For small garden spaces patio peach (Prunus persica) is a gem. This miniature tree bears long narrow lush green (or reddish) foliage. Site selection is crucial to ward off potential disease and insect problems. Patio peach is a genetic dwarf and may be grown in a large container on your deck or patio. Tree height averages 6-8 feet tall […]
Archive for the ‘Garden Problems’ Category
Patio Peach Blooms In Early Spring
Posted by Hugh on March 12th, 2016
Posted in acidic soil, Aphids, Bacterial diseases, Bee Favorite, Disease prone, Fertilizing plants, Flowering peach (Prunus), Fragrant, Insect (Pest) Problems, Mites, Peach, Pesticide recommendations, Planting tips, Propagation(grafting), Pruning, Rabbit/deer Protection, Scale, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Summer heat tolerant, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips, winter hardiness 
Comments Off on Patio Peach Blooms In Early SpringPopular Tomato Varieties In U.S.
Posted by Hugh on March 9th, 2016
Many people who have “retire” from gardening still plant a patch of tomatoes every spring. Tomatoes don’t ask for a lot of care. There is nothing better than a thick slice of tomato with a burger or tuna salad sandwich. Every region across the U.S. has their favorite varieties. The gardener’s favorite appears to be a meaty […]
Posted in Disease prone, Disease resistant, Disease resistant, Edible fruits, Fruits & Vegetables, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tomato Comments Off on Popular Tomato Varieties In U.S.Growing Tomatoes 101
Posted by Hugh on March 6th, 2016
Tomato plants are at their best grown in full sun, adequately fertilized and spaced, and staked or caged for support. Have a backup disease control plan in case. Most tomato plants are set out as transplants, since it takes several weeks longer to harvest those direct seeded into garden soil. Transplanting means earlier harvests. Those gardeners […]
Posted in Disease resistant, Fertilizing plants, Fruits & Vegetables, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Soil drainage, Staking, Summer heat tolerant, Tomato, watering tips Comments Off on Growing Tomatoes 101Autumn Fern Changes With The Seasons
Posted by Hugh on March 1st, 2016
Ferns are fine textured lacey-leaf groundcovers. Many kinds of ferns add a tropical accent to the shade garden. Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora), aka Japanese wood fern, has evergreen or semi-evergreen arching foliage, depending how cold it gets in winter (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8). Its common name is misleading. Best frond colors are in spring; the fronds unfurl […]
Posted in acidic soil, Autumn fern (Dryopteris), Autumn foliage color, Disease resistant, Ferns, Ground cover, mulching, Native Plant, plant nutrition, Planting tips, Propagation (dividing), Propagation (Seed), Pruning, Soil drainage, Soil pH, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, watering tips, winter hardiness Comments Off on Autumn Fern Changes With The SeasonsTiming Critical For Applying Crabgrass Preventive
Posted by Hugh on February 24th, 2016
To control crabgrass and other lawn weeds, 1. maintain a vigorous healthy turf so weeds can’t get established, and 2. apply the proper pre-emergent herbicide at the right time. Pre-emergent herbicides do not kill weeds; they prevent weed seeds from germinating. It’s that simple. Timing is important! In many states […]
Posted in Bermuda, Broadleaf weeds, Crabgrass control, Herbicide management, Kentucky bluegrass, Lawn Care, Pesticide recommendations, Tall Fescue, watering tips, Weeds Comments Off on Timing Critical For Applying Crabgrass PreventiveLittle Girl Hybrid Magnolias
Posted by Hugh on February 18th, 2016
Star (Magnolia stellata) and tulip (M. soulangeana) magnolias are early flowering magnolias. Early spring frosts destroy open flowers. In the mid-1980’s the U.S. National Arboretum released 8 shrub-type cultivars as a series called the “Little Girl Magnolias”. They are hybrid crosses between M. liliiflora and M. stellata. Four cultivars- […]
Posted in acidic soil, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Magnolia liliiflora, Magnolia stellata, mulching, Planting tips, Propagation (layering), Pruning, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, winter hardiness Comments Off on Little Girl Hybrid MagnoliasChanging Bigleaf Hydrangea Flower Color
Posted by Hugh on February 14th, 2016
Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla), aka “hortensia” hydrangeas, bear pink flowers in low acidic and alkaline soil and blue flowers in mildly acidic soil. Some tips about regulating soil pH and flower color in bigleaf hydrangeas follows. First, a short review about soil pH. Soil pH measures soil […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, alkaline soil, Bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla), Container growing, container shrub, Fertilizing plants, Hydrangeas, mulching, plant nutrition, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer flowering, Trees & Shrubs, watering tips Comments Off on Changing Bigleaf Hydrangea Flower ColorPeace Lily And Anthurium Plants Around Home Or Office
Posted by Hugh on February 8th, 2016
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) and anthurium are near perfect foliage plants in poorly lit areas around your home or office. They’re native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Both plants are shade-lovers in their native habitats. Direct sunlight for more than one hour will likely burn leaves. They’re members […]
Posted in acidic soil, Anthurium, Fertilizing plants, Heat Tolerance, Insect (Pest) Problems, Mealy bugs, Mites, Peace lily (Spathiphyllum), Planting tips, Poisonous or toxic, Poisonous plant, Potting Mix, Propagation (dividing), Repotting plants, Southern Appalachian Region, Summer heat tolerant, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), watering tips, winter hardiness, Winter Protection Comments Off on Peace Lily And Anthurium Plants Around Home Or OfficeGrowing Orchids Is A Great Hobby
Posted by Hugh on February 6th, 2016
At one time growing orchids was an elitist hobby for the very rich in our society. Orchids were expensive to purchase. Today, local greenhouses and garden centers sell orchids at affordable prices. Moth (Phalaenopsis) and lady slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum) are the simplest to grow. Here are some easy tips to […]
Posted in acidic soil, acidify soil, Fertilizing plants, Interior (house) Plants, Orchids, Planting tips, Potting Mix, Pruning, Purchasing Plants, Repotting plants, Soil drainage, Southern Appalachian Region, Tropical Plants (non-hardy), Wind protection Comments Off on Growing Orchids Is A Great HobbyList Of Dioecious Trees And Shrubs
Posted by Hugh on January 29th, 2016
Some tree species are dioecious, that is produce single sex flowers (either male and female). Male flowers produce pollen and no fruits. Female flowers bear seeds or fruits. You may purchase male clones to avoid picking up messy seed pods or capsules in the fall. If you are allergic to certain tree pollens, avoid […]
Posted in Autumn Fruiting, Bayberry (Myrica), Cork Tree (Phellodendron), Failure to Bloom, Fringetree (Chionanthus), Ginkgo biloba, Green ash (Fraxinus), Honeylocust (Gleditsia), Ilex (hollies), Juniper, Katsura tree (Cercidophyllum), Kentucky coffeetree, Maples (Acer), Native Plant, Persimmon (Diospyros), Poplar (Populus spp.), Propagation(grafting), Smoketree (Cotinus), Southern Appalachian Region, Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Spring flowering, Trees & Shrubs, Willows (Salix) Comments Off on List Of Dioecious Trees And Shrubs
