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Trees & Houseplants : Home & Garden
Organic Collard Seeds
Growers of certified organic collards typically must source their seed with a certified organic seed breeder, unless one is not available in their market. Most farmers will be able to find an organic seed source for their collard seed, though they may not offer seeds as cheaply as conventional sourc
What Vegetables Can Grow Near Walnut Trees?
Walnut trees rank right alongside squirrels, rabbits, deer, insects and diseases as banes of the vegetable garden. No amount of care will keep certain vegetables healthy anywhere within reach of black walnut trees and a few related species. Gardens planted near walnut trees can thrive, however, with
How to Harvest Mugwort in the Northwest
Mugwort has a fascinating history and it has become popular today for it's many uses. It has been used as a substitute for tea, has fattened sheep, has been used in beer making, was once thought to cure rheumatism, to ward off moths and evil spirits. Today mugwort is used in landscaping and for eros
Autumn Garden Flowers
Goldenrod is a vivid, colorful addition to the autumn flower garden.Anthony-Masterson/Photodisc/Getty ImagesFor gardens full of flowers that bloom during the spring and summer, your once colorful landscape may appear drained and a little lifeless when autumn approaches. While trees may...
Micropropagation of Acacia
Micropropagation is creating new plant that is resistant to disease, infection and destructive insects. You take a clipping from a parent plant and turn it into a clone of the parent plant without the defects that make a plant susceptible to diseases and infections. Micropropagation is widely used i
Birds and Bugs That Get Into Seeds
Birdseed provides food for not only coveted backyard birds but also unwanted feathered visitors and insects. Starlings, crows, grackles, blue jays and house sparrows can become pests and gluttons at the backyard bird feeder. In addition, insects can infest the birdseed at the processing plant, the w
Hemlock Trees in Maryland
Hemlock has a soft, flowing form.Comstock/Comstock/Getty ImagesHemlock trees are native to North America and grow well in the northeast, eastern seaboard, Pacific northwest, and even the midwest. They are the most graceful of conifers, and can grow to 80 feet with a spread of 30 feet or...
How to Design Artificial Flowers
Fresh flowers decorate a room. They add color, scent and freshness to any space. However, fresh means they will eventually wither away and have to be replaced. Well-made silk artificial flowers look so close to the real thing you may have to touch the flower to make sure it's not real. The art of de
The Best Fruit Trees for New Mexico
Pears are one of the most popular fruits in New Mexico.pears image by Renata Osinska from Fotolia.comThe growth and development of fruit trees is greatly influenced by the geographic location. The production of fruit in New Mexico is determined by the December late freezes. The sooner the...
Armillaria Rot on Oak Trees
The fungus Armillaria mellea attacks the root system of oak trees. Because the fungus is soil-borne, it can survive on dead roots for years. Insect damage, environmental stress and trunk or root injuries increase the severity of the disease. Once the fungus is established in the root system, control
The Parts of the Flower that Produce Pollen
Without the production and dispersal of pollen, many plants would be unable to reproduce. The male organs of a flower are responsible for the production of pollen. These male organs include the long filaments that extend from the center of the flower and the anthers located at the tips of the filame
Desert Rose Care Instructions
The desert rose is native to Africa and grows well indoors. It is an easy plant to care for and tolerates a moderate amount of neglect. It is most often grown in USDA zones 10a to 11. It is considered a tropical plant and can reach a height of 4 to 6 feet.
Tree Pest and Disease Control Tips
Pests and disease threaten the health of a tree. If you think your trees have a problem, you should monitor your trees closely. You need to identify pests and diseases before you can eliminate them. Chemical, biological, physical and mechanical are some of the methods used to control pests and dise
About 'Big Mama' Tomato Growing
The 'Big Mama' is an indeterminate tomato, that produces crops until the first frost kills the plant. 'Big Mama' tomatoes are large, meaty paste tomatoes, best used for making sauces and soups.
Are Begonias Poisonous to Cats?
With over 1,000 species, begonias are a familiar indoor plant. If you have a cat, you will want to keep begonias well out of your pet's reach because they are toxic to cats.
White Cascade Petunias
The petunia is a favorite annual garden flower, blooming profusely in white, red, pink, purple and variegated varieties of single, double and ruffled flowers. The White Cascade petunia is notable for its fragrance and use in containers and hanging baskets.
Tiny White Insects on Bushes
Shrubs and bushes are a staple in landscapes where the 2- to 20-feet-tall, multi-branched, woody plants help to bridge the gap between the low-growing perennials and annuals and the taller trees. Bushes and shrubs are just as susceptible to diseases and pest infestations as other plants. Common pest
How to Grow Sugar Pine
Sugar pine is the tallest of all pine trees, growing up to 200 feet tall. They live for hundreds of years, so if you're considering putting one in your yard, make sure there is the space for it. Sugar pines have an open, flat-topped crown. The long branches sag down with the weight of the pine cones
How to Transplant Kiwi
Although kiwifruit is often associated with New Zealand, both the hardy and fuzzy varieties are native to Asia and weren't introduced into New Zealand until the 1920s. It's an easy fruit to grow in areas with mild climates. The best time to transplant the kiwi is in the late summer or fall, when the
Sod and Soil Preparation
Proper soil preparation is an important prerequisite for a healthy lawn, irrespective of whether planting seed or laying sod. Although the process of soil preparation is time consuming, it gives the growing grass a healthy start and reduces weeds, diseases and insects problems during development. Pr