Growing Tips

Thomas Rainer is a landscape architect by profession and claims to be a gardener by obsession. Thomas shared a great gardening tip he picked up that I’ve used for years

Garden Gypsum soil amendment helps improve soil naturally. amendment. Gypsum can help improve crop growth and assist in balancing the pH levels and provide necessary nutrients.

Some plants require a lower level of pH than others. Fortunately, adding a little bit of vinegar to your soil can up the acidity and correct the pH levels to

Have you ever found yourself at the end of the day with sap all over your clothes from working in the yard or garden. It always seems like my Philodendrons and

Many people complain about their plant not growing properly or contracting a lot of diseases and pest infections despite having all the parameters set to the optimal conditions. In many

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on plant fluids. They have long slender mouthparts they insert in stems and leaves and suck out fluids. Aphids attack common garden plants

The excitement of spring starts weeks or months before the warm weather arrives. Spring anticipation begins with the planting of vegetable seeds for the garden and flower seeds for the

There is a long history of gardeners soaking seeds before planting, but many new gardeners aren’t aware that this trick can decrease the germination time. Soaking seeds before planting can

If you have a wasp problem, you may be wondering how to get rid of wasps with vinegar. Or if such a non-poisonous substance like vinegar even works. Vinegar keeps

Dormant oil is a natural pesticide that protects plants but does not damage the fruit or environment. Deciduous trees stripped bare in the winter season is a stark beautiful look,

Most gardeners want organic natural fertilizer for plants, and there are lots of choices.  Worms are good for stirring up soil and keeping it aerated. But, using earthworm castings as

The Fittonia argyoneura plant also known as the nerve plant is a lovely tropical houseplant that grows in USDA hardiness zone 11. Fittonia does well in terrariums, hanging baskets and

Bottom watering involves soaking the lower part of a plant in water for a specific time. When it comes to growing plants, irrigation can be one of the trickiest parts

If you’re like most people, you probably have a box of baking soda in your kitchen cupboard and/or in your fridge This simple, useful, natural product has so many uses

Everyone is familiar with hydrogen peroxide uses as a topical antiseptic and a personal care product. However, most people are unaware of the fact that hydrogen peroxide a simple substance

Two landscape design items needing proper placement in any public landscape area are vines and window boxes. Both should be used with restraint, but when used correctly, they are effective

Hydroton is sometimes referred to as grow rocks, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. This growing medium has exploded in popularity in the United States, not only among

You may not have heard of etiolation before, but we would bet money you’ve encountered it at some point, especially with houseplants. Etiolation isn’t a disease, but a condition caused

Furcraea foetida (fer-KREE-uh FET-uh-duh) is an evergreen flowering plant from the family Agavaceae now the Asparagaceae family. It hails from northern South America and the Caribbean. However, Furcraea is cultivated

The Foxglove Plant (Digitalis purpurea), one remarkable, distinctive flower reminiscent of our earlier childhood years. Seeing the foxglove brings us back to memories of summers long past spent in cottage gardens.

Jatropha integerrima [jat-ROE-fuh in-teh-GAIR-rih-muh] is a perennial evergreen shrub from the genus Jatropha and is often trained to grow as a small tree. J. integerrima is native to the West

Do you know the Yesterday Today and Tomorrow plant? You may know it as the Brunfelsia plant – Brunfelsia grandiflora or Brunfelsia pauciflora. The plant is also known by a

These days it’s becoming harder and harder to get pure water for your houseplants.  Tap water or municipal water often contains unwanted contaminants, and even rainwater is less than perfect. 

The magnificent New Zealand Christmas Tree Metrosideros excelsa [met-roh-SID-er-oss ek-SEL-sa] is a popular plant in its native New Zealand. The attractive plant stands out when it blooms during Christmas time,

At first glance, it may seem perlite and vermiculite are very similar products and could be used interchangeably.  The fact is, they are quite different and impart very different qualities

Have you ever wondered how long you should keep the grow lights on your plants?  If so, you’re not alone. Here’s a question we received on just that topic. Question:

Cyperus alternifolius [sy-PEER-us, al-tern-ee-FOH-lee-us] is one of the most popular houseplants from the sedge family Cyperaceae. The plant is native to Madagascar, the Arabian Peninsula, and many East African states

Have you ever been asked the best way on “How to clean leaves on houseplants?” Here’s the deal. The common houseplant is a great way to spruce up your home

Homeowners looking for a scintillating burst of bright crimson in their garden or yard won’t have to look very far- the Euonymus alatus, or the Burning Bush is the perfect