Posted on Jan 21, 2009 under garden |
The concept of organic gardening pest control isn’t new; actually, it’s as old as farming itself. The problem is that since World War II organic pest control has been replaced in civilized countries with man-made pesticides that are detrimental to both the environment and to the people who consume the plants on which the products are sprayed. Today people are returning to organic gardening pest control and choosing to reject, or at least restrict, the use of man-made pesticides. Not everyone feels the same about these products. Some people oppose their use only on food, and others hope to minimize their use as much as possible.
There are a variety of sensible reasons that appeal to logic for using organic gardening pest control methods. One of the most important things about this is that because of the absence of pesticides when the insect pests are left alone genetically they are not in a position to become resistant “super bugs”. Organic methods tend to be less polluting and blend into the ecosystem around it instead of disrupting it. In addition, because many of the pesticides that are available are derivatives of petrochemicals, their costs are higher, thus making alternatives more attractive. Whatever the reasons may be for avoiding their use, the organic gardener has to be prepared to work in order to make up for the loss of those chemical products that he chooses to abstain from using.
Natural gardeners have a number of valuable, non-chemical methods that they can use to manage garden vermin. An easy and effective way to avoid pest problems is varietal selection, which includes choosing seed varieties that have been bred to be resistant against certain diseases and pest. The cultural control method of organic gardening pest control involves changing your gardening methods in order to reduce the hospitality that your garden offers to pests. This may mean removing or burning diseased plant material and destroying weeds and plan debris that provide hiding places for insects. Using stakes to keep fruits off the ground as well as pruning to remove diseased limbs, removing sickly plants, proper building of the soil, and making sure the plants are in raised areas in rainy seasons also help control diseases and pests. Crop rotation can also help in the prevention of disease and in pest control.
Using non-pesticide methods for pest control may not be as quick as the use of pesticides, but it is safer and over time, these methods will not simply repel the insects for the current season but prevent their reappearance in other corps. Organic gardening pest control may be a longer process, but it is well worth the effort.
Posted on Jan 18, 2009 under garden |
If you have a slope or incline on your property, you can turn it into a lovely garden oasis. Where once weeds grew, flowers could grow in abundance. Or perhaps you’d rather have a vegetable garden. Despite the rugged terrain, the slope can become a lovely planted area, turning a liability into an asset.
Terraces Make A Big Change
Putting terraces on a slope can make for some gorgeous results. Not only that, it broadens your options for what can be planted, since you have level areas to work with. The flat area makes it easier to work and work there. Making terraces, however, is unquestionably a lot of work. It can also be expensive depending on the materials used.
Previously, railroad ties were considered a good source of material for making retaining walls for terraces. They’re not used so much these days, however, and especially aren’t recommended for organic gardens. Creating the problem is the creosote used to preserve the wood. Creosote is a toxic substance, and contact with it can irritate the skin. Inhaling creosote fumes can irritate the respiratory trace.
In other words, it’s rather nasty stuff. Besides direct contact, it can leach into the soil and water. Plants absorb nutrients from the soil, and if creosote is in the soil, they can absorb that also. If it’s vegetable plants, then you eat whatever they’ve absorbed. Because of all that, creosote treated lumber for your terracing isn’t a good idea.
Safe Wall Materials And Placement
For small projects where you’re just leveling out a little slope, the new landscaping boards such as those found at Gardens Alive! that are made out of recycled plastics are an option. Use bricks for steeper slopes. Or you could use concrete blocks, modular retaining wall blocks or stone. These masonry options require varying levels of expertise, so be sure you know how to build walls with the materials you opt to use.
The steepness of the slope will dictate the height of the walls since the idea to provide level beds. Higher walls obviously means they need to be that much sturdier. They also should be well anchored. Anchoring the terraces at each end into the slopes is especially important. They also need proper drainage.
The walls will have to bear a lot of weight from the soil pushing against them, and that will increase even more after a rain. Improperly built walls could bow outwards or even collapse.
Building terraces is a big task. If it seems like to much to do yourself, there are landscaping contractors that can do the work for you. Since you’d have labor costs as well as paying for the material, that of course would be more expensive.
Ready The Soil For Plants.
It’s a good idea to enrich the soil before planting because slopes often have poor soil due to erosion. Soil amendments such a well-rotted cow manure, rich loam, compost or other soil amendments to the dirt to make it a better growing medium. If you wish to grow plant that thrive in poor soil, however, you won’t want to enrich the soil very much, if any.
Once the soil is ready, choose your plants, whether vegetables or flowers (DirectGardening.com – Offers quality plants at great prices). A good place for vining plants is along the top edge of the walls, which allows the vines to trail down over the sides.
Improve Your Property With Terraces.
Creating terraces on a slope is a lot of work. Sometimes it’s also a lot of expense. However,it’s a great way to eradicate an eyesore, improve your land, and provide another place for an organic garden full of flowers or vegetables.
There’s never too much space for planting.
Posted on Jan 13, 2009 under garden |
Rock gardens really offer some of the most spectacular garden vistas. Along with extensive usage of rocks and stones the plants native to the rocky or alpine environments are featured in the rock gardens or rockeries. Usually nowadays the rock gardens are designed by homeowners as a measure to make advantageous use of the rocky tract lying in their yards.
Creating a rock garden and looking after its upkeep can be a good hobby. The retired persons can especially take this up as a pastime and spend many a leisurely moment in the rock garden.
Origin of rock garden concept and aspects of rock gardens
Originally it were the travelers to the Swiss Alps who got impressed by the flora that grew among the snowy heights and rocky terrain out there and introduced the exotic flora and feel in their homelands. The rock gardens can come in various shapes and sizes. They may be small and simply done as also vast and elaborately set up. Every rock garden can be set up in a unique way. While simple rock gardens may include only flowers, foliage and rocks the exotic ones can also be made having ponds and waterfalls in them. Your landscape can indeed be wonderfully transformed by making use of a worthy rock garden idea.
The rock garden is usually observed as a pile of rocks of different sizes that are aesthetically arranged with small gaps being introduced in between them for planting of flora. Bonsai may also be incorporated suitably in rock gardens. Rock gardens can also be styled in the Japanese rock garden way. In such case the rock gardens are also referred to as Zen garden. These are special rock gardens with hardly any plants. Rocks and affine, light colored gravel are what make up such Zen gardens.
Going about with setting up of rock garden
While proceeding with setting up of rock garden the rock that is available in the locality is primarily considered for building up the garden. This also gives a natural look to the garden. Often there are a number of rock types to choose from. Any native rock that helps create a natural look should be selected. After placement of the rocks they ought to be allowed to settle down for a few weeks for judging their stability and effect on soil conditions.
While selecting the flora type for rock garden though there are no rules or conventions as such, yet, choices of plants need to be made judiciously. Plants that will be able to withstand and thrive in the climatic condition of the garden should be the ones that are to be naturally selected. Personal favorites among such plants can be opted for of course keeping-in with your ideas of rock garden setting.
Using of the right kind of soil – that is rich, light in texture and well drained to avoid water stagnation – is much needed in the rock garden. Usage of strong fertilizers should be avoided and natural soil enriching material should be preferably used. Watering is also a very important thing to take care of. Using a watering can for watering purpose is the best way out. Alongside, care must be taken to ensure that the garden is not overshadowed by large trees. The garden must get exposed to the sun, wind and other natural elements.
Posted on Jan 11, 2009 under garden |
A surprising number of people now fully understand that a gorgeous well maintained garden can add a great deal of extra cash value to their house. Further to this, a cleverly designed yard can seriously increase the amount of useable space for your family and you. For these reasons, and some others besides, landscape gardening has, over the years, grown to become an incredibly popular hobby. Top of the agenda for most landscapers is a wonderful yearly display of colorful and diverse flowers.
While a large number of landscape gardeners choose to add color by using annual flowers, the remainder conclude that using garden perennials is the better solution. Annuals are those plants which {grow, flower and die|germinate, develop, bloom and die} all in the single year whereas perennials will continue to bloom year upon year. Obviously there are advantages and minus points for both annual flowers and perennial garden plants and landscape gardening is all about choosing the the best blend of the two.
A large number of folk have emotional memories of distant days spent in a grandmother’s garden enjoying the wonderous aromas of many old fashioned favorite perennial garden plants. Sadly it can be rather problematic for even the most keen gardener (including some experienced professionals) to emulate gardens of the past because many of the varieties (of species) can no longer be purchased. You will be happy to hear that many of the old fashioned varieties have been replaced by strains which are more able to withstand disease, so you can often discover suitable replacements which have little or no (other) differences to the old fashioned plant.
Traditional Perennial Garden Plants
One of the most popular perennial garden plants used in garden landscaping today is the Yarrow which first appeared in American gardens in colonial times when it was brought over from Europe. Achillea is a very old fashioned plant used since the days of the Greek hero Achilles (from whom the plant gains it’s name) who used it to treat his soldiers. Achillea can stop bleeding and works amazingly well at healing wounds.
Achillea
Achillea millefolium has beautiful flat groups of small blooms that are rather daisy like. Achillea are available with flower heads in a variety of colors ranging from various shades of pinks, yellows and whites. Achillea millefolium are considered by most gardeners to be considerably easy perennial garden plants to grow. They are so easy to propagate because they are considerably invasive plants which can be seen growing on the poorest of ground. If you want to see success with Achillea millefolium you only need to avoid cultivating in extremely wet or poorly drained soil. The plants are fantastic at tolerating drought conditions. Achillea ptarmica and Achillea millefolium are two of the more popular varieties but there are many other types available.
For all types of gardening equipment including blowers and vacuums, hedge trimmers, string trimmers, lawnmowers and more visit http://store.landscapinginfo4u.com/
Posted on Jan 10, 2009 under garden |
Hydroponics is not only an easily-learned method of growing, it is also simple to sustain and is completely eco friendly. Did you consider the hydroponics vegetables greenhouse? You can practice hydroponics, even little kids have been taught to in a classroom setting.
Hydroponics Is Really Healthy For The Environment And For Your Family As Well
You can be eco friendly by using the hydroponics method and have the benefit of fresh fruit and vegetable grown without pesticides and herbicides. Lettuce, tomatoes, chilli peppers, bean sprouts are just some of the examples of easy crops to grow.
When you choose a hydroponics vegetables greenhouse, you will be able to enjoy vegetables and fruits all year round. Imagine having all the fresh herbs you want. You can have a continuous supply of your favorite herbs such as basil, oregano, thyme, chives, chervil, parsley, sorrel, mint, sage, cilantro and dill and many other herbs.
Advantages Of Using Hydroponics
A couple of advantages that the hydroponics growing method has over conventional field crops is that the roots are always exposed to oxygen, water and nutrients in a controlled environment. Instead of setting up a sprinkler system or hauling the hose around outside, you can conserve water by growing your plants using the hydroponics growing method.
For a field crop, the quality of its exposure to water will determine how much oxygen the plants are getting. Not enough water and the plant will dry up from too much air and oxygen while too much water will not let the plant gets the oxygen it needs. A crop field can compete with a hydroponics plant for growth only if the soil and watering system is excellent.
Air Fertilization for your Greenhouse
There are some special considerations that are involved with a hydroponics vegetables greenhouse and that includes the fact that during the winter, the levels of carbon dioxide can be lower in the middle of the hydroponics vegetables greenhouse and that means those center plants will not grow as much as the others. You can remedy this through the practice of enriching the greenhouse atmosphere with carbon dioxide, a practice known as air fertilization.
You do not need any gardening experience to enjoy the harvest from a hydroponics vegetables greenhouse. Serve your family fresh fruits and vegetables year round with a hydroponics vegetables greenhouse.
Posted on Dec 28, 2008 under garden |
Rock gardens really offer some of the most spectacular garden vistas. Along with extensive usage of rocks and stones the plants native to the rocky or alpine environments are featured in the rock gardens or rockeries. Usually nowadays the rock gardens are designed by homeowners as a measure to make advantageous use of the rocky tract lying in their yards.
Creating a rock garden and looking after its upkeep can be a good hobby. The retired persons can especially take this up as a pastime and spend many a leisurely moment in the rock garden.
Origin of rock garden concept and aspects of rock gardens
Originally it were the travelers to the Swiss Alps who got impressed by the flora that grew among the snowy heights and rocky terrain out there and introduced the exotic flora and feel in their homelands. The rock gardens can come in various shapes and sizes. They may be small and simply done as also vast and elaborately set up. Every rock garden can be set up in a unique way. While simple rock gardens may include only flowers, foliage and rocks the exotic ones can also be made having ponds and waterfalls in them. Your landscape can indeed be wonderfully transformed by making use of a worthy rock garden idea.
The rock garden is usually observed as a pile of rocks of different sizes that are aesthetically arranged with small gaps being introduced in between them for planting of flora. Bonsai may also be incorporated suitably in rock gardens. Rock gardens can also be styled in the Japanese rock garden way. In such case the rock gardens are also referred to as Zen garden. These are special rock gardens with hardly any plants. Rocks and affine, light colored gravel are what make up such Zen gardens.
Going about with setting up of rock garden
While proceeding with setting up of rock garden the rock that is available in the locality is primarily considered for building up the garden. This also gives a natural look to the garden. Often there are a number of rock types to choose from. Any native rock that helps create a natural look should be selected. After placement of the rocks they ought to be allowed to settle down for a few weeks for judging their stability and effect on soil conditions.
While selecting the flora type for rock gardens, though there are no rules or conventions as such, choices of plants need to be made judiciously. Plants that will be able to withstand and thrive in the climatic condition of the garden should be the ones that are to be naturally selected. Personal favorites among such plants can be opted for of course keeping with your ideas of a rock garden setting.
Using of the right kind of soil - rich, light in texture, and well drained to avoid water stagnation - is much needed in the rock garden. Usage of strong fertilizers should be avoided and natural soil enriching material should be preferably used. Watering is also a very important thing to take care of. Using a watering can for watering purpose is the best way out. Alongside, care must be taken to ensure that the garden is not overshadowed by large trees. The garden must get exposed to the sun, wind and other natural elements.
Posted on Dec 26, 2008 under garden |
A small strip of green in your backyard completes the charm of your sweet home. What can parallel the experience of a relaxed weekend amidst the chattering of the birds in the greenery right in your backyard or retiring in the lap of nature at the end of every tiring day! Your tryst with nature will become even more enjoyable if your garden—even if it is small one—is neatly manicured and artistically landscaped. When it comes to landscaping the garden, many people are led by the misconception that you need an expert help to give your garden the desired shape and look. But in reality, it is possible to design your own garden according to your taste. In fact, landscaping can be all fun and easy if you are armed with proper information.
What is garden landscaping?
Landscaping is often described as a pursuit of art, backed up by the scientific knowledge. The aesthetic sense in you makes the garden alluring, while the scientific knowledge serves the practical purposes. Thus in order to get started in your landscaping endeavor, polish up your finer senses of aesthetics and try to acquire information about basic landscaping designs.
According to the basic grammar of landscape designing, there are major five elements of landscape designing. They are:
- Color
- Texture
- Scale
- Line
- Form
Color: The color is added by the selection of flowers and particular shrubs and plants. The color schemes most commonly used in landscape designing are: monochromatic, analogous and complementary. While the monochromatic color scheme consists of different shades of one color, analogous color schemes are based on the colors which stay side-by-side on the color wheel. Complementary color schemes on the other hand comprise the hues that stay directly opposite each other in the color wheel.
Line: You can create the landscape in a line that is either straight or curved. While straight line has certain force of itself, curved lines appeared to be gentle to the eyes of the beholder and they create an illusion of movement.
Form: Lines are closely associated with that of the form. The form depends on the type of the plantations and their growth habit. Form relates to the aspects of size or area of the garden.
Texture: This factor is not influenced by the plants alone; there are many other objects in the garden like bridge, path etc that add to the roughness or smoothness of the landscape.
Scale: This refers to the size or dimension of any object in terms of the total area of the garden. Good landscaping depends on the sense of the scale and symmetry.
These were the basic elements of landscape design. Add your imagination and creativity to these basic elements to create your private retreat of peace and tranquility.
Posted on Dec 26, 2008 under garden |
Installing a backyard pond within the yard spruces up the area and the yard and will be able to evolve into a serene haven. The options are many when deciding to constructing a water feature to insure its success. One of the first decisions should be to decide on the area for the water feature. What will be the theme of the pond? Is it primarily to look at or will the focus be entirely for plants? You must make a decision if fish or turtles will live in the backyard pond. If a landscape architecture company will be responsible for constructing your new koi pond be certain to go over all of these questions during the development phase.
Once the koi pond has been created now it is time to create some character and interest along with beauty to the area surrounding the water feature. This is the fun part. Before selecting your pond plants determine if your state has a list of aquatic plants that are prohibited.
Buy the foliage for your water feature from relialble vendor. Do some of digging. It is really not recommended that you purchase the plants online; if you should have any problems with them it will likely make it very hard to return them to the merchant if it becomes necessary.
You might decide to choose the tropical water lily, which has a lovely blooming flower. There are also many of pond plants that are commonly used around the edges of the pond.
For an extensive list of plants for ponds and detailed planting and care instructions be sure to visit Pond Pleasure.com. You will be delighted at the many designs you can create with the use of the right aquatic plants around and within your backyard pond. Start planning your koi pond now!
Posted on Dec 24, 2008 under garden |
The first thing that greets you as you step into a Japanese garden is the calmness and serenity of the place. The Japanese gardens reflect men’s efforts at harmonizing the beauty and force of the nature in an effortless fashion. With the essential presence of water body, thin streams, short bridges or artificial hillocks created with gravels and rocks; in the final shape the Japanese gardens become resonant with the mellow notes of spirituality and tranquility.
You can find three basic styles when it comes to Japanese gardens:
- Hill and Pond (Chisen-Kaiyu-skiki)
- Flat Garden (Hiraniwa)
- Tea Gardens (Rojiniwa)
The basic rules are more or less same, while the particular features are incorporated in lieu with the specific type of the garden.
In the Japanese gardens you will come to find a rare bonding with nature. Despite the use of many artificial structural elements like bridges or water bodies or artificially created hills, Japanese gardens are created to reflect the nature in her most unadulterated form. Thus “harmonious asymmetry” becomes the rule for Japanese gardeners and simplicity becomes the inspiration behind their work. If you are going to recreate the Japanese magic in your garden, then follow the thumb rules described below.
The illusion of time and space
To the eyes accustomed to European style of gardening, where the perfectly manicured plants vie for your attention in every possible nook and corners of the garden, Japanese gardens may seem to offer an illusion of emptiness at a first glance. There are so many things, yet the garden looks so vast and spacious—this trick of space management is the first lesson with regard to the Japanese style of gardening.
Selection of plants
The Japanese gardens try to reflect the permanence of nature. That is why it is the evergreen trees that become the dominating feature of Japanese gardens. The plants in the Japanese gardens represent the seasonal cycles. Because of this selection, the Japanese gardens are not discarded during the winters. The essence of the four seasons can nowhere be better felt than in the changing appearance of Japanese garden through the year.
Bringing the balance
In an ode to nature, the Japanese gardens strive to represent the nature in a miniscule, but in its closest form. As for example, in a Japanese garden, you can not accommodate a pond that is a perfect square in shape. Because nature never produced s such a geometrical wonders. Similarly, in your pursuit of imitating nature, you have also to incorporate the spirit of balance. As for example to create a mountain in your small garden, you can make use of the small rocks, but not the huge ones.
Fencing
Creating the right enclosure has great symbolic value. The fencing is created with the aim of locking up the serenity inside the garden uninterrupted by the goings on in the outside world. Sometimes, small windows are created on the solid walls to lure the passer by with the beauty that lies inside the garden enclosure.
Ornamentation with the lanterns
No Japanese garden is ever complete with stone lanterns in variety of designs and styles. There are three main varieties of lanterns that are used in the Japanese gardens: the Kasuga style lantern, the Oribe style lanterns and the Yukimi or Snow-Viewing lantern.
In short, Japanese gardens are the reflection of natural balance between change and constancy. A little introduction to Zen philosophy can prepare you for the better perception about the Japanese style of gardening.