Gardening

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7
Sep 10

Indoor Herb Gardening Can Make Anyone a Gardener

What’s Required For Indoor Herb Gardening

Indoor herb gardening is achievable for just about everyone but first there are a few basic requirements that must be met so the plants can grow to be healthy and robust.

Natural Lighting

The primary need for any plant, obviously, is an area with readily available natural sunlight.?Herbal gardens require a good ten to twelve hours of sunlight.?Therefore, it’s critical to gauge the natural light available in your growing spaces as this will determine which particular herbs will grow best.

For instance, windows with southern exposures usually recieve the most sunlight and are the warmest areas.?Some herb plants will benefit from this but some may not do as well in these extremes.?Conversely, northern, eastern, and western located windows are cooler with the west usually the second best choice of the three. Additionally, the plants should be rotated once in a while to ensure that every portion is receiving sufficient light.

Artificial Lighting

Sometimes, the committed herb gardener must resort to using artificial lighting.?Grow lights, available at any hardware store, come in handy when this is the case.?Maintaining the light source at roughly a foot above the plants for ten hours a day will simulate the necessary sunlight.

The next consideration when using artificial lighting is to determine which bulb type to use.?There are two common types -?fluorescent and high-intensity discharge.

Fluorescent light bulbs, the oft-seen long slender tubes, emit a very low intensity light so they’re very suitable for starting seeds when the plants are at their most fragile state.?They also work for low-lying plants because they can be kept so close to the plant. Even better, since indoor gardening has become so popular, there are many special-purpose florescent gardening lights available in different spectrums of light.

The other primary option is high-intensity-discharge lights (HID).?These lamp types deliver highly intensive levels of light over large areas and with fairly good energy efficiency.?These are pretty heavy duty bulbs and the cost will reflect this, but they are best for emulating natural sunlight.

Humidity

The moisture levels in the typical home are relatively dry.?This can be aided by lightly misting the plants with a sprayer on a regular basis.?A glass of water can also be placed close to the plants which will release moisture as it evaporates.?Another effective method is to fill a tray full of pea gravel and fill the water about half way.?Once again, the water will gradually evaporate and positively affect the humidity in the room.

Watering

Another consideration is how much to water the indoor herb garden.?Due to the limited soil space inherent with container gardening, water is a precious resource so consistent watering is essential.?Fortunately, it’s easy to monitor whether the soil is in need of water by simply sticking your finger and gauging the moisture of the soil.

Indoor herb gardening is a great activity for any gardener and a great starting point for beginning gardeners.?It only requires a minimal start up investment and can be done in just about any room of your home.?Before you know it you’ll be an herb gardener in no time.

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6
Sep 10

How to Make Orchids Bloom

Most people will agree that orchids are beautiful flowers. Have you ever purchased an orchid and placed it in your home expecting repeat blooms that never come? Then you end up looking for advice on How to Make Orchids Bloom.

The main reason healthy-looking orchids do not bloom is insufficient light. If you have no blooms, you should check out the foliage. If the leaves are a beautiful dark green and the plant is healthy, but there are no flowers, this means your plant is not getting enough light. Under the correct lighting, the foliage should be a light, grassy green. The foliage should be showy and firm on phals, cattleyas and dendrobriums. Paphs should have mottled leaves with good color contrast.

In order to understand How to Make Orchids Bloom, you need to understand the different lighting exposures as they relate to orchids. If you have them in a spot where the light is from the north, that could be the problem. The northern exposure is just not enough light for orchids. Eastern light generally works well. You can also try the southern exposure; it gives you the most flexibility. If you use a western window, the orchid need to be slightly shaded during the hottest months.

Another consideration is if the window is shaded by trees or buildings, reducing light to your orchid. If you are trying to figure out How to Make Orchids Bloom, you may have to adjust the lighting. Phals and paphs will do well in bright, indirect light. Oncidiums do better in a slightly brighter light. Dendrobriums and Cattleyas require bright light. You would be well-advised to put them in a southern exposure. If you only have low light, the Maudiae-type slipper orchids will bloom in low light. Sometimes they will even bloom in an unobstructed, northern window even though brighter light is usually recommended.

Skylights usually do not provide enough light unless you live in Arizona, or your skylight is about five feet above your orchid. Of course, there is always the exception! The shade-loving orchids will probably do well here. Again, keep tabs on the foliage, and the plant will let you know what it needs.If you need to move your plants closer to the light source, do it very gradually. The leaves on your orchid can be burned from the sun. Even a foot can make a big difference.

Orchids usually need about a ten degree drop in temperature in the evening to encourage them to bloom. In order to accomplish this goal, you can move the plant near a window, open a window near your orchid or turn your thermostat down in the evening. The art of How to Make Orchids Bloom is one of patience and dedication.

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5
Sep 10

Organic Gardening Fertilizer – Compost – Danger in the Vegetable Garden Volume 1

The Pit Controversy
Hello my wonderful gardening chums, it’s Beatrix Potts your, “Organic Gardening Maven.”?First a word or two about our title. When you are given inaccurate and even false information about organic gardening fertilizer your organic vegetable garden may be in terrible danger. Bad information is just as dangerous as cutworms. We are here to set the record straight and give you the most reliable information available.

So, on with the show. Beatrix is here to tell you that organic fertilizer, a.k.a. organic gardening compost is the life’s blood of your organic vegetable garden. Organic gardening is incomplete without organic gardening compost.?This is not just an essential element of organic vegetable gardening it is probably the singular most important element. And it is the element that you can produce and control.

Understanding organic garden fertilizer will allow you to understand how important the plant’s life is and it will help the soil, insects, and everything that our wonderful vegetables need to grow and thrive.
Many of my gardening燼ficionados have written to me and asked, “Beatrix, what can I put into my compost?” My dear, the answer is quite simple, twigs, leaves, eggshells, formerly fresh fruit, teabags, and you always want a good mix of “Greens and Browns.” Mr. Melvin Potts, our wonderful spouse and “Mr. Organic Gardening Compost Man,” has reminded yours truly to give a plug for the often neglected “Browns.” They are defined as plant matter that was formerly green and has dried and become desiccated and is now as its name implies, Brown. Dried leaves, plants, and dried grass clippings are excellent sources of brown material for your organic vegetable garden.

Please remember our 1st Rule, anything that comes out of the ground can go back into your compost and eventually back into the ground. And you know of course to never add meat, bones or items with oils, and never ever do we include dog or cat feces.

All of these things will be consumed by microorganisms, insects, nematodes and what Beatrix likes to refer to as the ‘most uncommon earthworm.’ These are the beasties that inhabit your organic compost and they will voraciously consume the vegetable matter and turn it into the nutrients that our plants need to grow. We always refer to the worms in our garden as, ‘most uncommon.’ You see my dears the earthworms in our garden are the epitome, the most wonderful of organic gardening compost machines, and for that reason we refer to them as being ‘most uncommon.’

Some would have you believe that compost requires a pit. Beatrix is here to tell you that a “pit” is not entirely necessary. All you need is a flat space of ground where you can put all of your compost materials, this space needs to be where you can provide water, turn the compost and provide a most essential ingredient, air.?You will then eventually put your compost through a screen to get rid of any sticks or extraneous matter.

It is an absolute fallacy that you need to dig a deep hole for your organic compost. You don’t need some kind of a “pit” to begin the exciting adventure that is making organic gardening compost. What you need is simply a small flat piece of ground to put your compost material on top of.?This is probably the singular and most efficient way to begin making organic garden fertilizer, the organic compost that is going to make your vegetable garden thrive and be absolutely wonderful.

Well, your faithful servant and gardening buddy, Beatrix Potter the “Organic Gardening Maven” has, unfortunately run out of space, much to your chagrin. In the next volume of, “Danger in the Vegetable Garden” we will be taking a look at, “Garden Tools-Dangerous Instruments that Maim or a Gardener’s Best Friend?”

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2
Sep 10

Survival Gardening Success Requires Planting Non-Hybrid Seeds

Could you and your family survive off the grid if a disaster struck? If the grocery stores closed, and the power went out, would you have enough food to get by? You would, if you had a survival seed kit. Keeping a seed bank at home and starting an organic survival garden is one way of ensuring that you can control your own food supply, no matter what is going on in the world around you. Here is what you need for a good home survival seed kit to start your crisis garden.

Non-Hybrid Seeds.

Non-hybrid seeds, also called open-pollinated seeds, are original strains of that particular vegetable. They have not been genetically engineered or bred for mass production on the large factory type farms of today. Non-hybrid seeds are just seeds, and they contain higher levels of nutritional content.

Non-hybrid seeds also store very well, and can be saved and re-planted over and over, ensuring that you and your family have a perpetual, sustainable supply of organic vegetables in your garden. Also look for heirloom seeds, which are varieties of vegetables that are not grown in large-scale agriculture and have therefore kept their natural nutritional traits.

Types Of Seeds.

Think about your climate, and what will grow best there. Generally, choose hardy vegetables, like tomatoes, lettuce, onions and carrots that will grow easily. For a crisis garden, you want to get as much nutrition as you can in as little space as you can. A good selection of seeds for your survival seed kit are onions, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, radish, peas, corn and beans.

Storing The Seeds.

Keeping your seed bank away from heat and light is vital for long-term storage. Storing them in an air-tight environment is another way to extend their shelf life. You can vacuum-seal your non-hybrid seeds and freeze them, or put oxygen absorbers in an airtight container, like a canning jar, and freeze or store in a cool dry, dark place. You can store new seeds this way, and also the seeds you harvest from the mature vegetables in your garden.

Of course, once you have a good seed bank you will need to have a place to plant them! A good book on organic gardening will help you figure out how to plan and care for your crisis garden using natural methods. It is best to start at least a small vegetable garden now, before any sort of disaster strikes, so you learn how each plant behaves and what it needs, and what sort of yields you can expect from your plot.

And even if a disaster never happens, a good survival seed bank means you will always have a ready supply of healthy, organic vegetables at home for you and your family to enjoy season after season!

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31
Aug 10

Are You Looking For a Deal on Your Lawnmower Purchase?

Like every other business some lawnmower companies are struggling at the moment, this is great news for anyone who is in the market for a new mower.

Not all companies are in trouble and there are still some types of mower that will never be available at a crazy bargain. If you are hoping to find a battery powered or cordless lawn mower at a crazy discounted price then I think you will be unhappy as they are still a sellers market.

If you are looking for a gas powered lawnmower then you have a good chance to grab a bargain. Like all bargain hunters you will have to spend some time traveling round and looking in various shops until you find a real “once in a lifetime” deal but the savings could well make every minute worth it.

Before you go shopping for your bargain lawn mower you need to decide what you are looking for, what will you accept and what is totally unacceptable to you. The more stringent criteria you put in place the harder it will be for you to find a deal that meets your needs.

As companies have gone out of business you will find that some stores are selling of the merchandise extremely cheap but the machine has no warranty. Now if you are the sort of person who doesn’t mind tinkering with a engine or is happy to take a risk then this may not bother you. However if you are the sort of person who doesn’t really know where to put the gas then you may want to steer away from these sorts of sale.

Another way to save money is to buy a used model, just pick up your phone book or go to the Internet and contact your local pawn shops. Find out which ones have used mowers in stock and then start visiting them to find the mower that is right for you.

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30
Aug 10

Ensure Your Roses Grow Healthy and Bountifully With Proper Rose Planting

Unlike what you may have originally thought, there is quite a bit that goes into planting a rose. Everything from the location to how deep you plant it to what kind of fertilizer used should be taken into consideration. Here are a few of the many things that you will want to think about with rose planting.

The number one thing to keep in mind with rose gardening is where you will be planting the plant. Location means everything with roses as it can determine whether the plant flourishes or fades. Keep in mind roses do need sunlight and lots of it. Most rose species require at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight in order to prosper. Even the species that can make it in shade need four to six hours of sun.

In addition to location, it is important you think about the soil of where you will be planting the roses. It is vital the soil is extremely nutritious in order to properly feed your roses. If there is too much clay or sand it will deter the plant’s growth. Also, make sure the soil is not too acidic and does not contain too much limestone or chalk.

A simple way to determine whether or not the soil is suitable is to grab a handful. If the soil holds the mold while crumbling easy it will work. Chances are it has too much clay if it does not crumble easily and has too much sand if it does not hold the mold.

The final thing to keep in mind with rose planting is to place it away from other plants or trees. The reason for this is because larger plants can actually extract water and nutrients from the soil that actually extend well beyond their drip line. The way to tell if you are planting too close to other plants or trees is if there are a number of roots in the location where you intended on placing the roses. While some climbing roses can hold up, most rose plants are best off being mixed with other roses or non-invasive plants.

From there, it is time to get back to the basics with rose gardening. Make sure the hole you dig is slightly larger than the size of the pot or the root system of the plant. The depth will depend on the climate as colder areas need to be planted slightly deeper. Your roses can benefit from loosening the soil at the bottom of the hole as well as placing some compost in the bottom.

Always spread the roots after placing it into the hole and refill the hole so that the soil settles around the roots. Before completely filling the hole, water the roots so they can grow properly. Finally, fill the rest of the hole and firm the soil slightly to complete your rose planting.

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30
Aug 10

Getting Started With Sprinkler System Installation

When we decide to install an automatic sprinkler system in our yard, the biggest decision is whether we want to do the work ourselves, or contract it out to a specialist. If you expect to be able to install it as quickly and effortlessly as the pros yourself, you should probably just hire the pros. Getting everything set up right yourself can be a rewarding experience, however, an extremely challenging experience as well.

The first step is to design the layout for the sprinkler system. Before doing so, you will want to swallow your man pride and read the instructions. There is a lot of information available to teach you all the ins and outs of sprinkler systems. You will want to be able to figure out how many zones you need, where you want to place the valve boxes, what type of sprinklers to use, etc. There are other tests you can do to determine the water pressure and other important factors in your neighborhood. These factors will influence your decision as well. For example, if you have low water pressure, you may need to create more zones with less sprinklers in each zone.

When you have everything mapped out, now you can begin digging trenches. A common alternative now days is to utilize a pipe pulling machine which can install pvc pipe underground without having to rip up your lawn. Typically, you will want to bury your sprinkler lines about eight inches deep. This should give you adequate room to attach your sprinkler heads without having them stick too much above the ground.

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26
Aug 10

Seven Top Tips For a Successful Vegetable Plot

More and more people are being turned on to the benefits of growing their own food.

What was once a pastime for the “knit your own sandals” brigade is now an activity for the masses and to prove the point, waiting lists for allotments in the UK are the longest they have ever been.

You first battle then, is to find a suitable piece of land for your plot.

Once you have acquired your potential larder, you will want to make it as productive as you can and here’s how:

1. Keep your plot as environmentally friendly as you can. Instead of using new plastic plant pots, either re-use old ones or better still, make your own pots from old newspapers which will eventually compost down into the soil.

2. Realise that a 250 square metre plot can produce almost three quarters of a ton of food each year – that’s a potential saving of ?500!

3. Weeds are very powerful – your plot may be over run in a single season. Make sure that any unplanted areas are covered with some sort of membrane – old carpets are good for this.

4. The soil is your friend and provider. Make sure that you keep feeding your plot with the nutrients your crops will need. Make your own compost and feed it back into the soil.

5. Protect your plot from pests. Slugs, snails, caterpillars, birds, mice and rabbits can all decimate a plot in very short order. Try to work with nature to control and deter these pests and a bountiful harvest is yours for the taking.

6. Don’t go berserk when sowing seeds or you’ll end up with feast then famine. Spread your sowing over several weeks to ensure a steady supply of fresh produce. Remember you aren’t able to irradiate your harvested crops to preserve them in the same way as supermarkets – it’s always best to eat your veg just after it comes out of the ground.

7. Don’t lose heart. A vegetable plot can be hard work – weeds, pests, and the climate in your area can be formidable foes. Start simple and adopt a little and often approach and you’ll find vegetable growing hooks you forever.

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26
Aug 10

Finding the Perfect Landscape Design For Your Garden

The first stage in landscaping your garden is to decide on the way that you want it to look. One of the best ways to get some ideas for landscaping your garden is to look on websites and in magazines for ideas. Another way to get idea to is walk around and look at what other people have done with their gardens. It is important only to use what you see as a guideline it would not be very good to completely copy it, as you want to have your own uniqueness on it, as it should reflect your personality. Regardless of the design that you choose it may be worth considering skip hire for all the debris.

A classic design for landscaping your garden is the arrangement of several rocks, shrubs and flowering plants and these are usually assembled around a tree that is relatively big. This classic look will certainly add a pretty nice addition to your garden however it is important to think about the type of plant that you would like beneath the tree. It is very important to take into consideration the limited amount of sunlight that the plants are likely to get, as they are more than likely going to be in an area that is pretty well shaded.

It is important to properly consider the landscaping that you want to do within the garden, as this will affect the look of your property. It is also important to consider the type of plants that you would like to include in the design of the garden.

There are a lot of people that tend to go for plants, which are a reddish shade as these add an element of beauty to the garden. If you are more concerned with the colours that you are going to have it may be a good idea to consider some of the rubber flowers that you can get.

It is very important to take your time to plant your garden, as it is important to do something that you are going to be happy with. When you first start your landscaping it is a good idea to look into skip hire as you will need somewhere to put all the rubbish.

There are a lot of people that use bushes as a substitution. This type of fence is great for adding an added element of privacy due to the dense foliage however it is important to remember that the bush will have to be trimmed on a regular basis.

Another important thing to consider when planning the layout of the garden is the type of climate that you live in and what the weather tends to be like. The weather and the climate will greatly determine what plants would be best in your garden in order to create a beautiful tranquil area.

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25
Aug 10

Balcony Garden, the Small Space Solution

Many individuals would love to garden unfortunately do not have the opportunity if they live in an apartment. If there is, a possibility that they have a balcony though there is no reason why they cannot make their own mini balcony garden and make it their little retreat.

In order to do this it is going to mean that they have to do a lot of container planting. This is not difficult to do either and it actually gives you quite a few choices of how you want to lay out your balcony garden.

The one thing you do not want to do is start to be carried away with things using up too much space to the point where you cannot even get out to the balcony to enjoy it. You want to make sure that you leave a little sitting space so that you are going to be able to enjoy all the work you have done.

You will want to pick a variety of containers to start with like the different shapes and sizes and heights. With the proper planting your garden will even give you a little bit of privacy. You want to make sure that the planters are going to be big enough for the size of the plant and to accommodate the plant roots. Make sure that the pots have good drainage. In addition, in order to pick your containers you are going to have to have a basic idea of what kind of plants and flowers that you are going to be using.

Next you are going to need to buy your soil and you want to make sure that you get the right potting mix for the type of garden plants and flowers you’re going to be planting.

You can even go a step further and have your own little vegetable garden with a few plants of each. There is nothing to say that you cannot have a tomato plant or two or even a few peppers. Do not forget about the herbs you will be able to grow as well. Not only will your garden look nice but it will smell wonderful as well.

Remember we said this is a little space for you to sit out and enjoy. The perfect balcony furniture would be a little bistro set of the round table with two chairs. Once you have gone ahead and done this although it sounds like quite a bit of work it is well worth it. You are going to get many hours of enjoyment from your balcony garden.

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