Because its pattern is so simple and easy to recognize, the daisy is the most recognizable flower of all. For generations, crayon-drawn daisies have been on people’s fridges, and the plant has become a part of pop culture, everyday language, and even politics. Some flower lovers think that the phrase “fresh as a daisy” comes … Read more
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Want to add more clematis (or KLEM-a-tis, as some people prefer) to your collection? This summer, try growing new plants from seeds. Once the seedheads turn brown, shake out the seeds and collect the fatter, swollen ones … Read more
Just when you thought you were done with harvest season and all the picking and storing, it’s time to plant garlic! Before you plant garlic in the fall, let’s talk about hardneck vs. softneck garlic. Garlic is one of my favorite crops to grow because it is no-nonsense. It grows almost anywhere, and once you … Read more
“I have some large compost bins, which produce a lot of compost. What kind of “dirt” with inorganic materials do I need to plant things in order to get the best results? How much inorganic material do I need? This question came from Naomi or Oakdale, California. Answer: Congratulations on your composting success! Compost is … Read more
Cherry tree enthusiasts look forward to it each spring: a mass explosion of light pink blossoms. Cherry tree diseases aren’t very exciting for people who love the flowers and the sweet fruit they produce. If you think your cherry tree might be sick, we’ve put together a list of the seven most common diseases, their … Read more
Bamboo is one of the hardiest fastest growing plants on the planet. While many people associate it with being the famed food of pandas, bamboo is enjoying a boom. Bamboo is an important and environmentally friendly plant that can be used for many things, such as food, medicine, building materials, and even as a fiber … Read more
If your cherry tree (Prunus spp.) doesn’t bud or leaf out in the spring, you know it’s dying. ) is dead. But you can also look at some parts of the tree in the fall or winter to see if it really has died and not just gone to sleep. If you change how you … Read more
Learning how to grow asparagus is simple. Asparagus is a dependable favorite in the home garden. It takes two or three years for the plants to be ready to harvest, but they keep making tasty spears for another ten to fifteen years. Asparagus stalks increase in circumference and number over time — it definitely gets … Read more
Few flowers seem to catch that late-summer-into-early-fall shimmer quite like a dahlia. In a beautiful nod to how nature is always changing, dahlias’ soft colors often change during their growing season, going from royal to lavender purples and coral to salmon. A red will dahlia will deepen to amplify the cerulean blue, robin-egg blue of … Read more
The Swiss cheese plant, or Monstera adansonii, gets its name from its big, heart-shaped leaves that get holes in them over time. This is called fenestration. This makes the leaves resemble Swiss cheese. The Swiss cheese plant is a tropical perennial that comes from Central and South America. It is usually grown indoors. Monstera adansonii … Read more