The Garden Supplies Advisor

Garden Arbor & Pergola Designs

2009-06-12T08:07:00.000+01:00

When planning a landscape design, garden structures such as arbors and pergolas are wonderful elements to incorporate. These structures not only provide a strong focal point in the landscape, but they can also be utilitarian as well, serving many purposes that vary depending on the size and design used. Garden arbors and pergolas can range in size from as small as 24 inches to as large as 10 or 20 feet across. In this article, we'll discuss some varying arbor and pergola designs, and how you can use these structures to your advantage when planning an overall landscape or garden design.

When we talk about the design of a garden arbor or pergola, we're talking about the material as much as anything. The type of material used in making the structure will have a big impact on the look and use of the end product. There are three primary materials used for garden arbors and pergolas: wood, metal, and plastic. All three materials have their pros and cons, as we will explain.

Wood is probably the oldest type of material that has historically been used for constructing arbors and pergolas. It is inexpensive, readily available, and can be easily cut. Furthermore, wood can be stained or painted to match another existing structure, such as the house, shed or garage. One downfall of wood is that it does decay over time. Wood can also harbor certain types of pests, and it will eventually rot, splinter, and crack. The types of wood that can be used in an arbor or pergola are almost endless, but generally it's a good idea to look for a wood that weathers well and resists decay, such as cedar. For a rustic look, consider using log cedar. For a very basic, rudimentary structure, you could even use fallen timber, branches, and twigs tied together.

Plastic arbors and pergolas can be purchased in almost every color imaginable. When choosing a vinyl unit, be sure to look for a plastic that is treated with a UV inhibitor, so it won't fade or discolor over time. Vinyl is a good choice if you want your end product to be relatively maintenance free, because it won't need to be stained or painted. A vinyl arbor or pergola typically lends itself to a clean and modern design. White vinyl can be an especially attractive choice for an outdoor wedding in the spring or summer.

Metal arbors and pergolas are probably the most durable and long-lasting choice. In terms of their design and style, many have an almost gothic appearance, and they tend to mesh well with wrought iron gates and fences. There are many types of metal to choose from, including iron, steel, and aluminum. Depending on the type of metal chosen, you may encounter rust on the structure over time. A good powder coat paint finish will slow this process. Aluminum can be a good choice because it will not rust like steel, and it is also lightweight and extremely durable.

Another consideration that will play into your design choice is whether the arbor or pergola will serve a functional purpose. Arbors and pergolas can be merely aesthetic design elements, placed in the corner of a yard or garden simply because they are visually pleasing. On the other hand, if you design them correctly, they can also provide an excellent support for climbing plants and vines. Consider designing an arbor or pergola with horizontal pieces beginning close to the ground and continuing upward. Climbing plants such as morning glory, trumpet vine, and clematis will quickly make the structure their new home, adding another dimension of beauty. Arbors and pergolas can also be used to shade a patio or walkway. If you build a structure large enough to span a deck or patio, consider planting grapes or some other vine that will quickly encompass the structure, as this will help shade the area underneath. Arbors and pergolas can also be designed with garden benches or swings underneath to provide an additional seating area in the yard.

There are as many different ways to design a garden arbor or pergola as there are uses for the structures; the choices are almost endless. By taking into consideration the type of material that best meets your needs and the purpose, if any, that the structure will serve, you will come up with a design that compliments your yard beautifully. Remember, an arbor or pergola is a large and important element in your landscape design. Take the time to choose a unit that's right for you, and you will be rewarded with a beautiful structure that will grace your garden for years to come.

By: Ellen Bell

Ellen Bell works for Home Products 'n' More, a retail website offering a wide selection of garden arbor kits and pergolas. Visit us at www.homeproductsnmore.com/Garden_Arbor_s/629.htm

How Long To Make Garden Compost?

2009-06-03T08:20:00.001+01:00

Compost can easily be made in a just in a heap out in the open. This is the traditional compost heap used by farmers since time immemorial. A huge pile of organic waste and animal manures layered together and heaped up high then left for months or even years to break down. If you have the space an open compost heap like this built in about a five foot cube will take six months to a year to decompose fully into usable, hummus rich garden compost.

Most gardeners though, need to conserve space so rely on enclosed areas to contain their compost heaps. How long your compost takes to make will depend, in part on the weather. Heat helps get all those micro-organisms working to break down your compost. Cold temperatures slow them down, and in severe cases could kill them altogether.

Moisture levels need to be favorable too. A too dry heap, and the bacteria will not be able to work to their full potential. A very wet heap and the bacteria basically drown and the whole heap may turn to fermenting sludge. This is only usually a problem with compost heaps made with huge volumes of compacted sappy green matter such as lawn clippings. Make sure this kind of content is layered thinly throughout the heap.

So long as the contents of the heap are varied in size and texture you should get lots of air pockets which will help the compost pile remain free-draining. Then, if you do have torrential rainfall, the water will drain through the heap rather than being trapped there.

There are ways to help your garden compost reach its full potential quickly though. If you build, or buy a garden composter which is keeps out the worst of the weather, but still lets air in you will speed up the composting process significantly. Plastic garden composters are great at keeping their contents moist. In fact, with these you should need to add no extra water at all. Likewise fitting a plastic sheet or tarpaulin over a wooden compost bin will achieve the same job. As the compost warms up and breaks down, it gives off moisture. The plastic traps the moisture, which will condense and drop back down onto the compost. So your garden compost should never dry out.

A well constructed garden composter should be giving you fine rich garden compost within three to six months.

By: Lec Watkins

For more information regarding garden recycling and whether to use a compost accelerator visit Garden Composter.

Growing Vegetable Plants From Seed

2009-05-27T08:42:00.000+01:00

If you're one of the many Americans who will be cultivating a vegetable garden this year, one of the first decisions you'll have to make is whether to grow your plants from seed or purchase transplants from a nursery. In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons to both methods, and we'll provide a basic how to guide for starting your own plants from seed.

There are two primary deciding factors in whether to start plants from seed. The first is time. Starting seeds certainly requires a larger investment in time and effort than purchasing transplants. However, the knowledge that you have grown the plants yourself from their very inception is also quite rewarding. The other primary consideration is cost. Seeds are far more economical to purchase than young plants. A packet of 50 or more seeds might cost you a few dollars. Transplants, on the other hand, will cost you that same amount per plant. In short, if you have the time and the inclination, growing your own plants from seed is a very rewarding and economical way to start a vegetable garden.

Most gardening experts will agree that the best method of starting seeds is in a greenhouse. Greenhouses provide optimal conditions for germination and growing: long warm days and ample sunlight during times of year when it is still to cold to even consider planting outside. Many hobby greenhouses also feature auto venting systems that help regulate the inside temperature.

If you're not ready to invest in a large outdoor greenhouse, consider a smaller portable unit that can sit on a deck or patio. There are also small indoor greenhouses available that occupy no more space than a shelf or tabletop, and these are ideal for the urban gardener who is limited on space.

It is possible, though sometimes more challenging, to start seeds indoors without the aid of a greenhouse. A large sunny window facing south is ideal. If you don't have such a location, consider purchasing fluorescent light fixtures with full spectrum grow lights. These can be suspended a few inches over young plants and set on timers to provide the necessary 14 hours of light per day. Ideally, the daytime temperature should be approximately 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the nighttime temperature around 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If plants are in warmer temperatures all day and night, they will grow tall and soft, rather than the stock, robust transplants that are hardier for setting outdoors.

Seedlings also need plenty of moisture for germination and early growth. Planting in a mixture that contains plenty of peat moss will aid in moisture retention. In the early stages, before seeds have germinated, fill a spray bottle with water and use this to keep the soil moist. This will prevent overwatering, which can cause seeds to dislodge and wash away.

The last important step in growing your own plants from seed is hardening off before transplanting outdoors. Hardening off refers to the process of preparing plants for the rigors of growing outdoors. Some gardeners harden off their seedlings by placing them outdoors on a deck or patio during favorable weather conditions for a week or so before transplanting is to occur. Other methods of hardening off include lowering the temperature where the plants are located, watering only when plants show signs of wilting, and placing a fan nearby to blow a gentle breeze on the seedlings.

By following these tips, along with a good dose of patience, any gardener can successfully start their own vegetable plants from seed. The process may be time consuming, but it is also very satisfying, and you'll be rewarded with dozens of young plants at a fraction of the cost of purchasing them from a nursery or garden center.

By: Ellen Bell

Ellen Bell works for Home Products 'n' More, a retail website offering free shipping on greenhouses to get your seedlings started. Or, for information how to build your own greenhouse, visit us at www.homeproductsnmore.com/Wholesale_Greenhouse_Supplies_s/146.htm

Safe Guard Your Koi - Control Carbon Dioxide Spikes

2009-05-20T08:04:00.001+01:00

Algae Bloom Causes Carbon Dioxide Levels To Rise At Night

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) And Oxygen (O2) work hand in hand in a garden pond. As oxygen levels in the pond water increase, the level of carbon dioxide decreases and vice versa. This is a natural process. Oxygen levels are at their lowest at dawn, due to the processes taking place in your pond over night. During the day as sunlight appears the level of oxygen rises, peaking when the sun sets. After sunset the carbon dioxide which is at its lowest at this time of day starts to rise, peaking just before sunrise. It is important to not let carbon dioxide spikes, caused by green algae blooms from killing your pond fish. The best way to do this is to use a UV clarifier or a UV sterilizer.

How Does Carbon Dioxide Get Into My Pond?

Carbon dioxide is produced by aquatic pond life such as fish, snails, algae and aquatic plants through respiration (breathing). It is also produced as a result of rotting organic matter on the pond floor, including leaves, uneaten fish food and decaying algae blooms.

Carbon Dioxide Spikes Cause Fish Fatalities

Here is a question for those of you who have a fish pond! Have you ever woke up in the morning and found several of your pond fish dead? You probably stood there scratching your head, wondering why? There are two likely causes:

* A predatory animal such as a bird or a cat has physically killed the fish. The tell tale signs should be fairly obvious; damage to the body or head, for example.

* If your pond suffers from heavy algae blooms then the most likely cause is suffocation, through lack of oxygen. The pond water will need to have contained high levels of carbon dioxide and extremely low levels of oxygen for this to have happened.

If the cause of the deaths is due to the high level of green algae blooms then the best way to remedy this situation quickly is to install a UV clarifier or UV sterilizer, as these units will usually manage to get the algae bloom under control within about 5 days. With continuous use a UVC light will keep your pond water free from algae bloom. Please note however that a UV will not remove blanket weed or other filamentous string algae types.

What Is Photosynthesis?

Planktonic algae are a form of microscopic plant life that consumes carbon dioxide, during the day and reverts to using oxygen at night time. All plants carry out a process known as photosynthesis. Photosynthesis uses the energy of the sun to convert inorganic carbon (gained from CO2 dissolved in the water) into carbonic acid (H2CO3). During sunlight hours plants and algae absorb carbon dioxide from the pond water, causing the level of carbonic acid to fall. This causes the pond water to become more alkaline i.e. the pH level increases.

Carbon Dioxide Problems Are Lower In Winter

Oxygen levels in pond water are at their highest during the colder fall and winter months when there is significantly less biological activity taking place within your garden pond. There is an overall reduction in the level of nutrients (nitrates and phosphorous) present in the water. This is mainly due to the plant life and pond life producing less waste; the plants have stopped growing and pond fish feed less. There is also less sunlight resulting in algae populations diminishing. For this reason the overall fluctuations between oxygen and carbon dioxide levels during the day and at night will be significantly less. The chances of Koi and goldfish deaths are significantly reduced.

It is also much easier for atmospheric oxygen to dissolve in cold water than it is for it to dissolve in warmer water. In addition cold water is able to hold more oxygen than warm water. Have you ever noticed pond fish gulping for air at the pond surface on hot, sunny days? This is the reason why.

How Carbon Dioxide Affects Pond pH Levels

The ideal pH for garden pond water is between a pH of 7.5 to a pH of 9. Carbon Dioxide dissolves in water to produce carbonic acid (H2CO3), which has a pH of less than 7. As a result the pond pH will drop and become more acidic as the carbon dioxide levels increase in line with the increased respiration from aquatic life. This is exactly what happens during the night in your pond. During the day the opposite is true, where photosynthesis boosts the increase in oxygen, causing the pH level to rise and become more alkaline. It is when the pH level drops and becomes more acidic that the potential for carbon dioxide problems increase.

What is Pond pH?

The pH scale which ranges from 0 through to 14 signifies whether or not the pond water is acidic (below pH7) or alkaline (above ph7). A pH of 7 is neutral. The higher the number of free hydrogen ions (H+), the more acidic the water is. A neutral pH means that the number of positive hydrogen ions (H+) are the same as the number of hydroxyl ions (OH-).

Aeration Increases Oxygen Levels and Reduces Carbon Dioxide

Garden ponds can never have too much oxygen. A well aerated garden pond will suffer considerably less from the catastrophic effects of high carbon dioxide levels, such as fish fatalities. Using a waterfall, water feature or pond air pump will add valuable oxygen to the pond environment, which will push the pond pH up and remove carbon dioxide from the pond water.

Pond Buffers Increase Pond pH Levels

A buffer is any substance that reacts with an excess of hydrogen ions (H+). The most commonly used buffer is Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) which is frequently used in garden ponds to prevent the pH from becoming acidic. It is a good idea to add a buffer to your pond filter to prevent fluctuations in pH levels.

CO2 + H2O ---> H2CO3 ---> H+ + HCO3-

In the above example, carbon dioxide + water form carbonic acid. This disassociates into two ions; including a free hydrogen (H+) ion.

CaCO3 + H+ + HCO3- ---> Ca (HCO3)2

In the above example, a buffer such as calcium carbonate (CaCO3) bonds with the free hydrogen ion, to form Calcium Bicarbonate Ca (HCO3)2.

As long as you have calcium carbonate in your pond filter, your pond water will be protected against swings in pH. A buffer will also work in reverse; releasing hydrogen ions back into the water should the water become excessively alkaline.

A pond should be a real enjoyment and will be if you are aware of what is actually happening below the surface. My advice to you would be to ensure that you use a branded biological pond filter, a reliable energy efficient pond pump and a UVC sterilizer or UVC clarifier. Ideally you should add additional oxygen into the pond water; water falls and pond air pumps are the best way to do this.

Remember to ensure that you regularly check your pond water for ammonia, nitrite, pH, total Alkalinity and possibly hardness using a suitable pond test kit to quickly identify any potential problems.

By: Sean Roocroft

Want to save money and choose the right pond keeping equipment the first time around? Want to learn the secrets of successful garden pond keeping? Go to www.garden-pond-filters.com to learn everything you need to know NOW! Why not take advantage of my FREE pond calculators to make conversion between imperial and metric measurements quick, simple and accurate.

Problems With Water In Your Yard

2009-05-13T08:59:00.001+01:00

Do you have one or more areas in your yard that hold water after a rainfall? This is a common problem, and sometimes difficult to solve. Over the years I've talked with dozens of people trying to battle this problem, and on several occasions I have been hired to solve the problem. So what can be done?

Too often people come to me asking what kind of a tree, or what kind of shrubs can be planted in a wet area to dry it up. This is the wrong approach. Most plants, and I mean almost all plants are not going to survive in an area where the soil is soggy for extended periods of time. The roots need to breath, and planting a tree or shrub in a water area will kill it.

Another common approach is to try and fill the area with topsoil. Depending on a variety of variables, this can work, but many times adding additional soil to a wet area will only shift the water to another area just a few feet away.

If you are lucky enough to have some natural fall to your property, or a drainage ditch nearby, this problem is easy enough to solve. If you happen to live in an area that was developed over the past few years, there might even be a system to remove storm water nearby. In many new home developments I've seen stormwater catch basins already installed in backyards. Trust me, this is a good thing. There is nothing worse than having a soggy yard all the time.

If you are fortunate to have some fall to your yard, or a stormwater system that you can drain water into, this problem is easy to solve. Make sure you check with your local officials before you do anything at all with a storm drain.

All you have to do is go to your local building supply center and buy some 4" perforated plastic drain pipe. The best kind for this purpose is the flexible kind that comes in 100' rolls. This type of drain pipe has small slits all around the pipe. These slits allow water to enter the pipe so it can be carried away.

Just dig a trench from the center of the low area you are trying to drain, to the point that you intend to drain it to. Using a simple line level you can set up a string over top of the trench to make sure that your pipe runs downhill all the way. A line level is a very small level that is designed to attach to a string. Any hardware stores sells them for just a couple of dollars. Set the string up so it is level, then measure from the string to the bottom of your trench to make sure you have constant fall. You should have 6" fall for every 100' of pipe.

The highest point is going to be the area that you are trying to drain, so you only want your pipe deep enough at this point so it can be covered with soil. Once the trench is dug just lay the pipe in. At the highest end of the pipe you'll need to insert a strainer into the end of the pipe to keep soil from entering the pipe. Cover the pipe with some washed stone, and then backfill the trench with soil. The washed stone creates a void around the pipe so that the water can find its way into the pipe.

Washed stone is usually inexpensive stone that has been washed so it is clean and free of mud. The only part of the pipe that needs to be exposed is the low end, where the water exits the pipe. Do not put a strainer in that end.

If you do not have anywhere that you can drain the water to, you still might be able to do something. But first consider what is happening, and why the water is standing where it is. Even if you have well drained soil, water cannot soak in fast enough during periods of heavy rain, and it runs across the top of the ground and eventually finds the lowest point, and either leaves the property, or gets trapped.

If you have well drained soil, the trapped water usually soaks in. If you have heavy clay soil, the water lays there, and the soil underneath becomes very compacted, and the problem compounds itself. The more water that stands, the worse the drainage gets.

What I have done in areas like this, where there is standing water, but nowhere to drain it to, is to install a French drain system that actually carries the water away from the low area, and allows it to seep into the ground over a larger distance, where the soil is not quite so compacted. To install this French drain system you do everything exactly as explained above, except instead of draining the water to a lower area, you can send it in any direction you like. Even in the direction from which it came, which is uphill.

When installing this type of system, it's a good idea to dig a number of shorter trenches, all heading away from the area where the water stands. Using the line level, make sure your trenches fall away from their point of origin so once the water enters the pipes it will flow away from the wet spot. What is going to happen is that during times of heavy rain the low area is still going to trap water, but much of that water is going to seep into the drain pipes and eventually leach into the soil under each trench.

Because this soil has not been compacted by the standing water and the baking sun, it will accept the water. It won't happen nearly as fast as if you could just drain the water to a ditch, but at least you will have a mechanism in place that will eventually disperse the water back into the soil. It's a lot easier to leach 200 gallons of water into a series of trenches that total 100 lineal feet, than it is to expect that water to leach into a 10' by 10' area that is hard and compact.

By: Josiah Smart

To read about tulip facts and lily facts, visit the Plants And Flowers site.

Annuals And Biennials

2009-05-06T08:00:00.001+01:00

A garden can be quickly filled with color by using annuals and biennials. These plants flower longer than many others and are ideal for filling gaps in a border.

Almost any patch of soil can be transformed into a blaze of color in a matter of weeks by planting nursery-grown annuals, or in two or three months with the plants you grow from direct-sown seeds.

Annuals are plants that grow, flower, produce seeds, and die in one growing season. The most popular kinds provide a longer-lasting display than perennials or bulbs, and they are invaluable for starting a new garden quickly. They can also be used to supply bright accents among shrubs or perennials, under trees, and in containers. Many of these plants provide excellent cut flowers as well.

Most annuals are inexpensive, easy to grow, and available in a broad range of colors and heights.

Plants that are similar in their general effect are biennials. They are started from seeds one year; they flower the next; and then they die.

In mild climates, however, some of the plants grown as annuals may survive the winter (they actually are tender perennials), and some biennials can be grown as annuals.

Annuals are classified in some books and catalogs, and on some seed packets, according to the British system, which divides them into two groups -- hardy and half-hardy. Hardy annuals, which tolerate cold weather, can be sown earlier than halfhardy annuals. This terminology often proves more confusing than helpful, however, because it does not apply to all areas of North America. Therefore, it is not used in this book.

The quickest and easiest way to enjoy flowers in the garden is to purchase young annuals or biennials in plant form in spring (also in autumn in the South) and set them directly in the garden. A wide choice of plants is available, but seeds, especially those offered in catalogs, provide an even greater diversity.

Seeds can be given an extra early start (especially in cold regions) by sowing them in a protected and controlled environment. This is almost a necessity for very fine seeds, such as those of the wax begonia; for seeds that need high temperatures to germinate, such as those of the impatiens; and for those plants that are slow to bloom from seeds, such as the vinca, petunia, and ageratum. Seeds can be started indoors if sufficient light and proper temperature are provided (see p. 193), or outdoors if a cold frame or hotbed that protects them from the elements can be located conveniently.

Seeds can also be sown directly outdoors where they are to flower. This is a popular and practical method for plants that bloom quickly, as well as for those that have large seeds (see p. 191).

Biennials, although fewer in number than the annuals or perennials, have some of the showiest garden flowers. Particularly popular are sweet William, Canterbury bell, foxglove, hollyhock, and pansy. They are usually sown in the late spring or early summer outdoors in a protected location.

When biennial seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted in rows to grow until late summer. By then they should be sturdy enough for transplantation to permanent positions or to spend the winter in a cold frame.

Many annuals and biennials have been garden favorites for centuries. A worthwhile advance in recent years has been the development of the F1, first generation, and the F2, second generation, hybrids (the F stands for filial). They are the result of selecting and inbreeding different parent lines of the same plant to get the most desirable characteristics and then cross-pollinating the plants to combine the best characteristics of each.

Several generations of this kind of breeding are required to produce plants of the desired quality. Some home gardeners may be deterred by the relatively high price of the seeds, especially since seeds saved from such hybrid plants will not produce plants of equal vigor or identical color the next year.

But the first generation of flowers grown from F1 hybrid seeds will demonstrate such superiority to the less expensive types that they are well worth the added cost. These hybrids offer clearer colors, more vigor, larger size, greater weather and disease resistance, and better, more uniform growth habits than their forebears.

F2 hybrids are the results of the hybridizers' attempts to improve the quality without the high cost of the F1 method. This is achieved by selffertilizing the F1's. In some cases it has worked. Generally, the F2 hybrids are an improvement on standard seeds, though not so spectacular as the F1's. Most seed catalogs do not mention the designations, but the difference in the price is usually an indication that the most expensive seeds are F1 hybrids or a new variety.

Selecting varieties from a catalog or seed rack can be confusing. In an attempt to simplify the choice, All-America Selections, founded in 1932, began growing new varieties submitted by hybridizers in official test gardens throughout the continent. Those awarded the highest number of points are designated as the All-America Selections, and every seed packet of those varieties is so labeled. The buyer can be assured that these varieties have proven to be superior to other plants under varied climatic and soil conditions.

Among most recent All-Americas are petunia 'Opera Supreme Pink Morn', a ground cover that flowers profusely; celosia 'Fresh Look Gold', free-branching and weather-tolerant; dianthus 'Supra Purple', long-flowering and heat-tolerant; cleome 'Sparkler Blush', with pink flowers that turn white with age; gaillardia 'Arizona Sun', with dark red flowers with petals tipped in yellow on a spreading plant; and zinnia 'Magellan Coral', with fully double flowers on a 12-inch plant. Other All- Americas are indicated by an asterisk on the chart beginning on page 197.

The above is an excerpt from the book The All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening: Planning - Selection - Propagation - Organic Solutions by Edited by Fern Marshall Bradley and Trevor Cole. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.

Copyright © 2009 Fern Marshall Bradley and Trevor Cole, editors of The All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening: Planning - Selection - Propagation - Organic Solutions
Author Bio
Fern Marshall Bradley, co-editor with Trevor Cole of The All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening, is a writer and editor whose favorite topics are gardening and sustainable living. A co-author of Reader's Digest's Vegetable Gardening, she also conceived and edited The Organic Gardener's Handbook of Insect and Disease Control, The Expert's Book of Garden Hints, among others. Bradley is a former gardening books editor for Rodale.

Trevor Cole, co-editor with Fern Marshall Bradley of The All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening, was curator of the Dominion Arboretum in Ottawa, Canada, for over 20 years. He was educated in horticultural science at the Royal Botanical Gardens in the U.K. Cole's previous offerings include numerous magazine articles and the books Care-Free Plants and The New Ottawa Gardener.

By: Fern Marshall Bradley and Trevor Cole

For more, please visit www.amazon.com/Illustrated-Gardening-Editors-Readers-Digest/dp/0762102764/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239152826&sr=8-1

A Vegetable Garden On My Back Porch

2009-04-29T08:08:00.000+01:00

Recently, I was a guest on Cory Farley’s radio show on KBZZ in Reno, Nevada, to talk about my vegetable garden growing on my back porch. It’s called “square foot gardening.” Not as ambitious as our First Lady’s gardening efforts but still will harvest a load of vegetables.

You begin with two 8 X 12 pieces of untreated lumber. You don’t want chemicals to leach into the soil. Cut in half. If you ask, the lumber business will probably do it for you. Now you have four pieces of wood, each 4 X 4, 12 inches width. Nail the pieces together to form a square—that’s your four square planting box. Set on a 4 X 4 sheet of plywood that you drilled three holes in for drainage. Set the planting box where you want to grow your vegetables. Fill with a mixture of topsoil and organic potting soil.

Before I start planting, I line three pieces of string down and three pieces of string across to divide the planting into 16 squares. I now begin to plant: tomatoes, bell peppers, green beans, green peas, carrots and broccoli. I plant these vegetables because, not only are they my favorite vegetables, but I harvest so many that I freeze what I don’t eat. I am saving money by eating vegetables long after the growing season is over.

I freeze the tomatoes whole, uncooked, to use in recipes later. The bell peppers---green, yellow, and red---I wash, core, and freeze uncooked. The others I blanch in boiling water for a few minutes, and then freeze.

It really is so easy. Give square foot gardening a try. You’re not only saving money, but you’re eating the tastiest vegetables possible.

By: Sandy Powers

A breast cancer survivor, Sandy Powers is the author of the award winning guide to health, "Organic for Health." www.organicforhealthsite.com

Go Organic To Shrink Your Gardening Budget

2009-04-22T07:57:00.001+01:00

Saving the Earth and protecting children and pets from dangerous chemicals are the reasons most gardeners cite for giving up pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, but guess what? Making the switch to organic gardening methods will save you money too! Here are six examples of how going organic will put money back in your pocket.

**Plant veggies, spend less on doctor bills. A recent article by a Texas research biochemist summarizes some bad news: many scientific studies show that the vitamin content of fresh fruits and vegetables is on the decline. That’s alarming, because fresh produce should be an important source of vitamins and minerals in our diets -- without them, we’re more vulnerable to getting sick. Fortunately, there's a simple way to protect your health and reduce what you spend on costly doctor visits, cold and flu medications, and vitamin pills: plant some vegetables. Fresh-picked home garden produce is brimming with nutrition, and recent studies confirm that organically grown produce can be even richer in nutrients than conventionally grown fruits and veggies.

**Fire your lawn care service. How much do you pay for a lawn care company to treat your lawn? Chances are it's way too much. So ditch the lawn service and hire a local teen to mow for you instead. To encourage a healthy lawn the organic way, have your hired help set the mower high -- at least 3 inches high. That way, your lawn grass naturally shades out weeds (no more herbicides needed). Be sure your helper uses a mulching mower that returns grass clippings -- which contain valuable nitrogen -- to the lawn (no more bagged fertilizer needed). Once a year, have your helper spread good-quality compost too, about 1/4 inch thick. The compost will melt into the lawn almost immediately, adding a wide range of nutrients as well as beneficial microbes that help prevent lawn diseases.

**Fight pests with flowers instead of pesticides. More than 90 percent of the insects in your yard and garden are your friends, not your foes. Ladybugs, lacewings, and even many kinds of flies and tiny wasps are an important natural pest control force. Their larvae (the immature stages of the insects) gobble up aphids and other pests, or parasitize the caterpillars that would like to turn the foliage of your flowers and veggies into a holey mess. One easy way to attract these good-guy insects to your yard organically is to plant a garden of perennials and herbs with tiny flowers, because the adult beneficial insects eat pollen, not bugs. Yarrow, purple coneflowers, daisies, tansy, cosmos, marigolds, and zinnias are great plants to start with, and you'll love how they look growing in sunny spots all around your yard. Buying a few packets of annual seeds and several potted perennials is much cheaper -- and much more fun -- than buying pesticides and a sprayer!

**Forget the bagged fertilizer -- buy seeds instead. It's true! A packet of cover crop seeds such as buckwheat or oats will add as much fertility to your garden beds as any bag of synthetic fertilizer can. And that's just the start of the story. Using synthetic fertilizer is a vicious cycle, because the chemicals in the fertilizer kill or repel beneficial earthworms and other organisms that help build a healthy soil. Plus, chemical fertilizer easily washes down through the soil when it rains, ending up in the groundwater we drink! You'll save big in the long term by planting cover crops instead—they prevent soil erosion, they encourage earthworms and other good guys, and they enrich your soil naturally. Simply sow the cover crop seed on lightly loosened soil, rake it in lightly, and water it to speed germination. Within 4 to 8 weeks, you can cut down the crop with shears or your lawn mower, and all that rich green material will naturally break down, leaving you a nutrient-primed planting bed that will produce bumper crops of veggies, fruit, or flowers.

**Reduce your water bill by capturing rainwater. Depending on where you live, as much as 50 percent of the water you use goes to keeping your garden green and growing. That's a big expense that will only get bigger as water supply problems increase around the country. But for less than $100, you can buy and install a rain barrel that will capture the rain that falls on your roof, providing you a free supply of water for your gardens virtually indefinitely. Rain barrels are available from home centers and mail-order suppliers, and it takes no special skills to install one.

**Grow gourmet salad toppings on the cheap. Microgreens are all the rage at fancy restaurants and farm markets, but boy are they expensive! Here's a secret: you can grow your own microgreens at any time of year on a sunny windowsill for a fraction of the price. Simply save leftover clamshell containers from the deli and buy some organic transplanting mix that's enriched with compost. Clean the containers well, use a barbecue skewer to poke several drainage holes in each one, and fill them with moist mix. Then sprinkle veggie seeds (be sure the seeds haven't been treated with pesticides) generously over the soil surface, cover lightly with more mix, and set the containers in a catch tray on the windowsill. Mist daily until sprouts appear, then water as needed to keep them growing. Within three weeks, the sprouts will reach the two-leaf stage, and you can snip them with scissors to garnish salads, sandwiches, and entrees. Use lettuce, arugula and other salad greens, as well as broccoli, kale, dill, cilantro, basil, even peas.

©2009 Fern Marshall Bradley, co-editor of The All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening: Planning - Selection - Propagation - Organic Solutions

By: Fern Marshall Bradley

Fern Marshall Bradley, co-editor with Trevor Cole of The All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening, is a writer and editor whose favorite topics are gardening and sustainable living. A co-author of Reader's Digest's Vegetable Gardening, she also conceived and edited The Organic Gardener's Handbook of Insect and Disease Control, The Expert's Book of Garden Hints, among others. Bradley is a former gardening books editor for Rodale.

Rotary Mowers For The Lawn

2009-04-15T08:09:00.001+01:00

What's best will depend on your wants and needs. Gas-powered rotary lawn mowers can be divided into two categories: walk-behind rotary mowers and riding mowers lawn tractors.

The walk-behind rotary lawn mowers can further be classified according to whether they're push-type lawn mowers or self-propelled. Purchase price varies greatly between these types of rotary lawn mowers, with riding mowers / lawn tractors being the most expensive, followed by self-propelled mowers. The push-type mowers are the least expensive because they require you to provide the muscle to make them move.

Self-propelled rotary lawn mowers require the operator to squeeze a bar to engage the mower, which causes the machine to take off -- all you have to do is control the direction in which it goes. If you release your grip on the bar, the mower blade stops spinning.

For the higher-end self-propelled rotary mowers, the drive system does not shut off when you release the bar - a convenient feature, in case you'd like to transport the lawn mower from point A to point B without cutting grass along the way.

The difference between riding lawn mowers and lawn tractors lies in the location of the cutting deck. Lawn tractors have a mid-mounted cutting deck, while for riding lawn mowers the cutting deck is located under the front of the vehicle. The front-end location of the cutting deck on riding lawn mowers makes these machines more maneuverable. Maneuverability becomes an issue when, for instance, a lawn is dotted with shrubs and trees.

With both riding lawn mowers and lawn tractors you can make use of accessories ranging from brushes for spring cleaning to snow-removal attachments.

As with all lawn mowers, caution must be exercised when operating riding lawn mowers and lawn tractors. While providing them with a "vehicle" may seem like a great way to get the kids to mow the lawn without complaining, only those mature enough to handle heavy equipment should be allowed to operate riding lawn mowers and lawn tractors.

Choose a mower that's in your price range that meets the needs and standards that you have assigned to it. Go for comfort, though - in the long run, you'll be glad you did! Now that you've got the equipment, you're ready to put it to work!

Proper mowing, along with proper watering, can be the most critical factor in the appearance of a lawn. Good mowing techniques not only enhance the appearance of the lawn, but also increase the turf grass vigor.

There actually is a right and wrong time to mow. Most people just look at their lawns and decide if it's long enough to warrant a mowing, but you are going for that professionally landscaped look, so you need to pay heed to the expert's advice.

Lawn mowing should not be done when the grass is wet (under which conditions disease can be introduced, plus you incur the risk of slipping and getting injured).

Also, lawn mowing in the evening puts less stress on the lawn than lawn mowing when the sun is pounding down in the afternoon. Mowing during the heat of the day during hot weather may cause the lawn to brown. It is best to mow during the cooler part of the day.

Mowing frequency will change throughout the year with different weather patterns. Cool season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass may require mowing twice a week in the spring, but only every 7-10 days in the summer. Warm season grasses such as Bermuda grass may need more frequent mowing in the summer than in the fall or spring.

Aesthetics aside, there's a good lawn-care reason not to wait longer in between mowing, each time simply mowing the lawn when the grass is higher and reducing the overall number of mowing. Sure, such a policy would reduce time spent on lawn care. But you get out of lawn care what you put into it.

It may come as a surprise that mowing the lawn is about more than just keeping your lawn's height under control. If done properly, mowing stimulates the grass of your lawn to lushness and better health, just as pinching a garden plant can improve its appearance. Proper mowing technique is an important aspect of overall lawn care.

So what is a proper mowing technique? Generally, you should alternate the direction in which you mow each lawn mowing session. You will thereby prevent your grass from "getting into a rut" (literally).

If your lawn mower wheels pass over the same area in the same direction each time you mow, they'll form ruts over time. Switching lawn mowing patterns also wisely avoids having the lawn mower blade beating at the grass in the same direction at every mowing.

Novices will just set the mower at the lowest setting to cut the grass as close to the ground as possible thus cutting down on the frequency of needing to mow. This isn't a good practice.

Certain grasses need to mown to a certain height to promote growth and healthiness. A general rule of thumb for almost all grasses is to mow to between 2 and 3 inches in height.

Height is important because the grass uses the extra length to absorb the sunshine it needs to grow and develop into a healthy plant. Never remove more than 1/3 at any one mowing. This may mean you'll have to mow more often during prime growing times (usually spring and early fall).

Turf grass stressed by mowing too low is more prone to disease, weed invasion, drought and traffic stress. Removal of most of the leaf blade limits food production. Limited food production decreases root, thizome, and stolon growth. Plants with limited food production and a limited root system will not have vigorous growth.

A vigorous, dense turf grass area is one of the best defenses against weed invasion. Weak grass plants with a limited root system are more prone to drought damage. It is particularly important to mow high during dry weather. Mowing height varies for different turf grass species:

Many turf grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass should be cut at 2 1/2 to 3 inches. Bentgrass and bermuda grass should be cut at 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Determine the type of turf grass in a lawn before recommending mowing heights. The grass should be mowed so that no more than 1/3 of the leaf blade is removed. If the desired height is 3", mow the grass when it has grown to 4".

If you let the grass grow too long and then mow it too low, scalping will occur on your lawn. When you do this, excess leaf blade tissue is removed. Such "scalping" of the lawn can cause severe visual damage.

More importantly, scalping shocks the grass plants and growth slows or stops, limiting the vigor of the turf. A scalped lawn may dry out quickly from drought, or may develop unusual weed and disease problems.

You will also want to make sure your mower blades are sharp. A dull mower blade shreds the tips of the grass blades. The shredding opens the ends of the leaf blades for increased moisture loss and potentially provides a site for disease invasion. Lawns cut with a dull mower blade may have an overall white appearance from the shredded grass blades.

By: Jeffrey Seymour

Find tips about fertilizing lawn and lawn weeds at the Lawn Tips website.

How Earthworms Help Your Lawn

2009-04-08T09:37:00.000+01:00

If you're tired of using man made chemical fertilizers and poisons to improve the condition of your lawn, maybe you should take a look at one of nature's oldest and most enduring soil conditioners - earthworms.

Earthworms have inhabited this planet for millions of years acting as a natural control to other insects and micro-organisms. They are not only good for the soil, but their very existence indicates that the soil is healthy. If you find no earthworms in your soil, you literally may not have healthy soil.

Earthworms also help to aerate your soil which is important to the root systems of plants. If your soil is too dense, water and nutrients will have trouble reaching the root systems of your grass or other plants and will lead to them starving or traveling to the surface, which is not good. Aeration has a plethora of benefits to the soil. It helps to reduce and eliminate thatching. It reduces water runoff and improves soil drainage. Aeration helps to loosen compacted soil, especially soil that has a heavy percentage of clay, allowing the soil to "breathe."

Earthworms are nocturnal creatures and you won't normally see them in the daylight hours. They hate the daylight, probably from eons of experience being eaten by early morning birds. They love the dark and that is where you'll most likely find them on the surface. They also seek the surface after long periods of rain where they may come to the surface for air.

If you want to drive all the earthworms to your neighbor's lawn, then use a chemical fertilizer that has a high percentage of nitrogen. Large amounts of nitrogen tend to make the soil acidic which earthworms do not like. If the soil becomes too acidic, your friendly earthworms will seek greener pastures elsewhere.

If, however, you want to help your earthworm friends, leave your lawn clippings on the lawn when you cut it. The grass clippings contain natural levels of nitrogen, which is good for the soil. In addition, lawn clippings are a good source of food for earthworms.

Many chemical fertilizers have trifluralin as an active ingredient. Trifluralin is a suspected carcinogen which the EPA put under special review in the early eighties because of the presence of a contaminant that had been shown to cause tumors in animals. If you use chemical fertilizers on your soil, you are possibly putting the health of your lawn's earthworms in danger.

Eliminating poisons has other benefits as well. Domesticated dogs and cats often chew on grass, dandelions, and other plants in the garden. If the lawn and plants have been treated with pesticides, your pets are also eating pesticides. In the best case, they will not be harmed. But depending on the levels of pesticides used, they could end up with an upset stomach or worse, they could be seriously poisoned. The same applies to your kids if they play on the lawn and put things in their mouth as young kids will often do.

With these facts in mind, you have to ask yourself if using chemical fertilizers is worth it, even if they offer a much easier way of keeping your lawn looking good. If, however, you are willing to try natural means of lawn care, you may find that the lowly earthworm is your lawn's new best friend.

By: Alex Murphy

Alex Murphy loves his lawn and is always looking for ways to improve his lawn. If you are a do-it-yourselfer and interested in lawn care diy (do it yourself) tasks, read more of his articles at his site.

Getting Rid Of Ants The Safest Way

2009-04-01T15:13:00.001+01:00

Ant season is on the horizon.

As the ground warms up in the spring, ants who have been dormant in the earth during the colder weather warm up and come to the surface. Queen ants fly off to find new nesting areas...and before you know it, ants are back in our world.

While ants play an important roll in the ecosystem, it is no picnic when they become pests in our world.

But all too often, when people have a pest problem they run to the store and buy a can of toxic pesticide, come home and spray the pest.

Whoa! Let's step back and take a look at handling ant problems using a least toxic approach.

Perhaps I should first define "least toxic approach." This term means you try to solve the insect problem with the least toxic material. If that doesn't work, then you try something a little toxic but not as toxic as poison. You keep trying to solve the insect problem using progressively more toxic substances until you find something that works. Using this approach, the solution to your insect problem can range from doing nothing to spraying toxic insect killer, if that is the only thing that works.

Why should you bother with a least toxic approach? For one thing, studies are beginning to reveal the serious side effects of the overuse of toxic pesticides in our environment.

Did you know that evidence suggests a risk for some types of cancer and even genetic damage from exposure to pesticides?
And perhaps worst of all, children are especially at risk.

Why wait until science finally makes a direct link to damaged genes and pesticides? By that time, the damage could already be done to your genes and those of your children.

You can help protect yourself, your children and our planet by doing your part to be a good steward of our environment right now. One way to do that is to adapt a least toxic approach to pest problems...and that's what our article series on getting rid of ants is all about.

By: Joey Singer

Visit the Starting A Garden website to learn about how to plant a garden and gardening problems.

A Little History Of Roses

2009-03-25T09:18:00.001Z

There cannot be many gardens, which do not have at least one rose amongst its list of plants, for few gardens would be complete without the beauty and fragrance of these splendid flowers. Blooming from spring until autumn, they have never lost their appeal and charm; they are as popular today as they have been throughout the centuries. All over the world, gardens devoted to roses have become places of pilgrimage. There are so many different kinds of roses to choose from, to suit tastes, gardens of any size, climate or aspect.

Most of us who grow roses are scarcely aware of the heritage, of which we are beneficiaries, because it has been through selective breeding throughout the centuries, which has given us the overwhelming choice of variety, colour, form, scent and growing habit. Two geographical groupings which, at first, developed separately, have had-both in their separation and in their ultimate combination-the greatest impact on rose history: The European/Mediterranean group of species and their hybrids, and the Oriental group of species and their hybrids.

The European roses are primarily the following: Gallicas, Albas, Damasks, Damask Perpetuals, Centifolias, and Mosses. The mainstream Oriental groups are Chinas and Teas. The European sorts-with one important exception-have only one season of bloom per year, while the Orientals repeat bloom more or less continuously. During the 1830s work continued in earnest on the breeding between the Oriental roses and the Europeans. It was the Englishman Bennett, a cattle farmer converted to rose breeding, who applied the laws of heredity of his previous occupation to the breeding of roses. Due to the laws of genetics, the first progeny of crosses between once-bloomers and repeatbloomers the next generation bloomed only once. As they were crossed with each other, however, and then back to the Chinas and Teas, repeat-blooming hybrids began to appear. These were crossed with Damask Perpetuals. More crosses with the new material were made as work continued in all groups of roses.

Never before the 1830's had such a diversity of disparate roses been available--and never since. Almost every available species, no matter how obscure, had varieties and sub-varieties of varying colour or form due to breeding of sports. A new group of roses appeared in the 1970s originated from crosses made between certain Old Roses and Modern Hybrid Teas and Floribundas. Combining the charm and wonderful fragrance of an Old Rose, with the colour range and summer-long flowering of a Modern Rose they drew together the outstanding voluptuous beauty of the Old but stretched out the flowering season, providing the modern gardener with the very best of both worlds. These are the English Roses, with strong fragrant blooms; even more fragrant than many of the Old Roses, with colours ranging from white, cream to shades of pink, yellow, apricot to peach, lilac to crimson, purple and many shades of mauve.

By: Juliet S Sadler

Learn about canadian thistle and thistle plant at the Plants And Flowers site.

5 Things To Do With An Old Garden Hose

2009-03-10T08:37:00.000Z

Next time you have an old garden hose that you are just going to throw out, don't! There are many things you can do with an old garden hose - even cracked or badly cracked or leaky hoses. Here are some terrific ideas to reuse the old garden hose and recycled into fun projects.

1. Construct a soaker hose for your plants or garden. Take that leaky hose drill a few more holes in it and attach it to a regular hose with a brass or plastic couple. You'll need to seal off one end of the soaker hose with a plastic cap. Now put the hose near your plants or garden or you can bury it in a shallow trench. Allow the water to flow only as a trickle and leave on for 30 to 45 minutes.

2. You can even use an old hose as a bucket handle. Cut a short piece of hose with a slit on one end. You'll be surprised the weight of the bucket you can carry with the hose as your handle.

3. For those who love camping, try this one to add some cool colors to your next campfire. Take a half-inch copper piping and cut into small sections. Insert the rubber hose into the copper piping and cut it down. Place in the fire and wants the beautiful colors. Kids love this one.

4. Tree support. You have an old tree that is leaning? Try using an old garden hose is as a support. Slip over old port cable through the hose then the string the hose on the tree. This will prevent rope or cable burn onto the tree itself.

5. We would not recommend this one but you can use an old garden hose as a gas siphon. Only in case of emergency though!

By: Jim Martin

For more information on garden hoses, garden hose reels and gardening in general, visit www.garden-hose-guide.com

Benefits Of Greenhouse Gardening

2009-03-05T08:19:00.000Z

For those of us who live in colder climates, experiencing five months or more of winter each year, the benefits of greenhouse gardening can be enormous. Gardening with a greenhouse allows for an extended growing season that can begin and end months outside of the traditional outdoor growing season in your climate. Greenhouses may even allow you to grow plants year round. Greenhouses can also provide a warmer mini-climate for plants that typically would not grow in your zone, allowing you to cultivate many varieties of plants that are unique to your area.

When growing plants in a greenhouse, it's important to remember that the air temperature inside can be as much as 30 to 40 degrees warmer than the outside air temperature. While the warmer air is wonderful for your plants during the cool months of late fall, winter, and early spring, in the hot summer months, these temperatures can pose a real threat to your plants. When the temperature inside a greenhouse gets too high, your plants can actually burn. In the hottest part of the summer, it's a good idea to add a shade cloth to your greenhouse to help keep the inside temperatures down. When building your greenhouse, consider aligning the roofline in an east-west direction so that the largest area of the roof is exposed to the south. This will accomplish two things. First, if a shade cloth is required, you'll likely only need to cover the southern facing side of the roof, saving you time and money in materials. Second, by having more roof area exposed to the intense southern sun, you'll get maximum solar gain in your greenhouse during cooler months, when you need it most.

For those of us who enjoy vegetable gardening, another benefit of gardening with a greenhouse is the ability to start vegetables from seed early in the year. While many nurseries and garden centers to sell vegetables as young plants in the early part of the year, these small plants can be expensive to buy. Certainly when planting on a larger scale, starting your plants from seed is a much more economical option. Additionally, when planting some certain types of herbs and vegetables, starting plants from seed may be a requirement, as most nurseries don't grow the more obscure varieties and hybrids.

In the case of vegetables that grow well in containers, such as tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, strawberries, and many herbs, a greenhouse can be a way to grow your own produce year round and save money on your grocery bill. One option is to begin your vegetables in the greenhouse early in the year, and then move then outdoors during the warm summer months. When the weather cools off again in the fall, the plants can be brought back into the greenhouse to extend harvests for several more months, or as long as the lifespan of each individual plant will allow.

While a greenhouse can be a significant up front investment, the rewards of greenhouse gardening are almost endless. Your greenhouse will pay you back with new and unique varieties of plants, bigger and better harvests, and a wealth of invaluable gardening experience.

By: Ellen Bell

Do you want to build a greenhouse? Home Products 'n' More offers free shipping on all greenhouse kits and greenhouse supplies!

Growing Garlic

2009-02-25T08:44:00.000Z

While we all know that garlic has many health benefits such as being a natural antibiotic, you may not know that they can also be healthy for your garden as well. As a companion plant, when they are planted near roses and raspberries, garlic will improve the growth and health of your plants. It has the added benefit of deterring Japanese beetles and aphids. Garlic is easy to grow and each planted clove will produce a full head of Garlic with between 8 to 20 cloves per head. To get started in with planting your garlic, first purchase your garlic of choice. Since the garlic from grocery stores has anti-sprouting chemicals added to it, be sure and buy your garlic from a reputable source rather than a grocery store. One variety that you may enjoy that is popular here in the Mid-South is the mild flavored 'Elephant' garlic which has large clusters.

Planting Garlic

One half pound of garlic seed is a good start and will produce about 15 plants. Garlic is divided into hardnecks (Allium sativum var. ohioscorodon) and softnecks (Allium sativum var. sativum). Check online catalogs or your local co-op for the variety that will suit your needs best.

Next, decide where you will plant your garlic. A raised bed is suggested if you do not have good soil or if you live in a wet climate. Good soil means loamy soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. Composted manure for essential nutrients incorporated into soil a few weeks before planting is helpful. If you are planting your garlic directly into your soil, plant in wide-rows 10 to 12 inches wide. Timing is important when planting garlic. Bigger bulbs will be produced if you plant in the fall and let it grow and mature until the following summer. If you find that it's springtime already and you haven't planted yours yet, go ahead and plant if you like, just realize you will get smaller bulbs. Since garlic bulbs like cool weather, the earlier you can plant it the better it will grow and the bigger the bulbs will be.

Garlic is not susceptible to disease, but as with any plant, having good air circulation is the key to a healthy plant. If your garlic develops thrips, apply insecticidal soap. In cold climates, add more mulch a month after planting to prevent extreme temperature fluctuations. When growth appears in late winter, pull back the mulch and begin monthly applications of an organic fertilizer such as blood meal or fish emulsion. Stop fertilizing in mid to late spring (depending on what type of garlic you have). Mulch again as summer approaches.

Harvesting Garlic

It takes about 100 days for bulbs planted in the spring to mature. Harvest between late may in warm climates and mid-August in cooler areas. Stop watering two weeks before harvest. One tip that garlic is ready to harvest is when the leaves on the lower half of the plant turn brown. To harvest, dig the bulbs up rather than pulling them up, Being careful not to damage the outer skins.

Let them cure in a dry, shady, well ventilated location for three days. Don't wash them yet. If you want to braid your garlic for a decorative touch, now is the time to braid the foliage of softnecks. Cure bulbs for 2 to 3 more weeks until foliage is completely dry. Once foliage is dry, clean the bulbs by wiping or peeling away the outer husk. Trim tops to 1 inch and roots to 1/2 inch.

Storing Garlic Bulbs

To store your garlic bulbs, place them in mesh bags or braided strings in a dark, cool place. Garlic will keep up to three months if stored at between 32 degrees Fahrenheit and room temperature. Humidity level of 65 to 70 percent is best.
Don not refrigerate.

Troubleshooting

Common causes of small or no bulbing include high temperatures, excessive watering, wrong cultivator for your climate, and weed competition. Your local extension service can advise you as to what varieties grow well in your area.

Both you and your garden can benefit from growing garlic. Checking online catalog sources, your local extension service, or with your local garden center will give you many varieties that are fun to try and that will grow well in your area.

By: julia stewart

For more expert gardening advice from Julia Stewart, a Master Gardener, and her husband who had been a professional landscape contractor for over 30 years, visit their web site at www.flowers-plants-gardening-advice.com/

Gardening With The No-dig System

2009-02-18T08:47:00.000Z

The idea of do-dig gardening was developed by an Australian named Esther Deans. It was originally both developed both as a labor saving idea, and a method to rejuvenate badly depleted soil in a vegetable garden.

The process involves starting with layers of newspaper, and by adding lucerne hay, straw and compost in succeeding layers, you can create a growing medium without resorting to heavy digging, and one that is rich in nutrients and which will simplify weeding and encourage your much desired plants to grow. The layers compost together, and greatly encourage earthworms. The gardens are maintained by adding manure, compost, etc., and should not be dug up, as this will undo the good work. I have used this approach to creating vegetable gardens, and it certainly does work.

The principle of not digging has sound foundations. Excessive cultivation of the soil, especially when very wet or very dry, will damage the structure of the soil, and lead to compaction. Such excessive cultivation can also discourage the earthworms, and they are the best free labor a gardener has.

Some followers of permaculture and organic gardening have translated no-dig into never-dig, which I believe is sadly mistaken. If you start with a base soil that is badly compacted, then your no-dig garden will initially work well, but you may find your garden does not continue to perform well. The fertile layer you have built up will encourage the earthworms, but we do know that the worms need to shelter from excessively hot, dry, cold or wet conditions. They have been found to seek shelter from extreme conditions by burrowing more deeply into the soil, sometime many feet down. If they cannot shelter in this way, it is my contention that they will die out or move out.

My belief is that an initial cultivation of the soil before you apply the no-dig system will guarantee a better environment for the worms, and thus a better garden for growing your plants, over the longer term.

By all means give the no-dig approach a try – you will be pleased with the result.

By: Juliet Spalding

Want to find out about japanese lilac and pruning lilacs? Get tips from the Lilac Flower website.

Quick Gardening Improvement Ideas

2009-02-11T09:25:00.002Z

A beautiful garden adds great value to the home and creates a restful place to recoup your energy, somewhere to entertain all those guests, or a wonderful place for the children to play safely. Most houses on a block of ground will have some kind of garden, but if yours is a bit bland, try out these budget-wise ideas to improve it.

1. Add a water feature. But be sure you really do want one - in that particular spot. They can be hard to move once installed. A birdbath is an easier option.

2. A curved path will add elegance, even if it only leads to the clothesline. But yours could lead to a hidden seat or statue - or that water feature.

3. Paths can be made from brick, cement, flagged rock, stepping-stones, gravel or woodchips. The last two options are the cheapest.

4. If you don't use your lawn much and are tired of mowing it, then replace with gravel or cement, add a few pot plants for coolness or statues and a seat.

5. Discard that old, unused shed or half dead shrub that you hate.

6. Do your own makeover; tidy up the back yard and get the whole family to suggest ideas of what they would like.

7. Hanging baskets, a vine-covered pergola, or a row of pot plants may be all you need to jazz up your garden.

Once you get your garden into shape, you'll be amazed at the difference.

By: Mel C

Homes built on land in Victoria outside the CBD generally offers more space for landscaping. If you're thinking of a buying a house with a garden, it's worth investigating land for sale in outer city suburbs.

Deadly Plants In Your House & Garden

2009-02-04T09:10:00.000Z

If you have pets or small children and like to keep a garden or indoor houseplants, it's important that you know which varieties of plants are dangerous to have around. While there are some well known toxic plants such as Poinsettias and Deadly Nightshade, there are also many common household plants that are potentially deadly to both pets and humans.

Daffodils, Hyacinths, and Narcissus plants can all cause serious stomach upset, high blood pressure, tremors, and irregular heartbeats if the bulbs are eaten. In some cases, digestion of the bulbs can even be fatal.

Ingesting Lily of the Valley shrubs, Rhododendrons, and Azaleas will cause nausea and vomiting, and can go on to trigger cardiovascular collapse, coma, and death.

Oleander is well known for its toxic properties, as is Foxglove. These plants cause gastrointestinal upset, affect the heart, and are deadly. Just handling these plants can cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals, so it's best to avoid direct contact with these plants. Foxglove is especially dangerous because their bell shaped buds are very attractive to children. Ingesting just a small amount can be deadly, and prior to death, the toxin can cause severe abdominal pain, hallucinations, and tremors.

Castor Bean seeds and the Rosary Pea are extremely dangerous to have around the house if you have pets and small children. It takes just a few seeds to cause death in both animals and humans. The berries on the ornamental Daphne plant are also very toxic—especially to children—and touching the twigs can cause skin irritation.

Even the childhood favorite, Buttercup flowers, can cause gastrointestinal disorders if eaten and can trigger blistering if the sap makes contact with the skin.

The Yew tree has poisonous berries and foliage, which are very attractive to pets and livestock. Symptoms of Yew poisoning may include convulsions and difficulty breathing, but death has been known to occur without warning.

If you have some of these plants in your house, and you have pets or small children, try to keep the most dangerous plants out of reach by setting them on high shelves or on plant hangers. As soon as your children are old enough to understand, teach them to always check with you before anything from a plant or tree.

To keep your cats from devouring toxic greenery, keep edible grass in the house so that they have something safe to nibble on. Then, either keep hazardous plants out of reach, or make them less enticing. You can try rubbing something bad tasting on their leaves, or spray your pet with water every time they go near the offending flower. They'll soon associate the plant with unpleasant consequences, and leave it alone.

Outdoors, dangerous plants and shrubs should be fenced off to protect your pets from accessing them.

If your pet exhibits some of the following symptoms, then you should suspect poisoning: vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and shivering. If you think your pet has come in contact with something toxic, call your veterinarian right away. The Animal Poison Control Center is also available for assistance for a fee over the phone. Their 24-hour emergency line can be reached at 1-888-426-4435.

If your child has ingested something toxic, they will likely exhibit pain around their mouths, vomiting and stomach cramps, convulsions, and an irregular heartbeat. In the case of ingestion, you should immediately call Poison Control or call 911.

Plants are a lovely addition to any home or garden, but they can be deadly if precautions aren't taken. Do your research before purchasing a plant to make sure that it won't put your children or pets at risk. If you do have a plant or shrub that's toxic, do your best to teach your children and animals to stay well away from it.

By: Tim Ryan

Amerivest is a realty company based in southwest Florida, and specializes in Naples real estate. Search for Vineyards homes and view property listings in this highly coveted Naples community by visiting us at NaplesGuru.com.

AeroGardens: The Newest Thing In Gardening

2009-01-28T09:07:00.002Z

Maybe you've seen them on an infomercial. The AeroGardens
are an awesome new product allowing you to grow plants in
your home the easy way. No bugs, no weather issues, and no
waiting forever.

AeroGardens rock, and here I'm going to tell you why.
AeroGardens have changed the way people garden. You
definitely don't want to miss out on this awesome product.

#1: You can grow stuff all year long. You do not have to
worry about getting messy, pulling weeds, or even
pesticides. Also, if you're in an apartment, you can have a
garden still!

#2: No dirt needed since the plants grow in air and water.
Because of this technology, the plants grow up to five times
faster. You can have a harvest in only 28 days!

#3: No matter what room in your house, or in your cubicle
even, you can grow plants. For most indoor plants, you need
to place the planter near a window to get enough sunlight.
The AeroGarden has a lamp included to provide just the right
amount of light needed.

#4: You can grow the full garden inside or not. You can
choose to use the Aerogarden as a starter. Just grow them
inside and transport them to your outside garden if you
want!

#5: Automatic release of Nutrients. The AeroGarden provides
over sixty micro and macro nutrients that will help your
garden grow nicely. If you plan to use the fresh herbs and
tomatoes from the AeroGarden, then you'll have healthier
herbs!

The Aerogarden's popularity is huge for tons of reasons.
People are enjoying no mess, fresh herbs, and they are
enjoying them throughout the year! Don't be left out on the
enjoyment of a brand new AeroGarden. - 13418

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Growing An Indoor Herb Garden Is Easy

2008-11-10T09:30:00.001Z

Instead of planting a big outdoor herb garden consider
planting one indoors. Many smaller varieties and dwarf
varieties of herbs grow quite well in small pots that can be
placed on a kitchen window sill. Now when you are cooking
you do not have to run to your outside garden to pick a few
herbs to add to your cooking. You can just simply turnaround
and grab a few leaves!

It's easy to grow your own indoor herb garden. Many kits are
available that have everything that you need to get started.
Look for the chia herb garden which is a fun way to get the
kids involved too. You can enjoy the same benefits that you
would outside, but with a few distinct advantages with an
indoor herb garden.

Advantages Of An Indoor Herb Garden

Monitoring your plants with an indoor herb garden is easy.
If they need any maintenance you will notice quickly. If
they need a quick misting you can accomplish the task with
little effort. Outdoor gardens are more frequently
overlooked. You will not have issues with bugs eating the
leaves of your herbs indoors. You will not have to contend
with trying to find a safe chemical that can be used to
treat your herbs to keep bugs away.

When it is time to harvest all of your fresh herbs you can
do it within the comfort of your own home. You will not have
to deal with mosquitoes or other bugs while you are trying
to garden.

When you plant an indoor herb garden you can bring in the
wonderful fragrance that they provide. Now your kitchen will
smell delicious like fresh basil or rosemary. Being
surrounded by the fragrances of an indoor herb garden might
even inspire your cooking. Any meals you do cook will now
taste even better as you will be able to add fresh herbs
instead of dried herbs that have been sitting in a cabinet.

Having an indoor herb garden will also protect any other
plants that might be in your garden. Known to be extremely
invasive are some species of herbs. Once they start growing
they are hard to stop and before you know it your herb
garden has taken over. By planting your herbs in small
individual pots inside you can control its spreading.

Plants can make indoor spaces feel warm and cozy. Why not
add a few practical plants to your kitchen to achieve the
same result. You can generate an inviting atmosphere while
growing herbs to use in your cooking.

Cultivating your own
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indoor herb garden is easy. Several kits are available that
have everything that you need to begin. Now when you are
cooking you do not have to run to your outside garden to
choose a few herbs to add to your cooking.

Grow Fruit Indoors With Indoor Fruit Trees

2008-10-30T09:21:00.001Z

One of the latest popular additions to the gardening scene
is growing fruit indoors with indoor fruit trees. These
small, suited-for-indoors fruit bearing trees are ideal for
gardeners of all levels of experience. Even those with very
little living space can comfortably fit one of these
economical fragrant trees.

Indoor fruit trees are available in wide varieties. Not
only are these handsome, fragrant trees ideally suited for
indoors, they yield regular size lemons, limes, grapefruits,
oranges, and more. You can even own an indoor kumquat tree!
If you're worried how tall they grow, don't be ... indoor
fruit trees top off at 10 to 12 feet maximum, and only reach
that height if they're never pruned.

How Do Growers Ship Indoor Fruit Trees?

Indoor fruit trees are usually shipped from the grower in a
standard container, anywhere from 3 to 7 gallon size.
Indoor fruit tree growers are able to ship all over the
United States at any time of year as indoor fruit trees are
quite hardy and durable.

Does An Indoor Fruit Tree Need Special Care?

Indoor fruit trees are perfect for a beginning gardener
because they are relatively low maintenance. Two key
elements to help your indoor fruit tree thrive are making
sure not to overwater, and ensuring the indoor fruit tree
receives plenty of sunlight.

What Is The Fruit Yield From An Indoor Fruit Tree?

Typically, an indoor fruit tree will yield several pounds of
fruit annually. Of course, this depends on the type of
indoor fruit tree and how well the tree is cared for.

Indoor Fruit Tree Miscellaneous

While it isn't completely necessary, indoor fruit trees can
benefit if they spend warmer months outdoors on a patio or
balcony. When the temperature drops consistently into the
low 40's, bring the indoor fruit tree inside. In terms of
watering, usually every 10-14 days is sufficient. You may
also want to consider a time release citrus fertilizer for
your indoor fruit tree, which are available online or at
garden centers. - 13418

Jim and Laura Hofman enjoy growing
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Growing New Plants

2008-10-01T09:41:00.001+01:00

Cuttings that have successfully developed into small plants
will need be transferred from small pots to 5 inch pots as
they grow. Ideally, this should be performed just as the
roots reach the side limits of the pot and before the plant
becomes "pot-bound".

Be very careful when repotting that you do not remove too
much of the soil around the root ball and that the plant is
placed straight and upright in its new pot. The plant should
then be treated as per repotted plants.

The use of a portable potting tray

A portable potting tray is very useful for people who do not
have a greenhouse or potting shed. It can be made from 6
inch boards: the ideal size is a base of 24 x 15 inches,
sides and back 9 inches deep and the front around 4 inches.

Seed raising of house plants

There are a number of house plants and in door plants that
are easy to propagate from seed. These include Aloe, a
succulent plant with medicinal qualities, species of
Asparagus, some of the Begonias, many examples of Cacti,
Clivias, Cyclamens, members of the Eucalyptus family,
varieties of Fuchsia, Grevilleas including G. robusta,
Opuntia, the Phoenix palm, Primulas, Ricinus, Rochea
(another succulent), hybrids of Saintpaulia and Solatium
capsicastrum.

The best compost

Seeds, including those above, can be sown in top quality
rich potting soil.

If you decide to use compost it should be sterilized by
heating it for approximately 10 minutes in a sterilizer at
around 180 degrees F, then allowing it to cool before use by
spreading it out on a level surface.

Cheshunt Compound sterilizer, which can be purchased at any
seed store can also be used to sterilize compost. It is a
powder that, when dissolved in water, can be lightly sprayed
over the compost either before or after sowing the seeds. It
is safe to use for both humans and the smallest seedlings.
You can also sterilize equipment such as seed boxes and pots
this way, rendering them pest free. A good compost for seeds
can be made by adding peat, sand and fertilizer to
sterilized loam.

Seed compost preparation

All ingredients to make the soils for repotting
houseplantsshould be carefully mixed after being sifted
through 1 inch mesh. Fill the bottom of the pots or seed
pans with the larger pieces from the siftings to cover
drainage holes before filling them with the finer compost.
It should then be pressed down slightly with the fingers and
then made moist by placing the pot in a water tray, making
sure that the water does not come above the rim (the water
has to come up through the compost). Once the surface of the
soil appears moist it should be taken from the tray of water
and allowed to drain for some time before any seeds are
sowed. Seeds should be sown sparsely then covered with more
sifted compost. Covering depth of the seeds is dependent
upon the size of the seeds; generally, the smaller the seed,
the finer the cover and larger seeds should have a coverage
in proportion to their largest diameter.

Once the seeds are sown and covered, panes of glass can be
used to cover them and sheets of paper can be used as
shades.

Tilting the glass to afford air

Turn the glass panel over each day to prevent condensation
dripping on to the soil as this can promote decay. Once the
seedlings appear, remove the paper shade and begin
ventilation. This can be achieved by raising one side of the
glass slightly ( a plant label between the panel and the pot
works well).Continue this until it is safe to remove the
covering completely.

Can't always get what you want, you can find what you need
on (http://www.plant-care.com) repotting indoor house
plants. Drop by today at http://www.plant-care.com.

Garden Landscaping, Wilmington, DE Services - Selecting The Best

2008-09-17T12:26:00.001+01:00

There are several different things that need to be
considered before you go ahead and employ the services of a
landscaping company. One of the first things you actually
need to do is sit down and decide just what it is you want
out of your garden and the way in which it will be used.
After you have come to this decision can you then start your
search for the most appropriate landscaping, Wilmington DE
company for you to use.

Below we provide a few guidelines to help you when it comes
to determining and then selecting the right Wilmington, DE
landscaping company to use for your own particular garden
project.

1. One of the best ways of finding a good landscaping
company to carry out a garden project for you is to ask
family, friends or neighbours. Just getting their feedback
is often a great way of deciding whether the company they
used is in fact the right one for you and can often more
helpful than if you read the companies advert or look at
their website.

2. Before you do hire anyone whether it be recommended by
someone you know or because you like their website you need
to actually determine if they can meet your particular
needs. There are a few landscaping companies who will work
in specific areas of landscaping such as ponds or rockery
and these may be complete unsuitable for the project that
you have in mind.

3. Never when looking for a landscaping, Wilmington DE
company to work for you on a garden project use the first
one that is recommended or you see online or in a newspaper
or telephone directory. Rather spend some time contacting
several and explaining what your requirements and whether
they have the facilities to accommodate these.

4. Also before you employ the services of a landscaping
company no matter where you live make sure that they have
all the appropriate licenses as well as insurances.
Companies with the right credentials are those who will
guarantee to make right any problems and deal with any
untoward situations as they arise. One of the most
important pieces of documentation any reputable landscaping
company is going to have is liability insurance.

You should spend time investigating the company prior to you
employing them as this will save you a lot of heartache in
the future. What could be any worse than you employ the
services of landscaping company because they are keep only
to find that they actually do not know what they are doing.
So again we reiterate you should never employ the first
landscaping company that you come across no matter the size
of the project.

If you think finding the right kind of landscaping,
Wilmington, DE firm is going to be somewhat difficult then
you need to think again. As long as you keep the above in
mind then finding the right company for your particular
garden project will be much easier than you first imagined.

Above we have provided some information on finding the most
suitable Landscaping Wilmington, DE Service for your home.
If you would like to learn further about the benefits of
using such a service then please visit
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Avoid These Common Gardening Mistakes

2008-08-20T08:43:00.001+01:00

The gardening season is upon us, and the number of novice
gardeners planting vegetables, flowers, and shrubs in the
wrong place or at the wrong time, and under watering and
over watering different varieties, will no doubt put many
new gardener's new love in jeopardy and end in frustration
and hopelessness.

Count me in the "hopeless" category, or at least those were
my feelings about gardening last year. This year, I've
taken matters into my own hands, and instead of giving into
the temptation of hiring a professional landscaper, I
decided to buckle down and take the time to read about what
I had been doing wrong to see such a dismal turnout of the
flowers I'd planted and other gardening disasters I'd
endured since I bought a house just a year ago.

Mistake Number One : Planting bulbs and plants that attract
common garden pests who will destroy them with great
exuberance the following spring. You will need to be
careful to get varieties that are resistant to animals and
vermin that inhabit your area, such as deer, or else you
may end up seeing your hard work eaten within a matter of
days.

Deer are some of the worst offenders, as they will blow
through an entire garden of tasty bulbs in a matter of one
night, as they did with about 50 of my bulbs just days ago.
Be sure to read the labels and look up deer resistant
varieties and be aware of any other animals that may
inhabit your area as well.

I have intimate knowledge of this foible unfortunately, and
with my new barely-over-an-acre yard, I was pretty bummed
out that I must have had, as my sister would say a "black
thumb" (get it, instead of a green thumb, I kill
everything).

Well, that's not really the case, I just had to find out
what I was doing wrong and give my plants, trees, flowers
and shrubs what they were looking for, since each had
different needs.

My biggest mistake was that I thought all plants were
treated the same. I believed that as long as you watered
them a lot, gave them a spot with plenty of sunshine, and
planted them in the same sort of soil, there was no way you
could go wrong. That's simply not true, as many of you
know.

Some plants, like tomato plants, which happen to be the
most popular vegetable grown here where I live in Northeast
Ohio, love sunshine and can grow in just about any soil,
while others, like ivy and foxglove, love the shade and
flourish in the darker, richer soil that tends to be
present in shady areas.

Pruning is another huge issue that causes confusion amongst
newbie gardeners (yes, I'm a case in point on this one
too). For example, I pruned my hydrangea bushes all the
way down last fall, and because of that, I will most likely
see very little to no flowers this summer and fall.

The reason is that the wooden pieces that result after the
hydrangea has lost it's greenness actually create the buds
in the fall after their current blossoms die and fall off,
and if you prune this all the way back in the fall, you
will be cutting off the producing stems of the buds for
flowers next season. Sometimes gardening is going against
what you would think is common sense, and this is a good
example.

Many other plants, like most rose bushes, do require a
drastic pruning in the fall after they have "died" for the
winter and essentially gone into a hibernating state. I
mistakenly used this rule of thumb for roses and applied it
to hydrangeas, which essentially is going to result in my
bushes not having any blossoms this season.

Watering is another huge fauxpas where new gardeners tend
to apply the same rules for all of their plants and
flowers, even though they do not require a lot of watering.

An example of this is the difference between the salvia
plant, which is actually an excellent choice for
drought-prone locations, and the beautiful hanging plant,
the fuchsia, which thrives on tons of water.

Most plants do come with a tiny little direction stick when
you buy them as starter plants in greenhouses, and if you
are unsure of how to take care of a particular plant to get
the maximum enjoyment out of it as well as maximum beauty
and durability, then you can always ask a knowledgeable
assistant in a local greenhouse where you are purchasing
plants.

Of course, this wonderful thing called the internet and
it's revolution of data at your fingertips is always a good
source as well, where anyone can search for the best
gardening techniques for specific plants is also a boon to
any new gardener, and of course many who've been doing it
for years as well!

----------------------------------------------------
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suggestions on new natural ways to combat the aging process
can be found as well as tips to live a healthier, more
active and happier life through natural supplementation and
lifestyle choices.

An Overview of the Art of Bonsai

2008-07-30T08:50:00.001+01:00

Bonsai, the artistic representation of a natural tree,
first appeared in China over a thousand years ago on a very
basic scale known as "pun-sai". The Japanese have been
recorded to adopt and refine the art to an extent not yet
approached in China. The Japanese today regard bonsai as a
symbol of their culture and ideals.

On its arrival in the western world, the art of bonsai has
been warmly welcomed and embraced as a rewarding past time
or hobby. It is said to allow a greater understanding and
being with nature in addition to enhancing our gardens.

The five basic bonsai styles are formal upright, informal
upright, slanting (or windswept), semi-cascade and cascade.
All have their own individual beauty and serenity.

A tree with a style such as formal upright occurs when it
has grown in the open under perfect conditions. The most
important requirement for this style is that the trunk
should be perfectly straight, tapering naturally and evenly
from base to apex. The branches should be symmetrically
spaced so that they are balanced when viewed from any
direction. It is quite a demanding style to achieve.
Junipers, pines, and spruces are great to try and grow in
the formal upright style.

In an informal upright bonsai the trunk should slightly
bend to the right or left - but never towards the viewer.
This applies to all types of bonsai. Neither the trunk nor
branches should be pointing towards the viewer when the
bonsai is viewed from the front. For this style, try a
Japanese maple, Trident maple, or almost any conifer and
ornamental tree.

Trees that slant naturally occur as a result of buff
setting winds or deep shade during early development.
Whether curved or straight, the whole trunk leans at a
definite angle. The stronger roots grow out on the side,
away from the angle of the trunk lean, to support the
weight. Almost any type of tree will work well with this
style.

The growing tip of a cascade bonsai reaches below the base
of a container. The trunk has a natural taper and gives the
impression of the forces of nature pulling against the
forces of gravity. Branches appear to be seeking the light.
The winding main trunk is reminiscent of a stream
meandering down the side of a mountain. There are many
types of trees that can be used to achieve a cascading
bonsai. The key here is to make sure the tree isn't
naturally straight and upright.

The tip of a semi-cascade, like the cascade, projects over
the rim of the container, but does not drop below its base.
The style occurs in nature when trees grow on cliffs or
overhang water. The angle of the trunk in this bonsai is
not precise, as long as the effect is strongly horizontal,
even if the plant grows well below the level of the pot
rim. Any exposed roots should balance the trunk. Flowering
cherry trees, cedars, and junipers work very well in this
style of bonsai. Many people feel this style of bonsai is
the epitome of beauty in the art.

It is important for you to remember, as a beginner, that no
single bonsai style is the "right" style. More than
anything else you should not try to train a bonsai to grow
in a style it is not accustomed to. Study the natural
growth patterns of the tree you are going to grow and
enhance on the pattern nature gave it.

----------------------------------------------------
Patrick Carpen is the designer, writer and owner of the
website http://bonsaitree.infobay.ws/
He is an internet entrepreneur who helps the average user
better understand the workings of internet in addition to
providing high quality content on selected topics

How to Build a Window Box

2008-07-23T12:57:00.001+01:00

Building a window box is an easy DIY project that is great
for any beginner. The best choice of wood for a window box
is cedar or cypress, because both woods will naturally
resist rotting the best. This will give your window box
the best chance of lasting more than five years. The
process of building a window box begins with measuring the
window for window box length, followed by assembly,
followed lastly by hanging it. Let's skip straight to the
middle and focus in on the actual building of a window box
and the steps that are required. You'll need a drill, a
few special bits, a brad gun, and a miter saw for this
project.

For simplicity purposes let's build a 36" window box from
3/4" thick cypress. Cypress wood stock can be attained
from most local lumberyards in a variety of dimensions.
For window box purposes, a 1" x 8" board is recommended.
For this box we will need roughly 12 feet of length. Now,
miter the board at 34.5" three consecutive times such that
you have three boards, one for the bottom, front, and back.
We want to join these three boards with screws so that the
boards are held tightly together. Butt two boards up at a
ninety degree angle and join them with some gorilla wood
glue. You want to make sure you use a wood glue designed
for exterior purposes. Once glued, shoot a few brad nails
along the joint to hold the two boards together
temporarily. Next, countersink three small holes through
the boards in preparation to pass screws in to more
securely join the boards in a ninety degree fashion. A
countersink drill bit is one that drills a pilot hole deep
and a big hole shallow so that the screw head can sink pass
the face of the board. Countersink a hole on the left, in
the middle, and on the right. Next, sink a screw into the
boards so that they grab tightly. The butt joint should
show on the bottom of the box. Repeat the same steps to
fasten the back board to the bottom boards. Once finished,
you will have everything but the side pieces.

For fastening of the side pieces I recommend again using
gorilla glue and brad nails to quickly secure the piece to
the box. Follow that up with countersunk holes and screws
to secure the side pieces to the box firmly. The side
piece should be cut to size first. Once the side pieces
are attached, the structural assembly of the box is
complete. Next, use a drill with a 1/4" drill bit to drill
drain holes in the bottom. I recommend placing a hole in
each corner of the box and one in the very center where
water will likely migrate to the most. Next, caulk inside
the box to seal all the inner joints. This will reinforce
the box and also keep water from seeping through. Lastly,
staple an erosion tarp to the inside of the box. This will
act as a filter between dirt and water so that water can
drain through the box easily while keeping the dirt in.
Viola, now you're ready to hang it and put flowers in it.
It's just that easy. If you're not up for the challenge of
building a wooden window box every five years, a good idea
may be to consider investing in a PVC window box. They're
moisture resistant, reasonably priced, and because they
don't rot they're designed to last 30 years and more
without any maintenance.

----------------------------------------------------
Matthew Buquoi is the owner of Flower Window Boxes, Inc.
His expertise is manufacturing PVC window boxes and custom
window boxes. He has many years of experience in building,
painting, and installing window boxes. Flower Window Boxes
specializes in affordable PVC window boxes and are known as
the largest manufacturer online and they sell direct to the
public.
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When should you prune your roses

2008-07-16T08:53:00.001+01:00

As with many other aspects of pruning, deciding when the
best time to prune is can be confusing for many people.

Though the general rule of thumb is to prune in spring, the
best time can vary a bit from climate zone to climate zone.
There are a couple of tips that can help you decide the
very best time to prune your roses. In warmer zones in the
south pruning can be done as early as February. In colder
zones in the north it may be wise to wait until late March
or even April. How to decide when is right for your area
can be done easily by taking a couple of factors into
consideration The first thing to take into account in
choosing the best time to prune is the weather. You'll want
to be sure there is no risk of severe weather such as a
freeze. Pruning prior to a freeze can leave your roses
prone to damage that can prevent new growth or even kill
your plant. The next thing to look for is the signs of new
growth. Watch for the swelling of leaf buds which shows by
the bumps getting larger and turning a reddish color. When
you see these buds appear, and the weather is favorable,
then its the right time to prune your rose bushes. The
second exception is pruning done for winter preparation
purposes and is done generally in late fall or early
winter, depending on the climate zone you live in. The
third exception is pruning hybrid tea roses. Hybrid tea
roses should be pruned when dormant, generally in December
or January, depending on your climate zone. As you can now
tell, the best time to prune roses is not as big a mystery
as you may have thought. Making a few, simple observations
can give you the information you need to make the right
decision on when the best time is to prune your roses.
Water Gardening There are many new trends
surfacing in gardening, and water gardening is one of the
main new interests. Water gardening can be in the form of
waterfalls, ponds, fountains, all of which can be enhanced
by rock work combinations and lighting, plants, and fish.
Water gardening doesnot have to be a pond or natural water
source either, it can consist of just a plastic tub,
basically anything that can hold water.

The most important thing to consider in water gardening is
probably the spot chosen. Since plants and fish both need
plenty of sunlight, places in direct light away from trees
and bushes is the best place. This will also help prevent
leaves and debris from collecting in the water. When
planning for a water garden first decide the size you want.
This will depend on how much money you are willing to spend
because water gardening can get expensive if you opt for a
large garden full of plants, rocks, fish, and lights. Also
consider the size of our property, and the amount of time
you want to spend with maintaining your water garden. When
you choose what type of aquatic plants you wish to have,
remember that the plants should only cover about half of
the water. Plants can be free floating, submerged, or
marginal. Which you choose is all a matter of personal
preference. Some plants are good for their scent, some
provide more oxygen than others and will keep the pool
health, and some are just beautiful. Fish are not only nice
to look at but they are also very beneficial. Fish help
keep debris at a minimum and help in controlling larva and
other insects. One of the main difficulties in water
gardening is keeping water clear of algae. Algae problems
are usually caused from too many nutrients in the water
from feeding fish too often or from over fertilizing
plants. If ponds are made correctly and are maintained
properly algae problems and control will be kept at a
minimum. All garden pools regardless of size will need
maintenance throughout the year. With proper planning you
can ensure a healthy balance between living and decorative
features of a water garden that can almost care for itself
with simple maintenance inputs from you. You can get rid of
algae by reducing on the nutrients that cause the algae by
cutting back on feeding and fertilizing, planting more
plants, installing a filter system, or replacing existing
water with fresh water. There are some chemicals that can
be used, like copper compounds, but overuse can kill plant
life and fish. Water gardening does not take anymore time
than regular gardening, but obviously isnot near the same
thing. You may be the type person who couldnot grow a
flower if you tried but would be excellent at water
gardening. If you are looking for a way to occupy some time
or to beautify your yard, water gardening is an excellent
way. .

----------------------------------------------------
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Creative Window Box Ideas

2008-07-09T09:04:00.001+01:00

When it comes to window box ideas, personality will tell
the whole story. Plants are a good way to keep a window
box neutral and flowers are a good way to add highlights.
A window box should contain a mix of plants and/or flowers
that considers size, color, layout, and most importantly
pesonal style.

Here are some ideas to help stir up your imagination:

1. Hanging plants are a great window box idea if you want
to give the look of fullness or if you want to blend the
box into a garden are below. You can also use them to flow
into a landscaping area beneath a window or to draw
attention away from a plain wall. Potatoes vines, aubretia,
or geraniums are all great ideas that can create this
artistic flow.

2. Climbing plants and vines can be used to integrate the
window box upward and outward into the home. If you've
already got climbing vines on your house try adding a
window box and having them flow down into the window box
where a tall plant or some bright colors can pop out: great
choices are virginia creepers, wisteria, and ivy.

3. Tall plants are great window box ideas when surrounded
by smaller complimenting plants. They can act as center
highlights that draw attention to your window box and make
it a focal point on the house: lillies, amaryillis, and
gladiolus are all popular choices.

4. Perrenials are flowers that will last 2-4 years and are
great choices for lesser maintenance: foxgloves are popular
and one of my favorites. If you like the idea of switching
it up more often make sure you get flowers that are annuals.

5. Color is a good way to draw attention to a window box
and make it stand out: Impatients, violets, tulips,
jasmines, and daisies are colorful options that are great
for
accenting a box on the sides or even for filling it up
completely. Stick with simple green plants if you want to
remain neutral and accent rather than highlight your window
box.

No matter which window box ideas you use, remember to take
into consideration how you want it to look and feel.
Should it stand out or blend in? Should it stand alone or
flow with your landscaping? Should your window box have a
mixed variety or a consistent look? There's no wrong
answer, just the answer that make you the most happy so let
your imagination soar.

----------------------------------------------------
Matthew Buquoi is the owner of Flower Window Boxes, an
online manufacturer of PVC window boxes and custom window
boxes. He has built and installed window boxes for many
years and loves to write about the many ideas he has come
across over the years when it comes to window box planting
and gardening.
http://www.flowerwindowboxes.com

Add A Koi Pond To Your Landscaping Project

2008-07-02T08:47:00.001+01:00

Landscaping your lawn could entail a number of things. It
could be as simplistic as having several plants and shrubs
surrounded by various rocks and woodchips or even a water
garden complete with fountains and flowers. The largest,
most elaborate form of landscaping is a Koi pond.

A Koi pond is a project that will require a large surface
area, and even more research. This illustrious landscape
is very stimulating, but also may require some work when
the changing of the seasons occurs.

Once the weather breaks and the leaves appear to be
changing colors, it is generally a good idea to install
netting over the Koi pond to eliminate the amount of leaves
and sticks that will land in the Koi habitat. This will
drastically lower the amount of debris to be removed at
seasons end. Another precaution that should be taken
during the break of the weather is winterizing the Koi pond.

In winterizing the fish habitat requires several pieces of
advice. One of the most important steps to take into
account is the cleaning process. It is wise to physically
take the fish out of the pond, place them into a bucket
full of the water in the pond, and clean the excess
bacteria from the pond. However, completely removing all
the bacteria will destroy the harmony of the pond through
the summer months; the plants feed off the bacteria while
the fish feed off the plants. Other things that need to be
removed are the remaining leaves and sticks that were not
caught by the netting. Failure of removing these materials
will result in creation of methane gas, a byproduct of the
decomposing that will occur. Lowering the amount of water
will allow the pump to circulate water, allowing the fish
to survive below the level of ice that accumulates in the
cold weather. Another tip worth perusing is to create a
hole in the ice when the winter season approaches. Do not
use force when attempting to create a hole. The best
method for this is to place a pot filled with boiling water
over the ice to allow a hole to be melted into the ice.
This will allow the gases that accumulate in the pond to
escape.

The largest problem that occurs with the overall presence
of the Koi pond is mobility throughout the surrounding area
of the piece. Installing a bride over the center or an
area of interest will serve a dual purpose. The practical
purpose for this landmark is to be able to cross over the
pond to access other portions of the yard or landscape. On
the other hand, the second purpose of building a bridge is
to create the effect of vastness and attractiveness.
Bridges can come in a variety of styles with according
costs.

----------------------------------------------------
Purchase a bridge for your koi pond at
http://www.redwoodgardenbridges.com . Article by Steve
Cancel - http://www.slwebsolutions.com .

Choosing a Window Box

2008-06-25T08:47:00.001+01:00

When choosing a window box it is essential that you have
all the information in front of you. First off, there are
many materials to choose from: wood, vinyl, PVC,
fiberglass, aluminum, wrought-iron, and copper to name a
few.

Wooden window boxes are the old standard that have been
around for centuries and they're an affordable solution to
window box planting and gardening. The advantages are that
they can be painted, they can be made custom, and they are
often affordable. The disadvantages are that the average
wood window box lasts 3-5 years and usually shows signs of
rotting after just 2 years. They will require a liner
inside and they are vulnerable to splintering, warping,
fading, peeling, moisture, and insects. The ideal choice
for a wooden window box is either cypress or cedar. Both
woods have the ability to resist rotting and will help the
window box last longer than other woods.

Vinyl window boxes are an alternative to wood that is a no
rot solution to window boxes. Vinyl is resistant to
moisture, however, vinyl window boxes usually do not accept
paint, have a shiny appearance, and are made from thin
double walled material that can crack over time. Vinyl is a
great choice for someone who wants a no rot planter that
needs to be white and lives in an environment where
temperature changes are minimal. Although vinyl window
boxes are not ideal for supporting heavy loads they are
lightweight and easy to install and many smaller sized
boxes can easily be clipped to a window with accessory
brackets. Vinyl has many advantages over wood and is an
affordable no rot solution to window box planting.

PVC window boxes are an upgrade over vinyl in that they are
made from solid core material that makes them more durable
and prevents them from splitting, cracking, or warping over
time. Additionally, PVC window boxes are also moisture and
rot free. Unlike vinyl, they have the ability to accept
paint readily and they have a matted finish to them that
keeps them from looking like plastic. In fact, they often
look like wood after being painted. The disadvantages are
that they are heavier than vinyl and can cost more on
average.

Fiberglass planters offer many of the advantages of PVC
window boxes in that they will not rot and are moisture
resistant. The advantages of fiberglass window boxes are
that they are available in custom sizes and they can
usually be painted as well. The disadvantages are that
they are generally heavier, limited in availability, and
pricier of all the options. They can be more difficult to
install, especially for larger boxes. They tend to have a
glassier finish to them, but they can usually be painted.

Next, that takes us to aluminum, wrought-iron, and copper
window boxes. Aluminum is an upgrade over wrought-iron in
that it can be sprayed black to look like iron but will
never rust. A wrought-iron window box will generally show
signs of rust in 3-5 years and may require maintenance.
Metal window box cages will need liners to hold potting
soil directly or they can be used to hold potted plants
instead. Some metal window boxes are bulk manufactured in
certain sizes and are made affordable at that size.
However, custom sizing can be pricey or limited in
availability. Copper window boxes tend to be pricey, but
offer a very distinct look that cannot be substituted in
any way.

With so many new materials on the market it's important to
understand the advantages and disadvantages to all of your
choices. Whether you're look for affordability, low
maintenance, or a distinct look, window box gardening can
be a fun hobby that brings lots of joy into your life.

----------------------------------------------------
Matthew Buquoi is the owner of Flower Window Boxes, a
manufacturing company that specializes in affordable window
boxes, PVC window boxes, and custom window boxes. He has
built and installed window boxes of all sizes, shapes, and
types and regularly writes about window boxes and window
box gardening.
http://www.flowerwindowboxes.com

Make Your Landscape Energy Efficient to Save You Money

2008-06-18T08:50:00.001+01:00

It has been proven by experts that cost effective backyard
landscaping which takes into account energy needs can save
the average household approximately a third of their usual
costs on heating and cooling throughout the summer and
winter months. In reality, we could be talking about $250
of savings over a twelve month period.

The question is ' how do you create an energy efficient
yard? There are several things to consider when learning
how to do this, whether your yard is already landscaped or
still yet to be done. Here are a few suggestions.

Keep Out the Sun

One of the main things to think about when landscaping is
the prevailing weather conditions. Where does the sun
shine on your property and what path does it take? When
hit directly by the heat of the sun, the walls of a house
will attract nearly 90% of the sun's heat, and in doing so,
put more pressure on the air conditioning or other cooling
system to keep the inside of the house at a pleasantly cool
temperature.

If you want to block out the sun you can plant dense and
wide trees at south or west facing areas of the house and
the foliage will give shade from the hot summer sun. You
will find that temperatures within the property are reduced
by nearly ten degrees Fahrenheit simply by following this
procedure.

During the winter months when the deciduous trees shed
their foliage, the winter sun will be allowed access to
your walls and foundations, just when the heat it needed.

Break the Wind

The winds which blow through your house are a main
contributor to the lower indoor temperatures experienced
especially in the winter-time when the cold wind chill
factor is present.

If you can set up a wind break, either by the use of
strategically placed fences or evergreens and trees, this
will cut down the winds blowing through your home a great
deal.

Capturing the Heat or Cool Indoors

Much energy is regularly wasted when the heat or cool
within the house is allowed to disappear through the
windows, doors and even the roof so it is necessary to find
a way to capture the heat or cool and store it inside the
home. Shrubs around the perimeter of the foundations of the
property will create a dead air barrier, thus keeping the
heat and cool indoors. It has been suggested by the experts
that to widen the area between the foundations or walls and
the planted shrubbery will create more space for the dead
air.

When landscaping your garden or yard, maximize the
advantages of using materials and greenery which are
appealing to look at. You will then find that not only is
your garden a pleasure to behold but it will be preserving
energy and saving you money at the same time.

----------------------------------------------------
Get many more landscaping tips, including ideas and
designs, at http://landscaping.freegardentips.info . You'll
find many landscaping ideas and plans that make landscaping
your yard less hassle and more enjoyable.

Rainwater Tanks- Every Gardener's Best Friend

2008-06-09T08:48:00.001+01:00

One of the biggest drains of a city's water supply can come
from people using their water for gardening. Many people
enjoy the look of beautiful lawns and lush gardens, however
this is using precious water that is needed for bathing or
cooking or drinking. Gardens account for most of the water
used in the home and is therefore the biggest domestic
contributor to the water shortage. No matter what type of
water problems you are experience, and whether you are in
Sydney, Brisbane, or Perth, or anywhere else in the world
for that matter, there is a way to have lush gardens
without using up your city's water supply.

Using rainwater tanks is the perfect way for you to create
the garden of your dreams and keep it green all year round.
The most important part of the operation is to have enough
rainwater tanks and the right types of systems to suit your
needs and your gardens. By using slimline tanks you can
keep your tanks out of the way so they don't take up
valuable space in your garden. It's also a good idea to get
modular tanks so you can simply add another unit or two
anytime to increase your storage capacity. Slimline tanks
are typically round or elliptical, and can look a bit
unsightly in your backyard however some new tanks are
rectangular and flat so that fit together and look just
like a normal wall or fence

Using rainwater for your gardens is also a great idea
because you don't have to do anything to the water before
you use it for your plants and vegetables. In fact, some
research shows the water even healthier than watering them
out of your own water supply, depending on where your local
water comes from. Most mains water is treated with
chemicals to take out any colour and smell. The water is
then delivered through underground pipes which can be over
50 years old! Compare that to rainwater which falls
directly from the sky.

Once you have a tank, you will need a method of getting the
rainwater to your gardens. This can be as simple as
watering can or hose for small blocks, or with an
integrated set up with pumps and controllers which is
better for larger gardens. If you are concerned with small
particles getting caught in the sprinklers or you also
intend on using the water in your home then you might
consider a first- flush filter or an inline filter to take
out any dirt or sediment. Be sure that there is also a
cover that will keep out bugs and animals so the water does
not become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria.

Rainwater tanks will make big difference to your garden and
water use and will cost you a lot less than you think.
Water is free from the sky so why pay for it!

----------------------------------------------------
Dave is an Architect and General Manager at Superwall
Systems, an innovative water tank company based in Perth,
Australia which produces the 'Supertank'- The world's only
structural water tank. Build your house out of water!
http://www.superwall.com.au

Basic Pool Landscaping Tips

2008-06-02T08:16:00.001+01:00

There are many things to consider when getting into pool
landscaping, but the main one to think carefully about is
choice of plants. Whether the pool landscaping is for a
pool above the ground or in the ground will have a big
impact on the sorts of plants that should be chosen. The
plants used for pool landscaping are also being exposed to
lots of chemicals, so they need to be hardy enough to take
it.

Swimming pools that are in the ground don't do well with
shrubs and trees. The expense of a swimming pool means that
extra care should be taken to make sure that it lasts for a
long time. Pool landscaping with shrubs and trees often
causes problems when the roots start to grow into the
foundation of the pool, often leading to expensive repair
work.

Fences are a popular for pool landscaping, often required
extra for pools that are in the ground. A pool fence can be
purely for safety, but can also be put in place to get a
little more privacy or perhaps add a bit of character to
the rest of the pool landscaping. Pools that are inside
should be paired with non-deciduous plants that don't lose
their leaves every year. The leaves tend to fall in the
pool and clog up the filtration system. Leaves are
inevitable, but avoid planting big trees that will drop
lots of leaves into the pool. Evergreen shrubs will also
drop some needles, that will get blown into the swimming
pool during stormy weather.

Low-blooming plants are better for pool landscaping. Annual
plants will wither and die if they get exposed to any pool
water. Creeping plants can create a certain amount of cover
for fences, turning an otherwise ordinary fence into a good
looking, privacy creating fence. They can however become
overgrown very quickly and require regular attention to
keep them in place.

Protection for Pool Landscaping

Lots of flowers around a swimming pool might sound tempting
to spruce up the general look, but bear in mind that every
flower added is a little more work. Keeping low-maintenance
plants that don't grow too tall will help to keep the
amount of extra work required to keep the swimming pool
area looking decent, to a minimum. This allows more
enjoyment time for the pool, rather than maintenance time.

Dense areas of flowers are not always necessary and
sometimes the most effective thing is to just add a few in
the places where they will have the most effect. Use them
in the right places to give a sprinkling of color. Shrubs
can be used to add a little height to the fence.

As a final note on pool landscaping, avoid flowers that
will attract flying pests. The swimming pool area is likely
to have people around, and kids and adults swimming.
Skipping plants that attract bugs like bees will help to
keep the swimming pool area safe. Bee attracting plants are
not appropriate for pool landscaping.

----------------------------------------------------
More pool landscaping tips are available from
http://best4yardlandscaping.com

Adding A Koi Pond To Your Home

2008-05-26T08:48:00.001+01:00

One of the newest crazes that are catching on with
homeowners is the koi pond. Koi ponds are in ground water
gardens that contain koi fish and are deep enough to
support life year round even in colder winter climates.
Many homeowners are finding it to be a great addition to
their front or backyard. The can add great scenery and a
tranquil environment for you to relax in.

There are two different ways to add a koi pond to your
home. First of all, you could call a landscaping company
to add one for you. Many landscaping companies have added
this to their list of services due to its popularity. This
would be as simple as looking thru the yellow pages and
calling landscaping companies to see if they offer this
service and see what the prices are. Once their service is
completed all you would have to do is add the fish that you
choose.

The second way to add a koi pond to your home would be to
install it yourself. This way will require a little more
patience and dedication. You would first have to start
with digging a hole for the pond. It is recommended that
the hole is a least 4 feet deep and 4-5 feet wide. Then
you would have to install your pond liner. You must
install a liner or else you will risk getting debris into
your pond from the ground. Then you need to install your
filtration system. Flirtation systems can be tricky, so
your best bet would be to go into your local pet shop and
let them know your needs and dimensions of your pond. Your
next step would be to add plants and vegetation to your
pond. Types of plants and vegetation you should use depend
on the type of climate you live in and can be researched
online. Your final step would be to pick out your koi fish
and add them to your pond.

Many people do not want this to be the last step in
finishing their koi pond but instead add other decorative
elements to their pond. These decorative elements can
include decorative rocks, sculptures, and decorative
redwood bridges which come in many different shapes and
varieties. All of these items can be purchased online
rather than fishing around at a local store for each item.

Both of these ways are good methods of adding a koi pond to
your backyard. You just have to choose which method is
best for you. Either way you do it, once your pond is
complete it will be there for you to enjoy for years to
come.

----------------------------------------------------
Add a Redwood Bridge to your home by visiting
http://www.redwoodgardenbridges.com . Article written and
distributed by Steve Cancel, IT Manager of Secure Link -
http://www.slcomputerrepair.com

How to Build a Greenhouse - Designs, Planning and Material

2008-05-19T09:03:00.001+01:00

You will have to plan carefully before you buy or build a
greenhouse of your own. There are several things to
consider when building your dream greenhouse. You can save
a lot of time and energy by planning ahead. You will need
an array of factors all working together to have the right
greenhouse system, including an advanced lighting system
depending on how much light you do or do not want into your
new structure.

Greenhouses come in a wide variety of styles and sizes. You
can find premade greenhouses that will give you all the
options you can think of, including a variety of designs,
sizes and prices to best accommodate your budget. You can
find an array of different materials, including plastic,
polycarbonates, glass, partial wood, aluminum and more that
makes up your greenhouse. If you build your own, you can
find even more materials that you can use.

You will find similar issues if you buy or if you build a
premade greenhouse. You will have to solve some questions
on your greenhouse.

You will have to figure out what kind of foundation you
want, including no foundation at all. Most times, however,
your foundation will be either gravel, wood or cement. You
can even find brick foundations. You will have to decide
whether or not you want to cover your foundation with
linoleum, tile or carpet on top of that, depending on your
preference and where you live. You can also find floor
heating systems that will keep your floors comfortable in
the winter months. These systems, however, will take time
to clean and investment funds.

Depending on where you live, you will have to see what
kinds of trees are around you and how many trees there are.
This will influence how many hours of direct sunshine you
get. You will have to learn your own local environment as
well, to accommodate around wind, hail, snow and rain. You
will need to ensure that your greenhouse can withstand your
own elements.

Depending on your geographic location, you will find
greenhouses that can best accommodate your surroundings. In
the northern states, you will see less sunshine in the
winter months and have to deal with a high amount of snow,
but you can find greenhouses that will help you around
these factors, including electrical lighting and heating
systems to protect your plants and flowers.

The amount of heat and moisture in the area will also
affect your plants. Summers can be more dry in some areas
of the country than in others, so these dry areas will need
more water than more lush areas like the Northeast New
Hampshire area.

You will need to also make sure that the size of your
greenhouse matches the size of your property. You will need
a flat area ideal for your greenhouse. You also don't want
an area that has too much wind or too many trees if you
want more sun in your greenhouse. You can find trees that
will block rainfall and the sunshine so depending on what
you wan to do with your greenhouse, you will have to look
out for these things on your own property.

----------------------------------------------------
Moses Wright loves greenhouse gardening during his free
time. You can find more tips and resources on greenhouse
gardening on his site:
http://www.homelyfamily.com/greenhouse.htm

Adding A Water Garden To A Landscape

2008-05-12T08:48:00.001+01:00

Water gardens are a very nice addition and add to the
overall quality of your landscaping. Like anything else
though, starting small allows you to learn valuable lessons
that you could attribute to greater projects you take on in
the future. Several reasons why you should start small and
work your way up include that these mini-projects are cost
effective for a starter project and smaller projects
require less maintenance attention. Also, small fountain
landscaping projects fit easily into tight quarters, and
could simply be just the slight edge needed to bring a
focus into an existing landscape.

These starter projects can either be purchased at the store
or even homemade. If building a homemade fountain is your
best alternative for a starter project, it is recommended
to start in a flower bed. Begin by creating a simple
shape, and line it with a supple liner. From there,
install a fountain inside a piece of clay pottery. This
will provide you with a simple, yet effective accent to a
normal flower bed. Building and maintaining this man made
creation will allocate skills and knowledge for future,
more illustrious fountains. Unfortunately, the clay
housing for the fountain cannot sustain the impact of the
weather in some region's winter weather. During this time,
it is recommended that the pot be removed from the water to
avoid breaking.

Once the time comes that you decide you would like to
dispose of the starter project, and move on to bigger and
better things, the process is simple. All that needs to be
done is to remove the liner (which can be reused for the
next project) and fill in the spot where the fountain used
to be with dirt. As mentioned previously, as you build
your new, larger landscape, you will be aware of the
shortcomings and mistakes you encountered when building the
previous development. Applying the experience gained to a
new landscape will allow you to maximize the quality.
Another positive that you could apply is the boldness of
the landscape itself. With one venture under your belt,
you are more likely to take chances and experiment with
more complex components. Some examples could include a
bridge as a new focal point of the landscape that showcases
a stream running to the pond area with a fountain. The
more sweeping the features are means that the more in depth
the project will require you to be.

----------------------------------------------------
Purchase a bridge for your water garden at
http://www.redwoodgardenbridges.com . Article by Steve
Cancel - http://www.slwebsolutions.com .

Garden Perennials Provide a Riot of Color

2008-05-05T08:49:00.001+01:00

Garden perennials are popular with many gardeners, though
there is a danger that the new gardener will over-plant
them as they wait for those already planted to mature. The
secret with perennials is patience, and if you want
something to add color to your garden while you wait, then
plant some annuals for the first year until the perennials
really show their true colors.

A perennial needs at least a year before it flowers
properly and that is when some gardeners get impatient. In
year two, although you get some show of flowers, you will
still not be impressed and might start to wonder why you
chose perennials. That feeling totally changes, however,
with the explosion of color in year three. That is when you
will start to regret the extra plants you put in because
the first ones did not seem to be doing anything.

Once your perennials are established it will seem very easy
just to sit back and admire your work, but you will have no
time for that. Perennials do not last for ever, and the
definition of the term is one that lasts for more than two
years. As some die away you will have to remove and replace
them with fresh plants. You can even move them about the
garden since perennials are ideal for replanting. In fact
many gardeners have a space set aside for starting off new
garden perennials in a variety of colors that they can use
later for filling in gaps as plants die. This avoids them
having to wait until the plants mature.

It is not easy to fill an empty space in a row of flowers
if you have to wait two or three years for a plant to
flower, and a small personal nursery area is a good idea
and quite common with gardeners experienced in growing
perennials. Others fill spaces with annuals, but they never
quite look as though they belong.

Growing perennials takes experience. Perhaps not so much
the growing, but the planning and envisaging what your
garden will look like in three years time. It is not easy
to space your plants correctly since they will spread out a
great deal more than you think as they mature, and some
such as asters, can continue to bloom when others have died
out. The overall plan of a garden should take several
aspects of the plant into consideration, such as height,
spread, color, whether it prefers shade or direct sunlight,
and how long they flower for.

As mentioned, the aster can bloom past September into the
fall, and you don’t want to plant asters together
with summer blooms that die off in August. You will then
be left with some asters all on their own and, while asters
are lovely plants, it might not be as you planned it.
Perennials can bloom right through from April to November,
sometimes even later depending on the climate and the
weather conditions.

Let's face it, there are more to perennials than most
people think, and they include plants as diverse as
rhubarb, daffodils, and other bulbs, corms and rhizomes,
lilac and even dandelions and daisies. You also have the
soft, fleshy stemmed herbaceous perennials such as the
peony. These have fragrant flowers, the smell of which
varies between varieties and come in reds, pinks and whites.

The beautiful blue cornflower, also known as
bachelor’s buttons because they were once worn by
bachelors when they went courting, are excellent flowers
for cutting, and the lovely flower belies the foliage that
can get quite ugly as it ages. For this reason cornflower
is best grown among other flowers with sufficient foliage
to hide that of the cornflower.

Lobelia plants can be either annuals or perennials, and the
delicate purple lobelia is very attractive. Although most
people generally regard lobelia as being a purple plant,
there are over 350 species of lobelia, and the short-lived
perennial lobelia cardinalis has red flowers that appear in
the summer through to the fall. The lobelia siphilitica
(Azure Sage), on the other hand, does not appear till the
fall and has delicate deep blue flowers. These plants
prefer to be planted in clumps where they show their colors
to best advantage.

The geranium is another garden perennial that looks good in
borders, beside ponds or even as ground cover. The true
geranium is a hardy perennial with a fabulous range of red
to blue colors that love well drained soil and shady
conditions. There are over 300 species, and new hybrids
coming along all the time.

In summary, garden perennials have to be understood, and
once the gardener new to them gets past the first two or
three years then he or she will be hooked. They provide a
riot of color to any garden, large or small, and are able
to be easily moved and transplanted to suit your particular
planning needs.

----------------------------------------------------
Want to find top qualitity perennials for your garden then
visit http://www.mygardencenteronline.com .
Where you will find a full range of Aster, Black Eyed
Susan, Clematis, Dianthus, Geranium, Peony and alot more
other types of garden perennials.

Hydroponic Supplies You Need for a Productive Garden

2008-04-28T08:56:00.001+01:00

Those who are new to hydroponic gardening often overbuy on
supplies that they possibly may not need when first
starting out. After all, the very basic hydroponic
supplies that you need when starting out can readily be
found in and around your home! Use these first before
expanding to the more expensive hydroponic supplies.
Beginning tables for your plants can include items as
simple as plastic tubs and a child's swimming pool!

You may wish to purchase a kit called a 'plug and go'
hydroponic gardening kit. These kits will include
everything you need - nutrient solution, plant cubes,
heating pad, and seeds. The only additional items that you
need to add are sun and water.

As a hydroponic gardener you will need a dedicated space
for your gardening. An easy to install 'grow room' is
preferred for the beginner. This can usually be completely
installed in less than an hour and the price can range from
$250 to over $500 depending on the features.

A small greenhouse can be considerably be more expensive.
Depending on the features, the cost of a greenhouse will
range from $500 to a few thousand dollars. A greenhouse
will typically need a cement floor and drainage system, or
some other kind of flooring such as gravel.

A temperature control unit will be necessary depending on
how many plants you will be growing in your grow room or
greenhouse. Usually the more plants you have the hotter
your greenhouse will be. The temperature control unit will
turn the fans or blowers on. It can also be set up to open
and close the air ducts.

Hydroponic gardeners also use a special type of lighting -
blue and green spectrum lights. These are instrumental in
increasing plant growth.

As you become more skilled at hydroponic gardening you can
will upgrade to a more advanced irrigation and drainage
system. The plant types and quantities that you are
growing will determine what other equipment you will need.

The typical hydroponic supplies that you will be purchasing
over time are a temperature control unit, light fixtures
for your blue and red spectrum lights, heating mats,
exhaust fan, an aeration system and other incidentals.

Beginners will find all of their hydroponic supplies at a
hydro shop. They specialize in selling hydroponic
gardening supplies and are very helpful in giving useful
and practical advice. You will also find the fellow
gardeners to be more than willing to help.

----------------------------------------------------
Author of Hydroponic Gardening Website: Tony Buel
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com
Hydroponic Gardening Supplies Article Found at:
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com/Hydroponic-Supplies-You-N
eed-for-a-Productive-Garden.htm

Riding Lawnmower Buying Tips and Guide

2008-04-21T08:59:00.000+01:00

If you have a lawn, you will eventually have to mow the
lawn. And if you have mowed a lawn with a push mower for a
few weeks, the idea of a riding lawnmower might look really
enticing. These small tractor-type mowers can be a great
way to mow your grass if your lawn is at least .25 acre.

There are electric models for your lawn mower as well as
the standard push mowers that everybody has seen. You can
find strong batteries and these models can usually go at
least a half acre before it needs to be recharged. These
electric models are really quiet, good for the environment
and don't produce any noxious fumes. They don't have the
power of the gasoline ones, however, and can get stuck in
thicker areas.

If you are a professional lawn care specialist, you might
want to look into models that have reel blades that cut out
in front. The rotary type is good if there isn't a golf
link to mow. The mowing blades are usually found below the
deck below the seat and can give you some vibration. A good
seat with plenty of cushion, however, won't bother you.

You can find smaller riding mowers that will work with your
lawn as well. The designs are basically the same as the
bigger ones. The only difference will be the size and the
power of the machine itself. You will always want more
horsepower with your mower, but if you have a well-built
machine, it won't need as much horsepower to do a great job.

If you have an even, smooth yard, you also won't need very
much horsepower. If you have a very hilly area, however,
you will need a lot more. If you have a lot of hills, a
lawn tractor will be your better choice.

A lawn tractor will have 10-15 horsepower and can work
well. Considering that a car has 150 ' 300 horsepower, it
seems that it's a lot less energy, but you don't need that
much. You will pay more for more horsepower, just like with
a car. Make sure you really need it first.

Prices will go up if you have a mower that can cut a bigger
area. Lawn tractor blades usually cut between 38 ' 42
inches and can cut the lawn quicker. But you will probably
be only able to cut your lawn 10% more quickly and the
mower might be a lot more inaccurate.

You can get a garden tractor with 20 horsepower and up to
60" mowing blades for a powerful, efficient machine. If you
need to haul dirt or tree parts with an attached trailer,
you can use this more efficiently.

You will want to look at the turning radius of the mower
you are about to buy too. If you have a very low or even
zero degree turning radius, it will cost a lot more. If you
don't have a lawn that is difficult to negotiate, you
probably won't need it.

----------------------------------------------------
Moses Wright loves to take care of his own lawn at home. He
sets up a site to provide fellow lawn care home owners with
more tips and resources:
http://www.homelyfamily.com/lawn.htm

Creating and Maintaining a Visually Stimulating Landscape

2008-04-14T08:49:00.001+01:00

Creating an effective landscape is a significant task.
However, landscaping is a continuous process that requires
constant attention. Planting and setting a landscape makes
your area look presentable, but maintaining the area
furthers the quality of the landscape over time. There are
several key points in maintaining the scenery that you have
invested time and money in.

First and foremost, with the growing of your plants and
shrubbery in your scenery comes the growing of weeds.
There is a variety of options that you can pursue to
minimize the amount of weeds in your setting. If your
layout is small enough, hand pulling the weeds is an
effective method for removal. Organic fertilizer is
another option that can be looked at when reducing the
amount of weeds in your landscape. Regular household
vinegar or corn gluten meal contribute to weed control, and
are not as harsh for the environment as chemical
fertilizers.

In addition to reducing the amount of unwanted growth,
another step in maintaining a scene is a process known as
deadheading. This simply means that you should manually
remove the flowers that are dead and worthless to the
appearance of your landscape. The removal of these useless
flowers not only adds to the overall appearance of the
plant, but also provides an outlet for more flowering.

An effective landscape allows for continuous appeal.
Unfortunately, some plants’ lifespan will come to a
close at the end of the season. This is the optimal time
to replant or replace various types of plants.

Mulching your landscape will also benefit the overall
effect of the piece. Fall is the best time to apply the
new two inch layer of organic mulch. Too much mulch can be
bad for the landscape, because it can block the oxygen
barter between the air and the earth. Using mulch will
serve a number of purposes; it will help in weed control as
well as provide a temperature moderator when the plant
needs it most.

One final piece of advice for maintaining a visually
stimulating landscape is pruning. Pruning the various
plants in the scenery maintains the overall appeal that
viewers will have for the landscape. Organic fertilizers
will allow your plants to grow in more of a controlled
manor. This is not the case with a synthetic fertilizer.
As a result, the organic mix will require less pruning, and
consequently will require less work for you as the
landscaper.

----------------------------------------------------
Add a garden bridge to your landscape from
http://www.redwoodgardenbridges.com . Article written and
distributed by Steve Cancel of Secure Link -
http://www.slwebsolutions.com .

Improve Your Yard With A Bridge

2008-04-07T08:48:00.001+01:00

A great feature to add to your home whether for decorative
or functional purposes is a bridge. Bridges not only add
beauty to your home but it can also serve a number of
purposes, such allowing easy access to both sides of a
stream or pond or using it as a walkway to explore the many
different elevations in your garden.

There are many different types and styles of bridges that
are available. You can even customize the type of bridge
you would like, including what material you want it made
out of, the length and width of it and what body style you
would like. You can also add solar post caps and light up
your bridge day and night. This is a beautiful accent that
will definitely get your yard noticed.

The most common type of bridge is 4 feet to 8 feet long;
however you can have a custom built bridge up to 40 feet
long. These bridges are used as accents to ponds or
streams and are fish safe. They can also be used to
compliment your backyard or garden. You can normally
customize these bridges with posts and ropes. Another
type of bridge you can purchase is a swimming pool bridge.
These bridges are designed so that swimmers will have a
clearance to swim under.

If you want a bridge that is easier to maintain and won't
be harmed by weather, they also offer plastic bridges.
These bridges are made with Choice Premium composite
materials that have rich wood grain look and feel. A
plastic bridge needs no sealer or weather treatment and
most importantly, you'll never have to worry about
splinters.

If you prefer a bridge that is a little less eye-catching,
they offer bridges with no posts that will give your yard
an elegant look, without being too overbearing. There are
also bridges with short posts available.

Once you have chosen your bridge, if you decide to go with
a wooden one, you may want to apply a finish or a wood
sealer to it; however, most people opt to letting their
bridges age naturally overtime without any finish at all.
You can purchase a bridge at your local home and garden
store, or you can customize your very own bridge on online
specialty stores. When ordering online, your bridge will
arrive in pre-cut easy to assemble pieces.

Whether you're looking to add decoration to your yard, or
use it for functional purposes, a bridge is a beautiful
accent that you and your family will enjoy for years to
come.

----------------------------------------------------
Add a Landscape Bridge to your yard -
http://www.redwoodgardenbridges.com . Article written and
distributed by Steve Cancel, IT Manager of Secure Link -
http://www.slwebsolutions.com .

Floribunda Roses

2008-03-24T08:51:00.001Z

Floribundas are available in a vast array of colours and
styles and can grow as high as 4 feet. They are often grown
for display rather than as a cut flower. Planted as an
elegant landscape bush, they can produce abundant colour
for many seasons.

Floribunda roses are some of the most amazing out there
because of the large, dense amounts of buds that are
produced. These roses will have simultaneously occurring
blooms in each truss. They are less perfect looking roses
but are so dense in their production that they can truly
make a statement in virtually any landscape especially when
planted together.

Floribunda roses first became popular in the middle of the
20th century. They resulted from crosses between hybrid
teas and polyanthas, to create roses that bloomed with the
polyantha profusion, but with hybrid tea floral beauty and
color range. In 1909, the first polyantha/hybrid tea cross,
'Gruss an Aachen,' was created, with characteristics midway
between both parent classes.

Their profuse,nonstop blooming over relatively compact,
dense-leaved plants and their general ease of care make
floribundas truly all-purpose roses. They are ideal for
both beds and edging. They are best planted in groups of
three or more and produce a stunning effect in mass
plantings.

Floribundas are considered particularly easy to grow and
are quite hardy, but they do require some winter protection
in cold regions.Floribunda roses can be planted in any open
but not vulnerable location. They enjoy the sun and
varieties are available for different amounts of sunlight
as well. They can and should be planted as bare roots from
the months of November to March in most climates. Remove
faded flowers to ensure continual bloom.

Trim those roots before you plant them, make sure to prune
back the roots to allow for new root growth to take place.
This can make a large difference in the quality of these
roses.Feed them when they begin to grow in the spring,
you'll want to feed them with a rose fertilizer that can be
commonly found. Do this monthly until the end of the summer
months.

Simple step by step planting guide

First pick a good site must have good drainage and 4-5
hours of sun.Do not crowd your rose with other trees and
plants. Some roses, such as climbers and shrubs, don't mind
company, but most like to mix with other roses or other
non-invasive plants.

Dig a hole, slightly larger than the pot size or root
system of your rose bush.If you're replacing an older rose
bush, it is important to remove an 18 cubic inch area of
soil and replace it with fresh soil. A newly planted rose
doesn't like to grow in the same soil that an older rose
bush has been in.

Add a small handful of bonemeal to the planting hole. Spade
in some compost or peatmoss to loosen the soil. Mix the
soil you took out of the hole with more compost or peat
moss.

Remove the rose from the pot carefully place in the hole
and shovel the extra soil around the new plant. Plant the
rose with the crown slightly deeper than the original soil.
The crown or bud union should be about 1 inch under the
soil.

Some of the varieties of floribunda rose available,Rosa
Amber Queen,Rosa Aurthur Bell,Rosa Chinatown,Rosa
Dearest,Rosa Fellowship,Rosa Happy Anniversary,Rosa
Honeymoon,Rosa Iceburg,Rosa Korresia,Rosa Many Happy
Returns and Rosa Margret Merril.

There are so many more varieties available to be listed
here.

----------------------------------------------------
Visit a wide range of modern roses from
http://www.mygardencenteronline.com Rose Garden,Climbing
roses,Hybrid tea,Floribunda roses,Shrub roses and Rose
Collections

How To Garden In The Spring

2008-03-17T08:53:00.001Z

Gardening in the spring is the next best time to garden
behind the fall. The increased rainfall and temperatures
provide a perfect setting for plants and their roots. Well
established roots will help your plants fight off the
damage droughts and insects throughout the year. Although
not as good as planting in the fall, spring planting is
still a very successful time to build a garden.

Each plant has specific needs to be considered prior to
planting. Certain plants require direct sunlight, shade,
frequent watering, certain soil types, and drainage. A
soil test can be done to understand the existing
conditions. This test will reveal the nutrient level, pH
level and soil texture. Without this information you could
be wasting your time and money planting less tolerant and
needy plants. Unfortunately, these often tend to be the
more exotic and attractive plants.

The next step would be to plan the grounds of your garden.
Popular items to include are garden bridges, landscape
rocks, and koi ponds. Garden bridges completely enrich
your environment and require very little maintenance. Koi
ponds on the other hand can require more work and
maintenance but bring another sense of life to your garden.
Make sure you plan your landscape prior to planting your
spring flowers to ensure your project is completed
properly. After you complete your site layout you can start
preparing for planting. Based on your soil tests,
fertilizer can be added to the soil correct whatever is
needed for the plants chosen. Any changes to the soil
should be mixed in well and as deep as possible to make
sure the plant is able to take advantage of the adjustment
as deep as it roots go.

You will want to dig the wholes for each plant in a
oversized funnel shape. You will want to loosen the roots
from the existing soil in the planter and place the plant
in the hole. Release the plant from any basket or wiring
prior to planting. Breaking the roots from the extended
sides can stimulate the plant and allow it to grow larger
within the hole. Mix in the soil in with the freed roots.
Make sure the plants face is showing it's best side if it
is visible and be sure it is planted straight. Do not pack
the soil down to hard to allow the roots to expand easily.

All that is left is to ensure that the plants are properly
watered and not damaged. Following the steps listed above
you can expect to enjoy your garden year after year.

----------------------------------------------------
Customize garden bridges for your garden at
http://www.redwoodgardenbridges.com . Article written and
distributed by Steve Cancel, IT Manager of Secure Link -
http://www.slwebsolutions.com .

Bring your garden to life with a garden pond

2008-03-10T09:02:00.001Z

A garden pond adds new dimensions to any garden. As well as
providing a tranquil spot to sit and relax on a hot
summer's day, it attracts a whole range of wildlife to your
garden such as frogs, newts, and water birds and almost
inevitably gives you a mini nature reserve. It also opens
up new plant growing opportunities both in the water and at
its edges.

Choosing the right location, shape and size of garden pond.

An ideal spot for a garden pond is in an open area with
plenty of sunshine, but not too exposed to the wind and it
is best not to locate it directly under trees to avoid
accumulating soggy leaf mould every autumn. You should aim
for as large a size as you can manage and the location will
comfortably support, as larger ponds will gave a greater
impact and are easier to clean and maintain than smaller
ponds and are less prone to green water. The shape should
be gently curving to blend with the environment and it is
best to avoid narrow necks of water if possible. The ideal
depth for a garden pond is around 2 feet deep, any
shallower and it will be prone to drying in the summer and
if much deeper it will accumulate mud in its base.

What lining material to use

Flexible liners are generally the best materials to use and
are usually made of either butyl or PVC. If working to a
lower budget then polythene can be used but this is thinner
and generally won't last longer than 3 years before it
needs to be replaced.

Preparing the hole

You should mark out the area to be excavated with a trail
of sand or an old hosepipe and the best months for pond
making are April and May, so you should start digging
around March. The hole should be dug to a depth of about 3
feet at its lowest point and be prepared to dispose of a
large amount of earth from the dig! If you want marginal
plants it is a good idea to leave a shelf around the border
and the sides of the hole should slope upwards at about 45
degrees. It is also advisable to protect the liner with a
layer of fibreglass matting or sand in the base of the hole.

Laying the liner and filling the pond

Make sure the liner is large enough and then stretch it
over the hole and hold the edges down with some heavy
stones and check that it overlaps an even amount all around
the pond and even out any wrinkles. Now you can start to
fill it with water. Lay a hosepipe on the liner and run the
water in, this will push the liner flat against the soil
and again look out for wrinkles and smooth them out. Fill
the hole to the brim.

Edging the pond

Usually the best way to edge a pond is by laying flagstones
and tucking the liner under them, they should be laid so
that they overlap the edge by about 2 inches. These should
be laid carefully to get a level finish and should be
bedded with fine soil or sand. It is best to avoid
concreting them in or repairs can be difficult. Now it's
time to stand back and admire your new pond but a little
patience is required as it requires about 2 weeks to bed
down and for undesirable chemicals in the water to disperse.

Then it is time to start planning to decorate it with water
plants of your choice and for you local wildlife to
discover it and hopefully take it up as their new residence.

It should always be borne in mind that open water can
present a dangerous hazard to young children and this
should be considered before making a garden pond.

In a future article I will discuss the range of plants now
at your disposal and some of the fish wildlife that you may
wish to introduce.

----------------------------------------------------
John McGuire is an active gardener and manages his own
smallholding with extensive gardens and keeps a range of
farm animals. He is also an internet marketer and runs his
own gardening information and products website.
http://www.TheGardenLovers.com

Garden Containers, Flower Pots and Planters

2008-02-25T08:43:00.000Z

There are many reasons for growing plants in garden
containers, flower pots and planters. An obvious one is if
you are growing exotic plants that can be placed outdoors
in summer in a location that suits each plant, and then
taken indoors or into a more shaded spot in the fall and
winter. They are also very convenient for people who live
in mobile homes.

People who rent their homes and tend to move around with
their job can grow their own plants that can move with
them. Plants grown in garden containers are portable, and
to many people this is big advantage. Not only that, but
you arrange your garden as you please rather than the
plants being in fixed positions. Using containers and
flower pots it is possible to plant a whole garden that can
be rearranged to suit the flowering patterns of the plants.

No more bare patches in spring due to some plants flowering
late, or in summer when the short-lived flowers die off
quicker than their longer lasting or hardier cousins. You
can fill in the bare patches with new pots or planters, and
arrange the colors to suit your preference. You can
decorate your veranda or patio with the flowers that are in
season, and are not restricted to the same ones all year
round.

While this all sounds like a very good reason for using
nothing but pots and planters, there are certain aspects
using them that have to be considered. Potted plants are
totally depended on you for their water and nutrition.
Their root growth is restricted and you have to know which
plants are suitable for this type of environment. You
should also consider the overall look of your garden and
the shape and color of your pots and planters.

First the plants. Pots are restrictive and the size will
depend on the requirements of the plants. Ferns, for
example, grow better when the root system is crowded
whereas roses prefer a bit more space in which to grow,
especially climbing varieties. Cyclamens too prefer more
space, and so would be more suited to large pots or
planters. Trees prefer large pots, and the larger garden
tubs would be more appropriate for the larger varieties.

The same is true of shrubs and larger perennials such as
hydrangeas. You can start these off in smaller pots, and
gradually increases the size as they grow. Bulbs can be
grown in planters, about two to three bulb widths apart,
though the fall bulbs will need some exposure to the frost
since they need a low temperature for a strong root growth.

Annuals are ideal for color, especially if you get a lot of
frost in the winter, and they can be replaced each year.
If you plant them fairly close together in garden
containers or planters, you can design a lovely looking
garden, or a fine display for a patio. Planters are
available in a wide range of colors and shapes, and can be
made of concrete cast into a variety of shapes or stained
or painted wood to suit their surroundings.

Hardwood planters fitted with a trellis are ideal for
climbers, and can be free standing units suitable for
outdoor use, or even for hallways, vestibules and
conservatories. Cedar is popular, but so also are cypress,
oak and cherry. They are suitable for a number of climbing
plants from sweet peas to cyclamen to passion fruit.

Most annuals are suitable for garden containers, pots and
planters, some particularly attractive choices being
petunia, tobacco plant (nicotiana) with its wonderful
smell, and begonias. The latter two are particularly
suitable for growing in shaded areas, as is impatiens or
‘Busy Lizzie’. Other flowers suitable for
containers are lavandula, gaura and salvia which provide
colorful opportunities for any type of garden design.
Cigar Plants (cuphea) love lots of sun and have unusual
flowers. These shrubs are ideal for tubs in sunny climates.

Many people use containers for window ledges and balconies,
and if you have decking, then deck rail planters are an
attractive means of hanging plants from the handrails. Many
people prefer the look of natural terracotta, but keep in
mind that earthenware pots and planters dry out very
quickly, and so need a lot of watering. The plastic
equivalents are much more practical, if not as attractive.

Garden containers, flower pots and planters are an
attractive and very practical way of decorating your
garden, patio or conservatory, and a little bit of
imagination can work wonders. They also provide a very
practical means of planting for those that like to
frequently rearrange their garden, or are often on the move.

----------------------------------------------------
Want to find that pefect Garden Container, Planter or Pot
for your garden then visit
http://www.mygardencenteronline.com .
Where you will find a full range of containers, hanging
baskets and planter boxes in our Garden Containers Planters
and Pots department.

Affordably Landscape Your Home

2008-02-18T09:09:00.000Z

Many homeowners would love to have a nicely landscaped
yard; however, it is not very affordable to hire a
professional. If you happen to be someone that falls into
this category you should look at this as a great
opportunity for a project you can appreciate every day.
The internet provides a vast amount of information and
ideas to assist you in customizing the new look for your
home.

Building a budget for yourself is often the first step if
you plan on completing the project yourself. Although it
is much cheaper, it can still cost quite a bit based on
your needs. Next you will want to plan your layout. Make
sure you think this through well before your plan is
finalized. You can include things such as a garden, pond,
brick pavement, bridge, deck or patio.

You will definitely want to include flowers in your
landscape. When choosing your plants you will need to know
what portion of your yard is shaded and what is not. Of
course, shaded areas will need flowers that require little
sun to exist. You will be able to find all of this
information on each plant at your local flower nursery.
Always remember to put a risen soil base in your flower
beds. To keep things low maintenance, it does help to have
a wood chip or rock topped bed.

Large garden rocks also will also give your yard a very
natural feel. Based on what direction you are going with
your yard, many retailers also sell imitation rocks that
have speakers inside for outdoor music. This combines a
natural look with modern technology. It can be very
elegant to play natural sounds through them during a
backyard outing.

Adding water to the landscape provides a relaxing feeling
and sound. Water brings a natural touch to any surrounding
and is sure to impress anyone. Ponds and waterfalls can
often require more upkeep but they are a great addition if
you use your yard often.

Another great way to improve your landscape is using a
bridge. These can provide the ability to walk across your
pond or connect two walk ways. Most people don't realize
that a bridge can be purchased online for a very reasonable
price and adds excellent structure to a nicely landscaped
yard. If you can fit a bridge into your budget and plans I
definitely recommend it.

Be sure to respect your yards openness with your new
additions. A back yard is meant to have a large amount of
open space for any activities that may arise.

----------------------------------------------------
Customize a landscape bridge for your yard at
http://www.redwoodgardenbridges.com . Article written and
distributed by Steve Cancel, IT Manager of Secure Link -
http://www.slwebsolutions.com .

Create a Haven for Butterflies

2008-02-11T08:38:00.001Z

Whatever the reason most people enjoy seeing butterflies in
their gardens and would welcome more.The good news is that
it is not that difficult to add the essential ingredients
that attract lots of these beautiful creatures, and keep
them happy once they have turned up.

It is worth saying that a garden that works for butterflies
is perfect for other creatures too.Like the canary down the
mine, the presence of lots of butterflies is often an
indicator of a healthy environment. Butterfly lifecycle

Every infant school pupil knows caterpillars turn into
butterflies (and moths).But most of us are often less clued
up about the details of the butterfly lifecycles.In the
late summer months buddleias and other flowering plants are
alive with the flutter of butterflies, but within a few
weeks the majority though not all will die as winter
approaches.

Others like the small tortoiseshells and red admirals, look
for a quiet dry hideaway and prepare to sleep until
spring.When warmer weather arrives they find a mate and the
female lays eggs that hatch out as the years first brood of
caterpillars.Once those caterpillars have eaten their
fill, they go through the transformation from chrysalis
stage to winged adulthood.

Some species lay a last brood of eggs in autumn which then
remain unhatched until spring.A few others survive the cold
months tucked away in chrysalis.If you are setting out to
make your garden more butterfly friendly, it is worth
thinking about different strategies for winter survival.

Obviously you need to provide flowers for adult butterflies
in summer and early autumn, but just as important is some
sort of shelter during winter and somewhere for
caterpillars to live. Now for something sweet to eat

The main priority is definitely nectar, Butterflies will
visit any garden if it has the right mix of plants.Pick a
selection from the list below.

* Flowering March to May Aubretia, Alyssum, Sweet rocket
and Forget-me-not.

* Flowering June and July Buddleia, Red Valerian and Pot
marigold.

* Flowering August to October Buddleia, Candytuft, Sweet
William, Sedum spectabile and Michaelmas daisy.

Where you position the nectar plants can make all the
difference.Butterflies are very sensitive to heat loss and
will avoid chilly winds, so a south facing border that
catches the sun but is protected from breezes is a certain
favorite.

To get the maximum value from what you plant, it is best to
put flowers together in blocks rather than scattering
individual varieties here and there.This is because as
butterflies move around an area they are more likely to
spot blocks of the colours they are searching for.
Somewhere to lay eggs

The best butterfly garden needs to be more than a nectar
cafe.It should also provide somewhere for females to lay
their eggs and for young caterpillars to feed.Watch a
female butterfly looking for the right foliage to lay her
eggs on and you will see her briefly taste each leaf.She is
very choosy as most caterpillars will eat only the leaves
of one or two plant species.

This means that if you allocate some space to growing the
right plants you will probably end up growing beautiful
butterflies too.

Also it is worth finding some space for some plants
caterpillars love to eat.EG:the caterpillar of the orange
tip will eat honesty, while the brimstone's caterpillar
likes buckthorn leaves and the comma enjoys munching
hops.The favorite caterpillar food of the peacocks, red
admirals and tortoiseshells is the stinging nettle. Provide
a shelter

Lastly but not least caterpillars and butterflies need
shelter during the winter, it is a matter of life or
death.This doesn't mean you need to buy the "butterfly
homes" you sometime see in garden centres, the best tactic
is to be a little more relaxed about your end of year
garden clear up.

When we clear dead flower heads from borders in autumn we
often destroy chrysalises.While over grown hedges and
climbers are typically the places adult butterflies pick to
hibernate so leave the tidying up until spring.

----------------------------------------------------
Butterflies will visit any garden if it has the right mix
of plants visit http://www.mygardencenteronline.com and our
garden perennials department to find those plants.

Landscape Like A Professional

2008-02-04T09:36:00.000Z

Landscaping your home or condominium can bring endless
happiness to you, your family and your neighbors. It will
also add value and respect to your home and neighborhood.
With proper planning it is not as difficult to achieve
quality results with even a small budget. Based on you
budget this article will detail some interesting ideas that
suit your needs and wants.

First you will want to design your landscaping area.
Consider the following major items such as a deck, patio,
pond, garden, pool, brick pavement, picnic table, and
trees. You will first want to place these around the given
area prior to placing smaller items.

Unless you are a professional, consider having one install
your deck, pool or brick pavement for you. These tasks can
often seem easily from generally looking at the
construction but it takes someone with experience to
complete the project right. Many services will offer
several different designs or even allow you to customize
your layout. Do research to make sure you are happy with
your investment.

The best way to compliment an in ground pool, pond, or
garden is a with a redwood bridge. These bridges can be
custom built to your specs and are completely fish safe.
These bridges will definitely wow your guests and are made
to last. They age beautifully with weathering or can be
stained based on your setting. A waterfall is also a
common addition that is not only very pleasant to view but
also provides the soothing sound of water clashing within
itself.

Professional landscapers have many so called "tricks of the
trade". Below is a good list to follow when planning your
home:

1. Place tall trees in the back of your yard and smaller
trees in the front. This increases your yards depth to the
human eye.

2. Grow smaller shrubs under windows to prevent blockage
and minimal maintenance.

3. If planting near your foundation, make sure you leave
enough room for plants to equally root on all sides.

4. Planting trees on the side slightly in behind the front
of your house will make your house appear larger.

Although landscaping can be very rewarding, always remember
that your work is never finished. It is very common for
the weather to adjust yearly and the amount of sunlight
your plants get can also change. Your initial plan is
nothing more than a blueprint to build on year after year.

----------------------------------------------------
Be sure to purchase your bridge at Redwood Garden Bridges -
http://www.redwoodgardenbridges.com . Article written and
distributed by Steve Cancel, IT Manager of Michigan
Computer Repair - http://www.slcomputerrepair.com .

I Couldn't Grow My Own Herbs

2008-01-28T08:38:00.001Z

As there are such a wide variety of herbs with a vast
range of uses, many people think that growing herbs is
difficult and must be an aspect of gardening that is
probably best left to the "professionals". Nothing could be
further from the truth.

Herbs are actually quite undemanding plants to grow and
they will thrive in a number of different environments.
Almost all herbs prefer a warm sunny spot and they can be
grown in containers, greenhouses, aeroponic containers,
window boxes and almost anywhere. Herbs are generally quite
hardy plants and also have a wide range of appealing
properties. Many have attractive flowers and foliage, some
are pleasingly fragrant and others can deter pests and
attract friendly insects to the garden.

The main decisions to be made in growing herbs are how much
space you want to devote to them, whether you want to grow
them indoors or out and for what purpose you wish to grow
them. They have a wide range of cooking and medicinal
purposes and are mostly decorative enough to consider for
borders, with the added benefit of the beautiful smells as
you brush past.

Annual herbs such as basil, fennel, coriander and saffron
can easily be grown from seed, planting in the spring and
mostly survive for just one season. Many produce seeds at
some stage of their growing cycle and these can be
harvested ready fo replanting the next year.

Perennial herbs such as mint, thyme, oregano and sage, with
the right care, will survive and flourish year after year.
Even although they may look devoid of life in the winter,
in lacking any foliage and with no visible signs of growth.
They are merely lying dormant and come the warmer weather
will spring back to life and blossom.

Both the annual and perennial herbs can be propagated and
as the colder months approach they can be dug up and
potted, or alternatively cuttings can be taken. Pots of
herbs will need some care over the winter and in the
greenhouse will require good light, watering, ventilation
and prompt removal of dead leaves or flowers.

Herbs are very versatile and can be stored either freshly
frozen at their peak of flavour, usually just before
flowering, or cut and dried and stored in airtight
containers.

Herb gardening is an ideal area for a project for the
novice gardener, with a wide selection of herbs to choose
from. They can be grown in almost any location and a
provide a usefully fragrant or edible product as a reward.

----------------------------------------------------
John McGuire is an active gardener and manages his own
smallholding with extensive gardens and keeps a range of
farm animals. He is also an internet marketer and runs his
own gardening information and products website.
http://www.TheGardenLovers.com

Garden Hygiene

2008-01-21T09:08:00.001Z

The maxim "prevention is better than cure" applies
particularly to gardens

Increasingly gardeners are turning away from the chemical
control of problems recognising that to rely on chemicals,
EG. pesticides and fungicides can create more problems that
they cure.Helpful predators may be eradicated along with
the pests leading to an even worse problem.

You may be a gardener who has diligently sprayed your
garden against aphids for years, and wonder why one long
hot summer your garden is plagued with aphids while your
neighbour's unsprayed plot is aphid free.The reason is that
you have gradually wiped out the predators, who are now so
obligingly policing your neighbour's unsprayed garden.

Of course, the wider global issues of pollution and the
potential dangers from chemicals, as well as the matter of
slowly destroying the ecosystem within your own garden. Are
also a concern when thinking about how to tackle plant
problems.

Keeping problems in perspective

The first thing to consider before becoming hysterical
about pests and diseases, and automatically reaching for
the nearest chemical spray is to get matters into
perspective. Some pests may be unsightly but are actually
not as hazardous to a plant as other threats, such as
inclement weather.

In fact in general weather issues are a much bigger risk to
plant health than individual pests.Something worth bearing
in mind when you spot a single caterpillar perched on your
precious cabbages.

The second biggest plant enemy is bad gardening practice.
EG. overcrowding your plants leaves them prone to
infection, poor hygiene is another plant hazard.If you do
not remove diseased material and burn, deeply bury or
compost it well, you are inviting further plant troubles.

This gives you some idea of the responsibility you have as
a gardener.Your aim should be to maintain plant health,
rather than allow problems to occur and get out of
hand.Then curse the pests who are in fact way down in the
ranks of plant difficulties.

Minimising problems

Keeping your garden healthy by careful and consistent
adherence to gardening basics will go an enormous way
towards preventing pests and disease from overwhelming your
plants.With the huge variety of plants on offer, it makes
sense firstly to choose healthy looking specimens of
disease resistant strains and plant them appropriately.

A plant grown in the particular type of soil it needs and
where it can receive the amount of light it requires.Has
much more of a chance of surviving without problems than a
plant grown without respect for its natural demands.Take
car to provide the appropriate level of water, remembering
that too much can be just as injurious as too little.

Spacing is an important consideration, plants grown close
together will compete for nutrients and congested, humid
conditions will encourage fungal disease. Follow the
guidelines for optimum spacing that appear on individual
plant labels.

Garden hygiene is a factor often overlooked as being of
serious concern in preventing problems.After all muck is
muck at least visually.However it is all too easy to
transfer disease through poor garden hygiene,EG. by
planting in uncleaned pots which may carry disease spores,
or by propagating using a knife that has not been
sterilised.

----------------------------------------------------
Want to find that perfect Garden Container Planter or Pot
for your planting arrangements then visit
http://www.mygardencenteronline.com .
Also while your there why not checkout our full range of
plants and seeds.

Eco Indoor Gardening - A Fun and Healthy Pastime

2008-01-12T09:16:00.001Z

Indoor gardening is becoming a popular activity worldwide.
Indoor plants not only detoxify the air, but also provide a
charming and decorative addition to any home or apartment.

ORGANIC PLANT FOOD - A HEALTHIER CHOICE

Derived mostly from non-renewable fossil fuels, chemical
fertilizers are used to fertilize soil. The widespread and
excessive use of chemical fertilizers has increased air,
soil, and water pollution. As well, these fertilizers have
increased the amount of greenhouse gas emissions into the
atmosphere. More scientists are coming to the conclusion
that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can
adversely affect people, especially children. Studies have
shown that people exposed to toxic chemicals while working
on farms often develop various forms of cancers later in
life. Also, these chemicals are dangerous when stored
around the house, contaminate the soil, and are difficult
to dispose of properly.

Many of the fast acting fertilizers can stunt, burn, or
kill your plants. When you choose eco organic gardening,
you are helping to protect the environment. Natural organic
plant food can restore healthy soil, improve seed
germination, stimulate root growth, and reduce the need for
synthetic chemicals. Natural plant foods such as Solay
Simple Biodynamic plant food mix, is formulated with
ingredients that come directly from nature. Nothing has
been chemically altered or synthesized.

BEST PLANTS TO CLEAN INDOOR AIR

Certain plants are excellent in ridding the air of
pollutants and toxins. Plants that rate highly as an indoor
purifier include: Chinese evergreen, Areca palm, Reed palm,
Dwarf date palm, Boston fern, Janet Craig dracaena, English
ivy, Australian sword fern, Peace Lily, Rubber plant and
Weeping fig.

EASY TO GROW PLANTS AND HERBS

When growing indoor plants and herbs, it is important to
have knowledge of each plant's needs for survival and
success. For some plants, a sudden change in temperature,
drop in humidity and too much or too little water, can
hinder its growth. The following is a list of plants that
are easy to grow indoors:

1. Weeping Fig Ficus benjamina: one of the hardiest of the
indoor plants because it can survive during long periods of
inattention.

2. Braided Ficus Tree: one of the most popular plants
grown by indoor gardeners because it is easy to care for
and adaptable

3. Cactus Combo Bonsai: with its unique plant forms,
temperature and moisture adaptability, cacti are an
attention-grabbing group of plants.

4. Chamaedorea Palm: this plant will add a tropical
decoration to any part of your home.

5. Chinese evergreen: an excellent selection for beginners
because it is a low-light lover and requires little
maintenance.

POPULAR HERBS

Basil is a unique herb because it requires moist and rich
soil. Cilantro, or coriander, a strong herb originating
from tropical Asia, requires plenty of water and a warm
environment. Mint is a flavoring herb with many
assortments, tastes, and scents. Popular varieties include
apple, spearmint, and peppermint. Oregano and marjoram are
very similar and have often been mistaken for the other.
Marjoram has a much milder taste than oregano. Sage,
particularly common sage, is a main cooking herb, but most
other members of the sage family have been used for
cosmetic purposes.

Herbs need at least six hours a day of full sun as well as
good drainage. Many scented herbs, such as oregano,
rosemary, and thyme, originated on rocky hillsides in the
Mediterranean where their roots escaped the hot and dry
environment in cracks under large rocks. Although most of
these herbs are not too dependent on soil fertility, the
beds should be enriched before planting.

A HEALTHY AND REWARDING HOBBY

Eco indoor gardening techniques are less costly, easier to
handle, and environmentally friendly. Indoor gardens not
only provide health benefits to your home, apartment, or
office, they are also an enjoyable and rewarding hobby.

----------------------------------------------------
Isabella founded http://www.solaywellness.com after
learning how beneficial natural salt is and about it's many
uses, as well as how it can be used to help people look and
feel better and live healthier. Visit Solay wellness for
all of your natural home needs, personal care, plant food
and gourmet salts.

A Pot of Pastel Colours for Summer

2007-12-29T09:06:00.001Z

Buck the trend for hot sizzling summer colours and opt for
cool pastels instead.

Osteospermum

There are lots of little osteospermums in garden centres
and nurseries in the summer months of May June and heaps of
colour choice.I like them because they flower well into
autumn and if we have a mild winter they should survive.

Marguerite

I use alot of marguerites in my planting arrangements
because of there cottage garden looks.They flower well into
autumn but are not as hardy as osteospermums.They have a
great variety of colours to choose from to compliment the
other flowers in your pot.

Petunia

You can get some pale colours in petunias such as pale pink
in the Surfinia series which is a very popular series that
can be found in most garden centres.Also Mr Fothergill's
catalogue has a new series called Fanfare with a lovely
pale pink flower called Appleblossom.

Nicotiana

Each year I sow nicotiana seed but only single colours so I
can co-ordinate my colour schemes.At this time of year May
June look out for good sized plants at the garden centres.
How to Plant Your pastels for Summer Pot

1. Drainage is really important in pots so start by lining
the bottom with a number of broken crocks, or use pieces of
broken up polystyrene.Then fill a third of the pot with
container or multi purpose compost, breaking down any large
lumps with your fingers as you work.

2. Because the marguerites, osteospermum and nicotiana all
grow to about the same height, plant these towards the back
of the pot.Depending on the size of your pot ,you might
only need one of each plant.Place the petunias around the
edge at the front and then firm everything in with more
compost.

3. Now give the pot a good soak.Make sure you keep it well
watered throughout the summer, especially over the first
couple of weeks as the plants establish.To make sure you
get the best blooms feed fortnightly with a liquid feed.Do
not forget to deadhead regularly to keep the flowers coming.

More Pretty Pastels

Geranium

Geraniums are so versatile and there are dozens of
different colours available.Many people only consider the
gaudy reds and oranges, but the softer pinks are
lovely.They can be tricky from seed so try taking cuttings
or buy plug plants.

Diascia

Diascias have a long flowering period and if you can cut
them back after the first flush of flowers, they should
give you a repeat performance.They have become quite
popular so they are widely available as young plants in
lots of different colours.

Nemesia

Nemesia ia a cheap and cheerful filler often used to plug
gaps in borders, but its also great in pots.It can flower
from summer to christmas and is a spectacular sight.Look
out for pale apricot and lemon colours.

----------------------------------------------------
Want to find that pefect Garden Container Planter or Pot
for your planting arrangements then visit
http://www.mygardencenteronline.com .
Also while your there why not checkout our full range of
plants and seeds.

Lawn Care - What's the Best Length

2007-12-20T09:28:00.001Z

It seems like all it would take is pushing or riding the
lawnmower over the grass. But there's more to it than that
if you want a beautiful and healthy lawn. The first step
to overcome is deciding on the proper length. This depends
on several things, such as the type of grass, how much sun
the grass gets each day, how much it rains, and so on. Here
are some of the benefits of mowing less often and letting
the grass grow longer.

Saves Time

Keeping most grass a little longer saves effort cutting.
Allowing the lawn to grow an extra week between cuttings,
mowing every two or three weeks instead of every week,
reduces the effort by up to a third. That saved hour or two
can be well used on other activities - fertilizing, weeding
and other needed tasks.

Grows Slower

The grass grows faster when it is short and slows down as
it gets longer. So since the length increases at a higher
rate at first and then decreases as the blade grows to be a
couple of inches or more, remember this: The longer the
blade, the slower the growth.

Grow Deeper Roots

Deeper roots are encouraged by longer grass. Grass and
weeds compete for the same nutrients and space in the soil.
With longer roots, the grass takes up more of the space and
gets more of the nutrients, leaving less for the weeds.

Another benefit of longer roots is it the grass reach
moisture deeper down, making the grass better fed and
stronger.

Needs Less Water

Here's another interesting fact: Longer grass can keep in
moisture better. So not only do you save time by mowing
less frequently, but you save money on water as well. This
is really important in some areas that often experience
drought.

Gets More Sunlight

It's healthier for grass to grow a little longer for
several reasons. For instance, longer grass has more
surface area for photosynthesis, the biochemical process
that turns sunlight and compounds into energy used for
reproduction and growth.

Reduces Weeds

Allowing the grass to grow longer actually reduces weeds
and the time needed for weed maintenance. Since weeds need
sunlight and warmth in order to grow, just like nearly
every plant, longer grass blades prevent weeds from getting
started.

Problems with Long Grass

There are problems that can increase if the grass grows too
long. Not only do you have to put up with a shaggy lawn,
but grass that is too short encourages lawn bugs and
mosquitoes. The latter prefer cool temperatures, and the
longer grass gives them a place to enjoy the shade. So
keeping your lawn down to a moderate length will reduce the
number of bugs.

Don't Cut it Too Short

Cutting grass does not hurt it in any way as long as it
isn't cut too short. Grass grows from the base (called the
crown), not from the top. If you are careful not to damage
the crown with the lawnmower, the grass will do fine. Be
careful of bumps in the yard that can cause the lawnmower
to dip too deep into the grass and dig into a crown.

In summary, if you keep the grass a little longer in hot
weather and a little shorter in cool weather you will
achieve the perfect balance.

----------------------------------------------------
Grab plenty of tips and tricks for making your yard and
garden healthier and more beautiful. Carol Stack and her
family live on a large piece of property where they enjoy
trying out new gardening ideas. Carol's website,
http://www.freegardentips.info covers lawn care, organic
gardening, landscaping and more.

Grow Your Own Garden Fruit Trees for Real fruit

2007-12-15T09:14:00.001Z

When visiting a supermarket have you never wished you had a
few garden fruit trees? Have you ever noticed how purchased
fruit these days is bit inconsistent in quality? Sometimes
it will be fine, but mostly is tasteless, too hard or too
soft. The pears are rock hard, you can push your fingers
through the plums, and the peaches start growing mould
before they are soft enough to eat.

Some of this has to do with forced growing and artificial
fertilizers, and some on picking too early, and being left
to ripen during shipping. Much of the foreign grown fruit
is picked unripened, and then ripened in the ship's hold.
This leads to fruit with the taste and texture of wet
cardboard. Why not grow your own? It is both cheaper and
better for you, and the taste is far superior to anything
grown and shipped from thousands of miles away, and fed on
who knows what.

Even a small garden can be used for growing fruit trees,
and there are apples, peaches, pears, cherries and plums
suitable for the smallest garden. And these are just a few
of what is available that be grown in shapes suitable for
training along fences and walls, and up garden mesh and
netting. You don't need a massive orchard for garden fruit
trees any more if you know how to train them properly, and
what varieties are best for growing in your local
conditions.

If your garden is susceptible to early frosts, you should
purchase trees that flower later, or you will lose the
flowers before they can develop into fruit. Irrespective of
your conditions, you should be able to grow a selection of
apples, pears, plums and so on and even apricots and
peaches if you have a reasonable amount of sun. Even
grapes can be grown in temperate climates.

You should buy your stock from a good supplier that knows
what you need for the areas in which you live. It is
always best to buy local, since if they can grow it then so
can you. Many people travel to warmer climates and return
with fruit trees that looked great in 35 degrees of sun,
but are stunted in your chillier 25 degrees. You should
choose a selection of fruits suitable for your climate, and
at least two of each. There are some self-pollinating
varieties of fruit around, but it is safer to have two
trees - you also get more fruit! If you are purchasing
more than one variety of each fruit, then make sure that
their pollen is compatible. In fact if you are buying two
trees for pollination, then they should be different
species, but compatible with each other. Your supplier
will have this information for you.

You should also check out the fruit provided by each and
make sure that it is what you are looking for. You don't
want a Bramley tree if you want a desert apple, and some
plums are naturally sour while others are sweeter. The
same is true of grapes, and some of the sweetest wines can
come from very sour grapes. Make you're your vines are
desert grapes, and not cultivated for winemaking unless
they are also suitable for eating.

The rootstock is very important, because fruits trees are
generally propagated on rootstocks. Depending on the
rootstock, an apple tree can grow to 5 ft or 25 ft in
height and spread. The size of the tree will be determined
by the size of your garden, so you should check with your
supplier what the eventual size will be.

When buying a fruit tree, keep in mind that the older tress
can be hard to transplant, so try to get a tree no more
than two years old. Don't purchase too young or you might
have to wait some years for a fruit, and the best type of
plant is a bare root plant rather than ones in containers.
If your garden is small, then many species of most fruits
are suitable for espalier, fans and cordons. In a small
garden, the cordons take up least space and provide a good
crop of fruit from a single supported stem. However, if
you have a lot of fencing space, or can put up a few
trellises, then fans and espaliers would make good use of
that space. Most fruit trees can be grown in that form.

Irrespective of whether you grow the full sized trees, or
in dwarf or trained form, garden fruit trees will provide
you with fruit that is ripened on the tree and that tastes
like fruit and not cotton wool. If you are careful with
your source of supply, and ensure that your variety is
suitable for your climate, then there is no reason why you
should not be a successful fruit grower, independent of
supermarkets for your fresh fruit.

----------------------------------------------------
Want to find that perfect Fruit tree for your garden then
visit http://www.mygardencenteronline.com .
Where you will find a full range of
apple,pear,cherry,plum,apricot and alot more other types of
fruit trees.

Feeding the Birds in Your Yard: Are you at risk for the Bird Flu?

2007-11-22T08:42:00.000Z

This is the time of year in which the birds come back to
your home in droves. Many bird enthusiasts actively
attract birds through the use of birdhouses, bird feeders,
and bird-baths. With the growing threat of an avian flu
(bird flu) pandemic, it is wise to consider the threat that
wild birds may bring to your home. Are you at risk?

The United States is preparing for the eventual spread of
the avian flu to this country and has an aggressive
interagency detection program led by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA). This involves testing of tens of
thousands of live and dead birds from our coastal regions,
including Alaska, which is the state in closest proximity
to Asia. In addition, the USDA has a "Biosecurity for the
Birds" program, which provides important information about
reducing the probability of birds becoming infected with
the avian flu. This program develops practical, common
sense management practices to keep the avian flu and other
poultry diseases out of our commercial and backyard flocks.

The good news is that up to this point, the avian flu has
not been detected in the United States, although some
predict that it is only a matter of time before it affects
this country. The avian flu is carried primarily by
waterfowl and shore birds but is also found in domestic
poultry such as chickens. So far songbirds and your typical
backyard birds such as hummingbirds, bluebirds,
woodpeckers, purple martins, wrens, and many others remain
unaffected.

The Department of Interior's National Wildlife Health
Center has issued guidance to follow routine precautions
when handling wild birds. This is not because there is a
threat at this time for avian flu but for general hygiene
against other bird-related illnesses.

The Center recommends that people handling wild birds:
1) Do not handle birds that are obviously sick or birds
found dead,
2) Wear rubber or disposable latex gloves while handling
(and cleaning) game, wash hands with soap and water (or
with alcohol-based hand products if the hands are not
visibly soiled), and thoroughly clean knives, equipment and
surfaces that come in contact with game,
3) Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling or cleaning
birds.

The Author recommends that you continue to invite wild
birds into your yard through the use of bird feeders,
birdhouses, and birdbaths. At this time, there is NO
threat for the avian flu, especially in North American
songbird populations. Monitor your local news service for
updates on the spread of the avian flu and other related
bird-born illnesses.

----------------------------------------------------
Mike Kershaw is a wild bird enthusiast and owner/operator
of the online wild bird supplies superstore
http://www.TheBirdWarehouse.com . Mike has a graduate
degree in biological sciences and is an expert in
attracting and retaining wild birds to your backyard.

Can Plants Grow Without Soil? Hydroponic Gardening is the Answer!

2007-11-17T08:54:00.000Z

Hydroponic Gardening is the system in which plants can be
made to grow without soil. Using hydroponics to grow
plants can be beneficial for many growers since it allows
plants to be grown much faster and many times with less
problems.

Plants are grown in a solution which consists of water and
dissolved nutrients required for the particular plant.
There are several hydroponics techniques and systems that
are used in producing thriving plants

The different types of hydroponics systems and techniques
include the nutrient film technique (or NFT), aeroponics,
and the aeration technique.

With the aeroponics technique, plants are secured using
rigid pipes, screens, or films. The nutrients are
dissolved into the plants' water supply and the plants'
roots are suspended within the water. The plant then
obtains its food nutrients directly from the water or from
an air mist which is sprayed directly onto the plant roots.

Hydroponic gardening also requires the use growing media.
Different mediums can be used which have to retain the food
rich moisture. They must also be able to physically
support the plant roots. The following have been the most
effective media so far: expanded clay, perlite, styrofoam,
sand, rockwool, vermiculite, pea gravel.

Many types plants that can be grown in a hydroponics
system. Some plants will grow better in hydroponics system
than others, but some of the most popular are lettuce,
tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, watercress, and various other
edible plants.

Tree seedlings and flowers can also be grown using
hydroponics. Hydroponic greenhouses have been producing
millions of plant seedlings every year. These are then
transplanted and grown at other locations where they are
later planted into soil.

If you are just a beginner at hydroponic gardening, you
will no doubt be satisfied with the quality of your crops
and the faster rate of growth. Hydroponically grown plants
will grow and mature faster and yield an earlier harvest of
vegetable crops.

There are many benefits to growing your own plants in a
hydroponics system. Hydroponic gardening doesn't require a
fertile farmland or a large water supply growing plants.
Vegetable and plants can be grown year round. Hydroponic
vegetables and plants in almost any small space, or a
basement, or even an apartment balcony.

The hydroponic systems require less space because the plant
roots don't have to spread and search for food and water.
The smaller space requirement makes hydroponic gardening
perfect for limited space home gardeners.

Hydroponic plants can also be grown in nurseries and
greenhouses as well. The benefit of growing these plants
without soil in a sterile medium includes not having to
remove weeds or dealing with soil-borne pests and diseases.
And since all the nutrients necessary for the plant are
readily avaliable to it, the plant is noticeably healthier
than the plants grown in soil.

The greatest benefit to hydroponic gardening is the ability
to automate the hydroponics system with timers and remote
monitoring equipment. This reduces the time it takes to
maintain the plants and the growing environment. It also
allows the grower to leave their system for long periods of
time without worrying about watering plants.

Hydroponic growing without the use of soil is not simple,
but with time it will become an easy routine. Hydroponics
offers the advantage of many techniques that can be
beneficial to your plants and produce a richer and
healthier plant.

----------------------------------------------------
Author of Hydroponic Gardening Website: Tony Buel
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com
Hydroponic Gardening Article Found at:
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com/Hydroponic-Gardening--Plants-Grow-Without-Soil.htm

Using Mulch to Control Garden Weeds Naturally and Inexpensively

2007-11-08T08:45:00.000Z

Using Mulch to Control Garden Weeds Naturally and Inexpensively
It's springtime and the home gardener is busy planting
flowers, shrubs and vegetables in anticipation of the
enjoyment they get from a beautifully landscaped yard
and/or a bountiful harvest. Springtime also means that the
weeds are popping up in your garden, threatening to take
over. Now is the time to get those pesky plants under
control and clear the way for your plants.

Mulching is the recommended way to not only control weeds
but retain precious moisture and protect root systems from
extreme temperatures. There are many different types and
ways to apply mulch. Some of them can be very costly. I've
found a better way to control weeds naturally and
inexpensively.

If you're putting in new plants, be sure to follow planting
procedures like proper depth and spacing as well as
watering the holes where your plants will go. For
established garden areas, make sure to hoe or pull weeds
more than two inches tall. Also be sure you have applied
any compost and tilled it into the soil well. Level the
ground and break up any large clods of soil.

Then it's time for the mulch. While you can purchase rather
expensive commercial mulches, a more cost effective
alternative is to use newspapers and shredded bark. The
newspapers are of course free, and you can feel good about
recycling them. The shredded bark can be picked up in
quantity at a very reasonable cost from your local sawmill.

First, wet the ground to be covered. Don't make a mud
puddle, but be sure to soak it well. Then lay out the
newspapers. You can use 1-2 sheets, overlapping them to
keep them in place. Put rocks or some other heavy object
down to hold them down temporarily. Once you have an area
covered, wet it again to soak the newspapers. This will
keep the paper from blowing away and you can pick up and
move the rocks or weights to the next area. Repeat this
procedure until the entire area is covered.

If you have existing plants, you can tear and fit the
newspapers around them. Make sure they snug right up
against the base of the plants to keep the weeds out.

Then apply the bark mulch. Since you've already put down a
weed barrier (newspapers), you won't need nearly as much
bark mulch as is usually called for. You can apply just
enough to cover the newspapers. Commercial applications
calling for mulch at a 2 inch depth will require one 2
cubic feet bag to cover 12 square feet. So it will take
about half that if you use the newspapers under it.

Which kind and size of mulch to use will depend on your
budget. The treated mulch will help repel insects, but is
about twice the price of plain medium sized bark mulch at a
commercial outlet. Purchasing shredded bark from a sawmill
will cost less than that.

Be sure to spread the mulch evenly. To keep your garden
weeds down, reapply as needed in the fall or spring each
year.

The newspapers will work as a weed barrier and are free
compared to expensive weed cloth. They will also retain
moisture in the soil and degrade naturally to improve the
condition of the soil in your garden. The mulch will cover
the newspapers giving your garden or flower beds an
attractive look. They too will degrade into soil-enhancing
nutrients. Mulching will also help protect roots from
extreme temperatures, keeping the root system warm during
cooler spring nights and cooler during the hot summer days.

----------------------------------------------------
Cindy Dykstra writes for Article-DirectorySite.com, where
you can find articles on everything from gardening to
health. Free content to use on your website, blog or
newsletter and free RSS feeds. Free article submission too!
Visit http://www.article-directorysite.com today!

Landscaping Tips for a Beautiful Yard

2007-10-31T08:34:00.000Z

No matter what the season, we all dream about having a home
with a lush, green lawn, colorful flowers and landscaping
that looks like it was planted by a professional gardener.
It won't be easy, and you will have to spend time doing
research and learning some landscaping basics, but it is
within your reach.

Proper planning in any landscaping project is the key to
success. With the proper planning and some patience,
avoiding some common mistakes can make the entire project
proceed without many problems and give you the result you
have always wanted.

If you are planning on landscaping a small area, you
shouldn't have any problems doing this small project
yourself. Begin by looking at landscaping books to get some
ideas. When you are out for a walk notice what you like and
don't like about the yards in your neighborhood.

Write your ideas down on paper. Draw some preliminary
sketches and discuss it with family and friends. Take the
plans to your local nursery and discuss your plans with
someone who is familiar with what plants and flowers do
well in your area.

Here are some ideas for different landscaping areas and
options.

Flowers to Make Your Yard Colorful

To make your home look friendlier, add some flowers to your
yard. If you want color throughout the year you will need
to research what plants bloom during which seasons.

By planning your garden you can arrange the flowers around
the yard so that there is color year-round, and so the
colors complement each other.

Besides placing flowers in the beds bordering the lawn,
flowers can be used to line a sidewalk or the pathway to
your front door. Splashes of color can add charm and beauty
to any yard.

Designing a Functional and Beautiful Backyard

A home backyard is a special place. Unlike a front yard of
the house a backyard is free of any artificial and injected
rules of design. If your backyard is fenced off from public
view, you have only yourself and your family to please.

Depending on the size of the yard you can have different
areas. For instance, you can have a corner of the yard set
up for children with a swing set and fort. Another area can
be set up with a bar-b-q and picnic table. Perhaps you can
even find a spot for a cascading waterfall.

Again, borrow some landscaping books from the library to
give you some ideas. If you are going to go through all the
work and expense of landscaping your backyard, you want to
do it right. You want a yard that will bring you enjoyment
and that you can be happy with for years to come.

Lawn

Do you know that a beautiful and well put together lawn has
many benefits? It helps keep the house cooler in summer,
provides a wonderful play area for children, and more. For
added beauty, intersperse the lawn with trees randomly
planted in between.

Shrubs

Some shrubs along the outside of the house will give it an
entirely different look, and a stone walkway is something
even a landscape novice should be able to do themselves
with a little instruction.

Examples of landscape design elements in transition are
plants that go from coarse to medium to fine textures or
softscapes that go from large trees to medium trees to
shrubs to bedding plants.

Landscaping to Reduce Expenses

Did you know that you can save money on heating and cooling
costs by carefully planting trees, shrubs and even some
grasses and vines around your home? Planting trees on the
south and west sides of the house have been proven to
reduce summer temperatures by ten degrees in the house.

Vines growing on the house and shrubs near the home
(protecting basement windows) help further. Keep this in
mind when planning your landscaping.

----------------------------------------------------
Visit http://www.howtogarden.info for lots of gardening
tips and resources. Find information on landscaping,
vegetable gardening, growing flowers, lawn care, and more.

Bonsai Tips

2007-10-24T08:37:00.000+01:00

In my view bonsai gardening is the one hobby you can take
up and create something which can only be described as a
stunning art form, even if, like me, you were born with as
much natural flair for painting and drawing as Andre Agassi
has for understanding retirement speeches.

There is now doubt that a well kept Bonsai tree is a thing
of beauty; a miniature version of a full size tree that
replicates the full sized tree but is small enough to fit
in a pot on a table.

Genuine living art at its best.

So, how easy is it to grow one of these magnificent,
miniature plants? There is no doubt that it takes some
skill, patience and a little luck but it is not in fact as
difficult as it seems. Let's find out a little more about
the fascinating hobby of bonsai gardening.

There is not really a limit on what type of trees can be
grown as a bonsai although the most popular varieties these
days are pine, juniper and maple. The trees are trained
into the required shape by wiring, followed by judicious
and careful pruning. The idea is that the wiring and
pruning will produce a tree that looks like a tiny version
of what you would normally see in a park or garden.

Caring for bonsai trees is something which also requires a
little knowledge and experience; some trees are hardy and
can survive a winter outside whilst others will need a more
protected environment. Other important considerations in
bonsai gardening relate to the tools that you need to do
the work. It is very important that you have the right
equipment. Whilst a basic set of tools is not particularly
expensive the correct equipment is essential if you are to
make your new hobby a success.

With the right tools and a little training you can quickly
learn enough to start shaping your own bonsai trees. The
shape of the tree is crucial and there are a number of
different recognized styles that you can use for your
plant. It is always a source of great enjoyment when over
time you see your tree slowly but surely taking on the
shape you had envisaged for it. A true reward for your
developing bonsai gardening skills.

The presentation of a bonsai tree is absolutely vital and
to this end you do need to ensure that your tree is
displayed in the most suitable container. There are a huge
variety of containers available and you should always be
searching for something that will complement and enhance
your tree; something that will allow your living art to
shine.

The scope of this introduction article is obviously very
limited and you will need to look into bonsai gardening
more deeply to decide if it is really for you. However, I
do hope that I have managed to raise some enthusiasm in the
reader for at least taking the next step to finding out a
little more about Bonsai gardening.

----------------------------------------------------
If you thought this information was useful, try Bonsai
gardening secrets visit
http://baller39.cbpower.hop.clickbank.net/

Hammock Stands and Hammocks - For Relaxation in Your Own Backyard

2007-10-15T08:55:00.001+01:00

The creation of the hammock stand has made access to
hammock relaxation accessible to everyone. Large yards and
gardens are unnecessary, as hammock stands allow us to
enjoy a hammock in the smallest of spaces, like a courtyard
or patio and partake in all types of hammocks from
traditional reclining hammocks, as well as hammock chairs
and swings.

Like anything to do with hammocks, there is a hammock stand
to suit any budget and while we will pay more for
aesthetics, one needn't spend a small fortune to enjoy the
feeling of swinging or lazing about in one of the world's
most comfortable inventions.

Of course using a hammock stand gives your hammock the
added advantage of your being able to set it up almost
anywhere. It makes the use of your hammock more versatile,
whether it is used on your porch, the backyard or garden or
if you want to take it away to another location on holiday.

Hammock stands come in a veritable smorgasbord of designs
and construction elements. Aluminium-framed stands are the
most popular choice and biggest sellers because of their
durability, set-up ease and cost. However, for those
wanting more of a centrepiece for a patio or courtyard,
there are some rather beautiful, if more expensive, options
available.

More expensive hammock stands are usually made of timber or
steel. Designs are streamline and quite stunning, often
borrowing lines from Scandinavian modern furniture and are
simple, yet elegant. The shapes include a 'C' shape, where
the hammock or hammock swing hang from the top of the 'c'
to a rather space-age 'x' frame, where the hammock is hung
from the top ends of the 'x'. Some of the timbers used in
their construction include cypress and oak. All of these
stands would be a feature to any garden, patio or even
indoors.

Hammock stands for traditional, full-recline hammocks are
also available and these are a clever alternative for those
who lack back yard or garden space and, unlike a
conventional hammock, attached to two trees or poles, they
can be moved easily and set up anywhere in or outdoors.

Believe it or not, a hammock stand is even available to
attach to the back of a standard sized pick-up truck or
utility. These are ideal for people who camp and are also
easy to put up.

So whether you are seeking a striking, useable feature for
your garden or simply a fold-away hammock you can bring out
on a warm day, there is, quite literally, something for
everyone.

Isn't it time you gave yourself a break and bought a
hammock?

----------------------------------------------------
Michael Jennings loves to relax with his family in his
garden and has plenty of first-hand knowledge on patio and
garden furniture, especially hammocks. To find out what
would suit your garden visit his Garden and Patio Furniture
site. http://www.hammocks-swings-chairs.com

Basic Care for a Juniper Bonsai

2007-10-09T08:37:00.000+01:00

Growing bonsai trees is an ancient art that is becoming
increasingly more popular. Research shows that plants
benefit our mood and attitude. Introducing bonsai plants
into your life will bring these benefits along with reduced
stress levels and enhanced the ascetics of your home
environment. Because juniper bonsai trees are easy to grow,
they make great plants for beginners. Anyone can grow a
bonsai tree if they properly care for it. The following
information will help make your bonsai experience a
positive one.

There are over 50 species of evergreen juniper trees. The
needles range in color from dark green to blue. The juniper
increases in beauty as it grows and is a great addition to
any landscape. The juniper is an outdoor plant. Fresh air
and sunlight are essential to its growth and health.
Although it should not be exposed to extreme freezing
temperatures, it is a hardy plant, withstanding the
coldness of winter and thriving in most climates. Still, it
should not be exposed to extreme freezing temperatures and
should be brought inside during sub-zero temperatures.
Indoors, it should not be placed near heating vents or left
without sun exposure. In winter, an unheated, sunny,
enclosed porch is an appropriate place for a juniper. If
left inside indefinitely, a juniper will lose its healthy
appearance and eventually die.

Plenty of fresh air and sun are the first elements to
caring for your bonsai. Soil and fertilizer are other
important components. Buy soil specifically formulated for
bonsai trees. These mixtures contain less fertilizer than
the average potting soil, which is designed to encourage
maximum growth. The fertilizer should have a high nitrogen
content. Fertilize your bonsai every other week during the
growing season, spring until autumn. If your bonsai looks
unhealthy do not add more fertilizer, which is a common
mistake with beginners. Rather, an unhealthy bonsai is
usually due to over-watering. Re-pot your bonsai every two
years until the plant is 10 years old. After it is
re-potted do not expose it to wind or direct sun for 1-2
months.

The next important element for a healthy tree is water. The
saying, "if some is good, more is better" cannot be applied
in reference to watering your bonsai. Beginners have the
tendency to over-water their bonsai plants. Over-watering
causes Bonsai roots to rot. You should water your bonsai
when the soil is nearly dry--but not completely dried out.
The soil should be dry about a half inch to an inch deep.
It should appear dry on top, but when you check the soil
underneath with a toothpick or your finger, you can still
feel moisture. In most conditions you will water every two
to three days, but could be as little as once a week or as
often as every day, depending on your climate. When it
needs watering place it in a container of water or your
sink for about 5-10 minutes to saturate the roots. Then let
it drain. You can also top water. If top watering your
bonsai, water, and then wait a few minutes, and water
again. You will repeat this until your bonsai has received
enough water.The juniper can also be misted every couple of
days to keep dust off the needles and help in keeping
humidity.

Plenty of fresh air, rich soil, and the right amount water
are the first items to consider when growing a juniper
bonsai tree. The basics are usually the most important in
any skill or trade. If you can control and regulate the
basics, you will be well on your way to growing a healthy
bonsai plant. Those elements combined with your care and
attention will produce a beautiful plant that will help
your mood, attitude and stress levels for many years to
come.

----------------------------------------------------
Fran Black works in marketing at Bonsai Garden
http://www.bonsai-garden.com and Pilates Shop
http://www.pilates-shop.net leading portals for bonsai
gardening and natural exercise.

Landscaping Your Yard - Tips and Ideas

2007-10-03T08:43:00.001+01:00

Whether you have a large yard or a small yard, one of the
fun things of having a yard is landscaping it. Have you
always wanted a garden pond? Or perhaps you have always
dreamed of having a waterfall in your yard? Why not develop
the landscaping of your dreams?

Do you have children or grandchildren? Imagine your yard
with wooden playscapes in an area of the yard designed
especially for youngsters.

Other areas of the yard can include walkthrough gardens,
flowers that add color and charm, and a selection of trees,
shrubs, and other flora to balance the yard. Here are some
basic ideas.

Areas

Having like elements repeat throughout the landscape, such
as plants or rocks, will help unify different areas to each
other. To fill in areas that need color perennials and
summer bulbs can be added.

A play area is really beneficial if you have children or
grandchildren. Wooden play sets can be attractive and a lot
of fun.

A path for a tricycle or small bike can add to the fun. A
gravel walkway around the yard will provide such a path and
save the grass from being trampled down.

One of the all-time favorites for just about any child is a
tree house. Any large tree can be turned into an endless
adventure with a few boards and a ladder. The possibilities
really are endless.

Lawn

A lawn adds color and a cool place to play on hot days. You
can make it even more beautiful by adding flowerbeds and
shrubs along with a number of trees for shade. These things
can turn a plain lawn into a paradise.

Flowers

Flowers add color and grace to any yard. Sprinkled
throughout the border of the yard flowers can transform
your home from a run-of-the-mill house to a showplace full
of style. To have color year-round, plant a variety of
perennials and annuals mixed together.

Pond

Just about every yard has grass, shrubs and tress, but a
pond adds something special, especially if there is a
waterfall going into it. There are many ready-made
waterfalls and ponds that you can choose from. The Internet
is a great place to research and learn about what is
available and how to take care of a pond and waterfall.

Rock

Rock gardens really can be breathtaking when done right.
Adding drought-resistant plants compliments dry rock
landscaping well. This is a great way to reduce your water
bill. In some areas where there is a shortage of water,
this can be a terrific way to conserve limited resources.

Rock can be used in walkways, groundcover, walls, ponds and
waterfalls with spectacular results. Rock walls are a good
alternative to picket fences, especially if the surrounding
area cries out for rock instead of wood.

Landscaping - One of Life's Pleasures

Landscaping a yard is one of the pleasures of life. It's a
prime opportunity to add beauty to your surroundings. With
some planning and research, and perhaps some help from a
professional, anyone can design and create a yard that is
eye-catching.

----------------------------------------------------
Grab plenty of tips and tricks for making your yard and
garden healthier and more beautiful. Carol Stack and her
family live on a large piece of property where they enjoy
trying out new gardening ideas. Carol's website,
http://www.freegardentips.info covers lawn care, organic
gardening, landscaping and more.

Pruning Roses

2007-09-25T09:04:00.001+01:00

Roses seem to grow and produce flowers for only a few years
before becoming exhausted and starting to develop flowers
down the lower part of the stem.Pruning is therefore needed
to prevent the plant becoming a tangled mass of dying and
living wood with inferior blooms.

Rambling Roses

Rambling roses have diminished in popularity over the
years.They bloom only once a year albeit with a spectacular
show of flowers but are not generally disease resistant and
do need regular pruning.

Flowers grow on new wood so you will need to prune each
year for a good show of flowers all over the plant.However
rambling roses are a good choice in some areas, where their
natural talents can be exploited.Rambling roses flexible
stems will clamber enthusiastically up dead trees that would
otherwise be an eyesore, or scramble riotously along the
soil to produce unusual ground cover.

Climbing Roses

Climbing roses have much less flexible stems than rambling
roses, many are more disease resistant and some are repeat
flowering.Since flowers develop on a framework of
established wood,pruning climbing roses is a much less
demanding than pruning rambling roses.Essential pruning is
restricted to removing dead weak or diseased growth.

Deadhead as much as is practical during the summer and
prune in the autumn after flowering.If you also shorten the
side shoots that have flowered taking them back to three
buds.You will encouragea good coverage of flowers next year.

Regenerating Old Climbing Rose

If a climbing rose has been neglected and lateral growth
not encouraged by regular training and tying in, there may
be many bare stems visible near ground level.You can
encourage new basal shoots to develop by cutting down some
of the old bare stems almost to ground level.

Hybrid tea and Floribunda Roses

Hybrid tea and floribunda roses are popular garden choices
and have broadly similar pruning needs.Hybrid teas have
been used for around 100 years their flowers have what is
often seen as a classic rose shape.Hybrid teas are
available in an amazing range of colours and are often well
fragranced.

However there are some drawbacks with some varieties many
hybrid tea bushes are quite ridged in shape, producing
quite a stiff appearance that does not suit all
gardens.Hybrid teas generally bloom less frequently than
floribundas and are more susceptable to rain damage and not
tolerant to less than perfect conditions.

Floribunda roses have been popular for around the last 50
years.Although the individual blooms may not be as first
choice compared to the hybrid teas floribundas are chosen
for there ability to flower continuously for long periods
of time.Their increased disease resistance their ability to
thrive in less than perfect conditions and for their rain
tolerance.

Prune hybrid tea and floribunda roses in early spring when
growth is just beginning but to avoid the possibility of
damage by wind rock cut back long shoots in autumn.Cut
stems back to approximately half there length and remove
damaged weak or diseased stems.Floribundas hard prune some
old stems close to the ground to encourage new basal
growth, while pruning last years new shoots only
moderately.This variable pruning will encourage a good
coverage of flowers over the whole plant.

----------------------------------------------------
Want to know more about rambling roses or other roses such
as hybrid teas (Ingrid Bergman Rose) or floribunda (Day
Breaker Rose).Then come and visit
http://www.mygardencenteronline.com and checkout the rose
department.While your there have a look around maybe your
interested in Bonsai or fruit trees.

Getting Started With Indoor Gardening

2007-09-17T09:18:00.000+01:00

When the weather prevents you from going outside to enjoy
some gardening, it's just as beneficial and effective to do
some indoor gardening instead. In this way, you can indulge
in some gardening all year round, while still keeping warm
and dry. Better yet, your plants also keep warm and out of
harms way from frosts, slugs and deer! By the end of
reading this article, you will have many indoor gardening
ideas and tips that will have you well on your way to
growing lots of wonderful indoor plants and flowers.

Indoor gardening will allow you to have much more
flexibility when growing certain types of plants that need
a specific temperature. For example, you could grow
whatever vegetables you feel like all year round, and not
have to wait until they are in season to enjoy their
benefits. It also allows you to grow them organically to
your own personal requirements.

Many people decide to grow plants in a greenhouse, as this
is a form of indoor gardening, and perhaps the most
popular. The temperature within the greenhouse is
controlled by you, and can be adjusted to suit all kinds of
plants. They are made out of either glass or plastic
material, and can be bought or made in many different
sizes. They are a tried and tested method of indoor
gardening, as many professional and amateur gardeners use
them, so you are safe in the knowledge that they are
suitable for all purposes.

If your budget doesn't stretch to buying a greenhouse,
there are many different indoor gardening ideas that are a
lot simpler and cheaper, such as just having some pots in a
warm area, perhaps in a conservatory or on a sunny
windowsill. However, you will have to bear in mind the type
of plants that you wish to grow, as you may need a lot of
space! If you don't have a lot of space, there are several
plants that can be grown indoors in a smaller space, such
as cherry tomatoes. They don't require a large pot, as they
don't grow too big.

The room that you choose to grow your plants in should be
warm and receive a lot of sunlight. You will have to ensure
that there is enough heat and sun for the specific plants
that you wish to grow, perhaps speak to someone at your
local garden centre and they should be able to advise you
on some indoor gardening ideas and on what conditions your
plants need.

Another indoor gardening idea is that you may wish to place
your plants at different places around your house, so you
benefit from colours and well-oxygenated air throughout the
house. However, when growing plants like this, you have to
ensure that they will constantly have enough light, warmth
and humidity.

If you wish to get started straight away, it is a good idea
to buy an indoor gardening kit from a garden centre, which
will give you all the equipment and instructions that you
need to begin. It will also allow you to choose exactly
what type of garden you want in your house. You should also
consider the difficulty of each kit, and choose one
specifically designed for beginners to indoor gardening.

It is also worthwhile to bear in mind that if young
children or animals can access the plants, it could be
dangerous for both them and the plants! If either children
or animals tries to eat your plants, it could seriously
harm them depending on the type of plant. It could also
kill your plant. If it's difficult for you to place your
plants out of reach of children and animals, then perhaps
research plants that are not dangerous at all, as this
could be a solution. However, again, I advise you to talk
to someone at your local garden centre.

----------------------------------------------------
Michael Saville has written more articles on indoor
gardening. These can be found at
http://www.indoor-gardening.org . The site provides
information and indoor gardening ideas for people
interested in this popular pastime

Delightful Dahlias For Every Gardener

2007-09-07T08:34:00.001+01:00

Sometimes the sheer audacity of a flower grabs your
attention and simply won't let go. The first time I saw a
dahlia, I was stunned. Not only is their size larger than
life, but also the colors are absolutely amazing! The
intricacy of petal structure, the huge array of shapes, oh
yeah, did I mention the COLORS! In short, I was mesmerized.

In the intervening years, not much has changed, except of
course, there are better selections of these incredibly
immense dahlias. Stronger stems, better foliage, brighter
colors are all thanks to the hard work and intuitive genius
of many hybridizers.

I know several people who have devoted their entire garden
to growing dahlias. Some people might say it's a sickness.
I don't agree - if dahlias are your passion, live it! On
the other hand, not everyone can - or would want to --
devote a large amount of time and effort to one kind of
plant. But, seriously, there's room in just about any
garden for a few of these show-stopping flowers.

Besides border dahlias, there are decorative, dinner plate,
karma, powder puff, tree, collarette and a huge number of
unique dahlia shapes available. Flower sizes range from
under 2 inches wide to more than 10 inches in diameter.
While the colors include everything under the rainbow with
a few surprises in between. That's a lot to choose from;
I'm certain there is more than one for your garden.

One of the best reasons of all to grow dahlias is their
flowering time. They begin to bloom usually in late July
and continue unabated until frost, a time when many other
perennials are finished blooming and there's not much else
going on in the garden.

Dahlias are native to the mountainous central region of
Mexico and Guatemala. Spanish settlers in Mexico sent the
first dahlia seeds and tubers back to Spain in the 18th
century. Spanish botanists at the Royal Botanical Garden in
Madrid sent seeds and tubers to botanists in other parts of
Europe, and the dahlia began to spread across Europe. The
first varieties with large, double ball-shaped flowers were
bred in Belgium in 1815 and within a few decades nurserymen
had expanded the combinations of colors as far as they
thought they could be. Most turned their attention to other
projects, and dahlias languished.

Then, in 1872, a box of dahlia roots from Mexico arrived in
Holland. All the roots had perished except one, which
produced a brilliant red flower whose shape was distinctly
different. It was combined with earlier varieties and the
resulting babies became the parents of today's diverse
hybrids. Thanks to the skill of breeders in England,
Holland, Germany, Australia and America, dahlias come in a
range of sizes and colors unmatched in the world of garden
flowers.

There are some spectacular dinner plate sized dahlias that
grow 36-48 inches tall. How about 'Emory Paul', biggest of
them all in orchid lavender; maybe 'The Big Wow', with
enormous bright, scarlet red flowers. What about checking
out 'Ferncliff Illlusion', fabulous in white with violet
tips or 'Kelvin Floodlight', immense, dazzling, deep, clear
yellow. Any one would be perfect for creating a dramatic
display in your garden.

There are more demure dahlias that come in powder puff
shapes and grow 24-40 inches tall. Most of these large
flowers have a petticoat of regular petals with a puff of
smaller, ruffled petals in the middle. Try 'Blue Bayou' in
lavender-blue; or 'Soulman', in a rich, deep maroon, a
color very rarely seen in the horticulture industry.

You can mix it up with Karma dahlias for an array of
different shapes and vibrant, iridescent colors. These tall
dahlias (36-44 inches) were developed for the Dutch cut
flower market and have long, very sturdy stems. The colors
are truly magnificent. For an amazing effect in your
garden, try 'Karma Sangria' with a rose center, and golden
yellow petals tipped in salmon rose. Single colored flowers
include 'Karma Prospero', in soft lilac-pink with a golden
center and 'Karma Ventura', a dazzling lemon yellow the
perfect contrast to the pink petals of 'Prospero'.

Like I said, there are delightful dahlias for every
gardener! You just have to find the one that suits you best.

----------------------------------------------------
Since 1893 Van Bourgondien has been providing the finest
quality Dutch bulbs and perennials in the horticultural
industry. See all of the dahlias mentioned in this article
by visiting the author's website: Van Bourgondien
http://www.dutchbulbs.com/bulbs/article-wrapper.do?mainPage=
articles/bulblady/plantProfiles/delightfulDahlias.vm&utm_sou
rce=ArticleSubmission&utm_medium=article&utm_content=dahlias

Setting Up Your Own NFT Hydroponic System

2007-08-31T09:21:00.000+01:00

The NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) used to be commonly used
among commercial and smaller scale hobbyist or amateur
hydroponic growers. Its use has diminished among commercial
growers in recent years mainly because new hydroponic
techniques exist today that are better suited to
large-scale farming.

Amateur hydroponic growers however still use NFT often.
It's not that expensive, it's very easy to use, and it can
be easily adapted to suit many different plant types.

The NFT is one kind of solution culture in hydroponics.
Solution culture hydroponics involves the growing of plants
without growth medium and without soil. Many hydroponics
growers believe that solution cultures are the only true
form of hydroponics. They say that when growers add solid
growth mediums, they are adding nutrients to the plants in
the same way soil does. NFT on the other hand, treats the
plants only with nutrient solutions prepared by the growers
and delivered to the plants root system via water.

NFT Hydroponics Systems work by generating a constant water
flow at the plants' root systems which are suspended in a
tub. The slow moving water solution is spread out across a
flat surface at a depth of approximately 1 to 3 inches.
This shallow solution depth is constantly maintained to
create a nutrient film over the plant roots.

When setting up your own NFT system you will need a
shallow, flat-bottomed tub and a submersion pump which will
keep the water flowing over the plant roots. The plants
should be placed close together in order to enable the
nutrients to more readily cling to the roots. The
submersion pump will constantly recycle the water back into
the system. And because the water is being constantly
recycled, you will need to closely monitor the nutrient
levels in the water.

The NFT technique does have a few potential drawbacks which
need to be addressed. For example the nutrients necessary
for the plants can cause damage to the submersion pump. If
the submersion pump fails, or if there is an electrical
failure, your plants will not be getting the nutrients they
need to survive. A relatively short disruption in the pump
can lead to complete failure in your plants.

Nevertheless the NFT Hydroponic System remains a viable
method of hydroponic gardening for small scale and indoor
gardeners. By closely monitoring the pump and nutrient
solution, hydroponic gardening can be made nearly risk free
and quite productive!

----------------------------------------------------
Author of Hydroponic Gardening Website: Tony Buel
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com
NFT Hydroponics Article Found at:
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com/Setting-Up-an-NFT-Hydropo
nic-System.htm

How is Hydroponic Gardening Different from Regular Gardening?

2007-08-24T08:18:00.000+01:00

When growing hydroponics, there are a vast variety of
growing mediums that may be used. The mediums include
materials, including perlite, vermiculite, coconut fiber,
gravel, sand, or any number of other materials. Even air
may be used as a hydroponic growing medium. The hydroponic
growing medium is an inert substance that does not supply
any nutrition to the plants.

All of the nutrition comes from the nutrient solution,
typically combining water and fertilizer. Hydroponic
fertilizer and fertilizer intended for use in soil
(regularfertilizer) contain the three main nutrients.
These nutrients are nitrogen, Phosphorus, and potassium.
The main difference between hydroponic fertilizer and dirt
fertilizer is that hydroponic gardening fertilizers contain
the proper amounts of all of the essential micro-nutrients
that regular fertilizers do not include. The plants are
expected to find these elements in the soil.

Problems may arise for the plants if any or all of the
micro-nutrients are not present in the soil or have been
depleted by successive or excessive plantings. Hydroponic
gardening fertilizers are usually in a more pure form than
are regular fertilizers so they are more stable and
water-soluble.

Organic fertilizers are typically very different than
either the hydroponic fertilizers or the dirt fertilizers
in how the deliver nutrients to the plants. The organic
fertilizers rely on the action of bacteria and microbes to
help break down the material into its basic elements so the
plant can easily use it. Hydroponic and regular
fertilizers then supply the plants with these elements.

Another difference between hydroponic and regular gardening
is that growing hydroponics can be extremely complicated.
Hydroponics are controlled with computers and sensors which
help control everything from watering cycles to nutrient
strength, and the amount of light the plants receive.
However, hydroponics can also be very simple. The average
home hydroponic system usually consists of a few basic
parts, including a growing tray, a reservoir, a timer
controlled submersible pump to water the plants, and an air
pump to oxygenate the nutrient solution. Light is, of
course, also required to help the hydroponic garden to grow.

There are also micro-nutrients that are required for
healthy plant growth. These micro-nutrients include
calcium, sulfur, magnesium, boron, cobalt, iron, copper,
manganese, zinc, and molybdenum. These nutrients are the
essential elements that plants need in very small amounts.
Plants are likely to become sick without these trace
elements and will develop all sorts of problems depending
on which nutrient is missing.

The lack of micro-nutrients in food crops can mean a lack
of nutrients in the food. This will result in the food not
being as healthy as it could be and potentially lead people
to develop health problems due to the lack of these
essential elements. Any hydroponic gardener needs to use a
good quality hydroponic fertilizer when they are growing
plants using hydroponics.

It is also vital that the pH is controlled in both growing
hydroponics and in the soil as well. Plants lose the
ability to absorb different nutrients when the pH varies.
The pH must be monitored during the entire growth cycle of
the plants to maintain the maximum healthy uptake of
nutrients. The pH of the nutrient solution will affect how
well each element can pass through the root cell wall to
nourish the plant. Once the gardener has properly
calibrated the fertilizer concentrations and the pH of that
solution, they can generally assume it will stay steady
barring any unforeseen root disease.

Gardeners should always monitor their system too much
rather than too little to avoid any problems. The ability
to quickly and easily test and control pH in hydroponics is
a major advantage over regular gardening, where testing and
adjusting the pH is much more complicated and time
consuming.

----------------------------------------------------
Hydroponic Gardening can be a fun and productive new way of
gardening for you. We have tips and resources to get you
started fast! Author Tony Buel
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com

Koi Pond: Digital Masterpieces- Virtual Water Features Part I

2007-08-16T10:28:00.000+01:00

One of the most challenging aspects of designing ponds and
waterfalls is trying to convey my ideas to my client.
Coming up with award-winning pond designs or implementing
them using adequate skills and experience is not a problem.

My challenge is getting my client to see what I see.
Drawing and painting are not my forte; it is next to
impossible for me to draw a rock, not to mention water. The
hardest part for me is drawing perspective. Prior to
discovering the art of digital design my most common phrase
used was, "Just trust me." Wait till your pond and
waterfall is finished, I promise you'll like it.

Unfortunately, "trust me" are the most common two words
spoken by used car salesmen! Thank goodness that most of
my clients were referrals from other satisfied customers
and already knew what I was capable of creating.

A few years ago, I discovered a computer program called
"Photoshop" and realized I could use it to create virtual
photos of water features. I learned how to cut an item from
one picture and paste it into another. Actually, that was
nothing new for me since I did that in third grade. It's
called cut and paste. Only now I'm using a mouse instead of
rounded scissors and edible white paste. (I hear the
manufactures are adding vitamins to it now. :)

I started out scanning dozens of photographs into
"Photoshop," which converted them into a digital image
capable of being manipulated in hundreds or thousands of
ways. The Photoshop program has a large learning curve,
especially for someone who is unfamiliar with graphic
design techniques, so I started searching for a solution
for my pond design department.

DIGITIZING PHOTOS

Microsoft has developed a user-friendly software (small
learning curve) for working with photographs.They can be
scanned into the program or digital photos from a digital
camera can be downloaded into the program. Then each
picture can be enhanced through a variety of processes such
as brightness, contrast, blur, tint, etc., all with a
simple click of the mouse.

Once the photo is finished, I can then cut out objects from
the picture, such as rocks, groups of rocks, plants, or
portions of the waterfall and pond. Which I did from
several thousand photos of waterfalls and ponds I have
constructed over the past 26 years.

I gathered these jpg images into an indexed library.
Using this process with pictures from hundreds of my
projects, I was able to build a substantial library of
objects for pasting into the "before" photo of a client's
yard for a pond design.

Now I can take a digital picture of someone's yard and
download it into Microsoft's "Digital Image Suite "
program. (This is not an endorsement, it just happens to be
the product I use. I do not sell Microsoft products and
have no investments in the company) Next, by dragging
various items from my library, I can construct a waterfall
and pond of any shape, size or configuration onto that
picture.

So thanks to the arrival of the digital age, I can
construct on paper a virtual image or idea that was in my
head. As a result, my clients can see exactly what their
pond and waterfall will look like when finished. Now a pond
design takes only minutes.

Whether you are building a waterfall and pond for yourself
or for a customer a pond design or waterfall design can be
a marvelous thing. Simply marvelous! Happy koi, Peace &
Joy.

For more details on digital design, read Koi Pond: Digital
Masterpieces-Virtual Water Features Part II

----------------------------------------------------
Douglas C. Hoover; CEO of Aquamedia Corp, freelance writer
and author
designer, architect, inventor, engineer and builder of over
1,900 waterfall and ponds in California or the past 26
years. Read my other articles at:
http://www.ezinearticles.com Have a question?
http://www.askdoughoover.com

Teak is Made for the Outdoors

2007-08-09T09:08:00.001+01:00

Food, friends, and a good chair are something makes an
outdoor party an excellent event. Food and friends aren't
hard to find, and good outdoor furniture shouldn't be
either. Why just get boring, regular outdoor furniture when
you can get furniture that will not only last but impress
your guests.

Some of the most stylish people will drop a considerable
amount of money on all the indoor couches and wall mounted
television sets but what many of these people neglect is
making the outdoors look just as good. Starting with some
nice grass, perhaps complement your yard with a barbeque
grill, and then add quality outdoor furniture that matches
your taste. How about a nice luxury patio set that makes a
person feel like royalty when eating off it? Being such a
great table that one would want to clear the table right
away so half eaten food doesn't take away from the
beautiful table.

When filling your outdoor with nice furniture, it adds
options like getting out of the house to do work on the
laptop, reading a book while getting a tan, and playing
with the kids instead of sitting in the house breathing in
circulated air with the shades drawn. Outdoor furniture can
help you get out of the house on a nice day and enjoy more
of the luxuries of life.

The best material for a patio set is with out a doubt Teak.
Teak is from a genus of tropical hardwood trees and is
tightly grained hardwood that is very durable a resistant
to weather. The advantage of Teak is that even if you do
not coat it with a protective cover of paint, it can still
with stand the elements for a long time and changes shades
to a pretty silverfish color.

Teak is at the top of luxury outdoor furniture. If you want
to make your backyard experience nothing less than amazing,
using furniture made from teak will ensure that you have to
all around best outdoor experience on the block.

Don't just stop at the patio set. Put in a romantic park
bench in your backyard, and add some Teak chairs for that
patio set. This will add to how great your outdoor
experience will be with all of this next long lasting
furniture. Purchasing beautiful and durable Teak outdoor
furniture will ensure long lasting outdoor enjoyment for
future generations to come.

----------------------------------------------------
This article was written for our friends at Teak Select -
http://www.teakselect.com to let consumers know the benifit
of Teak when funishing your outdoors. Article written and
distributed by Secure Link - http://www.slwebsolutions.com .

Pest Control Breakthrough in the never ending battle around home and garden

2007-07-29T09:07:00.001+01:00

Since I am not only an avid gardener, but also much
concerned about the environment, I'm always looking for
safe methods to grow plants including pest control in home
and garden.

Think about pest control and how it works: We spray
chemicals on plants or pests and the bugs die or stop
reproducing because the chemicals are toxic to them.
Unfortunately, many of these products are also toxic to
humans and animals. Reading warning labels on pest control
products makes you wonder why anybody would want to risk
using them. Exposure to the fumes of these products can
result in headaches, feelings of nausea and other
discomfort Pesticide use can also results in chronic
illness such as allergies, in miscarriages, sterility,
cancer and even death.

We not only spray and fumigate in home and garden, we also
apply bug killing toxins on our pets and expose them and
ourselves non stop to a variety of chemicals to kill fleas,
ticks and more.

Over the years, I have had some success with such Earth
friendly things as vinegar, diatomaceous earth, garlic,
cayenne pepper and Saver Soap in my never ending battle
with bugs that invade home and garden. My quest also led me
to pure essential oils which repel or kill bugs, yet are
actually healthful to people and their pets.

Experimentation lead to the discovery that if the oils are
used undiluted, they repel the pests, but if the oils are
mixed with water, they often become "insecticides". In
other words, if you like to repel insects from entering
your home, you can do that by putting a few drops of the
appropriate oil on your fingers or some other applicator
and then brush or spray the oil along the line of
demarcation such as a windowsill, a door jamb, or other
point of entry.

To kill or disable pests, mix a few drops of a specific oil
with water in a spray bottle, shake frequently and aim at
the pests. For example, to discourage aphids and ants from
roses and other plants, generously spray infested plants
with the mix. While the pests will leave or fall off, there
is no harm done to the plant itself. (Best not to do that
in mid day when temperatures go above 100 degrees F.)

You can keep ticks, chiggers and fleas off yourself and
your pets when in the outdoors by using the appropriate
oils. Either spray on exposed areas or rub on cuffs around
neck, wrists and ankles. Avoid using oils near the eyes.
Should you get oils in the eyes, dilute with vegetable oil
- NOT with water. If an oil should be too strong for the
user, experiencing a slight discomfort, apply a little
vegetable oil to dilute. For your pets, you can put
recommended oils around the neck, legs and along the back,
but keep oils from around the eyes and other tender areas.

If an oil should be too strong for the user, apply a little
vegetable oil on the area to dilute.

The following oils have been used successfully in the
elimination of pests from home and garden:
ANTS: Peppermint, Spearmint
APHIDS: Cedarwood, Hyssop, Peppermint, Spearmint
BEETLES: Peppermint, Thyme
CATERPILLARS: Spearmint, Peppermint
CHIGGERS: Lavender, Lemongrass, Sage, Thyme
CUTWORM: Thyme, Sage
FLEAS: Peppermint, Lemongrass, Spearmint, Lavender
FLIES: Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage
GNATS: Patchouli, Spearmint
LICE: Cedarwood, Peppermint, Spearmint
MOSQUITOES: Lavender, Lemongrass
MOTHS: Cedarwood, Hyssop, Lavender, Peppermint, Spearmint
PLANT LICE : Peppermint, Spearmint
SLUGS: Cedarwood, Hyssop, Pine
SNAILS: Cedarwood: Pine, Patchouli
SPIDERS: Peppermint, Spearmint
TICKS: Lavender, Lemongrass, Sage, Thyme
WEEVILS: Cedarwood, Patchouli, Sandalwood

I like to add these cautions about essential oils: Not all
essential oils on the market are safe. Many are diluted
with harmful chemicals. Many essential oils are ineffective
due to the way they are processed. Please make sure that
you use safe, pure, properly distilled oils.

----------------------------------------------------
The author has a Home and Garden Decor business. She is
also an avid gardener with many years of experience and
likes to share her knowledge with others. Find great value
here
==> http://www.buyhomeandgardendecor.com/home.html
For more information on pure organic oils
==> http://www.AZaroma.com
which offers a free report about the use of essential oils
==> http://www.essentialorganicoils.com/pet-health.html

Planning a Flower Garden - Things to Consider Before You Plant

2007-07-20T08:54:00.001+01:00

One of the first things to consider in creating a flower
garden is the style of flower garden that you would like.
Another thing to consider is where it is going to be
placed, and what type of soil the flowers will need.

What kind of flower beds do you want? Are you going to have
color all year, or just at certain times of the year? These
questions need to be answered before the first plant is
placed in the ground.

If you decide to go for a small flower garden, then using
pencil and paper to create your design is fine. In the
design stage you will factor in such items as concrete or
mulch for walkways, brick for walls, seating, water
features or lighting or any other accessories you might
want to add to your new garden.

Considering Water, Light and Soil

With any gardening undertaking, a flower garden must have
its sufficient supply of water, light, and rich soil. To
begin your garden, select a sunny area, as flowers usually
requires 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

Are you going to water by hand or does your yard have
automatic sprinklers. If you are going to water by hand, is
the flower garden easily accessible to a water supply?

Planning for Color Year Round

In order to have constant color available, consider when
each flower blooms. Other things to consider include the
question of whether the garden and house complement each
other.

If you want flowers blooming throughout the year then you
will need to investigate what plants produce flowers in
different seasons. Then you will need to plan where you are
going to scatter these various flowers throughout the
garden so each area continually has color.

Preparing the Soil

A flower garden, just like any garden you wish to plant,
requires good quality soil that will meet the needs of the
plants you put in it. If your soil is rather poor and lacks
proper nutrients, there are many available fertilizers and
plant food available that you can add to the soil.

Planting the Flowers

You are now at the stage where you have designed your new
flower garden, installed your hardscaping, prepared the
ground, amended the soil and purchased your plants and
seeds. Since you already planned out the location where you
want to put each flower, all you have to do is follow your
plans. By planning in advance where you want to put each
kind of flower, you have tremendously simplified this last
job.

Enjoying the Results

Planning carefully and planting ahead of time, you will
have the garden filled with an array of flowers and color
for all of the year round.

----------------------------------------------------
Carol Stack has always enjoyed gardening. She lives with
her husband, children, dogs, and cats in the United States.
They have a large yard that they are continually trying to
keep looking good. Her website, http://www.howtogarden.info
covers lawn care, organic gardening, landscaping and more.

Garden Remodeling - Plan Early

2007-07-11T09:12:00.001+01:00

Many homeowners are actually glad when winter arrives and
they can basically forget about yard work for several
months. This does not mean that they are not aware of the
shape their garden is in. Particularly when those garden
catalogs arrive in the mail, or when they open a Sunset
Magazine, the urge to remodel their yard comes over many.

While everything is covered with snow and the ground is
frozen it is actually a great time to start planning.
Landscaping takes some doing and homeowners who first
identify their goals usually achieve better results.

Define how much work and money you want to spend on your
project. Look what you have already, what you want to keep
and what you want to change. Be clear what is important to
you. Is it beautification, privacy, ease of maintenance?
Does outdoor entertaining play a big role in your life or
is food production you major goal? Another vital factor in
landscape planning is safety and convenience. It is
important that your paths and steps are lighted and lead
where you want them. If you consider all these points
before you start, you'll surely end up with the garden you
want.

Whether your garden encompasses an acre or is just a tiny
plot, certain considerations are the same. With small
children or dogs, sturdy plants may have to be planted. If
sports are a popular activity, decide how to allot space.
Maybe you want to run the tracks for your model railroad
through a corner of the yard. If you have a problem area
in your yard, how will upgrading it affect the rest of the
garden. Will adding a patio cut down on the lawn area? Will
trellises block your view? Will planting trees produce
too much shade where sun is wanted?

Learn what kind of materials are available and what you can
do with them. Wood, vinyl, brick, concrete and others all
have advantages and disadvantages. A wooden arbor blends in
more naturally with the surrounding plants, but a vinyl
arbor is practically maintenance free. Concrete is
relatively inexpensive and strong but also can easily crack
on shifting land.

Other guiding principles to consider are proportion,
balance, unity and variety.

Proportion. Choose plants and garden structures that are in
scale with the architectural lines of your house. Always
think ahead to the size the mature plant will have. An
8-foot poplar today could overpower a one-story house once
it reaches 80 feet while a lonely 6-foot bush would look
lost at the corner of a two-story structure.

Balance. We are talking of the balanced, not symmetric,
distribution of landscaping elements, which create the same
visual weight on either side of a center of interest. A
large tree on the right of the entryway, balanced by two
smaller trees on the left draws the eye to the focal point,
the front door, where a single tree would draw it away. The
'visual weight' does not have to be mass. It can also be
form, color or point of interest.

Unity. An indiscriminate assembly of unrelated plants and
structures creates a chaotic overall picture. Unifying the
various landscaping materials is essential for creating a
pleasing landscape. By repeating common garden elements, a
sense that everything belongs together will be achieved.
Grouping a certain plant together next to the patio edge
and planting a few more along the path, followed by another
group at the end, ties one area of the garden with another.
Avoid planting too many distinctive areas; it makes it
harder to achieve unity.

Variety. This is a welcome element in landscaping, it
provides surprise. If you plan to have predominately
conventional plants, add something exotic, or plant a
purple leafed tree in a predominantly green color planting
scheme.

Apart from these principals you have to consider what style
of garden you want. Formal, rustic, native, oriental,
shade, dry. Your decision about a garden style determines
many things. The kind of plants to buy, what structures to
add, gates, fences, walk, etc. etc.

Climate is one of the most significant factors to weigh.
How does the path of the sun throughout the year affect
where you will plant what. Where will heat be trapped,
where will the wind need to be controlled. Don't forget the
seasons. With careful planning it is possible to increase
the number of days you can enjoy outdoors.

So many things to consider, so much to learn. That's why I
say start early, while you have no yard work. Get those
books about landscaping. Study what you need to know. Check
out what materials are available. Go talk to a landscape
specialist while he is not yet busy. When those first fine
spring days come you will be ready to start your project
and have it done to enjoy all summer.

----------------------------------------------------
The author has a Home and Garden Decor business where she
makes sure that her customers get the best deal as well as
expert advice. She is also an avid gardener with many years
of experience and likes to share her knowledge with others.
http://www.buyhomeandgardendecor.com/home.html
Planters and plant stands add interest to your garden as
well.
http://www.buyhomeandgardendecor.com/planters_and_plant_stan
ds.html

Garden Insects - Not All Are Pests

2007-07-04T09:25:00.001+01:00

There are gardeners who think that every insect they see is
a pest and needs to be destroyed as quickly as possible,
when in reality there are some insects that actually help
your garden. They catch and eat any number of their harmful
cousins. To know which ones are beneficial will help you
decide which insects to eliminate and which ones to welcome.

It is important to realize that there will always be some
harmful insects in your garden, the key is to keep them
under control. Three insects that can help you to do this
are praying mantis, ladybugs and lacewings.They are
ferocious hunters and most beneficial to have around.

Lacewing larvae can eat up to 60 aphids in an hour. They
also eat whiteflies, mites, the eggs of caterpillars and a
variety of other small pests.

Ladybugs and their larvae consume up to 40 aphids per hour.
They also devour spider mites, beetle grubs, whiteflies and
other soft bodied insects.

Praying mantis are fierce predators that will eat a wide
variety of pests.

Apart from these three, there are other beneficial
insects which are common and can help destroy garden pests.

A variety of predator mites feed on harmful spider mites
and thrips without harming plants themselves.

Parasitic nematodes are microscopic worms in the soil that
eat their way into numerous soil dwelling pests including
grubs, sod webworms, carpenter worms, weevils and destroy
them.

Different kinds of wasps are very effective when it comes
to insect control. The Trichogramma wasps deposit their
larvae into the eggs of caterpillars, from where they eat
their way out, destroying the eggs. The Aphytis melinus,
another tiny parasitic wasp attacks and kills red scale
and Metaphycus helvolus attacks black scale.

Several species of small wasps attack whiteflies in their
immature stages. Many other tiny wasps help to control
flies when they lay their eggs in the pupae of several
types of them, including houseflies.

Most of these beneficial insects can be bought from
nurseries and garden supply stores for a few dollars. It is
best to release them in the evening because daylight
encourages flight. Be aware that without access to prey,
water and shelter they will fly away. It is necessary to
provide the right environment by growing many kinds of
plants in your garden. In return these 'good' insects will
help your garden to stay healthy and reduce the need to use
chemical pesticides.

----------------------------------------------------
The author has a Home and Garden Decor business where she
makes sure that her customers get the best deal as well as
expert advice. She is also an avid gardener with many years
of experience and likes to share her knowledge with others.
http://www.buyhomeandgardendecor.com/home.html

Why Hydroponic Gardening Is Becoming More Popular

2007-06-27T09:38:00.001+01:00

Hydroponic gardening has spiked in popularity recently
mainly because the quality and productivity of
hydroponically grown plants has been unmistakable. These
plants grow faster and healthier than their soil-grown
counterparts. This is due to the fact that they are grown
in an environment where there is a virtual limitless supply
of nutrients and water at their disposal.

These hydroponically grown plants, because they are not
grown in soil, do not need to fight off diseases and pests
which are natural in soil. Pesticides can be decreased or
even eliminated.

And because the nutrients and water are delivered in just
the right proportion directly to the plant's roots, they
are better equipped to grow - faster, healthier, larger!

Hydroponically grown plants have the following benefits:

- They will provide high levels of nutrition

- They will be better tasting

- They will be rich in color.

In hydroponic gardening you will find that the crop's water
and nutritional needs are less complicated and sometimes
more effective. Just a few simple measurements and it will
be evident what adjustments need to be made to the
nutritional balance in the water. All the guesswork is
eliminated!

Although nutrient solutions are available from local
hydroponic suppliers and contain the correct proportions of
essential minerals, gardeners may also make their own
nutrient rich solutions. This may sometimes require quite
a bit of extra work however.

When it comes to the growing medium that will provide
plants their nutrition, different materials have been
successfully used. Materials such as sand, porous rock,
gravel, pumice, perlite, and vermiculite have all proven
to be good choices. Fired clay particles can also be used.
These all are capable of providing a way of getting the
nutrient rich water into the plant's root system.

Also, there are various types of containers and pumping
arrangements for delivering nutrient solutions to the
garden and draining it back to the storage tanks for reuse.

If you're just starting out in hydroponic gardening you may
be wondering which types of plants are most suitable for
hydroponic gardens. The answer to this is tomatoes,
peppers, lettuce, and cucumbers. There are some types of
tomatoes that will continue to produce year round.

Some plants can be started from seeds and seedlings. In
this case use commercially available rock wool plugs
submerged in the media. These make excellent incubators
for germination and seedling growth.

And since hydroponic gardens are self-contained, they can
be located just about anywhere space permits. It is not
unusual to find these by windows, on rooftops, or in
closets.

----------------------------------------------------
Author Tony Buel
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com
Getting Started:
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com/Hydroponic-Supplies-You-N
eed-to-Get-Started.htm

A Greenhouse Provides Many Advantages for Hydroponic Gardening

2007-06-23T09:48:00.001+01:00

Hydroponic gardening is the science of growing plants in a
controlled environment without soil - free from soil borne
pests and diseases. Hydroponically grown plants are raised
in greenhouses under carefully monitored and controlled
conditions. Gravel is normally used as the medium to
support the plant's roots within the hydroponics
greenhouse. Carefully mixed nutrients are then periodically
fed to the crops in liquid form - a method called
sub-irrigation culture. Once seedlings are planted almost
all of this work is done by automation. In these hydroponic
greenhouses sensors within the gravel are used to determine
when the plants need more nutrition and turn on the pumps,
giving the plants the just the right amount of solution.

These hydroponically grown plants are fed the exact
nutrients needed for rapid growth and volume production.
Some hydroponic gardeners use special tanks that are made
from big drums which are cut in half. The bottom of each
half is brazed with brass tubing. A hose hose is clamped to
one end of the tube. The other end is attached to a similar
tube which is brazed into a small can.

Inside the tanks the can is painted with an asphalt based
paint in order to prevent metal surfaces from rusting. The
tanks are filled with small sized gravel pellets.

The hydroponic gardening process starts with 'planting the
tanks' by first starting seedlings in carefully prepared
paper cups full of vermiculate to allow the hydroponic
solution to enter. After the plants are started, the entire
cup should be placed in the gravel. The plant's roots are
irrigated from below as the fluid flows down the hose and
into the gravel. The system is set up to ensure that the
crops are moist but are never flooded with solution for
more than a few seconds.

The advantages of hydroponic gardening in a greenhouse are
numerous. When crops are grown hydroponically, crop yields
are increased dramatically over conventional agriculture.
For example acre of land will yield five to the tons of
tomatoes. The same amount of space will yield 60 to 300
tons when grown hydroponically. A lettuce crop grown in a
hydroponic greenhouse will yield an increase of 12,000
pounds over conventionally grown lettuce.

Hydroponic gardening provides other advantages besides
increased crop yield. The hydroponic greenhouse environment
extends the growing season and doesn't require heavy labor.
And of course the obvious -there's no need for greenhouse
soil!

----------------------------------------------------
Author Tony Buel
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com
Getting Started in Hydroponic Gardening:
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com/Hydroponic-Gardening-Gree
nhouse-Advantages.htm

Teak Benches - Charming and Chic

2007-05-04T20:11:00.001+01:00

To add elegance and comfort to any patio, deck or porch, a
teak bench is a perfect choice. Teak benches come in an
array of sizes, lengths, styles and designs. They are
weather and water resistant and last for years. With their
handcrafted beauty and durability, a teak bench complements
all areas in and around any home.

One of the most appealing features of teak benches is the
variety of styles in which they are made. Choose from
armless and backless benches or ones with straight or
curved backs. There are even rounded benches which can be
wrapped around trees and add grace to gardens of any size.

Backless and armless chairs are one of the most versatile
choices and less formal than their counterparts. This type
of teak bench looks great indoors and out. Placing one in
a garden complements lawns of all sizes. Adding one to a
foyer allows for convenience and comfort when returning
from work or a jog. This style of teak bench also looks
great and fits perfectly with a teak dining table. Unlike
chairs, benches allow more people to enjoy a meal together
and the bench easily slides under the table for added space.

Teak benches with arms and backs are also perfect for
indoor and outdoor use, but create a more formal appearance
than the armless and backless benches. Choose from backs
that are straight, curved, half-moon shaped or slatted.
Slatted teak benches look great with a teak coffee table
and carved back benches are ideal for adding elegance to
any patio or porch. Half-moon teak benches are open and
inviting, while straight-back benches are perfect for
lounging. Teak benches with curved backs are excellent for
creating a classic look. All styles are comfortable, so
choice depends on an individual's personal taste.

Glider teak benches not only refine a garden or deck, but
add romance as well. Many people enjoy the smooth swaying
of a glider teak bench with a loved one while others enjoy
this type of bench by themselves for relaxing moments of
solitude. Since these benches come in a number of sizes,
they can accommodate families of any size.

The Spirit Song teak bench is one of the most unique and
stylish types of teakwood benches available. These benches
are extremely appealing to the eye, are original and
luxurious. Mimicking the contours of the human body, these
benches, although armless, are exceptionally comfortable.
Carved in a variety of styles, including backless and
curved, Spirit Song teak benches are both furniture and
art. Quality constructed and handcrafted this type of teak
bench will enhance any home's interior or exterior.

All of these benches are perfect poolside. Whether used to
relax and catch some sun or after an intense swim, a teak
bench makes for a spectacular outdoor experience.

Bench cushions are available in various shapes and sizes,
ideal for enhancing the comfort of any teak bench. Plus,
there's even a teak bench that stores cushions of multiple
sizes which keeps them dry and organized.

So make the teak bench choice, and make your porch or patio
a more inviting place.

----------------------------------------------------
Jesse Akre, owner of numerous sites specializing in
Furniture for your patio or garden, offers the online
consumer information when looking for perfect Teak Patio
Furniture or a classic coffee Teak Table. Finish your home
in style-Visit today: Teak Furniture at
http://www.MoreThanTeak.com

Koi Pond: Biological Filters

2007-04-26T08:39:00.001+01:00

Contrary to common belief, biological filters do not
process or filter the solid waste of fish in your koi pond.
They continue to build up and putrefy, creating a breeding
ground for harmful species of heterotrophic bacteria which
are pathogenic to koi fish. As stated, the biological
filtration process utilizes Nitrosomonas bacteria to break
down ammonia into nitrite and nitrobacter, further
converting nitrites into nitrates, which is less harmful to
koi fish.

Plants now utilize the nitrate and phosphate for
fertilizer; if you have not provided an adequate ratio of
water plants to koi fish, "hard" algae (growing on rocks
and koi pond walls) and "free- floating" algae use nitrate
and phosphate to reproduce.

The key to preventing this condition, called "algae bloom,"
is to provide enough non-soil bearing plants such as water
lettuce and hyacinths to compete for the nitrate and
phosphate. Since these two plants are tropical and can
only survive in warm climates, hardier varieties such as
Elodea and Anacharis will perform well in cold climates.
These plants are commonly used in bio-filter ponds.

A bio-filter pond is used in conjunction with shallow koi
ponds with small populations of koi fish. It will also
eliminate the need for a mechanical bio-filter and a
second pump to operate it.

The bio-filter pond is located higher than the main pond
for two reasons. It prevents the koi fish from eating the
plants and it allows the water from the waterfall to be
filtered as it passes through the plants prior to spilling
into the lower koi pond.

An adequate ratio of plant cover for the koi pond's surface
is approximately 20 to 30 percent. This is a basic rule of
thumb and many factors can change this equation.

For example: koi fish population, water temperature, and
debris accumulating from leaves or over-feeding the koi
fish. I have said many times that the Koi Pond is the koi's
living room, dining room and toilet.

If you do not have a bio-filter, that could explain why
your koi pond is a tad green, stinky, or cloudy, and why
your finned family is gulping air on the surface. Trust me.
That will not be for long. Fish gulping air to survive
would be like you -- in an attempt to avoid breathing
poisoned air -- gulping water to survive.

If you do not already have a biological filter, I can not
encougage you enough to abtain one. If your pond is over
eight hundred gallons, and you are using an above ground
pump that produces over 3500 gallons per hour, I suggest a
pressurized bead filter. I cover the topic of biofilters in
greater detail in another article. Happy koi, peace
and joy.

----------------------------------------------------
Douglas C. Hoover; CEO of Aquamedia Corp, master Waterfall
Builder, freelance writer and author designer, architect,
inventor, engineer, writer, author and builder of over
1,900 waterfall and ponds in California or the past 26
years. Read my other articles at:
http://www.ezinearticles.com Have a question?
http://www.askdoughoover.com

Organic Container Gardening: Healthy plants with a limited amount of space

2007-03-27T10:31:00.000+01:00

If you would love to grow healthy, fresh vegetables and
vibrant, beautiful flowers but have limited space, organic
container gardening can be the answer you've been looking
for. This creative type of natural gardening can be done
just about anywhere and it can even be easier than
maintaining a traditional garden plot.

Here are three things to consider for simple organic
container gardening, regardless of the amount of space you
may have.

Start With Organic Soil

It only stands to reason that for any successful venture in
organic container gardening, one would need organic soil. A
regular, outdoor garden begins with the soil or dirt that
you already have and then organic materials are added to
increase nutrients. But you'll be ahead of the game if you
start with organic soil to begin with.

With organic container gardening, you won't have any
sub-soil to help retain water which in turn prevents the
roots from becoming too wet. The best way to correct this
problem is with simple peat moss. Peat moss can either be
used alone or added to your organic soil along with compost
or composted manure and the result is an excellent soil
mixture for organic container gardening.

Use Plain or Creative Containers

Put your imagination to the test as just about anything
that will hold soil and water can be used for organic
container gardening. While some gardeners prefer to take
the natural route and use pots made from clay or wood, you
are really only limited by your own resourcefulness.

Although, pots and containers that won't fall apart when
they get wet and that will also drain properly work best
for organic container gardening. If needed, you could
always drill holes into the bottom of the container and
then add about an inch or so of gravel to aid with
drainage. Also, a few layers of torn newspaper or leaf mold
atop the gravel will help retain water just enough to keep
the soil moist as well.

Plant Your Crop

With the use of organic container gardening, you can plant
the same plants and vegetables that you would in any other
garden such as tomatoes, peppers, beans or herbs. The key
is using containers appropriate in size to what you are
planting. For instance, zucchini plants will need the same
amount of room in the container as they do out in the
garden, so be sure to have something that will allow the
plant room to grow healthily.

Organic seeds and plants will work best with organic
container gardening, and you will also find that you'll
rarely have a problem with most garden pests while using
this particular method. It's much easier to keep pests at
bay and keep an eye on leaves and stems with organic
container gardening rather than with a large, regular
garden. Ladybugs will still help with insect infestation
and diatomaceous earth can still be used to deter slugs
from destroying your plants.

Basically, the same practices you would apply to
traditional gardening can be used with organic container
gardening. And anywhere you may have a sheltered area that
receives enough light; you can enjoy the fruits, or
vegetables, of organic container gardening all year long.

----------------------------------------------------
Janet is the publisher of
http://www.easyorganicgardeningtips.com
where you can find advice, tips, and recommendations for
your organic gardening needs.

How Do Hydroponic Gardening Systems Work?

2007-01-26T10:56:00.000Z

How Do Hydroponic Gardening Systems Work?
The idea of hydroponic gardening (gardening without soil),
has been around since the time of King Solomon. There are a
few advantages with hydroponic gardening over traditional
gardening -for example the rate of growth of a hydroponic
plant can be up to 50% faster than a soil plant grown under
the same conditions.

And the yield of the plant is also greater!

The reason for this is that the plants get their nutrition
fed directly into their roots from nutrient rich water.
Since this water is so high in nutrient content, the plant
does not need large roots to search for nutrition. And
since the plant expends less energy in growing roots it has
more energy available to be productive above the rootline!
Hydroponically grown vegetables are healthy, vigorous, and
consistently reliable. This form of gardening is clean and
extremely easy, and it requires very little effort.

Hydroponic gardening is also beneficial to the environment.
For example hydroponic gardening uses considerably less
water than soil gardening because of the constant reuse of
the nutrient solutions. And also, fewer pesticides are
necessary in hydroponic crops -they are not as necessary.
And topsoil erosion is not even an issue since hydroponic
gardening systems use no topsoil.

How exactly does a hydroponically grown plant get its
nutrition -nutrition it normally gets from the soil? Well,
these nutrients come in liquid or powdered mixes and can be
purchased at a hydroponic supply store. And like soil,
hydroponic systems can be fertilized with organic or
chemical nutrients. But you should know that an organic
hydroponic system can be considerably more work to maintain
since the organic compounds have a tendency clump.

Hydroponic systems are normally categorized as passive or
active. An active hydroponic system moves the nutrient
solution with a pump. A passive hydroponic system relies on
the capillary action of the growing medium or a wick.

In a passive system the nutrient rich solution is absorbed
by the medium or the wick and passed along to the plant's
roots. But a downside with this method is that they are
usually too wet and do not supply enough oxygen to the root
system for the best growth rates.

Hydroponic systems are also characterized as recovery or
non-recovery. In recovery systems, the nutrient solution is
re-circulated for reuse. In a non-recovery system however,
the nutrient solution is not recovered.

You may be unsure of whether to buy or build a hydroponic
system. If you have an 'engineering mind' and want to build
one, consider buying one first just to get familiar with
the inner workings. Buy a system which does not cost a lot
of money. It will give you a better understanding of how
hydroponics works and the hands-on experience can be worth
the cost of the system as you will be able to reuse the
parts when you decide to build one.

Hydroponics gardening is a popular and growing hobby and
many are finding this to be fun, exciting, and easy to get
started.

----------------------------------------------------
Author Tony Buel
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com
Growing Hydroponics can be a fun and productive new way of
gardening for you. We have tips and resources to get you
started fast! Full Article on Hydroponic Gardening Systems:
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com/How-Do-Hydroponic-Gardeni
ng-Systems-Work.htm

Hydroponic Gardening -The Pros and the Cons

2007-01-10T21:41:00.000Z

When it comes to some of the problems we are facing in the
world with regards to food production, hydroponic gardening
offers some promising solutions. In the poorer countries
where the terrain or climate is inhospitable to
agriculture, hydroponics offers a means of growing healthy
foods easily. Also, in those areas where the soil has lost
its nutrients or fertile land is hard to come by,
hydroponics can produce healthy foods using minimum space
and resources.

As with all things though, it is not all good news. There
are many pros and cons any grower should weigh before
deciding to commit to hydroponic gardening.

First, the pros. In comparison to traditional farming,
hydroponic growing can be more productive in two ways. For
one, hydroponic gardening saves space. Plants can be placed
much more closely together than in traditional fields
because of the way nutrients are provided to them. As many
as four times as many plants can be grown in same amount of
space using hydroponic techniques! Secondly, hydroponics
minimizes many of the problems associated with traditional
farming which means less sickly, damaged, or wasted crops.

Because hydroponic growers customize their own nutrients
mixes, it takes the guess work out of figuring out which
field has the best soil and proper nutrition for which
crop. The nutrient mix is the right one for the particular
plant, in the right ratios, every time. Also, soil based
diseases are virtually eliminated because there is no soil.
These two factors alone make hydroponics an extremely
efficient method for producing food.

Benefits accrue to the environment as well. The water
consumption in hydroponic growing is significantly less
than traditional methods. In many cases, hydroponic crops
use just one tenth of the water! Also, the water that is
used is used more effectively. For example weeds cannot
come in and steal part of the crop's water supply. And
because the crops are in a controlled environment and not
in a field, there is no pesticide run-off water to
contaminate the surrounding ground.

The benefits are not without their costs however. The
expense of hydroponic growing is an area where improvements
need to be made. The nutrient mixtures and growing mediums
used can be expensive.

Hydroponic growing also requires an increase in energy
consumption. Much hydroponic growing happens in
greenhouses, where significant amounts of electricity are
used in order to give the hydroponic plants all the light
they need.

While research is happening to try and bring the costs down
(such as in the field of aquaponics), hydroponics can be
financially prohibitive for those areas where it is most
needed.

Research in the field of hydroponics is filled with promise
and much research needs to be done. Many of the problems
are being addressed however, and many farmers and amateur
gardeners are eagerly awaiting new developments in this
promising field.

----------------------------------------------------
Author Tony Buel
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com
Full Article
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com/Hydroponic-Gardening--The
-Pros-and-the-Cons.htm

A Flower Garden Adds Color to Your Yard

2006-12-30T21:03:00.000Z

If you are looking to beautify your home, few things will
do it as cost effectively as a flower garden. Just think of
it; the garden can be large or small, in one area or spread
out, roses, tulips, daffodils or any other kinds of flowers
you fancy.

Some people think you have to have the proverbial green
thumb to have a beautiful flower garden. While this is true
with some types of flowers, if you stick to the easy to
grow varieties you can have a gorgeous garden in no time!

Visit your local nursery or check online to discover what
flowers grow best in your area. You will want to choose
flowers that blossom at various times of the year so that
there is constantly some flowers blooming.

Before you begin to plant your flower garden, you will need
to prepare the soil, which means getting it ready to
receive the plants. This should be done whether you are
planting bulbs, seeds or annuals.

You will want to select a spot that is near a water source
so you will not have to carry a bucket to and from the
flowers every day. Next, remove any weeds or rocks from
your new garden. Using a shovel or tiller turn the soil
over. This will let oxygen in and help promote healthy
roots.

Next, add some slow release fertilizer, making sure to
follow the directions. Turn the soil again and you are
ready to start planting.

After you have gathered the necessary tools, it may be
helpful to arrange the plants while they are still in their
seedling containers so you know where you want them to go.

Now, remove the plants and gently loosen plants that are
root-bound. You only want to put the plants as far down as
the soil it is in now. In other words, do not get over
zealous and bury it too deep or not deep enough. A good
thing to keep in mind while planting is that the crown of
the root ball should be level with the soil.

Now, place the plant into the hole you just dug. Then push
down the plant and soil with the side of the trowel or with
your hands. You want to make sure the plant is set, but do
not manhandle it.

Water the plants right away, the plants will be thirsty.
Using a low-pressure garden hose or a watering can, try to
keep the water on the roots, not the leaves of the plants.

When planting, do so either in the early morning or later
in the evening. This will help prevent the roots of the
seedlings from drying out.

If you are going to start your plants from seeds, you will
want to do so inside six to eight weeks before you plan on
putting them outside.

Bulbs for flowers such as tulips and daffodils should be
planted in the fall so they have time to rest over the
winter and be ready to sprout in the spring.

With a little work and a little expense anyone can have a
stunning flower garden to brighten up their yard. Nothing
adds beauty to a yard or patio like some colorful flowers.

----------------------------------------------------
Carol Stack enjoys writing articles. She lives with her
husband, children, four dogs and seven cats in the United
States. They have a large yard that they are constantly
working on to make more beautiful. Her website,
http://www.freegardentips.info covers lawn care, organic
gardening, landscaping and more.

Lawn Weed Control - Don't Let Weeds Take Over Your Lawn

2006-12-07T10:45:00.000Z

How quickly weeds appear

A weed is a plant that grows where it is not wanted.
Keeping a lawn free from weeds is nearly impossible as
their seeds are very quick to germinate and only need to be
within an inch of the soil surface to be able to sprout.
Once they have sprouted, it doesn't take long for them to
appear.

The key to weed control is to make sure you stay ahead of
them. If your garden is neglected, even for a couple of
weeks, it could quickly become overrun with weeds.

How to keep weeds away

A weed is just like any other plant that requires
nutrients, except they compete with other plants to get the
nutrients they need. A way of keeping your lawn free from
weeds is to focus on how to make your lawn grow healthier.

The key things to having a strong and healthy lawn are,
proper watering, sufficient nutrients and regular aeration.
A healthy, strong lawn will become an unhealthy habitat for
weeds. It will then be able to fight off the weeds and
pests that try and take over.

What to do once they appear

Weeding is an ongoing process but once you have a healthy
lawn, weeding shouldn't take much of your time at all. When
they appear, the way to keeping your lawn free from weeds
is to simply dig or pull them up as you see them appearing
and your lawn will be kept weed free with the minimum of
effort. A little weeding here and there is far better than
a whole weekend's worth of work.

Use of chemicals to fight weeds

Daisy is a weed that can stand close mowing and still
flower. It spreads by seed so it will be able to cover
anywhere quite quickly. They are however susceptible to
weed killers and you would only need to use one application
to kill them.

Dandelion is a perennial weed that has large rosettes and
bright yellow flowers. It can stand close mowing so the
best control method is to pour salt on to the center of the
weed, which will kill it overnight and then remove it by
hand with removing the long tap root.

Always be careful when using any kind of chemical. Most
chemicals that are used are for keeping your lawn free from
weeds. However, they can also be used in flower beds but do
not use chemicals until the existing plants and flowers
have matured to at least four or five inches in height.

The use of herbicides should be used as a last resort. When
applying any type of chemical or herbicides, make sure you
have the correct weather conditions, as the slightest
breeze can carry the chemical onto your plants and flowers
and kill them. When spraying weeds, the nozzle should be
kept close to the ground and sprayed directly onto the weed
itself.

A beautiful lawn requires regular care, including the time
to keep the lawn free from weeds. A little bit of time
spent controlling weeds each week is much easier and more
successful than trying to get rid of the weeds once they
have taken over.

----------------------------------------------------
Carol Stack enjoys writing articles. She lives with her
husband, children, four dogs and seven cats in the United
States. They have a large yard that they are constantly
working on to make more beautiful. Her website,
http://www.freegardentips.info covers lawn care, organic
gardening, landscaping and more.

Why should you choose Teak Patio Furniture?

2006-11-28T13:15:00.000Z

More and more people are beginning to appreciate the beauty
of teak patio furniture. This is particularly true for
those people who care more about the quality of their
wooden patio furniture rather than the quantity of it. Teak
is an elegant and long lasting wood which grows mostly in
Burma, Indonesia and other exotic locations. Popular belief
is that Egypt was one of the first countries to use wood
patio furniture. However, over the years the whole world
has recognized the beauty and grace of teak patio
furniture. The popularity of Teak for wooden patio
furniture is based on its resilience, unique grain, and its
durability to resist insects and natural decay. Even in an
untreated form, the longevity of unfinished teak is
impressive, as it can last up to 75 years.

Wooden patio furniture comes in many styles and in various
finishes. Nowadays the best outdoor wood patio furniture
sets can rival the quality of indoor dining furniture.
There are many different types of wood used. As well as
Teak, these include Cypress with its unique grain; Cedar
which transforms from a red or reddish-brown colour to a
silvery-grey appearance; and Knotted Pine which has a
natural resistance to the outdoor elements, pests, and
decay.

So why are so many people interested in Teak patio
furniture? Well, the answer lies in the wood itself. Teak
is a very hard wood that has a strong resistance to winds,
pests, humidity, and all manner of conditions that a normal
wood faces in its lifetime. It is an extremely durable wood
that is often used in construction around water, such as
decking in marine locations. As a result teak patio
furniture can withstand very harsh weather during the
winter months and still look fantastic during summer. In
fact some people prefer the look of this type of wooden
furniture as it gets older, as the wood matures to a
beautiful silver-grey colour.

It is important to have a word of caution here. Just
because Teak is durable, it doesn't mean you shouldn't care
for your wooden patio furniture. Teak does not splinter but
it may develop small cracks with time; due to its high
content of natural oils. It should be treated if you plan
to leave it out in the winter or during bad weather, as its
oils do not create a great surface sheen.

As with any form of wooden patio furniture it is a good
idea to avoid spilling drinks or other foodstuffs on it. If
an accident does happen do not try and clean it with common
household detergents. Either just leave the stain to fade
over time or sand the area down with high grade sand paper
and re-polish it. Remember, you must make sure your Teak
patio furniture is clean before re-polishing otherwise you
will trap the dirt into the wood.

You will probably pay more for a Teak patio furniture set
than for other types of wooden patio furniture and
certainly more than for plastic furniture. However, you are
buying quality. It is very satisfying to sit outside on a
sunny winter's day enjoying your garden in the knowledge
that your neighbours have had to pack their garden
furniture away for the season.

The final point to note is that after making that
investment in elegant Teak patio furniture you should not
spoil the effect by finishing it off with cheap
accessories. So do not buy cheap cushions or a flimsy
umbrella. Cushions should be thick, about for to six
inches, and be made from good quality material that
enhances the wood. The umbrella should be made from teak
and material that complements the cushions. Get these
accessories right and your patio furniture will be
aesthetically pleasing to both you and your visitors.

----------------------------------------------------
Michael Saville has written other articles on patio
furniture. These can be found by visiting
http://www.patio-furniture.org.uk The site also includes
information about buying and maintaining all other types of
patio furniture.

The Tremendous Benefits of Organic Gardening

2006-11-15T17:08:00.000Z

The Tremendous Benefits of Organic Gardening
The art of organic gardening is simply growing food in an
environmentally and health friendly manner. Because an
organic garden is produce without the use of pesticides and
commercial fertilizers you are not only providing yourself
and your family with healthy foods, you are also helping
the air, water, and soil within our environment.

Organic gardening carries many benefits that you may not be
aware of. This article will help you identify the benefits
of an organic garden and determine whether organic is the
way for you to go.

When you produce organic foods, you are producing all
natural, safe, and much healthier foods. These foods will
have a greater amount of nutrients and minerals within them
than those grown with the help of commercial products. You
are reducing your family's risk of ingesting harmful
additives and pesticides, and increasing their nutrition at
the same time.

Let us have a look at some of the other health benefits of
organic gardening. One important benefit that research has
discovered in organic foods is the fact that by eating
foods grown organically, you are building your body's
immune system, thus giving it the ability to fight of many
different types of diseases, one of which is cancer.

Organic vegetables have been proven to contain a higher
concentration of nutrients. A team from Rutgers University
did a study comparing produce from a grocery store and the
same items grown organically.

While the Rutgers team expected the organic food to show a
slight increase in minerals compared to the non-organic,
they were astounded by the results of the tests. The
organic produce contained much greater amounts of essential
minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Non-organic spinach had only three percent of the iron
contained in organic spinach. Non-organic tomatoes had only
a tiny fraction of one percent of the iron found in organic
tomatoes. What was more surprising was that many essential
elements were completely missing from the non-organic
produce.

Not only are organic foods higher in vitamins and minerals
but they also lack the harmful chemicals found in
non-organic foods. Thanks to the lack of chemicals within
organic foods, you are reducing the amounts of toxins such
as fertilizers, hormones, and pesticides in your body.
Furthermore, while reducing the harmful instances, you are
increasing the amounts of healthy minerals within your body
such as vitamins, phosphorous, magnesium, and iron.

Another great benefit of organic gardening is that the
foods you produce will have a longer shelf life and taste a
whole lot better. Research has shown that without additives
and other such elements, organic foods can be stored better
and longer than foods with chemicals and processes.

Furthermore, without the chemical additives, the foods from
your organic garden will simply have a better taste, which
is delicious. The taste of a fresh, organic tomato is far
superior to a tomato bought at the local grocery store
which was probably pulled from the vine weeks earlier when
it was still a bit green.

These are some of the great benefits to growing your own
organic produce. There is also the benefit you get from
working in your garden, out in the sunshine and fresh air,
reducing any stress from a day at the office. Organic is
simply better for your overall health.

----------------------------------------------------
Carol Stack enjoys writing articles. She lives with her
husband, children, four dogs and seven cats in the United
States. Find more tips about organic gardening by visiting
Carol's gardening site at http://www.freegardentips.info

How to Have a Beautiful and Lush Green Lawn

2006-11-11T09:08:00.000Z

How to Have a Beautiful and Lush Green Lawn
Having a green, lush lawn is easier than you might think.
If you don't have the ideal lawn you have always dreamed
of, don't worry. With just a few simple steps, you, too,
can have an amazing lawn.

In order to have a beautiful lawn, you must start with a
good foundation. Whether starting from scratch or trying
to bring life back to your lifeless lawn, start with
seeding. A rotary spreader will evenly distribute the
grass seed over the entire surface.

Once you have enough seed down you will need to make sure
the grass has sufficient water. In some parts of the world
where there is normally enough rainfall to maintain a lawn,
you might still need to water after seeding the lawn. You
will want to make sure you water the seeds enough to help
them grow.

On average, a healthy lawn needs between one and two inches
of water a week. If you are fortunate enough to live in an
area where it rains throughout the summer, you will not
need to bother with sprinklers. However, if a drought
occurs it might become necessary to water by hand to keep
the lawn green and healthy.

If you need to water by hand or with sprinkler, it is
important to water for short periods of time in order to
avoid run-off or puddles. Also, you want to water in the
early morning hours when it is cooler outside. Otherwise,
you risk frying the grass from the hot summer sun.

To help the lawn maintain a healthy look, you will need to
fertilize it. In the early spring, you will want to wait
until you have mowed the grass several times before
applying a fertilizer.

Be sure to match the fertilizer with the specific time of
year. Spring, summer and winter fertilizer all contain
different ingredients and are designed for use during the
specific seasons. In the fall it is important to fertilize
the lawn before the first frost.

Another step in maintaining a healthy lawn is to properly
mow it. You will want to mow at least once a week. Be
sure not to set the mower blade too low or you will end up
killing the grass. Also, be sure not to mow in circles.

When mowing, be sure to overlap the strips you have mowed.
This will ensure that all of the grass is mowed evenly.
Mowing shorter grass more often is better for your yard.

One final step in having a healthy lawn is weed control.
If your grass is fighting with weeds for nutrients, it is
less likely to grow properly. So be sure to apply a weed
control throughout the lawn-growing season. Often, weed
control can be combined with fertilizer.

If crabgrass appears in your lawn it is very important to
get rid of it at once. Pull it out by the roots. If
necessary, dig it out with a shovel. Then re-seed the grass
and water. Be sure you don't ignore the crabgrass or it
will soon take over the entire lawn. A little work now is
better than a lot of work later.

In conclusion, having a beautiful and healthy lawn requires
some effort. However, the rewards are so great that you
won't mind putting a little effort into the care of your
lawn. By following a few simple steps, you can maintain a
beautiful lawn all year long.

----------------------------------------------------
Carol Stack enjoys writing articles. She lives with her
husband, children, four dogs and seven cats in the United
States. Find more ways to keep your yard and garden looking
great by visiting Carol's gardening site at
http://www.freegardentips.info

Landscaping Tips - Hiring The Right Landscaper

2006-11-07T23:44:00.000Z

Although we live in a do-it-yourself culture, there are
sometimes when it pays to hire a professional. Landscaping
can be a perfect example of this. A quality landscaper
will have equipment, know how, design skills, and talents
to transform your property into a living show piece.

Landscaping can be complicated and labor intensive. It can
require specialized tools and equipment. Landscaping is
also an art, and the experts have a strong understanding of
good design, composition and aesthetics that allows them to
make the most of any piece of land. Professional
landscapers also possess voluminous knowledge about various
plants, grasses and trees that assists them in making the
best possible decisions for any given job.

Try as we might, we can't, as amateurs, produce the
breathtaking results that a professional landscaper can.
Thus, if we need serious landscaping help, it makes sense
to call in the expert. That part of the decision calculus
is relatively easy. Once we decide to hire a pro, however,
another question emerges: how can we choose the right
landscaper. Let's look at a few helpful hints that can
point those in need of professional landscaping assistance
in the right direction.

First, don't let cost make your decision. We have a
natural inclination toward bargain hunting, but the old
maxim "you get what you pay for" is often true. A cut-rate
provider may keep your wallet thick, but the grass could
turn out thin and brown. Cost is always a consideration,
but one should not compromise the integrity of their
landscaping project in order to save a few dollars.

Second, ask for reference and then take a look. Get
references from prospective landscapers and then take the
time to actually follow up on them. Take a personal look
at their handiwork and see what you think about the quality
of their efforts. Talk to former customers about the
landscaper's ability to get work done on time and other
important considerations. Your landscaper will be making
potentially permanent changes to your property. Take the
extra effort required to make sure those changes will be
positive.

Third, call appropriate agencies. Check with the Better
Business Bureau and other consumer watch dogs and find out
whether the landscaper in question has been the subject of
any complaints or valid criticisms. This is not a
foolproof way to weed out sub par options, but if you find
that a prospective contractor is a magnet for consumer
complaints, it only makes sense to think twice before
hiring them.

Fourth, talk about the project. Before making a decision,
spend time on the property discussing the project with the
landscaper. Get a feel for his or her vision of the
project and find out whether or not he or she is receptive
to your ideas and capable of meeting your specific needs.
The fact that a landscaper did a wonderful job on a modern
commercial property doesn't necessarily demonstrate an
ability to handle the yard of your restored Victorian home,
after all. Make sure you have found the right person for
the job.

Following these recommendations won't necessarily guarantee
landscaping success, but doing so will improve your odds of
hiring the right landscaper considerably. Remember not to
cut corners, to check references, to consult with consumer
agencies, and to have a meaningful discussion or two about
the project in order to assess whether a specific
landscaper is the right person for the job.

Landscaping may not always be a do-it-yourself project, but
that doesn't mean you have to rely on the first
professional you find in the Yellow Pages. Take the time
to find the right landscaper for you!

----------------------------------------------------
Free landscaping ideas & 2,183 landscaping pictures be sure
to visit http://www.landscapingideasonline.com . It's the
website landscaping contractors & homeowners use to get
landscape design ideas - by Brad Palmer

Growing palm trees - a beginners guide

2006-11-05T19:56:00.000Z

Palm trees are popular in gardens all over the world. Some
species are considered fast growing. These grow faster than many
other species. In fast growing trees, the trunk quickly becomes
tall. This may be important if you want a tall line of trees
around your property in a shorter amount of time.

The climate affects the growth of most types of <a
href="http://www.alicante-spain.com/palm-trees.html">trees</a>.
Some need continually warm weather. This equates to faster
growth in some species. Others grow well in slightly cooler
areas, and can even with stand frost. It's important to find out
the requirements when choosing the best plants for your garden.

Types of Palm Trees

The King Palm is a quick growing tree. They are a good choice if
you want a canopy of trees. This palm likes rich soil with ample
nutrients and needs plenty of water. They can grow twenty five
feet in ten years, with good care. The maximum height they reach
is about forty feet. They grow faster in full sun.

Queen Palms are the most common species of tree. These grow
about twenty five feet in seven to ten years. They can reach
heights of up to sixty feet at maturity. Queen palms need good
soil and lots of water. They are hardy in colder weather.

Majesty Palms are fast growing palm trees. They grow about ten
feet in ten years. They often reach thirty five feet within
twenty years. This species needs plenty of water and soil that
is rich in magnesium. They do well in sun for part of the day.
Majesties don't do well too near the ocean. There is too much
salt in the air.

Royal Palms are moderately fast growing. They will grow twenty
feet in ten years with good care. This species needs soil rich
in nutrients, water and plenty of sun. They grow a fat trunk
base and then grow tall. This species does not do well in
temperatures below twenty six degrees Fahrenheit.

Fishtail Palms are a common and fast growing species. They reach
thirty feet tall in about seven years. At maturity, they can
reach over sixty feet tall. The trunk diameter of this species
is about twenty four inches. Fishtails need rich soil and plenty
of water.

King Kong or Black Trunk Palms are fast growing trees. They get
wide before they get tall. They can reach up to eighty feet tall
and grow large, horizontal leaves. This is one of the wider
species in terms of trunk diameter.

Growing Palm Trees

Consider the needs of the species before you plant it. The
temperature range needed varies by species. Some do better in
consistently warm climates. Others do well in slightly cooler
areas. A few can survive frost, while others will die. Make sure
the species you choose is hardy in the climate where you live.

Ask about the day length of each species. This need varies by
species, so ask at the nursery. The tree will need enough to
promote growth and prepare for changes with the seasons. Some
need a lot of sun, while others do better in partial sun. The
heat needs vary according to species as well. Find out the heat
and sun tolerances of the species when shopping for trees.

How much water does the species need? Some need a lot more water
than others. If you choose a species with a high water
requirement, make sure you can meet those needs. If you don't
get much rain, you will need to be sure to water it frequently.

The pH range needed varies by species as well. Find out the
proper pH for your species to take up water and nutrients. You
may be able to add nutrients to balance this range as needed.
The nursery will be able to help you with this.

About the author:
Being specifically passionate about palms and plants, Robert
Carlton is writing plenty of informative papers in the area. His
publications on<a
href="http://www.alicante-spain.com/palm-trees.html"> palm
trees</a> can be discovered on <a
href="http://www.alicante-spain.com/palm-trees.html">http://www.a
licante-spain.com/palm-trees.html</a> as well as other web
sites.

The Beauty of The Rainbird Sprinkler System

2006-11-02T15:22:00.000Z

There are sprinkler systems, and then there is the Rainbird
Sprinkler System. The Rainbird Sprinkler System belongs in a
class all to themselves. Does your lawn suffer the results of
not getting the proper amounts of watering during the summer?
Wouldn't you rather get rid of that old brown lawn and have a
beautiful lush green landscape? Well, with a Rainbird Sprinkler
System you can have just that.

If you already have a Rainbird Sprinkler System installed, then
you probably already know what I'm talking about. But, if you've
never had the benefits that a sprinkler system offers, then you
should take some time and explore this landscaping area. A
sprinkler system is a perfect home improvement addition for any
home.

The sun is brutal on your grass during the hot summer months.
Who has the time to play with an old garden hose connected to a
lawn sprinkler? You constantly have to time it and move it
across the yard all the time. It quickly becomes a huge hassle
every week. Well, you can take some action and liven up that
dead looking lawn. Before you know it a Rainbird Sprinkler
System can have your yard the envy of the entire neighborhood.
It will keep your grass looking its best all summer long.

It's not only your lawn that will benefit from a Rainbird
Sprinkler System, but it's your entire landscape. Flowers,
bushes, trees, plants and shrubs will also benefit from being on
a watering schedule. All you have to do is set the timer up on
the sprinkler system and it does all the work for you. It
doesn't get any easier than that.

With a Rainbird Sprinkler System you can be assured that you're
getting a top of the line sprinkler system. The company doesn't
cut corners or produce some piece of junk that will need
replaced in a year or two down the road. Rainbird is an industry
leader in providing quality sprinkler systems. Everything they
manufacture is built to last for years.

If you haven't sat down and taken a look at some of the great
deals on Rainbird Sprinkler Systems, then I would encourage you
to start today. Go online and take a look at what they have to
offer. Their products will have any yard looking like a
professionally landscaped masterpiece in a few shorts weeks. You
can easily find a Rainbird Sprinkler System that will fit your
budget and have your yard looking its best this next summer.

About the author:
You can find much more information on <a target="_new"
href="http://www.sprinklersa-z.com/Rainbird_Sprinkler_System.html
">Rainbird Sprinkler Systems</a> as well as more information on
all types of sprinklers at <a target="_new"
href="http://www.sprinklersa-z.com">http://www.SprinklersA-z.com<
/a>

Home Gardening Tips

2006-10-21T09:44:00.000+01:00

I've decided to add some variety to this blog by publishing some articles from guest authors. Here is the first one by Ngullen Rivera:

Home gardening can be fun, no matter what kind of garden it is. For instance, you can decorate the perimeter of your house with beautiful tulips, lilies, or other flowers. In addition you can sustain your household with a healthy supply of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Gardening is quite a task, no matter what kind of garden it is. Those who have never planted a garden may need some help with the steps for creating a garden that will produce. In order to have a blooming garden you need to keep in mind the following tips:

Make sure you plant your seeds or flowers in the right types of soil. Some plants grow better in loose and sandier soil, while others grow better in rich, dark, and moist soil. You can even find plants that grow better in rocky soil, or soil that contains large amounts of clay or metallic minerals. Therefore, when you choose flowers or vegetables for your garden you need to make sure that the soil you want to plant them in is appropriate for those plants. If the soil is not the right kind of soil for the plants you have in mind to grow, then you may need to cultivate the soil.

Always plant your seeds or flowers at the appropriate times of the year. For instance, if you plant tulip bulbs, you need to make sure that the ground reaches a temperature of 60 degrees or colder. If you plant your tulip bulbs they will come up in the spring. When you are planting vegetables, you usually need to plant them in late or early spring. They usually grow over the summer and then are harvested in the fall. The exception would be certain tropical and desert grown fruits, which often grow in much hotter temperatures.

Make sure you give your plants plenty of water. Most plants that you add to your garden will need to be watered immediately after they are inserted into the ground. In addition, they will need to be watered regularly if you live in a climate that does not receive very much rain. If you life in a wetter climate, you will not need to water your plants very much.

Additional Important Watering Tip Also, while you are watering make sure to aim the water close to the ground and not directly on the leaves, and water before the hottest part of the day. If you do it any other way the leaves of the plants could turn brown. Also, you need to make sure you do not over-water plants, such as cactuses, or certain tropical plants, because they could drown and die as a result.

Space Your Seeds far Enough Apart. While you are planting your seeds in the ground you will need to plant them as far apart as possible-up to 2 to 3 inches apart. For small seeds, it is acceptable to plant groups of them in one seed hole, but these clusters of plants should still have some space in between them. This is important so the roots of all plants have adequate room to grow. This is especially true for plants that grow from a larger seed.

These are some of the most basic garden tips to help get you started. It is your responsibility to make sure you use the correct planting procedure for the plants that you want to grow.

Copyright © 2006 Ngullen Rivera
------------------------

Want more information about Home gardening? Please visit: http://gardenersreferences.com or http://gardenershandbooksite.com

Garden Ramblings October Issue

2006-10-20T20:02:00.000+01:00

Here's a somewhat belated note to tell you that the October issue of Garden Ramblings is now online.

Here's a list of the topics covered:

- Letter from the Editor
- Flower of the Month
- October Cleanup
- Winterizing Your Pond
- Special Offers
- Useful Resources

Unfortunately there was an error with the Useful Resources in that the copy from September's issue was repeated. What I intended to include was Mike McGroarty's Plant Propagation Forum where you will find some great how-to videos.

Garden Ramblings September Issue

2006-09-18T10:54:00.000+01:00

Just to let you know that the September issue of Garden Ramblings is now online. It's my experimental video edition so do take a look.

Here's a list of the topics covered:

- Letter from the Editor
- Plant of the Month
- Plan Your Spring Bulb Garden Now
- How To Create A Butterfly Garden
- Special Offers
- Useful Resources

Garden Ramblings August Issue

2006-08-16T10:23:00.000+01:00

Just thought I would mention that the August issue of Garden Ramblings is now online. This blog has been neglected for several months because I started a new one Garden Supplies News on my main site. For anyone who comes across this by chance here's a flavor of what you will find in the current issue:

In this issue:

- Letter from the Editor
- Plant of the Month
- Pep Up Your Perennials
- Portable Perennial Garden
- Special Offers
- Useful Resources

***********************************************************
Hi

Welcome to the August issue of Garden Ramblings your monthly window on what's going on in the world of gardening.

The "Plant of the Month" is the Calendula or Pot Marigold, a plant named in Roman times and still a firm favorite today.

There are two articles on perennials this month. The first is a general overview with some ideas on how to provide extra color at this late summer season. The second is by guest author Doug Green on his Portable Perennial Garden.

In the Special Offers section this month there are three Daylily offers plus a pre-season bulb offer and another Summer Sale.

The Useful Resources section caused me problems this month and you will have to read on to find out why. Read more..

Garden Ramblings now online.

2005-10-17T10:30:00.000+01:00

As forecast in my last post the October issue of Garden Ramblings has now been published and all subscribers will have been sent an email copy. You can also read the newsletter online here.

This issue includes a guest article by Aurora Celonious entitled "The Beauty of the Orchid". Here is a brief extract: "Orchids make up an enormous group of plants, with around 25,000 species, and perhaps 60,000 hybrids produced artificially. Little short of a thousand new hybrids are added to the collection each year.

The word 'orchid' comes from a Greek word 'orchis' meaning 'testicle'. Theophrastos, the Greek 'father of botany' coined this word. He was the head of the lyceum in Athens and the successor of Aristotle. He led it for thirty-five years, i.e. up to his death in 287 BC. He called it so because he thought that the bulb resembled a testicle!" more..

Garden Ramblings - October Issue

2005-10-10T11:12:00.000+01:00

The October issue of my monthly newsletter Garden ramblings is due out this Saturday so I am hard at work to ensure that it is published on time. It will include the regular Plant of the Month feature and the main article will be all about bulbs that you should be buying now if you want to have a garden full of Spring flowers.

There will be a guest article, probably about orchids, although that has not yet been finally decided. The other regular features, Special Offers and Useful Resources, will be there as usual but, here again, I will wait until the last minute to decide exactly what will be included to make sure that the information is as up to date as possible.

If you are not already a subscriber just go to The Garden Supplies Advisor and sign up. All subscribers can download a free copy of "Easy Plant Propagation" by Mike McGroarty as a thank for signing up.

Fall is for Gardening

2005-09-30T12:19:00.000+01:00

"Fall is for gardening" says Billy Fountain. "With temperatures cooling down somewhat from the record-breaking highs we have just endured, there may be a hint of fall in the air. Now is the time when we can once again enjoy our decks and patios. I enjoy gardening much more in the fall with cooler temperatures and a slower pace.

For maximum enjoyment of fall color, now is the time to plant your chrysanthemums. There are so many colors to choose from, but the most popular is the bright yellow variety called Yellow Triumph. The bright golden flowers show off well against the dark green foliage. Other colors include bronze, white and maroon. Choosing colors depends on your personal taste, and all these varieties grow well in our area." more..

Are you sitting there with your digital camera full of fabulous flower pictures that you have taken over the summer? Instead of your old-fashioned photo album you can now purchase an electronic version. Westinghouse has introduced the Digital Photo Frame, a 5.6-inch LCD display that looks like a picture frame and displays up to 80 digital photos, individually or in a slide-show format. The photos are imported by plugging in a memory card or downloading from a computer. more..

A Zen Garden of Your Own

2005-09-28T21:23:00.000+01:00

When you hear the term "Zen Garden" the picture conjured up is of a dry landscape with rocks surrounded by carefully raked gravel which invites you to withdraw from the noise of the world outside and to enter into silent meditation.

Some say that zen priests adopted the dry landscape style in the eleventh century as an aid to create a deeper understanding of the zen concepts, but others hold that the Japanese Zen Garden is a myth. They claim that it is a late 20th Century western creation that has nothing to do with the Japanese Garden Tradition and that the dry garden style is not unique to zen temples but can be found associated with many other buildings.

Whatever your view it is undeniable that there is something rather special about this dry landscape style which is generally known as a Zen garden. The main elements consist of rocks representing mountains or islands surrounded by flowing water in the form of sand or gravel.
more...

Those Garden Gnomes are Causing Trouble Again.

2005-09-23T09:59:00.000+01:00

People either love them or hate them, but Garden Gnomes are never far from the headlines.

In a recent issue the gardening writer for the Maryland Gazette suggested that you should "Redo the landscape of your garden every few years. Add sculptures, fountains and tacky red garden gnomes to annoy your neighbors. ..."

Following the recent petrol shortages and panic buying at the pumps, Greg Wright said "I'm tempted to start a "panic" about possible disruption to the global supply of garden gnomes".

Meanwhile in Fairfax County the retired Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Smith of Fairfax City has a mystery to solve. "Did 20 out of about 50 small concrete gnome statutes he placed on a hill beside his driveway on Woodland Drive walk away on their own or did someone take them? "

He also said that, if the gnomes are returned, he would not press charges.

"If that happened, I'd be a happy camper," Smith said. "They can just bring them back and put them on my front lawn, at night, just like they took them."

Two women in Scotland have not been so lucky. They were arrested and charged following the discovery of an "Aladdin's cave" of more than 40 garden gnomes stolen from homes across central Scotland. The discovery of the garden ornaments at a house in Alloa followed a spate of thefts of ornamental gnomes, hedgehogs and rabbits from local gardens.

Garden Ramblings

2005-09-17T12:38:00.000+01:00

Just in case anyone is still reading this blog, this is to let you know that the September issue of my monthly newsletter Garden Ramblings has now been published.

If you have happened upon this blog by chance and wondered why it is updated so infrequently, the answer is that I now concentrate on my main gardening blog Garden Supplies News. There you will find notes and comments on current gardening news including such delights as "World Naked Gardening Day" among other more mundane items.

Thinking of Selling Your House?

2005-07-12T18:02:00.000+01:00

I thought you might be interested in a new site of mine which is all about preparing your house for sale. I know that this is not obviously related to gardening but, if you take a look at the site, you will find that a large section deals with the steps you can take to make the most of your yard. Apart from advice on undertaking a thorough clean-up, there is information on dealing with your shrubbery, new flower planting and lawncare. In all you will find 55 tips on how to spruce up your home without spending a fortune. Well worth a look.