Gardening Basics

Growing a garden is something that more are people are doing because of the rising cost of food and the desire to eat healthily. Because of a growing awareness of the costs of processed food to...

Hydroseeding is the common term used to describe hydraulic mulch seeding. It is a fast and effective plant process that utilizes a slurry of seed and mulch to seed a large area and encourage...

Canes of bamboo grow from rhizomes, a sort of underground stem. Propagating cloned bamboo by planting harvested pieces of rhizomes with buds is a fast, easy, and inexpensive way to fill the...

When it comes to gardening, one of the biggest concerns is how well the water drains. The soil you plant in must be capable of holding some water so that the plant can absorb it, but it must also...

Gardening is an enjoyable activity for many people. Not only does it allow you time to spend many enjoyable hours outdoors in the sunshine, it can provide fresh, healthy vegetables for your table....

Compost is an excellent organic material which can fertilize, condition and enhance the quality of your garden soil greatly. Often referred to as black gold by gardeners, compost is very dark in...

Since the victory gardens of WWI and WWII, food gardeners have known that the time their garden requires is well worth the effort. Planting a garden at your private residence is a healthy,...

A weeping willow tree is a lovely addition to any home lawn or garden. Planting a weeping willow near a septic area in your lawn is not a problem, as the weeping willow does very well in moist...

An old wheelbarrow can go from eyesore to charming centerpiece in your garden when converted into a planter. Wheelbarrows function as movable planting boxes, broadening your planting possibilities...

The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is a carnivorous plant native to North Carolina. This plant has adapted to low-nutrient conditions by evolving its leaves to attract, trap and digest animal...

Clay soil holds water even when completely drained and is sticky. It is a heavy soil, containing minerals, clay, silt, sand, water and air. Clay soil is found throughout the US, but is most...

Vegetable gardening can be a rewarding hobby, with a payoff of fresh produce at the finish line. Gardening doesn't require a large financial investment, but you do need to consider what plants...

Grapes are hardy and versatile plants. There are many varieties, each one preferring different conditions, so most gardeners can find one that will grow well in their area. The vines are...

Ivy is a lush plant that can be found around the world. It's naturally a climber, which means it's quick to cover both the ground and the walls it grows near. But when green ivy is tamed, it can...

Epsom salt is one of the easiest and cheapest fertilizers to use for a garden. It is primarily made up of magnesium and sulfur, which are important for seed germination and chlorophyll production,...

One of the best gardening secrets has always been soil additives. Some gardeners have their own formulas for creating the best gardens using mulch, compost and fertilizers. However, there are some...

Gardening can be one of the most relaxing activities. You can grow almost anything depending on your climate. Maybe you want to grow some vegetables in your garden, or maybe you wish to plant a...

Privet hedges are easy to grow. They will quickly fill in and give you a thick hedge of greenery. Some countries such as Australia have outlawed growing privet hedges because they grow like weeds....

Healthy, nutrient-rich organic soil is the most important factor in growing a vigorous, prolific garden. Building up garden soil is a time-consuming process, sometimes taking several years until a...

Once believed to be a delicacy reserved for special occasions, asparagus has become as commonly grown throughout Australia as peas and carrots. Exports of Australian asparagus are sold in...

Shucking pecans without gloves allows the yellow sap to oxidize on hands and turn them dark brown or black. Unfortunately while you can lighten the the shade of the stain by using an abrasive like...

Growing a new plant without planting seeds first may seem impossible, however, it is one of the most common means of plant reproduction. Cloning, as gardeners refer to it, is the method of...

Citrus trees are deciduous trees that are hardiest in warmer climates with temperatures that rarely dip below freezing. Brightly colored fruits in yellow, orange or green make for a colorful...

When considering an area for your first garden it is important to remove the grass or sod that is already there. Rather than using chemicals or tilling up the soil and disturbing the natural eco...

When you've decided you'd like to start a garden there are certain steps to take to ensure your success. It's a good idea to draw a picture of your garden, making notes on where the sun shines all...

Plant cuttings are an easy and inexpensive way to add new specimens to your garden without spending a fortune. And if your friends, family or neighbors have plants you admire, starting a cutting...

Several varieties make up the onion family, including the Egyptian onion that not only grows bulbs underground, but forms infant onions on its stems to replant. The best way to grow an onion is...

Identifying plants and flowers is an effective tool for making a list of what your would like to grow, finding out what type of native vegetation is growing in your yard and figuring out what...

Trees enhance home landscapes. A thorough knowledge of appropriate species, proper timing and the correct tools to use will improve homeowners' success in transplanting trees into their landscapes.

Keeping your soil moist is essential for plant growth. Soil harbors many bacteria and other microbes that require moisture to thrive. These miniature communities keep plant roots healthy. If the...

Morning star jasmine is a beautiful, aromatic plant that makes a wonderful addition to any landscape or garden. With the trademark star-shaped blooms and sweet fragrance, you're sure to enjoy...

Starting a garden in your very backyard can be fun and rewarding. Treat your plants with care and you’ll see them grow. Garden vegetables generally taste better than the store vegetables since...

One of the most elementary and amusing things to do with kids is to germinate lima bean seeds. You soaked your beans. You kept them moist, set them in a sunny window, and they split open to let a...

The Chinese Windmill Palm, also known as Trachycarpus fortunei, is a cold-hardy palm tree than can be cultivated as far north as Southern Virginia and Tennessee. This palm is known to withstand...

Fresh garlic shoots are a delicious and healthy part of many recipes. Garlic is an easy addition to any vegetable garden and is available in two varieties. Hard necked garlic is often...

Guarana is indigenous to the forests of Brazil, and is used to heavy bouts of rainfall and intense heat waves. Guarana is used commercially in many beverages that promote alertness, appetite...

Mini pine trees are most closely associated with the Christmas season, but there is absolutely no reason why you can't enjoy and grow miniature pines all year round. It's no harder to care for...

The fig tree is more commonly known as the fig bush, since it rarely develops into the recognizable shape of a tree. If you have a fig bush or if you would like to have one and you know someone...

Wild apple trees are different from commercial apple trees in that they are not hybrids and they are more easily grown from seed than popular apple trees often found in nurseries. If you live in a...

Honeysuckle, while pretty when growing in areas that don't need a structured appearance, can add a sloppy look to your hedges. These pushy weeds can virtually take over your hedges, stealing...

Rose bushes add romance and formality to just about any backyard garden. With their thorny stems and intricately layered buds, they are ideal for picking and placing in a vase indoors. Their...

If you love eating apples but don't like spending your money at the local grocery store or farmer's market to purchase them, you should consider growing your own apple trees. All you need to do is...

We have all heard about the benefits of eating organic foods. Fresh produce in particular is important to eat organically because the pesticides sprayed on conventionally grown vegetables can be...

Hydrangeas rarely, if ever, produce seeds, so if you want to propagate hydrangeas, you will need to root some cuttings. Some gardeners have reported success rooting in water, but taking cuttings...

You'd probably like your garden to look great year round, and if you have good soil, that should be possible. However, not everyone has good, loamy soil in which grass and other plants can grow...

While many people understand the benefits of peat moss, nitrogen and other soil additives, very few people know that charcoal is an excellent medium for encouraging plant growth. Horticultural...

Gardens do not have to be elaborate to enjoy fresh-off-the-vine tomatoes and vegetables. Even if you live in an apartment or rent a house, you can be successful with a container garden. Gardening...

Though not the source of actual licorice (or even white licorice tea) the white licorice plant is a sweet treat for any garden. Its lush silver leaves are covered in a soft fur with a pale gray...

If you have taken cuttings from a silver maple, you will need to root them and then transplant them to a larger container to give them enough space to grow. Root cuttings are very sensitive and...

Lush, green grapevines are a gorgeous addition to any landscape, whether you intend to grow edible grapes or not. They are very easy to plant and maintain--in fact, the hardest part about...