Plants, Flowers & Herbs

All seeds require specific environmental conditions in order to sprout. This includes sufficient moisture, the right temperature range and enough oxygen. Different types of seeds have different...

Red clover is a biennial which can be found in the wild in Asia and Europe. It has also adapted to growth in North America. Commonly used as grazing for livestock, the clover has been found to...

Sterilization is used in hemp seed production to ensure that the plant does not grow into new plants. Legal hemp seeds contain little or no THC strains, which is the chemical that produces the...

Georgia is a wonderful state for gardening, offering moderate temperatures great for producing an array of spring vegetables and flowers. Georgia's spring planting season starts as early as late...

Rhododendrons are a shrubby plant closely related to the azalea bush that normally bloom only once a year. These plants prefer moist and well drained acidic soils; they propagate best in areas...

Raspberry bushes are a way to bring fresh fruit to your home garden. Plant them free-standing, use them to border your yard or place them behind your garden beds. Designing a raspberry bed...

In "Plant Solutions for Every Garden" (see Reference 1), Nigel Colburn describes blanket flowers (Gaillardia pulchella) as daisy-like perennials with brilliantly colored outer petals and furry,...

With its broad tropical leaves this plant adds a touch of the exotic to the summer garden. Its form resembles that of the banana, with foliage that can range from light green to bronze. Depending...

For many people, gardening is one of the most relaxing and beautiful experiences in their lives. Every garden is an individual statement about who its owner is as a person and what her tastes are....

Ornamental shrubs are low woody perennial plants that usually have several stems or trunks. Shrubs provide four-season beauty to a country garden or an urban landscape. Many shrubs present...

Using indoor bedding plants is a strategy that allows gardeners in northern climates to extend their growing season. Plants that require a longer growing season than nature has provided are...

Palm oil, a type of vegetable oil, derives its origins from West Africa. It is used in a variety of foods including margarine, shortening, potato chips, cake mixes and even soap. Growing palm...

The eucalyptus plant originated in Australia and is most often grown in the United States for wood. Its leaves and stems contain oil which can be used in cleaning products and for medicinal...

There are advantages to planting new shrubs in the fall instead of the spring. Nurseries and garden centers discount shrubs deeply to try to sell them, because they are expensive to maintain over...

According to Plantation House, a tobacco farm in Surrey, England, a garden measuring 4 feet by 27 feet (one meter by eight meters) can produce enough tobacco for more than 5,000 cigarettes. For a...

Bermuda sod will germinate into a thick and luxurious lawn covering. This grass will grow vigorously in the right conditions.The planting process is fairly simple. Prepare the planting area in...

The green flesh of the fruit of the avocado is a tasty addition to salads and salsas that is packed with nutritional value. Avocado contains many vitamins, and is rich in heart-healthy soluble...

Seed potatoes, instead of actual seeds, are used when planting potatoes. The seed potato can be planted whole or cut into pieces, with each piece having at least one eye. Instead of using...

Growing Viburnum brings color and texture to the garden. Viburnum boast prolific blooms that are sometimes quite fragrant. The blooms range in color from white or cream to pink. Some feature...

Planting tomatoes upside down is an option for almost everyone. Upside-down tomatoes are pulled away from their branch by gravity, which puts less stress on the branch. Regular tomatoes pull down...

Scallions are a very popular addition to many kitchens, and can be used in a wide variety of recipes. Growing scallions is relatively easy. They are a very versatile plant, and can be planted in...

The two main seasons to grow vegetables in North Carolina are spring and fall. Spring gardens should typically be planted soon after the last frost of winter, and fall gardens should be planted...

Spring flowering bulbs are lovely and popular, unless squirrels and other furry pests dig them up. Gardeners can try a number of solutions, but the most reliable is the use of bulb cages. A bulb...

The Topsy Turvy is a system of growing vegetables with an upside down hanging planter. Although it is called a tomato planter, you can successfully grow cucumber, peppers, herbs and flowers in a...

Stevia is widely used as a natural, calorie-free sugar substitute. The stevia plant is a challenging herb to grow, though it has proven to adapt to a variety of environments. With proper planting...

Growing potatoes in a greenhouse is virtually no different from growing the tuber out of doors. Potatoes require sufficient soil, a constant temperature of around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and water...

Whether you are planting spring bulbs like daffodils or summer blooming bulbs like dahlias, preparation of your planting area helps ensure success. While not technically bulbs, corms are perennial...

According to the Texas Almanac, West Texas is a combination of high, rolling plains and arid desert, with temperatures ranging from below zero in winter to well over 100 degrees in the summer....

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...

Roma tomatoes are ideal to use in sauces and salsas since they have dense flesh and less moisture content than other tomatoes. They are medium-sized and oval in shape. The Roma tomato is easy to...

The invention of corn planters made it possible for farmers to increase their crop production by decreasing planting time in the field. From the original corn planter, which enabled a farmer to...

In nature, birch trees grow along lakes and rivers, or on cool north-facing slopes. When planted in a moist location in the cottage garden or urban landscape, they offer summer shade and winter...

My favorite combination for basil is mixing sliced juicy beefsteak tomatoes with quarter inch thick mozzarella cheese then shredding the fresh basil overtop and finally drizzling some olive oil to...

Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients and wreak havoc on lawns and gardens. Fortunately, many products today kill weeds. Some products, though, pose a threat to other plants, including...

Floribundas are beautiful, vibrant roses. Floribunda in Latin means "many flowers", which is quite fitting since the floribunda rose grows in clusters on the rose stems. These colorful roses are a...

Shrubs often are considered the finishing touch in a garden. Shrubs not only add color and beauty, but they also can be functional. Planted in groups, shrubs can create privacy. Shrubs placed in...

The Goliath tomato plant produces large red tomatoes that typically grow to be from 1 to 3 lbs., according to Reimer Seeds. The tomatoes on this hybrid plant are flavorful and are excellent on...

Edible nut trees are favored and sought after trees for cottage gardens and urban landscapes and are an excellent source of protein. Nut trees such as almonds, hazelnut, pecan, chestnut,...

The American persimmon tree, or Diospyros virginiana, adds grace and year-round interest to many landscapes across North America. Hardy, disease- and drought-resistant, and easy to maintain,...

Tomato plants can grow tall and gangly. Without the proper support, they'll fall over, which will hinder further growth, and potentially prevent their producing fruit. If you have tall tomato...

German butterball potatoes are named for their buttery taste and are known for their wide variety of uses in the kitchen. Growing these potatoes used to be as simple as cutting up and planting the...

Shrubs provide versatility in the garden by adding color, height, and depth. Evergreen shrubs create dark backdrops for other colorful plants year round, while some deciduous shrubs offer...

Originally found in Western Asia, ancient merchants and travelers brought the trees into the Mediterranean. Today, the fig tree is grown throughout the U.S. Figs trees grow over 10 ft. tall, have...

Potatoes are fun and painless to grow as a root crop in your personal garden. These vegetables are highly versatile, and can be harvested and eaten at almost any stage of their growth. Homeowners...

Pre-germinated seeds sprout before planting. Gardeners plant pre-germinated seeds if they plant late in the growing season, want to establish a plant faster or are trying to determine if their...

The tough, hardy reliability of irises makes them one of the easiest plants to care for in the garden. Most of the gardener's tasks, from propagation to maintenance, are extremely easy when...

Paperwhites are spring bulbs that are commonly forced to bloom indoors in shallow containers. These bulbs can be transplanted from the containers into the garden. Proper timing of outdoor planting...

Hemlock trees harbor many species of animals and birds in the wild, and were once used by natives for medicinal purposes.They are now popular for landscaping, both as stand-alone trees and as...

The Norfolk Pine is a popular tree that can be found in many homes at Christmas. Its lush green branches and soft needles provide a beautiful backdrop for colorful holiday ornaments. Available in...

One of the easiest perennials to grow, the fern leaf peony is marked by its finely divided, fernlike leaves. When in bloom, this popular plant produces single, dark red petals. Peonies are...