As an apple lover and amateur gardener, I’ve always been fascinated by the journey apples take from seed to fruit. The entire growing process is complex, yet elegant in its design. At the center lies a simple 14 letter phrase that encapsulates the essence of apple cultivation – fructification. In this article, we’ll unpack the … Read more
Forsythia shrubs burst into bright golden blooms in early spring, bringing cheer after winter. But what about care and interest after those flowers fade? Here’s an overview of forsythia’s appearance, needs, and maintenance during summer and into fall after spring flowering. Forsythia Foliage in Summer Once the spring floral display finishes, forsythia’s foliage takes center … Read more
With its piney fragrance and flavor, rosemary is a beloved herb for seasoning meats, soups, breads, and more. While rosemary can be easily propagated from cuttings, growing it from seeds is rewarding though challenging. If you want to try planting rosemary from seed, it helps to know what rosemary seeds look like. Here’s an overview … Read more
Have you recently seen some strange things growing out of your succulent and are wondering, “What the heck is growing out of my succulent?!?” Succulents have some pretty strange habits, and the growths they make can be strange and hard to understand. No need to panic though, in most cases these anomalous growths are harmless. … Read more
Whether you have collected air plants for a long time or are just starting out, one of your precious plants will get sick at some point, no matter how well you take care of it. So what do you do? Let it die and get a new plant, right? No, you can try to bring … Read more
It can be incredibly frustrating when ants seem to target and swarm you more than other people. No matter what you do they keep coming back and crawling all over your skin clothes, and belongings. What is it about you in particular that attracts ants? Understanding some key facts about ant biology and behavior provides … Read more
Amaryllis bulbs are a popular gift around the holidays for their ability to bloom brightly indoors during the winter. Their large, trumpet-shaped flowers come in stunning shades of red, white, pink, salmon, and more, instantly brightening any space. But what do you do with amaryllis bulbs after they are done blooming? Many people discard them … Read more
Lavender’s a hardy plant, but it’s not invincible. If you grow a lot of lavender, you will lose plants every year, either when they are dormant in the winter or when they are growing. We lost lavender plants this summer, as many have. This isn’t only true for large-scale growers, though. Even home gardeners can … Read more
Pinching out your tomatoes is an essential part of tomato plant care. That’s because tomato plants naturally grow bushy, and if you let them grow the way they want, they’ll focus on growing leaves instead of fruit. Naturally, no one wants that; the goal is to grow lots of beautiful tomatoes. By pinching out the … Read more
Tulips are one of the most popular spring flowering bulbs, lighting up gardens with their cheerful blooms in shades of red, yellow, white, pink and purple. Many gardeners treat tulips as annuals, planting fresh bulbs each fall. But did you know you can dig up and replant tulip bulbs for many years of beauty? Learning … Read more