When I moved into my house, the yard was filled with beautiful roses that had very unique colors and hues. The neighbors would walk by our house slowly just to see the lovely roses. One season, I walked outside to take a look at my blooming roses and they had all turned white. I had no idea how that could have happened. Year after year the roses continued to be white, never to posses those beautiful colors again. My only solution is to dig them up and plant new ones. But I couldn’t help but wonder why do roses change colors? Here are a few issues that may be the answer to that question.

Cross Pollination

If you have two different kinds of roses planted close together, they could cross pollinate and produce a different color rose all together. The different color rose would happen to the new rose bush and not the original rose bushes.

Grafting

Most rose plants that are sold have been grafted to create unique colors. If a portion of that graft dies, the original rootstock will dominate and produce its original color. This is why it is very important to protect your rose‘s roots during the winter. I think this is what happened to my roses. Mulching would have helped to keep the roots from freezing and dying.

Sport

Sometimes you will notice that one flower may be a bit different or a shoot may be odd from the rest of the plant. This indicates that a mutation has happened, which will change the growth pattern of the plant. The strange looking shoot is called a Sport.

Fading

The sun can do major damage to the roses including fading out the color. This is why it is encouraged to plant your rose bushes in a shaded area. I have one of my red rose bushes planted under the steps leading into my home. It has lots of shade and it has grown beautifully every year.

Strange conditions

It is not uncommon that a rose will respond to changes in its surroundings. The confusing weather patterns, the change in the nutrients of the soil and such will cause a rose to change in color as well as in other ways. The changes may be small at first, but could eventually alter the growth of the plant.

Strangely enough plants can also get attached to their caregivers and take on the stress from them. From my own personal experience, my great grandmother was a huge gardener and when she became ill with cancer, the garden seemed to notice. She had an orchard filled with apple, peach, plum, and pecan trees. When she died every last tree died as well. It was as though she took them with her — amazing.

Image: iStockPhoto

Have you seen your roses change color?

The post The More You Know: Why Do Roses Change Color? appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

When you have worked so hard to create a beautiful lawn, it is always hard to accept that there will be problems along the way. Suddenly you see brown patches that were not there earlier. What could be causing such an issue? You water your lawn frequently but the brown patches never go away. There is a bit of sponginess here and there and it seems to be getting worse. Now you have noticed that there are more critters than usual trying to tear into your lawn searching for food. Suddenly you realize that you have grubs, every gardener’s worse nightmare.

Dealing with grubs

Grubs are fat little white c-shaped larvae that will turn into Japanese beetles or some may call them June bugs. There are two types that you should be concerned about. The scarab beetles will live for at least a year, and the June beetles will carry on this for three years. The eggs are hatched under the ground and they will feed on the roots of the grass, which will then turn into brown patches. After they become beetles they will demolish your garden foliage as well as flowers. They will lay their eggs back into the lawn and the cycle will continue if you don’t treat the problem.

Getting rid of grubs

Inspect your lawn during late summer to be sure that you really have grubs. Dig about 2 to 4 inches deep in a few sections of your lawn and you will see them in the soil if they are in fact present. If you see some, pick them out and drop them in some soapy water. If you only have a few grubs you may be able to get rid of them on your own instead of treating your entire lawn. If you do have a major grub issue, then you should treat your lawn with pesticides or if you prefer an organic method, try Milk spore or Nematodes. If you choose the pesticide way, start this process during mid-to late summer and early fall and decide if you want to use a curative product or a preventative product. The curative pesticide will kill on contact, and the preventative pesticide will kill over a long period of time, which will mean keeping your lawn irrigated to protect it from drying out during the summer heat.

Tips

There are other simple things you can do to avoid grub from making camp at your house. They don’t like to lay eggs in tall grass so try skipping the frequent mowing and allow your grass to grow two inches taller. The eggs need moisture to hatch, so try to water your lawn less and see how things work out. Fertilize your lawn in the fall and spring and reseed the trouble spots. They will be gone in no time.

Photo Credit:  istockphoto.com

Have you had to deal with grubs in your lawn?

The post Grubs: Every Gardener’s Worst Nightmare appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

Dealing with sticky situations

We work so hard to nurture and develop our gardens and keep them healthy. We water them, supply them with fertilizers and tend to all of the little details that help the vegetables and plants grow big and strong. But no matter how attentive we are, there are always those little pests that get in the way of progress. Suddenly there are holes in the leaves or other damage that we never even considered. The plants start to deteriorate right before our eyes.

What to look for

If you see a line of ants headed for your garden it is time to be concerned. They aren’t looking for any cake crumbs or food that you may have left on the ground, but they may be looking for some more little friends that are feasting on your plants. These little devils are working with aphids, which are insects that suck the sap out of outdoor and indoor plants. They happen to secrete a delicious substance that the ants love called honeydew. The ants milk the aphids by stroking their abdomens in order to get this sticky sweet resin. Ants actually have a special arrangement with these little insects, believe it or not. In exchange for the honeydew and protection from ladybugs and lacewings, the ants herd and take care of the aphids from fungal outbreak.

Another pesky little critter that will do major damage to your plants is the armyworm. Those beautiful little butterflies and moths that dance around your head and land sweetly on your lovely bloomed plants will eventually lay eggs. Those eggs will produce little worms that will be so hungry that they will devour the leaves of everything in sight. The larva varies in color from tan to dark green, but they have stripes that are white, orange or black, with heads that are red or yellow. They even change color as they mature so picking them out of a lineup would be a bit challenging. They usually feed at night so they won’t be detected in daylight, so you would need to stalk them with a flashlight at night and pick them off your plants as soon as possible. They love to eat beans, cabbage, carrots, sweet potatoes, corn, wheat, cauliflower, cucumbers, peppers, peas, radish, pretty much everything they can get their grubby mouths on.

Have you ever had a nice apple tree or some other fruit tree and you noticed that there were holds in each of your pretty little fruit? Well, you may have sap beetles. They will bore a hole in ripe or damaged fruit and lay there little larva eggs inside. Also known as picnic beetle, are brown or black with an oval or oblong shape. They hide in winter and come out in warmer climates and will also destroy your tomatoes and corn.

These are all common bugs that will harm your plans, and there are good nontoxic ways to get rid of them, so don’t worry. Do your research and get back to tending your beautiful garden.

Photo Credit:  Thinkstock

What garden pests have you experienced?

The post YIKES: Common Pests That Harm Your Plants appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

* Handpainted Wooden Sign — Reading “Weed ‘Em and Reap,” this adorable sign makes for a clever piece of art for your garden. At only $10, this cute sign, sealed with acrylic sealer, is the perfect gift for any gardener. And at that amazing price — get one for yourself too!

* Metal Shepherd Hook Plant Hanger Personalized with Your Name — This strong, high-quality plant hanger stands 4.5 feet tall once placed in the ground, and will hold a large, heavy plant with ease. Going down the side of the stand is “YOUR NAME,” or if you prefer, any other word such as “BELIEVE” or “WELCOME.” You can also include a picture with your word, such as a hummingbird, butterfly or tractor.

* Butterfly Feeder — This unique treasure for your garden will have beautiful butterflies flocking to it. Made of 3 pieces of glass — a pedestal of clear blue with a Fostoria clear stemmed dish and an Anchor Hocking dish with a stunning etched floral design. Just add sugar water and some ripe fruit and watch these delicate creatures feed all day.

* Whimsical Blue Flower Garden Stake — This vibrant, bright blue flower sculpture for your garden or yard is made with glass exclusively produced in Gruppos Ti spa, Italy. The flower is made according to Murano Masters techniques, and hand decorated according to Italian tradition. It’s signed by the artist, and is a gorgeous accent art for any kind of garden.

* Wine Cork Bugs — These quirky, cute critters are made with corks, washers and wire, and make for fun garden decor when hanging from tress or placed on the ground in between flowers and plants. This artist also makes these adorable bugs from skeleton keys, Christmas lights and light bulbs, and are an inexpensive way, at only $6 each, to liven up your garden space.

* Hand Painted Stone Vegetable Garden Markers — This artist will paint any veggie you want, including fruits and herbs. Using acrylic paints and coated with a protective sealant, the word of the vegetable and its picture will be on a Pacific Ocean tumbled rock, and are a clever and cute way to mark your seed plantings.

* Tea Cup Bird Feeder — Are you a bird lover and a tea lover? This upcycled tea cup bird feeder is an adorable and functional garden ornament. Just fill with water and watch the birds come for afternoon tea!

Photo Credit:  Thinkstock

The post Etsy Roundup of Cool Gardening Accessories appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

1. Terrariums

• Creating a terrarium is a great option for those living in a household with small children or pets. That’s because the plants are typically held inside of some type of glass container, keeping it out of reach from all those surrounding it. Besides this, you can also dress up terrariums with rocks, beads and other kinds of colorful items, making it a sort of artwork. Terrariums are a small and simple way to liven up a houseplant.

2. Wall-mounted Planters

• Why leave all of your plants cluttered on your counter, when you can have them hanging from your wall instead? These vertical gardens are an easy way to clear up some space and show off your favorite indoor plants. While you can mix and match any plants for the wall-mounted planters, we recommend choosing ones that require the same amount of water and sun.

3. Hanging Planters

• Similar to the wall-mounted planters, hanging planters are a great way of making your house look bigger because they free up so much room. These types of planters are usually sleek and can be hung in just about any room you’d like. When you want to showcase your houseplants, hanging planters are must haves.

4. Nursery Pots

• This is the most common method used to draw attention to your plants indoors. That’s because all you need is a modest type of planter. Ceramic, plastic, terra cotta stone – it doesn’t matter, the decision is up to you. While each kind of planter differs in cost, this is a cheap way of  displaying your houseplants, bringing light along the way.

Remember, these are only four of the many ways you can dress up your home with your favorite shrubs.  Experiment and take chances, because no matter what method you choose, you’ll be adding an excellent touch to your household.

Photo Credit:  Thinkstock

The post Four Ways To Decorate Plants Indoors appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

1. Long-handled Garden Hoe

• If you have a lot of weeding to get done in a short amount of time, the long-handled garden hoe is the tool for you. That’s because it has a sharp edge, so it can cut through dirt easily, which lets you pull out weeds quicker than ever. In particular, this item is a great addition for gardeners with plants spaced far apart from one another, as well as those who have weeds with shallow roots.

2. Oscillating Hoe

• With a blade that moves back and forth when pushed through the soil, the oscillating hoe will help you remove weeds in no time. That’s because the blade head is hinged, so it makes it way easier to get through that dreaded loose soil.

3. Fishtail Weeder

• The fishtail weeder, which is also commonly referred to as an asparagus knife, is a fantastic item for killing weeds because of its skinny shaft and upside-down V shaped end. The shaft allows you to dig deep into the soil, while the end lets you pull up the bottom of deep roots with little effort.

4. Cape Cod Weeder

• When you need to squeeze into tight spaces throughout your garden, the Cape Cod weeder is your go-to tool. That’s because it has a narrow blade, so you can easily find your way around plants. However, make sure you buy one that is designed specifically for whatever hand you are. This will ensure optimal comfort.

5. Garden cultivator

• To loosen up your soil, all while pulling up a handful of weeds, you should buy the garden cultivator. In fact, we especially recommend this three-prong hand tool for the times you need to weed out your garden bed.

6. Paving Weeder

• Are you tired of dealing with those annoying weeds that grow between concrete seams and pavers? If so, you should definitely check out the paving weeder. With this item, you’ll reach those hard-to-reach spots with no problem.

Photo Credit:  Thinkstock

The post The Six Best Tools For Weeding appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

1. Garden Plan Pro

• If you lack a green thumb and have absolutely no clue how and where to start your garden, you may want to invest in the Garden Plan Pro. This app tells you everything you need to know like what the different planning stages entail, what plants grow best in your environment, when to begin harvesting those items and how to do so. The best part, though? It only costs $9.99, so it’s super inexpensive, even for those on a serious budget.

2. Click & Grow

• Unfortunately, while we all want to have spacious outdoor gardens, some of us just don’t have the room. No worries, though. With the Click & Grow kit, you’re able to grow herbs and small vegetables indoors like never before. That’s because it uses built-in sensors that determine just how much water each plant needs and even pumps out the H2O in regular intervals so that there’s never any overwatering. For $59.99, this is a fabulous addition to any household.

3. Koubachi Wi-Fi Plant Sensor

• Are you constantly killing your plants and have no idea how to stop this from happening? If so, the Koubachi Wi-Fi Plant Sensor is the tool for you. This item relies on programmed data to check on the health of your plants, so that they remain in great shape at all times. In other words, this sensor is able to tell if your plants are getting enough sun and water and if they’re not, an alert will be sent to your phone telling what needs to be done to change the situation.

4. Contech CRO101 Scarecrow Motion Activated Sprinkler

• Is your garden plagued with neighborhood animals that sneak in and destroy all of the fruits, vegetables and plants you’ve worked so hard to grow? If this is the case for you, you’re best bet is purchasing the Contech CRO101 Scarecrow Motion Activated Sprinkler. Since this item comes with an automated motion-sensor sprinkler spray, it’s a humane way of getting rid of critters like rabbits, skunks, deer, squirrels and chipmunks that tend to eat all of the crops you just produced.

Photo Credit:  Thinkstock

The post Four Technologies That Fight Against Common Gardening Problems appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

1. Prevents cancer. 

• Broccoli contains a bunch of properties that not only boosts the immune system, but fights off cancer as well. For starters, there is glucoraphanin, which the body turns into sulforaphane, an anti-cancer compound. Sulforaphane allows your body to get rid of any H. pylori, a bacterium that increases the risk of gastric cancer. Then, also found within broccoli, there’s the antioxidant compound indole-3-carbinol. This anti-carcinogen inhibits the growth of prostate, cervical and breast cancer, while improving liver function.

2. Reduces cholesterol. 

• Like a lot of vegetables, broccoli is full of soluble fiber. This means it lowers the cholesterol found in your body.

3. Helps with allergy reactions and inflammation. 

• Broccoli is a rich source of both kaempferol and isothiocyanates. These anti-inflammatory phyto nutrients have been proven to help those dealing with allergies, since they lessen the severity of their effects. Besides this, broccoli has a lot of omega 3 fatty acids, which work as an anti-inflammatory on the body.

4. Keeps bones strong.

• Since broccoli has high levels of vitamin K and calcium, this vegetable is a great source for bone health, especially when it comes to preventing osteoporosis.

5. Aids with your diet.

• Broccoli is a smart carb, so it’s loaded with fiber, which helps the body with digestion, keeps your blood sugar low, curbs your appetite and even prevents constipation. In fact, a cup of broccoli has the same amount of protein as a cup of rice does, except with only half the calories.

6. Leaves your heart in top shape.

• While we already know that sulforaphane can prevent cancer, it’s also plays a huge part on the heart. That’s because it has the ability to fend off or even reverse damage that inflammation brings to the blood vessel linings because of chronic blood sugar problems.

7. Alkalizes Your Body

• In order to keep the acidic level in your body down, it’s crucial to eat broccoli. When your body produces too much acid this causes a whole slew of problems like dry skin, ulcers, constant fatigue, and tooth nerve pain.

Photo Credit:  Thinkstock

The post Seven Reasons to Stock Up on Broccoli appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

1. Treatment of gastrointestinal problems. 

• If you constantly suffer from indigestion, heartburn or bloating, you should consider adding some anise to your diet. This herb is known to relieve those who ingest it from these symptoms. Similar to this, anise also helps with nausea and flatulence. To take the herb, you can either use it to make tea or sprinkle some of its seeds over whatever dish you’re eating.

2. Treatment of respiratory illnesses. 

• For those dealing with issues like bronchitis, asthma and the common cold, you better stock up on some anise. This herb has the ability to loosen up mucus found in the lungs, making coughs a whole lot more effective. In fact, that’s why most cough syrups use anise oil as one of their ingredients.

3. Treatment of hormonal imbalances. 

• A lot of women who are going through some kind of hormonal imbalance tend to turn to anise. That’s because, in the past, it has reduced premenstrual symptoms, stimulated lactation in breastfeeding and increased libido. There are even some studies which hint that the hormonal effects of anise help those with diabetes, because it helps keep blood sugar levels in check.

4. Treatment of acne.

• Many soaps and skin-care products choose to include anise in their ingredients since it targets oily skin and therefore aides in getting rid of acne.

5. Treatment of insomnia.

• If you’re having trouble sleeping, products with anise may do the trick, since it contains sedative properties. Besides the effect that anise leaves on those who take it, this herb is a natural remedy to insomnia, so it’s completely safe.

6. Treatment of external parasites. 

• If you ever come across scabies or lice on your body, the oil from the anise plant can help you out big time. Anise has anti-parasitic properties within it, so it will treat all these types of issues.

Photo Credit:  Thinkstock

The post The Six Benefits of Anise appeared first on Gracious Gardening.

We’re clearing out our herb boxes as well as our gardens–but we also know that we have plenty of herbs that’ll survive this winter. In fact, a lot of herbs really enjoy being placed indoors near a window that provides lots of cool air. Basil is the only herb that we’ve always been warned away from for winter gardening. In contrast, we’ve had plenty of luck with cilantro, oregano, sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley, chives, mint, lemon balm, and more. Some excellent candidates for windowsill growing are thyme, chamomile, sage, oregano, basil, parsley, and chives.  [image via wikimedia]

Dry is better for those herbs, to the point that we use gardening pots that keep the soil dry. We’ve had our problems with trying to grow from cuttings, though. We prefer to use seeds. They don’t give us really impressive plants, but the herbs are great and often ready to harvest after just a few weeks. We don’t hold back on the seeding, though–and also do plenty of pinching.

Some herbs transplant pretty easily, though. Annual herbs can pretty much be brought up whole and put in a pot for indoors.We try to do some prepping first, and we still have some time in this zone to wrap fabric around the pot to keep pests out of the soil. Spider mites and aphids are usually the main culprits trying to sneak into our homes. We also cut back any foliage, since it never survives inside. The general rule, however, maintains that you never cut back chives, thyme, bay, and rosemary.

Sometimes you’re better off just harvesting an entire plant indoors–especially a more sensitive herb. Some perennials simply won’t make it through winter, and best work as dry herbs. You can hang lemon balm and lavender to make your kitchen smell heavenly, while using the dried herbs for flavorings. Mint is always great, of course, and stevia works really well as a natural sweetener.

Dried herbs don’t have to be so sweet, though. A strong sage makes for a wonderful dash of flavor in meat dishes. You’ll seem especially clever if you add it to your stuffing at Thanksgiving. The only real trick to keeping your dry herbs fresh is to have the plants exposed to lots of open air, and then take the herbs and keep them in vacuum-sealed containers to keep them fresh. Then you have some real value out of your garden, and a nice conversation piece over dinner.

The post Herbs in Winter: Taking Them In and Drying Them Out appeared first on Gracious Gardening.