How-to and Informational
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Spring Blooming Bulbs
Spring bulbs, especially tulips are some of the first flowers of spring. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond talks about how to choose and care for bulbs. Bulbs need the cold of winter to trigger root growth and also plant and flower growth when it warms up in spring. Joellen talks about options for keeping deer and rodents from eating your bulbs. She also lists some bulbs they won’t eat. Where you live influences what bulbs you can grow and what you have to do to get the bulbs to bloom. Joellen goes through all the USDA zones from 3-10 and gives instructions for success in each. She also shows how to force a bulb, or make it bloom out of season.
Related Videos: Keep Voles at Bay: Building Wire Cages to Protect Your Plants How to Plant Flower Bulbs Planting Pansies and Tulips for Winter and Spring Color Related Resources: Flowering Bulbs for Tennessee Gardens Spring Flowering Bulbs Fall Planted Bulbs and Corms |
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Attracting Winter Birds
Debbie Bruce from Wild Birds Unlimited talks about how to attract winter birds to your yard. There are some birds that stay in the area for the winter but there will also be many birds that have traveled south to your area for the winter. You can attract birds with feeders and birdbaths. Birds like clean bird feeders. In feeders, you can provide loose seed or compressed seed cylinders. You can also provide suit which is rendered fat. Suit is not found in nature so the birds will need help discovering the suit, frost it with peanut butter and put some seeds on it. Cut up apples will attract several colorful species of birds. Water is important for birds in the winter. Birds need it to drink and wash. When the weather is cold and most water frozen, birds will frequent a bird bath that is not frozen. A bird bath deicer will keep it liquid when the temperature drops. Birds also like to have shelter close to the feeder to protect against hawks. Staking your old Christmas tree close to a feeder will provide shelter to the birds while they are waiting for their turn to eat.
Related Videos: Birdhouses Attracting Purple Martins Related Resources: Winter Bird Feeding: The Basics Winter Bird Feeding Remember the Birds in Winter |
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Plants with Multi-Season Interest: Beauty Year-Round
When planning a garden or landscape, you can select plants that offer beauty throughout the year. Plants with multi-season interest provide not only year-round color but also texture, fragrance, and form that evolve with the changing seasons. Here are ten fantastic options, chosen for their year-around beauty.
Related Videos: Best Trees for Fall Color Spring-Blooming Deciduous Magnolias Related Resources: Perennials with Winter Interest Plants can add winter interest to your landscape |
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Basic Pond Maintenance
Ponds require different levels of maintenance depending on what you want to do with it. First and foremost, Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says to not blow leaves and yard waste into the pond as this will reduce the oxygen level of the water affecting the algae eaten by the fish. There are several kinds of weeds in a pond. Spring is the best time to try to control them. Mike talks about the different kinds of weeds you will find and where they grow. If you are serious about growing fish, you may need to get a soil test on the mud at the bottom of your pond and lime and/or fertilize your pond to encourage algae growth for your fish to eat. If you just want the pond for looks keep it mowed around the edge to discourage snakes and use mosquito fish and Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) to reduce mosquito larvae populations.
The publication Mike referred to is available here: Managing Small Fishing Ponds and Lakes in Tennessee Related Video: How do I stop weeds taking over my pond? Fish for Water Features Related Resources: Pond Management Water Gardens and Ornamental Ponds Pond Management Guide |
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Protecting Shrubs and Perennials from Winter Cold
Winter is approaching. Understanding how to care for your perennial plants during the colder months can help them weather the cold. Here are some key strategies to help your garden thrive through winter.
Related Videos: Digging Up Flowers to Keep Over the Winter chip Laurel Winter Damage Severe Winter Plant Damage and What to Do About It Related Resources: How to Protect Plants from Frost and Freeze Eight tips to gear up the garden for cold weather |
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Introduction to Farm Goats
Raising goats can add a whole new dimension to your family garden. Jeff Terry, Farm Operations Manager at Bobby Lanier Farm Park in Germantown, Tennessee, talks about the basics of raising goats. Jeff talks about some of the features of goats including their eyes, teeth, and stomachs. He also talks about the breeds he has: Lamancha and Nigerian Dwarf. He describes what they eat and the shelter he uses. Jeff talks about goat milk and meat.
Related Videos: Chickens Fish for Water Features Related Resources: Penn State Extension: Goats Breeds of Livestock - Goat Breeds |
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Spring Flowering Shrubs
There are many Spring blooming shrubs. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond talks about camellia, forsythia, flowering quince, fothergilla, spirea, weigela, viburnum, azalea and rhododendron, lilac, ninebark, and deutzia. Most are deciduous, but there are some evergreen shrubs on the list. Some of these shrubs bloom very early and others bloom in late spring.
Related Videos: Spirea Viburnum Related Resources: Early Spring-Flowering Shrubs for the Landscape Pruning Flowering Shrubs |
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Fruit Tree Rootstock Basics
Retired UT Extension Agent, Mike Dennison, talks about fruit tree rootstocks. Rootstocks are the roots of one tree fruit onto which the top of another fruit tree is grafted. This is the preferred method for growing many different kinds of fruit trees. Rootstocks are chosen because they are more prolific and faster growing than tree from seed. Apples, pears, peaches, plums and nectarines are grown on rootstock. If you plant a seed from these trees the plant will probably not do as well or last as long as if it had been on a rootstock. Also, because of cross pollination, you don’t know what fruit you are going to get. Because of this it is best to purchase a grafted tree of the variety you want with the rootstock that will do well in your area. Mike gives a list of rootstocks that do well in Tennessee for many different fruits. This list will be different in other states. Contact your local Extension office to find out what rootstocks do best in your area.
Rootstocks also determine the final height of the tree in apples. Depending on what rootstock you choose the tree can be anywhere from 8 feet to 50 feet tall. Mike was referring to the UT Extension publication: Home Fruit Tree Plan Related Videos: Fruit Tree Planting Tips Fruit Tree Pruning Spraying Peach Trees Related Resources: Fruits and Nuts Home Fruit Tree Plan Fruit Culture in Alabama Recommended Rootstocks Growing Fruit: Grafting Fruit Trees in the Home Orchard |
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Keys for Growing Cool-Season Grasses in the Southern U.S.
As the seasons change, many gardeners will transition their flower beds from summer to winter annuals. There are several things you can do so your garden remains aesthetically pleasing through the colder months.
Related Videos: Killing and Replacing Grass Getting Lawnmowers Ready for Winter Related Resources: The Cool-Season Turfgrasses: Basic Structures, Growth and Development Cool-Season Grasses: Lawn Establishment and Renovation |
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Starting a Compost Pile
Composting is a great way to get free fertilizer for your garden. Garden Expert Tonya Ashworth explains that compost in addition to being a great soil conditioner, contains all the macro-and micro-nutrients your plants need. She builds a compost pile and explains what to add and what not to add. She also talks about weed seeds and manure in the compost pile. She builds the compost pile from leaves, grass clippings, and kitchen scraps. She talks about how to mix and take care of the new compost pile.
Related Videos: Composting Worm Composting Turning a Compost Pile Related Resources: Composting in home gardens Home Composting |
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Transforming Your Flower Bed
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Planting Fruit Trees: Prepare in the Fall to Plant in the Spring
As autumn settles in, now is the perfect time to prepare for planting fruit trees. While you may not be putting them in the ground just yet, the fall season is ideal for preparing your soil and planning your orchard.
These are the publications Mike referred: Fruit Culture in Alabama: Training and Pruning Tree Fruits Home Fruit Tree Plan Related Videos: Fall Fruit Tree Care Controlling Fruit Tree Pests Fruit Tree Pruning Related Resources: Growing Tree Fruits and Nuts in the Home Garden Fruit Tree Management Timetable Planting Fruit Trees |
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Caring for Bromeliads:
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Removing Honey Bees from Houses
Honey bees are great until they move into your house. The Bartlett Bee Whisperer David Glover is a hive remover and beekeeper. He talks about the process he uses to remove beehives from houses. David says if you suspect you have a beehive in your home look at the bees, if they are black and yellow, they are not honey bees but hornets or yellowjackets. Honey bees are muted colors. >>Read the Full Article
Related Videos: Beehive Tour How do I get rid of a nest of bees in my flower bed? Carpenter Bees Related Resources: Removing Bees from Walls Controlling Nuisance Honey Bees Honey Bees and Beekeeping |
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Keep Voles at Bay: Building Wire Cages to Protect Your Plants
Many gardeners face the challenge of protecting their plants from pesky voles. These small mouse-like rodents are notorious for invading gardens and feasting on the roots of beloved plants, especially tulip bulbs, lilies, and hostas. To prevent voles from munching on your investments over the winter, you can plant them in a wire cage. This will safeguard your plants while allowing them to grow unmolested.
Related Videos: Voles How to Plant Flower Bulbs Vole Proofing and Planting Hostas Related Resources: Voles Spring Flowering Bulbs Fall Planted Bulbs and Corms |
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Fertilizing Trees
Fertilizing trees gives them the nutrients they need, but it can help in other ways. Certified Arborist Wes Hopper talks about fertilizing trees and the different ways to do it. Roots need air and space in the soil. Certain fertilizing methods help create this space and get the fertilizer down into the ground where the tree can get it. Wes also talks about mycorrhiza and the interaction of fungus and plants. He also describes how proper fertilization will encourage tree roots to grow down and not grow on the surface. Wes also talks about pruning roots.
Related Videos: Encouraging Tree Feeder Root Growth How a Tree Works Related Resources: Fertilizing Shade Trees Fertilizing Trees & Shrubs |
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Common Insecticides:
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Chrysanthemums
TSU Extension Agent Joellen Dimond talks about chrysanthemums or mums. Chrysanthemums are popular for fall color. Chrysanthemums are early, middle, or late blooming, that’s how the stores keep blooming mums in stock for so long. Each plant will bloom for about two weeks. Chrysanthemums are perennials, meaning you can plant them in the ground and thy will come back the next year. They are picky about where they are planted. Joellen recommends planting them in a raised, well-drained area. When they die back in late fall, leave the dead foliage on the plant. This will help protect the crown of the plant from the cold weather. If you live in a colder area you may want to mulch around the plant and even in the branches. In the spring, remove the mulch and fertilize with a complete fertilizer. Fertilize again in June.
Often chrysanthemums will try to bloom in June or early July. If you let them bloom they may or may not bloom again in the fall. If you trim off all the blooms in early July, they will bloom better in the fall. Chrysanthemums are rather fungus and insect free. The insecticide pyrethrin comes from chrysanthemums. When you buy mums at the store, Joellen recommends getting plants that are just starting to bloom, that way the blooms will last the longest. Related Videos: Fall and Winter Flowers Planting Dusty Miller and Pansies How to Plant Flower Bulbs Chrysanthemum Lace Bug Related Resources: Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum Care |
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Understanding Common Fungicides: An Essential Guide
Fungicides are crucial tools in gardening and agriculture, designed primarily to prevent fungal diseases that can severely impact plants. Unlike insecticides, which target visible insects, fungicides are preventative measures aimed at stopping diseases before they become a problem. Once fungal diseases, such as leaf spots, have manifested on plants, there are no fungicides that can remove these spots. Instead, fungicides work to prevent the spread of the disease.
Related Videos: Mixing and Applying Fungicide Spraying Fungicide Related Resources: Fungicides and Bactericides for Home Fruits, Vegetables, and Ornamentals (UT Redbook) Using Organic Fungicides |
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Monarch Butterfly Tagging
Tagging monarch butterflies is a fun way you can participate in citizen science and help understand their migration patterns. Monarchs, known for their remarkable journey from North America to Central Mexico, can be tracked with the help of specialized tags. Here’s a detailed guide on how to properly tag these iconic butterflies.
Related Videos: Monarch Butterflies: Migration and Milkweed Monarch Butterflies Related Resources: MonarchWatch Monarch Butterfly, Danaus plexippus Linnaeus Migration of the Monarch Butterfly |
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Common Tree Diseases
Trees can look awful when they have a disease, even if that disease doesn’t cause long-term harm. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond talks about some of the most common tree diseases, what the symptoms look like and the appropriate treatment. She talks about anthracnose, bacterial scorch, oak leaf blister, shot hole disease, and powdery mildew.
Related Videos: Bacterial Leaf Scorch Powdery Mildew on Zinnias Related Resources: Diseases of Shade and Ornamental Trees Disease Control for Trees, Shrubs and Flowers |
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Preserving Herbs - Herb Vinegars
Sherri McCalla, Herb Curator for Memphis Botanic Garden talks about different ways to preserve herbs. The way most people think about is hanging the herbs to dry. This is a good way but has some draw-backs. Drying herbs reduces their flavor and some herbs can drop leaves or seeds as they dry. The dropping leaves can be caught by a screen or paper bag. Another option for preservation that keeps the taste is to make a paste by combining the herb with oil in a food processor then freezing the result (see below for Sheri's Herb Pesto Recipe). Another option is to make herb vinegars where the flavor is infused into the vinegar. The vinegar then can be used for dipping bread. Dried herbs can be ground and combined with salt to use to dip tomatoes or other vegetables. Another option is to put some herb sprigs into wine to add the herbs flavor.
Related Videos: Planting an Herb and Flower Container Garden Easy to Grow Herbs Related Resources: Herbs: Preserving and Using Harvesting, Drying and Storing Herbs Drying Herbs Sherri's Herb Pesto Recipe: Ingredients: 2 cups packed herb leaves 2 – 4 cloves garlic (to taste) 1/4 –1/2 cup nuts 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Directions: Choose whichever herbs you like: basil (basil, mints, tarragon, nettles, sage, etc. – experiment and try new pesto combinations. Sage can be a very strong flavor – use parsley in place of some of the sage to help tone it down a bit. Use your favorite nuts: pine nuts are traditional, but try pecans and walnuts, etc. Try toasting the nuts first for different flavor.) Make a paste by placing the herb leaves in a food processor - pulse until coarsely chopped, then add 1/3 cup of the oil and process until smooth. If freezing: transfer herb and oil mixture to an air tight container, drizzle the remaining oil over the processed paste and freeze. Thaw when desired, add cheese and nuts, serve. If using immediately, add the remaining 1/3 cup oil, and nuts and pulse until smooth. Transfer the blended nuts, oil, and herbs to a large serving bowl and mix in the cheese. Add the salt and pepper to taste. Serve with crackers or bread. |
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A Guide to Understanding
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Enhancing Your Landscape with Plant Screens
Plant screens serve multiple practical and aesthetic purposes, transforming outdoor spaces into private retreats and visually appealing environments.
Reasons to Use Plant Screens Privacy. One of the primary reasons people have plant screens is to create privacy. Screens can block the view of neighbors, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space in private. Aesthetic Value Screens can also conceal less attractive features of your property, such as storage sheds or work areas, allowing you to relax without having to look at them. Wildlife Habitat. Plant screens can provide shelter and food for birds and other wildlife. A varied selection of plant heights and types can attract a diverse range of species. Choosing the Right Plants When selecting plants for your screen, you should use a mix of species rather than relying on a single type. This not only adds visual interest but also reduces the risk of a pest or disease damaging or killing your entire screen. Here are some plant options to consider: 1. Arborvitae Varieties - American Pillar (Thuja occidentalis 'American Pillar'): Known for its medium to fast growth rate, this arborvitae forms a dense, upright screen, ideal for creating a solid backdrop. It reaches a mature width of about 6-8 feet and a height of about 30 feet. - Thin Man (Thuja occidentalis 'Thin Man'): With a narrower profile – about 2-3 feet – this cultivar is perfect for tight spaces. Its columnar form makes it a great option for restricted areas. - Skywalker (Thuja occidentalis 'Skywalker'): This variety offers a medium width of 4-6 feet and reaches heights of about 15 feet, fitting nicely between the broader American Pillar and the slimmer Thin Man. 2. Broadleaf Evergreens - Foster Holly (Ilex x attenuata 'Fosteri'): A native hybrid known for its impressive size, reaching up to 30 feet tall. It is evergreen so it provides year-round privacy and features attractive berries in fall that benefit local wildlife. - Hardy Anise Tree (Illicium parviflorum): This versatile plant thrives in both sunny and shaded areas. It grows to about 15 feet high and wide. It has dense foliage that when crushed has a unique licorice scent. 3. Deciduous Shrubs -Sweetshrub (Calycanthus): A native shrub offering early spring and summer blooms with large, attractive leaves that come in multiple shapes on the same plant. - Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus): Known for its long summer bloom period, it provides color and visual interest for most of the summer. - Paniculata Hydrangea: These hydrangeas can grow quite large and are effective in creating a lush, flowering screen. Creating a Balanced Screen Incorporating a mix of evergreen and deciduous plants allows for year-round interest, seasonal variation, and summer flowers. Evergreens can form the backbone of your screen, providing consistent, dense coverage throughout the year. Deciduous shrubs add dynamic elements with their changing colors and blooms. When planning your plant screen, consider spacing plants appropriately to fill gaps and ensure your screen develops fully over time. A well-thought-out combination of plant types will not only enhance the privacy and beauty of your landscape but also support local wildlife and add long-term value to your outdoor space. Related Videos: Seven Great Landscape Trees Eleven Common Landscape Mistakes Landscape Planning Related Resources: Plants for Mixed Privacy Screens Mixed Screens |
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Summer Rose Care: Tips to Get Your Rose Plant Ready for Prolific
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The Secret to Houseplants:
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Killing and Replacing Grass
Before you install new grass, a garden or even a playground you need to make sure your existing grass is really and truly dead. UT Extension Agent Joseph Seago explains the steps for killing the old grass and installing the sod.
Related Videos: How To Lay Sod Do I need to kill my existing grass before I lay sod? Related Resources: Lawn (Turfgrass) Removal Methods Sod Installation and Maintenance |
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Catch That Critter - How to Set Up a Havahart Live Animal Trap
When dealing with unwanted wildlife, a live animal – or Havahart – trap can be an effective solution. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison shows how to bate and set the trap and gives tips and tricks to make sure you catch that nuisance animal. He also talks about some laws and regulations around handling trapped animals.
Related Videos: How do you get rid of moles without using traps? Fences to Keep the Critters Out of the Garden Common Garden Pests Related Resources: Managing Nuisance Animals and Associated Damage Around the Home Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency FAQ on Animal Damage Control Nuisance Wildlife Control: A Training Manual: Tools and Techniques |
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Long-Term Losers in Southeastern Landscapes
Long-Term Losers in Southeastern Landscapes: What to Avoid and What to Plant Instead
Gardening in the southeast United States comes with its own set of challenges because of the region’s unique climate and soil conditions. Certain popular plant species have proven to be poor performers in this environment. UT Extension Horticulture Specialist Celleste Scott looks at some of the "long-term losers" in southeastern gardening and recommends some better alternatives. Leyland Cypress: A Cautionary Tale Leyland cypress was once a popular choice for large-scale plantings, It features rapid growth and dense foliage. However, this tree has increasingly struggled in the Southeast due to a disease called Seiridium Canker, which is exacerbated by the region’s humidity and summer droughts. The disease causes the tree to develop unsightly brown branches and decline in health over time. Steer clear of Leyland cypress and consider alternatives like the Eastern Redcedar or Arborvitae. Eastern Redcedar, a native species, is resilient, adaptable to various soil types, and offers attractive form and color. Arborvitae, provides similar evergreen qualities with diverse options in size and appearance. Bradford Pear: A Plant to Avoid Bradford Pear, a cultivar of Callery Pear, is infamous for its invasiveness and structural weaknesses. It suffers from weak branch unions that can easily break under stress resulting in a short-lived tree. It is highly recommended to avoid planting Bradford Pear in favor of more reliable options. Birds disperse the seeds which produce thickets of thorny growth. The Eastern Redbud is an excellent alternative, offering vibrant purple blooms in early spring and a variety of leaf colors. Another option is the American Fringetree, which produces striking white, billowy blooms in late spring and features lush, dark green foliage. Flowering Shrubs: What Works and What Doesn’t When it comes to flowering shrubs, roses and azaleas can be problematic in the Southeast. Roses are prone to Rose Rosette disease, spread by mites and currently without a cure. Azaleas, while beloved for their vibrant blooms, require specific conditions to thrive: Proper light, low pH soil, and consistent irrigation. Without proper care, they are susceptible to pests like the Azalea Lace Bug. For those seeking alternatives, the Red Twig Dogwood (technically Silky Dogwood, Cornus amomum) stands out. Celeste especially likes the cultivar 'Cayenne.' This shrub offers year-round interest with bright red stems in winter, white blooms in spring, and vibrant foliage that transitions to purple in fall. Hydrangeas are another good choice, with species that adapt well to varying light and soil conditions. Viburnums, also provide a range of options, including the popular Spring Lace variety, which resembles hydrangeas in bloom and is well-suited to southeastern landscapes. While no plant can be guaranteed to thrive perfectly in every garden, selecting species suited to the southeastern climate can significantly enhance gardening success. Avoiding known problem plants like Leyland cypress and Bradford Pear, and choose resilient alternatives like Eastern Redcedar, Arborvitae, Eastern Redbud, and Viburnum, These plants will help you build a more sustainable and beautiful garden. Related Videos: Seven Great Landscape Trees Viburnum Related Resources: Trees in the Home Landscape Small Deciduous Trees Search for the best tree based on site characteristics |
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Common Summer Vegetable Garden Problems
There are certain problems that seem to affect every vegetable garden. UT Assistant Professor of Residential and Consumer Horticulture Natalie Bumgarner points out five of the most common problem and talks about how to prevent or fix them. Three of the five are problems of tomatoes: early blight, tomato horn worm, and blossom end rot. Blossom end rot also affects many other garden vegetables. She also talks about bacterial spot on peppers and powdery mildew on squash.
Related Videos: Tomato Early Blight Blossom End Rot Tomato Hornworms Related Resources: Early Blight of Tomatoes Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon Tomato hornworms in home gardens |
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Changing Garden Soil pH
The correct pH is critical for garden success. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison explains that most plants like a soil pH between 5.8 and 6.2. If you are outside this range, you will need to correct the soil pH to allow plants to absorb the nutrients they need. Mike talks about the different products to raise and lower pH. To raise pH lime is used. To lower pH sulfur is used. Mike has a few blueberry plants that require very acid soils so he shows how to use a soil test to calculate the amount of sulfur to use. He then applies the sulfur.
Related Videos: Taking a Soil Sample Liming a Lawn Related Resources: Changing the pH of Your Soil How To Change Your Soil's pH |
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IPM (Integrated Pest Management)
The goal of IPM is to focus on the non-chemical control methods of pests. TSU Extension Agent Amy Dismukes explains that often the chemical control method may not be needed. First you need to determine what is going on and recognize and correctly identify the insect or disease damage. Just because you see a problem does not mean it needs to be treated.
IPM includes cultural control like keeping weeds pulled to deny a hiding place for insects. It also includes mechanical solutions like proper pruning or removing fallen plant material. IPM also includes biological controls like beneficial insects. If an insect infestation is minimal and some beneficials are present, the beneficials will likely take care of the problem. The last approach is the chemical approach when the problem has reached a point where immediate control is necessary. When using chemicals use the most targeted, lowest power insecticide you can. After talking about IPM, Amy shows some examples of insect damage that does not require control in the normal way. Related Videos: Horticultural Oils Organic Gardening Cultural Lawn Weed Control Related Resources: IPM: Smart pest management for the vegetable garden Integrated Pest Management (IPM)for Home Gardeners Integrated Pest Management Ideas for Vegetable Gardens |
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Tomato Support: The Florida Weave
Tomatoes need to be supported as they grow to prevent disease and fungus. UT Assistant Professor of Residential and Consumer Horticulture, Natalie Bumgarner, shows how to use the Florida weave method to hold up tomato plants. The Florida weave – also called the California weave or basket weave – uses twine strung between stakes to hold up the tomato plants. Natalie talks about different post and twine options. She shows how to tie the twine to support the tomatoes and gives pointers on tying the tomatoes up.
Related Videos: Tying up Tomato Plants Tying Up Tomatoes Related Resources: Growing Tomatoes Tomatoes - Staking |
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Easy Drip Irrigation System
Installing a drip irrigation system makes it so your plants get the water you need without you having to stand in the sweltering heat of summer every day. Master Gardner Melisa Nowag talks about all the equipment and steps to install a drip irrigation system for your garden. She talks about timers, pipes, couplings, and risers (sprinkler heads).
Melisa then puts together a simple system to water a vegetable raised bed. She starts with a main half inch pipe and shows how to connect it to a hose. Then she attaches smaller tubing that runs to an emitter (sprinkler head) for each plant. Related Resources: Drip Irrigation for Home Gardens Building and Operating a Home Fruit and Vegetable Garden Irrigation System Drip Irrigation for the Yard and Garden |
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Types of Lilies and How to
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Lawn Aeration
UT Extension Agent Booker T. Leigh shows how to aerate your lawn. Aeration is important to loosen compact soil and allow water, air, and fertilizer to reach the roots of the grass. Aeration does not have to be done frequently in a home lawn, every five years is enough. Aeration should be done when the grass is breaking dormancy: April-May for warm season grasses like Bermuda, September for cool season grasses like fescue. Aeration is done a lot like mowing. The aerator travels back and forth across the grass covering the whole lawn. To make sure you covered the lawn you can also aerate it going the other way too. Leave the plugs the aerator pulls out on the lawn. They will break down after a few rain storms.
Related Videos: Cultural Lawn Weed Control How to Calibrate Your Fertilizer Spreader Related Resources: Aerating Lawns Aerating Your Lawn |
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Deadheading Knockout RosesDeadheading, the practice of removing spent blooms, improves the look of your plants and encourages additional flowering.
Understanding Deadheading Knock Out roses, known for their prolific blooming throughout the season, benefit from deadheading. As blooms age and wither, the plant puts energy into creating seeds not flowers. Removing these spent blooms encourages the plant to put more energy into new flowers. When to Deadhead The best time to deadhead Knock Out roses is when the blooms have faded or started to wilt. This is typically after a flush of flowering, which could last for a couple of months. Look for blooms that have turned papery or discolored. Tools and Techniques Before starting, you need to prepare your tools. Use sharp pruners or scissors and sterilize them with rubbing alcohol to prevent the spread of diseases among plants, as roses are particularly susceptible. A clean cut, just above a healthy leaf node encouraged new growth at that node. Related Videos: Deadheading Roses Deadheading Butterfly Bush Related Resources: Cutting or "Deadheading" Roses Rose Rosette Disease |
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Deadheading Butterfly Bush
Fading blooms on a butterfly bush can make the plant look messy. Removing those spent blooms improves the look of the bush and encourages more blooms. Landscape Specialist Rosa Garcia shows how to deadhead butterfly bushes.
Related Videos: Planting a Butterfly Garden My butterfly bush dies every winter and I have to replace it. What can I do? Related Resources: Butterfly Bush Growing Butterfly Bushes in the Home Landscape |
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Invasive Plants
Non-native invasive plants are a major problem. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says invasive plants can cause extinction of native plants and animals and alter habitat. Not all non-native plants are invasive. Invasive plants tend to be vigorous growers that produce many seeds and easily adapt to different environmental conditions – in short, they have the characteristics gardeners want in their plants. Many were brought to this country on purpose as easy to grow garden plants. A good example of this is the Bradford pear which Joellen describes.
Joellen identifies the top 6 invasive plants in the United States: 1. Kudzu 2. Norway Maple 3. Japanese Honeysuckle 4. Purple Loosestrife 5. Japanese Barberry 6. English Ivy Joellen says each state has a list of plants that are invasive in that state. Gardeners should not purchase or plant plants that are on the list in their state. Related Videos: Are all barberry plants invasive and draw ticks? How do I remove Italian Arum successfully? Related Resources: Identification and Control of Non-Native Invasive Forest Plants in Tennessee Invasive Plants |
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Inviting Lizards into Your Garden: A Guide to Creating a Habitat
Lizards can be valuable helpers in the garden, and attracting them is easier than you might think. Mary Schmidt from Lichterman Nature Center in Memphis, Tennessee says creating a suitable habitat is key, focusing on elements like food, water, shelter, and space. Since most lizards are insectivores, incorporating native plants to attract insects is a great start. Because lizards are cold-blooded, providing spots for them to bask in the sun or seek shelter from its heat, such as rocks or hiding spots like snag piles, helps them regulate their body temperature. >>Read More
Related Videos: Frogs and Toads Bats Opossums Monarch Butterflies: Migration and Milkweed Related Resources: Green Anole Eastern Glass Lizard Beneficials in the Garden: Skink Lizards |
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Repotting Grocery Store Orchids
Repot your grocery store orchid to keep it alive and healthy. Orchid expert Randall Bayer shows how. Orchids live on trees in tropical areas. Their roots absorb water from the almost daily rains in those areas. The tree bark where they are growing then quickly dries out. The orchids store the water in special structures called pseudo bulbs or in their leaves. Orchids for sale in stores are usually potted in sphagnum peat moss. The peat moss holds water and does not let the orchid roots dry out between watering like they do in the wild. This means that without special attention, the roots will rot, and the plant will die in a short time. To keep the plant from dying the orchid must be repotted. Randall repots an orchid purchased in a grocery store and shows and explains all the steps.
Related Videos: Repotting Houseplants Spring Houseplant Care Related Resource: Orchids as Houseplants Repot orchids for encore bloom performance |
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Native Plants for Xeriscaping in the Southeast U.S.
When you think of Xeriscaping you usually think of cactuses and lots of rocks, but in the South-east United States selecting the right native plants for your landscape will eliminate the need to water even in the hottest summers.
Jessie Munson from Lichterman Nature Center in Memphis, Tennessee says our climate many have wet springs, but in the summer, we can go over a month without rain. This can stress many plants, but native plants are already used to it and can thrive in the heat without water. >>Read More Related Videos: Introduction to Rain Gardens Rain Gardens Building a Rain Barrel Related Resources: Xeriscaping: Creative Landscaping Creating a Water-Wise Landscape |