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But before I get carried away with all the fa-la-la-la-la fodder, I must caution my fellow Anglophiles. Ilex aquifolium If you’re a “Here We Come A-wassailing,” Yule log, Tiny Tim, and plum pudding-type of holiday reveler, have I got the holly for you to grow at home! English, aka common, holly (Ilex aquifolium) is native to Europe, north Africa, and western Asia, and its sprigs are spiny, glossy green or variegated, and full of wreath-ready red berries in winter....

If you are lucky enough to live in an area with a long growing season, you may be able to fit in two growth cycles for your tomato plants. Wouldn’t it be nice not to start from seed the second time around? Or, if your growing season is nearly over, you barely have to plan ahead to have year-round tomatoes. Learn how to “clone” your tomato plant: start an entire plant from the cutting of an existing plant, young or old....

Water spinach is grown especially in the Southeast Asian region as a vegetable. It is a semi-aquatic plant, a creeper that grows in or near the water on moist soils. Keep reading this article to learn How To Grow Kangkong. USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 – 11, *can grow in lower zones as annual Difficulty: Easy Other Names: Ipomoea aquatica, Kangkung, river spinach, water morning glory, water convolvulus, Chinese spinach, Chinese Watercress,Chinese convolvulus, swamp cabbage, phak bung, ong choy, kongxincai, rau muống, kangkong, trokuon, kalmi saag, kalmi shak, Thooti Koora, kangkung, hayoyo...

Easily cultivated, these low-maintenance plants readily colonize and look spectacular when they are mass planted in drifts. Anemone spp. Colorful, diverse, and easy to grow, anemones are flowering perennials that offer a variety of pretty flowers for the home garden. Commonly called windflowers – their slender, sturdy stems tremble in a breeze but don’t break – the eye-catching flowers bloom in early spring, summer, and fall, depending on the variety....

But marjoram deserves its own spot in your kitchen garden for when you need something a little more elegant with a milder flavor. Origanum majorana If oregano is the star of the kitchen show, marjoram is the smart-but-quiet sidekick waiting off in the wings. Often confused with its more popular cousin, marjoram is a stand out herb in its own right. With a sweet, woodsy flavor, it reminds me of a mild, sweet sage with a camphor aftertaste....

Humans have been using chrysanthemums as a powerful insecticide for centuries and it’s the most popular home insecticide today. Chrysanthemums are more than just a pretty face. We love these plants for their colorful pom poms that last all summer long, but underneath that cheery facade lies a killer. Of insects, that is. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....

Plant lovers work hard to make sure that their precious plants don’t die on them. But when going on a vacation or business trip, it becomes a dilemma–how will the plants survive? Especially without watering! The question arises–“How to Water Plants While Away?” It is obvious because, without the water for a long duration, even many drought-tolerant plants can’t live. If you’re about to face a similar problem and looking for a solution, these plant watering hacks are going to help you....

Watering succulents correctly is not as easy as it sounds, but it is extremely important. So in this post, I’m going to go over everything in detail, including when, how much, how often, and exactly how to do it the right way. Succulents are a great plant to have in your home or garden. They’re easy to care for and come in so many different shapes, colors, and sizes. But did you know that there is a right way and a wrong way to water succulents?...

Those of us who keep aquariums around to enjoy fish swimming around have an unusual outlet for gardening right in front of us. Growing java fern in our fish tanks is a great way to bring greenery indoors. Besides, your underwater pets will love it! Table of Contents Deep green in coloration, these aquarium plants are a perfect back layer plant for a fish tank as a mature java fern can grow to reach upwards of 13″ tall....

Orchid is an attractive, commonly grown, colorful and fragrant houseplant, popular across the world for its elegance and variety. It has the largest family of plants in the whole world, with 25000-30000 different species. Orchids are exceptionally adaptable and can grow in every condition. This quality makes them a perfect choice for a houseplant. Let’s have a closer look at the Orchid Care Tips! Check out our article on peace lily growing tips here!...

We all know how harmful chemical pesticides are, for the ecosystem and our environment. And after knowing all that if you’ve thought to go organic and looking for some natural ways to get rid of garden pests, you’re on right track. Commercial pesticides are one of the most effective ways to tackle the problem of pest infestation but if you want to use homemade natural pesticides like this one, use it regularly for better results....

by Matt Gibson About Buckeye Rot Buckeye rot is a soil borne infectious plant disease that is caused by the fungus Phytophthora parasitica. There are three species of the fungus, P. capsici, P. drechsleri and P. nicotiana var. Parasitica. These species vary by growing locations. Buckeye rot is a common problem in the southeastern and south central United States. The infection affects tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers, causing damage to the fruit, as well as the plant itself....

Whether you’re doing a heavy viburnum pruning or a light shaping of your rhododendrons, proper pruning promotes well-branched shrubs with a denser growth habit. Tips for spring-blooming shrub and viburnum pruning: You shouldn’t prune spring-blooming shrubs into round meatball shapes. Instead, start by removing any dead branches, and then selectively trim others, one-by-one, in order to maintain the shrub’s natural shape. Related post: Berries for the birds Use a clean, sharp pair of pruners or a small pruning saw to make the cuts....

While it’s not a particularly difficult plant to care for, sometimes a Jade plant can take a turn for the worse – and that can be quite disappointing. The first sign of an unhappy Jade plant is often the dropping of leaves. Understanding what upsets your Jade plant is important if you want to learn how to revive it and prevent this in the future. Why is my Jade plant dropping leaves?...

One of my favorite things to do during the winter is to put food out for the birds. Not only does this activity nourish the birds during the hardest time of the year, but I find it immensely entertaining to watch who comes in for dinner. For several years, I served as one of Cornell Ornithology Lab’s “backyard scientists” by counting and identifying the many birds that hung out at my feeding station....

Plants Are you looking for some plants to spruce up your holiday decor? There are of plenty of beautiful plants that will fit that criteria, no matter where you plant to grow them. In this article, gardening expert Paige Foley looks at her favorite plants for a festive holiday season! By Paige Foley Last updated: December 16, 2022 | 10 min read The holiday season is not just for celebrating with friends and family, it’s also a great time to grow beautiful, winter-friendly plants....

Plants Looking for a cold-friendly lavender plant to grow in your cooler hardiness zone? There are a few different types of lavender that can thrive in cooler climates. In this article, organic gardening expert and former lavender farmer Logan Haliey examines her favorite types of cold hardy lavender for colder hardiness zones! By Logan Hailey Last updated: October 10, 2022 | 9 min read If you’re worried about cold temperatures killing your herb garden, you’re in luck!...

1. Baking Soda Lure ants to toxic quantities of baking soda with some powdered sugar and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Baking soda will interfere with their digestive ability and cause them to explode and perish in the end. Place the mixture in all the common entry points of these pests and wait for the soda to work its magic. Vinegar Vinegar is very effective in getting rid of ants....

These creative and fun DIY Dollar Store Ideas are best to upgrade your landscape or interior without spending too much! Have a look at some stunning plant shelf ideas here DIY Dollar Store Ideas 1. Vertical Garden Display your succulent collection in style with this simple DIY vertical garden idea. 2. Dollar Tree Succulent Tower White ceramic oil warmers can make for awesome succulent planters! Check out this DIY to know the how to!...

Flowers Are you looking for some companions to grow with your beloved Aster flowers this season? There are many different options depending on where you've planted them. In this article, certified master gardener Liz Jaros examines her favorite companion plants to pair with Asters in your garden this season! By Liz Jaros Last updated: August 5, 2022 | 10 min read Perennial stars in the late season garden, flowering asters are often a solo act....