Growing Tomatillos When you plant your tomatillos, make sure the area you choose in your garden gets full sunshine and is well-drained. They don’t like soaking wet ground because they are native to a hotter climate. You also want the soil to be as close to a pH of 7.0 as possible. You can buy your plants from a garden center in your area. If you can’t find them, start seeds indoors about six to eight weeks before the last frost is expected....

Why are My Guava Leaves Changing Color? Guava trees are normally small evergreen trees. Healthy leaves are stiff and slightly leathery, a dull green, and smell good when you crush them. If you see purple guava leaves, you may be asking, “Why are my guava leaves changing color?” Although there are several possible causes, the most likely reason for purple or red guava leaves is chilly weather. If you see your guava tree turning red or purple, it may be caused by cold....

This adjustment period allows plants to adapt to their surroundings slowly, which reduces the amount of stress most often associated with shock. Although leaf drop is a common occurrence during this transition, once the plant stabilizes (usually within two weeks to two months), it will eventually regrow its foliage and begin to flourish in its new location. Acclimating a Houseplant Outside & Outdoor Plant Care Most houseplants benefit from and enjoy spending summers outdoors....

Hardy Pindo Info Pindo palms, also known as jelly palms, grow slowly to a mature height of 15 to 20 feet (4.5-6 m.) with a trunk diameter of 1 to 1.5 feet (31-46 cm.). Flowers can be red, white, or yellow and occur in groups of two male flowers and one female flower. The fruit of this graceful palm is light orange to brownish red and can be used to make jelly....

Flowering Bulbs in Warm Regions Many common flowering bulbs originated in warmer regions of the world and don’t require colder weather in order to bloom. These tropical types of flower bulbs for hot climates thrive with month after month of warm weather, as long as they are planted in good soil and watered frequently. When you are planting bulbs in southern regions, begin with a bed of rich, well-drained soil. If your soil is clay or has a problem with drainage, build a raised bed with a mixture of soil and compost and use it for the heat loving bulbs....

What is Wood Rot? Wood rot, or wood decay, occurs in trees due to the presence of various types of fungi. The fungi begin to break down the wood within the tree, thus causing it to weaken. While severe cases of rot may be obvious in the form of large downed limbs, damage to infected trees is not always apparent. What Causes Wood Rot? Wood rot begins with damage to the tree....

How to Grow Alfalfa Sprouts Learning how to grow alfalfa sprouts isn’t too difficult. The simplest equipment for sprouting seeds is a canning jar fitted with a sprouting lid. Sprouting lids are available where you buy your seeds or in the canning section of the grocery store. You can make your own by covering the jar with a double layer of cheesecloth and securing it in place with a large rubber band....

Making a set of homemade wind chimes doesn’t have to be an elaborate project. You can create a unique and personalized wind chime with your school children as a home decoration or as gifts for friends and family. Learn how to make wind chimes with your kids for a fun summer project. Easy Garden Chimes for Kids Creating wind chimes for gardens doesn’t have to be a complex project. It can be as simple as you like it to be....

How to Grow Kale in Zone 9 Nature has created kale to be a cool-weather plant and, so far, botanists haven’t created a truly heat-tolerant variety. This means that growing zone 9 kale plants requires strategy, and perhaps a little trial and error. For starters, plant kale in shade, and be sure to give it plenty of water during warm weather. Here are a few more helpful tips from zone 9 gardeners:...

Houseplants for allergy relief generally have larger leaves and make an attractive statement in your home. Most take very little care, and some low allergy houseplants even remove dangerous chemicals, such as formaldehyde, from the air. Growing Houseplants for Allergy Relief Houseplants for allergy sufferers have two advantages: some of them clean the air and none of them produce excess pollen to make allergies worse. Like all plants though, these varieties have the potential for making allergies worse if they’re not cared for correctly....

About Sanitizing a Greenhouse Whether you are a commercial grower or a home grower, keeping the greenhouse clean is of paramount importance. Over the course of a growing season, plants aren’t the only thing that’s growing; potentially infectious microbes may be as well. Algae, too, are busy developing on moist surfaces that foster fungus gnats and shore flies. Prevention, as they say, is the best medicine and is the case here as well....

Wearing Gloves in the Garden While training a new guy at a garden center/landscape company where I worked, I suggested that he get a pair of good-quality gloves for the work we do. This man’s silly reply was, “Gloves are for girls, my hands are tough.” I could not actually force him to wear gloves if he didn’t want to, but I wondered to myself, how “tough” he would feel if his hands were full of rose or barberry thorns, or covered in oozing lesions from fungal skin infections picked up from certain plants or gardening materials....

Disheartened because your hydrangea won’t bloom? A hydrangea not blooming can be frustrating. Usually when a hydrangea won’t flower, it is a common problem with some simple solutions. Read on for tips on getting your hydrangea to bloom. Why Aren’t My Hydrangeas Blooming? No flowers on hydrangea bushes? It’s disappointing when your hydrangea won’t bloom. It happens. If your hydrangea isn’t flowering, though, there’s usually a pretty easy solution. First, don’t forget to check your plant hardiness zone to be sure you have the right hydrangea type for your region....

Growing Jiaogulan Plants Immortality herb is suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. In cooler climates, you can grow the fast-growing herb as an annual. Alternatively, bring it indoors during the winter, or grow it as an attractive houseplant all year round. Grow Jiaogulan in nearly any type of well-drained soil, or use a commercial potting mix if you’re growing Jiaogulan in containers. The plant tolerates full sun but thrives in partial shade, especially in hot climates....

About Tomato Sweetening All tomato varieties are not equal in the level of fruit sweetness. Homegrown doesn’t necessarily equal sweeter tasting. It turns out there are a number of factors in play with relation to tomato sweetening. The sweetness of a tomato is comprised of plant chemistry and other variables such as temperature, soil type and the amount of rain and sun given to the plant while growing. A balance of acidity and sugar are what make a tomato a tomato, and for some, those with a lower level of acidity and a higher level of sugar make for the best fruit....

Retaining Soil Moisture Keeping garden beds weeded helps in retaining moisture in the soil. Excessive weeds can rob soil and desirable plants of the water and nutrients they need. Unfortunately, many weeds can thrive and flourish in dry, sandy soils where other plants struggle. If your soil dries out too quickly, mulch can help with retaining soil moisture and helps prevent water evaporation. When mulching for moisture retention, use a thick layer of mulch 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm....

Pruning Abutilon Plants Abutilon plants are native to South America, Africa, and Australia. They are tender evergreens that need a growing site with some sun to produce the lovely, lantern-shaped flowers. They also need some shade to thrive. Why do you need to think about pruning these plants? Abutilons get leggy as they grow. Most plants are prettier and more compact if you start pruning abutilon plants regularly. In addition, broken or diseased branches can allow in or pass on infection....

Recycling Grass Clippings One obvious option is to simply leave the clippings on your lawn. Many people go this route simply because it is easier, but there are other good reasons to do it. Mulched up grass clippings will decompose pretty quickly, providing nutrients for the soil and helping the grass continue to grow well. Grass cuttings are particularly useful in adding nitrogen to the soil. You can practice this simple type of recycling just by using a typical lawn mower with sharp blades and cutting the grass regularly....

What are Pit Greenhouses? What are pit greenhouses, also known as underground gardens or underground greenhouses? In simple terms, pit greenhouses are structures that cold climate gardeners use to extend the growing season, as underground greenhouses are much warmer in winter and the surrounding soil keeps the structure comfortable for plants (and people) during summer heat. Pit greenhouses have been constructed in the mountains of South America for at least a couple of decades with tremendous success....

About USDA Indiana Hardiness Planting Zones If you’re looking for USDA Indiana growing zones, the map above can help determine the proper hardiness zone for your area. Knowing the correct zone for where you live in Indiana can make gardening easier and more successful. To determine plant hardiness for your Indiana climate zones, check the map above for the approximate locality in which you live. Compare the growing zone color for your area to the colors found in the legend on the right....