Alpine plant info says alpine plant adaptations make them the perfect specimen for areas where temperatures rapidly change from cold to sizzling hot, where strong winds disrupt other plant life, and where soil is poor and cannot easily be amended. Most alpine garden plants need moist soil to flourish but tolerate periods of drought once established. When established, these plants have a deep, supportive root system. Growing Alpine Plants Alpine plant adaptations allow gardeners with rocky soil to add color and form in the landscape....

Control plum aphids with a mixture of cultural and physical methods, with chemical formulas reserved for extreme infestations. Leaf Curl Plum Aphid Aphids on plum trees that are found inside curled leaves are leaf curl plum aphids. The pests are tiny and have shiny bodies that range from pale green to light yellow in color. The insect produces a high volume of honeydew, which is the excretion of the aphid....

Are there Non-White Snowdrops? In spite of rumors to the contrary, it appears that not much has changed and snowdrops in other colors probably aren’t a “real thing” – at least not yet. As interest grows, snowdrops in other colors are in high demand, and plant breeders who figure out how to produce true multi-colored snowdrops stand to make a lot of money. The interest is so great, in fact, that enthusiasts have earned the moniker, “galanthophiles....

What is Autumn Crocus? The autumn crocus or meadow saffron is a member of the lily family (Liliaceae), not to be confused with its look alike, the spring-flowering crocus, which is a member of the Iris family (Iridaceae). Hailing from Europe, North Africa, and Asia, the autumn crocus is one species of around 70 in the genus Colchicum. This Colchicum has a rather unusual life cycle in that the colorful flowers appear as its name suggests, in early autumn....

One key aspect, the proper use of structures in the yard, can serve in function as well as add dynamic appeal. Let’s learn more about using structures as focal points for the backyard. About Backyard Focal Points When designing landscapes, it is important to first establish a focal point within the yard. Visitors and guests will naturally be drawn to these focal points, so it is imperative that this aspect of design is taken into consideration....

All of these things can cause a tree to start showing signs of bacterial wetwood. Bacterial wetwood (also known as slime flux) is not usually serious but can be a chronic disease that can eventually cause the tree’s decline if it isn’t watched. Why Do Trees Ooze Sap When Infected with Bacterial Wetwood? Why do trees ooze sap? The bacterial wetwood will cause cracks in the wood of the tree where sap starts oozing out....

What is a Bare Root Strawberry? So exactly what is a bare root strawberry plant? Bare root strawberry plants are dormant plants that are not planted in soil. Instead, they appear as bare roots with shriveled foliage attached. Nurseries and seed catalogs most often ship out bare root plants since they are easier and less expensive to ship. Planting bare root strawberries properly is the key to ensuring that they wake from their dormant state and begin berry production as soon as possible....

Does Basil Like Cold Weather? Basil is an easy and popular herb to grow, especially common or sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). This member of the mint family is grown for its sweetly scented leaves used either fresh or dried that compliment a variety of foods. A member of the mint or Lamiaceae family, basil is usually grown as a tender annual. Generally, its growth cycle doesn’t include overwintering; rather it dies down and the hard seeds wait in the ground over winter and then germinate during the spring thaw....

Beet Plant Fertilizer Feeding beet plants is almost as important as soil tilth and water. Prepared beds should have organic matter worked into the soil to increase porosity and add nutrients, but beets are heavy feeders and will need supplemental nutrients during their growing period. The right combination of nutrients is important for knowing how to fertilize beets. The right kinds of nutrients mean bigger roots with a sweeter flavor. All plants need three major macronutrients: nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus....

About Begonias with Botrytis Botrytis of begonia is also known as botrytis blight. It is caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea and is most likely to appear when temperatures dip and moisture levels rise. Begonias with botrytis blight decline rapidly. Tan spots and sometimes water-soaked lesions appear on the foliage and stems of the plant. Cuttings rot at the stem. Established begonia plants rot as well, starting in the crown. Look for dusty gray fungal growth on infected tissue....

What is Belstar Broccoli? The Belstar broccoli variety is an organic hybrid variety suitable for either spring or summer planting. Just like any other broccoli, Belstar doesn’t do well in hot temperatures. Plants in the Brassica family are high in vitamins C and K, fiber, and manganese. They are being studied for their ability to fight cancer. Broccoli is one of the tastier varieties of this family. The Belstar variety is very adaptable and produces stress-tolerant plants....

Is Garden Compost Beneficial? There are a slew of ways in which gardening with compost is valuable. Simply put, the advantages of using compost are to improve soil quality, enabling it to better retain air, nutrients, and moisture and resulting in healthier, thriving plants. Additionally, when you make and use compost, you are recycling instead of contributing to solid waste landfills. So how does compost help nourish, aerate, and hydrate soil medium?...

How to Store Garlic There are a number of methods for storing garlic from the garden. Once harvested, you’ll need to decide how to store garlic based on your preferences and what you plan on doing with your crop. Storing Garlic at Room Temperature Spread some newspapers out in a location away from sunlight and in a cool, well-ventilated area. Allow the garlic to dry for at least two weeks, in a mesh bag or airy container, until the skins become paper like....

How to Grow Blueberries from Seeds First, is a blueberry a seed? No, the seeds are inside the fruit, and it takes a little work to separate them from the pulp. You can use fruit from an existing bush or from those purchased at the grocers, but the results may be poor or non-existent. Blueberries do not self pollinate, which means they are rather unpredictable and their offspring do not duplicate the parent....

What is a Callery Pear? Callery pear trees (Pyrus calleryana) from the family Rosaceae, were first brought to the United States from China in 1909 to the Arnold Arboretum in Boston. Callery pear was again introduced into the U.S. to help develop fire blight resistance in the common pear, which was devastating the pear industry. This is somewhat conflicting Calleryana information, as while all current cultivars are resistant to fire blight in northern regions, the disease can still be an issue in trees grown in humid southern climates....

How to Grow Agave in Containers Growing agave plants in pots is fun and rewarding. Any agave can be grown in a container, but the smaller varieties are the most popular. Agave plants love to be root bound, so growing them in pots make these plants excellent candidates for houseplants. All container grown agave pants need a soil that dries slowly but drains quickly. For outdoor containers, you can make a good soil mixture by mixing equal parts of compost; potting mix or garden soil; and either gravel, pumice, or coarse sand....

About Dogs and Catnip If your dog shows some interest in your catnip plants, don’t expect the same ecstatic reaction to the herb that felines demonstrate. Cats get a buzz from catnip, while dogs do not. But that doesn’t mean that dogs and catnip should be kept apart. If you have a catnip plant and dogs, it’s likely you’ll see your dogs in catnip plants sooner or later. But should dogs get near catnip?...

Container Grown Pansies They certainly can! Plus, growing pansies in a pot allows for their delicate faces to shine: alone in a statement planter, or as bright patches of color or low-growing trailing plants among taller perennials. Growing pansies in a pot is an easy way to control moisture and soil type, and container grown pansies can flourish when given the right doses of those two must-haves. So here are a few tips that will keep your potted pansy plants happy:...

Are Ornamental Sweet Potatoes Edible? Yes, ornamental sweet potatoes are edible! Ornamental sweet potato tubers are, indeed, sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas). That said, ornamental sweet potato tubers are planted for their lovely chartreuse, purple, or variegated trailing foliage that serves as the perfect counterpoint to offset annual blooms. What that means regarding eating ornamental sweet potatoes is that, yes, while you can eat ornamental sweet potatoes, they are not necessarily the tastiest of sweet potatoes and are, in fact, much more bitter....

Why Grow Caraway in Containers? Planting edible plants and herbs in containers is an ideal way to enjoy fresh seasonings and produce in areas without much, if any, room for gardening beds. Container grown caraway relies upon a large container to allow the deep taproot to develop. This taproot is delicious prepared as a root vegetable after the biennial plant has bloomed and seeds have been harvested. The plant will decline after bloom and the roots are sweet and tasty....