Napa cabbage and bok choy are two forms of the same plant, Brassica rapa, but they grow and cook very differently. Napa cabbage forms a tall, tight head of pale, crinkly leaves that shine raw in slaws and kimchi, while bok choy grows as a loose cluster of thick white or green stalks with dark, … Read more >>
Napa cabbage is the better pick for kimchi, stir-fries, and crisp raw salads, while savoy cabbage is the better pick for cabbage rolls, braises, and cold-weather gardens. Both are mild and tender compared to plain green cabbage, yet they come from different species and behave very differently in the pot and in the garden. Napa … Read more >>
Yes, podocarpus grows well in pots. Podocarpus can grow in pots for years as long as you use a container with drainage holes, a loose, well-drained mix, and enough light, and the compact forms like Podocarpus macrophyllus ‘Maki’ are the easiest choice for patios and bright rooms. It’s a slow, steady grower, so a potted … Read more >>
Yes, podocarpus is poisonous to cats, and the ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs and horses too. The plant is sold as yew pine, Buddhist pine, or Japanese yew. If your cat chews the needles or seeds, expect stomach trouble such as vomiting and diarrhea. The good news is that podocarpus is far less … Read more >>
To keep raccoons and squirrels out of the garden, start by identifying which animal is causing the damage, then remove food sources and protect the plants it targets. The right fix depends on the visitor: raccoons often raid gardens at night, while squirrels usually feed and dig during the day. No single trick works everywhere, … Read more >>
A head of iceberg lettuce and a head of green cabbage can sit side by side in the produce bin looking like twins. Pick them up, though, and the difference shows right away. Cabbage is the heavy, dense head with thick, waxy leaves and a peppery bite, while a head of lettuce is lighter, softer, … Read more >>
The secret to areca palm care is steady conditions. Give your butterfly palm bright indirect light, water it when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feel dry, and use filtered or rainwater so the frond tips stay green. Add 40 to 60% humidity, a fast-draining mix, and light feeding in spring and summer, … Read more >>
The best homemade fertilizer for areca palm plants is finished compost or worm castings, used as a thin top layer on the soil. For most indoor areca palms, I recommend a half-inch of worm castings or finished compost each spring, plus a store-bought palm fertilizer at half strength once a month in spring and summer, … Read more >>
Yes, dogs can eat plain cabbage leaves in small amounts, raw or cooked, as long as nothing has been added to them. Cabbage isn’t toxic to dogs, and a few bites of a clean leaf make a crunchy, low-calorie snack for most healthy pups. The catch is what comes with it. Cabbage gives many dogs … Read more >>
Savoy cabbage and green cabbage are the same species, Brassica oleracea, but they look, cook and keep differently. Pick savoy cabbage if you want tender, crinkled, mild leaves for wraps, soups and quick sautés; pick green cabbage if you want crunch for coleslaw, sauerkraut and long fridge storage. For growing, savoy is my choice for … Read more >>