Why is My Yucca Plant Yellow? Extreme conditions are no problem for a yucca plant. In fact, once established, it doesn’t need any more help from you. Attempts at pampering this sturdy plant may result in a yucca plant leaves turning yellow. Water: A common cause of yellow yucca leaves is too much water. If you water the plant regularly or plant it in soil that doesn’t drain freely, the roots begin to rot....

About Kiwi Plants in Zone 5 While the kiwi fruit found at the supermarket requires temperate conditions, there are also some hardy and even super-hardy kiwi varieties available that will ensure success when growing kiwis in zone 5. The fruit is generally smaller, lacking the exterior fuzz and is, thus, great for eating out of hand without peeling. They have a wonderful flavor and are higher in Vitamin C than many other citruses....

Growing Bamboo in Zone 6 Most bamboo grows in temperate to warm Asia, China, and Japan, but some forms occur in other regions of the world. The most cold-tolerant groups are Phyllostachys and Fargesia. These can tolerate temperatures of -15 degrees Fahrenheit (-26 C.). Zone 6 gardeners can expect temperatures to drop to -10 degrees Fahrenheit (-23 C.), which means some bamboo species will thrive in the zone. Deciding which hardy bamboo plants to choose from these groups will depend upon what form you require....

Zone 8 Groundcover Info USDA plant hardiness zone 8 is not one of the warmest zones, but it’s not one of the coolest zones either. In zone 8, the average minimum winter temperatures dip into the range of 10 to 20 degrees F. (-12 to -7 C.). Fortunately for homeowners in zone 8, you will find a broad selection of plants for zone 8 groundcover. Keep in mind that good groundcovers for this region will reduce lawn maintenance, help control erosion, keep down weeds, and work as a mulch to control soil temperatures....

Gardeners can create a longer growing season by maintaining a warmer environment around their veggies, particularly when outdoor temperatures are too cold for plant survival. Doing so allows gardeners to plant earlier in the spring and harvest from their garden later in the fall. Here are five inexpensive and easy methods gardeners can use to extend the growing season. How to Extend the Growing Season Plastic Sheeting – Plant earlier in the spring by covering the ground with black plastic mulch....

Keeping Poinsettias After Holidays With their brightly colored bracts swaddling the plants during the drearier days of late fall and winter, and just in time for Christmas, who doesn’t love the poinsettia? That being said, once the holidays are over, many of us are left with questions about what to do next. Do we keep the plant or toss it? After all, won’t there be another one available next year, like the ever abundant chrysanthemums lining storefronts and nurseries each fall....

What is Allelopathy? Allelopathy is a biological phenomenon where one plant inhibits the growth of another. How? Through the release of allelochemicals, certain plants can greatly affect the growth of other plants either in a good or bad way by leaching, decomposition, etc. In essence, plant allelopathy is used as a means of survival in nature, reducing competition from plants nearby. Plant Allelopathy Various parts of plants can have these allelopathic properties, from the foliage and flowers to the roots, bark, soil, and mulch....

Feeding Alocasias Alocasia plants have the potential to become enormous. If overwintered successfully for multiple years, they can reach 10 feet (3 m.) in height and produce leaves that are 3 feet (1 m.) long. The key to growing such stunning plants is fertilizer. Alocasias are very heavy feeders, and fertilizing alocasia plants frequently is the only way to keep up with their appetite. Before planting your alocasias, mix 2 pounds (1 kg....

Growing Coffee Substitutes in the Garden Online bloggers who have tried these alternative coffee plants say, while they are delicious, they don’t taste like coffee. However, they are warm, aromatic, tasty, and sweet if you add honey or sugar. So, they hit some of the other coffee notes, besides taste. Here are a few of the coffee-like substitutes that show up regularly on “alternatives to coffee” lists. These drinks can also be added to your regular cup of java to enhance or extend the coffee....

Crepe Myrtle Alternatives Why would anyone look for alternatives to crepe myrtle? This mainstay tree of the mid-South offers generous blossoms in multiple shades, including red, pink, white, and purple. But a new pest of crepe myrtle, crepe myrtle bark scale, is thinning foliage, reducing blossoms, and coating the tree with sticky honeydew and sooty mold. That’s one reason people are seeking a substitute for a crepe myrtle. Plants similar to crepe myrtle are also attractive to homeowners in climates too cool for this tree to thrive....

Annual vs. Perennial vs. Biennial The annual, biennial, perennial meanings are related to the life cycle of plants. Once you know what they mean, these terms are easy to understand: Annual. An annual plant completes its entire life cycle in just one year. It goes from seed to plant to flower to seed again during that one year. Only the seed survives to start the next generation. The rest of the plant dies....

What is Aster Yellows? Aster yellows on flowers isn’t really caused by a virus at all. It is caused by a cross between a bacterium and virus called a phytoplasma, and for such a tiny organism, it can cause a great deal of trouble. Flower hosts of aster yellows are too numerous to list, as it affects more than 200 species in over 40 plant families. Aster yellows virus is a disease carried from an infected plant to a healthy one by a creature known to entomologists as Macrosteles fascifrons and to gardeners as aster leafhopper....

Jack Jumper Ant Facts What is a jack jumper ant? Jack jumper ants belong to a genus of jumping ants found in Australia. They are large ants, measuring about one-half inch (4 cm.), although the queens are even longer. When they’re threatened, jack jumper ants can jump 3 to 4 inches (7.5-10 cm.). The natural habitat for jack jumper ants is open forests and woodlands, although they can sometimes be found in more open habitats such as pastures and, unfortunately, lawns and gardens....

November in the Northeast If rain is scarce, continue to water trees and shrubs weekly until the ground freezes. Irrigate your lawn thoroughly, especially if summer has been dry or you’ve allowed the grass to go dormant. Cover perennial beds with 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm.) of straw or mulch after the ground has frozen to protect roots from free-thaw cycles that can push plants out of the soil. Mulch will also protect groundcovers and shrubs....

What is Bacterial Canker? Bacterial canker on trees is caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae, a relatively weak pathogen that regularly coexists with host trees without anyone noticing. When this infection does become symptomatic, usually on stone fruit trees, the bark on affected limbs turns brown and those limbs or trees may refuse to bloom or leaf out in the spring. Sometimes, trees will leaf out despite a raging case of bacterial canker, but these new leaves quickly wilt and die....

Bagworm control starts with understanding the worm itself. These worms use over 100 different plants as their food. When it comes to pine trees, their sacks are mistaken for actual small pine cones. Bagworms are slow-spreading because the female doesn’t fly around. However, winds can blow the worms from plant to plant, which will spread bagworms quite efficiently. How to Get Rid of Bagworms Knowing how to get rid of bagworms is half the battle....

What are Japanese Hardy Banana Plants This hardy banana variety is not actually a tree, as they are sometimes erroneously called. Like other members of the Musaceae family, the trunk-like pseudostem of the Japanese banana plant is made up of tightly rolled leaves and is not woody. The showy, green leaves unfurl from the center of the plant with each successive leaf emerging larger than the previous one. It’s not uncommon for leaves of the Japanese banana plant to reach 6 feet (1....

Moving a begonia to a bigger pot isn’t always an easy decision, since begonias like to be somewhat root bound. Repotting begonias at some point is necessary to boost soil nutrients and aerate the soil, making begonia transplants healthier. When to Repot a Begonia Since begonias like to be root bound, wait to repot until the container is filled with roots. This will be clearly obvious if you gently remove the plant from its pot....

Perennial Plants for Full Sun Before planting, you’ll need to carefully consider the conditions within your own growing space. While some plants are able to thrive in low light and shady locations, a majority of species require full sun. In selecting a perennial, this full sun requirement applies to those that need at least 6-8 hours of direct light each day. Fortunately, options for full sun perennials abound. Other growth conditions worthy of your consideration include soil fertility, drainage and irrigation needs....

How to Compost Feathers Safely Can you compost bird feathers? You absolutely can. In fact, feathers are some of the most nitrogen-rich composting materials around. Compostable items are generally split into two categories: browns and greens. Browns are rich in carbon and include such things as dead leaves, paper products, and straw. Greens are rich in nitrogen and include things like coffee grounds, vegetable peelings, and, of course, feathers. Both browns and greens are essential to good compost, and if you feel like you’re too heavy on one, it’s a good idea to compensate with a lot of the other....