Yard 'n Garden Land

07/30/2026

If you see a grayish-white residue on your plants, it is most likely powdery mildew, a common fungus that affects most gardeners at one time or another. It is really prevalent this time of year because of weather conditions. It thrives in areas with warm days, cool nights and high humidity. Powdery mildew attacks a wide range of plants. The residue coats both sides of the leaves and they eventually turn yellow. Incredibly, one infected leaf can send around 100 million spores flying to neighboring leaves. Sometimes, growth will be stunted or distorted. As bad as it looks, the good news is that it is rarely fatal to the plant.

Good air circulation and plenty of sunlight is a good defense. Drought-stressed plants are more prone to the fungus so keep plants well watered. Wet the leaves daily as spores need a dry surface. Deadhead and remove as much of the infected leaves as possible. Spraying the leaves with strong jets of water will help eliminate spores. Fungicides can be used (see the list below). Clean up debris and fallen leaves and do not allow them to winter over.

Powdery mildew is often temporary but if left unchecked, it can get out of hand. Badly affected plants should be removed and disposed in a sealed bag.

There are a number of home remedies that might be effective (let us know what works for you!):

Baking Soda - Mix 1 tsp. baking soda with 1 quart of water.
Milk - Mix 6 parts water to 4 parts milk.
Vinegar - 4 tablespoons of vinegar to one gallon of water. (Use vinegar sparingly as continued use can adversely affect the plant).
Mouthwash - 1 part mouthwash to 3 parts water.
Some recommended commercial products include:

Neem oil
Copper Fungicide
Safer Garden Fungicide
Ferti-Lome Broad Spectrum Fungicide
Bonide Infuse

07/25/2026

https://yardngardenland.com/summer-perennials/

As temperatures heat up, these perennials thrive in late-summer

07/19/2026

Kniphofia (nee-FOF-ee-a), better known as “Red Hot Poker” or “Torch Lily,” is a striking mid-summer perennial that adds bold color and vertical interest to the garden. Its vibrant flower spikes are a favorite of hummingbirds and appear in shades of red, orange, yellow, and eye-catching combinations of these colors. Traditionally, Kniphofia varieties were tall, architectural plants, but newer compact cultivars are now available, making them suitable for smaller gardens and containers.

How to Grow

Plant Kniphofia in a mostly sunny location with well-drained soil. Good drainage is especially important in areas with wet winters, as excessive moisture can cause the plant’s crown to rot. Give plants plenty of room to grow—ideally at least 2 feet of space—because they spreadby rhizomeand eventually form a dense clump.

Garden Uses

Kniphofia is a natural choice for perennial borders, where its bold flower spikes provide a dramatic focal point and combine beautifully with a wide range of companion plants. The warm, fiery colors pair especially well with blue-flowering perennials such as salvia, catmint, and hardy geraniums.

These versatile plants can also be grown successfully in containers, provided the pots are large enough and have excellent drainage.

07/17/2026

Kniphofia Poco Series~ dwarf torch lilies perfect for containers and smaller gardens! Nectar-filled flower spikes from mid-summer to fall and are famous for attracting hummingbirds and a plethora of other pollinators🧡💛❤️
Yard 'n Garden Land

07/16/2026

Organic Summer/fall veggies are in- brassicas, greens, beets and fresh herbs! Westwind Gardens

07/13/2026

A “shades of pink” color story in the greenhouse 💓💓💓
Yard 'n Garden Land

07/12/2026

A wide variety of milkweed species are available, but perhaps the showiest—and certainly one of the most popular—is Asclepias tuberosa, better known as Butterfly W**d or Orange Milkweed. Unlike most milkweeds, it has clear sap rather than the familiar milky latex. It also behaves differently underground, forming a tidy clump instead of spreading by rhizomes. That makes it much easier to fit into a garden, although it will happily reseed if conditions are right.

Butterfly W**d is native to the eastern half of the United States, extending north into Canada and south into Mexico, but it grows beautifully in the western states as well. Its brilliant orange, star-shaped flower clusters begin appearing in June and continue well into summer. Some cultivars are available with red or yellow blooms. The flowers are irresistible to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. After pollination, attractive seed pods develop, providing food for birds later in the season. The narrow, slightly fuzzy leaves cover a densely branched plant that remains attractive throughout the growing season.

In the wild, Butterfly W**d grows in a remarkable range of habitats, from sandy coastal areas and Rocky Mountain grasslands to meadows and open pine forests. In the garden, however, it is happiest in full sun with excellent drainage.

Butterfly W**d is a versatile addition to the landscape. It looks right at home in mixed perennial borders, adds a vibrant splash of color to more formal gardens, and is a natural choice for meadow plantings, pollinator gardens, and native landscapes.