Thursday 27 September 2012

Take A Look At These Great Gardening Tips!

Gardening is a great pastime and could bring many benefits. No matter whether you keep a garden for food or merely for decoration, the sense of accomplishment you get from taking care of plants is like nothing else. In this article, you will be shown different techniques to help you start a garden, and grow plants of your own.

Start your garden by planting seed in small pots. The most "green" way to create a new garden is starting from seeds. It's better for your garden, in particular, because transplants have high failure rates; whereas, sprouting a seed and growing a plant in the same conditions is better. Additionally, it's better for the environment, because the plastic pots used by most greenhouses are generally not recycled and are cluttering landfills.

During the day, when the weather is hot, vegetables tend to be softer, which causes them to be damaged even if you gently pick them. Cut vegetables off at the vine, and don't twist them off, as this could hurt the plant.

The handles on your gardening tools can be used as a convenient measuring instrument. Tools with substantial handles, like rakes, hoes and large shovels are great for taking measurements. Simply lay the handles out on the floor and run a measuring tape next to them. Use a bright permanent marker and label the distances. When you decide to work in the garden again, you will now have a ruler at your disposal.

Keep tools safely stored if you are in a densely populated area. Leaving valuable tools out might tempt someone to steal them.

If you want to keep dogs our of your garden, take some aftershave, old perfume, or any other scented item and spray the grass around the area. This can help mask any scents which attract animals so pets will now avoid the garden.

Transplanting plants and bringing them indoors can protect them from harsh winters. Choose the plants that are most likely to survive. Carefully dig near the roots and transfer those plants into a flower pot.

One method of gathering layers of materials for a compost pile is to simply stick the materials in bigger plastic garbage bags. The yard full of leaves in the fall can be raked and held on to. Place the leaves in bags and store them someplace warm. When spring arrives, you will have perfect soil material to add to your compost pile.

There are many types of bees, most of which are beneficial to your garden, such as the bumble bee who help keep plants pollinated. Keep in mind though that there are some bees that can harm your garden. Carpenter bees for example destroy the wood in trees to create their nests. Most of the time, bees are beneficial to your garden, so you should just let them do their work and not disturb them.

Take the time to place organic mulch in the area around your vegetable plants. The soil around plants can stay damper through the use of mulch. An added benefit is that it also inhibits weed growth. You will be able to save the time you would spend watering your plants and pulling out weeds.

Identify a plant that will be the most prominent object of the landscape. In any good garden design, a focal point will grab the eye and hold it there. Usually, the focal point will be a plant that is unique from the plants around it.

An English garden mixes plants of various kinds and sizes close together, which helps to give it a more multi-dimensional feel. If you only use uniform plants, your bed will look boring and flat.

As was mentioned at the start of this article the beginning, a garden is a wonderful way to have your own fresh fruit, veggies and herbs at home. Using the fruits and vegetables in the meals you prepare will have you feeling proud. Apply these guidelines in order to get the most out of gardening.

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Advice That Will Prove Helpul When Gardening

Gardening isn't just a means to adorn your landscaping. It isn't only a pastime for hobbyists with a green thumb. It is a way to provide the person tending it with peace, tranquility, and an appreciation of life itself. Gardening is best when you have the knowledge to do it right.

Choose trees that come to fruition in the fall. Fall is usually associated with foliage, but some trees will produce decorative fruit. Your berries will have a range of colors from deep reds to bright yellows, and will last well into winter, allowing your garden to remain colorful, and also providing food for birds. The best varieties include hawthorn, holly, crab apple and choke berry.

If you have a wall or fence that you do not like, plant climbers to mask its appearance. You can hide an unsightly wall or fence, in as little as one growing season, with the right selection of climbing plant. They may also grow through tress and shrubs that are already grown, or you can train them to cover your arbor. Some types of climbers support themselves naturally through twining stems or tendrils, but others will have to be attached to something. Some of these plants include, wisteria, jasmine, climbing roses, clematis, honeysuckle!

Several annuals grow better in the colder months. For great looking plants, try pruning them if they get too leggy. After a couple of weeks, you will see these annuals bloom again, and they will look beautiful when compared to all of the winter foliage. Some annuals like snapdragons, dianthus, and petunias are particularly well suited to cooler temperatures.

A simple ammonia and water mix will keep snails away from your garden. The ammonia is safe for your plants, and will be absorbed into the ground and converted into nitrogen. The snails, on the other hand, will be killed by the solution and no longer damage your garden. In order to achieve the best results, apply this mixture on a daily basis.

When fall is here, you need to plant autumn edibles. Why not plant lettuce and kale inside a hollowed-out pumpkin? When you have finished cutting and cleaning the pumpkin, spray it with some liquid that will stave off wilting to keep it from rotting. After this is completed, it is time to plant!

When gardening, it is critical to shield your knees as much as possible. It is not good to bend from a standing position for a long period of time. If you kneel, you can easily work on your plants without placing stress on your back. Many types of gardening pads and cushions are available so that avid gardeners can kneel for longer periods of time without experiencing knee pain.

One method of gathering layers of materials for a compost pile is to simply stick the materials in bigger plastic garbage bags. The yard full of leaves in the fall can be raked and held on to. Place the leaves in bags and store them someplace warm. When spring arrives, you will have perfect soil material to add to your compost pile.

There are some annuals that grow better in the colder months. To make sure that these plants always look their best, prune them if they start to look too leggy. After a few short weeks, these plants will bloom once more and they will look beautiful during the autumn time. Snapdragons, dianthus and petunias are annuals that prefer cooler weather.

When you are ready to start your garden, think about which vegetables you use often while cooking, and make sure to plant those. This reduces your grocery bills and allows you to use everything you grow. It is pointless to grow an item your family or you won't eat, particularly if your space is limited.

Some people use gardening as a source of relaxation. You can relax and be at peace in many different ways. Gardening is an excellent choice for calming your mind and soul. The returns are huge for a very minute up front investment cost. Growing your own garden brings a feeling of tranquility and joy to you.

An English garden mixes plants of various kinds and sizes close together, which helps to give it a more multi-dimensional feel. If you only use uniform plants, your bed will look boring and flat.

You will now feel more confident in your ability to transform your garden into a thing of glory. It is amazing how much you can learn, even after thinking that you were pretty knowledgeable. The tips above were meant to give you a little guidance to aid in your gardening endeavors so you can go out and have some real fun!

Friday 17 August 2012

Bring Contrast Into Your Garden Design

If you want that green, lush garden, there are many things to do in order to get there. Gardening takes a lot of effort, planning, time and work, but it can be a great deal of fun. Try these hints to bring the fun out in gardening.

Carefully read and follow the instructions that come with your chemicals and tools, especially when you're just starting to garden. If you miss this easy step, you run the risk of harming yourself due to the chemicals that can irritate your skin. Keep your health intact and follow the directions to the letter.

If you have a wall or fence that you do not like, plant climbers to mask its appearance. You can hide an unsightly wall or fence, in as little as one growing season, with the right selection of climbing plant. They may also grow through tress and shrubs that are already grown, or you can train them to cover your arbor. Some types of climbers support themselves naturally through twining stems or tendrils, but others will have to be attached to something. Some of these plants include, wisteria, jasmine, climbing roses, clematis, honeysuckle!

Make sure you protect any tender deciduous shrubs. Cold weather is very hard on these tender shrubs, and potted shrubs should be shielded and protected. Pull the canes together at the top and securely tie them. Next, using a sheet or perhaps even a blanket, cover the structure. This will work better than wrapping your plant with plastic, because air can still circulate, which will help to prevent rotting.

A set of knee pads are a life saver if you're an avid gardener and a lot of your plants sit close to the ground. Spending lots of time on your knees while gardening can injure them and create lasting pain. Pick up a good pair of gardening knee pads to help cushion your knees.

Use smarts when watering your garden. A soaker hose can save valuable time by watering all of your plants simultaneously, removing the need for hauling a watering can or hose around to each plant. To protect your plants, keep the flow on the soaker down. Keep the water turned on for about two hours; while your plants are being watered, you will have time for other activities.

Choose plants that will provide color in autumn. But, that does not have to be the case! If you plan properly, you can make your fall garden the most colorful time of the year. Many trees display a range of the vivid colors of fall, from bright yellow to rich crimson, including maple, beech, and dogwood. When you choose shrubbery, try hydrangea, barberry, or cotoneaster.

An English garden mixes plants of various kinds and sizes close together, which helps to give it a more multi-dimensional feel. Using plants which grow to the same length or height will make your bed look uniform.

Use fertilizer for maximum planting success. Use commercially composted products in your garden to help your plants grow. This will reduce the chance of pathogens. There are a lot of different ways to fertilize plants; make sure you actually take the time to do it.

If you have a smaller garden, put in a dwarf tree. Many gardens within city limits don't have space for full-size trees, but have plenty of space for miniature versions like the dwarf fruit tree. This variety of fruit tree will mature and yield full sized fruit after about three years, though sometimes it can take a bit longer. The best time to plant your dormant trees is early springtime, and remember to water them liberally until they are well established.

Identify a plant that will be the most prominent object of the landscape. In any good garden design, a focal point will grab the eye and hold it there. Usually, the focal point will be a plant that is unique from the plants around it.

An English garden mixes plants of various kinds and sizes close together, which helps to give it a more multi-dimensional feel. If you only use uniform plants, your bed will look boring and flat.

As was mentioned at the start of this article the beginning, a garden is a wonderful way to have your own fresh fruit, veggies and herbs at home. Using the fruits and vegetables in the meals you prepare will have you feeling proud. Apply these guidelines in order to get the most out of gardening.

Sunday 5 August 2012

Become An Expert Gardener With These Top Tips

Grow healthy and delicious food at home, right outside your door. Is anything as sweet and tasty as a freshly picked tomato sliced up on your salad, other than perhaps having a whole salad straight from your backyard? This article can give you tips on gardening that can help you get more out of your garden.

The correct soil can make a big difference in how your garden grows. Depending on the types of plants you would like to grow, your garden's soil might need to be amended with different substances to alter drainage, acidity and other charactheristics that make plants happy. You can also create an artificial area with only one kind of soil.

Water is an essential component of any thriving garden. Water is the main element of life for all life forms. On really hot days, the soil can dry out, so one must not forget to water the garden. Consistent watering contributes to a flourishing garden.

Try to have a plan with your garden. It will be a while before things start to sprout and visually remind you of what was planted where, so a written record can be helpful. A good plan can also help you to place each plant in the area that is most beneficial to them.

Humidity may be necessary for some houseplants to grow. To create humidity anywhere, group plants of different types into one large pot and fill gaps with stones or compost. Mist your plants with some water a few times a day to create humidity.

If you need to make compost, store old plants and organic elements in plastic garbage bags. A good time to collect compost is in fall after the leaves are raked from your yard. Place the leaves in bags and store them someplace warm. By spring, you'll have a larger, fresh compost pile.

Make sure that your deciduous shrubs are protected. If you have some tender shrubs that are in planters, you need to protect them from cold weather. Fasten the tops of the canes together, and cover this wigwam loosely with a cloth. This method is much better than wrapping the plant in plastic, as it allows air to circulate, which can prevent rotting.

Try growing some cat grass or wheat grass in the vicinity of the plants that your cat likes to eat. You can also try to offend the cats sense of smell with orange rinds or mothballs.

A set of knee pads are a life saver if you're an avid gardener and a lot of your plants sit close to the ground. Your knees will take a beating if you spend a great deal of time on the ground while tending your garden. Your knees can get supported with a decent pair of gardening knee pads.

Take the time to place organic mulch in the area around your vegetable plants. The soil around plants can stay damper through the use of mulch. An added benefit is that it also inhibits weed growth. You will be able to save the time you would spend watering your plants and pulling out weeds.

Cooled water left over from steaming vegetables can be fed to them as a little snack. You can also acidify soil for rhododendrons, gardenias and more by using coffee or tea grounds. If fungus is an issue, Chamomile tea sprinkled on the plant may be effective.

An English garden mixes plants of various kinds and sizes close together, which helps to give it a more multi-dimensional feel. If you only use uniform plants, your bed will look boring and flat.

Clearly, it isn't hard to be a good gardener. You just have to know the tricks of the trade. By following our tips, you will have all the information you need to create a beautiful showplace of a garden.

Friday 3 August 2012

Growing A Home Garden Can Be Fun And Rewarding

Many people find gardening to be a great way to relax and have some fun. Before planting your garden, research the proper type of soil, the garden tools you will need and what time of the year your seeds should be planted. A great wealth of gardening advice is contained in this article.

Many people delight in the taste of fresh mint leaves, but become frustrated when the plant spreads wildly. Try to keep your mint in a container in your garden to stop their rampage. The container can be planted in the ground, and it will still prevent the plant from dominating the garden.

Protecting your knees while you are gardening is very important. Most people can't bend over while standing up for a long period of time. Kneeling is much easier on your body, and helps you tend to your plants without hurting your back. A kneeling pad can be placed under your knees to help reduce the pain from compression.

Do not improperly lay your new sod. Prior to laying the sod, prepare your soil. Pull any weeds that you see, and work to break up the soil so that it is a fine tilth. Flatten the soil back into place, gently but firmly. Make sure the soil is moist all the way through. Be sure to stagger the rows of sod. The joints should be offset like bricks in a wall. Even out the surface of the sod by firming it down flat, filling any available gaps with a handful of dirt. Your sod should be watered everyday for at least two weeks, then it will root itself and walk on it.

You can keep your dog away from your garden by spraying perfume or aftershave in the grass. This will mask the garden smell that is attracting your dog, and it will make it a less appealing place for your dog to visit.

Water your garden wisely. A soaker hose will save you time because you won't have to individually water each plant, like you do with a regular nozzle, or a can that you need to constantly refill. Make sure that your water pressure is set to low, so that no harm will come to any tender plants. Let the soaker hose do its thing for a couple hours, and your plants are watered.

One good way to create layers for a compost pile is to add plant materials to big plastic bags. You can do this during the fall once the leaves have been raked. Put the leaves that are bagged somewhere warm. In the spring, this will be the ideal material to include in your compost pile.

Some plants benefit from being re-potted, however others are sensitive to the disturbance re-potting inflicts on their roots. To check to see if a plant requires re-potting, turn it upside down and tap the pot until the plant falls out. The plant is going to need a brand new pot if all that you can see are roots. Your plant will not need to be re-potted if you can see very few, if any, roots poking out.

Analyze the soil before you even get started with working in a garden. You can obtain a soil analysis for a nominal fee. Using that report, you can amend your soil as needed for a thriving garden. A Cooperative Extension office can provide you with this service, saving you learning on your own by trial and error.

If you have a smaller garden, put in a dwarf tree. Many gardens within city limits don't have space for full-size trees, but have plenty of space for miniature versions like the dwarf fruit tree. This variety of fruit tree will mature and yield full sized fruit after about three years, though sometimes it can take a bit longer. The best time to plant your dormant trees is early springtime, and remember to water them liberally until they are well established.

Some people use gardening as a source of relaxation. You can relax and be at peace in many different ways. Gardening is an excellent choice for calming your mind and soul. The returns are huge for a very minute up front investment cost. Growing your own garden brings a feeling of tranquility and joy to you.

An English garden mixes plants of various kinds and sizes close together, which helps to give it a more multi-dimensional feel. If you only use uniform plants, your bed will look boring and flat.

That wasn't so hard, right? Like anything else, gardening has a lot of information that can be learned and applied. Sometimes you need a clue, so you can begin and jump right in. Follow our tips to start happily on your way.

Take A Look At These Great Gardening Tips!

Do you want plants in your yard that thrive? There are many elements to a lush garden. Gardening can be a lot of work, but it can also be a lot of fun. Below you will find some wonderful tips for making gardening more fun and less work!

Look for evergreen variants that produce berries. The evergreens will add some color to your garden or yard, especially during the winter, when other plants have died or lost color. These plants come in several different varieties, including the Winterberry, American Holly, Cranberrybush, and Common Snowberry.

Some houseplants will resist their roots being disturbed, while others need to be re-potted. To see whether a plant needs more growing room, first remove it from its pot by turning it upside down and gently sliding it loose. If you see roots crowding the dirt the plant grows in, you will need to put the plant in a larger pot. If only a few roots are showing, or you don't see any, then the plant doesn't need a new pot.

Try and maintain daily aerated and dried plants. Excess moisture on a plant will invite unwanted parasites or diseases to the plant. An example of a common plant parasite is fungi. Fungus can be handled with sprays specifically formulated for fungi control, but you must treat the area with spray before seeing any kind of problems.

For the best results, properly prepare your garden for planting. The first thing you should do before planting is moisturize the soil. Your seeds should be spaced out evenly so they aren't overcrowded. This will ensure that they can grow. The depth at which you bury them should be three times their size. Not all seeds are meant to be buried in soil, there are certain types of seeds that only grow in the light.

You can use root cuttings to create new plants. The roots should be cut in winter when they are dormant. Remove thick, long roots from the plant using a sharp knife or pruning shears. Each root should be cut into lengths of about two inches. Fill a seed tray with a mixture of moist peat and grit, and lay the root cuttings on the surface. Cover the roots with some grit and peat, make sure it is just a thin layer. Let them grow in a cool, moist place for around one month, and then they'll be seedlings. Plant them separately in small pots until they are ready to be planted outside.

Pest control is one of the hardest things about growing a vegetable garden. You want to avoid spraying harsh chemicals since the vegetables are meant for consumption. Staying on top of the problem will ensure that pests don't take over your garden. If you happen to notice them early on, you can control them just by physically removing them from your plants with your hands.

An English garden mixes plants of various kinds and sizes close together, which helps to give it a more multi-dimensional feel. Using plants which grow to the same length or height will make your bed look uniform.

Don't cut your grass too short! By leaving your grass a little taller, you are allowing it to become stronger, as the roots grow stronger and deeper. If you keep your lawn too short, the roots will not go deep enough to survive in case of a heat wave.

You should protect the knees if you are kneeling in the garden. It is not good to bend from a standing position for a long period of time. Kneeling is much better for your back, and it will help you to tend to your plants with greater ease. Use a pad to kneel upon and protect your knees from possible pain.

You should make sure to divide your irises. Overgrown clumps of irises can be divided up to increase your numbers of this lovely flower. If you find any dead irises in your garden, immediately pull up the bulbs. The bulbs should automatically divide in your palm, and once you put them back into the earth, they will typically flower the following year. Use a knife to carefully divide rhizomes. Cut out new pieces from outside the bulb and throw away the old center. Every piece needs to have a minimum of one good offshoot. For optimum viability, plant your new cuttings into the ground without delay.

An English garden mixes plants of various kinds and sizes close together, which helps to give it a more multi-dimensional feel. If you only use uniform plants, your bed will look boring and flat.

In conclusion, gardening may be the world's oldest pastime, and one full of wonderful benefits and rewards. At one time, most people saw gardening as the sole means of providing food for their family. Today, it can be done for fun or to save money on fresh groceries. What you read here can make gardening more pleasant for you. Appreciate the pleasures of your gardening habit.

Growing A Home Garden Can Be Fun And Rewarding

This could be a great time to get started. The insights here can help you get going and answer a lot of questions you may have. Below are several gardening tips and techniques that you can implement immediately to be a more effective and successful gardener.

To create a unique English garden, use a variety of plant types and lengths in the same flower bed. If you use plants of similar heights, the result will be pretty boring and uniform.

Some houseplants will resist their roots being disturbed, while others need to be re-potted. To see whether a plant needs more growing room, first remove it from its pot by turning it upside down and gently sliding it loose. If you see roots crowding the dirt the plant grows in, you will need to put the plant in a larger pot. If only a few roots are showing, or you don't see any, then the plant doesn't need a new pot.

If you have recently sustained a cut, you should allow it to heal entirely before toiling in your garden. If you simply cannot wait to get back to gardening, you should at least cover the cut to protect it. A cut will likely become infected if it is exposed to dirt when gardening. You can completely seal the area using some of the great bandages that are now available.

Do a soil analysis prior to planting. You can obtain a soil analysis for a nominal fee. Using that report, you can amend your soil as needed for a thriving garden. You can often find Cooperative Extension offices that provide this service, which can help to make your garden flourish.

If you want to keep dogs our of your garden, take some aftershave, old perfume, or any other scented item and spray the grass around the area. This can help mask any scents which attract animals so pets will now avoid the garden.

You never want to do any gardening with open wounds, so make sure everything is completely healed up before you begin; otherwise, you run the risk of your cut being exposed to dangerous chemicals and dirt. It is possible for a cut to become extremely infected if it comes into contact with dirt and grime while gardening. The key is to use bandages capable of covering cuts in their entirety.

Grow heather so that you can attract useful insects. Bees like it because it gives them nectar in the springtime. If your heather bed is undisturbed, as it would be in nature, many beneficial insects will make it their home. With this in mind, be sure to prune your heather while wearing gardening gloves.

If your garden is limited in size, consider planting fruit trees that come in dwarf varieties. In a city lot, you might find a very small garden area. Nonetheless, a miniature fruit tree can be squeezed in. Don't expect your trees to start bearing their full sized fruit until about 3 to 5 years from the time you plant them. Springtime is the best time to plant a dormant tree. Be sure to keep them watered until the roots are well established.

You can attract the insects you need by planting heather. Bees are drawn to heather, as heather is an early provider of spring nectar. Heather doesn't usually require a lot of tending, so spiders, ground beetles and other good bugs like to call it home. Being mindful of this, wearing gloves appropriate to gardening is sound strategy when pruning any heather in or around the bed.

You should make sure to divide your irises. Overgrown clumps of irises can be divided up to increase your numbers of this lovely flower. If you find any dead irises in your garden, immediately pull up the bulbs. The bulbs should automatically divide in your palm, and once you put them back into the earth, they will typically flower the following year. Use a knife to carefully divide rhizomes. Cut out new pieces from outside the bulb and throw away the old center. Every piece needs to have a minimum of one good offshoot. For optimum viability, plant your new cuttings into the ground without delay.

An English garden mixes plants of various kinds and sizes close together, which helps to give it a more multi-dimensional feel. If you only use uniform plants, your bed will look boring and flat.

Apply the wisdom of the preceding paragraphs to return vigor and vibrancy to your garden. Ultimately, when you see your plants bloom and full of life, you will be happy you did. Gardening has the potential to change your whole outlook on life, if you let it. So get started today!