Can You Eat Hedge Apples?This is a page about whether you can eat hedge apples. Hedge apples are generally not considered edible. The juice inside the fruit and stem is a skin irritant. They do however make an interesting addition to home decor.
Deadheading a HydrangeaThis is a page about deadheading a hydrangea. Deadheading, unlike pruning, involves just removing the faded, withered blooms on your hydrangea plant.
Hiding a Compost Pile?My new neighbors just cut down 3 pine trees that were on the border of my property. I kept my compost pile there. There was just enough sun and shade for good breakdown and it was nicely hidden. Well to say the least, we are exposed to the world now. And I am not too happy I might add.
Homemade Wild Bird FoodThis is a page about homemade wild bird food. Blending your own wild bird feed for the visitors to your yard, can save you money.
Getting Seeds From Pine ConesGrow your own pine tree from seed and make the world a greener place. This page is about how to harvest pine seeds (also known as pine nuts) from the pine cone for planting.
Potted Rose Bush Losing It's LeavesPotted roses require the same type of care as their cousins out in the garden. A common cause of leaf drop is improper watering. This is a page about potted rose bush losing it's leaves.
Planting After Removing Pine Trees?The soil where the pine trees grew will be acidic. Acid soil loving plants such as blueberries and azaleas could go right in. If you have other plants in mind a pH test is probably in order. This is a page about planting after removing pine trees.
Feeding Plants VitaminsThis is a page about feeding plants vitamins. Some gardeners use expired vitamins for their plants.
Making a Compost BinThis is a page about making a compost bin. You can easily and inexpensively make your own backyard compost bin, it need not be an expensive commercial model.
How to Keep Branches from Growing Back?I need to know how to keep branches from growing back after I trim them.
Zucchini Rotting on the VinePoor pollination or a lack of calcium can result in zucchini fruit rotting before it's ready to harvest. This page has advice about how to solve common problems that result in zucchini rotting on the vine.
Seedling Pots From Phone Book PagesAlthough they are fast becoming a thing of the past phone books are still distributed in many areas. Their pages can be formed into very good seedling pots. There are several tips on making these paper pots found below.
Caring for a Pear TreeThis is a page about caring for a pear tree. Growing your own fruit trees can be very rewarding, but there may be questions and concerns on appropriate care along the way.
Building a Pole Barn Greenhouse?Building your own greenhouse is a fun project that can be tailored to meet your budget and gardening needs. The pole barn style is an easy one to work with. This is a page about building a pole barn greenhouse.
Removing Blackberries Without HerbicidesIn some parts of the country wild blackberries can be very invasive, and difficult to get rid of without chemicals. This is a page about removing blackberries without herbicides.
Hibiscus Leaves Turning YellowThis is a page about hibiscus leaves turning yellow. Yellowing leaves on a plant can indicate a number of issues. Identifying the cause will allow you to treat your plant.
Starting a Christmas Cactus from CuttingsThis is a page about starting a Christmas cactus from cuttings. Many plants are easy to start from cuttings and the Christmas cactus is one of these.
Making a Bird House from a Shoe or BootOld boots and shoes can be repurposed into fun and useful bird houses. Not only do they provide a housing option for your backyard birds, but they are also a cute bit of garden decor. This is a page about making a bird house from a shoe or boot.
Using Bleach as a Weed Killer?Some homeowners prefer to use household products to get rid of weeds, rather than buy a commercial weed killer. This is a page about using bleach as a weed killer.
Growing a Rose Cutting in a PotatoOne way to propagate a rose bush cutting is by inserting it into a potato. The potato offers moisture and nutrients for the cutting until it can establish a root system.
Oranges Falling Prematurely from Tree?Oranges can fall off of the tree prematurely for a number of reasons, including moisture issues, temperature changes, and fertilizer needs. However, they may just be ripe or just near. This page has some useful information if you are growing oranges.
Orchid Leaves Turning Brown?When the leaves on your orchid begin to turn brown, you need to determine the cause so that you can correct it. This is a page about orchid leaves turning brown.
Something Is Eating My Pepper PlantsMany insects and other critters enjoy the vegetables in our garden as much as we do. This is a page about something is eating my pepper plants.
Crepe Myrtle Not BloomingThis page is about crepe myrtle not blooming. Crepe myrtle likes full sun, but in drought conditions or even when it's rainy, the flowering may be delayed.
Keeping Pigeons Away from a Bird FeederThis is a page about keeping pigeons away from a bird feeder. Backyard bird feeders often attract birds other than the song birds you may be hoping for.
Do Sweet Gum Trees Weep Sap?This is a page about, "Do sweet gum trees weep sap?". Sweet gum trees do not weep sap, however the trees may have aphids and they can drip honeydew on you, your car, or patio.
Eggshells for Your GardenThere are several good reasons to add egg shells to your garden. They provide nutrients, deter snails, slugs, and cutworms. They can also be helpful as a calcium supplement, if you raise laying hens. This is a page about eggshells for your garden.
Starting a Crape Myrtle from a CuttingCrape myrtles can successfully be started from both hard and soft wood cuttings. This is a page about starting a crape myrtle from a cutting.
Norfolk Pines Damaged By Cold?I have some small Norfolk pines that have been hit by frost. Will they come back? I also have one large Norfolk pine in the yard that is very tall and about 8yrs old. Will it come back after the frost has done damage? It has turned brown, but is the trunk alive?
Winter Care for HouseplantsThis is a page about winter care for houseplants. Your houseplants are safely away from the cold and foul winter weather. However, inside conditions and decreased daylight can still negatively effect your inside beauties.
Salt and Vinegar Weed Killer RecipeYou can mix up a homemade weed killer solution using salt and vinegar. This page contains a salt and vinegar weed killer recipe.
Sharpening Hedge Trimmers?This is a page about sharpening hedge trimmers. Gardening tools such as hedge trimmers need to sharpened periodically to work properly.
Pain from Stepping on Bougainvillea Thorns?I stepped on a bougainvillea thorn and it went though my shoe into my foot and hit the bone. A couple of days later I couldn't bend my toes, any pressure put on my foot was painful. It's been over a month and I still get swelling and numbness. How long will this last?
Water Plants With Leftover TeaThis is a page about watering plants with leftover tea. Cold tea can give plants nutrients they will not get with just water, may improve their health, and won't be wasted.
Growing Grapefruit from SeedThis is a page about growing grapefruit from seed. The seeds from this citrus fruit, unless they are hybrid, may germinate to produce a grapefruit house plant and eventually a tree.
Growing Moss on RocksThis is a page about growing moss on rocks. Moss covered rocks lend a sense of age and earthiness to your garden.
Painting Plastic Flower PotsThis is a page about painting plastic flower pots. You can brighten up your potted plants and give new life to faded plastic pots by painting them.
Starting a Compost PileThis is a page on starting a compost pile. Starting your own compost pile can save you money on your garbage bill, reduce the waste you send to the landfill, and will give you your own organic compost that you can use to amend the soil in your garden beds.
Growing Sunflowers in ContainersThis page is about growing sunflowers in containers. Sunflowers are a wonderful addition to any garden space for their beautiful colors and visiting birds.
Controlling Weeds In Your GardenThis is a page about controlling weeds in your garden. No matter if you like to garden just for fun or for growing food for your family, having weeds around is a problem. Getting the weeds under control is an important step to getting the most out of your garden.
Reusing Tires in the GardenThis is a page about reusing tires in the garden. Worn out used tires can be recycled and find new decorative and functional uses in your garden.
Selling BambooThis is a page about selling bamboo. Bamboo is an evergreen tropical or temperate grass that grows easily and spreads quickly making it a good choice to grow as a money making enterprise. There are many products made from bamboo.
Keeping a White Rock Garden Clean?I have a white rock garden in my front yard. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to protect the stones to keep them white through the fall, winter, and early spring? Aside from shoveling the rocks in a tote bin and bringing them into the house.
Replacing a Patio with Grass?This is a page about replacing a patio with grass. Sometimes with your remodeling and landscaping changes, it will be best to have lawn where concrete has been.
Composting Dog WasteThis is a page about composting dog waste. If composted properly, dog waste can be added to your garden.
Things To Consider Before Growing Climbing IvyClimbing ivy is a good choice for certain uses in your garden, but it can also be problematic. This is a page about things to consider before growing climbing ivy.
How Can I Get Rid of the Magpies but Keep the Rest of the Birds?Magpies can be real bullies at a backyard feeder. This is a page about, "How can I get rid of the magpies, but keep the rest of the birds?".
Soil Advice for Avocado PlantsIn general avocados thrive in fertile, well-drained soil. Although they adapt to most soil types, avocados prefer a light, sandy loam. This is a page about soil advice for avocado plants.
Starting a Rhododendron from a Cutting?This page is about starting a rhododendron from a cutting. These beautiful flowering shrubs are a great addition to your landscape.
Pruning an Avocado PlantKeeping the height of a potted avocado tree under control requires careful pruning to increase fullness and reduce overall height. This is a page about pruning an avocado plant.
Growing Vegetables in Concrete Mixing TubsThe black concrete or mortar mixing tubs available at your local hardware of big box home improvement store are perfect containers for growing shallow rooted vegetables. This offers some good reasons for growing vegetables in concrete mixing tubs.
Prevent Soil Leakage from PotsHere's a quick and easy method to avoid soil leakage from your pots. All you'll need are a few supplies - your pot of choice, grab any mesh netting scraps (I utilized leftover galvanized mesh netting) and some hot glue.
What Is This Plant?Please help identify this plant. It grows long stems with spotted leaf. There is usually one or two that grow very tall but then the stem splits and then dies. This process repeats. How do I keep the stems from splitting? I feel like this is a type of lily pad and meant to be in water'.
Comparable Replacement for my Red Tip Photinias?Can you please give me a name of a comparable replacement for my Red Tip Photinias that are slowly dying off? I would like it to be an evergreen shrub that grows as fast and full as these. Thank you.
Identifying Sod Types?My HOA said the grass in the neighborhood is Zoysia, but the guy that mows it says it is Bermuda. How can I know what type is it?
Growing Tomatoes?Some of our tomatoes are growing fine but some bunch of them are looking like the picture attached. What could cause that? Is it a fungus disease? Or too much water? The lower leaves seems to dry off too.
Vertical GardensCreating a vertical garden is a great way to maximize space and add a unique touch to your home. Here's a tip for setting up a vertical garden:
Five Benefits of Self Watering PotsSelf-watering pots, also known as sub-irrigation planters, offer several advantages for both indoor and outdoor gardening. Here are five benefits of using self-watering pots:
African Violet Not Blooming?Repotted my African Violet over a year ago and it has not bloomed since then. How do I get it to bloom again?
Firewood Safety With Poison Ivy?We cut down a tree in the late fall. There were poison ivy vines wrapped around part of the trunk. Is it safe to burn the wood if the vines are removed and it sits and dries out for a year?
Start Bell Pepper Plants EarlyTo ensure a good crop of bell peppers, it is important to remember that they require a long growing season. You can start the seed now (2/25)
Herbal Gift IdeasSoon herb starts will be available. Trailing rosemary makes a wonderful gift if given some time to grow. Repot the start in a nice pot (two is nicer). Take a coat hanger and bend it into a circle or heart shape and stick it into the soil.
Sharing Cherries with BirdsBirds are useful to cherry trees. they eat caterpillars, aphids etc. But of course they want their share of cherries as a reward and they sometimes take a very big share. To save your share, you have to lure the birds and here's how:
Fresh Basil All Year LongYou can have fresh basil all year long. I grew basil from seed. It was in a pot and I brought it in. I froze and dried most of it and planted this.
Removing Pumpkin Mildew?There is white powdery stuff on my pumpkins. I'm assuming it's powdery mildew. The leaves are already turning brown, and I'm worried that I will loose my pumpkins before Halloween. Does powdery mildew affect the pumpkins themselves, and if so how can I save them from going bad? Please help! Thanks.
Pumpkins Turning Orange Early?My pumpkins have already turned orange. Will they last if I leave them on the vine until Halloween, or will they rot before then? I don't want to pick them yet, as the whole reason I planted them was for Halloween.
Plant Pumpkins In Indoor Pots Now for Next YearGet a head start on the growing season by starting now. Yes before Christmas and here in Canada, the middle of winter.
Something is Eating the Inside of Tomatoes and Pumpkins?I have beautiful tomatoes on the vines in my garden, but something is eating all the inside of the tomato and leaves the rest. Some say it is deer, but I don't think so. Could it be more of a rodent? They even ate the inside of my pumpkin. Please, I need help soon.
Broken Pumpkin Plant Stems?I have two pumpkin plants that are growing beautifully. I don't have any fruit yet and no blooms but the plant themselves are very big and beautiful. This afternoon I went out to check on my garden and apparently my cat thought that was a great place to sit in the shade and broke two of my stems.
Feeding Soil in Non-Growing SeasonsKnowing how to perfect your plant's soil is the best defense against diseases and unwanted insects. It''s not to say you won't have any bugs or diseases but the soil is like a plant's immune system. The better the soil the stronger the plants growing in it.
Rooting A Chinese Evergreen StemI have a large Chinese Evergreen with one stem that insists on growing horizontally rather than vertically. I remedied that problem with a sharp knife, a heavy beer mug and water.
Creative Container GardeningWait until you take a look at the different creative containers used for container gardening on a patio. I used colored bowls and plates, a lamp stand with a plastic container, two wooden crates, a strainer, a scale, a large tea pot, and a pedestal sink.
Sharing A Peony PictureI call the Peony 'The Mother's Day Flower'. That's because most people who grow them hope they are in bloom on Mother's Day and are thrilled when they are.
Sources of Free Pavers or Stone?Does anyone know where I can pick up free pavers or stone?
Avocado Seeds Not Sprouting?Any ideas why my avocado seeds that I have had in water now for 2 months still aren't sprouting, I have them suspended pointed side down. Also, what other plants can you grow using fresh vegtables or fruits?
Zucchini Buds Falling Off?I have two zucchini plants planted in a single 5 gallon pot. They seem healthy overall and I even harvested one fruit this season. But all remaining fruit buds that are forming on the plants are turning yellow, becoming limp and falling off even before they blossom (flowers don't open).
Cut Roses Not Opening?I received a dozen red roses and for one week they stayed closed. I thought they would finally open but 8 days later they are showing black edges and don't appear to be opening. Does anyone know why this would occur?
Use a Drain Bucket When Washing Vegetables OutsideI use a drain pan in my kitchen quite often and I thought it would be good to have a drain bucket on hand when washing garden vegetables outside. It gets the excess water out.
Picking ButterbeansThis has been a hot, dry summer and the first year we have watered our garden. It has been a pretty one. My grandmother used to say, a dry June means a wet July. It seems that old saying is true because we have had a lot more rain this month.
Flowering ThymeI've been growing thyme at the top of this strawberry pot for a few years now. I originally planted herbs in each of the pockets but they all got too dried out and didn't make it, except for the thyme at the top. I love the delicate purple blossoms. After they finish blooming, I will trim them all off to allow the thyme to put out new leaves for tasty cooking for the rest of the summer and fall.
Geranium Not Flowering?I have a gigantic geranium, but it isn't flowering. The foliage is huge and healthy, but no flowers. What kind of fertilizer? or does it need it?
Temporary Surface For Under Picnic Table?I'm looking for advice for an inexpensive, temporary covering for underneath our picnic table. We do not have a deck or patio and our picnic table has been on grass over the past few years.
Upcycle Above Ground Pool Post into Plant TrellisDo you have an old above ground pool you're taking down? Or see someone tossing theirs out? Keep the posts! Here's another idea you could do with them for inexpensive - we made this plant trellis for our dragonfruit.
Forks to Keep Critters Away in the GardenThese past two years have been a challenge in the garden because of rabbits. I spent a lot of time and money with commercial sprays and powders. They did not work, even though I reapplied after watering and rain.
