If your plants are showing signs of undernourishment despite all the favorable conditions, the soil’s acidity might be an underlying reason. Determine the soil pH as the first step, and then learn How to Change Your Soil pH, amending it with the right nutrients. Learn How to Check the Soil pH at Home here How to Change Your Soil pH The soil pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity in soils....

Now, this shrub has certain conditions that need to be met in order for it to thrive. It’ll also need occasional maintenance to keep it looking sharp. Carpenteria californica Putting on a gorgeous display, and as rare in the wild as a precious metal, the bush anemone truly is the stuff of legend. Native to just a single small patch of California, this woody shrub grows up to ten feet in height with an equal spread, and has the drought and wildfire tolerance necessary for surviving SoCal’s unique climate....

While they still serve lots of boysenberry-infused food items, Knott’s is purely an amusement park these days. Rubus ursinus × R. idaeus When I was seventeen years old, I visited Knott’s Berry Farm with my then-boyfriend (now-husband) and his family on a spring break trip to southern California. He’d grown up enjoying the famous boysenberry pie and chicken dinners at Knott’s – plus the thrilling rides – and couldn’t wait to share all of that with me....

by Matt Gibson The tall evergreen shrub known as Rondeletia amoena is a perfect addition to the garden as a border to fill in the background or as an informal hedge. Rondeletia flowers every spring, then flowers again for four months in the fall from August to November, producing tiny rounded clusters of sweet-smelling salmon-pink flowers. Native to Central America, Rondeletia amoena is a drought-tolerant plant that has all but disappeared from modern gardens....

The state of California is working vigorously to keep the disease out of commercial groves. By now, you have probably heard of a lethal disease called citrus greening that devastated Florida’s citrus industry and is now on the march in California. While most of the news concerns California’s $2.5 billion citrus industry, what about beloved trees in family yards? Some of these have been passed down through generations and date to the 1800s....

While some of the hardier species need that chill, that’s not to say that extreme cold or heavy snow can’t cause some damage. It can take a little more preparation and extra work to protect jasmine from harsher weather. The heady fragrance of jasmine is nearly unmistakable. In certain parts of the world, different varieties have been cultivated and used for making beauty products, tea, fragrances, and oil for centuries....

Are you just starting to grow from seed? That’s ok! It’s a great time to start! Growing from seed is a wonderful option for people who love gardening. All those seedlings can add up in price, and oftentimes there is a whole world of variety available to people who grow from seed. If you’re just getting started, and even if you’ve been growing from seeds for a while, it’s a good idea to soak seeds before planting....

If you’ve ever come across a large deciduous shrub with dark green heart-shaped leaves and clusters of small purple flowers, then you may have encountered Syringa vulgaris, common lilac. Its most identifiable characteristic, however, is probably its scent. They tend to smell sweet and floral, almost like roses, and their scent carries easily on the wind, wafting through windows in late spring and early summer. Table of Contents Common lilac makes a lovely addition to any garden....

When a poinsettia is going through all that growth and development, lots of nutrients are used up at a rapid rate. The splendor of a poinsettia is obvious to all who lay their eyes upon it. Even when it’s not in bloom with colorful bracts, its foliage is quite striking, and once the topmost bracts develop bright holiday hues in wintertime, the plant becomes even more of a knockout. But such a fantastic display would be impossible without proper fertilization....

You will be surprised to know about the seeds of fruits and veggies in your fridge that you can grow easily! Growing them is fun and this will allow you to enjoy the taste of homegrown fruits and vegetables! So, from now on, don’t throw the unused seeds that you can find in your fridge or pantry for free as waste and utilize them by planting in your garden. Check out our article on fast growing herbs you can grow from seeds here Seeds from Fridge/Pantry 1....

Want to multiply plants for free? Here are some awesome Houseplants that Grow from Division with ease. You can also gift them to your loved ones. Here are the best herbs to grow indoors How to Divide a Houseplant Tap on the side and bottom of the pot to loosen the plant and take it out from the container. If the plant is rootbound, break or cut the container. Place the plant on a clean surface and reduce the root ball by using fingers....

These non-native, tender, tuberous flowering bulbs are perennials in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 to 11 and annuals in Zones 3 to 7, though they may make it through the winter with added protection in Zone 7, or the tubers can be lifted for storage and replanting. Dahlias (Dahlia spp.) add pizzazz to the landscape with bold single or double blooms in a varied color palette, including black, orange, pink, purple, red, white, and striking multicolor combinations....

Plants Are you looking to add some frost-friendly perennial plants to your garden this season? Believe it or not, there are plenty of cold hardy perennials that can survive in areas that get a bit more cold weather. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen walks through her favorite frost proof perennials to add to your garden this season. By Liessa Bowen Last updated: January 10, 2023 | 15 min read There are many creative ways you can incorporate perennials into your garden or home landscape....

QUESTION: Can a fig tree be poisonous? I thought figs are food, so how could that be? Doesn’t make sense to me. – Jeanne F ANSWER: Yes, it can be poisonous in certain situations. If you have pets or small children around a fig tree be careful. Fig trees produce a white sap. This sap contains organic compounds known as psoralen and bergapten. When these compounds react with the sun, or are ingested by children or pets, they can prove harmful....

But you may be wondering whether or not it’s safe or enjoyable to eat. Let’s discuss! When the weather starts to get cold, growing ornamental kale can be a great way to add a splash of color to your fall and winter garden. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. What Is Ornamental Kale? Ornamental Kale (Brassica oleracea var....

Vegetables Considering adding some marigolds to your tomato garden this season? Wondering if it's even a good idea, and what benefits there are? In this article, gardening expert Natalie Leiker walks through if planting marigolds with tomatoes is a good idea, and how to do it properly if you decide to plant them together! By Natalie Leiker Last updated: August 25, 2022 | 5 min read Marigolds are a very popular flower and are often sought after because of their low maintenance and heat-loving characteristics....

Growing tomatoes indoors is the way to get fresh, homegrown tomatoes even if you lack outdoor space or the weather is very cold. There is a catch though–The tomatoes won’t grow that prolifically and will remain smaller in size than the regular ones grown outdoors. Although, you’ll be able to get the irresistible taste of homegrown tomatoes. Choosing a Variety The primary distinction between the varieties is determinate and indeterminate varieties....

by Robert Pavlis Manufacturers of compost tumblers claim that you can make compost in two weeks. This sounds like a great idea. Instead of waiting months, you can have instant compost. A compost tumbler is some type of container that can be easily turned. It is usually made from a plastic barrel that is raised up on legs and fitted with a hand crank. Compost matures faster if it is turned on a regular basis, and compost tumblers are designed to make the turning process easy – you just turn the handle....

Growing salad greens – 3 to try: Mizuna: Combine excellent cold tolerance with quick growth and you get mizuna, one of my favourite spring salad superstars. Plants form large clumps of fine, feathery foliage held on slender stems, which add a mild, cabbage-like flavour to salads, noodle dishes, stir-fries or wraps. Mizuna is an excellent cut-and-come-again-crop, which means that you can harvest the entire plant by cutting it about an inch or two above the crown....

It’s wonderful to walk through a wooded forest after it’s rained and find a mushroom popping out of a log or in between downed trees! Most of these mushrooms however are not edible. But it is possible to start growing shiitake mushrooms in your own backyard or greenhouse – especially if you have a Shiitake Mushroom Kit – and pick them as they spring out of the wood and beckon to be devoured....