A fresh flower arrangement won't last forever, but you can take some simple steps to prolong its beauty at least several extra days. In fact, you should expect long lasting flowers such as carnations, chrysanthemums, alstroemeria and even roses to last a full week to ten days. Spring or bulb flowers such as iris, tulips and daffodils should be expected to last three to five days. Your first strategy for having flower arrangements in your house for the longest possible time is to carefully select the source of those flowers. Flowers should be purchased from a professional floral supplier who has insured that the flowers have been harvested, processed and shipped following all the best practices from the farm to the distributors and finally to you.
There are several care and handling best practices, the most important being maintaining a temperature of 33-34 degrees F. Seemingly small delays in shipping, or even being placed on a truck next to a box of flowers that have not been pre-cooled can raise the temperature of the flowers in the subject box several degrees. Those couple of degrees means a couple of days off the vase life of the flowers.
All that being said, other than buying from a reputable, well educated floral distributor, there's not much you can do to control any of that, so, let's assume the flowers you've received have been treated well from farm to home. Now, what can you do to make the best of an already great thing?
Temperature:
Keep your flowers away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Though it is not reasonable to keep flowers cool in the home as a florist would in a cooler, temperature still makes a big difference. Never display your arrangement on a radiator cover, above a heating vent, on a tv or other appliance that gives off heat, or in a window where the sun would heat the space. Water: Be sure to replenish the water in the container regularly. Flowers that have been processed correctly will continue to transpire throughout their stay in your home. The flowers will need a source of water to keep the stems, foliage and petals turgid and fresh.
Food:
On the plant, flowers get their nourishment to develop and grow from the roots and from photosynthesis. Off the plant, this process virtually stops. However, the flower will continue to develop, buds will open and flowers will expand. Some stems will even continue to grow. There is some reserve of sugar or food in the cut flower, but not as much as the flower will need for optimum performance and color. Florists use preservatives in the vase solution to provide this food. When you receive flowers in a box or loose, you should also receive a packet of preservative powder. Follow the mixing instructions on the packet to make a vase solution that will prolong the life of your flowers.
Control Bacteria:
The water in the vase or container can quickly become a bacteria soup. All it takes is a few stray pieces of plant tissue and some latent bacteria. Add some sugar from the preservative and you've got a recipe for cloudy, smelly water. The problem is not just an aesthetic one. Bacteria in the water will form plugs in the stem of the flower, blocking the water from flowing through the stem of the flower. A good floral preservative contains an antibacterial agent to stop all of this from happening. One caution though. If you do not follow the instructions for mixing the vase solution, and end up making a solution that is too weak, you may be providing enough sugar to grow bacteria while not providing enough antibacterial agents to stop the growth.
This is a case where clear water with no preservative would be better than an improperly mixed solution. As soon as you notice that the water in your vase has started to become cloudy, it's time to dump the water, rinse the stems, give them a clean cut and put them back in the cleaned vase with fresh water. This alone will double the life of your flowers.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Hydroponics in Commercial Food Production
Commercial Hydroponics:
With the first successful application of hydroponics techniques in the 1930s the stage was set for a paradigm shift in crop production from conventional geoponics or cultivation in soil to hydroponics or soil less cultivation. The first crops to be commercially harvested with hydroponics included tomatoes and peppers, but the techniques were soon successfully extended to other crops such as lettuce, cucumbers and others. It was not long before hydroponics techniques were successfully adapted even to cut flowers production; in fact any plant can today be grown hyrdroponically.
Commercial Systems Overview:
Commercial hydroponics systems can be classified into bare root systems comprising nutrient film technique (NFT), deep flow and aeroponics systems and substrate systems. Bare root systems do not use media to anchor the plant roots; the roots are left bare while in substrate systems plant roots are anchored in media such as perlite, vermiculite, sawdust, peat etc. Hydroponics is basically all about growing plants in a controlled environment and this is best provided outdoors in greenhouses that can incorporate several means to monitor, regulate and control the environment inside them. For instance, the air entering the greenhouse can be filtered to exclude entry to pests and parasites that can harm plant growth. Such means help provide optimal conditions for plant growth both in and out of season. In fact, hydroponics allows cultivation throughout the year which makes for year round availability of hydroponically grown produce at all major supermarkets across North America. Valued at 2.4 billion dollars the hydroponic greenhouse vegetable industry has a growth rate of 10 percent per year and accounts for nearly 95 percent of the greenhouse vegetables produced in North America.
Hydroponics Advantages:
The extension of the growing season is not the only advantage contributing to the growing popularity of hydroponics production with both growers and consumers. There are several additional advantages as well including nutritious, healthy and clean produce, improved and consistent vegetable quality and elimination of the use of pesticides and herbicides. Pesticides and other chemicals used in conventional agriculture have an adverse environmental impact; the run off from these chemicals contaminate groundwater supplies. Commercial hydroponics systems eliminate these toxic chemicals and contribute substantially to keeping the groundwater free from contamination.
Yields:
Commercial hydroponics systems have proved more productive than conventional systems of agriculture not only in the laboratory but even in actual practice. Most commercial hydroponics greenhouse facilities are built large to take advantage of economies of scale; typically these cover areas more than 10 acres while smaller ones measure around two acres. In the research greenhouse, yields with hydroponics techniques have averaged around 20 to 25% higher than in conventional soil cultivation. In actual commercial practice, however, over a number of years, the yield of hydroponically grown tomatoes can be more than double that of soil based systems due to the reduced turnover time between crops, better nutrition and crop management. Additionally commercial hydroponics growing techniques are also less demanding of chemicals for root zone sterilization and control of pests, weeds etc.
The dramatic increase in yields with hydroponics is best illustrated if we consider the actual production figures of soil grown and hydroponically grown produce. Field grown tomatoes average yields ranging between 40,000 to 60, 000 pounds per acre; on the other hand top growing hydroponics facilities in the US and Canada report average yields of more than 650,000 pounds of tomatoes per acre. Additionally, given the fact that only 10 years ago top hydroponics producers were producing around 400,000 pounds per acre, the increase in yields with improvements in growing practices has been truly phenomenal. Similar production figures can be quoted for other agricultural produce like cucumbers with 10,000 pounds per acre for field production and 200,000 per acre for hydroponic greenhouse yields. Hydroponics lettuce and pepper yields too average around four times the corresponding yields of agricultural production.
Global Trends:
Given the number of advantages of hydroponics it is not surprising that hydroponics techniques are increasingly finding favor for commercial food production in many countries all over the world. According to recent estimates countries having substantial commercial hydroponics production include Israel - 30,000 acres, Holland 10,000 acres, England 4,200 acres and Australia and New Zealand around 8,000 acres between them. The fastest growing area for commercial vegetable greenhouses is Mexico. There are several reasons for this including free trade and favorable winter conditions that attract vegetable growers in large numbers. Mexico has summers that are considered hot in the summer, but with greenhouses located at the right altitudes vegetables can be grown in the hot summers as well as the cold winters. Though much of the produce comes from low tech plastic houses, many of these greenhouses use hydroponics technology, which indicates the growing popularity of hydroponics in commercial food production.
With the first successful application of hydroponics techniques in the 1930s the stage was set for a paradigm shift in crop production from conventional geoponics or cultivation in soil to hydroponics or soil less cultivation. The first crops to be commercially harvested with hydroponics included tomatoes and peppers, but the techniques were soon successfully extended to other crops such as lettuce, cucumbers and others. It was not long before hydroponics techniques were successfully adapted even to cut flowers production; in fact any plant can today be grown hyrdroponically.
Commercial Systems Overview:
Commercial hydroponics systems can be classified into bare root systems comprising nutrient film technique (NFT), deep flow and aeroponics systems and substrate systems. Bare root systems do not use media to anchor the plant roots; the roots are left bare while in substrate systems plant roots are anchored in media such as perlite, vermiculite, sawdust, peat etc. Hydroponics is basically all about growing plants in a controlled environment and this is best provided outdoors in greenhouses that can incorporate several means to monitor, regulate and control the environment inside them. For instance, the air entering the greenhouse can be filtered to exclude entry to pests and parasites that can harm plant growth. Such means help provide optimal conditions for plant growth both in and out of season. In fact, hydroponics allows cultivation throughout the year which makes for year round availability of hydroponically grown produce at all major supermarkets across North America. Valued at 2.4 billion dollars the hydroponic greenhouse vegetable industry has a growth rate of 10 percent per year and accounts for nearly 95 percent of the greenhouse vegetables produced in North America.
Hydroponics Advantages:
The extension of the growing season is not the only advantage contributing to the growing popularity of hydroponics production with both growers and consumers. There are several additional advantages as well including nutritious, healthy and clean produce, improved and consistent vegetable quality and elimination of the use of pesticides and herbicides. Pesticides and other chemicals used in conventional agriculture have an adverse environmental impact; the run off from these chemicals contaminate groundwater supplies. Commercial hydroponics systems eliminate these toxic chemicals and contribute substantially to keeping the groundwater free from contamination.
Yields:
Commercial hydroponics systems have proved more productive than conventional systems of agriculture not only in the laboratory but even in actual practice. Most commercial hydroponics greenhouse facilities are built large to take advantage of economies of scale; typically these cover areas more than 10 acres while smaller ones measure around two acres. In the research greenhouse, yields with hydroponics techniques have averaged around 20 to 25% higher than in conventional soil cultivation. In actual commercial practice, however, over a number of years, the yield of hydroponically grown tomatoes can be more than double that of soil based systems due to the reduced turnover time between crops, better nutrition and crop management. Additionally commercial hydroponics growing techniques are also less demanding of chemicals for root zone sterilization and control of pests, weeds etc.
The dramatic increase in yields with hydroponics is best illustrated if we consider the actual production figures of soil grown and hydroponically grown produce. Field grown tomatoes average yields ranging between 40,000 to 60, 000 pounds per acre; on the other hand top growing hydroponics facilities in the US and Canada report average yields of more than 650,000 pounds of tomatoes per acre. Additionally, given the fact that only 10 years ago top hydroponics producers were producing around 400,000 pounds per acre, the increase in yields with improvements in growing practices has been truly phenomenal. Similar production figures can be quoted for other agricultural produce like cucumbers with 10,000 pounds per acre for field production and 200,000 per acre for hydroponic greenhouse yields. Hydroponics lettuce and pepper yields too average around four times the corresponding yields of agricultural production.
Global Trends:
Given the number of advantages of hydroponics it is not surprising that hydroponics techniques are increasingly finding favor for commercial food production in many countries all over the world. According to recent estimates countries having substantial commercial hydroponics production include Israel - 30,000 acres, Holland 10,000 acres, England 4,200 acres and Australia and New Zealand around 8,000 acres between them. The fastest growing area for commercial vegetable greenhouses is Mexico. There are several reasons for this including free trade and favorable winter conditions that attract vegetable growers in large numbers. Mexico has summers that are considered hot in the summer, but with greenhouses located at the right altitudes vegetables can be grown in the hot summers as well as the cold winters. Though much of the produce comes from low tech plastic houses, many of these greenhouses use hydroponics technology, which indicates the growing popularity of hydroponics in commercial food production.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Container Gardening
Container gardening is quick becoming a favorite with a lot of gardeners. Generally you will find people living in apartments and condos without any lawn area are container gardeners. You will see flowers, tomatoes, lettuce and herbs spilling over the railings of balconies. However, the popularity and ease of container gardens has spilled over to homeowners.
Although the majority of container gardens are seen around decks, patios and porches, you can have a container garden anywhere, even spread among your yard based flower garden. Some gardeners use container gardening to add accents to spots in their garden that may be thin while awaiting perennials to bloom. This is also a way to help achieve just the right color scheme for your garden. Annuals in containers are a way to add color to your perennial garden all season long.
A lot of people now seem to use their gardens as extensions of their homes, adding garden ornaments and furniture, with some people creating garden "rooms". These gardeners are also finding the variety, shapes, and sizes of containers helps them pull together specific garden themes. Garden containers come in a wide array of colors from unglazed orange clay to bright and brilliant emerald and blue. There are containers that are made from wood, metal, plastic or resin.
Using a container garden can also help you and your plants and flowers co-exist happily together. With container gardening you can see that each flower receives the correct amount of light, or shade to make it thrive. It's also easier to have greater accuracy when watering as you do it dependent on the needs of each plant. The rule is that you should first feel the soil, if it's dry, pour water into the container just until it starts to come out of the bottom of the pot. Wait about one half hour then dump the excess water out of the saucer.
At the end of the summer your favorite plants and flowers can be brought inside to be enjoyed until they can be safely put out for the next year.
Although the majority of container gardens are seen around decks, patios and porches, you can have a container garden anywhere, even spread among your yard based flower garden. Some gardeners use container gardening to add accents to spots in their garden that may be thin while awaiting perennials to bloom. This is also a way to help achieve just the right color scheme for your garden. Annuals in containers are a way to add color to your perennial garden all season long.
A lot of people now seem to use their gardens as extensions of their homes, adding garden ornaments and furniture, with some people creating garden "rooms". These gardeners are also finding the variety, shapes, and sizes of containers helps them pull together specific garden themes. Garden containers come in a wide array of colors from unglazed orange clay to bright and brilliant emerald and blue. There are containers that are made from wood, metal, plastic or resin.
Using a container garden can also help you and your plants and flowers co-exist happily together. With container gardening you can see that each flower receives the correct amount of light, or shade to make it thrive. It's also easier to have greater accuracy when watering as you do it dependent on the needs of each plant. The rule is that you should first feel the soil, if it's dry, pour water into the container just until it starts to come out of the bottom of the pot. Wait about one half hour then dump the excess water out of the saucer.
At the end of the summer your favorite plants and flowers can be brought inside to be enjoyed until they can be safely put out for the next year.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Growing Hybrid Grapes
Growing hybrid grapes is becoming more popular for wine and eating. This popularity comes from the fact that hybrid grapes can be grown in areas where the traditional European grapes cannot survive. It also comes about because more and more people are growing grapes in their backyard to produce their own vintage wine.
What are hybrid grapes? To answer this question, we must look back in history about 100 years to when the European vineyards were being decimated by the phylloxera louse that had been brought from North America. The European grape species, Vitis vinifera, is extremely susceptible to this louse. Vineyard after vineyard was succumbing to this imported pest as well as to grape diseases that had also come from America.
But Native American species of grapes had evolved with the pest and were resistant to its attacks on the vine's roots. In an effort to save the wine industry in France, some individuals began to cross breed the European and American species to obtain new varieties that had the wine characteristics of the European grapes and the resistance to the phylloxera louse and other diseases that the American grape species possessed.
It is from these breeding programs that the original hybrid grapes were grown. At first, the grape varieties produced were no better than their American parents. But as time has gone on, more complex hybrids have been made and the quality of the grapes has increased. Today, wines made from some hybrid grape varieties even rival the wines made in California and other traditional wine producing areas.
The way you grow hybrid grapes depends upon the varieties you choose. Some varieties' growth habit resemble their American parents while others grow like their European parents. And then there are those that are in-between in their growth habit. The growth habit of the variety will dictate what type of trellising system you will use to grow them. It also will dictate how the vines are pruned.
European varieties and hybrids that take after them tend to grow upright. These varieties will need a vertical shoot positioning trellis system that allows you to tie up the shoots as they grow upward. American varieties and hybrids that resemble them have a growth habit that droops. These vines are usually trained to a high wire about six feet off the ground and the shoots are allowed to grow downward over the growing season.
You can find a hybrid variety that will grow in almost anywhere in the United States. Alaska is about the only state you won't find one adapted to. The right hybrid grape variety for your location is dependent upon the percentage of native species found in the cross. Varieties adapted to northern locations tend to have a high percentage of the native Vitis riparia that lives in areas where the winters can go as low as -35F. Southern varieties generally have Vitis aestivalis in their background if from the southeast or other native species if found in areas like Texas.
Grape hybrids often are known by only the breeder's number. They may be called S.V 5-276 or S. 7053. Only the best of hybrids have a true name, such as Foch or Seyval. These named varieties have shown their worth over many years and are usually being used to make wines commercially where a name is important on the label.
Growing hybrid grapes may mean having to deviate from the traditional grape growing methods. Some grape hybrids produce way too much fruit because of hybrid vigor. You will have to remove some of the fruit early in the growing season to prevent them from over-bearing and succumbing to premature death. Each variety will behave slightly different. You will have to get to know the grape varieties you grow and adjust accordingly.
The big question is which varieties to grow? The answer to this depends on where you live. You must buy varieties that are adapted to your region. Some hybrid grape varieties mature their fruit in 135-140 days while others need 170 days or more to get ripe. The goal is to have ripe fruit so be sure that you're not growing a long season variety in a short season.
Hybrid grapes also vary in how winter hardy they are. Make sure that you get a very hardy variety if you live where the winters are cold. Or a southern adapted variety if you live where there's hot humid summers and long growing seasons. Winter hardiness is not the concern under those conditions.
What you are going to use the fruit for is also a concern when picking the right variety. Most hybrids have been developed to make wine. But there are varieties for eating too. Most of the grape varieties that you buy locally at a greenhouse or nursery are eating varieties. You will need to go online to find wine varieties for sale.
If you're passion is to grow grape vines in your backyard either for wine or eating, I suggest that you look into hybrid grapes. These have been bred to get the best of the tastes of the European grapes combined with the resistances and winter hardiness of the native grape species. Whatever your growing conditions are, you'll find a hybrid grape variety that is adapted to your area and needs.
What are hybrid grapes? To answer this question, we must look back in history about 100 years to when the European vineyards were being decimated by the phylloxera louse that had been brought from North America. The European grape species, Vitis vinifera, is extremely susceptible to this louse. Vineyard after vineyard was succumbing to this imported pest as well as to grape diseases that had also come from America.
But Native American species of grapes had evolved with the pest and were resistant to its attacks on the vine's roots. In an effort to save the wine industry in France, some individuals began to cross breed the European and American species to obtain new varieties that had the wine characteristics of the European grapes and the resistance to the phylloxera louse and other diseases that the American grape species possessed.
It is from these breeding programs that the original hybrid grapes were grown. At first, the grape varieties produced were no better than their American parents. But as time has gone on, more complex hybrids have been made and the quality of the grapes has increased. Today, wines made from some hybrid grape varieties even rival the wines made in California and other traditional wine producing areas.
The way you grow hybrid grapes depends upon the varieties you choose. Some varieties' growth habit resemble their American parents while others grow like their European parents. And then there are those that are in-between in their growth habit. The growth habit of the variety will dictate what type of trellising system you will use to grow them. It also will dictate how the vines are pruned.
European varieties and hybrids that take after them tend to grow upright. These varieties will need a vertical shoot positioning trellis system that allows you to tie up the shoots as they grow upward. American varieties and hybrids that resemble them have a growth habit that droops. These vines are usually trained to a high wire about six feet off the ground and the shoots are allowed to grow downward over the growing season.
You can find a hybrid variety that will grow in almost anywhere in the United States. Alaska is about the only state you won't find one adapted to. The right hybrid grape variety for your location is dependent upon the percentage of native species found in the cross. Varieties adapted to northern locations tend to have a high percentage of the native Vitis riparia that lives in areas where the winters can go as low as -35F. Southern varieties generally have Vitis aestivalis in their background if from the southeast or other native species if found in areas like Texas.
Grape hybrids often are known by only the breeder's number. They may be called S.V 5-276 or S. 7053. Only the best of hybrids have a true name, such as Foch or Seyval. These named varieties have shown their worth over many years and are usually being used to make wines commercially where a name is important on the label.
Growing hybrid grapes may mean having to deviate from the traditional grape growing methods. Some grape hybrids produce way too much fruit because of hybrid vigor. You will have to remove some of the fruit early in the growing season to prevent them from over-bearing and succumbing to premature death. Each variety will behave slightly different. You will have to get to know the grape varieties you grow and adjust accordingly.
The big question is which varieties to grow? The answer to this depends on where you live. You must buy varieties that are adapted to your region. Some hybrid grape varieties mature their fruit in 135-140 days while others need 170 days or more to get ripe. The goal is to have ripe fruit so be sure that you're not growing a long season variety in a short season.
Hybrid grapes also vary in how winter hardy they are. Make sure that you get a very hardy variety if you live where the winters are cold. Or a southern adapted variety if you live where there's hot humid summers and long growing seasons. Winter hardiness is not the concern under those conditions.
What you are going to use the fruit for is also a concern when picking the right variety. Most hybrids have been developed to make wine. But there are varieties for eating too. Most of the grape varieties that you buy locally at a greenhouse or nursery are eating varieties. You will need to go online to find wine varieties for sale.
If you're passion is to grow grape vines in your backyard either for wine or eating, I suggest that you look into hybrid grapes. These have been bred to get the best of the tastes of the European grapes combined with the resistances and winter hardiness of the native grape species. Whatever your growing conditions are, you'll find a hybrid grape variety that is adapted to your area and needs.
Control Snakes in the Garden
To have a snake or two in the garden is good. Non-poisonous snakes, such as the common garter snakes, are beneficial creatures because they eat pest insects, mosquito larvae, slugs, snails, crickets, rats, mice, voles and even other snakes which may be poisonous.
But if you really don't want snakes in your yard and garden here are a few tips to eliminate them without hurting or killing them.
Keep the lawn neatly cut and clean. Be careful using weed eaters because the sting from the fast moving string can kill them.
Snakes need cover for protection. Don't leave wood or brush piles sit in one spot for more than a month.
Keep leaves and other debris picked up.
Don't keep piles of rocks.
Stack firewood on a rack 12" off the ground.
Remove old lumber or junk piles.
Remove their source of food. Keep the insect and rodent population under control.
Place garbage bags in sealed trash cans away from the house.
Repair cracks along the foundation and fill holes around pipes. Snakes only need about a ¼ inch crack to get inside.
Sprinkle moth balls around the perimeter of your yard or garden. But beware that these can be dangerous to pets and children.
Sulfur from a garden center is said to keep snakes away.
Don't plant bushes and other plants too close to the foundation of the house.
Use mulch in the garden beds but not too thickly.
Trim the lowest limbs on shrubs and bushes so they are at least 12 inches from the ground.
Construct a fence around your garden with heavy galvanized screening. Make it three feet wide with quarter-inch mesh. Be sure to bury the bottom of it six inches below the soil surface.
But if you really don't want snakes in your yard and garden here are a few tips to eliminate them without hurting or killing them.
Keep the lawn neatly cut and clean. Be careful using weed eaters because the sting from the fast moving string can kill them.
Snakes need cover for protection. Don't leave wood or brush piles sit in one spot for more than a month.
Keep leaves and other debris picked up.
Don't keep piles of rocks.
Stack firewood on a rack 12" off the ground.
Remove old lumber or junk piles.
Remove their source of food. Keep the insect and rodent population under control.
Place garbage bags in sealed trash cans away from the house.
Repair cracks along the foundation and fill holes around pipes. Snakes only need about a ¼ inch crack to get inside.
Sprinkle moth balls around the perimeter of your yard or garden. But beware that these can be dangerous to pets and children.
Sulfur from a garden center is said to keep snakes away.
Don't plant bushes and other plants too close to the foundation of the house.
Use mulch in the garden beds but not too thickly.
Trim the lowest limbs on shrubs and bushes so they are at least 12 inches from the ground.
Construct a fence around your garden with heavy galvanized screening. Make it three feet wide with quarter-inch mesh. Be sure to bury the bottom of it six inches below the soil surface.
Things You Should Know About Gardening
Gardens come in different varieties like the plants you find in them. There are several gardening tips that can be used for all type of gardens.
1. Mulching protects your garden topsoil from being blown away. It also provides nutrients as it decomposes and improves the appearance of your gardens. Mulching has other benefits and is one of the most recommended gardening tips by gardeners and farmers alike.
2.Healthy plants are more disease resistant. Plant are like people, a person with a strong immune system can combat diseases. A healthy plant does the same.
3. Pests can be eradicated by cleaning the plant with a watery solution of soap. Just make sure to rinse after. This gardening tip is best heeded for fruit bearing trees or edible plants.
4. Using compost fertilizers are a great way to have healthy plants. It is also a great way to save money on expensive fertilizers. Non -organic fertilizers also tend to leave chemical residues that can accumulate in garden soils and harm not only the plants but the gardeners as well. They cause toxins to go to the water supplies. Another gardening tip recommended not just by farmers and gardeners but also by environmentalists.
5. There are several plants that are only suitable for a specified climate, a certain kind of soil or can only grow with certain plants. You have to know what plant grow in the conditions you have in your area this is for you to avoid unnecessary purchases. This is a money saving gardening tip.
6. Landscaping is a good investment which can double the value of your home. This is one gardening tip that can earn you money.
7. Growing grass on bare ground is an easy way to make your home look better and appreciate in value. This is one gardening tip that promotes earning money while growing grass legally.
8. Aside from looking great in your home, trees also provide some sort of protection from direct sunlight exposure and strong winds.
9. Vines on the walls, fences and overhead structures also would offer some protection and would also look great.
10. Flowers are beautiful, but they are also expensive. Get one that is resistant to many elements. Flowers from your local community already have developed resistance to conditions present in your area.
11. For most gardens plants, their roots go only as deep as 6 inches. Putting fertilizer deeper than that would be a waste of money. Put them shallower as they seep down when the plants are being watered.
12. Earthworms are important to plants. They till and aerate the soil for the roots to breathe. Non-organic fertilizers can kill them. This gardening tip dates back to the old days of gardening.
13. Having several kinds of insects that are beneficial to your garden would be good. These insects can be encouraged to stay by having diverse plants in your garden.
14. Spot spraying weeds with household vinegar, instead of using commercial weed-killers, can eradicate them. This is another environment friendly gardening tip.
15. Avoid putting too much mulch on tree trunks, this would encourage unwanted pests to reside on them.
16. Use plant varieties that are common to your area or have been taken from an area with similar conditions.
17. Be sure to know the plants that are poisonous. If you are intent on growing them, make sure to have the necessary cure available in your household. Take note of this gardening tip, it can save your life.
18. The best time to water plants is during mornings.
19. Before planting a new plant in your garden, you must consider its height and size when it matures. This garden tip can help you save money in the future.
20. Newly transplanted plants may require special attention during its first week. This is to reduce the stress and shock it got during transplantation.
And last but not the least of the gardening tips...
21. Plants are living entities. If you want them to grow in your garden you have to treat them as such. They need to be taken care of. They are like your pets, you look out for them. In return you get that feeling of contentment watching them thrive.
A good way to take care of them is to consider that plants might have some feelings too.
1. Mulching protects your garden topsoil from being blown away. It also provides nutrients as it decomposes and improves the appearance of your gardens. Mulching has other benefits and is one of the most recommended gardening tips by gardeners and farmers alike.
2.Healthy plants are more disease resistant. Plant are like people, a person with a strong immune system can combat diseases. A healthy plant does the same.
3. Pests can be eradicated by cleaning the plant with a watery solution of soap. Just make sure to rinse after. This gardening tip is best heeded for fruit bearing trees or edible plants.
4. Using compost fertilizers are a great way to have healthy plants. It is also a great way to save money on expensive fertilizers. Non -organic fertilizers also tend to leave chemical residues that can accumulate in garden soils and harm not only the plants but the gardeners as well. They cause toxins to go to the water supplies. Another gardening tip recommended not just by farmers and gardeners but also by environmentalists.
5. There are several plants that are only suitable for a specified climate, a certain kind of soil or can only grow with certain plants. You have to know what plant grow in the conditions you have in your area this is for you to avoid unnecessary purchases. This is a money saving gardening tip.
6. Landscaping is a good investment which can double the value of your home. This is one gardening tip that can earn you money.
7. Growing grass on bare ground is an easy way to make your home look better and appreciate in value. This is one gardening tip that promotes earning money while growing grass legally.
8. Aside from looking great in your home, trees also provide some sort of protection from direct sunlight exposure and strong winds.
9. Vines on the walls, fences and overhead structures also would offer some protection and would also look great.
10. Flowers are beautiful, but they are also expensive. Get one that is resistant to many elements. Flowers from your local community already have developed resistance to conditions present in your area.
11. For most gardens plants, their roots go only as deep as 6 inches. Putting fertilizer deeper than that would be a waste of money. Put them shallower as they seep down when the plants are being watered.
12. Earthworms are important to plants. They till and aerate the soil for the roots to breathe. Non-organic fertilizers can kill them. This gardening tip dates back to the old days of gardening.
13. Having several kinds of insects that are beneficial to your garden would be good. These insects can be encouraged to stay by having diverse plants in your garden.
14. Spot spraying weeds with household vinegar, instead of using commercial weed-killers, can eradicate them. This is another environment friendly gardening tip.
15. Avoid putting too much mulch on tree trunks, this would encourage unwanted pests to reside on them.
16. Use plant varieties that are common to your area or have been taken from an area with similar conditions.
17. Be sure to know the plants that are poisonous. If you are intent on growing them, make sure to have the necessary cure available in your household. Take note of this gardening tip, it can save your life.
18. The best time to water plants is during mornings.
19. Before planting a new plant in your garden, you must consider its height and size when it matures. This garden tip can help you save money in the future.
20. Newly transplanted plants may require special attention during its first week. This is to reduce the stress and shock it got during transplantation.
And last but not the least of the gardening tips...
21. Plants are living entities. If you want them to grow in your garden you have to treat them as such. They need to be taken care of. They are like your pets, you look out for them. In return you get that feeling of contentment watching them thrive.
A good way to take care of them is to consider that plants might have some feelings too.
Tips For Preparing a Planting Bed
If you are preparing beds for landscaping around your house this article should simplify the process for you. I say that because of everything that is written about this subject, some of it is accurate, some of it is just plain wrong, and much of it is much more complicated than it needs to be. I like to think of myself as Simple Simon. I find the easiest, yet most effective way to do things, and they work.
Let's assume that the area where you are planning your bed is now planted in grass. How do you get rid of the grass? Chemicals or no chemicals? Chemicals are easy, so we'll look at the chemical method first.
My favorite chemical for killing grass and weeds is RoundUp, and used properly it is effective. Rule number one: Read the label on the package, and mix the chemical exactly as recommended by the manufacturer. Rule number two: Assume that every plant that the RoundUp touches is going to die. It is a non-selective herbicide.
The first thing you need to do is mark out where your planting bed is going to be. Spend some time on this step. If you are landscaping around your house, give careful consideration to what is going to be planted in the bed, and then decide how large each plant is going to be when fully mature. You can keep plants trimmed to a certain size, but be realistic when you make these estimates. Trust me when I tell you, this is the number one mistake made by Do-it-Yourself landscapers. People are just afraid to make those beds large enough.
Typically, a bed should never be narrower than 42", and corner beds should be 12' in diameter. Islands. If you make those little tiny island beds that I see everywhere I am going to come over to your house and snap you with a wet towel! The island bed in your front yard should be 20' to 40' long, and a minimum of 12' in diameter on at least one end.
The easiest way to mark out your planting beds is to buy a can of marking paint at the hardware store. Unlike most spray paint, this only works when the can is inverted, and it is designed specifically for painting lines on the ground. They even have cans that spray chalk instead of paint. I've always used the paint, it holds up better if it gets wet.
Once you have the outline of the bed established and marked, mix up some RoundUp and spray all the grass and weeds inside the bed area. Do not put RoundUp in a sprayer that you intend to use for other purposes. You need a sprayer that is dedicated for the use of herbicides. When applying the spray, be very careful not to let the spray drift onto the grass and other plants that you do not want to kill.
To minimize spray drift, adjust the spray nozzle so the spray pattern is narrow and the droplets are larger. A wide, fine spray pattern is sure to drift outside of the intended area. Also keep the pressure in the sprayer quite low. Pump it just enough to deliver the spray. High pressure causes the spray to atomize and drift. Apply just enough spray to wet the foliage. If you have liquid dripping off the blades of grass, you are applying too much. More is not better.
Once sprayed, be careful not to step in the area that has been sprayed. Many people have had golden footprints across their lawn because they forgot and walked through what had been sprayed.
This is the difficult part, and the part that many people do not get, so pay close attention. The only way that the RoundUp can possibly work is if you leave it alone. Did you get that? Once you apply the RoundUp, don't do another thing with that bed for 72 hours. That's three very long days. I know you're anxious, but this is the price you pay for not planning ahead.
RoundUp is a systemic herbicide, which means that it has to be absorbed by the plant, then translocated throughout the plant. It takes three days for that to happen. If you go digging and chopping, you might just as well skip the spraying step. Go build a compost bin while you're waiting.
After three days the weeds and grass are going to look as healthy and happy as ever. Don't let 'em fool ya. They're as dead as dead can be. Providing the RoundUp didn't get washed off by rain within the first 24 hours of the waiting period. Now you can dig and chop to your heart's content.
However, the only digging that I do is to go around the edge of the bed and strip the sod back about 15". Just peel off about 1" and flip it into the center of the bed. This makes it easier to edge and mulch the bed if you get the sod out of the way. Now for the non- chemical method.
Mark out the outline of the bed as described above. Strip the sod back 15", just like above. Since you aren't using any herbicides I would dig down about 1-1/2" when removing the sod from the edges. Take the sod you stripped back and lay it in the center of the bed upside down and pack it down firmly. Now take newspaper or brown paper grocery bags and cover the entire bed area. Use 9 layers of newspaper. No matter what method you used, chemical or non chemical, you are now ready to fill the planting bed with topsoil.
Put 8 to 12" of good rich topsoil in the bed. Make sure the soil is higher in the back, closest to the wall, so the water drains away from the building. If you are creating an island planting make the center of the bed the highest point. Make sure the topsoil you buy is well drained and rich in organic matter. Buying topsoil is a tricky game, you've got to be careful and shop around. Topsoil is one item that you do not want to order over the phone, sight unseen.
This is what you are looking for when buying topsoil:
Topsoil that is rich in organic matter will be very dark in color. If the soil is light in color it is probably just fill sand. The other thing you've got to watch for is how well drained the soil is. Topsoil that has a clay base is poorly drained and sticky, and your plants will not be happy at all. They might even die if they are too wet. Once a clay based topsoil dries out it gets very hard.
Today most topsoil is run through a screener to remove the clumps, rocks, roots, and sticks. There is nothing wrong with buying unscreened topsoil, especially if you've visually inspected it and have found it to be of good quality. Actually, really good topsoil shouldn't have to be screened, but there is little of that quality topsoil to be had.
When you visit the yard where the soil is stockpiled, scoop up a handful of the topsoil and run it through your fingers. If it seems to be grainy, it is probably good soil. But if it appears to be tiny round balls that can be smashed between your fingers, it is probably a clay based soil that will trap water during rainy seasons, and get as hard as a rock when it's hot and dry.
Pay attention to how the soil is screened. Some machines just shake the soil over a set of screens to separate the debris, and others actually shred the soil. If the soil needs to be shredded, you don't want it. Look closely at the pile that the raw soil is coming from. If the soil in the raw pile is as hard as a rock, that's what the screened soil is going be once you get it in your beds. If it appears to be fairly loose, it's probably good soil.
Put 6-8" of topsoil in your beds. You are now ready to plant. Did you notice that I didn't get into rototilling and all kinds of extra work? Nor did I suggest that you add bone meal or any of those other goodies that the garden centers sell. I skipped the part about checking the pH too. pH is important, but I've found that good topsoil almost always has a suitable pH.
I've got a confession to make. In almost 30 years of growing, planting, landscaping and the like, I've never tested the pH of the soil on any project that I was working on. Is that smart? I don't know, but I've been successful in my efforts, and I have landscaped several hundred homes and grown tens of thousands of plants.
It's something to think about. What I'm really trying to say is don't get caught up in too many details, and be careful who you take advice from at those garden stores. Many of those sales people were flipping burgers last week.
Let's assume that the area where you are planning your bed is now planted in grass. How do you get rid of the grass? Chemicals or no chemicals? Chemicals are easy, so we'll look at the chemical method first.
My favorite chemical for killing grass and weeds is RoundUp, and used properly it is effective. Rule number one: Read the label on the package, and mix the chemical exactly as recommended by the manufacturer. Rule number two: Assume that every plant that the RoundUp touches is going to die. It is a non-selective herbicide.
The first thing you need to do is mark out where your planting bed is going to be. Spend some time on this step. If you are landscaping around your house, give careful consideration to what is going to be planted in the bed, and then decide how large each plant is going to be when fully mature. You can keep plants trimmed to a certain size, but be realistic when you make these estimates. Trust me when I tell you, this is the number one mistake made by Do-it-Yourself landscapers. People are just afraid to make those beds large enough.
Typically, a bed should never be narrower than 42", and corner beds should be 12' in diameter. Islands. If you make those little tiny island beds that I see everywhere I am going to come over to your house and snap you with a wet towel! The island bed in your front yard should be 20' to 40' long, and a minimum of 12' in diameter on at least one end.
The easiest way to mark out your planting beds is to buy a can of marking paint at the hardware store. Unlike most spray paint, this only works when the can is inverted, and it is designed specifically for painting lines on the ground. They even have cans that spray chalk instead of paint. I've always used the paint, it holds up better if it gets wet.
Once you have the outline of the bed established and marked, mix up some RoundUp and spray all the grass and weeds inside the bed area. Do not put RoundUp in a sprayer that you intend to use for other purposes. You need a sprayer that is dedicated for the use of herbicides. When applying the spray, be very careful not to let the spray drift onto the grass and other plants that you do not want to kill.
To minimize spray drift, adjust the spray nozzle so the spray pattern is narrow and the droplets are larger. A wide, fine spray pattern is sure to drift outside of the intended area. Also keep the pressure in the sprayer quite low. Pump it just enough to deliver the spray. High pressure causes the spray to atomize and drift. Apply just enough spray to wet the foliage. If you have liquid dripping off the blades of grass, you are applying too much. More is not better.
Once sprayed, be careful not to step in the area that has been sprayed. Many people have had golden footprints across their lawn because they forgot and walked through what had been sprayed.
This is the difficult part, and the part that many people do not get, so pay close attention. The only way that the RoundUp can possibly work is if you leave it alone. Did you get that? Once you apply the RoundUp, don't do another thing with that bed for 72 hours. That's three very long days. I know you're anxious, but this is the price you pay for not planning ahead.
RoundUp is a systemic herbicide, which means that it has to be absorbed by the plant, then translocated throughout the plant. It takes three days for that to happen. If you go digging and chopping, you might just as well skip the spraying step. Go build a compost bin while you're waiting.
After three days the weeds and grass are going to look as healthy and happy as ever. Don't let 'em fool ya. They're as dead as dead can be. Providing the RoundUp didn't get washed off by rain within the first 24 hours of the waiting period. Now you can dig and chop to your heart's content.
However, the only digging that I do is to go around the edge of the bed and strip the sod back about 15". Just peel off about 1" and flip it into the center of the bed. This makes it easier to edge and mulch the bed if you get the sod out of the way. Now for the non- chemical method.
Mark out the outline of the bed as described above. Strip the sod back 15", just like above. Since you aren't using any herbicides I would dig down about 1-1/2" when removing the sod from the edges. Take the sod you stripped back and lay it in the center of the bed upside down and pack it down firmly. Now take newspaper or brown paper grocery bags and cover the entire bed area. Use 9 layers of newspaper. No matter what method you used, chemical or non chemical, you are now ready to fill the planting bed with topsoil.
Put 8 to 12" of good rich topsoil in the bed. Make sure the soil is higher in the back, closest to the wall, so the water drains away from the building. If you are creating an island planting make the center of the bed the highest point. Make sure the topsoil you buy is well drained and rich in organic matter. Buying topsoil is a tricky game, you've got to be careful and shop around. Topsoil is one item that you do not want to order over the phone, sight unseen.
This is what you are looking for when buying topsoil:
Topsoil that is rich in organic matter will be very dark in color. If the soil is light in color it is probably just fill sand. The other thing you've got to watch for is how well drained the soil is. Topsoil that has a clay base is poorly drained and sticky, and your plants will not be happy at all. They might even die if they are too wet. Once a clay based topsoil dries out it gets very hard.
Today most topsoil is run through a screener to remove the clumps, rocks, roots, and sticks. There is nothing wrong with buying unscreened topsoil, especially if you've visually inspected it and have found it to be of good quality. Actually, really good topsoil shouldn't have to be screened, but there is little of that quality topsoil to be had.
When you visit the yard where the soil is stockpiled, scoop up a handful of the topsoil and run it through your fingers. If it seems to be grainy, it is probably good soil. But if it appears to be tiny round balls that can be smashed between your fingers, it is probably a clay based soil that will trap water during rainy seasons, and get as hard as a rock when it's hot and dry.
Pay attention to how the soil is screened. Some machines just shake the soil over a set of screens to separate the debris, and others actually shred the soil. If the soil needs to be shredded, you don't want it. Look closely at the pile that the raw soil is coming from. If the soil in the raw pile is as hard as a rock, that's what the screened soil is going be once you get it in your beds. If it appears to be fairly loose, it's probably good soil.
Put 6-8" of topsoil in your beds. You are now ready to plant. Did you notice that I didn't get into rototilling and all kinds of extra work? Nor did I suggest that you add bone meal or any of those other goodies that the garden centers sell. I skipped the part about checking the pH too. pH is important, but I've found that good topsoil almost always has a suitable pH.
I've got a confession to make. In almost 30 years of growing, planting, landscaping and the like, I've never tested the pH of the soil on any project that I was working on. Is that smart? I don't know, but I've been successful in my efforts, and I have landscaped several hundred homes and grown tens of thousands of plants.
It's something to think about. What I'm really trying to say is don't get caught up in too many details, and be careful who you take advice from at those garden stores. Many of those sales people were flipping burgers last week.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Tips For Growing A Beautiful Vegetable Garden
A vegetable garden is becoming a long lost art as land continues to diminish in the wake of growing and connecting communities. But it still remains true that a purchased vegetable never tastes the same as one grown in man's own soil with man's own hands, the culmination of your sweat and tears to provide a healthy harvest.
To ensure the most satisfaction in vegetable-growing make sure that the soil be rich and thoroughly subdued and fined. Arrange your plantation rows so that the tilling can be done with wheel tools which will help you greatly in maintaining your crops. If you're really into going bigger, keep some planned room just in case you get into using horse tools. Keep in mind that this could be a big undertaking as the old-time garden bed consumes a lot of time and labor, and can be more trouble and expense than what most would consider, worth the effort. Make sure you're up for the gardening challenge.
Try and make the garden vegetables rows as long and continuous as possible, to allow you to work easier with tillage and wheel tools. You can keep each row to one kind of vegetable but if you don't have the room, consider adding several different species, one following the other. Some care should be taken to plant vegetables with similar requirements together in one row. One long row, for example, might contain all the parsnips, carrots, and celery. One or two long rows containing a dozen kinds of vegetables are usually preferable to a dozen short rows, each with one kind of vegetable. See what fits your situation best and work from there.
It is a good idea to plant the permanent vegetables, such as rhubarb and asparagus, at one side of the garden, where they will not interfere with the plowing or tilling. Try and ensure that the annual vegetables are grown on different parts of the garden in the following years; this is basically a crop rotation and can be a healthy stimulant for your garden. Crop rotation can also be used to unsure you're not growing on an infested plantation. For instance, if radish or cabbage maggots or club-root take over and fully established in the plantation, don't plant anything in that area of the garden for a year or more to rejuvenate the plot.
Many gardeners when building a vegetable garden only use the space for simple kitchen garden products and leave areas of bare earth. Flowers can be planted in these spaces, wherever you have a vacant corner or a plant dies. Gardens with such informal and impromptu mixed gardens usually take on their own distinct personal character that adds greatly to the garden's interest and value. Most are generally impressed with this informal character of the home-garden in many European countries, due to their planting history that arises from the necessity of making the most of every inch of soil available. It's not uncommon to stroll the European country side and look over the fence of a Bavarian peasant's garden and to see, on a space about 40 feet by 100 feet in area, a delightful medley of onions, pole beans, peonies, celery, balsams, gooseberries, coleus, cabbages, sunflowers, beets, poppies, cucumbers, morning-glories, kohl-rabi, verbenas, bush beans, pinks, stocks, currants, wormwood, parsley, carrots, kale, perennial phlox, nasturtiums, feverfew, lettuce, lilies! It certainly is a beautiful sight.
To ensure the most satisfaction in vegetable-growing make sure that the soil be rich and thoroughly subdued and fined. Arrange your plantation rows so that the tilling can be done with wheel tools which will help you greatly in maintaining your crops. If you're really into going bigger, keep some planned room just in case you get into using horse tools. Keep in mind that this could be a big undertaking as the old-time garden bed consumes a lot of time and labor, and can be more trouble and expense than what most would consider, worth the effort. Make sure you're up for the gardening challenge.
Try and make the garden vegetables rows as long and continuous as possible, to allow you to work easier with tillage and wheel tools. You can keep each row to one kind of vegetable but if you don't have the room, consider adding several different species, one following the other. Some care should be taken to plant vegetables with similar requirements together in one row. One long row, for example, might contain all the parsnips, carrots, and celery. One or two long rows containing a dozen kinds of vegetables are usually preferable to a dozen short rows, each with one kind of vegetable. See what fits your situation best and work from there.
It is a good idea to plant the permanent vegetables, such as rhubarb and asparagus, at one side of the garden, where they will not interfere with the plowing or tilling. Try and ensure that the annual vegetables are grown on different parts of the garden in the following years; this is basically a crop rotation and can be a healthy stimulant for your garden. Crop rotation can also be used to unsure you're not growing on an infested plantation. For instance, if radish or cabbage maggots or club-root take over and fully established in the plantation, don't plant anything in that area of the garden for a year or more to rejuvenate the plot.
Many gardeners when building a vegetable garden only use the space for simple kitchen garden products and leave areas of bare earth. Flowers can be planted in these spaces, wherever you have a vacant corner or a plant dies. Gardens with such informal and impromptu mixed gardens usually take on their own distinct personal character that adds greatly to the garden's interest and value. Most are generally impressed with this informal character of the home-garden in many European countries, due to their planting history that arises from the necessity of making the most of every inch of soil available. It's not uncommon to stroll the European country side and look over the fence of a Bavarian peasant's garden and to see, on a space about 40 feet by 100 feet in area, a delightful medley of onions, pole beans, peonies, celery, balsams, gooseberries, coleus, cabbages, sunflowers, beets, poppies, cucumbers, morning-glories, kohl-rabi, verbenas, bush beans, pinks, stocks, currants, wormwood, parsley, carrots, kale, perennial phlox, nasturtiums, feverfew, lettuce, lilies! It certainly is a beautiful sight.
Spring Decorating Tips
Spring is a time of freshness, radiance, brightness and energy. Most of us like to reflect these feelings in our homes but are not quite sure how to go about it. We want to bring the outdoors in and fill our homes with light, color and radiant energy.
There are several things we can do to accomplish this:
1. Flowers - Fill empty spaces with fresh live flowers or the ever popular silk artificial flowers.
Think beyond the normal scope of sticking a handful of flowers in a traditional vase. Fill a delicate teacup with your favorite blossoms. Make birch bark vases and hang them on the wall. Run garlands or vines around your ceiling for a lively colorful border. Go to garage or estate sales and buy old jars, bottles, and containers. Fill them with colored water and then add your favorite flowers and/or greenery. Use brilliant bright planters and pots for your flowers. Group them together for a more vibrant display.
Take a large brandy snifter and add a pretty bouquet. Dig out an old canister set and fill them with interesting arrangements. Do not be limited by old traditional ideas. Let your imagination come alive so your home can as well.
2. Color - Add bright splashes of color to liven up your home. Pretty bright throw pillows are always a good way to add color and coziness to your home. Use a colorful quilt as a wall hanging. Paint your boring brown baseboards and wood trim a bright luminous color.
Fill pretty glass containers with colorful marbles, beads and stones for a dazzling effect. Frame your child's colorful paintings and group them together on one wall for a fun and radiant look. Fill a basket with bright towels, soaps, washcloths etc. and display in your bathroom. Dress up your tired old bookcase with some pretty wallpaper.
The possibilities are endless. It is your house so make it as pretty and untraditional as you want to.
3. Candles - For freshness and light, candles are a classic. Find a glass bowl and fill it with potpourri and candles for a "scentsational" centerpiece. Fill a shelf with a brilliant array of spring-colored candles. Make a pretty floating candle display. Hang gleaming candle lanterns over your table for an aromatic burst of light.
4. Fruit - Fruit can add color and brightness to any home. Paint a wooden bowl an energetic bright color and fill it full of fresh, richly colored fruit for an aromatic, fresh centerpiece. Decorate your fireplace mantle with an arrangement of fruit garlands and sprigs. Add some spring scented potpourri such as lilac, primrose, or jasmine.
5. Lighten and Brighten - With spring on the way, we want to get rid of the heavy, dark winter feel. We can accomplish that with a few changes in our home.
Take down those heavy drapes and put up some light, breezy curtains or sheers. Let the light in! Put away heavy blankets or quilts and replace them with lightweight throws or coverlets.
Clean up the clutter! Nothing can make a house look tired and weighed down more than too much clutter. Opt for a clean, fresh, airy look and feel.
Mix and match some of the above ideas along with your own to liven up your home. Make your home a fresh, colorful oasis and your spirits will come alive as well.
There are several things we can do to accomplish this:
1. Flowers - Fill empty spaces with fresh live flowers or the ever popular silk artificial flowers.
Think beyond the normal scope of sticking a handful of flowers in a traditional vase. Fill a delicate teacup with your favorite blossoms. Make birch bark vases and hang them on the wall. Run garlands or vines around your ceiling for a lively colorful border. Go to garage or estate sales and buy old jars, bottles, and containers. Fill them with colored water and then add your favorite flowers and/or greenery. Use brilliant bright planters and pots for your flowers. Group them together for a more vibrant display.
Take a large brandy snifter and add a pretty bouquet. Dig out an old canister set and fill them with interesting arrangements. Do not be limited by old traditional ideas. Let your imagination come alive so your home can as well.
2. Color - Add bright splashes of color to liven up your home. Pretty bright throw pillows are always a good way to add color and coziness to your home. Use a colorful quilt as a wall hanging. Paint your boring brown baseboards and wood trim a bright luminous color.
Fill pretty glass containers with colorful marbles, beads and stones for a dazzling effect. Frame your child's colorful paintings and group them together on one wall for a fun and radiant look. Fill a basket with bright towels, soaps, washcloths etc. and display in your bathroom. Dress up your tired old bookcase with some pretty wallpaper.
The possibilities are endless. It is your house so make it as pretty and untraditional as you want to.
3. Candles - For freshness and light, candles are a classic. Find a glass bowl and fill it with potpourri and candles for a "scentsational" centerpiece. Fill a shelf with a brilliant array of spring-colored candles. Make a pretty floating candle display. Hang gleaming candle lanterns over your table for an aromatic burst of light.
4. Fruit - Fruit can add color and brightness to any home. Paint a wooden bowl an energetic bright color and fill it full of fresh, richly colored fruit for an aromatic, fresh centerpiece. Decorate your fireplace mantle with an arrangement of fruit garlands and sprigs. Add some spring scented potpourri such as lilac, primrose, or jasmine.
5. Lighten and Brighten - With spring on the way, we want to get rid of the heavy, dark winter feel. We can accomplish that with a few changes in our home.
Take down those heavy drapes and put up some light, breezy curtains or sheers. Let the light in! Put away heavy blankets or quilts and replace them with lightweight throws or coverlets.
Clean up the clutter! Nothing can make a house look tired and weighed down more than too much clutter. Opt for a clean, fresh, airy look and feel.
Mix and match some of the above ideas along with your own to liven up your home. Make your home a fresh, colorful oasis and your spirits will come alive as well.
Tips To Create A Perfect Flower Garden
Gardens, employing flowers as their primary elements, are called flower gardens. Plants, shrubs, trees and the other contributing components are present as well, but the focus is on flowers. These flower gardens are usually cultivated for ornamental purposes.
How Did The Idea Evolve?
Todays flower gardens have an interesting history behind them : While pruning, some farmers noted a few colorful weeds. They liked the colors and so left them there. The concept of tolerating these beautiful weeds, gradually caught on and led to the culture of cultivating flowers.
Knot Gardens
Flower gardens arranged artistically, are known as Knot gardens. Knot gardens are designed by a systematic composition of plants, herbs and shrubs. The plants are planted in a pre-calculated way so that when they grow, they end up forming a desired design. Most common ones are rectangle-regions or square-compartments. The edges are given shape with herbs planted in queues, with almost no space left in-between. These are also cut accordingly to maintain the width of the edges throughout in synch. The fence in this fashion, often brings paths in flower gardens, for the visitors to walk through.
These paths derived by boundaries, are sometimes filled with sand, gravel or concrete, and the trend of growing lawn in the regions traced is now on the rise. The number of square regions a Knot garden can carry, depends on the size of a garden and varies in the range of one to ten. These types of flower gardens were first designed in the times of Queen Elizabeth I in UK.
Plants used to form Knot flower gardens are lemon balm, hyssop, costmary, germander, marjoram, acanthus, mallow, chamomile, rosemary, calendulas, violas, thyme, southernwood, santolina etc. Such flower gardens are also called parterres.
Herb Gardens
The gardens with plants used for medicinal and cooking purposes are known as herb gardens. Some flowers are edible, one can eat them freshly-cut, while some others may only be eaten when cooked or baked. Flower gardens are at times, cultivated to grow medicinal plants too, such as aloevera. In ancient times, there were no modern physicians, just the nuns and monks, who were said to heal pain by using extracts of plants.
Aloevera is still widely used today for skin treatments, especially for treating acne. The others herbs falling in this genre are : rosemary, parsley, sage, marjoram, thyme, mint, rue, angelica, bay, basil etc.
Tips For Your Domestic Flower Gardens
Flower gardens need that extra attention from their creators:
- The color, aroma, height, leafage are all attributes of the plants, should be studied carefully before sowing their seeds in your flower gardens. One thing to be kept in mind is that no two plants with similar colored blossoms should be placed beside each other.
- Spacing between the plants should also be worked out in advance.
- A well-examined flower-seed-mix can be used to take care of the arrangements and designs of the flower-plants.
- Different plants bloom in different seasons. Paying due attention to this fact, the plants should be grown in such a way so as to make the flower gardens look colorful throughout the year.
How Did The Idea Evolve?
Todays flower gardens have an interesting history behind them : While pruning, some farmers noted a few colorful weeds. They liked the colors and so left them there. The concept of tolerating these beautiful weeds, gradually caught on and led to the culture of cultivating flowers.
Knot Gardens
Flower gardens arranged artistically, are known as Knot gardens. Knot gardens are designed by a systematic composition of plants, herbs and shrubs. The plants are planted in a pre-calculated way so that when they grow, they end up forming a desired design. Most common ones are rectangle-regions or square-compartments. The edges are given shape with herbs planted in queues, with almost no space left in-between. These are also cut accordingly to maintain the width of the edges throughout in synch. The fence in this fashion, often brings paths in flower gardens, for the visitors to walk through.
These paths derived by boundaries, are sometimes filled with sand, gravel or concrete, and the trend of growing lawn in the regions traced is now on the rise. The number of square regions a Knot garden can carry, depends on the size of a garden and varies in the range of one to ten. These types of flower gardens were first designed in the times of Queen Elizabeth I in UK.
Plants used to form Knot flower gardens are lemon balm, hyssop, costmary, germander, marjoram, acanthus, mallow, chamomile, rosemary, calendulas, violas, thyme, southernwood, santolina etc. Such flower gardens are also called parterres.
Herb Gardens
The gardens with plants used for medicinal and cooking purposes are known as herb gardens. Some flowers are edible, one can eat them freshly-cut, while some others may only be eaten when cooked or baked. Flower gardens are at times, cultivated to grow medicinal plants too, such as aloevera. In ancient times, there were no modern physicians, just the nuns and monks, who were said to heal pain by using extracts of plants.
Aloevera is still widely used today for skin treatments, especially for treating acne. The others herbs falling in this genre are : rosemary, parsley, sage, marjoram, thyme, mint, rue, angelica, bay, basil etc.
Tips For Your Domestic Flower Gardens
Flower gardens need that extra attention from their creators:
- The color, aroma, height, leafage are all attributes of the plants, should be studied carefully before sowing their seeds in your flower gardens. One thing to be kept in mind is that no two plants with similar colored blossoms should be placed beside each other.
- Spacing between the plants should also be worked out in advance.
- A well-examined flower-seed-mix can be used to take care of the arrangements and designs of the flower-plants.
- Different plants bloom in different seasons. Paying due attention to this fact, the plants should be grown in such a way so as to make the flower gardens look colorful throughout the year.
Landscaping Using Brick
When you are creating the perfect landscape, you do need to use various materials in order to make it as scenic and as unique as possible.
One of these materials is brick and it can be used in a variety of ways in order to improve the look of the landscaping and to make your garden look serene and natural. It is one of the best ways to add natural beauty to the garden and if you are fed up with your un-maintainable lawn, you can always completely easily replace it using brick. Many people think that brick can look a little dull; however it can in fact look quite attractive depending upon the type that you purchase. Also, think of how easy it would be to maintain!
The Different Ways in Which You Can Use Brick within the Landscape
As well as there being different types of brick, you can also use them in a variety of different ways. For example, if you do have a lawn which you are fed up with, why not turn it into a little patio? It is extremely simple to do and all you will really need is the type of brick which you are using and a little mortar. Remember that you will have to use flat bricks in order to make the patio ideal to walk on. You can create a patio in a variety of ways including having the bricks all going the same way, having them going diagonally and also having different colored bricks alternating. Each will provide a different look so try and decide which you would prefer beforehand.
Another way in which you can use bricks to help with your landscaping is by using them as borders for your flowers. By doing this you not only give it a unique look, but you also stop any weeds from growing. You could also use them to create a water garden. You will need cement for that as well as a spade to help place it on the bricks. By using them around a water feature it adds a little warmth and stability to the feature which will ultimately make it last longer.
Overall bricks can be used in a variety of ways and each will really improve the look of the landscaping. You just have to know what you can do and where you can purchase them from and then you will be on your way to creating something really unique.
One of these materials is brick and it can be used in a variety of ways in order to improve the look of the landscaping and to make your garden look serene and natural. It is one of the best ways to add natural beauty to the garden and if you are fed up with your un-maintainable lawn, you can always completely easily replace it using brick. Many people think that brick can look a little dull; however it can in fact look quite attractive depending upon the type that you purchase. Also, think of how easy it would be to maintain!
The Different Ways in Which You Can Use Brick within the Landscape
As well as there being different types of brick, you can also use them in a variety of different ways. For example, if you do have a lawn which you are fed up with, why not turn it into a little patio? It is extremely simple to do and all you will really need is the type of brick which you are using and a little mortar. Remember that you will have to use flat bricks in order to make the patio ideal to walk on. You can create a patio in a variety of ways including having the bricks all going the same way, having them going diagonally and also having different colored bricks alternating. Each will provide a different look so try and decide which you would prefer beforehand.
Another way in which you can use bricks to help with your landscaping is by using them as borders for your flowers. By doing this you not only give it a unique look, but you also stop any weeds from growing. You could also use them to create a water garden. You will need cement for that as well as a spade to help place it on the bricks. By using them around a water feature it adds a little warmth and stability to the feature which will ultimately make it last longer.
Overall bricks can be used in a variety of ways and each will really improve the look of the landscaping. You just have to know what you can do and where you can purchase them from and then you will be on your way to creating something really unique.
How To Find The Best Landscaping Ideas
When it comes to landscaping, unfortunately not everybody is creative enough to come up with a full landscape plan. Perhaps you have a few ideas but you are not really sure how to put them all together. Whatever your reasons for not being able to come up with many ideas, there are ways in which you can help yourself. It is all basically about knowing where to find the ideas that you need.
Where to Get the Best Landscaping Ideas
When it comes to actually finding the perfect landscaping ideas for you, there are a number of places where you can look. Garden magazines are just one of those places and they can be a really great help in showing pictures of beautiful, scenic gardens. Here you should find many ideas and that will help your own landscaping plans.
You can also find many different landscaping ideas online as there are many gardening sites as well as landscaping site available to look at. In fact, browsing on landscaping sites is perhaps one of the best ways of dinging inspiration as there you will find example of their work.
Also, perhaps going for a short walk and seeing how your neighbors have their gardens will help. You will get various ideas as every single person tends to have their gardens in a different way. Perhaps you'll see a border which you like or an arbor maybe? Perhaps they have a really nice water feature and you think one would go really well within the home? Whatever it is keep it in your mind or even jot it down, that way you will be able to add those to your landscaping ideas which you can review once you have finished getting all of the ideas which you need.
Finally, landscaping software is perfect for finding various ideas for the garden and you should find it extremely inspirational. It will even show you how to do everything so if you can afford it; it is definitely worth purchasing some landscaping software!
Wherever you do get your ideas from it is important to take your time. If you rush you will not find the best ideas for your garden. Landscaping really does take quite a long time so you need to be patient and do quite a lot of research before you begin.
Overall finding the right ideas to suit your garden will take time and it will need research. You can find ideas almost everywhere and so finding inspiration really shouldn't be difficult. Think of it as a fun experience and if you can, use your imagination as much as possible.
Where to Get the Best Landscaping Ideas
When it comes to actually finding the perfect landscaping ideas for you, there are a number of places where you can look. Garden magazines are just one of those places and they can be a really great help in showing pictures of beautiful, scenic gardens. Here you should find many ideas and that will help your own landscaping plans.
You can also find many different landscaping ideas online as there are many gardening sites as well as landscaping site available to look at. In fact, browsing on landscaping sites is perhaps one of the best ways of dinging inspiration as there you will find example of their work.
Also, perhaps going for a short walk and seeing how your neighbors have their gardens will help. You will get various ideas as every single person tends to have their gardens in a different way. Perhaps you'll see a border which you like or an arbor maybe? Perhaps they have a really nice water feature and you think one would go really well within the home? Whatever it is keep it in your mind or even jot it down, that way you will be able to add those to your landscaping ideas which you can review once you have finished getting all of the ideas which you need.
Finally, landscaping software is perfect for finding various ideas for the garden and you should find it extremely inspirational. It will even show you how to do everything so if you can afford it; it is definitely worth purchasing some landscaping software!
Wherever you do get your ideas from it is important to take your time. If you rush you will not find the best ideas for your garden. Landscaping really does take quite a long time so you need to be patient and do quite a lot of research before you begin.
Overall finding the right ideas to suit your garden will take time and it will need research. You can find ideas almost everywhere and so finding inspiration really shouldn't be difficult. Think of it as a fun experience and if you can, use your imagination as much as possible.
Falling "In Love" with the Japanese Garden
The love story of the Japanese Garden is told by the elements which create its romance. These gardens represent a romantic philosophy that is unique and whole. It captures the soul by staying true to nature leaving out artificial elements.
To begin the story, the element of Space is essential to the Japanese gardener. Elegantly placed open spaces "define the elements around it ...and it is defined by elements surrounding it". The partnership of stone and plant life are beautifully expressed as the stone adds the magnificence of strength and represents the unchanging permanence of life. Trees, shrubs and perennials reflect the moods and changing seasons, with dramatic color.
Stones are particularly significant as they provide the very foundation of your garden and give you something to build upon. They are used as focal points, along the pathways symbolizing the important aspects to the journey of life. Stones are also frequently used in other forms such as gravel or sand and are groomed by rakes in fluid motions giving the illusion and representation of water.
Another beautiful element of Japanese gardens is how they embrace the unique features of the landscape, allowing you to fully appreciate the richness of each characteristic; this is called "borrowed scenery". Whether it is a tree towering over your fence, a rolling hill in the distance or a beautiful creek in view of your garden, this feature allows your garden to reveal its story, and enhances your gardens experience. Incorporating the borrowed scenery is also a subtle reminder of the inter connectedness of all things.
The sight and sounds of moving water reminds one of the passing of time, the bridge so commonly seen, are used in the gardens as they represent a crossing over into a new realm. The intimacy of these gardens is also cherished, to ensure this effect, the garden must be sealed away from the outside world making it a secluded and giving it a somewhat mystical effect. Ideally, one should only see a hint of what magic lies behind the fence or gate. Small openings from the outside provide the allure to know what is on the other side. To view the garden, is to lose ones self in it and become a part of it.
The Japanese associate their gardens to the story of life, a beautiful concept don't you think?
To begin the story, the element of Space is essential to the Japanese gardener. Elegantly placed open spaces "define the elements around it ...and it is defined by elements surrounding it". The partnership of stone and plant life are beautifully expressed as the stone adds the magnificence of strength and represents the unchanging permanence of life. Trees, shrubs and perennials reflect the moods and changing seasons, with dramatic color.
Stones are particularly significant as they provide the very foundation of your garden and give you something to build upon. They are used as focal points, along the pathways symbolizing the important aspects to the journey of life. Stones are also frequently used in other forms such as gravel or sand and are groomed by rakes in fluid motions giving the illusion and representation of water.
Another beautiful element of Japanese gardens is how they embrace the unique features of the landscape, allowing you to fully appreciate the richness of each characteristic; this is called "borrowed scenery". Whether it is a tree towering over your fence, a rolling hill in the distance or a beautiful creek in view of your garden, this feature allows your garden to reveal its story, and enhances your gardens experience. Incorporating the borrowed scenery is also a subtle reminder of the inter connectedness of all things.
The sight and sounds of moving water reminds one of the passing of time, the bridge so commonly seen, are used in the gardens as they represent a crossing over into a new realm. The intimacy of these gardens is also cherished, to ensure this effect, the garden must be sealed away from the outside world making it a secluded and giving it a somewhat mystical effect. Ideally, one should only see a hint of what magic lies behind the fence or gate. Small openings from the outside provide the allure to know what is on the other side. To view the garden, is to lose ones self in it and become a part of it.
The Japanese associate their gardens to the story of life, a beautiful concept don't you think?
Tips For Creating A Garden To Enhance Your Home
When creating a garden at your home, there is much that needs to be considered and thought out before the spade shovel will ever hit the dirt. The location of the garden is important. What type of sunlight will the garden be receiving? Is this a garden of flowers alone? Is it a fruit and vegetable garden? Is it any combination of the preceding? How big will it be? How much time are you able to devote to cultivating it? All of these are important questions that should be answered and well thought out before you attack the chore of planting.A backyard may be a big or small space. The space that you will devote to your garden may be big or small. The size of the garden should be the first decision made. Take into account the time that is available to you to care for the garden thoroughly. You want to keep gardening a pleasurable experience, therefore, don't try to squeeze more than you can comfortably handle into your garden. If you work full time and have small children at home, a smaller garden that requires less care would be better for you. On the other hand, if you're retired or have the means to stay home and have little else to do with your time, a large many faceted garden would fit your life. Be realistic with the time that you have to devote, those plants depend on you in combination with nature to care for them.
Once you have decided the size of the garden, what will go in it should be the next decision. Again, this will have to do with the time you have to devote to the garden. Some plants need just a little water and they can sustain themselves well while others require constant pruning, fertilizing on a schedule, and watering. When choosing the plants that will be included in the garden, read the labels carefully and they will tell you how much care each particular plant requires. Also, be careful not to plant too many avid growers in the same location. Otherwise your garden will look overgrown in no time and it will be difficult to keep up with pruning.
When those important decisions have been made, it's time to plot out your land, prepare it, and plant. When plotting out the land, many will have to pull up grass that is residing there currently. In doing this, be sure that you get the grass roots or the grass will make a reappearance in the middle of your garden. When all the grass has been pulled, it's important to work soil with a hoe or rake about six to twelve inches down. In this way you will break it up and breathe new life into soil that has had little room to breathe in quite some time. Add some fresh topsoil, perhaps with nutrients included to allow for new root stimulation and root setting, and plant according to your plan.
When the plants have all been planted and you're satisfied with your garden, be sure to fertilize, and water thoroughly. The garden will need to be watered daily for ten to twenty minutes with a garden hose. If fresh rainwater is available, use that for watering as there are more nutrients in that than in what comes out of the garden hose. In a matter of days you will see your plants flourish in their new environment. If it is a flower garden, fresh flower buds will be seen quickly. If it is a fruit and vegetable garden, you should quickly see the beginnings of what has been planted.
Garden Furniture Keeps Blossoming
A flower garden can be anything from a small patch of daisies, to a wide array of flowers, trees, plants, bushes, and ivies. It can consist completely of flora, or it may contain garden structures, such as pergolas, arbors, or trellises. Some people are satisfied with whatever vegetation just happens to be there, while others hire landscape architects to devise elaborate plans that will include the introduction of various colorful or exotic species. Many people consider it a pleasure to spend hours in their gardens, digging, planting, pruning, watering, and weeding, while others, who simply want to sit and enjoy their beauty, hire professionals for the upkeep. No matter how divergent their ideas on what constitutes the perfect garden, however, they all agree that it must contain garden furniture.
After all, a garden is your personal haven, and every respectable haven must, at least, have a place to sit; and gardens that are used for entertaining and socializing need much more. Furnishing your garden is, in a way, much the same as decorating your home. You've gone to a lot of trouble to create the ideal atmosphere, selecting all of the elements carefully, to reflect your preferences and tastes, and you want the furniture to do the same. Many people feel that this is where interior and exterior decorating differ, because the styles and colors available in outdoor furniture are so limited. These are the people who haven't shopped for garden furniture lately.
Today, the selection of garden furniture is so vast that it can set the tone for d飯r on its own. In fact, when you see all of the choices that are available, you may decide to make the furniture the central element, and decorate around it. Whether you simply want a traditional garden bench for a quiet, rustic setting, a chic dining set for entertaining, or you are fulfilling your fantasy of re-creating an authentic English garden, CedarStore.com has everything you need to furnish your garden, porch, deck, patio, or gazebo. If you don't have one already, you can also find a fantastic assortment of gazebos at CedarStore.com, along with arbors, trellises, pergolas, and garden bridges.
In styles from classic to contemporary, CedarStore.com has one of the largest collections of garden furniture available anywhere, including garden benches, chairs, tables, dining sets, bar and bistro sets, swings, end tables, ottomans, lounges, gliders, porch swings, and more. Beyond the scores of different styles, you'll also find an incredible number of options in materials. While you'll be thrilled with the durable favorites, such as cedar, treated pine, and oak, CedarStore.com also offers stunning garden furniture in resplendent cherry, radiant teak, and virtually indestructible vinyl, aluminum, cast iron, polywood, and wrought iron.
No matter what you have in mind, CedarStore.com has it on-line. If you don't see it, they'll customize it for you! To browse their amazing collection of garden furniture, arbors, trellises, gazebos, garden bridges, and more, visit CedarStore.com. To contact one of their professional consultants, call 888-293-2339, or e-mail contact@cedarstore.com.
After all, a garden is your personal haven, and every respectable haven must, at least, have a place to sit; and gardens that are used for entertaining and socializing need much more. Furnishing your garden is, in a way, much the same as decorating your home. You've gone to a lot of trouble to create the ideal atmosphere, selecting all of the elements carefully, to reflect your preferences and tastes, and you want the furniture to do the same. Many people feel that this is where interior and exterior decorating differ, because the styles and colors available in outdoor furniture are so limited. These are the people who haven't shopped for garden furniture lately.
Today, the selection of garden furniture is so vast that it can set the tone for d飯r on its own. In fact, when you see all of the choices that are available, you may decide to make the furniture the central element, and decorate around it. Whether you simply want a traditional garden bench for a quiet, rustic setting, a chic dining set for entertaining, or you are fulfilling your fantasy of re-creating an authentic English garden, CedarStore.com has everything you need to furnish your garden, porch, deck, patio, or gazebo. If you don't have one already, you can also find a fantastic assortment of gazebos at CedarStore.com, along with arbors, trellises, pergolas, and garden bridges.
In styles from classic to contemporary, CedarStore.com has one of the largest collections of garden furniture available anywhere, including garden benches, chairs, tables, dining sets, bar and bistro sets, swings, end tables, ottomans, lounges, gliders, porch swings, and more. Beyond the scores of different styles, you'll also find an incredible number of options in materials. While you'll be thrilled with the durable favorites, such as cedar, treated pine, and oak, CedarStore.com also offers stunning garden furniture in resplendent cherry, radiant teak, and virtually indestructible vinyl, aluminum, cast iron, polywood, and wrought iron.
No matter what you have in mind, CedarStore.com has it on-line. If you don't see it, they'll customize it for you! To browse their amazing collection of garden furniture, arbors, trellises, gazebos, garden bridges, and more, visit CedarStore.com. To contact one of their professional consultants, call 888-293-2339, or e-mail contact@cedarstore.com.
Annual Flowers Are Excellent Choices for the Garden
Flowers are one of nature's heralds of the seasons. The various flowers that bloom in the different seasons can inform us what season we are in. For instance flowers like the Poinsettia are known to bloom only during the winter season, more specifically during December. Annual flowers on the other hand are wonderful flowers to plant in your gardens.
You will find that many of these flowers are excellent choices for the garden as they can be grown in the different seasons. The best way to select the type of annual flowers that you want is to decide which flower varieties you want to see. You should buy the annual flowers that are appropriate for the required season otherwise your flower plant will rot even before you have a chance to plant it.
When you start selecting your annual flowers you can buy hardy annuals, half hardy annuals and tender annuals. These differences reflect the type of weather and soil conditions that these annual flowers will grow in.
Hardy annuals are beautiful plants that will produce flowers even in the cold winter season. These annual flowers are planted during the spring season or fall season when the weather is not that cold. Unlike other annuals these hardy annual flowers don't like hot weather as they are not heat tolerant.
The types of hardy annual flowers that you can buy include calendula, foxglove, viola, sweet alyssum, stocks, cornflowers, pansy, larkspur and the many varieties of dianthus cultivars. The half hardy annual flowers include torenia, snow-on-the-mountain, blue sage, strawflower, baby's breath, candytuft, bells of Ireland, celoma, love-in-a-mist, and forget-me-nots.
These half hardy annuals don't mind damp cold weather but they can't live during the cold harsh months of winter. You will need to plant these annual flowers after the last spring frost. Unlike tender annuals these half hardy annuals have no need of warm soil conditions for the seeds to begin sprouting.
While some flower species can't tolerate lots of hot summer weather the half hardy annuals may sometimes droop for the weather but they will perk up in the later summer months. You can choose some tender annuals like scarlet sage, morning glory, petunias, begonias, celosia, balsam, nasturtium, and verbena.
These annuals as their name suggests are not comfortable in the cold winter months so the ideal time to grow them is three weeks after the last spring frost. Since these annual flowers grow well in warm climates you can expect to see them in all of their glory in the late spring and the warm months of summer.
These are just a few of the many annual flowers that you can grow in your garden, and the riot of colors that they bring will absolutely make any garden look great. You will also have the added benefit of flowers that grow in different seasons adding a burst of color right through the year.
You will find that many of these flowers are excellent choices for the garden as they can be grown in the different seasons. The best way to select the type of annual flowers that you want is to decide which flower varieties you want to see. You should buy the annual flowers that are appropriate for the required season otherwise your flower plant will rot even before you have a chance to plant it.
When you start selecting your annual flowers you can buy hardy annuals, half hardy annuals and tender annuals. These differences reflect the type of weather and soil conditions that these annual flowers will grow in.
Hardy annuals are beautiful plants that will produce flowers even in the cold winter season. These annual flowers are planted during the spring season or fall season when the weather is not that cold. Unlike other annuals these hardy annual flowers don't like hot weather as they are not heat tolerant.
The types of hardy annual flowers that you can buy include calendula, foxglove, viola, sweet alyssum, stocks, cornflowers, pansy, larkspur and the many varieties of dianthus cultivars. The half hardy annual flowers include torenia, snow-on-the-mountain, blue sage, strawflower, baby's breath, candytuft, bells of Ireland, celoma, love-in-a-mist, and forget-me-nots.
These half hardy annuals don't mind damp cold weather but they can't live during the cold harsh months of winter. You will need to plant these annual flowers after the last spring frost. Unlike tender annuals these half hardy annuals have no need of warm soil conditions for the seeds to begin sprouting.
While some flower species can't tolerate lots of hot summer weather the half hardy annuals may sometimes droop for the weather but they will perk up in the later summer months. You can choose some tender annuals like scarlet sage, morning glory, petunias, begonias, celosia, balsam, nasturtium, and verbena.
These annuals as their name suggests are not comfortable in the cold winter months so the ideal time to grow them is three weeks after the last spring frost. Since these annual flowers grow well in warm climates you can expect to see them in all of their glory in the late spring and the warm months of summer.
These are just a few of the many annual flowers that you can grow in your garden, and the riot of colors that they bring will absolutely make any garden look great. You will also have the added benefit of flowers that grow in different seasons adding a burst of color right through the year.
How To Set Up An Indoor Garden In A Small Closet Space
Growing your indoor garden in a small space such as a closet can be quite beneficial to the hobbyist gardener. The grow space will be small and out of the way, yet easy to work with. Even the smallest of closet spaces can provide you with a good amount of fresh grown vegetables year round.
Because of the various sizes of closets available in homes we will have to use a simple formula to find the square footage of your closet. This is how to find the square footage of your grow space. (Width x Length= Square Feet) Example: if your closet which is 3'x4', you will find this room to be 12sq.feet. The reason you need to know the square footage of your closet is because plants have a certain light requirement for optimum growth. For Example, tomato plants need to attain around 40-50 watts per square foot for optimal growth. You then would take 50 watts x 12sq. ft. = 600 watts. This means that you will need a 600watt light to maintain your plants optimal growth in this particular garden. (Plants wattage needs x Square Feet = grow light requirement).
You should start by cleaning the closet as best as possible. Paint the walls with a flat white paint to help aid in light reflection. This also helps to get rid of any possible insect pest such as spider mites.
The most important things needed to be considered are temperature, humidity, air intake and exhaust. Most plants prefer to be between 55-80 degrees F. with the average tempatures at around 72 degrees F. When the lights are on they are a great source of heat as well as light. If temperatures should become too high, Exhaust blower fans will work well to reduce the temperature. Exhaust blower fans can be easily linked to a to temperature controller to ensure that your grow space never reaches the high temperatures that can have a negative effect on plants and growth rates. When your lights are off, however, you can expect a gradual decline in temperatures. In the winter months, Temperatures can drop well below the ideal plant growth range. You can add a space heater, also linked to your thermostat controller. Most plants flourish indoors with a humidity level at around 40-60%. A dehumidifier will lower the water content in the air, this can be useful in your grow space because too much moisture in the air will encourage mold growth. Also by reducing the humidity in the grow space you will increase the rate at which the water leaves the plant through their leaves, this will increase the amount of water and nutrients taken up by the plant causing their growth rate to increase. Plants require airflow to help strengthen their stalks. Without proper airflow they will have weak and skinny stalks. They will not be able to hold their selves up. Circulating fans are very important in your indoor garden because they will circulate airflow around the room to keep hot air from building up and burning your plants. Also it is important to help circulate your CO2 distribution, Spider mites and other insect pests dislike the continuous wind and will slow reproduction rates. Ventilation Fans (intake and exhaust blowers) will rid your grow space of heat and humidity. They will replace stale stagnant air with fresh clean air. Plants require fresh air to survive. Intake & Exhaust fans are rated by there volume of air movement in cubic feet per minute. You will need to know how many cubic feet your grow room has, to do this you measure the length x width x height of your grow space. For a space 3'x4'x10' you will have 120 cubic feet of air space. You will want to be able to clear your space of stale air as quickly as possible. By being connected to a thermostat controller, the blower fans will turn on when the temperature reaches your high set point and then shut off when it reaches your low set point. So the larger rating of vent fans the better.
You will need to cut out the proper size holes for your intake and exhaust fans. This can be done several different ways. Take time to draw out your plan. Think about it and decide what will work best for you. If you choose to make your holes right into the door itself, this is a good idea. Just remember that you will need to have a flexible air duct put into place so that everything stays intact as you open and close the door. You might also consider cutting your exhaust hole into the ceiling, thereby exhausting into the roof of your home. This technique will help eliminate any odors created by your plants, and also keep your main room that holds your closet cooler allowing cooler air intake from this same room.
You should seal up your closet grow space with weather stripping so as to keep the light in when the lights are on and to keep light out when the lights are out. (Even a small amount of light in your garden during the dark cycle can cause stress to your plants. This can cause your plants in flowering-harvest stage to revert back to a vegative stage).
Because of the various sizes of closets available in homes we will have to use a simple formula to find the square footage of your closet. This is how to find the square footage of your grow space. (Width x Length= Square Feet) Example: if your closet which is 3'x4', you will find this room to be 12sq.feet. The reason you need to know the square footage of your closet is because plants have a certain light requirement for optimum growth. For Example, tomato plants need to attain around 40-50 watts per square foot for optimal growth. You then would take 50 watts x 12sq. ft. = 600 watts. This means that you will need a 600watt light to maintain your plants optimal growth in this particular garden. (Plants wattage needs x Square Feet = grow light requirement).
You should start by cleaning the closet as best as possible. Paint the walls with a flat white paint to help aid in light reflection. This also helps to get rid of any possible insect pest such as spider mites.
The most important things needed to be considered are temperature, humidity, air intake and exhaust. Most plants prefer to be between 55-80 degrees F. with the average tempatures at around 72 degrees F. When the lights are on they are a great source of heat as well as light. If temperatures should become too high, Exhaust blower fans will work well to reduce the temperature. Exhaust blower fans can be easily linked to a to temperature controller to ensure that your grow space never reaches the high temperatures that can have a negative effect on plants and growth rates. When your lights are off, however, you can expect a gradual decline in temperatures. In the winter months, Temperatures can drop well below the ideal plant growth range. You can add a space heater, also linked to your thermostat controller. Most plants flourish indoors with a humidity level at around 40-60%. A dehumidifier will lower the water content in the air, this can be useful in your grow space because too much moisture in the air will encourage mold growth. Also by reducing the humidity in the grow space you will increase the rate at which the water leaves the plant through their leaves, this will increase the amount of water and nutrients taken up by the plant causing their growth rate to increase. Plants require airflow to help strengthen their stalks. Without proper airflow they will have weak and skinny stalks. They will not be able to hold their selves up. Circulating fans are very important in your indoor garden because they will circulate airflow around the room to keep hot air from building up and burning your plants. Also it is important to help circulate your CO2 distribution, Spider mites and other insect pests dislike the continuous wind and will slow reproduction rates. Ventilation Fans (intake and exhaust blowers) will rid your grow space of heat and humidity. They will replace stale stagnant air with fresh clean air. Plants require fresh air to survive. Intake & Exhaust fans are rated by there volume of air movement in cubic feet per minute. You will need to know how many cubic feet your grow room has, to do this you measure the length x width x height of your grow space. For a space 3'x4'x10' you will have 120 cubic feet of air space. You will want to be able to clear your space of stale air as quickly as possible. By being connected to a thermostat controller, the blower fans will turn on when the temperature reaches your high set point and then shut off when it reaches your low set point. So the larger rating of vent fans the better.
You will need to cut out the proper size holes for your intake and exhaust fans. This can be done several different ways. Take time to draw out your plan. Think about it and decide what will work best for you. If you choose to make your holes right into the door itself, this is a good idea. Just remember that you will need to have a flexible air duct put into place so that everything stays intact as you open and close the door. You might also consider cutting your exhaust hole into the ceiling, thereby exhausting into the roof of your home. This technique will help eliminate any odors created by your plants, and also keep your main room that holds your closet cooler allowing cooler air intake from this same room.
You should seal up your closet grow space with weather stripping so as to keep the light in when the lights are on and to keep light out when the lights are out. (Even a small amount of light in your garden during the dark cycle can cause stress to your plants. This can cause your plants in flowering-harvest stage to revert back to a vegative stage).
Basic Care for Juniper Bonsai
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 reduce stress levels and enhance 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.
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.
Container Gardening Tips For Everyone
All of us, at one time or another, has seen a display of container gardens with flowers or vegetables at a friend's home or in a nursery center. Many mistakenly think that it took a lot of effort or was done by professionals. That is far from the truth. Container gardens are just as easy as outside gardens and in some way s even easier to maintain. Anyone that loves to garden can plant and raise a container garden even those with limited space, even apartment dwellers. You can create a beautiful garden with just a few container gardening tips.
Start out with a plan. You need to know what you are going to plant, a container garden flower or a container garden vegetable. You may want to concentrate on an herb container garden. It is important to know this so you can choose the right size container for the plants. The number one container gardening tip is to choose a pot that has sufficient space for soil and the plants. Vine type plants will need a large, deep pot to grow over. If you are planning on a large plant you will need a wide passed container for balance. Keep reading, there are more container gardening tips to come. One thing to keep in mind is that you must have adequate drainage in the container that you use. No plant likes to have "wet feet".
The type of soil you use in your container garden is an issue too. Most experts on container gardening tips say that you should use potting soil. While some gardeners have had success using the soil from their outside gardens, it is not recommended. Potting soil is preferred mainly because it will not compact letting more water to the root system over the growing season. Here it is important to do some research and plant like minded plants together. Your plant groupings should consider water needs, sun needs and fertilization needs.
An essential container gardening tip is to pay attention to the plants watering needs. If you get a very hot streak and your container garden is outdoors on your patio you will need to water daily. If this is your first venture into container gardening, choose drought resistant plants. Plants in container gardens can't reach out for other avenues of water supplies so it is up to you to make sure they don't get thirsty.
You will come to love your container garden but plants only last so long. If the plants you are growing in your container garden become less productive change them out. With container gardening you are the one to decide how your gardens will be in bloom. It is true that you can manipulate your plants by moving them around or taking them from the inside to the outside, or vice versa.
There is one thing that you must be diligent about and that is pests. If you find a container that has an infestation, isolate and treat it immediately. Do not use harsh chemicals on the plants. If it is an indoor container garden the chemicals could harm pets or children. Here is a natural pesticide that will keep the bugs in check:
In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture and 1 cup water. Use at ten-day intervals (or more often if needed) to rid plants of whiteflies, mites, aphids, scales, and other pests.
Search online or at your local library for additional container gardening tips so that your beautiful container garden is a wild success. Once you have planted one container garden you will be anxious to start more.
Happy Container Gardening!
Start out with a plan. You need to know what you are going to plant, a container garden flower or a container garden vegetable. You may want to concentrate on an herb container garden. It is important to know this so you can choose the right size container for the plants. The number one container gardening tip is to choose a pot that has sufficient space for soil and the plants. Vine type plants will need a large, deep pot to grow over. If you are planning on a large plant you will need a wide passed container for balance. Keep reading, there are more container gardening tips to come. One thing to keep in mind is that you must have adequate drainage in the container that you use. No plant likes to have "wet feet".
The type of soil you use in your container garden is an issue too. Most experts on container gardening tips say that you should use potting soil. While some gardeners have had success using the soil from their outside gardens, it is not recommended. Potting soil is preferred mainly because it will not compact letting more water to the root system over the growing season. Here it is important to do some research and plant like minded plants together. Your plant groupings should consider water needs, sun needs and fertilization needs.
An essential container gardening tip is to pay attention to the plants watering needs. If you get a very hot streak and your container garden is outdoors on your patio you will need to water daily. If this is your first venture into container gardening, choose drought resistant plants. Plants in container gardens can't reach out for other avenues of water supplies so it is up to you to make sure they don't get thirsty.
You will come to love your container garden but plants only last so long. If the plants you are growing in your container garden become less productive change them out. With container gardening you are the one to decide how your gardens will be in bloom. It is true that you can manipulate your plants by moving them around or taking them from the inside to the outside, or vice versa.
There is one thing that you must be diligent about and that is pests. If you find a container that has an infestation, isolate and treat it immediately. Do not use harsh chemicals on the plants. If it is an indoor container garden the chemicals could harm pets or children. Here is a natural pesticide that will keep the bugs in check:
In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture and 1 cup water. Use at ten-day intervals (or more often if needed) to rid plants of whiteflies, mites, aphids, scales, and other pests.
Search online or at your local library for additional container gardening tips so that your beautiful container garden is a wild success. Once you have planted one container garden you will be anxious to start more.
Happy Container Gardening!
Enjoy Small Indoor Greenhouses
The experience that most people have with seeing greenhouses is at a plant nursery or perhaps the zoo, where a large glass building, big enough to walk into, hot and filled with plants. But if you think that's the limit to the size and design of greenhouses, you're mistaken! There are greenhouses that encompass multiple acres of land, as well as small indoor greenhouses that can be operated in your basement or even on your desk at work. The uses of small indoor greenhouses can be fun as well as useful.
Grow Plants All Year
One of the big benefits to small indoor greenhouses is that you can enjoy your gardening hobby all year, even if it's cold outside. The design of small indoor greenhouses usually help to capture light, or have some sort of light source to help plants grow, and by covering the area with glass or plastic, you help to capture humidity and warmth, adding to the natural warmth that the inside of your home will provide. This allows you to grow some plants, such as herbs and some vegetables, all year.
Another result of this benefit is that for those who also do plenty of outdoor gardening, these can be useful tools. Small indoor greenhouses can protect transplants of your more delicate perennials when winter comes, and can be where you start seedlings in the spring, in preparation for early flowers and vegetables. By using small indoor greenhouses to help make up for some of the weeks of cold weather each year, you get a jump on having beautiful outdoor plants.
A Pretty Display
Small indoor greenhouses don't have to be huge to be effective. While many will be the size of a small walk-in closet, there are designs for small indoor greenhouses that will take up about as much space as a reasonably sized aquarium, or even something small enough to house a single potted plant. One enterprising gardener even built a simple one using a child's construction set and plastic wrap! What this means for you is that you can have a small, personalized greenhouse that can showcase small plants.
Useful In School
Another benefit to small indoor greenhouses is that one of the right size can be useful in schools as an educational tool. Children can learn about plants through hands-on learning, helping to cultivate plants and examining the life cycle. For some, learning by doing far exceeds the retention that book learning provides, and small indoor greenhouses can introduce kids to the wonderful world of gardening. So from a child's education to winter cultivation, small indoor greenhouses provide ample opportunities for growing things all year long.
Grow Plants All Year
One of the big benefits to small indoor greenhouses is that you can enjoy your gardening hobby all year, even if it's cold outside. The design of small indoor greenhouses usually help to capture light, or have some sort of light source to help plants grow, and by covering the area with glass or plastic, you help to capture humidity and warmth, adding to the natural warmth that the inside of your home will provide. This allows you to grow some plants, such as herbs and some vegetables, all year.
Another result of this benefit is that for those who also do plenty of outdoor gardening, these can be useful tools. Small indoor greenhouses can protect transplants of your more delicate perennials when winter comes, and can be where you start seedlings in the spring, in preparation for early flowers and vegetables. By using small indoor greenhouses to help make up for some of the weeks of cold weather each year, you get a jump on having beautiful outdoor plants.
A Pretty Display
Small indoor greenhouses don't have to be huge to be effective. While many will be the size of a small walk-in closet, there are designs for small indoor greenhouses that will take up about as much space as a reasonably sized aquarium, or even something small enough to house a single potted plant. One enterprising gardener even built a simple one using a child's construction set and plastic wrap! What this means for you is that you can have a small, personalized greenhouse that can showcase small plants.
Useful In School
Another benefit to small indoor greenhouses is that one of the right size can be useful in schools as an educational tool. Children can learn about plants through hands-on learning, helping to cultivate plants and examining the life cycle. For some, learning by doing far exceeds the retention that book learning provides, and small indoor greenhouses can introduce kids to the wonderful world of gardening. So from a child's education to winter cultivation, small indoor greenhouses provide ample opportunities for growing things all year long.
Planning Your Water Garden
Studies have shown that water can help one to relax. Whether it's listening to the trickle of water from a small fountain, or just looking at the reflections on the surface of a pond, a water feature can help you to de-stress after a hard day of work. A water feature can make a great addition to your yard, and they aren't too difficult to build, if you do your planning. Certain things need to be kept in mind when you're planning a pond or water garden.
Location: The primary consideration for a pond will be location, and there are several things to consider when choosing the right location for your pond. You'll need to decide whether you want a small pond in a secluded corner of your yard, or if you want it to be the centerpiece of your backyard. You'll also want to consider the amount of sunlight that the pond receives. Plants or fish need a certain balance of sunlight and shade. Trees can provide shade to your pond, but also make more work in the fall, when you have to skim off the dead leaves from the surface of the water. Is your yard level, or are there hills that need to be taken into account? A level location is ideal, but you can dig a pond into the side of the hill if necessary, but it takes more work and planning.
Formal or natural: A formal pond is geometric, shaped like a rectangle, square, circle, or other regular shapes. Usually, a formal pond is symmetrical and has a distinct border made of bricks or flagstones. Often a formal pond will feature statues or fountains, which draw attention to the pond. A natural pond has no straight lines or sharp corners. A natural pond looks like it is a natural part of the landscape, surrounded by plants and boulders.
Size: You'll need to plan the size of your pond carefully. You don't want the pond to be so big that it completely overwhelms the landscaping, but at the same time you don't want it too small. If you're going to have fish in your pond, keep in mind that fish need a certain size pond. Knowing what size pond you want will prevent regrets over making it too big or too small later on.
Purpose: Ponds have several different purposes. You may simply want to enjoy the sound of a waterfall or a fountain. Or you may want to raise fish, or perhaps grow aquatic plants. Or you may want a pond for any combination of these purposes. Whatever your reason for installing a pond, you'll need to know your reasons to plan a successful water feature. If you want a waterfall or fountain, you'll need to consider where it will be placed. You'll also need to plan the plumbing for it, and an electrical line to run the pump. If you want fish and/or plants in your pond, you'll need to take that into consideration as well. Some fish, like koi, just won't do well if the pond is too small or too shallow. You'll also need to plan a way to keep predators from getting the fish. You certainly don't want to stock your pond with expensive koi, only to find out that they became a midnight snack for your neighbor's cat. If you're putting in plants, you'll need to consider the amount of sun that the pond gets.
You'll need to keep all of these points in mind while you're planning your pond. Why do you want a pond? Where do you want it, and how big do you want it? A well planned water garden is much easier to build, and in the long run, will be much more enjoyable.
Location: The primary consideration for a pond will be location, and there are several things to consider when choosing the right location for your pond. You'll need to decide whether you want a small pond in a secluded corner of your yard, or if you want it to be the centerpiece of your backyard. You'll also want to consider the amount of sunlight that the pond receives. Plants or fish need a certain balance of sunlight and shade. Trees can provide shade to your pond, but also make more work in the fall, when you have to skim off the dead leaves from the surface of the water. Is your yard level, or are there hills that need to be taken into account? A level location is ideal, but you can dig a pond into the side of the hill if necessary, but it takes more work and planning.
Formal or natural: A formal pond is geometric, shaped like a rectangle, square, circle, or other regular shapes. Usually, a formal pond is symmetrical and has a distinct border made of bricks or flagstones. Often a formal pond will feature statues or fountains, which draw attention to the pond. A natural pond has no straight lines or sharp corners. A natural pond looks like it is a natural part of the landscape, surrounded by plants and boulders.
Size: You'll need to plan the size of your pond carefully. You don't want the pond to be so big that it completely overwhelms the landscaping, but at the same time you don't want it too small. If you're going to have fish in your pond, keep in mind that fish need a certain size pond. Knowing what size pond you want will prevent regrets over making it too big or too small later on.
Purpose: Ponds have several different purposes. You may simply want to enjoy the sound of a waterfall or a fountain. Or you may want to raise fish, or perhaps grow aquatic plants. Or you may want a pond for any combination of these purposes. Whatever your reason for installing a pond, you'll need to know your reasons to plan a successful water feature. If you want a waterfall or fountain, you'll need to consider where it will be placed. You'll also need to plan the plumbing for it, and an electrical line to run the pump. If you want fish and/or plants in your pond, you'll need to take that into consideration as well. Some fish, like koi, just won't do well if the pond is too small or too shallow. You'll also need to plan a way to keep predators from getting the fish. You certainly don't want to stock your pond with expensive koi, only to find out that they became a midnight snack for your neighbor's cat. If you're putting in plants, you'll need to consider the amount of sun that the pond gets.
You'll need to keep all of these points in mind while you're planning your pond. Why do you want a pond? Where do you want it, and how big do you want it? A well planned water garden is much easier to build, and in the long run, will be much more enjoyable.
The Secret Art To Pruning Your Bonsai Tree
There is an old saying that Bonsai enthusiasts often say, and is one that should be imprinted into your brain. 'As with the bottom - so with the top'. Pretty simple huh, so with any major pruning either root or branches you are best advised to perform both simultaneously.
The reason being is to keep your Bonsai tree perfectly balanced. If your tree has less foliage on top then the roots won't have to provide as much nutrients to keep your Bonsai healthy. Problems occur when there are too many branches growing foliage and insufficient roots or vice versa.
With this in mind there are three basic rules to pruning the branches of your Bonsai tree.
Rule 1:
Only remove branches that are affecting the way your Bonsai is growing. If a branch is causing the tree to drastically differ from your design it maybe appropriate to heavily prune that branch.
Rule 2:
Prune to sculpt. By pruning a particular area of your Bonsai tree heavily, new growth will be routed to the area least pruned. This is an excellent method to use and once mastered will enable you to shape your Bonsai tree accordingly.
Rule 3
Minor Bonsai sculpting involves finger or leaf pruning. The method here is to use your thumb and forefinger to grasp and pinch the unwanted growth and then twist to remove, thereby performing a clean cut. This technique is often used but is one that should be practiced first. You need to ensure that your cuts are clean precise. This will help avoid possible disease and infection. Finger pruning will also encourage fine branching and help develop back budding.
Now let's look at what you should be looking for, as you decide how best to prune your Bonsai tree.
Branches that cross the trunk of your Bonsai tree, or one another should be pruned. The general rule here is if the branch isn't serving any real purpose, and it can't be wired back to a better position then it should go.
Eye stabbers should also be quickly disregarded. These are wayward branches that protrude from the front of the Bonsai in a threatening direction to yourself. Be warned these branches are named eye stabbers for a reason...
It's a good idea now to step away from your Bonsai tree for a few days. As you are likely to have pruned quite a bit from your tree its time to back off and reflect on its new shape. This will give you the opportunity to decide if any other sculpting needs to be administered. It's actually advisable to wait for you Bonsai tree to react to the changes you made before reaching for the secateurs one again.
It's all too easy to get carried away when pruning your Bonsai tree, just remember that cutting branches off is easy, but putting them back on is impossible. The moral here is to only remove branches that need to go. This is why it is a good idea to follow a plan or picture. Something you can refer to when you are unsure on what to remove.
The art of Bonsai is a worthwhile and fascinating hobby that can last a life time. Don't be put off pruning your Bonsai, and above all have fun looking after your miniature tree.
The reason being is to keep your Bonsai tree perfectly balanced. If your tree has less foliage on top then the roots won't have to provide as much nutrients to keep your Bonsai healthy. Problems occur when there are too many branches growing foliage and insufficient roots or vice versa.
With this in mind there are three basic rules to pruning the branches of your Bonsai tree.
Rule 1:
Only remove branches that are affecting the way your Bonsai is growing. If a branch is causing the tree to drastically differ from your design it maybe appropriate to heavily prune that branch.
Rule 2:
Prune to sculpt. By pruning a particular area of your Bonsai tree heavily, new growth will be routed to the area least pruned. This is an excellent method to use and once mastered will enable you to shape your Bonsai tree accordingly.
Rule 3
Minor Bonsai sculpting involves finger or leaf pruning. The method here is to use your thumb and forefinger to grasp and pinch the unwanted growth and then twist to remove, thereby performing a clean cut. This technique is often used but is one that should be practiced first. You need to ensure that your cuts are clean precise. This will help avoid possible disease and infection. Finger pruning will also encourage fine branching and help develop back budding.
Now let's look at what you should be looking for, as you decide how best to prune your Bonsai tree.
Branches that cross the trunk of your Bonsai tree, or one another should be pruned. The general rule here is if the branch isn't serving any real purpose, and it can't be wired back to a better position then it should go.
Eye stabbers should also be quickly disregarded. These are wayward branches that protrude from the front of the Bonsai in a threatening direction to yourself. Be warned these branches are named eye stabbers for a reason...
It's a good idea now to step away from your Bonsai tree for a few days. As you are likely to have pruned quite a bit from your tree its time to back off and reflect on its new shape. This will give you the opportunity to decide if any other sculpting needs to be administered. It's actually advisable to wait for you Bonsai tree to react to the changes you made before reaching for the secateurs one again.
It's all too easy to get carried away when pruning your Bonsai tree, just remember that cutting branches off is easy, but putting them back on is impossible. The moral here is to only remove branches that need to go. This is why it is a good idea to follow a plan or picture. Something you can refer to when you are unsure on what to remove.
The art of Bonsai is a worthwhile and fascinating hobby that can last a life time. Don't be put off pruning your Bonsai, and above all have fun looking after your miniature tree.
An Indoor Garden System Produces Marvelous Plants
There are some great ways to add life to a home besides the family and friends who gather there. A tank full of lively fish swimming about adds motion yet serenity to the atmosphere of a home. An indoor garden system is another way of adding life to the atmosphere of a home. An indoor garden system can be used to produce a variety of vibrant, colorful flowers or helpful herbs. The flowers produced by an indoor garden system will add color and fragrance to the family home. The herbs produced by an indoor garden system can add flavor to the family cooking and some medicinal value as well.
Great tools for constructing an indoor garden system are available so people will be able to garden in their homes. A garden system in the right conditions can grow plants without any soil whatsoever by following the appropriate procedures, using the right equipment and choosing the right plants. An indoor garden system provides alternatives to the traditional ways of gardening. The role of the soil and water in growing plants is important in traditional methods. The indoor garden system produces plants in different, innovative ways.
An Indoor Garden System Produces Throughout The Year
An indoor garden system replaces the soil and water with other substances for plants that grow heartily. The indoor garden system provides lights, nutrients, temperature and other important factors. Scientists that have studied plants have developed these gardens, and they have simplified their information for those interested in growing plants in their homes. People who want to use one of these systems do not have to have a comprehensive knowledge of the science behind the systems if they follow the directions from the experts who have developed the systems.
Indoor gardens become more popular on a regular basis so the tools for building these gardens are improve constantly. There are many different systems that a gardener can choose. The systems available offer gardens of plants, flowers or herbs. These systems can be small self-contained, miniature gardens with a selection of herbs or plants. Some gardeners prefer setting up their own space using the lights, containers, nutrients and instructions from the experts. Indoor garden systems have become more popular because they work. The flowers and plants grow and thrive under the care of amateurs. The indoor gardens provide a great feeling of accomplishment to the gardener in charge.
Great tools for constructing an indoor garden system are available so people will be able to garden in their homes. A garden system in the right conditions can grow plants without any soil whatsoever by following the appropriate procedures, using the right equipment and choosing the right plants. An indoor garden system provides alternatives to the traditional ways of gardening. The role of the soil and water in growing plants is important in traditional methods. The indoor garden system produces plants in different, innovative ways.
An Indoor Garden System Produces Throughout The Year
An indoor garden system replaces the soil and water with other substances for plants that grow heartily. The indoor garden system provides lights, nutrients, temperature and other important factors. Scientists that have studied plants have developed these gardens, and they have simplified their information for those interested in growing plants in their homes. People who want to use one of these systems do not have to have a comprehensive knowledge of the science behind the systems if they follow the directions from the experts who have developed the systems.
Indoor gardens become more popular on a regular basis so the tools for building these gardens are improve constantly. There are many different systems that a gardener can choose. The systems available offer gardens of plants, flowers or herbs. These systems can be small self-contained, miniature gardens with a selection of herbs or plants. Some gardeners prefer setting up their own space using the lights, containers, nutrients and instructions from the experts. Indoor garden systems have become more popular because they work. The flowers and plants grow and thrive under the care of amateurs. The indoor gardens provide a great feeling of accomplishment to the gardener in charge.
Your Complete Indoor Gardening Kit
If you are looking for a way to grow vegetables and other greens indoors, then look into purchasing an indoor gardening kit. This is an easy to manage and beautiful way to grow your very own garden indoors. Once you get started, it will be hard to stop.
What Is Included In Your Indoor Gardening Kit
You may wonder what is included in your indoor gardening kit. Well, your indoor gardening kit will include: A 250 Watt grow light. This is a Clean-Ace bulb, meaning that it is easy to use. Two 15 inch square pots. These pots include fitted trays that will allow you to be able to grow large plants such as tomatoes or peppers. Two long, 24 inch pots. These pots have smaller inserts so that they can be used for growing plants such as lettuce, spinach, parsley, oregano, basil, cilantro, and any other plants that are similar to these. Organic planting soil. This is a soil like peat moss that contains at least 30% of organic matter. Grow rocks. These are rocks in which you grow your plants without soil. Coir. This is the fiber from the husk of a coconut, so that it can be used in making matting for your garden. Organic fertilizers. One type of an organic fertilizer is manure. Kelp meal. This is a natural way in which you can improve your soil's texture and fertility, while also increasing its capacity to retain moisture. It is made from ocean-harvested seaweed, which will not "burn" your plants. An assortment of organic seeds. These are the safest and healthiest type of seeds to grow. A high quality aluminum trowel and cultivator. A pair of very high quality, extremely sharp bonsai scissors. A small measuring beaker. A small watering can. A small moisture meter. This is so that you can be sure that your plants are receiving just the right amount of water.
As you can see, everything that you could possibly need in order to be able to create the perfect garden comes included with your indoor gardening kit. Since it basically does not have any mess with it, this type of gardening is the perfect type of gardening to do if you happen to live in either an apartment or a condo. So, even though the cost is relatively expensive, it is well worth it for everything that you get because if you chose to purchase each of these items separately you would find that you would have to spend even more of your hard earned money.
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What Is Included In Your Indoor Gardening Kit
You may wonder what is included in your indoor gardening kit. Well, your indoor gardening kit will include: A 250 Watt grow light. This is a Clean-Ace bulb, meaning that it is easy to use. Two 15 inch square pots. These pots include fitted trays that will allow you to be able to grow large plants such as tomatoes or peppers. Two long, 24 inch pots. These pots have smaller inserts so that they can be used for growing plants such as lettuce, spinach, parsley, oregano, basil, cilantro, and any other plants that are similar to these. Organic planting soil. This is a soil like peat moss that contains at least 30% of organic matter. Grow rocks. These are rocks in which you grow your plants without soil. Coir. This is the fiber from the husk of a coconut, so that it can be used in making matting for your garden. Organic fertilizers. One type of an organic fertilizer is manure. Kelp meal. This is a natural way in which you can improve your soil's texture and fertility, while also increasing its capacity to retain moisture. It is made from ocean-harvested seaweed, which will not "burn" your plants. An assortment of organic seeds. These are the safest and healthiest type of seeds to grow. A high quality aluminum trowel and cultivator. A pair of very high quality, extremely sharp bonsai scissors. A small measuring beaker. A small watering can. A small moisture meter. This is so that you can be sure that your plants are receiving just the right amount of water.
As you can see, everything that you could possibly need in order to be able to create the perfect garden comes included with your indoor gardening kit. Since it basically does not have any mess with it, this type of gardening is the perfect type of gardening to do if you happen to live in either an apartment or a condo. So, even though the cost is relatively expensive, it is well worth it for everything that you get because if you chose to purchase each of these items separately you would find that you would have to spend even more of your hard earned money.
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How To Make Fresh Flowers Last Even Longer
Fresh flowers have been shown to add both character and personality to many settings. They often add color and cheer to any room, and can take on a variety of artful arrangements. Unfortunately, they only last so long and must be replaced once they have wilted. Still, there are steps you can take to preserve them for as long as possible, in order to enjoy them for a longer period of time. These steps are outlined below.
The first step you can take to preserve fresh flowers is to place them in water as soon as possible. Once the stems have been cut, the life support system has been removed. While water will not reinstate that support system, it will help restore it for a limited amount of time.
Fill a plastic bucket about 1/3 to ½ full with warm water. Warm water should be used instead of cold because flowers use it more readily. Because flowers only drink through the ends of the stems, as opposed to the sides, the bucket should not be filled up to the top. If this happens, any foliage left on the stems below the water level will rot and pollute the water, which will also cause your flowers to die more quickly. It is also advisable to add a preservative to the water. Preservatives will be discussed further in this article.
Take the bucket into the garden with you. Use a sharp pair of secateurs to cut the flower stems at an angle. A slanted cut allows for a better intake of water. Remove all foliage from the lower portion of the stems that would stand under the water level. Then, immediately place the flowers into the water.
Avoid overcrowding flowers. You should always allow enough air to circulate between each flower, as too many flowers crowded together in a bucket can cause the petals to become squashed or bruised. Place the bucket in a cool, dark place and allow the flowers to have a long drink before arranging them. When you pick short stemmed flowers, be sure to use a smaller container so the foliage will remain above the water level.
Allow your flowers to have a good drink, preferably overnight before arranging them. This step is called conditioning, and allows the stems to fill up with water, and the flowers to become crisp. When you do this, your flowers will last twice as long as those that have not been properly conditioned.
Use a flower preservative to destroy any bacteria that may be present in the water. Flower preservatives are available in garden centers or supermarkets. Another alternative is to use a capful of household bleach in the water. If you choose not to use a preservative, it will be necessary to change the water and cut the stems at an angle on a daily basis. If a preservative is used, the stems do not require re-cutting, and the water should be changed only about twice a week.
The first step you can take to preserve fresh flowers is to place them in water as soon as possible. Once the stems have been cut, the life support system has been removed. While water will not reinstate that support system, it will help restore it for a limited amount of time.
Fill a plastic bucket about 1/3 to ½ full with warm water. Warm water should be used instead of cold because flowers use it more readily. Because flowers only drink through the ends of the stems, as opposed to the sides, the bucket should not be filled up to the top. If this happens, any foliage left on the stems below the water level will rot and pollute the water, which will also cause your flowers to die more quickly. It is also advisable to add a preservative to the water. Preservatives will be discussed further in this article.
Take the bucket into the garden with you. Use a sharp pair of secateurs to cut the flower stems at an angle. A slanted cut allows for a better intake of water. Remove all foliage from the lower portion of the stems that would stand under the water level. Then, immediately place the flowers into the water.
Avoid overcrowding flowers. You should always allow enough air to circulate between each flower, as too many flowers crowded together in a bucket can cause the petals to become squashed or bruised. Place the bucket in a cool, dark place and allow the flowers to have a long drink before arranging them. When you pick short stemmed flowers, be sure to use a smaller container so the foliage will remain above the water level.
Allow your flowers to have a good drink, preferably overnight before arranging them. This step is called conditioning, and allows the stems to fill up with water, and the flowers to become crisp. When you do this, your flowers will last twice as long as those that have not been properly conditioned.
Use a flower preservative to destroy any bacteria that may be present in the water. Flower preservatives are available in garden centers or supermarkets. Another alternative is to use a capful of household bleach in the water. If you choose not to use a preservative, it will be necessary to change the water and cut the stems at an angle on a daily basis. If a preservative is used, the stems do not require re-cutting, and the water should be changed only about twice a week.
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