Dracaena Repotting is Easy One of the easiest houseplants I’ve routinely repotted are dracaena. I find the smaller ones are easy to handle, plus there is plenty of stem between the soil line and the leaves to grab onto when positioning the plant in the new pot. Bushy plants with lots of leaves are more difficult to keep straight in the new pot as I fill it with potting soil. Here are a few more repotting tips I’ve learned over the years....
Are you one of the gardeners exclaiming that “my magnolia tree is too big!” If so, pruners are your best bet. Read on for tips on how to prune a large magnolia tree. Trimming a Large Magnolia Tree There are many different species of magnolia trees, but they fall into one of two types: deciduous or evergreen. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in winter, while evergreen have slightly thicker leaves that they hold onto all year long....
Diagnosing in the Garden One of the most important skills a gardener can develop is the ability to diagnose a problem. What’s causing yellowing leaves? Lack of growth? Wilting leaves? Eventually, you learn. You can read the signs and what your plants are telling you. Diagnosing and correcting problems in a turf lawn is another level. One reason growing turf is so challenging is that it isn’t natural. Nature doesn’t produce perfectly green monocultures....
Before you start planting tropical milkweed seedlings, you need to understand the ways in which this plant upsets the migration of the species. What’s the Difference between Tropical vs. Regular Milkweed? Not every milkweed species is exactly the same. Tropical milkweed versus native milkweed – exactly what are the differences? Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is an attractive plant, with blossoms and gorgeous green foliage. In mild climates, tropical milkweed doesn’t go dormant....
With more and more people around the world using their outdoor space as an extension of their family rooms, living rooms, kitchens, and even offices, we decided to put together a one-stop guide for creating your very own backyard oasis. Below you’ll find the Know How on how many people are using their garden space. Click on the image to learn more: How To Make Your Garden Space More Homey For many people, outdoor living goes beyond simply using outdoor spaces for certain purposes....
Though most of us have our own vision of what the ideal backyard should look like, it’s helpful to know how to design a low-maintenance garden. These landscapes are appealing for their ease of care, seasonal interest, and (of course) beauty. Features can range from easy-care perennials and containers to novel DIY touches. Explore these low maintenance backyard oasis ideas for small spaces and small budgets. 1. Pick Privacy Plants for Floral Screens and Dreamy Evergreens For many beginning the process of designing a low-maintenance oasis, privacy reigns supreme....
Many of the fruits you buy from the grocery store or farmer’s market can be propagated from their seeds or pits. However, it’s important to understand that they generally don’t grow true. For example, if you plant a Honeycrisp apple seed, you will get an apple tree, but not a Honeycrisp apple. Most fruit trees are cross-pollinated and produce seeds with a mix of genetics from two trees. Professional growers propagate fruit trees by grafting to rootstock, which will produce the desired variety....
One of the biggest benefits of growing vegetables from plant cuttings is that it saves you money on buying seeds or transplants for next year. As long as you have some basic supplies, it’s totally free to get new plants this way. Another advantage is that you can save your best-performing vegetable plants. Cuttings propagate plants asexually, meaning the new plant is a clone of the first one. Collecting seeds is another option, but your new plant won’t necessarily grow true to the original....
Both annuals and perennials have their place in the landscape. Annual flowers that bloom all summer won’t live to see the following year, but they will work hard when they are at their peak, and allow you to experiment with each season. Perennials come back every year but often have shorter flowering periods. Once they’ve bloomed, that’s it for the year. Gardening with annuals bridges the gap between the perennial hiatus, providing continuous color through the rest of the season....
The impact of pink garden design is also prized by those who favor monochromatic designs, deploying a range of tones, forms and textures in the creation of striking mixed borders. However, certain pink perennials and annuals reign supreme across both classic and contemporary gardening themes. These are my picks for the most beautiful pink flowers to grow in beds, mixed borders and container plantings. 1. Dianthus 2. Astilbe A perennial favorite for shaded beds, astilbe is prized for its attractive foliage and unique flower form....
France is one of the most appealing and love-struck countries in the world. For anyone interested in planting a French country garden theme, French plants are the epitome of tenderness. Such a gift will set a tone of love and deep affection for the duration of the plant’s life. Selecting French Flowers For Your Loved Ones France’s national flower is the fleur-de-lis. More commonly known to many of us as the iris, its gently curved outer petals and erect center crest flanked by the bright beard come in many hues....
bare root Plants which have had all of the soil removed from their roots so that they may be sold or shipped. bark The exterior of a woody stem or trunk. basal leaf Leaf or growth from the lowest part of the stem. bedding plant Annual plants that are good for quickly filling in flower beds. bentonite A fine clay that was used to line ornamental ponds before plastic was widely available....
Unfortunately, many gardeners have tried and failed to grow roses from cuttings, leading them to believe it is a complicated endeavor. However, once you learn the easiest method, you’ll be a step closer to knowing all the secrets of expert rose growers. All you need is time and patience. Inexperienced gardeners often make the mistake of taking rose cuttings too early in the growing season. Young “softwood” cuttings offer the quickest route of propagating roses, but it is usually the least successful method for home growers....
Creating a beautiful backyard garden is truly a labor of love. It is easy to understand the disappointment and frustration that growers may have when they find that troublesome animals have started to frequent the space. Unwanted animals in the garden are known to cause immense damage to seedlings, established plants and even property. In this article, we’ll reveal some of the best ways to keep animals out of the garden....
Root rot is one of the most common orchid problems and is often caused or exacerbated by poor orchid care, in particular incorrect watering. All types of orchids may become affected by orchid root rot. Several types of fungi can cause disease in the plant’s roots but the two most common culprits are Pythium and Phytophthora. These are essentially molds that thrive in warm, damp conditions. Root rot is a critical issue, so if you suspect your orchid is affected, take immediate action to diagnose the problem and treat affected areas....
So as you would expect, I have an herb garden with the usual suspects. Everything from the Simon and Garfunkel hit plus oregano, basil, chives, dill and varied mints. What Are My Favorite Herbs? Well, it really depends on what I’m cooking and even then, I don’t grow all the herbs I use. Take bay leaf for instance which, in reality, is a tree leaf from a member of the Laurel family that is used like an herb....
Lastly, while it is enticing to plant fruiting trees, if you know you aren’t going to be able to keep up on fruit harvest, it is better to plant ornamental varieties which are either fruitless or bear small fruit that is eaten by birds reducing any possible mess. Are Crabapple Trees Messy? On the subject of fruit trees, crabapples are excellent pollinators – so much so that commercial fruit growers often include them in their orchards to cover pollination gaps....
Benefits of a Front Yard Herb Garden There are several benefits to having a front-yard herb garden. As already mentioned, fresh herbs are the best way to add flavor and a little panache to uninspired dinners. Also, herbs can be costly, both fresh and dried. Growing your own keeps your budget in check without sacrificing flavor. And, many herbs are perennials, returning year after year.When allowed to flower, most herb blooms attract pollinators....
Established shrubs are generally considered trouble-free, and are easy to grow. With the right hibiscus care, you should hopefully minimize the risks of problems. However, gardeners should keep a keen eye out for some of the most common hibiscus diseases and their symptoms. Here’s how to identify and tackle five big problems with hibiscus plants. What is Wrong With My Hibiscus Plant? A sudden change in appearance can be a sure sign of trouble in even the healthiest hibiscus plant varieties....
How to Fix Waterlogged Clay Soil If your soil has already become waterlogged, you might not be able to save the plants, but you can fix the soil and drainage to avoid it happening in the future. Once conditions are dry again, amend the soil by adding organic material to break it up and improve drainage. If the content of the soil isn’t the issue, you may need to do a bigger project to install proper drainage....
