Rosie Lerner

rosie@purdue.edu

716 articles by this author

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Foliage That Can Steal The Show

Want to add a little drama to your garden? Need to perk up a shady bed? Big, bold foliage can make a long-season statement!   Foliage often provides the bones of the garden, but it can also take center stage with dramatic size, color variegation, texture and shape. Many of the following plants have beautiful flowers, in addition to big, bold foliage.   Acanthus spinosus (spiny bears-breeches) features spiny foliage accented by purple or white…Read more about Foliage That Can Steal The Show[Read More]

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Summer Houseplant Care

As temperatures warm up in late spring, many home gardeners move houseplants to outdoor living areas such as porches, patios, and sunrooms. Most indoor plants can flourish outside if given proper attention. First, have the patience to wait until temperatures are dependably warm. Most houseplant species originated in the tropics and are sensitive to temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Be prepared to bring the plants back indoors on cool nights. Gradually acclimate the plants by…Read more about Summer Houseplant Care[Read More]

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Vine Crops Respond Well to Summer Heat

If your lettuce is bitter and your spinach is going to seed, don’t be disheartened. There are some vegetables that enjoy the heat of summer. The cucurbits, or vine crops, include such favorites as cucumbers, squash, melons and pumpkins. Although each of these taste quite different, their culture is very similar. Cucurbits are warm-season crops that are notorious for taking over large amounts of garden space. Fortunately, plant breeders have developed the so-called “bush-type” plants…Read more about Vine Crops Respond Well to Summer Heat[Read More]

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Question and Answer

Q. I am hoping that you can give me some advice on my yard. I think I may have a fungus. Nothing grows very well. Last year I planted bell peppers and tomatoes, and they were inedible. They were full of white veins. All of my trees have small holes in the leaves. And my grass has small pale patches all over the yard. My income is limited. Can you suggest a treatment that is…Read more about Question and Answer[Read More]

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Rhubarb Flowers Blooming or Bolting?

We humans can be so difficult to please. If plants flower when we want them to, we call it blooming. But if plants flowers when we don’t want them to, we call it bolting. Flowering is an undesirable trait when growing rhubarb; therefore, bolting describes the event. Gardeners frequently ask why their rhubarb is bolting. Well, if you think of it from the plant’s perspective, it is just a part of the plant’s natural life…Read more about Rhubarb Flowers Blooming or Bolting?[Read More]

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The Scoop on Poop

Gardeners have long used manure from various farm animals to fertilize and enrich their soil. However, recent public awareness of food-borne illnesses has left many gardeners wondering if using manure is safe.   There are a number of pathogens, including E. coli, salmonella, and listeria that can be transferred to humans from animal manure. Some animal manure may also contain parasites, such as roundworms and tapeworms.   If fresh manure is applied to the garden…Read more about The Scoop on Poop[Read More]

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Stormy Weather Affects Landscapes and Gardens

Many gardeners will continue to see the effects of recent storm activity for many weeks to come. The immediate effects include breakage of tree and shrub limbs and other plants. Branches that were damaged but not broken off completely may continue to dry out and die back over time. It’s best to prune out affected branches by cutting back to a side bud or branch. Also related to recent storms is the drying effect of…Read more about Stormy Weather Affects Landscapes and Gardens[Read More]

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Tater Planting Time

Although some dedicated gardeners may have already planted their seed potatoes, for most of us, the ground has been a little too soggy. Some gardeners aim for planting on or around St. Patrick’s Day, while others of us will be lucky to have them planted by Mother’s Day! Potatoes are considered to be cool-season plants and can be planted just as soon as the ground has thawed and dried enough to safely work the soil….Read more about Tater Planting Time[Read More]

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So Long Suckers!

Some landscape plants produce vigorous, upright stems that become troublesome as they out compete better-formed branches and shade out the rest of the plant. These remarkably fast growing upright stems are called “suckers” if they come from the root system, and “watersprouts” if they originate from other stems. Ornamental crabapples are among the most notorious producers of these unwanted stems, but many other trees and shrubs can be afflicted, including contorted filbert, peach, apple and…Read more about So Long Suckers![Read More]

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Question and Answer

Q. After many years of growing pumpkins successfully (I do rotate the growing site), the past four years have been disastrous. Just before the buds begin to truly form, the plants collapse. There seems to be no sign of a squash borer. I would appreciate your advice. — Nancy M. A. It is difficult to say for sure without more specific symptoms, such as leaf or fruit spots, discoloration, etc. Squash vine borer is a…Read more about Question and Answer[Read More]

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