Garden Notes
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Determinate vs. Indeterminate Tomatoes
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening terms "Determinate" and "Indeterminate". Determinate refers to a tomato plant that will ripen all of its fruit at the same time. Whereas, an indeterminate tomato plant describes that which puts on fruit and keeps growing throughout the season.
Related Videos: Blight Hybrid Related Resources: Determinate vs Indeterminate Tomatoes Determinate vs Indeterminate Tomatoes |
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Chickweed
Chickweed is a winter annual weed. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper shows what it looks like and gives some control options.
Related Videos: Herbicide Modes Of Action Herbicide Basics Related Resources: Mouseear Chickweed Mouse-ear Chickweed |
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Cultivar
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term cultivar. In short a cultivar is a CULTIvated VARiety of a species of plant. Often the cultivar is included in the name of the plant with single quotes around it. Named cultivars were developed by gardeners for certain traits in the plant such as color of flower.
Related Videos: New Blackberry Cultivars New Pepper Varieties Related Resources: Cultivar versus Variety Cultivars of Native Plants |
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Harden Off
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term "Harden Off". Harden Off means to slowly and gradually introduce a plant to the environmental conditions in which it will yet be growing.
Related Videos: Starting Seeds Indoors Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors Related Resources: Hardening Transplants Hardening Off Transplants |
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Damping Off
Retired MSU Extension Agent Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term damping off. Damping off is a disease that causes young plants to wilt and die. It is caused by a variety of pathogens, and usually happens when the conditions are damp and cool.
Related Videos: Planting Shrubs in Wet Heavy Soils Wet Feet Related Resources: Damping Off How to prevent seedling damping off |
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Native Plant
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term "Native Plant". A native plant is a plant that grows naturally in a particular area an ecosystem, a habitat or region of the country without indirect or direct human intervention. It was there originally. Native plants in the eastern part of the country are the plants that were growing here naturally when the Europeans came, and it’s a standard definition in that part of the country.
Related Videos: What are some native evergreen plants for a privacy border? Grass Lawn Alternatives |
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Herbaceous Versus Woody
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening terms "Woody" and "Herbaceous". A herbaceous plant is one which has succulent tissue and die back when conditions are not right for growth. Woody, however, refers to a plant with hard, woody tissue, such as the case of trees and shrubs.
Related Videos: Feeder Roots Spring Flowering Shrubs Related Resources: Woody Ornamentals Herbaceous Ornamentals |
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Sidedress
Retired MSU Extension Agent Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term sidedress. Sidedressing is when fertilizer (often nitrogen) is placed beside the plant while it is growing. Sidedressing is used frequently in vegetable crops to encourage growth.
Related Videos: Sidedressing Vegetables Fertilizing (Side Dressing) Corn Related Resources: Vegetable Gardening – Nitrogen Recommendations Fertilizing Vegetables |
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Soilless MixRetired MSU Extension Agent Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term soilless mix. Most potting soil is actually a soilless mix. Soilless mixes do not contain soil from the ground but are manufactured from different materials to achieve the desired qualities.
Related Videos: Houseplant Potting Soils Repotting Aloe Vera Related Resources: Bagged Potting Mixes and Garden Soils for Home Gardeners Potting Mixes for Organic Grower |
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Variegated
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term Variegated. This is used to describe the coloration of leaves. It results from a lack or lessening of the chlorophyll or green pigment in the leaf. Usually the term is used to describe the desirable white coloration of leaves. Variegation does not typically happen in nature because the white parts of the leaf do not generate energy for the plant. Some plants are bred for their variegated leaves like hostas.
Related Videos: Hostas Why are my new hostas’ leaves turning yellow? Related Resources: Variegated Plants Shine In Gardens Gardening with Variegated Plants: Pros and Cons |
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LoamRetired MSU Extension Agent Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term loam. Loam is a desirable type of soil that contains silt, humus, sand, and a small amount of clay. Loam tends to have good drainage and nutrient characteristics.
Related Videos: Houseplant Potting Soils Soil Preparation Related Resource: What is Loam? Estimating Soil Texture |
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OrnamentalRetired MSU Extension Agent Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term ornamental. Ornamental has many meanings, but usually it is used to describe plants that are used for decorative purposes. In the nursery and greenhouse industry the term usually refers to woody plants and shrubs.
Related Videos: Ornamentals and Trees in the Winter Summer Flowering Woody Perennials Related Resource: Varieties of Shrubs & Ornamentals |
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Hardiness
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term hardiness. Usually this refers to cold hardiness or the ability for a plant to withstand cold temperatures. USDA plant zones are based on how cold it gets in the winter which then determines how hardy plants need to be if planted in that zone. A plant that is only hardy to 10 degrees will die if the temperature gets lower. Another kind of hardiness is heat hardiness which determines how hot of temperatures the plant can tolerate.
Related Videos: H - Garden Glossary Protecting Plants From Frost Related Resources: Plant Growth Factors: Temperature USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |
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Differences in Growth in Annuals
Annual flowers from the same nursery tray may grow very differently. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond explains that nursery grown annuals are treated with a growth retardant to keep them compact. Also, environmental conditions in the landscape bed can affect how large the plants grow. She shows begonias that have been affected by wet conditions compared to those that are in more optimal conditions.
Related Videos: Moving a Planted Annual Annuals and Perennials for the Garden Related Resources: Growing Annuals Growing Annual Flowers |
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Node
Retired MSU Extension Agent Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term node. Nodes are buds on plant stems from which buds or flowers grow. They can usually be seen as a bump on the stem of the plant.
Related Videos: Spring Flowering Shrubs Basic Rose Care Related Resources: Garden Terms: Vegetative plant morphology — stems, leaves, and roots Pruning Terminology |
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Bird Feeders
Debbie Bruce from Wild Birds Unlimited talks about which birds you can attract to your yard with seed birdfeeders and suet feeders.
Related Videos: Setting Up a Bird Feeder Hanging a Hummingbird Feeder Related Resources: Feeding Wild Birds Attracting Backyard Birds: Bird Feeder Selection Bird Feeding - Tips for Beginners & Veterans |
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Bacterial Leaf Scorch
Bacterial leaf scorch is a serious disease in several trees, especially pin oaks. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper identifies the symptoms and describes the progression of the disease.
Related Videos: Bacterial Leaf Scorch Does this coloring on my oak leaves indicate a disease? Related Resources: Bacterial Leaf Scorch Bacterial Leaf Scorch in Landscape Trees |
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Shot Hole DiseaseShot hole disease is a common fungal disease of cherry trees. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper shows the symptoms and talks about cultural practices that will help reduce the occurrence of shot hole.
Related Videos: Cherry Leaves Have Small Holes I planted a sweet cherry fruit tree and the leaves are curling. What is going on? Related Resources: Cherry Shot Hole Disease Shot-hole disease on Cherry Leaves |
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Watermelons In Raised BedsUT Assistant Professor of Residential and Consumer Horticulture Natalie Bumgarner talks about growing watermelons in a raised bed. One of the problems is space and she talks about some solutions for the space problem.
Related Videos: TWIG Blossom End Rot Planting Vegetable Seeds How do I get rid of the grass in my watermelons? Related Resources: Watermelon in the Garden Home Garden Watermelo |
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Powdery Mildew on Zinnias
UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper finds some powdery mildew on the zinnias and talks about how to prevent it next year.
Related Videos: How do I know I have killed the mildew on my phlox? My peonies have a powdery look with black spots. What do I do? Related Resources: Powdery Mildews Powdery mildew in the flower garden |
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Dicamba DamageDicamba is a broadleaf herbicide often used on lawns. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison shows a tree that was exposed to dicamba. The leaves are cupped and misshapen. Mike says the dicamba will affect the shape of the tree leaves this year, but will not have lasting affects on the tree.
Related Videos: Phenoxy Herbicides Why do my tomatoes keep getting phenoxy herbicide damage? Related Resources: Common Landscape Herbicides and Their Effects on Trees Diagnosing and Preventing Herbicide Injury to Trees |
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DoveweedDoveweed looks like a grass, but it is not. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper shows doveweed and talks about how to control it. Even though is looks like a grass it is a broadleaf weed that is closely related to lilies.
Related Videos: Herbicide Basics Cultural Lawn Weed Control Related Resources: Doveweed Doveweed: a Growing Problem in Warm-season Turfgrasses |
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GoosegrassGoosegrass is an annul grassy weed. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper identifies goosegrass and names some herbicides that will control it.
Related Videos: The Worst Weeds Herbicide Basics Related Resources: Goosegrass—a Summer Annual Grass Goosegrass (Eleusine indica) |
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Dry Bermuda LawnWhen a Bermuda lawn goes without water for an extended time, the grass begins to go dormant. UT Extension Agent Booker T. Leigh shows dry grass entering dormancy and talks about how to water it correctly to revive it.
Related Videos: Summer Lawn Watering TWIG - Hoses and Hot Water Related Resources: Watering Lawns Home Lawn Watering Guide Summer Lawn Management: Watering the Lawn |
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Identifying Crape Myrtle Bark ScaleCrape myrtle bark scale can severely weaken or even kill crape myrtles. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper finds some crape myrtle bark scale and talks about how to control it.
Related Videos: Treating Crape Myrtle Bark Scale Scale When and how should I treat crape myrtle bark scale? Related Resources: Crape Myrtle Bark Scale Identification and Control Crape Myrtle Bark Scale: A New Exotic Pest Crapemyrtle Bark Scale |
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Cracks on Jalapeno Peppers
Some pepper varieties can develop what look like shallow cracks in the skin. Even with the cracks, UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says they are safe to eat.
Related Videos: Peppers Why are my cayenne pepper flowers not developing fruits? Related Resources: Peppers Growing Peppers |
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Squash Vine Borer
Squash vine borer can quickly kill an otherwise healthy squash plant almost overnight. UT Extension Agent Celeste Scott shows what squash vine borer damage looks like and talks about how to prevent it.
Related Videos: Squash Pests Growing Summer Squash Can I kill squash vine borers with insecticide? Related Resources: Squash Vine Borer Squash Vine Borer Management in Home Gardens Cucumber, Squash, Melon & Other Cucurbit Insect Pests |
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Tree GallsTree Galls are unusual growths on tree leaves and branches caused by insects. UT/TSU Extension Agent Celeste Scott shows some large galls growing on the leaves of a sumac tree. She breaks open one of the galls to shows the insects living inside. Galls do not harm the tree, but they can be unsightly.
Related Videos: Oak Galls I treated my tree with a systemic insecticide. What do I do now? Related Resources: Japanese beetles in yards and gardens Japanese Beetle |
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Japanese Beetles
Japanese beetles feed on over 300 different kinds of plants and can skeletonize leaves. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper talks about ways to control them in your yard. He recommends knocking them into a bucket of warm soapy water. You can also spray oils or use an insecticide like bifenthrin. Japanese beetles are strong fliers, so even if you kill all the beetles in your yard they will fly in from somewhere else.
Related Videos: TWIG Killing Japanese Beetles Dormant Oils Systemic Insecticides Related Resources: Japanese beetles in yards and gardens Japanese Beetle |
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Chrysanthemum Lace Bug
Chrysanthemum Lace Bugs are small insects that feed on plants in the chrysanthemum family. UT Extension Agent Celeste Scott shows the damage these insects cause and talks about how to control them.
Related Videos: Systemic Insecticides Azalea Lace Bugs Related Resources: Chrysanthemum Lace Bug Control of Lace Bugs on Ornamental Plants |
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Aphids on Tomatoes
Aphids are a very common insect pest in the garden. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper identifies aphids living on tomatoes and talks about what to do to get rid of them.
Related Videos: Aphids on Milkweed Ladybugs Rescuing Us from Aphids Related Resources: Aphids in home yards and gardens Tomato Insect IPM Guidelines |
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European Corn Borer
Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison identifies European corn borer damage on corn leaves and talks about how it got there.
Related Videos: Corn Corn Earworm Related Resources: European Corn Borer European Corn Borer: A Multiple-Crop Pest in Missouri |
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Iron Chlorosis
Iron Chlorosis is the lack of iron in a plant. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond shows a tree suffering from iron chlorosis. The most obvious sign is in the leaves: green veins with yellowing or chartreuse tissue between the veins. Fertilizing the tree with a fertilizer containing iron will clear up the problem.
Related Videos: Fertilizing Trees How a Tree Works Related Resources: Iron Chlorosis Fertilizing Shade Trees Fertilizing Trees & Shrubs |
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Pine straw or pine needles make a good mulch. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says pine straw is an organic mulch that will stay in place and not wash or blow away. Like other mulches it shades the soil, aids in water retention, and reduces splashing. It also has a unique benefit that is discourages slugs and snails because the roughness of the needles cuts their bodies.
Related Videos: Kinds of Mulch What is the best way to get rid of snails? Related Resources: Types and Uses of Mulch in the Landscape Mulching Your Trees and Landscapes |
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Blossom End Rot
Blossom end rot is caused by a lack of calcium in the plant. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper takes a look at a watermelon that has blossom end rot. This is often caused by too much or not enough water. Also, a soil test can determine if the soil needs more calcium.
Related Videos: How do you cure blossom end rot on tomatoes? Watermelons In Raised Beds Related Resources: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon Blossom End Rot |
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What to Do with Dead Plants
Some plants will always die in the landscape. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says you should remove them because they can harbor fungus and insects. He also suggests inspecting the plant and roots to trying to figure out what killed the plant. That might save other plants in your garden.
Related Videos: Cleaning Out Garden Beds Spring Butterfly Garden Clean-Out Related Resources: Tips for garden clean-up to reduce pests, diseases Cleaning Up after Plant Disease |
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Dallisgrass in the Lawn
This week in the garden UT Extension Agent Booker T. Leigh identifies dallisgrass in the lawn and tells how to get rid of it both manually and chemically. If it is controlled quickly you can prevent its spread.
Related Videos: Herbicide Basics How To Wipe On Herbicide Related Resources: Dallisgrass Dallisgrass |
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Blight
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term blight. The word blight can either refer to a particular disease, or the actual injury on the plant. Blights often appear as spots, lesions, or even death of the plant. Most blights are caused by a fungus. Using a fungicide can prevent infection to new tissue, it can not cure the existing damage.
Related Videos: Tomato Early Blight Stopping Tomato Blight Related Resources: Fire Blight Early blight of tomato |
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Dandelions
This week in the garden UT Extension Agent Chris talks about the weed everyone knows: dandelions. Dandelions are a broadleaf perennial weed that spread by seed. The same plant can live several years because of it’s large taproot.
Related Videos: Controlling Weeds The Worst Weeds Lawn Weed Killer Application Related Resources: Dandelions Common Dandelion |
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Spring Dead Spot
Spring dead spot is a fungal disease that affects warm season grass in the spring. UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper says it usually appears after a wet fall and keeps patches of grass from greening up in the spring. It can be treated with a lawn fungicide. If you leave it untreated it will not go away but get worse.
Related Videos: Mixing and Applying Fungicide Fungicides Related Resources: Brown Patch & Large Patch Diseases of Lawns Spring Dead Spot in Turf |
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When to Harvest Radishes
Master Gardener Tom Mashour shows how to tell if a radish is ready to pull or if it's past its prime.
Related Videos: When to Pick Bell Peppers When to Pick Okra Related Resources: Radishes in the Garden Carrot, Beet, Radish & Parsnip Vegetable Harvest and Storage |
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Hairy Bittercress
This week in the garden UT Extension Agent Chris Cooper shows off his favorite weed, hairy bittercress. It has exploding seed pods that can throw a seed ten feet when it is brushed.
Related Videos: Notes-Weeds: Hairy Bittercress Controlling Weeds Related Resources: Weed of the Month: Hairy Bittercress Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) |
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Amendment
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term amendment. An amendment is something added to the soil to improve it. This can include fertilizer, lime, or organic matter.
Related Videos: Fertilizer Basics Composting Related Resources: Choosing a Soil Amendment Soil Building & Plant Nutrition |
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Frozen Strawberry Blooms
Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison takes a look at some freeze damage on strawberry blooms. The temperature dropped to about 29 degrees a week ago and some of the strawberry blooms were frozen and died. If this happens the plant will just produce more blooms.
Related Video: Moving and Renovating Strawberries Planting Strawberries Related Resources: Frost/Freeze Protection in Strawberries Critical Temperatures for Strawberry Buds and Blossoms and Freeze Protection |
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Heirloom
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term Heirloom. An heirloom is a plant variety available unchanged for many years. There are many different ideas about exactly how long that needs to be. These are plants that will breed true from generation to generation. They tend to be good reliable varieties.
Related Videos: Heirlooms What does heirloom mean? Can hybrid tomatoes be saved and come true next year? Related Resource: Heirloom Plant Varieties Provide More Than a Good Harvest or Beautiful Blooms Heirloom Vegetables March 27, 2021 |
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Feeder Roots
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term feeder roots. Plants have two kinds of roots: anchor roots that hold the plant to the ground, and feeder roots that get nutrients from the soil. Feeder roots usually grow in the top few inches of the soil. Feeder roots are very small and spread in the soil like a spider web around the plant. The soil under a tree is full of feeder roots for that tree. If you dig under the tree you are affecting the feeder roots.
Related Videos: How Trees Work Encouraging Tree Feeder Root Growth Related Resource: Healthy Roots and Healthy Trees Understanding Plant Roots March 20, 2021 |
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Hybrid
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term hybrid. A hybrid is a plant that has been cross-pollinated or bred to emphasize certain traits. Usually a hybrid is created by people not nature. It is a cross between two different parents to try to get the best characteristics of each. Hybrids will often not breed true; their offspring will not be the same as the mother plant. To get another plant you must go back and cross the two parents again.
Related Videos: Can hybrid tomatoes be saved and come true next year? H - Garden Glossary Related Resource: Let's Talk About Hybrids and Standards March 13, 2021 |
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Chlorosis
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term chlorosis. Chlorosis is a yellowing or lack of chlorophyll in the leaves of a plant. Chlorosis can be caused by the incorrect amount of water, a nutrient deficiency, herbicide damage, air pollution, or not enough light. A related term is necrosis which is dead tissue.
Related Videos: TWIG - Nutrient Deficient (Yellowing Leaves) Bean Fix If my vegetables have herbicide damage are they still safe to eat? TWIG Nutrient-Deficient Pepper Fix Related Resources: Chlorosis Chlorosis March 6, 2021 |
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Translocation
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term "Translocation". Translocation is just movement throughout the plant. Things are translocated usually through the vascular system of the plant like our arteries and veins.
Related Videos: H - Garden Glossary L - Garden Glossary Related Resources: Plant Growth and Development February 27, 2021 |
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Chill HoursHorticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term chill hours. This refers to the number of hours below a certain temperature that is required before a plant will flower. Chill hours are typically used to describe fruit trees. You should pick your fruit variety based on the number of chill hours where you live. If the plant requires fewer chill hours than your location gets, it will bloom in a warm spell in the middle of winter and the blooms will be killed by frost.
Related Videos: Planting Fruit Trees Fruit and Nut Pollination Fruit Tree Pruning Related Resources: Tree Fruit: What are chill hours? Peach Chill Hours Make or Break Growing Season February 20, 2021 |
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Wet Feet
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term wet feet. A plant is said to have wet feet when it is growing in soil which is continually wet. Most plants do not do well with wet feet. The exception to this is bog plants or aquatic plants that are accustomed to growing in an area with lots of water.
Related Videos: Planting Shrubs in Wet Heavy Soils What can I do to save my new dogwood from soggy soil? Related Resources: Identification of and Corrective Action for Poorly Drained Soils in the Landscape Plants for Damp or Wet Areas February 13, 2021 |
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Green Manure
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term green manure. The term green manure does not refer to animal poop. Green manure is a crop (usually a legume) that is grown specifically to turn back into the soil for its nutrient properties. Some common green manures include clover, vetch, beans, and alfalfa.
Related Videos: Winter Cover Crops Can I use manure in my garden? Related Resources: Cover crops and green manures in home gardens Cover Crops for Home Gardens February 6, 2021 |
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Perennial-Annual-Biennial
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening terms "Perennial," "Annual," "Biennial". A perennial is a plant that comes back form the root or the base every year. Like a tree it will live forever unless you kill it. A biennial completes its life cycle in two years like parsley. An annual is programmed to grow in one season, set seed and then die.
Related Videos: Annuals and Perennials for the Garden Pests and Diseases of Annual Flowers Easy Way to Root Cuttings from Annuals Related Resources: Annual, Perennial, Biennial? Plant Life Cycles January 30, 2021 |
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Scarification
Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term scarification. Scarification is the process of weakening, opening, or abrading a hard seed coat to allow seed germination. Some seeds will not germinate until the seed coat degrades. The usual method of scarification for the home gardener is mechanical: scraping the seed with a file or knife. Commercially, scarification is also done using acids.
Related Videos: TWIG–Seed Germination Test Starting Fall Vegetables From Seed Problems for Garden Seedlings Related Resources: Overcoming Seed Dormancy: Trees and Shrubs Scarification and Vernalization January 23, 2021 |
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Wheel Bug – Beneficial Bugs
Garden expert Tonya Ashworth talks about wheel bugs. The wheel bug is a type of assassin bug. They are called a wheel bug because they have a large cog looking structure on their back. They live mostly in trees and are about an inch long. They eat many kinds of insects. Wheel bugs can bite you if you try to handle them.
Related Videos: Beneficial Garden Bugs Notes - Beneficial Bugs, Soldier Bug Related Resources: The Wheel Bug Wheel Bug January 16, 2021 |
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Transplant Shock
This week in the garden UT Extension Agent Joellen Dimond looks at a shrub planted recently that looks wilted. It has transplant shock. Once the roots get a chance to grow into the new soil and start absorbing water and nutrients it should perk up and do well.
Related Videos: Seeds or Transplants Moving Volunteer Flowers Related Resources: Transplant Shock: Disease or Cultural Problem Transplant Shock... Making the Case for Smaller Trees Transplanting Established Trees or Shrubs January 9, 2021 |
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Looking at the Compost Pile
This week in the garden Compost Fairy Mike Larrivee examines the Family Plot compost pile and makes suggestions of how to
improve it. Related Videos: TWIG Turning a Compost Pile Composting Related Resources: Composting for the Homeowner Home Composting: A Guide for Home Gardeners January 2, 2021 |