This shrub, which is planted in the fall or spring, can be container-grown plant or used as a garden specimen. It has a moderately slow growth rate, making it an excellent choice for containers. Mix compost into the planting area to add nutrients to the soil and improve drainage. Dig a hole that’s as deep as its root ball and about three times as wide, and firmly pack soil around the roots....
While you generally can start a houseplant year-round, it’s best planted at the beginning of the growing season in the spring. And unlike many cacti, this plant does have a fairly fast growth rate. The pencil cactus is often grown as a houseplant, though care must be taken due to its toxic components for both humans and pets. Generally, watering this plant is only necessary a couple of times a month during the warmer parts of the year and even less during the cooler months....
The valerian root is used in many medicinal applications and is known to be an effective sleep aid. It can grow up to five feet tall, and when in bloom, the top of the plant is covered with small pale pink or white flowers. There is a plant known as red valerian (Centranthus ruber) that resembles it but is not related. Red valerian flowers are a much deeper pink color....
Like any summer squash, pattypans are normally planted in the spring with a possible second summer planting. The plant sprouts quickly and grows fast; Germination-to-harvest takes 45 to 70 days for the first fruit to be ready, depending on the variety. Selecting a Planting Site Squash is often planted in hills or clusters. Choose a site with full sun and rich, well-draining soil. Spacing, Depth, and Support Space the hills 2 to 3 feet apart, place two to three seeds per hill, and plant them about 1 inch deep....
Measure Your Space First things first, you’ll want to stock up on garland— whether you choose to go the real or faux route is entirely your choice. But before determining how much garland to buy, you’ll want to measure the size of your mantel. “Give yourself extra length so the garland can drape naturally,” Meg Callahan, brand manager at Afloral.com, suggests. “We always recommend ordering a longer garland or an extra garland to intertwine, add fullness, or cover up any bare spots,” she adds....
Warnings About Hiring Tree Services An all-purpose handyman driving around a neighborhood in a pickup truck with a chainsaw and hollering out sales pitches may not be suitable for work demanding such a high level of responsibility. For dangerous work such as this, tree services’ demonstrated possession of adequate insurance may well be the consumer’s primary consideration. Request to see certificates of liability and workman’s compensation insurance, and check that they are current....
The term “catfacing” is used for tomatoes and strawberries because the deformities look similar. The causes and therefore the control methods are different. Catfacing on Tomatoes Catfacing becomes noticeable as the fruit grows. Large brown scars, crevasses and/or holes develop at the blossom end. In addition, the tomatoes may become extremely malformed. Sometimes the tomatoes are so mishappen that the locules (the compartments inside the tomato) are exposed. Catfacing only affects the fruit, not the vines of the tomato, which helps distinguish the problem from other tomato diseases....
Pavement Ants The pavement ant is 3/16 of an inch long. It is brownish-black with pale-colored legs. With a magnifying glass or microscope, it can be seen that this ant has two spines at the end of its thorax (between its body parts) and stiff hairs covering its body. One of the most common ants in the U.S., the pavement ant is found mostly in the Northeast, Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest....
A security fence is both a major psychological deterrent and a physical obstacle. First, it signals to intruders that entering your property might be more trouble than it’s worth. Second, the fence provides a serious physical obstacle if they should decide to intrude. Not all security fences are the same. Some fences that appear to be effective deterrents not only invite intruders but give them a welcoming environment for breaking into your home....
For example, depending on where you live, you can have a snowfall of a few inches that comes after mild spring weather. One day it can be a nice 70 F and the next morning you can wake up with snow. If you’ve already planted your winter veggies this could be a problem. Learn how you can best protect your garden from snow during early spring. Is Garden Snow a Problem?...
