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It’s so exciting when you spot your first red tomato of the season. But when you see armyworm caterpillars in your vegetable garden, there is no time to spare. By the time you see signs of armyworms or armyworm damage it can be an uphill battle. An armyworm infestation can devour a tomato plant in record time. They don’t discriminate. These destructive pests can cause significant damage and will eat the leaves and the fruit, red or green....

When I change out container material for clients, they often want to start with all fresh plants, so I’ve accumulated a small army of alumroot to call my own. I’ve placed multiple varieties in contrasting conditions, and have learned a lot about what makes coral bells happy. Heuchera spp. For the last few years, coral bells (botanical name Heuchera, sometimes referred to commonly as alumroot) have become my go-to plant for adding color and texture to the garden....

Also known as “spekboom” or “dwarf jade,” this succulent makes an excellent houseplant that is supremely easy to care for and fun to propagate. Portulacaria afra Hey people, it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room. Or at least, an elephant that you’ll be happy to have in your room – I’m talking about your new favorite houseplant, elephant bush! We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

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....

By Erin Marissa Russell Tansy is a perennial herb that is a member of the aster plant family. It grows in clumps between three and four feet tall, with a six-inch to 10-inch spread. Its light green leaves measure between eight and 10 inches long, are toothed, and have an appearance that resembles a fern. They grow from tall brown or purple-red stems. Tansy plants flower into disc-shaped clumps of sunny yellow blooms, with more than 300 appearing on a single plant....

by Matt Gibson Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) is a native of Africa, but is a popular choice for lawns, especially in the American west, and is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10. It is a common pick for a lawn grass in warm climate regions for a number of reasons. Bermuda grass thrives in the heat. It stands up to wear and tear remarkably well, and it is drought-tolerant (within reason)....

And while they may be most visible during the leafless winter months, they can appear in any season. Forsythia is a spring-blooming shrub suitable for cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-8. It is a low-maintenance, robust plant that tolerates a variety of growing conditions, from dense clay soil to the juglone toxicity of black walnut trees. Occasionally, this sturdy shrub develops knot-like, woody deformities called galls that may appear either individually or in clusters along the stems....

In many areas, they don’t even need supplemental irrigation. As for fertilizing and pruning? Typically, these are rare tasks. Juniperus spp. Chances are you’ve seen juniper shrubs growing all over the place, from the carefully sculpted topiaries flanking the doorway of a home, to the wild plants thriving in the unlikeliest of places. Junipers grow in a massive range of environmental conditions, and they’ve been cultivated by numerous cultures throughout history as medicine, food, and for their ornamental value....

Pruning rosemary is not difficult, and doing it the right way will ensure a healthy and highly productive plant. In this post, you’ll learn why, when, and exactly how to trim it back, step by step. Rosemary is a hardy herb that can often be left to its own devices. However, when performing light or heavy prunes, cutting the right parts is crucial. In this guide, I’ll share my top tips for pruning rosemary....

Want to grow your own herbs outside? Herbs have a certain allure and mystery to them. Humans have used herbs for thousands of years to flavor and preserve food, add fragrance to a home and heal sickness. During Medieval times, people scattered lavender in their homes because they believed it would ward off diseases, such as the plague. Turns out, lavender does have some anti-microbial properties. Chamomile has long been used as to calm troubled nerves or bring sleep....

Also popular as Blackberry Lily, the Leopard Lily Plant can be a magnificent addition to any garden, thanks to its stunning flowers. Let’s have a look at how to grow it easily. Learn about Growing Arum Lilies here Leopard Lily Plant Information Native to native to Eastern Asia, the plant features sword-like leaves on stems that can grow as tall as 2-3 feet. The flowers are the main highlight of the plant with 2-4 inches wide petals having a leopard-like print on them....

With textured green leaves, this climbing vine makes for a stunning houseplant. Here’s Monstera Peru Care and Growing Information to make sure the plant stays healthy in your room! Botanical Name: Monstera karstenianum Have a look at the best types of Monstera here How to Grow Monstera Peru Since this is a tropical plant, always propagate it during the warmer months. Ideally, March-April would be the ideal time to propagate....

I’m not going to try to debunk any claims about companion combinations. What I am going to do is explain why certain partnerships are beneficial – and leave you to make your own call about the other claims you may encounter. When you’re looking for guidance on companion planting to improve your organic garden, it’s likely that you’ve come across a vast array of charts. Companion planting charts tell you which combinations are supposed to work together, but they don’t typically tell you why these particular pairings are recommended....

What do you think about pruning tomato suckers? Well, you may have different types of tomato varieties in your garden, such as: Beefsteak RomaHeirloomCherry Despite this, all tomatoes share the same growth habits. Today, a popular debate question among the gardening community is: To cut to the chase, gardening experts approve of tomato plants pruning. Their research shows that pruning a tomato plant is the best way to improve their yield....

by Matt Gibson About Bacterial Wilt Bacterial wilt is a tomato disease that is caused by the pathogen bacterium Ralstonia Solanacearum. It is very common in moist sandy soils and humid environments, such as the conditions of the coastal south of the US. The bacteria resides in the soil and works its way very quickly through the roots and up the stem of the plant. Bacterial wilt is often the result of a plant being injured, cut, or weakened by insects or wear and tear from handling....

Options with alluring and unique foliage colors or variegation are available as well. But the variety extends beyond those eye-popping hues and patterns, and new cultivars are being introduced all the time. Petunias are the perfect flowers for gardeners who believe variety is the spice of life. The Petunia genus includes a dazzling array of bloom colors, like pink, red, purple, and white, as well as bicolors, picotees, and blooms that look like the night sky, speckled with stars....

Spring flowering bulbs are some of my favorites every year. It’s so exciting to see those first green shoots poke up through the cold soil. You might think that planting spring bulbs sounds complicated, but it’s actually a fairly simple process. You just have to plan a little bit further in advance, and get the timing right. While it is an easy process, there are a few things to keep in mind before you start digging....

A Japanese maple tree looks fantastic on its own, but just as no meal is complete without some savory sides to pair with the entree, no garden specimen reaches its full ornamental potential without the help of some strategically-selected plantings. Ah, the Acer palmatum. Delicate foliage, a graceful branching habit, stunning fall color… it’s got the full package. Most gardeners can find a spot for a Japanese maple in their garden without issue – it’s that versatile....

Apart from its uses in the kitchen, there are some interesting Cinnamon Uses in the Garden that you should know about! Have a look! Here are some awesome Epsom Salt uses in the garden Cinnamon Uses in the Garden 1. Repel Squirrels and Rabbits You can use cinnamon to repel squirrels, rabbits, and moles from your garden. Dust cinnamon on the ground—it irritates the mucous membrane in their nose and mouth without persistent harm....

Check out the Best Herbs and Vegetables You Can Grow Indoors in Water in the below article. They are great for those with no space to grow their own food. Read about herbs you can grow in the water here Best Herbs and Vegetables You Can Grow Indoors in Water 1. Carrot Greens Although you can not bring back or grow carrot roots in water, instead of throwing away the green ends from the top, put them in a shallow water container in a bright spot to regrow the carrot greens....