Notes on Preserving Olives Olive preservation is a centuries old tradition and the key to getting palatable fruit. The oleuropein makes them astringent and needs to be soaked out of the olives prior to eating them. This process can take days and requires a little patience. The most common way to preserve this fruit is to brine olives, but it is not the only way. Brined olives are saltier than those cured with lye....

Want to learn how to prune cantaloupe vines? Read on to learn how to prune a cantaloupe plant. Should you Prune Cantaloupe? As mentioned, pruning cantaloupe plants isn’t absolutely necessary and, in fact, the more leaves that remain on the vine the sweeter the fruit. That said, cutting back cantaloupe plants results in fewer fruit which enables the plant to put all of its energy into a scant few, resulting in larger melons....

How Much Water Do Flowers Need? Watering gardens of any kind is important. Knowing how to water flowers correctly begins with the basics, how much water they actually need to grow and thrive. A good general rule to follow for most flowers is one inch (2.5 cm.) of water every seven to ten days. This is just for the growing season, though, as many flowers need less during the dormant part of the year....

How to Plant Basil Seeds It is easy to learn how to plant basil seeds. Basil should be grown in a place that gets sunshine at least six to eight hours per day. The soil should be well-drained with a pH of 6-7.5. You might wonder, “When do I plant basil seeds?” Basically, the best time to plant basil seeds is when all danger of frost has passed in the spring....

Is Agapanthus Winter Hardy? There are two main types of Agapanthuses: deciduous and evergreen. Deciduous species appear to be hardier than evergreen, but both can survive surprisingly well in cooler climates in spite of their origin as South African natives. Agapanthus lily cold tolerance is listed as being hardy in USDA zone 8 but some can withstand cooler regions with a little preparation and protection. Agapanthus is moderately frost tolerant. By moderate, I mean they can withstand light, short frosts that do not sustainably freeze the ground hard....

This distinctive vine is a beautiful evergreen plant that thrives in difficult areas most plants won’t tolerate. The plant is also useful for covering up unsightly defects in brick or masonry walls. Although Boston ivy has many benefits, it has nearly as many negative qualities. Consider carefully before planting Boston ivy in your garden. Will Boston Ivy Vines Damage Walls? English ivy, Boston ivy’s extremely destructive, distant cousin, can destroy walls as it digs its aerial roots into the surface....

Japanese Flowering Quince Shrubs Today, most American gardeners who are growing Japanese flowering quince do so for the spring blossoms. The bright flowers erupt into bloom in March or April in vibrant shades of pink, white, orange or red that only last a few weeks. Some cultivars offer a few flowers again in autumn. Various species and cultivars exist, but the common flowering quince plants are most commonly planted. Common Japanese flowering quince shrubs grow to 10 feet (3 m....

Container Grown Forget-Me-Nots Forget-me-not plants in containers is not how most gardeners use this perennial flower. It is more typically used in perennial beds, as a border, or to fill in space around other plants. It self-seeds and spreads without being weedy, so it is a great choice for an area that needs filling, especially a shady area. Container grown forget-me-nots can do just as well as those in beds and borders, and there are several reasons to go with a pot instead of a bed....

What is Landscape Architecture? According to National Building Museum, landscape architecture’s professional mantra is “achieving a balance between the built and natural environments.” It is a broad-based profession that includes aspects of landscape design, engineering, art, environmental science, forestry, bioremediation, and construction. What Does a Landscape Architect Do? Landscape architects work on large and small projects. In landscape architecture and design, these professionals create the landscape blueprints for healing gardens at hospitals, green roofs, public parks, business frontages, town squares, residential developments, dog parks, shopping centers, city streets, and homeowners....

What is Lawn Algae? Various types of algae and moss are often found in areas of turf that is not healthy enough to support good turf growth. Algae are small, filamentous plants that create a scum over a moist soil surface. Algae thrive in areas where there is wet soil and full sunlight. Algae may also be present if the soil is densely compacted, when there are open spots in the turf or very high fertility present....

Tips for Growing Begonia Plants from Corms Begonia care begins with proper planting. As many people grow them as annuals, some may not be as familiar with begonia corms; therefore, it may be helpful to share some tips for growing begonia plants from corms. First, always plant begonia corms concave side up (depression on top) either slightly above or level with the compost/soil surface. Gently push the corms into place and once planted, water thoroughly....

My Wisteria Leaves Turned Yellow, Why? A classic garden is almost incomplete without the lush vines and pendant blooms of a wisteria vine. The plant’s easy elegance and twining vines create a layer of texture and beauty that is unmatched by other vines. Wisteria leaf problems can stem from a number of conditions, but the plant is vigorous and relatively tolerant of minor imperfect conditions. My wisteria leaves turned yellow during October as a natural response to cold temperatures....

When to Transplant Lemon Trees If either of the above mentioned situations applies to you, then you’re wondering “when should I transplant a lemon tree.” Owners of citrus trees know that they can be persnickety. They drop their leaves at the drop of a hat, they hate ‘wet feet,’ they get premature blossom or fruit drop, etc. So anyone who needs to transplant a lemon tree is no doubt going at it with some trepidation....

About Fluorescent Light and Plants Modern plant lighting has focused on the LED sources of light, but fluorescent lights are still widely available and easy to use. They are an excellent source of light for young seedlings and plant starts. Fluorescent lights don’t last as long as LEDs but are easy to find and install. Whether you use them vs. LEDs depends upon the light requirements indoors that your particular crop or plant needs....

Lizard Control in Gardens A common concern from homeowners spotting lizards in their gardens for the first time is how to keep lizards from eating garden plants and produce. The good news is that if the lizard you’re seeing is a true lizard and not another type of reptile, you don’t have to be concerned– most of these animals are carnivores. Lizards appear in gardens seeking hard to control, but tasty bugs like beetles, ants, wasps, aphids, grasshoppers, and spiders....

What is a Long Handled Shovel? Shovels are tools for digging and lifting. You use shovels for digging up a flower bed and working compost into the soil. A long-handled shovel is a shovel with a long handle, up to 48 inches (122 cm.). It usually does not have any type of metal grip on the tip of the shovel handle. The easiest way to recognize a long-handled shovel is when it is lined up against a wall with a short-handled shovel....

How to Care for Cactus Dish Plants Care for your cactus dish garden begins at the time of preparation. To limit its care, be sure to start your dish garden cacti in proper soil. Several pre-mixed soils are available for cacti and succulents. Plant them in one of these. You can further amend the soil by adding one third lava rocks or pumice. Builder’s sand is a good amendment too. These allow water to move through the planting mix quickly, so it does not settle on the roots and make the plant rot....

Why Should You Make Your Own Recycled Garden Tools? There are a lot of good reasons to make your own tools made from recycled materials. Perhaps the most important is that it’s a sustainable practice. Take something you would have thrown away and turn it into something useful to avoid waste. DIY garden tools can also save you money. It’s possible to spend a small fortune on gardening, so anywhere you can save is helpful....

Read on and learn how to grow what is affectionately called a “mason jar rose.” Rose Propagation with a Mason Jar Greenhouse Although rose propagation is possible any time of year, growing a rose from cuttings is more likely to be successful when the weather is cool in spring or early fall (or during the winter if you live in a mild climate). Cut 6 to 8 inch (15-20 cm....

How to Propagate Asters by Collecting Seeds Many aster varieties will self-seed in the garden, and it’s also possible to collect the mature seeds and plant them in the desired location. The mature seed head looks like a light-brown or white puffball, something like a dandelion seedhead, and each seed has its own tiny “parachute” to catch the wind. Keep in mind that the seeds your asters produce may grow into plants with a different appearance from the parent....