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Sunflowers are commonly used in many sunny gardens since, unsurprisingly, sunflowers demand full sun. Whether you grow sunflowers for the seeds, beauty, or birds, sunflowers are a bright addition to both edible and flower gardens and will add a pop of color. If you like to plant the same types of flowers in the same place, you may be wondering, are sunflowers annuals or perennials? Table of Contents There are both annual and perennial sunflowers available....

Have you ever come across buckwheat pancakes, buckwheat flour, or buckwheat honey and wondered what the buckwheat plant is? Is it anything like regular wheat that you would find in bread and pasta? Table of Contents Although it is often used similarly to wheat, it is not related at all. Unlike wheat flour, buckwheat flour is gluten-free. In general, this crop is unlike cereal grain crops. The seeds from a mature plant are ground up and used as flour for baked goods like pancakes....

Have you ever come out to your garden to find bugs on beans you planted and wondered, “What is eating my green bean leaves?” Chances are you’re dealing with the Mexican bean beetle. In the scope of natural history, this pest was first identified in 1850 by Mulsant via multiple specimens from Mexico. Table of Contents While the Mexican bean beetle is in the same family as the lady bug its feeding damage makes it much less desirable in home gardens....

Get it right and you will be rewarded with a bountiful harvest of your chosen fruits. Get it wrong and be prepared for great disappointment and a poor yield. Your nutrient solution must contain the correct amount of nutrients as well as other additives that are naturally be found in soils. All are vital to ensure a plant’s growth and its resistance to pests and diseases. What Kind of Water To Use In Nutrient Solutions Usually a nutrient solution is made from fresh tap water....

I had the pleasure of helping some friends set up their first no-dig garden this summer. Around half of their growing space was allocated to tomatoes, a favorite summer treat. My friends would send me frequent update photos of the progress as they were eagerly awaiting to taste their first tomato. One day in mid-summer, I received a frantic text that something’s wrong. The first green tomatoes were all developing dark brown spots on the bottom!...

If you’re new to growing plants hydroponically, words like “Deep Water Culture” can sound like they’re straight out of a science-fiction movie. Compared to soil gardening, hydroponics looks more complex – but it’s really not. Table of Contents There are many types of hydroponic systems, many of which have confusing sounding names (nutrient film technique, deep water culture, ebb and flow). But that’s what this article is here for! Let’s take a look at one of the simplest and most popular methods of hydroponic gardening today – Deep Water Culture, or DWC....

Gardening with children is so much fun! Some of my favorite childhood memories involve gardening with my grandparents. Tasting chives and carrots fresh from the garden bed was truly something that gave me the inspiration to garden today. Most kids can get something out of gardening, and tasting that fresh produce is a great way to involve them in that process. Table of Contents You probably already know the benefits of time spent in the yard and away from the couch, including those to the immune system and mental space....

If you’re one for cooking, you’ve likely used chervil at some point. Also called French parsley or Anthriscus cerefolium, these herbs have a delicate, fresh taste that is often used in European soups, sauces, and fish dishes. Not only is chervil delicious in seafood and egg dishes, but it also makes an excellent addition to microgreen gardens. When grown right, chervil microgreens are a nutritious way to perfectly season your dinner!...

Table of Contents Ah, the pussy willow. The perfect addition to your ornamental garden! They’re one of the first plants to bloom in spring, making them a top pick for many gardeners. Its flowers, or “catkins”, are fluffy little blooms which resemble tiny little cats. The Chinese use pussy willows as a decoration during part of the lunar new year. It’s believed to bring prosperity for the coming year. It’s also a popular Easter decoration....

It’s the flower of Hawaii, a national symbol of Haiti, and the national flower of nations including the Solomon Islands and Niue. The star-shaped flower of all hibiscus types is sought by gardeners everywhere. With so many different types of hibiscus out there, surely there’s something you can work with. Table of Contents Whether you prefer tropical hibiscus cultivars, hardy hibiscus, or perennials, most large-scale nurseries and big box stores stock plenty....

As you become older, you may feel inclined to give up your beloved gardening past time as physical activity becomes more difficult. Elderly gardening may seem to be too much effort. But don’t give up! Table of Contents With the help of some very helpful tools and tips, you can continue to garden well into your golden years. While gardening can stock your kitchen with delicious vegetables and fruits, in the case of senior citizens the additional benefits of gardening become even more important....

We talk a lot about the root knot nematode, and that’s because this microscopic parasite can do a lot of damage to your plants. It’s not easy to determine if you’re battling against them, and yet your plant will suffer its effects. Table of Contents So let’s discuss what these itty bitty parasites are, and what they actually do. We’ll go over methods to try to eliminate them from your yard, and talk about the differences between good nematodes and bad ones....

There are between 21-24 species of aglaonema, although the exact number varies depending on which botanical registry you are looking at. However, there are hundreds of different aglaonema varieties in a diversity of leaf colorations. The variations are myriad and all lovely! Table of Contents It’s more common to find Chinese evergreen plants classified by their cultivar names than by true botanical name, which complicates identification. In fact, it can be a bit dizzying sorting it all out....

Citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB), is a fatal bacterial infection in citrus plants most commonly transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri). Huanglongbing is Chinese for Yellow Dragon Disease because infected citrus leaves develop an irregular mottled yellow color, similar to the skin of a mystical yellow dragon. In addition, citrus greening is sometimes called yellow shoot disease. Table of Contents It can be hard to tell when a citrus tree is infected because trees may not show any symptoms immediately....

Growing tomatoes indoors may seem like an impossible feat for this heat-loving fruit, but indoor tomato plants are easy to grow. Provide the right setting for your plant, and you’ll have tomatoes indoors all year long. Then enjoy the fruit of your labor every day. Table of Contents Growing indoor tomatoes takes the same skills as outdoor tomato plants, but there’s the benefit of elemental control. There are few pests to deal with indoors, and very few environmental conditions that ruin your crop....

Some of the most rewarding plants to grow for the patient gardener are persimmon trees. These fruit trees provide gardeners with sweet, delicious fruits in early autumn. Once they set fruit, gardeners have access to sweetness for years to come. Table of Contents Depending on the species, a persimmon tree grows either bitter, astringent fruit or sweet fruits. Once they are ripened, they’re incorporated into pies, salads, jellies, and more. Growing persimmons is a worthwhile endeavor, and there are persimmon trees suited to multiple climates....

Table of Contents Are you wondering about setting up your very first tent? You’re in the right place! Grow tents are one of the most important tools when it comes to indoor gardening and setting them up is a simple process once you know what’s needed. A grow tent allows you to recreate nature under your very own conditions. Basically, when you’re using a grow tent properly, you become the weather....

If you’re tired of the basic microgreen crops, like radishes and sunflowers, we have a lesser-known herb that you can learn how to grow. Known for its tangy flavor, sorrel makes an exciting microgreen! Not only that, but sorrel microgreens are pretty basic to grow. With this crop, you can liven up your kitchen with minimal effort. Table of Contents Sorrel plant is a lesser-known garden herb that’s commonly used in France....

One of the best parts of the fall season is that sweet, sweet crumbly leaf mold – something I look forward to every year. Not only is the intense heat of summer cooled off, but deciduous trees have dropped dead leaves onto the soil surface to fertilize the earth. Table of Contents It’s a wonder why so many people rake them up and give them to waste collection personnel to be disposed of....

Anise has so many beneficial properties in terms of pest control, medicine, and the star anise plant is also lovely. So if you like growing plants that have multiple uses in varying spheres, this might be the one for you. Table of Contents We are talking specifically about Illicium verum, and not other star anise plants that are toxic. Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) and swamp star anise (Illicium parviflorum) have the same common name but are highly toxic....