Tuesday, August 7, 2012
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Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
How Blood Meal Helps Your Plant And Shrubs
What exactly is blood meal? Blood meal is a natural fertilizer that comes from cattle slaughterhouses. This natural fertilizer is high in nitrogen. Nitrogen, a key food source of plants, and is associated with rapid plant growth. There is other important trace minerals found in blood meal, iron being one of them.
Blood Meal is a Very Powerful Fertilizer
Blood meal comes in a powered form and is very strong. The directions on the label must followed or you will burn your plants. It is not uncommon for gardening soil to be lacking in key nutrients. Nitrogen is often lacking from soils. Because of this fact adding nitrogen rich fertilizer is necessary.
Plants and shrubs that do not receive enough nitrogen frequently turn yellow and weaken. The addition of blood meal can restore the health and green color of a nitrogen deficient plant. When blood meal is added into the soil, tiny worms and bacteria break down the fertilizer into a usable form of nitrogen. Once it is broken down the plant can easily absorb and use it for new growth.
A Great Source of Nitrogen
Blood meal is a fast acting fertilizer. If your plants are lacking nitrogen--you can expect to see rapid improvements with the addition of this natural fertilizer. Blood meal is 100% natural and organic. Compared to chemical fertilizers, blood meal has a (12-0-0) nitrogen count. This is the highest of all natural fertilizers. Blood meal is inexpensive, safe for storing, and works on a number of plants and shrubs. It also can be used on lawns to green them up and in compost piles to break them down.
You really cannot go wrong using blood meal. It will provide the nourishment your plants need to stay healthy and strong year round. An added bonus is it is all natural and will not harm the environment.
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How to Compost : Learn Organic Garden Composting Online : Choosing a Compost Bin
Container Gardening
One of the most effective ways to save money in your landscape is to engage in the practice of container gardening. Container gardening is making use of different containers to hold your plants. These work for flowers, herbs, and even for vegetables. Container garden requires less maintenance than more conventional flowerbeds and gardens because there is less amendment to the soil and because there are fewer weed problems. Additionally , the costs associated with preparing an area for planting can be avoided when one uses carefully considered containers and planters for their landscaping.
One of the great things about container gardening is the wide variety of items that can be used as containers. Many of the items can be found around the house or even purchased from thrift stores. Old washtubs, and even filing cabinets laid on their sides and removed of their drawers (which can also be used as containers) make great containers. You can even cut the tops off of milk cartons and use the bottom sections as planters. These everyday items can be attractively decorated to look nice.
In addition to converting things like coffee cans and old shoes into fun and cute flower and herb holders, there are plenty of more traditional planters and containers that can be incorporated into an attractive landscape design. Clay pots and large urns make attractive holders, and the urns can even be used to hold vegetables. Additionally , container gardening is not limited to the ground. Hanging baskets bought at the store make excellent additions to any landscape. Plus, they can be hanged from the house, the porch, and even from tree branches and along fences. These baskets create little bursts of color no matter where they are. Window boxes are also attractive variations on container gardening and can add a great deal to the look of a home.
Containers make great accents as well as being practical and money saving. They can be just as beautiful to look at as the rest of the landscape design elements. Indeed, container gardening is a great way to enjoy the benefits of having a garden without as much backbreaking labor. Weeds cannot work their way into the containers, and if you have the right depth of container it is possible to have very healthy plants with strong roots, making them resistant to disease and pests. Additionally , flowers in containers are well protected from cutworms and from rodents who may burrow into the root system. Containers are excellent sources of protection for many plants.
In order to ensure that your container-based landscape is a success, it is important that you make sure that your plants do not need an extensive root system. Most flowers, even perennials, are fine in most containers. Even many vegetables are fine in coffee tins and washtubs. Corn can easily be planted in the filing cabinet lying down, and most drawers are plenty deep for tomatoes. Lettuce is a vegetable with a fairly shallow root system, and peppers have requirements that are very easy to meet with containers. Make sure, before planting, that your container is adequate for the needs of your plants. Herbs, of course , can thrive in just about any size of container, and many of them can even be grown inside the house (near a sunny window, of course).
Fill the containers with potting soil or garden soil. These soils are rich in nutrients and can provide your plants with the food they need. It is even possible to mix in a little organic compost for added nutrition. You will need to water your plants occasionally, but because your plants are enclosed in the container, there is no need to water them as often as plants in the ground. This is because the container will help retain moisture, and there is no drainage. Rather, you need to be careful not to over water your container garden.
Making use of a container garden is a great way to save time and money in your landscaping. It is also a creative way to display your plants and even to grow your food. And, if you have a small amount of space, container gardening can allow you to have a variety of plants that you might not otherwise have room for.
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Best Culinary Herbs to Grow in Your Shade Container Garden
Ladybugs, Ladybugs, Come to My Garden
Ladybugs, also called lady beetles or ladybirds, can be a gardener’s best friend. The ladybug’s bright coloring brings welcomed cheer to the garden, as well as helping with pest control. Since medieval times, ladybugs have been valued by farmers all over the world. Many believe that the ladybug was divinely sent to free crops of insect pests. In fact , that is how the ladybug got its name. People dedicated the bug to the Virgin Mary and therefore called it “The Bug of our Lady”, which was eventually shortened to the present name “ladybug”.
Adult ladybugs are usually oval or domed shaped and have red wings, yellow wings or shades and variations of these colors. The number of black spots can range from no spots to 15 spots and they are typically about one quarter inch in size or smaller.
The length of the life cycle of a ladybug varies depending upon temperature, humidity, and food supply. Usually the life cycle from egg to adult is about three to four weeks, and up to six weeks during the cooler spring months. During the spring the adult female ladybug can lay up to three hundred eggs in an aphid colony. The eggs normally hatch in two to five days. The newly hatched larvae feed on aphids for up to three weeks and then enter the pupae stage. About one week later, the adult ladybug emerges. There can be as many as six generations of ladybugs hatched in a year.
The ladybug enjoys popularity around the world. These pretty insects have long been considered a symbol of good luck and fortune because of their ability to eat an enormous amount of aphids. One ladybug can eat as many as 50 to 60 aphids per day. Aphids (also called plant lice) are herbivores and are one of the worst groups of pests on plants. They feed in colonies and damage plants by sucking the juice out of the leaves, stems, or roots. While aphids feed, they damage plant tissue creating a loss of plant fluids and the photosynthetic tissue needed to produce energy for plant growth. Some plants will show no adverse response to aphids, while others react with twisted, curled or swollen leaves or stems. Aphids also transmit many plant diseases from one plant to another.
Apart from aphids, ladybugs eat a variety of other insects and larvae including white flies, mealy bugs, spider mites, and other types of soft-bodied insects. They also require a source of pollen for food and for that reason are attracted to certain types of plants. Their preferred plants have umbrella shaped flowers such as dill, fennel, angelica, tansy, caraway, cilantro, yarrow, and wild carrot. Other plants that attract ladybugs include cosmos (especially the white ones), dandelions, coreopsis, and scented geraniums.
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Worlds Best Compost
Using Hydrogen Peroxide in your Hydroponics Gardening System
There are no doubts about the benefits of using hydrogen peroxide properly in a hydroponics system. This becomes especially true if your nutrient reservoir is kept above 72 degrees. Warm water holds less dissolved oxygen, and therefore encourages the growth of more viruses, fungi, and anaerobic bacteria. Hydrogen peroxide adds oxygen to you water and cleans the water of pathanogens. Benefits include healthier root systems, increased nutrient uptake, thicker stems, and bigger leaves.
One expert claims it should be used on all soil gardens as well as in hydroponics sytems. Knowing as much as I do about beneficial fungus and micro-organisms and the benefits they provide to living plants, I am shy in taking this advice. However , when this first line of defense fails and plants become sick I often resort to using hydrogen peroxide treatments on my soil grown plants.
The chemical formula of hydrogen peroxide is H2O2. You may notice it is simply water with an extra oxygen atom. In fact , as hydrogen peroxide breaks down in a solution the result is oxygen and water. Its application helps deliver oxygen to over watered plant roots and helps to sterilize the growing media by killing harmful anaerobic (not oxygen compatible) bacteria and pathanogens that cause disease. This includes bacterial wilt, pythium fungi, fusarium fungi, and others.
I avoid using the common 3% hydrogen peroxide you normally find at drug stores. This is because such low percentage solutions are unstable, and chemicals are added to the peroxide to keep it from breaking down before it can be used. I did a little research because I did not know what chemicals were used for this, or if the plants uptake these chemicals, or if there was a health risk associated with any of these stabilizing chemicals.
Hydrogen peroxide is usually stabilized with acetanilide. Acetanilide is a synthetic compound that was first used for its fever reduction and pain killing properties in the late Nineteenth Century. For many years it was utilized as an alternative to aspirin to treat various ailments, but large-scale medical use stopped when the toxic side effects of consuming acetanilide became apparent. This was enough to make up my mind to use 35% hydrogen peroxide instead.
Firstly, 35% peroxide is caustic and should be treated with the same caution as a strong acid. 35% strength hydrogen peroxide should be readily available at any quality hydroponics supply shop. The stronger concentrations do not use the added stabilizers.
The recommended dosage is to add 2-3 ml to each gallon of water, however , I use 5 ml per gallon and have never had any problems. At every nutrient change treat your fresh water with hydrogen peroxide. The general idea is to let the hydroponics sytem circulate the hydrogen peroxide solution for about a half hour to let the peroxide work against pathogens and to let the solution stabilize before adding your nutrients.
The beneficial effects of using hydrogen peroxide last about 4 days. There are some gardeners who add a little peroxide to their nutrient reservoirs every 5 days in between nutrient changes. If you decide to do this, stick to the guidelines and always make sure your solution is thoroughly mixed before exposing your plants roots to it. Another option is to top off your nutrient reservoir with peroxide treated water whenever it is low.
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The 2010 Chef\'s Garden Beans 101.mov
Tips On Home Made NFT Hydroponics Systems
Nft hydroponics systems have been round since the mid 60’s Allen cooper of England developed nutrient film technique.
The fact that nutrient film technique hydroponics has many advantages other soil culture, but the biggest is the fact that the root system of the plants have constant access to oxygen and that plants have access to as much or as little water as they need, this is important as one of the most common errors when growing is over/and under watering, and that hydroponics prevents this from occurring as large amounts of water can be made available to the plants roots and water that’s not used simply drains away, recalculating and then actively aerated, which eliminates anoxic conditions which can cause problems in root systems.
In siol, a grower needs to be very experienced to know exactly how much to feed there plants, too much and the plants will not be able to access oxygen, too little and the plants will lose the ability to transport nutrients, which are typically moved into the root while in the solution.
MAKING YOUR OWN NFT HYDROPONICS SYSTEM
One of the biggest mistakes “not the only one though” is using oval guttering for your homemade system, as the very nature of this system is to have a film of water “between 1mm
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The Complete Guide to DIY Hydroponic Gardening
Building a Raised Garden Bed
You can save money by building your own raised garden bed. These can be used for flowers and even for vegetables. They are gaining in popularity because they are easy and inexpensive to build, making them practical parts of the landscape. Additionally , they are fairy easy to plant and maintain. They are even relatively easy to weed. In addition to being convenient and practical in maintenance, they also drain sooner as well as warm up faster. This means that you can plant earlier in the season, resulting in the possibility of multiple harvests if you use your raised gardens for vegetables. You can make your garden a temporary bed or a permanent bed, and reap the benefits of a simple way to enjoy your landscape more and even dress it up a little bit.
The first thing you need to do is make sure that you have all of the necessary tools and materials. You can make your beds out of rocks, concrete blocks, bricks, naturally rot-resistant wood (cypress is very slow to decompose), or wood treated with a safe preservative. It is important to make sure that treated wood does not have anything harmful in it that could leach into the soil and thus be absorbed by the plants. This is especially important if you plan to eat whatever you are growing in your raised bed. Other things that you will need include optional wood preservative (like sealant) or sheet plastic, spading fork, shovel, iron rake, hammer and nails, measuring tape, compost, and topsoil. All of things are necessary for creating a successful raised garden bed.
When making a permanent garden bed, you should make sure to use more permanent materials. If you plan to use your bed for flowers as a prominent part of your landscape, bricks make very nice beds, as they are attractive and often complement most traditional landscape designs and plants. The bed can be as long as you would like it to be, but it should be at least one foot deep and no more than four feet wide. Wider beds can make it difficult to reach the middle of the bed to take care of things like weeding and fertilizing. If you have the bed against a house or fence, wide beds make it difficult to reach the backside of the bed as well.
Temporary beds, unlike permanent beds, allow you to change the design every year. If you like the idea of being able to make small changes to your landscape each growing season, then temporary beds can help you achieve this. Additionally , they are easier and less expensive to remove if you decide that you would like to take them out. Wood is best for these types of beds, as the wood can easily be taken apart. Choosing attractive woods can add to the look of your landscape design. You can also decorate the wood with non-toxic paint if you would like to have a little different look. As with permanent beds, make sure that you build them at least with a foot of depth and not very wide.
When planting your beds, whether permanent or temporary, you should begin by preparing the bed. Remove rocks, sticks, and debris from the beds and make sure that they are prepared for plantings. Be sure to allow for drainage. You can build your bed on a patio or on soil, but either way you should ensure that there are adequate pathways for excess moisture to escape. When using brick or concrete blocks, they can be stacked in a staggered fashion to allow water out of the bed. When building on top of soil, loosen the bottom soil with a shovel or spading fork. The bed should be filled from bottom to top with a compost and topsoil mixture. After this is done, rake the top of the bed so that it is smooth.
Once the bed is prepared, you can plant flowers, herbs, or vegetables inside the bed. Tall plants should be put in against a fence or wall, or on the bed’s northern side. Make sure that you take proper care of your plants in your bed, and remember that raised beds can dry out faster. They may need a little more water. Avoid stepping on the bed as much as possible to prevent soil compaction, and follow up your planting with a proper application of mulch.
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Building Raised Garden Beds for Organic Gardening with Vegetables
Hard-Times Gardening � Sustainable Without Fertilizers
I teach the Mittleider Method of vegetable gardening. It’s often called better than organic gardening, because we use only natural mineral nutrients, and eliminate weeds and pests without pesticides and herbicides. In addition, virtually nothing is left to chance – much different from those who depend on the unknown composition of manure and compost as their only source of food for their gardens.
I teach the Mittleider Method of vegetable gardening. It’s often called better than organic gardening, because we use only natural mineral nutrients, and eliminate weeds and pests without pesticides and herbicides. In addition, virtually nothing is left to chance – much different from those who depend on the unknown composition of manure and compost as their only source of food for their gardens.
I’m asked occasionally if the Mittleider gardening method is sustainable in the long run, “since it seems to be based on the availability of modern day fertilizers.” Since some folks feel that today’s fertilizers may not always be available in the future, how viable is this system for ongoing sustainability in the long run?
First, the Mittleider method is NOT dependent on commercial fertilizers for viability. Our experience around the world for over 40 years, however, is that everywhere we have been - including several countries in Africa, Armenia, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Russia, and 23 others - fertilizers have always been available.
The careful use of natural mineral fertilizers increases a family's gardening yield many times - sometimes as much as 10 times what they were growing without them. This is what has allowed America to change from one person feeding 4 or 5, to one person feeding 100 other people. So why would we NOT use them?? And why would we not want to teach people in the developing countries to use them - unless perhaps we WANT them to stay in the 19th century?
We recommend people obtain enough natural mineral fertilizers and seed (a #10 can of 15 varieties of heirloom seeds is available at www.growfood.com) for at least one extra year's garden. Mineral Fertilizers keep almost indefinitely, and they cost very little, compared to the yield they produce. Small storable packages of micro-nutrients are also available at www.growfood.com.
Here’s how you can grow a productive and healthy garden using manure tea. Get a large burlap bag and a 55-gallon barrel. Find cow or horse manure (chicken or turkey is twice as hot, so less will be needed), and fill the bag 2/3's full. Place the bag in the barrel and fill it with water. Let the manure "tea" soak or "steep" for 24 hours, then use the tea to water your vegetable plants.
Replace the bag of manure in the barrel and let steep for 48 hours. Use the tea, then dump the spent manure out and dig into an unused portion of the garden - it has almost no nutrient value, but can improve soil tilth.
Remember to plant your plants a little further apart when using this method, because they will be competing for less available nutrition. In addition, every watering should be with the manure tea for your plants to be healthy and thrive. You should expect to grow a smaller garden, and spend some time finding manure.
If manure just isn't available, consider saving kitchen scraps and human waste. Many countries do it all the time, so it's not the end of the world. And all clean, healthy plant residue should be saved and properly composted for re-use in the garden - again preferably as manure tea.
The Food For Everyone foundation teaches the Mittleider method of organic gardening. Know as the poor mans hydroponics you can increase your yields five to ten times. Tomatoes, vegetables, herbs, berries you name it these nutrients will produce the best results.
I’m asked occasionally if the Mittleider gardening method is sustainable in the long run, “since it seems to be based on the availability of modern day fertilizers.” Since some folks feel that today’s fertilizers may not always be available in the future, how viable is this system for ongoing sustainability in the long run?
First, the Mittleider method is NOT dependent on commercial fertilizers for viability. Our experience around the world for over 40 years, however, is that everywhere we have been - including several countries in Africa, Armenia, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Russia, and 23 others - fertilizers have always been available.
The careful use of natural mineral fertilizers increases a family's gardening yield many times - sometimes as much as 10 times what they were growing without them. This is what has allowed America to change from one person feeding 4 or 5, to one person feeding 100 other people. So why would we NOT use them?? And why would we not want to teach people in the developing countries to use them - unless perhaps we WANT them to stay in the 19th century?
We recommend people obtain enough natural mineral fertilizers and seed (a #10 can of 15 varieties of heirloom seeds is available at www.growfood.com) for at least one extra year's garden. Mineral Fertilizers keep almost indefinitely, and they cost very little, compared to the yield they produce. Small storable packages of micro-nutrients are also available at www.growfood.com.
Here’s how you can grow a productive and healthy garden using manure tea. Get a large burlap bag and a 55-gallon barrel. Find cow or horse manure (chicken or turkey is twice as hot, so less will be needed), and fill the bag 2/3's full. Place the bag in the barrel and fill it with water. Let the manure "tea" soak or "steep" for 24 hours, then use the tea to water your vegetable plants.
Replace the bag of manure in the barrel and let steep for 48 hours. Use the tea, then dump the spent manure out and dig into an unused portion of the garden - it has almost no nutrient value, but can improve soil tilth.
Remember to plant your plants a little further apart when using this method, because they will be competing for less available nutrition. In addition, every watering should be with the manure tea for your plants to be healthy and thrive. You should expect to grow a smaller garden, and spend some time finding manure.
If manure just isn't available, consider saving kitchen scraps and human waste. Many countries do it all the time, so it's not the end of the world. And all clean, healthy plant residue should be saved and properly composted for re-use in the garden - again preferably as manure tea.
The Food For Everyone foundation teaches the Mittleider method of organic gardening. Know as the poor mans hydroponics you can increase your yields five to ten times. Tomatoes, vegetables, herbs, berries you name it these nutrients will produce the best results.
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Organic gardening: How to grow an organic vegetable garden
Reducing Blood Pressure with Herbal Medicine - 5 Free Secrets
Stop taking medication and start reducing blood pressure with herbal medicine!
I am amazed at how popular alternative treatments have become in the last 2 years alone. I am not quite sure if this popularity is caused by a poor economy or the side effect laden medications. Whatever your reason, I am glad you are making the switch to better your overall health and finally taking control of your blood pressure and life!
Thousands of high blood pressure sufferers will go completely natural this week and wean themselves off of high blood pressure medication. Why the switch?
Why a Natural Remedy May Work for You?
Natural remedies have had their pros and cons. But only in the last decade, natural remedies have become one of the fastest growing treatments in the many parts of the world. Because research has now entered the natural health realm, people are more confident to try legitimate alternative treatments.
In the case of high blood pressure (also called hypertension), natural remedies are quite possibly the best method to lower your pressure. It is proven that people who try natural treatments are more likely to have better overall health.
Here are some tips to lower your blood pressure using herbal medicine.
Reduce Blood Pressure with These Secrets
1 . Along with zinc and copper, selenium may be helpful for people with high blood pressure. These 3 nutrients are often low in people with heart disease, so it makes sense that supplementing them may be helpful to people with heart problems or high blood pressure. You can probably get enough of all three of these nutrients by taking a good multivitamin capsule (twice a day). Selenium comes from meat, dark greens, wheat, walnuts and Brazil nuts.
2 . Beta glucan is found in oat bran and maitake mushrooms. It is beneficial for lowering cholesterol, which can help lower blood pressure if you already have high cholesterol. Oat bran is particularly helpful for moving waste materials out of the body.
3. An amino acid that helps the body produce nitric acid, L-argine may be helpful in lowering blood pressure. It can be found in meat, peanuts, soy and wheat products. A study that involved taking 2 grams of L-argine daily reduced systolic pressure 20 points after taking the supplement for just a few days. L-argine is also helpful for lowering cholesterol.
4. Studies have shown that consuming just a tablespoon of flaxseed oil daily lowered both blood pressure numbers by about 9 points.
5. Fish oil, also known as Omega 3 fatty acid, is very helpful for the heart. If you eat fish 2 to 3 times a week, you are getting enough. However , most of us don't eat that much fish. You should get a quality fish oil capsule to supplement twice daily.
Is There More?
These 5 secrets are just the beginning of curing this serious disease. If you are interested in more researched remedies (40 ), please take a moment and visit our website. We offer a High Blood Pressure Remedy Report that is 100% guaranteed to work in days. Download your copy now for 50% off.
http://www.bloodpressurenormalized.com/hbp1/
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Growing Mushrooms
Caring For An Outdoor Bonsai Tree
Many people are under the misconception that bonsai are tiny, delicate trees that must be babied and cultivated indoors. To the contrary, there are both indoor and outdoor bonsai trees. And since most bonsai are just trimmed and miniaturized versions of ordinary trees, many species thrive better in an outdoor environment. These ornamental trees make wonderful additions to your deck, patio, or garden.
Outdoor bonsai species fall into two categories: deciduous and evergreen. Deciduous trees have leaves that turn color in the fall and then fall off, while evergreen trees keep their needles or leaves year round. There are flowering and fruit-bearing versions of each. Good deciduous bonsai tree species include Japanese red maple, Chinese elm, Japanese larch, and gingko. Evergreen bonsai species that are easy to maintain outdoors include blue moss cypress, boxwood, blue spruce, and Japanese black pine.
Proper watering is an important part of caring for an outdoor tree. If the soil dries out completely, the roots will be stressed. On the other hand, if you overwater, you can cause rot root. To see if your bonsai needs watering, poke your finger into the soil about an inch. If the soil is dry, water until the water begins to flow from the bottom of the pot. Hydrate your bonsai with a gardening can or with a gentle stream of water from a hose. Using a spray attachment on a hose can produce a jet that is too powerful and you might wash nutrients from the soil. Of course , summoning a good rain is always the best way to water your bonsai tree!
To keep your bonsai healthy, you will need to replenish nutrients in its soil by fertilizing. Most all-purpose fertilizers found at garden centers and nurseries are fine for bonsai. Experts recommend using the fertilizer at half its recommended strength. You’ll need to feed your bonsai at least once a month, except during its dormant period when you should water but not fertilize.
Periodic trimming and pinching are necessary to keep your tree small. You should pinch back and trim most signs of new growth, but leave some buds and new shoots to keep your bonsai strong. Your outdoor bonsai will also require repotting when its root system has filled the container. When you repot, you are replenishing your tree’s soil and encouraging the development of a compact root system. Most deciduous trees need repotting every two to three years, while evergreens should be repotted roughly every four to five years. Because trees grow at different rates, you will need to watch your own bonsai tree’s roots for signs that it has become pot-bound; re-pot if you see visible roots circling the bottom of the pot.
All outdoor bonsai like morning sun and afternoon shade, so find a location where your tree will get both.
Many of these outdoor varieties, especially the evergreen conifers, will require a period of dormancy over the winter. Dormancy is a survival technique in which the tree’s internal clock slows down to prepare its soft tissues for cold temperatures. Most bonsai gardeners begin to prepare their trees for dormancy right after Thanksgiving; the quiet period usually lasts about three months. Trees must be protected from frost, yet not brought indoors as they need a certain amount of cold in order to break dormancy and resume growing again. You can protect your bonsai from harsh weather by covering it in mulch up to the lowest branch. If you do bring your tree inside, keep it in an unheated room such as a shed or garage.
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Japanese Garden Designs Made Easy
How to Choose or Grow the Perfect Tomato
The best part of summer is a fresh, sun-warmed red juicy vine ripened tomato. Depending on where you live this can be a long or short season.
So how do you pick a tomato in your local store? One important trait is its smell. If it looks like a tomato and smells like a tomato, it is a good tomato to pick. Choose a tomato with no bruises or cracks. Always try to support your local growers in your community for their fresh vegetables.
There are three different types of tomatoes. They are cherry tomatoes- good for salads and eating, plum tomatoes- good for sauce, soups and canning and don't forget the slicing tomatoes-great on a fresh bread on those hot summer days. Tomatoes should be left on the counter and most importantly never refrigerate them.
Nutritionist have been saying that tomatoes are good for you because they contain Lycopene. "Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant abundant in red tomatoes and processed tomato products, it may help prevent prostate cancer and some other forms of cancer, heart disease, and other serious diseases", according to lycopene. org.
If you look out on my deck you will see the most beautiful tomatoes ever. I know this because our neighbors are constantly checking over our fence and it is not so see us. This is because we found a fool proof way to grow tomatoes with very little work. The secret is using "Earth Boxes" earthbox. com.
Once you fill the earth box with all that is required, soil, lime and fertilizer you go to your local garden center and purchase tomato plants. The tomato plant is contained in the box and the soil is covered so there is no weeding. Earth boxes are self watering containers so you can't over water your plants. This is great because it takes up very little space. Just place them where you get lots of sun and water as needed about every 1-3 days.
Personally, I choose to grow the beefsteak variety along with sweet 100 cherry tomatoes. Don't forget to plant some green leaf lettuce for completely fresh salads during the summer.
Now what do you do with all these tomatoes? How about canning? Sauce? Salsa? The possibilities are endless. Go online for many recipes and suggestions.
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How to Grow Juicy Tasty Tomatoes - Expert Advice
Water Garden Tranquility
If you have a spacious backyard you have probably spend considerable time debating what you should do with it. For some families it becomes a play space, essentially filled with climbing equipment, a sandbox and toys. For other families they want to utilize the space by creating an oasis and a refuge from the daily stresses of life.
Water garden can be the key to that retreat. If you have the space and the inclination you can create a water garden in your back yard that will become a focal point. A water garden can be either large or small and can even include a fish or two. It has been a known fact the water and especially running water have a soothing affect, from the ancient roman fountains to the indoor Zen pools and waterfalls, people have always liked to relax by water, not a surprising fact when you remember that humans are made, in part, by water.
Finding the water garden of your dreams may prove to be a serious task, with many different things to consider, you will have to put in some time for research if you want to get the most for your money. Many garden centers have displays of water gardens for their customers to see. If you see one there that you like you can inquire if they have the water garden plans for that particular design, try and build it yourself, or get the plans and find a professional to do it for you.
If you don't have access to a specialized garden center consider visiting your local home improvement store. In the spring and summer months most have an area that focuses on gardens and accessories. They will generally have several different water garden plans for you to look at and choose from. The internet is also a good place to look for information about water gardens and what you need for them.
Once you've perused the water garden plans and chosen the one for you it's time to gather together the supplies and get to work. It may seem like a daunting task at first glance but in reality with the proper equipment, some patience and some helping hands you can build your own water garden that you and your family will enjoy for many years.
If you are especially creative why not bypass the traditional water garden plans and design one of your own. Make it a reflection of your own personal taste and style. You can incorporate some of the ideas from water gardens you've already seen along with the vision you have. It will become a one of a kind masterpiece.
Water gardens are a wonderful thing, pleasing to eyes and calming the soul this can be your place to relax and forget about the troubles of the world, good luck finding and building your own water garden and I wish you and your family many happy and calm moment by your new attraction - the water garden.
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How to Make Your Own Vertical Garden
Growing Basil Plants And How To Use The Basil Leaves
Growing basil plants in your garden or container garden will yield you a bountiful crop. The basil leaves can be used in a variety of ways in your kitchen. Experiment with many varieties of the basil plant. With several basil varieties you will have different flavors and therefore more interesting culinary dishes. Basil Plants are easy to grow and the basil leaves will add a real spark to your meals. Try growing cinnamon basil to make into a sorbet. And you don't have to just grow the basil plants in the garden; growing basil inside on a sunny windowsill in a container garden is fun too.
If you are planting basil herbs in the ground, basil likes soil that is well drained and high in nutrients. The basil plants require full sun and a warm atmosphere. Do not mulch around the basil plants until the ground has completely warmed. Your basil plants will attract butterflies, another benefit to growing basil.
If you are growing your basil plants from seed, start 6-8 weeks before the last frost. It will take approximately two weeks for the seeds to germinate. Basil plants should be around 12 inches apart. Basil attracts slugs and snails so put a ring of eggshells around the base of each plant. There is one disease that is devastating to your basil plants. It is called fusarium wilt of basil and arrived in North American some time in the 1990's. The symptoms are sudden wilting, dropping of the basil leaves and stems with dark streaks. As soon as you notice these symptoms quickly dig up the basil plant, the soil around it and the roots and discard it so not to infect your other basil plants.
Basil Plants are wonderful companion plants. It is thought that basil plants repeal whiteflies and improve the flavor of asparagus and tomatoes. When planted with roses it will improve there growth and repel insects. It will even repel mosquitoes if you rub it on your skin. A really nifty trick at a picnic is to place stems of your basil plant over the bowls of food to stop flies from landing on your food.
The very best time to harvest your basil plants is right before their buds bloom and late in the day. Basil is programmed to produce flowers after six leaves are on the stem. You can stop them from flowering by cutting off a few of the leaves. Let some of the basil plants flower they will add color, flavor and texture to vinegars.
Cut some stems from the basil plant and place in a glass of water in your kitchen. They will last a long time, they're convenient for cooking and some may take root to start another plant. By placing your basil harvest in perforated plastic bag at room temperature it will last up to 2 weeks.
You can dry your harvest from your basil plants by spreading them on trays, covering the herb with cheesecloth and allowing them to dry for a few days in a dark and airy spot.
Sweet Basil is the most commonly grown basil plant. The herb has large green leaves with pretty white flowers. It is one of the most bountiful plants and is used for making prestos.
The basil plant with wide thick and crinkly leaves is the Lettuce Leaf. This basil is a little sweeter and is excellent in salads.
Dwarf basil has small , narrow leaves and is less pungent then its cousins. Both the basil leaves and stems can be used from this basil plant. Put them in your recipe at the last minutes as the flavor will not withstand longing cooking times.
Licorice and cinnamon basils have dark leaves and flowers. They are quite a spicy member of the basil family.
Opal Basil is the purple variety. They're not as robust as the other basil varieties but they are beautiful and add color to tossed salads. The purple basils make great vinegars.
Lemon basil, as the name implies, has a strong lemony scent. Their leaves are small and a lighter green than the other varieties. You can use this herb in fish dishes, salad dressings and desserts. It is another basil plant that makes good vinegar.
Cinnamon basil has a cinnamon flavor and aroma and makes great tea. It can be used along with lemon basil in making potpourri.
Basil plants are an excellent addition to your garden, container garden or kitchen garden. Any dish you choose to include basil leaves in, will only taste better.
Happy Gardening!
Copyright © 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.
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Growing Herbs in Containers
How to Efficiently Install Ceiling Medallions
Adding a ceiling medallion is the easiest thing you can do to change the look and feel of any room in your home. Installing small ceiling medallions, up to approximately 24 inches or so, is a simple job for the average home handyman. As long as you are comfortable with changing a light fixture you should have no problem. If you are uncomfortable with removing your fixture take a look at installing a 2-piece ceiling medallion.
Safety is so important we would like to address it briefly. Always follow approved safety practices. Use hearing and eye protection. When you need to use a dust mask or respirator, be sure to use the right one for the job. Last, but not least, when working in electrical boxes, always make sure the power is turned off.
Plan the Installation-Before You Order
This is probably the most neglected step in any installation, but the most important. It is what makes the difference between a quick and efficient installation or massive frustration and numerous interruptions to run to the hardware store. The first step is to select the ceiling medallion you want to use. If you are using it in conjunction with a light fixture or a ceiling fan, you should note whether the ceiling medallion's center hole matches the fixture's trim. If they don't match you will also need to order a ceiling medallion center or a new fixture trim ring. Now is also a good time to see if the lighting fixture hardware is going to be long enough. Check the building code to make sure that there are no conflicts with your installation plans. In case of conflict, always follow local building codes. NOTE: Most building codes require you to leave access to the electrical box. Using a ceiling medallion with a 3. 5-4 inch center hole provides this. Permanently mount the ceiling medallion to the ceiling and use either the fixture's trim ring or a removable ceiling medallion center to cover the electrical box. Also, make sure that the existing electrical, plumbing and framing will not interfere with your installation.
Order Materials
Now that you have planned your installation, its time to order your materials. When you order your ceiling medallion, don't forget to order the ceiling medallion center, if you are going to be using one. Order construction adhesive, caulk, fasteners and extra length light fixture hardware. Order your hardware with your ceiling medallion and save yourself a trip to the store.
Assemble Materials
Before you start, assemble all the materials near where you are going to install the ceiling medallion. Double check to see that you have everything you need before you start. Now is the time to prefinish the ceiling medallion if you want to. If you plan on doing anything more than just painting it flat white, prefinishing is recommended.
Remove Existing Fixture
TURN OFF POWER!!! Turn off electrical power at the breaker box and mark the circuit breaker so someone doesn't accidentally turn it on while you are working. Now you can safely remove the existing fixture.
Layout
We recommend having the product on hand to ensure exact measurements. Layout the area on the ceiling where you want to mount your ceiling medallion. For a small ceiling medallion, you should be able to hold it up with one hand while tracing around it with a pencil. Larger ceiling medallions may require an assistant. If you need to orient a round ceiling medallion use a single register mark at the junction of the ceiling/medallion. Mark both pieces. For oval and diamond shaped ceiling medallions, start by drawing centerlines parallel to the walls and 90 degrees apart on the ceiling. Then make register marks 90 degrees apart on the perimeter of the ceiling medallion. Locate and mark ceiling joists on the ceiling and on the medallion if you are using screws to mount (required on all plaster ceiling medallions and also on polyurethane ceiling medallions over 20 inches). Mark and/or protect wiring and plumbing if necessary to avoid fasteners penetrating them during installation.
Drill
Drill and countersink (1/8 inch deep max. ) screw holes for mounting screws. Also, drill the center hole or ceiling medallion's center hole if necessary. If you don't have a hole saw of the proper size, polyurethane is easily cut with a razor knife.
Apply Adhesive
Apply adhesive according to the adhesive manufacturer's directions. Small ceiling medallions may be installed using only adhesive. Temporary clamps or fasteners may still be necessary until the adhesive sets.
Fasten
Fasten the ceiling medallion to the ceiling using coated screws in the predrilled countersunk holes. If you are unable to screw directly into the ceiling joists, the use of toggle bolts is permitted. Ceiling medallions over 20 inches in diameter and all plaster ceiling medallions require mechanical fastening.
Finish up
After the adhesive has dried, usually 24 hours, caulk the perimeter ( if needed ). Use no-shrink spackle, joint compound or plaster to patch screw holes. Feather edge or sand repairs and touch up paint. Hang up your fixture and you are done.
One final step: sit back and enjoy the simple beauty you have created.
Copyright 2005 goceilingmedallion. com
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Build a Greenhouse - PVC Greenhouse Plans - Backyard Greenhouse
3 Bonsai Mistakes To Avoid
Growing bonsai trees can be a very rewarding hobby. It's a great achievement to work with nature to create and style your very own bonsai tree. However , growing bonsai trees can also be a frustrating experience, especially if you make some common mistakes. In this article I'll describe 3 such mistakes and how to avoid them.
MISTAKE 1 . Not giving your bonsai the right amount of water. This is a very common mistake and leads to many bonsai problems. If you want to have a healthy bonsai tree then it must have the right amount of water.
The main reason why bonsai trees don't thrive or die is that they are not given enough water. The amount of water required varies depending on the species, time of year, location and conditions. So do some research on your particular species.
During the spring, summer and autumn you should check your tree daily to see if it needs watering. One of the ways of doing this is to push your finger or a chopstick into the soil. Outdoor bonsai require less frequent watering in winter.
The early evening is the best time to water - you will then avoid leaf scorch from the sun. There are several ways of watering bonsai, one of which is to water from above using a fine rose or spray.
MISTAKE 2 . Using the wrong type of soil. Your bonsai tree is totally dependent on the small amount of soil in its pot to provide all the moisture and nutrients that it needs to survive. It is a very different scenario to that found in nature where the tree's roots can spread wide and deep in search of nutrients and water.
So ordinary garden soil or normal compost are not suitable. What the bonsai tree needs is soil that can hold enough moisture and nutrients to provide a steady supply to the roots. There must be enough air spaces to allow the roots to breath and excess water must be able to escape to prevent the roots from rotting.
Therefore , substances such as gravel, sand and granite are important components of bonsai soil. Bonsai enthusiasts agree on the importance of grit but often differ about the best mix of soil.
Different species of tree also have different requirements e. g. flowering trees need more organic matter. It is possible to buy bonsai soil ready for use e. g Japanese Akadama clay but this is expensive. You can experiment with mixing your own - if you do this you should sieve the soil prior to use.
MISTAKE 3. Not keeping your bonsai in the right location. Many people think of bonsai trees as houseplants and keep them indoors. Whilst some tropical species are suitable for indoor growth it should be remembered that trees are designed for the outdoors - that is their natural habitat.
They thrive when they are exposed to seasonal changes of weather. The sun, wind and rain are all important to the tree as is the dormant winter period when the tree does not grow. Some classic outdoor bonsai include pines, maples and juniper.
Depending on the severity of the conditions, the species of tree and the stage of development, outdoor bonsai may require some protection in winter e. g. storage in a garage.
Two species that can be grown indoors are Ficus (fig) and Serissa (tree of a thousand stars). With indoor bonsai you will need to ensure that they have the right humidity levels and plenty of light. Do not place in draughty conditions.
If you ensure that your bonsai is growing in the right soil, has the right amount of water and is in the right location you will be well on your way to growing a healthy, thriving bonsai tree!
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Bonsai Styling: Principles And Techniques With Hajime Watanabe
Great Tips for Caring for Your Juniper Bonsai Tree
Juniper trees are among the most popular of the coniferous trees for creating beautiful bonsai trees. The Juniper tree can be found in many countries all around the world, and there are over fifty different varieties. If you're just getting started in bonsai you may be interested in the juniper tree because it is one of the easiest bonsai trees to take care of. The juniper bonsai thrives outdoors but it can be grown indoors provided it gets sufficient levels of both humidity and light, without which the tree will soon die. They can be displayed indoors for short periods of time but junipers will only thrive outdoors.
At different stages of the juniper's life it will display different types of foliage. The immature plant will have needle-like foliage which will become scale-like foliage as a mature adult plant. Depending on the species, Junipers may display foliage that ranges in color from light greens to bluish greens to golden hues.
The Chinese Juniper variety is one of the most popular juniper trees among bonsai enthusiasts. Another very popular species for bonsai is the Needle Juniper. The sharply pointed needles is where the Needle Juniper gets its name.
Watering Your Juniper
Junipers like to dry out between watering. Feel the soil every day to estimate if it is time to water. Your bonsai needs water when the soil looks and feels dry on the surface. Stick your finger about a half of an inch to an inch into the soil. If the soil feels dry then you have to water your bonsai. Allowing your juniper bonsai tree to get completely dry will cause damage to the plant. The best way to water a juniper bonsai is to set the pot in a container of water nearly up to the rim for between 15 and 30 minutes, when all the air bubbles have stopped rising, and allowing the soil to become saturated. Be sure to drain the water thoroughly after taking it out of the sink or container to make sure the roots aren't sitting in water. Sometimes it isn't possible or convenient to water your tree using this method so you can just water them from the top, wait a few minutes, and then water it again. Do this until the soil in your bonsai pot has been soaked thoroughly. During a correct watering cycle the soil will be completely saturated and then will be allowed to become somewhat dry before the next saturating watering.
A frequent spraying of your juniper bonsai's foliage will help keep them free of dust and help them to breathe. This is above all important for trees that have lately been repotted. This is done to keep the plant from becoming dehydrated until the roots have recovered enough to furnish water to the tree. Misting also minimizes excess transpiration and water loss on hot summer days.
Make Sure Your Juniper Gets the Right Amount of Sunlight
As mentioned previously Junipers do best and are more typically grown outdoors. A juniper bonsai tree will endure full sun, but the ideal setting would be to allow it to get low intensity morning sunlight with afternoon shade. alternatively, filtered or shaded sunlight all day would be fine.
Humidity
Humidity is a beneficial environmental condition for nearly all trees. A humidity tray, or a plate with small stones and water placed beneath your bonsai pot will help keep the humidity levels up. Be sure not to let your bonsai pot sit in the water. The tray or plate will also collect the draining water of your freshly watered bonsai. As mentioned previously, misting once a day will also help minimize transpiration, or the loss of water through the plants leaves or needles.
Feeding
A proper schedule would include fertilizing your juniper bonsai tree once every two to three weeks during the growing season, beginning with a high nitrogen fertilizer in the spring, a balanced fertilizer through summer and mid-autumn, and then a low-nitrogen fertilizer until winter. If using chemical fertilizers be sure to dilute to half strength so that roots are not damaged.
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Bonsai Gardening Secrets
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Macro Photography � A Brief Discussion
Macro photography is one of the most attractive and popular forms of photography. According to some experts it is very easy to master the art and techniques of macro photography – and that is, perhaps, the secret behind its fame.
Definition of Macro Photography:
Strength of the lens or the range of the lens determines whether the style can be called macro photography or not. A camera with a lens that has a 1: 1 range should be used in macro photography so that the image size on the negative or slide is equal to the actual size of the subject.
Hence, if you are using 35 mm photographic film, you should use a camera that can focus on 24x36 mm small area. Then only you can take picture of a subject where the image size on photographic film is equal to the real size of the subject.
What’s interesting in Macro Photography:
Macro photography opens up the doors of a new world. It captures minute details of the subjects – such details are not at all visible in the naked eye. Hence, the viewer can reveal a lot of new things in most familiar subjects while watching the photographs. And unfamiliar subjects become more attractive in macro photography. According to photo critics – macro photography is not only attractive, but seductive!
For example , when someone takes a picture of a rusted chain in 1: 1 range, you get to see the exact texture of rust. How rusts look like, what is the exact color of rust and many other minute factors come into notice. That’s what makes macro photography attractive.
Ideas
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Lay Out Plot Tutorial for Plangarden Vegetable Garden Design Software
Friday, June 22, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Gardening Bulbs - 7 Steps To Grow Allium Successfully
Allium is quite undemanding plant and you will not do any hard work in your garden to grow it. You just need to pay attention to the steps below to see beautiful globular Allium flowers that will make the garden more attractive and bring more life to it.
1. Allium prefers sunny areas in the garden. It will develop brighter and richer colours of the flowers and leaves in better sunny conditions.
2. Soil should have good drainage, because all gardening bulbs will decay if soil does not have this quality. Allium will grow in light and fruitful enough soils. While preparing the area in your garden for planting Allium bulbs, first add garden compost and fertilizer with all necessary micro-elements into the soil. Allium is very sensitive to the lack of the potassium in the soil, like all other bulb plants. One of the best sources of potassium is tree ashes.
3. Toll species of this plant require protection from wind during blossoming time.
4. One of the main requirements for good development of plants in their first half of the vegetation period is sufficient water supply, because leaves and flower-bearing stems are developing during that period. If Allium has shortage of water supply it will stop developing its leaves and resume it again when water supply will became sufficient again.
5. Apply additional fertilizer after new leaves developed and also during budding phase and bulb development; and apply fertilizer with potassium and phosphorus at the end of the summer to improve conditions for passing the winter time. You need to use fertilizers with sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and manganese after winter. And you will usually use liquid fertilizers in summer.
6. Allium can be propagated by the seeds and bulbs. When you are gardening bulbs, plant them in the depth of two diameters and try to make enough space between them.
You should plant bulbs in September – October period. Plant them into the wet groove, which you made beforehand. Put the humus or peat on the top – it will prevent developing of the soil crust.
If you use seeds for propagation, you need to remember that some species, like Allium giganteum, Allium aflatunense can come out only after influence upon them environmental conditions from autumn to spring, like soil temperature, water conditions. And also you need to know that some of the species of Allium, like Allium azureum will start blooming only after 3 – 8 years, when bulbs will develop well enough for reproduction.
7. Also it is recommended to transplant Allium species only once in 3 – 5 years. Do not interrupt natural process of Allium vegetation period. Wait until verdure will fade naturally.
You may plant Allium in group planting. Allium species with the low height can be planted on the rocky hills.
If you cut flower-bearing stems – they will decorate your interior for 2 weeks, and you may use dried plants to decorate dry bunch of flowers.
Wild Flower Garden - Yours to Design and Plan
To design a wild flower garden, you do not need to be a specialist or an artist, you just need to be observant and let your creative juices flow. Fine more information at http://www.complete-flower-garden.com/gardendesign.html.
Look around you, what is unique about your surroundings? Do you wish to enhance or compliment these things. Will your new wild flower garden be visible from the house, if so, perhaps you would like to plant your favorite colors so every day is a feast for your eyes. Are you seeking a quiet spot to sit awhile and relax, then your new garden can have a stone bench surrounded by tall plants to create a sense of peace and privacy. As I said, whatever style of wild flower garden you want, it can be yours. You can make this a reality if you plan the work, and work the plan.
To ensure that you end up with a garden design that you will love you need to take account of
- Your own personality, your likes and dislikes
- The purpose you want your garden to serve
- Growing conditions unique to your area
- Amount of time you can devote to maintenance
- Budget
These are quick and easy decisions to make, the same ones you would need to make when designing any type of garden, however failing to plan is like planning to fail.
If you decide to go for a small wild flower garden, then using pencil and paper to create your design is fine. If you have a large area, you may find it is a good idea to use a software program to create your plan. For a large area you need more precise measurements for hardscaping, sheds, fences etc. Planting large areas can be quite expensive so you want to be sure your overall plan looks good before you start buying plants. Seeing it all on a detailed blueprint will save you time and money by helping you avoid mistakes.
Whether your new garden is big or small it should blend with your home, your homesite and ideally with your neighborhood. Your choice of wild flower garden will most likely be inspired by the region you live in e.g. from a cottage garden in cooler regions to a tropical garden in hotter climes.
I find that the planning stage of the process to be hugely enjoyable. You can let your imagination run wild, but eventually you must fit your ideas into your available time and budget. So let your imagination run riot, plan your dream garden and then start refining.
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Japanese Garden Designs Made Easy
Water Garden Tranquility
If you have a spacious backyard you have probably spend considerable time debating what you should do with it. For some families it becomes a play space, essentially filled with climbing equipment, a sandbox and toys. For other families they want to utilize the space by creating an oasis and a refuge from the daily stresses of life.
Water garden can be the key to that retreat. If you have the space and the inclination you can create a water garden in your back yard that will become a focal point. A water garden can be either large or small and can even include a fish or two. It has been a known fact the water and especially running water have a soothing affect, from the ancient roman fountains to the indoor Zen pools and waterfalls, people have always liked to relax by water, not a surprising fact when you remember that humans are made, in part, by water.
Finding the water garden of your dreams may prove to be a serious task, with many different things to consider, you will have to put in some time for research if you want to get the most for your money. Many garden centers have displays of water gardens for their customers to see. If you see one there that you like you can inquire if they have the water garden plans for that particular design, try and build it yourself, or get the plans and find a professional to do it for you.
If you don't have access to a specialized garden center consider visiting your local home improvement store. In the spring and summer months most have an area that focuses on gardens and accessories. They will generally have several different water garden plans for you to look at and choose from. The internet is also a good place to look for information about water gardens and what you need for them.
Once you've perused the water garden plans and chosen the one for you it's time to gather together the supplies and get to work. It may seem like a daunting task at first glance but in reality with the proper equipment, some patience and some helping hands you can build your own water garden that you and your family will enjoy for many years.
If you are especially creative why not bypass the traditional water garden plans and design one of your own. Make it a reflection of your own personal taste and style. You can incorporate some of the ideas from water gardens you've already seen along with the vision you have. It will become a one of a kind masterpiece.
Water gardens are a wonderful thing, pleasing to eyes and calming the soul this can be your place to relax and forget about the troubles of the world, good luck finding and building your own water garden and I wish you and your family many happy and calm moment by your new attraction - the water garden.
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How to make a fairy garden - fairy ladder for your fairy door .wmv
Orchids Are One Of Nature's Most Beautiful Flowers
Orchids are beautiful flowers. The interesting thing about Orchids is that they seem to draw people to them. There is hardly another plant or flower that has been able to capture the attention and desire of people the way Orchids have. In the past Orchids have been hunted and collected in almost every part of the world. Today there are millions of people who are absolutely devoted to the plant and its beautiful "faces."
It’s estimated that there are nearly 20 thousand varieties of Orchids. They grow in many different climates and regions. There are some important factors to consider when growing your Orchids. Light is probably the single most important factor in determining whether or not your plants will bloom. The appropriate amount of light is necessary for proper plant growth and nutrient storage. Without the right light levels, your plant either cannot produce enough food stores to power a blooming cycle. Too much light may burn the orchid and too little light will not support its needs.
An interesting feature of growing Orchids is that a plant can live for a long time even with light that is less than ideal, but you probably won't have any flowers. On the other side thought a large and healthy plant that has grown for a long time without enough light will often put on an impressive display once given proper lighting. This means that Orchids are very durable and resilient.
As you seek to grow the perfect orchid, take your time and look around as you decide where in your garden you’d like to grow Orchids. It will be well worth the patient time and effort you put in to see splendid, beautiful Orchids in full bloom.
Orchid Care
The Beauty of Landscaping
In architecture, landscaping refers to the science and art of modifying land areas by organizing natural, cultivated, or constructed elements according to a comprehensive, aesthetic plan.
This landscaping involves the elements of topographical features like hills, valleys, rivers, and ponds or growing things like trees, shrubs, grass, and flowers as well as constructions like buildings, terraces, and fountains.
Today, landscaping is quite popular for homeowners who would want to improve their homes. The goal should be the house and the landscaping must complement with each other.
A GUIDE TO D-I-Y LANDSCAPING
Any house with landscape should complement each other. In order to achieve this harmony, you really need to consider and reconsider your options and the extent of landscaping you would want to have.
There are actually so many aspects in do-it-yourself landscaping like budget, skills, the climate of your region or place, personal design tastes, and the available resources. If you really want to beautify your home through landscaping, here are some do-it-yourself landscaping tips that can help you get by.
1. Make sure that you provide your landscaping with a year-round theme. The surefire tip in landscaping is to provide it something related to four seasons so you’ll never be outdated. A combination of a plant-selection with flowering trees or shrubs throughout, and fall foliage would do.
2. Try to layer the garden’s flower beds when planting. By layering the planting beds in rows of three that include a back row filled with tall plants, a middle row planted with the next tallest plants, and a front row containing the shortest plants. The repetition of each flower bedding will give your garden a unified look.
3. Consider the use pf evergreens for continuity. When it comes to DIY landscaping usually focuses more on trees and shrubs but this doesn’t mean that you cannot include evergreens because this will give the space more structure and the view of variety and continuity.
4. Experiment on using annuals to supplement perennial hues and colors. Perennial flowers are ideal for flower beds because they last for a long period of time. But since they bloom only in a specific period, it is best if you try incorporating annual plants with perennial ones so you can fill up the colorless spots in the flower beds when perennial flowers are not yet in bloom.
If you are quite particular about color coordination of the two kinds of blooms, try using a picture gallery so you’ll get ideas what is the right color scheme for your garden.
5. Don’t forget to assimilate hardscape into your initial and final landscape design. Aside from paying much attention to plants when landscaping, don’t forget to include hardscape features such as fences and other garden decorations.
If you want to be more specific, try including patios and decks to your garden because these will provide great transition from your indoors to your outdoors.
6. Don’t be daunted in installing water features. One of the best focal points of any excellent landscape designs is the water feature. Aside from being one of the hottest trends in landscaping today, installing a water feature will not only make your garden more visually appealing but it can only create soothing sounds great for relaxation. The most basic water feature you can install is ponds.
When you think you’re ready to do something bigger and better, consider conceptualizing a simple waterfall through the use of cheap fountains, flexible tubing, pre-formed rigid plastic liners, and durable pumps.
7. Always keep foliages and drought-tolerant plants in mind. When thinking of landscaping your house or garden, never forget to include the characteristics of a plant’s foliage. The varying foliage textures and colors are needed to help you liven up your yard while the presence of drought-tolerant plants so your garden will have a staple decoration.
8. Lastly, make sure that you can maintain your yard without so much hassle. Sure, you can do landscaping in your yard based on your taste and aesthetic sense, but never forget to keep it low-maintenance so you can enjoy the beauty of your work even if you don’t spend much time and money keeping it.
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Landscaping Ideas - Over 7250 Ideas
Winterizing Tips for your Lawn and Garden
Your outdoor plants have worked hard for you all summer, making your yard a place you’re proud to call home. Properly winterizing your lawn and garden is an important step toward healthy soil, lush grass, and happy plants next year. Remember to take care of your outdoor accessories, including your lawn equipment, gardening tools, and all of your lawn and garden decor. A little time spent this autumn will make your gardening and landscaping efforts easier and more enjoyable next spring!
Let’s start with the easy jobs - First remember to store all of your lawn and garden decor including fragile planters, gazing balls, and your deck furniture. Unglazed terra cotta planters left filled with soil outside will often break in the freezing temperatures so it is best to clean them and place them in a storage area where they are protected from the elements.
Autumn is the time to find your birdfeeders and to start stocking your winter feeding pantry. Soon your many feathered friends will be flocking to your feeders for that nutritious morsel. Remember to keep your feeders full through the winter as the birds need reliable food sources through the winter months.
Now that you’ve done the easy tasks, let’s move on to the more mundane winterizing chores. Start by simply cleaning up the vegetable garden. After the first hard frost, remove the year’s annual plants and the dead vegetation. You can add this material to your compost pile, but make sure you’re not adding material from diseased or pest-infested plants. You’ll want to pull perennial weeds before you mulch your garden down for the winter.
The best part of fall landscape chores is planting the spring-blooming bulbs. Crocus, tulips, and daffodils are a beautiful addition to the early spring landscape.
In the yard there’s the major job of raking leaves. These are great either in the compost pile or as direct mulch on the garden. Perennial flowers may be smothered by a heavy layer of mulch, however. Also, wait to prune your trees until later in the winter.
After the ground freezes you can mulch your perennial flowers and newly planted trees. Certain shrubs will need to be wrapped in burlap to protect them from wind damage, sun scald, and other winter injury.
Moving on to the mechanical tasks of winterizing your lawn and garden - While you might try to procrastinate on these jobs until spring, you’ll be well rewarded for the maintenance you perform this fall. Drain the gas from your lawnmower and string trimmer. Actually it’s best to let your mowers and trimmers simply run out of fuel. If you don’t want to ‘waste’ that little bit of fuel, add a gas conditioner before the long winter. Be sure to follow directions. Also, take the same care with your gardening equipment such as your rotary tiller.
Clean all of your landscaping equipment before you store it away for the long, cold winter. Wash with soap and water, clean the air filter, and change the oil. You’ll find that first lawn mowing job in the spring a little bit easier if you take time to sharpen the blades now. You can protect that freshly sharpened blade by applying a little spray oil to the blades. You can also apply light spray oil to other moving parts such as cables and the throttle controls.
Lastly, drain all of the water from the garden hoses and turn off the taps. Be sure to store your insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in a safe storage area that will not freeze. Make sure these materials are kept away from children and pets!
4 Gardening Lessons Revealed: Planting Methods, Tools, Crop Rotation
1. Planting Methods: There are several methods for planting.
Picking any of these methods depends on the vegetable, the size of your garden, and your fondness. Three methods of planting, namely, single rows, wide rows, and hills are clarified as follows:
A) Single Rows: In this method, seeds are sown in rows or lines that are spaced equal distances apart. The distances between the rows and between the seeds within the rows differ from vegetable to vegetable. If you want the rows to be straight, which gives a pleasant appearance to your garden, stretch a string between two stakes and sow the seeds along it. If you think this is too much work, use a stick to mark a line on the ground and try to make the line as straight as possible. With some training, you will get it straight.
B) Wide Rows: In wide row planting, seeds are sprinkled at equal spacing in both directions over a wide area. The width of the row varies from 6 to 16 inches. The row's width is limited by your arm's reach to the area in the middle of the row while standing at the edges. We find that wide rows are convenient and productive for peas and beans. In addition to giving high yield per unit area, they cut down on weeds. Wide rows are also good for starting leaf vegetables like lettuce and spinach. When the seedlings emerge, they can be thinned and transplanted elsewhere. Double rows are a special form of wide rows.
C) Hills: In hill planting, 3 to 5 seeds are sown close to each other. They need not be sown on a formed hill, as the name implies.
This method is used for example when planting zucchini and cucumbers.
2. gardening tools: There are many gardening tools available on the market today. The basic tools you'll need are a shovel, trowel, steel rake, tomato cages, and a water hose or can. The shovel is used to till the soil, mix potting soil, move soil around, and cut the weeds if they grow big. Some gardeners use a fork instead of a shovel to till the soil, but we don't.
The choice is yours. The trowel is used for cultivating the weeds, transplanting the seedlings, mixing soil or fertilizers, and filling containers with soil. The steel rake is used to grade the soil and to compact the soil over the seeds. Tomato cages are indispensable for supporting tomato plants. You can also use them to support running plants such as cucumbers and peas. Without them the plants will collapse on the ground and their fruit will get into contact with the soil and eventually decay. A hose or a can is used to water the plants in the garden and within containers.
3. Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is the practice of planting each vegetable in a different location each year. The advantages of crop rotation are:
A) The chances of transmitting diseases and insects to next year's crop are very much reduced. Certain diseases and insects attack certain vegetables. These diseases and insects move from the plants to the soil, where they winter. If the same vegetable is planted in the same spot the following year, the diseases and insects will surface from the soil and attack the new plants once again.
B) Each vegetable absorbs trace amounts of specific minerals from the soil. If the same vegetable is planted in the same spot year after year, the minerals the vegetable needs to grow healthy plants will be depleted, resulting in a meagre harvest.
C) The roots of legumes (peas and beans) have bacteria that soak up nitrogen from the air and fix it on the roots of the plants and in the soil. To take advantage of the nitrogen they fix in the soil, the legumes should be followed by a leafy vegetable, such as lettuce and or spinach, which both need nitrogen-rich soil. This is one of the techniques organic growers use to grow vegetables without the use of chemical fertilizers. It may be impractical to rotate every crop each year if your garden is small.
This difficulty can be overcome by taking the following measures:
(1) choose disease-resistant vegetable varieties, (2) keep your garden clean of rubbish, and (3) watch for insects and diseases. If a plant becomes teeming with insects, pick them by hand; if a plant is infected by a disease, pull it from the ground and dispose of it.
4. Proper Gardening Clothing: In the course of gardening, your footwear and clothes are likely to be soiled. You walk on dirt and or mud, your clothes make contact with plant leaves and stems, and your hands are soiled. You are also exposed to the sun. Your shoes accumulate mud and will soil the floor if you walk directly into the house. Therefore, you should have a pair of aged shoes set aside for gardening. Put them on before going into the garden and take them off before entering the house. Leave them in the garage or put them in a bag until you use them again.
Also, have special clothes for the garden. If you don't, your ordinary clothes will be soiled no matter how careful you are. To protect your hands and fingernails from collecting dirt, use a good pair of garden gloves. Some are washable and can be reused again and again...
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Happy Gardening,
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