Creating an easy care environment resplendent in colour, yet low in maintenance and hardy, is easy to do using woody plants and native grasses. While no garden is completely without some level of maintenance the light gardener will find that just a little raking and weeding will go a long way in maintaining a native woody garden.
Gardening with a country's natives is a long time tradition going back the Greeks and the Japanese. A native garden doesn't need to be native only, but using natives complimented by other plants will give the gardener an added sense of satisfaction and add another element of interest to the landscape.
Combinations of Sumac shrubs, Blue Wisteria, Honeysuckle and for brilliant seasonal splashes of color, Rhododendrons and Devils Walking Stick will enhance a landscaping project with year round brilliance. Complement the woody plants with native grasses to keep the weeds at bay and provide shape and contrast. At the same time promote the native natural habitat of your area.
Some wonderful natives to consider are Little Bluestain, River Cane, Indian Grass, Saltmeadow Cordgrass and Aquatica Wild Rice. The names are almost as beautiful as the grasses themselves! Check out a reputable online nursery for suggestions specific to the area you live, some natives may grow only in certain spots and there may be some found where you live and nowhere else.
Place your woody plants and native grasses in such a way as to ensure you have met the needs of shelter, cover and aesthetics before you begin to plant. Keep in mind when planning also, that the native garden is still a place for people to enjoy and admire. When planning your landscaping garden don't forget to include places to stroll and sit.
It is possible to grow woody plants and natives grasses in a formal design but really, they best lend themselves to a more casual style of garden. Gravel or softly colored paving is often better as a background for these than the green of lawn grass. While it is true that these woody and natives will often need less water and fertiliser than other types of plants, and most are fast growing, to keep a native garden looking in its prime some ongoing maintenance is necessary and after a few years, you will want to look at replanting where foliage is lagging.
An excellent online nursery will be able to provide suggestions specific to your area for the best woody plants and native grasses to suit your needs. For more information or advice on planting a garden or undertaking a landscaping project using woodys and natives, click on http://www.tnnursery.net/. Here you will find a wealth of information and advice on what to plant in different areas, when to plant and what natives are specific to your area. This nursery has a great selection of plants and trees. They offer terrific discounts on bulk orders and provide delivery to anywhere in the United States. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable.
About the Author
http://www.wetlandsupplies.com is a nativ eplant nursery.
What Should One Know Prior to Developing a Good Landscape? by Tammy Sons
The majority of individuals who start out in landscaping or gardening have very little idea about the different plants and growth requirements. The average consumer simply walks into a store or goes online and buys the most colorful plant. And the result in most cases is an inevitable failure. For successful gardening or landscaping, one should start to read or ask questions about plants before buying them. Good plant selection is the chief requirement for successful landscaping. The landscape can only look as good as the plants you select. If you select poor plants, you will get an awful scene and vice versa.
The other criteria when choosing plants is to know where you will place them. Many consumers buy a plant, then find it is too big for the house, and then place it somewhere in the back yard. This is considered poor planning. Secondly, if you do not want to work hard, buy plants that require low maintenance. Plants can grow wild and make your landscape look very messy if you do not maintain them. Other things one should know before buying a plant is what size it will grow to, what season it blooms and whether is it susceptible to insects.
Planning Ahead
Prior to purchasing plants, look at where you want to place our plant. Study the location to determine whether it is sunny, dark, wet, dry and what type of soil you have. Some plants prefer acidic soil and yet other prefers alkaline soil.
This planning does not take long but yet most majority of consumers have absolutely no clue about their landscape. When these factors are not taken into account, the results are always predictable- disaster. Individuals who assess their landscape before buying a plant almost always have a 100% success. Further, when preplanning is done, the majority of plants selected will thrive without a great deal of maintenance.
Caring for plants
Even though there are many plants that can grow without much maintenance, some energy and effort is required to make the landscape beautiful. Most people want a beautiful landscape and always think of planting roses. While roses do make the land look pretty, they do require a lot of work. Roses need to be sprayed, pruned, trimmed, watered, and dead foliage needs to be regularly removed if you want to continue having colorful roses.
Most people want instant success with roses but are not willing to put in the time. Therefore, if you do not have the time or you do not want to spend time in the garden, then roses should not be on the list of plants you want on your landscape.
So what plant does one buy?
Plants are easily available at most garden centers and nurseries in most towns and cities in North America. Most plants are sold in 1-2 gallon pots or plastic containers. Most people seem to forget that these small plants will grow large once they are planted in the ground.
By thoroughly bearing in mind how huge a mature plant will become prior to planting it, you will save you a lot of effort, heartache, time, and money.
If you are a novice getting into landscaping, the best advice is to speak to an expert at a nursery. For more on landscaping.
About the Author
http://www.tnnursery.com At tn Nursery we are a state certified landscaping tree nursery suppliers fo trees,shrubs.perennials anf fern.
The other criteria when choosing plants is to know where you will place them. Many consumers buy a plant, then find it is too big for the house, and then place it somewhere in the back yard. This is considered poor planning. Secondly, if you do not want to work hard, buy plants that require low maintenance. Plants can grow wild and make your landscape look very messy if you do not maintain them. Other things one should know before buying a plant is what size it will grow to, what season it blooms and whether is it susceptible to insects.
Planning Ahead
Prior to purchasing plants, look at where you want to place our plant. Study the location to determine whether it is sunny, dark, wet, dry and what type of soil you have. Some plants prefer acidic soil and yet other prefers alkaline soil.
This planning does not take long but yet most majority of consumers have absolutely no clue about their landscape. When these factors are not taken into account, the results are always predictable- disaster. Individuals who assess their landscape before buying a plant almost always have a 100% success. Further, when preplanning is done, the majority of plants selected will thrive without a great deal of maintenance.
Caring for plants
Even though there are many plants that can grow without much maintenance, some energy and effort is required to make the landscape beautiful. Most people want a beautiful landscape and always think of planting roses. While roses do make the land look pretty, they do require a lot of work. Roses need to be sprayed, pruned, trimmed, watered, and dead foliage needs to be regularly removed if you want to continue having colorful roses.
Most people want instant success with roses but are not willing to put in the time. Therefore, if you do not have the time or you do not want to spend time in the garden, then roses should not be on the list of plants you want on your landscape.
So what plant does one buy?
Plants are easily available at most garden centers and nurseries in most towns and cities in North America. Most plants are sold in 1-2 gallon pots or plastic containers. Most people seem to forget that these small plants will grow large once they are planted in the ground.
By thoroughly bearing in mind how huge a mature plant will become prior to planting it, you will save you a lot of effort, heartache, time, and money.
If you are a novice getting into landscaping, the best advice is to speak to an expert at a nursery. For more on landscaping.
About the Author
http://www.tnnursery.com At tn Nursery we are a state certified landscaping tree nursery suppliers fo trees,shrubs.perennials anf fern.
Using Herbs From a Home Garden by Paul Zeman
The herb garden you've carefully tended has yielded great results, and now the plants are thriving. The question is how do you harvest and utilize the herbs you've grown? Here are some ideas on how to get the best use from your plentiful home herb garden.
First, hearty plants need to be harvested. How do you know when herbs are ready? Depending on the herb, a good general rule is to harvest plants just before they start to flower. In the case of lemon balm or mint, for example, you can trim the plants pretty close to the roots, since they will come back quickly over time.
However, other herbs, like hawthorn and comfrey are harvested for both flowers and leaves, dried, and then used for tea. You can find information online to help sort out the different qualities of each herb and how to use what you have grown.
General rules do apply, though. The best time of day to harvest outdoor plants is in the morning, when the dew has just dried from the leaves, before the sun has a chance to dry out the herb's essential oils. It is important to know the characteristics of a particular herb to determine how much of the foliage to leave behind. You shouldn't take more than approximately one-third of the entire foliage of perennials at once.
This pruning method makes the plants heartier, and ensures they will continue to produce a steady amount over time. You want to prune the herb's branches enough to encourage new growth without damaging the plant's ability to thrive.
In the summer, pick a calm, dry morning when the wind is low. You want to harvest plants from a home herb garden at their peak, and in wet weather, herbs produce less oil. Most annual and perennial herbs can be harvested two or three times in a single season.
The final harvest should take place in the early fall to allow some growth before the first frost of winter. Fresh-cut stems can be bundled together near the bottom - thin string or dental floss are good choices for tying them together. They should be rinsed in cool water, and then gathered on towels to dry.
Herbs are primarily dried, frozen, or immersed in a proper medium like vinegar or salt to help them last. Herbs become less potent over time, so it is important to process and store them quickly. You can either hang the bundles in a cool place away from the sun or spread individual stems and leaves on a rack or screen, turning them occasionally so they dry evenly and completely.
If you choose to freeze herbs, cut into ¼-inch pieces on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. You can then store them in freezer bags for future use. Alternatively, you can store herbs like tarragon, basil, or chopped mint for several months in a vinegar medium or in between layers of salt.
You can, of course, use herbs immediately in recipes or as fresh additives to your cooking. Placing them in a cool water bath with two tablespoons of salt is effective in clearing off insects without harming the delicate leaves and flowers. Allow them to air dry and use immediately.
A home herb garden yields fresh herbs that add flavor and zest to your best dishes. If you learn the particulars of harvesting and using individual herbs, you will enjoy a unique gardening experience that offers years of satisfaction.
About the Author
Paul Zeman is an Herb Garden Enthusiast who enjoys helping other folks get started with this wonderful and rewarding hobby. His latest book, the "Secrets to Successful Herb Gardening" teaches herb gardeners everything they need to know about herbs, indoor and outdoor gardens, herb gardening and much more. http://www.heavenlyherbgarden.com/hhgs.html
First, hearty plants need to be harvested. How do you know when herbs are ready? Depending on the herb, a good general rule is to harvest plants just before they start to flower. In the case of lemon balm or mint, for example, you can trim the plants pretty close to the roots, since they will come back quickly over time.
However, other herbs, like hawthorn and comfrey are harvested for both flowers and leaves, dried, and then used for tea. You can find information online to help sort out the different qualities of each herb and how to use what you have grown.
General rules do apply, though. The best time of day to harvest outdoor plants is in the morning, when the dew has just dried from the leaves, before the sun has a chance to dry out the herb's essential oils. It is important to know the characteristics of a particular herb to determine how much of the foliage to leave behind. You shouldn't take more than approximately one-third of the entire foliage of perennials at once.
This pruning method makes the plants heartier, and ensures they will continue to produce a steady amount over time. You want to prune the herb's branches enough to encourage new growth without damaging the plant's ability to thrive.
In the summer, pick a calm, dry morning when the wind is low. You want to harvest plants from a home herb garden at their peak, and in wet weather, herbs produce less oil. Most annual and perennial herbs can be harvested two or three times in a single season.
The final harvest should take place in the early fall to allow some growth before the first frost of winter. Fresh-cut stems can be bundled together near the bottom - thin string or dental floss are good choices for tying them together. They should be rinsed in cool water, and then gathered on towels to dry.
Herbs are primarily dried, frozen, or immersed in a proper medium like vinegar or salt to help them last. Herbs become less potent over time, so it is important to process and store them quickly. You can either hang the bundles in a cool place away from the sun or spread individual stems and leaves on a rack or screen, turning them occasionally so they dry evenly and completely.
If you choose to freeze herbs, cut into ¼-inch pieces on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. You can then store them in freezer bags for future use. Alternatively, you can store herbs like tarragon, basil, or chopped mint for several months in a vinegar medium or in between layers of salt.
You can, of course, use herbs immediately in recipes or as fresh additives to your cooking. Placing them in a cool water bath with two tablespoons of salt is effective in clearing off insects without harming the delicate leaves and flowers. Allow them to air dry and use immediately.
A home herb garden yields fresh herbs that add flavor and zest to your best dishes. If you learn the particulars of harvesting and using individual herbs, you will enjoy a unique gardening experience that offers years of satisfaction.
About the Author
Paul Zeman is an Herb Garden Enthusiast who enjoys helping other folks get started with this wonderful and rewarding hobby. His latest book, the "Secrets to Successful Herb Gardening" teaches herb gardeners everything they need to know about herbs, indoor and outdoor gardens, herb gardening and much more. http://www.heavenlyherbgarden.com/hhgs.html
Herb Garden Plants - How to Select Which One to Grow by Julie Brown
What is it you most desire from your herb garden plants? Is it the culinary, medicinal, aromatic, or decorative herbs that you desire? You need to know which, or how many, of those you want. Another consideration is how much time you have to devote to the garden. Some herbs are easier to grow than others. If you are a beginner in gardening, you might want to stay with the herbs that are easiest to grow.
Some of the more common culinary herbs might include basil, dill, mint, anise, savory, sage, chamomile, thyme and oregano. These all have a product that comes from stems, leaves, and roots. Of course, there are many others. If you are a cook, you know which herbs you use on a regular basis.
Your plan for an herb garden might not involve seasonings at all. A lot of gardens are just for decoration and fragrance. The flowers that come at maturity are often left on the plant for the satisfaction of the gardener. Even if you just want the show, it is best to plant herbs that can be used for more than one purpose, as your plans for them might change after they grow. Climate is a consideration in any type of gardening. If your growing season is a short one, some herbs will not do well there. Annuals cilantro, basil, and summer savory cannot take frost and have to be replanted each year. Consider what you will be able to harvest from them if you are in a colder climate. Winter savory and sage, two perennials, do well in the cooler areas and will keep growing year after year. Choose your herbs based on where you live. Your supplier can fill you in on which ones are good for your section of the country.
For the person who wants the fragrance of the herb more than the other benefits, mint, rosemary, and lovage produce wonderful aromas. The oils of these plants are used in various scents, perfumes, and toilet water. Potpourri created from herbs can maintain an aroma for a long period of time. Lemon balm and lavender are two of the most common herbs used for this.
Medicinal herbs are plentiful, but always read everything about them before you plant. Just as you must be careful with prescription drugs, so must you understand how the herb is used properly. Under the wrong applications, herbs can prove harmful or deadly.
Herbs present so many wonderful options that it may be hard to choose which ones you want in your garden. For beauty, consider the blue blossoms of the chicory or the crimson ones from the valerian. For aroma, lavender and mint are prime choices. For culinary use, there is basil, chives and a list that goes on and on. Medicinal herbs are available in over 100 varieties. Any of your choices for herb garden plants are the right ones. What is your pleasure?
About the Author
For more information on herb garden plants and other topics on herb gardening visit http://www.herbgardenzone.com
Some of the more common culinary herbs might include basil, dill, mint, anise, savory, sage, chamomile, thyme and oregano. These all have a product that comes from stems, leaves, and roots. Of course, there are many others. If you are a cook, you know which herbs you use on a regular basis.
Your plan for an herb garden might not involve seasonings at all. A lot of gardens are just for decoration and fragrance. The flowers that come at maturity are often left on the plant for the satisfaction of the gardener. Even if you just want the show, it is best to plant herbs that can be used for more than one purpose, as your plans for them might change after they grow. Climate is a consideration in any type of gardening. If your growing season is a short one, some herbs will not do well there. Annuals cilantro, basil, and summer savory cannot take frost and have to be replanted each year. Consider what you will be able to harvest from them if you are in a colder climate. Winter savory and sage, two perennials, do well in the cooler areas and will keep growing year after year. Choose your herbs based on where you live. Your supplier can fill you in on which ones are good for your section of the country.
For the person who wants the fragrance of the herb more than the other benefits, mint, rosemary, and lovage produce wonderful aromas. The oils of these plants are used in various scents, perfumes, and toilet water. Potpourri created from herbs can maintain an aroma for a long period of time. Lemon balm and lavender are two of the most common herbs used for this.
Medicinal herbs are plentiful, but always read everything about them before you plant. Just as you must be careful with prescription drugs, so must you understand how the herb is used properly. Under the wrong applications, herbs can prove harmful or deadly.
Herbs present so many wonderful options that it may be hard to choose which ones you want in your garden. For beauty, consider the blue blossoms of the chicory or the crimson ones from the valerian. For aroma, lavender and mint are prime choices. For culinary use, there is basil, chives and a list that goes on and on. Medicinal herbs are available in over 100 varieties. Any of your choices for herb garden plants are the right ones. What is your pleasure?
About the Author
For more information on herb garden plants and other topics on herb gardening visit http://www.herbgardenzone.com
Tips On Pruning Rose Bushes by Lianne H. Oaks
Pruning is one of the most important tasks a rose gardener should perform to make his rose garden bloom with beautiful flowers. While there are many easy ways of doing it, pruning is no rocket science as many people believe it to be.
Pruning is the key element to maintaining healthy roses. A beautiful garden that blooms with the prettiest flowers is just an impossible dream if pruning is not performed. Pruning prevents your roses from getting diseases, encourages new buds to bloom, and improves the plant's overall appearance.
Roses that are pruned as they are growing are healthier compared to those pruned later. Pruning roses, while it is growing, can help prevent infections and diseases from spreading.
Before pruning, it is important to know first the specific pruning techniques that should be used for the kind of rose that you have. Some rose varieties require different pruning techniques from other varieties. Regardless of the type of rose that you have, however, the basic pruning steps are more or less the same.
To prune, start by eliminating damaged or dead canes. Pruning away brown canes does not only improve your roses' appearance, it also helps drive away some insects that can cause diseases to your roses. After removing diseased or damaged stems, make sure to dip your pruning shears in alcohol to prevent the disease from spreading.
Then, trim the center of the bushes. This will promote better airflow which helps the plant prevent getting fungal infections. Moreover, to prevent the spread of any disease, seal the pruning cuts with glue. Elmer's glue works just as fine as the more expensive ones so there is no need to buy higher grade glue.
There are other pruning techniques that you can use to further improve your rose garden. These pruning techniques are known according to three types: Low Pruning, Moderate Pruning, and High Pruning. But just remember that these techniques do not work on all rose varieties.
The low pruning technique applies well for Hybrid Tea Roses; while Tree Roses, Floribundas and Grandifloras grow well with moderate pruning technique. Moderate pruning techniques include cutting of stems lengthwise. Weak stems are cut back further to give room for the stronger stems.
On the other hand, high pruning involves more cutting and removing of all unwanted wood. The canes are cut back to two-thirds of its length. While there are rose bushes that flourish with high pruning, there are also many varieties that do not grow well with this technique, for there is a tendency that the growth is pre-empted. In some cases, the flowers are less-developed as they tend to bloom earlier. It is therefore necessary to take extra precautions in high pruning.
More to the pruning techniques, it is also crucial to know the most favorable time to prune. In most parts of the US, the perfect time to prune is in winter or early spring, which falls within January and February. However, if you are still not sure of when to prune your roses, look for signs of new growth or bud swelling, which indicates that new branches will develop. If this sign is present, then it's the perfect time to prune!
Rose gardening may require a bunch of time, practice and patience, but once the flowers start to bloom, you know that it's all worth it.
About the Author
For more great tips and advice on Pruning Rose Bushes, visit Rose Gardening Secrets to discover the simple secret to growing the most beautiful Rose bushes.
Pruning is the key element to maintaining healthy roses. A beautiful garden that blooms with the prettiest flowers is just an impossible dream if pruning is not performed. Pruning prevents your roses from getting diseases, encourages new buds to bloom, and improves the plant's overall appearance.
Roses that are pruned as they are growing are healthier compared to those pruned later. Pruning roses, while it is growing, can help prevent infections and diseases from spreading.
Before pruning, it is important to know first the specific pruning techniques that should be used for the kind of rose that you have. Some rose varieties require different pruning techniques from other varieties. Regardless of the type of rose that you have, however, the basic pruning steps are more or less the same.
To prune, start by eliminating damaged or dead canes. Pruning away brown canes does not only improve your roses' appearance, it also helps drive away some insects that can cause diseases to your roses. After removing diseased or damaged stems, make sure to dip your pruning shears in alcohol to prevent the disease from spreading.
Then, trim the center of the bushes. This will promote better airflow which helps the plant prevent getting fungal infections. Moreover, to prevent the spread of any disease, seal the pruning cuts with glue. Elmer's glue works just as fine as the more expensive ones so there is no need to buy higher grade glue.
There are other pruning techniques that you can use to further improve your rose garden. These pruning techniques are known according to three types: Low Pruning, Moderate Pruning, and High Pruning. But just remember that these techniques do not work on all rose varieties.
The low pruning technique applies well for Hybrid Tea Roses; while Tree Roses, Floribundas and Grandifloras grow well with moderate pruning technique. Moderate pruning techniques include cutting of stems lengthwise. Weak stems are cut back further to give room for the stronger stems.
On the other hand, high pruning involves more cutting and removing of all unwanted wood. The canes are cut back to two-thirds of its length. While there are rose bushes that flourish with high pruning, there are also many varieties that do not grow well with this technique, for there is a tendency that the growth is pre-empted. In some cases, the flowers are less-developed as they tend to bloom earlier. It is therefore necessary to take extra precautions in high pruning.
More to the pruning techniques, it is also crucial to know the most favorable time to prune. In most parts of the US, the perfect time to prune is in winter or early spring, which falls within January and February. However, if you are still not sure of when to prune your roses, look for signs of new growth or bud swelling, which indicates that new branches will develop. If this sign is present, then it's the perfect time to prune!
Rose gardening may require a bunch of time, practice and patience, but once the flowers start to bloom, you know that it's all worth it.
About the Author
For more great tips and advice on Pruning Rose Bushes, visit Rose Gardening Secrets to discover the simple secret to growing the most beautiful Rose bushes.
A Hobby Greenhouse Will Get You Growing! by Pinkrashmi
For people who would like to do more gardening but live in a short growing season area, a hobby greenhouse is the answer. A hobby greenhouse is not large enough to produce vegetables or flowers on a commercial basis. It will, however, give you a place for a tomato plant or two and some fresh greens even if you live in the northern regions. Greenhouse enthusiasts even have their own association, called the Hobby Greenhouse Association, which publishes a quarterly magazine. The organization also sponsers events and helps individuals connect to get help with the aspect of gardening that they are interested in, whether it's growing cacti or saving seeds.
If you are in the market for a hobby greenhouse, there are several types on the market. The smallest type is not large enough to walk into and must be accessed from the outside. It resembles an old-fashioned phone booth made all of glass and outfitted with shelves. This type is designed to fit as many plants as possible in as small a place as possible. The shelves are made of glass to allow as much light as possible to reach plants on the lower shelves. Another inexpensive version of this sort of hobby greenhouse is shelving covered with a zippered tent of clear plastic. This sort of arrangement is great for the small-scale hobby gardener wanting a place to keep her flowers or houseplant starts.
There are a variety of designs of hobby greenhouse that are large enough to walk into but made entirely of clear glass or plastic. They are often about the same size as a small storage building. Some independent builders have started making these to sell locally. Among national brands, one of the nicest is called the "Solar Prism." It is called this because of it's unique construction. This hobby greenhouse is made of a single piece of durable clear plastic which is designed to work like tiny prisms side by side. They trap the rays of the sun and shoot them back into the greenhouse at all angles. For this reason, these little greenhouses are said to glow when the weather is cloudy.
Better hobby greenhouses are equipped with automatic sensors that open vents which allow ventilation and keep the interior temperatures from getting too high. These are a great labor saver, but can get expensive. Another benefit sometimes found in nicer greenhouses is a built in irrigation or misting system. Members of the Hobby Greenhouse Association, or HGA, have invented many interesting designs of greenhouses.
If gardening is your hobby, greenhouse growing will interest you. With a greenhouse, you can have the earliest tomatoes and salad greens all year. You can also start seedlings for the main garden early in the spring when outdoor temperatures would kill them. A hobby greenhouse can be a good investment.
About the Author
Rashmi is a Internet Marketer. Click Here to know more about her
If you are in the market for a hobby greenhouse, there are several types on the market. The smallest type is not large enough to walk into and must be accessed from the outside. It resembles an old-fashioned phone booth made all of glass and outfitted with shelves. This type is designed to fit as many plants as possible in as small a place as possible. The shelves are made of glass to allow as much light as possible to reach plants on the lower shelves. Another inexpensive version of this sort of hobby greenhouse is shelving covered with a zippered tent of clear plastic. This sort of arrangement is great for the small-scale hobby gardener wanting a place to keep her flowers or houseplant starts.
There are a variety of designs of hobby greenhouse that are large enough to walk into but made entirely of clear glass or plastic. They are often about the same size as a small storage building. Some independent builders have started making these to sell locally. Among national brands, one of the nicest is called the "Solar Prism." It is called this because of it's unique construction. This hobby greenhouse is made of a single piece of durable clear plastic which is designed to work like tiny prisms side by side. They trap the rays of the sun and shoot them back into the greenhouse at all angles. For this reason, these little greenhouses are said to glow when the weather is cloudy.
Better hobby greenhouses are equipped with automatic sensors that open vents which allow ventilation and keep the interior temperatures from getting too high. These are a great labor saver, but can get expensive. Another benefit sometimes found in nicer greenhouses is a built in irrigation or misting system. Members of the Hobby Greenhouse Association, or HGA, have invented many interesting designs of greenhouses.
If gardening is your hobby, greenhouse growing will interest you. With a greenhouse, you can have the earliest tomatoes and salad greens all year. You can also start seedlings for the main garden early in the spring when outdoor temperatures would kill them. A hobby greenhouse can be a good investment.
About the Author
Rashmi is a Internet Marketer. Click Here to know more about her
Start an Herb Garden - Plant the Foods You Eat by Sean Templeton
Starting an herb garden is so easy to do and you don't have to me a gardening expert to grow herbs. The advantages of growing your own herbs are that they don't require a lot of space to grow. You can grow herbs in small containers or in flower beds in your garden. The first step is to decide what you want to plant in your herb garden.
To get an idea of what to plant, take a look at your spice rack and see what spices you are already enjoying.
After you decided on what you want to plant you need to decide where you will place your herb garden. Like I mention earlier it is not hard growing herbs, but you need to follow some simple steps to ensure your herbs will grow properly. Here are just a few tips to keep in mind when you start an herb garden.
Let the sunshine in.
Herbs need plenty of sunlight. Make sure you place your herbs in an area that gets plenty of natural sunlight. Herbs need about 5-7 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Don't spoil your soil
You need to test your soil content on a regular basis to make sure you soil stays moist and you go the right amount of ph balance. Some herb gardeners add layers of organic compost and minerals to their soil before planting in order to keep the soil fresh and moist.
Herbs get really thirsty
Herbs like well-drained soil, but well drained soil needs to be watered more frequently. Setup a weekly watering schedule for your herb garden. This is especially good if you live in an area that doesn't get a lot of rain.
Feed the herb
Your herb garden needs good fertilizer or plant food in order to survive. Use organic plant food for your herb garden because once your herbs have grown, you and your family will be the ones eating the herbs you planted
Harvesting and storage
Once your herbs are established it is important to cut them back on a regular basis. Never harvest more than 1/3 of each individual herb plant. The best time to harvest your herbs is in the morning, when the oils are still readily available in their leaves. Harvest your herbs before they flower. This will prevent them from putting forth seed and will encourage more vigorous green growth.
Herbs are among the easiest plants you'll ever grow. These were just a few tips on how to start a herb garden, you can more my clicking on the link below.
About the Author
Sean is an herb garden expert. For more information on start herb garden, visit http://www.ezherbgarden.com.
To get an idea of what to plant, take a look at your spice rack and see what spices you are already enjoying.
After you decided on what you want to plant you need to decide where you will place your herb garden. Like I mention earlier it is not hard growing herbs, but you need to follow some simple steps to ensure your herbs will grow properly. Here are just a few tips to keep in mind when you start an herb garden.
Let the sunshine in.
Herbs need plenty of sunlight. Make sure you place your herbs in an area that gets plenty of natural sunlight. Herbs need about 5-7 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Don't spoil your soil
You need to test your soil content on a regular basis to make sure you soil stays moist and you go the right amount of ph balance. Some herb gardeners add layers of organic compost and minerals to their soil before planting in order to keep the soil fresh and moist.
Herbs get really thirsty
Herbs like well-drained soil, but well drained soil needs to be watered more frequently. Setup a weekly watering schedule for your herb garden. This is especially good if you live in an area that doesn't get a lot of rain.
Feed the herb
Your herb garden needs good fertilizer or plant food in order to survive. Use organic plant food for your herb garden because once your herbs have grown, you and your family will be the ones eating the herbs you planted
Harvesting and storage
Once your herbs are established it is important to cut them back on a regular basis. Never harvest more than 1/3 of each individual herb plant. The best time to harvest your herbs is in the morning, when the oils are still readily available in their leaves. Harvest your herbs before they flower. This will prevent them from putting forth seed and will encourage more vigorous green growth.
Herbs are among the easiest plants you'll ever grow. These were just a few tips on how to start a herb garden, you can more my clicking on the link below.
About the Author
Sean is an herb garden expert. For more information on start herb garden, visit http://www.ezherbgarden.com.
A Healthy Fresh Herb Garden by Julie brown
Everyone tells us how wonderful herbs are and about their different uses. They are easy to locate at the grocery or health food store. If you don't mind the packaged, dried, and sometimes old herb fare, then you should be fine with that. Realistically, the flavor is better and the herbs are healthier for you when they come from a fresh herb garden. This can be achieved two ways. You can locate an herb garden grown by a friend and pilfer from him, or you can grow your own. I'm sure the friend would prefer you did the latter.
Aside from a little work, herb gardening is relatively easy. The experts say that a small family will be well served by a garden no more than 4 feet by 6 feet. Almost anyone can find that much space, whether it be inside or outside. Herb plants produce so well that it doesn't take a lot of plants of any one kind. Many culinary herbs are used in such small quantities that one plant will be all that is needed in a garden.
For a healthy garden, you will need to plant where it is the most advantageous for the plants you will have. Read planting tips about each of the herbs you want to grow. Some herbs prefer full sun and others like full shade. Your location might be close to a building where you have sun on some of the plants and not on the others, or at least the sun would not be on the plants all day. If you are planting a container garden, or if you are planting inside, you will have better control of the amount of sunlight your herbs will receive.
Let's look at what we should consider with outdoor garden locations. Do not plant in a low area with no drainage. Water, while it is the life blood of all living things, can be detrimental to your garden if it drowns the plants.
It is better to locate your garden where it is partially sheltered. If you plant next to a building, position the garden to the south and west to give protection against the cooler air that comes from the north and northeast.
You may not be the only one who likes fresh herbs. If you have outside animals visit your yard often, put up a fence to keep the wanderers out. You won't need anything really fancy, and it only needs to be 3 or 4 feet high with a gate.
In a vegetable garden, it is usually necessary to put out poisons to kill the bad insects. Herb gardens do not have as many invaders as vegetable gardens. Companion planting helps eliminate a lot of problems. For instance, garlic is a deterrent for aphids and Japanese beetles. Plant garlic outside of the garden, and mash up garlic to make a spray for the herbs. Calendula helps keep insects out above and below ground. Mint deters aphids and flea beetles, while lavender helps control moths.
If it is necessary to use pesticides for control of insects, do so sparingly. Poisons may also run away the good insects. Take enough time with your garden to ensure that it is healthy and well located. A fresh herb garden is an investment in your good health. Take wise care of it.
About the Author
For more information on fresh herb garden and other topics on herb gardening visit http://www.herbgardenzone.com
Aside from a little work, herb gardening is relatively easy. The experts say that a small family will be well served by a garden no more than 4 feet by 6 feet. Almost anyone can find that much space, whether it be inside or outside. Herb plants produce so well that it doesn't take a lot of plants of any one kind. Many culinary herbs are used in such small quantities that one plant will be all that is needed in a garden.
For a healthy garden, you will need to plant where it is the most advantageous for the plants you will have. Read planting tips about each of the herbs you want to grow. Some herbs prefer full sun and others like full shade. Your location might be close to a building where you have sun on some of the plants and not on the others, or at least the sun would not be on the plants all day. If you are planting a container garden, or if you are planting inside, you will have better control of the amount of sunlight your herbs will receive.
Let's look at what we should consider with outdoor garden locations. Do not plant in a low area with no drainage. Water, while it is the life blood of all living things, can be detrimental to your garden if it drowns the plants.
It is better to locate your garden where it is partially sheltered. If you plant next to a building, position the garden to the south and west to give protection against the cooler air that comes from the north and northeast.
You may not be the only one who likes fresh herbs. If you have outside animals visit your yard often, put up a fence to keep the wanderers out. You won't need anything really fancy, and it only needs to be 3 or 4 feet high with a gate.
In a vegetable garden, it is usually necessary to put out poisons to kill the bad insects. Herb gardens do not have as many invaders as vegetable gardens. Companion planting helps eliminate a lot of problems. For instance, garlic is a deterrent for aphids and Japanese beetles. Plant garlic outside of the garden, and mash up garlic to make a spray for the herbs. Calendula helps keep insects out above and below ground. Mint deters aphids and flea beetles, while lavender helps control moths.
If it is necessary to use pesticides for control of insects, do so sparingly. Poisons may also run away the good insects. Take enough time with your garden to ensure that it is healthy and well located. A fresh herb garden is an investment in your good health. Take wise care of it.
About the Author
For more information on fresh herb garden and other topics on herb gardening visit http://www.herbgardenzone.com
Caring for Roses Preparing Your Rose Garden for the Winter by Sean Templeton
Winter care varies with the different climates so local gardeners advice is invaluable. However there are some general guidelines to follow. Rose bushes die or die back over the winter from cold drying winds, changes in freezing and thawing and from cold temperatures to the bud union. To protect the bud union mound up soil or a mulch to about one foot high after the first hard frost. Do not cut canes in the fall or give nitrogen fertilizers as both stimulate soft new growth which will be killed. Long canes on bushes or climbers can be tied to prevent wind rock. Container plants can be moved inside to an unheated space when their leaves fall off and a little water should be given monthly to prevent drying out.
Some people believe that when the weather starts getting colder and the leaves start to fall, it is time to put away the gardening tools and wait until next spring to work on their garden again. Wrong. Winter is an important time to maintain your garden's health and assure yourself a good crop for next year. You may think that might take to long to prepare your garden, but the truth is that it takes less than one day to prepare your garden for the upcoming winter. When the nighttime temperatures drop to less than forty-five degrees Fahrenheit for more than four days in a row, or frost is forecasted for your area (usually around late October or November) you know it is time to begin preparing your garden. You should begin by evaluating your garden design, check which plants grew well in the past season, and which plants did not do well. Fall is a good time to decide which plants will remain in you garden next year, and which ones should go. After you have finished this you should begin cleaning up your garden. Begin by pulling out weeds that may have cropped up, and raking fallen leaves. Weeds and rotten leaves can carry insects and diseases that might be harmful to your garden. You should also rid your garden of spent annual plants, and harvest your vegetables and other plants that cannot withstand the winter weather. After fall has come and gone, the leaves will be off your trees and you can see the rotten branches. Trimming off the unwanted branches from your trees isn't necessary to your gardens health, but may help later on by not dropping branches on your plants and not blocking too much of the sun. If you have younger trees you should consider wrapping them and supporting them with stakes to help them survive the winter wind and cold. Putting mulch over your garden for the winter can be a helpful way to protect plants from sudden temperature changes and heavy snow. For mulch you can use about five inches of shredded bark, pine needles, or a variety of other materials. You have to be careful not to mulch too early, because some insects may still be alive and able to take shelter in it for the winter. Once you are finished with your gardening tools you should clean them and make sure they are in a safe place where they won't rust and you know where they'll be for next year. Before winter comes you should always set out slug repellent, as slugs are one of the worst bugs to have in your garden. If you have a pool or fountain in your garden, be sure to take out any fish that you have in them and bring them inside. There's nothing sadder than a fish frozen in a block of ice.
About the Author
Sean is an rose garden expert. For more information on caring for roses, visit http://www.rosearered.com.
Some people believe that when the weather starts getting colder and the leaves start to fall, it is time to put away the gardening tools and wait until next spring to work on their garden again. Wrong. Winter is an important time to maintain your garden's health and assure yourself a good crop for next year. You may think that might take to long to prepare your garden, but the truth is that it takes less than one day to prepare your garden for the upcoming winter. When the nighttime temperatures drop to less than forty-five degrees Fahrenheit for more than four days in a row, or frost is forecasted for your area (usually around late October or November) you know it is time to begin preparing your garden. You should begin by evaluating your garden design, check which plants grew well in the past season, and which plants did not do well. Fall is a good time to decide which plants will remain in you garden next year, and which ones should go. After you have finished this you should begin cleaning up your garden. Begin by pulling out weeds that may have cropped up, and raking fallen leaves. Weeds and rotten leaves can carry insects and diseases that might be harmful to your garden. You should also rid your garden of spent annual plants, and harvest your vegetables and other plants that cannot withstand the winter weather. After fall has come and gone, the leaves will be off your trees and you can see the rotten branches. Trimming off the unwanted branches from your trees isn't necessary to your gardens health, but may help later on by not dropping branches on your plants and not blocking too much of the sun. If you have younger trees you should consider wrapping them and supporting them with stakes to help them survive the winter wind and cold. Putting mulch over your garden for the winter can be a helpful way to protect plants from sudden temperature changes and heavy snow. For mulch you can use about five inches of shredded bark, pine needles, or a variety of other materials. You have to be careful not to mulch too early, because some insects may still be alive and able to take shelter in it for the winter. Once you are finished with your gardening tools you should clean them and make sure they are in a safe place where they won't rust and you know where they'll be for next year. Before winter comes you should always set out slug repellent, as slugs are one of the worst bugs to have in your garden. If you have a pool or fountain in your garden, be sure to take out any fish that you have in them and bring them inside. There's nothing sadder than a fish frozen in a block of ice.
About the Author
Sean is an rose garden expert. For more information on caring for roses, visit http://www.rosearered.com.
