Emma Watkins

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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.

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Stories By Emma Watkins

  • Flowers
    Flowers By Emma Watkins November 4th, 2022

    How To Treat Powdery Mildew On Lilacs

    How to Treat Powdery Mildew on Lilacs. When powdery mildew, an infection caused by different fungi, is present on plants, the foliage appears to be covered by a white to gray powdery substance. The powder is the fungal spores, which destroy the plant tissue and cause leaf drop. Lilac shrubs are frequent hosts of powdery mildew, usually late in the summer. Even though the infection is rarely serious on the species, treating the problem improves the bush's appearance and it keeps the disease from spreading to other plants in the garden.

    By Emma Watkins November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Emma Watkins November 4th, 2022

    How To Grow Padron Peppers

    How to Grow Padron Peppers. Padron peppers are named after the Galicia village in northwestern Spain where monks started growing the peppers in the 16th century. Padron peppers are originally from South America, and are a source of vitamins A, B1, B2, C, P, and calcium, iron and protein. In general, Padron peppers have a mild flavor, but every crop also produces several hot peppers indistinguishable from the sweet ones until you bite into them. The pepper seedlings need 85 days of frost-free weather to produce a crop.

    By Emma Watkins November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Emma Watkins November 4th, 2022

    How To Fertilize Oleander

    How to Fertilize Oleander. Oleanders are fast-growing shrubs gaining up to 2 feet per season until they reach 8 to 20 feet, except for shorter dwarf varieties. They also produce large flowers and are resistant to heat and drought. Despite their vigor, oleanders don't require regular fertilizing to thrive. Feed your shrub when it shows signs of nutrient deficiency, which include light-green foliage, small leaves -- healthy leaves are 4 to 6 inches long -- and few flowers.

    By Emma Watkins November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Emma Watkins November 4th, 2022

    Care Of Oncidium Twinkle

    Care of Oncidium Twinkle. In comparison to other orchids, Oncidium Twinkle requires simple care to bloom in spring and fall. As an epiphyte, the plant grows attached to trees and rocks, without soil, in the wild. In a pot, it requires an airy medium. The plant's 1/2-inch red, yellow, pink or white fragrant flowers develop in profusion on 10-inch-tall stems. The stalks appear six months ahead of the blooms. Provide the plant continuous care and eventually it will blossom.

    By Emma Watkins November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Emma Watkins November 3rd, 2022

    How Do I Kill Tansy Weeds?

    How Do I Kill Tansy Weeds?. Although pretty with its bright yellow, daisylike flowers, not only is tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) invasive, it is also toxic. An import from Europe, this biennial weed quickly establishes roots in grasslands and along the side of roads, poisoning cattle and horses that feed on it. Tansy's invasiveness is supported by the plant's ability to shed 150,000 seeds that remain viable in the soil for 15 years. Cutting the plant induces its roots to reproduce. For those reasons, a tansy eradication program often takes several seasons of diligent work.

    By Emma Watkins November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Trees
    Trees By Emma Watkins November 3rd, 2022

    How To Control Codling Moth On Apple Trees

    How to Control Codling Moth on Apple Trees. The codling moth is the inspiration for cartoons that depict an apple with a cutesy worm poking through it. In real life, the codling moth larva is a serious pest on apple, pear and English walnut trees. It chews its way to the fruit core or young walnut meats, making both fruits and nuts inedible; damaged nuts usually fall from the tree well before maturity. After it takes up residence inside, the codling moth larva lives in the fruit for three weeks, stuffing itself with the apple's flesh. Once it becomes an adult, it crawls back out into the world -- falling off the tree before climbing up the tree trunk to form a cocoon and await transformation into a moth. Begin by controlling the codling moth with natural nontoxic options. If they fail, try synthetic chemicals.

    By Emma Watkins November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Emma Watkins September 6th, 2022

    How Do I Find A Garcinia Cambogia Supplement?

    How do I Find a Garcinia Cambogia Supplement?. Garcinia cambogia is a fruit from India that's gained enough attention as a weight-loss remedy to warrant a fact sheet by the U.S. Army Medical Department. In its native land, Garcinia cambogia treats rheumatism and bowel problems. It also doubles as a spice in curry dishes. Despite the claims in the United States, research hasn't proven that taking Garcinia cambogia supplements makes you weigh less. Yet, the supplements have become widespread, mostly as tablets and capsules. Some manufacturers also sell chewing gum, power bars, tea and even salad dressing laced with Garcinia cambogia. It isn't hard to find.

    By Emma Watkins September 6th, 2022 Read More