What is Spirulina? Spirulina is a type of algae, which means it is a colony of single-celled organisms that produce foods by photosynthesis. Algae aren’t exactly plants, but there are a lot of similarities. Like our more familiar green vegetables, spirulina is nutrient dense. In fact, it may be one of the most nutritious of all green foods. Some of the spirulina benefits you may get from supplementing your diet with this green powerhouse include:...

What is a Selloum Philodendron? Philodendron selloum is also known as split-leaf philodendron and split-leaf elephant ear. It belongs to the group of philodendron plants that are among the most common of houseplants for their ability thrive and still be ignored. A green thumb is generally not required to grow philodendrons successfully, in other words. Split-leaf philodendron plants grow quite large, up to ten feet (3 meters) high and 15 feet (4....

Can I Put Tea Bags in the Garden? So the question is, “Can I put tea bags in the garden?”. The resounding answer is “yes” but with a few caveats. Moist tea leaves added to the compost bin increase the speed with which your pile decomposes. When using tea bags as fertilizer, either in the compost bin or directly around plants, first attempt to identify if the bag itself is compostable– 20 to 30 percent may be composed of polypropylene, which will not decompose....

What is Marjoram? Marjoram (Origanum majorana) is an easy to grow herb well suited for growing in containers as well as the garden. There are generally three varieties that are commonly grown: sweet marjoram, pot marjoram, and wild marjoram (also known as common oregano). All types of marjoram are popular for use in the kitchen as seasoning for numerous dishes. They’re also grown for their enticing fragrance. How to Grow Marjoram Herbs Although marjoram plants are tender perennials, they are typically treated as annuals as freezing temperatures will cause serious injury or death to the plants....

Moving a Rose of Sharon You may decide that moving Rose of Sharons is the best idea if you find that they are planted in shade or in an inconvenient location. Rose of Sharon transplanting is most successful if you undertake the task at the optimal time. When do you transplant a Rose of Sharon? Not in the summer or winter. Your plants will be stressed if you try to transplant them when the weather is too hot or cold....

What is Papaya Anthracnose? Papaya anthracnose is a serious fungal disease caused by the pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The spores of this disease are spread in rainy, humid periods, by rain, splash back, plant to plant contact and unsanitized tools. Spore growth and spread is most common when temperatures are between 64-77 F. (18-25 C.). Spores infect the plant tissues then go dormant until around harvest time. Anthracnose of Papaya Trees Gardeners who live in Hawaii or other tropical to subtropical regions often grow tropical fruits, such as papaya....

This also means routine observation of potential pest and disease issues which may damage plants or diminish yields. One specific issue, allium white rot, should be monitored carefully, as it can result in complete loss of allium plants. What is Sclerotium on Alliums? Sclerotium on alliums, or allium white rot, is a fungal issue. What causes white rot specifically? Allium white rot is caused by a fungus called Sclerotium cepivorum....

Should I Trim Agapanthus? Agapanthus is a nearly indestructible, summer-blooming plant that will likely survive even without regular maintenance. However, dedicating a few minutes to deadheading, trimming and cutting back agapanthus will pay off with healthier plants and bigger, more impressive blooms. Trimming Agapanthus Plants: Deadheading Deadheading – which involves simply removing blooms as soon as they wilt – keeps the plant neat and tidy throughout spring and summer. More importantly, it allows the plant to produce more blooms....

Hickory Trees in the Landscape The best types of hickory trees for nut production are shellbark hickory (C. laciniosa) and shagbark hickory (C. ovata). Other types of hickory trees, such as mockernut hickory (C. tomentosa) and pignut hickory (C. galabra) are fine landscape trees, but the hickory tree nuts aren’t the best quality. Pecans (C. illinoensis) are also a type of hickory, but they aren’t generally called hickory trees. Although growing a hickory tree collected from the wild is fine, you’ll have a healthier tree with better quality nuts if you buy a grafted tree....

Wisteria Borer Damage Damage to the appearance of a wisteria is one of the obvious problems, but the issue goes deeper. The holes open up the plant to introduction of rot and disease, as well as other insect invaders. The most important issue is the girdling of crucial meristem tissue on the interior of the stems. This tissue is responsible for ferrying nutrients and moisture to all parts of the plant....

Weather and Climate in the U.P. The Upper Peninsula growing zones vary across the region, including USDA zones 3 through 5. Since it’s surrounded on three sides by the Great Lakes, the U.P. enjoys a variety of weather. In general, the region is cold but temperate. The climate is largely humid with plenty of rain and snow. What most challenges U.P. gardeners is, of course, the cold. The growing season here is shorter than most of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan....

Problems with Urban Gardens Most urban garden problems aren’t readily apparent when you first dig the soil, but they are very real. Here are some of the most common things to consider before you plant: Permits. Depending on where your garden is located, you may need a permit for tearing up the grass, building a fence, or keeping urban livestock like chickens, bees, and goats. Check with your local municipality before putting in the garden of your dreams to avoid finding out the hard way that it’s not allowed....

Challenges for Urban Gardening in Apartments Finesse and commitment are required for urban apartment gardening. Space is not the only issue. Lighting and ventilation pose a concern, as well as the species and varieties which will thrive in confined and restricted spaces. Over the years I gleaned some tips on how to grow a garden in an apartment. Follow along as we investigate gardening tips for apartment dwellers for a successful tiny landscape that is both beautiful and productive....

Unusual Uses for Aloe Vera Plant Many new and varied ways to use aloe have surfaced in recent years. You may know about some of them and some may be news. We’ll look at some of the most unusual uses of this intriguing plant. Keep in mind, not all options are yet thoroughly proven by testing. Medicinal Aloe Plant Uses Relieves Heartburn: Among the uses for aloe vera plant is relieving GERD-associated heartburn....

How to Care for a Venus Fly Trap The Venus fly trap needs slightly acidic moist soils. Grow a Venus fly trap in a peat moss and sand mixture, which will provide mild acidity and help hold water without keeping soils too soggy. The plant needs at least 60 percent humidity and day time temperatures of 70 to 75 F. (22-24 C.). Nighttime temperatures should not go below 55 F. (13 C....

What is Viburnum? Viburnums are a group of large-flowering shrubs, with some varieties reaching up to 20 feet (6 m.). There are both evergreen and deciduous viburnum shrubs. Many have either white or pink blooms in early spring. Also commonly referred to as cranberry bush, viburnums are often used as ornamental fixtures in the home landscape. They are used in shrub borders or as hedges and screening. The larger varieties of viburnum shrub also make excellent focal points as specimen plantings....

Growing a Vertical Garden in Zone 8 With the hot summers of zone 8, training plants up walls or over pergolas not only creates a shady oasis but can also help reduce cooling costs. Not every yard has room for a large shade tree, but vines can take up much less space. Using zone 8 climbing vines is also a nice way to create privacy in rural areas where you may sometimes feel like your neighbors are a little too close for comfort....

What to Clean Garden Statues With? For items such as fountains, chlorine tabs make quick work of cleaning, but cleaning garden sculptures is going to require a bit more effort. First of all, there is no need to purchase expensive cleansers when cleaning garden decorations. You will find everything you need in your household cleaning closet. Whether the statue is made of bronze, concrete, wood, or marble, all you should need are a few drops of liquid dish soap mixed with water....

The 3 basic components necessary for rain garden water drainage solutions are; inflow, basin, and outflow. The inflow is the area where extra water enters the garden. The basin is what catches that moisture, while the outflow is the rain garden’s overflow area. This is often a ditch dug in such a way that it moves the extra moisture off the property. Planning Landscaping for Water Drainage Attractive and useful water drainage solutions can come in the form of rain gardens....

What are Hydrogels? Hydrogels are small chunks (or crystals) of man-made, water-absorbing polymers. The chunks are like sponges – they hold a tremendous amount of water in comparison to their size. The liquid is then released gradually into the soil. Various types of hydrogels are also used in a number of products, including bandages and wound dressings for burns. They are also what makes disposable baby diapers so absorbent. Do Water Crystals in Potting Soil Work?...