Bonnie Grant

Garden Guides Editorial Policies

Garden Guides uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the ever-evolving conversations surrounding gardening and landscaping, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert insight and tutorials from our talented team.

As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.

Stories By Bonnie Grant

  • ...
    Trees
    Trees By Bonnie Grant November 4th, 2022

    Toxicity Of Mimosa Tree

    Toxicity of Mimosa Tree. Mimosa trees were introduced to the U.S. in 1745 and have been used ever since as ornamental details in the landscape. Originally from China, mimosas are also called silk trees. They are on numerous invasive plant lists because of their rapid growth and ability to spread through seed or vegetatively. The seeds have the ability to remain dormant for up to 50 years due to a thick, impenetrable seed coat. This attractive tree is on the toxicity list of the USDA.

    By Bonnie Grant November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Bonnie Grant November 4th, 2022

    Depth Of The Root System Of Leyland Cypress

    Depth of the Root System of Leyland Cypress. A plant's root system is the most important organ for its nutritional needs and growth. Because each plant has a different size, depth and character of root, the location, feeding and watering should be tailored to the plant's needs. Leyland cypress are usually grown as a privacy hedge and have an extremely fast growth pattern. The trees can get extremely tall very fast,so careful shearing and reduction of the height is important to help the undefined root system stabilize and feed the tree.

    By Bonnie Grant November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Bonnie Grant November 4th, 2022

    When To Cut Back Miscanthus Grass

    When to Cut Back Miscanthus Grass. Miscanthus is a large ornamental grass that may grow from 6 to 12 feet in height. The grass performs best in rich, moist soils with full sun to partial shade. Miscanthus will stay erect through most of the winter, but the foliage becomes dry and damaged toward the end of the season. Foliage is attractive and affords some protection for the crown, but should be cut back at the end of winter or in very early spring.

    By Bonnie Grant November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    The History Of The Electric Lawn Mower

    The History of the Electric Lawn Mower. Edward Beard Budding invented the lawn mower in 1830. Early machines were cast-iron monstrosities mounted on heavy wheels and gear-driven mechanics to provide power. They operated manually and were most likely difficult to maneuver and push. Several improvements later, gas-powered mowers evolved. Motorized engines began to appear in the 1890s and vastly improved the amount of muscle power needed to operate the machines. Electric-powered lawn mowers, developed in the 1930s, did not catch on until much later.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Produce
    Produce By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    Lactobacillus For Plant Growth

    Lactobacillus for Plant Growth. Lactobacillus is a naturally occurring bacterium. It performs a fermentation function in the human gut and in other aerobic situations. Lactic acid helps decomposition of organic matter, which causes less energy loss from excess heat and gas. In soil, it is thought that the buildup of heat and gas from regular soil decomposition causes harm to the plants. Fermentation uses less energy and releases a gentler byproduct. Studies have been done on the effects of lactobacillus and its function as a soil "probiotic."

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Produce
    Produce By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    About Crocosmia Flower Seeds

    About Crocosmia Flower Seeds. Crocosmias are a prolific summer bloomer, lending eye-catching appeal to the perennial border. Crocosmias are of the family Iridaceae and are commonly called coppertips and flying stars. Native to South Africa, crocosmia enjoys full sun in rich garden soil. The flowers come in reds, oranges, yellow and mixtures of the three colors. The plants are borne on 2- to 4-foot-tall thin stems which emerge as corms. They are often thought of as bulb flowers, but in reality they are planted from the corms or by seed.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Trees
    Trees By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    Life Span Of Poplar Trees

    Life Span of Poplar Trees. Poplars are well-known deciduous trees. They have been a large part of the American timber industry, which has led to the development of a fast-growing and popular hybrid. Commercial planting of poplars began in the 1970s as part of a government reforestation and reclamation project. Poplars are members of the willow family and have crossed with native tree species to create natural hybrids. Poplar trees are known to be extremely fast growing and have a variety of shapes and uses.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Trees
    Trees By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    Birch Trees & Ants

    Birch Trees & Ants. Birch trees are graceful plants of the genus Betula. The name birch actually means bark and contains twenty-five species of these majestic trees. Poets and play-writes have written about the birches regal beauty which is unsurprising considering it's silvery bark and delicate weeping foliage. The birch is prone to pest and diseases, but the most offensive problem is planting site. Often the trees are planted in areas that are too wet or too sunny, resulting in root problems and fungus as well as burnt leaves. Insect pests are common with the birch borer at the top of the list.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Flowers
    Flowers By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    Hoya Plant Toxicity

    Hoya Plant Toxicity. Hoyas come in a wide range of varieties and are commonly referred to as the wax plant due to the waxy look of the flowers and leaves. The leaves are fleshy, much like a succulent, but it is a woody-stemmed vine that produces star- to rosette-shaped flowers.The flowers are white or pink with a reddish center and as they produce a spur is grown from the floret. These spurs increase in length with each cycle, looking much like the plant is trying to root. The plant can be grown in areas like Florida but are more preferred for indoors and are small (3- to 4-inch pots) or hanging displays.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Produce
    Produce By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    Miracid Plant Food For Acid-Loving Plants

    Miracid Plant Food for Acid-Loving Plants. Plants have different needs. Some require full sun while others prefer shade. There are plants that do well in drought conditions and plants that need humidity and lots of moisture. Additionally, plant nutritional needs will vary slightly. The amount of each mineral they uptake is dictated in part by the plant's own construction and type of soil. Acid-loving plants tend to have iron deficiency because they cannot process the available iron when grown in alkaline soil. Lowering the pH allows the plant to uptake iron more efficiently.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Produce
    Produce By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    Cypress Mulch Or Pine Bark Mulch

    Cypress Mulch or Pine Bark Mulch. Mulching is not only a good way to recycle leftover organic material, it's good for your garden too. There is a wide array of mulching products on the market; some organic and some inorganic. Organic mulching encourages the development of natural processes important to soil amendment and sustenance. Shredded wood or bark is one of the most common types of mulches and is easy to acquire in most areas. The mulch should be from healthy trees and should be as sterile as possible. It should not be mixed with other mulches or plants and it should be shredded quite small to speed decomposition.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Trees
    Trees By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    Fruit Trees & Ants

    Fruit Trees & Ants. Fresh fruit grown in your backyard is a summer treat and the trees provide welcome shade from the heat of the day. It is common to have insect pests in fruit trees and ants are often seen. However, ants marching all over your fruit is a bit of a concern and can make your fruit less appetizing. Most ant infestations are an indicator of other issues in the tree, but they are also attracted to ripening fruit.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    How To Grow An Umeboshi Plant

    How to Grow an Umeboshi Plant. Umeboshi is a popular canned or pickled fruit from Japan. It is eaten as a condiment or on its own and it comes from the Japanese apricot or Prunus mume. The fruit is actually a plum but the apricot is also in the Prunus family. The tree was introduced from China and is an important part of the early spring plum festivals held in Japan. Plum blossoms are very fragrant and the sheer number of plum trees in Japan scents the air. Ume fruit are sour compared to western plums which is why they are processed before eating.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Flowers
    Flowers By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    What Is The Difference Between A Jonquil & A Daffodil?

    What Is the Difference Between a Jonquil & a Daffodil?. Daffodils and jonquils are flowers that come from bulbs. They are spring-blooming plants that have similar characteristics and appearances. They are both in the genus Narcissus and provide a sunny yellow presence in the flower garden. The Narcissus are separated into 13 divisions with at least 13,000 hybrids. There are a few visible characteristics that identify which flower you are growing.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Trees
    Trees By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    Green Mold On A Citrus Tree Trunk

    Green Mold on a Citrus Tree Trunk. Citrus of all types are heat lovers. The trees are considered sub-tropical and need to live in well-drained soil in a sunny location. Citrus are very easy to care for in the ground or in a pot. Citrus are prone to several fungal diseases and root rots that will produce growths on the trunk. The appearance of a green mold on the trunk is not related to any common citrus diseases. If the substance isn't moss there are a couple of other possibilities.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Flowers
    Flowers By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    Bell Peppers Are Rotting On The Vine

    Bell Peppers Are Rotting on the Vine. Bell peppers are sun loving plants that need a long growing season and well-drained soil. The fruits are mild flavored and can be green, yellow, orange, red or even purplish-brown. Bell peppers can be used in a wide variety of recipes or simply enjoyed fresh and crisp off the plant. Pepper plants fall prey to numerous pests and diseases. In fruit, problems are often caused by fungal diseases.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Trees
    Trees By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    Dawn Redwood Lumber Uses

    Dawn Redwood Lumber Uses. Dawn redwood was thought to be extinct and was only known through fossils until the middle of the 20th century. It was rediscovered in 1949 in China. The tree's seeds were shipped to the Arnold Arboretum and put into cultivation. Today the tree is primarily an ornamental evergreen. It has an attractive pyramid shape and graceful foliage that set off the landscape. The wood is considered a softwood, can be porous and shreds easily.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    Emerald Green Arborvitae Disease

    Emerald Green Arborvitae Disease. Emerald Green Arborvitae are a common hedge tree that is easy to care for and not prone to pests or disease. The tree is susceptible to freezing damage which will cause branches to turn white and die, but it would have to be exposed to extreme cold to cause this problem. The plant is native to the U.S. and is in the family of Cypress or Cupressaceae. It is extremely popular as a hedge since it is healthy in both sun and partial sun and tolerant of a variety of watering and weather conditions.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Produce
    Produce By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    Blueberry Bush Adaptations

    Blueberry Bush Adaptations. Blueberries can grow in a wide range of soils, temperatures and other conditions. They have evolved in their habitat to promote certain characteristics that benefit the plant. Environmental changes and natural disturbances are adapted to and the adaptations are passed to the next generation. Blueberries further their tolerance to imperfect conditions by hybridizing with other species and combining the adaptive traits. Wild blueberries are better at the adaptation game since pure domestic blueberries cannot interbreed and enhance the stock.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    How To Remove Aspen Stumps

    How to Remove Aspen Stumps. Aspens are attractive, fine-leaved deciduous trees, found in forests and the home landscape. Aspen trees propagate from seed, but primarily from suckers which they send up at an alarming rate. Removing an aspen tree is not as simple as cutting it down because the trunk will continue to sprout. There are two choices for permanent removal: herbicide or tree girdling. Herbicide is applied to the stump upon tree removal, and girdling is done a year before tree removal. The goal of each is to keep the root system from living and creating baby aspens.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Trees
    Trees By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022

    Mimosa Hostilis Habitat

    Mimosa Hostilis Habitat. Mimosa Hostilis is also known as Mimosa tenuiflora. It is a tree or shrub of tropical origin and is in the legume family. As such, it is capable of fixing nitrogen in the soil just like peas and beans. It is thorned, with fern-like branches and surface-growing roots of a bright pink color. Mimosa hostilis is also known as a medicinal and psychedelic among native people.

    By Bonnie Grant November 3rd, 2022 Read More