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If you’ve ever traveled internationally, you may have noticed that before entering into a country, you often have to fill out a form about whether you are carrying any agricultural products or have been on any foreign farms during your trip. This precaution is because many invasive plants and pests can hitch a ride. The Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) is an exotic pest that has been able to rapidly spread across North America in just a few short decades since its initial introduction in the late 1990s....

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient that supports plant growth, and nitrogen fixation is one-way plants obtain it to grow. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil take nitrogen (N) gas and turn it into a usable form for plants. These forms come in several types, but symbiotic nitrogen fixation is the most common. This is the relationship legumes have with bacteria. Table of Contents Legumes are an important part of crop rotation and soil building....

Cereus peruvianus, which is more commonly referred to as Cereus repandus these days, makes a unique addition to your ornamental or edible landscape with its tall, thorny, columnar appearance and low care requirements. Table of Contents Also known as the Peruvian apple cactus, you might be surprised to find that the Cereus fruits, called Peruvian apples, are actually edible! In fact, they make a wonderful source of food for both the people where this plant originated, as well as the local bird population....

Durian trees and jackfruit trees may be very different, but there’s often a lot of confusion about the fruit they bear. You’ll find them both in Asian markets. They’re both tropical fruits. But the distinct differences in the durian vs jackfruit debate are pretty pronounced. Table of Contents Both jackfruit and durian originate in Asia. Both jackfruit and durian fruit are highly sought after worldwide, and they thrive in similar climates....

The June plum tree produces an uncommon tropical treat, not to be compared to the popular plum fruit. The flavor of a June plum resembles a pineapple and mango with the crunch of an apple. The fruits can be eaten unripe or ripe, which can either make the flavor mellow or tangy. June plums are a rare commodity that you probably won’t find at the grocery store. This fruit tree would be an excellent addition to the home garden if your climate permits....

The term “biochar” has been going around gardening circles a lot. It’s touted as the next amazing amendment for the garden, a powerhouse amendment. But what is biochar, anyway, and what’s it supposed to do? Table of Contents In its purest form, biochar is pyrolyzed organic material. Pyrolysis is a form of thermal decomposition in a low-oxygen environment. Extreme heat with low airflow prevents the material from catching fire. Instead, it chars, forming a carbonaceous material....

Mother of Thousands may sound impressive, but better yet, it’s true! This unique succulent plant goes by the botanical name of Kalanchoe daigremontiana. Sometimes called the Mexican hat plant or devil’s backbone, it’s an incredibly interesting xeriscape plant or houseplant. Table of Contents It’s commonly called mother of thousands from the many tiny plantlets that form along its leaf edges. One plant very literally could be the mother of thousands plant!...

Are you looking to improve the health of your soil and the health of your garden ecosystem overall? Then cover crops may be the solution you’ve been searching for! Cover crops for raised beds are particularly useful. Raised beds can lose soil structure, becoming compact over time. They can also lose nutrients over time without any supplements such as added, organic matter like compost or the use of fertilizers, etc. There is an option that is even better and it is known as green manure or, in other words, cover crops!...

Unless you’ve been living deep undercover, you’ve likely heard about the tiny home movement that’s been sweeping the country over the past 4-5 years. Table of Contents There’s even a show about it on HGTV these days, so you know it’s gotten popular enough that the mainstream media is trying to cash in. That said, it’s a wonderful counter-culture movement in housing. It says “No!” to over-sized homes packed with junk you don’t need or use....

Spring’s over, and now summer has begun. And your hedges are a disaster. Time to break out your best hedge trimmer and clean that up! Table of Contents Wait, you don’t have one yet? Oh, but you must. A hedge trimmer can make your life a lot easier and save you time. It’ll also spare you from having to hire an expensive gardener multiple times a year. Let’s explore all the aspects of selecting the right hedge trimmer for your specific needs, and I’ll share my top picks for quality models!...

When I was in high school, I participated in “career day” with the rest of my class, shadowing a person who had the career that I hoped to have in the future… Table of Contents The career I chose? Landscape architect. I learned so much from my day shadowing. That day, the seed was planted that sprouted into my love of gardening. Although I’m not a landscape architect today, I still have an affinity for the profession and consume books about the topic as often as possible....

Are you thinking about ditching your lawn and going with a more exciting ground cover plant? Blue star creeper is a tempting lawn alternative, but you might not know exactly how to grow and care for it. Table of Contents Well, we’ve got the answers to your questions. First things first: blue star creeper is super easy to plant and maintain. Botanically known as Isotoma fluviatilis, it’s a popular ground cover to work into an ornamental landscape....

Companion planting is the simple process of growing two or more plants in close proximity for mutual benefit. This benefit can take place as pest control, a way to attract beneficial insects, to provide shade, or even as sacrificial plants. Today, we will discuss the best cilantro companion plants to grow in the garden for healthier fruit and vegetables. But first, a bit of background information on the herb cilantro!...

Are you growing potted citrus trees or are you growing citrus fruits in your at-home garden? Are you considering starting your own citrus orchard? Well, then one of the most important tools you’ll need to have at your disposal is citrus fertilizer! Table of Contents Citrus trees are persistent on their own, but they need love and care like any other fruit trees. That’s why it’s important to ensure each citrus tree has not only excellent base soil but a good fertilizer too....

In recent years, landscapers have been drawn by the allure of corten steel. The clean lines it creates in the yard and its beautiful, rustic finish are both a major temptation, and for a good reason, too. But if you’re not ready to commit to a professional landscaper installing custom work for you, then consider a search for some corten steel planters. Table of Contents Used in both commercial and residential settings, these steel planters offer a long-lasting, easy alternative to wooden planters....

For many gardeners, the idea of having a lovely small orchard of nut and fruit trees is a major enticement. But before you can start that food forest, you have to do a little extra planning so that you know the fruit tree chill hours for the varieties you want. Table of Contents Why do the chilling hours matter? Are chill hours important? Is there a reason that you couldn’t just plant any tree anywhere?...

Jade plants are lovely succulents. Their small and fleshy oval leaves are appealing, and they perform well both inside and outside. It should come as no surprise that many people want to learn how to do jade plant propagation to expand their collection! Table of Contents Sometimes called money plant or lucky plant, this easy-care, low-maintenance plant is well worth growing. And money tree propagation is surprisingly easy. Let’s talk about everything you’ll need to propagate jade plant cuttings and how it’s done!...

If you’re at war with overgrown grasses and shrubbery on your property, you already know that a cheap low-powered weed whacker isn’t going to cut it. You need something more powerful. But how do you choose a brush cutter that will handle the bushy undergrowth you have? Do you want something that multitasks, or just a machine that’ll get the job done? Let’s get deep into the topic and find out everything you need to know about brush cutters and how they work....

If you really want that lush, green lawn, you’ll need to find the best lawn fertilizer for your situation. Unfortunately, there are dozens of types of fertilizers on the market. Which do you choose? Table of Contents That’s where we come in. Today we’ll break down the best lawn fertilizer types and how they work. Whether you’re looking for organic nitrogen fertilizer or synthetic fertilizer, we have recommendations that will suit your needs....

When you think of soybeans, what comes to mind? Large agricultural fields full of bushy plants, or maybe you think of soy milk or tofu. Either way, if you haven’t considered growing your own soybeans, then exploring how to grow soybeans may inspire you to plant your own soybean crop. Table of Contents Some claim soybeans are the oldest food crop in the world, which isn’t surprising, considering soybeans are more than a food source....