Applying fertilizer in excess can easily damage and kill plants. Saving plants from fertilizer damage is possible, but a little work and patience is needed before the plant becomes healthy again.
Neem oil is organic and can be used in homemade mixtures to control many kinds of garden and plant pests.
The propagation of the snake plant is very easy via cuttings or divisions. Cuttings are slightly more complicated than divisions but both are easy none-the-less. Only a few materials are needed to perform divisions and cuttings.
The snake plant, Sansevieria trifasciata, is a very common and easy to grow house plant. Growing snake a plant is very easy due to its ability to tolerate low light environments and irregular watering. One of the major benefits of the plant is in its ability to purify air, which makes it great for...
Vinegar is effective as a weed killer due to its ability to draw moisture out of foliage. Household vinegar may also be used in combination with other household items, like salt and dish detergent, to kill weeds. Vinegar is easy to find and use, while being an alternative to chemical herbicides.
The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, is one of North America's most devastating pests. The larvae can defoliate and kill trees if infestations are large and reoccurring. Damage reduction is absolutely key.
Keeping soil moist while avoiding excessive watering is a key when growing most plants. Excessive watering is a novice mistake that can easily harm and even kill plants. There are several methods can be used to reduce watering and retain moisture, which both prevent excessive watering from ever...
Winter can be very harsh on young, newly planted trees. Frost cracking, sun scalding, evergreen discoloration, die-back, and frost heaving can severely damage or kill new trees. This article will cover several methods of protecting young trees from the harsh elements of winter.
Maple tar spot is a disease that causes black spots on the leaves of several species of maple trees, mainly Norway and silver maples. Learn what causes it and how to treat it here.
Croton houseplants are very colorful featuring shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, and white depending on the variety. Croton is a tropical plant that is native to several islands in the Pacific Ocean. Caring for croton is different compared to most houseplants due to its tropical...
Fittonia is often called a "nerve plant" or "mosaic plant." The plant features beautiful red, pink, or white veins that contrast with dark green foliage. Caring for fittonia requires a little more effort compared to most houseplants due to it being indigenous to South American rain forests.
Understanding fertilizer labels and what each nutrient provides to plants is essential when growing lawns, vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants. The main three nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). These are boldly listed on fertilizer containers. Variations of the numbers...
Weeds that grow in the cracks of sidewalks are unsightly and annoying, but there are several methods of eradicating sidewalk weeds. Mechanical eradication, household remedies, and chemical herbicides can all be used to exterminate ugly sidewalk weeds.
Yuccas are very common in arid regions of the Americas. The yucca plant is easy to care for—its requirements are similar to those of cacti. This article will address basic yucca maintenance and provide tips for identifying common problems one may encounter while raising yucca.
Sunflowers produce large, bright flower heads that tower above other flowers. Growing sunflowers is easy and rewarding, especially to those who enjoy the blooms and eating the seeds. Proper soil preparation, watering, sunlight, and fertilization will produce beautiful blooms almost effortlessly.
Aloe vera plants are easy to grow and make great houseplants. Aloes can grow relatively quickly when given optimal conditions and care. Soil type, watering schedule, light requirements, and occasional fertilization will keep aloe plants looking attractive and green for years to come.
Terrariums are mini ecosystems that can be nearly self-sustaining, while containing colorful and interesting plants. Building a terrarium only requires a few materials and can be easily put together at home. A little care is needed such as pruning and watering once the terrarium plants become...
Goalkeeping is the most unique position on the pitch. Many training sessions and matches are needed to meet the physical demands of the position, but the psychological development is often overlooked when learning or coaching the goalkeeper position. Developing mental toughness and forming the...
The parlour palm, or Chamaedorea elegans, is one of the most popular houseplants due to its low-maintenance nature and minimal light requirements. But proper care is still essential to keep it healthy. This guide will tell you everything you need to keep your parlour palm thriving.
Extending the life of the gloves by washing and repairing is worth the time by saving money and keeping the gloves ready for the next diving save.
To propagate alocasia, using the division method is your best bet, and it can be performed very easily. The quality of care and soil will determine how successful the division will be, as will proper watering practices.
With the proper conditions, growing prickly pear cacti is relatively easy. Follow this guide to grow your own!
Datura is a genus of herbaceous flower plants commonly referred to as Angel's Trumpets and Moonflowers. Datura have a distinctly large trumpet-shaped flower with large green leaves that grow in an alternating pattern. Growing datura takes some patience but yields beautiful results if successful.
The Venus Flytrap, Dionaea muscipula, is a carnivorous plant that dines on insects and arachnids. Caring for Venus fly traps is unlike many common houseplants. Water, soil, and sunlight need to be taken into close consideration when providing an ideal environment for the traps.
Propagating jade is one of the most rewarding things about growing jade. Here's everything you need to know to get your jade cuttings to grow into big, healthy new plants.
Marimo (Cladophora aegagropila) is actually a variety of fresh water algae that grows into a ball. The spherical shape is caused by tumbling on lake bottoms. Propagating marimo is easy, and caring for the newly propagated marimo is simple as well.
The Pachira aquatica, commonly referred to as the money tree or money plant, is commonly used as a houseplant and in Feng shui. They are easy to care for if you follow a few simple guidelines.
There are many differences between organic and non-organic soils. Mulch, compost, and manure are organic and will transform a nutrient-deficient soil into a rich organic environment for plants. Perlite, vermiculite, expanded clay aggregate, and rockwool are non-organic. They are heavily used in...
Bamboo cuttings are a form of vegetative propagation that uses part of a parent plant to produce a new plant. There are three relatively easy methods of bamboo cuttings: root mass divisions, rhizome cuttings, and culm burial. Each method has different moisture and soil requirements.
Preparing soil for planting and gardening is often overlooked, but is essential to growing healthy plants. Many simple tests can be performed to determine soil composition, nutrients, and drainage. Fertilizing, tilling, and mulching are also vital when preparing soil for planting.
Learning how to grow mint indoors is an easy and rewarding experience. Several factors impact the ability to grow indoors—learn how here.
Sterilizing potting soil is a must if you want to grow healthy, prosperous plants. It is an easy task, and with only a few household items, you can assure viable growth amongst your potted plants.
Kudzu (Pueraria montana) is a highly invasive deciduous, semi-woody, perennial vine. Kudzu kills trees, shrubs, and crops by girdling them. Girdling cuts off water and nutrient movement within the plants. Kudzu can also kill trees and shrubs by shading them out, and can even break branches and...
Purple shamrock, Oxalis triangularis, is a plant unique to Brazil. It is used as a common house plant with striking purple foliage and small white flowers. Propagation can be accomplished very easily by dividing the bulbs and offset bulbs.
Common Pokeweed is very poisonous to mammals. It has distinct red branches and stems with dark purple berries. The berry juice is red, and stains skin and clothing. The taproot is large and difficult to eradicate.
The reaction between vinegar and limestone is due to limestone being a base, and vinegar being an acid. An experiment can easily be done at home.
Identifying counterfeit jerseys saves time and money when looking for authentic team sports apparel. The material, stitching, serial tags and numbering all give away clues of the article being real or fake.
Prisms, mirrors and the moon provide evidence of how light can be changed via environments. The human eye is complex, but humans only see how light effects an object by causing it to appear brighter or different. Reflections and refractions help us understand the effects of light.
Super absorbent materials make life easier, cleaner, and even fun. Sodium polycrylate and aerogel are absorbent miracles of science, while sponges and clay are miracles of nature.