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Lettuce is notoriously easy to grow, and even in areas with higher overall temperatures, planting during cooler seasons or in partial shade can solve problems commonly caused by heat. Lactuca sativa ‘Buttercrunch’ Are you searching for a palate-pleasing lettuce? Tired of the old standby ‘Iceberg’ and varieties of romaine? Then ‘Buttercrunch’ might be just what you’re looking for. Any time the word “butter” appears in the name of a vegetable, you know you’re in for a treat....

If you’re ready to dive into the world of propagating chives from seed, here’s what we’ll talk about in this article: Chives are one of those herbs that I consider essential in any kitchen garden. They’re not fussy and they provide you with a reliable crop all season long. Plus, once you have a plant going, it will reproduce as long as you let it. That’s because chives send up pretty flowers that turn into seed heads....

Whatever you call them, these little berries are a superfood that you can easily grow for yourself. Physalis spp. Ever wish you could plant a berry bush or fruit tree and get instant fruit? Ground cherries are the answer to your impatience! Related to the ubiquitous garden tomato, these summer annuals can be included in your veggie garden to provide a crop of delicious, tropical-flavored fruit in just one growing season....

Pruning cuts are a major source of entry for this fungus. Sunscald and cold injury – and even deer rubs – can make your tree vulnerable to Cytospora infection. Leucostoma persoonii and Leucostoma cincta Gummosis refers to the oozing of sap or gum from a tree. This behavior is very common on stone fruits, including apricots, peaches, and plums. You can look at gummosis as your tree’s cry for help in the face of any one of a number of problems....

I’ll give you the scoop on pumpkin seed nutrition and why you shouldn’t toss those innards from your homegrown crop! When I think of fall, pumpkins automatically come to mind. Or, to be more specific, pumpkin pie, cake, rolls, and lattes… But what about all of the seeds that are left over after carving jack-o’-lanterns and baking cinnamon-scented fall treats? We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....

There are over 3,000 species of this true bug worldwide. The cicada is an insect in the Cicadoidea family of the Hemiptera, or true bug order, that is related to aphids, crickets, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, and stink bugs. It makes its home in and around woody trees and shrubs, and has the potential to cause great damage. And while it may not always be easy to spot, the cicada makes its presence in the landscape abundantly clear by producing a droning, rhythmic buzzing sound that starts out soft and gets louder....

I’ll be distilling the results of my own decades of seed-catalog browsing and vegetable growing experience here, and invite you to share my list of 13 of the best lima beans and butter beans for home gardeners. Choosing a lima bean variety or two to grow in my garden each summer makes me nostalgic for the sustenance gardeners of old. The folks of decades and even centuries past were probably so busy eking out every last seed to dry, pressure can, and freeze for their hungry families that they didn’t have the time to categorize what they grew in any detailed fashion....

Stick with me, and I’ll present you with some appetizing alternatives for growing in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 4, including options for sweet cherries. Baking enthusiasts everywhere would likely agree that cherries are one of the most delicious fruits available to grow at home, and yet, the areas where these lush stone fruits grow well are somewhat limited. Sour cherries, Prunus cerasus, tend to be hardy only to Zone 4 while sweet cherries, P....

The Antirrhinum genus a member of the Plantaginaceae, or plantain, family, which is a sub-group of the expansive Scrophulariaceae, or figwort, family of plants, some of which you may already know. Antirrhinum majus Snapdragon, Antirrhinum majus, is native to Mediterranean Europe. Its common name comes from the pinchable blossoms that open and close like the mouths of friendly dragons. It is a cool-weather plant that grows as a tender perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10, and as an annual in other temperate regions....

If you’ve never grown it before (what are you waiting for!?), you might want to check out our guide to growing caraway first. Then come back here. Don’t have the luxury of a massive garden? Need to get your caraway fix? I feel you. The solution, of course, is to plant your caraway in a container. Some people are surprised to learn that Carum carvi can grow perfectly well in a pot, so long as you give its long roots room to stretch out, and provide enough sun to produce those tasty seeds....

Sometimes referred to as “monkey cups” or “monkey jars,” tropical pitcher plants will require a little more work to care for than your average pothos or ficus, but doing a little research ahead of time will make you much more prepared to meet that challenge. Get ready to learn! Nepenthes spp. Some carnivorous plants are difficult to grow indoors. Pitcher plants like species of the Sarracenia genus are among those that are a challenge to grow as houseplants because they have very specific needs....

Unfortunately, there are a variety of other pests out there that love these colorful root vegetables, with insects being an obvious category. A certain carrot-chomping cartoon character, and many children’s books, may have you convinced that rabbits are your carrot patch’s greatest enemy. If only it were that simple. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission....

Cats, being curious, are always around plants, touching and nibbling them, damaging their foliage. If you, too, have a feline at home, then here are some tips on How to Keep Cats Away from Houseplants! Can cats eat rosemary? Find out here How to Keep Cats Away from Houseplants 1. Sprinkle Some Cayenne Pepper Cayenne and crushed pepper annoy most felines, so it’s a good idea to sprinkle some around the pots and keep away the cats from munching your houseplants....

In this guide, you’ll learn how to grow and care for this beautiful and tasty spice. You’ll find helpful information on getting your plants to flourish in the garden, as well as pro tips for success in the kitchen. Here’s the lineup: Carum carvi Do you love to grow your own herbs and spices to provide you with unique flavors for recipes and food creations? Try growing your own caraway!...

Also known as moth orchids because the flowers resemble dozens of moths flitting around the leaves, these common plants are less challenging to grow than other orchid species, and they’re every bit as elegant as that pricey bouquet that you’ll just be tossing out soon. Phalaenopsis spp. I buy cut flowers for myself every few weeks because the colors and textures cheer me up every time I look at them....

Whether it is to increase the number of blooms, prolong the flowering season, or promote general health and vigor via general periodic maintenance, pruning your Shasta daisies can do wonders when it’s done right. Shasta Daisies, or Leucanthemum x superbum, are known for their plentiful, eye-catching blooms. So, how do you make sure those blooms last as long as they can and help your perennial produce as many as possible throughout the season?...

Or, you may live in a region outside of USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10, where the majority of camellias thrive. Not everyone who enjoys gardening or loves the gorgeous color and form of flowers has a yard that can accommodate a large, woody shrub like the camellia. Some people have just a small space to work with. And some may have difficulty with the physical demands of caring for large shrubs....

In this guide, we take a look at some of the best cucumber varieties to grow in your summer vegetable garden. With so many different varieties of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) available, it can be hard to know which one to pick. Cucumbers are members of the Cucurbitaceae family, and are usually divided into two groups: slicing and pickling. Slicing varieties can grow up to 12 inches long, and are best enjoyed fresh, on sandwiches or salads....

Cascara Tree is a favorite of birds that feed on its purple fruits. It grows up to 15-30 feet tall and looks beautiful in gardens. If you too want to grow it, then here’s a complete guide on Cascara Tree Growing Information. Botanical Name: Rhamnus purshiana Common Names: Sacred Bark, Cascara Sagrada, Chittem Bark USDA Zones: 4-10 Check out our article on growing Guava tree here Cascara Tree Growing Information Cascara Tree is native to the Buckthorn family that comes from western North America from southern British Columbia to central California, Idaho, and Montana....

Native to South Africa, it’s suited to outdoor cultivation in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 12 and grows as a houseplant in all regions. Senecio rowleyanus The string of pearls plant, Senecio rowleyanus, is a funky succulent vine with rounded leaves that look like strands of pearls or peas. Formerly classified as Curio rowleyanus, it is also commonly called string of beads. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....