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Jade Pothos plants (or devil’s ivy) are famous for various reasons. They’re attractive vining species that thrive beautifully indoors; they’re very easy to care for and have been shown to purify the air. Pothos plants are beginner-friendly and ideal for those with brown thumbs. There are multiple pothos varieties, and Jade pothos is one you’ll find in many indoor and outdoor gardens. The Jade Pothos is a natural mutation of the original golden pothos and features sturdy stems, particularly dark, thick, and shiny green leaves, and it is super drought resistant. While this cultivar might not have the same foliage variegation as other pothos plants, the Jade Pothos does have lush foliage. Jade Pothos can adapt to different light conditions, tolerate minor negligence, and look great in hanging baskets and sitting on high shelves. Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum ‘Jade’ Common Name: Jade Pothos Family: Araceae Plant Type: Perennial, Vine Hardiness Zones: 10-12 USDA Sun Exposure: Full sunlight, Partial Shade Soil Type: Moist but well-drained Soil pH: Acid, Neutral Height: 20–40 ft. long Bloom Time: Spring and Summer Flower Color: Green Native Area: South Pacific What is a Jade Pothos? Epipremnum aureum ‘Jade’ (commonly known as Jade Pothos) is native to the French Polynesian Islands and has shiny dark green heart-shaped leaves…. Read more
The grass is greener — and safer — without synthetic fertilizers and chemical herbicides.
Home gardeners are growing chives (Allium schoenoprasum) for their gentle flavor, bright green leaves and attractive purple flowers. And they look great in the garden, too! The cool-season, compact plants produce grass-like, hollow leaves that add a mild onion flavor to potatoes, salads, soups and egg dishes. In spring, their showy flowers are popular in salads or as an edible garnish. This standout herb does well in containers both indoors and out. A member of the Allium family, chives are closely related to onion, leek, scallion and garlic. They are rich in vitamin C, potassium and folic acid, and have been used medicinally to promote good digestion and lower blood pressure. Plants grow to 1-1/2 feet tall and self-sow readily. They are considered a perennial in zones 3-9 and are a great companion plant that helps deter pests too! If you’re looking to grow chives in your garden, this article explains everything you’ll need to know! Botanical Name: Allium schoenoprasum Common Name: Chives, common chives Family: Amaryllidaceae Plant Type: Herbaceous, perennial Hardiness Zones: 3- 9 (USDA) Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Soil Type: Loamy, sandy, well-draining Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.0 (Slightly acidic to neutral) Maturity: 60 to 75 days Height: 6… Read more
Begonias are one of those flowers that everyone recognizes for their unique leaf shapes and lovely blooms. They’re frequently seen as houseplants, but growing begonias outdoors is a great way to give a shady area of your garden a bright spot of color. Prized for their long-lasting coloring, begonias are even more valued for their lovely single and double blossoms, which are abundant when given the right conditions. Choose a variety with a lot of frill or more demure petals. This tropical plant is found in South and Central America, Africa and parts of Asia, and were first named in the 1700s by French botanist Charles Plumier. The are many varieties of begonias, including cane, shrub, semperflorens and rex cultorum, but when most people think of begonias, they think of tuberous begonias. You can find these plants in your local nursery, but you can also grow them by purchasing tubers that look like brown, dried mushroom caps. Growth comes from the concave side, so take care when you are planting them (see below). Botanical Name: Begonia Common Name: Begonia Family: Begoniaceae Plant Type: Annual Hardiness Zones: 7 to 11 (USDA) Sun Exposure: Partial shade, no full sun Soil Type: Sandy, well-drained soil Soil… Read more
Gladiolus (plural gladioli), with their dramatic sword-like leaves, have sturdy flowering stems that stand up to 5 feet tall and have been loved by generations of gardeners! These trumpet-shaped flowers are also known as sword lilies and come in shades of almost every color and are the perfect backdrop to garden beds. Home flower gardeners particularly enjoy growing gladiolus for long-lasting cuttings and floral bouquets. Summer bulbs, like “glads,” are the perfect addition to the flower garden. They combine beautifully with annuals and perennials, offering a uniqueness that completes the landscape. Try planting over several weeks in spring to create brilliant displays of color throughout the summer months. Smaller varieties can be grown in containers where space is limited. This tender perennial is often grown as an annual. Tip: For best results, take cuttings when at least 3 of the “florets” on the stem have opened. They will continue to open in the vase. Botanical Name: Gladiolus palustris Common Name: Gladioulus Family: Iridaceae Plant Type: Corm, or bulbotumer Hardiness Zones: 7 – 10 (USDA) Sun Exposure: Full sun Soil Type: Sandy loam Soil pH: 6.0 – 6.5 Maturity: 70 – 95 days from corm to flower Height: 2 to 5 feet… Read more
Amaryllis, with its beautiful clusters of fragrant blossoms, is a holiday favorite. A South African-native, it delivers its trumpet-shaped blossoms in the winter, often just in time for the holidays. That can mean Christmas but can also include Valentine’s Day. There’s nothing like the lift the bright red, white or pink blossoms can give your spirit during the coldest part of winter. Amaryllis is easy to grow and care for. It’s bare bulbs are planted to time flowering for end-of the-year gifts or for producing pleasing flowers through the short dark days of winter. In November and December, the unfussy plants, well on their way to blossoming, are sold by grocery stores, gift shops, department stores and other places that cater to gift buyers or those who just want some color around the house. They’re also sold as kits complete with pot, bulb and soil. These do-it-yourself packages make wonderful gifts for your favorite gardener. Gift giver’s tip: Don’t overlook amaryllis as a gift for children. The plant’s relatively quick growth and impressive flowers and foliage will keep their attention as well as teach budding young gardeners the rewards of consistent care. Charting their plants progress through blooming and dormant… Read more
Folks who do a lot of cooking at home frequently run into recipes that use shallots instead of onions. Because they’re so expensive, shallots are sometimes seen as the rich man’s onion. But that’s an unfair comparison. While shallots are in the onion family and resemble their cousins — though when you start to separate them, they look more like garlic cloves — shallots are distinctly different than onions. If you’re one of those people who find onions sharp tasting and too strongly flavored, consider growing shallots for their milder, almost nutty flavor. Most shallots have a different, almost sour tang than a pungent onion and most will cook up a little sweeter than onions. They’re perfect for creaming, combining with white wine or using sparingly in Asian stir fries. The best way to assure an affordable supply of shallots is to grow them yourself. It’s not hard. Shallots are grown in a way similar to onions. This article will teach you not only what shallots are, but how you can use them and exactly how to grow them at home. Botanical Name: Allium cepa var. aggregatum (formerly, Allium ascalonicum) Common Name: Shallot, gray shallot, French shallot, Dutch shallot Family:… Read more
Growing vegetables and raising fish in a sustainable garden system.
How to build the best soil for your raised garden beds — recipe included!
Commercial tumblers have been available for decades and the choices available have mushroomed over the last several years.
Growing fresh herbs through the winter under lights is easy. Here’s how.
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