Everything Else

How To: Plant narcissus bulbs

In this tutorial, we learn how to plant narcissus bulbs. To pick out the best bulbs, look for a nice healthy sprout and a nice firm bulb. These plants grow very fast and they grow during the winter. You can plant these and within 2-4 weeks you will have flowers growing. You can plant either a small or large bulb, just make sure it's healthy. To plant these, you can either grow them in rocks and water or soil. To grow in soil, place the bulb all the way into the soil then pour water into the p...

How To: Prune pine shrubs or trees

In order to prune pine shrubs or trees, you will need the following: pruning sheers. Conifers can be pruned, whenever they aren't growing. Pruning when a plant is actively growing will retard the growth. Therefore, if you need to restrict the height of a tree or shrub, then you would prune it, when it is in active phase. New bud formation will begin at the point where you trim. Future trimming should be done where new bud growth is found.

How To: Collect fern spores for propagation

In this tutorial, we learn how to collect fern spores with Nancy Swell. If you turn a fern over, you will see the spores on the back of them. The green spores are green and will not shed from the plant. You will first need to collect the fern leaves and place them in an envelope so they dry out and the spores are released. When they are dried, you will see a substance that looks like dirt in your envelope. When finished, separate the light spores from the dark ones, and use how you wish. Make...

How To: Prune hybrid tea roses

In this tutorial, we learn how to prune hybrid tea roses with Peter Kukielski. When pruning, look at the entire plant and cut the upper branches to simplify the plant. You will remove the bush down to 12 or 14 inches. If you have a lot of branching, reduce them by trimming at the bottom and another branch will grow in where that was. Also, remove any buds that are swollen and aren't going to grow out. You can also trim off any interior growing buds that are growing the wrong way. If you notic...

How To: Pinch coleus plants

In this tutorial, we learn how to pinch coleus plants. This plant is great for containers and the garden, but you need to pinch it for it to become more full. If it's not pinched, it will grow straight up without and lateral branching. To do this, pinch off the stem right at the base of the stem. You can do this with a pruner or your fingernails. So, instead of one stem coming from the middle, two stems will come up from separate sides. You can be rough with this plant and pinch the stem many...

How To: Build a greenhouse to grow flowers or vegetables

In this tutorial, we learn how to build a greenhouse to grow flowers or vegetables. A greenhouse means the growing season doesn't have to end. You should plan the greenhouse out on paper before you begin, and allow space for walkways, location, and more. Make sure you can afford one and know that it will cost more for you to keep the climate in this preferable to grow plants. You can put a number of different glasses on the greenhouse, so pick which one you can afford and prefer the most. Pla...

How To: Let Mother Nature take care of roses during winter

Every time fall rolls around, gardeners tend to take their time when pruning plants in their garden. Roses are the most commonly pruned plants during the fall since many are trying to help protect them before the cold winter months arrive. But it's sometimes best to listen to Mother Nature on when is the best time to prune.

How To: Harvest herbs like basil, cilantro, dill, and chervil

In this tutorial, Susan Belsinger tells us how to harvest herbs. Don't let your basil flower because it's an annual herb and it will set seed if you do this. When you put the plant out, you have to cut the plant so it doesn't grow out to much. When you cut, more leaves will grow and it will get to a foot tall. Cut all of your basil like this, and cut it once a month. By cutting the seeds, you will get 20 cups of leaves per plant during a season. If you don't cut your plant back, you won't get...

How To: Root prune container plants

In this tutorial, we learn how to root prune container plants with Lee Reich. First, remove the plant from the pot then take a knife and slice the root ball back. Don't worry about hurting the plant while you're doing this. Trim the roots around the plant until they have become small enough to fit into the pot again. You can also use pruning sheers to cut back loose roots that are too long. Now, place the plant back into the plant and fill it up with brand new soil around the edges. Keep wate...

How To: Divide and transplant an agave

In this tutorial, Jeff Moore shows us how to divide and transplant an agave. First, lay the pot over and hit the side a couple times. Now, the roots and soil will fall out. Now, break the roots and take the pups (baby plants) up. If you don't remove these, they won't grow into larger plants. It may be difficult to pull them out, just wrestle with it a bit so you can pull it out. Now, replant these into a new pot with cactus soil onto the bottom and a drainage hole in the pot. Make sure to wat...

How To: Build a habitat garden in the woods

If you call the woods your backyard, then this next tutorial is for you. If you want to make something that all animals and insects can benefit from, then build a habitat garden. Not only can it offer food and nourishment, but it can also be a place that can be called home for many animals.

How To: Properly prune and trim your garden

Something that every gardener needs to know is how to prune and trim your plants properly.Being able to perform both of these functions is important for keeping your garden beautiful and making sure that they will last for a long time. When pruning or trimming plants, it's important to always use the right tools for the job.

How To: Take an accurate soil sample and test for fertility

In order to accurately test a soil sample for fertility, the first thing that you will have to do is find soil that is representative of the entire area. Also, don't test the soil near a fence. The sample shouldn't be deeper than 6". Scoop up some soil samples. You can use a trowel. Take samples from several areas. Set it aside for a few days, in order to let it dry.

How To: Grow ivy plants

Every one knows what ivy is, but most think of it as the poisonous ivy that gives a horrible itchy rash, but poison ivy isn't the only kind out there. There's beautiful ivy that can make your home more elegant than ever. Growing the prolific ivy plant will convince you that you have a green thumb while adding fresh beauty around your house, indoors and outdoors.

How To: Make fertilizer

The one thing that can make your home garden flourish is by taking care of it and meeting the needs of your plants. One of those needs is great fertilizer. And the best fertilizer comes from the heart, not the store. Get great results in your garden by making your own fertilizer and compost at home.

How To: Easily prune a young apple tree

If you have an apple tree growing in your yard, it's important to know that pruning it is a very important part of keeping it alive and growing. Pruning helps fight off certain diseases and helps maintain or improve the overall health of a plant.

How To: Plant a blueberry bush in your yard

If you're looking for a fruit plant that will provide you and others with a great tasting fruit that is very nutritious, try the blueberry. Planting a blueberry ush in your yard is a pretty easy task to do and is something that you and others will enjoy.

How To: Prune trees into bushes

Pruning is a commong practice that involves removing certain parts of a plant to help improve or maintain its health. It also helps reduce the chances that any branches fall on people and keeping it safe from possible disease. For some trees, instead of letting them grow to giant proportions, you can actually prune them to a certain point so they instead grow to be the size of bushes.

How To: Prune a young blueberry plant

If you plan on growing various fruits in your yard, know that each plant needs to be pruned at certain times of the year. Blueberry plants need to be pruned or burned over every two years so that any pests that may distrupt it can easily be taken care of. The result is a plant that will help produce beautiful fruit that is not only good for the body, but for the mind.

How To: Prune roses and spot dead branches

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to prune roses. Users will need a pair of garden trimmers or cutters. Observe the rose stem and check to see if there are any thorns and if it has a black color. If it does, it needs to be cut. Then remove the mulch around the canes. When cutting, go as deep as you can to allow the new cane to fully develop. Cut the cane and make sure that you see clean, green tissue. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy gardening, and would like to learn h...

How To: Cut when pruning plants

In this tutorial, we learn where to cut on plants to prune. A plant that has a woody stem can be shortened between the leaves, making sure to cut it towards a node because this is where it will heal most rapidly. If you cut it too close tot he bud it will dry out and healing will not occur. Slope the cut away from the bud so you give the plant a greater chance to heal and you can avoid infection. Pruning often gives you control over how big the plant gets, and you can also control what the si...

How To: Grow the perfect tomato (for you)

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to grow tomatoes. Begin by some tomatoes at a supermarket. Then extract the seeds from the tomatoes and wrap them into a paper towel. Then place the seeds in between the pages of a phone book to quickly dry them. Now plant about 8-10 seeds into a small pot with soil. The seeds should be planted 25 inches deep into the soil. As the plants grow larger, change the pots to a larger size. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy gardening and would ...

How To: Pinch stem tips on plants

In this tutorial, we learn how to properly pinch the stem of plants. This will help for stems that grow beyond the head and ruin the look of the plant. All you have to do is simply pinch the stems of the leaves that are growing outward and the ones that look unruly. You just need to take your two fingers and pinch the very stem of it, being careful not to damage the plant. For a medium sized plant, this will only take a few short minutes and it will make the plant look much better. It will al...

How To: Prune conifers

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to prune conifers. When pruning, use the cutters and reach for the healthy part of the plant at the back. Take off the dead material by cutting as close to the base as possible. Pruning will improves the conifers overall appearance and health. If users do not cut off the dead material, the conifer will not grow any more branches. To control the conifer's size, do heading back cuts to decrease the size and increase the fullness. This video will benefit...

How To: Collect seeds in the fall for summer gardening

In this tutorial, we learn how to collect seeds with Barb Pearson. Where your flowers have formed is where your seed will form. It's best to collect seeds when the seed is dry, after the dew has dried off them in the afternoon. The seeds will be ripe when the pods have begun to open. Seed pods that are still green aren't ready to be collected yet. Pods are ready when they come off the vine easily. The best way to store the seeds is in a paper bag with a label on the outside. You can always cl...

How To: Make and use compost

Interested in making and using your own compost? Fortunately, as this home gardening guide from the British National Trust demonstrates, it's quite easy to do. So easy, in fact, that this gardener's guide can present a complete overview of the process in just under four minutes' time. For details, and to get started making your own rich, fertile soil from your own garden and food scraps, take a look.

How To: Set up a hydroponic herb garden on your rooftop

Setting up a hydroponic herb garden might sound like a dauntingly big project but, as this clip demonstrates, it's much more manageable than you might expect. It's so straightforward, in fact, that this gardener's guide can present a complete and thorough overview of the process in just over three minutes' time. For more information, and to get started setting up your own rooftop hydroponic flower or vegetable garden, take a look!