Gardening Basics

Planting Vegetables Through All the Seasons

Posted by Dave Truman

Most of us think of planting in the Spring and harvesting in the Fall. And, for the majority of crops, that’s right. But species vary, climates vary and indoor container gardening often can be carried out year ’round.

For some crops it is helpful to plant in the fall because it helps enrich the soil for the following spring. And certain lettuce varieties can be planted late in the summer and still be harvested before the first frost.

When you should plant certain vegetables depends on the species and your climate zone. Get the best estimate possible on when to expect the first frost. Some good sources to find out information on possible frost are the 30-day weather forecasts and the Farmer’s Almanac.

Before planting new seeds or vegetables be sure to clear the area of any spring or summer crops. Leftovers decay and encourage bacteria growth. Spread a couple of inches of new compost or mulch over the area. Turn the top layer of soil up and water well, then let it rest for a day. Since in most areas, you’ll receive more rain (and sometimes snow) in the fall, be sure you have well draining soil.

There are many varieties that will thrive if you take these preliminary steps.

Beets do well if planted before the beginning of August. If you intend just to harvest the tops, the date can be extended to the beginning of September. Try some Winterkeeper.

You can transplant broccoli until about mid-August. It will continue to thrive in most climates until Thanksgiving, when it can be harvested for a great addition to the holiday meal. In some warmer zones it may even last as late as Christmas. Italian broccoli can be planted over Winter in areas with no snow and will produce shoots until Spring.

Fall cabbage planting is common in various climate zones. Jersey Wakefield cabbage is often seeded in the first couple of weeks of September and survives throughout the winter to be harvested in late spring.

Since carrots are a root vegetable and grow under the ground, it can withstand seasonal changes. If you plant carrots by mid-July or even in the fall, you can harvest them in the winter. It is important to keep in mind though that in very cold temperatures the ground freezes making digging nearly impossible

Endive does well if planted by mid-July. A light mulch will keep it protected from frost and it can be harvested in winter. Water drainage in the fall and winter months is much slower than in summer so it’s important to make sure the endive doesn’t get too wet.

Romaine can be sown in July, and then harvested in the fall. Since it’s low to the ground and very leafy, it’s important to keep it from being excessively wet. Fungal growth is still possible in fall, even though temperatures are cooler at night.

You can also plant some peas in early November and harvest them the following June. So with proper planning, you can enjoy fresh vegetables nearly year round.

Happy Gardening!

Home Foliage: Two Easy to Grow Houseplants

Posted by Keith Markensen

If you plan to grow more than one or two plants at a time, chances are most of them will be foliage plants. Though they aren’t as showy as the flower bearing varieties described in the last chapter, foliage plants can also be quite beautiful. In addition, they are simple to grow, easy to propagate and acclimate well to nearly any indoor environment.

Foliage plants are the backbone of every home garden. With few exceptions they know no seasons, growing and prospering throughout the year. Thousands of species of foliage plants are common and easy to find, and a large number of hybrids extends this variety even further. While planning your indoor garden you have almost an unlimited choice of plant size and shape, leaf form and colour. The two species described here will grow in any part of the country with equal ease and are available everywhere.

Peperomia sandersi is one commonly cultivated Peperomia. It has been called the Watermelon Begonia because the distinctive colour and striped pattern of its leaves resemble the watermelons found in the American south. As the leaves of this plant are smooth, shiny and oval-shaped and the stems are red or pink, how it acquired the nickname Begonia is a mystery.

Peperomia is a low growing, bushy plant with fleshy leaves and stems along with being an indoor house plant. Originally found in the jungles of Brazil, these plants like lots of warmth and humidity and dislike exposure to wind or even slight drafts. Place them in partial shade, being careful not to give them too much sun, and provide them with plenty of water and good quality plant food. To keep your Peperomia happy, give it only room-temperature water. Propagate it by stem or leaf cuttings, preferably in the spring when the growth rate is at a maximum.

Pick-a-back Plant, also known as Piggy Back Plant (or by its botanical name, Tolmiea menziesi), gets its name from the curious way that it propagates: new plantlets sprout from the joint where the leaf meets the stem on the parent plant. The pretty, heart-shaped leaves of this species are light green, delicate and grow at the end of long stems. Pick a-back Plant should be well watered and kept in only partial sun.

In its natural state the plantlets root as soon as they touch the ground, so propagation is simple: just place a new leaf-bearing plantlet in a starting mixture and allow it to root. If you prefer you can place the plantlets in water, but be sure to used purified water. A good way to do this is to treat it with dissolved charcoal. The Pick-a-back originates on our own West Coast, growing from California on up to Alaska.

San Francicso Flower Shops

Posted by Isis K. Nouvelle

It may seem like a daunting task to have to locate a flower shop in San Francisco. The problem lies not in simply needing to find one, but in wanting to find the best among the large number who sell fresh blossoms in this flower-filled city. The area’s florists carry a staggering assortment of lovely blooms.

Florists who sell floral arrangements in San Francisco California live by a theory which is based on endorsing the use and enjoyment of flower power. This outlook is replicated in their floral arrangements. Here the florists offer artistic flower bouquets. Their novel approach to the San Francisco flower leads to exclusive flower collections for special occasions. Flowers are considered a wonderful way to summarize feelings along with an assortment of gifts like balloons, chocolate, and stuffed toy animals.

San Francisco florists’ pride shines through the ingenious flower arrangements that they create. San Francisco florists and other locals are greatly aided in their knowledge of all types of flowers by the San Francisco Botanical Garden and the Conservatory of Flowers.

The lovely and unique arrangements created by San Fransisco florists can be full of exotic and unusual flowers like kangaroo paw or protea, or give an authentic San Fransisco feel to their bouquets with native flowers. Even unconventional items like pumpkins, pine cones, wheat, and cornucopias become part of the arrangement put together by your local San Fransisco florist.

Unique exotic blossoms are not the only blooms that inspire flower shop owners. San Francisco has lots of beautiful outdoor spaces filled with greenery and lovely, ordinary flowers too. If you make an internet purchase through a San Francisco florist, they will deliver it quickly and efficiently as well. Their bouquets and floral arrangements consist of the freshest items in the area. And when you place an order with them, your gift will reach your loved ones on the very same day.

San Francisco flower shop owners are outstanding at helping you to express your emotions. They also aid you in articulating your thoughts through the use of their various blossoms. They can remind you of options you may have forgotten too. However, the greatest advantage of using their skill at creating bouquets and centerpieces is their well-developed sense of what will look best and what will be the most expressive present for someone you really care about.

Vegetable Gardening in Small Spaces: Yes You Can Do It!

Posted by Sarah Duke

A vegetable garden doesn’t have to be huge and hold tons of plants. Not everyone has the space for a garden like that, but they can grow thriving plants in a small area as long as there’s access to sunlight.

People develop gardens in various small areas - it could be a tiny bit of land outside a house, or pots in planters kept indoors or outdoors. How well you treat your plants and how skilful you are at gardening are issues that are far more important than the amount of space you have. Even a little garden can compete with a large one, if the gardener’s expertise is applied well to growing the plants.

Planning your garden before you begin is very important - you must make the most of the area you’re using for your garden. What plants do you plan to grow here? You’ll have to put in some effort to learn about these plants, and whether they can be planted in close proximity to each other. Which are the ones that need extra sunshine? What special care must be taken for each plant?

This will help you plan the placement of your garden, whether you plant in a small patch of land or in planters. Next, you’ll need to find out when each plant should be planted. Some need to be planted ahead of others, so plan accordingly.

Now you’re ready to purchase the plants or seeds, whichever you choose to grow in your garden. Make sure you have the right size planters for your garden if you go with gardening pots. The plants need some space to grow, so don’t overcrowd them.

The soil you use in your pots should be of the best quality. This should give your plants the nutrition they need to grow large and healthy. You can ask for advice on soil from the experts at your garden centre.

Small gardens are not immune to ravages by insects. You can deal with this problem, though.

Start by encouraging insect predators into your garden, such as lizards, ladybugs, frogs and birds. These creatures can be attracted to your garden by keeping a source of water nearby, such as a pond, and by growing plants that attract them. There are also some household items that fight against insects, such as hot peppers and garlic, as well as insecticidal soaps.

Some types of soil for fertilizing have special ingredients that can help you keep the bugs at bay, so take the time to check this out. If you have to use a pesticide, make sure you don’t use much. They can be harmful to kids and animals, so make sure you use as little as possible.

No matter how large or small your garden may be, you need to make sure you nurture it. Get rid of any weeks and make sure that soil is aerated from time to time and watered regularly. Without the right care from you, your garden will never thrive.

Small gardens can thrive just as much as larger ones, so if you don’t have the space for a big garden, just make use of the space you do have and grow healthy and robust plants. With the proper care, any garden can produce excellent plants.

Tips on Pest Control

Posted by Joseph Then

I don’t know a thing about you but I’ll bet that you may be at risk of pest infestation in your home. Well if you are, you might probably call the pest control. However, I think you’re going to laugh or roll your eyes if i tell you that I can give you home remedies. I know you will not believe me.

If you are at risk of facing pest infestation, don’t worry. I can give you tips on how you can get rid of they, all by yourself, without the help of a pest control company. Believe me? I don’t think so. I suggest you should read on.

When we are faced with a problem like pest infestation, all we can think about is pest control. What exactly is pest control? Well, it refers to the management of these pests. Animals and insects such as ants, raccoons, rats and also spiders are considered pests. They are perceived to be detrimental to a person’s health.

Most people would just spray insecticide to areas which breed or areas in which the pests are. However, I think this solution is only temporary and the smell of these insecticides can be quite unbearable.

Most pest control companies use chemicals to get rid of these pests but if these are not used properly, it may affect human being. Sounds scary? I bet. This article offers you tips on pest control without using chemicals.

Catching rat can be tricky and sometimes a tiring job if you are not an expert. There are rats around because of the leftover food and sometimes dog food in your garage. To trap a mouse, the best bait to use is raw bacon or peanut butter. Sounds ridiculous? Trust me, it works.

Having an ant infestation can be very irritating. No matter how you get rid of them, they always come back. What should you do? Well, the best way to get rid of them I by dousing the mouse hill using a couple of gallons of boiling water. Sounds mean but it does work efficiently.

Having a bee hive near you home can be dangerous especially if there are kids around. The last thing you need is a swamp of bees chasing you. What I suggest that you should do is to buy a bee trap. Hang it in a tree far from where the kids play.

Spiders can be very amazing to watch but they can be pests too. How do you get rid of them? The best way is to spray bugs spray and let them be. You may notice that there are many of them in the first month but there will be less of them soon after.

So, there you have it. All you need to know about pest control and DIY pest control. What are you waiting for? You do not need to call pest control because you can do it yourself.

Take care of your roses

Posted by james i Greene

Roses are very beautiful flowers loved by many people across the world, the rose has always been a symbol of love and affection.With the sweet smell and the beautiful flowers these plants produce it is quite impossible not to have some type of rose plant in your garden.

Roses in healthy condition and stress free are less likely to contract insects and diseases,unhealthy roses will not grow corrrectly and you will not get a good show of roses from the individual plant.

Roses need to be watered daily at least for the first 20 days after planting them. To ensure that the rose grow healthily you must put fertilizers at regular time intervals. You can buy fertilizers on which the roses feed from at your nearest nursery. Plant roses with the crown about 1 inch below the soil level,gradually filling in and around it with more soil while gently tamping it down. Again, be careful not to break the root ball and keep the crown uncovered. It will look like the rose is in a funnel-shaped depression.

Benefits of all your hard work can be wonderful looking and sweet smelling roses,which in turn can be cut and put into a vase in your home.When pruning or cutting your roses you must take careful attention not to damage the stems if the rose is in bloom.Try not to prune the first season roses to much,when the rose matures you will be able to prune them more frequently.

When deciding how many rose bushes you want in your garden spread them out away from each other,this will help the plant to find it’s own space and grow properly.Best time to plant new rose bushes is in early spring when all the frosts have gone.When transplanting last season’s rose bushes make sure you cut all dead leaves and tidy up the bush,this will help new growth.

If you have climbing roses,prune all the stems down while dormant as this allows the plant to grow new healthy stems starting in spring.Sometimes you’ll find a diseased plant, give it a good spraying with a fungal insectcide.I always give my plants a good fertilizer in the months leading up till about the end of September.

Mid April is the time to look for slugs around the plants base, put a small amount of slug pellets down this normally sorts out the problem.If you find other insects inhabiting the plant use a systemic spray which you can purchase at any garden centre.Keep your eye open for any unwanted shoots on the rootstock and remove them,when the weather gets warmer put some organic mulch at the base of the plant.

If you live in a cold climate and grow Roses that are not completely hardy in your area, you may wish to protect them for the winter by mounding soil or compost around the base of the plants after the ground freezes, and then adding evergreen boughs. Climbing Roses may be detached from their supports, laid down on the ground and covered with soil to get them through the winter. This procedure is viable only on the smaller climbers, but does work well with shorter Roses grown on pillars.

Decorative Solar Lighting - Improve The Look Of Your Garden

Posted by Rhia Taylor

When it comes to decorative solar lighting for the garden you have a number of different shapes and styles to choose from, all of which can help to enhance the look of your garden. It does not matter what size garden you if you have a garden at all as there are plenty of styles of outside solar lighting that can be used to bring a dull area back to life.

Below we will take a look at some of the various different kinds of decorative solar lighting which one can now utilize for decorating and enhancing a gardens look.

1. Terracotta Solar Sphere Lantern - This is the perfect way for adding ambient lighting to an entertaining area outside. Can either be placed on table tops or around the edges of your decking or patio. The lantern is sphere shaped and has cutouts in the side to allow more light to flood out and produced silhouetted lighting effects.

2. Firefly Solar Light - These come with a stainless steel stake which allows you to place them anywhere you want in your garden. On top of the stake is a very beautiful hand blown cracked glass globe which at night emits a very pale glow in the garden. Although mainly used as a decorative form of lighting can also be used as accent lighting to show up dark obstacles or to help light the route of a pathway.

The above two types of lighting offer a delicate and subtle way for you to add lighting to your garden. These are best used in areas where they can add a wealth of color and which can bring life back into a dull part of the garden.

3. A Floating Solar Light - This form of decorative solar lighting comes in a number of different colors and it is this which will be the color you see reflected on the water. The gently float on the water and during the day the solar panel collects energy from the sun which it then converts to power to run the light within. These are not only very easy to install and get set up but cost you nothing to run once they are.

4. Solar Rock Lights - These can be placed in locations around the garden giving a romantic soft glow to certain plants that you would like people to see. The other way in which these can be used is to light the way along a path in your garden or to guide people up the steps to your decking.

5. Solar Powered Stepping Stone Light - This is not only a great looking form of decorative solar lighting but can be used as a safety feature in the garden as well. Use these lights for being able to show people the pathways in your garden at the rear and which are away from the lights of your house. Around each of the lights there is a solar panel that collects energy from the sun in the daytime and then releases the energy to power the light contained with once night has come.

These lights as well as all the other outside solar lighting we have mentioned in this article can be installed easily by you. Plus a big advantage is that once they are up and running they cost you nothing (they do not need to rely on an electrical power source to provide them with energy). Nearly all the decorative solar lighting that is available today also come with automatic sensors that will tell them when to turn on and off so you can easily forget about them and let them do their job. Also most of them as long as they have been able to collect enough energy from the sun during the day will be able to power the light within for around 8 to 10 hours.

Landscaping Wilmington, DE - Choosing The Right Designer

Posted by Jim Carpenter

Using the services of a custom landscaping Wilmington DE design company will help to make your garden completely unique. However, although there are plenty of ideas which you could incorporate into your own custom garden design it needs to be carefully planned and executed. The only real way of this being done properly is through using the services of a professional landscaping designer.

Although you may want to have a go at designing your own landscape for your garden you may find it becomes a little overwhelming. This is the time when you start thinking about hiring a good landscaping designer. However, before you do it is advisable that you learn a little about the basics of garden landscaping. By doing this you will actually be more able to communicate to them your ideas and what you want your garden to look like once work has been completed.

When you do choose to work with a custom landscaping Wilmington DE designer or design company then you need to spend time first thinking about what you want. Only can the designer then start coming up with the appropriate landscape design once they know what is it you want your garden to look like.

They will initially spend time in developing your ideas into a blueprint for you to peruse and which allows you to make changes before the work commences. They will take several factors into consideration including what you wish. They will look at the kinds of plants that are suitable, what materials will be required for the hard landscaping, what lighting and what the area in question is going to be used for. Also as they come up with a design they will take into consideration the climate where you live.

As the plans for your garden landscape are being developed by the designer then if they are good they will keep in contact and explain at what stage they are at. Also as soon as any plans that you see need to have any changes made to them these will be carried out and again the plans will be passed back to you for reviewing. Only when the final set of plans drawn up by the landscaping Wilmington, DE design company have been approved can they then move onto the next phase of the project.

In the next stage once the plans have been approved will the designer then start to talk about the kinds of materials and plants that are going to be used in the garden. A reputable garden landscape designer will produce a comprehensive list of all items along with an estimate for the costs of these items. Once the client has approved the use of these items then can the design move on to the next stage, which is actually the work.

A lot of the landscape designers you now see advertising their services also run their own garden landscaping business. This means that you will not need to employ other people to carry out the works as shown on the plan designed. When it comes to landscaping, Wilmington DE companies there are quite a few to select from so take your time and look see what each one has to offer.

Ideally if you are unsure what landscaping Wilmington DE designer or company to go with then contact a few. Look for those who are willing to take a look at the space you have available and are willing to listen to what you are trying to achieve in it.

Powered by Nature Solar Garden Lights Never Looked Better

Posted by Keith Markensen

Whether you’re looking out over a dark patio or a massive estate, it’s now cheaper and easier than ever to provide your darkened areas with affordable and attractive garden lighting.

One of the more recent evolutions in garden lighting is the use of fiber-optics. These lights are contained in small canisters or cylinders containing thousands of fiber-optic strands to exude light.

The first major benefit of this light source is the lack of electrical current needed to fuel it, making it extremely safe, even around areas with water. Secondly, these lights require very little electricity at all, making them a great cost saving option, and a good choice for the environment.

Another money saving option that can be used to illuminate your garden is the use of solar garden lighting. Using a single Nicam or Nicad battery, these lights gather their operational energy during the day through the sun’s rays and automatically turn on at night, as the presence of the sun disappears. At dawn, they will automatically turn off again. These lights will charge even on cloudy or overcast days, as the sun’s effect is still there, even if it can’t be seen.

Solar garden lights come in many different shapes, colors and sizes. Flat lighting can rest on the ground and be used to effectively light pathways from below, you can also have versions that come attached to spikes or mounted on poles, offering a variety of potential areas for the lights to be placed.

Solar garden lights may also be safely and easily used in and around water, such as in a small pond or swimming pool. This style of lights often comes in the form of floating balls, and in a variety of colors.

A seamless and clever way of integrating single solar lights within your garden is setting is through the use of garden rocks. These rocks are hollowed out on the inside and fitted with halogen lamps, which give the effect of the rock itself glowing. These can come in a number of styles that blend well with your garden during the day when their form is more visible, including natural looking granite style rocks, and models with moss or other greenery ‘growing’ on them.

With the number of different options on the market today for garden lighting, there’s no need to fall into the same old habits of buying traditional lighting fixtures. Any style of garden can be effectively accented with the appropriate lighting source to smartly illuminate your green paradise.

Fiber-Optics and Gardening - Who Woulda Thought?

Posted by Keith Markensen

Whether you’re looking out over a dark patio or a massive estate, it’s now cheaper and easier than ever to provide your darkened areas with affordable and attractive garden lighting.

One of the more recent evolutions in garden lighting is the use of fiber-optics. These lights are contained in small canisters or cylinders containing thousands of fiber-optic strands to exude light.

The first major benefit of this light source is the lack of electrical current needed to fuel it, making it extremely safe, even around areas with water. Secondly, these lights require very little electricity at all, making them a great cost saving option, and a good choice for the environment.

Another money saving option that can be used to illuminate your garden is the use of solar garden lighting. Using a single Nicam or Nicad battery, these lights gather their operational energy during the day through the sun’s rays and automatically turn on at night, as the presence of the sun disappears. At dawn, they will automatically turn off again. These lights will charge even on cloudy or overcast days, as the sun’s effect is still there, even if it can’t be seen.

Solar garden lights come in many different shapes, colors and sizes. Flat lighting can rest on the ground and be used to effectively light pathways from below, you can also have versions that come attached to spikes or mounted on poles, offering a variety of potential areas for the lights to be placed.

Solar garden lights may also be safely and easily used in and around water, such as in a small pond or swimming pool. This style of lights often comes in the form of floating balls, and in a variety of colors.

A seamless and clever way of integrating solar lighting within your garden is setting is through the use of garden rocks. These rocks are hollowed out on the inside and fitted with halogen lamps, which give the effect of the rock itself glowing. These can come in a number of styles that blend well with your garden during the day when their form is more visible, including natural looking granite style rocks, and models with moss or other greenery ‘growing’ on them.

With the number of different options on the market today for garden lighting, there’s no need to fall into the same old habits of buying traditional lighting fixtures. Any style of garden can be effectively accented with the appropriate lighting source to smartly illuminate your green paradise.

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