Hello Rose Fan! I have seen a few Japanese beetles, which is why I always recommend walking your garden every day. If you see holes in your rose petals then you might have them too. I have found the best remedy to be Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew – labeled safe for organics, a biological control for foliage feeding worms. Simply put, it messes up their digestion and they die. Spray it on after dusk, on dry leaves, and avoid spraying open flowers. …
Hardy perennial hibiscus (also called rose mallow) are showstoppers in my late-summer garden. Huge plate-size flowers in shades of pink, red or white burst forth from stout plants in late July/early August. Although the individual flowers only last a day, the succession of flowers can last for up to eight weeks. These amazing blooms have prompted many strangers to knock on my door to inquire about the bush with flowers the size of dinner plates. These Hibiscus flowers are amazing …
Use up those homegrown summer tomatoes with these roasted tomatoes topped with pesto and shredded Parmesan cheese. So easy to make and only 3 ingredients! These would be perfect served as a side with grilled chicken or fish, or even with a simple pasta with garlic and oil. Pesto-Parmesan Baked Tomatoes Skinnytaste.com Servings: 4 • Size: 2 halves • Points+: 2 pt • Smart Points: 1 Calories: 50 • Fat: 4 g • Carb: 1 g • Fiber: 0 g • …
Fall can be just as exciting as any other time in the growing season. As the days get cooler and the nights get longer, many plants are energized and triggered into their glory. The contrast of autumn perennials among falling leaves can be magnificent. When a fall perennial looks its best will depend on the variety, its location and the type of weather we are experiencing. Some will begin in mid to late August. Others will wait almost until frost. A …
Fall rose case is easy. If you want great roses next year, here are four simple steps to make that happen. #1 – It is very important to keep watering until the first hard freeze. During the winter, the cold winds will pull moisture from the canes, so it is important to have as much water as possible to prevent a lot of die back. It will also make the plant stronger so it has a better chance to survive …
Succulents are booming in popularity for two simple reasons: they are beautiful and nearly indestructible. A succulent, by definition, is any plant with thick, fleshy water storage organs. Succulents store water in their leaves and stems and sometimes even their roots. Succulents are available in an incredible variety of interesting leaf forms and plant shapes, including paddle leaves, tight rosettes, and bushy or trailing columns of teardrop leaves. Succulents look amazing when planted in dish gardens and we’ve got a …
Old-man winter comes knocking before you know it, so if you live in a climate with frost and cold like we do, these plants will keep your beds and containers lovely as long as possible. To extend the beauty of your garden into autumn and put some color back into your landscape, consider planting some cold-tolerant annuals. Many of these can take temperatures to 20° F. As our seasons change, so can your garden by highlighting these beautiful tough plants …
The first crocus or tulip poking through the ground, sometimes before the snow has fully melted, symbolizes spring for most of us. Before most other flowers have revived, spring bulbs can provide you with vibrant, cheery color just when you need it most and best of all bulbs can bloom year after year. A little effort now will reward you with a colorful display just when you need it most. Daffodils are a wonderful plant because they are resistant to deer. …
Cyclamen plants make excellent winter blooming houseplants with minimal care. Cyclamen are typically available in a wide range of beautiful colors; pinks, reds and white. These beautiful colors are perfect for providing that jolt of color and life needed for the upcoming winter months and the silver marbling on the top sides of the leaves makes the foliage beautiful as well. The key to keeping cyclamen happy and healthy is to replicate their natural environment as closely as possible following these steps: …
Though most of us think of the hazards related to accumulated snow fall, as gardeners we need to look at snow a little differently and somewhat positively. Snow cover, similar to the 24-40 plus inches we had in 2007 provided benefits to our soil, plants and shrubs. Primarily, snow cover acts as an excellent insulator of the soil. Snow cover helps keep the soil from freezing deeper and deeper thus preventing root damage. Second, with enough snow to cover small …
