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Basic Definitions of Heirloom, Hybrid & GMO Farmers and home growers have many different seed choices. The selections depend upon many factors such as pest and disease resistance, variety, and origin concerns. Knowing which type is best for you will often hinge upon a true understanding of the definitions of the various types of seed. What Does Heirloom Mean? Heirloom seeds are the ones our grandparents grew. They may be hundreds of years or decades old....

But there are a few times when trimming spruce trees is appropriate. Read on to learn when spruce pruning makes sense. Why You Need to Prune Spruce The general rule is that spruce trees require little pruning to stay healthy and vigorous. Neither spruce shrubs nor spruce trees require annual pruning to maintain their vitality. And some slow growing spice varieties like dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca var. albertiana ‘Conica’) - won’t tolerate spruce pruning at all....

If your orchid hasn’t bloomed in a while, don’t despair. Most types of orchids bloom once or twice a year and go dormant for several months. Start to worry when it hasn’t bloomed for a year or more or if it shows other signs of ill health, like yellow leaves, excessive leaf drop, or wilting. Even then, several steps can bring it back to life. Try these tactics tested and used by orchid enthusiasts and experts....

Unfortunately, plastic has significant drawbacks. It doesn’t decompose readily, and discarded plastic can be harmful to living things, including the wildlife in your yard and garden. It’s important to understand how plastic affects wildlife and how to use it more responsibly. How Does Plastic Harm Wildlife? Plastic pollution harming animals is a real concern in all types of environments, including yards and gardens. It’s important to understand how your choices of materials and products impact animals, and to make choices that support sustainable gardening....

Popular Light Purple Flowering Plants Common Lilac - Common lilac is a dependable light purple flower bush. Blooming throughout the spring, these plants produce impressive masses of flowers, usually lasting about two weeks. At this time, gardeners may notice the blooms’ pleasant fragrance, as it wafts through the growing space. In recent years, several newer hybrid species of lilac have been introduced. Many of these hybrids are useful in the landscape for their improved shape, flower structure, and/or hardiness....

Other options include synthetic lumber, metal, rocks, and concrete blocks. When choosing a material, consider factors like cost, ease of use, durability, and any chemicals that might leach into the soil. If you choose to go with wood, you still have many options and things to consider. Does Bed Type Matter When Choosing the Best Wood for Raised Garden Beds? Pine is the most readily available, inexpensive, and easy-to-work-with lumber for making raised beds....

Non-Native Species in California Invasive has a specific meaning when it comes to plants. It refers to plants that are normally not found in the wild in a particular region but have been introduced and naturalized there. These plants are not just passing through; they can survive and reproduce indefinitely in the new location without any human assistance. If you cultivate non-native, naturalized plants in your garden and they remain there, they do not pose a problem....

Plants that are Easy to Propagate I have found some of the easiest plants to root by cuttings are Schefflera, inch plant, pothos, and Christmas cactus. I just cut off some stems and insert them in potting soil. Inch plant and pothos will also root in water. It’s important to move the rooted cuttings to soil quickly, or they will have a hard time acclimating to the new medium. You can dip the cutting in rooting hormone before planting, if desired....

Should you Tie Daffodils after Flowering? Daffodil blooms stay perky and colorful for around four to six weeks. After that the foliage becomes less erect and eventually begins to yellow. While the plants might look less than tidy, the time period between flower fade and cutting back of the foliage is crucial. During this time, the bulb absorbs energy through the leaves via the sun. This energy is then used the following year to produce bloom and foliage....

While there’s a seemingly limitless number of these flowers, we’ve gathered our top ten favorites that we think you should try adding to your garden this year. Our Top Ten Daisy Varieties 1. African Daisy Native to South Africa, these beautiful annual flowers offer growers a wide range of spritely color. Blooming from late spring until frost, these beautiful daisies grow best in locations with mild summer temperatures. African daisy varieties make an excellent addition to garden borders and containers....

title: “The Gainesville Giving Garden Our2022 Grant Recipient” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-18” author: “Yen Grooms” title: “The Gainesville Giving Garden Our2022 Grant Recipient” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-05” author: “Rigoberto Higgins” title: “The Gainesville Giving Garden Our2022 Grant Recipient” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-13” author: “Wilbert Borden” title: “The Gainesville Giving Garden Our2022 Grant Recipient” ShowToc: true date: “2024-08-24” author: “Billie Donaldson” title: “The Gainesville Giving Garden Our2022 Grant Recipient” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-04” author: “Carolyn Cannella” title: “The Gainesville Giving Garden Our2022 Grant Recipient” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-16” author: “John Cook” title: “The Gainesville Giving Garden Our2022 Grant Recipient” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-04” author: “Ariel Moore” title: “The Gainesville Giving Garden Our2022 Grant Recipient” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-11” author: “Alfonso Navarro”

From annuals to perennials, here’s a list of the best flowers for hot weather. Top 10 Heat Friendly Flowers: Flowers for Hot Weather Give your heat-loving flowers a head start by working plenty of compost into the planting bed before setting them out. Include a well-balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 in slow-release granules at planting time. Here’s our list of the top 10 heat-tolerant flowers for show stopping color all summer:...

title: “Unique Ornamental Native Grasses For Shape And Movement” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-18” author: “George Edwards” Choosing the Best Ornamental Native Grasses for Your Garden Ornamental grasses can vary greatly from one species to the next. Size, form and overall growth habit will all help you determine which ornamental grass plant is a good fit for the garden. This is especially true of native types, which often demonstrate an improved tolerance to insect pressure and disease....

How to Preserve Apricots When you’re sick of fresh apricots and the neighbors want nothing more to do with them but you still have plenty of fruit, you will need to preserve them. (You could always compost them, but that would be a shame). There are three basic ways to preserve fresh apricots: freeze them, make apricot preserves, or dry them. You could also juice, can or make syrup out of them, but for the moment we will focus on the previous three methods....

When are peony flowers in season? This is a critical question because each individual plant only blooms for about a week. Understanding the seasonality of different peony types and cultivars can give you more continuous flowering. When Are Peonies in Season? There is some variation by location and climate, but generally, peonies bloom from late spring to early summer. Depending on where you live and the types of peonies you have, you could enjoy blooms from early May through June....

Learning more about the needs of the aloe plant, as well as common aloe vera diseases and pests, can help to better determine what may be the cause of the problem. Below, we will explore some of the most frequent explanations as to why one’s aloe vera plant died. Is My Aloe Plant Dead? As with any houseplant, sudden changes in appearance can be concerning. Aloe plants may quickly turn from green to brown, leaving us to wonder if the plant has died....

However, hidden among the many star-performing plants are a few silent invaders that should be avoided at all costs. These invasive plants may look harmless and even possess appealing qualities. Yet, they can quickly get out of control, smothering other plants and threatening wildlife habitats. What’s more, invasive plant removal can be almost impossible – meaning constant work to chop down foliage, remove dead flowers, and pull up roots. Unfortunately, not all garden centers are vigilant about keeping these plants out of their stock....

Does Landscaping Increase Home Value? Does landscaping increase home value? You bet it does. Well placed, mature trees and shrubs not only reduce utility bills, but also add beauty, shade, and ornamental value to the home. Of course, let’s not overdo it. Some enhancements, such as adding an expensive patio or deck, may not bring the return on investment that is expected. In this article we’ll take a look at 11 common landscaping mistakes to avoid in your yard....

A History of Compassion In 1966 Ms. Rose McGarrigle relocated to Austin, Texas, her origins in pre-war Berlin. She recognized the desperate need for care and housing for children with severe physical and mental disabilities. Often victims of neglect and isolation, children in the Austin area were welcomed into her private home where she provided support, comfort and the necessities of daily life. Not all children had the means to get to her home, so Rose would pick them up in her red VW bus....

Using deeper shades to add drama and visual interest has continued to gain popularity. And as well as bringing a singular spectacle to a garden, choosing dark red flowering perennials and annuals will also boost your plot’s pollinator appeal. Here are eight moody flowers guaranteed to give your garden standout tones. 8 Moody Maroon Flowers And Burgundy Blooms Moody florals will work well in almost any space. Contrasting colors among plantings draw the eye through the garden and create lovely focal features....