What is Canola? You’ve probably heard of canola oil but did you ever stop to think about where it comes from? Canola oil does indeed come from a plant, which contains about 44% oil. Canola is derived from rapeseed. In the 60’s, Canadian scientists bred out the undesirable traits of rapeseed to create canola, a contraction of “Canadian” and “ola.” Today, we know it as the oil with the least saturated fat of all the culinary oils....

Verbascum Deadheading Guide Should I deadhead my verbascum? The simple answer is yes. It’s always a good idea to deadhead mullein plants for a couple of important reasons. One of these reasons is spreading. There’s a reason these plants often turn up as weeds – they self-seed very well. While you may want some plants in your garden, chances are you don’t want to be overrun. Removing flower stalks before they get the chance to form seeds is a good way to keep the plants’ spread in check....

About Kitchen Vermiculture Worms are remarkably un-fussy and just need organic food to eat, a moist earthy bed, and warmth. The first step to this easy and economical waste removal system is the creation of worm composting bins for indoors. In no time you will be feeding the little guys your kitchen scraps, reducing waste, and building a soil amendment that is of amazing benefit to your plants. Kitchen worm composting takes up very little space....

What are Water Walls? Water walls for plants are most commonly used for tomatoes but work well for any vegetable plant and allow gardeners the opportunity to set out plants several weeks before the last expected frost. You can also extend the season on the other end, growing your plants beyond the first fall frost for a bit. Water walls can be purchased from retail providers or made at home. A wall of water is basically a heavy piece of plastic that is sectioned into cells that you fill with water....

What is a Water Wand? Garden water wands are basically just as the name implies; a wand-like tool used to water plants. They are all generally designed to attach to the end of a hose, near their handle, and water then flows through the wand to a water breaker/sprinkler head where it is sprayed out in a rain-like shower to water plants. It’s a simple concept, but not so easy to describe....

What is Watermeal? Experienced garden pond owners shutter when the name is uttered because watermeal in ponds is big trouble for the backyard gardener. This aquatic weed can be a serious pain, but watermeal in ponds doesn’t have to mean draining your pond, yet again, to kill it back. There are several methods of effective watermeal control that work against the plant’s basic biology. Watermeal (Wolffia spp.) holds the unique position as the world’s smallest flowering plant, but it’s also one of the world’s most annoying pond weeds....

What are Baby Veggies? Miniature vegetables stem from basically two sources: those that are harvested as immature vegetables or fruit from standard size varieties, and miniature vegetables that are dwarf varieties, wherein the mature fruit is truly smaller in size. An example of the former would be the tiny ears of corn often found canned and used in Asian cuisine or pickled in German style salads. Delicate and sweet tasting, these 2 inch (5 cm....

What are Chinch Bugs? Chinch bugs are turf grass thugs. They cause visible damage to large areas of infected law– areas that won’t come back and need to be treated and reseeded. Chinch bugs are hard to spot because they are tiny, but a giveaway is their stench. Chinch bugs in lawns that are heavily infested will emit a strong unpleasant odor if trod upon. Controlling chinch bugs begins with good cultural practices but may have to end with chemical intervention....

What are Main Crop Tomatoes? Mid-season or main crop tomato plants are those that come into harvest in midsummer. They are ready to harvest about 70 to 80 days from transplant. They are an excellent choice for areas with a short to medium growing season and where nighttime or even daytime temps turn cool to chilly in early fall. These tomatoes are at their peak harvest in midsummer. To differentiate, long season tomatoes come to harvest more than 80 days post-transplant and are suited for areas with lengthy growing seasons....

What are Ornamental Peanuts? Due to the high nutritive value, perennial peanuts are grown primarily for hay and are often used as a grazing crop for livestock. Perennial peanuts are suitable for growing in the warm, non-freezing climates of USDA plant hardiness zones 8b through 11. In the garden, perennial peanut plants are highly effective as a groundcover and soil stabilizer in sunny areas. They are often grown for their ornamental value and can be used as a lawn substitute....

What Causes Small Rhubarb Stalks? Young Plants It takes rhubarb plants two years to become established. During this period, it’s normal for the plant to produce spindly rhubarb stalks. Harvesting during this establishment period can reduce the vigor of the plant. The solution: hold off harvesting young rhubarb plants for the first two years. This establishment period allows the plant to develop a strong root system that supports future plant growth....

What Causes Sweet Orange Scab? Sweet orange scab is caused by the fungus Elsinoe australis. The fungus is spread by water, generally by splashing, wind-driven rain or overhead irrigation. Three to four hours of wet conditions can result in disease. The disease is also moved on transported fruit, often necessitating quarantines to contain spread. Sweet Orange Scab Symptoms Affected fruit displays raised, corky, wart-like pustules that emerge as pinkish-gray or tan, often turning yellowish-brown or dark gray....

While in-store and online “end of the season” sales may help to alleviate this cost, it is important that growers know what to look for in terms of ensuring that the bulbs they purchase are healthy, hardy, and likely to grow into beautiful flowers. Bulb Health Guide The purchase of unhealthy flower bulbs may happen more than one would think. Both spring blooming and summer blooming flower bulbs are susceptible to issues such as mold and rot, and may arrive in less than ideal condition....

Making homemade scented candles can be a fun and easy DIY project. You can choose safe and natural waxes, like beeswax or soy wax, for your candle. Herb plants from your own garden can provide the fragrance. You can also create beautiful works of art by using plants in candles for their decorative value. How to Use Dried Herbs for Candles When using herbs for candle making, start by thoroughly drying the plant material to prevent mildew....

About Echeveria ‘Black Prince’ Leaves will first be green and darken as they mature. The center of the plant is usually green. A low grower, the Black Prince plant has a rosette that can reach 3 inches (8 cm.) across. It is attractive in mixed containers or planted together with a few of the same type. Black Prince succulent produces offsets, what we often call babies, that can fill your container and sometimes even spill over the sides....

Though these climates may be difficult to recreate in gardens elsewhere, many of these same ornamental plants will grow well in containers indoors or in the garden in spring. Harlequin flower bulbs, for example, can add vibrance and color to spaces with minimal care. What is a Harlequin Flower? Sparaxis harlequin flowers (Sparaxis tricolor) bloom in spring when temperatures are cool. Unlike many other cool season flower bulbs, these plants are tender to frost....

What is a Lucky Bean Plant? Also known as the black bean or Moreton Bay chestnut, the seedlings of lucky bean houseplants (Castanospermum australe) are often sold as novelties with the bean-shaped seed still attached. The bean eventually dries up, but the plant continues to be a delight with its tropical spring blossoms in bright hues of yellow and red. After blooming, large cylindrical brown seed pods form, each containing three to five bean-shaped seeds....

What is a Mulato Pepper? Ancho, pasilla, and mulato chili peppers are known as the “Holy Trinity” of the classic Mexican sauce mole. Originating from a region of Mexico known as the “Land of the Seven Moles,” mole is a traditional Mexican sauce served for Cinco de Mayo, weddings, and other special occasions; the recipe usually contains ten or more ingredients, which can vary by region. However, it is reported that the use of this “Holy Trinity” of ancho, pasilla, and mulato chili peppers has been used in mole recipes since the Pre-Colombian era....

Jasmine Nightshade Info Also known as jasmine nightshade, potato vine (Solanum laxum) is suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zone 8 through 11. Potato vine is lighter and less woody than many other vines and works well on a lattice, or to cover an arbor or a drab, ugly fence. You can also grow potato vine in a container. Hummingbirds love the sweet, fragrant potato vine flowers, which may bloom much of the year in warmer climates, and songbirds appreciate the berries that follow the blooms....

What is a Strawberry Bush? Strawberry bush euonymus is a deciduous plant with a thicket-like habit of around 6 feet (2 m.) tall by 3 to 4 feet (1 m.) wide. Found in forested or woodland areas as an understory plant and often in swampy areas, strawberry bush has inconspicuous cream-hued blooms with 4 inch (10 cm.) serrated leaves on green stems. The plant’s autumn fruit (September through October) is the real show stopper, with warty scarlet capsules that burst open to reveal orange berries while the foliage morphs into a yellowish green shade....