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Growing Flowers in Zone 7 Although it isn’t an everyday occurrence, winters in zone 7 can be as cold as 0 to 10 degrees F. (-18 to -12 C.), so it’s important to keep this possibility in mind when selecting flowers for zone 7. While USDA hardiness zones provide a helpful guideline for gardeners, also bear in mind that it isn’t a perfect system and doesn’t consider a number of factors that affect the survivability of your plants....

Making Compost in a Small Space Apartment and condo dwellers may want to try composting indoors but worry about the smell. There are actually new methods that do not create an odor and result in wonderful houseplant soil. Urban composting is often supported by municipal waste collection or private companies, but you can set up your own system at home and create a little black gold for your own use as well....

As someone that feels the need to reuse or upcycle nearly anything I can, bars of soap are no exception. And as a gardener, there’s always a need to use soap in one form or another. Soap for Garden Pests Okay, if you garden, you’re no stranger to bug bites. I know I’m not. Anytime I step outside the house, it’s a safe bet that mosquitoes and other pesky blood-sucking bugs will be feasting on me....

What is Permethrin? Permethrin is a synthetic broad-spectrum insecticide classified as one of the oldest organic insecticides. While it is manmade, it resembles naturally occurring chemicals called pyrethroids that are naturally found in chrysanthemums, which have insecticidal properties. Permethrin kills many different types of insects by paralyzing the nervous system. It works when ingested or through direct contact and kills adults, eggs, and larvae. It lasts up to 12 weeks post application....

How Should Garden Rows be Oriented? Generally speaking, in the north tall plants such as beans, peas, and corn do best on the north side of the garden. Medium size crops such as tomatoes, cabbage, squash, pumpkins, and broccoli in the center of the garden. Short-growing plants such as lettuce, radishes, beets, and onions will do best in the southernmost part of the garden. Most experts believe that the best way to orient garden rows in the Northern hemisphere is north to south....

What is Walking Stick Cabbage? Walking stick cabbage is not well known, but those gardeners who grow it, love it. It almost looks like a Dr. Seuss plant, with a very tall, sturdy stem, up to 18 feet (5.5 m.) high, topped by a fluff of cabbage/kale leaves. Native to the Channel Islands, it is an edible ornamental and will certainly attract attention in your garden. The plant grows faster than Jack’s beanstalk....

Diagnosing Watermelon Plants with Mosaic Virus Watermelon leaf mosaic disease stems from Potyviris, a common virus in cucurbits. The disease symptoms are different among the squash, melons, gourds, and even wild cucurbits that it infects. Peas and alfalfa are also affected. Mosaic virus of watermelon shows up on the leaves initially but persists to spread to the stems and fruit. Effective control can only be achieved by a gardener’s vigilance and good cultural practices....

Mangrove Information Mangrove forests serve a critical role by stabilizing shorelands and protecting them from erosion by the constant pounding of waves and tides. The storm buffering capability of the mangrove forests has saved property and countless lives around the world. As sand gathers around the roots, new land is created. Additionally, mangrove forests are home to a vast number of living organisms including crabs, lobsters, snakes, otters, raccoons, hundreds of thousands of bats, and a vast variety of fish and bird species, to name just a few....

What are Single Late Tulips? If you are a fan of tulips, the last faded blooms mean you have to wait a whole year for more spectacular flowers. With cottage tulip flowers, you can expect blooms in late spring that often hang on until early summer. Their cup-shaped flowers are some of the tallest varieties among tulip bulbs. Single late tulip varieties have not only color diversity but may be striped or have feathered details....

Tulare Cherry Info Tulare cherry trees originated completely by chance in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Although they were initially discovered in 1974, these cherry trees weren’t patented until 1988. Like most sweet cherries, these attractive, heart-shaped fruits are ideal for nearly any purpose, from eating fresh to canning or freezing. You can also incorporate them in a number of savory or baked desserts. How to Grow Tulare Cherry Trees Caring for Tulare cherry in the home landscape is a relatively easy endeavor provided you follow a few basic tips....

What Causes Apricot Crown Gall? Galls are very common distortions on a wide variety of plants. They may come from disease abnormalities or from an insect. In the case of the crown gall of apricot, the pest is actually a bacterium. There are no chemical corrections for the disease, but it can be prevented fairly simply. The bacteria responsible is Agrobacterium tumefaciens (syn. Rhizobium radiobacter). The bacteria live in soil and survives for many seasons....

With so much beauty, it is easy to understand why we become avid observers of our flying garden visitors. Among these unique creatures is the hummingbird moth, who most frequently gains attention once sighted bouncing about the flower beds. What is a Hummingbird Moth? Hummingbird moth facts can be somewhat confusing when using common names. Generally, there are several types of moth belonging to the Hemaris genus, many of which display a flight habit quick and consistent with that of a hummingbird....

What is a Mastic Tree? Mastic tree information describes the tree as a small evergreen in the Sumac family with a scientific name Pistacia lentiscus. It grows fairly slowly to a maximum of 25 feet tall (8 m.). Unfortunately for those with small gardens, this attractive tree has a spread even greater than its height. That means it can take up a lot of space in your backyard. However, it works well as a background screen tree....

What is a Trachyandra? Trachyandra is a genus of plants similar to Albuca. The majority of the species are from the Western Cape of Africa. They are tuberous or rhizomatous perennials. The leaves are fleshy (succulent) and sometimes haired. Many of Trachyandra plants are small and shrub like with fleeting (each bloom lasts for less than a day) white star-shaped flowers. The tuberous perennial Trachyandra falcata is found along the west coast of South Africa....

Elbow Bush Information Texas elbow bush is a native plant that’s found in prairies, along streams, and in brush. It grows to 15 feet (5 m.) tall with a 5 inch (13 cm.) diameter and can be described as a large shrub or a small tree. Its branches droop and layer, forming a thicket. Elbow bush information tells you that some Texas elbow bush plants bear female flowers, and others male....

What is an Italian Eggplant? Many varieties of eggplant are available, with the Italian type often used for popular culinary dishes. There is one called Baby eggplant, more tender and tasty than most others. Eggplant Parmesan is a classic for Italian eggplant uses, along with a favorite dish called Eggplant Rollatini and one called Caponata. Some Italian types are larger and provide a substantial amount of meat (what the edible part is called)....

What is Aquaponics? A fascinating subject with a myriad of dizzying information, the topic of “what is aquaponics” can most simply be described as hydroponics combined with aquaculture. With adherence to the following practices, aquaponic systems may very well be a solution to hunger, conserving resources, and eliminating contaminants such as pesticides or other chemicals from entering waterways or aquafers in an environmentally friendly manner and conserving water resources. The premise for aquaponic plant growing it to utilize the waste products of one biological system to serve as the nutrients for a second system incorporating fish and plants to create a new poly-culture, which serves to stimulate production and increase diversity....

What is Artillery Fungus? Those annoying black spots that creep up your siding or splash along the side of your car may not be mud spatters but artillery fungus. What is artillery fungus? It is Sphaerobolus, a common fungus that sticks firmly to light or white colored surfaces and resembles spots of tar. Its adhesion properties are legendary and the spots can be difficult or even impossible to remove without damaging the surface....

What is Cactus Fusarium? While the fungus itself is called Fusarium oxyporum, the disease that results from it is commonly known as fusarium rot or fusarium wilt. The disease usually starts in the roots, where cactus fusarium enters through tiny wounds in the plant likely caused by nematodes. The fungus then spreads upward to the base of the cactus, where signs of fusarium wilt in cacti become more visible. A pink or white mold appears around the base of the plant, and the entire cactus might start to wilt and become discolored, turning red or purple....

The cabomba fanwort, for example, should be closely considered before its introduction into the environment. It may, however, be an option for controlled settings such as fish tanks. What is Carolina Cabomba? Cabomba fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana), also known as Carolina cabomba, is native to much of the southeastern United States. This aquatic plant is most commonly found in ponds, streams, and lakes where water is frequently calm and still. These freshwater perennial plants send up stems from the bottom of the body of water....