Get some tips on ginseng seed propagation so you can reap the benefits of this potentially helpful herb. Keep reading to learn how to plant ginseng seeds and what special circumstances these helpful roots require. About Ginseng Seed Propagation Ginseng is purported to have a variety of health benefits. It is commonly found dried in health food or supplement stores but getting hold of fresh roots can be difficult unless you have a good Asian market nearby....

What is Crown Gall of Grapes? Grape crown gall is introduced to vines through some method of injury. The pathogen itself can live for years in buried plant material and can even survive extended freezing temperatures. Grapes with crown gall will slowly starve to death but initial symptoms may be hard to observe. Grapes with crown gall may by symptomatic or asymptomatic. Plants in the latter case are almost impossible to diagnose....

Get some tips on planning for your spring garden so you are ready to shoot out of the gates on the first warm day. Groundhog Day for Gardeners Although groundhogs in the garden are seldom welcome, Punxsutawney Phil is a ground hog with a mission. If he doesn’t see his shadow, that’s a perfect Groundhog Day for gardeners. That portends an early spring, which means we have to get cracking on garden prep....

What is a Victorian Herb Garden Herb gardens were a popular feature of Victorian landscaping. Fragrant flowers symbolized emotions and were used as a nonverbal expression of feelings. Just as a red rose embodied love, a bouquet of rosemary represented remembrance. In addition, herbs from the Victorian era had many medicinal as well as culinary uses. While modern society no longer imparts this level of significance to garden greenery, many botanical gardens and historical houses continue to grow a Victorian herb garden as a means of preserving this gardening heritage....

About Parel Hybrid Cabbage An early season cabbage with just 45 to 50 days to maturity, you can start Parel from seed and have mature, fully grown heads of cabbage in just about six weeks. This is a green ballhead cabbage that forms particularly tight, compact heads. You can grow more of this variety in a smaller space than with other types of cabbages. The outer, wrapper leaves of Parel are bluish green and protect a very dense, white head....

Collecting Seeds of Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia, or mountain laurel, blooms May through June, with bursts of flowers lasting up to three weeks. Each flower develops into a seed capsule. Mountain laurel seed propagation requires conditions that match the wild ones in which the seeds will germinate. These include site, temperature, soil, and moisture. Growing mountain laurel from seed starts with harvest and acquisition. After bloom, the plant develops five chambered, globe-shaped capsules....

How to Plant Mustard Greens Planting mustard greens is done either from seed or from seedlings. Since growing mustard greens from seed is so easy, this is the most common way to plant mustard greens. However, young seedlings will work just as well. If you’ll be growing mustards from seed, you can start them outdoors three weeks before your last frost date. If you would like a more steady harvest, plant mustard green seeds about every three weeks to give you a successive harvest....

How to Propagate Bergenia Bergenia propagation can be achieved through division of mature plants or by planting seeds. Division of Bergenia Divide bergenia after flowering in spring. Separate a long rhizome from the plant with a sharp knife, being sure each division has a rosette, several healthy roots, and a rhizome measuring at least 6 inches (15 cm.) in length. Remove large leaves to reduce water loss, then plant the division with the rhizome just under the soil....

About Zone 7 Nut Trees The hardest thing about growing nuts in zone 7, or anywhere, is having patience. Different kinds of nut trees can take several years to mature enough to bear nuts. Many nut trees also require a pollinator to produce fruit. So, while you may have a hazelnut tree or pecan tree in your yard, it may never produce nuts if there isn’t a compatible pollinator nearby. Before purchasing and planting zone 7 nut trees, do your homework so you can select the best trees for your specific needs....

Perennials for Southeast Gardens You’ll find some plants that grow well in southeast areas, like bulbs, require a chilling period for best performance. If you live in a Southern area where it does not get cold enough to chill them, put them in the refrigerator for a few weeks. Fall planted bulbs that bloom in spring include daffodils and tulips. If you don’t have a cold winter and must use the refrigerator, don’t chill them near fruit....

What is Purslane? Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is an herb that is native to Asia, but has spread all across the world. It is commonly found in cleared areas. The purslane herb has red stems and fleshy, green leaves. The flowers are a bright yellow. Purslane is high in Omega-3 fatty acids and contains vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iron. All in all, edible purslane is a very healthy plant to add to your diet....

Best Flowers for Hanging Baskets While some of the better options for hanging baskets include trailing plants, nearly any plant will work, including veggies, when given the proper growing conditions. However, some plants do work better than others. For this reason, listing some of the most popular of these should make choosing plants for hanging baskets a bit easier. Let’s take a look at some of the most common perennial and annual hanging plants....

Fennel is an herb that grows freely in gardens throughout the USDA hardiness zones 5 to 10. The seeds and leaves can be used in a variety of recipes, including flavoring for Italian sausage, and the leaf stalks make a different and wonderful vegetable dish. There are several species available for this use, including Foeniculum vulgare (common fennel), the wild fennel that grows along the roadsides in many parts of the United States....

What is Tobacco Mosaic Virus? Although tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is named for the first plant in which it was discovered (tobacco) back in the 1800s, it infects over 150 different types of plants. Among plants affected by TMV are vegetables, weeds and flowers. Tomato, pepper and many ornamental plants are struck annually with TMV. The virus does not produce spores but spreads mechanically, entering plants via wounds. History of Tobacco Mosaic Two scientists made the discovery of the first virus, the Tobacco Mosaic Virus, in the late 1800’s....

What is a Pomander Ball? Cloves are rather synonymous with the holidays (pumpkin pie!) and the aroma of cloves combined with oranges is sublime. This particular combo creates the quintessential pomander ball. A pomander ball is a whole citrus fruit, usually an orange, that has been studded with cloves. The cloves can be grouped or inserted in the fruit in a pattern. The DIY pomander balls can then be hung as ornaments, used in wreaths, or just grouped in a pretty bowl or basket....

Holly Plant Varieties There are two common types of holly categories: evergreen and deciduous. Here are some popular types of holly shrubs to grow in the landscape. Evergreen Hollies Chinese Holly (I. cornuta): These evergreen shrubs have dark green leaves with pronounced spines. Chinese holly shrubs tolerate hot temperatures but sustain winter damage in areas colder than USDA plant hardiness zone 6. The different types of hollies in this group include ‘Burfordii,’ which is one of the most popular cultivars for hedges, and ‘O....

What is Horse Chestnut Used For? First and foremost, horse chestnut trees are different from traditional “chestnuts.” This common name is often cause for great confusion. All parts of the horse chestnut tree, Aesculus hippocastanum, are extremely toxic and should not be eaten by humans. Horse chestnuts contain a poisonous toxin called esculin. This toxic substance causes serious complications and even death when ingested. It is through proper processing that the toxins are removed....

Reasons for Harvesting Horsetail Herbs Horsetail herbs are 35 percent silica, one of the most abundant minerals on the planet. Silica may strengthen bones, nails, hair, skin, and teeth, as well as bodily tissues, membranes, and cell walls. It may also help the body absorb calcium and restore a healthy balance between calcium and magnesium. Herbalists believe horsetail may strengthen lungs, kidneys, and the bladder. It is valued for its diuretic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat bronchitis and chronic urinary tract infections....

How to Keep Houseplants Happy Here are some wonderful hacks for indoor plants that you can use to make your life easier. Have you ever recycled your water? You can reuse water that has been used for cooking and give it to your houseplants. Any water that is used to boil vegetables, rice, pasta, or eggs can be used to water your plants. It is full of nutrients and will serve as a homemade fertilizer....

Over Fertilization Too much fertilizer can be detrimental to houseplants. Over fertilization can actually decrease growth and leave plants weak and vulnerable to pests and diseases. It can also lead to the ultimate demise of the plant. Signs of over fertilization include stunted growth, burned or dried leaf margins, wilting, and collapse or death of plants. Over fertilized plants may also exhibit yellowing of the leaves. Salt buildup, which accumulates on top of the soil, can also be a result of too much fertilizer, making it harder for plants to take up water....