Gardening Basics

Successful gardening in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area means being aware of climate conditions during growing seasons. Plant hardiness zones, or Climate Zones, or growing zones, and Heat Zone...

This article will teach you how to clone most plants. Some plants may take longer than other species of plants. Some may be harder to clone, but some are very very easy to clone. You can buy a...

Self-watering planters help take the guesswork out of caring for your houseplants. With a self-watering pot, the plant itself gets to determine how much water it needs and how often through a...

Composting harnesses nature's power of decomposition. All organic things rot; in a compost heap, they decompose in a place and over a time you choose. "Passive Composting" is piling up some...

Crabgrass (also called Digitaria) is a large, rapidly growing weed found in most countries throughout the world. The most common varieties of crabgrass in the United States is Large Crabgrass....

Bad yard drainage means oversaturation of water in the soil. When the soil becomes waterlogged, plants become susceptible to root rot or other fungal diseases. Sandy and loam soils generally do...

Planting flowers is an easy way to brighten your garden and soothe your soul. Many gardeners prefer to grow their flowers from seed, but choose to avoid using nonrenewable plastic seed flats....

Weathervanes can be seen on churches, barns, in gardens and other buildings across the landscape. For many people, this familiar sight is purely decorative. For others, weathervanes are scientific...

Compost worms, typically red wigglers or Eisenia fetida, require a hospitable habitat to flourish. The five essentials for their care are appropriate bedding, food, moisture, pH level and...

People are always trying to figure out new ways of fertilizing their plants. Whether it be the least expensive way or the most effective way, some gardeners are willing to try anything. One such...

The Queen Palm is a tropical tree native to Brazil and Argentina. It's commonly seen along streets and in parks in tropical and subtropical regions, but it can also be grown indoors. The Queen...

Miracle-Gro is a line of home and garden products produced by the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. Miracle Grow products enhance the growth and resiliency of lawns, gardens and plants.

Elephant Ears, with their brightly hued foliage, add year-round color to your garden. They grow well in either full or partial sunlight, but are not hardy enough to survive the colder winter...

Mold, pests, poor soil conditions and improper watering can cause evergreen shrubs to become sick. The branches may be dying off, they may be dropping their foliage or the color of the foliage may...

The advantages of adding chicken manure to vegetable crops are significant, as long as a few simple rules are followed.

According to the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, compost is created by the "biological decomposition of organic wastes by bacteria, fungi, worms and other...

Outdoor plants in direct sunlight require plenty of water. Because of the intense heat, water can quickly evaporate before the plants have a chance to absorb it. Whether your plants are in pots or...

Planting vegetables in Ohio is not as hard as it may seem. The key is to plan ahead and know what type of vegetable you want to plant. According to Ohiolandscaping.com, there are cool season...

A cold frame greenhouse is an economical solution for extending your growing season. You don't need to purchase a large, industry-sized cold frame greenhouse. Instead, make a small one that fits...

Hose end sprayers are commonly used to spread water-soluble plant food over both small and large areas. They are a convenient tool to use to water lawns and gardens and "feed" the area at the same...

Gardening is a time-consuming, multi-faceted hobby. From pest control to plant disease remedies to fertilizers, the need for attention in order to have a successful garden is constant throughout...

A privet is a landscape shrub that can be moved or transplanted during the late fall or spring after the ground can be worked. The roots must be disturbed as little as possible during the process...

Ficus trees are not generally capable of withstanding cold temperatures. Temperatures below forty degrees will cause the ficus to freeze, damaging both the foliage and wood. While a deep freeze of...

Yellow root, or Xanthorrhiza simplicissima, receives its name from the brilliant yellow of its inner bark and underground root stem. This tall shrub produces an bright green leaf in the summer...

Palm trees are a wonderful addition to any garden or yard. They do require trimming of the fronds in order to be as healthy as possible, but this is a fairly easy task to do. Trimming the palm of...

Yew trees are evergreen hardwoods that grow in temperate to cold climates. They are smaller evergreens with branching, multi-lobed foliage. Unlike pines that only need fertilizer when they are...

The art and science of growing your own food extends your own budget as well as supplying your family with wholesome produce all year round. Muscadines, also known as Scuppernongs, are a hardy and...

A backyard garden can be a tasty source of fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables. An insect pest infestation of aphids, beetles and other common bugs can wreak havoc in your garden, decimating...

Roundup is an herbicide that effectively kills many species of weeds. Properly used, Roundup will kill weeds in less than a week. Physical signs of a plant's impending death from Roundup range...

A good gardener knows the benefits of keeping up the harvest schedule so you pick your organic food at the peak of its growth. You keep an eye on every crop while planting and preparing the next...

Red dogwood bushes can provide your lawn with bright red color from their wood if they are pruned every few years. Pruning red dogwood bushes will help you control their size as well as encourage...

The coconut palm tree is a beautiful addition to a park, a backyard or other type of grounds. The trees grow well in tropical or semi-tropical climates where there is a lot of sunshine and rain....

Whether you want a nice cold glass of juice each morning, or just a bold splash of color in your yard, the Republic of Texas Orange Tree is perfect. This thorny tree is known throughout Texas for...

You can boost the size of your plants by giving them the most sunlight for the longest possible time. Quite often, plants can naturally grow to optimal size, but certain products are proven to...

Most people assume winter is the end of the gardening season, unless you are willing to invest in a greenhouse. One task that can continue in the winter is composting. Composting is largely a...

This article is a follow-up to the previous article, "How to Start a Tomato Bucket Garden, Cheap and Easy". If you have planted your tomatoes, you have plenty of sunshine, and good...

Using grow light bulbs is a way that horticulturalists extend the growth period of various plants such as flowers, fruit and vegetable plants. These can be used to start spring a little early for...

When you work with certain plants, you might develop rashes on your body. After you have been working with the hibiscus plant, and notice a red, itchy rash on your arms, it is important to explore...

Ficus benjamina, also known as weeping figs, are popular indoor trees. As temperamental as they are attractive, making a ficus grow can be like getting a supermodel to eat a five-course...

Potted plants are a warm and graceful addition to any decor. These days, there are so many container choices available for indoor gardening, from pressed-foam that looks like stone to classic clay...

Compost--partially decomposed organic matter--is a dark soil-like substance full of nutrients and microorganisms that plants adore. You can certainly make your own compost using a simple pile in a...

Whether you are growing flowers or vegetables in large containers, potting soil is likely the largest expense when you plant your garden. Making your own potting soil mixes saves some money over...

Both pine and cedar mulch are commonly used in gardening. Though they offer similar benefits, there are some important differences between them that home gardeners should be aware of.

Nitrogen is a vital element required by all plants to live. Although nitrogen is naturally present in the atmosphere, few plants are able to convert nitrogen in the air to a usable form. Nitrogen...

Raspberries are relatively easy to grow and will multiply on their own over the years. But if you want to add more raspberry bushes or start a new patch, you can plant raspberry cuttings. Red and...

The pecan is a nut tree native to North America and grown predominantly in the southern United States. Pecan pies are a holiday classic, but the nut makes a great addition to salads, desserts,...

Using a greenhouse to grow plants, flowers and seedling is a hobby enjoyed by many. The avid greenhouse hobbyist knows just how tricky it can be to create an optimal greenhouse atmosphere in which...

If you are surrounded by hanging pots of trailing vines and flowers, spring is in the air no matter what time of year it is. It's not hard to hang a flower pot--most of them come with holes...

Compost is the 'black gold' of the gardening world. If you use it in your garden, your flowers, vegetables, fruit, and herbs will thrive. The best thing is, it's easy to make in your own back yard!

Learn how many plants you need for an average family, and ways to figure out how many you need for a larger family.