AMERICAN GARDENER

Mulching is a game-changer for fruit trees (apples, pears, peaches, cherries, plums, citrus, etc.). It conserves precious soil moisture (critical during dry spells or fruit development), suppresses weeds that compete for water and nutrients, moderates root-zone temperatures (cooler in summer, warmer in winter), improves soil structure and fertility as organic types break down, reduces erosion … Read more

Mulching is one of the most important practices for growing healthy, high-yielding tomato plants. Tomatoes are susceptible to soil-borne diseases like early and late blight, septoria leaf spot, and bacterial issues, which spread via rain splash from soil onto lower leaves. Good mulch creates a barrier to prevent this splash, conserves soil moisture (tomatoes need … Read more

Mulching flower beds is essential for creating vibrant, low-maintenance displays. It suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture, moderates temperature extremes, prevents soil erosion and compaction, reduces disease by minimizing splash-back, and enhances visual appeal by providing a neat, uniform backdrop that makes flowers pop. For ornamental beds (annuals, perennials, bulbs, or shrubs), aesthetics often take priority … Read more

Mulching is one of the most effective practices for vegetable gardens. It conserves soil moisture, suppresses weeds, moderates soil temperature (keeping it cooler in summer and warmer in winter), reduces erosion and compaction, prevents soil from splashing onto plants (which can spread diseases), and—when using organic types—gradually adds nutrients and improves soil structure as it … Read more

Salvia rosmarinus, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly known as rosemary, is a shrub with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and purple or sometimes white, pink, or blue flowers. It is a member of the sage family, Lamiaceae. It has a number of cultivars, and its leaves are commonly used as a flavoring. Cultivars vary mainly in growth habit … Read more

Pear cracking, sometimes called fruit splitting, is a common problem that can surprise even experienced growers. It usually appears as deep splits in the skin, often near the stem or along the sides of the fruit. While cracked pears may still be edible, the damage reduces their quality and makes them more vulnerable to pests … Read more

Flowers that look like cabbages are admired for their full, rounded shape and densely layered petals. Their blooms often appear compact and tightly packed, giving them a soft, sculptural form similar to a cabbage head. This unique structure makes them especially attractive in gardens and floral arrangements. The cabbage-like appearance is usually the result of … Read more

Oranges with a green skin when ripe are common in warm and tropical climates. The green color of the peel does not mean the fruit is unripe; instead, it reflects the growing conditions. Oranges only lose their green chlorophyll and turn orange when exposed to cooler night temperatures, which may not occur in consistently warm … Read more

Oranges that are red inside are a distinctive group of citrus fruits with flesh can range from light pink to deep crimson. This coloration is natural and develops under specific growing conditions, especially cooler temperatures during fruit maturation. These red-fleshed oranges often have a rich, complex flavor profile. They typically combine sweetness with gentle acidity … Read more

Apples with red flesh are a visually striking variation compared to the more common white or cream-colored apples. Their interiors can range from soft pink to deep crimson, making them particularly appealing for presentation in salads, desserts, and fruit platters. The red color comes from natural pigments called anthocyanins, which also contribute to their antioxidant … Read more