Frank Whittemore

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Stories By Frank Whittemore

  • A patch of centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) growing at the University of Georgia.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore August 18th, 2023

    Types Of Centipede Grass

    Types of Centipede Grass. Native to southeast Asia and China, centipede grass (Eremochloa Buse) is a low-lying, slow-growing, medium-textured grass that spreads into an attractive and weed-free, dense turf. This hardy, aggressive grower tolerates more shade than Bermudagrass but less than zoysia and St. Augustine grass. It was introduced in the U.S. in 1916 and became a popular low-maintenance grass. It has several varieties, each developed to overcome the shortfalls of centipede grass.

    By Frank Whittemore August 18th, 2023 Read More
  • A close-up of some gorgeous pink and white cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) flowers.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore July 29th, 2023

    South Texas Winter Flowers

    South Texas Winter Flowers. South Texas gardeners can choose from an array of cheery flowers to brighten winter flower beds. Some winter flowers prefer sun, while others like shade. South Texas encompasses USDA hardiness zones 8 and 9 with average lows of 10 to 25 degrees F. Plant the winter garden before soil temperatures drop below 40 degrees F to get plants established before a chill.

    By Frank Whittemore July 29th, 2023 Read More
  • A hand holding out browntop millet (Urochloa ramosa) seeds.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore July 29th, 2023

    How To Plant Browntop Millet

    How to Plant Brown Top Millet. Brown top millet is a warm-season grass often used in animal pastures or for hay production. The grass is a leafy perennial that produces a yellow seed head. Brown top millet seed should be sown in early spring, as it only has a 60-day growing season that falls between June and the end of August, according to the Mississippi State University Extension Service. The millet can be grown in areas where the soil has a low nutrient content or fertility as long as it is drains well to prevent standing water.

    By Frank Whittemore July 29th, 2023 Read More
  • Lovely pink and white flowers from Limelight panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight') soaking up some sun.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore July 21st, 2023

    Hydrangea Tree Varieties

    Hydrangea Tree Varieties. When you think of Hydrangea, you probably think of a shrub that is between 3- and 5-feet tall and filled with cabbage-size blossoms ranging in color from blue to red. But some hydrangeas grow on single stems just like trees. These hydrangeas may grow slightly taller than shrub varieties.

    By Frank Whittemore July 21st, 2023 Read More
  • A red maple tree (Acer rubrum) swaying in the wind.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore July 21st, 2023

    Growing Maple Trees From Seed

    Growing Maple Trees From Seed. Many different species of maple trees (Acer sp.) exist, all of which can be grown from seed. Maple fruits or nuts, also called samaras, ripen and drop to the ground in fall, except for red and silver maples, which mature and drop in late spring or early summer. The red maple (A. rubrum) and silver maple (A. saccharinum) need no pretreatment and can be planted directly into the ground immediately after harvesting the seed. For the other maple tree varieties, some pretreatment is necessary in order to coax the seeds into germinating. For all maples, you can plant the entire "fruit" instead of extracting the seed first.

    By Frank Whittemore July 21st, 2023 Read More
  • A tall stalk of balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) catch some sun.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore July 21st, 2023

    How To Deadhead Balloon Flowers

    The balloon plant is a popular favorite perennial for gardeners in USDA zones 3 through 9. It is available in a dwarf size, but most gardeners prefer the true balloon plant, which can grow to 2 1/2 feet. Balloon plant flowers are pink, blue or white and will begin to bloom by mid-summer and continue into the fall, particularly and prolifically if you deadhead spent blooms and do not allow the plant to develop seed pods.

    By Frank Whittemore July 21st, 2023 Read More
  • A close-up of a radiant Burgundy Iceberg rose (Rosa ‘PROse’) flower soaking up some sun.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore July 21st, 2023

    Types Of Rose Trees

    Types of Rose Trees. The rose tree or rose standard is an eye-catching horticultural contrivance. According to Rose Magazine, rose trees consist of at least three parts grafted together: a hardy rose rootstock, a rose cane to serve as the trunk and a showy hybrid rose on the top. To ensure the best show, the hybrid rose should be disease resistant, hardy and a re-bloomer. Tree roses are vulnerable to cold temperatures, especially at the graft areas known as bud unions. Winter protection involves laying the plant on its side in a trench and mulching with leaves. Staking is often necessary to support the fragile trunk. Despite the extra work, tree roses will always capture attention, whether in a rose garden or as a focal point on a patio.

    By Frank Whittemore July 21st, 2023 Read More
  • A close-up shot of of some corn plants full of leaves with a blurred background.
    Flowers
    Flowers By Frank Whittemore June 14th, 2023

    How To Plant Cucumbers Around Corn

    How to Plant Cucumbers Around Corn. Cucumbers and corn grown together are a prime example of companion planting. When planted next to one another, cucumbers help corn by naturally repelling raccoons, retaining soil moisture and reducing weed growth. On the other hand, corn helps cucumbers by providing shade and giving the cucumber vines something to climb up on; which, in turn, keeps cucumbers off the ground and prevents rotting from moisture. This companion planting makes for a relatively low-maintenance growing season.

    By Frank Whittemore June 14th, 2023 Read More
  • An elephant yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) flower bursting up toward the sky.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore June 14th, 2023

    Different Types Of Voodoo Lilies

    Types of Voodoo Lily. The aroid, or Araceae, family includes three plants known as "voodoo lily." So named for their flowers, which are unusual in color, shape and fragrance, these plants are quite dramatic. The blooms comprise a finger-like spadix with a cloak-like spathe and range in color from cream to blackened red-purple. DormantvVoodoo lilies should be overwintered indoors in cold winter regions.

    By Frank Whittemore June 14th, 2023 Read More
  • A close-up of some moss growing on a rock.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore June 14th, 2023

    How To Grow Moss In A Terrarium

    How to Grow Moss in a Terrarium. Moss and lichen are peaceful, slow growers commonly found in wooded areas or growing from rocky crevasses. These plants need low light and will grow well indoors. Terrariums provide adequate humidity for mosses, making them a truly low-maintenance plant. Moss can be tricky to find in garden center or nurseries, so the best way to create a moss terrarium is to forage for local moss or order from a terrarium specialist.

    By Frank Whittemore June 14th, 2023 Read More
  • A close-up of some lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina) leaves.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore June 14th, 2023

    How To Care For Lamb's Ear Plants

    How to Care for Lambs Ear Plants. Lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina) is an herbaceous perennial valued for its attractive foliage and low maintenance requirements. The plant produces leaves visually similar to actual lamb's ears, hence the common name. Lamb's ear blooms during late spring, producing a small number of inconspicuous purple flowers and sliver-blue, fuzzy foliage, the plant's primary ornamental feature. Native to the Middle East, lamb's ear thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8 and is useful as a ground cover or addition to a perennial border.

    By Frank Whittemore June 14th, 2023 Read More
  • Lovely white flowers from a potato (Solanum tuberosum) plant facing the camera.
    Flowers
    Flowers By Frank Whittemore June 13th, 2023

    Why Are My Potato Plants Not Flowering?

    Why Are My Potato Plants Not Flowering?. Ed Hume Seeds calls potatoes the easiest root crop to grow and harvest. These vegetables are cool-season crops that grow throughout the USA with little to no maintenance. They do, however, require the right planting and light exposure if they're to flower and grow.

    By Frank Whittemore June 13th, 2023 Read More
  • An extreme close-up of a large elephant's ear (Alocasia brisbanensis) leaf.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore June 13th, 2023

    How To Grow Elephant Ears Indoors

    How to Grow Elephant Ears Indoors. Elephant ears is the common name for cultivars of the Colocasia and Alocasia plants. It was named for the huge heart shaped leaves that resemble an elephant's ears. The leaves can be as large as 2 feet across and 3 feet long. The plants can grow as high as 8 feet and just as wide. Elephant ears are hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 and warmer and it's for this reason that many people plant them in pots for indoor house plants. You will need a large sunny space in your home to grow these giants indoors.

    By Frank Whittemore June 13th, 2023 Read More
  • A top-down shot of some white-edged Swedish ivy (Plectranthus coleoides) plants.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore June 13th, 2023

    Information On Swedish Ivy Plants

    Information on the Swedish Ivy Plant. Originally from South Africa, Swedish ivy is a small, herbaceous perennial that is now frequently grown as a houseplant in the United States. Requiring little maintenance and modest amounts of water, it is an excellent plant for beginners and can be grown easily in planters and hanging baskets. The plant is often grown outdoors in the summer and brought indoors during cooler temperatures.

    By Frank Whittemore June 13th, 2023 Read More
  • River cane bamboo (Arundinaria gigantea) growing at the Botanical Gardens in Asheville, NC.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore June 13th, 2023

    Growing Bamboo In North Carolina

    Growing Bamboo in North Carolina. The bamboo plant is an evergreen perennial grass that can be invasive in areas where there are no control measures taken. The climate in North Carolina makes it an optimal place to grow bamboo in the home garden, because the temperature ranges from 89 degrees F to 27 degrees F with adequate rainfall during the summer growing season. Plant a bamboo variety in North Carolina that is hardy in cool winter temperatures.

    By Frank Whittemore June 13th, 2023 Read More
  • A handful of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) seeds laid out on a table.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore June 10th, 2023

    How To Germinate Pumpkin Seeds With Water, Salt Water Or Sugar Water

    How to Grow Pumpkin Seeds With Water, Salt Water or Sugar Water. Pumpkins are colorful summer and fall season vegetables, and can grow to be over 30 lbs. if they're left on the vine long enough. Some giant pumpkin varieties grow over 500 lbs. These large gourds require 110 to 140 days of frost-free growing, and have one of the longest growing seasons of the summer vegetable garden. To start pumpkins early and give the vines the time they need to mature, gardeners in cool regions start the plants early and indoors. When you're starting indoors, one of the best ways to do it is with pumpkin seeds, water and seed starter soil.

    By Frank Whittemore June 10th, 2023 Read More
  • A cluster of ripe dark red Stella cherries (Prunus avium 'Stella') hanging on a branch with green leaves and a blurred background.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore May 31st, 2023

    What Is The Lifespan Of Stella Cherry Trees?

    What Is the Life Span of Stella Cherry Trees?. The Stella sweet cherry variety was introduced by the research station at Summerland, British Columbia, and has since become popular mainly because it is self-pollinating. Unlike most sweet cherry trees it doesn't need another tree to produce fruit. All sweet cherry trees, including Stella, are easily frost-damaged and grow best in mild climates. A little extra care will ensure Stella trees are healthy and productive for many years.

    By Frank Whittemore May 31st, 2023 Read More
  • Lots of lovely Fantasia Strawberry Sizzle annual geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum 'Fantasia Strawberry Sizzle').
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore May 3rd, 2023

    How To Harvest Geranium Seeds

    How to Harvest Geranium Seeds. Geraniums are big, showy annuals that when planted in a flower bed, hanging basket or patio container will contribute bright color to the landscape from early summer to fall. Although geraniums are beautiful, buying geranium plants can be expensive and can add extra expense to your gardening budget. If you're adventurous, you can harvest the seeds that appear in autumn and save the seeds for planting the following year.

    By Frank Whittemore May 3rd, 2023 Read More
  • A shallow depth of field (selective focus) details on a bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) plant.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore May 3rd, 2023

    How To Cut The Brown Leaves From A Bird Of Paradise Plant

    How to Cut the Brown Leaves From a Bird of Paradise Plant. Bird of paradise is a distinctive tropical flower, blue-green and orange in color, with the appearance of a bird's beak. The slow-growing perennial grows best in Hawaii and California, but can also thrive in Florida and other parts of the Deep South. Bird of paradise plants are also often grown indoors. They can live for a long time with proper maintenance, which includes watering, fertilization and cutting old, damaged and brown leaves off. Removing them will make the plant more attractive and lessen the likelihood of fungal organisms growing on the dead tissue.

    By Frank Whittemore May 3rd, 2023 Read More
  • A weeping blue Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca Pendula') amidst other plants.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore May 3rd, 2023

    Ornamental Weeping Dwarf Trees

    Ornamental Weeping Dwarf Trees. The form and texture of a weeping tree is an unusual garden accent. Dwarf trees are not hard to obtain and come in a variety of species and ornamental fruits. The trees branches are trained in a downward sweep and the drooping habit presents a charming shape. Dwarfs are usually 10 to 12 feet tall but come in many of the same species as standards. Dwarf ornamental trees come in deciduous fruit and flowering, or evergreen, and need the same regular care that their full-size counterparts require.

    By Frank Whittemore May 3rd, 2023 Read More
  • A full moon rising at night behind silhouettes of tree branches.
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore May 2nd, 2023

    How To Do Full-Moon Planting

    How to do Full-Moon Planting. Farmers and gardeners have used the moon as a guide for planting since the early days of agriculture, and some still believe in planting by the moon today. The idea behind planting during a certain phase of the moon has to do with the moon's gravitational pull on the earth. Gardeners believe that the moon affects the water in the soil just like it affects the tides, and that this force can help plants germinate faster, send out stronger roots, and grow larger. The full moon is thought to encourage root development, so gardeners typically plant vegetables or flowers that rely on strong roots.

    By Frank Whittemore May 2nd, 2023 Read More
  • A close-up of a Madagascar palm plant (Pachypodium baronii).
    Gardening
    Gardening By Frank Whittemore May 2nd, 2023

    How To Repot A Madagascar Palm

    How to Repot a Madagascar Palm. The Madagascar palm, or Pachypodium lameri, is an upright plant with linear waxy leaves and stiff thorns up and down the trunk. The Madagascar palm is actually in the succulent family and not the palm family. You will find this plant in its native habitat in the country of Madagascar but it's well adapted as a houseplant all over the world. As the palm grows each year, you need to repot it into a larger pot. This allows the root system more room to expand and will produce a more robust and healthier plant. It is easy to repot a Madagascar palm and you only need a few gardening tools to do so.

    By Frank Whittemore May 2nd, 2023 Read More