Vegetables for Zone 6 The average last frost date in zone 6 is May 1, and the average first frost date is November 1. These dates will probably vary somewhat for you depending upon where you live in the zone, but regardless, it makes for a pretty long growing season that will accommodate most hot weather plants. That being said, some annuals need more time, and growing vegetables in zone 6 sometimes requires starting seeds indoors ahead of time....

Zone 7 Grass Planting Graceful and arching, ornamental grasses made lovely additions to almost any landscape. All offer varying shades of green that change subtly throughout the year, and some zone 7 grasses have spectacular flower plumes. When you are considering ornamental grass plants for zone 7 gardens, you’ll be glad to know that these species rarely suffer from insect damage or diseases. Most types of zone 7 grass plants tolerate heat as well as drought....

Story of the Three Native American Sisters The three sisters way of planting originated with the Haudenosaunee tribe. The story goes that beans, corn, and squash are actually three Native American maidens. The three, while very different, love each other very much and thrive when they are near each other. It is for this reason that the Native Americans plant the three sisters together. How to Plant a Three Sisters Garden First, decide on a location....

When is the Last Frost Date? The first thing you need to know about frost dates is that they vary from place to place. This is because last frost dates are based on information gathered from historical meteorological reports. These reports may go back 100 years or so. The last frost date is the latest date that a light or hard frost was recorded 90 percent of the time. What this means is that while the last frost date is a good indicator of when it is safe of put out plants, it is not a hard and fast rule but an approximation....

About Garlic Seed Propagation Although you may see or hear it referred to as seed, seed garlic, or even seed stock, the truth is garlic doesn’t usually set true seed, and on those rare occasions when it does, garlic seed resembles the small, black seeds of onions. The flowers of garlic plants usually fade long before producing any seed. Of course, plants produced using garlic seed propagation are not likely to grow anyway and those few that do will take years to produce any garlic....

Tips for the Second-Year Gardener If you’re gardening for the second time this year, use these tips and guidelines along with what you learned from the first year. Each season you will accumulate more knowledge that makes gardening more successful and easier. Here are some tips from experts to get started: Don’t wing it. Instead of planting whatever you like wherever seems suitable, make a plan. This will allow you to assess your results more easily and make changes year to year....

Pros and Cons – Raised Garden Beds Raised garden beds are often seen in community and school gardens. These can be installed in areas with poor soil or on top of pavement. Plus, it’s easy to assign raised beds to individuals or classrooms. Many home gardeners have adopted this style of gardening for the benefits it provides. Why use raised garden beds? Fast track to quality soil – It can take years to amend rocky or clay-based garden soil....

Granulate ambrosia beetle damage comes from the tunneling activities of the female insect and the ambrosia fungus that she introduces into the wood. So what are ambrosia beetles and how can you prevent them? Keep reading to learn more about ambrosia beetle control. What are Granulate Ambrosia Beetles? Granulate ambrosia beetles were introduced into the Southeastern United States from Asia. Although it is still primarily a southeastern pest, the beetle is spreading into other areas....

How to Get Rid of Aphids on Roses In light cases, aphids on roses can be picked off by hand and squished or sometimes a quick tapping of the bloom or foliage will knock them to the ground. Once on the ground, they will be easier prey for the garden good guy insects. Also in the lighter cases of aphids on rose bushes, I have had some success with the strong water spray method....

However, you can learn how to plant an avocado tree as a potted indoor plant or in a protected area outdoors to grow your own crop of this rich, versatile fruit. Warm indoor temperatures, bright sunlight and good avocado tree care can have you on your way to homemade guacamole and a host of other gustatory delights. Avocado Information Avocado tree growing is a fun way to introduce organic fruit for you and your family....

What is Ballade Lettuce? Iceberg lettuce was introduced in 1945 and developed for its resistance to wilting. First referred to as “crisphead” lettuce due to its texture and shape, the common name “iceberg” arose from how it was transported, across the country in trucks filled with ice to preserve the lettuce. Ballade lettuce (Lactuca sativa ‘Ballade’) is an iceberg type of lettuce that is notable for its heat tolerance. This particular hybrid was developed in Thailand specifically for its ability to thrive in hot temperatures....

Cuphea Plant Info Cuphea is perennial only in the warm climates of USDA plant hardiness zone 10 and above, but you can grow the plant as an annual if you live in a cooler climate. If you have a bright window, you may be able to bring the plant indoors for the winter. Growing a Bat Face Cuphea Flower The easiest way to grow cuphea flowers is to purchase bedding plants at a nursery or garden center....

Beach Cherry Information Beach cherry trees (Eugenia reinwardtiana) are known as A’abang in Guam and Noi in Hawaii. In these tropical areas, the plant grows as a small to medium-sized tree with hard, durable wood frequently used in local construction. The trees are native to the Northeast tropical areas of Australia. You can find them thriving on the beach, which is where the tree gets its common name. They can also grow as shrubs....

What is Beaked Yucca? If you aren’t growing beaked blue yucca, you might not know about this unusual succulent. Beaked yucca’s scientific name is Yucca rostrata, with “rostrata” meaning beaked. It is a large, architecturally interesting yucca plant native to Mexico and West Texas. According to beaked yucca plant information, the plant’s trunk (or stem) can grow to 12 feet (4 m.). It is topped by a 12 inch (31 cm....

Summer Shade Flowers

Why are Birds Digging up my Lawn? It’s not hard to identify bird damage to lawns. If you see a lot of birds in your yard and you find small, one inch (2.5 cm.) holes in the turf, it’s most likely bird-related damage. What are birds digging for in your lawn? The phenomenon of birds digging holes in lawns has an easy explanation: food. They’re looking for tasty snacks, so if you’re seeing a lot of bird damage, it means you have an insect problem....

Planting Around a Black Walnut Tree Planting around a black walnut tree can be fatal to some plants because of black walnut toxicity, which causes an allelopathy that affects the growth of certain plants in the same area. Plants are classified as either being sensitive to the black walnut or black walnut tolerant plants. There is a specific chemical, called juglone, that occurs in the whole black walnut tree. This chemical causes black walnut toxicity in other plants which then causes sensitive plants to yellow, lose their leaves, wilt and eventually die....

About Blooming Beet Plants Beets have been cultivated since ancient Greek and Roman times and are grown for their sweet root or their nutritious greens. If you are a beet lover, there are many types of beets to experiment growing in the garden. Common names for this delicious veggie include: Beetroot Chard European sugar beet Red garden beet Mangel or mangel-wurzel Harvard beet Blood turnip Spinach beet Beets origins stem from the Mediterranean coast (sea beets) and were first cultivated for their leaves and used medicinally, eventually carrying over into culinary uses of both foliage and root....

First Aid for Ailing Houseplants To keep your houseplants as healthy as possible, it helps to become familiar with some of the most common houseplant afflictions and their remedies. Browning leaf edges/tips: When the leaf edges are brown and crisp or new growth withers, your houseplant may be suffering from a variety of things such as low humidity or high temperatures. Likewise, the plant may have been allowed to dry out completely between watering intervals....

Brazilian Cherry Tree Information The Brazilian cherry tree (Eugenia uniflora) is a member of the Myrtaceae family and is related to guava, mountain apple, jaboticaba, and other Eugenia members. This shrub, often referred to as a tree, is also more commonly known as Surinam cherry or Florida cherry, due to the naturalization of the shrub throughout the state. It is native to eastern South America, extending from Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana down to southern Brazil and Uruguay, where it can be seen growing in thickets along river banks....