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damping off When plants, normally seedlings, rot due to over watering or improper watering practices. deadhead Pinching off used or dead blooms to prevent them from setting seed and encourage further blooming. deciduous A plant that loses and regrows its leaves naturally during the course of the year. desiccation Damage to a plant or tree caused by dehydrating of leaves. This frequently happens most often on evergreen plants during the winter where cold winds virtually freeze dry the leaves....

Light pollution is a threat to wildlife in that it may cause confusion which may impact wildlife in a multitude of ways. Animals chewing on Christmas lights is another result of holiday cheer that might put you on Santa’s “naughty” list. You can, however, take steps to mitigate your impact. Keep reading to find out how. Christmas Lights and Animals The holiday season arrives soon after the winter solstice, the beginning of about 3 months of short, cold days, so it isn’t any wonder that many want to brighten up the frigid, dreary nights with abundant holiday lights....

Achieving the right watering balance is an important part of aloe vera plant care. Too much moisture will drown the roots, causing rot and eventually plant death. But, when underwatered, aloe will express its displeasure through puckered, wilting leaves and slowed growth. In addition, it will not be able to produce any sap – which is prized for its healing properties. Yet, with a little love and enough moisture, aloe vera can live up to 100 years and grow to 3 feet (1m) in height....

Greenhouses are fairly efficient buildings that capture solar energy and maintain a consistent temperature during the day. Heated greenhouses can keep the building warm at night, as well. The numerous windows allow users of the building a 360 degree view and the plants that grow inside, bring the outdoors into the interior. Such a scenario is perfect for a greenhouse hot tub, a relaxing item to enjoy in the calm and serenity of your plant house....

Terrariums have soared in popularity in recent years, and planting them has become an art form. These enchanting miniature worlds offer a creative outlet for displaying small plants and even wildlife. Orchids are sculptural flowers that make ideal centerpiece plants. Once established, they will require minimal maintenance, as the glazed container will help to control temperature and promote humidity, reducing the need for watering. How To Make An Orchid Terrarium – Step-By-Step Guide Making an orchid terrarium requires a glass vessel, suitable terrarium plants, and a growing medium – you can use small pebbles or purchase terrarium gravel....

One of the most unique display techniques also mimics the plants’ natural growth habit. Mounted orchids are not grown in a container but on a flat rock, piece of bark, or other natural surface. The display mimics how they grow in their native range, but has an added orchid care benefit. Not understanding how to water orchids – and how often to do it – is one of the most common orchid care mistakes....

The Problem of English Ivy English ivy is an evergreen vine native to parts of Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. It came to North America as an ornamental landscape plant. With a support on which to grow, ivy can reach heights of 90 feet (27 m) or more. It is an attractive plant with dark green, three-lobed leaves. It is easy to grow and grows quickly. It is one of the few garden plants that can grow even in deep shade....

Our mission is to help everyone on the planet experience the joy of gardening, whether they’re an apartment dweller with a passion for houseplants, an urban homesteader cultivating a small space vegetable plot, or a suburban homeowner transforming their lawn into a pollinator and wildlife habitat. 2022 marks the 5-year anniversary of Gardening Know How’s Community Gardening Sponsorship Program which provides funds and support to a wide variety of community garden projects across the U....

Un-Decking the Halls The taking down part is generally up to me. Hm. With the exception of lights on the house – you couldn’t pay me enough to get on a ladder at that height– I am in charge of the removal of dead wreaths and swags, the faded to just plain dead amaryllis and paper whites, and the transporting and packing of all the gewgaws adorning the rest of the house....

What To Do With Extra Seedlings Sometimes I go a little crazy and start way too many seeds. Other times, germination percentages are higher than expected. Either way, it’s all too easy to end up with more seedlings than I have on my plan for the garden. So, the question is, “what can gardeners do with these extra seedlings?” To me, tossing these plants feels like a waste of my time and energy, not to mention the actual cost of starting plants....

Planting garlic bulbs in the fall gives it a head start to produce a larger bulb. Timing for fall garlic planting is another area where gardeners differ. Some say planting all garlic should occur before and some say after the first frost. Confused? Don’t worry - we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn when and how to plant fall garlic. Benefits of Planting Garlic in the Fall As already mentioned, planting garlic in the fall gives the bulbs time to mature....

Not only do butterflies depend on a variety of nectar-rich plants to feed on, but they also require host plants to sustain their larvae. Once the eggs have hatched, the caterpillars feed on the plant before forming a chrysalis. There are specific plants that butterflies lay their eggs on – some offer other benefits in emitting aromas that deter pests, and many are low-maintenance to ensure a consistent habitat. Consider planting a variety of beautiful host plants to support different native butterfly species throughout the growing season....

Harvesting lavender from the garden allows you to harness its calming qualities to enjoy for months on end. Depending on the project, lavender can be used fresh or dry. To capture its essential oils and preserve its fragrance, lavender is best harvested in the morning after the dew has dried, but before the heat of the day. Aim to cut the stems just as the flowers begin to open, as this is when they are most fragrant and contain the highest concentration of oils....

Calculating Vegetable Needs Determining how much produce your family requires is the first step when figuring out how many vegetables to plant. There are general guidelines which recommend the number of plants to grow per person, but it’s important to realize that no two families are alike. Consider these factors when calculating your needs: Family sizeAge and appetite level of family membersNumber of meals prepared each week using fresh veggiesHow often fresh veggies are consumed as snacksFamily preferences for certain vegetablesPlans to preserve or store vegetables for winter...

You may already have some experience of growing drought-tolerant plants for your yard or garden. However, container plants need more water on average than in-ground plants because of the small soil space and evaporation. Choosing drought-resistant container plants can reduce their water needs – without lessening their visual appeal. We round up the most vibrant and drought-friendly options for pots, tubs and window boxes. Choosing the Best Container Plants for Full Sun and Heat Container-bound plants grown in bright, sunny locations must be adaptable to such conditions....

Can You Plant Iris Bulbs in the Spring? Determining when the best time is to plant iris bulbs will depend greatly upon the type. There are over 100 species of iris, each differing somewhat in their garden needs. When to plant Dutch iris bulbs, for example, will differ from the timing of other types. Most of these flowers are grown by planting their rhizomes, roots, or bulbs. Though some irises can technically be planted in the spring, most prefer to be moved into the garden in either midsummer or fall....

If you’re growing peonies, you can expect large, highly-fragrant blooms to grace the stems of plants seasonally, beginning in spring and lasting until mid summer. But, what happens once their magnificent blooms finally begin to fade? This guide serves to take a closer look at the process of deadheading peonies, as well as continued care for the plants throughout the season. Why You Need to Deadhead Peonies Though the beauty of peony blooms is often described as fleeting, peonies are a much-welcomed addition to perennial garden beds and mixed borders....

What Do Rainbow Carrots Taste Like? When rainbow carrots first hit the market, they were accepted by many as novelty veggies. Retailers charged higher prices for these colorful root vegetables and consumers literally ate them up. What many people didn’t realize is that before the 16th century, orange carrots didn’t exist. Back then, purple was the most popular color. Orange carrots were bred using varieties of purple, red, white and yellow carrots....

Festive Cocktail Garden Plants A quick glance at any high-end cocktail menu will reflect many herbs, fruits, and other plant-based items as ingredients. There is no reason we gardeners can’t produce our own delicious home-brewed or concocted cocktails. Many popular herbs feature prominently in cocktails either as garnish, muddled, made into syrup, or infused into alcohol. If you plan ahead, preserved fruits, fruit juices, frozen zest, and other garden items can carry into winter and feature in your cocktails....

title: “Garden Pest Prevention 4 Ways To Protect Next Year S Plants” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-15” author: “Carl Garvin” Garden Pest Prevention Next Year? Act Now Brisk fall days are perfect for getting rid of debris in vegetable gardens and flower beds. It not only makes the garden look clean and proper for the next planting season, but it also reduces the risk of some common garden pests and diseases during the coming year....