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Trees & Houseplants : Home & Garden
How to Plant Coconut in Texas
A true tropical plant that doesn't tolerate any temperatures at or below freezing, the coconut palm must be grown in a large, movable container in most parts of Texas. In the warmest winter areas of southernmost Texas, around McAllen and South Padre Island, an outdoor-planted coconut palm may surviv
What Are Citronella Products?
There are many consumer products featuring citronella oil as an ingredient. Taken from dried cultivated grasses, citronella oil is known for its distinctive odor abs is uses with insect repellents, anti-barking dog collars, aromatherapy and more. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
How to Kill Weeds in a Driveway With Salt Brine and Vinegar
Weeds are a nuisance and usually return after you pull them out of the ground. Cracks and crevices in your driveway give the weeds just enough room to grow, and they can make a driveway look unattractive. Commercial chemicals can remove the weeds, but they are also harmful to the environment and not
Ground Covers to Block Poison Ivy
Gardeners can use ground covers to block the growth of poison ivy, but the plants alone may not be sufficient to stop poison ivy from invading your yard. Homeowners should be vigilant about removing poison ivy plants as soon as they find them.
How to Grow Azalea Plants
Azaleas are flowering shrubs making up part of the genus rhododendron. There are two major differences between azaleas and other rhododendrons. Azaleas are smaller, making a good house plant, and they flower in singular large blooms, whereas rhododendrons produce long strips of smaller blooms. Read
Tropical Flowering Plants
Tropical flowering plants add a touch of the exotic to your landscape. Most tropical plants grow near the equator where the weather is warm and there is not much difference been night and day length. The best way to ensure your tropical plants thrive is to mimic their native conditions as much as po
Curled Leaves on a Texas Ash
Texas ash Fraxinus texensis is a close relative of the white ash Fraxinus americanus and suffers many of the same problems. This fast-growing tree survives throughout most of the United States, although it does not do well in cold climates. Texas ash makes an excellent shade tree and does well in dr
Allelopathic Effects of Black Walnuts on Plants
The black walnut tree is one of six walnut trees native to the United States. It is grown as a shade tree and for its edible nuts. The black walnut tree is also one of the best known allelopathic plants--it contains a toxin fatal to other plants.
Geraniums and Moth Worms
The first sign of a moth worm problem is often when geranium buds fail to open completely, resulting in distorted flower clusters. The culprit is often the caterpillar of the tobacco (or geranium) budworm, a serious pest of geraniums, nicotiana and petunias in gardens. Zonal geraniums seem more pron
How to Plant Thyme With Strawberries
The practice of companion planting has grown from the observations of gardeners who, over generations, have noticed that some plants thrive when planted together and others do not. Some plants are thought to benefit others by deterring pests or attracting helpful insects to the garden. Thyme and str
The Best Time of Year to Lay Sod
Ideally, fresh sod should be harvested within a day of its use, and laid down during its growing season--at times of the year that minimize stress on the sod, and encourage all energies and nutrients to be focused on establishing roots in the new soil. For most climates and grass varietals, this tra
How to Dry Flowers as Art
In addition to being eco-friendly and costing next to nothing, dried flowers add natural charm to any décor. In a country setting they give rooms a rustic chic or French country look. Victorian homes benefit from an extra touch of elegance. Dried flowers tie into vintage and eclectic decors t
List of Herb Seeds for Home Growing
If you like to use fresh herbs when you are cooking, but the prices for fresh herbs at the grocery store has you experiencing sticker shock, you might be surprised to find that planting an herb garden isn't complicated. Many herbs are hardy perennials that will come back year after year. Others will
Charcoal in Soil for Tomato Plants
More than 1,500 years ago, the ancient people in the Amazon basin of South America ground charcoal and applied it to their fields. Even today, after more than 1,000 years of growing crops, that same charcoal is still present and still helping to improve the quality of the soil. Charcoal helps trap a
How to Get Onion Seed
Collecting or saving seeds is a great way to save money and to familiarize yourself with the life cycle of the plants that you grow. Most plants produce seeds that can be easily replanted, reducing the need for purchasing new seed. There are some things to keep in mind, however, when saving seed for
How to Straighten Crab Apple Trees
Crab apple trees can grow to a significant size and will sprout attractive, five-petaled flowers once they mature. They won't necessarily grow straight up in the air, depending on the location of the sun in relation to the tree and the other nutrients that are available. If you need to straighten a
What Eats a Dogwood Tree?
Flowering dogwoods are understory trees that grow in the shadows of larger trees in the wild. Dogwoods are a popular source of food for a number of different insect and animal species.
What Causes Lemon Tree Leaves to Curl?
Lemon trees are favorite citrus plants for those living in southern regions that experience sub-tropical and tropical weather. Lemon trees also are the favorite meal and home of citrus tree pests. These pests can take up residence on a lemon tree and cause a host of problems. In addition, other envi
How to Create a Raised Garden
Raised bed gardens are a popular trend in gardening for a variety of reasons. The raised bed allows complete control over soil, making it an ideal option for backyard gardeners plagued with poor soil or insufficient drainage. The walled border around a raised garden adds a clean, modern look to the
Disease-Resistant Tomato Varieties
Disease-resistant tomato varieties help ensure healthy vines and a bountiful crop.tomato plant image by Crisps85 from Fotolia.comTomato diseases are a leading cause of tomato crop failure. Tomato varieties that are resistant to verticillium and fusarium wilts, nematodes and tobacco mosaic...