QUESTION: Do pansies come back every year? I was thinking about planting some and I'm hoping that they'll stick around. - Lisa S ANSWER: Pansies are not true perennials — they won’t reliably come back year after year the way a coneflower or black-eyed Susan would. In most of … [Read more...]
Are Petunias Perennials or Annuals? It Depends on Where You Live
QUESTION: Are petunias annuals or perennials? I wanted to plant some in my yard and I was wondering if I have to plant them every year or not. - Annabelle B ANSWER: Petunias are technically tender perennials — meaning they can live more than one year, but only if they never … [Read more...]
Is Watermelon a Fruit or a Vegetable? Technically, It’s Both — and Here’s Why
Is watermelon a fruit or a vegetable? The honest answer: it depends on who you ask. Botanists call it a fruit — technically a berry, of all things. Gardeners grow it exactly like a vegetable. And the state of Oklahoma has officially declared it their state vegetable. All three … [Read more...]
Is a Cherry a Berry? No — And the Real Answer Is Weirder Than You Think
If you've ever wondered whether a cherry is a berry, you're not alone — the question gets searched hundreds of thousands of times a year. The short answer: no, a cherry is not a berry. It's actually a drupe, which puts it in the same botanical family as peaches, plums, and … [Read more...]
How Often to Water Lettuce — By Growth Stage, Season & Container
QUESTION: How often should I water my lettuce? Should I water my lettuce every day? —Paula W. ANSWER: Lettuce should be watered not daily but instead about twice a week, or once every four or five days, for most of its growing period. It will need to be watered lightly but … [Read more...]