The arching foliage of Aspidistra elatior with its deep green hue makes for a perfect houseplant. It also survives neglect and grows well in the shade. Let’s have a look at some great tips on Cast Iron Plant Care! Check out some stunning cast iron pictures here Propagating Cast Iron Plant Cast-iron plants can be propagated through divisions. You can start a new plant by taking a rhizome piece that contains at least two leaves....

Have you ever wondered about growing tarragon – or, for that matter, what it’s used for? Table of Contents There are several varieties of tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), but French tarragon is the culinary star and one of the four fines herbes of French fine cooking: parsley, chives, chervil, and tarragon. Estragon, tarragon in French, has an anise or licorice taste and pairs well with fish, chicken, and egg dishes. It’s often infused with vinegar to easily acidify sauces and pickles, giving them an herbal punch....

Growing tomatoes from seed can be challenging. But once you know how, it really isn’t that difficult. In this post I’ll show you exactly when and how to plant your tomato seeds so you’ll always have strong and healthy seedlings. There are many benefits that come with growing tomatoes from seed, and it’s straightforward once you get the hang of it. All you need are some basic supplies and a bit of know-how to get your tomato seedlings off to a good start....

By Matt Gibson Capillary mats are a heaven-sent gift when it comes to taking care of seedlings. They are also a great hack you can use to help with watering your plants while you are away on vacation. There are some drawbacks to using water mats to keep your houseplants hydrated, but as with most innovations, when they’re used correctly, capillary mats make a gardener’s life much easier. In this article, we take a close look at water-storing capillary mats....

QUESTION: How do you take the bitterness out of eggplant? I like the flavor and versatility of cooking eggplant. I just don’t eat it often because I find it bitter. Is it just me? -Heather K ANSWER: It is not just you! Some people don’t like to eat eggplant because they find its flavor bitter, but there are things you can do to reduce the bitterness of eggplant when you’re preparing it....

by Bethany Hayes Basil prefers to grow in moist soil, and problems occur when you overwater basil. The first sign is usually yellow and drooping basil leaves. The real issues are under the soil surface that you can’t see with your eyes. That’s why learning how to fix overwatered basil is essential; you can save your plants! It’s easy to overwater plants. Everyone knows that plants need water, and you don’t want your plants to lack water....

In fall, the small berries (known as pomes) ripen into brilliant shades of red, from bright cranberry to dark black cherry. Cotoneaster spp. Don’t you love showy plants that provide multiple seasons of interest? Cotoneaster shrubs are hardworking and impressive ornamentals that provide attractive displays in three to four seasons. Spring brings deep green foliage and small, pink, red, or white blossoms that form masses of green berries in summer....

by Matt Gibson Ever tried to grow your own lemon tree from a lemon seed? The lemon tree is a citrus tree that is native to Asia. The fruit that it produces is a cross between a sour orange and a citron. Lemon trees produce fruit all year long. A full grown lemon tree can produce up to 600 pounds of fruit every year. Lemons have many uses. The fruit is consumed and is an essential ingredient of many fabulous dishes and refreshing drinks....

And so I started learning. I just needed to know why my landlord insisted so strongly on maintaining that pesky nettle patch. Urtica dioica When I first started gardening, I absolutely hated stinging nettle. I was living at a property with a huge patch of it growing directly across the path from my veggie garden, and those nettles didn’t like to stay put! Frequently, I would be out peacefully weeding my beds and daydreaming – until I was jolted back to earth by an unexpected sting, the effects of which could last for hours....

Flowers Are you thinking of adding some larkspur flowers to your home or garden this planting season? These incredibly stunning blue flowers can be the difference between a pretty garden, and a stunning garden. In this article, gardening expert Madison Moulton walks through everything you'll need to plant, grow, and care for larkspur flowers. By Madison Moulton Last updated: November 11, 2022 | 14 min read Spring is always a time for new growth, colorful beginnings, and joy....

For comparison, the popular jalapeno pepper weighs in at between 2,500 SHU at the mild end, all the way to 8,000 SHU at its spiciest. Capsicum assamicum The ghost pepper, bhut jolokia, was the first hot pepper to be measured at over 1 million Scoville heat units. In 2007 it was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “hottest pepper in the world” – but it has since been knocked off its podium by the sinister-sounding ‘Carolina Reaper....

Gladiolus corms multiply and naturalize over the years, creating colorful drifts in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-11. Elsewhere, they can be grown as annuals and either discarded or lifted for winter storage at season’s end. Gladiolus spp. Gladiolus is a genus of ornamental perennial flowering plants in the iris family, Iridaceae. The plant grows from a corm, which is a thick underground stem that stores food and resembles a flattened bulb....

Houseplants Are you trying to increase the number of Chinese money plants you have by propagating them? This can actually be done from either stem, or leaf cuttings. In this article, gardening expert and houseplant enthusiast Madison Moulton walks through how to propagate the Pilea from stem or leaf cuttings in a few simple steps. By Madison Moulton Last updated: August 20, 2022 | 11 min read Chinese Money Plants are the social media darlings of the houseplant world....

I’m on a mission to get my pantry organized, and pretty things up with bright and colorful custom canning labels. So, I decided to try my hand at making my own printable canning labels, and I wanted to share them with you too! Once the busy food canning season is over, my pantry is filled with jars and jars of yummy home grown food… but it’s not very pretty. I’ve always just written on my canning jar lids with a permanent marker, but that’s ugly and boring....

Timing is everything, or so the old phrase goes. Are you a business person who’s constantly on the go? Or are you a mom who’s juggling housework and kids and a job, and you just want a time saver? Either way, you need a hose timer. Table of Contents We’re going to go over the top choices in hose timers that are available right now. Whether you need one or multiple areas watered, something mechanical or something digital, there’s something here for you....

These are the Most Popular African Houseplants that are also high in demand thanks to their care-free and easy-to-grow nature. Have a look at the best Australian houseplants here Most Popular African Houseplants 1. Cylindrical Snake Plant Botanical Name: Sansevieria cylindrica Originated in Central Africa, especially Angola, it is a beautiful specimen with its spears-like foliage that also looks like starfish. You can grow it in partial to full sun in a succulent potting mix....

Have a look at the best indoor plants according to different light conditions here 1. Bird of Paradise A post shared by Caleb Still (@kaylabao) Botanical Name: Strelitzia reginae The banana-like foliage on sturdy stems beautiful bird-like blooms make this houseplant hotelier’s favorite. Have a look at the best Bird of Paradise types you can grow here 2. Mother-in-law’s Tongue A post shared by Meghan | Aspiring Green Thumb (@aspiringgreenthumb)...

1. Biodegradable Seed Starter An egg carton is a biodegradable alternative to jumpstart your garden without much expense and hassle. Watch this YouTube video to understand how to use it as a seed tray. 2. Egg Crates Seed Starter Drill holes at the back of an egg crate to allow drainage and fill it with soil and seeds to give a start to your vegetable garden. Visit Apartment Therapy to know more....

By Everyone loves the sight of cheerful birds fluttering between the plants in your garden. For maximum bird appeal, try adding some of the plants we’ve listed here, choosing ones that offer something to birds at different seasons so your garden will be a year-round bird destination. Plants You Can Grow to Attract Birds 1. Aster (Symphotrichum) Birds love to feast on the seeds of aster flowers. These relatives of the sunflower produce blooms similar to daisies in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white....

Do you want to change the look of your garden without spending much? Check out some amazing DIY Cinder Block Ideas to add an industrial and smart look to your yard! Have a look at some awesome garden ideas with used items here DIY Cinder Block Ideas 1. Cinder Block Fire Pit Construct a pocket-friendly fire pit using cinder blocks—just like the raised garden bed, arrange the cinder blocks in a square shape, fire can be made within it....