Grow Sweet Potato Vine Outdoors

  

Sweet potato vine is an easy-to-grow houseplant but it also can be grown outdoors during the summer months.  Then bring it indoors during the cool and cold months and it will add lovely green color to your space.

 

Normally I do not plant anything during the peak summer when the heat is extreme.  But that does not mean that it cannot be done.  Today my brother surprised me with sweet potato vines.  He saw them at Lowes and knew they would make a pretty plant for a hanging container so he bought it for me.

 

I planted my vines in a hanging basket.  I used miracle-grow potting soil and amended the soil with some manure.  Two vines were planted in the container so that there would be ample space.  After the vines were planted, I watered them well and found the drainage holes at the bottom of the container were okay. 

 

Cedar mulch was added around the plants to help keep the soil moist since dry soil would be hard on a newly planted sweet potato vine.

 

I hung the container on my porch where the plants would get six hours of light per day. Morning sun is best if your area is extremely hot.  My porch has shade in the afternoon and then some sun at the end of the day.  As a rule sweet potato vine needs 6 hours of sun but will tolerate partial sun.

 

If you plan on growing your sweet potato vine indoors then set the container near a sunny window where the plant can get 6 hours of sun per day.  Water to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

 

If your plant gets too full or vines too long you can trim to control the growth and to keep the plant's shape.

Learn more by reading my other sweet potato vine article 

Hydrangea Fungal Disease Prevention

Hydrangeas are easy to grow however you do need to take steps to prevent fungal disease. Here are some garden tips on how to take care of your hydrangea and prevent Fungal Disease.

This past spring my brother gave me a beautiful hydrangea.  It was very healthy with large blooms.  When the blooms were spent I did prune to remove the old blooms and fertilized the plant to encourage new growth.

Everything was great until it rained for three days and then the temperature dropped and the cool damp weather caused my hydrangea to develop brown spots on the leaves and stems. 

Two days ago

 

it rained overnight, followed by cloudy cool weather. Then a day of heat an humidity and the fungus spread. 

The brown spots were an indication that my hydrangea was infected with the fungal disease Botrytis blight.  

 

Had I realized that the change of weather could make my hydrangea suspected of fungus I would have brought my container-grown hydrangea indoors and set it in my controlled temperature room that has a grow light.  However, I did not so the hydrangea suffered when the temperature changed. (hard rain, cool temperatures’ then high humidity all in 4 days)

I spoke to the garden center where the hydrangea plant was purchased and they told me that you can prevent this fungal disease by watering the hydrangea at the roots and not watering the flowers or the leaves. 

Also, you must make sure there is good air circulation so don’t plant/grow your hydrangea close to other plants, a wooden fence, or a wall.

 

Since I am growing my hydrangea in a container I did prune to remove the leaves that showed signs of fungal disease.  I also set the plant on a cement pedestal that would allow the hydrangea to have excellent airflow.

 

I shopped for a full-spectrum organic product that would treat common garden diseases, blight, black spots, powdery mildew, and peach leaf curl.  That way I could use the fungicide on other plants. 

 

I bought Bonide Captain Jack's Copper Fungicide, a 32 oz Ready-to-Use Spray for Organic Gardening, and Controls Common Diseases.  The product is ready to use, but you do have to shake well before spraying on the stems and top and bottom of the leaves.  Best to spray when rain is not forecasted.  Directions recommend repeat spraying in 14 days. 

Best Way to Get Rid of Poison Ivy

 About a week after the rain stopped we noticed that poison ivy was growing on our backyard fence.   We had to get rid of it because the entire plant can cause an itchy rash.

 

My husband said he would pull out the entire plant from its roots and dispose of it in a trash bag. This method will work but you may have to do it a few times.  

Before you begin you should put on protected glasses and cover your nose and mouth with a mask.  You will also wear long sleeve shirt and garden gloves. Be sure to wear pants and garden boots.   Best to not have any skin exposed to protect you from getting this toxic ivy oil on your skin and causing a rash.

Dispose of the poison ivy in a trash bag.  Don’t put in your compost because even dried poison ivy can cause you to get a rash and you don’t want to burn it either because it can cause lung irritation. 

 After pulling the poison ivy out by the roots it would be good to treat the area with a herbicide such as Ortho MAX Poison Ivy & Tough Brush Killer.

By treating the soil with an herbicide you will be preventing future growth.

Sunlight Requirements for Hosta Plants

 I grow hosta plants under trees but this year I noticed that the hosta plants were slow to grow and fill in the space. I watched the sunlight in this garden and sure enough, the plants were not getting enough morning sunlight.

 

My hosta garden under the maple tree thrived for many years, but that changed when the other trees grew in and blocked the morning sun.  Hosta plants are shade tolerant and will survive if they receive some sun throughout the day. 

Many of my hosta plants prefer 4 to 6 hours of morning sun with shade in the heat of the day, then partial sun at dusk.

Know that hostas have different sun requirements some plants thrive in direct sunlight and can survive a heat wave, while yellow and gold cultivars need 2 to 3 hours of early sun for the greatest color. Variegated hostas need at least 4 hours of direct sun per day to maintain their variegation.

Hosta plants transplanted to garden by the wall. This area will allow the plants to get morning sun and shade in the afternoon. 

Here is a photo poster of a white-tipped Hosta plant that I grew in the morning sun and shade in the afternoon.  The plant was very healthy and looked beautiful in my garden

 Hostas generally need at least 6 hours of shade during the hottest part of the day, especially from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Growing Oleander Safely: Beauty and Caution in the Garden

Disclaimer: All photographs in this post were taken in my own Missouri garden. These Oleanders were gifts from my brother, and while they are stunning, they require careful handling. This article shares my personal experience growing them safely.

Recently my brother bought me two Oleander flowering shrubs because he thought I would love the beautiful flower and he was right. Their blooms are breathtaking, soft pink with a tropical charm that lights up the garden. What he didn’t realize, though, is that Oleander is one of the most toxic ornamental plants you can grow. Every part of the plant contains cardiac glycosides, chemicals that can affect the heart and cause serious illness or even death if consumed.

That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Oleander’s beauty. It simply means you must respect it. With the right precautions, Oleander can be a safe and rewarding addition to your garden.

My Oleanders in Bloom

Here are a few of my photographs of my Oleanders  taken during a warm spring morning when the light was soft and the petals glowed.

Safety First: Handling Oleander

Oleander’s beauty hides its danger. When planting or pruning, always protect yourself. The sap can irritate skin and eyes, so wear long sleeves, pants, and gloves that cover your wrists. I also recommend a face shield if you’re trimming large branches  it keeps sap from splashing onto your face.

Never burn Oleander trimmings, and keep pets and children away from the plant. Even dried leaves remain toxic.

Planting and Growing Oleander

Oleander thrives in full sun and well‑drained, rich soil. Choose a location that allows plenty of space at least three feet apart because these shrubs love to spread. They’re happiest when planted in early spring or fall, when the days are cooler and the soil is workable.

Planting Tips

• Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball.
• Amend the backfill soil with compost for richer nutrients.
• Keep the top of the root ball level with the soil surface.
• Water thoroughly after planting so the soil is evenly moist but not soggy.
• Oleander can also be grown in containers perfect for patios or small spaces.

Care and Maintenance

Water Oleander regularly during the growing season, especially in the morning so the soil doesn’t dry out. For repeat blooms, fertilize every two weeks in spring and summer. I use Miracle‑Gro Bloom Booster attached to the hose it’s quick, easy, and keeps the flowers coming.

Other Tips

• Oleander tolerates winter temperatures down to about 20°F. In colder climates, protect or bring containers indoors.
• Watch for common pests like caterpillars, mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. A gentle spray of insecticidal soap usually keeps them under control.
• Prune lightly after flowering to shape the plant and encourage new growth.

Final Thoughts

Oleander is a plant of contrasts breathtakingly beautiful yet dangerously toxic. In my garden, it’s a reminder that nature’s elegance often comes with responsibility. With care, respect, and a little knowledge, you can safely enjoy Oleander’s tropical charm and add a touch of drama to your landscape.

Keywords: Oleander care, growing Oleander safely, toxic garden plants, Missouri garden flowers, Oleander planting tips, Oleander safety precautions, Oleander blooms.

How to Stop Bamboo From Spreading

 Our home came with bamboo growing close to the foundation and we knew immediately that it would need to be transplanted to another area. What we did not know is that bamboo was invasive and that once it was established in your yard nearly impossible to stop it from spreading. 

My husband dug up the roots and replanted the bamboo by our patio At first we thought it was a good privacy barrier but soon learned that it was invasive and that we needed to prevent it from spreading. We cut the large bamboo canes with a saw at the soil line and followed that by cutting the new shoots as they emerged.

The following photos show the bamboo canes. You can see that they were planted too close to the foundation and growing out of control.

 

The best way to stop the bamboo from spreading is to control all new growth by cutting it back as soon as the shoots emerge in the spring and throughout the summer months.  

 Another way to control the spread is to mow over the new bamboo shoots.  Set your mower at the lowest level then mow over the bamboo, you will need to repeat mowing of the bamboo weekly to prevent it from growing back.  

 Many people will stop the bamboo from spreading by cutting back the shoots and then treating the area with chemicals or herbicides.  This method is a way to permanently kill the bamboo. Be aware that you may have to repeat the herbicide treatment a few times to stop the roots from spreading.

 We find the best way to manage the bamboo growth is to cut back the new shoots and cut the roots that appear just below the soil surface. Then mow the area weekly.  

 

Stop Ivy from Growing on Trees

 

Ivy is a vigorous growing vine that will grow on anything, fences, walls, and tree trunks.  At first, you may think it looks nice and you will enjoy viewing the wildlife that takes shelter amongst the ivy. But soon you will learn that ivy is killing your trees.

 

A few years ago I planted six Baltic Ivy and when it grew on my rock wall I thought it looked pretty.  I also like how the ivy seemed to hold the rocks in place.  The ivy on the wall was manageable but when it started to grow up our oak tree we were concerned. 

 

My husband removed the vines by hand, then he used a hand pruner to cut the Ivy stems at the soil line.  He then dug up the roots and pulled them out. Tree service told us that this was the best way to remove the ivy and prevent it from taking over the tree. We were told that by removing the roots that the leaves on the tree would then die.  My husband did as the tree service had recommended but the ivy roots must have been deeper than he had thought because a section did die back but it was not enough to get rid of the ivy t had grown up our tree.

 

The bare bottom of the tree is due to the pruning..we thought it was dying back.

The ivy will kill your tree.  Here are a few photos of the branches that feel recently.  You can see the thick ivy branches and leaves. The ivy is sucking the life out of the tree and if we don’t find a way to kill it we will have to cut the tree down in the spring. 

thick ivy vine growing on side of the tree

Oak Tree branch with vigorous ivy vine 

Back to Basics Deer Repellent That Works

 

My home was built directly next to the woods and the deer think my yard is their yard.  

 

We love the wildlife but draw the line when it comes to our raised garden beds on our patio.  We think that is off limits and that the deer need to stay away from the patio next to our home.

 

We have tried pepper solutions, bells, wind chimes, and chicken wire but none of them have repelled the deer from our patio gardens.

 

Then in the fall I shopped at big lots and found decorative scarecrows.  I put them in my planters and to my surprise the deer stayed away from them.  A simple and basic scarecrow is what kept the deer away from my patio and surrounding yard.

 

Know that the deer are very afraid of the scarecrows especially on a windy day when their hair and arms have movement.

 

The deer will stomp their hooves onto the ground, snort and turn away from my patio gardens.  The scarecrows are a simple and basic way to deter wildlife. Even the raccoon stay away from the scarecrows. 

Summer Patio Container Gardens

 This year we planted a variety of flower and herb container gardens for our patio and enjoyed them all summer long.  Now that summer is ending the container gardens are in full bloom and have added color and interest.

Here are some photographs of my container gardens.

 

Know that this summer’s heat was on record for being the hottest summer in history.  Not only was it extreme heat there were also water shortages.   We were able to keep the container gardens hydrated by reusing household water, such as water used to cook vegetables or to rinse the vegetables and fruit in the sink.

While it took some creativity to find water for the containers, know that our efforts were worth it.  It's now the end of summer, the weather is cooler and the container gardens are in full bloom

 

Outdoor Accessories for Yard and Garden

Adding outdoor accessories is a great way to add ambiance to your yard and garden.  While your flowers add color and fragrance the garden accessories will add appealing interest as they are a focal area to your outdoor space.

 

Right now my summer flowers have bloomed and we are waiting for the end of summer flower buds to bloom.  So the garden accessories, solar peacock, flamingo, patio fountain, wind spinner, and garden flags that I bought at Amazon. Zazzle and Big Lots look really nice.

When you add decorations like the ones that I mentioned you will find that they are not only pleasing to the eye but also that they are also relaxing. A great way to unwind at the end of the day is to sit outdoors at night enjoying the soft solar lights and listening to the water in your patio fountain.

 

I decorated my yard with a garden fountain and crackle glass pathway lights that are solar-powered and look beautiful at night as well as during the day.  Both lights generate power from the sun so you will have to set them up in an area that gets direct sun.  I also added a few metal art solar-powered lights and spinners that look beautiful set up in the gardens.

 

All photos viewed in this post are of the accessories in my gardens.