What are Carrot Rust Flies? The carrot rust fly is a tiny insect that doesn’t harm your carrot crop in the adult form. But when the insect lays eggs in May to June on the surface of the soil, the pests hatch within a few days and the larvae, or maggots, tunnel down under the surface of the soil. This is where they make contact with the roots, feeding and living in the vegetables....

Does Urine Deter Pests? Gardeners report mixed results with predator urine. Fox urine works best for repelling small mammals like rabbits, squirrels, and cats. Coyote urine and the urine of larger predators is a better choice for deer and other larger animals, and is also reported to work against woodchuck, raccoon, skunk, and smaller mammals. Predator urine in gardens is not a foolproof solution to pest problems. One common complaint is that herbivores may become habituated to scent repellents and return to the area....

South Dakota USDA Plant Hardiness Map Information South Dakota is divided into zones, as seen on the South Dakota planting map above, according to average winter extreme temperatures. The USDA collected data over thirty years for their new plant hardiness map that was released in 2012. South Dakota zones include the chilly regions of 3b, 4a, 4b, and a couple small sections of 5a. With average winter low temperatures possible of -35 degrees F....

Utah USDA Plant Hardiness Map Gardening in Utah is much easier when gardeners implement species of plants that are compatible with the plant hardiness zone in which they live. The map above is the latest version of the Utah plant map, which was released in early 2012. Since 1960, the USDA has been gathering data and providing gardeners and plant enthusiasts all over the country with valuable information pertaining to plant hardiness....

Rhubarb Plant Types Here are some popular varieties of rhubarb for the garden: If you prefer red rhubarb varieties, you’ll be delighted with ‘Holstein Bloodred,’ a vigorous plant that produces juicy, deep red stalks. ‘McDonald’s Canadian Red’ is another deep red rhubarb that works well for canning, freezing or rhubarb pies. ‘Canada Red’ is a type of cherry-red rhubarb with a sweet, juicy flavor. Most rhubarb varieties aren’t pure red inside and out, but ‘Colorado Red’ is an exception....

Successful Container Gardening in the Central Region Growing a successful potted vegetable garden begins with the proper selection of containers. Large containers provide more room for root growth than smaller ones. Since they hold more soil, larger planters don’t dry out as quickly and there is less chance of nutrient depletion. Unfortunately, large store-bought flowerpots can be quite pricey. To control the initial cost of a potted vegetable garden, consider using inexpensive five gallon buckets, large storage totes, or recycled potting soil bags....

Velvet Bean Information What is a velvet bean? Velvet bean plants (Mucuna pruriens) are tropical legumes that are native to southern China and eastern India. The plants have spread throughout much of Asia and are often cultivated around the world, especially in Australia and the southern United States. Velvet bean plants are not frost hardy, but they have a short lifespan and even in hot climates they are almost always grown as annuals....

When to Take Cuttings from Viburnum Viburnum plants are primarily native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, although some occur in South America, Southeast Asia, and across Russia and the Ukraine. Plants have attractive lightly scalloped leaves, stunning flowers, and clusters of small fruits. Propagating viburnum can ensure an exact cloned plant from the parent while giving an interesting look into the practices that successful growers employ. One of the most important aspects of propagation through cuttings is timing....

Why Grow Drought Tolerant Climbing Plants? Growing drought tolerant vines satisfies several criteria. The most obvious being their need for very little water; they aren’t a cacti though, and do require some water. Often hand in hand with lack of water is oppressive heat. Growing drought tolerant vines creates a natural arbor of shade that is often ten degrees cooler than the surrounding, sun-drenched landscape. Vines that can handle drought can also be planted right up against the house, again lending a curtain of greenery while cooling the inside temperature....

What are Warwickshire Drooper Plums? The parentage of Warwickshire Drooper fruit trees is unsure; however, it is believed that all the trees hail from the Dundale plum, bred in Kent during the 1900’s. This cultivar was grown commercially in Warwickshire orchards where it was known as ‘Magnum’ until the 1940’s when the name was changed to Warwickshire Drooper. Warwickshire Drooper plum trees produce prodigious amounts of medium/large yellow fruit that, while pleasant when eaten ripe and fresh, really shines when cooked....

Understanding the Washington USDA Planting Map The coastal regions of Washington State enjoy a very temperate climate with average extreme winter lows of 20 degrees F. (-7 C.). The central and westerly portion of the state, however, could dip down to as low as -30 degrees F. (-34 C.). For the past thirty years, the USDA has collected data from weather stations around the country to use for zone determination on their new 2012 plant hardiness map....

Rates for Eucalyptus Tree Watering Irrigating eucalyptus trees is most important in the first couple of years, but even established trees need a regular watering schedule. Eucalyptus are evergreen trees and do not recover well from wilting. Deciduous trees have the option to drop their leaves to conserve moisture and make recovery more possible, but evergreens keep their leaves. The leaves draw much of the moisture and evaporation, which drains the tree of water....

Wax Mallow Information Wax mallow shrub grows in the wild in the southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. It often stays around 4 feet (1 m.) tall, but can grow to 10 feet (3 m.) tall with an equal spread. You’ll find that wax mallow plant care won’t take much of your time. The stems of the wax mallow are woody toward the plant’s base, but fuzzier and greener toward the branch tips....

Chimeral Variegation in Plants There are several ways variegation may occur in plants. Plants, just like humans, contain stem cells. In the case of plants, the stem cell is called a meristem. In variegated plants the meristem is a combination of green and albino cells that result in green and white striping or variegation. The albino cells do not make chlorophyll, while the green cells do. If the meristem is variegated, the plant is genetically normal and is referred to as chimeral variegation....

What are Planthoppers? There are more than 12,000 species of planthoppers that vary in characteristics such as color, markings, geographic location and plant preferences. You might also know some of them as leafhoppers, treehoppers and torpedo bugs. Some do very little damage while others are quite destructive. The good news is that as bugs go, planthoppers are among the easiest to control. Planthoppers in the garden feed by piercing plant cells and sucking out the contents....

Aphids and Leaf Curl in Viburnums Aphids are common pests of viburnums. The tiny insects are easy to miss at first glance, but you may find them in mobs clustered on the undersides of leaves. Although there are many types of aphids, snowball aphids, bluish-gray pests that look like they’ve been lightly dusted with white powder, are a particular enemy of viburnum and certain types of cranberry bushes. As aphids suck the sweet sap from tender new growth, viburnum leaves take on a twisted, distorted appearance....

What is a Red Texas Star Flower? Also known as scarlet gilia, red Texas star, and Texas plume, the biennial or short-lived perennial, grows in an erect, unbranched stalk from 2 to 6 feet (.61 to 1.2 m.) tall. In mid-summer, each stem is topped with red, tubular flowers that flare outward with star-shaped tips and red and yellow inside. Blooming from the top downward, red Texas star makes a showy statement, especially when massed....

What is Broccolini? Broccolini is a hybrid of European broccoli and Chinese gai lan. In Italian, the word ‘broccolini’ means baby broccoli, hence it’s other common name. Although it is partially comprised of broccoli, unlike broccoli, broccolini has very small florets and a tender stem (no need to peel!) with large, edible leaves. It has a subtle sweet/peppery flavor. Broccolini Information Broccolini was developed over a span of eight years by the Sakata Seed Company of Yokohama, Japan in Salinas, California in 1993....

Fairy Foxglove Information Erinus alpinus is a low growing plant that spreads slowly, making a carpet of delicate little flowers and long, narrow leaves. It is also known as starflower or alpine balsam. Fairy foxglove experts state that it is a short lived perennial, but it can reseed itself or be propagated by rooting the rosettes. Try growing fairy foxglove plants in your alpine garden and enjoy their pleasant ease-of-care nature and cheery blooms....

What is Grapevine Yellows? Several problems lead to grapevine leaves turning yellow, and some of them are reversible. This article deals with a specific group of diseases called grapevine yellows. It is fatal, but you may be able to stop it before it spreads throughout your vineyard. Tiny microorganisms called phytoplasma cause grapevine yellows. These little bacteria like creatures lack a cell wall and can only exist inside a plant cell....