Outdoor Growing

The tree peony is a prized, woody shrub that produces fantastically large, fluffy flowers up to 10 inches in diameter. After starting a tree peony, it may take up to three years before it produces...

Those cold winter days and nights can wreak havoc on your garden. When frost sets in, it can damage your plants beyond repair and ruin your flowers and crops. Winter is a harsh time for outdoor...

Muskmelon vines depend on prolific insects for their pollination even more than other plants. In some locations, a shortage of honeybees has caused a decrease in melon yields, requiring the grower...

Growing green native plants allows you to blend your garden seamlessly with the natural environment. Native plants are many times easier to maintain, because they have become naturally cultivated...

Insects not only create eyesores on otherwise beautiful blooms, but can also harm plant growth. Spider mites, aphids mealy bugs and psyllids have soft bodies that make them susceptible to...

Plants can be expensive and at times very hard to find. Starting a plant nursery is also an expensive endeavor. When a grow system is installed in a gardeners yard it can cut the costs of buying...

Cardinals are beautiful, scarlet red birds and welcomed visitors to backyard bird-feeders, but they are somewhat shy and not commonly sighted near homes. Their favorite bird-feeder fare is black...

Azaleas are beautiful flowering bushes that offer color and charm to any garden. They suit people who would love a flower that is low maintenance, as well as the avid gardener. Azaleas are...

Each winter people worry about how they will provide adequate protection for their plants. Garden centers sell protective plant coverings which are durable. However, blankets may also be used as...

Going away on vacation or holiday requires much preparation and if you have outdoor container plants, you will need to do a little extra preparation before you leave if you want your plants to...

The Mimosa tree, also called a silk tree, is an ornamental plant native to China. With large, fluffy and fragrant pink blooms and attractive fern-like leaves, Mimosas are attention grabbers....

Geraniums are one of the most popular hanging plants, and with good reason. The leaves can trail gracefully up to three feet over the side of a hanging container, and will be covered with blooms...

Open, or free range, chickens roam freely without the confines of a cage or fencing. They forage for food and will seek out places that are easy for them to scratch and dig. Flower beds present an...

Apricot trees are delicious citrus fruits to propagate. Originally from India, they can be found all over the world, especially in colder climates. Generally, apricot trees need to be exposed to...

Fruit trees are both easy and rewarding to grow at home. Home gardeners enjoy cultivating their own fruit, for baking or gift-giving. Some popular fruit trees for home growers are apple, pear,...

Bradford pears are mostly decorative flowering trees that are very popular ornamental additions to landscaping. The trees can grow up to 40 feet tall, and have lush foliage and blooming periods....

Mock orange plants are non-fruit-bearing shrubs. They are usually grown as borders or landscaping in yards and gardens, require very little maintenance except for pruning, and produce...

Trimming is important for removing damaged and diseased leaves and stems, which can spread and cause havoc to healthier plants. In addition, pruning can benefit a yard by giving it a uniform look....

Finding plants and shrubs is just part of creating a beautiful yard. Research the types of plants that will grow well in your region. Ask your local nursery staff or drive around your neighborhood...

For centuries, aquatic plants have been perceived as nuisances rather than resources. They block canals, hinder boat traffic and increase waterborne diseases. Recently, however, aquatic plants are...

Beach grass can be used to add different textures and colors to back yards. When used in windy areas, the grass produces a rippling movement that contributes an exciting natural element. Sandy...

Waterlogged soil can drown and kill your plants. When water fills the air spaces in the soil, this keeps oxygen from getting to the plant roots, produces stagnant soil and stunts root growth. If...

Wild mushrooms are one of nature's gifts and quite delicious. The problem is that most people recognize the edible ones only if they find the mushrooms wrapped in cellophane and stacked in the...

Squash plants are monecious, meaning they have both the male and female flowers on the plant. Bees are generally required to help the male flowers pollinate the female flowers so that the plant...

Black magic elephant ears (colocasia esculenta black magic) are a stunning cultivar of the elephant ear plant. It is a member of the arum family, as is the calla lily. Its large, deep purple...

Creative placement of plants, shrubs and trees around your home can deter burglary and invasion attempts by would-be criminals. Further, strategically planted items can shield a view of the inside...

The black and yellow striped Colorado potato beetle, or potato bug, originated in western regions of Colorado but now is found in almost all U.S. states. The pest can harm potatoes, tomatoes,...

Cool weather plants, such as pansies and lettuce, can be started in a cold frame instead of indoors or waiting for the weather to warm outside. Cold frames are boxes with clear tops, usually made...

Rabbits may be cute, furry animals, but they can quickly destroy a garden by feeding on both plants and vegetables. Since these animals seem cute enough, we typically look for ways to repel them,...

Naturalized flowers are hardy perennial plants that are very successful at thriving on their own. They spread by bulb multiplication, vigorous root growth or seeds broadcast by the wind. The seeds...

Purple passion flower (Passiflora incarnata), also known as maypop, is a naturalized deciduous vine found from California to Florida and as far north as Kansas and Oklahoma. A beautiful, showy...

Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata), also known as maypop, is an aggressive, fast-growing vine found naturalized along fence lines, in ditches and near stream beds from California to Florida....

For years people have told me I have the best tasting vegetables around. In this article I am going share my secrets. If you want to just grow vegetables read some of the outstanding articles on...

Bleach and vinegar are both capable of helping a gardener manage unwanted weeds all over the yard. Killing weeds is easy with either of these inexpensive household products.

Soil test analysis results allow the gardener to make educated decisions about the types of plants they wish to grow as well as the types of fertilizer they need to improve plant health. Soil...

Fruit trees attract many different types of animals. Deer are especially attracted to fruit trees and are the most harmful to the bark of the tree as well as the fruit. Because deer have a...

A low, spreading perennial, Mexican evening primrose grows to about 6 inches in height. Native to Mexico and Texas, it boasts a long blooming season and masses of fragrant, soft pink flowers from...

Irish moss (Sagina subulata) is a luxuriant and dense evergreen ground cover. Small, star-shaped white flowers completely cover the moss in early spring. Irish moss forms a lush carpet of...

We often think of flowers as only blooming during the spring and summer, with a few fall favorites as well. Even in more northern climates, there are some flowers that bloom in January.

Fig trees are a member of the Ficus genus and part of the mulberry family. They prefer subtropical climates with warm summers and mild winters. Since figs have a very short shelf life, it is often...

In certain areas, spring will bring warm weather perfect for growing plants and flowers only to relapse into the chill of winter. When climate conditions are right, this will result in freezing...

Growing plants upside-down sounds a bit odd, but if it's done right, it's an effective way to yield healthier plants with higher production levels, especially in edible varieties such as tomatoes...

Apples are some of the most popular fruits for home growing. Their sweet taste is universally appealing, their blossoms are sweet and refreshing, and the trees are among the easiest fruit trees to...

Various types of the flowering cherry tree exist; these plants bloom in a range of shades, from white to pink, with the flowers distinctly clumped together. Cherry trees can grow up to 30 feet...

Honeysuckle vine (Lonicera) is relatively easy to grow and can be as long as 10 feet. These vines grow along a trellis or fence and can be used as ground cover. Many varieties of honeysuckle...

Crown gall is a bacterial disease that infects the roots and stems of many plants, especially fruit trees such as apple and cherry. An infected plant or tree has soft tan or black galls or bulbs...

Choosing plants to grow in the appropriate zones, will give you winter hardy plants. Some plants sit on the borderline of hardiness. This means they need the added protection of a winter cover to...

Hydrangeas are beautiful flowering shrubs that can be restored fairly easily for the next season by doing some pruning at the end of the summer when the flowers begin to fade.

Spring is the best time to start a new garden. After the chill of winter, the lure of fresh vegetables and colorful flowers is almost irresistible. Success requires a little preparation before you...

All plants need food, and vegetables in your garden---tomatoes, lettuce, corn and beans, to name a few---can have voracious appetites due to their foliage and fruit production. Feeding your garden...