Easy Home Gardening Tips

Smart gardening: water and weed wisely

2011-07-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

(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.

* Mulch is a must - A two or three inch layer of mulch on the garden will break down over time and add to the nutritional make-up of soil. Layering a hardwood mulch in flowerbeds or container gardens will accomplish three goals: helping to prevent weeds from getting established; giving beds and containers a finished look and holding moisture in the soil. Additionally, the Water Smart technology used in this product has a water channeling property. This prevents over-watering in flower and produce beds by channeling water directly to the roots, reducing the amount of water needed by up to 30 percent compared to ordinary mulches.

* Water wisely - Gardens and containers do require watering to thrive when rainfall is insufficient or infrequent, but a few watering tips can conserve time, water and help make the most of the rainfall that Mother Nature does provide. To maximize the effectiveness of watering, take care to water deeply by wetting soil thoroughly. Use a moisture meter to ensure that roots have received enough moisture. Make watering a regular routine, aiming at the base of the plant. To water effectively, do it:

* After planting

* Before leaves wilt

* In the morning

* Feed and protect - With help from Miracle-Gro, your plants can grow bigger and more beautiful, without weeds to compete for space, nutrients and water. Combine feeding with weed prevention by using Miracle-Gro Shake 'n Feed All Purpose Plant Food Plus Weed Preventer. One application feeds plants and prevents weeds from appearing for up to three months. It's an easy way to keep those pesky weeds from popping up.

* Spot treatment - Don't get carried away with weeds - it is not easy to catch every weed before it pops up. For only a handful of weeds, simply use a spot treatment or dig the culprit out. Roundup Weed & Grass Killer Sure Shot Foam is ideal for tough-to-reach weeds found in flower beds and vegetable gardens. It's also great to use as an edger along driveways, walkways or fences or to spot treat weeds in patios, gravel or mulch, around trees and shrubs and other hard-to-reach areas.

Few gardeners enjoy pulling weeds or constant watering, so taking the measures to prevent weeds and make the most of watering early in the summer growing season is a great way to avoid backbreaking work later on. Soon your dreams will become reality as you enjoy fresh cut flowers on your kitchen table and corn on the cob dripping with butter on your dinner plate.

Veggies aplenty? Ways to share your bountiful harvest

2011-07-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

(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.

Tomatoes from the garden can be canned and easily transformed into chili, spaghetti or pizza sauce even into the winter months. From salsa and pico de gallo, to zucchini bread and cucumber salad, these popular foods will have family and friends enthusiastically eating garden vegetables all summer long. Expand the menu options by growing some different vegetables or herbs each year, and investigate new recipes that may become family favorites.

Create gift baskets for friends and neighbors with excess fresh produce. Whether celebrating the summer holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, or for no reason at all, summer crops can inspire a variety of gifts. Ask your friends for their favorite recipes featuring delicious vegetables and herbs. Then, print out the best recipes on colorful cardstock and bundle up the ingredients, including fresh produce from the garden, giving the whole package as a gift. Who wouldn't be overjoyed to receive a fabulous gourmet meal in the making?

Donate any extra harvest to a local food shelter where it will benefit members of the community. Contact local food pantries prior to harvesting the vegetables to find out what restrictions they might have on garden vegetables. If the local food pantry does not accept fresh produce, contact area churches to see if any have a food donation program established.

While the first harvest is exciting, do not forget to continue nurturing remaining plants in the garden. Some plants will produce vegetables until the weather gets considerably cooler, allowing for the enjoyment of fresh produce well into the fall. Ensure that plants have enough water, and continue pulling weeds competing with vegetable plants for water and nutrients.

Tips for Starting an Indoor Herb Garden

2011-05-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

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.

Some gardeners decide to plant directly into the ground, while others prefer to start the plants indoors before planting outside. Starting indoors first may help your herbs reach their full potential.

If you have your own compost heap, then you're a step ahead as far as soil choices. There are lots of options when it comes to soil, and if you don't make your own compost then you can go to your local garden supply store and get potting soil.

One of the most common errors that new gardeners make is over watering their herb plants. You want to make sure your plants have enough liquid, but over watering is not good. Check to make sure you've allowed for enough drainage as well. If you notice that your plants have leaves starting to turn yellow, then you know you're over doing it.

Once your herbs have started to mature, then some regular maintenance is all that's required. You'll need to re-pot every year and prevent them from getting too big for the pots their in. Simple pruning along with proper watering and love and care will result in a fabulous indoor herb garden.

Learn how to cook great meals and find some delicious recipes to use your fresh herbs at http://familycrockpotrecipes.com

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

2011-04-06T18:31:00.000-07:00

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.

You will need to have at least a rough budget in mind. When you go to get your storage shed plans you may have the option of choosing your plans according to what materials you want to use. Different materials have different price ranges. For example if the basic plan falls well within your budget then perhaps a more deluxe version will be an option for you.

Be practical when choosing your plan. You are probably going to be surprised as to just how much you are going to have to choose from. If you aren’t careful and stick to your own plans you could get carried away quite easily. Most often the plans will give you a picture of the finished projects. You’ll see several that you really like. Some of them look like little cottages. Now look at them realistically, they have to meet all the needs that your have identified. Pick out two or three that you really like and see if they answer these questions.

1. Are they the size that you need?
2. Will it fit in with the area you have chosen?
3. If it requires a building permit will it meet the criteria?
4. Is it simple and easy to understand for the novice?
5. Does it give a complete list of materials, and will these materials be readily available in your area?

If you have gotten all the right answers, then you just need to choose the shed plans you like the best out of the group and get ready to work.

Should you buy the Juliana Greenhouse to grow indoors?

2011-03-21T19:47:00.000-07:00

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

2011-01-27T11:42:00.000-08:00

(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.

* Consider the view. Is there a certain room from which you tend to spend more time looking out at your landscape? If so, take the time to really examine what you're seeing. Take note - literally - of anything that catches your eye, good or bad. Follow the sightlines, and notice where they take your eyes. This will give you a better defined idea of what you want to accentuate, what you want to hide, and what could be adjusted through simple changes like pruning or minor transplanting.

* Collect inspiration. Flipping through magazines with colorful photos of beautiful gardens is always fun, but it can also be practical. Pull out pages that feature ideas or plants that you'd like to incorporate into your landscape design. Be sure to look at smaller photos, which often have a hard time standing up to full-page images, as they can be just as rich with ideas. Creating a file of images that inspire and excite you is a good idea, and it can be a great way to connect with your landscape designer when you meet.

* Think curb appeal. Having a beautiful backyard retreat is often the goal of a landscaping project, but the view that guests and passersby have is just as important. A well-designed landscape can emphasize your home's beauty and diminish any potential eyesores, making it more appealing to you, your neighbors and any potential buyers. According to the Journal of Environmental Horticulture, it's been shown that well-designed landscapes can increase home sale prices up to 10.8 percent, compared to homes with simply average landscapes.

Thinking about spring is easy in the middle of winter. Instead of just daydreaming about spending warmer days in a beautiful garden, start planning to make that dream a reality. Get in touch with a landscape designer who can help you by going to http://www.apld.org/ and clicking on Find a Designer. If you and your designer have a plan in place ahead of time, you'll be able to spend less time working on the project in the spring and more time enjoying it.

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

2011-01-27T11:26:00.000-08:00

(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.
Roll out the welcome

How to conquer problems in your organic garden

2010-05-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

(ARA) - Gardening is becoming more popular than ever, thanks to a number of converging circumstances, including the First Lady's planting of a White House organic garden. Because of the sagging economy, people want to save money anywhere they can, and vegetable gardening is a great way to save money on foods that can be costly. Additionally, more and more people want to live a "green" lifestyle, and you can't get more local than picking vegetables right in your back yard. Plus, when you start an organic garden, it's even more environmentally friendly.

When you start on your way to growing healthy garden fruits and vegetables, keep in mind that tending an organic garden has special requirements and poses some different challenges than conventional gardens do. However, the increased popularity of organic gardening has led to some great innovative products that can help you maintain your plot without adding harmful chemicals.

Whether you live within city limits or in a more bucolic setting, it's always fun to see wildlife - just not when they're munching on your zucchini or stealing your strawberries. For most organic gardeners, the goal is to get rid of overly curious garden guests, but without forcing them to ingest poisons or other chemicals that can hurt them.

One of the most trusted ways to keep a strictly organic garden free from unwelcome animal browsers is with the Swedish-developed, garden pest repellent Plantskydd (pronounced "plant-skid" - a Swedish word meaning "plant-protection"). Sweden's reputation as a rigorously green-minded country comes through in these non-toxic repellents, which were the first deer and rabbit repellents to be listed by the USDA-approved Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI), as "suitable for use in the production of food and fiber." Plantskydd's 100 percent organic ingredients make it safe to use around pets and children, but it's also effective in that it won't wash away in the rain, giving your garden longer-lasting protection.

Claude Boisvert, president of Tree World Plant Care Products, Inc., says Plantskydd does double duty as a garden pest repellent and fertilizer. "Because it's a blood meal-derived product, it provides the nutrients necessary for plants to grow strong and produce abundantly, in addition to repelling garden pests like deer and rabbits," Boisvert says. "It's been lauded for its repelling effectiveness by forestry experts, the National Home Gardening Club, as well as soil and water conservation districts throughout the United States."

Other ways to protect your garden include putting netting over the plants that birds, rabbits and other critters favor. Look for netting with small holes that you can spread over strawberry patches, or wire that you can circle around delicate vegetables.

When selecting solutions for feeding or protecting your garden, be sure to do your research and find out the true certification status of products you buy. As the move toward growing one's own organic food becomes mainstream, some repellent manufacturers, who use non-certified ingredients, use terms such as "all natural," or "environment friendly" on package labels in an attempt to associate their products with this "organic" trend. OMRI continues to be a good resource for learning about which products are truly safe and organic.

If you're concerned about your family's health and that of the planet, planting an organic garden is the way to go. You'll not only be able to harvest delicious, nutritive foods right in your backyard, but you'll also be doing your part to foster a healthier environment.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Growing roses is easy with these simple tips

2010-05-15T16:41:00.000-07:00

(ARA) - No other flower can evoke romance in the garden like a rose. As America's favorite flower, roses can be found adorning homes in quaint coastal villages to rural farmlands, modern cities to quiet mountain retreats.

"Anybody can grow roses, no matter where they live. If you can grow grass, you can grow roses in your landscape," says James A. Baggett, editor of Country Gardens Magazine.

Whether it's a prize-winning hybrid tea rose you're after, the rich colors of shrub roses sprinkled throughout your landscape or containers full of blooms on your deck or patio, with a little know-how, you'll grow roses that are healthy and beautiful and that you can show off with pride.

Stress buster

It can happen to anyone. Even experienced rose enthusiasts have lost a favorite rose to stressors like powdery mildew, drought, or extreme summer heat.

Now science has come to the rescue to give your plants the fitness edge they need to keep healthy and strong - no matter what unpredictable heat spell, cold snap or disease should hit.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned rose gardener, you can enjoy success with a good plant-strengthening spray like Jaz Rose Spray, new this spring.

This easy-to use, safe and biodegradable leaf spray was developed by plant scientists and endorsed by the American Rose Society.

Jaz Rose Spray (www.jazsprays.com) contains jasmonate, which naturally occurs in plants and helps to keep all roses strong and resistant to disease, pests, excessive heat, drought, cold and salt. It works by boosting your plant's natural resistance to environmental stressors and encouraging vigorous roots, growth and blooms.
Simple tips from the experts

Renowned landscape designer Jon Carloftis plants shrub roses in containers. "I like to give them perfect planting conditions such as good drainage, rich soil and the addition of regular fertilizer that won't be an overdose to neighboring plants," he says.

Here are the basics for all those who are a bit rose-phobic and long for rosy success:

* Sunlight: Provide your roses with direct sunlight for at least five to six hours each day.

* Soil: Roses grow best in good soil with a pH ranging from 6.5 to 6.8. Till to a depth of two feet - adding a good organic compost or peat moss for healthy drainage.
* Location: Don't plant roses too close to shrubs or trees that will compete for water, light and nutrients. Provide them with adequate space for air circulation.

* Water: It's best to water rose bushes twice a week, thoroughly at the base of the plant. Avoid late-evening watering that can foster powdery mildew. Instead, water early in the morning to allow the leaves to dry before nightfall.

* Fertilize: Fertilize roses every one to two months starting in the spring with balanced fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Stop fertilizing in late summer or early fall to prepare them for dormancy.

* Drainage: Whether you grow them in containers or the ground, good drainage is necessary to prevent water from pooling at the roots. Improve drainage with tilling or raised beds and containers with drainage holes.
So grab a shovel and get digging in the dirt and get set to enjoy beautiful roses. To learn more about rose care from the experts and Jaz Rose Spray, visit www.jazsprays.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Get a jump start on growing food and flowers this spring with raised garden beds

2010-05-15T16:37:00.000-07:00

(ARA) - The popularity of urban gardening has exploded over the past couple of years, due in part to increased awareness about food safety, the financial stresses of the economy and a growing desire to be eco-friendly.

Some of the most enjoyable, user-friendly gardens, like vegetable and herb gardens or cut-flower gardens, perform exceptionally well in raised beds. Plants tend to perform better in raised beds than in regular beds because there is less soil compaction (since you're not treading between the plants) and they allow for excellent drainage.

"I've been gardening in raised beds for over 30 years, and I'm convinced they're the best way to grow," says Paul James, HGTV's Gardener Guy. "One of the things I like most about raised beds is that they warm up faster in spring and stay warmer longer in the fall, which means a longer growing season and an extended harvest."

While raised beds are extremely functional, they can also add style to your yard or garden. The organized appearance of the beds lends a handsome structural element.

Quality, durable materials last longer and look better. Western Red Cedar is a strong choice for building garden beds because it is easy to work with, rot-resistant and ages beautifully, maintaining its shape and strength over the years, even when exposed to extreme weather. If you're concerned about the environment, you can take comfort in the fact that it is an authentically sustainable, renewable green building material.

Making your own raised garden beds is an easy and fun project - having a helper will make the job easier. Follow these tips and get growing.

* Plan ahead to keep the bed size manageable. A bed measuring about 3 feet by 6 feet is a good size. You'll want the bed to be at least a foot high - if you want it higher, just add another board, but keep in mind that you'll need to add extra soil.

* Buy the materials you'll need: Western Red Cedar boards (2 x 6 work well) - four 3-foot lengths and four 6-foot lengths; Western Red Cedar posts (4 x 4), for corner supports, cut to 18 inches each; 3-inch galvanized screws, about 35 to 40.

* Cut the ends of the 18-inch post lengths to a sharp point with a saw - these pointed ends will go into the soil to support the bed.

* Lay two post lengths down and place two 3-foot planks on top of them (to equal 12 inches in height) and line up the edges along the sides and to the top of the posts (the unsharpened end). Pre-drill holes using a bit that is smaller than the screws, then put in the screws. Repeat with the other 3-foot boards and 18-inch posts to form the other short end of the bed.

* Now you're ready to add the long sides of the bed. Place one of the short sections you just made on a level surface, with the pointed ends up. Line one of the 6-foot boards up so that it is flush with the face of the short end, pre-drill holes and then add the screws to secure it. Repeat with a second 6-foot board to equal 12 inches in height.

* Align the second short (3-foot) side of the box with the 6-foot board so that the face is flush with the end of the boards. Pre-drill holes and then drill in screws to secure. Finally, add the other two 6-foot boards on the opposite side to complete the final side of the bed.

* Flip the box over - it's now ready to install. Before you put it in, prep the area you'll be using by turning over the soil and then leveling it out as best you can. After you've installed the box, fill it with a blend of soil and compost that is best for the type of plants you'll be growing.

This is just one way to build a raised bed garden. You can add more boards to give the bed extra height or length, or put a cap on top of the boards to provide a place to sit as you garden. For more information about Western Red Cedar and ideas for more do-it-yourself projects, visit Western Red Cedar Lumber Association online at http://www.wrcla.org/ or call (866) 778-9096.
Courtesy of ARAcontent

Gardening is making a popular comeback

2010-04-11T14:09:00.000-07:00

(ARA) - Change has come to America. The pop culture phrase "show me the money," boiling throughout business and industry, has cooled down and is forcing people to take a hard look at what is really important in life.

"Just look around you," says Susan McCoy, trend spotter and outdoor living expert. "Our relationship with money has changed. Hard work, common sense and a return to small-town values are causing a shift in priorities from boardrooms to backyards."

According to GMG's 2010 Garden Trends Report, "The rewards of growing your own - from basil to berries to flowers - are boundless," says McCoy.

Here is a glimpse of what McCoy and her team of trend spotters see for 2010.

* Edible gardens are in. Lawns are out.

Growing your own groceries is hotter than ever and is transforming homes and communities. A recent survey by the National Gardening Association shows a 19 percent burst of new hobby country farms and urban edible gardens over last year.

"It's time to reclaim our land for our greater good," says Margie Grace, the 2009 International Landscape Designer of the Year, awarded by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. "Take that food-producing garden from the back 40 and put it wherever we want. Reunite the ornamental with the edible - roses beside tomatoes, beds edged with herbs, and veggies used as annuals."

Grace is one of many wanting to "de-lawn" America. Front lawns are being transformed into vegetable and rain gardens. "Hell strips" - the patch of high-maintenance lawn or dirt between the sidewalk and street - are being planted with sustainable flowers, grasses and shrubs that need little to no care.

Gardeners with limited space are finding ways to have fresh herbs and vegetables in their kitchens. Innovative plant systems like Fertile Earth's new Simple Gardens come with soil, seeds and a how-to guide packed in stylish square containers that make it a snap to grow kitchen gardens in any bright spot. Just add water.

* Slow gardening is in. Instant gratification is out.
With the rising demand for locally-grown food, organic and energy-efficient products, people are gardening for the greater good. According to Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability, (LOHAS) seed sales are up 30 to 50 percent and canning saw a whopping 45 percent increase. Along with vegetables, people are planting and picking fruits and berries - especially blueberries and raspberries - for their nutritional value and ornamental good looks.

Many new products on the market are designed to help sustain the environment. Revolutionary technology saves gardeners time and water. Aqualok, a sustainable hydration system from Costa Farms, allows you to grow healthy plants with less water and fertilizer plus reduces your watering needs by more than half.

For the do-it-yourself gardeners, add just a little GeoHumus, a new soil additive made from volcanic rock combined with state-of-the-art super absorbents, to all your containers and new plantings. It stores water and releases it to the plants on demand.

* Eco-boosting is in. Chemical-dependent gardens are out.

Demand is up for earth-friendly, sustainable and organic garden products, like the first OMRI-listed compost-based premium blend potting soil from Organic Mechanics Soil Company. The caviar of potting mixes, the all-purpose premier blend is easy to use for all your planting needs.

For all-natural garden products and animal and insect repellents that are environmentally safe for people, pets and plants, turn to innovative companies like The Liquid Fence Company. The company just released FreezePruf, a revolutionary spray that helps plants withstand fall frosts and spring frosts, extending the growing season by a couple of weeks in fall and spring.

* Multi-tasking is in. Single-purpose gardening is out.

Roofs are no longer just for parties. Green roofs are springing to life in cities and small towns, transforming barren space into lush gardens that help cool buildings, absorb rainwater, filter air pollutants, and create wildlife habitats.

Folks are bringing the outdoors in with houseplants. Mini orchids from Costa Farms are affordable, easy to care for, and come in a wide array of colors that are perfect for decorating rooms and gift-giving. Indoor plants are living art accents that provide oxygen, and remove carbon dioxide and harmful volatile organic compounds, 24/7. Check out these natural air-cleaning machines at http://www.o2foryou.org/.

* Perennials and shrubs are in. Divas are out.

Sustainable landscapes, water conservation, perennials and small edible shrubs are hot as gardening with natives attracts needed pollinators and birds, critical for the balance of nature. Consumers are looking for plants that are easy care, have great color, and are pest- and drought-resistant, like the new hardy early and repeat blooming daylily - Jersey Earlybird 'Cardinal'.

Demand is up for sustainable hybrids like rhododendrons and grasses that provide great impact with little fuss. Look for a new hardy hybrid rhododendron and the first-ever tri-colored Hosta from Briggs Nursery. Rhododendron 'Trocadero' is a compact grower with bright red trusses and Hosta 'Trifecta' is a drought-tolerant stunner that helps shape landscapes with striking good looks and easy care.

Proceeds from The American Beauties Native Plant collection help support the National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Habitat program. Families are connecting with each other - and the earth - as purposeful gardening for wildlife catches on. For a complete GMG 2010 Garden Trends report, visit http://www.gardenmediagroup.com/.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Why Gardening Is Good for Your Health and Life

2010-04-11T14:04:00.001-07:00

Gardening is a fantastic activity in many ways. It’s a great form of exercise, stress reliever, creative outlet, and just plain old good fun. Studies have shown that regular exposure to nature and fresh air is good for us. Not only will you feel energized and refreshed after a gardening session, but you’ll also feel a great sense of achievement.

Here are a few other reasons why gardening is a great all-around exercise:

#1 – Stress relief. Many of us lead very stressful lives. Gardening is a good way of relieving that stress. It’s a quiet, gentle activity that also helps you connect with nature and clear your mind. There’s something very nurturing about getting close the earth and having a part in helping something grow.

#2 – Great for joints and flexibility. As we get older, so do our joints and mobility. Gardening is a great option for keeping your joints supple and flexible without too much pressure. Simple exercises like bending, lifting and light digging will help your flexibility and muscle tone. All of this will lead to improved health and quality of life.

#3 – Keeps you busy. If you already have a busy schedule then gardening may be something you fit in on the weekends or in short spurts. However, if you’re out of work or retired, keeping a garden is a great way of staying active, fit and healthy. You’ll also feel a wonderful sense of achievement when you see the fruit of your labor.

#4 – Great social activity. Gardening is becoming increasingly popular. Many people are joining community garden projects and schemes. This is a great way to bond with your community. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for swapping home-grown produce and teaching your kids and family about healthy eating. Gardening is a great link for friendships. It’s a good way to meet like-minded people doing something you enjoy.

#5 – Great for children. Children are naturally geared to love gardening. They have an inbuilt instinct for connecting with the earth around them. Give a young child a small shovel and a vegetable patch and they may happily dig for hours. Exposure to gardening also shows kids the importance of food and healthy eating, as well as caring for their environment. Many schools now have gardening clubs and projects to help children get involved as gardeners too.

On the surface gardening seems like a great health activity, and it is, but there are also many other wonderful benefits. Along with getting plenty of fresh air and exercise you can relieve stress, make new friends, show your kids the importance of our environment and keep your joints and muscles supple. It’s a fantastic all-around activity to enjoy.

How to make the most of fall’s final harvest

2009-07-31T13:31:00.000-07:00

(ARA) – Your vegetable garden has supplied your family with flavorful, nutritious fare throughout the summer. But the arrival of autumn doesn’t mean your days of enjoying your garden are over. If you plant now for the future and prepare for the coming season, it’s possible to enjoy a few last tasty morsels from your garden and ensure next spring’s landscape will be dazzling.

Here are a few tips to ensure your fall harvest is as fresh and fabulous as possible:

Plant a bit of fall flavor

Add a few short-season vegetables to your garden for fresh-from-the-field flavor this fall. Simply count the days from planting to the average first fall frost to determine how many growing days are left in your area. Select vegetables that will mature and can be harvested in that time. Leaf lettuce, spinach, mustard greens, radishes and carrots grow quickly, tolerate cool weather and are great additions to your fall cuisine.

Get these vegetables off to a good start with a side dressing of low nitrogen fertilizer like Milorganite. Incorporate it into the soil prior to planting or sprinkle a narrow band along the row of plants. “This organic nitrogen will provide needed nutrients without damaging the tender seedlings. It is safe to use on all your edible and ornamental plants,” says Melinda Myers, nationally known horticulturist and author.

Cover ‘em up

Protect tender vegetables like tomatoes and peppers from the first few fall frosts. Floating row covers, cloches and cold frames can protect tender plants from frost. Or harvest green tomatoes before the killing frost and finish ripening them indoors. Spread them out on heavy paper or wrap them in newspaper so the tomatoes don’t touch and store them in a 65-degree location. They will ripen over the next few weeks. Speed up the process by moving a few tomatoes to a bright, warm location a few days before they are needed. And don’t leave green tomatoes behind. They taste great fried or made into relish and other tasty treats.

Plant some spring color

A fall planting of daffodils, grape hyacinths and other long-lived bulbs can provide many springs of beauty. Prepare the soil and add a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer like Milorganite to the soil. “This organic source of nitrogen releases needed nutrients including phosphorous and potassium from the soil without promoting unwanted fall growth,” according to Myers.

Give them a boost

Don’t forget about your trees. As the temperatures cool, and even after trees lose their leaves, tree roots are in their most active growth period. Fertilize trees in need of a nutrient boost about one month after the first killing frost but before the soil freezes. Use Milorganite to encourage balanced growth without the risk of damaging the roots. The organic source of nitrogen is slow release and stays in the soil. The non-staining iron is available to plants no matter the pH. So, you can give stressed trees a boost without encouraging excess growth or incurring root damage.

Prep your lawn for winter

Help your lawn recover from the heat and drought of summer and prepare it for winter with fall fertilization. University research has shown that fall fertilization is the most beneficial practice for home lawns. Less disease problems and slower weed growth mean your lawns -- not the pests -- benefit from the nutrients. Fall fertilization also helps lawns recover from the stresses of summer because it encourages deep roots and denser growth that can better compete with weeds, and tolerate disease and insects.

“Northern gardeners can follow the holiday schedule and fertilize Labor Day and Halloween. Southern gardeners should make their last fall fertilization at least 30 days before the lawn goes dormant or the average first killing frost to avoid winter kill,” recommends Myers. Use a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer, for best results.

Tuck them in for winter

A good, long drink and bit of winter protection goes a long way to help struggling and less hardy plants through the winter ahead. A blanket of evergreen boughs, straw or marsh hay applied after the ground freezes will prevent frost heaving and early sprouting, and increase the chance of winter survival for bulbs and perennials.

Wind breaks and mulch can reduce winter drying and death of broadleaf and other evergreens. Water these and other plantings thoroughly before the ground freezes to increase overwintering success.

Add a layer of wood chip mulch on the soil surrounding trees and shrubs to moderate soil temperatures, conserve moisture and reduce weed competition. Keep mulch off tree trunks and shrub stems.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Water-conserving, money-saving tips for summer gardens

2009-06-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

(ARA) - Summer 2009 may be a bit less dry than last year in many areas of the country, according to the National Weather Service's Seasonal Drought Outlook. But it still makes sense, both environmentally and economically, to conserve water as much as possible in your gardening and landscaping efforts.

One way to conserve water is to irrigate efficiently with low-volume irrigation systems and smart watering practices. On average, micro sprinklers and drip irrigation uses 80 to 90 percent less water than traditional irrigation systems.

Irrigation manufacturers like Mister Landscaper are responding to increased consumer demand for low-volume systems by offering micro sprinkler and drip products that homeowners can easily install on their own. Mister Landscaper's Micro Sprinkler Starter Kits efficiently and slowly irrigate flower and vegetable gardens, as well as areas where trees and shrubs grow. They are available in the plumbing department at Lowe's Home Improvement stores or online at www.misterlandscaper.com. The system also offers a variety of retrofit products that allow you to replace or add on to an existing underground pvc sprinkler system so you can convert 120 gallons per hour (gph) heads to a 10 gph micro spray or 1-2gph dripper.

To learn more about low-volume irrigation, visit www.misterlandscaper.com.

Gardening With Kids: Create a Pizza Herb Pot

2009-05-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

If your children are like most, they probably love pizza. What they may not realize, however, is that children can have a hand in making that pizza even better. Let your children create a pizza herb pot and watch their interest in gardening and cooking soar!

Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow, especially for a beginner. You don’t need a large plot of land to create an herb garden; in fact, you can grow a number of herbs in clay pots. This will enable you to plant related herbs for each different type of cuisine you enjoy. Herb pots can also be grown on patios, porches, or even fire escapes – any place you have a sunny spot will do.

Since pizza is such a mainstay of the American diet, you may want to create an herb pot that grows the herbs you need for pizza. But which herbs would you grow in a pizza herb pot? You may want to plant basil, oregano, thyme, sage, and even cilantro. Here are the steps for making this herb pot -you can choose any other cuisine by changing the herbs being planted:

* Find a spot to place your herb pot that will receive at least five hours of sunlight each day. Place the herb pot on a saucer.

* Pick a large container, one that’s at least 20 inches in diameter. You can choose a plastic or clay pot that has a drainage hole to ensure the herbs don’t remain too wet. Some pots may have been glazed with leaded glaze; it would be best to avoid using this type to ensure you don’t transfer lead to the plants.

* Put a little bit of gravel into the bottom of the pot and covering the drainage hole. Doing this will keep the dirt in and allow the excess water to be released. After you have the gravel in the bottom, you’ll want to fill the container about two thirds of the way full. Sterilized potting soil is best to use.

* Go to your local garden center or home improvement center. Choose the plants you want and then place them in the pot, tallest growing plants in the center, and then placing the shorter plants around it.

* As you plant each individual herb, loosen the dirt around the roots and then put the plant into the soil. Cover the roots with more soil and then continue to the next plant. By the time the planter is full, you should have about two inches of space to the top of the planter. Be sure to water them in by adding plenty of water, although you don’t want water to stand in the planter or the saucer underneath it.

Instead of watering your plants each day, poke your finger into the dirt when you notice the top of the soil looking dry. If the soil is dry up to an inch below the top, it’s time to water your pizza herb garden. In a couple of weeks you can start harvesting your herbs. By carefully cutting the leaves and not pulling the plants out, your herb garden should produce fresh herbs for your home-made pizza all year long.

Natural Garden Care Is Best

2009-05-20T15:48:00.000-07:00

Now that warmer weather is here, you can be expected to be bombarded by advertisements for chemical products to kill weeds or fertilize your plants. Maybe you don’t want to use chemicals on your garden because you feel natural garden care is best. By using natural products, you not only help protect the environment but you’re also doing your best to take care of your children.

One of the most natural ways to care for your garden is to use compost. This is natural, organic matter that has decomposed and been broken down into nutrients the soil can use to feed and nourish the plants. By incorporating the organic matter into your soil, the soil in your garden will become a living substance which will be able to ward off disease, weeds, and insects without the use of harmful chemicals. Natural fertilizers and pest control is used in place of chemicals, and they won’t bother the natural ecosystem.

Besides composting, you want your garden soil to be aerated. How do you do that? Well, you can physically go out to the garden with tines of a pitch fork and aerate the soil, or you can allow earthworms to do it for you. By having healthy, composted soil, you’ll create a habitat where earthworms can thrive.

Use companion planting. By planting vegetables by flowers or other plants, it is feasible to drive pests away. For instance, if you plant tomatoes near marigolds, the plant secretions from the marigolds will cause harmful nematodes to find another garden to infest. You can also plant garlic near plants to drive insects away.

Rotate your crops every year. In other words, don’t layout your garden with the plants in the same location every year. This depletes the soil of vital nutrients. For example, move the legumes into the location where corn stalks are usually placed because one places nitrogen into the soil and the other uses a lot of nitrogen. Rotating plants can also help prevent the development of some types of soil disease.

After the harvesting has been done, use the tiller to turn the dead plants back into the ground. This will put organic matter back into the soil and nourish it. It will also allow you to plant cover crops like clover, alfalfa, and rye which will keep the soil from becoming compacted during the winter months and can protect the soil. When it’s time to prepare your garden in the spring, you can again till the plants back into the soil to add much needed nutrients.

Regularly hoeing or manually weeding your garden will help keep plants healthy. They’ll be more resistant to insects and the weeds won’t be leaching the nutrients from the plants. You can also pour boiling water over the weeds to kill them. Using mulch around the plants can also keep weeds at bay and will help the soil retain more moisture.

If you notice that your plants are looking sickly, realize that every garden is going to have some pests. Sick plants attract predators. Add back beneficial insects such as lacewings or ladybugs to help diminish the number of bad insects in your garden. Some insects, however, may need a more direct and personal approach such as tent caterpillars; they can only be removed by hand to ensure you get them all.

Try using some of these ideas for natural gardening care this year in your garden. You, too, may decide that natural gardening is best. You’ll find you have better crops, you’re not poisoning the environment, and not risking poisoning the family you love.

Nine Easy-to-Grow Plants for Children

2009-05-20T15:46:00.000-07:00

It’s amazing how much children can learn if given the proper guidance. You want your children to eat foods that are healthy for them, but they may balk at trying some vegetables and fruits because they’re new to them. One way to get them to at least try new things is to use these ten easy-to-grow plants for children to encourage them to try what they’ve grown.

Your children may not like the canned veggies they’re given during meals, but they’re more likely to eat them if they’ve had a hand in growing them. Starting a small garden, even if you only include these ten items, can get your children on the road to eating healthier.

1. Carrots generally sprout quickly so your child can see the plant growing. Since they are sweet when fresh from the garden, your child may want more than just one when they’re ready to be harvested.

2. Radishes are another quick germinating vegetable. Young children don’t like to wait for things so they will be quickly rewarded when the radishes sprout in only a few days.

3. Lettuce is another reliable and quick vegetable to let your children grow. You may also encourage them to eat more of their salad when they've helped grow and pick the lettuce leaves. Choose a couple of varieties for a healthy mix.

4. Green beans are one vegetable that most children seem not to like. While they may take longer to sprout, the size of the sprout is considerably larger than either a carrot or radish. Children also have fun picking green beans, so that’s an added incentive to try them.

5. Pumpkins might take up a lot of room in a garden, but children love to watch the pumpkins grow to maturity. They take longer to mature, but your children will look forward to carving their own pumpkin in the fall.

6. Strawberries usually take up a large amount of a garden; however, you can also plant them in strawberry planters. What child wouldn’t love going outside to pick fresh strawberries to add to their cereal or a fruit smoothie?

7. Cherry tomatoes are a wonderful plant to encourage children to eat tomatoes. They can pick the tomatoes right off the vines and pop them in their mouth for a juicy treat. Of course, once they realize how good they are, your children may not be able to wait for the tomatoes to ripen.

8. Green onions are easy-to-grow but your children may not want to eat them. Of course, you might be surprised once they realize the onions are ready to picked.

9. Snow peas are other vegetables children don’t often like. However, children may be impressed by how quickly they come up and can be eaten right off the vine. The pod is edible and they are a small enough plant to grow without support.

Choosing any of these ten easy-to-grown plants for your child’s garden may be all your child needs to encourage them to eat more of their veggies. You might also start your child down the road to becoming a gardener in the future. Who knows, after a few years of successful gardening, your children may decide to take over the gardening altogether.

How Composting Helps the Environment

2009-05-20T15:45:00.000-07:00

You may have heard many people rant and rave about how composting helps the environment. But how is that possible? And how can you start using compost to aid your garden?

Composting is often considered to be nature’s way of recycling. In fact, if you walk through pristine forests you’ll find the ground covered with compost. Decaying leaves, limbs, and trees create composting that nourishes the forest floor. If left alone, nature will take care of the waste it produces.

If nature can use composting to dispose of leaves, limbs, and animals that die in the forest, why can’t we follow suit and use it, too? It’s really not that difficult to do and can help the environment in so many ways.

Environmentalists claim that twenty percent of the trash we produce, on the whole, comes from the clippings and waste generated when we care for our yards. Instead of taking that trash to the already overflowing landfills, you can use the clippings and organic waste to create something useful and beneficial for your yard and the environment.

Consider the five components needed to compost successfully: nutrition, moisture, surface area, volume and air. While you can include grass clippings from when you mow your yard to your compost pile, those are better left where they fall to help nourish the lawn by replacing nitrogen. If you do choose to compost some of them, the clippings will provide those same nutrients to the compost pile.

Composting requires a 50:50 mix of “green” sources and “brown” sources. Green plant matter would include spoiled fruits and vegetables from your refrigerator, as well as small amounts of manure from cows or other plant eating animals, fresh cut leaves and soft stems, and weeds that have not yet seeded. Brown matter would include dried leaves, straw, dead grass, and the tough stems from vegetable and flowers. This matter will provide the compost pile with all of the nutrients it needs.

Many recyclable items can be put into compost piles. The more items – such as newspapers, food scraps, twigs, and wood shavings – that can be composted means there’s less to go into the landfills. By composting, you limit the items being sent to landfills and help your plants grow faster and healthier.

Be sure to keep the composting pile damp to provide the moisture needed for microorganisms to break down the plant matter. You’ll want to give the compost pile more water in the summer and less in the spring. You’ll also want to turn or stir the compost periodically to ensure it has enough air to sustain decomposition.

After your compost is ready, you can use it to reduce the amount of water you have to use on your garden because compost will help the soil retain moisture. The compost will also provide the plants and soil with much-needed nutrients. Finally, by getting your children to help gather, place, and turn the compost you’ll be able to see how many items thrown in the garbage can be used to benefit the environment, and ultimately your family, by nourishing the fruits and vegetables in your garden.

Let Them Dig, Explore, Plant, and Play

2009-05-20T15:44:00.000-07:00

Teaching your children to garden can be a wonderful experience for both you and them. Let’s face it, children love to dig and get their hands dirty. They may even like it more that you do. Why not let them dig, explore, plant, and play by setting aside a part of your garden that they can call their own.

Start out by inviting them to help you in your garden. Explain how to plant both seeds and seedlings, how deep to dig, and how to recognize weeds. Be sure to answer any questions they may have and tell them why you do the things you do.

You don’t have to set aside a full-sized garden for them; that would overwhelm them and they’d probably end up letting the weeds overtake it. Instead, start small; a 6 feet by 12 feet area would be a good size for a child, depending upon their age. The garden may be separate from yours or it may be a marked off area of the bigger garden. Short rows, approximately 3 to 4 feet each, would be the perfect size.

Find kid-sized gardening tools and present them to your child with much fanfare. You might also want to create a sign showing the smaller garden is theirs. Child-sized gardening gloves would also be appropriate. Show them how to care for their tools and how to properly store them so they’ll be protected from the weather.

Help your child choose the plants they want to include in their garden. Do they want to grow only vegetables or do they want a flower garden? If they decide on vegetables, try to find starter plants such as tomatoes, lettuce, or strawberries. If they’re determined to start the plants from seed, try to find seeds that are larger so your child can easily handle them as they're being planted. For a flower garden they might choose to grow sunflowers, zinnias, and marigolds.

Explain to your children that there are good creepy crawlies that visit your garden, but there are also bad ones. Good visitors would include butterflies, bees, worms, and ladybugs. Bad visitors as far as plants are concerned include moths, caterpillars, aphids, deer, and bunny rabbits. You’ll also want to explain how some plants prefer full sunlight and some prefer shadier areas.

Show them how to water their plants and tell them how important it is that the plants are watered regularly without over-watering them. Let them be responsible for watering their garden by making a watering can or garden hose easily accessible to them. You can also teach them how using mulch in their garden can help keep moisture in the soil and how it can make weeding the garden easier.

Watch the wonder on your child’s face as they watch their garden grow over the summer. You’ll also see a sense of accomplishment and pride, and possibly increased self-esteem, as they begin to harvest the vegetables or pick flowers to share with those they love. They may even be able to sell some of their crop at a roadside vegetable market rather than having a lemonade stand.

Organic Weed Control

2009-05-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

Weeds are a problem for almost everyone. Controlling them without harming pets or the environment can be done if you use certain techniques. Organic weed control is becoming more and more popular because it is cheap, safe for the environment and it works!

The most obvious way to get rid of weeds in your yard or garden is to simply remove them by hand. There is actually a technique to this that will help you better control weed growth. If you simply pull the weed out, you can break off roots, allowing the weed to grow right back. Using a shovel or spade does the same thing. Cutting roots can actually allow each root to grow its own plant, causing the weeds to only multiply. Use a small forked garden tool to gently work the roots up out of the soil without damaging them and the weed will not grow back.

If weeds are in your lawn, there is a very simple and safe solution. Mow your grass before weeds have a chance to seed. You may have to be very dedicated to mowing on a schedule, even twice a week, to avoid maturing weeds that can spread. One good thing about weeds is that they add drainability to the soil. This will help your grass to quickly choke out cut weeds. As weeds are eliminated, nitrogen will return to the soil making your grass more aggressively take over future weeds. Make sure that your mower is on a high setting so that your grass will keep cut weeds shaded. Weeds need a lot of sun and cannot grow if the grass is high. Grass that is left longer will also grow slower because it is not in a hurry to make more nutrients for the roots.

You may notice that weeds shoot up after a rain. They love water and can quickly take water from your grass. Make sure that you spot check your lawn after a rain and get rid of any new weeds. Do not water your lawn unless your grass starts to wilt over or seriously dry out. This will help starve out weeds that are waiting to spring up.

Using the right fertilizer can help keep weeds under control. If you have a lot of dandelions, chances are your soil pH is too high. Adding a thin dusting of lime will bring the pH back down to where your grass likes it and the dandelions do not. Use organic compost or organic fertilizers to avoid creating a perfect weed habitat. Weeds generally pop up where grass has a short coming. Creating the right environment for grass will help ensure that weak spots do not occur.

Check with your local nursery to identify weeds. Change your lawn according to which weeds are thriving and your grass can take over. Keep items picked up off of your lawn to avoid creating a weak spot where weeds can grow. For example, leaving your garden hose lying on the ground can block out light, killing grass and creating a perfect spot for a weed to take hold. Use a hose reel to keep your water hose up off of the ground and neatly stored away. When your soil is right, your lawn will be right, without the use of harmful chemicals.

Stacy Pessoney is an award winning author and writer of web content for many different web sites. She is well versed in many different areas, including gardening, hose reel, lawn care and landscaping.

Your First Vegetable Garden

2009-05-08T10:38:00.000-07:00

Suggestions from a guy who has gardened for more than 25 years ...

Start Small - For most beginners, smaller is better. A 100 square foot garden - say, 10 feet by 10 feet - is plenty. Even a 4 ft. by 5 ft. garden or a few containers on your deck or patio can be very rewarding.

The Basics - there are 5 basic requirements:- Good soil- Seeds and/or plants- Water- Fertilizer- Weed and bug control.

Good Soil - Good gardening starts with good soil. Good soil contains a mixture of small and large mineral particles, organic materials, air, water, and millions of living organisms, from microorganisms to worms. If you have either thick clay or loose sandy soil, the best solution is to add compost or top soil to your garden. Rent or borrow a mini-tiller, like the Mantis tiller, to do this most effectively.

For a more thorough discussion of garden soil, see The Dirt on Soil, elsewhere on this site.

When You Should Start - Ideally, you should prepare your soil a couple of weeks prior to your last frost date. To estimate your last frost date, see http://www.victoryseeds.com/frost/
Start gardening anytime after your last frost date. You can even start a garden in mid summer.
Seeds and Plants - Rule #1 is to grow what you'll eat. And, grow the right quantity. Six zucchini plants will produce more squash than you and all of your friends and relatives can handle! Start with 1 or 2.

Tomatoes - 1 or 2 beefsteak tomato plants for sandwiches, salads, and sauces. One cherry tomato plant for snacking and for salads.

Leaf Lettuce - easy to grow, and high yielding.

Spinach - easy to grow, very nutritious, and somewhat more heat tolerant than lettuce.

Bush Beans - easy to grow and very nutritional. The big seeds are easy to handle.

Summer Squash - options range from buttery yellow varieties of squash to the traditional green zucchini.

Beets - easy to grow and good for you. Thin the young seedlings so that the remaining plants have room to develop.

Water - Plants get their food by absorbing water and dissolved nutrients through their roots. Rule of thumb - about 1" of rainfall or watering per week.

To reduce the amount of soil moisture lost to evaporation, add a layer of mulch to the top of your garden soil. Grass clippings, shredded dry leaves, hay, and straw are excellent mulches.

Fertilizer - Plants, like people, need food. Organic fertilizer can be added when you plant and throughout the season.

The best long-term solution for creating healthy soil is to continuously add compost. For lots of practical information, see Composting 101, or visit HowToCompost.org.

Weeds and Bugs - The best treatment for weeds is prevention - lots of mulch will significantly reduce weeds.

Bugs are more complex. Some bugs are good, some are bad. Consider using a natural pesticide like Pyola® or Bulls-Eye™; both are environmentally responsible and available from Gardens Alive!

Simple Steps to Stylish and Affordable Outdoor Spaces

2009-04-26T15:24:00.000-07:00

(ARA) - When the sun is shining and the summer breezes are blowing, it's difficult to resist the call to relax outdoors. But if you have a blank canvas of grass or a cement slab it doesn't exactly call to mind visions of barbeques and family gatherings. Don't stare longingly out the windows this summer when you can expand your living space to include the outdoors in just a few simple steps.

Patio
A deck or cement patio can be an expensive home improvement project. If you're not ready for the work or the investment, try ready-made patio blocks that make it easy to have a sunny and stable outdoor space.

Seating Area
Create your own outdoor cafe with a bistro set. The three piece Crown Bistro set from Seventh Avenue (SeventhAvenue.com) is an affordable way to add outdoor seating no matter what size your space is.

Lighting
For walkways and paths, make sure to keep it safe with low-voltage or solar lighting.

Outdoor Cooking
Making your space into an outdoor kitchen is as easy as adding a grill.

Wildlife
Bird houses and bird feeders are a wonderful way to welcome nature into your outdoor space.

Flavorful Landscapes -- A Growing Trend

2009-04-26T15:14:00.000-07:00

(ARA) - Nothing beats the flavor of a fresh-from-the-garden tomato; warmed by the sun, plucked right from the plant and eaten in the garden.

More than 43 percent of U.S. households plan to experience this and the other benefits of homegrown fruits, vegetables and herbs this summer, according to a recent survey by the National Gardening Association.

Space Limited? Get Creative

The good news is you don’t need much space to have an edible garden. Many gardeners grow food in containers or mixed in with their flowers, shrubs and other ornamental plantings.

Look for creative ways to include vegetables in your landscape. “I like to mix them with flowers in my container gardeners” says Melinda Myers, horticulturist and author. “One of my favorite combinations is ornamental corn, eggplant, tri-color sage, purple ruffle basil and trailing verbena. For a quick burst of spring beauty and produce I use Swiss chard as a vertical accent, add a few pansies -- they are edible -- colorful leaf lettuce or ornamental mustard and a trailing ivy or two for aesthetics, not eating.”

Limited sunlight? No worries

Full sun will give you the best results, but you can still grow edibles where sunshine is limited. Save the sunniest spot for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers and other vegetables where you eat the flowers or fruit. They produce their best and have fewest disease problems when grown in eight to 12 hours of sunlight. Root crops such as beets, radishes and carrots can get by with about a half a day of direct sun and leafy crops like lettuce and spinach can still produce in a shady location with only four hours of sunlight.

Get Your Garden Off to a Good Start

Use a quality potting mix when growing in containers. It should have good drainage and retain moisture. In the garden, it’s important to properly prepare the soil before planting. Add several inches of compost, peat moss or other organic matter to the top 6- to 12-inches of soil. This improves drainage in heavy soils and increases water holding capacity for sandy or rocky soils.

Add a slow release fertilizer like Milorganite to the soil. This goof-proof organic source of nitrogen meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s Exceptional Quality standards and will help encourage growth without interfering with flowering and fruiting.

Time it Right

Let the weather be your planting guide. Cool season crops like lettuce, peas and broccoli can tolerate chilly air and soil. Wait for the danger of frost to pass and soil to warm before planting tomatoes, peppers, squash and melons. Myers suggests anxious gardeners can, “Jump start the season with the help of floating row covers. These polypropylene fabrics let air, light and water through while trapping the heat near the plants. The best part, you won’t need a hammer, nail or other tools. Simply lay the fabric over your planting leaving enough slack for the plants to grow and anchor the edges to the ground with stones, boards or other items.”

Maximize Your Efforts

Check the seed packets and plant tags for details on when and how to plant each herb and vegetable seed or transplant. Increase productivity with succession plantings. Simply start with lettuce, radishes or another cool weather plant. Once harvested, replant the area with onions or beans. After these are done you can replant the area once again with a fall crop of lettuce, spinach or radishes.

Double your harvest with interplanting. Plant quick-to-mature crops like radishes and lettuce in between longer maturing plantings of cabbage, tomatoes or eggplant. The short season vegetables will be ready to harvest just about the time the bigger plants are crowding them out.

Consider planting vegetables closer together in wider rows. You’ll waste less space for pathways putting more room in plantings. Make sure each plant has enough space to grow and that you can reach all planted areas to weed and harvest.

Just a Bit More Care Needed

Water new plantings thoroughly and often enough to keep the soil moist but not too wet. Add a layer of shredded leaves, evergreen needles or other organic material to conserve moisture, suppress weeds and moderate soil temperatures. Midsummer, give your plants a boost with a slow release organic nitrogen fertilizer like Milorganite. And don’t worry if the weather turns hot and dry, Milorganite won’t burn. It will remain in the soil until the plants are ready to use it.

Pull weeds as they appear, watch for bugs and wait for the produce to come pouring in. You may find this is a great family activity that gets even the most reluctant vegetable eaters munching on a few fresh carrots and maybe even broccoli.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Gardens with Color Combos and Foliage Factor

2009-04-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

(ARA) - Lawns and gardens that are eye-catching have harmonious colorful plants in bloom and dramatic foliage varieties patterned in a way that appeals to the senses.

Unifying blooming and foliage plants in gardens has become a popular trend because it allows homeowners to think outside the box of traditional flower beds. From bold plant selection contrasts to color continuity, understanding bloom and foliage combinations will lead to an alluring escape in any backyard.

Ambiance Matters
Foliage is all about leaf shape, vein coloration, outlines and textures. Some foliage selections are tall and dramatic others are soft, and petite. Arrangements often focus on creating a mood, drawing the eye outward or upward and creating dimension.

The blue-green leaves of Heucherella 'Tapestry' are accented with deep-red veins which complement dark foliage plants such as the deep purple of Heuchera 'Plum Royale.' These two plants from Terra Nova Nurseries work well together to infuse drama and fullness to beds or containers.

Two other options from the growers of Garden Splendor varieties include Sedum 'Angelina' with yellow foliage that makes a stunning ground cover or container plant and Sorbaria 'Sem' boasting a chartreuse leaf accented with bronze-red tips that turn green in summer.

Learn more about these plants and gardening tips at www.terranovanurseries.com
and www.gardensplendor.com

Have a Great Lawn That’s Good to the Earth

2009-04-22T11:59:00.000-07:00

(ARA) - Caring for the environment means caring for a full, green lawn. Properly maintaining your lawn will produce strong grass and can help protect and conserve water resources at the same time.

To enjoy a great lawn and protect fresh water resources, follow these lawn care tips from the experts at The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and the Alliance for the Great Lakes:

* Use a mulching mower to return nutrient-rich grass clippings to the soil.

* The best time to fertilize is in the spring and fall. For mature lawns, choose a fertilizer that is low-phosphorus or phosphorus-free.

* Set your mower to its highest setting to build strong, deep grass roots that can find water and nutrients.

* Water your lawn in the morning before the sun is at full strength.

* Use native plants in your landscape and garden.

* Storm sewers often lead directly into streams and lakes. Never dispose of clippings or pet waste in or around sewers or water resources, such as rivers, lakes and streams. Make it a habit to sweep up any fertilizer, grass clippings and leaves.

For more information and water-safe lawn care tips, visit LawnsandLakes.com.

Gardening Fun the Whole Family Can Do Together

2009-04-05T18:03:00.000-07:00

Before beginning your garden consult one of the maps that certain books, magazines, agricultural bulletins, and seed catalogs print, showing temperature belts, or one of the weather tables showing the date of the last probable frost in each state. Find out who the best gardeners are quite near you, preferably by watching whose gardens seem to do best, and then boldly ask their advice on when to plant, which things do best, which things need special attention, and what kind of attention. Whether you are a beginner or a newcomer to a community, most of them will be quick to help.

By now you may be wondering whether gardening is not a lot of work. I cannot answer that one, because the word "work" means different things to different people. If you mean by work something disagreeable that requires a lot of effort to do but that you do in order to get paid money, I can only answer that gardening in order to make money, or even to save money, is hard work.

But if you mean by work doing something intelligent that involves both your mind and your body, and doing it for so sensible and primary a purpose as to grow your family's food, then gardening is delightful and rewarding "work." You plant grains of corn, cultivate the cornstalk which the seed produces, harvest the ears when the silk gets brown, and eat delicious corn. The work of planting, cultivating, and harvesting is so plainly connected with eating good corn that it is interesting: we know why we are doing it.

Finally, gardening is something a whole family can do together... father, mother, and even quite small children with no fear that unequal skill will spoil the fun. In a garden families learn to work well together using garden hand tools in order that they may eat well together. A home garden has dimensions and meaning which few hobbies possess.

Is it an expensive hobby? The answer is an emphatic no. Like every other hobby, gardening can be made to cost a good deal of money: through expensive and often unnecessary tools; through interesting but expensive experiments. But a good vegetable garden can be run very cheaply. The basic tools are few and simple: a shovel, a spade, a steel rake, a "draw" hoe, a trowel, and a ball of twine to stretch between sticks to run a straight row. Before long you will want a wheelbarrow. These tools should be kept clean and dry when not in use.

Now you can remove the confusion in your mind on the topic of garden hand tiller tool. It's time for a better insight on zone10.com.

Spring Cleaning: Clearing Your Flower Beds

2009-03-28T15:43:00.000-07:00

With spring just around the corner; so is clearing your flower beds. Here are some tips on what to do.

While this has probably been the worst winter ever, you may have your work cut out for you as you prepare to clear your flower beds of debris.

What you’ll need:

* Rake* Clippers* Shovel* Garden Gloves* Mulch

Now you are ready to begin:

* Take away any debris such as branches or leaves.

* Get rid of all the dead foliage from your perennials by cutting them back just near ground level. * Rake the flower bed clean.

* Pile up the debris in a compost pile.

* Remove the mulch off the bed and replace it with a fresh layer of compost.

* Toss the compost with a shovel.

* Rake the compost as you spread it over the flower bed.

* Replace a fresh layer of mulch.

Winter has not been kind to us, in fact, every forecast you listen to describes this winter as the worst in America. Therefore, you may not be able to clear your flower beds just yet, but in case you do – hopefully the spring cleaning of your garden will be a successful one. Clearing your flower beds is a relaxing and enjoyable task. Hopefully, the weather will be as enjoyable.

"How to" Hydroponics - A Guide to General Hydroponics

2009-03-28T15:16:00.000-07:00

The field of general hydroponics is not new. Believe it or not you can find evidence of this technique dating back many hundreds of years some of which include the floating gardens of the Aztecs and China, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and you can also find records of it in Egyptian hieroglyphics. With newer technology these days though there has been some really incredible progress made in this totally awesome field of agriculture.

Many different experiments have been done by horticulturists and scientists using several different types of hydroponics in general. This technique is widely needed in the parts of the world that are not suitable for cultivation. This technique was even used widely during World War II to help provide fresh vegetables to our troops who were stationed in the non-arable islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Commercial Success

Commercial growers are becoming highly favorable towards the use of general hydroponics for growing fresh vegetables and produce. It is also becoming a favorite method of traditional farmers as well.

The independent state of Israel has been developing really advanced hydroponic technology due to its harsh climate. They market this technology heavily to Nicaragua who uses it to produce pepper for selling around the world as well as to the United States. One of the largest hydroponic facilities in the world is the state of Arizona, where they sold 125 million pounds of tomatoes in the year 2005.

General Hydroponics and Its Advantages

One advantage of using general hydroponics is that it allows you to produce a higher yield than normal soil based agricultural methods. For areas of the world where you can't grow vegetables in the soil it is a real blessing and God send. Being that you have total control of the growing environment it eliminates the need for pesticides and insecticides which in turn back the soil, water, air, and food whole lot healthier.

Nutrients

The methods that you use for general hydroponics vary for each type of plant that you are growing. The needs of the plants also very during each cycle of their growth. You can use a variety of different combinations of products for both growing and booming during each growth cycle of your plants. You can then know precisely which nutrients are required for each growth cycle of your plants.

The nutrients that are used in hydroponics dissolve in water and are most commonly in the Ionic and inorganic form. Some of the most commonly used macro nutrients include potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, magnesium sulfate, and potassium phosphate.

Some Advancements

The practice of general hydroponics is highly productive because of the lack of pests and because there is a constant supply of nutrients provided for the plants. Because most of your hydroponic activity is done indoors and in sealed greenhouses, the growth of the plant can be limited, however, the yield of the indoor growing operation can be increased by adding CO2 into the environment, which makes it an incredibly beneficial growing atmosphere for all plants.

If you're interested in the field of hydroponics Or just like to find out some basic information on how to use hydroponics, then visit my site at http://www.hydroponichelp.com where you will find a plethora of informative articles to help you with you needs.

Raised Beds = The New Victory Garden

2009-03-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

Times are tough. And when the going gets tough, the tough get growing. With the news that President and Mrs. Obama have broken ground on the first ever organic garden on the grounds of the White House, we are realizing that the idea of growing your own healthy sustainable food sources is more than just a trend; it is a new and greener way of life.

If you have considered starting a garden, whether as a hobby, a serious food source, a way to offset climbing food costs, or any other reason, now is the time to get serious. There are dozens of good books available to instruct the would-be or pro gardener in ways of producing more yield per square foot of garden plot, and doing so in the healthiest, most eco-friendly way possible.

This is why we love the raised bed so much. It is a wonderful way of keeping your herbs and vegetables growing in small spaces, and virtually eliminates the tedious job of weeding.

A raised bed is a plant sanctuary, providing them with all of the elements necessary to thrive and produce, while eliminating many of the competitive natural forces that work to rob your plants of nutrients and a disease- and pest-free life.

No matter what kind of space you have available for gardening, there is a raised bed system that is just right for you. These days, even an apartment or condo patio is not unimaginable as a beautiful and productive urban garden. Some raised beds are tiered, which provides additional compactness, because plants are not directly competing with neighboring plants on all sides, but rather are elevated to their own level playing field.

Disabled or wheelchair-bound individuals can finally garden again with the use of a good raised bed system. Plant tables provide a wonderful way to pull up a chair and garden comfortably, and higher ground-based beds offer relief to tired backs and stiff muscles. Add a sitting rail all the way around the perimeter of a raised bed, and you even have a comfortable bench on which to sit as you tend to your tomatoes and peppers.

We have started seeing beautiful raised beds made out of recycled plastic materials, such as milk jugs and plastic grocery bags. Timbers made from these materials are an environmentally sensible way to garden, and they have the additional benefit of lasting longer than most wooden raised beds, because of the impermeability of the materials to water and bugs.

Cedar presents the most economical choice for raised bed gardeners. It is naturally repellent to many common garden pests, and is beautiful and fragrant as it ages.

So go ahead and plant that victory garden raised bed you have been thinking about all winter. The cost of the bed and the seeds you plant are offset by the abundant produce you will be enjoying all season long. And as the First Family will soon discover if they do not already know, organic gardening is a lot of fun!

Find a raised bed that is perfect for your yard and other gardening tips and alternatives.

Spring Equipment Check-Up Guide

2009-02-28T18:41:00.000-08:00

(ARA) - You’ve put your winter coat away, and the days are getting longer. Welcome to spring! Unfortunately, that’s not all that is getting longer. Your lawn is calling and you need to be ready to answer.

Spring is the start of the lawn care season, and with a little work early in the year your lawn and garden equipment will be ready to perform all season long. This guide will help you move into the yard without a hitch.

Safety First

* Remove the power cord, spark plug wire, or battery for cordless equipment prior to performing any service. Also gloves and eye protection are required to safely perform service.

* Next, check all of the unit’s fasteners, replace any that are missing, and tighten loose fasteners to the manufacturer’s recommended tightness. Loose and missing fasteners are a frequent cause of trips to the repair shop, and can be dangerous.

Sharp Cutters are Key

* Evaluate the condition of any blades, cutting attachments or blower impellers. If in poor condition, these items will impair performance and can cause injury.

* It’s probably best to leave maintenance of these items to a professional unless you are a very skillful mechanic and instructions for removal, replacement and sharpening are readily available.

Electric Equipment

* Electric equipment’s external cords and wires should be checked for fraying.

* Check all extension cords used to power these products. Any frayed cords and wires should be repaired immediately by a certified technician. Replace any bad extension cords. Don’t risk using the unit or extension cord even once as dangerous shocks can result.

* Ensure that all switches are intact and activate freely. Fully charge the battery, if applicable.

Gas Powered Equipment

* Perform the simple maintenance procedures from the owner’s manual.

* Check the oil before starting any small engine that doesn’t use gas/oil fuel mix. Place the product on level ground to avoid false readings. If the oil is low, fill it to the recommended level with the specified oil. Also, while some oil consumption is normal for small engines, now is a good time to check for oil leaks that need to be addressed by a professional.

* Check the air filter; carefully clean dirt, oil, and debris off the filter cover and the surrounding area before removing the cover. Examine the filter, and if it is dirty, replace or clean it per manufacturer’s instructions.

* More experienced DIYers might want to change the oil and filter and check the spark plug. Make sure that your fuel is fresh as stale fuel can damage your engine. Unless you used a fuel stabilizer like Sta-Bil from Gold Eagle Co., any fuel more than 90 days old needs to be properly disposed of.

Cables and Levers

* Check to make sure all of these cables and levers operate smoothly. If they don’t, lubricate or replace them.

Start Up

* Connect the spark plug wire and fire up engine-powered equipment. Following the operator’s manual instructions, fill up the fuel tank with fresh fuel, making sure there are no fuel leaks, and start the engine.

* If the engine doesn’t start, it is often because unstabilized fuel was left in the unit during storage. This stale fuel doesn’t like to burn, and leaves varnish in your carburetor’s small passages and the fuel line. But all is not lost. If stale fuel and a dirty fuel system are the causes of hard starting, try a product like Start Your Engines! fuel system revitalizer. These starting fluids/system cleaners can refresh stale fuel and clean muck out of your fuel system just by pouring them into the unit’s fuel tank. It’s an easy and economical way to fix a gunked-up engine.

* If the engine still will not start after trying a fuel system revitalizer, it’s best to get a professional to evaluate the problem.

Spring lawn care season is a great way to get active and enjoy the outdoors. It can be rewarding and easy if your tools are ready from the start. So what are you waiting for? Get going!

For more information on Sta-Bil Fuel Stabilizer, Start Your Engines! fuel revitalizer, or other Gold Eagle Co. products, visit www.goldeagle.com or call (800) 367-3245.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

No Backyard? No Problem. Reap the Rewards of a Vegetable Garden

2009-02-26T12:44:00.000-08:00

(ARA) - During World War II, Americans were encouraged to convert their backyards into Victory Gardens to contribute to the war effort. The gardens also saved families money, something that was not abundant to most at the time. With the current economic downturn affecting many families’ budgets and in light of produce scares in 2008, starting a backyard vegetable garden is a great way to help reduce grocery bills during the summer months while keeping your family supplied with healthy foods.

Even if you don't have a lot of space -- maybe only a balcony -- you can still produce plump red tomatoes, fresh lettuce, spicy peppers and more before the end of summer. Here are some simple tips for gardening in small spaces for big results:

Mix Vegetables with Your Flowers

If you already have an established flower bed, but no more land available for a vegetable patch, work some of your vegetables in between perennials. Carrots and onions don't need a lot of root space, and their foliage above ground can bring variety to the overall look of your landscape. Just make sure your vegetables will have plenty of sunshine and are protected from hungry wildlife.

Start a Container Garden

Balconies and porches are perfect locations for container gardens. Start easy with lettuce seeds or onions set in a deep window box. Or use a larger pot for peppers or tomatoes.

To kick off the growing season for your tomatoes and peppers, use a Season Starter from Dalen Products, Inc. in your container. This innovative insulating system helps protect seedlings from frost conditions and extends the growing season.

Once established, growing plants can benefit from other Dalen products that help contribute to larger yields and vegetation protection. For instance, Dalen’s patented Tomato Tray is designed to channel water directly to a vining plant’s root system – critical for establishing healthy tomato plants in the early season. Also, items like Better Reds Mulch Film and Harvest Guard work to ensure that throughout the growing and harvesting season your plants are protected from weeds, drought conditions and early frosts.

Some helpful tips for container gardening are:

* Find containers that are large enough for the fully-grown plant to prevent root binding.

* Make sure containers have adequate drainage holes and are not plugged with soil or rocks.

* Avoid container materials that contain products toxic or harmful to plants.

* Don't use regular garden soil. Instead, use potting soil or a mix of garden soil with compost or perlite for enhanced drainage.

* Water plants frequently as plants in containers are more likely to dry out due to sun and wind exposure.

Grow Tall Gardens

Cucumbers, squash and melon plants take up plenty of space when they're sprawling across your ground. But getting them off the ground is an ideal solution for maximizing your harvest in a minimum amount of area. Installing a trellis next to plants allows you to direct vine plants' growth upward, while protecting fruit and vegetables from ground rot and pests. Using nylon netting, like Trellis Netting from Dalen Products, around your container pots, a porch railing or your garden beds is a great and durable way to encourage climbing vines.

With good management, you will have beautiful fruits and vegetables available this summer for cooking, canning and snacking - saving you money at the grocery store and giving your family safe and healthy food options. Visit www.dalenproducts.com to find more products perfect for growing your favorite vegetables or fruits in any size garden.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Call of the Wild (Flowers)

2009-02-26T12:42:00.000-08:00

(ARA) – At a time when “green” is the color of thoughtful lifestyles, gardening practices are going greener, too. Some gardens awash in the biggest, brightest, newest flowers are sadly lifeless, lacking the buzz of the bees, the fluttering of butterflies and the zip of hummingbirds. To make these creatures welcome, gardeners need to go a little wild themselves, setting aside their visions of gardens groomed and sprayed into submission.

Gardeners need to re-imagine their gardens as an outdoor café and build safe havens for birds, bees and butterflies. How? By setting the table with nectar and seeds that are on the menus of local wildlife. This spring, plant a patch of wildflowers and watch the garden come alive.

Wildflowers and their dependents -- insects and birds -- work together in harmony with local climates. Naturally adapted to soil, sun and moisture conditions, wildflowers offer more than simple grace and unaffected charm.

They represent an earth-friendly, attractive alternative, thriving without fertilizers, pesticides and constant irrigation.

In nature, wildflowers mark the seasons with glorious bursts of color. Spring bluebells and columbines might give way to yarrows and rues, which in turn leave the season’s last word to coneflowers and asters.

The wildflower patch is typically an exuberant and ever-changing continuous carpet of carefree blossoms. Since the look is more relaxed than that of formal garden beds, wildflowers can beautify areas that are very difficult to maintain -- hillsides, woodland edges, lake borders or that awkward strip between the driveway and the property line.

While the aim is a casual, unstudied appearance, wildflower gardens do require some planning. One key is choosing a seed mix created for your region, taking into account the hardiness zone, elevation and typical soil, sun and moisture conditions.

Wild-flower-seed.com offers a wide variety of blends for nine areas of the country, from the rainy northeast to the dry southwest. The company also has specialty mixes specifically designed to attract beneficial insects and butterflies -- as well as a blend deer find unappealing. Each mix includes 10 to 20 plant species, providing flowers season-long and a mix of annuals and perennials for both quick color and staying power.

Site preparation is important and a little up-front effort can pay big dividends. Follow these steps:

* Choose a sunny, well-drained location. Most wildflowers want six to eight hours of direct sunlight and few will tolerate “wet feet.”

* Remove any sod and till to a depth of just 1 or 2 inches. More will only bring additional weed seeds to the surface.

* Weed control is crucial to get wildflowers off to a good start. Instead of using a strong, chemical pesticide to kill weeds, manage weeds naturally. Encourage weeds to grow with regular watering and then pull the weeds before sowing wildflowers, or use a low-toxicity herbicide.

* Sow seeds according to directions -- the maximum amount recommended will produce a dense patch, the minimum a more scattered look.

* For easier sowing, mix seed with dry sand, which is more visible against the soil. Blend well, using a ratio of one part seed to one or two parts sand.

* Good seed-to-soil contact encourages germination. A lawn roller is ideal, but stepping across the bed, compressing soil underfoot, will do the job.

* No fertilizer is necessary, but the seedbed should be kept moist for about four weeks until seeds sprout. Then watering can taper off unless conditions are unusually dry.

Once established, a wildflower garden requires little routine maintenance. A once-a-year mowing to 4 to 6 inches in late fall will keep tree seedlings from intruding and spread the season’s crop of seeds.

To see wildflower mixes offered for your region and view details on individual species, visit http://www.wild-flower-seed.com/regionalwildflowerseed.php.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Top Spring Projects for Your Lawn and Garden

2009-02-23T12:54:00.000-08:00

(ARA) - With the weather beginning to warm across the country, many people are venturing out into their yards to begin the process of turning what was once a winter wonderland into a lush green escape. The task might look overwhelming at first, but with a little help from the experts, you can have a fresh-looking lawn and garden in no time.

According to Lou Manfredini, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware Man,” there are three projects that every homeowner should do to spruce up your lawn and garden: Prune your shrubs and trees, grow new grass and plant brightly colored flowers. “The best part about these projects,” says Manfredini “is that anyone can do them, and once they are finished they make a big difference."

Pruning

Pruning works by cutting away the excess growth and dead weight that keeps your shrubs and trees from filling out. By trimming this away, more buds will be able to show, allowing you to cultivate a stronger, more vibrant plant.

“One thing to remember is not to over-prune,” says Manfredini. “Too much pruning will shock your plant and could inhibit growth.” To avoid this, hold out your first two fingers; if these were stems on a plant you would never want to cut below your first knuckle.

As with most home improvement projects, it’s very important to have the right tools on hand. Certain pruners, such as rose pruners, are made specifically for roses, while head shears can be used on most heavy-duty pruning projects. Make sure you purchase pruners that are sturdy enough to do the job and feel comfortable and manageable in your hand. If you already have pruners, consider having them sharpened at your local hardware store before you begin working. You’ll notice the difference immediately.

Grow New Grass

After lying dormant for a few months, your grass might need a little coaxing to get it to its pre-winter state. To prepare your lawn, thatch it by lightly running a rake across the top to pick up any sticks, leaves, debris or dead grass.

Next you will need to purchase grass seed that is indigenous to your area and that will grow with the amount of shade your lawn has. You’ll need to purchase between 2 to 4 pounds of seed for every 1,000 feet you are planting. Spread the seed either by hand or with a mechanical spreader that you can rent at your local hardware store, but be sure to keep it even.

Once your seed is down, it’s a good idea to lay fertilizer and water the entire lawn. In the weeks and months to come, be sure your lawn gets at least 1 or 2 inches of water a week, either naturally or from a sprinkler.

Plant Flowers

Flowers can spruce up any landscape design. Consider adding them around the base of a tree or on either side of your walkway.

“Consider purchasing established plants rather than seeds as they are easier to grow,” explains Manfredini. “And look for bright colored plants like impatiens or black-eyed Susans.”

Before planting, you’ll need to make sure your soil is prepared. Loosen the soil in the area where you plan on planting and add an organic matter like peat moss to help give the plant more nutrients.

Next, dig a small hole, just deep enough to fit the roots of your plant and place the plant inside. Once the plant is in the hole, fill it in with dirt and lightly pack it down. Don’t forget to water and fertilize the plant regularly and you’ll have gorgeous flowers for months to come.

For more lawn and garden tips and advice, visit www.acehardware.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Seeding Secrets for a Sensational Lawn

2009-02-23T12:48:00.000-08:00

(ARA) – Watering, fertilizing and proper mowing are all important aspects of lawn care. But to maintain that healthy, lush lawn you also need to be smart about seeding.

Fixing some bare spots on the lawn or filling out thinning grass requires the right type of seed, a little know-how and the patience to, literally, watch grass grow.

“Even the most well-cared-for lawn can develop a bald patch here or there over the winter,” says John Marshall, manager of The Scotts Training Institute for The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. “And if your turf has multiple bare spots or is just thin all over, proper seeding can be the solution for your lackluster lawn.”

Paying attention to four factors when seeding can help turn your lawn from flop to fabulous:

Timing is Everything

Many people wait until warm weather to turn a critical eye on their lawn, even though the very best time to seed is in the fall. But seeding can successfully spruce up your spring lawn -- if you start early enough.

Even if you suspect your region may experience one or two more frosts before spring, go ahead and seed. “Cold will not hurt grass seed,” Marshall says. “Better to seed too early than too late.”

If you’re unsure of proper timing for your area, check with a local lawn expert or university extension program for advice.

Prepare the Ground

Failing to prepare the ground to receive seed is one of the top mistakes homeowners make, Marshall says. If you are seeding bare spots or dead areas, take a rake and scratch the spot until you see more dirt than dead grass. In order to take root, grass seeds must be in direct contact with soil.

If you’re overseeding an entire thin lawn, rent a core aerator or slit seeder and go over the lawn first in order to achieve the best possible seed/soil contact.

Choosing the Right Seed

Watering deeply and infrequently is the usual recommendation for an established lawn, but a newly seeded lawn requires more watering than usual because grass seed dies when it dries out.

In order to get the most out of your grass seed, opt for a seed, such as Scotts Turf Builder Grass Seed with Water Smart, that helps create a good looking lawn with less water. The seed is wrapped in a super absorbent coating that actually holds water to keep the seed moist even if a day of watering is missed. The coated seed will require water once a day and possibly even every other day depending on the climate where you live. Hotter regions may need more frequent watering.

Non-coated seed, by contrast, requires watering multiple times each day in order to keep the seed wet. “When grass seed dries, it dies,” Marshall says.

Caring for Your Grass Seedlings

Once your grass seedlings appear, some simple steps can help you care for your growing lawn, including:

* Fertilize the lawn -- Remember to fertilize the same day you seed. After that, for most areas of the country, it’s OK to fertilize your lawn every two months during warm weather.

* Keeping off the grass-- Contrary to popular belief, simply walking on grass seedlings isn’t likely to do much harm, but it’s a good idea to avoid walking on them if possible. If you’ve seeded in a high-traffic area it’s a good idea to rope off the spot until the seed is well established -- usually after the first mowing.

* Mowing is good for your grass seedlings – Once grass seedlings reach 2 to 3 inches in height, it’s time to mow them. Marshall recommends setting your mower on one of the two highest settings. Trimming the top off new grass actually encourages it to grow laterally, spreading out to fill thin areas.

For more tips on successful seeding and general lawn care help, visit www.scotts.com or call Scott’s consumer help line at (888) 270-3714.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Greenhouse Kits - Getting Started

2008-12-29T13:30:00.000-08:00

Greenhouse kits are a versatile option for both amateur and professional gardeners. Different people decide to use greenhouses for different reasons. For instance, one person may wish to raise plants for winter use. Another may wish to get an earlier start in the year for growing trickier plants. Still another may wish to better hold over existing plants for use during the next season.

Whatever the reason for selecting a greenhouse, there is certain to be a design suited for every gardener's needs. While it is always possible to build a custom structure, it may be much easier to purchase a ready-to-assemble kit.

Here are some tips for selecting the right greenhouse and setting it up correctly:

Make a list of desirable plants to maintain. Under each species, take notes on the required climate and space as well as general life spans. This information will assist in determining what functions a greenhouse needs to perform during different times of the year.
Compare that list to the regional climate. Growing tropical plants in a cold environment will take a lot more work than growing them in warmer areas. Different greenhouse kits will provide different potentials for control.
Determine how much space is necessary for the plants. After that, choose a structure that is a bit bigger. This allows room for changes in plans of cultivation. A person may also discover that, though plants may fit easily into their allotted amount of space, the area is still too crowded for adequate ventilation. The truth is more plants die from overheating within a greenhouse than they do from the winter cold.
Decide where the greenhouse will be placed. Light is an important consideration for this matter. In particular, the amount of winter light should be kept in mind. The change of the angle of the sun over the year will affect placement. Obviously, there should not be any shading structures within a location. It is also important to remember that trees may grow and lose leaves over time.
Remember that if the ideal situation for the summer is different than that of the winter, perhaps the best option is to purchase a portable greenhouse kit. Another situation where this may be excellent is if great changes of terrain may be expected over the years. For instance, if a new shed may be built in an area, blocking sunlight, then an option which is capable of eventually being transported with ease may be best.
Choose the material type carefully. Wooden frames often come with the risk of rotting or developing mold and mildew. Some are created with PVC tubing, which is more affordable. Aluminum and steel options are much more durable, though more expensive.
Calculate any additional purchases necessary. A sturdy, reliable frame may come at a great low price. However, it is possible that it does not include the other elements which many kits do, such as shelves. The need for additional purchases can bring the price up. Also, if it is not built in an adaptive manner, the cost of altering greenhouse kits through drilling and other such practices may also increase the expense.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on gardening, parenting, and home decor. Her background also includes teaching, yoga, and fashion. For more of her useful articles on greenhouse supplies, please visit Greenhouse Kits, supplier of greenhouse news and information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke
http://EzineArticles.com/?Greenhouse-Kits---Getting-Started&id=1816694

When it’s Cold Outside, Bring Nature’s Warmth Indoors

2008-12-23T10:26:00.000-08:00

(ARA) - At this time of year, many of us feel confined to our homes and trapped by bitter wind, biting cold and harsh weather. It’s snowy, the days are shorter and we long for that time when we can be outdoors, digging in the dirt.

If you have dreams of gardens, here are some ways to make your dreams a reality. Keith McCleary, academic director of The Art Institute of York – Pennsylvania suggests the following to bring the outdoors inside:

Head to the local garden center and find all those special effects that stimulate your senses in the warmer seasons. Look for a few fragrant herbs like sage, lavender and rosemary to place on your windowsills. Hearty and relatively easy to grow, these herbs will add color and “homemade” aromas to your kitchen and even powder rooms. In addition, they’ll help freshen and clean the stuffy winter air.

McCleary also suggests that you keep in mind bright colors, which can be introduced by forcing bulbs indoors. Amaryllis, in full bloom, will brighten any room. Paperwhites, with their not-so-subtle scents, will refresh a dull room and add life as they bloom and grow, almost before your eyes. Another seasonal plant that welcomes the season is the Christmas cactus.

You can use a variety of cacti and other green plants, large and small, from Ficus to African violets, to make the rooms feel like the great outdoors. And don’t forget orchids. These tropical beauties love humidity, and adding them to your decor offers a great reason to incorporate a fountain into any room. The extra moisture will aid plants and people alike. They add a lovely touch to the bathroom too.

Shorter days in winter mean less light but it’s easy to combat those winter blues with the right lighting. “Whether it’s changing the light bulbs in your home or buying a lamp that is specifically designed to recreate the effect of sunlight, changing the lighting values in your home is a great way to bring the outdoors in,” says Nancy Bohnett, academic director of interior design at The Art Institute of Las Vegas. “Utilize your fireplace to recreate the warmth of your outdoor spaces in summer.”

McCleary suggests losing your window coverings altogether and instead opting for a large hanging plant, or a series of them hung at varying heights in a window. They will screen sunlight, thrive on the direct light and provide privacy.

Brighter spaces feel larger. “Use mirrors to add reflected light to darker spaces and to visually increase room size,” says McCleary. Take a trip to the paint store and freshen your decor with brighter colors. Sometimes it takes just one wall with a contrasting outdoor color like cornflower, rose or tomato red to feel like you’re closer to Mother Nature’s gifts. There are dozens of colors in nature’s palette that mimic bright sunshine, begonias, green pears, cut hay and more.

There are few easier ways to switch up your decor than with the accents. Replace a dark, fall-themed print with framed photos of your summer garden or introduce florals and leafy patterns mimicking nature in your accent pillows.

And don’t forget the sounds of your garden, says Bohnett. “Introduce a water feature to remind you of your backyard pond and time spent outdoors.”

Whether you’re longing for your garden or simply looking for a way to freshen your home during the winter months, bringing the sights, sounds and smells of nature indoors does wonders in combating winter gloom.

To learn more about The Art Institutes, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Top Ten 2009 Gardening Trends

2008-12-23T09:39:00.000-08:00

(ARA) – Americans craving authenticity and fretting over a bleak economy have reinvigorated the trend to grow-it-yourself (GIY). From blueberries to houseplants, GIY is the new mantra as folks turn "back to the future" to simplify their lives while gardening for the greener good.

"It’s a resurgence of gardening for the greater good -- for the earth and our wallets," says Susan McCoy, trend spotter and president of the Garden Media Group (GMG). "The most exciting movement seems to be that gardening is popular again, particularly among younger homeowners," she adds.

GMG’s gardening trends for 2009 reveal a resurgence in perennials, growing native plants, creating "blended" gardens using vegetables and herbs in flower beds, cultivating with best practices, planting to attract wildlife and going local.

"The urgent commitment to environmental sustainability and the basic desire to make our homes our havens is reflected in all gardening trends for 2009," predicts McCoy.

What’s in: Eco-boosting

What’s out: Conspicuous consumption

One simple way to be an eco-booster is to create natural habitats for wildlife with native plants that attract birds, bees and butterflies. Look for eco-friendly plants like the line of native plants from American Beauties (www.ABNativeplants.com) or the Knock Out family of roses (www.TheKnockoutRose.com), which are drought- and disease-resistant, and require little care or chemicals. Go organic with peat-free soil from The Organic Mechanics Soil Company (www.OrganicMechanicSoil.com) that supports sustainable practices and feeds plants from the soil up.

What’s in: Grow-it-Yourself (GIY)

What’s out: Having someone do it all for you

Tranquil moments may be few but the recent rise in gardening reconnects us with nature, family and friends as we share our bounty. With the increase in demand for year-round fresh fruits and vegetables, local farmers markets are seeing an upsurge in business, community gardens have waiting lists, and plant swaps are on the rise.

What’s in: Blended gardens

What’s out: Segregated gardens

Plant mint and fragrant thyme varietals in between cracks of stone pathways and grow strawberries for a delightful edible groundcover around trees. Fruit-bearing shrubs and trees provide color, privacy and fruitful bounty mingling among veggies and perennials. Garden centers are reporting an increase in demand for fruit-bearing shrubs like blueberries and raspberries as ornamentals. Briggs Nursery (www.BriggsNursery.com) is introducing the first-ever pink blueberry, "Pink Lemonade."

What’s in: Locavore

What’s out: Big carbon footprint

Buying local is all the rage. Gardeners are aware of their role as naturalists and conservationists, and are looking for native plants that thrive in their own backyards. “Native plant cultivars are selected to perform better in specific areas under local conditions,” says Steve Castorani, from American Beauties Native Plants. “When you select a plant that is native to the local area, it will thrive with little to no water, fertilizer or effort.”

What’s in: Water

What’s out: Water

For the first time, water is in and out. Whether bringing in fountains, endless waterfalls, or fish ponds, the soothing sounds of water can turn any backyard into a private oasis. Costa Farms (www.CostaFarms.com) offers plants that drink responsibly like succulents, cactus, yucca and ferns, which are easy, conserve water, and add sizzle to your landscape. The Knock Out family of roses, from bright red to sunny yellow, is drought-resistant.

"Water features such as fountains are showing up not only in the garden but on tabletops, and sometimes more than one in the garden," says Jon Carloftis, a renowned garden designer. He likes the classic and contemporary options from Campania International (www.CampaniaInternational.com) to bring the sight and sound of water into gardens without a lot of fuss or maintenance.

What’s in: Outside inside

What’s out: Outside only

From bean sprouts on kitchen countertops to green walls laden with herbs and micro-greens, plants are decorating spaces as "art- in-motion." Tropical plants like bromeliads and orchids create instant beauty and give a boost of oxygen and clean the air.

"It’s easy to expand your home’s boundaries and add indoor charm to your patio, deck and garden using great indoor plants like ferns and palms. And ornamentals continue to be fashionistas beautifying containers, landscapes, mixed or mass planted," McCoy adds.

What’s in: Info lust

What’s out: Lack of knowledge

Lack of time and knowledge have been primary reasons people hesitate to garden. Not anymore. Novices and experienced gardeners hungry for inspiration, information, and instruction are packing master garden classes for instruction and gardening "how-to" tips. Gardeners are gobbling up information from friends, classes and workshops, local garden media, magazines, and the Internet and sharing their success stories with bloggers and friends

What’s in: Quick and simple

What’s out: Over-the-top and complicated

As time-starved consumers try to juggle busy schedules most seek quick and simple solutions to meet their gardening needs. Containers are no longer a trend but a garden staple in large and small spaces.

Select natural materials like cast stone and terra cotta containers and accessories that are perfect eco-friendly accents. "Big and bold is ‘in’ and square is the new round," says Peter Cilio, creative director for Campania International.

What’s in: Global colors

What’s out: Safe colors

The 2009 color forecasters predict a funky mix of colors that reflect a jambalaya of world cultures. Today’s main color influencers are our global connectivity, cultural unity, and environmental responsibility.

"Colors are bold, crazy, exaggerated, and in-your-face, almost like pop-art, and reflect a playful spirit in the face of world events," says Donna Dorian, former style editor of Garden Design Magazine.

Be uber-trendy with anything red this spring from the Carefree Spirit shrub rose and true red rhododendron "Trocadero" to tropical red Sun Parasol Crimson mandevilla.

What’s in: Worldly

What’s out: Cookie-cutter

Americans have embraced the world bazaar of vibrant colors, textures, sights and sounds. Asian, African, Indian, and Mid-Eastern influences are showing up in patterns, textures and colors.

"As we travel more, we tend to bring more of our memories home -- creating escapist retreats," says John Kinsella, brand director for terrain (www.terrainathome.com).

For a complete look at the GMG 2009 Garden Trends, visit www.GardenMediaGroup.com or subscribe to www.GardenPlot.Blogspot.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Fountains Make a Big Splash in Your Garden

2008-06-16T15:56:00.000-07:00

(ARA) - Ponce de Leon spent his life searching for the “fountain of youth.” Fortunately for us, we only have to search a local garden store to find that special fountain which will transform our own backyard into a private oasis.

Today when we relax in our gardens, the soothing sounds of flowing water from a fountain can calm our soul. We, too, are drawn to the spiritual qualities as the gentle sounds of flowing water wash stress from our busy days, restoring and relaxing us.

This universal appeal is making fountains more popular with homeowners, especially as the effort to create personal outdoor spaces continues. Retailers are fueling this demand by offering a wider range of fountain designs, which run the gamut from traditional to more modern Zen-inspired pieces.

“Our fountain category continues to grow,” says designer Peter C. Cilio, creative director of Campania International, one of the leading garden accessories purveyors in the country. “Customers want cast stone fountains, glazed, terra cotta and even light-weight – all types of fountains to bring the sight and sound of water into the garden in an easy low-maintenance way.”

“Water in the garden is an essential element,” agrees John Carloftis, a renowned garden designer. “Adding a fountain to your garden, even a small fountain is a great investment.” He recommends self-contained and easy-to-install fountains like the ones from Campania. They come complete with pump, tubing and all the necessary accessories.

Here are some simple guidelines from the experts that will help you choose the perfect fountain for your garden space.

What’s Your Style?

The most important consideration to keep in mind when choosing the right fountain is the overall style of your home and garden.

“People who love a beautiful garden are becoming more experienced and comfortable with their own styles and tastes outside,” says Cilio. “Whether you have an urban, contemporary or country garden, the fountain should be compatible with your personal style and the aesthetics of your house and garden.”

With fountains ranging from traditional European designs to more modern Zen-inspired pieces, today’s selection of fountains appeals to the broadest of palates.

Carloftis reminds us to keep proportion in mind. “It is everything in the garden. Choose a fountain that will fit and feel good,” he says. “And if you go big, be sure to keep it simple.”

For a burst of bold color in the garden, new contemporary glazed fountains are the perfect solution. These fountains are available in a wide range of colors from vibrant reds and blues to earthy browns and greens. Glazed jar and sphere fountains from Campania can be paired with a round or square lightweight basin for below- or above-ground use.

Consider Your Space

Whether on a patio or in the landscape, a free-standing fountain can be a mesmerizing focal point.

The size of the fountain that you choose will depend on the size of your garden space.

"You could have a 4-by-6-foot pocket garden and put a small beautiful fountain at the end, and you've really made an incredible statement,” says Carloftis.

Although fountains can take center stage in the landscape, you might also consider nestling your fountain in a secluded corner of your garden. Tucked away among the plantings, the fountain will not distract from the overall composition. Discovering such pieces, as one strolls in the garden, brings a delightful element of surprise and magic.

What’s Your Desired Outcome? Dramatic or Zen?

If creating a highly dramatic effect is your desire, the classic choice is a larger two- or three-tiered fountain as a focal point for your landscape. Carloftis suggests Campania’s elegant Newport Fountain, which is a beautiful tiered composition made of cast stone with a lightweight basin for better maneuverability.

If you want something Zen, look for a more soothing effect in water gently cascading over a cast stone ball. Discover the allure of dancing water from a fountain lit at night, while you entertain on the patio or deck. Look for freestanding wall fountains, which include lighting components for dramatic night-time illumination.

Low or High Maintenance

Keeping your fountain clean and free of debris to prevent algae growth and clogging is something to consider when purchasing a fountain. Smaller fountains don’t require as much maintenance as larger fountains. And remember to protect your fountain in winter with a water-resistant fountain cover to prolong the life of your fountain.

Whether simple or ornate, you can create your own private oasis by introducing your own fountain of youth into your landscape or garden.

To view Campania’s wide selection of cast stone, terra cotta, glazed and light-weight fountains, visit www.campaniainternational.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Practicle Aspects of Herb Gardening

2008-05-15T15:38:00.000-07:00

Herbs have been around since time immemorial and served different kinds of purposes. They have been used to treat illness and flavour cooking; they were even believed to have magical powers. Do you want to have your own herb garden? Here are a few ideas on how to establish an herb garden.

Plan your garden.

Consider the herbs you want to plant. Think about their types. Would you like annuals, biennials or perennials?

How much space will they occupy in your garden? If you want, you can purchase a book that can give you the right information on what specific plants you are planning to grow.

List or draw your garden on paper first. Separate the annuals from the perennials so when the time comes that you have to pull out the annuals, you won't be disturbing the perennials. Perennials can be planted on the edge of your garden so when it is time to till your garden they won't be in danger of getting dug up.

Another thing to remember is that you have to place the tall plants at the back and the shorter ones in front. Also, provide your plants with enough space to grow. Proper position will help you in this area.

If you would rather keep herbs out of your garden (and some are quite invasive) you could have herb pots. These are large containers with three or more outlets for the herbs. Fill the pot up to the first outlet and plant it before continuing on with the filling and planting process. Usually, the herb that requires the most water is planted in the bottom hole, while the variety that requires the least, goes in the highest hole.

Some Design Ideas

You can consider having a square herb bed. You can have your square bed divided into four by two paths crossing at mid point measuring 3 feet. You can border it with stone or brick. A wooden ladder may also do the trick. You can lay it down on your garden and plant your herbs between its rungs. You can also choose to have a wagon wheel bed. Planting here is like planting with the wooden ladders. Plant your herbs in between the wagon wheel's wedges.

Get Your Plants Growing

Of course, different plants have different needs, but many of them require alkaline soil. This is the reason why you have to determine the herbs you want to plant in the planning stage. This can more or less help you find out how you should care for your plants. If you germinate your herbs from seeds, remember to follow the directions on the packet for soil, watering and temperature.

Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow. You just have to provide them with an effective drainage, sunlight, enough humidity or moisture and fertile soil. Even with just minimally meeting these requirements they will be bound produce a good harvest.

Big Reasons to Grow Your Own Garden

2008-04-15T18:29:00.000-07:00

(ARA) – More homeowners are focusing on health by planting their own vegetable gardens this year, rejecting the rising cost of food and fuel, and pesticide-laden produce most often found in supermarkets.

Just about every environmental group in the United States, Canada and in Europe warns that store-bought produce is loaded with petro-chemical pesticides that build up in the human body. These chemicals are being blamed for many illnesses, from autism in children to cancer at all ages. Consider the following:

* Potatoes, lettuce and cucumbers have the highest concentration of pesticides, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’sits annual crop report.

* A major study by the New York State Department of Health directly links pesticides to diabetes, now one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the United States.

* The environmental group Global Pesticide Campaign warns that glyphosate used in Roundup causes auto-immune deficiencies in children and the elderly.

* Cornell University says carbyl, an ingredient in Sevin insect dust and liquid, has been linked to Parkinson's disease.

* Purdue University warns “weed and feed” type lawn chemicals have caused bladder cancer in dogs. An Ohio K-9 corps reports several of their dogs developed cancer by coming in contact with chemical fertilizers around their dog pens. Consequently, the federal government is urging veterinarians to report all cancer in animals as an early warning sign for man.

Growing your own pesticide-free food is easy and there’s nothing healthier and as good tasting as produce picked at maturity right in your back yard. Using organic methods, follow these few simple steps.

1. Prepare your garden the old fashioned way. Rent a roto-tiller and turn over the earth in a given plot exposing the earth to the sun and the rain. In early spring, hard rake the earth and break up the clumps. Dig a 5-inch deep trench around the plot and fill with sharp stones. This stops voles from burrowing into the garden. Sprinkle the earth with Milky Spore powder to do away with white grubs that eat away at the roots of garden plants. Milky Spore was developed by the USDA, is nontoxic and approved for organic farming by the manufacturer.

2. Begin by planting early “cool season” crops like spring onions, lettuce, radishes, green peas, Chinese cabbage, broccoli and turnips. A trip to your local garden center will provide you with lots of growing ideas. Don’t pick seeds that have been genetically altered like GM corn, soy or wheat. These seeds contain the DNA of pesticides. Buy old fashioned “heirloom” seeds that grandfather planted. Use organic fertilizer, not the chemical kind.

3. As the season warms up and the bugs arrive, control them with “organic

insecticides.” A simple dusting of plants with diatomaceous earth stops almost all bugs. Organic liquid sprays knock down flying bugs without contaminating the crops. Organic repellents keep away deer, hedge hogs, rabbits and other animals.

4. Put in companion plants such as mint and other herbs that repel insects and bugs. Plant watermelon, tomatoes and other great garden crops. Plant blackberries and raspberries as these keep coming back year after year and require little attention. Just a few blackberries contain more vitamin C than an orange.

5. When weeds arrive, pull them out by hand, or, selectively spray them with an organic weed killer.

If you do buy produce at the supermarket, be sure to wash it with warm water, then spray with white vinegar. Mix one part white vinegar to one part water. This helps dissolve the pesticide residue. Let sit for 30 minutes, then wash again but with cold water.

You will be surprised at how bountiful a home garden can be and by the second year you might be planning to enlarge the original plot to include a bigger variety than the first time around.

Organic bug sprays, weed killers and other natural controls and products can be found at www.milkyspore.com, or by calling (800) 801-0061 for a free brochure from St. Gabriel Organics.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Fertilizer Can Be Green

2008-04-15T18:17:00.000-07:00

(ARA) – The impact phosphorus – a common component of lawn fertilizer – has on the environment is drawing a lot of attention as summer approaches. Phosphorus from fertilizer can leach into lakes and streams, contributing to excessive algae and water plant growth that harms fish and impedes recreational use of these waters.

Urban areas have many sources of phosphorus: including lawn fertilizer, leaves, other organic yard waste and pet droppings. Regulators have targeted lawn fertilizers as a primary source of interest. However, any source of excessive phosphorus will cause problems in lakes and rivers.

Phosphorus is essential to sustain life. It plays a key role in how living creatures use energy from food to power growth and reproduce. Limiting phosphorus limits growth and reproduction. Eliminating phosphorus from the environment eliminates life.

Not all sources of fertilizer phosphorus are the same. The water extractable phosphorus test, or WEP test, is a new way to show how easily phosphorus in a particular fertilizer moves into groundwater. A low WEP means that phosphorus will stay out of groundwater. A high WEP means that movement is likely. Phosphorus in groundwater may move to surface water and cause excessive water plant growth.

Synthetic fertilizers, the traditional kind used to manufacture common lawn fertilizer, contain more than 85 percent water extractable phosphorus. If these fertilizers are ove- applied, some of this phosphorus may enter groundwater and move to bodies of water.

Fertilizers such as Milorganite 5-2-0 contains less than 2 percent water extractable phosphorus, making them better choices for the environment. This phosphorus is far less likely to move into groundwater. Research also shows this phosphorus is still available for plants to use.

“Milorganite 5-2-0 fertilizer should be the fertilizer choice for homeowners and regulators concerned about phosphorus movement to lakes and streams,” says Mike Archer of Milorganite. “Our research shows that Milorganite fertilizers consistently are better stewards of the environment.”

Milorganite fertilizers contain high amounts of iron. This iron combines with phosphorus, holding it away from soil water until plants can use it. Thus, lawns still have an adequate supply of phosphorus to grow and repair themselves from damage by mowing and playing. However, this phosphorus does not move to groundwater. “Milorganite 5-2-0 fertilizer not only adds non-staining iron to help keep lawns green, but it uses this iron to keep phosphorus out of lakes and streams,” Archer says.

Other sources of phosphorus also contribute in polluting surface waters. Leaves and grass clippings contain phosphorus. Keep them out of curbs and from washing into storm sewers. Recycle their nutrients and organic matter back to your plants by mulching them. If you are mowing near open water, point mower discharges to land.

When you spread any fertilizer, blow or sweep it off drives and walks back onto your lawn. When it rains, any fertilizer left on these hard surfaces washes into storm sewers then to bodies of water, causing pollution.

Finally, pick up pet droppings and place them in the trash. These droppings contain high amounts of phosphorus. Dropping them into storm sewers is like dropping fertilizer pellets onto open water.

Everyone can do something to protect the environment. Using eco-friendly fertilizers, taking care when disposing of lawn debris, and properly disposing of pet droppings are actions that help keep our lakes and rivers clean and clear for future generations.

For more information regarding eco-friendly fertilizer, visit www.milorganite.com or call (800) 304-6204.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Garden Design Tips from Better Homes and Gardens

2008-04-15T18:13:00.000-07:00

(ARA) - Great-looking garden design doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. If you don’t forget about the basics, it’s easy to create a professional look like you see in gardening magazines.

Better Homes and Gardens magazine editor Justin Hancock reveals his time saving tips and money saving tricks for backyard beauty:

Add Instant Impact Easily

Hancock says one quick and easy way to achieve instant impact in the garden is to plant en masse, filling-up flowerbeds and bolstering borders with super-sized color-bearing shrubs like azaleas, shrub roses and hydrangeas.

“Planting several of the same variety of a plant in one area is a fool-proof way to create a big impact, even if you have a little space,” says Hancock. “And it’s less intimidating to work with one color instead of having to mix several different shades.”

Do opt for repeat blooming shrubs. Planting long season bloomers eliminates the necessity to plant annuals to maintain continuous color in the landscape.

Water Wisely and Feed Well

“No matter what kinds of plants you grow, your garden will look its best if you keep your plants healthy,” says Hancock. “Regular maintenance -- watering and feeding your plants appropriately will also save you time and money,” he says. Keeping plants healthy and hydrated is your best defense against poor performance.

Do save time and money fertilizing. Look for a long lasting, slow release plant food like Dynamite All Purpose fertilizer. Dynamite’s slow release formula will do the work for you. It releases just the right amount of nutrients that plants need for a full nine months, eliminating the need to feed more than once a growing season. And because it features a release technology awarded the Gulf Guardian Award by the Environmental Protection Agency, home gardeners can rest assured they are fertilizing well without harming Mother Nature, as this particular fertilizer reduces nutrient run-off and keeps our waters clean.

Minimize Your Lawn; Maximize Your Style

Today’s style conscious home gardeners are trading in their square-shaped lawns for a more curvaceous, stylized look that ultimately saves time and money.

“Most gardeners I know want to cut down on how much time they spend mowing the lawn and how much money they spend watering it,” says Hancock. To accomplish this, Hancock says to think outside the planting box, “Get rid of lawn in areas where it’s tough to mow or the grass struggles. Replace it with easy-care perennials and groundcovers.”

Or replace grass with hardscape elements and free flowing flowerbeds to create an outdoor space that adds dramatic visual interest and unique style.

“One thing that’s great about free-flowing beds is that it isn’t a science -- you can create shapes that look great to you. You’ll end up with a personal look with loads of impact -- and less upkeep.”

Incorporate Art in the Garden

Garden planning is a lot like interior design. Every great indoor room incorporates decorative accessories that add interest and a finishing touch to the overall look. You can apply interior design elements to your outdoor design as well.

Do add architectural elements of surprise within gardenscapes in the form of garden art.

“Using architectural salvage is hot right now. Decorate your beds and borders with accessories such as an old metal gate you plant sweet peas on or using an old chair or table to put containers on,” he says. Design elements like these will add a powerful punch and a touch of panache to an otherwise traditional garden setting.

Hancock says that garden art doesn’t have to be high end or brand new. Look for unique artifacts in your own garage, at a yard sale, or a flea market.

For inspiration designing your outdoor room, visit www.bhg.com, www.sideplanting.com and www.florikan.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

How to Start a Fruit and Vegetable Garden

2008-03-18T18:05:00.000-07:00

Vegetable gardening can be a very rewarding experience. But if you've never had a vegetable garden before, the task can seem overwhelming. Here are several easy ways to start your first fruit or vegetable garden.

First, some vegetable gardening basics. Most vegetables need full sun, well-tilled soil, and the right fertilizers to bear fruit (or vegetables). Using the wrong soil enhancements will cause your plants to produce leaves and flowers, but little fruit. Most vegetables need long and deep water - water the roots, not the leaves. Pick your harvest regularly to encourage more fruit or vegetables. Finally, know when to plant, and when to harvest. This information will be found on the seed packet or the plant container. As you gain more experience, you will be able to rotate crops based on how early they mature.

One of the easiest ways to begin to grow vegetables is in a container. Buy your plant from a good nursery - don't try and start with seeds. Select a planter large enough to hold the full grown plant, and fill with potting soil made for vegetables. Follow the directions on the plant container for watering and sunlight needs. Plants that do well in containers include tomatoes, strawberries, herbs, and peppers.

Another easy way to start a garden is to pick a few easy vegetables to grow, and start with plants, not seeds. You will need to choose a sunny area of your yard to prepare. Use a tiller to break up the soil, and add organic material if your soil has a lot of clay. Then, decide what plants you will grow. Once you know how big the mature plant is, you can figure out how many you can grow in the space you have prepared. Plants that are easy to grow include tomatoes, squash, peppers, herbs, cucumbers, and strawberries.

Trees and shrubs can also be an easy way to start fruit gardening. Again, you will begin with a plant. In this case, however, you need to take a little more time preparing the soil. Some berries, like blueberries, need a very acidic soil to grow well. Raspberries need a lot of space to grow and will usually multiple fairly rapidly. The easiest way to begin this project is to choose which fruit you want to grow, and research exactly what kind of soil and environment they need. Start with one plant or tree, and once you are growing that successfully, add another variety. Because you only plant them once, not year after year, the time you spend to plant them correctly will pay off in the long run. Plants to consider include apple or peach trees, or blackberry and raspberry bushes.

Seeds are usually more difficult to start a garden with than plants. But, there are some seeds that easier than others. Carrots, lettuce, and peas are all easy seeds to plant and harvest. You can plant the seeds directly in the ground, and keep them well-watered until they sprout. Thin according to the package directions, and harvest at the proper time.

There's nothing better than fresh from the garden produce, and hopefully these ideas will help you start an easy vegetable (and fruit!) garden.

Backyard Gardening - Essential Tips

2008-03-18T17:58:00.000-07:00

The Encyclopedia of Country Living: An Old Fashioned Recipe Book

Many people just let their backyards just sit there untouched when they could be using them so much more! Your yard should be a place you love to visit and explore. There are many options for you to choose from.

One great thing you could do with your backyard is to start a vegetable garden. Not only will it add to the overall look and appeal of your backyard, you will get some yummy vegetables out of it. Gardens are absolutely beautiful and will make you feel closer to nature than ever before.

As soon as my family added a vegetable garden in our backyard we started eating a lot healthier! I love how it is to simple to go out back and pick some peppers and green beans.

Another important reason to grow your own garden is that vegetables are getting more and more expensive at the grocery store these days. You can save a lot of money growing your own. You could even sell what you grow. You cant go wrong having a vegetable garden.

Having a backyard garden will also give you a sense that youve really accomplished something. Most people who raise vegetables have a great sense of pride about their work. They want to share their success with the world.

The first thing you need to do once youve decided to grow a garden is gather up all of the materials youll need. It is a good idea to buy a garden shed to store everything. That way, youll be super organized and more efficient at caring for your backyard garden.

Once you have your garden shed, fill it with everything that youll need. This includes seed packets, gardening gloves, shovels, fertilizer, weed killer, and more. It is a good idea to get shelves and storage bins put into your garden shed. That way youll always know where everything is.

It will take some careful planning on your part to determine which vegetables you want to plant and where they should go. Some plants spread out very far and others grow straight up in the air. You have to do a little research to decide the location of each vegetable in your backyard garden.

Dont forget that you should concentrate on vegetables that you and your family love. If you end up with 200 tomatoes and no one in your family likes them, you will have wasted a lot of time and energy. Seed packets are relatively inexpensive, but you have to dedicate a lot of energy to tending to your vegetables.

Before you begin putting the seeds down youll need to plot out the land. Do not make it too wide or else youll spend a lot of time fighting weeds rather than enjoying your backyard garden.

If you do not want to spend the time it requires to plant seed packets you can also buy what are called starter plants. These will grow much faster right before your eyes and you will get results with a smaller amount of effort. It is a really a personal preference.

Do your research on how to care for each plant and you should start to see some great results. Over time, you will begin to love your vegetable garden.

Daniela C. loves an organized backyard, and helps others find ways to improve their backyard look and functionality, so they can enjoy it with their loved ones. Get more information regarding garden sheds.

The Landscape Design Of Your Garden Can Be Fun For Everyone Involved

2008-03-18T17:56:00.000-07:00

If you want to do something new and fresh with the landscape design that surrounds your home and garden, then you might be tempted to immediately call for professional help. But, the reality is that no one is as well-suited as you are when it comes to designing the lawn and garden spaces that you and your family will use and enjoy. The fact is that the best landscape plans always begin with the needs and the preferences of the homeowner and the family.

If you are planning to improve the landscaping around your home, then the best thing you can do is gather everyone around who enjoys using the lawns and the gardens and have a brainstorming session. Have everyone feel free to throw out their ideas no matter how off-the-wall or unrealistic they may seem. Sometimes those "out there" ideas are the ones that will inspire the whole direction of the landscaping design project.

Getting the landscape plans off to a start with this kind of brainstorming session will end up yielding some innovative and insightful ways for the whole family to enjoy the outdoor spaces together. Soon you will have a new landscaping plan that will add beauty to your property and provide for function and fun for the family as well.

Of course, there are always situations when it is difficult for a family, especially one that has members with strong opinions, to come to an agreement about the best way to approach the project. In these kinds of cases you can always look to professionals to help finalize your ideas.

Landscape architects and landscape contractors can provide wonderful resources, helpful and creative ideas for your landscaping concept, and can often help families find compromising solutions, if there's a disagreement over the plans for the garden or yard.

But, even if you end up needing to call on the services of a professional to help with the landscaping overhaul of your home and garden, your brainstorming session will not be time wasted. Often the ideas that are generated will be a good springboard for the professional landscaper or contractor.

And, the suggestions that come up will help the professional designer to get a good sense of what is most important to the family, with regard to the overall use and design of their garden landscaping.

When they are given the opportunity, everyone in the family can usually come up with some ideas and insights that will help to make the landscape plan for your home and garden really special. In the end, you will have beautiful landscaping that is the result of a cooperative effort and everyone feels great for their own contribution. This also results in everyone feeling pride in the end result and a sense of ownership in the project.

Mike Selvon's portal will expand your knowledge on the landscape design. Visit us and leave a comment at our landscaping ideas blog where a free gift awaits you.

How to Turn Your Back Yard into a Retreat

2008-02-27T11:11:00.000-08:00

(ARA) - It is easy to know when you are out of your element. Intuition often tells us when our surroundings are out of place. With feng shui, the classic Chinese art of placement, a harmonious environment can bring balance to your life.

Turning a muddled back yard into a gentle haven is not only pleasing to the eye but soothing to the soul. “Successful design incorporates the essential objectives of feng shui,” recounts Karen Nowak, Academic Director of Interior Design at California Design College.

The ultimate goal of feng shui applied to the garden is to create an atmosphere that balances. You don’t want a space that feels too frenzied or too lackluster. Curves in pathways encourage wandering and thoughtful reflection. Open gates are welcoming to both guests and their energy. Populate your garden with colors that increase energy like reds, oranges and yellows or calming colors like violet or blue. And remove disorder. Nothing causes agitation more than an untidy environment.

It is important to represent the five elements when working with feng shui: water, wood, fire, earth and metal. Some of these lend themselves to the garden with ease. Dirt, clay containers and rocks denote the earth element. Trellis, benches and trees are suitable for the wood element. Bring water into your garden by adding a pond, fountain or bird bath. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits or lanterns represent fire. And metal sculptures, sundials or wind chimes signify metal.

In feng shui, aspects in your environment communicate areas in your life. The bagua is a position map that matches up these energy sectors. You can increase positive energy in each part of your life by using zone-specific elements. These regions are:

* Career in the north -- positive effects from water and metal elements

* Wisdom in the northeast -- constructive element is earth

* Family in the east -- affirming effects from the element wood

* Wealth in the southeast -- helpful element is wood

* Reputation in the south -- positive effects from fire

* Relationships in the southwest -- helpful element is earth

* Children and creativity in the west -- constructive element is metal

* Travel in the northwest -- positive effects from metal

Perhaps you want to draw wealth into your life. Planting fruit trees in the southeast area of your garden will encourage the money tree to be fruitful as well. Situating your back yard fire pit in the south promotes fame.

“All areas of life have harmonizing opposites. Your home and garden should pair spatial and design opposites to bring an equalized foundation,” advises Nowak. Bring light to shady areas of the yard and balance entryways with plants or trees on each side.

It may not be easy to remove the clutter and stress from inside ourselves. Designing with feng shui principles is an easy way to provide that retreat and comfort that all back yard gardens can provide.

To learn more about The Art Institutes, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tool Tips: A Gardener’s Essentials

2008-02-27T11:00:00.000-08:00

(ARA) – For many long, cold months, the avid gardener sits inside the house, eagerly thumbing through seed, plant and gardening catalogs. At last, spring is in sight. But before turning the first spade-full of dirt, it’s time to gather your gardening friends: those tools that save you time, defend your garden from pests and generally make your hobby a delight.

Gardening Web sites are full of advice for getting a jump-start on the spring garden of your dreams. It’s easy to find gardening experts who advocate choosing tools that make the experience more relaxing, enjoyable and bountiful. Here are some tools and tips to help you do just that this spring:

Start Early

Even if there’s frost on the ground outdoors, you can start your garden early by growing seedlings. Nurtured in a warm indoor environment, these delicate stems will make your work quicker come spring. Plus, growing your own seedlings will save you cash at the garden shop and enhance your satisfaction with your gardening efforts.

Propagation mats are a great way to get seedlings started indoors. Look for products, like GroForIt’s Gro-Mat, that provide heat and durability. A small Gro-Mat can hold up to one flat of seedlings, while the larger version can host three flats. Both sizes provide the heat and crucial air flow young seedlings need to grow and thrive. You can find them online at www.groforit.com or call (800) 860-0473.

Defend Your Territory

Once your seedlings are in the ground outdoors, you’ll want to keep unwanted animal and insect visitors from munching on them. As deer populations continue to grow and thrive in urban areas, deer are among the worst offenders when it comes to garden damage. Harsh chemicals and fencing aren’t always practical or even desirable. A better alternative is to drive deer away using ultrasonic technology, like Bird-X’s DeerGard.

A professional grade product made for home use, DeerGard is an ultrasonic device with a built-in infrared motion sensor that activates the unit only when deer move into its coverage zone. The frequency is adjustable and the unit is weatherproof. It operates on batteries or AC power. Visit www.Bird-X.com or call (800) 662-5021 to learn more.

Battle the Birds

After deer, birds are top damagers of home gardens. Crows are notorious seed stealers, and can pick a garden clean of seed in an afternoon. As with deer, sound is one of the most effective, environmentally responsible ways to keep birds out of your garden. The BirdXPeller PRO disquiets birds by producing real distress calls and predator cries. You can set the unit for a specific species and to vary the intermittency and duration of the calls.

The important thing, advises Mona Zemsky, an expert in controlling common garden pests, is to remember non-lethal methods are more effective and environmentally responsible than lethal ones. “Killing birds or deer to keep them away from your garden won’t solve the problem,” she says. “New deer or birds will simply move in to fill the void left by the dead ones. The key is to convince the animals that your garden is no longer a desirable place to live and dine.”

With some planning and gardener-friendly tools, you can ensure spring really is the “most wonderful time of year” for your garden.

Courtesy of ARAcontent