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What is Angular Leaf Spot? Angular leaf spot is a bacterial infection that affects cucurbit plants. The offending bacterium is called Pseudomonas syringae. The infection may take hold in any cucurbit, but it is most common in cucumbers, honeydew melons, and zucchini. Other melons, squashes, and pumpkins may be infected, but this is less common. The conditions in which the infection thrives are humid and moist. It is most likely to spread after a big rain or with the use of overhead irrigation....

Soil for Growing an Apple Tree One thing to remember about growing an apple tree is that the pH of the soil has to be just what the tree needs. You should have a soil test done if you are thinking about how to grow an apple orchard or your trees might not survive. Having a soil test done by the extension office is great because they provide the kit, do the test and then can give you a report of exactly what your soil needs in order to have the proper pH....

April in the Western Region The areas included in the western region of the country, like the states of California and Nevada, don’t look alike by any means. Some, like cities near the coast, may never see frost. Others, just a few miles inland, get frost but no snow, while still farther east, roads may be closed because of snowfall. Since April in the western region includes such a range of climates, we’re going to focus on West Coast gardening....

White Sunflower Varieties If you haven’t spent much time exploring the different varieties of sunflower available on the market, you may not realize how much variety there actually is. Not all sunflowers are the typical tall stalks with giant yellow heads. There are shorter plants, flowers that are only a few inches (8 cm.) across, and even those striped with yellow, brown, and burgundy. You’ll also find a few whitish varieties that have been around for a while....

Arnica Herb Uses What is arnica herb for? Arnica has been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Today, the roots and flowers are used in topical treatments such salves, liniments, ointments, tinctures and creams that soothe tired muscles, relieve bruises and sprains, ease the itch of insect bites, soothe burns and minor wounds, promote hair growth and reduce inflammation. Although the herb is usually applied topically, homeopathic remedies with highly diluted amounts of the herb are available in pill form....

Effects of Home Construction and Gardens Every plant in the garden has the potential to become injured during construction. While plants becoming trampled or simply being run over are obvious causes, roots, stems and branches of trees are also at risk. Simply allowing the construction crew to run rough shod over the property can cause any amount of damage and even plant death. Avoiding construction damage to plants ensures continued ecosystem balance and preserves the appearance of the property....

Balcony Gardens in Winter In the not so distant past, annuals were the primary plants set out in containers on balconies. Today, everything from perennials to small trees and shrubs are grown in containers on our decks and balconies. Unlike fading annuals, the thought of tossing out a perennial is antithesis to the gardener. However, the roots of these potted plants are above ground and, therefore, more susceptible to freezing. So overwintering balcony gardens is of paramount interest....

General Life Cycle of a Plant Learning about the life cycle of a flowering plant can be fascinating, especially for kids. Start by explaining what a seed is. All seeds contain new plants, called embryos. Most seeds have an outer cover, or seed coat, which protects and nourishes the embryo. Show them examples of the various types of seeds, which come in many shapes and sizes. Use handouts, which can be filled out and colored, to help kids with seed and plant anatomy....

Beech Tree Identification It’s easy to recognize a beech tree by its smooth, gray bark, which the tree keeps throughout its lifespan. In shady sites, beech trees have a massive, straight trunk that soars to a height of 80 feet (24 m.) or more. The crown stays small but dense in shade. The trees are shorter in full sun, but they develop a large, spreading crown. Beech tree leaves are about 6 inches (15 cm....

Many gardeners think that when they see bugs in the garden it’s a bad thing, but the truth of the matter is that a few bugs are not going to hurt your garden. It is best if there is a balance between harmful insects and beneficial garden bugs. After all, if there are no bad bugs for the good bugs to eat, they’re not going to stay around for long, which means your garden won’t benefit from their presence....

In working toward the improvement of soil, it’s vital to have a firm understanding of its type and its composition. When planning the landscape, growers can use this information to make better informed planting decisions. Finding flowers which grow well in full sun and poor conditions may seem difficult, but it’s not impossible. Ornamental gardeners with clay soil, for example, are able to craft beautiful flower borders through the use of tough and highly adaptable plants....

How to Grow Winter Onions Winter onions can actually be planted in spring or fall. However, onions planted in fall generally produce larger yields. Many gardeners like to plant onions in fall, then save a few small onions in a dry location for planting in spring. Winter onions can be planted any time the ground can be worked – usually between October and December in most climates – or two to three weeks before the first hard freeze....

Billardiera Information While there are many types of billardiera plants, there are a couple that are favorites of gardeners and earn extra attention. An especially popular one is Billardiera longiflora, also known as appleberry and climbing blueberry. An evergreen vine, it is hardy in USDA zones 8a to 10b. It can reach 8 feet (2.5 m.) in length. In late spring to early summer, it produces flowers that can come in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, green, purple, and pink....

Strelitzia and Caesalpinia Bird of Paradise Plants Strelitzia is the common form of the plant in Hawaii, California, and Florida, and the classic birds of paradise recognizable from glossy, tropical pictures and exotic, floral displays. The genus that grows in the southwestern regions of the U.S., however, is called Caesalpinia. Cultivars of the Strelitzia genus of bird of paradise abound, but the Caesalpinia genus is nothing like the BOP with which most gardeners are familiar....

Why Do Pepper Leaves Blacken and Fall Off? Blackened leaves on pepper plants aren’t a good omen and are usually a symptom of one or a combination of several factors. The first one, overwatering, is most likely the reason for the blackened leaves on my pepper plants. I try very hard not to wet the foliage, but since I live in the Pacific Northwest, Mother Nature isn’t always as cooperative; we get a lot of rain....

Planting Black Cotton Black cotton is an herbaceous perennial that is native to sub-Saharan Africa and Arabia. Like its white cotton plant relative, black cotton (Gossypium herbaceum ‘Nigra’) care requires plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures to produce cotton. Unlike regular cotton, this plant has both leaves and bolls that are dark burgundy/black with pink/burgundy blooms. The cotton itself, however, is white. Plants will grow 24-30 inches (61-76 cm.) in height and 18-24 inches (45....

What is Black Heart Disease? The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a deciduous, bushy shrub which will grow to between 10-12 feet (3-4 m.) tall and bears brightly colored fruit with a plethora of seeds inside of it. The bush can be trained or pruned into more of a tree shape as well. The limbs are thorny and punctuated with dark green, glossy leaves. Spring brings forth the brilliant orange-red blooms, which are either bell-shaped (female) or vase like (hermaphrodite) in appearance....

Life Cycle of Boxwood Spider Mites Boxwood spider mites overwinter as eggs and hatch and become active in April to early May. They are tiny, spider-like creatures who cause damage when they suck the sap from the leaves of the plant. Their saliva contains a toxin that causes stippling on leaves and, over time, the reduction in sap to the plant will cause a silvery, unhealthy cast on foliage. Treating spider mites on boxwoods needs to start as soon as the pests are observed to save the health of the plant....

Brussels Sprouts Problems Sprouts are harvested in fall when the cool weather produces the best flavor. Brussels sprouts are not difficult to grow, but they are heavy feeders and need supplemental fertilization or heavily amended soil. However, soils that have been worked prior to planting are too loose to support good growth. This condition produces loose sprouts. Sow seed directly into the garden in mid-summer and provide plenty of water for best growth....

About Burlap Wind Protection Breakage isn’t the only issue in high wind areas. Wind burn is a common problem where plants have been roughly treated by intense wind and physical damage as well as moisture loss occurs. Want to learn how to make burlap windscreens? This step-by-step tutorial will help you make quick burlap wind protection to save your plants without breaking your bank. Many trees and shrubs can stand up to a little wind and not withstand any injury....