Smart gardening: water and weed wisely

(ARA) - Part of the joy in planting beautiful flower beds and produce gardens each summer is in daydreaming about the outcome. Summer garden daydreams involve the anticipation of the blooming daisies, the splash of color added by waves of petunias, biting into juicy tomatoes and cooking up crisp green peppers or yellow squash.

Gardening dreams and plans, however, don't generally include hours of watering, wilted plants or those pesky weeds. These unwanted guests aren't just unattractive, but can also rob flowers and vegetables of water, nutrients and sunlight, therefore restricting the growth of prized plants.

Watering and controlling weeds in your containers and gardens need not be time-consuming or difficult. Practicing smart weed control and wise watering measures should be a simple part of garden care and can be easily incorporated into routines.

* Soil to build on - Amend before planting and improve growth and moisture control by mixing in a layer of rich compost from Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Garden Soil. This increases the water holding ability and water absorption of your soil. For container gardening, use Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix to help hold water longer.  Also, using a large pot helps keep plants from becoming root-bound quickly and thirsting for water. The more room plants have to grow, the less watering needed.

Veggies aplenty? Ways to share your bountiful harvest

(ARA) - Plenty of tender, loving care went into those vegetable seedlings planted this spring. Weeks of watering, weeding, pruning and feeding have likely resulted in a harvest so bountiful, it is beginning to overwhelm the kitchen.

What an exciting sight to have watched that seedling grow with sunshine, water and good soil in the backyard garden or patio container garden to produce such a plethora of fresh vegetables. By harvest time, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and cucumbers weigh down the vines and stems of the formerly tiny seedlings, and many gardeners are running out of storage space and recipe ideas for all the incredible vegetables picked at the height of freshness.

So what can be done with the garden leftovers? Donating and gifting are two great ways to help friends and the community with fresh produce. Miracle-Gro and America's Test Kitchen teamed up to provide  recipes that are perfect for parties, providing a delicious meal for a shut-in and sharing with co-workers.

Tips for Starting an Indoor Herb Garden

Excellent cooks know that using fresh herbs in their recipes makes for the best results. Of course we're all familiar with the dried versions that sit on counter tops and on pantry shelves forever, but are they really any good? Are we preparing the best food by using dried herbs? You can buy fresh herbs at your local grocery, but have you ever considered growing your own? You'll not only have delightful, fresh herbs right on hand, but a lovely green plant in your home as well. Growing an indoor herb garden is not difficult and you don't even need a green thumb to see success. All that's really required is patience and a little research.

Where should you begin first in your quest for growing an indoor herb garden? Here are just a few easy to do tips that can get you off on a good start.

First of all, where are you planning to grow your herbs? You'll need to take into consideration the amount of light your garden will receive. Look for locations that get southern and eastern light exposure. From here, you can now decide the herbs that you'll grow based on the the kind of light coming in. For example, the following herbs must have full sun exposure: tarragon, basil and oregano. However, mint does fine in shade. You'll need to research your options before planting.

Choosing a Proper Outdoor Storage Shed Plan For Your Garden - Garden Shed Plan

Your landscaping is completed for the season and it looks great, except for all the garden tools and equipment that are laying around. Obviously there is a need for a storage area. A storage shed would be the perfect answer. The question is how do you go about this? No doubt you are going to need a storage shed plan. First you will need to determine which type of plan you require. This you can only determine by doing your research as to what your requirements are regarding the shed.

You know you want to store all of your garden items. You most likely know what items you have now and what size storage area it would take. But consider any future garden purchases you may make in the future. For example are you thinking of purchasing a new ride on lawn mower, or a snow blower? This are items you may need to store and your new garden shed may become their home., but only if its big enough.

Then where are you going to put the shed? This will partly depend on what area you have available, plus what style you are thinking of going with. Lets say you have two choices of location. One is tucked away in the back of the garden almost out of site, and the other one is at the edge of the flower bed. The one tucked away will be more difficult to get at. They both will accommodate the size of the shed you have in mind. Here’s where your decision of style comes in. If you use the tucked away area, your style can be pretty basic because its not going to interfere with your landscaping. On the other hand if you choose the more open space, they you are going to want a fancier style that will complement your garden. You will have to keep this in mind when you pick your shed plans.

Should you buy the Juliana Greenhouse to grow indoors?

Family Living Ideas.com has a product review for the Juliana Greenhouse. If you're thinking about growing plants indoors check it out here:  http://familylivingideas.com/802/product-review-juliana-greenhouse/
 

Expert design tips that will get your landscape in shape

(ARA) - The chill of winter winds might have you wishing for the first buds of spring, but garden lovers don't need to let the cold season get them down. In fact, this can be the ideal time to start planning your landscape for spring and summer. Leaving the work until the last minute, when plants are starting to push up through the ground, will only delay your enjoyment. So harness your excitement for spring and prepare a plan with some expert help.

Tackling a landscaping plan can be overwhelming, so it's a good idea to consult a professional landscape designer who knows the ins and outs of when, where and how to plant and how to install hardscapes. By starting in the winter designers will be more readily available to help you refine your plans, and you'll be ready to get a head start as soon as the weather breaks.

"There are so many details involved in creating the landscape of one's dreams that it's easy to become confused," says Bobbie Schwartz, president of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). "A landscape designer will be experienced in taking on the multiple unique challenges that every property poses.  In the long run, hiring a professional, who will get it done right the first time, can save money.  That professional will keep you from making expensive mistakes."

Here are some tips from professional landscape designers that will inspire you to get started with your plans right now.

New garden superstars will spruce up spring. Organic and Eco-friendly plants and products.

(ARA) - From cool miniature fountains to going native in the garden, spring 2011 promises great plants and products that will help you spruce up your home with pizzazz and ease.

"People are clamoring for eco-friendly plants and products that are attractive and perform well," says Susan McCoy, garden writer and trend spotter. McCoy predicts these garden superstars will chase away the winter blahs and get gardeners raring to go outside:

Keep the dog - lose the spots

Got pets? McCoy does and has discovered new SpotGone!, an Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI)-listed organic product that turns those yellow, burned-looking patches where her dog does his "business" into lush, green grass again. The all-natural and easy-to-sprinkle pellets take out the excess salt and nitrogen from the soil, allowing grass to grow back and stay "naturally" green and healthy. It's free from chemicals so it's safe to use around kids and pets. It complements any lawn care system and has no foreign grass seed, so your lawn grows back uniformly and not "patchy." Just shake what you need on pet urine spots, high-traffic areas or lawn damage from de-icers. Look for SpotGone! at http://www.natraturf.com/.


Looking for an instant, affordable facelift for your home? You can spruce up any doorway with the wide array of eco-friendly, all-natural coir doormats from Imports Unlimited. McCoy's impressed with the new spring Garden Collection that features "Dahlias" in bright, bold colors and stunning "Bamboo," as well as fun and fanciful "Hippie Bird." All 200 selections are by prominent artists and are either 100 percent hand-woven coco-fiber, decorated in richly colored, fade-resistant dyes or all-weather recycled rubber. Choose from formal, classic, contemporary or whimsical to greet guests with a work of art right at your doorstep.
Go native

Want to see more birds, bees and butterflies in your garden? Attracting wildlife while you beautify your landscape has never been easier. American Beauties Native Plants has a wide array of native shrubs, trees, ornamental grasses and perennials that are perfect for your region. Hand-picked for their beauty, these native charmers will attract and provide shelter and food for wildlife, with minimal need for fertilizer, water and pest control. Plus, you'll be making a contribution to The National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat program.

Splish, splash

Now you can bring the soothing sight and sounds of fountains onto your terrace or indoors with the new mini fountain collection from Campania International. Their Arabesque fountain, at only 18 inches tall, offers double the pleasure with a basin that makes a great planter and an etched design that will complement any space. Whether you want to decorate your terrace or liven up a room or windowsill in your home or office, adding a mini fountain is an affordable luxury.

Spring - and gardening season - will arrive before you know it. Be prepared to spring into action when warm weather arrives by keeping up-to-date on the latest products and trends that can help spruce up your outdoors.