Damage: When young onion plants wilt for no apparent reason, pull up a sample plant to check for legless worms (maggots) feeding on it roots. Be sure to get covers installed early, before the newly emerged adults fly in search of host plants.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. Often planted with low, mound-forming herbs and flowers. Harvesting Dig roots in fall or early spring and dry outdoors, because they release an unpleasant...
Position Any sunny spot. Troubleshooting Control lemon balm's spread by cutting back flowering stems in late summer. Notes Lemon balm is very easy to grow. Frost tolerant A cold-hardy perennial, lemon balm can survive temperatures to -20F (-30C).
Colors choices are endless, from white to almost black. Position Full sun. Notes Tulips will return for several years where winters are cold, but may rot when grown in warm, moist climates.
Most gardeners buy ageratum seedlings, but only dwarf varieties are widely available as bedding plants. Companions Thyme and Osteospermum. Notes Blue ageratum provides excellent contrast when combined with flowers with orange blossoms.
Harvesting Use a digging fork to loosen soil along outside of the planting before pulling roots. Feeding Not required. Notes Thin seedlings to proper spacing when they are 4 inches tall.
Companions Crimson Clover. Hazelnuts grow best in climate such as the Pacific Northwest, where winters are chilly yet mild. Begins to bear after five years. Can be grown as a hedge.
Frost tolerant Yes. Troubleshooting Weed early and often to keep onions growing strong. Try growing different varieties from seed to explore differences in bulb color, size and shape.
Fast-growing muskmelons often do best where summers are cool and rainy, while warm, dry climates favor smooth-skinned honeydews. After 2 weeks, thin to 2 plants per hill. Melons that do not “slip” often sound hollow when tapped, and the skin color...
Managing Outbreaks: Enclosing perfect green apples in clear plastic sandwich bags will protect them from apple maggots and other pests. Small, rice-like maggots may be present, especially in apples that have dropped to the ground.
Feeding Mix a standard application of a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil prior to planting along with a generous helping of well-rotted compost. As long as they have ample water, lantanas tolerate extreme heat.
Position A sunny spot, for example at the end of a vegetable row or bed. Troubleshooting Rabbits enjoy nibbling chamomile foliage. Notes Feathery chamomile foliage contrasts well with the textures of other herbs and flowers.
Feeding In spring and summer, feed with a balanced organic fertilizer. Oranges grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock may be grown in containers. Notes Prune in spring or summer to shape plants, and watch for thorns.
Frost tolerant Many cultivars are hardy to -40F (-40C). Harvesting Harvest fruit when the fruits just begin to soften, and chill immediately. Notes Powdery mildew can be a serious problem for white currants, so consider planting resistant varieties such...
When they stop feeding in late summer, the larvae (grubs) become a problem in lawns, where they damage grass by eating roots. Managing Outbreaks: Japanese beetle populations vary from year to year.
Position Full sun to partial afternoon shade, with excellent air circulation. Troubleshooting Wait until spring to prune back lavender plants, because the dead stems help shelter the base of the plants from harsh winter weather.
Notes Peaches may need to be hand-pollinated when grown in sheltered spots. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. Avoid planting in heavy soils.
Prune in late winter to shape trees and removed damaged branches. Crop Rotation Group Miscellaneous ● Soil Fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Position Sunny spot with excellent air circulation.
Frost tolerant No. Feeding Not required, but thrifty growth often indicates nutritional stress. Thin to proper spacing after two weeks. Wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt to avoid prickles.
If desired, small plants can be potted up in fall and grown through winter indoors. Gather stems for drying in early summer, just before the plants bloom. Oregano often spreads in hospitable spots.
Troubleshooting Hot weather can cause peppers to temporarily stop flowering. Feed every two weeks with a liquid feed after the plants begin to blossom and set fruit. Notes Tie heavy-bearing plants to a single stake to keep them from falling over.
Position Full sun or partial shade. Troubleshooting Native black walnuts are often easier to grow in the US compared to English or Persian walnuts. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
The adult moths will lay their eggs there rather than on your garden plants, and you can chop up the cress and compost it when it is loaded with larvae. Starting in spring, the moths lay eggs that hatch into tiny green caterpillars with forked tails,...
Encourage beneficial insects including lady beetles, syrphid flies, and lacewings, which are important aphid predators. They are often found in dense clusters on tender new growth.
Frost tolerant No. Feeding Not required. Thin to proper spacing when the seedlings are 1 week old. Young radishes have the best flavor, so pull them promptly. Position Full sun to partial afternoon shade.
Dig the roots after the weather cools in the fall. Feeding Feed monthly with a liquid organic fertilizer. Notes Mulch to keep the soil cool and moist. Troubleshooting Large, stately plants are easy to grow.
