In this article, we’ll take a look at the top five pests that can damage this fragrant member of the Allium genus. Garlic is a stinky, pungent bulb. For this reason, it’s logical to assume that most pests will leave it alone. It’s even used as a pest deterrent in the garden, planted as a companion for roses, peppers, and tomatoes to keep pesky insects away. But we think it’s delicious, so why shouldn’t the bugs?...
Give yourself some peace of mind and check out everything you need to know about these hungry little larvae below, from identification to available control methods. Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera Have you ever wondered what was causing those meandering, silvery paths in the leaves of so many different plants, both out in nature and in your garden? The answer: leaf miner larvae. They’re exactly what their name suggests, tiny immature insects that tunnel between the leaf layers, eating their way through the juicy green photosynthetic bits....
As summer draws to a close and the days become shorter, I always feel a little bit wistful as I put my hot peppers to bed for the winter. Armed with a freezer full of more peppers than anyone can possibly eat, I’ll still miss the fresh taste of my homegrown crop. Many gardeners treat hot peppers as annuals, and simply start new ones from seed in the winter months, ready to set out when the weather warms up in spring....
Propagating peperomia is simple and fast, and a fun way to multiply your collection. In this post I’ll show you exactly how to root stem cuttings or individual leaves step by step. Any gardener with a peperomia plant will be excited to learn that it’s very quick and fun to propagate them. This guide includes step by step instructions for a few different methods, and easy-to-follow tips that will help you get the techniques just right....
This is a beneficial undertaking, because fluctuating temperatures typical of winter cause alternating cycles of freezing and thawing in the soil, which can damage plant tissue. The rose (Rosa spp.) is an ancient flower known for its velvety petals and menacing thorns. An inspiration to writers and a classic token of lovers’ affections, it is one of today’s most popular ornamental plants. There are heirloom and modern varieties with growth habits that include miniature, climbing, rambling, shrub, and tree forms....
Learn how to garden with a cold frame: If I could pick only one season-extending device, it would be a cold frame. Incredibly useful, a cold frame is the key to increasing the production in your garden from three seasons to year-round. The more I garden in my cold frames, the more cold frames I want to have! It’s such an invigorating feeling to lift the lid of a frame in the middle of January and find it filled with fresh, leafy greens, crisp carrots, and aromatic herbs, just waiting to be harvested....
Looking for types of mushrooms? Whether your interest in mushrooms lies in commercially grown varieties, wild mushrooms, or perhaps both, mushrooms are among the most fascinating of plant life. Edible mushrooms are packed with antioxidants and lend an earthy flavor to almost any cooked dish. Many mushrooms, though, lack flavor or are poisonous. Some can kill you. Keep scrolling if you want to get straight to the list, which is right below....
Mandarin oranges have easily become one of the most popular snacks among children and adults. They are deliciously sweet, healthy, and easy-to-peel. Mandarins are a great on-the-go snack, but can also be used in a lot of different recipes. They can be used in salads, marinades, and an assortment of desserts. They also make excellent juice. There are a ton of different varieties that can be grown. Adding a single mandarin tree to the garden will provide plenty of fruit for the family and enough to share with friends....
Overwintering coleus is easy, and it’s a great way to save your favorite varieties year after year. In this post, I’ll show you how to keep the plants alive indoors over the winter, and give you tons of care tips too. Coleus is one of the most colorful plants for the garden or summer containers, and they add a wonderful tropical feel. They come in all kinds of color combinations too....
The rutabaga plant is severely underrated and is something you should plant rutabagas in your garden! It’s related to the turnip but is usually sweeter and won’t taste like a radish as turnips sometimes can. They like cool weather and can be grown in the spring and fall in most parts of the US. Table of Contents What can you do with rutabagas, you ask? You can cook the roots as you would a potato—mashed, roasted, hasselback, or spiralized into a veggie noodle....
What is impatiens downy mildew and why should gardeners avoid planting Impatiens walleriana? Impatiens downy mildew is a nasty pathogen (Plasmopara obducens) that affects the leaves of all varieties of Impatiens walleriana. A few years ago, gardeners had to start keeping an eye out for green leaves curling downward, and then checking the undersides of the leaves, as well as the flowers, for a white, fungus-like growth. The flowers and leaves would then drop and the plants would die....
With various cultivars suited to spreading their leaves over wide swaths of the shaded landscape, miniature slow-growers that won’t take over, ground covers, and even plants that will do well in a special container on their own, there are so many gorgeous varieties of the genus Hosta to choose from. If you were lucky enough to spend a good chunk of your childhood in a beautifully and lovingly landscaped garden like I did, with hand-built stone borders and slate paths, shaded by mature tulip poplar trees and filled with birdsong and butterflies, perhaps you’re no stranger to the dappled sunlight and full forested shade that’s perfect for growing bleeding hearts, astilbe, and hostas....
You can learn all about the history, cultivation, and care of garden-grown blackberries in our guide. In this guide, we’ll discuss how to grow these tasty berries in pots and containers. As a kid, I dreamed of having my own berry patch. Any berry would do, but tart, juicy, sweet blackberries were a clear favorite. How wonderful it would be, I thought, if I had a whole thicket of blackberries to wander through and pick from at leisure?...
What is Borax? Borax (Na2B4O7·10H2O) is a natural mineral. An important boron compound. It is an essential ingredient in many laundry and cleaning products you buy from grocery stores. Besides this, it has many uses on its own. Is Borax Safe? Read this article for help, and this one too. Where Can You Find Borax? You can find borax in the cleaning supplies section of most grocery stores. Borax Uses 1....
We did however, hit a snag. The lumber arrived, and just as we were ready to start building the raised beds, my husbands back gave out. For weeks. The poor guy was stuck on the couch and we therefore needed to go to plan B. We brought back the contractor who had prepped the site, and it took just two days for his team to build, arrange, and fill the raised beds....
Question: What can you not plant near kale? I’m not sure how to design my vegetable garden and I know I want to plant kale and tomatoes. -Kenny T. Answer: Although kale has lots of beneficial companion plants, there are some things that just shouldn’t be planted near your kale. We’ve listed them below so you can avoid planting them too close to one another. Black walnut: Black walnut trees are known for causing the death of plants growing closer than 50 feet to it,...
Plants Do you have some lavender in your garden but aren't quite sure when to harvest it? Lavender can be a tricky herb to time perfectly when it comes to harvesting. In this article, organic gardening expert and former organic lavender farmer, Logan Hailey takes you through the perfect timeline to harvest your lavender this season. By Logan Hailey Last updated: October 6, 2022 | 6 min read Lavender harvest is one of the most lovely times of year in the garden....
The blooms of the Peace Lily are one of the key attractions of this ever-popular houseplant. However, those beautiful flowers often start to turn green over time, rather than staying gloriously white like they were when you brought your plant home. This article is going to explain why your Peace Lily flowers are turning green, and what you can do to keep them wonderfully white. The most common cause of Peace Lily flowers turning green is aging blooms....
by Jennifer Poindexter Some people grow things for fun. Other people grow things for functionality. Which category do you fall under? For me, if I’m going to grow something there usually must be a purpose. My purpose can be that I like the way it looks, but typically, it must be that I can use what I’m growing. When I’m growing herbs this is definitely true. If you feel the same way about herbs, you’ve come to the right place....
Growing plants at offices, hotels, and homes are very common, but having a variety of them at a gym is the new trend. They not only provide fresh air but have several other benefits on offer too. Since every type of plant has its own qualities and benefits, read about the Best Plants for Gym that you can grow in commercial and home gym, both. Check out our article on the best plants for the bathroom here....
