Organic Gardening News

Grubs are nasty-looking pests. The last thing you want to see is grubs in your container plants. Grubs in potted plants are actually the larvae of various types of beetles. Before they hatch in late summer, grubs in garden pots feed on plant matter, including the roots and stems of your beloved plants. Controlling grubs isn’t difficult, but it does take a bit of effort on your part. Keep reading for tips on how to get rid of grubs in flowerpots. Controlling Grubs in Containers The most effective way to eliminate grubs in potted plants is getting rid of the infested soil. This won’t hurt the plant if you work carefully; in fact, your plant may benefit from repotting, especially if the roots are crowded in the pot. Here’s how to eliminate grubs in container plants: Put on a pair of gloves, then spread a sheet of plastic or newspaper

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A fairly common scenario amongst greenhouse owners is growing trees that eventually cast too much shade. In this case, you might wonder “can you move a greenhouse?” Moving a greenhouse is no easy feat, but greenhouse relocation is possible. How to relocate a greenhouse on the other hand, might be the better question. There are several things to consider before relocating a greenhouse. Can You Move a Greenhouse? Since the greenhouse was obviously put in place, it stands to reason that it can be moved. The question is how? Greenhouses that are fiberglass or plastic are lightweight and fairly easy to man handle. Those with glass, however, can be very heavy and require a bit of forethought before relocating. The first thing to consider, as simple as it sounds, is where you want to move the greenhouse. A new site will likely take some preparation, so don’t start dismantling anything

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Nematodes are microscopic worms that live in the soil. Most are beneficial, cycling nutrients and helping keep pests in check. Some, including dahlia nematodes, are extremely destructive little pests. How do you recognize dahlia root knot nematode damage? Can root knot nematodes in dahlias be treated or controlled? Read on for more information on dahlia nematodes. Symptoms of Dahlia Root Knot Nematode Damage The primary symptom of root knot nematodes in dahlias is swelling or galls on the roots. The swellings make tiny, pimple-like bumps as large as an inch (2.5 cm.) across. If you aren’t sure, carefully dig the plant and shake off the loose soil to see what you’re dealing with. Dahlia root knot damage may also include yellowing of the leaves and wilting, especially during hot weather when the plant is water stressed. Galls on the roots make it difficult for the plant to absorb moisture. Preventing

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For many plant collectors, the process of finding new and interesting plants can be quite exciting. Whether choosing to grow new selections in the ground or indoors in pots, the addition of unique flowers and foliage can add life and vibrance to green spaces. Many varieties of houseplants can be found growing natively in warm and tropical regions throughout the world. One plant, called Mikado (Syngonanthus chrysanthus), is beloved for its odd shape and structure. What is a Mikado Plant? Mikado plants, also known as Syngonanthus Mikado, are flowering ornamentals native to the swamps of Brazil. Growing up to 14 inches (35 cm.) tall, these spiky plants produce tall globular flowers. Before opening, the ball-shaped flowers range in color from white to cream. These flowers provide a beautiful contrast when in bloom held above the grass-like foliage. Mikado Indoor Plant Care To begin growing Mikado plants indoors, gardeners will first

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Claytonia virginica, or Claytonia spring beauty, is a perennial wildflower native to much of the Midwest. It was named for John Clayton, an 18th century American botanist. These pretty flowers are found in woodlands but can also be grown in the garden in natural areas or clustered in beds. About Claytonia Spring Beauty Spring beauty is a perennial spring flower native to the Midwest. It grows naturally in the woodlands of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Missouri. They spread by tubers that are actually edible and were eaten by early pioneers, but growing Claytonia tubers for food is not very efficient—they are small and time-consuming to collect. Claytonia flowering typically begins in April, but this depends on the location and weather. It grows about 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15 cm.) tall and produces small, star-shaped blooms that are white to pink with pink veins. Spring beauty

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Clouds of billowy baby’s breath flowers (Gypsophila paniculata) provide an airy look to floral arrangements. These profuse summer bloomers can be just as pretty in a border or rock garden. Many gardeners use cultivars of this plant as a backdrop, where the floods of delicate blooms show off brightly colored, lower growing plants. So what other types of baby’s breath flowers are there? Read on to learn more. About Gypsophila Plants Baby’s breath is one of several types of Gypsophila, a genus of plants in the carnation family. Within the genus are several baby’s breath cultivars, all with long, straight stems and masses of dainty, long-lasting blooms. Baby’s breath varieties are easy to plant by seed directly in the garden. Once established, baby’s breath flowers are easy to grow, fairly drought-tolerant, and require no special care. Plant baby’s breath cultivars in well-drained soil and full sunlight. Regular deadheading isn’t absolutely

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Chrysanthemum plants are among the easiest perennials to grow in your garden. Their bright and cheerful flowers will bloom through the first hard frost. However, mums are not immune to diseases, including collar and stem rot of chrysanthemums. Read on for information on these chrysanthemum issues as well as tips for mum rot treatment. About Collar and Stem Rot of Chrysanthemums Collar and stem rot of chrysanthemums are caused by several different fungi. These include Fusarium, Pythium and Rhizoctonia. When Fusarium fungus causes the rot, the disease is also called fusarium wilt. You’ll notice that the plants wilt, as if they need water. However, water won’t help with fusarium wilt, and the plants soon turn brown and die. When Fusarium enters through the soil line, it is called chrysanthemum collar rot. It can also enter through the roots of the plant. The diseased chrysanthemum can die stem by stem or

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Mountain cedar is a tree with a common name full of contradictions. The tree is not a cedar at all, and its native range is central Texas, not known for its mountains. What is mountain cedar? In fact, trees called mountain cedar are actually ashe juniper trees. For more mountain cedar information, including facts about mountain cedar pollen and allergies, read on. What is Mountain Cedar? Juniperus ashei has many common names. It is called ashe juniper and mountain cedar, but also rock cedar, Mexican juniper and Texas cedar. This native juniper tree is an evergreen and is not very tall. It can present as a large shrub or a small tree, rarely exceeding 25 feet (7.5 m.) tall. Its primary habitat is central Texas but it also grows in the wild in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and northern Mexico. Mountain Cedar Information The ashe juniper trees have rounded crowns as

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Pears are only in season at a certain time each year but proper storing and handling of pears can lengthen their shelf life so they can be enjoyed for months after harvest. How do you store pears post-harvest? Read on to learn about post-harvest pear handling and what to do with pears after harvest. About Storing and Handling Pears In the commercial market, pears are harvested before the fruit is ripe. This is because unripe fruit is less susceptible to damage during transport and storage. Also, when pears are harvested less than ripe, they have a longer storage life and, with proper post-harvest pear handling, the fruit can be sold on the market for up to 6-8 months. The same rules apply for the home grower. Of course, you can pick a perfectly ripe pear from the tree if you intend to eat it immediately, but if you wish to

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Container gardening has long been popular with vegetable gardeners, as well as anyone wishing to add appeal to their homes with ornamental plantings. In recent years, planting in garden urns has become especially popular. Not only are these urns sturdy, but they offer growers a unique garden aesthetic. Let’s learn more about how to use a garden urn planter in your landscape. What is a Garden Urn? A garden urn planter is a type of unique container, usually made of concrete. These larger containers are generally very decorative and ornate. Unlike conventional containers, urn gardening offers growers the opportunity to create elegant plantings without much effort or fuss. Planting in Garden Urns Before planting in garden urns, growers will first need to establish whether or not the selected urn has drainage. While some containers will already have drainage holes, others may not. Since most urns are made of concrete, this

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Crown rust is the most widespread and damaging disease found in oats. Epidemics of crown rust on oats have been found in almost every oat growing region with reductions of yield affected by 10-40%. For individual growers, oats with crown rust may result in a total crop failure, making learning about oat crown rust treatment very important. The following article contains information on oat rust control. What is Crown Rust in Oats? Crown rust on oats is caused by the fungus Puccinia coronata var. avenae. The amount and severity of the infection varies depending on weather conditions, number of spores present, and percentage of susceptible varieties planted. Symptoms of Oats with Crown Rust Crown rust in oats manifests as early as late April. The first symptoms are tiny, scattered, bright orange pustules on the leaves. These pustules may also appear on the leaf sheaths, stems and panicles. Soon after, the

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Sorrel is an interesting herb, one that can be considered a vegetable or leafy green. The leaves of sorrel have a tart, lemony flavor that work well in a variety of dishes. It grows best in cool seasons, like other greens, and will bolt in the heat of summer. Another issue you may face growing sorrel is pests. Know the typical pests of sorrel and how to manage them for the best harvest. Pests and Bugs That Eat Sorrel The good news about sorrel is that there aren’t a lot of pests that like to nibble on it. Sorrel pest problems are limited mostly to aphids, snails, and slugs. You may also find that some species of butterfly or moth larvae will feed on the leaves. It should be easy to determine the type of creature that is causing your sorrel pest problems. You may see slugs and snails in

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Sorrel is a perennial herb that returns faithfully to a garden year after year. Flower gardeners grow sorrel for their woodland blossoms in lavender or pink. Veggie gardeners, however, grow specific types of sorrel to use in soups and salads. Sorrel is widely eaten in Europe, but less so in North America. If you are ready to try something new, consider adding a few different sorrel plants to your vegetable garden. Read on for descriptions of sorrel varieties and tips for growing these low-maintenance herbs. Sorrel Plant Types You can’t go wrong by including sorrel in your garden. The different sorrel plants are not only easy to grow but are also cold-hardy perennials. This means they die back in fall but reappear the following year in late winter. The two most popular varieties of sorrel for veggie gardeners are English (garden) sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and French sorrel (Rumex scutatus). Both

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Sorrel is a lesser used herb that at one time was a tremendously popular cooking ingredient. It is once again finding its place amongst foodies, and with good reason. Sorrel has a flavor that lemony and grassy, and lends itself beautifully to many dishes. Interested in cooking with sorrel? Read on to learn how to prepare sorrel and what to do with sorrel. About Using Sorrel Herbs In Europe, cooking with sorrel (Rumex scutatus) was commonplace during the Middle Ages. The type of sorrel that Europeans initially grew was R. acetosa until a milder form was developed in Italy and France. This milder herb, French sorrel, became the chosen form by the 17th century. Sorrel plant uses were entirely culinary and the herb was used in soups, stews, salads and sauces until it faded from favor. While sorrel was used in cooking, it imbued a healthy by-product. Sorrel is rich

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If your chrysanthemum plants grow in a sunny, well-drained site in your garden and get adequate water, they probably are blooming and healthy. But when that’s not the case, your plants may suffer from fungal diseases, including powdery mildew. Powdery mildew on chrysanthemums is one of those diseases that can usually be avoided with good cultural care. Read on for information about mum powdery mildew symptoms and effective chrysanthemum powdery mildew control. White Spots on Mums Chrysanthemums are popular garden flowers. They are hardy perennials that thrive in mild or even cool climates. The species flowers are yellow, and the name comes from the Greek words for gold and flower. Today, however, chrysanthemum blooms come in a large range of shapes and colors including white, purple and red. If you see white spots on mums that look like pale powder, don’t just hope they will go away. These are mum

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The naranjilla plant (Solanum quitoense) is an intriguing little fruit tree and might be an excellent choice for a small garden orchard. A member of the nightshade family Solanaceae, the naranjilla is named after the small, orange-like fruit it bears. This is a tough little tree, but it occasionally gets attacked by naranjilla pests, notably the root knot nematode. For information about naranjilla pest problems, including a list of bugs that eat naranjilla, read on. Pests of Naranjilla The naranjilla plant is a spreading, herbaceous shrub that grows to 8 feet (2.5 m.) high. It is native to South America and is cultivated throughout Latin America for its small orange fruit with a thick, leathery peel. The naranjilla fruit are smaller than oranges, usually only 2 ½ inches (6.25 cm.) across, but they are filled with yellow-green juicy pulp. It is delicious, tasting like a pleasant mixture of pineapple and

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Ginseng is featured prominently in a number of energy drinks, tonics and other health related products. This isn’t an accident, as ginseng has been used medicinally for thousands of years and is purported to aid a number of ailments. On many of these products, the type of ginseng is called Asian or Korean ginseng root. But have you thought about growing Korean ginseng yourself? The following Korean ginseng info discusses how to grow Korean ginseng root. What is Asian Ginseng? Ginseng has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years, and commercial cultivation of the precious root is a huge and lucrative industry. Ginseng is a perennial plant comprised of eleven or so species that grow in the cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Each species is defined by its native habitat. For instance, Asian ginseng root is found Korea, Japan and northern China while American ginseng

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What is German White garlic? According to German White garlic information, this is a large, strong-flavored hardneck type garlic. German White garlic is a Porcelain type with satin white bulbs. For information about how to grow German White garlic, read on. German White Garlic Info Many gardeners growing German White garlic declare it their favorite. Its claim to fame is the size of its cloves. The big bulbs have only four to six cloves, which makes them easier to peel. Exactly what is German White garlic? It’s an extremely popular type of hardneck garlic with ivory bulbs. The clove wrappers, however, are pink. This garlic is known by several other names. These include German Extra-Hardy, Northern White and German Stiffneck. These huge garlic bulbs have a rich, deep flavor with lasting heat. Are they spicy? They are, but not too much, just enough. This garlic softens and sweetens when it

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Citrus is one of the biggest groups of fruit commonly available. The scent and sweet tang are enjoyed equally in recipes, as a juice or freshly eaten. Unfortunately, they are all prey to several diseases, many of which are fungal. Diplodia stem-end rot of citrus is one of the most common post-harvest diseases. It is prevalent in Florida crops and elsewhere. Citrus stem-end rot can destroy valuable crops if not prevented by good after harvest care. What is Diplodia Stem-end Rot of Citrus? During flowering and fruiting, citrus trees can develop many fungal problems, but such issues also occur once the fruit is harvested and stored. These diseases are the worst because you have to watch all that hard work go to waste. Diplodia citrus rot causes decay of the fruit. It spreads in packed citrus and can cause widespread damage. Stem-end rot on citrus occurs most frequently in subtropical

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Rhubarb is a cool weather vegetable with vibrant, tasty stalks that can be used to make pies, sauces, jams, and cakes. The color of the stalk varies depending on the variety, and ranges from red to green with all kinds of variations in between. The Sunrise rhubarb variety is pink and has a thick, sturdy stalk that stands up well to canning and freezing. About Sunrise Rhubarb Plants Sunrise is not commonly seen in grocery stores, where most rhubarb is red. This variety produces thick, pink stalks. It adds a pretty new color to the vegetable garden, but Sunrise rhubarb uses in the kitchen include anything from pies and jams to cakes and ice cream sauce. Thanks to its thick stalk, Sunrise rhubarb is particularly useful for canning and freezing. It will stand up to these storage methods without falling apart or getting too mushy. How to Grow Sunrise Rhubarb

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