Overwintering Dracaena Plants Dracaena cold tolerance varies greatly depending upon which variety is being cultivated in the garden (most are zones 9 and above). While some do not tolerate frost or cold temperatures, other varieties may tolerate conditions in cooler USDA growing zones like zone 7-8. Those growing dracaena as houseplants won’t require any special considerations when preparing for winter, but anyone having outdoor plantings will need to take necessary steps to help the plant survive upcoming cooler conditions....

Hot Weather Effect on Broccoli When broccoli gets too hot, it will bolt or start to flower. Contrary to popular belief, hot weather will not cause bolting broccoli. What actually causes bolting broccoli is hot soil. Tips for Growing Broccoli in Hot Weather The best way to prevent broccoli flowers from appearing too early is to keep the soil the broccoli is planted in cool. Mulching The best way to grow broccoli if you expect hot weather is to make sure that the broccoli plant is well mulched....

The Importance of Christmas Tree Shaping If you’ve ever purchased a real Christmas tree and became disappointed when you got it home, you’re not alone. From huge bare spots to oversized trunks that don’t fit in the tree stand, a multitude of problems that didn’t seem apparent at the sale lot can become glaringly obvious in the living room. As the industry evolved, commercial Christmas tree growers have developed techniques to reduce or eliminate these problems....

Tomato Bug and Insect Pests There are many pests of tomato plants – these are some of the most common. Aphids Common tomato pests, and pests of just about everything else (at least in my garden), are aphids. Aphids populate new stems and the undersides of leaves leaving sticky honeydew in their wake. They suck the nutrient-rich sap from the plant. The honeydew attracts other pesky insects. A strong stream of water can wash them off but it might damage the tomato....

What is a Sucker on a Tomato Plant? The short answer to this is a tomato sucker is a smallish shoot that grows out of the joint where a branch on the tomato plant meets a stem. These small shoots will grow into a full sized branch if left alone, which results in a bushier, more sprawling tomato plant. Because of this, many people like to remove tomato suckers from the tomato plant....

About Watermelon Powdery Mildew The presence of powdery leaves on watermelon plants is the most common sign of this fungal infection, and it is likely the first symptom you will notice in your garden. These are colonies of fungus, and they infest the leaves but rarely grow on the actual fruit. In addition to the white, powdery substance, you may also see yellow spots on your watermelon leaves. While the fungus that causes watermelon powdery mildew does not attack the fruits, the damage it does to leaves can impact your fruit harvest....

About Desert Willow Pruning Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) is a native U.S. plant, growing in the American southwest as well as Kansas and Oklahoma. The little tree has slender, willow-like leaves, but it is actually a flowering shrub. Desert willow produces flowers that are extremely ornamental. They fill the tree in spring but can keep appearing sporadically all year-round. These trees grow in dry regions and can provide shade in arid landscapes, but in order for the plants to be attractive in your backyard, you’ll have to start pruning desert willows early and regularly....

Turnip Bolting: Why Turnips Go to Seed Bolting is generally caused by stress which can take the form of too little watering or poor soil. Bolting of turnips is common when the soil is void of nutrients, a problem that can be easily prevented with a little work prior to planning. Working plenty of rich compost or organic matter into your garden bed will help ensure that your turnips have plenty of vital nutrients....

About White Spots on Turnip Leaves Turnip roots are not the only edible part of this crucifer. Turnip greens are rich in iron and vitamins and have a zesty tang that enhances many recipes. Turnips with white rust can easily be misdiagnosed as having some other disease. The symptoms are consistent with several other fungal diseases and certain cultural failings. Fungal diseases like these are promoted by several key environmental conditions....

Some of us may have heard of microclimates outdoors, but you may be wondering are there microclimates indoors too? The answer is YES, so let’s discuss what this means and why it is important. About Microclimates in Your House When you decide where to place a certain plant, it is important that you give it the best location in your home. Humidity Various locations of your home can have drastically different humidity levels in the air....

What is Micro Gardening? Indoor or urban micro container gardening is the practice of cultivating vegetables, herbs, roots and tubers in small spaces. These gardening spaces might be balconies, small yards, patios, or rooftops which make use of containers – anything from plastic-lined wooden crates, old car tires, plastic buckets, trash cans, and wooden pallets to purchased “nourishmats” and polypropylene bags. Small scale hydroponic systems are another option as well as aeroponics, growing plants in hanging containers with little to no soil, or aquaponics, which is growing plants (or fish) directly in water....

State Flowers to Color the Garden United States state flower list information indicates that state flowers are not necessarily native to the state or even to the country. In fact, some adopted plants are not originally United States flowers, but have adapted well to the state that has chosen them. So why do states adopt state flowers in the first place? Official state flowers were chosen because of the beauty and color they provide, directing the gardener to use state flowers to color garden areas or surrounding landscape....

Most gardeners are familiar with coconut coir products, especially container liners. The coir is the fibrous husk just under the outer shell that coats the coconut. It is removed prior to using the coconut in most cases. The product has moisture capturing capabilities and is a readily renewable resource. Using Coconut for Gardening Biodegradable containers like those made out of paper, wood, or coconut fiber are excellent alternatives to plastic nursery pots....

What is Castor Oil? For many of us older gardeners, castor oil represents a childhood trial. Once upon a time, mothers gave their children castor oil to regulate digestive health. It was once thought to be good for the digestive system and spoonfuls of the foul stuff were force-fed into unwilling children’s mouths. This foul-tasting practice has gone out of fashion in favor of other better-tasting and more convenient over-the-counter remedies, but that doesn’t mean we need to retire the oil....

On the other hand, there are a few problems to be aware of before you fill your metal planter containers with plants. Fortunately, most of the problems are easily resolved without too much trouble. Read on for metal planter DIYs. Tips On Using Metal Garden Containers: Metal Planter DIY Heat: Metal garden containers can get hot in a hurry, and the heat can quickly kill your plants. You’ll probably want to keep metal containers in the shade....

Watering During Extreme Heat When the mercury rises, it might seem like the best thing to do is to pour yourself a nice cold glass of tea, prop your feet up, and soak in the air conditioning, but there’s something you’re forgetting. Your plants! When it’s hot for you, it’s hot for them too! Watering in a heat wave is one of the most important things you can do to keep your big green buddies from shriveling into tiny brown lumps....

Watercress Cultivation Watercress is a perennial cultivated for its clean, slightly peppery tasting leaves and stems. Seen wild, it grows partially submerged in running water and flooded areas in moderately cool climates. If you have a water feature in your landscape, this is a great place to cultivate watercress, but don’t despair if not. Watercress can also be grown in consistently wet soil with a soil pH of 6.5-7.5 in full sun, or you can mimic natural conditions by growing watercress plants in a bucket or other container....

What Are Harvester Beans? Harvester bush beans are hardy plants that grow in a sturdy upright bush habit. The bean variety was initially developed as a green bean that could be harvested mechanically, but it has become a home garden favorite. What are harvester beans like when they are harvested? These green beans grow in straight, pods five to six inches (13-15 cm.) long. They are tender to eat and remain stringless longer than other varieties....

Juniper as Herb Plants Juniper plant benefits include their beauty in the garden. Juniper is a popular evergreen shrub that generally stays under 10 feet (3 m.) tall. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. The most common variety in this country is Juniperus communis. Juniper shrubs have needle-like leaves and grow seed cones. The outer scales of the cone are a deep blue merging on black. Gardeners refer to these as juniper berries....

Day Jasmine Varieties Day blooming jasmine is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that grows 6-8 feet (2-2.5 m.) tall and 4-6 feet (1-2 m.) wide. It is native to the West Indies and is widely cultivated in India. Day blooming jasmine is hardy in zones 8-11. In late spring to midsummer, day blooming jasmine bears clusters of tubular white flowers that are highly fragrant. At sunset, these flowers close up, capturing their fragrance within them....