Home and Living

Here are five fun and easy ways to incorporate kids and gardening.

Who does not love avocadoes? They are high in fat, but have no cholesterol. They are high in fiber, yet low in sugar.

Many a gardener has been scared away from the notion of xeriscaping by the fear that this will transform their yard into a barren, desert-like landscape, replete of plants, but sporting a few cacti and lots and lots of lava rock. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth!

It is not necessary to be adept at garden design in a class with the garden artists at Sissinghurst Castle. What you do need, however, is some basic knowledge of plant needs, soils, and watering patterns in your yard.

We all know mulberry trees to be relatively short, at least for trees, quickly growing when young, yet much more slowly growing when mature. Its fruits grow in clusters and turn from red to deep purple.

The sultry South, which is an apt description of the southern part of the United States, is not only made famous by its love of jazz and blues, its folklore and literature, as well as its cultural luminaries, but also its humid and hot climate and its dazzling display of flourishing flora.

This rosemary rush is usually the precursor to the Thanksgiving meal, and any and all cooks will enthusiastically agree that Rosemary will add a seasoning to turkey meat that is second to none. Thus, cooks are contented with leaving Rosemary in the realm of herbs.

What is it about the Magnolia that has fascinated the North American continent to such an extent? After all, the humble Magnolia flower has been elevated to the official state flower of not only Louisiana but also Mississippi!

Plants that are native to the tropical portions of the world are usually accustomed to a tropical climate, which consists of warm temperatures year round. In addition to the warmth that is so quickly associated with the tropical climate, there is the moisture, which also appears to be year round.

It is not surprising that some houseplants have gone to that great garden in the sky under the care of even the most diligent gardeners. Over-watering and several other accidental houseplant deaths are actually more common than you think. Here is a list of the most common ones and some suggestions as to how to avoid them from happening to your houseplant.

Houseplants can be propagated in a variety of ways. The methods used can be categorized as sexual (seeds or spores) or asexual (vegetative), the latter involving such techniques as division and separation, grafting and budding, layering and various types of cuttings.

Grafting is one of the most interesting forms of plant propagation.

Growing your own Christmas tree takes a little time, but it translates to a greener, more fragrant, longer-lasting tree infused with the energy you put into its planting and care. With a little land and patience, it’s not hard to do.

Yhy testing your garden soil levels make for healthier plants?

Growing your own transplants from seeds indoors can give you a head start on the growing season. In some cases, it may be the only way to obtain plants of a new or special cultivar (variety) that is not widely available through garden centers.

Cold isn’t the only factor determining whether our plants will survive and thrive. Particularly during seasons of drought, we are all aware of the impact that heat has on our plants. And although there is still disagreement in the scientific community on this issue, many believe that our planet is becoming hotter because of changes in its atmosphere.

Bonsai is the horticultural art form of training plants to look like large, aged trees that appear in nature, but in miniature.

No matter where you live, controlling garden pests for your vegetables is going to be an issue at some stage. As with all things in nature if there is food, then there is life.

African violets are the ideal houseplant. One of the main reasons that it is the ideal houseplant is because it likes the same temperatures as people do.

Your guide to selecting and growing hybrid tea roses for your region.

Here are some simple solutions to starting your seeds that will have you gardening with your own grown plants in now time.

There is a list of common diseases and even pests that may be found in your household plants, which require your attention lest they leave the plant unsightly, sick, and eventually dead.

Every gardener knows that fighting an ant invasion is an uphill battle at best. These colonies are at times invasive and stop at nothing to get to the food source they covet.

Eek! A bug! This scream, or one very similar to it, can be hear throughout homes and gardens in the spring and summer months.

While pondering this quandary you realize that your best bet is to stay organic, yet you wonder what exactly an organic gardener is. How do you define “organic”? Does it mean to stay entirely away from chemicals, or is there a golden middle ground.

Gardeners have long since capitalized on this cornucopia of variations, and have succeeded in creating breath-taking displays that show off the plants and their surroundings in the most favorable lights possible. Yet more and more serious gardeners are taking advantage of a kind of color that is not usually associated with a thriving, vibrant garden setting: black!

As a gardener wanting to start the growing process from scratch, you need to familiarize yourself with the needs of the different plants you are going to grow as well as the needs of the seeds you have purchased.

You are familiar with deer as the majestic animals that gracefully walk across the wooded ridges and generally try to stay away from people.

Moles are little mammals that are known for their subterranean living as well as their insect eating qualities.

Ferns, by aficionados also known as pteridophytes, have a unique setup in the plant world. Their underground root system is often called that of rhizomes, since they not only form the horizontal part of the fern’s stem, but also serve to spread the plants via vegetative multiplication.

When one begins growing more and more carnivorous plants, there will eventually be a point at which you will want to grow plants that just aren’t suitable to be grown outside or in your house due to special lighting, humidity, or temperature requirements.

Why should you plant bird friendly plants? Habitat loss is the single most important cause of the decline of species. Your yard, whatever its size, can offer habitat for birds. Many birds seldom or never use feeders, preferring natural foods. Feeder birds get only a relatively small portion of their nutrition from feeder food.

Grafting is the act of joining two plants together. The upper part of the graft (the scion) becomes the top of the plant, the lower portion becomes the root system or part of the trunk.

One of the best ways gardeners can break down organic matter is to use composting worms to convert food scraps into nutrient-rich, pH neutral worm castings, which produce a high quality soil conditioner.

Creating a compost pile is one of the best investments you can make in your garden. Composting is the keystone to a successful, sustainable organic garden.

Citrus is best planted after all threats of frost have passed. If you have very limited space, it is best to plant citrus in planter containers.

A raised bed is a mound of prepared soil 6 to 8 inches high. It can be made permanent by edging with wood, stones, logs or bricks. The soil in a raised bed is more porous because no one ever steps into the bed to pack it down.

Few sights are as spectacular as a climbing rose in full bloom covering the side of a house like a grand work of art, or merrily rambling along a picket fence in a cloud of color and fragrance. Since climbing roses can take several years to reach maturity, and since they are often key elements in the overall scheme of the garden, it’s important to start out with the best rose to succeed in your garden, before you invest all the time and space.

Bareroot roses are grown in fields and dug out in the fall of each year, when they are placed in cold storage, and then shipped to the consumer.

Rain gardens have only recently caught on as natural landscaping, and frequently, they are touted for their ability to absorb storm water and reduce runoff.

Evergreens are a perfect plant for you to grow around your home. They are constantly beautiful, whether in the heat of summer or covered with the fresh winter snow.

Working with a perennial garden can be one of the most rewarding experiences ever. The simple beauty of these plants and flowers is enough to make any person take a step back to truly admire the beauty that is life.

There are so many terrible little pests that may decide to feed on your garden; it can be difficult to know which pests you have and how to kill the pests so your garden will have the look you desire.

Your lawn is one of the most important facets of your home. It’s a great introduction to your house, a nice place for the kids to play in good weather, and one easy home relaxation step after a tough day.

Transplanting trees is sometimes a necessary process, but it is fraught with difficulties even in the best situation. Understanding how to transplant trees is a necessary step in building the perfect landscaping environment.

Building a rock garden can be one of the most enjoyable outdoor experiences you’ve ever had. It is the perfect landscaping project for you to engage in by yourself or with another. You may want a rock garden for any number of reasons.

Orchids are one of the most beautiful plants you can grow. This exotic plant can provide endless joy to you as a home gardener, and while caring for them may seem like an overwhelming, unwinnable task, they are, in fact, one great plant that grows easily and requires very little care from you.

Garden fresh vegetables are one of the hallmarks of summer eating. From the unmatched taste of summer tomatoes to the taste buds that are left tingling form eating a fresh snap pea, you just can’t beat that level of taste.

Bamboo has a simple elegance that is unmatched anywhere in the world. The strong lines and clean look make for a beautiful plant anywhere in or around your home.

Slugs and snails live to eat green and decaying plant matter. They will chew holes in your prize hostas, irreparably damage your young citrus trees, and make your entire strawberry crop inedible. Getting rid of these tiny pests may be more difficult than it seems, though. Scientifically speaking, snails and slugs are fairly similar creatures.