Home & Garden: How to Use Borax to Kill Ivy

How to Use Borax to Kill Ivy

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral salt that has many household uses, most often as a cleaning agent. This substance also has outdoor uses, however, including its application in the elimination or control of many types of plants, such as invasive ivy vines. Use borax with extreme caution in a ya

Home & Garden: How to Maintain Giant Belgium Tomato Plants

How to Maintain Giant Belgium Tomato Plants

Belgium tomato plants also are called Lycopersicon esculentum and are a giant tomato variety. The plants take longer to produce fruit than other tomatoes, typically up to 90 days. For this reason, Belgium tomatoes are typically grown in warmer climates with long growing seasons. Once fruit develops,

Home & Garden: Is My Hibiscus Dead?

Is My Hibiscus Dead?

Figuring out if your hibiscus is dead helps you understand what course of action to take. For example, hibiscus plants enter dormancy in the winter, which often gives them the appearance of being dead. Alternately, actual health problems cause them to look like they are dead or dying. Gardeners must

Home & Garden: About the Knockout Rose Bush

About the Knockout Rose Bush

The knock out rose (Rosa Radrazz) is a rose variety developed by William J. Radler, a breeder from Wisconsin. The shrub is a cross between two patented rose varieties: the razzle dazzle and the carefree beauty. The knock out rose bush was introduced in 2000 by the Conrad-Pyle Company, and is widely

Home & Garden: Properties of Paulownia Wood

Properties of Paulownia Wood

The paulownia tree is commonly referred to as the kiri, empress or princess tree. This tree has been used throughout Japan to make everything from furniture to musical instruments. The many appealing properties of paulownia wood are responsible for the increase in the wood's popularity. Today, paulo

Home & Garden: Greenhouse Aphids

Greenhouse Aphids

Aphids can become a major problem in a greenhouse. The small creatures can easily spread between plants. Aphids are difficult to control with insecticides; the use of natural methods is advised.

Home & Garden: Symptoms That Your Tree Roots Are Into Your Septic System

Symptoms That Your Tree Roots Are Into Your Septic System

Septic systems are designed to provide sewage services for a single residence or building. Septic systems are not maintained by the city and the maintenance of the tank and system are the responsibility of the property owner. Tree roots that grow to the point where they interfere with the septic sys

Home & Garden: The Planting Depth for Calla Lilies

The Planting Depth for Calla Lilies

Charge up the landscape with a flower that is sure to invite a positive reaction from passersby. Plant calla lilies in your garden for the visual interest of their striking flowers and notable leaves. Although this member of the Zantedeschia family is only hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Pla

Home & Garden: The Time of Year for Maple Cuttings

The Time of Year for Maple Cuttings

Several varieties of maple trees grow throughout the United States, including the red maple, black maple and sugar maple. Though maples are not commonly grown through cuttings, you can use cuttings to clone a successful tree and to propagate new trees. For successful propagation of maple cuttings, y

Home & Garden: How to Overwinter Perennials in the Dark Garage

How to Overwinter Perennials in the Dark Garage

If you grow perennials in containers for display or if you simply did not finish planting the perennials you have, you may be able to store them in your garage over the winter. Your success rate will depend on the hardiness rating of the perennial, the coldest temperatures in your garage and the tre

Home & Garden: How to Grow Black Raspberries in a Hoophouse

How to Grow Black Raspberries in a Hoophouse

Black raspberries (Rubus occidentalis) have arching canes and tolerate higher temperatures than red raspberries (R. idaeus). Black raspberries, also called black caps, are self-fertile. A single cane produces fruit. They bear in June in most locations and produce a prolific crop. Black raspberries g

Home & Garden: How to Identify Flower Bulbs Without Leaves

How to Identify Flower Bulbs Without Leaves

Planting a lush garden with many blooms and colors is a dream for many gardeners. Precise planning and layout are usually the key components in an orderly and naturally gorgeous flower bed. However, there may have already been flowers planted in the flower bed, ones that you are not familiar with, o

Home & Garden: Lawn Problems After the Snow Melts

Lawn Problems After the Snow Melts

Lawn damage is sometimes evident after snow melts in the late winter. Gardeners may see dead patches in the lawn, which indicates that your grass has contracted a fungal disease called snow mold. There are different kinds of snow mold diseases that differ in their color. It is important for the heal

Home & Garden: How to Remove Damaged Orchid Leaves

How to Remove Damaged Orchid Leaves

With their captivating beauty and uncanny ability to elevate the ambiance and prestige of a space, orchids are also perceived as high maintenance and finicky flowers. Enthusiasts go to great lengths to preserve orchids' delicate appearance to ensure they thrive for years to come. Care for yours by

Home & Garden: How to Kill a Sycamore Tree Organically

How to Kill a Sycamore Tree Organically

Sycamore trees are one of the largest varieties of broadleaf trees in North America, according to the University of Florida. Although mature specimens are useful as shade trees in some settings, they can be difficult to kill in unwanted locations. Cutting a sycamore eliminates the need for chemicals

Home & Garden: Calla Lily Bulb Sources

Calla Lily Bulb Sources

Calla lilies grow from bulbs that are available from several providers.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty ImagesCalla lilies grow from bulbs that cannot withstand cold temperatures. For best growing results, the bulbs should be planted in an area with morning sun and some afternoon shade. If...

Home & Garden: How to Get a Vineyard Vines Sticker

How to Get a Vineyard Vines Sticker

The Vineyard Vines clothing company was founded by a pair of brothers, Shep and Ian Murrary. The Martha's Vineyard-based clothing company's roots can be traced back to 1998. Vineyard Vines sells traditional preppy-style clothing including polo-style shirts, oxford button-downs, chinos and whimsical

Home & Garden: How to Control Red Spider Mites

How to Control Red Spider Mites

These mites are also called two spotted spider mites and just simply spider mites. They attack a wide variety of plants, trees and shrubs.

Home & Garden: Flowers for a Window Box in New Hampshire

Flowers for a Window Box in New Hampshire

Your plant choices depend on your window's sun exposure.WINDOW BOX image by brelsbil from Fotolia.comChoosing flowers for your New Hampshire window box is dependent on one important issue: the kind of sun you get during the growing season. If your window box is south-facing and gets sun...

Home & Garden: What Are Some Special Characteristics Mole Crickets Have?

What Are Some Special Characteristics Mole Crickets Have?

The mole cricket is a largely subterranean variety of cricket that is found throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as in foreign countries. They thrive in several different soil types, depending upon the species, and are considered a pest among gardeners and farmers be