Kate Carpenter

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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.

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 Kate Carpenter

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    Flowers
    Flowers By Kate Carpenter November 4th, 2022

    Most Popular Garden Flowers

    Most Popular Garden Flowers. When you decide you want to plant a flower garden, there are several factors you need to consider. The location you plan to plant your flowers will determine whether you need flowering plants that prefer full sun or partial shade. You may want a theme, like Victorian, Mediterranean or Asian, or you may want to plant by color. Using popular flowers in your garden will mean not only that your garden appeals to all, but you will have an easier time finding the flowering plants you want to plant.

    By Kate Carpenter November 4th, 2022 Read More
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    Trees
    Trees By Kate Carpenter November 4th, 2022

    How To Prune A Salix

    How to Prune a Salix. The plant genus Salix includes almost 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, more commonly known as willows. Willows can grow at a rapid rate of several feet in a single year. There are many beneficial reasons to prune your salix: to create a fuller, bushier tree or shrub; to control the size of the willow; or to produce more colorful branches from new growth. Salix flowers are referred to as pussy willows and form on last years' growth. Therefore, pruning should not be done until after your salix blooms, if you wish to have pussy willows. Otherwise, a salix can be pruned any time during the year.

    By Kate Carpenter November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Kate Carpenter November 4th, 2022

    How To Grow Peonies In California

    How to Grow Peonies in California. Herbaceous peonies are the peonies that resemble small bushes with beautiful, colorful white, pink or magenta blooms in the late spring and early summer. Peonies are a longtime favorite of gardeners in USDA zones 2 through 8. Many California gardeners yearn to add peonies to their landscape, but believe because peonies need to have a cold dormant period, they cannot successfully grow peonies. There are some steps you can take to help your peonies bloom and grow in California.

    By Kate Carpenter November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 4th, 2022

    How Do You Know When A Cayenne Pepper Is Ripe?

    How Do You Know When a Cayenne Pepper Is Ripe?. For those who love spicy foods, cayenne peppers are a tasty treat, adding a little kick to everything from barbecue sauce to salsa. The peppers have visual appeal, too, especially when the thin, gleaming red fruits are strung together to dry. But for plant lovers of all kinds, perhaps the best quality of cayenne peppers is the ease with which they grow.

    By Kate Carpenter November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Kate Carpenter November 4th, 2022

    How To Dry Flowers In A Dehydrator

    How to Dry Flowers in a Dehydrator. There are many methods you can use to dry your flowers, but using a common food dehydrator is not only fast and convenient, but will better keep the shape and color of your flowers. Removing the moisture quickly from your flowers will result in your flowers retaining their original color and even their fragrance. Dehydrators will not distort or destroy the original shape of your flower.

    By Kate Carpenter November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Flowers
    Flowers By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    How To Grow Bodacious Sweet Corn

    How to Grow Bodacious Sweet Corn. The hybrid sweet corn variety named Bodacious is an ideal section for the home gardener who wants a super-sweet, early maturing corn that will keep days longer after picking than more common corn varieties. Bred to be sugar enhanced with tender kernels, Bodacious will retain that sweetness for up to 5 days after you pick it. With a relatively short growing period, you can start picking this sweet corn 72 to 75 days after planting.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Trees
    Trees By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    How To Trim A Date Palm

    How to Trim a Date Palm. There are many palm trees that have the word 'date' in their name but only the Phoenix dactylifera is the true date palm, producing the delicious fruit it is named for. Phoenix dactylifera can grow to 100 feet with fronds that are 18 to 20 feet long. As with all palms, once the date palm has matured, every new frond will mean an older frond dies. Trimming or pruning your date palm too severely or improperly may result in increased pests and disease, slower growth and possibly death of your date palm.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    What Is The Cause Of Climbing Hydrangea Die Back?

    What Is the Cause of Climbing Hydrangea Die Back?. Planted and grown under the correct conditions, your climbing hydrangea vine can reach 50 to 60 feet in length, once established. A perennial, hardy to USDA zone 5, a climbing hydrangea will naturally lose its leave and die back in the fall, re-leafing the following spring.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    How To Plant Strawberries Under Plastic Mulch

    How to Plant Strawberries Under Plastic Mulch. Growing strawberries in your home garden will provide you with a bounty of sweet tasting fruit fairly quickly, with minimal maintenance and little space. The most difficult task in growing strawberries is weed control in your berry patch. Planting and growing strawberries with plastic mulch will conserve water, reduce the use of herbicides for weed control, and keep your berries clean. Large strawberry producers have been using plastic mulch successfully for years.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    How To Control Rust On Bean Plants

    How to Control Rust on Bean Plants. The fungus Uromyces phaseoli var typica, more commonly called rust, begins by tiny whitish pustules bumps that form on the underside of bean leaves. Soon, the pustules develop into distinct, round, reddish-brown spots. If not controlled, bean rust will turn your bean leaves yellow and your plant will die. The bean rust spores will travel from plant to plant, contaminating your entire bean crop. Rust is most commonly found on your bean plants when temperatures are between 50 to 77 degrees F, and dew moisture is present. Finding bean rust fungus on your bean plant early and starting treatment can stop the spread and save your bean plants.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Flowers
    Flowers By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    Shade For A Blueberry Plant

    Shade for a Blueberry Plant. Many gardeners ponder whether to plant their blueberry bushes under pine trees because the soil will have a higher acidic value. Other potential blueberry growers worry because blueberry bushes also need sunlight in order to thrive. Growing blueberries in shaded areas can successfully be done, under the correct conditions.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    How To Get The Bitter Taste Out Of Stevia Plants

    How to Get the Bitter Taste Out of Stevia Plants. Using noncaloric stevia as a sugar substitute is gaining popularity in the United States. Unfortunately, many who try stevia or stevia products find it leaves a bitter taste or aftertaste in their mouth. This bitter taste is the result of including stems, roots or leaf veins in the final product. If you buy stevia products, it is important to make sure it contains at least 95 percent steviosides; less will mean a more bitter taste. If you grow your own stevia plants, you can eliminate the bitterness with the proper harvesting process.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    Holy Moly Pepper Plants

    Holy Moly Pepper Plants. Capsicum annuum "Holy Mole," though sometimes referred to as "Holy Moly" pepper, is a relatively new hot pepper hybrid, the first from the pasilla-type pepper. The Holy Mole pepper is quickly gaining popularity as a mildly hot pepper that is flavorful, easy to grow and can be used in almost any Mexican recipe.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    Yellow Leaves On Blueberry Bushes

    Yellow Leaves on Blueberry Bushes. You can plant and grow blueberry bushes in your garden, in a pot or as part of your landscaping. Not only will you be able to harvest fresh, tasty berries, but blueberry bushes are also attractive ornamental bushes. Blueberry bushes do, however, have specific requirements, both nutritional and environmental, for them to successfully grow and thrive.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    Nutrients For Pineapple Plants

    Nutrients for Pineapple Plants. Pineapple plants can be grown as an attractive tropical indoor plant, or in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11 outdoors. The sweet fruit of pineapple is rich in citric acid, potassium, and vitamin C. With a relatively shallow root system, the pineapple plant relies on a complete fertilizing program to supply the necessary nutrients for successful growth and production.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    Problems Of Liquid Cow Manure

    Problems of Liquid Cow Manure. A great way to give your plants, bushes and lawn extra nitrogen is to use liquid cow manure, sometimes called cow manure tea if it is homemade. Commercially manufactured liquid cow manure that is homogenized (heated) and has had the smell removed is readily available at lawn and garden centers. Or, like many gardeners choose to do, you can "brew" your own manure tea. Either way, liquid cow manure has advantages when used as a fertilizer for your plants, but can also be problematic.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    Herbs That Grow Together

    Herbs That Grow Together. Growing herbs together is both economical and convenient. Most herbs thrive among other varieties, as long as as the herbs you group have the same environmental growing needs. Design your herb garden with a theme, or because certain herbs grown next to one another will thrive together. A few herbs should not be planted near other herbs because of detrimental influences. Both rue and fennel tend to inhibit the growth of nearby herbs, particularly basil. Fennel affects a wider range of herbs, and may kill herb plants close by, so you should plan to grow fennel by itself.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    Glyphosate-Resistant Plants

    Glyphosate-Resistant Plants. Glyphosate is a popular systemic herbicide that is non-selective with a broad spectrum, meaning it will kill any plants it comes in contact with. There are plants, though, that glyphosate either does not effect or that are not permanently killed. Glyphosate resistance in plants happens because plants may have been intentionally genetically altered, environmentally evolved or because miscalculation of the application renders glyphosate less effective.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    How To Grow A Telegraph Plant

    How to Grow a Telegraph Plant. The Telegraph plant--also called Codariocalyx motorius, Desmodium gyrans, dancing plant, or semaphore plant--is often listed as one of the top 10 most unusual plants in existence. The reason for the fascination of the plant is its ability to rotate, or move the small leaflets, at the base of each larger leaf, to follow the warmth of the sun. Unlike most plants, this movement is fast and quite visible to the naked eye. Some people believe they can get their telegraph plant to dance to music. This may occur as the plant reacts to the vibrations of the tune.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    How To Care For Edelweiss Plants

    How to Care for Edelweiss Plants. A hardy alpine perennial, Edelweiss is an ideal plant for rock gardens, containers, or areas of your landscape that have a dry, rough, sandy loam soil. Edelweiss may bloom in early to mid-summer, though it will be short-lived for hot summer areas. Native to the high mountains of Europe and parts of Asia, Edelweiss can be grown in USDA zone 2 to 9 landscapes.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    Directions To Grow Schefflera Cuttings

    Directions to Grow Schefflera Cuttings. Schefflera plants are popular as indoor plants because of their easy care requirements. In USDA zones 10 and 11, a schefflera plant can be grown outdoors. Schefflera plants can reach several feet in height and width if left alone, so most owners will prune their schefflera to shape it and keep it the desired size. Pruning your schefflera gives you an opportunity to start new schefflera plants from the cuttings you pruned from your original plant.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    Planting A Loblolly Pine

    Planting a Loblolly Pine. Loblolly pines abundantly grow and thrive in magnificent forests throughout the southeastern United States. Known to be fast growing with a regal presence, they make a wonderful landscaping enhancement. These trees are easy to plant and care for as long as you adhere to the following steps.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
  • Structures
    Structures By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    How To Make Hypertufa Benches

    How to Make Hypertufa Benches. Hypertufa is a lighter-weight alternative to traditional concrete for a number of outdoor projects, including planters, tubs and benches. Depending on the project, there are different hypertufa recipes for you to use, so planters and pots can be lighter, while garden benches should be heavier so they can handle more stress. Before attempting a more complex bench project, you should practice mixing and working with hypertufa by crafting a smaller, simple project such as a pot or a stepping stone.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    How To Grow Clove Trees

    How to Grow Clove Trees. Clove trees are naturally found in Indonesia and will grow in the tropical climates of India, Hawaii, Brazil, Jamaica and other areas. The spice clove is the immature, unpollinated flower bud of the clove tree and cannot be used to grow a clove seedling. Finding a clove tree to buy can be difficult and expensive, but through the Internet you can purchase clove seeds that will germinate and grow. It will be five to seven years before your clove tree will bear flowers you can use as a spice.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More
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    Produce
    Produce By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022

    How To Grow A White Bat Plant

    How to Grow a White Bat Plant. The white bat plant, also known as tacca integrifolia, is an unusual plant that originates in the tropics of Southeast Asia, eastern India and southern China. It derives its name from its flower, which resembles a bat's face, with large ears and long whiskers. In zones 10 and 11, the white bat plant can be grown outdoors, in the shade, if you have high humidity and temperatures never fall below 40 degrees F. As an indoor plant, under the correct conditions, your white bat plant will be a conversation topic.

    By Kate Carpenter November 3rd, 2022 Read More