What is a Jonamac Apple? First introduced in 1944 by Roger D. Way of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, the Jonamac apple variety is a cross between Jonathan and McIntosh apples. It is extremely cold hardy, able to withstand temperatures as low as -50 degrees F. (-46 C.). It is because of this, it is a favorite among apple growers in the far north. The trees are medium in size and growth rate, usually reaching 12 to 25 feet (4-8 m....

How to Grow Onions in Container Gardens The way to grow onions in container gardens is much like growing onions in the ground. You need good soil, adequate drainage, good fertilizer, and plenty of light. Read this article on growing onions for more information on basic onion care. Really, the only difference between what you do when you grow onions in the ground and when you grow onions in pots is choosing the container you’ll be growing them in....

Protecting Yourself From Toxic Plants First, wear rubber gloves and avoid getting any plant juices into your eyes, mouth, or any open wounds. If you have small children, it’s definitely best to avoid dangerous plants until children are old enough to understand the dangers. Also, pets aren’t always as smart as we think. Cats and birds love to nibble green plants, and they don’t know which ones are poisonous or not....

What is a Plant Exchange? As the name would imply, a plant exchange simply refers to “swapping” plants with another person. Plant swap ideas vary but generally occur as part of a meet up of organizations related to gardening. Growers are quickly able to build plant stock as they interact and exchange plants with other members of the group. Plant exchanges are also an excellent way in which to get to know fellow growers locally and learn more about the different species on offer....

Male and Female Squash Blossoms It’s all a part of that Birds and Bees story your mother told you and when it comes to squash plants, the emphasis is definitely on the bees. Whether it’s the summer varieties such as zucchini squash, crook neck squash, and straight yellow squash or winter types like butternut squash, spaghetti squash, and acorn squash, all squash have one thing in common. There’s a male squash blossom and a female squash blossom, and without at least one of each and a few busy bees, you won’t be eating any squash....

Common Diseases of Lovage On the whole, lovage plants are relatively disease free. There are, however, a few common diseases that can strike. One such disease is early blight. It can usually be prevented by applying Trichoderma harzianum to the soil before planting in the spring. Good air circulation and three-year crop rotation are also helpful. If your lovage is already growing, spray a solution of water and baking soda on the leaves as a preventative measure....

Identifying Leaf Miners While there are several different kinds of leaf miners, for the most part, their looks and plant damage is similar. Leaf miners tend to be non-descript, black flies. The flies do not directly cause damage to the plant; instead, it is the larva of these flies that causes the problems. Most of the time, this pest is identified by the leaf miner damage. Frequently, it appears as yellow, squiggly lines in the leaves....

What is a scale leaf evergreen? Scale leaf evergreen varieties are those with flat, scaly leaf structures. If you’d like to get an overview of evergreens with scale leaves, read on. We’ll also give you tips for identifying scale leaf evergreens. What is a Scale Leaf Evergreen? Identifying scale leaf evergreens versus conifer evergreens is not difficult. If you are wondering whether a particular needled evergreen is a scale leaf, the answer lies in the foliage....

How to Take Indigo Cuttings Take cuttings early in the morning from vigorous shoots on healthy plants. Try to pick a day following a rain so that cuttings will be turgid. Take extra clippings, a few more than you need to allow for those that don’t take root. Cuttings should be 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.) long and contain at least one node (where the leaf will emerge) for indigo cutting propagation....

If you live in a colder region, you can bring your plant indoors and continue to grow it there. Although these plants bloom, they are grown for their citrusy scent that is thought to repel mosquitos. Mosquito Plant Citronella Indoors One of the most important parts of growing citronella plants inside is to give these plants as much direct sun as possible. If you can give citronella plants six or more hours of direct sunlight every day, it will keep the plant bushier and more sturdy....

Indoor gardening for seniors can help with depression, stress, and loneliness, especially while social distancing – and one study indicates indoor senior gardening may even reduce the risk of dementia. Indoor Gardening for Seniors Here are a few ideas for elderly gardeners: Succulent or cactus gardens are interesting and extremely easy to care for. Succulents and cacti require very little water, but most need plenty of sunshine. Plant one in a small pot or fill a large, shallow container with three or four plants....

Info on Garden Phlox Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), also called summer phlox, is a sun-loving perennial with a long flowering season. Large clusters of flowers, called panicles, sit atop stems that grow 3 to 4 feet (91 cm. to 1 m.) tall. This native American wildflower thrives in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 8. Growing hardy garden phlox is a challenge in hot, humid areas because the plant is sensitive to powdery mildew....

What is Pigweed? Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) is one of the most common weeds seen in pastures in the U.S., but you are also likely to see it in your garden. Like other weeds, it is tough, growing in a variety of conditions and resisting many herbicides. There are actually many types of plant called pigweed, a vast family also known as amaranth. The family probably originated in the Americas but now grows throughout the world....

About Kabocha Squash Pumpkins In Japan, “kabocha” refers to winter squash and pumpkins. Elsewhere, “kabocha” has come to refer to Cucurbita maxima, a type of winter squash developed in Japan where it’s referred to as “kuri kabocha” or “chestnut squash” due to its nutty flavor. Originally cultivated in South America, kabocha winter squash was first introduced in Japan during the Meiji Era and then spread to North America in the 19th century....

Knock Out Roses for Zone 9 The original Knock Out® rose is hardy in zones 5 to 9. All the newer Knock Out rose varieties can also grow in zone 9. These come in an expanded range of colors including pink, pale pink, yellow, and multicolor. “Sunny” is a yellow Knock Out rose and the only one of the group that is fragrant. “Rainbow” is a Knock Out rose with petals that are coral pink at the tip and yellow at the base....

What is Lagos Spinach? Cockscomb Lagos spinach (Celosia argentea) is a variety of Celosia grown as an annual flower in the West. The genus Celosia contains about 60 species native to tropical regions. Celosia is divided into five categories according to the type of inflorescence or “bloom.” The Childsii group is composed of terminal inflorescence that looked like fuzzy, colorful cockscombs. Other groups have flattened cockscombs, are dwarf varieties, or bear plumed or feathery inflorescences....

Fertilizing Lavender Plants Lavender is a tricky plant to grow, though its needs are actually very simple. But time and again gardeners find theirs dying on them. Why is this? More often than not, the plants have actually been cared for to death. Lavender needs very little water to survive, and it’s frequently drowned by well-intentioned gardeners who think they’re doing it a favor. And the very same thing goes for fertilizer....

How Many Calories Do I Burn Gardening? Among the many health benefits of gardening is that it can help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight by burning calories. The number of calories burned gardening depend on several factors, like your weight and the intensity of a particular activity. Here are some examples of yard and garden activities and the number of calories they burn in 30 minutes: Digging – 150 to 197Planting – 135 to 177Weeding – 138 to 166Push mowing – 150 to 200Raking – 120 to 157...

When to Plant Lettuce The lettuce growing season begins in early spring and extends through fall for northern U.S. climates. In warmer areas, such as southern Florida, lettuce can also be grown outdoors throughout the winter. Increasing daylight hours and hot temperatures stimulates lettuce to bolt, which makes growing lettuce more challenging during the summer months. As a cool-season crop, lettuce can be direct-seeded into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring....

Lippia Information What is Mexican oregano? The herb that we call oregano can be split into two main varieties: European (Origanum vulgare) and Mexican (Lippia graveolens). They don’t taste particularly similar, and Mexican oregano has a stronger flavor with a hint of lemon to it. The plant is hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11, but it is so fast growing that it can be cultivated in virtually any climate and grown as an annual that dies with the first frost....