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How to Transplant Plum Trees. If your plum tree because it is not doing well in its current location, or you need the area for something else, don't hesitate to transplant the tree. Whatever the reason for the move, plum trees have a medium-to-high success rate when they are transplanted, according to the North Dakota State University Cooperative Extension. With proper care, plum trees can produce fruit for 15 to 20 years.
Read MoreHow to Plant Columbine Seeds. Columbines flowers are loved by gardeners for their soft colors, and by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds for their sweet nectar. Columbine seeds require a period of cold dormancy called stratification to germinate. To plant your columbine seeds directly into a garden, it must be done in the fall so they will germinate in the spring. To start columbine plants indoors, an artificial stratification process of placing them in a cold environment for several weeks will be necessary. Apart from stratification, planting columbine seeds indoors or outdoors is a fairly simple process.
Read MoreHow to Use a Heating Pad When Germinating Seeds. To start your own seeds, whether for a vegetable garden or a flower garden, the seeds need a soil temperature of 65 to 75 degrees F to germinate. Many home gardeners place their seed trays on top of a refrigerator or a hot water heater to achieve warm soil temperatures. However, if you don't have room on top of either of these appliances, you can use a standard heating pad, on low temperature, to warm the soil in your seed trays.
Read MoreCare for Cast Iron Planters. Cast iron planters are plant holders or plant stands. Rather than putting a plant directly into the planter, the plant is in another pot that is then set into the planter. Many cast iron planters are used outdoors, and exposure to the elements such as rain and polluted air can present some challenges when it comes to taking care of the planter. Fear of the elements shouldn't stop you from enjoying the look of cast iron planters. By following a few tips, you can take care of the planter and make it last for years.
Read MoreHow to Stake Blueberry Plants. Blueberries are a delicious summer treat, offering numerous health benefits from anti-aging antioxidant vitamins such as Vitamin C to a dose of fiber with each bite. Growing your own blueberries can offer even more health benefits, as you have control over any pesticides or chemicals that are put on the plants. To produce healthy blueberries, the plant needs a strong root system, and staking the plants when they are young is one way to be sure they get one. If the plants are not staked, they can be blown about by the wind and fail to develop healthy roots. Staking your blueberry plants is a simple process that is worth the small investment.
Read MoreHow to Plant Butterfly Bush Seeds. Few sights are as dramatic as numerous butterflies feeding on a butterfly bush. Known scientifically as Buddleja davidii, the butterfly bush comes in an array of colors, from purple to red, and can grow up to 12 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Its fragrant blossoms attract butte rflies from afar. It grows best in warmer climates, but can survive in cooler northern regions. You can purchase butterfly bush seedlings from a nursery or garden center, or you can try your hand at growing several from seed.
Read MoreStarting Marigold Seeds Indoors. Marigolds can make colorful additions to any flower bed or garden. They even fare well as potted plants. To get the longest growing season from your marigolds, start the seeds indoors before transplanting them outside. According to Purdue University's Department of Horticulture, seeds should be started six weeks before the expected date of the last frost in your area. With some simple indoor prep, you can have your marigolds well on their way to impressive outdoor blooms.
Read MoreHow to Sharpen a Sickle. A sickle is a cutting instrument with a half-moon-shaped blade. In former times, sickles were the tool of choice for cutting down brush, vines, tall weeds and any other plant that stood in the way of tending the land. Being lightweight and portable, sickles are still used by many when doing outdoor projects No matter what shape the blade on your sickle is in, there is a simple way for you to sharpen it so it can function efficiently.
Read MoreHow to Harvest Corn Seeds. You can harvest corn seed if you have planted non-hybrid corn for the current growing season. While hybrid seeds produce a higher quality crop, they have been bred in a lab to do so. Because of this, if you save hybrid seeds, the corn you get next year may look nothing like the ear of corn you harvested your seed from. If you do not know if your corn is hybrid or non-hybrid, check the package or consult the market where you purchased your seed. Otherwise, start by planting non-hybrid corn this year, and save your seed for next year's crop. Harvesting your own seed saves money and allows you to pass down heirloom seeds from generation to generation.
Read MoreHow to Harvest Echinacea Seeds. Echinacea is also referred to as purple coneflower. It can grow to a height of 5 feet tall, and its purple petals attract butterflies from a distance. Echinacea makes a dramatic backdrop to any flower bed, and if you currently have some growing in a particular spot, but would like to plant them in other areas of your yard, you can easily do so by harvesting the seeds. According to the USDA National Plant Data Center, you should not harvest echinacea seeds until after their second year of growth.
Read MoreHow to Harvest Milk Thistle. Most people consider milk thistle a pesky weed because it can grow tall and thorny, making it hard to even get near. However, it is loaded with medicinal benefits. The U.S. National Cancer Institute reports that milk thistle contains the active ingredient silymarin, which is used to treat liver and gallbladder problems and is an antioxidant that protects the cells against damage. The silymarin from milk thistle is in the seeds, which are used to make extracts or tinctures for medicinal use. If you have milk thistle growing near you, you can harvest your own seeds. You can also cook and eat the leaves and flower heads.
Read MoreHow to Plant Black Seed Sunflowers. Black seed sunflowers are also referred to as black oil sunflower seeds. The seeds grow into tall, sturdy, beautiful sunflowers and produce even more seeds at harvest time. Their seeds can be enjoyed as a snack for you, or your wild backyard friends. But before you get to harvest time, there are a few steps you should follow in order to plant black seed sunflowers that will flourish.
Read MoreHow to Save Okra Seeds. Okra is a vegetable that is used in soups and casseroles or is fried and boiled. It is a warm-weather crop, so it is primarily grown in southern climates. Okra is also sometimes grown as an ornamental plant in flower gardens, as it can reach a height of up to 6 feet and produces flowers similar to those of hollyhocks. Whether you use okra as a garden vegetable plant or as a floral, if you have a good crop you can save seeds from your prized plants for next year's garden.
Read MoreHow to Pot an Aloe Plant. An aloe vera plant can be found in shops, homes and even some doctor's offices. It is kept on hand for its healing properties, most of which lie in the gel contained in the aloe vera leaves. The National Institutes of Health report that some of the healing benefits of aloe vera include soothing wounds, burns and other skin irritations, as well as accelerating wound healing. If you have an aloe vera plant, or you intend to get one, and you want to keep it around for a long time, you need to properly plant it in a pot for it to flourish.
Read MoreHow to Harvest & Store Canna Seeds. Cannas are tropical flowers, native to areas in the southeastern United States as well as Central and South America. Prized for their large, bright, colorful flowers, gardeners most often grow canna from rhizomes, which are elongated bulbs, or starter plants. Cannas can also be started from seed, although it may take a few years for them to reach the flowering stage. If you'd eventually like to spread your cannas to another part of your yard, or want to give some of their offspring to friends, harvest and store your seeds.
Read MoreHow to Prepare Tomato Seeds. Before you can plant your tomato seeds, they first must be prepared properly, or they will not germinate. If you grow your own non-hybrid tomatoes, you can begin preparing your seeds for next year's harvest while you are eating the fruits of this year's harvest. Gathering the seeds from your own tomatoes is a great way to start a family tradition and save money on seeds from the garden center. If you purchase your tomato seeds, you may want to prepare them indoors as seedlings to get a head start on the growing season.
Read MoreHow to Start Zinnia Seeds Indoors. Zinnias are annual flowers that come in many colors and styles, including single- and double-petaled flower heads. Depending upon the type of zinnias, they can grow from 8 inches to 4 feet tall, so before selecting zinnia seed, consider where they will be planted. Dwarf zinnias do great in pots, while the taller zinnias add a stunning background to any flower bed. No matter which type of zinnia you choose, to get a head start on the blooming season, start the seeds indoors.
Read MoreHow to Dry Corn on the Cob for the Next Year's Seeds. If you would like to save some of your corn crop for next year's seed, it can be done with little effort, as long as you have planted a non-hybrid seed. Hybrid seeds have been engineered in such a manner that if you harvest seeds from them, they will not produce a true crop, or one that resembles the seeds' parent crop. If you don't know if you planted hybrid or non-hybrid corn seeds, you can still try saving a few of the seeds to see how a small crop turns out. But along with those seeds, purchase some non-hybrid seeds, and then dry the corn for next year's garden.
Read MoreHow to Harvest Pears From a Pear Tree. The process of harvesting many fruits involves waiting for them to ripen on the tree. This is not the case with pears. If pears are allowed to ripen on the tree, their flesh can become gritty and hard. Pear harvesting should be done between August and September, but if you have a keen eye, you can watch for signs of when your pears are ready to be harvested. The harvesting and storage process for pears requires little more than time, and some crates to put the pears in. There are many varieties of pears, but the harvesting process is the same for them all.
Read MoreHow to Plant Acorns to Grow Oak Trees. Few trees are as majestic as the mighty oak. They can live to be 100 years old or more, reach a height of more than 100 feet, and have a top spread that exceeds 100 feet as well. Although they grow slowly, planting an oak tree in your yard is a great project for adults and children alike, and it instills a sense of passing on an heirloom for generations to come. Gathering, preparing and planting acorns to grow your own oak tree requires following a few basic steps.
Read MoreHow to Save Echinacea Seeds. Echinacea, also known as a coneflower, is a beautiful ornamental flower that attracts butterflies and birds. As a plant, it is also sought for its medicinal uses, which, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, range from boosting the immune system and fighting the common cold, to soothing sore throats as a tea. Echinacea can grow up to 5 feet in height and does well as a border flower. If you currently have some echinacea and would like to spread the beauty around your yard, you can harvest and save seeds from your current plants. While there are many more complicated methods of harvesting and saving echinacea seed, there is one that is simple and effective.
Read MoreHow to Start Spinach Seeds. Spinach is a favorite garden crop, and is valued for its use in salads, on sandwiches and as a boiled or steamed side dish. Loaded with vitamins and minerals, spinach is not only a tasty summer treat, but a healthy one. Spinach prefers cooler temperatures, and can be sown in early spring, as soon as you can work the soil. To get a head start on the season, you can start spinach indoors as well. If you choose to start early, you should use peat pellets for starting your seed, as spinach does not fare well when transplanted. Whether you choose to start seeds indoors or out, following a few guidelines will ensure a healthy crop.
Read MoreHow to Dry Corn Seed. If you have grown a good crop of corn and you would like to save some of your own corn seeds for growing a crop next year, it can be easily done. Many gardeners save their own seed as a means of saving money and passing down heirloom plants. Saving your corn seed requires that you take some time to properly dry it and store it where rodents can't get to it before you are ready to plant it next season.
Read MoreHow to Move Hydrangea Plants. There are many species of hydrangea plants, but they are all characterized by beautiful, big showy flowers that make a wonderful accent to any landscape. If you have a hydrangea that is not doing well where it is planted, consider moving it. Moving a hydrangea is a simple task that requires little more than some planning ahead and some digging. By following a few procedures, you can move your hydrangea and have it thriving again by its next bloom season.
Read MoreHow to Make Grapevine Trees. When you prune your grapevines, don't throw away the excess. With a few simple supplies, you can turn the throwaway vine into a grapevine tree. A grapevine tree can be simple, with nothing but the grapevine, or it can be decorated with lights, moss and other products of your garden, such as dried flowers. The beauty of a grapevine tree can be enjoyed year-round.
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