QUESTION: How do you tell if a plant is dormant or dead? We had a hard freeze and a lot of our shrubs look dead, but I don’t want to replace them if I don’t have to. Roger E ANSWER: There are two different types of dormancy. Predictive dormancy, which is usually triggered by a drop in temperature, is when a plant assumes that winter is coming and starts to shut down in advance of its arrival....

This DIY arch trellis is an ideal size for any garden. Plus it’s very easy to build, and looks amazing too. In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to make your own, step by step. By now you know that vertical gardening is a huge space saver. The best part about using a small arch trellis like this is that you can plant shorter crops underneath it, giving you twice the amount of room....

Crushed seeds from multiple species were once used to treat toothache. Solanum melongena The purple, pear-shaped fruit displayed in the produce section of the grocery store only tells a small part of the eggplant’s story. Native to Asia, where it’s still found growing wild as a perennial, eggplant has been used for thousands of years. And while mostly enjoyed for its edible fruit, it has a history of medicinal use as well....

But, why does it do that? Drosera spp. You may have heard of the Venus flytrap, one of the most well-known carnivorous plants in the world – but have you heard of its cousin, the sundew? While the Venus flytrap puts on an action-packed show, snapping closed dramatically when it traps insects, the sundew employs more subtle tactics. It quietly produces sap that lures smaller insects in for a taste, and ensnares them more passively, and without as much pomp....

Like cucumber, melon, or pumpkin, it belongs to the gourd family. A native of the Indian subcontinent, it is used in many Asian delicacies! Let’s look at How to Grow Bitter Melon the right way! USDA Zones: 6-11 Difficulty: Easy Learn about growing cucamelon in pots here Common Names of Bitter Melon African Cucumber, Ampalaya, Balsam Pear, Balsam-Apple, Balsambirne, Balsamo, Bitter Apple, Bitter Cucumber, Bitter Gourd, Bittergurke, Carilla Fruit, Carilla Gourd, Cerasee, Balsam Pear, Balsam-Apple, Balsambirne, Balsamo, Bitter Apple, Bitter Cucumber, Bitter Gourd, Bittergurke, Carilla Fruit, Carilla Gourd, Cerasee, Chinli-Chih, Cundeamor, Fructus Mormordicae Grosvenori, Karavella, Kathilla, Karela, Kareli, Kerala, Kuguazi, K’u-Kua, Lai Margose, Melón Amargo, Melon Amer, Momordica, Momordica charantia, Momordica murcata, Momordique, Pepino Montero, P’u-T’ao, Sorosi, Sushavi, Vegetable insulin, and Wild Cucumber....

Here’s how you can grow them in your own little vegetable patch. Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis Bok choy (or pak choi), literally translated from Chinese, means “white vegetable,” but the irony is that only the stalks near the center of the plant are white. The outer leaves are beautiful shades of light purple or green, and seem to open out like supporting ballerinas arching back to reveal the star of the show – the compact-headed, bulbous-bottomed central stalks and leaves....

Here’s what’s to come in this article: Trigonella foenum-graecum Looking for a new, versatile crop to enjoy? Why not try your hand at growing fenugreek? Not only does this herb make an attractive addition to the garden, its medicinal value, soil building properties, and enticing flavor and aroma make this easy-to-grow annual one you don’t want to miss out on! We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....

I’m going to cover everything you’ll need to know to take care of this star of a prayer plant. Ready to begin? Stromanthe thalia ‘Triostar’ Are you looking for a plant that will remind you of its presence every single day? If so, you might not find a better candidate than the vivacious ‘Triostar.’ This houseplant has vibrantly colored leaves that will prevent you from ever setting it and forgetting it....

Sugarcane is a perennial grass from the Poaceae family. It is mainly grown for juice in subtropical and tropical regions of the world. If you are not living in a tropical area or short of space, you can still grow them in containers! Continue reading to learn How to Grow Sugarcane in Pots! Check out our article on the Sugarcane growing method here! Picking the Right Container A 12-14 inches deep container is going to be an ideal start for the plant....

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance variegated houseplant that you can clone easily to spruce up your interior or for gifting, then here it is! Read on to learn How to Grow Watermelon Peperomia from Leaves in this detailed article below. Get the Best Care Tips for Watermelon Peperomia here Watermelon Peperomia Information Also known as watermelon begonia (Peperomia argyreia), this perennial gains fame due to striking patterned foliage that looks like a watermelon rind with a shimmering shine....

The steps for harvesting parsley are simple, and it will only take a few minutes of your time. After picking the fresh sprigs from your garden, you can add it into whatever dish you would like. One of the beautiful things about parsley is that it will continue to grow new sprigs, even after you have cut some from your plant. So you can enjoy it all season long. Read on to find out the best ways to harvest parsley from your garden....

Here’s all you need to know about How to Kill Plant Fungus with Baking Soda to make sure your green friends are safe from the issues of clubroot, black spot, blight, rust, downy and powdery mildew. Have a look at some awesome baking soda uses in the garden here Problems Caused by Fungi As a study by WSU County Extension states, fungi are spore-forming, non-chlorophyte, eukaryotic (cells having true nuclei) organisms, and fungal infections cause general necrosis of host tissue, which often results in stunting, distortions, and abnormal changes in plant tissue and organs....

Leaving some flowers unharvested towards the end of the growing season to self-sow is essential to ensure another round of calendula plants for the next season. But the rest can be put to good use. Calendula-infused oil is a must-have in my herbal apothecary or first aid kit. I gather enough flowers throughout the growing season to infuse for use in my favorite herbal serums, creams, balms, and salves. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

There are white, purple, orange, and green varieties with a range of healthy attributes, including vitamins B, C, and K, as well as beta carotene and fiber. Brassica oleracea var. botrytis Cauliflower, Brassica oleracea var. botrytis, is a vegetable in the Brassicaceae family that includes broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, collards, kale, and kohlrabi. It is a cool-weather crop often referred to as a “brassica” or “cole crop,” with edible heads, leaves, and stems....

Flowers Are you trying to boost your garden stock of dahlia flowers this season? One of the simplest ways of doing this is through cuttings. In this article, gardening expert and cut flower farm owner Taylor Sievers walks through how to increase your dahlia stock, using your own cuttings. By Taylor Sievers Last updated: September 9, 2022 | 9 min read Dahlias are one of the most well-loved flowers I’ve come across in my time as a flower farmer....

As if there aren’t already enough diseases to worry about when you’re growing tomatoes, add Septoria leaf spot to the list. Septoria lycopersici Septoria leaf spot can cause serious losses in tomato plants. Learn how to identify the symptoms of this fungal disease and the cultural controls you can use to prevent or minimize infection, in this guide. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....

Terrariums are trendy again: internet galleries are filled with eye-catching natural landscapes behind glass. Many terrariums are sealed, steamy junglescapes, but open terrariums are also popular and even easier to maintain. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about open terrarium care, and help you fix, and avoid, common pitfalls. Open Terrarium Care Summary: Open terrariums require careful watering and monitoring of the system’s moisture level. Routine maintenance includes pruning, debris removal, replanting, and keeping the glass and interior clean....

The answer is yes! You can grow lavender in tropical and sub-tropical part of the world as a short lived perennial or an annual herb but you’ll need to care it more often, especially in summer. USDA Zones– 8-11 Difficulty– Moderate Soil pH– Slightly alkaline Lavender Varieties You need to experiment, go to your local nursery and check if you find a lavender plant growing there, buy it or you can order seeds online....

Fruit Are you thinking of growing blueberries in your garden, but aren't sure where to plant them? Blueberries are a garden favorite, but there are definitely areas of your garden that will allow your shrubs to reach their full potential. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen explains where you should be planting blueberries for the best results. By Liessa Bowen Last updated: October 7, 2022 | 3 min read So, you want to plant a blueberry bush, but aren’t sure where to put it?...

These stunning English Ivy Indoor Alternatives have an uncanny resemblance to the famous Hedera helix and also come with the versatility of that plant! Have a look at the best types of ivy houseplants here English Ivy Indoor Alternatives 1. Creeping Fig Botanical Name: Ficus pumila This beautiful creeping houseplant has both plain and variegated versions resembling English ivy. It is a great option for hanging baskets. 2. Wax Ivy Botanical Name: Senecio macroglossus...