Proper Tree Planting
October begins the perfect time of the year for planting trees and shrubs because the temperatures begin to drop in the fall. Sometimes though, gardeners run into problems with properly planting...
Author: Andrew "Drew" Jeffers
Dividing Perennials
September is a perfect time to divide and propagate perennials. Many plants, such as daylilies, coneflowers, black-eyed susans, and hostas, can be divided once they have been in the ground for 3...
Integrated Pest Management (I.P.M.) for Aphids
Aphids can be a problem in the home landscape, vegetable garden, or fruit garden. They can vector many viral diseases and can cause significant damage to desired plants if the aphid population is...
Drying Up Root and Crown Rot Pathogens
There is an old saying, “too much or too little water can kill or harm plants”. This simple statement speaks volumes in understanding plant disease prevention. Most plants can be affected by some...
Soil Texture Analysis “The Jar Test”
Soil is a medium comprised of soil particles, organic matter, water, air and living organisms, all of which are important to the overall health of the soil and the plants that grow in it. The three...
Integrated Pest Management (I.P.M.) for Evergreen Bagworms
Evergreen bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis, is a detrimental insect pest to landscape plants that often escapes detection until there is significant plant damage. Bagworms feed on many plant...
Integrated Pest Management (I.P.M.) for Cabbage Looper
Cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni) is a common vegetable garden pest that feeds on many different species of crops, such as: beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and other brassica crops. Other host...
Soil Conditioning – Establishing a Successful Gardening Foundation
The soil is often referred to as the “foundation of life”. The foundation must strong and healthy before great things can be developed. Most garden and landscape soils have poor soil texture and...
Citrus
Growing Citrus in containers can often bring a little slice of paradise to the garden and home. Although, this is not a new practice, citrus fruits were a rare luxury in most of the United States...
Integrated Pest Management (I.P.M.) for Spider Mites
Spider mites can be a serious problem in the landscape. They are often brought in from external sources on purchased plant material, however they can be blown in with the help of wind currents. They...
Iberis (Candytuft)
Iberis sempervirens, commonly known as Candytuft, is a low growing, flowering perennial plant that is hardy to Zones 3 – 9. Originally native to Southern Europe, this little plant make an excellent...
Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia are perennial flowering plants that are hardy in Zones 4–9. Like many plants, they have several common names, among which are: Black-eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy, and Yellow Ox Eye. They are...