Composting gin trash, or these leftovers, can yield high levels of nitrogen and trace amounts of phosphorus and potassium. Recent innovations in compost machinery show farmers how to compost cotton gin trash within three days. Simpler methods are also used to make gin trash compost. Nutrient Values of Cotton Gin Trash Gin trash compost measured in pounds per ton can yield up to 2.85% nitrogen per 43.66 lbs/ton (21.83 kg/metric ton)....

What about pruning though? When do you cut back ginkgo and do you need to at all? These ancient, living-fossil trees can benefit from some pruning when young, but once mature don’t need much trimming at all. When Do You Cut Back Ginkgo? The best time of year for ginkgo tree pruning is in the late fall, in the winter, or in early spring. The tree should be dormant when you trim it....

About Golden Creeper Plants Also known as beach creeper and coughbush, golden creeper is a low-growing, deciduous shrub. It is native to Florida, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Belize, and Honduras, where it is found growing wildly in sandy coastal areas. However, it has lost many of its native habitats in Florida. Golden creeper is hardy in zones 10-12 and grows in poor soils where little else can grow. Golden creeper is a sprawling, vine-like shrub that grows 1-3 feet (30....

How to Hand Pollinate a Grapefruit Tree First and foremost when thinking about grapefruit tree pollination, grapefruits are self-pollinating. That said, some people enjoy pollinating grapefruit trees manually. Generally, hand pollinating grapefruit trees is done because the tree is grown indoors or in a greenhouse where there is a lack of natural pollinators. In a natural outdoor setting, the grapefruit depends on bees and other insects to pass the pollen from bloom to bloom....

What is Greek Basil? Greek dwarf basil has been in use for centuries. It was planted in the Mediterranean area where it became established and is much used, eventually making it to the U.S. where it grows prolifically as well. Burpee first sold basil seeds in 1908. Most everyone is now familiar with this versatile herb. Producing dome-shaped plants that reach about 8 inches (20 cm.) in height, Greek basil is the favorite in sauces for tomato dishes, Italian food and other recipes....

Gala Apple Fruit Tree Most apple trees dress up like ballerinas in their spring blossoms, and planting a Gala apple tree brings this show into your own backyard. Its flowers are white-pink and fragrant, giving way to young fruit in summer. As the Gala apples mature, they become ornamental too, developing attractive streaks of yellow on their firm surfaces. The harvest period is long, lasting all through autumn, and that’s when you get to taste the sweet, firm, and juicy fruit....

Landscaping with Medicinal Plants Plants have a purpose — usually multiple purposes. They are not only pleasing to the eye, but often other senses as well. Sometimes they provide shade, food or wildlife habitat. Some plants also have health benefits. Plants were, after all, the original medicine. This added benefit makes using medicinal herbs in the landscape a win/win. But before you leap into creating an herbal landscape, there are some things to consider....

Growing Info and Care of Aquarium Plants Sometimes called hydrophytes, these different types of aquarium plants offer such a variety of shape and form. It’s entirely possible you’ll want to create an underwater garden without the fish! For the best and easiest care of aquarium plants, your tank should receive plenty of light. Like their surface-bound cousins, these plants need the energy produced through photosynthesis to survive and photosynthesis can’t occur without sunlight or an artificial substitute....

Tips for Growing Basil Choose a location with great drainage. Whether you’re growing basil outdoors in the ground or in a container, the drainage needs to be excellent. Choose a location with good sun. Another important thing to remember for basil plant care is to choose a spot where the basil plants will get plenty of good sunlight. Choose growing basil seeds or plants. Will you start by growing basil seeds or basil plants?...

Carnations are also an excellent choice for growth in containers. Carnations in containers can bring much needed color to small landscape plantings, as well as window boxes. Caring for Carnations in Containers Whether or not growers can successfully plant carnations in containers will greatly depend upon the conditions provided. Hardiness of carnation plants will vary by the type being grown. Before planting, it will be imperative to select varieties that tolerate growing conditions in your region....

What is Edelweiss? Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) is a member of the daisy family. The plants are said to have snowy white flowers, but in reality the fuzzy white forms are modified leaves. The true flowers are short lived and rather unappealingly yellow and tiny. The plant is extremely hardy and has a fibrous root system that helps anchor it on rocky slopes. The thick, furry leaves help prevent moisture loss and form a barrier against wind and scouring rain....

Does Ginger Grow in Water? Ginger is inappropriately called ginger root, but what is actually used is the rhizome of the plant. From the rhizome, spring upright, grass-like leaves. As the plant grows, new rhizomes are produced. As mentioned, usually the plant is cultivated in soil, but can you grow ginger in water? Yes, ginger does grow in water. In fact, growing ginger in water has advantages over traditional cultivation. Growing hydroponic ginger plants takes less maintenance and less space....

How to Grow Pampas Grass Before growing pampas grass, be sure to put it somewhere in the landscape where it has plenty of room to grow, especially when planting more than one. When mass planting pampas grass, you’ll have to space them about 6 to 8 feet (2 m.) apart. Pampas grass enjoys areas with full sun but will tolerate partial shade. It also tolerates a wide range of soil types but prefers moist, well-draining soil....

Vegetable Gardening in Zone 3 Both fresh organic produce and herbs can be grown in zone 3 from May through to the middle of October provided the gardener has selected cool weather varieties and gives the crops protection from frost. Crops growing well in warmer zones 5-8 may not succeed in zone 3, as the ground just doesn’t heat up enough to garner sweet melons, corn, or peppers. Growing them in containers, however, may provide possibilities....

When are Pears Ripe to Eat? It’s always hard to wait for something good but often the waiting just enhances the experience. This is the case with pears. Pears don’t ripen best on the tree. They ripen from the inside out and develop soft interiors with a mushy, grainy texture. Pears should be firm and juicy for the best results eaten out of hand or canned. Habitual canners know how to pick pears and when they are ready for use....

There are, of course, a few questions that need to be asked and answered before you start your seed plants; questions about when to start an artichoke seed, what’s the best process for germinating artichoke seeds, and how long does it take artichoke seeds to sprout. Let’s begin at the end which, in the cycle of life, is also the beginning. Harvesting Artichoke Seeds Harvesting artichoke seeds is much the same as the one every gardener uses to collect flower seeds....

About Ginger Harvesting A perennial herb, ginger prefers a warm, humid climate in partial sun and is suited to USDA zones 7 through 10 or it can be potted and grown indoors. Folks have been harvesting ginger for its distinctive aroma and the flavor complements of gingerols. Gingerols are the active components in ginger that give it that fragrance and zingy flavor. They are also anti-inflammatory compounds that help alleviate the pain of arthritis....

Ponytail Palm Propagation The ponytail palm makes a perfect houseplant, being tolerant of many light levels and conditions. It can also grow outdoors in United States Department of Agriculture zones 9 to 12. These fun little plants are usually only 2 to 4 feet (0.5-1 m.) tall in containers but outdoor, in-ground plants can achieve 10 to 15 feet (3-5 m.) in height. It is usually the outdoor specimens that produce the flowers and seeds....

What are Helianthemum Plants? Sunroses are closely related to Cistus but produce much smaller flowers. They can be used in the garden in similar circumstances but where a smaller shrub is preferred. The foliage is attractive, and they grow in a neat form. This might be the perfect plant for your landscape. Now all you need to know is how to grow sunrose. Sunroses are low, spreading plants. They generally only get 12 inches (30....

Using Hens and Chicks Plants Hens and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) is an alpine plant, which gives it an amazing tolerance for poor soils and unwelcoming conditions. The mother plant is attached to the babies (or chicks) by an underground runner. The chicks may be as small as a dime and the mother can grow to the size of a small plate. Hens and chicks make excellent container plants both for the interior and exterior of the home....