In terms of regular care, plan to water your areca palm whenever the soil starts to dry out. To keep outdoor palms healthy, its especially important to keep them hydrated during hot and dry weather conditions. Indoor palms often don’t receive enough light unless they are placed near a very bright window. So, it can benefit your palm to bring it outdoors in warm weather to be exposed to diffused sunlight....
Light Plant your beardtongue in an area that receives full sun. Adequate sun exposure helps the tall stalks stay upright and not droop. Soil The soil for beardtongue must drain very well. These plants are prairie natives and prefer rocky or sandy lean soil types rather than rich garden loam. It’s fine to amend the soil with compost to achieve proper tilth but avoid manure applications. Water Penstemons tolerate drought, but 1 inch of water per week in the summer will keep plants vigorous and promote better blooming....
You won’t need to deadhead the plant for it to continue blooming during its long flowering season of May to October. The prolific plant continuously produces new foliage to cover dying blooms, and new flowers quickly take their place. In the winter, the plant will die off if temperatures fall below freezing. In zones 8-11, it will grow as a perennial. Popular in both gardens and containers, bidens are considered an excellent choice as a groundcover or spiller plant....
Somewhat tubular and lily-like, canna flowers come in shades and combinations of yellow, orange, red, and pink and are borne on tall stalks poking out of the foliage. Rhizomes planted in spring after the last frost will take a few weeks to sprout but will then grow at a rapid pace and often flower in the first year. Because most cannas sold today are the result of many crosses, cannas are rarely classified and are simply considered hybrids....
Throughout the cooler months, most offer dark orange or red fruit, while fewer varieties create softer colored yellow berries. It is one of the few hollies that can produce berries without male pollination, the largest of all holly berries at 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter. Spiny leaves are dark olive glossy green and a bit prickly. The hairless leaves are leathery and waxy in texture. Each broadleaf is exceptionally shiny compared to others in the Aquifoliaceae family....
Petunias are fast-growing plants that will reach full size by late spring. When to plant petunias depends on your area’s projected last spring frost date; the plants must not be exposed to any frost. You can keep petunias blooming all summer by giving them enough sun, water, and fertilizer; deadheading the spent blooms; and pruning back scraggly growth. In cold climates, petunias are annuals and only last one growing season....
Quaking Aspen Tree Care An iconic tree of the Rocky Mountain states, quaking aspen is a high-maintenance plant, due to its ability to spread, unless it is a large stand of quaking aspen that you desire (over time). Such a stand (colony) could be suitable for an isolated area of your property. But to grow a single quaking aspen as a specimen plant or shade tree, you must continually remove any new plants that pop up from the root system to avoid growing unwanted trees and to protect foundations and septic systems....
This plant is a tropical perennial native to Africa and India. It must have very hot, dry conditions for growing, making it something of a challenge for gardeners who don’t live in the appropriate growing zones. Interested in adding Sesame plants to your garden? Here are some things you need to know to keep your Sesame plant happy and healthy. Although these plants are generally tolerant of very poor growing conditions (thin soil, high heat, drought), the best crop yields occur in fertile, well-drained soil....
The golden marguerite is generally very easygoing and isn’t associated with specific issues, such as leaf drop or discoloration. It is, however, prone to some insects, like aphids, slugs, or snails. Appropriate watering practices will help lower the chances of an infestation. Ensure a healthy, vibrant bloom by deadheading flowers and lightly pruning. Light The golden marguerite is a perennial that does best in full sun. Ideally, locate this plant in a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily....
It is a common plant to see in untended pastures and along roadsides, and it self-seeds readily. The seed pods dry into velcro-like burrs that cling to everything—including your clothing and pet’s hair. But burdock also has a surprising number of culinary and herbal uses. Its roots, sweet but pungent in flavor, are commonly used in cooked dishes or as a flavoring in teas. In Asian cooking, burdock (Gobo root) is commonplace....
As their common name implies, this unique fenestrated plant is a great option if you are looking for a small vining plant to add to your collection. Indoors, the mini monstera normally tops out at about 6 to 8 feet tall, with leaves that are about 6 to 8 inches long. In its native environment, the mini monstera is a climbing plant, so it will thrive if provided with a support to climb indoors such as a moss pole or trellis....
If you’re interested in growing fruit organically, figs are a great place to start because these trees need very little in the way of fertilization and are not bothered by many pests and diseases. Even if you don’t end up harvesting the fruit, these fast-growing deciduous shrubs or trees are popular in terms of their ornamental value. They have a spreading habit and attractive lobed leaves. The flowers are insignificant, but they form into fleshy fruit that start off green and turn purple when ripe....
This plant is highly flammable, so it is best to keep it away from structures, outdoor cooking areas, or open flames. Because of its rigorous self-seeding nature, it may be best to plant a sterile plant to reduce the risk of rampantly spreading pampas grass around your property. Light Full sun is ideal for this grass, though it can grow in partial sun as well. Too much shade can lead to soil that is too damp, which can cause fungal problems....
When considering a fire pit or outdoor heat lamp, know they can vary drastically in price: Custom-designed hearths and pits with elaborate features and materials can be expensive, but you can also find a simple fire pit or chiminea for less than $200 that will get the job done. Your choice of fuel can also impact how much your outdoor heating costs you, and should be determined not only by preference and price point but also by local laws and codes....
While tree of heaven does not tolerate shade, it encroaches on a forest that has been disturbed, or establishes itself on the edge of the woods. From there, it spreads by suckers or the samaras of female trees which are dispersed by the wind. Once established, it constantly grows suckers, and not just at its base but 50 or more feet away from the original tree. It only takes the newly sprouted trees about two years to produce seeds on their own....
For successful cold storage, choose your best, blemish-free vegetables, keep an eye on them throughout the winter, and don’t be shy about bringing them out of storage to enjoy. Cold storage will extend the life of the produce stored but eventually quality will diminish. The Basics of Cold Storage The term “cold storage” does not mean storing vegetables in a refrigerator. Refrigerators are relatively moist environments that are best for storing vegetables that will be used within a few days....
