Thrips are small microscopic insects that range from 0.5mm to 14mm in size. There are about 6000 types of thrips and most of them feed on plants. These insects feed on plants by puncturing the outer layer and sucking out the cell contents. This leads to silvering, and discolouration of the leaf’s surface which eventually kills the plants. They also leave excrement on the plant’s leaves and this can be seen as black varnish-like flecks. Plants affected by these insects should be isolated as they can be blown to healthy plants through winds. The life cycle of thrips The life cycle of thrips comprises six stages. They are the egg,…

Coffee grounds have many uses in your garden. They can help in improving overall soil fertility. Although they can improve the soil they must be used in less amounts. You can mix coffee grounds with compost before using it on plants. Benefits of using coffee grounds for plants. Disadvantages of using coffee beans Certain plants don’t like coffee grounds. Some of them include Roses, chrysanthemums, garlic, lemon tree and sagebrush. How to use coffee grounds in the garden: The best way to use coffee grounds in your garden is to directly add them to your compost bins. Make sure that they compromise only 5 % of the whole compost. You can also spread a thin…

Fertilizing your plants can help them to get the nutrients they require for their overall growth. But at the same time over fertilized plants can cause more harm than good. Overfertilizing your plants can burn their roots. Signs of over-fertilized plants: Luckily, you can still treat your plants during the initial stages of over fertilization reversing this condition. How to treat an overfertilized plant. Plants that are over fertilized fail to grow resulting in stunting. Following these steps can remove excess fertilizer in the soil making your plants grow again. Hope you found this article helpful.

Seaweed fertilizer is an organic slow-release fertilizer that is extracted from seaweed. It contains nutrients (nitrogen, potassium, phosphate and magnesium) and growth hormones (cytokinins, gibberellins, auxins) which help to increase soil fertility and plant growth. Using seaweed fertilizer helps to strengthen the plant’s roots and promotes the growth of bacteria, fungi and microbes in the soil. Leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, roses and potatoes are some of the plants that benefit from this fertilizer. However, succulents do not benefit much from this organic fertilizer. One of the disadvantages of seaweed fertilisers is that it does not contain all the nutrients that a plant needs and must be mixed with other fertilizers such as compost or bone meal before adding to the plants. Seaweed fertilizers come in two forms namely granules…

Radishes are one of the easiest to grow in your home. They germinate fast and can be harvested quickly, also they can be grown in small containers too.  Reasons why your radishes are not forming bulbs 1. Overcrowding. When radishes are planted very close together, they can end up producing smaller bulbs. Smaller varieties require at least 2 inches of space, whereas larger varieties of daikon varieties need at least 4 to 6 inches of space. Unless you grow small varieties such as the white icicle, radishes require at least 2 to 6 inches of space to produce big bulbs. 2. Optimum temperature Radishes grow best when temperatures are between 10 to 18°C. When temperatures exceed 32°C radishes start to bolt…

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a powder that is made from naturally occurring sedimentary rock. This sedimentary rock is formed from fossilized remains of hard-shelled microalgae. Diatomaceous earth consists of 80 to 90 % of silica. It can be used for various purposes and one of them is in gardening. Diatomaceous earth is non-toxic to pets. Here is how to use diatomaceous earth to control pests in the garden. How to control insects using Diatomaceous earth? Diatomaceous earth can help control pests such as mealy bugs, aphids, thrips, spider mites, beetles etc. Simply sprinkle some DE powder on the plant’s base and foliage. DE is not toxic and cannot harm the…

Neem oil is a natural pesticide used in gardens. It is extracted from the seeds of the neem tree. Neem oil contains a substance called azadirachtin which helps to control pests such as mealy bugs, thrips, spider mites, whiteflies, fungus gnats, leafhoppers and Japanese beetles. It can also be used to prevent fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, leaf spot, scab anthracnose and black spot. Things needed to make neem oil pesticide for your garden. Spray bottle Cold-pressed neem oil Liquid soap How to use neem oil as a pesticide. How often to use neem oil on plants? You can use neem oil on your plants once in 3 weeks…

Cosmos is a low-maintenance annual flowering plant that is grown in many gardens. It belongs to the Compositae family and there are about 20 varieties of cosmos. The commonly grown cosmos varieties include cosmos sulphureus and cosmos bipinnatus. Cosmos sulphurous comes in colours such as yellow, orange and red. Its leaves are opposite and pinnately divided. Cosmos bipinnatus flowers come in pink, purple and white colours. Its foliage has a fern-like appearance. Reasons why your cosmos is not flowering: 1.Overfertilizing Cosmos grows well and produces more blooms in average soil conditions. When there is too much nitrogen in the soil, the plant produces more foliage and less blooms. To prevent…