Korean Fir Tree Information Korean fir trees are native to Korea where they live on cool, moist mountainsides. The trees get leaves later than other species of fir trees and, therefore, are less easily injured by unexpected frost. According to the American Conifer Society, there are around 40 different cultivars of Korean fir trees. Some are quite hard to find, but others are well known and more readily available. Korean fir trees have relatively short needles that are dark to bright green in color....

Chestnut Tree Information Before you start growing chestnut trees, read up on chestnut tree information. That will help you determine whether your backyard will be a good site for one of these trees. Additionally, it is important to note that these are not the same trees as horse chestnuts (Aesculus) – of which the nuts are not edible. The size of chestnut trees depends on the species, but, generally, chestnuts are big trees....

Choosing Tomatoes for Hot, Dry Climates Tomatoes for hot, arid climates are sturdy enough to withstand wind, and they are disease resistant, as certain diseases spread quickly in hot climates. Desert tomatoes flower early so they can be harvested before summer temperatures reach their peak. Small tomatoes, which ripen sooner, are generally better tomatoes for arid climates. When choosing desert tomatoes, look for hints in the name of the plant, such as with Heat Master or Solar Fire....

About Euonymus Shrubs If you are looking for bushes, trees, or climbers, euonymus has them all. Gardeners choose euonymus plant varieties for their attractive foliage and stunning autumn color. Some also offer unique fruits and seed pods. Many euonymus shrubs come from Asia. You’ll find that they are available in a wide range of colors and sizes, and include both evergreen and deciduous types of euonymus. That gives you a good selection of different euonymus plants to choose from when you are looking for border plants, hedges, screens, ground cover, or specimen plants....

Choosing the Best Container for Gardening Tall pots are best suited for deep-rooted plants, shrubs or small trees. Small pots are ideal for shallow-rooted plants and flowering bulbs. Trailing and cascading plants or vines are excellent additions for hanging baskets. Then there are the other alternate choices. From bowls and boxes to barrels, wicker baskets and old boots, nearly anything can be used to accommodate plant life. As long as there are adequate drainage holes and a flat bottom, you really shouldn’t worry so much about choosing the best container for gardening....

What to Do When Cilantro Bolts Many gardeners wonder what to do when cilantro bolts. When they see the white cilantro flowers, they wonder if they can simply cut them off. Unfortunately, once cilantro bolts, the leaves rapidly lose their flavor. Cutting the cilantro flowers off won’t bring the flavor back to the leaves. Instead, go ahead and let the cilantro flowers go to seed. The seeds of the cilantro plant are the spice coriander and can be used in Asian, Indian, Mexican, and many other ethnic recipes....

Urban Shade Garden Urban gardening in low light isn’t difficult with the right plants. Herbs are perfect for city gardens in shade, particularly indoors. They are one of the easiest things to grow in low light, and they also grow very well in containers. As a bonus, they’re just the kind of plant you want to keep close by: cooking is a joy when you can snip fresh herbs right in your kitchen....

What are Comice Pears? Comice pear fruit (pronounced ko-MEESE) has a distinctive shape that sets them apart from other pear varieties. Their bodies are plump and rounded, while the necks on these pears are stubby but well-defined. The fruits of Comice pear trees are usually green, but often have a red blush over parts of the skin. A few strains are entirely red, including many of the newer varieties. Originally cultivated in France as “Doyenne du Comice” pears, Comice pear fruit are delicious, with a rich, sweet, mellow flavor and a creamy texture....

About Celeriac Celeriac is a root vegetable with a celery-like aroma and flavor, albeit a bit earthier and sweeter when cooked. Often described as a cross between celery and parsley with the cooked texture of related parsnips, celeriac can be eaten roasted, baked, or raw although the tough outer skin must be removed prior to ingestion. Dating back to the Middle Ages, celeriac is a form of celery grown for the turgid root that grows at ground level....

What is Cow Manure Made Up Of? Cattle manure is basically made up of digested grass and grain. Cow dung is high in organic materials and rich in nutrients. It contains about 3 percent nitrogen, 2 percent phosphorus, and 1 percent potassium (3-2-1 NPK). In addition, cow manure contains high levels of ammonia and potentially dangerous pathogens. For this reason, it’s usually recommended that it be aged or composted prior to its use as cow manure fertilizer....

How to Grow Peas in a Container Container garden peas will undoubtedly yield a smaller harvest than those grown in a garden plot, but the nutrition is all still there, and it’s a fun and low-cost means of growing your own peas. So the question is, “How to grow peas in containers?” Keep in mind that pot-grown peas require more water than garden grown, possibly up to three times a day....

Coreopsis Plant Varieties There are many types of coreopsis available in shades of gold or yellow as well as orange, pink, and red. Approximately 10 varieties of coreopsis are native to North and South America, and an estimated 33 coreopsis cultivars hale from the United States. Some types of coreopsis are annual, but many coreopsis cultivars are perennial in warmer climates. Here are a few of the all-time favorite varieties of coreopsis:...

About Cranberry Cutting Propagation Remember that cranberry plants do not produce fruit until their third or fourth year of growth. If you choose to try rooting your own cranberry cuttings, be prepared to add another year onto this time frame. Really though, what’s another year? When growing cranberries from cuttings, take the cuttings in the very early spring or in early July. The plant from which you take the cuttings should be well hydrated and healthy....

A couple of herb garden Mason jars tucked into a bookshelf or resting on a sunny windowsill add a splash of outdoor color to the kitchen. Plus, the added benefit is you can easily snip off a sprig from your jar of herbs for your latest culinary masterpiece. Suitable plants for herb jars include: Basil Parsley Cilantro Chives Thyme Rosemary How to Grow Herbs in a Mason Jar The first step to creating a Mason jar herb garden is obtaining the jars....

Symptoms of Eucalyptus Canker Disease Canker of eucalyptus was first identified in South Africa in 1988. Eucalyptus canker disease kills young trees in their first two years of life by girdling the stems at the base. The girdled trees wilt and in hot, dry summers, often die suddenly. Those that do not die immediately often have cracked bark and swollen bases. Initial symptoms of eucalyptus trees with canker is defoliation followed by the formation of cankers, infections of the bark and cambium....

What is Savoy Spinach? Spinach is great fresh, sautéed, in soups, and even freezes well. Curly leaf spinach, or savoy, has thick leaves with a ruffled effect. It has a robust, earthy flavor that tends to get bitter on older, larger leaves. You can plant in spring, or overwinter plants in many zones. Gardeners in USDA zones 6 to 9 should try growing savoy spinach. Curly leaf spinach is apparently native to Persia and called aspanakh....

If you can get your hands on currant tomato plants, they will reward you with sweet fruits, perfect for eating out of hand, canning, or preserving. What Are Currant Tomatoes? Currant tomatoes are tiny cherry tomatoes that grow on indeterminate vines. They produce all season long until frost kills the plants. The plants may get up to 8 feet (2.5 m.) tall and require staking to keep fruit exposed to light and off the ground....

Dead Needles on Pine Trees Although you planted pine trees to provide year-round color and texture in your backyard, pine needles don’t always stay a lovely green. Even the healthiest of pines lose their oldest needles every year. If you see dead needles on pine trees in the autumn, it may be nothing more than an annual needle drop. If you see dead needles at other times of the year, or dead needles on lower pine branches only, read on....

How to Divide Tuberoses Tuberose plant division can be tricky. You can end up with some useless bits of root that won’t put out new growth if you don’t do it right. Start by cutting back the browning and dying foliage. Cut it so that there are 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm.) above the soil. Use a trowel to dig around the plant. Take care not to damage the roots with any tools....

Boxwood wreath ideas can include Christmas items for a seasonal decoration, but this lovely greenery isn’t holiday specific. The lovely shape of the leaves makes a DIY boxwood wreath suitable for hanging anytime of the year, both inside and outside the home. What is a Boxwood Wreath? Boxwood is a versatile and popular landscape shrub typically found throughout USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8, with some varieties being cold hardy to zone 3 and others tolerating the heat of zones 9 and 10....