Posts

Sweetbay magnolia grows at a moderate rate, usually adding 1 to 2 feet per year to its overall height. They’re best planted in the early spring. It’s possible your immature tree won’t bloom for several years, but once it does the tree will bear red, cone-like fruit in the fall once their blooms disappear, eventually going dormant in the winter (in most areas). This is not a plant-it-and-forget it species—sweetbay magnolias will require annual feeding, occasional pruning, and attention to pests when they attack....

The different turtlehead species share similar growing conditions but vary in their size and appearance, bloom color and time, and native range. Red turtlehead (Turtlehead obliqua) blooms in midsummer or early fall. It favors boggy areas but can be cultivated in a partially shaded home garden. The plant’s opposing dark green, oval leaves are slightly toothed, and its stems stand upright, even when in flower. Turtlehead is best planted in the spring or summer to give the plant time to establish itself....

Woodland phlox should be planted in the spring so it has time to spread (it won’t grow as quickly as creeping phlox) and produce fragrant flowers that bloom in clusters during April and May in its native range. Woodland phlox grows in flecked patches of shade in its native woodlands in North America from Ontario to Louisiana and westward to Minnesota. The species name divaricata translates from Latin as “spreading,” but it is not considered an invasive plant....

Most species of yucca will grow into room-devouring monsters, but this takes such a long time that you’ll get many years of use as a houseplant before it overwhelms your space. Most can also be grown outdoors, able to withstand cold snaps down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit—some varieties can even survive subzero temperatures. Plant them outdoors in the early spring. Pet owners should take caution if adding yucca plants to their homes—all parts of the plant are toxic to dogs and cats (as well as horses)....

The chia is an annual herb that grows freely in warm zones, and is native to Mexico and Guatemala. The name is a Mayan word that means “strength” but is also derived from an Aztec word for “oily”. It is also known by its botanical name which is Salvia hispanica. A member of the Lamiaceae or mint family, salvia is the largest genus. These types of plants are known for assertive growth and, in some cases, aggressive spread, as with many mint plants....

A fast-growing, vining plant, the cucamelon is a frost-tender plant. While it is perennial in tropical climates, it is most commonly grown as an annual in other climates, where it is planted in the spring. Small yellow flowers appear in the late spring to early summer and are followed by the striped green fruits, which are about the size of a large grape. The flesh of the fruits is white....

Radishes are annual vegetables that are members of the Brassicaceae family, along with broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and collards. They are planted in the spring (for a spring harvest) or late summer (for a fall harvest). And they have a quick growth rate. Some of the smaller varieties mature in as few as 30 days. The larger varieties can keep you waiting for up to 60 days. Selecting a Planting Site Pick a sunny spot with rich, loose, well-draining soil....

Ramps are a native plant found growing in moist woodlands of the Appalachian mountain range in eastern North America. They begin growth from a small bulb and spread and colonize over time. The leaves emerge in early spring, but the plants are ephemeral, disappearing within a month or two and remaining dormant until the following spring. Their leaves have an elongated oval shape that tapers to a point. They resemble lily of the valley leaves, although a bit slimmer....

There are a surprising number of variables when it comes to hanging drapes, each of which needs to be considered as you plan and complete the project. Hanging curtains in an apartment, for example, may mandate a method that doesn’t involve drilling into walls, since damage to walls can anger a building owner or threaten your damage deposit. Or, you might want to hang curtains or drapes over a window already equipped with blinds, which may require that you adjust the size of the mounting brackets and the placement of those curtain brackets to create a deeper offset from the wall, or to adjust how far the curtain rods extend on each side of the window....

What’s more, wisteria is toxic to humans, and toxic to pets. Even when cut back severely, an established Chinese wisteria produces vigorous new growth. The vine is tough—it is cold-hardy, can even tolerate some shade, and withstand temporarily dry soil so it can grow in many locations. What Does Chinese Wisteria Look Like? Chinese wisteria is a deciduous woody vine with smooth gray-brown stems that are covered with fine white hairs....

Several universities and organizations supply great pictures of diseased lawns online. Pictures may not be enough, unfortunately—many diseases and insects leave look-alike damage, at least to the untrained eye. The month of occurrence, recent weather conditions, location, soil, and especially turf type all help determine the possibilities. Identifying the Turf Type It’s crucial to know what grass species make up your lawn. It’s almost always a mix of species—all selected for the local climate and soil....

Start With the Mental The first step in a successful resolution begins before you ever clear out a single drawer, and it starts in your head. Holly Blakey, founder and owner of Breathing Room Organization in the San Francisco Bay area, says even a seemingly simple change can make a big difference. “Mental is such a big part of organization. It’s the same concept as when you get up in the morning and, before you leave, you make the bed,” she says....

Fortunately, there are many easy and safe control techniques to help deter insects like bees and wasps from hummingbird feeders without harming the birds. Try one or more of these natural tactics to discourage stinging insects from harassing your hummingbirds. Choose a Bug-Proof Feeder Some types of hummingbird feeders are less insect-friendly than others. Saucer feeders, for example, position nectar away from the feeding port and insects are unable to get to it, while hummingbirds with their long tongues have no trouble....