The summer may be coming to an end but that does not mean that your garden has to go to bed quite yet. There are several solutions for extending the season of your garden including small hotboxes, row covers, and selecting fast growing vegetables that you will be able to harvest long before the snow flies.
A weed by definition is a plant that is unwanted and is growing in competition with cultivated plants. However, many "weeds," when taken out of human judgement, are playing vital roles in their ecosystem, be it holding the soil onto a hillside or feeding the bees that pollinate our vegetables. Perhaps unsurprisingly, many plants that are considered weeds are actually very useful and beneficial to humans as well. Here are some special plants coming into season right now that might surprise you with their usefulness.
Asters are a member of the family Asteraceae or aster family of the genus Aster L. or Aster P having nineteen species. The plant grows primarily in North America but depending on the species can be found in South America, Europe, and Asia. They have been cultivated into many varieties like the China Aster, the Bushy Aster, and the New England Aster.
Colchicum belongs to the family Liliaceae or Lily family of the genus Colchicum L. or colchicum P that contains two species. Colchicum autumnale is also known as autumn crocus or meadow saffron. It is an early fall blooming perennial and is used in areas where summer flowers are fading.
The toad lily is a member of the family Liliaceae or the Lily family of the genus Tricyrtis Wall. or tricyrtis P having one species Tricyrtis hirta (Thunb.) Hook. commonly named toad lilly P. Toad lilies are native to Asia and are a hardy plant that does well in the temperate zones from four to eight.
Hydrangea are a member of the family Hydrangeaceae, commonly known as the Hydrangea family of the genus Hydrangea L. or hydrangea P., containing six species according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
There’s nothing more heavenly than biting into a juicy peach, freshly plucked off the tree in your backyard. Here are some valuable tips on how to grow and care for your peach tree for a great harvest every year.
African marigolds are a member of the family Asteraceae or Aster family of the genus Tagetes L. or marigold P and contains eight species. The plant is native to the Americas and was cultivated by the Aztecs who held them as a sacred flower and used them for medicinal purposes; thus it is also known as the American or Aztec marigold.
Gladiolus plants are a member of the family Iridaceae, commonly known as the Iris family. Its genus contains eleven species according to the United States Department of Agriculture but other professional horticulturists believe that there are many more species. The flower is native to South Africa and was a food staple for the native peoples.
Cockscomb is a member of the family Amaranthaceae, also known as the Amaranth family of the genus Celosia L., commonly known as cock's comb P.