This can be achieved by framing it with, for example, large terracotta pots bursting with bedding plants, herbs or topiary. As well as the usual patio set of table and chairs, consider installing a bench in a part of the garden from where you can enjoy...
By midsummer, the structure that underpins a terraced vegetable garden disappears as it is overrun by exuberant plants. Retaining wall blocks that mimic stone are easy to work with, and their uniform size simplifies bed construction.
The solution is to wet the seed drill before sowing, to give them the cool, moist surroundings they crave. Fill up a suitable-sized reservoir, adding any liquid feed you'd like to apply at the recommended rate.
Beetles attracted to the light fall into the pail and drown. Tips: Orange hawkweed, an invasive weed from Europe, is a preferred host plant for this pest. Preventing Problems: In areas where this pest is common, many gardeners monitor populations by placing...
Feeding Topdress with well-rotted organic matter in spring along with a balanced organic fertilizer. Like currants and gooseberries, jostaberries make good bushes for garden boundaries.
Troubleshooting Squash bugs and squash vine borers can be serious pests. Feeding Drench plants with a liquid fertilizer when they begin to blossom and set fruits. Exclude them from young plantings with row covers.
Crop Rotation Group Miscellaneous ● Soil Rich soil with compost dug in. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. Feeding May need potash (potassium) adding, particularly if the leaves start...
A rare "shelter" plant, sunflowers can be used to create shade for sun-stressed crops. Frost tolerant Sunflower seedlings often escape damage from light frost, but sunflowers are warm-natured plants with no tolerance of freezing temperatures.
They're often happy to let you have waste products such as sawdust for free to avoid having to pay to dispose of them. Best of all, mulch can be made – for free! – in your own garden.
Notes After harvesting prune the bush back to three buds. Planting and Harvesting Calendar < Back to All Plants Pests which Affect Grape Vine Aphids (General) Japanese Beetle Slug Snail
Limas for dry storage can be left on the plants until they change from green to tan. Feeding Mix an organic fertilizer into the soil before planting, using rates given on the label.
In addition to the direct damage aphid feeding does to plants, aphids can transmit several diseases. Be sure to apply the soap spray to leaf undersides and crevices. Ants farming black bean aphids Ants farming black bean aphids Black bean aphids being...
In severe situations, the larvae also feed on tender young bean pods. Scrape them off with a dull knife. Mexican bean beetle larva and eggs Mexican bean beetle larva and eggs Mexican bean beetle on underside of leaf (left) and larva (right) Mexican bean...
Large-flowered florists anemones (A. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area. Position Full sun in spring, sun to partial shade in summer.
Cranberries will bear for decades. Bushes can be grown along the pond's edge in sun or partial shade. Harvesting Begin harvesting three years after planting. Notes Water only with rainwater.
Crop Rotation Group Miscellaneous ● Soil Any sunny site with good drainage. Spacing Single Plants: 11" (30cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 11" (30cm) with 11" (30cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Scarlet sage needs warm soil to grow well, so wait until...
Encourage predation by wild birds and domestic poultry. Allow chickens to forage in the garden for a short period before dark. Preventing Problems: Keep grassy weeds controlled, as they are grasshoppers' preferred host plants.
Crop Rotation Group Miscellaneous ● Soil Any good garden soil. Spacing Single Plants: 7" (20cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 7" (20cm) with 7" (20cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Sow cornflowers from early to mid spring for early summer bloom.
Despite my tongue-in-cheek warfare references, it's important to remember that we're not really in a war against pests. And don't forget to report any pests you see at BigBugHunt.com .
Allow 4in (10cm) between bulbs of miniature tulips, and 6in (15cm) between taller varieties. Most tulips are hardy to -35F (-37C); cold tolerance varies with species. Companions Daylily, Catnip, Bells of Ireland and Salvia.
Fertilize with a liquid fertilizer in midsummer. Choose early and late-blooming varieties to extend the iris season. Position Full sun. Siberian iris roots should be planted 6in (15cm) apart.
Crop Rotation Group Miscellaneous ● Soil Any soil, including poorly drained sites. Spacing Single Plants: 3" (10cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 3" (10cm) with 3" (10cm) row gap (minimum) Sow and Plant Walk over the planted site to firm the seeds into the...
Damage: The larvae rasp holes in plant leaves that gradually enlarge to give the leaves a windowpane appearance. Beneficial insects including many types of wasps and hornets harvest large numbers of immature larvae to feed to their young.
A few small species of gladiolus can survive winter temperatures to 15F (-9C), but large-flowered gladioli should not be considered winter hardy. Crop Rotation Group Miscellaneous ● Soil Fertile soil with excellent drainage.
Chamomile tea is made from the blossoms only. The easiest chamomile to grow is a cool-season annual. When the stems are dry, pop off the blossoms and store them in an airtight container.
Leaf miner damage on tomato leaf [Credit: Ana Keliikuli ] Leaf miner damage on tomato leaf [Credit: Ana Keliikuli ] Host Plants: In the garden: Many flowers On Crops: Leafy greens, peas, tomatoes Where Found: Worldwide, especially in mild winter climates...
One small stem tip with four to eight leaves is plenty for one or two cats to enjoy. Companions Potatoes, Lavender, Rosemary, Sage, Mint, Agastache, Gaillardia and Tulip. Gather stems for drying in early summer, just before the plants bloom.
