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You can control slugs and snails to a degree by removing debris piles and keeping garden areas open and exposed to light. But at night, these mollusks creep out from whatever moist, dark location they were hiding in during the day, and start their buffet. Slugs and snails enjoy a host of plants, more than can be counted. They especially like tender new leaves and buds. You can get up very early and hand-pick them, make a slug trap, or lay bait, but they will still find their way to their favorite food sources....

New gardeners may understand the importance of mulching but not necessarily how to do it correctly. Yet, when done incorrectly, garden mulch problems can occur and harm the soil and plants. Avoid these common mulching mistakes that can cause more damage than good. 1. Using Too Much Mulch While mulch provides several benefits, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Excess mulch can trap excess water at the roots of plants....

For anyone interested in growing alliums, these plants are easy to grow and an ideal plant for gardeners of any skill level. Here, we round up several of the most popular ornamental alliums and detail some of their special characteristics. 8 Best Flowering Alliums To Try Though there are some variations among species, rounded allium flower types are often most familiar to gardeners. These clustered blooms consist of hundreds of smaller, individual flowers called florets....

There are many gorgeous annual flowers that bloom all summer long, often continuing into the fall. However, the longest-blooming perennials rival their abundant beauty, and prove an excellent investment, returning year after year. Whether designing different types of flower beds or choosing flowering perennials for pots, these trusty, hardy plants will add maximum impact throughout the growing season, with minimal fuss. When choosing perennial plants, ensure they are compatible with your USDA hardiness zone and soil type....

A thoughtful winter garden design will use a combination of different shrubs and trees that add structure with evergreen leaves, and offer interest from colorful flowers and vibrant berries. Many winter-blooming plants are also hardy and low-maintenance, giving maximum joy with little effort for the gardener. Fall is an excellent time to plant bushes and shrubs. That is because the soil is still workable and warm. The cooler air will encourage root formation, allowing the plant to establish quickly before freezing temperatures take over....

Get it wrong and not only will you be disappointed in the lack of bird activity in your garden, but you could even put their lives at risk. When feeding backyard birds, it’s essential to get to know the local avian population, so you can tailor solutions to the species you want to attract. Once you know what food they like, there are some lovely homemade bird feeder ideas that you can make....

What is the best fertilizer for fruit trees? Is 16-16-16 fertilizer good for fruit trees? That depends on the type of tree and how fast it is growing. Read on for information about fertilizer for fruit trees. Best Fertilizer for Fruit Trees Fruit trees are hungry trees, feeding heavily on mineral nutrients in the soil. Some 16 elements are considered essential nutrients, and fruit trees require all of them. But their primary need is for macronutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (the NPK nutrients listed on every fertilizer package), as well as calcium, magnesium and sulfur....

Available as perennials and annuals, salvia is one of the most sought-after summer bedding plants at garden centers and nurseries. So if you’re keen on growing salvia plants but don’t know where to start, read on for a selection of some of the most enticing. Easygoing Annual and Perennial Salvia Varieties to Try Salvia species number more than 900 different breeds and cultivars. Given this choice, it can be tricky narrowing down your planting options!...

Modern medicine is a marvel, but many patients still prefer treating their symptoms with natural preparations. Long before today’s pharmacological catalog was available, the medicinal uses of mint leaves featured prominently in daily use for a host of health problems. The pungent flavor and aroma of mint was also used to mask strong odors, cleanse the mouth, and enhance appetite. Certain modern studies of plants in the Mentha genus have determined the herb can reduce stress, fight cancer cells, and even kill bacteria....

For anyone exploring affordable and energy-efficient greenhouse gardening options, a hay bale greenhouse ticks a lot of boxes. Straw bale greenhouse plans may be rudimentary or complex, and can vary according to your budget. Getting Started with a Straw Bale Greenhouse The practice of straw bale gardening is nothing new. Indeed, the technique of building with straw bales has been around since the early 1900s, when the use of compressed hay bale technology emerged in the Great Plains....

Grapes are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, low in calories and fat, and they’re just plain fun to nibble on. Many people grow grapes to make wine, act as a privacy barrier, or to eat fresh from the vine. But when you’ve eaten all the fresh grapes one family can handle, it’s time to dry them and make raisins. About Raisins Dried fruit was probably an accidental concept. Likely someone picked up a dried grape or other fruit from the ground and found out that it was quite palatable, and in fact, delicious!...

For orchid lovers looking to grow their houseplant collection, the good news is that you can grow these plants indoors – with the right orchid care. Learning more about the Tampa butterfly orchid can help you provide the best care possible and raise your awareness of this amazing houseplant specimen. How and Where Tampa Butterfly Orchids Grow Best The species of butterfly orchid originate in warm tropical regions. The Tampa butterfly orchid (Encyclia tampensis) first earned its name when it was discovered growing wild in Tampa, Florida....

But hummingbirds are not just ornaments in the garden; they are pollinating birds with important work to do. Those slender beaks dip deep into funnel-shaped flowers for nectar but give back by pollinating the very plants that give them nectar. Attract hummingbirds and keep them in your garden by putting together hanging baskets for hummingbirds. These are simply hanging planters filled with plants the hummers love. Why Plant a Hanging Basket for Hummingbirds Who doesn’t want the flash of hummingbirds in the garden?...

Why Convert Your Lawn to a Garden With the No-Till Method No-till or no-dig gardening is a sustainable method of gardening that, you guessed it, doesn’t require digging. That’s great news for gardeners and plants. No-till gardening is accessible and can help prevent back pain as well as improve your soil, which in turn helps plants. It’s Good for Soil Tilling can disrupt important organisms in the soil, bring buried weed seeds to the surface, and contribute to both soil erosion and compaction....

Weed Control in a Vegetable Garden My vegetable garden weed control program begins long before I sow any veggie seeds or transplant seedlings. In fact, it starts the previous fall. After putting the garden to bed each year, I spread a thick layer of leaves over the entire veggie patch. This prevents many weeds from germinating in late fall. I don’t worry about piling the leaves too thick. If need be, I can easily rake excess leaves and put them in the compost pile come spring....

If you live in the West, look into California native ornamental grasses and you may be astonished by the number and range of available choices. Nevada residents can also consider Nevada native grasses. All are hardy and versatile, having adapted over centuries to their particular ecosystems and climates. California Native Ornamental Grasses The hardest part of putting native California grasses in your landscape will be selecting among the many beautiful plants available....

In the main, caring for Norfolk Island pine is not overly complicated. They are not delicate and can even be an easy-care houseplant with the appropriate cultural care. But that’s not to say there are never any Norfolk Island pine pests or other problems. It’s important to take action if you see signs of Norfolk Island pine pest damage. Why is My Norfolk Island Pine in Trouble? Some plants just seem destined to be plagued by pests....

Are you considering introducing ornamental grasses for landscaping? Read on for information about these perennial grasses and how to use them on your property. Why You Should Grow Ornamental Grasses Lawn turf is losing popularity with homeowners today. Native perennial grasses require less irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticides than regular grass. They also add unique patterns, colors, and textures to the yard, with grass shades ranging from traditional green to blue, red, and purple....

Devasting Insects in South Dakota and Beyond Aphids – Considered the most common garden pest, aphids weaken plants by sucking sap and transmitting plant diseases. Chemical control is fairly ineffective as aphids cluster on the underside of foliage. Instead, dislodge these pests with strong blasts of water from the hose and release predatory insects to keep populations in check. Blister Beetles – Although these caustic bugs are particularly problematic in alfalfa fields, blister beetles also defoliate garden plants like peas, beans, tomatoes and potatoes....

Plants Are More than Decor Most of us would agree that a healthy plant adds enchantment to a room or garden bed: color, focus, charm. But plants are more than decor. They are living beings with particular cultural needs. And when those needs are not met, they don’t stay healthy and beautiful very long. That’s why it is important to think of plants from a gardener’s perspective, not as a plant collector....