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Growing jalapeños indoors is a little different from growing plants outdoors, but essentially, you need to provide ample light, water, warmth, fertilizer, and well-draining soil in a generous container. An indoor jalapeño plant will need less water than if grown outdoors, and although there are fewer pests indoors than outdoors, be vigilant for spider mites, aphids, mealy bugs, or scale. How To Grow Jalapeños Indoors Our readers occasionally ask, “Can I grow jalapeños indoors?...

As the globe tackles things like climate change, pollution, and other environmental issues, more and more people are becoming aware of AQI (Air Quality Index). In the effort to keep AQI numbers low, fortifying and protecting outdoor plants that reduce air pollution has become a priority. Learn about plants that lower AQI by absorbing pollutants. Keeping it Green in Cities Plants are amazing forms of life. Not only do they provide us with food, building materials, clothing, and sheer beauty, but they also clean the air....

What could be simpler to use than a plant spike that you just inter in the soil? Fertilizer spikes for potted plants or even in-ground plants come in a range of formulas. There are spikes specific for fruit trees, all purpose spikes, and a range of other varieties. Outdoor fertilizer spikes are fairly large but act in the same way that the little houseplant types deliver nutrients. Want to know how to use fertilizer spikes for indoor plants or even your outdoor plants?...

10 Sustainable Seed Starting Tips There is a multitude of ways each person can help. One of these is sustainable seed starting. Growing your own food is great but go a step further by using sustainable seeds combined with eco-friendly seed starting. This small step can have a huge impact on future generations and the environment. 1. Use Plantable Containers Plantable containers are planted with the seed or seedling right into the soil....

If you don’t have trees in your yard, then you are missing out on so much life-enriching goodness. Even if you think your garden is too small, there is almost certainly a tree that will work. In fact, trees for small yards have to be extra-special, as you may only have room for one. When choosing a tree, your first consideration should be your USDA planting zone and soil type....

The right planting and care of hyacinths is just as beneficial for this summer-flowering bulb as it is for spring-flowering varieties. As late summer bloomers, these bulbs can continue to flower for a couple months, depending on the region. Read on to find out how to add easy sparkle to late summer displays. Quick Summer Hyacinth Facts: Botanical name – Ornithogalum candicans, Galtonia candicansHeight – 24-48 inches (60-122cm)Spread – 24-36 inches (60-91cm)Sun exposure – Full sunSoil requirements – Well drainingHardiness zones – USDA zones 6-10When to plant – Late winter, early spring...

Want to try your green thumb on a black tomato? In my opinion, here are the 10 best tasting black tomato varieties. Best-tasting Black Tomato Varieties Taste is subjective, but I dare anyone to deny that the following black tomatoes are anything but delicious. They’re all absolutely stunning as well. Dark purple, maroon or brown, they look almost black. Their interior hues are varied and may reflect the exterior color or shock you with brilliant green, ruby red or even yellow....

Roses are some of the best plants for ornamental beds, cutting gardens and even containers. Their timeless beauty and robust nature lend well to any landscape, including those of novice growers. In this article, we explore how to grow roses from hips, and suggest several techniques that can work well. What is the Easiest Way to Grow Roses from Hips? To grow roses from hips, you must first understand what you are dealing with....

Quick Facts about Yellow Starthistle: Botanical name: Centaurea solstitialisHeight: 6 inches to 6 feet (15 cm to 1.8 m)Spread: Branching spinesSun exposure: Full SunSoil requirements: Well-drained fertile or poor soilHardiness zones: USDA 5 to 9; UK Zone 6When to plant: Sow seeds in spring Yellow Starthistle: Identification & Control Methods Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) is considered a noxious weed in 12 Western and upper Midwest states. An eradication program is recommended as soon as the annual (sometimes biennial) yellow thistle plant is recognized growing on a person’s property....

The hard truth is that you can’t just cross your fingers and hope for the best if you want to bring all the birds to your yard. The most elaborate wildlife schemes can’t succeed if you approach it with the attitude of a one-time deal. By the same token, repeating the same mistakes and expecting a better result is the sort of folly that Albert Einstein called the definition of madness (how many times have we gardeners fallen into that trap?...

Creating a border brimming with vibrant and personal color is as simple as knowing what combinations of hues spark joy in your soul. That, and knowing your garden’s growing conditions. When choosing plants for color, ensure they suit your USDA hardiness zone and can handle the light your garden receives (or doesn’t receive) each day, as well as its moisture levels. But when it comes to color, your own imagination is your only limitation....

Small, fast-growing vegetables can be grown in spaces in flowerbeds, or between larger, later-maturing crops. Ready in as little as a few weeks, these intercrops will be harvested well before the main crops need the space to spread out. As well as increasing productivity, the practice has other benefits. Intercrops can act as cover crops, improving water retention, providing shade, or reducing wind erosion. Crops can even balance out soil nutrients, such as legumes fixing nitrogen....

Mother’s Day Ideas for Gardeners For the mom who is obsessed with all things garden related, we’ve compiled our top 6 Mother’s Day gift ideas. 1. Give Her a Classic Bouquet What girl doesn’t like flowers? Okay, there are some, but if your mom is gaga over blooms, you can always go the traditional route with a bouquet of Mother’s Day flowers. Of course, the florist is just a call away, but to make the gift even more personal, how about making your own bouquet?...

How Much Does a Small Garden Cost? One of the most obvious ways to save money on gardening is to keep it small. With less space, you need fewer plants and other resources, which means less money. Of course, it will still cost something. Exactly what you will pay depends on the choices you make, but expect these expenses: Plants, transplants, or seedsSoil and soil amendmentsFertilizerGarden tools, such as shears, shovels, and trowelsWater...

Multiple factors have an impact that makes it difficult to provide specific answers. Drying winds, a full sun or partial sun location, in-ground or container plants, the type of soil, and the variety of plants will all dictate the best watering method. However, there are a few basic rules to follow that will ensure plants are getting the moisture they need to thrive. Where possible, try to collect and use rainwater to irrigate the garden....

The show hosts dozens of stunning gardens created by leading designers and offers a fantasy shopping spree for the most beautiful and unique plants. Part of Chelsea’s charm is its distinctly English feel, yet many of the show gardens present ideas with global appeal. Sustainable gardening is an overarching theme in 2024, with every scheme incorporating eco-conscious design considerations and thoughtful plant choices. There is plenty to learn from this year’s crop of show gardens....

However, while there are some essential beginner gardener tools, all too often gardeners sink money into solutions that are unnecessary. Worse, they sometimes have a negative impact on the environment. We asked gardening experts to tell us the products they never buy – so save your money and follow their lead. 1. Expensive automated watering systems Watering the garden is one of the most basic things you can do to take care of it....

Are Alliums Invasive? Not all allium varieties are well-behaved. Some become weeds that are nearly impossible to get rid of, especially in mild climates. The bad news is that dormant bulbs can remain in the soil for up to six years. The biggest offenders are wild allium (Allium ursinum), wild garlic (Allium vineale), and three-cornered leek (Allium triquetrum). All three spread like wildfire, quickly choking out gentler plants that you try to establish in your garden....

About the Asteraceae Family The Asteraceae family is often called the daisy or sunflower family. It is one of the easiest families to recognize for its distinctive characteristics, in spite of the huge number of individual species. Asteraceae flowers are the most recognizable aspects of this family. The shape and structure of a daisy or sunflower is typical of this family. However, what most people don’t realize is that what we call a flower is actually an inflorescence with multiple flowers....

Can Tomato Plants Survive Frost if Covered? Predicting a frost can be tricky. Many factors, such as cloud cover and wind speed, affect how cold air settles to the ground. To complicate matters, frost can form whenever the ground temperature reaches 32 degrees F (0 C). Yet, meteorologists measure ambient temperatures at 4 feet (1.2 m) above the ground. This means gardeners can have frost even when the weather forecast predicts overnight temperatures will remain above freezing....