There are few things in the garden that cause as much dread in the gardener as their tomato flowers falling off. One day, the plants are blooming like crazy, and the next, the flowers are shriveled up, laying on the ground next to your plant. You wonder what you did wrong and how to stop it from happening again. Rest assured, there are reasons why tomato flowers sometimes drop from plants and there are ways to prevent it from happening. In this article, I share 6 reasons for tomato blossom drop and offer practical solutions.
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How to care for a fuchsia hanging basket
Fuchsias produce really fascinating-looking blooms in various colors, with frilled or flouncy petals, some of which look as though they may take flight, and a spray of stamens bursting from the center. I think the trailing types are best displayed in hanging baskets so they can cascade over the edges, allowing you to look up and really admire the full flower. From a viewing perspective, they often point downwards. Luckily this isn’t a problem for bees and hummingbirds! Fuchsias also work well in pots and window boxes. In this article, I’m going to share some tips on caring for a fuchsia hanging basket throughout the summer months, so you can enjoy those otherworldly blooms right through until the first frost of autumn.
Begonia maculata: How to grow the polka dot begonia
Featuring deep olive-green leaves peppered with silver polka dots, Begonia maculata looks a bit like a Dr. Seuss drawing come to life. Besides its official scientific name, this striking plant is also known by the common name spotted begonia. You might also hear it called the polka dot begonia or even the trout begonia. As if its spots weren’t interesting enough, Begonia maculata‘s leaf undersides are an arresting burgundy color as well. In this article, I’ll share growing and care information for this unique begonia.
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When to plant dahlia bulbs: 3 options for lots of beautiful blooms
There are many reasons to plant dahlias in your garden. First, the plants are easy to grow and offer months of gorgeous blooms in a wide assortment of flower shapes, sizes, and colors. You can enjoy those blooms in the garden or cut them for beautiful bouquets and arrangements. Healthy, vigorous plants offer the greatest display of flowers and the best way to get a strong start to the growing season is knowing when to plant dahlia bulbs. Below I’ll walk you through all the options of when to plant dahlia bulbs.
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When to plant gladioli bulbs in gardens and containers
One of the most common mistakes gardeners make in determining when to plant gladioli bulbs is forgetting to take their local climate into account. Fortunately, figuring out what may work best for you is pretty straightforward. You can enjoy a succession of blooms for staggered cut flower bouquets or, if you prefer, you can plan a massive show of gladioli flower stalks which come on simultaneously. Regardless of which one you’re aiming for, in this article, you’ll learn the best timing and techniques for success.
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How to grow mitsuba in your herb garden
I seem to have a thing for parsleys (curly and flat-leaf parsley, parsley root) and growing unique flavors in my garden. Mitsuba was one of those new-to-me herbs to grow myself, but a familiar flavor because I’d tasted it in Japanese dishes. Also called Japanese honewort, Japanese wild parsley and white chervil, mitsuba (Cryptotaenia japonica) is pretty easy to grow from seed. In this article, I’m going to explain how to grow this flavorful ingredient in your own garden.
