Garden Care

Gardeners are climbing the walls ... literally. And it’s not extreme weather, poor soil or tender leaves nibbled to lace by pesky insects that’s pushing them to new heights. Instead, it's…

Mosses were among the earliest plant life on earth and have been objects of fascination for gardeners due to their variety of textures since perhaps the Garden of Eden. Since mosses are often slow to…

Wood lice won't bite you, destroy your house, or eat your clothing, but for some people, a bug is a bug. According to an article by entomologist Phillip E. Sloderbeck on the Kansas State University…

Change your shaded backyard from a drab, dark place to a refreshing oasis by installing the right landscaping for the site. Just because a yard is shady does not mean it has to be boring or…

Transporting dirt up a hill doesn’t have to be a long, complicated process. The work might seem daunting at first, especially if you have a huge pile to move up a steep slope. Before deciding to…

Fuchsia are often seen dripping over the side of hanging planters, their flowers, leaves and branches drooping toward the ground. These trailing fuchsia aren't the only ones in cultivation -- more…

Ficus pumila is a member of the mulberry family and is known by its common name, creeping fig. Native to Asia, this vigorous climber produces a sticky adhesive on the rootlets that attach the plant to…

Commonly called fringed gentian, the genus Gentianopsis includes several species of annual and perennial flowering plants found in temperature climates around the Northern Hemisphere. Greater fringed…

Plants use a complex process named photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into sugar. For optimum growth and yield, plants require a tremendous amount of carbon dioxide. Plants are 90 percent…

Basil is a widely used herb in many types of cuisine. It is widely available in dried form on the spice aisle year round and is sold fresh during the spring and summer. Relatively easy to grow, basil…

Garden sculptures can be made from any material that will withstand the elements. Treated wood screwed together and painted becomes an abstract, angular sculpture, while stacked rocks and boulders…

A Zen garden brings out the calming influences of symmetry, fluidity and repeated patterns through the use of natural materials such as sand and water and by the incorporation of flora and fauna in a…

If you have a groundbreaking project to tackle, it is important to have the right kind of shovel for the job. Although the term "shovel" is universal for a digging implement, there are…

If you want to create a peaceful space in your backyard that includes rocks, plants and the sound of tricking water, a falling rocks waterfall fits the bill. Not only do these water features enhance a…

Many houseplants are tropical varieties. These plants prefer humid conditions, which aren't available in most homes. Plants growing in soil receive some humidity as moisture in the soil evaporates,…

Succulent plants have thick leaves or shoots that retain water to survive in the arid or semi-arid environments where they grow naturally. Along with very little need for water, succulents have the…

Grubs are the larval form of beetles, but just because they haven't reached maturity doesn't mean they lack an appetite. These small critters cause gardeners heartache by damaging flowering plants and…

A low-slung ranch home typically presents sleek horizontal lines to the front yard. The simple, elongated ranch architecture offers you, the homeowner, the opportunity to plan a front garden that…

Flowers bring bright color and interest to homes and gardens, and they bloom from spring to fall with the right care. While annuals last for only one season, perennials grow and bloom for years. Bulb…

With their variety of deep colors and lush leaves, garden mums work well in autumn gardens. These flowers are fall-flowering, so they thrive in cooler season after many summer perennials have faded.…

Gardening is a common pastime because many people find it both relaxing and rewarding. When you grow a garden, your hard work is rewarded with beautiful flowers or delicious fruits and vegetables to…

A mixture of sand, peat, various volcanic aggregates and cement, hypertufa is an artificial stone used to make planters, paving stones, concrete seats, birdbaths, Japanese-style lanterns, wall plaques…

Lichens, which consist of fungi and algae or bacteria living together, don’t need much in the way of soil. Some varieties grow on rock or concrete while others prefer wood, often living trees.…

Based on the 2010 Tim Burton film, "Alice in Wonderland: The Movie" for the Nintendo DS features environments, characters and puzzles set in the world of Underland. Many of the games…

Mosses are primitive, non-vascular plants that cannot conduct water and nutrients through their tissues. Therefore, mosses only grow where light, temperature and moisture levels are ideal for their…

A thick carpet of moss might not look so attractive if it is interspersed with random grasses and dandelions. While pulling up each weed as it spouts is effective, it is also time consuming,…

Rutgers Gardens, the public gardens located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, is home to a variety of collections, including many hardy, tropical shrubs. New Brunswick lies in U.S. Department of…

A terraced garden is a suitable option for growing a garden on a hill, which typically is not an ideal situation for planting a garden. Terraced gardens look like steps and provide green foliage and…

Gardeners can force blooming on several narcissus varieties by placing the bulbs in a shallow bowl filled with rocks and water. Paperwhite narcissus is the most popular variety that responds well to…

Lentils are a grain legume that is high in protein, fiber, amino acids and folate. The process of growing lentils is more involved than that of many other crops, but worth the effort for those who…

Cattails are tall wetland plants that can grow up to 10 feet in height. Gardeners plant cattails as a way of contributing ornamental interest, establishing a border and creating privacy. It is…

Feather moss, also known as fern or wood moss, has small leafy fronds with pointy, triangular tips. Many species of moss are dark green and lush, while this variety is a bright green shade. Its exotic…

Moss and lichens make a garden area look mature. In the wild, it could take years for this green effect to develop. Incorporate new cultured stones into an established garden or make an entirely new…

To start new lawns, homeowners have three options: seeding, sodding or hydroseeding. Hydroseeding is the application of a slurry mixture consisting of seeds, water, fertilizer and mulch. After a short…

Moss typically grows on damp, shady areas of the yard, especially around swimming pools, water spigots or areas with poor drainage. While some like the look of moss on brick, many homeowners wish to…

Accessing a garden that is uphill or downhill in the landscape may prove difficult if a staircase is not in place. Stones create a natural staircase that blends seamlessly with the surrounding plants.…

Moss fern (Selaginella pallescens) grows readily as ground cover in United States Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 6 to 9 and works well as an indoor plant for low-light locations. Moss…

Cypress are powerhouse evergreen trees. They're hardy enough to withstand a variety of growing conditions, and perform equally well in a muggy Florida swamp as on a mountain cliff. Their thick,…

Orchids are beautiful flowers that are known as temperamental; for this reason they generally are grown in controlled environments. But orchids can grow, and thrive, in your garden – they just…

Scotch moss is a common name for Sagina subulata, a perennial species of low-growing plant found in cold, temperate regions such as northern and eastern Europe. It is sometimes cultivated as a…

Rhododendrons are spring–blooming shrubs that grow 1 foot to 20 feet tall with bluish-green leaves and large balls of flowers in pink, red, yellow, white and violet. They grow well in shade as…

Trillium flowers are native to North America and Northeast Asia. They are a wildflower that is most commonly seen in wooded areas where the soil is moist but drains well. Trillium plants have three…

Many residential septic systems will include a drain field as a component of the system. Since the drain field is where all the waste water used by your home is drained into surrounding soil, it is…

Holly bushes come in many varieties but all are evergreens that keep their foliage year-round. The leaves are various shades of green and some have sharp points at the ends. Holly bushes also produce…

For small spaces, such as porches or balconies, planting upward instead of out allows you to cultivate a larger variety of plants when space is at a minimum. Though there are a multitude of options…

Succulent plants have thick, fleshy leaves that store water. Their water storage capabilities make them well suited to a low-maintenance indoor garden since they require minimal irrigation and care to…

Children have a natural curiosity about the natural world, so why not introduce them to it through a range of games and activities involving leaves. The hands-on approach of getting them to create…

A ripe, delicious watermelon can be a sweet reward for growing your own vines in a home garden. By trimming watermelon vines you encourage the plant to focus its energy on growing a few of the largest…

If you've ever bit into a sweet, bright red tomato and experienced the superior taste and freshness, you know the value of growing homemade tomatoes. While you can grow tomato plants from seeds, a…

Garden sorrel is grown for its large leaves, which boast a refreshing lemony taste when used in soups, salads and sandwiches. Grow green sorrel as a perennial bedding plant in areas with minimum…