Gardening Basics

Growing Indoor House Plants

Posted by Gary Antosh

You have probably heard how easy it is to grow houseplants or an indoor garden many times. I’m sure you’ve been regaled with how simple it is to do. If you’re afraid you don’t have a green thumb, don’t worry. All the talk you’ve heard about how easy and simple it is was true. You can grow indoor plants easily. You just need to know a few basic things about how to do it right.

Growing houseplants is very easy and requires only that you be interested in doing so and have a willingness to learn about it. Anyone can build birdhouses, fix a flat tire, sew their own clothes, or do just about anything else if they really want to. Houseplants and indoor gardens are no different. Once you learn the basics, you can plunge in and enjoy watching the fruits of your labor bloom.

Even if you live in a basement or in the Arctic Circle, it’s possible to grow indoor plants using some technologies available on the market. Things like hydroponics and UV lights can work wonders with even the most limited spaces when it comes to growing indoor plants or gardens.

The rules for gardening are not hard-and-fast and results will usually vary from person to person, garden to garden. Indoor planting is no different and this is one of the charms of doing it: every plant, every room, and every gardener is different, every time. When you grow a successful plant in your home, you’ll feel a thrill knowing that it did well because of your skill and ability and not because you can read directions and color by numbers.

The choices of plants, configurations, and arrangements are limitless, so this is where your imagination can really shine. It’s all about your personal taste and what you think will look good in your home, plus a little experimentation. There are a few guidelines to follow as far as growing and caring for the plants, however, and we’ll cover that next.

Knowing your plant’s preferences to light, humidity, soil, watering, and so forth is the number one skill to learn in order to successfully grow indoor plants and gardens. When deciding what kinds of plants or seeds to get, these are the factors that need to be considered, along with the intended location of the plant and how much time and energy you’ve got to care for it. Most plants do well in most areas, with a few exceptions for exotics or specialty plants.

Consider the space you want the plant to occupy. What kind of window does it have and which direction does that window face? North- and east-facing windows mean not much light will get to the plant daily, so low-light and perhaps colder weather plants are a good choice here. The opposite is true for south- or west-facing windows. This time, Schefflera arboricola and other varieties of arboricola which prefers higher light is suitable here. Knowing how much light it will get is paramount to choosing the right plant for the situation.

Now consider how humid or dry your home and the room the plant will occupy is. Bathrooms and kitchens tend to be more humid than other rooms in the home, so take that into consideration when looking at plants. Whatever your climate and home’s conditions, though, there will be plenty of plants to choose from.

So have fun and plant an indoor garden or houseplant today!

How to Grow Geraniums in Pots

Posted by Kent Higgins

It is no surprise that geraniums are very popular with home gardeners as they are extremely colorful. For those people who have little experience in gardening, the huge choice of geranium varieties can seem quite daunting and can make the choice of plant very difficult. “New” gardeners may also think that these pretty plants are difficult to care for, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Think about why you want a geranium prior to purchase. The more common geraniums with large red flower heads are an ideal choice for jazzing up a tired garden bed and they are also a great addition to window boxes and pots. Still other varieties of geranium are more suitable for a window box. These include climbing or “hanging” geraniums: these create a beautiful display as they spill over the sides of the window box or pot. Small areas with “container” gardens will benefit from the impact of geraniums with double flowers or variegated leaves and even pink or white varieties can look spectacular in a small space.

Some people are attracted to “multi-purpose” flowers. If you want a useful plant that is also decorative, you should perhaps consider a variety of geranium known for its ability to repel mosquitoes. Some geraniums are pleasantly perfumed and their petals are excellent when included in potpourri.

Although geraniums have differences, they are also similar in many aspects. The varieties we grow in gardens are known as “Pelargonium” or “zonal” geraniums and, although they are commonly sold as annuals in cooler climates, they are able to survive for many seasons in warmer areas of the world.

When you are choosing a geranium, check it carefully. A shorter plant with many short branches is a better choice than a tall, thin plant as it is by nature stronger and more likely to produce many blooms over a number of seasons. Be careful not to choose a plant that is root bound. One that has many roots showing through the drain holes of the pot is obviously, at the very least, partially root bound. If it is possible, lift the plant out of the pot to see if the roots are growing freely in the soil. Any plant that is root bound will have had its potential growth compromised.

Geraniums should be treated the same as any other new addition to your garden. Before they are replanted into the desired position in the garden, window box or pot, be sure to give them a good watering to reduce any transplant shock and to give them a good chance. Once this is done, carefully remove the geranium from the pot and tease the roots out to encourage them to grow out from the root ball. The plant should then be placed into its position in the ground or pot and the hole filled so that the plant is stable but the stem is not buried. Press the soil down around the plant and give it a further watering. This will ensure that there are no air pockets around the roots as these will damage the root system. Complete the treatment of the plant with a good covering of suitable mulching material, taking care to leave a space around the stem of the plant. Whilst mulch is beneficial to the health of the plant as nutrients, it can encourage disease and rot if it is placed up against the stem.

A regular feeding with a general “all purpose” plant food as the plant develops and removing dead flowers will ensure that the geranium flowers continually up until coldest part of the year.

Geraniums can be potted up before the cold of winter hits and then brought indoors, where they will reward you with pretty flowers throughout the winter season, provided they are placed in a sunny spot so that they remain healthy or you can have borders stones to add more beauty on your garden or landscape.They can then go back outdoors in spring.

If there simply isn’t enough room in your house or you don’t have a sunny spot indoors, you can prolong the life of a geranium by removing it from the soil (make sure you shake it all off to avoid a mess). Once this is done, hang it upside down inside a paper bag in the laundry until the cold weather has finished. With a bit of water and a repotting, you might be able to resurrect the “dead” plant for another chance at life.

Retractable Awnings - Extending Fun!

Posted by JC Mims

So, what are retractable awnings and what are they used for? Well, increasing your deck or patio usage and providing shade are two of the most obvious uses. You can easily increase your entertaining area with the simple addition of an awning as well. What better way to enjoy a summer day from the protection of the sun?

If your home is not equipped with a garage, an awning will provide protection from the elements as you enter and exit your home. No more getting soaked while trying to bring in the groceries. In most cases, the awning will attach to your home just beneath the eaves.

Your space surrounded by the things you love such as plants, a fountain, and seating to enjoy the peaceful feelings anytime you need to have a little personal time can be achieved just by the addition of a retractable awning.

The outside eating area that you want with a table and chairs, grill, and space for coolers that are all protected from the beating rays of the sun is another benefit of having a retractable awning.

Awnings are great energy savers saving you as much as 20 - 25% on your air conditioning bills. You will think you have an outdoor air conditioner when sitting under your cover enjoying a gentle breeze.

If you have a hot tub or Jacuzzi on your patio or deck you can now keep it protected. You will enjoy several new found benefits. An awning will keep debris out of your personal spa and provide a more entertaining atmosphere.

The first thing you need to decide before you pick which awning is right for you is determine what you plan to use it for. Awnings come in a wide variety of sizes including sizes as large as 40 feet x 17 feet. The roof line of a typical awning will drop approx. 3 inches per foot extended. Thus, 17 feet is generally the maximum length of an extended residential type awning.

Check the space you have available for your retractable awning by measuring this area. An idea of how large an awning you need can be judged by doing this. A good clearance is needed as well. The size will also affect your windows that may be under the awning. The shade they provide will allow the interior immediately next to the awning to remain a little cooler due to the fact the sun will not be beating on the glass of the window.

A cool gadget that you can add is a sensor that automatically knows when to open and close the awning according to the weather. When the awning receives the set amount of light it will open the awning will roll itself out. As evening approaches the sensor will automatically retract your awning. Be sure to choose a quality retractable awning to ensure minimal headaches and aggravations down the road.

Low Maintenance Landscaping

Posted by Gary Antosh

The idea of having to maintain your beautiful landscape can be a frightening one as it can be very time consuming and labor intensive. If you are of the opinion that a garden with high maintenance needs is not for you, then you should consider planning one that has low maintenance requirements. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are constructing a low maintenance landscape.

Tips for a Low Maintenance Landscaping Designs

Use native plants in your design in place of “exotics”.

Because native plants have already adapted themselves to their surroundings, they are easier to maintain. They are generally easier to obtain and are less expensive than exotics.

Make use of snowmelt systems

If you live in an area that has heavy snowfalls, it is a wise idea to invest in a “snowmelt” system. Basically, this is a series of hot water pipes that melt the snow, thus saving you hours of backbreaking work.

Have automatic irrigation systems

An irrigation system set on a timer will water your plants without you having to stand with a hose for hours. Set up the system when you are constructing the landscape and it will save you a lot of time.

These automatic systems can be purchased in many places and are relatively inexpensive.

Use Mulch

Using both organic (that which decomposes) and inorganic mulch will assist in the prevention of soil erosion and makes an excellent weed suppressant. Mulch also assists in water conservation as it reduces evaporation and reduces soil temperatures around the roots of plants.

Plant arrangement

Choosing to use larger groups of similar plants can reduce maintenance levels. If you have similar plants grouped together it is easier to control the watering, fertilizing and pest reduction as they have similar needs. Haphazard plantings of single varieties can make your job more difficult. It is also wise to create your beds so that they are narrow enough to allow easy access.

Regardless of all of these points, how you plant your specimens is vital. If they are not correctly planted according to individual plant requirements, they will either not grow to their full potential or may even die. This adds to your maintenance.

Ensure Simplicity

A simple “minimalist” landscape is much easier to look after and if planned correctly can actually look far more attractive than a complex design. Rule number one is to ensure that you do not “over-plant”; you should allow for space for the plants to grow freely. This will ensure that you don’t have to prune or trim as often. Keep the variety of plants to a minimum as well.

Reduce size

Large, expansive gardens are fantastic to view but take a huge amount of maintenance to keep up that look. Home landscaping is best done on a smaller scale. Even without the use of rock speaker system, a smaller variety of plants in a small garden can be welcoming. If you have a large yard, reserve a small part of it closer to the house for landscaping coupled with an outdoor wireless speaker and allow the rest to naturalize.

Following these simple tips will save you lots of time and money.

Find Out The Best Way To Build A Storage Shed

Posted by Ed Clyde

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

You understand you want to store all of your garden items. You most probably 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 illustration are you considering buying a new mount on lawn mower, or a snow blower? This are items you may need to store and your novel garden shed may become their home., but only if its vast enough.

Then where are you going to assign the shed? This will partially depend on what region you have obtainable, plus what style you are considering of going with. Lets say you have two selections of placement. One is tucked away in the back of the garden almost out of sight, and the other one is at the boundary of the flower bed. The one tucked away will be more than tough to get at. They both will accommodate the size of the shed you have in mind. Heres where your decision of fashion comes in. If you use the tucked away area, your style can be pretty standard due to the fact that its not going to intervene with your landscaping. But Then if you select the more clear space, they you are going to need a fancier style that will complement your garden. You will have to keep this in mind when you select your shed plans.

You will want to have at to the lowest degree a round budget in mind. When you go to get your storage shed plans you may have the pick of selecting your plans matching to what materials you need to use. Distinct materials have different cost ranges. For instance if the primary plan falls well within your budget then maybe a more lavish version will be an choice for you.

Be practical when selecting your plan. You are in all likelihood going to be astonished as to just how much you are going to have to opt from. If you arent aware 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. Youll see various that you actually like. Some of them look like little cottages. Now look at them realistically, they have to fit all the needs that your have described. Pick out two or three that you truly love and see if they resolve these doubts.

1. Are they the size that you need?
2. Will the size of the plan contain the positioning which you have selected?
3. If it needs a building permit, will it meet the criteria?
4. Is it elementary and simple to interpret for the beginner?
5. Does it give a sound listing of materials, and will these materials be promptly accessible in your area?

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

A Product Review Of MyShedPlans Product - Shed Plans

Posted by Zack Roberts

After reaching the decision of wanting to build my own garden shed, I knew that the very first thing I would need is some shed plans. The next question was where do I get them, and where do I start? I am far from being a carpenter and have very little knowledge in working with wood, or doing any type of woodworking for that matter. I knew I needed a starting point so I paid a visit to MyShedPlans. Which in the end turned out to be a wise move. The very first thing I discovered to my delight was, what they had to offer was for people exactly like me. Lots of energy but no talent.

To begin with I felt comfortable, because there wasn’t a lot of technical terms being thrown at me from the start. The next thing I saw were some great pictures of a variety of styles of sheds. This was ideal for me because I had some basic ideas of what I wanted, and some of the samples shown were pretty much what I had hoped for. I didn’t want to be restricted to building one style only. By doing that it may not have be to my liking, plus it may have been too complex for a novice like myself. That problem was solved here at this site.

Now that I felt at ease knowing I had come to the right place I was able to settle down and start scrolling down the page. Right away I was offered the chance to view a video, which of course I did, and found it to be informative and encouraging. As I continued, I was pleased to see that I could actually download it immediately, that not only would give me full instructions on how to build my shed, but will give me plans for many others. I knew that if the cd were as clear and simple to follow as the site was, I would have no problems at all.

While there I got some first hand knowledge of what can go wrong with other courses and instructions that you could purchase elsewhere if you were new to shed building. This was a good way to start, by knowing what not to do. By now I felt completely comfortable with anything this site had to offer by way of instruction. I knew that whatever I was going to need I would find here, plus lots more for future projects as well. I even discovered that if I wanted to become even more serious about woodworking projects, that I could take a course that was being offered here.

At this point I was excited, because over the course of reviewing this site my confidence had been boosted. I knew now that I could really do this project with the expert direction of what I found here. The testimonies from other satisfied customers just confirmed this. When you see all of the other potential projects that can be completed and the numerous support products that are available, for just about anything you want to build relating to wood ,it pushes you to just get out and get at it.

Drive Those Pests Away from Your Garden

Posted by Gary Antosh

It is vital that, in any landscaping project, a pest control program is included. Unwanted insects and other problems will be attracted to the newly created environment because of the seemingly inexhaustible food supply, nicely damp soil and ideal breeding ground. Here are a few ways that you can maintain control over these pests.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes thrive in moist conditions and they will breed in any puddle. They can be eradicated using repellants, but a better alternative is the mosquito magnet. Repellants contain chemicals that can be harmful to people and the environment. Mosquito magnets kill mosquitoes without the use of these chemicals. The magnet releases a gas that resembles human breath to a mosquito and it is attracted to the machine, where is succumbs to dehydration.

Regardless whether you use a magnet or another way to get rid of mosquitoes, you should follow these rules to reduce the amount of mosquito breeding in your garden:

* Rid your garden of any pools of still, stagnant water.

* Clean any areas that collect water, such as a birdbath, daily to kill any mosquito larva.

* Keep any ponds or pools aerated and in the case of swimming pools, maintain the chlorine or salt level at all times.

* Any aquatic plants in ponds will attract mosquitoes, so check them regularly.

* Fish and other aquatic animals will eat mosquitoes, so fill your ponds with these.

* Drip irrigation will water your plants, but the soil surface will remain relatively dry.

Earwigs

These creatures are readily seen in gardens that have accumulated piles of lawn cuttings, leaves and foliage. Here are a few ways to rid your garden of these pests:

* Make it a regular occurrence to clear the garden of such debris.

* Some mulch can result in an infestation of earwig, so check your mulched areas regularly.

* Use the drip irrigation as in the case of mosquito control to maintain a dry soil surface.

* Include “bird friendly” features in your landscape. The birds will be a natural controller of the earwigs and other pests.

Controlling Animal Pests

Most gardens will seem attractive to animals. Some areas prevent the killing of these pests, so it is best to discourage them from entering your property.

Here are some tips to discourage animals such as groundhogs, moles and rabbits from coming into your yard:

* Maintain your fences and ensure they are pest proof.

* Rid your garden of areas where the animals may hide out, such as tall grass, weeds and leaf piles.

* Use objects such as pinwheels as “scarers” around your fence to discourage the more timid animals.

* Use traps that will capture the animal humanely, allowing you to free them into the wild.

Live Animal Traps

These are as they suggest, a trap that captures the animal alive, allowing for it to be released some distance from your home. There are a number of these traps available, but the best are the havahart traps. They are easy to use and come in a number of sizes. They are safe to use around children and pets. You can purchase these online from the website havahart.com.

Organic Pest Control Methods

Common organic products, most of which came from plants sources and are readily available and you may even have at home, can be mixed together to make anti-pest formulas that are powerful enough to kills pests but are not harmful to humans or to the environment. Such organic products include insecticidal soap, oil of Neem plant, horticultural oil and seeds of various plants eg Pyrethrims. With some knowledge you can easily make your own at home.

Organic Gardening: Lawn and Garden Landscaping

Posted by Amanda Maseko

The idea of organic horticulture appeal to some as a pursuit particularly those who have a green finger. This might not be everybody’s cup of tea so consider yourself lucky if you are amongst those who can grow green things out of the blue. Organic gardening involves particular skills: you have to know the type of dirt, what kind of flowers you can place on them, how you will take care of those plants, aside from the many other considerations that you must be aware of when you are serious about it.

All this might seem confusing to a beginner but if you are an experienced hand, then these aspects are already familiar to you and you could comfortably begin the organic way to grow things. This method of horticulture is harder than regular horticulture as much more effort and labor is needed to do it this way.

The basic rule of organic gardening is that you will only use synthetic merchandise where it is absolutely needed. This will include the important elements such as the fertilizers and the pesticides. Secure all that you need for your horticulture from the earth and then use them for your efforts. This would enable you to grow anything you wish, like flowers, veggies or any other green you wish. Are you getting the point? This is nothing but working with everything that is provided by nature.

Can plant foods also be organic?

If you are wondering if this is at all feasible, it is, and you are there to make it. You can make your own compost from the materials found in your garden. Things that you would require are fallen leaves and twigs and animal manure but it would depend of the type used and other elements.

Organic Pesticides

Organic horticulture wants, as much as feasible, to stay away from pesticides. But if you can’t afford to pick the insects one by one by your bare hands, then you can go to your local food market store and ask for an organic pesticide that is available commercially. The old way really is to be watchful with your garden and take off each pest that you see. Depend on organic pesticide when the worms and other insects are too some in numbers and you cannot control the situation yourself. You can also try to bring in the animals that feed upon those pests. This way, you’ll have some help in cleaning those pests up and this also helps the other animals satisfy their hunger.

As is evident, all these things take up a lot of time and unless you can give as much time to this pursuit, or get someone who can partner the responsibilities, it is wise to drop the idea altogether till such times that you are more organized with manpower and time. Organic horticulture really entails a lot of hard work so you had better be prepared to perspire in the process. To ease your tiredness when you are already into it too deep, just think that what you are doing is serving nature. This is a simple way to thank nature for all the goodness that has been presented to you since birth.

A Look at Wooden Garden Furniture

Posted by Amanda Maseko

A set of reliable garden furniture would be great to add an element of drama to your garden. But there are some very important aspects when choosing the right furniture as they will to fit into the existing theme. It is an established fact that modern day users have a very high expectation from every single piece of garden furniture they purchased. The most important quality of all is to ensure fit into the decor of your garden.

Your back yard, for instance can be turned into an outdoor dining room where you can add a bar, a fireplace and some simple embellishments to make a very welcoming space to spend evenings with a group of friends in front of a roaring fire. The same principles apply when you select garden furniture as you would when choosing furniture for your living room. The way you add furniture will determine how it will be transformed. A large dining area would be nice if you have a big family or simply leave to entertain friends. Your backyard needs to be large enough to house those furniture and embellishments you may like to add later.

Various types of wood and metal are used in modern garden furniture. These creations can be elegant or classy. Proper maintenance will ensure it will be with you for years to come. What differentiates outdoor with indoor furniture is the ability to withstand the harsh environment. Maintenance and care are still very important aspects though.

Comfort is not to be compromised when choosing your garden furniture. It depends on what you have in mind - you can choose cushioned chairs, bench seats, love-seats to rocking chairs and lounges. Place small side tables to let your guests use them to place their drinks or snacks during a conversation. Outdoor furniture comes in a splash of vivid colors and you can definitely find one that is right for you. Purchase from a collection or you can pick from pieces and mix and match.

Any type of social gathering outdoors requires the use of suitable garden furniture. Check out those large tables that let you entertain more people at your next outdoor dinner party. For formal settings, oblong tables would be great and you can entertain between ten to twelve guests at the same time but a round table is ideal if the space is smaller and you can have between four to six guests at one time. If you would like to create an adult entertaining space, include a bar outside for your guests. No matter what your personal preferences are, there will always be one to suit your needs.

Great Window Sitters from Flowering Plants

Posted by Kent Higgins

Annuals are a variety of plant which grows and blooms only once in its lifetime, meaning they must be replaced annually. While this certainly has its drawbacks, annuals also have many advantages over other plants like perennials. For one their cost is much less, being grown primarily from seeds which can produce thousands of plants with just a single packets of seeds. You’re also not restricted by having the exact same plants in your garden every year if you’d rather have a change of scenery each year. Their bloom period is quite long, and they’re also great for cutting.

One of their disadvantages is that they bloom much later than established perennials, so a bed filled with nothing but annuals will be quite devoid of life for the early part of the growing season. Having a nice mix of annuals and perennials in each bed is a good way to alleviate this problem. There are a good number of hardy annuals as well which can be planted in the fall so as to get an early start on spring, and these are another option when it comes to balancing out your beds. These hardy annuals include poppies, larkspur and cornflowers. If you decide against planting them in the fall, you can at least get a hard start on them early in the spring once the ground is suitable for planting.

For your less hardy annuals, getting them started in seed pots early in March is a good plan of action. Otherwise you may be forced to wait a good month or more until all risk of frost has disappeared. First make sure to carefully pulverize your seedbed with a rake before planting and eliminate all lumps.

Once your seeds have been placed and lightly covered with soil you can gently tamp down the soil above them. Leave a stake in the ground, with some sort of identifying mark or sign to remind you which plant is in that spot. Small flower seed plants should be placed no more than an inch beneath the surface, while larger plants such as sunflowers should be planted to a greater depth, and from two to four feet apart.

Annuals are most often planted in rows, which can speed up the process when planting multiple plants, and gives them a nice alignment when they emerge from the earth. To do this, dig a shallow trench, again not more than one inch deep for flower seeds. This can either be done with a trowel or your hands. You can now fill it with seeds. Go ahead and leave more than you might think is necessary, you can always trim out any excess plants later. Thinning will likely be required at some point anyway to ensure each plant has sufficient room, so unless you’re really cautious on the seeding, this will be a required task at some point.

Before transplanting any plants from a pot to the ground, you should expose them to outside air for stretches of time beforehand to help get them acclimated in the landscape. The soil in the pot should also be used in its new location, which gardeners and landscapers rarely do in gardening and landscape preparation. If you can hold off on the transplanting until a cool and damp day, these are ideal weather conditions for this process. If the ground is dry be sure to water it both before and after transplantation. If you must transplant on a sunny day, set up some sort of barrier to provide the plant with shade. Once the plants are established these barriers can be removed.

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