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.
21/12/2009
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.
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! :-)
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! :-)
23/11/2009
Frontyard Landscaping - Easy and cool - provided you have the will. by S. Jacob
A neat frontyard landscape always sends a message of coolness, peace and healthy ambiance to any eyes that views it. A bush rose garden filled with vibrant blooms and sweet fragrances enliven any Home and its inhabitants. Designing your garden is equally important to planting and taking care of the roses so that it becomes a vibrant array of delicately organized rose plants that provokes a wow in your neighbors. A careful plan has to be drawn up before starting the work on a garden. If it can be afforded a frontyard landscape design from a professional architect would be very effective, otherwise use a self made one. What is important is to have a clear picture of what to place in each part of the garden, and implement your plan the best way.
The color combination that you like to have must be considered first. If the color arrangement is not properly done, it would not be appealing to the eye, and would give a negative impact. A stone marble porch depending on its color may be perfectly suited by line of soft, pink roses. A splash of glowing, white roses may be the right companion for a classic, red brick wall. Roses come in many colors, so combine them and your house's color scheme together using your creativeness and imagination.
Next, find the right place for your rose bush garden keeping in mind that most varieties of this picky plant require lots of sunshine. The direction your house is facing and the place of your garden should be thought about taking into consideration the requirement of sunshine. Select the right variety of roses depending on the climate and various levels of sunlight available.
In colder areas, look for the hardy roses that can support the Northern harsh winters. To come up with a lovely frontyard landscape and a beautifully organized rose garden, you should also be familiar with the different kinds of bushes and the appeal they are going to contribute to your garden. The borders or hedges should be planted with verities that bloom all year round. Floribunda roses, for instance, fall in this category. Hybrid Teas have branches that grow freely, so they are best for flower beds. Climbers look good on trellises, and miniature roses are best suited in windowsill flowerpots.
You should carefully select other plants that you want to grow in your rose garden. To bring out the beauty of roses, and for variety your garden should also have other plants. It's a known secret that garlic and other plants in the onion family (order Asparaginales, family Alliaceae) will protect your rose plants. Other flowering plants, such as marigold and mignonettes, and herbs such as thyme, make good match for your roses. A careful combination will leave you with a beautiful frontyard landscape with beautiful flowers with lovely colors and enchanting fragrance.
You have a simple and clear outline to make your frontyard landscape beautiful with a rose garden. Put your imagination and creativeness to work, draw a sketch and start digging. You will be on the way to success before you can imagine it to happen. Happy Planning, Happy Planting and let your garden send some nice fragrance to your Neighbors so they raise a wow.
Landscape designing is though truly is an esteemed profession, for many it has become a hobby. Many people enjoy working hard to obtain high satisfaction in this hobby. By following a few simple rules, you can give your garden a great look. A good frontyard landscape can both increase the beauty of your house, and also raise it's value in the eyes of the potential buyers.
Landscaping in simple, direct words can be said or explained as changing the land you live in to give it a more aesthetic appeal or more pleasing look. A professional landscaper can help you with a complicated or complex landscape design, but most common adjustments and changes to design, can be done by you with a little research, planning and then some trial and error. It is usually fast and better done by a professional but that can be expensive.
Most people tend to start of without planning or research and the result is obviously not satisfying. People normally have trouble to get started. Land scape design can mean changing layout of the land, and also simple things like changing the location of your plants or certain objects in your garden.
Small space gardening can evoke dramatic results if carefully planned. What otherwise would be an odd looking space can be face-lifted to be a beautiful looking garden and place to rest.
The first of the few things that you should consider while starting is the color, as it is something important in giving a natural and eye pleasing look to your garden. The next thing is that you should make the garden look balanced for anyone viewing it. Though it is not a must to have symmetry, for beginners it is simple to keep a symmetrical design.
Try to keep the design as simple as possible as many people appreciate the simplicity of the design. Inexperience can drive you to over complicated design ending up in total disatisfaction over the design.
Since this is a vast field, you need time and experience to master it, but it is worth trying. Good Luck for your new Beautiful frontyard landscape.
About the Author
Salim Jacob is a great man. As you can see from his article he has a lot of passion. Check out his new project over at http://frontyardlandscape.net/index.php. He loves a good frontyard landscape.
The color combination that you like to have must be considered first. If the color arrangement is not properly done, it would not be appealing to the eye, and would give a negative impact. A stone marble porch depending on its color may be perfectly suited by line of soft, pink roses. A splash of glowing, white roses may be the right companion for a classic, red brick wall. Roses come in many colors, so combine them and your house's color scheme together using your creativeness and imagination.
Next, find the right place for your rose bush garden keeping in mind that most varieties of this picky plant require lots of sunshine. The direction your house is facing and the place of your garden should be thought about taking into consideration the requirement of sunshine. Select the right variety of roses depending on the climate and various levels of sunlight available.
In colder areas, look for the hardy roses that can support the Northern harsh winters. To come up with a lovely frontyard landscape and a beautifully organized rose garden, you should also be familiar with the different kinds of bushes and the appeal they are going to contribute to your garden. The borders or hedges should be planted with verities that bloom all year round. Floribunda roses, for instance, fall in this category. Hybrid Teas have branches that grow freely, so they are best for flower beds. Climbers look good on trellises, and miniature roses are best suited in windowsill flowerpots.
You should carefully select other plants that you want to grow in your rose garden. To bring out the beauty of roses, and for variety your garden should also have other plants. It's a known secret that garlic and other plants in the onion family (order Asparaginales, family Alliaceae) will protect your rose plants. Other flowering plants, such as marigold and mignonettes, and herbs such as thyme, make good match for your roses. A careful combination will leave you with a beautiful frontyard landscape with beautiful flowers with lovely colors and enchanting fragrance.
You have a simple and clear outline to make your frontyard landscape beautiful with a rose garden. Put your imagination and creativeness to work, draw a sketch and start digging. You will be on the way to success before you can imagine it to happen. Happy Planning, Happy Planting and let your garden send some nice fragrance to your Neighbors so they raise a wow.
Landscape designing is though truly is an esteemed profession, for many it has become a hobby. Many people enjoy working hard to obtain high satisfaction in this hobby. By following a few simple rules, you can give your garden a great look. A good frontyard landscape can both increase the beauty of your house, and also raise it's value in the eyes of the potential buyers.
Landscaping in simple, direct words can be said or explained as changing the land you live in to give it a more aesthetic appeal or more pleasing look. A professional landscaper can help you with a complicated or complex landscape design, but most common adjustments and changes to design, can be done by you with a little research, planning and then some trial and error. It is usually fast and better done by a professional but that can be expensive.
Most people tend to start of without planning or research and the result is obviously not satisfying. People normally have trouble to get started. Land scape design can mean changing layout of the land, and also simple things like changing the location of your plants or certain objects in your garden.
Small space gardening can evoke dramatic results if carefully planned. What otherwise would be an odd looking space can be face-lifted to be a beautiful looking garden and place to rest.
The first of the few things that you should consider while starting is the color, as it is something important in giving a natural and eye pleasing look to your garden. The next thing is that you should make the garden look balanced for anyone viewing it. Though it is not a must to have symmetry, for beginners it is simple to keep a symmetrical design.
Try to keep the design as simple as possible as many people appreciate the simplicity of the design. Inexperience can drive you to over complicated design ending up in total disatisfaction over the design.
Since this is a vast field, you need time and experience to master it, but it is worth trying. Good Luck for your new Beautiful frontyard landscape.
About the Author
Salim Jacob is a great man. As you can see from his article he has a lot of passion. Check out his new project over at http://frontyardlandscape.net/index.php. He loves a good frontyard landscape.
16/11/2009
Fresh Herb Gardening by Winry Beckwell
For anyone, fresh herb gardening can be quite the rewarding adventure. You can get your fresh herb gardening off to a great start with a little preparation.
Herb Garden Design
First off, think carefully about which herbs you'd like to plant and where to place them in your allotted space. A great place for frequently used herbs such as basil and parsley is along the borders of your garden. If planting both annuals and perennials - which you'll likely want - leave the perennials enough room to grow and expand.
Some herbs are well suited to inclusion in the vegetable garden, where they can be harvested as needed. Their self-seeding may even be welcome there. Annual herbs such as basil, coriander, and dill are quite convenient in fact if they are near the vegetables they will be cooked with.
Soil and location
Soil and site conditions are a few more elements that will affect the success of your fresh herb gardening. It is especially important that your soil have proper drainage. Too much water is detrimental and overly damp herbs will not grow well. Poor soil drainage all puts your herbs at risk of root rot. Keep this in mind with fresh herb gardening and when selecting the location for your garden.
Even if you don't have a well drained area for your fresh herb gardening, all is not lost. Remove the garden soil down 16 inches, and then add about three inches of gravel. On top of that, mix in a little bit of sand with the soil you removed before replacing it above the gravel. This will remedy any problem you're having with spoil drainage.
Planting herb seeds
Aside from a few exceptions, many herbs can be successfully cultivated from seed. When going this route, it is recommended to begin your fresh herb gardening in the late winter by planting the seeds in boxes. In spring, transplant the sprouts outdoors into the garden.
Since herb seeds are so small, take care not to sow them too deep. It may sound surprising, but 1/8 of an inch of soil is often enough for exceptionally fine seeds such as marjoram, savory, or thyme. Cover fine seeds with burlap during germination to keep the soil moist. A few other herbs, such as fennel, dill, and coriander, don't transplant well. If starting these herbs from seed, plant them straight into the garden.
Harvesting Herbs
One of the best parts of fresh herb gardening naturally is the harvest. As soon as your plants have enough leaves to maintain growth, you can begin harvesting. Some herbs are well suited to the vegetable garden. Herbs such as basil, rosemary, and sage are often used in cooking so placing them in a vegetable garden makes it easy to harvest at the same time the vegetables and herbs that go well together. A great bonus to inter-planting your herbs in the vegetable or flower garden is that, again, many herbs attract beneficial insects to the garden. This will certainly help in overall pest control.
The best time to harvest the leaves or seeds from your fresh herb garden is early in the morning. The essential oils that insure excellent flavor and aroma are at their best before the sun gets hot so harvest your herbs just after the dew has gone away.
You should now be all set to begin your adventure in fresh herb gardening!
About the Author
Winry is an herb expert. For more information on fresh herb gardening, visit http://herb-garden-information.com/fresh-herb-gardening.html.
Herb Garden Design
First off, think carefully about which herbs you'd like to plant and where to place them in your allotted space. A great place for frequently used herbs such as basil and parsley is along the borders of your garden. If planting both annuals and perennials - which you'll likely want - leave the perennials enough room to grow and expand.
Some herbs are well suited to inclusion in the vegetable garden, where they can be harvested as needed. Their self-seeding may even be welcome there. Annual herbs such as basil, coriander, and dill are quite convenient in fact if they are near the vegetables they will be cooked with.
Soil and location
Soil and site conditions are a few more elements that will affect the success of your fresh herb gardening. It is especially important that your soil have proper drainage. Too much water is detrimental and overly damp herbs will not grow well. Poor soil drainage all puts your herbs at risk of root rot. Keep this in mind with fresh herb gardening and when selecting the location for your garden.
Even if you don't have a well drained area for your fresh herb gardening, all is not lost. Remove the garden soil down 16 inches, and then add about three inches of gravel. On top of that, mix in a little bit of sand with the soil you removed before replacing it above the gravel. This will remedy any problem you're having with spoil drainage.
Planting herb seeds
Aside from a few exceptions, many herbs can be successfully cultivated from seed. When going this route, it is recommended to begin your fresh herb gardening in the late winter by planting the seeds in boxes. In spring, transplant the sprouts outdoors into the garden.
Since herb seeds are so small, take care not to sow them too deep. It may sound surprising, but 1/8 of an inch of soil is often enough for exceptionally fine seeds such as marjoram, savory, or thyme. Cover fine seeds with burlap during germination to keep the soil moist. A few other herbs, such as fennel, dill, and coriander, don't transplant well. If starting these herbs from seed, plant them straight into the garden.
Harvesting Herbs
One of the best parts of fresh herb gardening naturally is the harvest. As soon as your plants have enough leaves to maintain growth, you can begin harvesting. Some herbs are well suited to the vegetable garden. Herbs such as basil, rosemary, and sage are often used in cooking so placing them in a vegetable garden makes it easy to harvest at the same time the vegetables and herbs that go well together. A great bonus to inter-planting your herbs in the vegetable or flower garden is that, again, many herbs attract beneficial insects to the garden. This will certainly help in overall pest control.
The best time to harvest the leaves or seeds from your fresh herb garden is early in the morning. The essential oils that insure excellent flavor and aroma are at their best before the sun gets hot so harvest your herbs just after the dew has gone away.
You should now be all set to begin your adventure in fresh herb gardening!
About the Author
Winry is an herb expert. For more information on fresh herb gardening, visit http://herb-garden-information.com/fresh-herb-gardening.html.
13/11/2009
ORGANIC GARDEN TIPS | A BEGINNER'S GUIDE by Robert Livesay
Organic gardening is not as difficult as many beginning gardeners would believe. It is true there is a bit more work and increased attention levels to the details of an organic garden than a regular garden. However, with the proper guidance you will soon discover it's not anywhere near as difficult as you thought it was. This guide will provide you with the basic steps you need to get you started.
Assuming you know next to nothing about organic gardening lets make certain you understand what it is. Quite simply it means you are going to plant your garden without the use of synthetic fertilizers, which would normally be used to make plants grow, and chemical pesticides to control the bugs.
To really maximize your garden, regardless if its flowers, herbs, veggies or a combination of several plants, it's best to have a detailed plan. The best time to formulate your plan is in the fall, right after the fall growing season ends. The reason for this is you will have time to prepare the ground before the spring planting season begins.
Perhaps the most critical thing you must do before anything else is to select the optimum location for your organic garden or for that matter any garden. Your plants will do very well if they can receive about six hours of sunlight per day. In almost all cases positioning of your planting area in the southeastern part of your ground will give more than adequate amounts of sunshine. Also make sure your ground has easy access to water and the ground has good drainage, to allow excessive water run off and aeration of the ground.
Once the proper location has been determined the next step is preparing the ground where you will be planting. This means it's time for the physical labor part. You are going to till the ground using a yard fork or a tiller, then get on your knees to start pulling weeds, grass and removing the rocks. To make the weed and grass removal successful you should perform the initial removal, then go back a couple of weeks later and remove any weeds and grass which have grown up in the meantime.
Now it's time for you to actually determine what your selected ground is going to need, in the way of the proper nutrition to help your vegetation grow. You do need to have the soil tested for the proper ph level. If you're not sure how to do this take a sample of your soil to your local nursery or garden center and they can do it for you.
Once the testing has been completed by the nursery folks they can tell you exactly what kind of natural fertilizers and pest control product you will need. While you are at the nursery or garden center you should ask their advice on the proper plants and vegetables which will grow best in your treated soil.
In conclusion this guide has given you the basic things you need to start your organic gardening project the right way. It has covered the location of the garden, the sunlight exposure, preparation of the ground prior to planting and the proper nutrition your ground will need. Organic gardening is not as complicated as it seems.
For some more free articles on living green please look here: http://tinyurl.com/yknwlhu
About the Author
There is nothing quite like growing your own organic vegetables.
Assuming you know next to nothing about organic gardening lets make certain you understand what it is. Quite simply it means you are going to plant your garden without the use of synthetic fertilizers, which would normally be used to make plants grow, and chemical pesticides to control the bugs.
To really maximize your garden, regardless if its flowers, herbs, veggies or a combination of several plants, it's best to have a detailed plan. The best time to formulate your plan is in the fall, right after the fall growing season ends. The reason for this is you will have time to prepare the ground before the spring planting season begins.
Perhaps the most critical thing you must do before anything else is to select the optimum location for your organic garden or for that matter any garden. Your plants will do very well if they can receive about six hours of sunlight per day. In almost all cases positioning of your planting area in the southeastern part of your ground will give more than adequate amounts of sunshine. Also make sure your ground has easy access to water and the ground has good drainage, to allow excessive water run off and aeration of the ground.
Once the proper location has been determined the next step is preparing the ground where you will be planting. This means it's time for the physical labor part. You are going to till the ground using a yard fork or a tiller, then get on your knees to start pulling weeds, grass and removing the rocks. To make the weed and grass removal successful you should perform the initial removal, then go back a couple of weeks later and remove any weeds and grass which have grown up in the meantime.
Now it's time for you to actually determine what your selected ground is going to need, in the way of the proper nutrition to help your vegetation grow. You do need to have the soil tested for the proper ph level. If you're not sure how to do this take a sample of your soil to your local nursery or garden center and they can do it for you.
Once the testing has been completed by the nursery folks they can tell you exactly what kind of natural fertilizers and pest control product you will need. While you are at the nursery or garden center you should ask their advice on the proper plants and vegetables which will grow best in your treated soil.
In conclusion this guide has given you the basic things you need to start your organic gardening project the right way. It has covered the location of the garden, the sunlight exposure, preparation of the ground prior to planting and the proper nutrition your ground will need. Organic gardening is not as complicated as it seems.
For some more free articles on living green please look here: http://tinyurl.com/yknwlhu
About the Author
There is nothing quite like growing your own organic vegetables.
09/11/2009
How to Plant a Hedge and Which Hedging Plants to Use by Michael Tait
As with all major landscaping jobs for your garden, planting a hedge is something that you need to take some time in planning. Your first consideration should be about what use you want the hedge to perform. Do you want a hedge for privacy, security, to encourage wildlife, as a backdrop to your flower border, or as a seasonal display of flowers, berries or autumn colours?
You will also have to consider what height you want the hedge to grow as well as the pruning requirements. Finally, take into consideration what soil type you have and the growing conditions of the site you plan to grow the hedge. Once you have made these decisions you will be in a better position to choose the type of hedging plants.
Types of Hedging Plants
There are dozens of types of plants that you can use for your hedge. For an impenetrable hedge to secure around your boundary you can choose common holly which has bright red berries during winter, hedgehog holly which is shade tolerant, or firethorn which has beautiful coloured berries in the autumn and has thick thorny branches that will keep intruders out.
For privacy or screening out noise there are many options. The most popular are cypress, conifer, privet, English yew, western red cedar, or bamboo. If you just want a formal low hedge for decorative purposes then choose a boxus sempervirens. There are many other varieties with decorative leaves, berries, flowers, or seasonal colours that you can use in a variety of locations. Just make sure that you read the indications for the growing conditions.
How to Plant a Hedge
After choosing the location and the type of hedge you are now ready to plant it. There are many nurseries that can supply hedging plants in containers all year round - some are quite large and can create an instant screen when planted.
Of course, planting distances will vary depending on the variety. But generally you will want to dig a trench 2 to 3 feet wide and 1 foot deep. Break up the base of the trench with a fork and incorporate plenty of organic material like compost or leaf mould. If you chose the container plant then loosen the root ball if it is tight and soak the roots if they are dry.
If you bought bare rooted plants then the distance will be closer than container grown plants or conifers. For a denser hedge you can make plant a double staggered row. You need to plant at the same height as the plant was in the soil in the container - you can see the level by the mark on the stem. Then tamp the plant down with your foot to firm it in the soil.
You will want to read the instructions that come with your hedging plant for specific requirements. Pruning will differ widely depending on the variety and staking is usually required for conifers for a year or two. Nutrients and moisture requirements will also differ from variety to variety.
About the Author
Michael enjoys writing articles on the subjects that interest him and has been publishing online for several years now. Not only does he write about gardening, so you can check out one of his websites at http://www.yardmachinepartslist.com/ for details about where to find Yard Machine Parts to keep your yard machine running smoothly.
You will also have to consider what height you want the hedge to grow as well as the pruning requirements. Finally, take into consideration what soil type you have and the growing conditions of the site you plan to grow the hedge. Once you have made these decisions you will be in a better position to choose the type of hedging plants.
Types of Hedging Plants
There are dozens of types of plants that you can use for your hedge. For an impenetrable hedge to secure around your boundary you can choose common holly which has bright red berries during winter, hedgehog holly which is shade tolerant, or firethorn which has beautiful coloured berries in the autumn and has thick thorny branches that will keep intruders out.
For privacy or screening out noise there are many options. The most popular are cypress, conifer, privet, English yew, western red cedar, or bamboo. If you just want a formal low hedge for decorative purposes then choose a boxus sempervirens. There are many other varieties with decorative leaves, berries, flowers, or seasonal colours that you can use in a variety of locations. Just make sure that you read the indications for the growing conditions.
How to Plant a Hedge
After choosing the location and the type of hedge you are now ready to plant it. There are many nurseries that can supply hedging plants in containers all year round - some are quite large and can create an instant screen when planted.
Of course, planting distances will vary depending on the variety. But generally you will want to dig a trench 2 to 3 feet wide and 1 foot deep. Break up the base of the trench with a fork and incorporate plenty of organic material like compost or leaf mould. If you chose the container plant then loosen the root ball if it is tight and soak the roots if they are dry.
If you bought bare rooted plants then the distance will be closer than container grown plants or conifers. For a denser hedge you can make plant a double staggered row. You need to plant at the same height as the plant was in the soil in the container - you can see the level by the mark on the stem. Then tamp the plant down with your foot to firm it in the soil.
You will want to read the instructions that come with your hedging plant for specific requirements. Pruning will differ widely depending on the variety and staking is usually required for conifers for a year or two. Nutrients and moisture requirements will also differ from variety to variety.
About the Author
Michael enjoys writing articles on the subjects that interest him and has been publishing online for several years now. Not only does he write about gardening, so you can check out one of his websites at http://www.yardmachinepartslist.com/ for details about where to find Yard Machine Parts to keep your yard machine running smoothly.
05/11/2009
The Cut Flowers, Tips And Tricks For Them To Resist More by Angheliu Alexandru
Rose
The roses are charming, but very sophisticated and pretentious flowers too. There are some tricks to prolong the rose’s life:
· It would be good, if it’s any possibility, to be conserved in a cold place, even the fridge, but not near the other products, for a few hours, after bought them.
· Cut the stem at a very sharp angle under the water and than let the water to flow over the stems for 3 minutes.
· Soften the base of the stem into mint oil before put in the vase.
· Add some lemon drops into flower’s water or a little salt.
· Introduce the roses till flower in a tall and full of water vase than leave them in a dark cold place even for 24 hours.
· For bacteria to be destroyed, add a drop of disinfecting substance in flowers water.
· The roses need to stay in tall vases, filled with warm water.
· You have to change the water daily.
Tulip
The tulip’s availability, as a cut flower, is from 8 to 10 days. The tulip doesn’t bear the water privation and the warmth. For a better hydration, you need to cut the white base of the stem under the water and put it in a cold, without draught space, into cold and fresh water. To maintain the water’s freshness and the flower’s natural colors, attach some small branches of Tuia. You can also put a metal coin. To avoid the tulip’s declension, you have to fill the vase with water or to wrap the flower into a paper, because the stem will turn towards the light.
Lily
The punks of the lily have their different opening phase, that the flower lives in water more than 1, maybe 2 weeks. For a long availability, you got to avert the full-blown flower’s stamens, before the pollen will spot the petals, fading them. To prolong the lily’s life, add in the water a spoon of white vinegar (it applies to the gladioluses, anemones too).
Chrysanthemum
The chrysanthemum is one of the most resistant cut flower and it will decorate your house for a long time, more than 2 weeks. By hybridization, the chrysanthemum has a several numbers of petals, multiple colors, forms and sizes. For the best hydration, you’ll smash or cut the stem at a very sharp angle, eliminate the base leafs of the stem. A bouquet of chrysanthemum flowers has to be disposed in a large vase, so the flowers will not be crowded. You need to change frequently the water in the vase and powder the flowers with water, because the chrysanthemum loves the humidity.
Orchid
The orchids will decorate your place for 1 or 2 weeks, maybe more, if you offer them the best conditions. It’s important for you to know that the orchid, being an exotic flower, prefer a 26 degrees temperature. After gathering, the flowers have to be left in a cold space (10-15 degrees) for a couple of hours. Than put them in capacious vases. To refresh the orchids you’ll cut the stem and than put it in a boiled water, so the flowers will resist more. Keep them away from the draught, smoking or hot vapors (this is also a practice for the anthurium cut flower).
Daffodil
The daffodil cut flowers can resist from 4 to 8 days, if they are carefully attended. Their stems excrete a viscous substance which is speeding up the blight process. Therefore you’ll follow this practice: cut the stem at a very sharp angle 2 inches below the end, than pass it through the fire or leave it for a while in warm water, for the pest substance to be eliminated. You can use a combination of vinegar and salt to clean the daffodil’s vase.
Carnation
The carnation is a very resistant flower and is usually used in the arrangements that have no water supply. Some cultures consider the carnation a funeral flower, maybe for its resistance. It’s important for it to be cut between the stem nodules for the best hydration. The carnations love the fresh water and the sweetmeat, thus put some sugar in the water. You can also add some lemon drops.
Daisy
It’s very alike the chrysanthemum, therefore the scientific name is Chrysanthemum leucantheum. Daisy is a resistant cut flower, though it’s fragility. As the best care, cut the stem till the green part, put it in tall vase, filled just for 3 quarts with water and add a drop of whitening substance.
Anemone
Depend of the type of flower, the anemone will resist between 5 and 8 days, maybe more, if it’s well attended. The stem has to be cut at a sharp angle. This flower prefer the cold water and the cold spaces, that you can get them into the fridge, for 1-2 hours, in a separated compartment, before their placement in water. Just like the anemones, the flowers with a fragile stem (freesia, for example), have to be doused till the flower.
Lily-of-the-valley
This flower will not resist more than 4-5 days since the gather and that so under a good care. You have to put it in fresh and not very cold water as soon as you can.
Crocus
The crocus’s cut flower doesn’t resist much time, just 3-4 days. As a bulb root flower, like the tulip, iris, daffodil etc, it loves the cold water, changed every day. The warm water speeds up the flourish. Is good that the white area from the stem’s base to be cut, because only the green part will absorb the water. You’ll get the crocus in small vases filled at 3 quarter with water.
Iris
Being tall, the iris cut flowers will be disposed in big vases filled a half with water. They love the cold fresh water, so change it ones at 2 days.
Dahlia
The availability of the dahlia is about 6 to 10 days. To maintain fresh the dahlia you have to follow those instructions: introduce the base of the stem in boiled water and keep them there till the water cooling or till the base becomes black; than you’ll cut the boiled side and finally put them into cold water.
Lilac
Though it’s a shrub, lilac is one of the most popular spring flower. To keep them long, you have to avert the leafs and smash the base of the stem, for a better hydration, than introduce it in boiled water. Don’t you forget that the lilac love the warm water and the sunlight. As a trick, you can put a little of sugar in the water.
Peony
The peony will be as fresh as the beginning into the vase from 7 to 10 days. The cut flowers are conserved in a cold place for 24 hours without water and thereafter you’ll cut 1 centimeter from the stem and put them in vases filled of warm water.
Gerbera
The gerberas, as well as the tulip, usually inflect their stem. There are some simple tricks for not to happen: prick the stem just under the flower, to get out the air deterrent the flower hydration or fill of water the empty stem and keep it with the flower turned downward overnight.
Poppy
It’s a not resistant flower. Although it’s a wild flower, the poppy is a fragile one, but loved for its full of passion color. As well as daffodil, the poppy’s stem excretes a pernicious substance that has to be eliminated. You could pass the stem through the fire or leave it in boiled water for 30 seconds, after you cut the stem 2 inches below the end.
Sunflower
This is a long life flower. As a cut flower, it last 6-12 days, but it’s a wonderful dry flower. There is a trick to avoid the blight: add in flower’s water 2% of liquid detergent.
You can also view:
more: http://www.flowersgrowing.com
About The Author
Angheliu Alexandru is a simple florist from Romania.
The roses are charming, but very sophisticated and pretentious flowers too. There are some tricks to prolong the rose’s life:
· It would be good, if it’s any possibility, to be conserved in a cold place, even the fridge, but not near the other products, for a few hours, after bought them.
· Cut the stem at a very sharp angle under the water and than let the water to flow over the stems for 3 minutes.
· Soften the base of the stem into mint oil before put in the vase.
· Add some lemon drops into flower’s water or a little salt.
· Introduce the roses till flower in a tall and full of water vase than leave them in a dark cold place even for 24 hours.
· For bacteria to be destroyed, add a drop of disinfecting substance in flowers water.
· The roses need to stay in tall vases, filled with warm water.
· You have to change the water daily.
Tulip
The tulip’s availability, as a cut flower, is from 8 to 10 days. The tulip doesn’t bear the water privation and the warmth. For a better hydration, you need to cut the white base of the stem under the water and put it in a cold, without draught space, into cold and fresh water. To maintain the water’s freshness and the flower’s natural colors, attach some small branches of Tuia. You can also put a metal coin. To avoid the tulip’s declension, you have to fill the vase with water or to wrap the flower into a paper, because the stem will turn towards the light.
Lily
The punks of the lily have their different opening phase, that the flower lives in water more than 1, maybe 2 weeks. For a long availability, you got to avert the full-blown flower’s stamens, before the pollen will spot the petals, fading them. To prolong the lily’s life, add in the water a spoon of white vinegar (it applies to the gladioluses, anemones too).
Chrysanthemum
The chrysanthemum is one of the most resistant cut flower and it will decorate your house for a long time, more than 2 weeks. By hybridization, the chrysanthemum has a several numbers of petals, multiple colors, forms and sizes. For the best hydration, you’ll smash or cut the stem at a very sharp angle, eliminate the base leafs of the stem. A bouquet of chrysanthemum flowers has to be disposed in a large vase, so the flowers will not be crowded. You need to change frequently the water in the vase and powder the flowers with water, because the chrysanthemum loves the humidity.
Orchid
The orchids will decorate your place for 1 or 2 weeks, maybe more, if you offer them the best conditions. It’s important for you to know that the orchid, being an exotic flower, prefer a 26 degrees temperature. After gathering, the flowers have to be left in a cold space (10-15 degrees) for a couple of hours. Than put them in capacious vases. To refresh the orchids you’ll cut the stem and than put it in a boiled water, so the flowers will resist more. Keep them away from the draught, smoking or hot vapors (this is also a practice for the anthurium cut flower).
Daffodil
The daffodil cut flowers can resist from 4 to 8 days, if they are carefully attended. Their stems excrete a viscous substance which is speeding up the blight process. Therefore you’ll follow this practice: cut the stem at a very sharp angle 2 inches below the end, than pass it through the fire or leave it for a while in warm water, for the pest substance to be eliminated. You can use a combination of vinegar and salt to clean the daffodil’s vase.
Carnation
The carnation is a very resistant flower and is usually used in the arrangements that have no water supply. Some cultures consider the carnation a funeral flower, maybe for its resistance. It’s important for it to be cut between the stem nodules for the best hydration. The carnations love the fresh water and the sweetmeat, thus put some sugar in the water. You can also add some lemon drops.
Daisy
It’s very alike the chrysanthemum, therefore the scientific name is Chrysanthemum leucantheum. Daisy is a resistant cut flower, though it’s fragility. As the best care, cut the stem till the green part, put it in tall vase, filled just for 3 quarts with water and add a drop of whitening substance.
Anemone
Depend of the type of flower, the anemone will resist between 5 and 8 days, maybe more, if it’s well attended. The stem has to be cut at a sharp angle. This flower prefer the cold water and the cold spaces, that you can get them into the fridge, for 1-2 hours, in a separated compartment, before their placement in water. Just like the anemones, the flowers with a fragile stem (freesia, for example), have to be doused till the flower.
Lily-of-the-valley
This flower will not resist more than 4-5 days since the gather and that so under a good care. You have to put it in fresh and not very cold water as soon as you can.
Crocus
The crocus’s cut flower doesn’t resist much time, just 3-4 days. As a bulb root flower, like the tulip, iris, daffodil etc, it loves the cold water, changed every day. The warm water speeds up the flourish. Is good that the white area from the stem’s base to be cut, because only the green part will absorb the water. You’ll get the crocus in small vases filled at 3 quarter with water.
Iris
Being tall, the iris cut flowers will be disposed in big vases filled a half with water. They love the cold fresh water, so change it ones at 2 days.
Dahlia
The availability of the dahlia is about 6 to 10 days. To maintain fresh the dahlia you have to follow those instructions: introduce the base of the stem in boiled water and keep them there till the water cooling or till the base becomes black; than you’ll cut the boiled side and finally put them into cold water.
Lilac
Though it’s a shrub, lilac is one of the most popular spring flower. To keep them long, you have to avert the leafs and smash the base of the stem, for a better hydration, than introduce it in boiled water. Don’t you forget that the lilac love the warm water and the sunlight. As a trick, you can put a little of sugar in the water.
Peony
The peony will be as fresh as the beginning into the vase from 7 to 10 days. The cut flowers are conserved in a cold place for 24 hours without water and thereafter you’ll cut 1 centimeter from the stem and put them in vases filled of warm water.
Gerbera
The gerberas, as well as the tulip, usually inflect their stem. There are some simple tricks for not to happen: prick the stem just under the flower, to get out the air deterrent the flower hydration or fill of water the empty stem and keep it with the flower turned downward overnight.
Poppy
It’s a not resistant flower. Although it’s a wild flower, the poppy is a fragile one, but loved for its full of passion color. As well as daffodil, the poppy’s stem excretes a pernicious substance that has to be eliminated. You could pass the stem through the fire or leave it in boiled water for 30 seconds, after you cut the stem 2 inches below the end.
Sunflower
This is a long life flower. As a cut flower, it last 6-12 days, but it’s a wonderful dry flower. There is a trick to avoid the blight: add in flower’s water 2% of liquid detergent.
You can also view:
more: http://www.flowersgrowing.com
About The Author
Angheliu Alexandru is a simple florist from Romania.
04/11/2009
How to Plant Root Crops and Salad Greens
How to Plant Root Crops and Salad Greens.
Learn how to plant root crops and salad greens. Learn how to plant radishes, spinach, turnips, beets and carrots.
Learn how to plant root crops and salad greens. Learn how to plant radishes, spinach, turnips, beets and carrots.
03/11/2009
5 Tips on Flowers in the House by Owen Jones
Every house benefits from having flowers in it. Nowadays, many people feel guilty about having cut flowers in their houses, but if they are from your own garden and you only cut half and leave half for the bees and insects, there is no need for it. So lots more people grow flowers or plants in pots inside instead. I think that rooms look great with a combination of pot plants, which are not always in their flowering season and cut plants, although I only buy cut plants for someone else and only on special occasions We do display cut plants from our garden or, at least, my wife does. Living in the part of Thailand I do, makes that easy enough though as this country is so fertile, warm and wet that anything grows like wildfire. I will pass on our top five tips for caring for plants indoors, after I have shared this quotation:
Doing the flowers
Takes hours.
And when they're done,
They're done.
Still it's fun.
ANON.
The Pencil Test: if you are not sure when to water your indoor pot plant, stick a pencil into the earth along side the plant, taking care not to damage the roots. If the pencil comes out clean, the soil is too dry and needs watering.
A Good Soaking: azaleas have a reputation for being difficult and for flagging. They are not difficult if you do one thing, once a week It will cure flagging too. Azaleas like water, so, once a week, stand the pot in a bucket of water until the bubbles stop rising (my mother leaves the to stand in a sink full of water over night) and then leave to drain. Azaleas love rain too, so you could give them a spraying too. Just watch enjoying it.
Keeping Cyclamen: most people throw out their cyclamen after the New Year, when they start to look a bit worn out. However, this is not necessary. They are awkward to keep, if you don't realize that they like heat and little water. If you give those conditions to them, they will last for years and keep growing in size. The easiest way to do that is to always keep them frost-free after they have finished flowering. When there is no more chance of frost and the weather is picking up, place them under a north wall and leave them to sort themselves out. Don't give any water, only what God gives and no food. In September, bring them back in and start feeding and watering again. They should spring into life and flower again.
Split Level Flowering: you can get a far better and denser display or potted tulips if you put more than one tulip in a pot. That sounds obvious, doesn't it? However, I mean put one bulb (or two) 2 inches from the bottom of the pot; add more earth. Put one or two more; add more earth. Finally, put one or two more and cover as normal. The top ones will come up first and the bottom ones last, but the bottom ones will come up before the top ones die. Remember to feed and water for more than one bulb!
Holding Their Heads High: when you receive or cut a bunch of tulips, immediately push a pin through the stems just below the flower to make a hole and place in water. The tulips will remain fresher and stay upright for longer.
Owen Jones, the author of this article writes on several subjects, but is currently involved with the Plantronics CS50 USB headset system. If you would like to know more or check out great offers, please go to our website at Plantronics CS50 Headset.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Owen_Jones
Doing the flowers
Takes hours.
And when they're done,
They're done.
Still it's fun.
ANON.
The Pencil Test: if you are not sure when to water your indoor pot plant, stick a pencil into the earth along side the plant, taking care not to damage the roots. If the pencil comes out clean, the soil is too dry and needs watering.
A Good Soaking: azaleas have a reputation for being difficult and for flagging. They are not difficult if you do one thing, once a week It will cure flagging too. Azaleas like water, so, once a week, stand the pot in a bucket of water until the bubbles stop rising (my mother leaves the to stand in a sink full of water over night) and then leave to drain. Azaleas love rain too, so you could give them a spraying too. Just watch enjoying it.
Keeping Cyclamen: most people throw out their cyclamen after the New Year, when they start to look a bit worn out. However, this is not necessary. They are awkward to keep, if you don't realize that they like heat and little water. If you give those conditions to them, they will last for years and keep growing in size. The easiest way to do that is to always keep them frost-free after they have finished flowering. When there is no more chance of frost and the weather is picking up, place them under a north wall and leave them to sort themselves out. Don't give any water, only what God gives and no food. In September, bring them back in and start feeding and watering again. They should spring into life and flower again.
Split Level Flowering: you can get a far better and denser display or potted tulips if you put more than one tulip in a pot. That sounds obvious, doesn't it? However, I mean put one bulb (or two) 2 inches from the bottom of the pot; add more earth. Put one or two more; add more earth. Finally, put one or two more and cover as normal. The top ones will come up first and the bottom ones last, but the bottom ones will come up before the top ones die. Remember to feed and water for more than one bulb!
Holding Their Heads High: when you receive or cut a bunch of tulips, immediately push a pin through the stems just below the flower to make a hole and place in water. The tulips will remain fresher and stay upright for longer.
Owen Jones, the author of this article writes on several subjects, but is currently involved with the Plantronics CS50 USB headset system. If you would like to know more or check out great offers, please go to our website at Plantronics CS50 Headset.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Owen_Jones
02/11/2009
How to Take Care of Your Flowers by Simon Hurley
Understanding how to take care of flowers is very vital for people who own gardens for flowers. Taking care of your flowers means you can enjoy them for long. Providing the required needs to the garden so as to have the best flowers can vary from flower species and the geographical location where one is. However it is important to note that there are basic things that you should know do about caring of garden flowers.
The first and most important step is to add three to four inch layer of the mulch. This should be done around the flower. This is for providing the much needed moisture and protection against unwanted weeds. Mulch +
will save you a lot of time in watering the flowers daily and removing the unwanted weeds every so often. This is something that many people ignore on their garden flowers. Also make sure that your planting beds are not too narrow.
Using a hoe to remove unwanted weed is also very important. Unwanted weed compete for the same nutrients with the flowers making the flowers less strong and unhealthy. However you should not always use a hoe when the weed is too close to the flowers,hand pulling the weed is the best option to prevent interfering with the rooting system because it may cause the flowers to dry or even uprooting them.
Some flowers needs stakes to be placed behind them. This is for flowers that are top heavy. The stakes should be about 10 inches below the fully grown flower plant. After placing the stakes you need to place a loose soft piece of cloth with a loop around the stake and the flower. This normally serves to help the plant grow upwards. Supplying water is very important especially if there is no adequate supply of rainfall. Use the best and most convenient method of irrigation to you such as drip irrigation or water the flowers using a sprinkler. This prevent the flowers from drying up.
Pinching annual flower plants will encourage more blooms to grow. This should be done early in the season and it also controls the plant height. Pruning off old flowers is very important to create more space for the new flowers. Use pruning shears and this should be done regularly while blooming is taking place. It is also very important to learn and familiarize yourself about the flowers that you are growing. This will help you to make the right choices on the chemicals that you should spray on flowers and the kind of fertilizer to use and the frequency of adding the fertilizer and other chemicals.
The other important thing that you should always pay attention to is you should plant the flowers at the rightful distance apart. If you plant flowers too close chances are that some flowers will be weak and others can dry up. There should be enough space and distance between flowers to enhance nutrients intakes and to have proper access to sunlight for photosynthesis.
About the Author
Simon Hurley is a keen gardener, with an interest in aquatics and particularly koi ponds. Simons Latest website focuses on Lawn and Garden Décor, and has articles covering topics such as: Lawn Statues to read.
The first and most important step is to add three to four inch layer of the mulch. This should be done around the flower. This is for providing the much needed moisture and protection against unwanted weeds. Mulch +
will save you a lot of time in watering the flowers daily and removing the unwanted weeds every so often. This is something that many people ignore on their garden flowers. Also make sure that your planting beds are not too narrow.
Using a hoe to remove unwanted weed is also very important. Unwanted weed compete for the same nutrients with the flowers making the flowers less strong and unhealthy. However you should not always use a hoe when the weed is too close to the flowers,hand pulling the weed is the best option to prevent interfering with the rooting system because it may cause the flowers to dry or even uprooting them.
Some flowers needs stakes to be placed behind them. This is for flowers that are top heavy. The stakes should be about 10 inches below the fully grown flower plant. After placing the stakes you need to place a loose soft piece of cloth with a loop around the stake and the flower. This normally serves to help the plant grow upwards. Supplying water is very important especially if there is no adequate supply of rainfall. Use the best and most convenient method of irrigation to you such as drip irrigation or water the flowers using a sprinkler. This prevent the flowers from drying up.
Pinching annual flower plants will encourage more blooms to grow. This should be done early in the season and it also controls the plant height. Pruning off old flowers is very important to create more space for the new flowers. Use pruning shears and this should be done regularly while blooming is taking place. It is also very important to learn and familiarize yourself about the flowers that you are growing. This will help you to make the right choices on the chemicals that you should spray on flowers and the kind of fertilizer to use and the frequency of adding the fertilizer and other chemicals.
The other important thing that you should always pay attention to is you should plant the flowers at the rightful distance apart. If you plant flowers too close chances are that some flowers will be weak and others can dry up. There should be enough space and distance between flowers to enhance nutrients intakes and to have proper access to sunlight for photosynthesis.
About the Author
Simon Hurley is a keen gardener, with an interest in aquatics and particularly koi ponds. Simons Latest website focuses on Lawn and Garden Décor, and has articles covering topics such as: Lawn Statues to read.
31/10/2009
Annual Flowers for your Garden from A (Alyssum) to Z (Zinnia) by Larry Truett
A is for Alyssum, which makes a carpet of tiny blooms in whites, reds, and pinks.
B is for Begonia, which have dainty pink, red, or white flowers.
C is for Celosia, which have velvety red and orange plumes.
D is for Dahlia, which produce huge flowers in purple, red, pink, orange, or yellow.
E is for Everlasting, which annuals are not - they only bloom for one year.
F is for Four O' Clock, or Mirabilis jalapa, which as the name implies will open their blooms mid-afternoon.
G is for Geranium, with the classic red pink or white clusters of petals.
H is for Hollyhock, which has spires of flowers in purples and white, often with a different color in the center.
I is for Impatiens, with the delicate little white, pink, and red flowers that are some of the first to bloom in spring.
J is for Just, as in I'm going to just skip the letter J.
K is for Kale, which can have bright white or red leaves to brighten the garden all season.
L is for Lobelia, with their tiny and prolific cascading blue flowers.
M is for Marigold, with the brilliant yellow or orange flowers that are said to deter pests from the garden.
N is for Nasturtium, which are lovely vines with orange or red flowers that are both beautiful and edible.
O is for Osteospermum, an unusual daisy like flower that blooms in a rainbow of colors.
P is for Petunia, an old garden favorite with droopy petals in reds, pinks, whites, and even striped.
Q is for Quandry, as Q usually is for these lists.
R is for Rudbeckia, with bright yellow or orange daisy-like flowers.
S is for Snapdragons, the cheerful stalks of blooms that if you squeeze just right will look like they are snapping.
T is for Thunbergia, which has red or pink flowers with a distinctive dark "eye".
U is for Underground, which is where you plant most seeds.
V is for Viola, with delicate purple and yellow flowers which are often the very first annuals to bloom in spring.
W is for Water, as most annual flowers will need regular watering to look their best.
X is for Xeranthemum, an unusual flower in bright pink or white.
Y is for You, as in you should try some annual flowers in your garden.
Z is for Zinnia, with the dependable big blooms in red, pink, yellow, or white.
See more resources for buying and growing Annual Flower Seeds with listings of local garden centers and specialty mail order nurseries at http://www.GardeningWithLarry.com.
About the Author
I'm a freelance computer programmer living in San Diego California with my wife and our 3 cats. I enjoy hiking, gardening, reading, watching too much TV, and other nerdy stuff. I run a few websites including http://www.ModelTrainsWithLarry.com, http://www.GardeningWithLarry.com, and http://www.VeganUSofA.com.
B is for Begonia, which have dainty pink, red, or white flowers.
C is for Celosia, which have velvety red and orange plumes.
D is for Dahlia, which produce huge flowers in purple, red, pink, orange, or yellow.
E is for Everlasting, which annuals are not - they only bloom for one year.
F is for Four O' Clock, or Mirabilis jalapa, which as the name implies will open their blooms mid-afternoon.
G is for Geranium, with the classic red pink or white clusters of petals.
H is for Hollyhock, which has spires of flowers in purples and white, often with a different color in the center.
I is for Impatiens, with the delicate little white, pink, and red flowers that are some of the first to bloom in spring.
J is for Just, as in I'm going to just skip the letter J.
K is for Kale, which can have bright white or red leaves to brighten the garden all season.
L is for Lobelia, with their tiny and prolific cascading blue flowers.
M is for Marigold, with the brilliant yellow or orange flowers that are said to deter pests from the garden.
N is for Nasturtium, which are lovely vines with orange or red flowers that are both beautiful and edible.
O is for Osteospermum, an unusual daisy like flower that blooms in a rainbow of colors.
P is for Petunia, an old garden favorite with droopy petals in reds, pinks, whites, and even striped.
Q is for Quandry, as Q usually is for these lists.
R is for Rudbeckia, with bright yellow or orange daisy-like flowers.
S is for Snapdragons, the cheerful stalks of blooms that if you squeeze just right will look like they are snapping.
T is for Thunbergia, which has red or pink flowers with a distinctive dark "eye".
U is for Underground, which is where you plant most seeds.
V is for Viola, with delicate purple and yellow flowers which are often the very first annuals to bloom in spring.
W is for Water, as most annual flowers will need regular watering to look their best.
X is for Xeranthemum, an unusual flower in bright pink or white.
Y is for You, as in you should try some annual flowers in your garden.
Z is for Zinnia, with the dependable big blooms in red, pink, yellow, or white.
See more resources for buying and growing Annual Flower Seeds with listings of local garden centers and specialty mail order nurseries at http://www.GardeningWithLarry.com.
About the Author
I'm a freelance computer programmer living in San Diego California with my wife and our 3 cats. I enjoy hiking, gardening, reading, watching too much TV, and other nerdy stuff. I run a few websites including http://www.ModelTrainsWithLarry.com, http://www.GardeningWithLarry.com, and http://www.VeganUSofA.com.
30/10/2009
Planting a Cutting Garden by Organic Gardener
If you feel guilty when you cut flowers in your garden, worrying that you're destroying nature or leaving gaps in your flowerbeds, it may be time for you to plant a cutting garden, says the American Association of Nurserymen (AAN). A cutting garden is designed to provide flowers for indoor arrangements, and it will give you a new perspective on removing flowers from your garden.
Choosing the Right Flowers and Plants
As with any garden, the first step in planning your cutting garden is to select plants that grow well in your part of the country. Ask the experts at your local garden center for their suggestions, and keep in mind your soil conditions, the amount of sun or shade your garden receives and how much it rains.
Selecting a Color Scheme
After you've decided which plants will thrive at your site, choose a color scheme, whether bright and vivid primary colors, soft and muted pastel shades or dusty earth tones. Since the purpose of a cutting garden is to grow flowers to use indoors, think about how flowers of certain colors will look when you place them in main rooms of your house.
Finally, plant flowers and plants in such a way that no one will notice that you frequently forage for new material for your indoor bouquets. One way to achieve a continuously balanced look in your cutting garden is to group your plantings by color, so that when you clip several blue flowers one day and several yellow flowers another, the overall appearance of the garden is still one of continuity and growth.
You can also fill in around your flowers with shrubs and larger, bushy plants that can easily spare a few leaves or berries, as well as plant a mix of perennials, annuals and bulbs so your garden will bloom all year 'round.
About the Author
I am a gardener who enjoys growing vegetables, herbs and flowers. I believe in using organic methods and products when gardening.
Choosing the Right Flowers and Plants
As with any garden, the first step in planning your cutting garden is to select plants that grow well in your part of the country. Ask the experts at your local garden center for their suggestions, and keep in mind your soil conditions, the amount of sun or shade your garden receives and how much it rains.
Selecting a Color Scheme
After you've decided which plants will thrive at your site, choose a color scheme, whether bright and vivid primary colors, soft and muted pastel shades or dusty earth tones. Since the purpose of a cutting garden is to grow flowers to use indoors, think about how flowers of certain colors will look when you place them in main rooms of your house.
Finally, plant flowers and plants in such a way that no one will notice that you frequently forage for new material for your indoor bouquets. One way to achieve a continuously balanced look in your cutting garden is to group your plantings by color, so that when you clip several blue flowers one day and several yellow flowers another, the overall appearance of the garden is still one of continuity and growth.
You can also fill in around your flowers with shrubs and larger, bushy plants that can easily spare a few leaves or berries, as well as plant a mix of perennials, annuals and bulbs so your garden will bloom all year 'round.
About the Author
I am a gardener who enjoys growing vegetables, herbs and flowers. I believe in using organic methods and products when gardening.
29/10/2009
Fragrant Orchids
Fragrant orchids are a pleasure to raise for their sweet perfume and exotic appearance. There are certain species of orchids that are more fragrant than others.
Fragrant Orchids - The Science of Fragrance Orchids have evolved into particular shapes, colors and smells to attract pollinators, so they may reproduce. Some orchids attract only a few very specific pollinators, so they have fragrance when these pollinators are the most active, either by day or by night.
Orchid fragrance is an oily substance found in glands called osmopheres on the outside edges of the orchid's roots, leaves and flowers. This oily fragrant substance will change into vapor form, enabling the plant to smell. Not all orchid fragrances can be sensed by humans. These specific fragrances are what primarily attract the insects that pollinate the orchid.
The orchid flower's fragrance is produced at a time daily when the pollinators are the most active, so the fragrance can have maximum effect. For instance, some orchids, namely the Phalenophilus, are fragrant only at night, and are white or other very light colors because they are pollinated by moths.
It is believed that over half of all orchids are pollinated during the day by bees and wasps. The orchid flowers have scents like narcissus, lilly of the valley and sweet peas. The colors of the flowers tend to be bright blue, yellow, purple or green.
Fragrant Orchids - The Orchids That Have Delightful Aromas What follows is a list of some of the most fragrant orchids. It is not comprehensive, but lists a few types of orchids that have noticeable aromas. Ada glumacea - strong fruity aroma
Rhyncholaelia digbyana - citrus-like scent
Brassavola cucullata - sweet smelling aroma
Angraecum Longiscott Hihimanu - sweet aroma at night
Zygopetalum B.G. White Stonehurst - intense sweet aroma
Maxillaria tenuifolia - smells like coconut
Den. Delicatum Brechts - smells like wintergreen
Epidendrums Veitchii - mild rose-like aroma
Cattleyas have a strong sweet aroma
Oncidium Sharry Baby - smells of chocolate
Oncidium ornithorynchum - very sweet smell
Rhyncholaelia glauca - strong aroma at night
Cymbidium Golden Elf Sundust - smells of sweet bath powder
Cymbidium tracyanum - peaches
Epidendrum parkinsonianumm - aroma of cloves at night
Epidendrum L. purpurata - licorice
Anna M. Hartman
About the Author
Fragrant orchids are a pleasure to raise for their sweet perfume and exotic appearance. Learn about giving the proper care to your fragrant orchids by reading the Orchid Care Expert, you will find the process greatly simplified. Please visit us at Fragrant Orchids to learn about fragrant orchids.
Fragrant Orchids - The Science of Fragrance Orchids have evolved into particular shapes, colors and smells to attract pollinators, so they may reproduce. Some orchids attract only a few very specific pollinators, so they have fragrance when these pollinators are the most active, either by day or by night.
Orchid fragrance is an oily substance found in glands called osmopheres on the outside edges of the orchid's roots, leaves and flowers. This oily fragrant substance will change into vapor form, enabling the plant to smell. Not all orchid fragrances can be sensed by humans. These specific fragrances are what primarily attract the insects that pollinate the orchid.
The orchid flower's fragrance is produced at a time daily when the pollinators are the most active, so the fragrance can have maximum effect. For instance, some orchids, namely the Phalenophilus, are fragrant only at night, and are white or other very light colors because they are pollinated by moths.
It is believed that over half of all orchids are pollinated during the day by bees and wasps. The orchid flowers have scents like narcissus, lilly of the valley and sweet peas. The colors of the flowers tend to be bright blue, yellow, purple or green.
Fragrant Orchids - The Orchids That Have Delightful Aromas What follows is a list of some of the most fragrant orchids. It is not comprehensive, but lists a few types of orchids that have noticeable aromas. Ada glumacea - strong fruity aroma
Rhyncholaelia digbyana - citrus-like scent
Brassavola cucullata - sweet smelling aroma
Angraecum Longiscott Hihimanu - sweet aroma at night
Zygopetalum B.G. White Stonehurst - intense sweet aroma
Maxillaria tenuifolia - smells like coconut
Den. Delicatum Brechts - smells like wintergreen
Epidendrums Veitchii - mild rose-like aroma
Cattleyas have a strong sweet aroma
Oncidium Sharry Baby - smells of chocolate
Oncidium ornithorynchum - very sweet smell
Rhyncholaelia glauca - strong aroma at night
Cymbidium Golden Elf Sundust - smells of sweet bath powder
Cymbidium tracyanum - peaches
Epidendrum parkinsonianumm - aroma of cloves at night
Epidendrum L. purpurata - licorice
Anna M. Hartman
About the Author
Fragrant orchids are a pleasure to raise for their sweet perfume and exotic appearance. Learn about giving the proper care to your fragrant orchids by reading the Orchid Care Expert, you will find the process greatly simplified. Please visit us at Fragrant Orchids to learn about fragrant orchids.
The 3 Important Herb Garden Plants Tips by Gack Grant
Like other types of plants, herb garden plants come in different forms. There are different varieties of herbs. If you are planning to have one type of herb garden plant, you should know how to care for it and how to use it properly. To better understand different types of herb garden plants and their uses, you should continue reading this article.
Basil, cilantro, and summer savory which are known to be annuals will not survive a frost. They have to be planted from a seed or from a small plant every year. On the other hand, sage and winter savory which are known to be perennials survive in cold temperatures and comes back every after a year. Herb garden plants which are biennial form leaves in their first growing season and flowers and seed in the second season, then die. Some examples of biennial herb plants are parsley, angelica, and caraway. These should sown in late spring directly into the garden. The preparation of soil is important. It should be worked into a fine texture and should be slightly wet. Seeds should be planted in shallow rows then firm the soil on top of them. You can plant fine seeds in a mixture of sand which will allow the seeds to spread more evenly. Covering the bed with wet burlap or paper is possible in order to keep the soil moist during germination.
Herb garden plants are categorized according to their uses. Culinary herbs are considered the most useful to herb gardeners. They are mainly use in cooking variety of foods. They add flavors to different kinds of food because of their strong taste. Some examples of these are chives, thyme, basil, sage, savory, and marjoram. Parsley is the most commonly used garnish. Aromatic herbs are those extracted to get their oils and are used in different perfumes, toilet water, and other various scents because they pleasant smell. Some of them are loyage, mint, and rosemary. Aside from that, some of the parts of the aromatic herb can also be used to scent different linens and clothing in the house. Others are dried to make potpourri which retains its scent for a long period of time. Lavender and lemon verbenas are the most commonly used in making potpourri. There are also herbs used in medical purposes for it is believed long time ago that they have the ability to cure the body. Even if the use of herb plants is now accepted in the field of medicine, we should still be cautious with their proper use because of them maybe poisonous when eaten.
Herbs are also used as decorations to add beauty in the house. The most commonly used flowers are valerian for their crimson light colored flowers and borage and chicory for their elegant blue flowers.
It is true that herb plants have lots of categories but there are still some plants which can be used in multiple purposes. One is the mint which can be used for cooking, tea, and pest control. After reading the whole article, I hoped this helped you choose the proper herb plant suited for you.
About the Author
Before you continue your garden research online, make sure you check Jack Grants' excellent free tips on Herb Garden Plants, and sign up for free home garden solution newsletter. Click here.
Basil, cilantro, and summer savory which are known to be annuals will not survive a frost. They have to be planted from a seed or from a small plant every year. On the other hand, sage and winter savory which are known to be perennials survive in cold temperatures and comes back every after a year. Herb garden plants which are biennial form leaves in their first growing season and flowers and seed in the second season, then die. Some examples of biennial herb plants are parsley, angelica, and caraway. These should sown in late spring directly into the garden. The preparation of soil is important. It should be worked into a fine texture and should be slightly wet. Seeds should be planted in shallow rows then firm the soil on top of them. You can plant fine seeds in a mixture of sand which will allow the seeds to spread more evenly. Covering the bed with wet burlap or paper is possible in order to keep the soil moist during germination.
Herb garden plants are categorized according to their uses. Culinary herbs are considered the most useful to herb gardeners. They are mainly use in cooking variety of foods. They add flavors to different kinds of food because of their strong taste. Some examples of these are chives, thyme, basil, sage, savory, and marjoram. Parsley is the most commonly used garnish. Aromatic herbs are those extracted to get their oils and are used in different perfumes, toilet water, and other various scents because they pleasant smell. Some of them are loyage, mint, and rosemary. Aside from that, some of the parts of the aromatic herb can also be used to scent different linens and clothing in the house. Others are dried to make potpourri which retains its scent for a long period of time. Lavender and lemon verbenas are the most commonly used in making potpourri. There are also herbs used in medical purposes for it is believed long time ago that they have the ability to cure the body. Even if the use of herb plants is now accepted in the field of medicine, we should still be cautious with their proper use because of them maybe poisonous when eaten.
Herbs are also used as decorations to add beauty in the house. The most commonly used flowers are valerian for their crimson light colored flowers and borage and chicory for their elegant blue flowers.
It is true that herb plants have lots of categories but there are still some plants which can be used in multiple purposes. One is the mint which can be used for cooking, tea, and pest control. After reading the whole article, I hoped this helped you choose the proper herb plant suited for you.
About the Author
Before you continue your garden research online, make sure you check Jack Grants' excellent free tips on Herb Garden Plants, and sign up for free home garden solution newsletter. Click here.
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