Commercial farms often preemptively treat their soil with fumigants. However, these compounds are biocides – they kill all forms of life, including beneficial nematodes, soil microbes, and earthworms. Meloidogyne spp. Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) truly are a menace. There are over 100 species in the Meloidogyne genus found worldwide, and they can affect almost every type of plant. And the worst part about it is that you might not even know that your plants are infested until it is too late to save them....

By Jennifer Poindexter Have you heard the saying, “Money doesn’t grow on trees?” You might feel encouraged after hearing there’s a plant called the money tree plant that people frequently grow in their homes. This tree naturally grows in the swamps of Central and South America where it can be as tall as 60 feet. As a houseplant, the tree grows to be a fraction of this height. However, its name tells you why many people grow it....

Native to northeastern Europe and Asia, the colors of wild species are typical of an autumn palette, in hues of red, white, and yellow. Chrysanthemum spp. November’s flower is the delightful chrysanthemum, an easily grown herbaceous perennial that adds a lovely splash of warmth to the cool autumn garden. These late-season flowers can handle a light touch of frost, and colors often deepen and improve with cold weather! A member of the large Asteraceae family, close cousins include asters, cosmos, daisies, dahlias, marigolds, sunflowers, and zinnias....

If you like decorating your home for the fall season, mums planted in pumpkins is a great addition to your display. It’s an easy and fun idea for fall decorating, and it’s an inexpensive project too (especially if you grow pumpkins and mums in your garden). Turning a pumpkin into a super cute planter for bright chrysanthemums is a unique way to bring the vibrance of your garden into the colder months....

Fortunately we humans have figured out how to harness that potential and benefit from this strategy so we can have lots of new ferns. Ferns are smart. Their reproductive strategy is to just flood the world with their spores. Each frond can release millions of spores, and even if only a single plant takes, that’s still a lot of potential for future reproduction. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

Trimming trees is always a scary topic for newbies (I know it was for me!). In most cases you can easily do it yourself, without worrying about hiring an expensive professional. There are some proper techniques you need to follow in order to avoid damaging your tree. But I am going to make this easy for you, and walk you through everything you need to know about how to trim a tree yourself, step-by-step....

Houseplants Thinking of planting a hoya plant but aren't sure which one to pick? There are many different types of hoya varieties, so it can be tough to pick one that suits your home. You could always pick more than one, or use this guide to help narrow your search. In this article, we take a look at our favorite hoya cultivars with names and pictures of each! By Jason White Last updated: October 11, 2022 | 23 min read Southeast Asia is an incredibly beautiful, tropical region filled with amazing biodiversity....

There are actually two plants that qualify as Mexican sunflower, both of which are Tithonia species. Tithonia rotundifolia is also called the “red sunflower,” but Tithonia diversifolia has a slew of names ranging from “Japanese sunflower” to “tree marigold” or “Mexican tournesol.” Table of Contents Both share the common name “Mexican sunflower,” but the former is orange-to-red in color, and the latter is yellow. Each Mexican sunflower is so closely related that their care is identical....

Why is onion spacing important? Proper plant spacing is essential when growing vegetables. Those planted too closely compete for water, sun, and nutrients, but planting too far apart wastes garden space and reduces yield. Tightly packed plants also limits air circulation which increases the risk of plant diseases. Getting the spacing right means healthy plants and larger harvests. Spacing information is typically provided on seed packets, but you can also find it in a book like my award-winning book The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener....

The red clover plant has a ton of uses that will benefit any gardener. Home gardeners often use this plant as a cover crop to restore the soil or as a trap crop to attract pests away from the food crops. Beneficial pollinators love red clover, including butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Farmers often use red clover to feed their livestock since it’s a fast-growing plant, which is why one of the nicknames for this plant is cow grass....

The snake plant has been a very popular houseplant since Victorian times, when Londoners were quick to notice that these sturdy succulents brought in from tropical West Africa seemed to be indestructible. Today, snake plants are often said to thrive on neglect. But all it takes is a little time and attention to provide proper snake plant care, and you’ll be greatly rewarded by the bold look of their striking foliage and durable nature....

Finding the best pH meter is quite a chore. In fact, hydroponic gardening, in general, can feel a lot like an undergraduate-level science class at times! Table of Contents Unlike soil-based gardening, growers need to keep track of every little detail. Your water quality, and especially the pH level of your nutrient solution, is vital to track. Failing to properly monitor your nutrient solution can result in sickly plants and a healthy dose of frustration....

Edible flowers can add visual interest, fragrance and flavor to your salads, cold drinks and meals. This guide describes easy and appealing flowers to grow and use. Make sure you have identified flowers correctly. Latin names are included since common names vary in different parts of the country. Edible Flowers to Grow These garden ornamentals have edible blossoms: Begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida)Begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida) blooms are citrus-flavored with a mild bitter aftertaste....

Watering cactus plants can be a big struggle, and many gardeners end up overdoing it. So in this post, I’m going to show you how to tell when they need it, and how often to check so you do it the right way! Despite being drought tolerant and low maintenance, there is a right and wrong way to water a cactus. Learning how to do it properly is essential, as too much moisture can quickly kill them....

QUESTION: What do you do if your Christmas tree isn’t drinking water? We filled up the reservoir, but the tree doesn’t seem to be taking anything in. – John E ANSWER: There are a variety of factors that can come into play if your Christmas tree isn’t drinking the water you have provided to keep it fresh. Make sure to keep the receptacle in its Christmas tree stand filled with tap water....

Harvesting tomatoes is easy and so rewarding. But you must do it at the right time to get the best flavor and texture. In this post you’ll learn exactly when and how to pick them at their peak. Picking those first summer tomatoes from the garden is an exciting moment worth waiting for. After spending several weeks properly caring for them, it’s finally time to reap the rewards of your hard work....

Do you live in a studio apartment or condo and want to grow fresh aromatic herbs? But lack of space stops you? Well, if you have a got a balcony, you can start them there or on your windowsill–If it receives some sunlight. Learn How to Make a Balcony Herb Garden here Best Windowsill Herbs 1. Mint Mint adds flavor to salads, cocktails, mocktails, yogurt, and a glass of lemonade. The flavor and the aroma that it adds to the food are incredibly versatile....

Often overlooked, the lovely little white or yellow blossoms of the magical elder shrub are also edible and medicinal, with some very special benefits of their own. You may have heard talk about the benefits of elderberries, or even come across elderberry syrup on the shelf of your local health food store. But you likely never heard anything about the flowers. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

My Alaskan friends all have rhubarb growing somewhere in their yards or gardens – sometimes planted by them, often planted by whoever first lived on the property. Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) grows all over the place up here in Alaska, and no wonder: it’s a supremely cold-hardy plant, although most cultivars thrive best in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8. Like celery, this plant features a firm petiole, or stalk, which is edible. Oh, so very edible....

From tall shade trees to compact shrubs, many species provide warm tones of deep amber, fiery flame orange, and bright pumpkin to close out the growing season. The intensity of the autumn colors is typically determined by environmental factors such as the soil they’re planted in and variations in regional air temperatures and hours of sunlight. Wrapping up the growing season with a fabulous display of fall foliage, many trees and shrubs offer an unsurpassed showing of vibrant, colorful leaves – including my favorite color of the season, orange....