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The best bird nettings to protect your garden

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When do banana trees fruit? Here’s what you should know
Your guide to banana harvest times
Banana tree with ripe fruit

Bananas are a delicious, nutritious, and versatile fruit. If you’re a fan of bananas, you might be interested in growing your own banana tree. These tropical trees can be grown easily in greenhouses for a hearty harvest of bananas. If you've planted your own banana trees, you might be wondering how long you'll have to wait before you can enjoy your fresh bananas. When do banana plants fruit, and what should you do if your banana tree isn't growing any fruit? We’ll answer all your banana questions so you know what to expect from your banana tree's harvest.
How long does it take banana trees to mature?

Banana trees are interesting, as they aren’t technically trees. They're actually herbaceous perennials, which is helpful since we no longer grow bananas from seeds. Instead, the roots of a banana tree send up a sucker, or smaller but still attached, plant. These suckers are then separated from the parent tree and planted elsewhere, to grow into a mature plant on its own.

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How to grow and care for California poppies: Tips for vibrant blooms
Growing stunning California poppy flowers
Orange California poppy flowers

Poppies are known for quite a few things. They have a beautifully simple shape, vibrant colors, and they are wildflowers. They also have a habit of spreading, and can escape from where they’re planted quite quickly. Unfortunately, most poppy species are also not native and can quickly become invasive due to their aggressive spreading habit. So, this may leave you wondering -- what about the California poppy? Is it actually native to California, and how can you grow it at home? To answer these questions and more, we’ve put together this handy guide to California poppy plant care!
What makes California poppies different from other poppies?

California poppies have quite a bit in common with other poppy species. They grow quickly from seeds, have the classic poppy shape, and are vibrantly colored. One thing that sets them apart from other poppies is that color, though. Unlike the classic red poppy or the icy blue Himalayan poppy, California poppy flowers are a bright golden orange. The shade of orange can range from a honey color that’s almost yellow to a pure orange and can even include some darker, more sunset orange tones.

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4 simple Japanese garden ideas for a serene outdoor retreat
Design your own Japanese-inspired garden
A large zen garden

There are plenty of ways you can design a garden, from whimsical fairy gardens to clean minimalist ones. One popular landscaping design is the Japanese garden, which takes inspiration from traditional tea, stroll, and temple gardens in Japan. This design is simple, as it draws influences from natural landscapes, so it’s great for those looking for a low-maintenance layout. If a relaxing and gorgeous Japanese garden is what you want, here's everything you need to know about low-maintenance Japanese garden design elements and how to incorporate them.
What are the principles of a Japanese garden?

Japanese garden design is truly an art form, evolving over the years to branch out into many different styles rather than being one monolithic aesthetic. That said, traditional gardens in Japan do have some key elements. Generally, Japanese gardens are spaces that encourage reflection while capturing natural landscapes. They draw from many philosophies, including Shintoism, Taoism, and Buddhism.

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