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Trees & Houseplants : Home & Garden
Fleas & Nematodes
Fleas are hard-to-kill parasites that can transmit diseases and tapeworms to pets and people. There are ways to kill fleas without resorting primarily to harsh insecticides. One way is by releasing nematodes, which are small roundworms, to eat fleas.
DIY: Recycling Water
Recycling water is the process of reusing treated wastewater for beneficial purposes. Also referred to as water reclamation and water reuse, water recycling has many environmental benefits. Perhaps most importantly, by providing an extra source of water, reusing water lessens the strain on fresh sou
How to Build a Cage for Pole Beans
Pole beans need vertical support as they grow and climb in a vegetable garden. Over time and with proper care, pole beans grow tall in a garden, enabling a gardener to pick green beans from the vines growing up a support structure. Make a simple cage for pole beans to give them the necessary support
How to Build Hydroponics
If you want to jumpstart the growth of your plants, a hydroponics system is the way to go. Plants are grown in water that is high in nutrient content. This, coupled with proper lighting, can help plants grow faster than they would in the ground. There are many types of hydroponics systems. This arti
What Plants Are Found in the Tropical Dry Forest?
Tropical dry forest conditions occur in areas with a severe dry season that lasts for most of the year. In most tropical dry forests, a single short wet season provides most of the moisture. The tropical dry forest is found in tropical, warm regions with mean annual temperatures above 63 degrees F t
How to Grow a Loquat Plum Tree
The loquat plum is a subtropical evergreen that grows best in hardiness zones 7 to 10 or where average winter low temperatures do not fall below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. It is often grown as a shade tree in the southernmost United States, and is valued for its fruit and attractive foliage. While its ov
Azalea Blooming
All azaleas are rhododendrons. Two basic characteristics help differentiate which of the rhododendrons are more commonly referred to as azaleas. Azalea leaves usually have thinner, softer leaves with tiny hairs and no scales. Azalea flowers bear five or six stamens, not 10 like most other plants gar
Carnivorous Terrariums
Terrariums offer everyone the chance to have flowers and other plants around without having to spend a lot of time taking care of them. Carnivorous plants can also be used as part of a terrarium, but given their unique nutritional requirements, these typically require more care than other types of p
Can Potting Soil Be Used for Worm Farms?
Most commercial potting soils contain no soil at all. Instead, they are composed of peat moss, bark and perlite, which is puffed volcanic glass. It is then steam sterilized. While potting soils provide a loose, well-drained planting medium, they provide no minerals without the addition of fertilizer
Fern Garden Plants
Ferns belong to an ancient family of plants. According to the American Fern Society, ferns first came out of the ocean and onto land more than 400 million years ago. All ferns have leaves, stems and roots. They reproduce by spores, as opposed to seeds. Ferns provide an attractive ground...
What Are Good Plant Nurseries in Pennsylvania?
Here you can find recommendations fellow gardeners have made for good Illinois nurseries. Add your favorite nursery today.
How to Remove Tree Roots From the End of Septic Fields
Homeowners sometimes plant trees and other deep-rooted plants over the top of their septic drainfields, only to find the field damaged shortly afterward. The reason for this common problem is that tree roots grow into the drainfield lines and fracture the pipes as they grow deeper in the ground. Dra
White Stuff on the Leaves of a Crepe Myrtle
A white powder or coating on the leaves of crape myrtle is a common problem known as powdery mildew. The powdery mildew fungus attacks the plant in the summer months and can eventually kill it if left untreated. Infections spread quickly from plant to plant, and should be treated as soon as the prob
Cactus and Brown Spots
Cacti are favored as houseplants due to their relatively low incidence of plant problems. They can, however, succumb to a variety of disease pathogens, insects and cultural conditions that cause brown spots. Though there are thousands of different species of cacti, overwhelmingly the conditions for
How to Make a Hot House
A hot house is a heated greenhouse which is primarily used to grow tender plants such as orchids. With a hot house one can maintain a high temperature and humidity in which many tropical plants thrive. For anyone looking to expand her garden and create a nice, quiet refuge where plants and their own
How Can Tomatoes Grow in Upside Down Pots?
Growing tomatoes upside-down in bags or containers reduces pest and disease damage, increases fruit yields and saves space. Wherever deer and rabbits are a problem, upside-down plantings allow you to keep your produce out of reach long enough to have a successful harvest. Upside-down gardening also
Tomato Seeds or Plants
The success of growing tomatoes from seed depends on the length of your growing season. Some varieties require as much as 100 days to develop fruit. In some areas, seeds planted in late May wouldn't yield tomatoes until September. Even shorter season varieties require as much as 75 days, placing the
Can Oakleaf Hydrangea Shrubs Grow in Total Shade?
The oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) acquired its name from the shape of its leaves. They resemble those of various oak tree species, but the oakleaf hydrangea is a shrub native to much of the Southeastern United States. While it can grow in full, or total, shade, the oakleaf hydrangea does
Africanized Killer Bees Vs. Normal Bees
For the past several decades, news about Africanized bees, or "killer bees," has continued to grow. Key differences exist between these aggressive insects and European honeybees.
Will Grasshoppers Kill My Grass?
Grasshoppers can kill grass and other plants when they feed on them, and they're one of the hardest insect pests to control because they move around so much. However, not all grasshoppers eat the same thing. Each species has its own preferences. Some grasshoppers feed primarily on weeds. Others pref