Identifying Seaside Arrowgrass: Arrowgrass Plant Information Seaside arrowgrass is found in wet, alkaline soil including sandy beaches, tidal marshes, swamps, and bogs. It is also found in damp grasslands or irrigated pastures where grass is typically cut for hay. Unfortunately, seaside arrowgrass can be toxic to livestock. A grassy plant with wand like blades, seaside arrowgrass emerges in early spring. At maturity the plant is generally between 8 and 30 inches (20-76 cm....

Types of Asters Aster flowers may reach 3 to 4 feet (1 m.) or can be compact and mounding as with the Alpine type. Six-hundred or more varieties of aster exist. Pair asters in the natural garden with coneflowers and goldenrod for a striking display. Caring for asters can include staking and/or pruning taller types for a bushier and more compact plant. How to Grow Asters Growing asters is a simple garden chore....

Erwinia Soft Rot in Cactus Erwinia carotovora bacterium is a bacteria caused by the soft rot of cacti. Bacterial soft rots affect many other plants besides cacti and succulents. In fact, soft rot contributes to major crop failure of many vegetables. Plants with calcium deficiencies are specifically at risk. Erwinia carotovora is also known as Pectobacterium carotovia. Erwinia soft rot in cactus plants is caused by bacteria entering wounds or natural openings of the plant....

What is Ball Moss? Ball moss is gray-green and commonly found on tree branches and telephone wires. It grows in small clumps about 6-10 inches (15-25.5 cm.) across. The tiny seeds are blown on the wind until they land on a tree branch or other suitable area. They stick to the area and develop pseudo-roots that attach to the bark of the tree. Additional Ball Moss Information Ball moss is often mistaken for Spanish moss....

Banana Tree Insects There are quite a number of banana tree insects that can cause minor damage to a single plant or wreak havoc through an entire plantation. Some of these banana pests act as vectors of disease as well. Control of pests on bananas requires early identification. Banana aphids Banana aphids are an example of a pest that acts as a vector of disease. These pests are soft-bodied, wingless, and almost black....

Bee Balm Control Bee balm propagates by rhizomes, or runners, that spread under the ground to produce new shoots. As these shoots multiply, the mother plant in the center will eventually die off over the course of a couple years. This means your bee balm will eventually be far from where you planted it. So, if you are asking the question, “is bee balm invasive,” the answer would be yes, under suitable conditions....

Growing a Beer Garden Home beer brewing has taken off as a personal hobby and enthusiasts everywhere have developed their own take on this classic alcoholic beverage. Producing your own beer ingredients in the garden gives easy access and allows you to control your personal blend. Selecting the right hops variety is the first step, as each cultivar has specified zonal requirements and flavors. Then you can experiment with different spices and fruits as you find your way to the most pleasing palate sensation....

What is Companion Planting Companion planting, also called intercropping, is the practice of growing two or more crops in close proximity. Using the three sisters as an example, consider the benefits each plant offers: Beans fix nitrogen into the soil which is utilized by the corn and squash.Corn provides a support for the beans to climb.Squash acts as a living mulch. Plus, the prickly leaves deter deer and raccoons from the corn and beans....

Pruning Brussels Sprouts Brussels sprouts were first cultivated in, you guessed it, Brussels, where they are a cool weather crop thriving in temps between 60 and 65 degrees F. (15-18 C.). In some regions, they may even survive throughout the winter if temperatures are mild enough. They grow much akin to broccoli and cauliflower, in well-draining soil with plenty of irrigation. One of the most common questions in reference to this plant is about pruning....

Watering blackberries sufficiently will yield the largest, juiciest fruit. So when it comes to blackberry irrigation, how much water do blackberries need? When to Water Blackberry Vines If you live in an area with average rainfall, you probably won’t need to water blackberries after the first growing year once they have been established. The first year of growth, however, is another matter. When watering blackberries, always water during the day and water at the base of the plants to minimize fungal disease....

Planning an ornamental garden that incorporates blanket flowers will be both rewarding and beautiful, as long as some consideration is taken at planting time. Choosing Companions for Blanket Flowers Blanket flower can be grown from seed or starter plants can be purchased from local garden centers. Regardless, growers will need to place the flower in a well-draining location that receives full sun. While blanket flower does well when planted alone, more plants to grow with Gaillardias can elevate its appeal and bring in additional pollinators....

Why Do Flowers Fall Off? In some cases, blossom drop in plants is normal. For instance, male flowers naturally drop from vegetable plants after a few days. Many vegetables, like squash, begin producing male flowers as much as two weeks before the first female flower bloom. That being said, healthy blossoms can suddenly drop from plants due to inadequate pollination, environmental factors, low soil fertility, and thrips. Pollination When healthy blooms fall off vegetables and other flowering plants a few days after they open, the flowers probably weren’t pollinated....

If you are just putting in your shrubs, you’ll have more than a few excellent choices for shrubs with yellow spring flowers. Read on for good recommendations. Bushes with Yellow Flowers You can find yellow bushes everywhere, from the coldest to the hottest regions of the country. One popular yellow bush is forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia), a cold hardy bush that fills with brilliant yellow flowers in early April. Once the display is done, the dark green, leafy bushes blend into the landscape nicely or create a lovely, informal hedge....

Who is Dr. Griffith Buck? Dr. Buck was a researcher and professor of horticulture at Iowa State University until about 1985 where he hybridized around 90 rose varieties along with his other duties there. Dr. Buck was a highly respected member of the rose growing community and member of the American Rose Society for 55 years. What are Buck Roses? Basically, a Buck rose, as they have become known, is one of several roses hybridized by Dr....

Buckwheat Hull Information What are buckwheat hulls? Buckwheat is not a grain as some people believe, but rather a seed that can be harvested and eaten (odds are you’ve heard of buckwheat flour). When buckwheat is milled, the hard outside of the seed, or the hull, is separated and left behind. These hard, dark brown, lightweight casings are sold separately, sometimes as pillow or craft stuffing, but often as garden mulch....

While these butterflies have been around a long time, only recently has cycad blue butterfly damage become a problem for gardeners. Read on for more information about butterflies that damage cycad plants and tips on how to prevent this from happening. About Blue Cycad Butterflies Sago palms are usually the toughest of plants, but in recent years gardeners have seen their cycads looking sick. According to experts, the most likely cause is the presence of butterflies on the plants....

Calla Lily Seed Info Calla lilies are elegant flowers that have been around a very long time. These beautiful flowers grow from a rhizome and produce huge green leaves that are usually covered with lighter spots. Colorful flowers ranging from pale pink to deep purple and yellow appear atop trumpet-shaped stems. Eventually, the blooms wither, leaving a pod-like capsule filled with calla lily flower seeds. One question that many gardeners have is, “Can I grow calla seed pods?...

Appearance of Calotropis Procera Calotropis procera is a woody perennial that carries white or lavender flowers. The branches are twisting and cork-like in texture. The plant has ash-colored bark covered with white fuzz. The plant has silver-green large leaves that grow opposite on the stems. The flowers grow at the tops of apical stems and produce fruits. The fruit of Calotropis procera is oval and curved at the ends of the pods....

Can You Eat Peach Resin? Is peach sap edible? Yes, peach sap is edible. In fact, it is commonly ingested in Chinese culture. The Chinese have been eating peach tree resin for thousands of years. It is used for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Peach Sap from Trees Usually, peach tree resin is purchased packaged. It looks like hardened amber. While the Chinese have been eating gum from peach trees for centuries, they don’t just harvest it off the tree and pop it in their mouths....

Can You Grow Bleeding Heart from Seeds? There are several ways to propagate bleeding heart, including division, cuttings, separation, and seeds. Bleeding heart is not considered invasive because, although it is not native to North America, it does not self-seed very vigorously. Propagating or starting by seed can be done successfully, though, and may be the best choice because bleeding heart does not transplant well. It takes time for the seeds to germinate, but once they do, they will grow well in the right conditions....