How to Make Cremains Safe for Soil It seems logical that ashes from cremated remains would be beneficial to plants, but in truth, cremains have a high alkaline and sodium content that is anything but beneficial. Both the high pH levels and excess sodium discourage plant growth by prohibiting absorption of the essential nutrients they require. This occurs whether the ashes are buried or scattered on top of the ground. The safe way to bury ashes or scatter cremains and ensure the viability of the memorial garden is to neutralize cremation ashes....

About Dymondia Silver Carpet Dymondia has gray green leaves with fuzzy white undersides that curl up on the edges. The overall effect of dymondia groundcover is variegated when close up or a soft gray green from a distance. Dymondia is slow growing but will spread a bit faster with regular irrigation. It will crowd out most weeds over time. In summertime, its yellow daisy flowers brighten up the landscape. Dymondia silver carpet withstands a little foot traffic and is deer resistant....

Desert Willow Tree Facts The desert willow’s scientific name is Chilopsis linearis. It’s a small, delicate tree that usually doesn’t grow above 30 feet (9 m.) tall and 25 feet (7.5 m.) wide. This makes planting desert willow trees possible even for those with small backyards. With its many trunks, the tree presents a unique, graceful silhouette that is familiar in the Southwest deserts. The thin, drooping leaves can get up to 12 inches (15 cm....

Epihyllum Information Epiphyllum make excellent hanging basket plants with their jointed stems that grow 18 to 30 inches (45.5-76 cm.) long. They are native to tropical Central and South America and span approximately 20 species. The pendant stems crown with spectacular flowers that last only a couple of days but produce from early winter through spring. They are a peculiar plant that flowers best when exposed to cool temperatures and shortened light periods....

Laburnum Tree Information The Laburnum goldenchain tree (Laburnum spp.) only grows some 25 feet (7.6 m.) tall and 18 feet (5.5 m.) wide, but it is a magnificent sight in the backyard when it’s covered with golden blossoms. The drooping, 10-inch (25 cm.) flower clusters are incredibly showy when they appear on the deciduous tree in springtime. The leaves appear in small clusters. Each leaf is oval and stays green until the time it falls from the tree in autumn....

As we opened my door to investigate, we realized we couldn’t open the door wide enough to get out because a very large limb of the old silver maple in my front yard had come down just inches from my door and home. I was all too aware that if these tree branches had fallen in just a slightly different direction, it would have crashed right through my son’s bedroom upstairs....

Many gardeners don’t bother growing cauliflower, as it has the reputation of being one of the more temperamental crops and with good reason. Bringing cauliflower to fruition means knowing when is the best time to plant and when to harvest cauliflower. Read on to learn how to plant cauliflower and other helpful cauliflower planting tips to make this crop a success. Best Time to Plant Cauliflower Cauliflower is a cool season veggie from the Brassicaceae family, which includes broccoli, and, in fact, cauliflower is often referred to as ‘heading broccoli....

What are Root Knot Nematodes in Celery? Nematodes are parasitic little roundworms that live in the soil and attack the roots of plants. They cause damage to roots, reducing the volume of root systems and reducing the ability of the plant to take up water and nutrients. Root knot nematodes in celery is just one type of damage that can occur because of this pest. Celery is particularly affected by root knot nematodes in muck soil....

Flowering is profuse, with blooms that are silvery white and star-shaped and, when in full bloom, this mounded plant resembles a pile of snow, hence the plant’s name. However, the flowers are not the only attractive part of this showy plant. The silver, grayish green foliage is a dainty addition to this plant and retains its rich color year-round. Growing Snow in Summer Plants Growing snow in summer plants (Cerastium tomentosum) is relatively easy....

What is a Chaparral? Chaparral is as much a place as it is a thing. Defined as an ecological area composed of scrub brush and dwarf trees, chaparral environments are found primarily in California foothills and dry coastal areas. Marked by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, a chaparral native habitat includes a diverse group of plants adapted to the environmental challenges of this area. Plants that grow in the chaparral native habitat have thick, waxy leaves with deep stomata for improved water retention....

About Garden Tools for Kids A few ideas for child-sized gardening tools include rakes, hoes, and spades. These are basic necessities and are often sold in sets. These smaller versions of grown-up tools are best for kids ages seven and up. Watering cans are fun (especially for toddlers) and in this case, a sturdy, lightweight plastic watering can is more practical. Make sure the size is appropriate, as full watering cans can be too heavy for little ones....

Children’s Steppingstone Projects Gathering molds is the first step in teaching kids how to make steppingstones. The plastic saucers from planters are ideal, but your child may want to experiment in size and shape by choosing a pie or cake pan, a dish pan, or even a cardboard box. As long as the container is relatively sturdy and at least 2 inches (5 cm.) deep, it will work for this project....

Why Christmas Cactus Has Aerial Roots If you notice root-like growths on Christmas cactus, don’t be overly concerned. Christmas cactus is an epiphytic plant that grows on trees or rocks in its natural habitat. The roots growing from Christmas cactus are actually aerial roots that help the plant cling to its host. The plant is not a parasite because it doesn’t depend on the tree for food and water. This is where the roots come in handy....

Can You Water Plants with Coffee? Coffee used as a fertilizer is not exactly a new idea. Many gardeners add coffee grounds to compost piles where it decomposes and mixes with other organic matter to create some fantastic, nourishing soil. Of course, this is done with grounds, not the actual cold cup of coffee sitting here at my desk. So, can you water your plants with coffee proper? Coffee grounds are about 2 percent nitrogen by volume, nitrogen being an important component for growing plants....

Choosing Zone 4 Evergreen Trees The first thing to consider when selecting appropriate zone 4 evergreen trees is the climate the trees can withstand. Winters are harsh in zone 4, but there are lots of trees that can shake off low temperatures, snow, and ice without complaint. All of the trees in this article thrive in cold climates. Another thing to consider is the mature size of the tree. If you have a sprawling landscape, you may want to choose a large tree, but most home landscapes can only handle a small or medium-sized tree....

Cold Hardy Hydrangeas When you live in zone 6, it sometimes seems as though all the best shrubs require milder climates. But that is not true of cold hardy hydrangeas. With some 23 different types of hydrangeas, you are sure to find hydrangeas for zone 6. The wildly popular, color-changing bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is the most sensitive to the cold of all the varieties. But it still is hardy in zone 6....

Tropical Plants for Zone 8 Zone 8 is far from the tropics, but it would be a mistake to assume that no tropical plants can be grown there. While some plants are ruled out unless you have an indoor greenhouse, there are plenty of cold hardy tropicals that would make great additions to a zone 8 garden. Some great zone 8 tropical plants are listed below: Alocasia and Colocasia species, known as elephant ears, have impressively large leaves that give them a very tropical look....

Winter Protection for Plants One of the easiest and most effective ways to protect sensitive plants is by mulching. Mulching with an organic material will also help enhance the soil as the mulch decomposes and releases nutrients to the earth. In autumn, pull back old mulches from the base of plants and spread a new 3 inch (8 cm.) layer around them out to the drip line. Leave a 1/2-inch (1 cm....

Diseases of Ginger Treating sick ginger plants starts with a proper identification of the pathogen involved. Ginger doesn’t have a lot of common problems, so that makes it a little easier to get a grip on any issue you may have. That being said, here are some diseases of ginger you’re likely to encounter in the garden: Bacterial Wilt. Caused by a bacterium that enters the vascular tissue of ginger plants and multiplies until the shoots and leaves are unable to get enough water and nutrients to survive, bacterial wilt is evident by signs of water stress despite adequate watering and leaves yellowing from bottom to top....

Diseases of Mayhaw Diseases of mayhaw trees are most commonly caused by bacteria and/or the spread of fungal spores. While some diseases only cause minimal damage, others may cause complete loss of crops. Knowing and recognizing the signs early will prevent further spread of disease among your trees in future growing seasons. Rust – Mayhaw trees may be infected by various types of rust, in particular, cedar hawthorn rust. Rust is caused by fungal spores transmitted by the wind....