Damping off is the term gardeners use to describe the wilting and death of seedlings just before or just after they emerge from the soil. Damping off is caused by a fungus or mold that thrives in cool, wet soil conditions. Seedlings that suddenly collapse or fall over or bare spots in containers or in the […] More
Texas Bluebonnet, Lupinus texensis, bears blue, pealike flowers in midsummer. Flowers are borne on long, graceful spikes from 1 to 3 feet tall. Bluebonnets are a good fit for meadows and long drives. They quickly reseed and naturalize. Get to know Texas Bluebonnet Where to plant Texas Bluebonnet When to plant Texas Bluebonnet Planting and […] More
Zinnia is a low, bushy annual with oval dark green leaves, and red, yellow, purple, pink, and sometimes green daisy-like flowers from summer to early fall. Zinnias offer masses of color in beds and borders and can be grown in small groups in containers and pots. Zinnias are hot-weather plants. They do best after the […] More
Poppy flowers–members of the Papaver genus–are bright additions to the summer garden. Poppy flowers bear solitary or double cup-shaped flowers from 2 to 4 inches (5-10cm) across. Flowers often have a crepe-papery texture. Colors can be white, yellow, pink, red, orange, salmon, and purple. There are annual and perennial poppy flowers. Best known are the […] More
Starting plants from seed is easy. You can start vegetables, herbs, and flowers from seed. Seed starting requires a bit of time and space. The effort will be rewarding. Many more varieties of vegetables and flowers–both annuals and perennials– are available in seed than are young seedlings or starts offered at garden centers or nurseries. […] More
Successful seed and seedlings’ growth depends on moisture, warmth, air, and light. Seeds and seedlings require optimal temperatures, even watering, open-air circulation, and bright light to thrive. When a seed fails to sprout or a seedling fails to thrive there is usually a simple and easily correctable reason. Here are the most common reasons seeds […] More
Cauliflower is grown for its edible flower buds that form a solid head atop single stalks. The heads are edible raw or cooked. While cauliflower is perhaps the most delicious member of the cabbage family, it is also the most finicky to grow in the home garden. When the conditions are right, even the novice […] More
Seed starting mixes are lightweight soil substitutes used for germinating seeds. Seed starting mixes commonly contain no soil, they are moisture retentive, and they are usually sterile having been exposed to high temperature to kill off bacteria. Seed starting mixes are sometimes called soilless mixes. Having the right seed starting mix can be crucial for […] More
Onions can be grown for their green immature stems or they can be grown for their mature bulbs. These strong-smelling plants have been extremely popular for centuries. Two main types of onions are grown in the home garden: the young, green or white, bunching sorts eaten fresh and before the mature bulb has formed, and […] More
Collards–also called collard greens–is a tall growing form of kale whose coarse leaves borne in tufts are eaten like greens. Collards are a cool season crop but they can stand more hot weather than cabbage or ordinary kale, and so are consequently grown in the South. Georgia collards are the standard variety grown mostly in […] More
Grow an early and late or main crop of celery each growing season. The early crop will be harvested in August; the late crop will be harvested in September or October, before the first fall frost. Start celery seed indoors. Sow seed for the early or August harvest in February. Set young plants in the […] More
Senecio is a large genus of bedding plants, tender perennials, and houseplants that all bear daisy-like flowers. The flowers usually appear in clusters but sometimes appear singly. In most species, the eyes are surrounded by ray florets or petals. The two best-known members of the Senecio genus are Dusty Miller, Senecio cineraria, and Florist’s Cineraria, […] More
Stephen Albert