When Martha Stewart needs advice about how to grow edible houseplants and potted fruit trees, she visits Logee’s Greenhouses in Danielson, Connecticut. The owners of Logee’s, Byron Martin and Laurelynn Martin, are experts on how to grow all kinds of fruiting, tropical, and rare plants. Their latest book, Edible Houseplants, is a guide to growing 46 edible and fruit-bearing plants inside a home, a greenhouse, or on a sunny patio. The plants featured in the book include citrus trees such as lemon, lime, and grapefruit. They also include advice on growing mangos, bananas, figs, guavas, vanilla vine, black pepper plant, and much more. The book contains colorful photos of each type of plant, along with complete guidelines for growing the plants. “Because of the Martins, I now grow my own oranges, lemons, grapefruits, limes, carambolas, coffee beans, calamondins, papayas, vanilla, passion fruit, figs, and guavas,” said home maven Martha Stewart. “I rely on them for advice about the … [Read more...] about Grow Edible Houseplants and Potted Fruit Trees
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How to Plant an Apple Tree
Plant an Apple Tree Using these Step-by-Step Instructions. Planting an apple tree involves a combination of art and science. It begins with understanding your local conditions and ends with ongoing tree care. In this story, we will provide step-by-step instructions and photos showing the mechanics of how to plant an apple tree. Container-grown trees can be planted in the spring or fall. Bare root trees can be planted in the spring or fall when the trees are dormant. For more information about selecting the specific variety of apple tree that’s best for you, please read Chose the Right Variety of Apple Tree. Before You Go to the Tree Nursery Before you buy an apple tree, make sure there is enough space in your yard to accommodate a mature tree. Standard (full-sized) apple trees can reach 30-40 feet tall and can have a spread (width) of 30-40 feet. A semi-dwarf apple tree can grow to 14-20 feet tall and wide. A dwarf apple tree at maturity will typically reach 6-12 feet … [Read more...] about How to Plant an Apple Tree
Best Garden Pruners and Pruning Shears
Owning a pair of best garden pruners or pruning shears is essential for any gardener and homeowner. It doesn’t matter if you call them garden pruners or pruning shears. Those are simply two names for a handheld pair of garden clippers. But whatever you call them, owning a pair of the best garden pruners or pruning shears is essential for every gardener. Five Things to Look for in the Best Garden Pruners So, what should you look for when shopping for the best garden pruners? We’ve been using garden pruners for years, and these are the five things that qualify pair of pruning shears for the title of “best garden pruners.” Using these five criteria, we have tested pruning shears to determine those that qualify as best garden pruners for most gardeners. All of the garden pruners described below are available online from Amazon. Home Garden and Homestead is an Amazon affiliate, and we earn a small commission generated by the links in this story. Thanks for supporting this … [Read more...] about Best Garden Pruners and Pruning Shears
Popular Houseplants and What They Symbolize
Many popular houseplants have come to symbolize different thoughts, feelings, and deeds. Flowers, plants, and vegetation can also serve as symbols for important life events and milestones. Knowing plant symbolism can help you choose decor and gifts that are more meaningful and personalized. Understanding plant symbolism is also significant when picking plants for one of life's treasured moments, such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, or other ceremonies. Another thing to remember when choosing popular houseplant plants or floral gifts is that different colors also have meanings. Surrounding yourself with plants that symbolize what you desire or value can create a positive environment. The Symbol of Your Favorite Plant Plant and flower symbolism have been used throughout history in religious texts like the Bible, art, and literature during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, including Shakespearean plays and modern culture. There is evidence of plant symbolism in … [Read more...] about Popular Houseplants and What They Symbolize
Tree Watering Made Simple: The Root Quencher Story
The Inventors of the Root Quencher Want to Spread the Word about Deep Tree Watering to Save One Million Trees. Trees are the anchors of a landscape. Their awe-inspiring size and stature are the first things we notice about a property. But trees need special care, and trees need deep watering to stay healthy and beautiful. Quite simply, when trees don’t receive enough water, they become stressed. And when tree roots don’t receive periodic deep waterings, trees can die. Robert Summers and Maria Caceres know first-hand how devastating it can be to receive bad news about water-stressed trees. They consulted an arborist about the 50-year-old trees planted by Robert’s father on the family-owned property in Pasadena, California. The prognosis was not good. Many of the mature trees in the landscape were dying and aging out. They would have to be replaced. Robert and Maria rejected that idea. Rather than cutting down the trees, they embarked on a concerted effort to revitalize their … [Read more...] about Tree Watering Made Simple: The Root Quencher Story
