Archives for gardening category
Posted on Nov 18, 2008 under garden, gardening, growing vegetables, organic gardening |
Every spring, people dust off their trowels and take out the gloves, getting ready for another gardening season. They often convince themselves that that this year it will be different. You will have beautiful flowers, an awesome display of colors and the whole neighborhood will pause in your front lawn to admire
your handiwork.
Does it have to be an illusion? No way.
The reality is, you can start planning and preparing your garden at any time and expect to have a beautiful garden to enjoy all year long. It just takes a little planning and prep work and you’ll have the garden of your dreams.
One important step that some people tend to forget is that you have to plan the “perfect garden” for you and your family. Take the time to measure-out the space you have set up as your garden area and give it a second and third look. Evaluate the soil and even test it to see if you may need to add some organic fertilizer or nutrients.
Some other questions might be: Does the space you chose get enough sunlight? How is the irrigation?
It doesn’t matter whether your area has the best of all of this, just make sure it is what you need for your particular garden planning. Some plants need little water, not a lot of sunlight and tough soil. You just need to be aware of this, as you will want pick plants that are suitable to your environment.
Talk with people at your local greenhouse about setting up a garden you like. They can offer suggestions as to how to structure your garden and to put out your plants so you get to enjoy. You’ll certainly want to be able to take care of them easily. Obviously, some plants are more maintenance free than others.
It only takes a little bit of prep work and a little expert help and you’ll be on your way to having the sort of garden you always wanted. With a little planning, you’ll be ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor all year long.
Posted on Oct 26, 2008 under gardening |
Peak Moment 87: In summer 2006 Judy Alexander embarked on an experiment to see how much food she could grow, and how many neighbors could benefit, from the garden around her house. Check out her homegrown rainwater collection and irrigation system - watering her 60+ edible crops. Meet the bees, the chickens and the worms. And catch her joy in producing so much food for so little effort.
Duration : 0:27:52
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted on Oct 23, 2008 under flower gardening, garden, gardening, vegetable gardening |
It’s Fall again, so it’s time to think about what we will do with our leaves. If you are serious about your gardening, you should certainly consider composting your leaves.
Composting leaves is very valuable in managing your compost plan. It often happens that leaves are left scattered all over a yard even while a compost pile sits nearby, sorely needing the absorption, the carbon, and other nutrients that leaves can provide. Following are some of the benefits of composting leaves.
1. Odor control
Dry leaves are a great means of suppressing the smell that may, otherwise, emanate from a compost heap. After you add fresh kitchen scraps to your pile, it would be a good idea not only to mix them into the heap, but to cover it with dry leaves as well.
2. Vermin control
Leaves, when used to cover a freshly supplemented pile of manure or food scraps, are great for preventing flies from infesting your yard. Pile on a two-inch layer of leaves to throw off the scent of the rats and vermin that may be attracted to your compost heap. Composting leaves may be what separates a neat garden from one ruined by all sorts of pests.
3. Carbon-rich source
Composting leaves can give your pile a rich source of carbon. Carbon, along with nitrogen, oxygen, and water does a lot to hasten the decomposition of a compost heap. When you need more green matter to balance you pile and serve as a much-needed catalyst, leaves provide a ready source for you.
4. Absorptive quality
On the other hand, during wet or humid weather when your compost pile tends to retain too much water, the absorptive quality of dry leaves can do a lot to remedy the situation. While water aids decomposition, too much of it will serve as a retardant as well.
5. Managing yard waste
Many yards in America produce more yard waste than they know what to do with – and most of this consists of fallen leaves. Rather than waiting for curbside pickup to take the problem off your hands, composting leaves can turn the problem into a benefit.
6. Cost-efficiency
There is really no reason to throw away something that you can use to improve the production of, say, your vegetable garden. Composting leaves can even mean substantial savings off your fertilizer budget.
7. Yard aesthetics
One of the most unattractive things about gardens is the overwhelming amount of leaves that covers it in the fall. A few leaves can be picturesque. But when it covers your entire lawn, pond or pool, plant nursery or vegetable garden, it can be a real aesthetic problem. Composting leaves is a great solution for a messy yard.
Posted on Oct 19, 2008 under gardening |
While at first, gardening seems extremely easy, you will quickly learn once you get started that it is a little more involved than it looks. The reason for this is that most people only see the end result of a nicely groomed garden, completely missing out on the time and hard work that went into shaping it into immaculate condition.
Gardening requires many different tasks, and very importantly, different tools in order to complete these tasks. Just like cars and trucks have their tools for tuning and fixing them up, so do gardens. A mechanic might look at the plethora of tools available for a gardener’s use and have no idea what most of them do, and if you are just entering into the hobby of gardening, the same probably goes for you also.
Before you can start gardening you need tools. When you go to shop for them take your time making decisions. You want your tools to last a long time and feel comfortable to you when you use them. The difference between good tools could be the difference between back pain and dodgy knees. Your physical health is important, so keep this in mind while tool shopping.
You want to buy tools that will allow you to keep a good posture, and which are also practical. Meaning they are easy to keep clean - oh yes, keeping your tools clean is important. Proper care of your tools means protecting an important investment, which if handled properly will outlive you!
Manual Tools
Before you make a purchase, try out the tool in your grip. Make sure it does not feel too uncomfortable or too heavy in your hand. If the handle feels too small, this is nothing to be concerned about. You can always alter this by wrapping padding material around it.
But you have to consider more than just comfort when deciding on the proper gardening tools. The type of material the tool is made from is also important. Material such as aluminum, plastic and carbon fiber are used in making light weight tools; however, the best choice is stainless steel. Stainless steel gardening tools are dependable and dig into the soil very easily.
Don’t forget to buy a good pair of pruners too. A good pair of pruners should allow for an easy cutting action, especially important if you think you may come up against thick branches. And don’t forget to buy a wheel barrow. The two-wheeled variety works best because their overall design allows for easy steering.
Interchangeable Tools
Many gardeners find interchangeable tools work best for them because of the flexibility they provide in performing many different jobs. They also provide the option of being used as hand tools (without the handle) greatly varying the amount of gardening tools you have at your disposal.
Power Tools
For more ambitious gardening projects, you may find yourself in need of power tools. Power tools are great if you have a large hedge to cut or a large lawn. Power tools come in two different varieties: gasoline powered and electrical. In addition, some electrical tools might be cordless. Which you decide to buy (if you decide to buy electrical) will depend upon the layout of your yard.
Forks, spades, rakes, trowels, and hoes should all make up your arsenal of gardening tools, as well as a seed sower, leaf blower and weed puller. Just like a garage, it is easy to load your gardening shed with a huge variety of tools. However, be smart in your shopping. Only buy what you need, so that you don’t have drawers of tools laying around unused.
Posted on Oct 12, 2008 under gardening |
For container gardening ideas, scan the internet, the library or a bookstore. The challenge is to come up with a lovely container garden plan. There are a widespread collection of containers available for your container garden. These range in size from small-scale house-plant pots to sizeable boxes and planters. Equally varied are the materials from which they are made. These include wood, glass, clay, aluminum, bamboo, straw, plastic, fiberglass, terra cotta, tin, cast iron, zinc, copper, and brass, each with select advantages and disadvantages. What you choose will depend on availability, price, background, and attraction not to mention the characteristics of the gardening pots.
Here are some container gardening ideas. In addition to run-of-the-mill circular pots and tubs, there are modern and ultra-modern forms such as square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, and octagonal. Also eligible are old iron kitchen pots, kettles, pails, jugs, casks, vases, crocks, jam tubs, barrels and nail kegs, Japanese fish tubs, aged sinks, bathtubs, bamboo soy tubs. There are novelty containers such as driftwood, wheelbarrows, donkey carts, spinning wheels and boxes attached to a roadside mail container. There are also bird cages, decorative well heads, animal figures, and Strawberry jars. Woven baskets may be used to conceal unattractive containers. Even tar paper pots, handled by garden centers and florists are worthy if painted or veiled to upgrade their exterior. Any of these can be used in your container gardening ideas.
Where to find your container supplies? Begin with what you possess. If you explore cellars or basements, attics, garages, and sheds, you will doubtless encounter objects of interest. Old-fashioned pots and kettles, usually sold in antique shops at rural auctions or observed at old New England inns, have much attraction.
Different container garden ideas to ponder are old cookie and bean jars, pickle and other types of crocks, wash tubs, coal pails, jardinières, and ceramic bowls. For drainage, scatter a thick layer of substantial pebbles or shattered pieces of pots or bricks at the bottom and then moisten plants with care. In substantial containers, drainage material should be many inches thick. Where rainfall is hefty, be certain to keep garden containers without drainage outlets on porches, below awnings or the under sizable eaves of house. With pails and old galvanized wash tubs, holes can be easily punctured at the bottom.
Plants in containers without drainage openings stay wet longer. Some of theseâcrocks, jardinières and cookie jarsâare massive enough to be secure against the elements in exterior container gardening.
What constitutes the perfect container for your container garden ideas? A container needs to be attractive, even if it is not an object of art. It should be sturdy and lasting and able to resist all kinds of weather. This is especially true of the substantial sizes which ofttimes continue outdoors all year around. In the North, alternate icy and thawing is a predicament in winter (and could generate cracking); in blazing climates, intensive heat, humidity, and moisture are to be considered (and could cause fading). And in semiarid areas, there is the impact of searing sun to keep your attention, another source of fading. All these things need be kept in mind when coming up with your container gardening design.
The perfect container must be vast enough to hold a sizeable quantity of soil. It should have super drainage facilities through holes or various openings at the bottom or sides. It must not rust, at least in a single season, and it should have a wide enough base to perch firmly wherever placed. Further, it needs to be heavy enough to withstand average winds. In severe storms, like hurricanes and tornadoes, movable containers can be shifted to interim safety. All of these things should be factored in when you are coming up with your container gardening ideas.
Resistance to rot is another requisite. Wooden containersâexcept those made of rot-resistant Redwood, Western Cedar, and Southern Red Cypressâwill require treatment with a wood preservative. Except for lifelong containers, the capability to move your container garden is another quality, and sometimes a safety precaution, of portable container gardening. Sizable boxes and planters can be equipped with wheels, and garden centers have redwood tubs that perch on platforms with wheels. An opening in the platform corresponds to the hole in the tub. Sizeable containers without wheels can be pushed on iron or wooden rollers by two or more people; however, if you live in an area inclined to severe storms it is best to keep your containers small-scaled.
Smaller containers are ideal for cultivating herb container gardens. If you plan to plant an herb container garden be imaginative. Here are some container garden ideas for herbs that go great together.
* For an Italian selection try Sweet Basil, Italian Parsley, Oregano, Marjoram and Thyme.
* For a pleasing scented container use Lavender, Rose Scented Geranium, Lemon Balm, Lemon Thyme, and Pineapple Sage.
* For utterly extravagant salads try Garlic Chives, Rocket, Salad Burnet, Parsley, Celery.
* And to say âWe love French Cooking!â use Tarragon, Chervil, Parsley, Chives and Sage.
Any of these will liven up your meal and please your family.
So these are just a few container gardening ideas. Get out a pad of paper and make up a container garden plot that will add to the view and conceivably even the palate.
Happy Container Gardening!
Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved.
This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.
Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at http://www.GardeningHerb.com and http://www.ContainerGardeningSecrets.com To read more of her articles go to http://www.ArticleBazaar.net
Posted on Oct 01, 2008 under gardening |
Various gardening magazines are available in the market. But would you like to know which stands out from the rest? Here are a selection of gardening magazines that anyone in love with his or her garden will appreciate.
COUNTRY GARDENS often showcases the more unusual gardens around the country. It introduces wonderful new ways to enjoy garden sights and scents. It helps the avid gardener to create an eye-pleasing, fragrance - filled country garden.
This magazine has very useful advice on setting up and caring for your garden. Every issue contains profiles of fascinating people and their gardens, inspiration for gardens and detailed garden plans. Best of all, it’s a trusted source of information that’s easy to understand. Every season carries a vast harvest of ideas to delight, motivate and guide any gardener.
How about a gardening magazine for those who want to become a better gardener? FINE GARDENING MAGAZINE from The Taunton Press brings you amazing design ideas, beneficial techniques, and the know-how to get the best results from your gardening endeavors.
In each issue you’ll find eye-opening bits of advice from the experts, detailed information on all types of plants, effective techniques and time-saving tips, straightforward tool reviews from editors and readers and planting suggestions for specific regions.
But for more intensive information on how to maintain a garden packed with style and color, then you’ll want to read GARDEN DESIGN. This gardening magazine brings out eye-popping photos, illustrations and useful recommendations on how to create a picture-perfect garden. It is written and designed for those who are passionate about their homes and gardens. Garden Design is more than just a dig-in-the-dirt gardening magazine; it’s for people who enjoy bringing in more aesthetic value for their homes through their gardens.
Garden Design encourages you to create stylish outdoor living spaces and rare gardens through cultivating rare breeds of plants, with updates on the best tools and techniques. It contains magnificent photographs and articles that capture the imaginations of gardeners everywhere.
For passionate gardeners, HOLTICULTURE MAGAZINE is the ultimate guide to gardening. The authoritative voice of gardeners, Horticulture serves as an essential guide and trusted friend, and is a main resource for serious gardeners from every corner of the country.
These magazines aim to instruct, inform, and inspire serious home gardeners. There are gardening magazines for beginners and expert gardeners. Discover or develop your green thumb with their latest gardening techniques and garden design information.
For Australian readers, there is BURKE’S BACKYARD. Springing form a TV series of the same name, Burke’s Backyard focuses on gardening décor as well as the all-important garden makeovers that have become so popular.
YOUR GARDEN is another beauty, claiming the prestige of being Australia’s gardening magazine, it usually features two or three popular flowers and how best to grow them, with a wealth of tips and information on other plants, tools and products for the garden.
GARDENING AUSTRALIA springs from the ABC’s feature of that name it features many wonderful articles by gardening experts and often holds a free catalogue from one of the larger nurseries.