Canna lilies are one of the biggest attention getters in my garden, and one of my favorite types of summer bulbs to grow. I love the tropical feeling they add, and they offer a wonderful contrast of color and texture to my flower beds and outdoor containers. You’d think a tropical plant like this would be difficult to keep alive in temperate climates like mine, but they actually do great!...
Table of Contents If you’ve been wondering about Ceramic Metal Halide or Light Emitting Ceramic grow lights, you’re on the right track. CMH grow lights are hands down the best HID grow lamp technology available on the market right now. Also known as LEC grow lights, they have the best PAR spectrum of any HID lamp, the slowest degradation rate, and they’re also at least 10% more efficient than other HID lamps....
Humans are inherently curious, and that’s what leads us to such wonderful discoveries. So you should never let any query remain unanswered even if it sounds absurd! One such question is whether plants can hear music or any sound for that matter or not? Let’s find out Do Plants Like Music or not! Have a look at the sensory houseplants for a stimulating indoor garden here Can Plants Hear Sounds? Botanically speaking, plants can’t hear sounds, as there isn’t a sensory receptor anywhere in them to receive sound....
How often do you water tomato plants? There isn’t a quick answer to the question of ‘how often do you water tomato plants?’ Frequency of watering depends on a number of factors: the growth stage of the tomato plant (a newly planted transplant needs less water than a fully grown plant), soil type (in both gardens and containers), container material if growing in pots, and weather (expect to water more often when the weather is hot and dry)....
In this article, we offer five tips to help you create a garden that the young people at your house can call their own. Adults enjoy gardening for the outdoor time, exercise, inspiration, relaxation, healthy homegrown food, fragrant blooms, a sense of well-being and accomplishment, and probably many other delightful reasons. Guess what? Children can enjoy the same benefits when you design a growing space that’s suited to their abilities and interests....
By Jennifer Poindexter Do you grow irises around your home or in a garden bed? Do you enjoy their vibrant beauty and how easy they are to care for? If you’ve grown iris flowers for any length of time, you’ve probably acquainted yourself with the anatomy of this plant. You know it has beautiful green foliage which produce a range of colorful blooms. You also know the base of the plant, where the foliage starts, is called a rhizome that leads into the plant’s root system....
In our homes, indoor gardeners give it our best effort, and potted orchids hopefully receive consistent temperatures, food, water, and light. Pretty much all of us have bought or received a potted orchid at some point, only to abandon it when the blooms have faded. Or at least we know someone who has. When we grow them as houseplants, orchids generally bloom for a few weeks or months and then they drop the flowers and they won’t bloom again....
Members of the Pinguicula genus, butterworts attract insects to their greasy and sticky foliage, only for the poor bugs to end up trapped on the leaf surfaces and then digested. Pinguicula spp. Ever purchased a roll of flypaper and wished it came with a flower? No, just me? For a botanical bug trap that flaunts both ornamental beauty and carnivorous savagery, behold the butterwort. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....
by Jennifer Poindexter Are you a fan of onions? I love all the varieties, but my favorite is the scallion. They go wonderfully as a topping for soup on cold days. Scallions are also a nice addition to the top of a salad or pasta dish. If you’re an admirer of scallions, consider raising them yourself. They’re easy to grow, require little space, and are a tasty addition to many dishes....
by Matt Gibson Want to learn about the sweetfern plant and how to care for it? Despite the misleading name of the plant, the sweetfern is not a fern. However, its pretty green foliage does seem rather similar to the leaves of the more common ferns you’re likely to have seen in a hanging basket or on your grandma’s front porch. Sweetfern gets its name from the shape of its narrow, fern-like leaves as well as their sweet, refreshing smell....
The Peacock plant, also known as Calathea makoyana, is a beautiful tropical houseplant, famed for its beautiful, contrasting green and purplish-red leaves that will brighten up any indoor living space. They do take a little bit of work to keep in good condition, so read on to learn all you need to know about peacock plant care. How to care for a peacock plant? Calathea makoyana needs bright, indirect sunlight, temperatures of 60-75°F (16-24°C), and high humidity....
Pteris looks different from the other ferns with its green leaflets and serrated edges, which also resembles somewhat palms in appearance. If you want a great green specimen for tabletops, then check out all the details on Pteris Cretica Care! Have a look at the different types of ferns here Pteris Cretica This evergreen fern from the Pteridaceae family is native to Europe, Africa, and Asia. It has flat, pinnate fronds with beautiful variegation that makes this fern more attractive....
Here’s a Quick Checklist to Revive The Dying Houseplants that will save you from many hassles in the long run to save your green friends! Here are the top mistakes to avoid during re-potting houseplants Quick Checklist to Revive Your Dying Houseplants If your houseplants are not doing well or dying, you can perk them up again by following this checklist: 1. Turn the Soil and Refresh the Old Potting Media Over time, the plant may get crowded with the binding of the growing medium and soil....
Read on to learn about a unique type called the lacecap, and then consult our hydrangea growing guide for in-depth cultivation instructions. If I were to ask you to describe a hydrangea, you might say that it’s a bush with blue, pink, or white flowers that grow in a ball shape, and you’d be absolutely right. But that’s not the end of the story. There are nearly 80 different species of hydrangea....
In this article, we’ll take a look at how this essential nutrient functions in our bodies, why it’s important to our health, and how to boost our daily intake. Has anyone ever told you to go outside to get your vitamin D? This nutrient is sometimes referred to as the sunshine vitamin, because we can actually obtain it from sunlight. Aside from sourcing this essential nutrient via sun exposure, it can be found in several food sources, including a plant-based source you can grow at home....
QUESTION: What exactly are microgreens? I keep reading about them, but they look like sprouts to me. Are they a certain plant or what’s the deal? – Jeffrey F ANSWER: Microgreens are NOT the same as sprouts, but they’re a little bit similar. Both are immature versions of a full grown plant that are grown from seed. What’s the difference between microgreens and sprouts? Microgreens are harvested and eaten after the first set of true leaves appears, while sprouts are harvested and eaten before the first set of true leaves appears....
The term “deadheading” is sometimes extended to include the removal of seed pods, which can provide many of the noted additional benefits, but comes too late to energize further bud setting. Are you familiar with deadheading? This is the practice of cutting flowers off a plant after they finish blooming, and before they set seed. Its main purpose is to extend the growing season by energizing plants capable of reblooming, so they will produce as many flowers as possible....
The winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) goes by multiple names such as dragon bean, princess bean, goa beans, asparagus pea, four-sided beans, Hunan winged bean, four-cornered bean, and many more! The winged beans are native to Southeast Asia and thrive in tropical climates since they require a long growing season. There are, however, day-neutral varieties that are suitable for growing in a temperate area. Table of Contents Winged beans grow on vines and will need a structure to support the climbing stems....
In this article, we will introduce you to 11 species that are sure to liven up your landscape as summer transitions to fall. Perennial asters, from the Aster, Stokesia, and Symphyotrichum genera, are members of the Asteraceae or daisy family. They are transition flowers that bloom from late summer into fall in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8. There are numerous types available, all with colorful daisy-like blossoms and a shrubby growth habit....
There’s no need to sacrifice fresh eating with most canning tomato plant choices, either. What do home gardeners do when the going gets tough? If you’re like me, your thoughts turn to growing foods for stocking up, and canning tomatoes are top of the list. Come to think of it, growing varieties ideal for preserving is a good strategy in prosperous times of absolute certainty, too. It’s always nice to have a taste of summer waiting in the pantry or freezer, or being able to turn an overabundance of tomatoes into salsa and sauce to keep on hand for neighbors and community members, or to give as gifts....
