i am a new gardener and i dont know how to tell if a plant is in good shape to buy or not
You can check for things like green foliage free from light or dark spots. Also pull the plant out slightly and check roots - they should be white or light colored. Avoid plants with webbing among the foliage or speckled looking foliage, which indicates spider mites.
Also, leaves should not be curling or yellow. Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/shop/choosing-healthy-plants.htm
With so many native, beneficial plants available, I am curious why you would strongly recommend burning bush for fall color. People love it for the fall color. But a fantastic native plant is Fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii or Fothergilla major) Fothergilla has beautiful fall foliage in shades of yellow, orange and red. It also has fragrant, white bottlebrush flowers in spring. That’s a bonus over the burning bush. As a Master Gardener, I am a strong proponent of ditching exotics for native plants. I hope you'll help us help native pollinators with smart choices.
Sometimes, plants are invasive in one area, but not in another. To be fair to gardeners, everywhere, We must include information for plants of all types. For our east Asian gardeners, where it is native, it will not be invasive. It is always a good idea to check with local laws and how invasive certain species are before planting in your area.
I have some dormant plants that I ordered too soon. The garden soil is not ready, I'm behind schedule, as usual. My question is can I wake them up indoors in say peat moss pots and plant them outside when I'm ready, or can I just leave them in the plastic bags, or take them out and store them in a dark place? Thanks John
Sure! You can gently awaken them indoors by planting them in peat moss pots, ensuring they receive adequate light and water. Alternatively, if you prefer to wait, store them in their plastic bags in a cool, dark location until planting time arrives. Remember to gradually acclimate them to outdoor conditions before transplanting to minimize stress.
u recommend to use with baking soda ? I am in Zzone 6 and it will be used to combat European Brown Rot on four grape vines. I don't know what other information you would require.
We don't make brand recommendations, but fungicides work best used as a preventative. Pruning out diseased vines and good cultural control and cleanup of leaves and fruit on the soil will help prevent it next year. These articles will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/grapes/treating-grapevine-problems.htm
I have read that you should not plant beans and onions close together because the onions will kill beneficial bacterial that assist the beans. But no one ever says how far apart they need to be. I have a small garden plot, and would like to have both crops. How much separation will the plants need to prevent negative impact on the beans?
They should be planted at least two to three rows apart. Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/onion/onion-plant-companions.htm
https://extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardening-pests/gardening/garden-management/companion-planting
Wanna grow vegetables mainly… carrots celery tomato peppers corn etc and also some berries grapes vines etc
These articles should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/starting-vegetable-gardens-guide.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/starting-a-vegetable-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/vegetable-gardening-for-beginners.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/seeds/all-seed-garden.htm
Why are you praising morning glories? They are an awful weed that can creep into farming fields it is a cousin to the Bind Weed, which I fight every year in my hay fields, it is just as bad as Russian Knapp weeds. Hard to kill out, which in turn having to use more harsh chemicals trying to kill it out completely! You may not do it, however every city dwellers that has moved to the country plant these invasive plants thinking they’re pretty, then they dump clippings into our open canals of irrigation water, which in turn, the seeds show up in my fields, in addition, most of these invasive weeds ARE toxic to livestock! I hope in the future you gardeners will investigate plants and how destructive they can become, before shouting their praises. FYI, Red Maple trees are toxic to horses, the leaves, along with oleander leaves will kill a horse within hours! Thank you for your time Tj
Some plants that are invasive locally may not be invasive in other parts of the world. We have readers from all over the globe. We do try to indicate when a plant is toxic. Thank you for your concern and letting us know. I will forward your email to the editors.