Gardening is our love and joy. We have hundreds of articles on all sorts of gardening. Please check our articles out below.
With over 120 species, pine trees are known for their scale-like bark, resinous sap, cones, and needles ranging from deep green to a light bluish-green. Branches grow out from the tree trunk in a tight spiral and keep their color year-round. Species are grouped into two subgenus, based upon characteristics such as needle numbers and cones.
One of the most cold-hardy citrus varieties, lemons grow well in many climates. In warmer areas the attractive trees can be grown in the ground. In areas with colder winter, they grow well in containers that can be brought indoors during harsh weather. Dwarf variety trees grow up to 10 feet tall; standard trees can reach 25 feet in height. Trees begin producing fruit when they are two to three years old.
Known for its aroma and flavor, rosemary is an iconic herb. A member of the mint family, plants need dry, slightly acidic soil, moderate temperatures, and full sun. Opt for purchasing starter plants for quicker time to harvest, removing sprigs 2 to 4 inches long for cooking.
An easy plant to grow, you can choose to plant leaf lettuce, romaine, iceberg, or butterhead right in your own garden. Plant seeds in the spring or fall when temperatures are cool. For a continuous crop of fresh produce, plant more seeds every two weeks while conditions allow.
Dogwood trees are known for their beauty, with the flowering dogwood thought to be the prettiest flowering tree in America. The popular varieties of this deciduous tree are grown in USDA zones 2 to 9, with each type displaying unique, magnificent blooms. They thrive in acidic soils and have high water requirements.
Watering basil plants correctly is key to successful growth. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Once the soil is dry to the touch water thoroughly and deeply, helping to form strong, healthy root systems and robust plants. Overwatered plants wilt, drop leaves, and show darkened stems. Underwatered plants look dull and have dry, brittle leaves.
Black spots typically occur on tomato leaves due to diseases — blight, canker, and leaf spot mainly. Try to use good gardening practices to prevent the problems from happening. When diseases show up remove the diseases tissue and treat plants with a fungicide to prevent spread.
White spots on the leaves of your basil plant indicate a problem that needs attention. Random, irregular spots that don’t grow in size are generally insect damage. Uniform spots that enlarge are from fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. Treat fungal diseases with recommended fungicides and eliminate insects with mechanical or chemical treatments.
One of the longest living types of trees, oaks can survive upwards of a millennium. With over 600 different species, all varieties have enormous trunks, branches, showy bark, and acorns with cup-like caps. Since they mature into large trees with extremely wide canopies they are best suited for homes with large yards.
Tomatoes are annual plants that complete their entire life cycle in one growing season. All types — cherry, roma, heirloom, beefsteak — follow the same stages. Seeds germinate, leaves and roots form, the plants flower, and if pollinated, fruits develop and mature.
Almost all fertilizers will list N-P-K ratios on the front of their product. But what exactly do these numbers mean? Each one is essential to the development of your plant.
Hibiscus are prone to problems with diseases such as leaf spot, wilts, rot, dieback, molds, and mildew. Common pest problems include spider mites, aphids, scale, whitefly, mealybugs, and thrips. Many of the problems are preventable by cultural practices like planting in well-draining soil, proper watering, providing enough fertilizer, and planting in sunny locations.
Chives are a commonly grown garden herb with their cylindrically hollow leaves and mild oniony flavor. Grown as a perennial plant from seed or root division, the bright green clumps come back year after year. They are also known to increase the yields and pest resistance of neighboring plants.
Tomatoes are the most common garden plant, for good reason. With many options to choose from you can grow your own Beefsteak, Roma, cherry tomatoes, or heirloom varieties. With a long growing season, either start seeds indoors in early spring or purchase starter plants for your garden. Plants love lots of sun, consistent water, and regular doses of fertilizer.
Onions are a biennial plant, taking two years to complete their life cycle. They grow vegetatively the first year to develop the tops and produce bulbs. If plants are left in the ground over the winter they produce seeds the second growing season, and then perish.
A jacaranda tree adds amazing color to your yard, putting on a striking show of purple to signify the arrival of spring. This hardy tree does best in subtropical and tropical climates making it best suited for USDA zones 9 through 11. Mature trees grow quickly, reaching 40 feet tall and 60 feet wide.
Three different types of onions are grown in home gardens from seed or small bulbs known as onion sets. Long day varieties such as Walla Wall and Sweet Spanish grow best in colder areas and need 14 to 16 hours of sunlight. Short day varieties like Sweet Red and Texas Sweet White grow in warmer, Southern climates and need 10 to 12 hours of sun. Day neutral grow in most climates and need 12 to 14 hours of sunlight.
Also known as a Chinese banyan tree, the Indian laurel fig is an evergreen species that retain their glossy green foliage year round. The bark is smooth and light gray, and the wood considered softer and weak because of the tree’s fast growth rate. A unique root system makes this tree one to remember. Aerial roots form from the branches, hanging down to the ground and rooting, doubling or tripling the width of the tree’s trunk.
Have you ever entertained the though about using rocks as mulch? In this article we discuss the pros and cons of rocks vs traditional mulch. You will be able to explore the topic and see if it is the right fit for your garden.
