Fw: ArcaMax Gardening Daily Tips for Monday June 16, 2008

[Guest guest]

www.ArcaMax.com | ArcaMundo.com | News | Books | Comics | Games | Subscribe | My Account

Gardening Daily TipsFor JoyceMonday June 16, 2008

Bamboo, Heavenly (Nandina domestica) Today's Featured PlantBamboo, Heavenly (Nandina domestica) Read the full profile of this plant at ArcaMax.com.

Q & A: Getting Rid of Invasive Plant

Question: Three years ago we planted one small Mexican primrose (Oenothera) in our garden. Three years later, our garden is over-run with this plant. How do we get rid of this invasive plant? Answer: The most effective means of getting rid of this invasive plant (and many other weeds) is to cut back any and all green parts of the plants. Every time the roots send up shoots, cut them down to ground level. Eventually the roots will run out of energy and will die. If you allow the shoots to develop leaves you'll defeat the purpose because leaves will convert sunlight into energy for the roots. But you will eventually starve out the roots with constant and continual removal of shoots as soon as they appear.

Q & A: Containers for Herbs and Tomatoes

Question: I have a tiny backyard, but would still like to plant some herbs and flowers. I'm planning on using individual pots or windowboxes. How large should the containers be for herbs like basil, cilantro, and chives? for tomatoes? Can I plant cherry tomatoes in a hanging basket? Answer: In regions with hot summers, the larger the container, the better. A cherry tomato will grow in a hanging basket, and a standard tomato can be grown in a five gallon bucket or half a whiskey barrel planter. An oversized windowbox can hold several basil plants along with a clump of chives and some cilantro. These plants (and perhaps a parsley plant or two) would also do well in a half barrel along with a tomato plant because they all like a rich soil that is evenly moist yet not soggy. Standard window boxes as a rule are not deep enough or wide enough to provide enough room for the roots of tomatoes, but could hold the herbs if you are willing to water very often (perhaps twice a day) in the heat of summer.

Tip: Blanch Cauliflower Heads

Spring-planted cauliflower heads should be covered or blanched when 2 inches in diameter to exclude light and produce pure white heads. To blanch tie the outer leaves up and over the developing head.

Today's Reader Submitted Photos

Click an image above to see full size and read caption.

To see more of our subscriber photos visit our full Photo Gallery.

Make sure this email gets to your inbox (and not your junk folder): just add ezines@... to your e-mail address book or safe list. Thank you!

ArcaMax Publishing, Inc.729 Thimble Shoals Blvd. Suite 1-BNewport News, VA 23606Fax: (757) 596-9731

ArcaMax Publishing is a leading publisher of family-friendly newsletters, featuring popular comics, games, feature columns and books by email. Thank you for reading the "Gardening Daily Tips" newsletter. You are subscribed with the following email address: bjoyful@...

Please feel free to forward this email on to your friends!

Advertise in ArcaMax NewslettersFamily-friendly consumer content to 5 million subscribersFree online advertising tips & tools

Advertiser's Directory

FAQ / Help

Contact the Editor

Manage your subscriptions, change your email address and more...

If you wish to no longer receive this newsletter only, please unsubscribe here. To unsubscribe from more than one list, go here.

Contact information for recent advertisers. Consumer Online Buying Guide: FTC Tips for shopping online

Answers to our most frequently asked questions. Contact Customer Service

Have a question or comment about an article you read in one of our ezines?

ArcaMax Publishing, Inc. and its licensors.All registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.