Students who finished their work early were allowed to weed and water the plants. Smiles lit their faces when they realized the flowers were still there – still growing strong, and still beautiful.Winter came, and with it the death of the melampodiums.
These are also the plants that steadfastly cling to life in malls, airports and office buildings. It stands to reason if they can be attractive in these commercial environments, they will thrive in a home environment, cared for by a gardener.These plants...
These plant profiles will feature time-tested seeds and plants that are easy to grow, but produce a great show. Cockscomb seeds are inexpensive and are often found on the bargain racks at the local big box store.
Wipe the pruning shear blades with rubbing alcohol again after use. Providing year-round color and structure in wet, full-sun and partial-shade sites, horsetail tolerates water to a depth of 4 inches over its roots.
The most economical are the un-named six packs that can be picked up for a couple of bucks while gardeners with more specific tastes can choose cultivars with names like ‘Plant coleus in a good quality potting mix and remember that they do best when...
They do not benefit from applications of Miracle-Gro, as the high nitrogen content of that fertilizer tends to promote green leaves and the colors won't be as bright. However, they can be started several weeks earlier indoors if you have an area where...
It takes up a large footprint in my garden. The ground drains well and water never stands when it rains. The hips are large enough to be harvested and since rose hips contain a significant amount of Vitamin C, many gardeners grow it for this purpose.
Sprinkle the zinnia seeds between three and six inches apart and lightly cover them with soil. Here in west KY, we plant zinnias again at the end of July for a great show that will take us through the rest of the summer and on into autumn.
In realty, this was an excellent choice, because the fleshy leaves contain quite a bit of moisture which makes it hard for fire to catch and burn.This plant reproduces by sending out little fleshy runners that produce a baby plant at the end.
Horsetail is a is genus of prehistoric rhizomatous forbs or grass plants known botanically as Equisetum. Reduce the height as desired but remove no more than one-third of the plant height in any pruning session to limit stress on the plant.
A nice natural dye can be made from the blooms and the buds and flowers are edible. You can then remove the pod and harvest your seeds. Many new gardeners are starting to plan their first adventure into our crazy, wonderful world.
For best results, bring your summer camper indoors before you turn on the central heating. Rubber trees need little fertilizer -- a 1-inch layer of compost provides nitrogen for most trees.
Rather than put them out directly, try acclimating them over a period of a few days by putting them outside for a few hours and bringing them back in.If you'd rather purchase seedlings from a garden center than wait for seeds, don't be tricked by size.
Add them to corsages, hair arrangements or leis, which will keep for up to one day.Gently pick the plumeria flowers close to the bottom of the stem where they join the tree so as not to crush the five-pointed petals.Construct leis, hair arrangements or...
Rats infest homes and cause destruction to the areas of the house they live in. The barbwire should replicate a swinging door.Glue a toothpick across the opening of the bottle. Homemade mousetraps can cut down on costs, while leaving the gory scenes to...
Wine grapes come in over 5,000 varieties each ranging in different colors, flavors and sweetness. You can use any color grapes for this recipe.Whisk the egg whites of two eggs with 1/8 teaspoon of lemon juice in a glass bowl.
Ginger tea also goes really well in a mix with other herbal teas. And they have high levels of antioxidants, which make them a nutritional and flavorful addition to dishes.Ginger leaves are edible, but they are tough to chew and digest whole.
Wet the mushrooms enough that they are shiny, but not dripping or slimy.Break off the mushrooms when they get to the size you want. Use a 1/2-inch drill bit. You can grow your own edible mushrooms in a portable 5-gallon bucket.
Water until the water starts to drain out the holes in the bottom. Some mixes are also available that are specifically prepared for tomatoes and vegetables. Pick a beam or support that is strong enough to hold the weight of a full sized plant, media and...
Luckily, with a bit of time and knowhow, your roses can be preserved. Touch a rose petal gently. Cut the long end of the wire to the desired length, then wrap the wire with florist's tape.Gather a small bunch of about three to five roses with their foliage...
It can also be chemically composed into a liquid or a solid using ammonia and carbon dioxide. It is best moved with a conveyor belt.Due to its water solubility, urea is used in many things such as plastic, household cleaners, animal feed and medicine.
Luther Burbank found a single mutation of a potato in his garden in 1872. I can't think of a food product used in so many different ways: mashed, fried, boiled, au gratin, potato chips, and even used to make vodka.
At the young, green stage, black-eyed peas are removed from their plump pods, cooked and served as a hearty green vegetable side dish. Cover them with 5 cups of water per cup of peas and put a lid on the pot.Set the pot on a burner turned to its highest...
Squash is a common sight in many gardens. Use the vine instead of the squash when handling the vegetable.Mix 6 parts water with 1 part household bleach, wipe the squash with the solution and allow to air dry.
Plants can utilize about four times the amount of CO2 found in the atmosphere. You can make your own CO2 generator with yeast and a sugar solution. Remove the cap and fill the bottle with more lukewarm water.
Peel the skin off, remove the pits and slice enough peaches to yield one qt. This prevents the peaches from turning brown when exposed to air.Line a baking tray with wax paper to prevent the peach slices from sticking to the metal during freezing.Arrange...
