Viable seeds will germinate when certain conditions, such as soil temperature, moisture, light, and oxygen, are met. Different seeds have different requirements regarding these conditions. For some seeds, scarification is one of the requirements. This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I…
Sweet potatoes are nutritious and delicious root vegetables that are easy to grow in beds or containers. Root vegetables like carrots, turnips, and beets are grown from seed, but sweet potatoes are grown from slips. Slips are short vines that have sprouted from a mature sweet potato. You can purchase slips online…
Birds are not only beautiful and fascinating creatures to watch, but as pest control experts, they also provide a beneficial service to our gardens. But in the winter season, when our gardens are at rest, non-migratory birds must consume more food if they are going to be able to burn…
The winter season brings change to every garden. Cold temperatures cause some plants to go dormant, while other cold-hardy crops continue to grow. From time to time, the National Weather Service will issue advisories, watches, and warnings for winter weather events like a frost or a freeze. But what is…
For most gardens, the growing season will come to an end in either late fall or early winter, a fact that avid gardeners might not welcome, but one that we are better off accepting and planning for. Fortunately, there are certain things that we can do to protect our plants…
Which one is better for your garden, potting soil or potting mix? While the two terms are often used interchangeably, they do not refer to the same medium. The answer to which is better depends entirely on the purpose for which you are going to use it. This article will…
Growing in containers may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about gardening. But there are several benefits that container gardening has over traditional gardening. Here are eight benefits to growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers in containers:1. Easy to Relocate PlantsLocation, location, location. Where you…
Spider mites are not insects. Instead, they are members of the arachnid family, as are spiders and ticks. They are so small that they are difficult to see without a magnifying glass. While they are almost invisible, the damage they inflict is not. This garden pest feeds on the leaves…
Perhaps the last thing we would associate with the diminutive red beetle with the black spots is a sexually transmitted disease. But believe it or not, ladybugs, or ladybirds and lady beetles as they are also sometimes called, can contract a disease that is transmitted during copulation. As it turns…
Marigolds are one of the easiest flowers to grow. They are perfect for beginner gardeners, although experienced gardeners will love them also. In addition to being easy to grow, they are low maintenance, hardy, and beautiful! The yellow, gold, orange, or maroon blossoms, show off their warm hues from spring to fall.…