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Some Gardening Tips for the Interested Gardener

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Gardening can be a task that is relaxing and rewarding at the same time. By growing your own vegetables or flower garden you tend to feel proud as you watch it transform from seedlings to full-grown plants. The calm of the outdoors and the exercise that you derive from doing it and the subsequent oneness with nature are the benefits of this entire undertaking. Whether you’re just beginning gardening or you are a veteran of the gardening fields, there are some bits of advice that you have to consider if you intend to have an environment that will remain continually productive over the years.

When you are starting your garden, one of the best things that you can give any future plant is great soil. You should start out by preparing the living environment of your garden. Loosen the soil and remove any existing weeds. Great soil is always light in texture and dark in color. It should also absorb water easily and provide adequate drainage too. By the process of nature the soil is restored to its fertile nature through the falling of leaves, plants and bark. If you want to hasten this process you can easily restore your soil with peat moss and compost. Both contain organic matter and tend to refurbish the soul with nutrients that have been pulled from it by other plants. You should then mix the added compost along with original soil in order to give your plants a great nurturing environment.

Whenever you’re planting seeds try to follow the instructions on the packet on how deep they can be placed. Make sure that these seeds aren’t buried that deep. If you plant too deep you can eliminate the ability of sunlight to reach the seeds for their germination. Some people will start their garden from plant starts instead of seed. The whole point is that they believe that they are saving time but they are actually missing out on the miracles of plant growth.

You should encourage the growth of a plant by using foods that supply nutrients such as nitrogen for leaves as well as stems. This also includes the use of phosphorus and potassium in order to increase flowering and root growth. These are water soluble fertilizers. If you want to go completely organic you can easily use healthier but slower compost. However make sure that you don’t fertilize unless you see at least two true leaves on your plant. Fertilizing too early can be harmful for your plants.

You should water your seeds or plants as soon as they are put into the ground and from then on, they should be watered on a regular basis. It is essential that you keep your soil moist in order to promote a healthy and productive growing environment. Other than this you also require some regular weeding. You should get rid of weeds as soon as they appear. They kill seedlings, mature plants, and deplete water and nutrients in the soil.

Make sure that your seedlings and plants are protected from harmful pests. To do this you can use chemicals or non-toxic solutions that can be purchased at your local gardening center. Make sure you support tall or droopy stems with twigs or stakes while they grow. This protects these plants during harsh downpours. You should also keep plant-eating animals away by using a fence.

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Gardening Advice throughout the Seasons

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It’s always a sad feeling when summer has ended and you garden that was once full of life seems sparse and empty. You tend to live through the winter waiting for a new season to come where the color and life that was present in your garden can return. It really doesn’t have to be this way. A winter garden can flow from a summer garden if it is planned carefully. You can even extend the entire season for your enjoyment. If you’re the kind who enjoys gardening, you don’t have to end it just because winter came through. Make your garden a winter/summer garden.

It’s a fact that a number of annuals and plants can’t cope with the winter weather but there are a number of plants and flowers which are hardy and which can make it through different seasons, hot or cold. If you plant carefully you’ll always have something in bloom, never forget the fact that there are certain vegetables which may be grown in summer and winter as well.

By carefully placing certain shrubs, trees, garden ornaments and stoned pathways that have borders through your yard, you will have created an environment of color for both the winter and the summer. Make sure that you select deciduous trees and shrubs in order to create interest the entire year. These plants have beautiful flowers in the summer and lovely foliage but they also have interesting bark designs and stem colors, fragrances and tall branches all year. They also make interesting backdrops for winter snow and summer greenery too. Evergreens make a wonderful choice as well. Their greens remain constant all year round. One other option is the red twig dogwood. These plants display beautiful white flowers during the summer and have stunning red twigs all year round.

Ground cover makes a great option for summer/winter gardening. You have a lot of ornamental ground flowers that you can select from. The Ajuga is a hardy and perennial plant, the bugleweed displays blue flowers in the early summer between its purple/green foliage which is beautiful, and it also lasts throughout the winter. English Ivy tends to grow well anywhere and anytime you find such plants.

You can go with scented plants as well. The Daphne shrub is one plant that has an everlasting perfume aroma. It produces pink or white flowers in winter and yellow berries in hot summer. The winter honeysuckle is another greater plant and provides a great scent and flowers with cream-colored blossoms against its great greenery in the winter.

Rhododendrons are wonderful bushes and they have some varieties which remain in bloom all year. There are certain types of hardy hibiscus which tend to blossom each season.

Certain vegetables are included and these vegetables grow in both warm and cold weather. Among these vegetables you have broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, peas and summer/winter squash. These vegetables will need little or no protection and they will survive well in properly drained soils. Just because winter has ended doesn’t mean your gardening display has ende

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Indoor Gardening for the Constrained Gardener

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you’re a gardener who hates the fact that the onslaught of winter puts a halt to your gardening or if you’re an apartment dweller who has yard but wants to plant, then indoor gardening may just be what suits you nicely. Indoor gardening brings in a bit of the outdoors into your home or apartment and provides you with color all year round. Indoor gardening may be different from outdoor gardening but in the true nature of the word, the same principles apply. With some know-how about the difference between indoor and outdoor gardening, you should be well on your way to growing in no time at all.

It’s a well-known fact that plants get rid of the carbon dioxide in the air and replace it with oxygen. This is very beneficial to your health and it is a reason for you to want to learn some indoor gardening. Other than this, plants also remove toxins and pollutants from the air. Not only is this healthy for you it helps you get rid of some of the dust and allergens that are found in the air, which can cause problems for you.

Because lighting is essential in the life of a plant and needed for growth as well, it tends to be a major consideration whenever you’re starting indoor gardening. The amount of light that comes into your home naturally and how much it has will help in determining which plants will be able to survive. Plants that require medium or low light tend to do well in homes except you plan on using artificial lighting. Another thing that is important is for you to condition your plant after it has been purchased. Because your house has a limited amount of light filtering in, you can slowly adjust your plant to cope with this condition by providing maximum lighting for it and decreasing the amount of lighting over the period of several weeks until you attain the needed condition. This also energizes the growth pattern of your plants. Another thing to note is that if you watch you will notice that a plant tends to turn towards the sunlight. Unless you want your plant pointing in a particular direction, rotate it on a very regular basis.

When you heat up your house during the winter, the internal humidity in your home will also decrease. Plants need a lot more moisture in the air and during these months you may want to increase the humidity levels in your home. You should use a humidifier or spray the leaves of your plant with water in order to achieve this.

An indoor garden will need to be watered as much as an outdoor garden. Watering too little is bad and so is too much watering. You should also supply your plant with a container that drains through at the base. This allows excess fertilizer and salts to drain out of the soil and gives the plant access to the necessary nutrients. Fertilization should be based on the type of plant that you have. It should be done every two or three months but never during the dormant seasons.

Plants tend to do excellently in temperatures that are in the region of 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and some 10- 15 degrees cooler during the night. You should ensure that your plant isn’t placed in a place that is prone to hot and cold drafts. Sudden changes in temperature may harm your plant. Placing your plant on a cold windowsill in the middle of winter may make it freeze as well.

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Herb Gardening for the Beginner

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Herb gardens are among some of the easiest gardens that a person can grow. These sorts of gardens require an area of land that is relatively small. They can be grown indoors in pots, window boxes or even hanging planters. These gardens may be used to spice up your dinner dishes or for medicinal purposes and their pleasant aroma and beautiful flowers. They may also be used either fresh or dried and they are a staple in every kitchen cupboard.

If you’ve ever reached for spice in the kitchen and realized that you were out, it may be a good enough reason to plant your own herb garden. Rather than running off to the store for some fresh supplies you can easily walk over to a plant and clip off what you need. You can have everything from fresh basil, thyme, sage, chives, dill, to tarragon or rosemary right at your fingertips from your herb garden.
Herbs may annuals, biennials or perennials. Annuals tend to flower one season and then die the next. Biennials live for at least two seasons, flower once and then die. Perennials tend to die in water but return to blossom the next season. If you pick perennials you should ensure that they are planted in a place that they can be kept from one year to the other.

Herb gardens require very little space and they may be either planted as seeds or plant clippings. Seeds should also be planted in shallow boxes in the late winter and from then they can be transplanted outdoors during the spring. Soil is a determinant factor that governs the issue of whether your garden thrives or falters. Herbs also do not grow properly in wet soil so it is essential that you provide adequate drainage for the herbs. If adequate drainage isn’t available then you can easily compensate by adding compost and sand to the soil that you have. You may also dig out at least 15- 18 inches of dirt and add crushed stone in it to aid in the process.

Unlike other plants herbs don’t need too much fertilizer. The more fertile the soil that you have, then the less foliage will occur and your herbs won’t have enough flavor. Certain diseases or insects also tend to attack herbal plants too.

Harvesting herbs should take place in the morning and only when the plant has had enough foliage to maintain its growth. Whenever they are picked they should be washed almost immediately in cold water. They can also be used fresh or dried for use in winter.

In order to dry herbs, after washing you should hang them up in order for the water to evaporate. After this you should bind the stems together and place them in a band with the stems placed at the bags opening. After this close the bag with a rubber bag and hang them from a line so that they cool in a place that is dark and dry. The attic is usually a better choice as basements are usually damp. When two to three weeks have passed then you may remove the herbs from the bag and then crumble the leaves. When the crumbled leaves are perfectly crispy they should be stored in glass jars or airtight containers placed in a cool place so you can have them whenever you require them.

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The Essentials of Flower Gardening

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The planting of flowers around your house and in your yard can make for a very colorful and beautiful display which enhances any dwelling. It isn’t simply about purchasing flowers and then putting them into the ground. It’s about having the right gardening plan and planting and paying the necessary attention to your flowers while you care for them. By doing this you will achieve some lovely landscaping without necessarily having to take ever spare moment that is available to you. However you should note that it will probably take you some amount of time.

Before you decide on the kind of flowers to plant, you have to decide on how long you want your plants and flowers to last. Annuals tend to bloom for the season and then die. Perennials bloom for a month or two but return year after year. They tend to cost more but they save you more in the long run. You must do some research and determine which environment your flowers grow in. You also need to know which flowers will withstand the weather conditions of your own climate.

After this you will need to examine the areas where you want to plant. Take some time and study the shade and sun that they receive; this will also determine which plants that you have to put where. Plants that need shade shouldn’t be put directly into the sunlight and plants that need lots of sunlight shouldn’t be placed in the shade. Slowly you see a garden design coming into place.

Your flower garden design should have you mixing different colored flowers. You should maintain certain colors in some sections or stick to one color. You should plant according to the bloom time of your flowers as well. Make sure that each bed has flowers that appear when others are fading, this helps to provide a scene that is continuously changing.

Now that your design is complete, its time to start the buying, seeds can either be bought from catalogs or bought in stores. These can also be planted directly into the ground of started in a pot in the house before transplanting. Before you start the planting it is important that you lay them out and ensure proper spacing between the plants in an arrangement that you like. You should then proceed with your master piece by planting.

As the season proceeds you should ensure that your flowers are watered thoroughly and that the soil remains moist. You should also make sure that faded blossoms are pinched back in order to encourage new growths. Also remember to get rid of any nasty weeds that show up to spoil the look. When the season is over after the first frost make sure that all the annual stems and roots and out. For perennials leave the roots but remove the stems. The soil should be cleaned up and mixed with some peat moss or compost in it. That way you replenish the nutrients that are being used by your flowerbed and they will be in perfect shape for the next year.

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All about the Bonsai Tree & Bonsai Gardening

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When the bonsai tree is usually discussed, people tend to think of China and Japan. In reality while both countries are famous for growing the bonsai plants, the tradition was started way back in ancient Egypt. Healers were believed to have pioneered the growing of miniature plants as an easy way to move trees that had healing powers from one location to the other. Over time however, it evolved into an art form and became a pastime for the rich and wealthy.

A bonsai tree is neither a genetically altered plant nor a hybrid tree. Different trees which exist naturally can be converted into bonsai trees and master growers are always looking for new specimens. A bonsai tree is usually kept miniaturized by pruning its roots and keeping it inside a small pot. The size is just a singular aspect to the bonsai tree. The shape and style go a long way in differentiating a real bonsai and an ordinary small potted tree. The trunk of a real bonsai is shaped over a number of years in order to arrive at the perfect style.

Though a huge number of different bonsai trees exist, the Juniper in a windswept style is the most common of the lot. This style is usually where the tree looks like one that is being blown by the wind. The limbs tend to be spread out from the trunk in a singular unsymmetrical direction. Bonsai’s are also popular in the cascade style where one branch flows down below the pot. Trees don’t grow that way by mere chance; years of patience as well as training and pruning are needed to arrive at this shape.

Most bonsai lovers aren’t just satisfied with one tree. A number of different trees may be grown together in a single pot. This practice is called the forest style. Certain other growers go a lot further and design intricate landscapes with their trees as either part of an indoor display or even a larger outdoor display. Regardless of the manner in which a bonsai is displayed, a great deal of care is required to keep a tree healthy and properly groomed.

Anyone who owns a bonsai knows how difficult it is to care for them. They require a precise amount of water. Too much water or too little can easily prove fatal. The best bet is usually to make use of a moisture meter when you are watering. A tree may also need to be repotted on a regular basis. You may use this period as a time to inspect and prune your tree’s root system as well. Getting root bound can kill a bonsai faster than a number of other things. Complete care must be given both above ground and below it.
If you haven’t got a bonsai tree but you’d love to have one, the best thing to do is to look for a nursery which specializes in bonsai trees. This is usually hard to do but if you make use of the Internet and look for one located in your area, you can easily talk to a bonsai master who will offer you lots of advice on how to care for your tree. He will also help select a tree which will be perfect for you. Relationships should be developed with bonsai masters the way they are developed with vet doctors and mechanics, especially if you want your tree to last very long.

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The Gardeners Guide to Pruning

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A certain part of the maintenance schedule of a plant will always include pruning. Pruning involves the removal of certain parts of a plant. Pruning is necessary in order to remove abnormal forms on all our plants and to encourage growth and get rid of dead branches. It not only keeps our plants trees and shrubs looking good but it also keeps them health as well. How and when we prune is also essential for the survival of a plant.

Most trees need pruning at certain times during the year. These times are usually when they are in a dormant season which is normally late fall and winter. Shrubs that blossom in spring should only be pruned when the flower fades while shrubs that bloom in summer should be pruned in early spring.

Pruning places undue stress on trees and leaves them susceptible to diseases and insects. Pruning wounds the plant but allows these wounds to heal. You should monitor how much your prune. It is necessary to prune branches that are unwanted but you must also try to protect the trunk or stem of a tree while you do it.
Different tools can be used to accomplish pruning chores. Hand pruning shears usually work well whenever you’re cutting stems. Lopping shears are able to cut branches that are as wide as 1 ¾ inches wide and they have long handles for a longer reach. Pruning saws tend to be able to remove stems which can’t be cut with hand pruners or lopping shears. Pole pruning shears are usually for branches that are somewhat hard to reach. Chainsaws may be used for branches that may be more than 3 inches in diameter.

It is essential that you know what you’re doing when you’re pruning. Pruning improperly can easily turn a tree that is healthy into a deformed and weakened one. Make sure that you only use sharp tools which are capable of making smooth and clean cuts. Never leave stubs and whenever it’s possible never tear off a piece of bark. You should remember that it is better not to prune than to prune wrongly.

An order exists on how to prune. The first thing that you should do is get rid of any limbs that are dead, broken or damaged. These limbs should be cut at their point of origin or back to a strong side branch or shoot. After this you have training cuts. By cutting back side branches, you can easily maintain a certain shape. Make sure that you also remove weak or narrow crotches.

Three different types of pruning exist for trees. Crown thinning is the removal of certain branches in order to increase light diffusion as well as air movement around the crown of a tree. Crown raising focuses on the removal of branches from the bottom of the crown of the tree in order to achieve clearance. Crown reduction focuses on the removal of branches in order to reduce tree height.

Three different types of pruning exist for shrubs as well as flowers. Thinning our permits growth from both sides of the branches by removing a branch at is source from its parent or the ground. Renewal pruning is about removing a couple of the oldest and tallest branches or slightly above ground level. Rejuvenation pruning tends to be performed on shrubs that are old and overgrown by removing a third of its oldest branches or at slightly above ground level.

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Simply Plant Yourself a Container Garden.

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Container gardening may sound harder than it is, but really it is very simple and relaxing. Any space you have can be used to create a garden for yourself. That is why container gardening works so well, it does not take a lot of space and people with very little can still create beautiful flowers and arrangements, while using very little room. The name explains what you are doing; you will be using pots or buckets to grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

A major benefit to containers gardening is that it uses very little space and less soil and water. It works very well when you are living in an apartment or condo and do not have a yard to grow plants in. There is also less growing time with container gardening and you do not have to know as much about gardening to do it, since it takes less time too.

There are a few basic ideas you need to know to begin your container garden. Once you learn these then creating beautiful arrangements with color and texture will become much easier and you can turn a plain balcony into an eye catching space.

1. Decide which types of plants you want to grow. Picking plants that are best suited for container gardening will make maintaining your garden a little easier. Also, experiment will color and size. But, always choose what you like best and what will grow best in the area you have chosen for them.

2. Now you know what size containers you will need. There are many containers and pots available to choose from. Picking the right size will depend on the type and size of plants you plan on growing. Also, picking containers that will bring out the color in the plants and add to the entire design of the space you have chosen. However, since you have already picked the plants you want to use, choosing which pots and containers will be very easy. Except for maybe all the choices you will have.

3. Lastly, get the soil that your plants grow best in. Picking a high grade composite soil will work best since you are container gardening and there will be very little natural soil you will be using. Make sure you read the plant instructions too, there will be recommendations for which type of soil to use, how much, and any other nutrients your plant will need. So, read through these instructions as well and pick the soils that are suggested.

You’re done! You can begin planting following the simple steps that will come with each plant you have chosen and the directions on the soil bags. Now it is just a matter or watering and maintaining the plants you are growing.

Having a container garden can be a full filling and fun experience, especially when living in an apartment or condo where you have limited space. The plants you have chosen can add color and dimension to any space. Or even living in a home with a smaller front or backyard can add beauty and texture to your home. Once you get good at it, it will be a simple and fun project to do regularly.

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The Kinds of Gardening Tools and Supplies that You Need

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The weather turns and it gets warmer and before you know it, spring has arrived. It is time to launch into our true elements and proceed outdoors. If you’re a gardener you’ll know that its time to start work in the yard. You have grass to cut, bushes to maintain and shape and bulbs and seeds to plant. You also have to dig up flowers and vegetable gardens. This period is your own time of the year and you need the necessary tools in order to get the job accomplished.
Certain tools are needed in order to accomplish your entire tasks. Some of these tools needed will be good digging tools. Spades will be great for turning the soil and a flat head shovel can easily help in picking up items that are disposable. In order to clean out the beds and loosening the soil you will need a garden fork. Rakes will also be essential in order for you to be able to accomplish your work. Metal rakes will assist in help you to level the soil and remove unwanted materials. Metal is also durable as it won’t bend. Plastic fan style rakes will do the job of leaf cleanup pretty well. They are also lighter to handle for the exhausting job at hand.

A good garden will always require a good garden hose. It lasts a whole lot longer than the cheaper versions that are available. The length of the hose you require will also depend on the length of your yard. You also need a reel to store the hose whenever you aren’t using it, this way you avoid getting kinks in the hose. If you want to water any seedlings then a garden wand will be needed, it is also a great idea for new plants and hanging baskets. Garden wands will reach difficult places and supply a steady stream of water that will be softer for delicate and younger plants. Make sure that you choose a wand with a brass shut off as plastic ones may break or crack easily.
Pruning shears are a very essential tool for gardening; they make a great idea for trimming back your bushes as well as shrubs. Pruning is an essential tool to make your shrubs look bushy so you don’t want to leave it off your list. Shears that are used for trimming hedges will make sure your bushes are cut evenly and display a neat yet controlled appearance.
A wheelbarrow or cart will be a necessary and useful item, most especially if you’re going to be transporting dirt and cement. You can use these tools to carry all your vegetable, flower plants and garden tools around the yard. In turn this saves you a lot of unnecessary trips back and forth in order to carry out all your essential items.
Spreaders may be useful when you’re applying fertilizer to your lawn and it provides a better distribution to all areas. Lawn fertilization is an easy task with this tool. You shouldn’t forget a broom as well for all your cleanups.
Something else that you will need is topsoil, fertilizer, lawn seed, plant food, seeds and potting mix. You may also need to invest in pesticides if you have a bug problem.

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Container Gardening -Making Use of Small Spaces

November 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There are a number of ways that you can have your own personal garden even though you don’t have a large yard.
1. Place pots of flowers on one side of your steps. This tends to work excellently if you have each container around the same size and the flowers/plants the same or similar.
2. Hanging baskets on the porch. Getting one or many containers that have colorful cascading flowers, such as ivy geraniums, petunias, begonias, in one color or combinations of colors, can create a wonderful garden effect in your home.
3. You can place planters on both sides of your front door. Tall, narrow plantings usually do quite well. You can also consider, Topiary, sculpted green shrubs, or even a vine on an obelisk or similar standing structures.
4. You can put a group of containers on a bench. If you have a bench, table or shelf lying around, you should have a number of containers of varying sizes. The plants available can be of different colors as well as types.
5. A container on a pedestal in entryway. If your entrance is large enough, having an urn that is filled with flowers on a pedestal usually creates a very powerful impression.
6. Lining a patio. As long as your flowers don’t obstruct your pathway, having a patio that is lined with containers of colorful flowers is a wonderful addition to any home.
7. A grouping in the corner of a deck. Decks tend to be usually boring and devoid of any form of color. By grouping several containers of different sizes, shapes and types with a lot of colorful flowers, you create a much more exciting atmosphere.
8. Encircling a tree trunk. As long as there is enough light, making a “flower box” around a tree trunk and filling it with flowers, adds color and interest to an otherwise empty space.
9. Hanging on a wall. You can use wall brackets to attach containers to a wall and fill them with flowers that tend to oppose the particular wall color. This works well for grabbing attention from everybody passing by as long as you make proper use of the available space.
10. in an old wagon or wheelbarrow. If you collect antiques or have some similar items you can easily fill everything up with a collection of annual plants. This works well for some people but others can use alternative solutions.
11. Hanging from deck railings. A number of different containers are usually specially made to attach to deck railings that look wonderful when filled with flowers. The containers shouldn’t be extraordinarily large but should be shaped in proportion to each other as well as your home.
12. A windowbox filled with flowers. Regardless of whether or not you have no yard, porch, patio or deck you can have a window box filled with a number of different bright flowers for your viewing pleasure and that of a number of people who may be visiting your home.

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