and seed production. manure An animal waste product that is composted and used as a natural fertilizer for plants. manure crops A plant that is grown to help enrich the soil. It serves the same purpose as adding composted manure to the soil. marble A type of rock that is frequently used as an inorganic mulch. mediterranean style garden A garden that incorporates Mediterranean aspects into its design....

Do Hollyhocks Need Sun or Shade? Should you give a hollyhock sun or shade? The answer to this question, of course, varies from one garden to the next. Ideally, hollyhocks should receive full sun, which means at least six-eight hours of direct light each day. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. This is especially true in regions that experience extreme heat or periods of drought in summer. Partial shade through the afternoon, can help to diminish stress on hollyhocks and may even help conserve water where conditions are harsh....

Affordable House Plants There’s a famous Anthony Powell novel called “Books Do Furnish a Room.” Most writers tend to agree with that sentiment, but plant lovers might argue that plants do it better. They not only make the room feel occupied but – unlike books – they also make it feel more welcoming and hospitable and more alive.There are several ways to go about locating gorgeous houseplants that won’t require your entire month’s disposable income....

How to Grow Giant Tomatoes Currently, the Guinness record holder for growing the heaviest tomato goes to Del and Julie Faust, whose 11.65 pound (5.3 kg) tomato was verified by officials in October 2022. With a circumference of 32.5 inches (83 cm), growing a tomato this size takes special attention to details and quite a bit of dedication. Whether you have your eye on the prize or simply want to enjoy brag-worthy tomatoes from the garden, the key to growing giant tomatoes starts with the right DNA....

What are Ornamental Peppers? Ornamental pepper plants differ from ordinary garden types of peppers by where the fruit is produced on the plant. On ornamental varieties, the peppers grow at the end of the stems, while garden types have their fruit hidden among the foliage. Ornamental pepper plants also tend to have a more compact growth habit. It’s not uncommon for gardeners to ask, “Can you eat ornamental peppers?” It should be noted that as a member of the nightshade family, the leaves of all types of pepper plants are toxic to humans and pets....

Sit back and relax while we take a look at light green foliage plants and pretty pastels. Pastel Plants with Pretty, Pale Foliage If you want to add a serene feel to your garden, design with soothing greens and delicate pastels. For a shaded area, you can’t go wrong with hostas that are shades of green and blue. To extend the blue plantings try these hostas: ‘Siebold,’ ‘Elegans,’ ‘Francis Williams,’ ‘Krossa Regal,’ and ‘Helen Doriot....

It might surprise you to learn that the medieval nosegay has longstanding associations with combating widespread disease. As we deal with the reality of Covid-19, it’s important to note that epidemics and pandemics are nothing new. How we combat these diseases has changed, thanks to modern medicine. Nowadays, we can vaccinate and don masks to prevent community spread. But during medieval times, people believed nosegay flowers would do the trick....

You just need to get the timings and measurements right, and make certain that beds remain consistently moist throughout the season. But exactly how much water do hollyhocks need, and when? Read on to find out… When Hollyhocks Need the Most Watering Though these tall flowering plants can tolerate brief periods of drought, routine irrigation is essential for the development of both the stems and buds. In terms of specific hollyhock watering requirements, the frequency of watering will vary from one location to the next....

One tree that works perfectly for bonsai styling is the apple. If you are interested in learning about dwarf bonsai apple trees – or creating one - read on. We’ll give you the information you need to get started. Apple Tree Bonsai How small is a bonsai? There are a range of possible sizes for bonsai trees. These can be very short - under 5 inches (12.7 cm.) tall – to some 30 inches (76 cm....

A Blank Canvas About the only time my yard looks anything like a blank canvas is during the winter. My passion (some might call it more like hoarding behavior) for plants has almost every square inch planted and plotted within an inch of its life. You might think that there is no room for more, but you would be wrong. Sometimes – okay lots of times – I end up disliking the placement of a plant or even just plain disliking the plant....

Pretty Poinsettia Décor Ideas Native to Mexico, the poinsettia became a popular holiday decoration thanks to its festive green leaves and red bracts. In the wild, they grow into tall shrubs, but in containers they remain small and perfect for decorating. If you love this classic seasonal plant but aren’t sure what to do with poinsettias this year, get inspired by these creative and unique ideas. 1. Make a Mixed Container Poinsettias are traditionally used solo, but why not mix it up?...

Best Types of Plants for Apartments Whether you’re looking to add color or texture, keep up on the latest plant trends, seeking space- saving house plants or even retro inspired plants of days gone by, we’ve got the perfect apartment plant for you. 1. Easy Air Plants Tillandsia or air plant is an epiphyte, a plant that grows on other plants or substrates. These low maintenance plants are perfect for those new to houseplants....

However, there are some plants that grow in sand dunes, and in fact are responsible for creating those dunes. Read on for a discussion of sand dune plant species. Sand Dunes and Plants Anyone who has been to the beach has seen plants that grow in sand dunes, so it’s clear that some do. Although, identifying those that occur naturally along the coast is another matter. It’s time to learn the names and growth habits of coastal sand dune plants....

Salvia Sunlight Requirements It’s estimated there are between 700 and 3000 species in the salvia genus, which is a member of the mint family. Most salvia species, including culinary sage (Salvia officinalis), prefer 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Some species of salvia are tolerant of partial shade exposure (3 to 6 hours of sunlight per day), but may not bloom as profusely in less sunny areas of the garden....

Common Coreopsis Diseases

How to Create a Cozy Backyard The first steps to creating a cozy backyard setting are very personal. Consider what the space will be used for and who will use the area. How many people will occupy it at one time? When will it be used? How can you honor your personal taste? After deciding on the purpose of the area, it’s time to consider the size available. Very few people have unlimited outdoor space, so thinking about the existing square footage will be key to furniture placement as well as the layout of other items such as decking or patio squares....

Some people seek out drought-tolerant shade trees to block the hot summer sun, while others may be looking for fruit trees because of the benefits they can provide. Of course, other people may want specific trees and shrubs to accent their landscape or garden. So which type of tree suits you? So which type of tree suits you? Click the image below to learn more about trees that meet your needs....

Create a No-Waste Kitchen As you work your way through the Gardening Know How Learning Channel course, How to Grow a No-Waste Kitchen Garden, we encourage you to use this page as a resource. Everything has been carefully curated to support your journey towards reducing waste in your kitchen. COMPOSTING KITCHEN WASTE Composting can begin right in your kitchen. Regardless of your space, kitchen scraps are ideal for composting. Click here to learn more about how to start composting kitchen waste today....

Natural spaces in the garden add beauty, texture, and visual interest. There are also benefits to natural areas that go beyond aesthetics. Leaving natural spaces is good for the environment, it attracts and supports pollinators and wildlife, and requires minimal maintenance and cost. There aren’t many downsides to consider. One is that neighbors might complain. Some people think natural gardens look messy and some homeowners’ associations are restrictive about what you can do with your landscaping....

My Self-Sufficient Home Garden I’ve been sustainable gardening for years without even realizing it or trying that hard. And I’ll be honest, as much as I love gardening, I’m a bit on the lazy side when it comes to maintenance. I’d rather do the whole plant and forget it thing (except for the initial watering until established) rather than spend my days constantly watering, feeding, pruning, or weeding everything. I don’t want to focus all my time worrying about pests either....