Soil tests provide accurate information about the overall health of garden, crop or lawn soils. For optimal gardening success and plant growth, always test soil health before planting seeds or applying fertilizers.

Seeds bring diversity to a garden.seeds image by Jane from Fotolia.comLearning the basics of planting seeds is not only educational, but it is also enjoyable. Growing plants from seed gives gardeners a chance to grow things that are not available locally, such as heirloom flowers or...

As your mother always told you, carrots are good for you - chock-full of fiber and vitamins. They're beautiful too, with lacy, fernlike foliage that's perfect for containers and flower borders. Carrots are cool-season veggies, but they perform best in temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees F.

Prayer plant (Maranta) is a native perennial of Brazil and a popular houseplant. The plant generally has a low growth habit, although some varieties are larger. The plant thrives in moderately humid temperatures of between 60 to 85 degrees. The wide, oval, green plant foliage has pinkish...

The loquat is a lovely evergreen tree that produces sweet fruits in spring. Learn more about the growing requirements here.

A buttercup flower.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty ImagesEvery year in Texas, toxic plant poisonings cause an estimated $50 million to $100 million in livestock losses, according to Texas A&M University. Gardeners and farmers can control these plants by identifying them and knowing their...

The geranium's bright blooms decorate the garden for many months of the year. This versatile perennial thrives in just about any garden situation.

If you have a palm tree that you would like to remove from your property, there are a couple of ways to approach the task. The strategy you take will depend primarily on how quickly you need the tree removed and the size of the tree. Here's what to do.

Magnolia trees are widely grown in the South and enhance any landscape with their beautiful flowers. Young trees need a great deal of care and maintenance, but once established they are easy to grow.

Spruces (Picea spp.) are evergreen trees or shrubs found in a number of forms and shades. These trees can adapt to a variety of climates and soils but require adequate moisture and drainage. A handful of insects may occasionally become bothersome pests of spruce.

If you've ever wondered how such a beautiful flower wound up with the moniker “toad lily,” author Allan Armitage has the answer. Members of a tribe in the Philippines believe that the juice from the toad lily, botanically named Tricyrtis, rubbed on one's hands, not only attracts toads, b

Worker bees, which are female bees that can't reproduce, fly from flower to flower collecting nectar and pollen. The worker bees then feed the nectar and pollen to the colony's larvae, juvenile forms of the bees. Some pollen collected from one flower is also deposited by the bees on other flowers to

The grace smoke tree provides visual interest year-round with stunning blooms and foliage. A cross between the European smoke bush and the American smoke tree, the small grace smoke tree reaches up to 15 feet in height when mature. The trees work well when planted near shrubs or in small groups to c

Lemon trees are a fine addition to a backyard garden. While those in tropical climates can leave lemon trees alone for the winter, growers in less temperate areas will need to wrap their lemon plants for winter protection. Alternatively, plant your lemon tree in a container and pull the container in

Whites and pastels stand out under shade trees.woodland garden image by hazel proudlove from Fotolia.comDark colors are hard to see in shade, so use white and pastel flowers and variegated foliage in shady areas. When choosing plants to grow under a shade tree, consider the amount of...

Calla lilies are a beautiful and long lasting. They make simple, elegant boutonnieres for weddings, proms or Easter.

Evergreen trees make beautiful accents in a landscape.cypress image by Przemyslaw Malkowski from Fotolia.comEvergreen trees are ideal for use as screens or privacy hedges because of their generally fast growth and height. Several varieties are available that grow well in a wide range of...

Tennessee soils and climates are optimal for a variety of trees to thrive. Not only do trees give shade and shelter to wildlife, they also provide food for both humans and animals. Fruit and nut trees make useful additions to landscaping. Pear, quince and mulberry are some of the fruit trees grown i

No one wants to cry at her own wedding, when someone gives her a bouquet, or when working in the garden. But if you're allergic to flowers, that's exactly what might happen. Watery eyes, sneezing, and respiratory problems associated with these allergies can be avoided by choosing less allergenic flo

The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Agency states that Americans produce about 600 million gallons of used motor oil annually, and from that, "approximately 250 million gallons of oil are disposed of improperly." Motor oil can have an incredibly detrimental effect on the environment,