21/12/2009

Plants Flowers and Herbs all Big Decisions by T.O. Chuong

If you are an experienced gardener then it is not all that difficult for you to start picking out your plants, flowers and herbs for a new garden. Where it becomes a daunting task is for the beginner gardener. Of course there is the excitement of being able to start these types of gardens. It becomes daunting when one goes off to the garden center and is faced with a multitude of plants, flowers and herbs to choose from. The big question right away is which ones do I choose.

Naturally you are going to be drawn to those that are exotic and colorful. What you need to know though are they going to thrive in the location that you are thinking of putting them. There is a great variation between plants, flowers and herbs. Your plants quite often if you choose them correctly will come up year after year where with your flowers you may want to plant them on a yearly basis which helps to give you variety each year that spring comes along.

It is always wonderful to have herbs growing amongst your flowers or even a separate herb garden. If you are planning on getting yourself involved in this area then you really need to do some studying on the various types of herbs and what they can be used for. You will be quite surprised to find out that you can save yourself quite a bit of money by growing your own herbs as opposed to having to buy them. You also have to decide which is going to come first. Are you going to plant your flower beds and then determine what flowers and plants you are going to use afterwards or are you going to go in the opposite direction and determine what plants and flowers you want and then find the best location for them. No matter what your final decision is you would be well advised to do some good research on the various types of plants, flowers and herbs that grow well in your area. Once you have done this you can narrow down your choices then it's a matter of deciding which suits your taste the best.

One thing is for certain is that you're going to want to plan a budget as you are going to find that there is great variance when it comes to the prices of these items. So you want to set yourself a budget and make sure that you stay within that amount and it will make things a little less frustrating for you from the cost point of view.

About the Author

T.O. Chuong writes home & garden articles for Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Arlington, Texas. Visit us if you need plumbers Cross Timbers TX or plumbers Dalworthing Gardens TX.

Garden Must haves by Nick Heidfeld

Remember plants and dogs are just like babies you need to look after them like that. Just like you would pamper you child from time to time, you should take give your garden a facelift as well. If you don't have the time or resources for that make sure you have a few garden basics.

Garden Tools
Every one needs a good gardening kit. It should have all the basic tools like garden scissors, pitch fork, garden hoe, plough, rake and fork. These are just the basics; you can also upgrade to lawn aerators, lawn sweepers and blowers.

Lawn Mower

Trimming the grass is essential for it to grow well and look lush. Having a lawn mower makes everything easier and much simpler. It s blades make sure that the grass is cut evenly. The type and capacity of the mower depends on the length and growth of the lawn. You can choose between reel mowers, rotary movers, electric cord and cordless mowers and riding mowers.

Water feature

You can have a pond constructed and have the most beautiful lotuses and other water plants in it. How about a waterfall? They look beautiful and are not difficult to install. If you are worried about water wastage you need not worry as you now have water fountains that use the same water that doesn't need to be changed from time to time. If you are looking for something smaller you can install a bird bath. They look beautiful, the children will love it and so will the birds!

Garden Edging

This is an aesthetic feature that has many benefits. Edging frames the garden and segregates the grass from the plant area. This way you can trim the plants easily, protect the plants from weed and ensure that there is no erosion. Garden edging adds a special touch to the space. Edging is available in wood, plastic, metal and concrete. You can opt for various colours and styles. Once installed it will change how your garden looks or how you see your garden!

You can also consider installing a sand box for the children in the garden corner so they can enjoy the garden as much as you. We also suggest lights along the edging or flower bed. It will look beautiful and make your home come alive in the night. You must construct a garden shed to store all your equipment and manure. Last, but not the least, consider some garden furniture to add to the space for Sunday morning breakfasts!

For more on garden essentials and garden edging you can visit www.hillskerbs.com.au.

About the Author

Nick Heidfeld is a Commercial and Domestic kerbing specialist working in the industry for 15 years. He specialises in innovative ways of kerbing and edging.

11/12/2009

Don't Kill Another Poinsettia by Gretchen Erle

I cannot even count how many poinsettias I've tossed in the trash, and if you're anything like me then you're probably guilty of poinsettia murder too. But did you know that if you follow a few tips you can enjoy the blooms next year? Coaxing them to come back is easier than you think-just keep the following guidelines in mind.


Keeping it alive


You'll have to make sure you keep your poinsettia alive this holiday season before you worry about getting it to come back next year. Just follow the advice below.


Sunlight


Poinsettias prefer indirect sunlight. You'll want to make sure your poinsettia receives 6 hours of indirect sunlight a day.


Watering


Abide by standard rules for watering houseplants and your poinsettias will be fine. After you get your new poinsettia home, be sure to give it a thorough watering. Make sure you never allow your poinsettia to sit in standing water, and only water it when the soil is dry to the touch since you don't want to overwater it. Never fertilize it when it is in bloom.


Temperature


Poinsettias like temperatures similar to what you like. Don't place them near drafts or heat vents, and keep temperatures in the 65-75 temperature range. Never put your poinsettia outside in the cold.


After the bloom


The flowers will eventually start dying. Don't change up its watering schedule but you should start fertilizing it every 2-3 weeks. Use a good all-purpose fertilizer and never fertilize it when it is blooming.


Once spring arrives you can start cutting it back. Put your plant outside so it can soak up some warm sunlight but make sure there is no chance of frost. You may want to transplant your poinsettia once springtime comes to an end. Find a pot that is a few inches larger than its current pot and try to use a potting mix that has peat moss in it.


Time to sleep


In order for your poinsettia to bloom again, you will have to expose it to conditions similar to what it's used to. You will need to make sure it has total darkness for 14 hours a day. You can just stick a large box over the top of the poinsettia.


During the remaining of the time expose your poinsettia to bright sunlight. Maintain its watering and fertilizing schedule.


If you follow the steps above then you should be able to enjoy its beauty next season as well!

About the Author

I am an avid gardener who loves plants, flowers and all things green! :-)