Have you ever taken a stroll through your veggie or fruit patch to find full blooms and gotten really excited only to see that nothing comes of them? This is one of the most disheartening things that can happen to a gardener, and the reason behind this is a lack of pollination.
We all love the bright colors and plentiful blooms of annuals. But let’s face it, they’re not exactly the most economical plants for your garden. Even if you save some money by buying annuals from seed, the cost over the years adds up, especially if you focus on annuals more than perennials. Fortunately, there is a way to ensure that you get your annual fix without having to break the bank in the process. Read on to find out about our favorite annuals that masquerade as perennials and come back every year.
Gardening is a soothing, peaceful pastime that brings you in touch with the earth and allows you to spend time cultivating life and growing food and flowers for your family. That is until a massive wave of pests come through and rips your carefully tended plants to shreds. Though it’s impossible to keep every single creature from your garden, there are ways to limit the pesky critters that seem obsessed with eating your plants. Check out our favorite pest control methods, that don’t require harmful chemicals.
High blood pressure or hypertension is a common condition where the heart pumps blood with extra force. This puts the arteries under heavy load and eventually leads to cardiovascular disease, a major cause of death in many developed countries, including the United States.
Epsom salt is familiar to gardeners as a fertilizer. When you find your plants looking tired, giving them a small dose of Epsom salt is a quick way to rejuvenate them. This is particularly true for ferns and palms. Roses, azaleas, tomatoes, peppers, and fruit trees also respond well to its regular application with increased flowering and yield. If that’s not enough, this inexpensive non-toxic solution can help keep pests out of your garden, too.
Aloe vera is one of those intriguing plants that checks all the boxes. It is drought resistant and incredibly tolerant of forgetful waterers. It is useful for health and beauty. And it looks absolutely stunning in your home or garden. This succulent is a great place to start if you have no experience with plants but is also an excellent addition to the extensive collection of any avid gardener. Here are just a few reasons everyone show have an aloe plant in their home and how to grow this hardy succulent.
Treats sunburn
Even if you’ve never grown an aloe plant, you are probably well aware of the soothing and healing properties it has on a nasty sunburn. When you break off a piece of the plant and squeeze out the clear gel onto your battle scars from a day in the sun, it works to heal the skin at a cellular level. It also protects the skin from future burns and keeps it from drying out and peeling by locking in moisture.
Fights aging
Wrinkles and fine lines are an inevitable part of aging. However, aloe vera is a natural way to increase skin elasticity and fight off those tell-tale signs for a few more years. This plant is loaded with antioxidants and vitamins such as beta carotene, and vitamin C and E that restore your skins natural firmness and keep it hydrated
Improves acne
Acne is a frustrating and irritating skin condition that doesn’t always go away once you escape the throes of puberty. Adult acne sufferers often deal with oily skin, clogged pores, and massive pimples that linger for days. Thankfully, aloe contains salicylic acid, which is an exfoliant that helps unclog pores, and it works as an anti-inflammatory on the oil glands that cause acne. Whip up an aloe vera face mask or simply use it as an overnight spot treatment for problem areas and rinse it off in the morning.
Remember: Aloe vera is a great topical solution but should not be taken orally as it can cause indigestion and nausea. Make sure to keep your plants out of reach of dogs and cats since it is toxic to pets if ingested.
How to grow aloe vera:
All these amazing skin benefits and more are just a few steps away. Read on to find out how to grow your own aloe vera plant today.
Place it in indirect sunlight
Most gardeners choose to keep aloe vera as a houseplant since it only thrives outdoors in very warm climates and will not survive a frost. It is possible to keep your aloe outside in containers over the summer but be sure to move them into your house over the cold winter.
Keep your aloe plants in bright-indirect sunlight. Too much direct light (such as extended time in a windowsill) can actually cause your aloe to dry out and cause the leaves to turn yellow.
Choose the right pot
Porous pots such as terra cotta work best for the aloe plant since it is a succulent and prefers dry soil. You can use glazed or plastic containers, but they tend to hold more moisture so you will have to be careful not to overwater. Be sure that the pot has at least one hole in the bottom to allow excess water to drain out.
Meet soil requirements
Choose a light, well-draining potting mix such as one specifically designed for succulents and cacti. The mix should contain lava rock, coarse sand, perlite, or a combination of all three. Do not use regular garden soil as it is too heavy and does not allow water to drain, which could lead to rotting and wilting.
Water deeply
When you do water your aloe plant, (about once every three weeks or when the soil is completely dry about 2 inches down) be sure to water it thoroughly. Water until the excess comes out of the drainage hole. Remember, overwatering is the most common reason that many people struggle with growing aloe plants. They thrive on neglect so don’t baby this hardy houseplant.
Have you ever grown an aloe vera plant? What are your favorite uses for aloe in your beauty routine? Let us know in the comments below!
-Taylor Ramsey
Terrarium (Pl. terrariums/terraria) by definition is a miniature garden sealed in a glass container. They are excellent for displaying beautiful plants individually or as a composition that represents a piece of nature. They take a bit of effort to set up but are easy to maintain and add a beautiful and delicate touch to any space.
It would almost be easier to list what echinacea can’t do rather than what it can. This vibrant purple plant is a veritable gold mine of healing properties and has been used for hundreds of years to treat many issues including pain, inflammation, migraines, and can even act as a remedy for the common cold and flu. So what exactly are the health benefits of this wonder herb and how can you grow it today?
If you live in a part of the country that regularly experiences temperatures between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the summer months, you have good cause to be concerned about your plants in the baking heat. Though plants do need the bright sun and usually thrive in the summer, the blistering intensity of a heat wave combined with less rainfall can often cause serious problems for your garden. Here are 5 ways to protect your garden this summer.
The early mornings are my favorite time of day to visit my flower garden. The birds and bees are busy, and with the glistening of dew still on their leaves, a few of my favorite flowers awake to greet the sunrise. These include morning glories, gazing daisies, California poppies, and Venice mallow, to name a few. But, there are other times when the garden comes to life with afternoon or evening bloomers that showcase their colors and fragrances under the light of the moon.
Passionflowers are the strikingly attractive blooms of plants belonging to the Passiflora genus. The flower got its name because early Christian missionaries to South America drew some parallels between its floral structures and the passion of Christ.
Susan has been nurturing her gardening tips and advice for over 00 years, it’s fair to say she knows her beans. She’ll be sharing her knowledge from tried and tested methods.
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