Posts

As you’d expect from such large roots, these can take twice as long as table beets to mature. They also differ from their relatives in that they contain fewer vitamins and minerals, and have a texture that is quite a bit tougher. Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. altissima These days, it’s pretty common to stumble upon a home garden where nutritious red (and orange, purple, pink, golden, or striped) table beets are growing, but sugar beets are still mostly the domain of commercial and livestock growers....

One of the most beloved flavors in the world is vanilla. Vanilla extract is essential for baking, and it’s a lovely flavor for most confections. This leaves a lot of gardeners wondering how to grow vanilla at home. Vanilla bean plants are lovely climbing orchids that host vanilla beans with patience. Table of Contents But growing vanilla bean plants isn’t as simple as planting seeds and watching them take off. A vanilla orchid has specific needs, based on the native habitat of vanilla orchids altogether....

Now I find eating unshelled sunflower seeds is an excellent way to keep my mind occupied when I’m on a long road trip. Here’s a confession for you: even though I love them, I used to be too lazy to eat sunflower seeds. Unshelled ones, anyway. All that work cracking them open just for a tiny slice of heaven inside? Not for me. Or so I thought… After enjoying the large, glorious yellow blooms of my very own sunflowers all summer long, I harvested my own homegrown seeds for the first time....

In some instances, the best idea is to start over with a different variety or more suitable growing conditions, either right now or next season. “You are my sunflower, my only sunflower, you make me happy, when skies are gray…” Those aren’t the actual words to the song, but that’s how I sing it. Still, I have to admit, that joyous feeling only occurs when they burst into bloom, seeming to smile with their round faces and bright petals....

Some of these diseases are more readily treatable than others, and we will provide advice on how to deal with the pathogens that can be controlled. Asparagus plants are prone to a wide range of diseases. In most cases, the visible symptoms will help to determine the cause of the infection, and treatments are generally available. But diagnosing the source of the infection can be challenging. This guide will help you to distinguish between the fungi, water mold, and viruses that could be afflicting your plants....

We’re not too fond of annuals in these parts. Too much trouble. Pennisetum x advena ‘Rubrum’ With its deep purple leaves and long, colorful flower spikes, purple fountain grass is among the loveliest of the ornamental grasses. Alas, its beauty is fleeting. Hardy in Zones 9 to 11, P. x advena ‘Rubrum’ is grown as an annual in most of the United States. They were actually quite popular here in Austin, Zone 8b, for a few years, but I don’t see them much anymore – presumably because they couldn’t take our occasional chilly weather, and no one was particularly motivated to replace them....

Flowers Roses are iconic garden beauties. Their wide range of color, form, and size means there’s a type of rose out there for every garden. Often called the “Queen of all flowers”, roses bring history, elegance, blooming power and unrivaled fragrance to your garden. In this article, hobby gardener and rose enthusiast Danielle Sherwood refutes the fussy reputation of roses. Keep reading to learn how to care for them this season and beyond!...

Still, they aren’t necessarily easy to grow. Fragaria × ananassa We all know what it’s like to come home from the grocery store and dig into the strawberries only to find them too bland, too tart, or too far gone. And when we get a nice, sweet, juicy batch we inhale them within a day. Well, if the best tasting strawberries are what you’re after, growing your own is the way to go....

I share this because it’s incredible to note the subtle differences that exist between different types of basil. Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora Don’t make fun of me, but I grew up in a house where fresh (not canned!) spinach was considered an exotic addition to the dinner table. So I distinctly remember the day when I ate at the home of a friend from Thailand, and tasted my first nibble of Thai basil....

Continue reading to learn a simple and fun technique for regrowing bok choy from a cutting. Bok choy is one of my favorite leafy greens. A few crisp and juicy green leaves can really make a soup or stir fry feel complete! Since it can be an expensive ingredient in comparison to other vegetables like cabbage, it tends to be a special treat in my household. So I was excited to learn that you can easily regrow it from a stalk....

Properly storing seeds is essential, especially if you want them to last as long as possible. If done incorrectly, it’s easy for them to be destroyed by critters, moisture, or just plain old time. Whether you have leftover purchased ones, got them from friends, or even your own garden, proper storage will keep them viable for a long time. If you want to save your seeds for next year and beyond, there are some important steps to take to make sure they will last....

We relate plants to something that we have seen and experienced a thousand times before but there are many species out there that could amaze you! Here are some of the most interesting List of Magical Plants you should know about! Get a taste of magic by creating a witch garden. Click here! 1. Shame Plant Botanical Name: Mimosa pudica Magical Power: Responds to sensitivity by folding it’s leaves and bowing down....

Nutrition in Wood Ash Best way to use wood ash is to spread it on the garden beds. But you should do this with precaution of not exaggerating the doses as wood ash increases the pH level. Wood ash contains calcium carbonate around 25%, potassium 3% and other useful elements like phosphorous, manganese and zinc. In terms of commercial fertilizer, wood ash contains 0-1-3 (N-P-K). Phosphorus is useful in the coloration of flowers and in the flavor of the fruits along with potassium, which is useful in the growth and cultivation....

QUESTION: What can you do with artichoke hearts? Is there an easy recipe to prepare them? -Dean R. ANSWER: Artichoke hearts are widely renowned as the very tastiest and tenderest part of the artichoke. (That also goes for the top inch or so of the step at the base of the artichoke, once its peel has been removed.) There are possibly more recipes out there that use artichoke hearts than recipes for cooking the leaves or the whole artichoke, as this portion of the veggie is many people’s favorite part or the only part they will eat....

When I first started growing these tasty bulbs, the hardest part of growing them was figuring out when they were ready to harvest. I pulled a bulb early once, when the tops had started turning yellow, but sadly it hadn’t multiplied into several shallots yet. Shallots aren’t always easy to find in US grocery stores. At least, not for me up here in Alaska, where it’s also difficult to find a strawberry for sale in the wintertime....

Houseplants Are you trying to train your pothos plant to climb walls or a trellis? Is it even possible for pothos plants to climb up on different objects if they are trained to do so? In this article, organic gardening expert Logan Hailey guides you through all you need to know when it comes to pothos plants and climbing! By Logan Hailey Last updated: March 5, 2022 | 6 min read When you imagine the lush houseplant-filled house of your dreams, it undoubtedly includes pothos....

Just about any spring-flowering species can make a beautiful display for your home, so if you have access to any of the recommended trees and shrubs that we’ll cover here, you can make this process work for you. Surprise, spring has come early! Okay, I wish. But we can make it seem like spring is already here by forcing branches to bloom early indoors – even when it’s still the dead of winter outside....

Have a look at the plants you can grow in the bathroom here 1. Blues and Greens A white and blue bathroom will look a lot more serene with the inclusion of different plants. 2. Plants Beside the Shower Plants, right next to a shower section, bring the natural vibes. 3. Shower Full of Plants There’s nothing like having a long bath surrounded by plants! 4. Modern Bathroom Design with Plants Different plants on a modern large bathroom windowsill are great to look at....

Your home is surprisingly full of useful things that can come in handy in the garden and toothpaste is one of them! Sounds weird? Well, it’s not! Have a look at these Toothpaste Uses in Garden and Home! Here are some amazing leftover wine uses for garden and home Toothpaste Uses in the Garden 1. Polish Metal Pots Take a dab of toothpaste on a soft cloth and rub it on your metal, copper, and silver pots to make them shine like new again!...

If you want to grow Lush Indoor Plants to Give Your Home a Jungle Vibe, then you need to hang, spill, or display them in a particular manner that gives a dense look to the space. For this, you need the right set of plants, and we will help you pick them! Check out the Best Large Indoor Plants here Lush Indoor Plants to Give Your Home a Jungle Vibe 1....