You sow beet seed in the garden, and they come up too thick. So next year you plant less seed, and what happens? They grow too thick and need thinning again. Why is it that beet seed can’t be sown so that it does not need to be thinned?. I looked closely at beet seed, … Read more
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live somewhere cold or want plants to grow faster, space them out at the shorter end of the range. If you live somewhere warm, don’t have a lot of money, or … Read more
Sunflowers are one of the most iconic symbols of summer. Their bright yellow petals and tall, sturdy stems evoke feelings of joy and warmth As summer turns to fall, it can be sad to watch these beauties wither away But what if you could keep them forever? With the right techniques, you can preserve sunflowers … Read more
“My Japanese maple looks really sick and not as full as usual. Leaves fell a lot, and they are all spotted. Do you think this is because it has rained so much in the past few weeks or months? What should I do? asked Linda from North Carolina. As a Japanese maple leaf connoisseur, one … Read more
St. John’s Bush and St John’s Wort – two herbs with remarkably similar names yet very different purposes and uses Their names cause a lot of confusion, so let’s break down exactly what sets these two plants apart. First, St. John’s Bush (scientifically known as Justicia pectoralis) is a flowering herb that grows in parts … Read more
We might be weird, but were absolutely smitten with the easy-to-grow ornamental grass known as “bunny tails. ” Wait, no. Were not weird. At least, not for that reason. This small annual plant has tiny, fluffy seed heads that make it look beautiful. Anyone who doesn’t like it probably kicks puppies and would knock an … Read more
Rhubarb is a plant that only brave gardeners grow because they know how delicious it is. This unusual and sometimes hard to find plant If you’ve never grown rhubarb before, you might be wondering things like, “How do I know when rhubarb is ready?” and “When should I pick rhubarb?” Read on to find out … Read more
Spider mites are a common garden pest that damage plants by sucking out sap and chlorophyll from leaves and stems Left uncontrolled, heavy infestations can severely weaken, stunt, or even kill plants While miticides or insecticides are one control option, these chemicals can harm populations of beneficial insects A safer, more eco-friendly approach is using … Read more
Phlox is not a preferred plant for deer to eat. Deer tend not to be attracted to scented plants. Tall phlox dies back when exposed to frost. The aerial portion is dead during the winter months. Deer will eat from your garden all year, but they are less picky in the winter when their favorite … Read more
If you’ve ever owned a snake plant, then you know it’s not an especially hard-to-care-for plant. To make sure your snake plant stays healthy and grows as well as it can, you can still do some things. Knowing how to keep your snake plant from turning brown at its tips is one such thing. So, … Read more