When are Acorn Squash Ripe? So when are acorn squash ripe and how do you know when to pick acorn squash? There are several ways you can tell that an acorn squash is ripe and ready to be picked. One of the easiest ways is by noting its color. Ripened acorn squash turns dark green in color. The portion that has been in contact with the ground will go from yellow to orange....

How to Use DIY Christmas Bows Make a holiday bow, or two, for decoration on gifts and around the house, even out in the garden. Here are some ideas for how to use your DIY bows for the holidays: Give the gift of plants and decorate them with bows in lieu of wrapping paper.Add a pretty holiday bow to your wreath.If you have a lot of material, make small bows to decorate the Christmas tree....

What Causes Hollow Heart in Cucumber Fruit? Hollow fruit, like a cucumber hollow in middle, is a common issue. While edible in theory, if cucumbers are hollow inside, they may be slightly bitter and certainly won’t win any blue ribbons. Hollow cucumbers, or any hollow fruit, result from a combination of lacking nutrient absorption or surplus, irregular watering, and/or inadequate pollination. Environmental conditions are the most likely cause for a cucumber that is hollow inside....

About Southern Blight on Hostas Southern blight is caused by a fungus. Not limited to hosta, this fungal infection is known to attack a wide range of garden plants. Like many fungi, spores are spread during periods of especially wet or humid weather. In some cases, the fungus is introduced into the garden through infected transplants or contaminated mulch. Since the cause of southern blight, Sclerotium rolfsii, is a parasitic fungus, this means that it actively seeks live plant material upon which to feed....

Can Staghorn Ferns Be Potted? This is a good question since staghorns generally don’t naturally grow in soil. The key to growing staghorn ferns in baskets or pots is to replicate their natural environment as closely as possible. Yes, though, they can grow in pots. How to Grow Staghorn Ferns in Pots If you’re interested in potting a staghorn fern, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Wire or mesh baskets are well-suited for growing staghorn ferns, but you actually can grow one in a standard pot....

What Garden Charities are Out There? While there’s far too many to name individually, you can normally visit your local extension office or nearest botanical garden to find information on local garden nonprofits. A quick Google search online will also provide numerous garden charities and causes that are out there. With so many to choose from, where do you start? It’s overwhelming, I know. That said, many gardening associations and organizations are well known, and those can be great places to start....

What else is needed? 12 to 14-inch grapevine wreath (mine is a 14 inch) Wire cutters Scissors (optional if adding ribbon/bow) Hot glue gun and glue (I use Gorilla glue) Poinsettia/greenery of your choosing How to Make a Wreath I like keeping things simple and a little different, so for this project, I’m using a brown and white checkered poinsettia and branches of both juniper and fir with little brown cones attached....

About Beach Cherry Plants Beach cherry, Eugenia reinwardtiana, is a plant native to tropical northeast Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and many Pacific islands that produces a tasty fruit. It usually grows in coastal areas as a large shrub or small, shrubby tree. It makes a good landscaping plant with pretty pink growth that turns green as it matures, white flowers, and pink fruits. This is a tropical plant that grows and fruits year-round in the right conditions....

Should I Prune My Eggplants? This is a common question, and it really depends upon your preference and your location. If you live in a cold climate and are growing eggplants as annuals, pruning is less necessary. With adequate protection from frost, however, eggplants will grow for several years. This means they can get very large, and sometimes more than a little leggy or worn out. To ensure a strong plant and maximum fruit production, eggplant pruning is a good idea in the long term....

Apricots with Peach Scab Anyone hoping for luscious, juicy apricots from the home orchard needs to know about peach scab on apricots. This fungal disease is also called “freckles,” since small dots show up on the fruit. You find peach scab on apricots more often after a warm, wet spring. The fungus creates lesions on young twigs where the spores overwinter. These spores cause spring infections as the weather warms. They grow fastest at temperatures of about 65 to 75 degrees F....

Can Annuals Survive Indoors? The first step in determining whether or not an annual can survive indoors is to understand the plant type. Annuals refer to plants which grow, flower, and set seed in one season. Perennials are those which return season after season. In climates which are not ideal, many perennials can be grown as annuals. Bringing in these flowers to grow indoors can help you keep your favorite perennials throughout the winter until the next warm season arrives....

How to Use Patterned Plants Plants with variegated leaves need to be used strategically for the greatest effect. Here are some tips that can help: Add a dark background: Show off plants with variegated leaves by planting them in front of a background of contrasting color, such as an evergreen hedge or dark wall. Think about how variegated foliage works together. For instance, plants with pale white or yellow markings really pop amidst foliage with near-black, deep purple or dark green variegations....

Feeding Houseplants Growing in Water Although plants get some important elements from the air, they draw most of their nutrients through their roots. For those grown in hydroponic plant environments, it’s up to us to provide fertilizer in the water. If you’re serious about creating hydroponic plant environments, it’s a good idea to have your water tested before you begin. Often, water contains a significant amount of calcium, magnesium, sodium, and chloride, and in some cases, may contain excessive amounts of boron and manganese....

Of course, in their native environments, this doesn’t pose a problem. Nature simply takes care of itself. In the home landscape, however, knowing how to tell the difference between a male and female holly bush is important. If you don’t have at least one male within close proximity of a female, pollination will not occur. As a result, there will be no berries on holly. It takes just one male to pollinate several female plants....

How to Grow Indian Hawthorn Indian hawthorn is an evergreen, so the dark green, leathery foliage remains on the branches all year, taking on a purplish color in winter. The shrub survives winters in mild climates and is rated for USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 11. You’ll find many uses for Indian hawthorn plants. Planted close together, they form a dense hedge. You can also use rows of Indian hawthorn as barriers or dividers between sections of the garden....

Growing Indoor Gesneriads Keeping gesneriads in the home is a delight, especially since this group of houseplants will also flower freely indoors. Many other houseplants will need a lot of direct sunshine in order for flowering to occur, but gesneriads are much more adaptable and will flower well in much lower light. In general, indoor gesneriad plants do well right in front of windows that have plenty of bright but indirect light....

Is Poinsettia Hurt by Cold? In their native region, poinsettias can grow up to 10 feet (3 m.) and produce huge bushes with the characteristic flaming leaves. As a houseplant, these lovely plants are usually sold as container specimens and rarely achieve more than a few feet (0.5 to 1 m.) in height. Once the brilliant leaves fall, you may choose to move the plant outdoors… but be cautious. Poinsettia frost damage can occur at warmer temperatures than you might realize....

A common question, “should I trim air roots,” is often pondered on. When it comes to air root pruning, experts have mixed opinions. Primarily, it depends on the type of plant. Read on to learn more about pruning air roots on a few commonly grown plants. Trimming Air Roots on Orchids Aerial roots on orchids are vital to the plant because they absorb moisture and carbon dioxide that help the orchid grow and produce healthy roots, leaves, and flowers....

How to Use Rocks in the Garden Landscaping ideas using rocks abound, as there are different types of stone you can use and just as many different ways to use them. Use river rocks to line brick or flagstone paths. Smaller, round rocks contrast beautifully and soften the edges of square or rectangular paving stones. Create retaining walls with large, flat rocks. Retaining walls work especially well on sloped areas, keeping the soil in place and providing space for evergreens or other plants....

Designing with Bulbs There are a number of bulb designs found online and in glossy garden magazines. Creating bulb patterns in the garden was once the hobby of the rich, but the affordability of most bulbs today opens this classic design concept up to gardeners of any economic tier. The first steps are to graph out your bed patterns with bulbs and choose the varieties of flowers that will comprise the design....