Tips & Tricks

Annuals

Annuals for Part Shade to Shade

Abulition* Acalypha Chenile Firetail* Ageratum* Begonia Bon Bon* Begonia Illumination* Begonia Dragon Wing* Begonia Nonstop* Browallia* Calocephalus Silver Bush* Coleus* Cuphea Lavander lace* Percal Senetti* Dahlia* Dianthus* Dichondra Silver Falls* Doreanthus Mezoo Trailing* Duranta Gold Mound* Euphorbia Diamond Frost* Felicia Cape Town Blue* Fushia* Geranium Calliope* Geranium Ivy* Graceful Grass…

Supertunia Growing Tips

Late July and August is when plants should be at their best, but there is only one problem: The plants have run out of energy and the gardeners realize it too late to help the plants recover. This is especially true in raised containers and hanging baskets. Here is the…

General

Pets – Yard & Garden Hazards

Most gardeners are aware that certain plants can cause illness or even death to pets depending on the amount ingested. However, many are unaware that there are a number of other things around the yard and garden that have the potential to be equally, if not more, dangerous. Here is…

Partial Sun vs. Partial Shade

How Much Sun Do Garden Plants Need? Planet Earth may only have one sun, but in the world of gardening, there are several: full sun, partial sun, afternoon sun, morning sun, and dappled sun. Then there is shade: full shade, partial shade, and dappled shade. Determining the light requirements for…

Perennials

Change the Color of Your Hydrangeas

Add the following to the soil: (NOTE: WHITE HYDRANGEAS can NOT be changed to pink or blue by the grower.) CHANGE TO BLUE To obtain a blue hydrangea, aluminum must be present in the soil. To ensure that aluminum is present, aluminum sulfate may be added to the soil around…

The Reasons for Winter Protection of Roses

Written by Val Winthrope September 8, 2005 Part I In order for roses to get through winter successfully they must go through a period of acclimation (fall) and then de-acclimation (spring). This process allows the rose to undergo certain chemical and physiological changes. Roses that have the ability to do…

Vegetables & such

Tomatoes – Determinate Vs Indeterminate

What does it all mean? Determinate and Indeterminate When selecting tomato varieties, you must choose between plants with different types of growth habits called determinate or indeterminate. All tomatoes are either one or the other. Determinate, or bush varieties, reach a certain plant height and then stop growing. The majority…

Companion Planting – Vegetable Allies

The vegetable allies listed here are herbs and flowers that are said to provide protection or improve the growth of certain vegetables. ASPARAGUS Ally: Calendula deters beetles. BEANS Allies: Marigold deters Mexican bean beetles. Nasturtium and rosemary deter bean beetles. Summer savory deters bean beetles, improves growth and flavor. BEETS…