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How Many Drain Holes Does a Flower Pot Need?. Attractive pots and containers allow gardeners to grow flowers, vegetables and even shrubs and small trees on patios, decks or indoors. Without proper drainage, plants can't access oxygen and eventually rot and die. Select pots with at least one drainage hole or add one yourself.
Read MoreVine Leaf Identification. Vines are identified by the shape and color of their leaves, as well as their flowers and fruits. Lightweight flowering vines, such as clematis or morning glory, hide mailboxes, fences or other utilitarian structures. Dense vines provide privacy and can even make a green fence. All vines need some structure to climb on. Heavy vines, such as wisteria and hydrangea, require sturdy arbors or even buildings to support them.
Read MoreBrown, Dry Tips on Philodendron Leaves. Beautiful, long-lived and easy to grow, philodendrons (Philodendron spp.) thrive on some neglect and most problems occur because of too much attention in the forms of over-watering and over-fertilizing. While they're usually grown as houseplants, philodendrons grow outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12, depending on the species. Brown, dry leaf tips usually indicate a minor problem, such as too much light or not enough moisture.
Read MoreTroy-Bilt Vs. Toro Lawn Mower. Troy-Bilt and Toro lawn mowers are among the top competing lawn mowers in the midprice market. Both lawn mowers are known for durability and ease of use, and both mowers are available at national home improvement store chains. When selecting a lawn mower, consider price, warranty and features, as well as the size of your lawn and your terrain.
Read MoreLime for Tomato Plants. Tomatoes are the most popular homegrown vegetable, but they do require a bit of babying. They don't tolerate cold temperatures and must be planted after temperatures are consistently above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, but they won't ripen if temperatures are over 77 degrees F. Give them too little water and they produce few fruits. Give them too much water, too quickly, and the skins crack. Additionally, soil fertility and pH level impact the quantity and quality of fruits.
Read MoreFertilizer for Clay Soil. The tiny particles found in clay soil hold water well, but they provide little oxygen to plants. Clay soils tend to warm up more slowly in the spring and are harder to till than loam soil. In fact, if you work clay soil while it's wet, it becomes a cement-like lump, compacted and damaged. Clay soil tends to hold nutrients better than sandy soils, requiring less fertilizer, although the nutrients aren't always available to plants.
Read MoreThe Identification of the Leaves of Fruit Trees. A fruit tree has more identifying features than just its fruit. Each variety has leaves with distinctive characteristics, such as color, shape and texture. Fruit trees may also have interesting bark or an unusual growth pattern. Almost all fruit trees produce white or pink blossoms in the spring. Some, such as citrus blossoms, are highly fragrant. After the flowers bloom, small fruits form in their stead and mature through the growing season.
Read MoreRoot System of Green Giant Arborvitaes. Thuja Green Giant arborvitae (standishii x plicata) has replaced Leyland cypress as the landscaper's plant of choice for an evergreen hedge or specimen tree. It received the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal Plant Award in 1988 and remains popular because of its fast growth and low-maintenance. Young plants grow 3 to 4 feet per year. Their roots are fairly shallow, but strong enough to prevent the tree from toppling in high winds.
Read MoreWhat Animal Would Eat Rhubarb Out of the Garden?
Read MoreWill Blood Meal Dissolve in Water?. Blood meal is a high-nitrogen, organic fertilizer that is made from dried cow's blood. It typically comes in a granular form and is a deep, reddish-brown with a pronounced odor. Most forms of blood meal won't dissolve in water, but a few blood meal-based products are specifically formulated to do so.
Read MoreWhat Is the Purpose of a Thorn on a Rose Bush?. Roses have long been revered for their beauty and fragrance. Historically, they were considered religious symbols, although in the early Middle Ages they were frowned upon as a symbol of Roman excess and debauchery. The thorns, while unpleasant to gardeners, serve a practical purpose. They guarantee that roses survive the wiles of humans and animals.
Read MoreHow to Identify Cactus With White Flowers. Cactus plants are native to the Americas and grow throughout the western and southwestern United States, as far north as Utah and Idaho. The plant has adapted to survive in rough, inhospitable terrain with poor soil and little water and is leafless, with swollen stems and spines. Over 2,000 species exist. All of them produce blossoms and fruit, but only two--saguaro and organ pipe cactus--produce white flowers. Cacti make attractive (if thorny) landscape plants in warm, dry climates and provide habitats and food for birds and wildlife. Grow miniature varieties as houseplants.
Read MoreVegetable Leaf Identification. Those new to vegetable gardening may have difficulty sorting the vegetables from the weeds, especially when plants are young. But vegetables have distinct growth patterns and are easily recognized as they mature. Labeling vegetables with their names printed on craft sticks will help keep the garden organized and prevent mishaps during weeding.
Read MoreHow to Plant a Winter Garden in Tennessee. Long, warm falls may tempt Tennessee gardeners to extend the vegetable growing season into winter. Winter vegetable gardening is more challenging than spring gardening for several reasons. Temperatures remain high through much of the fall, making seed germination difficult. Fall signals the dry season for Tennessee gardens, so providing additional water to growing plants is especially important. Additionally, weeds, insects and diseases that weren't present in the spring now have a foothold, requiring extra vigilance. With a little know-how, though, you can grow vegetables through November or December in Tennessee.
Read MoreHow to Grow Astilbe From Seed. Astilbes (astilbe x arensii) provide vibrant color in shade gardens and, depending on the variety, bloom from early spring to late summer. The perennials have fernlike foliage and colorful spikes of blossoms. Hardy from zones 4 to 9, astilbes need fertile, loamy soil and constant moisture. They grow quickly and need division after one or two years. Division is the preferred propagation method. Grow astilbe in borders and perennial beds along with hostas, impatiens and other shade-loving plants.
Read MoreMagnolia Tree Removal. Magnolia trees are most commonly thought of as a Southern tree, although some varieties, such as star and merrill, are hardy to zone 4. These large, stately trees are pest-resistant and have showy flowers. When a magnolia tree dies, you'll need to remove it. The bark of magnolia trees is thin and cuts easily, but the root system is deep, rope-like and tangled. It extends more than four times the width of the canopy under the soil surface, making removal difficult. Tackle young trees smaller than 25 feet high yourself, but hire a professional for larger trees.
Read MoreWhat Happens to Collard Greens After the First Frost?. After the first frost, gardeners can kiss tender vegetables such as tomatoes, green beans, and zucchini, goodbye. A few hardy vegetables, though, not only survive, but thrive in cool temperatures. Collards are one of those vegetables. Although collards are often thought of as a Southern crop, they grow admirably in all but the coldest climates, as well.
Read MoreHow to Transplant Bradford Pear Trees. Native to Korea and China, the Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana) was introduced commercially to the United States in 1963. Landscapers and homeowners appreciated the tree's vigorous growth, compact branches and white flowers. Additionally, the tree tolerates poor soils and pollution so it was frequently planted as a street tree in cities. Recently, though, the Bradford Pear has fallen out of favor. The tree's weak wood and poor branch structure make it susceptible to ice and wind damage.
Read MoreClassification of Fruit Trees. Fruit trees have been cultivated for thousands of years and have long been regarded with reverence. "Apart from milk and honey, fruit is nature's only pleasure-laden natural food," says Mitch Lynd of the Midwest Apple Improvement Association. They may be classified by several determining factors, such as genus and family, tree size, fruit development and growth habits.
Read MoreWhat Feeds on a Weeping Willow?. Weeping willows often grow next to bodies of water, although they can be grown in drier climates with irrigation. They grow to 45 feet high and at least as wide and have shallow roots that can grow to three times the width of their canopy. While several pests feed on weeping willows, the trees seldom sustain permanent damage, especially when they are healthy.
Read MoreHow to Prune Cherry Laurel. Hardy between zones 7 and 10, Cherry Laurel (Prunus Caroliniana) grows wild in many parts of the southern United States and is used as a versatile landscaping plant. Left alone, the plant develops a mounding form between 10 to 20 feet tall. Shear it annually for a dense, evergreen hedge, or prune to one strong trunk to develop a tree. The tree's white blossoms and shiny, green foliage make it an appealing choice. Grow the plant next to a patio, though, as hundreds of seedlings sprout up in grassy areas due to the plant's tendency to drop seeds.
Read MoreBerry Leaf Identification. Berry plants are popular for their tasty, nutritious fruit. Blueberry shrubs even make good landscaping plants because of their dense, bushy appearance and attractive spring flowers. Berries grow wild in many parts of the United States, especially the coastal areas. Wild berries make delicious pies and preserves. Positively identify the berries by their leaves and fruits before consuming them, though.
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