They dig up bulbs and eat tender new plants. In extreme cases, the rodents can jump from trees and find ways into your home, nesting in your attic or crawlspace. Knowing how to keep a squirrel out of fruit trees and other tall plants will help you enjoy their antics without worrying about their destructive natural habits. Why Worry About Squirrel Proofing Fruit Trees? There are numerous varieties of squirrels throughout the United States and North America....

Fusarium Sweet Potato Storage Rots As mentioned, there are several pathogens that can cause storage rot of sweet potatoes, but the fungal diseases caused by Fusarium are the most common reasons for post-harvest losses. Fusarium surface rot and Fusarium root rot are caused by the fungi Fusarium. Fusarium surface rot – Fusarium surface rot is common in sweet potatoes stored post-harvest. Surface rot may also afflict tubers that have been damaged by mechanical injury, nematodes, insects, or other pests, prior to harvest....

Shrubs for Butterflies You don’t need to plant acres of terrain to create a butterfly habitat. Only a small amount of space is necessary to provide what they require: food, cover, water, and larval plants. Any and all nectar plants can offer butterfly food, but some are better than others. Before you head to the garden store, engage in some planning. Locate a corner of the garden that is protected from the wind yet gets at least six hours a day of sunshine....

Sweetfern Plant Info Sweetfern is a family of shrubs and small trees measuring 3 to 6 feet (1-2 m.). This cold-tolerant plant thrives in chilly temps of USDA plant hardiness zones 2 to 5, but suffers in warmer climates above zone 6. Hummingbirds and pollinators love the yellowish green blooms, which appear in early spring and sometimes last through summer. The blooms are replaced by greenish brown nutlets. Sweetfern Uses Once established, sweetfern grows in dense colonies, which makes it a great choice for stabilizing soil and controlling erosion....

Tarragon Plant Harvesting All herbs should be harvested when their essential oils are at their peak, early in the morning after the dew has dried and before the heat of the day. Herbs, in general, can be harvested when they have enough leaves to maintain growth. As tarragon is a perennial herb, it can be harvested up until late August. Be advised to stop harvesting tarragon herbs one month before the frost date for your area....

Texas Mountain Laurel Info What is a Texas mountain laurel? Of no relation to the flowering mountain laurel shrub native to the eastern United States, this shrub/tree is a native of the Chihuahuan desert. Also known as mescal bean, the Texas mountain laurel (Dermatophyllum secundiflorum syn. Calia secundiflora, formerly Sophora secundiflora) ranges from Texas through the American Southwest and down into Mexico. Slow growing, it can reach up to 30 feet (15 m....

How to Make a Potato Bonsai For your bonsai potato project, you will need: a chitted (sprouting) potato pea gravel potting soil a shallow container, such as a margarine dish scissors First, you need to make a potato bonsai container. Use the shallow container and drill or cut small holes in the bottom for drainage. If you would like, you can paint the container as well. Next, take a look at your sprouted potato....

Using Potted Shrubs Pots allow the opportunity to grow a variety of shrubs in a wide range of conditions and locations. Potted shrubs can be moved around easily, especially in cold or nasty weather. Potted shrubs provide a nice frame for entrances or patio settings. They can also provide lovely focal points. Potted shrubs work well as a backdrop for flowers and can even be grown in the same pot, provided it’s large enough....

How to transplant an apple tree? What is lemon tree transplant shock? Can mature fruit trees be transplanted? Read on for answers to fruit tree transplant questions. Best Time to Transplant Fruit Trees Transplanting young, newly purchased fruit trees is a matter of getting the timing and the procedure right. The best time to transplant fruit trees is usually spring, but the options depend on the presentation of the tree....

Bare Root Roses or Container Roses The first thing to consider is what kind of packaging your roses are in. If your roses come as bare-root plants, you should not be planting your rose bushes in the fall. Bare-root plants take longer to establish themselves and will most likely not survive the winter if planted in the fall. Container packaged roses establish themselves much more quickly and can be planted in the fall....

For those of us in the second camp, one tomato that might fit the bill is the Arkansas Traveler, a good drought and heat resistant variety with a pleasant color and a mild flavor. Keep reading to learn more about how to grow Arkansas Traveler tomatoes in the home garden. About Arkansas Traveler Tomato Plants What is an Arkansas Traveler tomato? As the name suggests, this tomato hails from the state of Arkansas, where it was bred at the University of Arkansas by Joe McFerran of the Horticulture Department....

Tortoise Beetle Facts Measuring only about l/4 inch (6 mm.), adult tortoise beetles are odd little bugs with several interesting adaptations that keep them safe from predators. For example, tortoise beetles have hard wing covers that they can clamp down tightly against a leaf surface. The covers also hide the head and legs, which makes the beetles more difficult for predators to grab hold of. Tortoise beetles are often dark in color, but many have a distinctive metallic coloration – usually gold or orange – sometimes with black or red markings....

Erect vs. Trailing Raspberries Both trailing and erect raspberry varieties have similar requirements. All raspberries love a sunny location with periodic rain or regular watering. Raspberry plants like well-draining acidic soil, and they don’t do well in wet areas. The main difference between trailing and erect raspberry plants is whether or not they require a trellis. Like the name suggests, erect raspberry varieties have a sturdy stem which supports upright growth....

Symptoms of Powdery Mildew of Peas What causes powdery mildew in peas? Powdery mildew in peas often develops quickly when days are warm and dry, but nights are chilly with dewy mornings. Poorly drained soil and restricted air circulation also contribute to development of the disease. The first sign of peas with powdery mildew is small, round, whitish or gray spots on the top of mature leaves. The powdery stuff is easy to rub off with your fingers....

What is an Epiphyte Plant? The word epiphyte comes from the Greek “epi,” which means “upon” and “phyton,” which means plant. One of the amazing adaptations of epiphytes is their ability to attach to vertical surfaces and capture their water and much of their nutrient needs from sources other than soil. They may be found on branches, trunks, and other structures. While epiphytes may live on other plants, they are not parasites....

Plants for Tropical Borders There are a number of commonplace semi-tropical flowers and plants for borders that you can use without having to look for exotic varieties. Here are just some of the types of plants you can add to the garden border for tropical appeal. Bedding Plants Plants for tropical borders need not be limited strictly to exotic species. For instance, did you know that some of the most popular bedding plants used for borders are actually considered to be tropical?...

Although sugarcane is a hardy plant, it can be plagued by sugarcane problems, including various sugarcane pests and diseases. Read on to learn how to identify issues with sugarcane. Common Sugarcane Problems Sugarcane pests and diseases are few but do occur. Here are the most common issues you may run into with these plants: Sugarcane Mosaic: This viral disease shows up by light green discolorations on the leaves. It is spread by infected plant parts, but also by aphids....

How Deep are Trumpet Vine Roots? Trumpet vines can reproduce by seed, but they rarely need to. This is because their roots are able to grow new shoots very easily. The trumpet vine root system grows deep and away from the vine. It will then surface far from the original and begin a new vine. To make matters worse, a section of vine that comes into contact with the soil will put down new roots which then, in turn, spread to who knows where....

Read on to learn the various reasons why your tulip tree isn’t blooming. Tulip Tree Not Flowering A tulip tree grows rapidly to its mature height and spread. These large trees can grow to 90 feet (27 m.) tall with a 50-foot (15 m.) spread. They have distinctive leaves with four lobes and are known for their stunning fall display when the leaves turn canary yellow. The most enchanting feature of the tulip tree is its unusual flowers....

Why Grow Potatoes That are Red? Potatoes with red skin are healthier than, for example, bland Russets. The reason is in the skin color. The color in potatoes that are red is due to anthocyanains, a common pigment which is associated with being rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. Antioxidants make the spuds more nutritious and a diet rich in antioxidants helps to lower your risk of cancer. Red potato varieties are also a good source of vitamin B6; are fat, sodium and cholesterol free; and (this was a shocker) are an excellent source of potassium – even more than a banana!...