Month: December 2019

Often grown for fresh winter greens, collards (Brassica oleracea var. Acephala) can endure numerous frosts and keep producing under cold conditions which prevent other members of the Brassica familymembers. In actuality, the cool temperatures which precede frost improve the sweetness in the leaves. Collard green plants have been biennials which overwinter at U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10, with a few varieties hardy to USDA zone 6. One Tough Vegetable With normal weather patterns, collard plants can survive temperatures down to approximately 20 degrees Fahrenheit, so long as they’re growing in well-drained soil. The exception is when a hard freeze follows a period of unusually warm weather, which does not permit the plant to acclimate gradually to lower temperatures. As the weather cools before frost, the plant converts starches in the leaves to sugars and changes the structure of their proteins. This chemical reaction gives credence…

Watching plant roots grow in transparent pots gives an intriguing look below the surface, but those clear walls do not suit all plants. Many typical potted plants grow better in nontransparent containers. For plants which naturally grow in soil, opaque pots lead to greater growth above and below ground. Sensors with light-seeking air roots, which obviously grow without soil, do nicely in containers that are clear. Soil Roots and Darkness When roots naturally grow below the soil surface, neighboring light signs they are headed the incorrect way. Like roots, roots feature growth-directing hormones known as auxins, which tell them which way to grow. In precisely the same way that upper growth on plants bends toward well-lit windows, roots naturally develop from light. They seek protective and shadow moisture rather. In transparent pots, these roots avoid light-penetrated areas of soil. Forced into high-light locations, light-sensitive roots recoil and slow or stop…

An uprooted tree, lying broken roots splayed out from the air, on its side, is a sight to get a homeowner because the root system damage spells death for the shrub. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that a direct line end of 75 to 89 miles per hour could uproot a tree, depending on the size and kind of shrub — and its own surroundings. Weather Earth is the immediate source of uprooting, called”windthrow.” Hurricanes — even severe thunderstorms contain 75-mile-plus winds. According to the new Enhanced F Scale of NOAA trees uproot in winds ranging from 73 to 112 miles, which translates into an F-0 into F-1 storm. Strip the bark or higher winds in the categories that are over and F-3 tend to snap trunks. Soil Type and illness can reduce the end requirement for windthrow significantly. Very sandy soil lets go easily than loam, and…

Water is the secret to growing watercress (Nasturtium officinale). In the wild, watercress grows in slow-moving streams. So recreating its natural surroundings is the best way to grow this plant, or you’ll be able to grow it in moist soil, though the plant’s taste is hotter that way. A perennial vegetable, watercress is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 10 and trails up to 39 inches long and 20 inches wide. Ponds and Streams Watercress grows best at the borders of ponds or slow-moving streams. In case you’ve got a stream flowing through your garden, you can grow watercress on its banks if no domestic animals soared upstream and the water isn’t otherwise polluted. Animal parasites such as liver flukes can infest the plant. Grow watercress where land of any soil type slopes slightly toward the water’s edge in a sunny website. Submerge watercress plants…

As are massive, you might think about shade trees. If you’ve always desired a shade tree, but believed your yard was too small for you personally, think again: The Amur maple (Acer ginnala) might be the ideal choice for your lawn. As a shrub on several stalks known for its fall color, this streamlined beauty obviously develops. Considering the Climate The Amur maple is a shrub that is tough, but it does best in moderate or cool climates. A compact form is created by its clumping habit. The Amur maple grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone through 8, tolerates low temperatures and does well with snow and ice. It develops best where summer temperatures aren’t high and in which humidity is low and prefers cold to hot. Too much hot, direct sun can cause the leaves . For Appearance’s Sake Nothing matches the grandeur of an…

Fuchsias are flowering plants. The genus Fuchsia comprises about 100 species and tens of thousands of cultivars with different growth habits, making the plants adaptable for many applications in your garden. If you provide your fuchsias some care, they will reward you with abundant blossoms that make a powerful statement wherever they grow. Fuchsias are generally hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 9 and above. They may be grown as annuals in colder areas. General Requirements All of fuchsias create flowers that a vibrant, inner portion and back called the corolla. All also share growth requirements. When moisture is abundant, being native to moist, mountainous areas, fuchsias do best in cooler seasons. Plant your fuchsia at a spot that receives morning sun or shade all day and mulch your own plant to keep soil moisture. Shield the plant from strong winds and hot and prune your plant…