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.
The Effects of Detergent on Grass. Detergents have been used in the home lawn for many years as a homemade remedy against weeds and insects. Detergents can kill turf grass but they are an effective method of controlling certain pests. Used with care, detergents will make your grass vigorous by killing off competitors which could otherwise take necessary nutrients from the lawn.
Read MoreHow to Clone Citrus Trees. Cloning citrus trees is one of the simplest ways of growing a new tree without spending a lot of money on a new plant. Cloning is done by taking a cutting from a healthy citrus tree and rooting the cutting in a small container. Propagating citrus by cloning ensures that all the same genetic material from the donor plant is passed to the new plant. Cloning by cutting may take several attempts but usually succeeds when done correctly.
Read MoreHow to Measure a Riding Mower Deck. Riding lawn mowers are the most powerful tool in any grass-grower's arsenal, and save significant time compared to traditional push mowers. The deck size of a mower is important. The greater the deck size, the larger the area your mower will cut in one pass. When buying a lawn mower, measure and compare deck sizes to ensure the model you buy will work well in your yard. A mower with a deck that's too large for smaller areas is inconvenient and inefficient.
Read MoreProblems With Weeping Willows. The weeping willow tree is part of the Salix genus of plants. The crown of the plant is round, with long branches that hang down towards the ground. Due to its massive root system and large body, the weeping willow requires requires regular pruning to ensure it reaches a mature age of 30 years, says the University of Florida.
Read MoreHow to Bury a Soaker Hose. Soaker hoses are a form of drip irrigation, carrying low-pressure water to plants throughout the garden. Drip irrigation such as soaker hoses are 90 percent efficient says Colorado State University Extension, much higher than sprinklers which are only 50 to 70 percent efficient. After adjusting the gauges and pressure, as well as setting up a timer on the system, and burying it properly, soaker hoses save money and water.
Read MoreCommon Vetch Weed Control. The common vetch, botanical name Vicia sativa, is a summer annual weed that invades thin turf. Common vetch that takes over a lawn competes with grass for light, water and nutrients in the soil. The common vetch is often found on the side of the road and in waste areas.
Read MoreHow to Replace a Craftsman Lawn Mower Primer Bulb. The primer bulb on your Craftsman lawn mower engine is attached to the carburetor. This small bulb, when pressed, forces a small amount of fuel into the carburetor. Without this first squirt, the mower would not start. When you pull on your mower's starter rope, the gas you pumped into the carb with the primer gives the mower engine juice to start. Then vacuum power pulls more gas into the carb as the mower runs. A Craftsman mower primer bulb is a thumb-size soft plastic bubble that can crack over time. At some point, the primer bulb will need to be replaced. The hardware you'll need for a Craftsman mower primer is available at hardware stores and cost only a few dollars.
Read MoreWhite Algae in My Pool. Algae often occurs in pools that are not cleaned properly and whose chlorine balance has dropped. Maintaining free chlorine levels between 1 and 3 parts per million (ppm) will prevent the growth of algae. Usually green algae appears, but white algae sometimes does, followed by a pink algae that grows on top. Although these are often called algae, they are in fact fungi (Paecilomyces lilacinus) forming on the water. They are treated in the same way as most algaes.
Read MoreThe Height of Dwarf Lemon Trees. The dwarf lemon tree, also called Meyer lemon after the man who introduced the variety to America, Frank Meyer, is native to China and is a cross between the lemon tree and the mandarin orange, or the sweet orange. According to the University of Florida, it is grown in China as a potted plant and is often grown the same in the states.
Read MoreTomato Plants & Sulphur. Tomatoes, according to University of Illinois Extension, are one of the most popular garden vegetables grown today. There are hundreds of tomato varieties, including heirlooms, which have distinctive shapes and flavors. Growing tomatoes requires the right kind of nutrients and care. Sulfur is often an overlooked element in the production of quality tomatoes.
Read MoreBlack Spot on Fruit Trees. Black spot, also known as scab or freckles, is a common disease in apple and pear trees that is caused by a fungal infection. Black spot can ruin an entire crop as fruits displaying black spots are not appealing in the marketplace, making the sale of infected fruits impossible
Read MoreHerbicide for Cheatgrass. Cheatgrass-also known as downy brome, military grass, downy cheat and downy brome grass, invaded the U.S. in the 19th century, according to the University of Nevada Extension. It is common in areas that have suffered fire damage, are disturbed by human activity or are overgrazed. It is highly invasive and quickly destroys crops.
Read MoreThe Derris Insecticide. Although insecticide science has come a long way since the days of DDT, most insecticides are still poisonous and take a toll on the environment. Although nonchemical insecticides fail to prevent all the damage done by insects in the home garden, they often have lower toxicity. Derris-based insecticides are somewhat safer than their chemical counterparts.
Read MoreConditions in a Greenhouse. A greenhouse is an area where plants are grown in a controlled atmosphere. Greenhouses recreate the environment necessary for plants to grow year round in areas where that would not be possible otherwise. Humidity, temperature and sterility are all environmental conditions kept at a constant by a greenhouse.
Read MoreThe Life Cycle of Lawn Grubs. Lawn grubs are a common pest of the home lawn. Grubs are the larval stage of the common May or June beetle or the Southern masked chafer. As they grow, they feed on the roots of the grass, causing large patches, browning and otherwise ruining the appearance of the lawn grass.
Read MoreTrees & Rust Fungus. Rust infections are a common occurrence in several varieties of trees, including apple trees. Often caused by the fungi Gymnosporangium or Melampsora, this disease can cause serious damage to the tree, including defoliation and the death of fruit on the tree. Control of the disease requires equal amounts of cultivation and chemical control.
Read MoreOhio Soil Types. Over the past century, scientists have identified more than 400 different kinds of soils, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. A soil series is a way of classifying soils, from general soil types to specific order, suborder, great group, subgroup, family and series. Soils are classified according to composition, thickness and arrangement. It is easiest to classify soils in Ohio according to region.
Read MoreThe Anatomy of a Bean Seed. Beans are actually a common name for the seeds from plants of the Fabaceae family. These seeds are very popular as a food and as feed for livestock. Beans are full of protein and are easily grown in many conditions. The structure of a bean seed is common among many varieties.
Read MoreTree Roots Facts. The root system of a tree is one of its most important elements, providing several vital functions. Roots store nutrients for the plant during the winter and transport water and minerals during the active part of the growing season. Roots also provide an anchor to the plant, keeping it from toppling during extreme weather conditions.
Read MoreMaple Trees & Sun Damage. Although it seems impossible, maple trees can be damaged by the sun. Sun scald is likely during the winter months when the weather is dry and the maple tree is weakened to the elements. Bark temperature that sinks low will kill active tissue in the tree, making sun scald a reality.
Read MoreHow to Grow Mushrooms With Spent Barley. Growing mushrooms indoors may seem like a mysterious practice, but it is rather simple when done with the right materials. Mushrooms require a substrate to grow upon, such as rice, wood or spent barley. The substrate makes a warm, moist, decaying medium ideal for mushroom growth. Mushrooms spores can be purchased from a variety of retailers. Barley is used in the production of beer. Spent barley can be obtained by local microbreweries or home brewers. They're often glad to get rid of the stuff. Once the spores are placed in the slowly decaying barley, the fungi will produce edible mushroom caps. Shitake and oyster mushrooms grow well in spent barley.
Read MoreTree Wrap for Damaged Trees. Young trees and those with thin bark can become easily damaged during a storm or by hungry animals. To prevent damage to a tree and to heal one that has been harmed, using tree wrap is a tried-and-true method of prevention and healing.
Read MoreBlack Tree Fungus. Fungal infections can develop into serious diseases in plants. Trees are no exception. Black fungus that appears on trees can cause aesthetic damage to the foliage of a tree, ruin fruit production and in extreme cases cause the death of a tree.
Read MoreThe Effect of Liquid Fertilizer on Algae. A gardener generally thinks of liquid fertilizer's positive aspects more often than imagining the negatives that can occur when it is misapplied. But over-application and mismanagement during the spraying of liquid fertilizers can have a harmful effect on a water body and its algae. Fertilizer can choke off and kill an entire body of water in just a few seasons.
Read MoreThe Effects of Phosphate on Plants & Water. Phosphorous is one of the 17 minerals required by plants for growth and reproduction. Phosphorous is derived from phosphate rocks and added to agricultural fertilizers. Plants require phosphorous during the growing period. Plants that have shallow roots and a fast top growth, such as lettuce and legumes, require large amounts of phosphorous.
Read MoreHow to Increase Grass Density. Lawns require care and maintenance to stay flush and full. There are a lot of factors that can affect lawn density. Lawn moss can cause grass to suffocate and die. Grass thatch (dead grass left from mowing) can cause a lawn to dry up, lose oxygen and die in patches. Aerating the lawn, dethatching and fertilizing properly will help your lawn breathe, ensure it can receive nutrients and help new grass to grow.
Read More
