House Plant Care Tips

Plants are commonly found in homes across North America and Europe. With an endless supply of types available for purchase, there is a variety for everyone. Unlike many things, adding the living touch of a plant to your home or office can be very inexpensive, with little to no cost to maintain. As water, fertilizer and light are the only requirements for a plant's survival, it comes as no surprise that quite a few people have tried to grow plants.

Its a fact that many folk are taking home plants a step further and taking up home hydroponics.

Hydroponic growing allows you to grow plants indoors without the need for soil and is now very popular.

Because so most have killed purchased house plants that they have tried to care for, many people believe they have black thumbs. Without proper soil, your plant cannot survive. By fertilizing the soil, you can ensure the roots of your plant has access to all things required to make sure your plant alive and well.

If you are still having issues keeping your plants alive, you should look for other reasons that your plant is dying. Things like bottled water may be the cause of plant death, as some variants strip the water of all nutrients, which your plants need to survive. Another common cause of plant fatality is the exposure to pets or children. Pets and children can harm the leaves, which can result in plant death.

Even if you have always believed you have a black thumb, it is not impossible to learn how to keep plants thriving. You might even try growing your own with home hydroponics one day, after all having all of the plants even closer to you, indoors ensures that your plants will get a greater chance to thrive thanks to hydroponics!

The Pleasant Surroundings Of A Japanese Landscape

Making A Japanese Garden

The Beauty of Bamboo Landscaping

Bamboo landscaping is really quite appealing. Moreover, bamboo has long been an accepted product used in gardening and landscaping but today with so many folks concentrating on ecology, bamboo landscaping has skyrocketed.The explanation is that bamboo is more like a grass than a tree. When bamboo is trimmed, it grows back fast.

While bamboo can be used in any garden, it is frequently incorporated in the creation a Japanese garden. For this style of garden, there are very specific elements and materials used. Furthermore, there are different styles that can be built. With the dry garden, sand is used, raked carefully into patterns that reflect the rippling of waves. In the center of the “pond”, a rock is placed, which represents an island.

However, the most amazing styles for making making a Japanese garden are plant life and water. This type of garden would generally have a small water fountain, which would include a waterfall, pond, or stream. As a part of the pond you would think about adding a small bridge, a deer chaser, post light, and different styles of plants such as floating lilies.

Then, Japanese garden fences are also a common dynamic, which are made from bamboo. These fences are utilized to create a feeling of privacy. The whole idea of the Japanese garden is balance of beauty and harmony. This is the one place where after a hectic day, you will be able to sit or walk, finding rest for the body, mind and spirit.

In Japan and even some of the bigger Japanese gardens in the US, a teahouse will be erected. Now, in creating Japanese landscaping, the teahouse does not need to be big and complicated, just a small area where you can sit and relax and take in the beautiful nature of the garden. In fact, many home improvement companies and gardening centers actually sell kits if you want to do it yourself.

The bottom line is that while there are many types of gardens, it is difficult to surpass the beauty found with a well thought out Japanese garden. Incorporating bamboo construction and landscaping, Japanese garden fences, lots of trees, plants, and flowers, as well as the other elements cited, the appearance would be finsihed. With the garden being completed, you are certainly to be the envy of every other person in your neighborhood and for good reason.

Again, to gain a better understanding as to the making of a Japanese garden, you will find hundreds of fine books that can be used for guidance.

Also, the internet is an abundance of information. While surfing, you can look at the various pictures, taking the different elements you like the most and designing a garden based on personal preference, yard size, yard configuration, and budget.

Get more ideas on outdoor remodeling visit Outdoor Landscaping Ideas and for more visit Landscape Designs For The Southwest

Wild Orchids Could Be Growing In Your Town

Everybody "knows" that orchids are strictly tropical or subtropical plants. But in fact, orchids can be found in almost every part of the globe outside of the deserts and the polar regions.

About 85% of orchid types will inded be found in the tropics and subtropics, but that leaves a large number to the more temperate zones. Among other things, this means that you will not be out of luck if you live in a cool area and want to grow orchids, but do not have a greenhouse or other heated area in which do so so.

The number of known orchid species is in the tens of thousands. You might be amazed to know that there might be orchids growing in your own neighborhood, even if your home is in one of our more northerly locations. Take the relatively common Lady Slipper.

Lady Slippers (also written Lady's Slippers and Ladyslippers) is a name given to a large subfamily of orchids, the Cypripedioidea, with many species that grow in cool climates across North America and Europe. If you live in the New England states of the U.S., or the Appalachian mountain region, or even in Canada, you might find Lady Slippers of one variety or another growing in the woods near your home.

A species of Lady Slipper is the state flower of Minnesota. Another is the official state wildflower of New Hampshire. The Canadian province of Prince Edward Island has a Lady Slipper as its official flower.

If you're considering growing orchids, especially in an outdoor garden, you would do well to consider a native species. It will already be adapted to your particular climate, and--if you live in a place that experiences low temps in the winter--you might not even have to bring it inside when cold weather arrives.

One of the prettiest native-American orchids is the Yellow Lady Slipper. It is also among the easiest orchids to grow in a garden. On the other hand, the Pink Lady Slipper is extremely difficult to grow.Although both of these orchid types are beautiful, you should choose the Yellow Lady Slipper for your garden -- unless you have a lot of experience.

Nurseries that specialize in orchid plants tend to run out of stock from time to time. Nevertheless, Lady Slippers are generally some of the easiest orchids to acquire. These are also more inexpensive, generally speaking, than plants from exotic or distant regions of the world. They are a great orchid for getting your thumb green, so to speak, before you take on the challenge of rarer or more "foreign" types.

All of the rules governing successful orchid cultivation apply to the Lady Slippers and similar plants. You need accurate information before you begin trying to grow these or other orchids, and  the best, most complete guide to modern orchid cultivation, without a doubt, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which can be downloaded from the web. Mr. Howard's guide is a complete course in itself, suitable for beginners as well as the more experienced. Also, visit the Orchid Secrets web site, which has a growing database of articles on many aspects of orchid cultivation.

Many Options: Gardening

There are many options when deciding to start gardening, such as what type of garden to start.  Home gardening is becoming more popular again, although not always in the traditional ways it was in the past.More people live in apartments and condominiums that ever before, so traditional methods of gardening do not work in those situations.  However, that does not mean that those people have to miss out on the rich rewards offered through the experience of gardening.

Options for Apartments

Container gardening is one of the best options for gardening in a smaller place such as an apartment or condominium.  All that container gardening means is that the plants are grown either indoors or on a deck or porch where they are potted in containers where they grow.  There are ways to grow flowers and vegetables in these containers as long as the care that is required goes into the entire process. 

Container gardening requires that the soil in the containers is potting soil so that it holds the nutrients and also the water that is needed.  Container gardening also requires that the plants be watered more frequently than outside plants of the same species, since they tend to dry out more quickly in the smaller pots.In addition, although the plants require sunlight, plants in containers get much hotter than those outside in direct sunlight, so the container gardener should be careful to monitor where the pots are placed and give them plenty of water.

Options for the Health Conscious

Organic gardening is a great choice for those who are health conscious and do not want to put foreign chemicals in their bodies.Organic gardening means that the gardener does not use traditional pesticides or fertilizers in growing the plants.  Extreme organic gardeners do not even buy seeds that are not certified to be organic.  That way they can be assured that the vegetables and fruit from start to finish are safe and healthy.

Organic gardening does take more preparation on the front end than traditional gardening, as well as research as different pest problems are encountered so that they can be solved through organic means.However, the payoff for the extra work is great when fresh, organically grown vegetables and fruits grace the salads and meals.

The way that organic gardeners get around the fertilizer issue is through the use of compost.It is easy to begin piles of compost; with just a few grass clippings or leaves the gardener is on his way to great mulch.

For more about gardening please visit www.organicgardeningzone.com

Bringing Orchids Into Your Life and Heart

Nowadays, we have a wonderful choice of plants available to us, whether for decorating our homes or brightening up our offices. Further, we never tire of them, regardless of how familiar they become; in fact, we seek out more of them, and want to add new ones to our home and work places.

Flowers especially have a powerful effect on most human beings. Lots and lots of folks are undeniably drawn to the aristocratic orchid, among all the flowers in the world.

Orchids are called "conquerers of the light" by some. They astonish upon first encounter and continue thereafter to exert a profound fascination. Nature has been extra kind to the orchids. Their flowers are elegant and bright. The orchid's odor is a sweet one, but it is never cloying. Their texture is then, which misleads many into assuming they are delicate. Yet they can last longer after being cut than many another ornamental bloom. Really, the only thing they "lack" from the standpoint of aesthetics is thick foliage. But this is not a serious deficiency: one can always fill the space around them with fern leaves for an attractive arrangement.

For a long time, people assumed taht these wonderful flowers were too delicate to grow with ease. This was a mistake. It's not as difficult as many people assume to cultivate orchids; in fact, many hobbyist growers can outperform professionals when it comes to producing extraordinarily striking plants. The key is to study up first, using a good modern guide to the art and science of orchids and orchid growing. By getting educated on the subject, you can assure yourself of success.

It is a common myth--yet a myth nonetheless--that orchids require high heat to thrive. Not true! Certainly, most orchids come from the tropics ultimately. However, a large number of them in their native habitats grow high on mountainsides exposed to cool, crisp air. Subjecting such plants to high temperatures would retard their development--if it didn't kill them.

Whether you consider yourself a green thumb or not, you can grow these loveliest of flowers. Imagine "gifting" a lover or friend with an orchid that you grew yourself. Envision yourself growing breathtaking orchids so nearly perfect that they win prizes. Picture yourself going so far with your orchid growing hobby that it becomes a business, perhaps one big enough to provide you with a living. These things are all possible to you, even as an orchid newbie.

One of the best and most complete guides to modern orchid growing is undoubtedly Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, available online. Now, there's tons of information out there about orchids. But Howard's is the most complete all-in-one reference that I've ever seen. You might also want to visit the Orchid Secrets web site, which has a growing database of articles on all aspects of orchids.

Here's to a great orchid experience!

Take Care When Transplanting Plants

Transplanting Plants Takes Care

You may have a plant that has outgrown its current residence or you may need to thin out another, whatever the reason for transplanting plants, care needs to be taken.  For the best results care of the root system is adamant.

The cooler weather and fresh spring rains can add to the success of your transplanting project.  If you live in a milder climate area successful transplanting can be done almost any time of the year.  But in the harsher climates where there is the transition from a cold winter, mild spring, to a hot dry summer, springtime is the best.

Entry Plants and Backyard Patio Plants

You may have plantings in your front entry garden that need transplanting and you were hoping to put the transplants in the backyard or back patio area.  If you live in a mild climate this may work well, but if you live in an area where the backyard receives lots of hot sun, a plant moved from the shade will not survive in the direct sun.

First, find the perfect location for your transplanted plant, then prepare the area.  Have the hole ready and fresh soil on hand to gently pack your front or backyard plants into place.  Be sure to keep the root ball intact with a small amount of soil while moving it to its new home.

A healthy root system is vital to successful transplanting.  While a certain amount of pruning of the roots is good, too much may kill the plant.  A small stem with a bit of fresh growth with a large root area is best.  Too much growth on top and a small, weak root will not do well.

Once you have the front or backyard plants roots cut, lateral roots will grow.  These new roots are extremely fibrous, which makes them capable of absorbing nutrients and water quite well.  Once the plant is in the ground in the new location, you will find the new lateral roots actually produce a much healthier and stronger plant.

Rock Plants

Rock plants that have been planted to fill in the spaces between the rocks on a garden retaining grow mostly in a mossy type soil.  They seem to do well when transplanted as long as they receive the same amount of water, drainage and are planted in the same type of soil.

Find more info on outdoor landscaping visit Landscape Designs For The Southwest

A Flower Garden In Your Home?

Flowers are just about the prettiest things you can have in your garden. They look nice, smell great and they are available in all sorts of colors and will liven up your yard. There is probably nothing better than having a big yard filled with flowers all year round. Sadly, most of us don't have a large space to work with. Nevertheless, here are some flower garden ideas that can make even a simple window box look like paradise.

Flower Garden Ideas: Flowers in your Home

Many people these days live in apartments in cities where concrete covered land is adundant. In fact, a large percentage of city children have actually never seen a real garden. The best thing that city folk can do is to create miniature flower gardens inside their home using pots and other containers. This can turn out pretty well if they employ good garden design ideas and if they choose the right kinds of flowering plants that will thrive in an enclosed environment that may not have too much sunlight.

An excellent way to have fun with indoor flower gardens is to use a wide variety of containers and not jut the boring all clay pots that you can buy in any gardening supplies store. You already know that you have a very limited garden space. You can make up for this in creativity and aesthetics. Using unlikely containers like an old sink or antique bucket in place of traditional flower pots can add loads of value to your flower garden and make it an instant conversation piece for visitors when you entertain. Besides, when you use recycle containers, you will be able to contribute a small part to helping the environment.

Flower Garden Ideas: Add Your Own Style to Your Landscaped Yard

Even if you have previously hired a landscape artist to lay out your garden design, feel free to modify it a bit in order to incorporate your own flower garden ideas. There will probably come a time when you'll get tired of your flower garden design and a change will be in order. You may want to switch from a very systematic arrangement to a more natural-looking mix of plants, flowers and rocks. No matter what your new flower garden ideas might be, just remember to position your plants in a way that they will receive as much sunlight as possible.

There are tons of great flower garden ideas in magazines or websites, and you can certainly take a look at these for suggestions but the best flower garden ideas are the ones that will show a bit of your style for a personal touch.

A great way to store all of your smaller items such as seed packets or hose bits and pieces is with a small decorative wooden tool box.

Carnivorous Plants

If you want to add a unique touch to your garden, carnivorous plants are bound to get attention. From the common Venus Flytrap to the Cobra plant, these exotics serve several purposes. In areas that have high populations of bugs, they can lowers the amount of flies or other insects that bother you. While the benefit is strictly related to the size and type of carnivorous plants that you own, these plants can provide a small level of relief while providing entertainment to adults and children alike.

There are five different types of carnivorous plants. Of course the most popular and more widely known are the plants from the Venus Flytrap plant family. Snap traps rely on a mouth that close in around its pray, where the plant will eat whatever it catches.

When a fly or insect walks on the surface, this activates a hair trigger and causes closure, as the traps closes it fills with an enzyme solution, and then it will dissolve the proteins from the insect. Digestion takes five to 12 days, after which the trap reopens, then the insect’s exoskeleton blows away in the wind or is washed away by rain.

Plants within the Venus Flytrap family have a large variety of different colored species found in various sizes.

Flypaper traps are among some of the coolest carnivorous plants. They are covered with dense, gland-tipped hairs and several tiny midge flies are stuck to the sticky hairs, which causes the insect to be enzymatically digested and absorbed by the plant. The type of secretion created by this particular plant can cause skin irritation to humans and therefore should be treated with caution.

Bladder traps plants are a fascinating subset of carnivorous plants. These plants function through the osmosis of water to create a suction within the body of the plant. This causes the walls to squeeze inward and explains their slightly concave appearance. Unlike many carnivorous plant species, these are more commonly found underwater than above ground.

Finally, the lobster pot traps are among some of the most unusual looking carnivorous plants that you can acquire, they function by giving insects an easy way to enter, but little chance of escape.

In the case of the corkscrew plant, the insides of the plant have downward pointing obstructions and a y-shaped leaf structure that prevents the escape of its prey.

If you do not wish to have a true carnivorous plant in your garden, but would like something with similar characteristics, there are several related species you may want to consider. These plants include the Brocchinia Roridula and members of the Martyniaceae species. They are not considered to be in the same classification as true carnivorous plants because they do not, attract, kill and digest prey.

If you decided to plant or house any type of carnivorous plant, you will need to be sure to keep them out of reach from children. While most of them are relatively harmless to humans, digestion of these plants should be avoided, due to the digestive enzymes that the plant utilizes to break down prey.

Making A Tropical Landscape Idea Work For You

A Tropical Landscape

Have you ever wanted a great garden landscape? Well through out the country a lot of people have decided that for their homes the best garden landscape for them would be a tropical landscaping idea. There are some things to consider though for a tropical landscape in order for gardens to be the of the best quality  as possible, for the plants to grow properly and ensure that the idea of a tropical garden becomes fruitful one. Being able to take your time and lay the plans the implementation of a tropical landscaping idea will be essential to getting exactly what you want in your home.

The Plants To Consider

There are a variety of plant types that can be used to complete a tropical landscaping idea.  The plants and flowers that are chosen should provide beauty and fragrance to the area around the house and will often have vibrant colors and l blooms to give the area a truly tropical feel.  The plants used in backyard landscaping should not be hard to care for and should be able to thrive in the environment that they are to be planted in.  A simple tropical landscaping idea includes plants that are easy to maintain and require little care to grow in the local climate.  If you live in a temperate area of the country, you can still use native blooms in an interesting style to create your tropical landscaping idea.

It is important that the climate in the area around the home will support the plants that are planted there so the plants will survive.  Different types of flowers have different needs so some of them will thrive in the area around the home while some others will quickly die because they will be unable to adapt to the area.  The level of sunshine that shines on the area will be very important because some plants do well with direct sunlight and some do better in shaded areas.  The care instructions for the plant will say how much sunlight each type of plant needs to survive.

Being able to maintain a landscape with minimal effort is ideal for any landscaping idea and this is also applicable for tropical landscapes. This means that the plants chosen for the tropical landscape should require the same amount of care in order that all the plants can have an equal share and be cared for in pretty much the same way. The types of plants to choose are the ones that can be planted near each other and the caretaker or gardener will be able to give the same level of care to all of them without having to worry about damaging or killing any of them. It has been known that tropical plants can be hard to care for so using local species using a tropical landscape design can be used to minimize such problems and if done correctly will give the same effect

Adding Tropical Décor Items

Finally, like any landscape design a tropical landscape idea must also include tropical décor materials, as this will allow the addition of focal points within the property. The tropical décor which you may use are easily found in most garden stores and nurseries, and the choices are plenty so anyone can be able to acquire tropical décor that is suited to their needs.

Why After Bloom Care Of Orchids Is An Primary Component In Growing A Beautiful Garden

Orchids are one of the most prized flowers for gardeners, because of their vast array of colors, shapes, and breeds.  Successful growing and after bloom care of orchids rely on specific environmental needs.  Orchids can be very picky flowers.  They need plenty of light and the correct amount of humidity to reach their potential.  There are many ways that the home gardener can improve their odds of successfully raising these beautiful plants.

Orchid Bark

Orchids have very specific nutritional needs and also require lots of water.They're often considered an exceptionally thirsty plant, both during the growing and after bloom care of orchids.  One additive that is crucial for home orchid growing is orchid bark.  It is created with a special blend of nutrients that add to the well being of the plant.It allows air to pass through as well, which is crucial for healthy plants.

Orchid Gardens

There are many resources available online and in the community to aid in orchid growing. Creating a beautiful orchid garden depends on the after bloom care of orchids.  You will need to begin by choosing a location for your plants.  Make sure that the spot has enough light and humidity, which can be increased by placing the plants near a water source.  Outdoor orchid gardens can benefit from springs or creeks.  They will both increase the humidity of the surrounding air and help keep the soil damp.

The next step is to choose the right kind of orchid bark for your specific plant. Research is key to this step.  There are many resources that will help you choose the right orchid bark blend for your variety of orchid.  Consulting with the staff at your local orchid nursery is a great place to begin, because they are experts at after bloom care of orchids.  The internet and nearby orchid associations will also have information.  Orchid bark can be found in both medium grade and regular.  Each of these products contributes something different to the soil.Once you have all of your elements purchased, you can begin to look at the landscaping and decoration of your orchid garden.

Such exotic plants look beautiful with features like a small fish pond or ornamental rocks. Placing a white picket fence around the perimeter of your garden will create a charming, quaint environment and will also help deter animals that would try to eat your orchids.  For all the attention you pay to the after bloom care of orchids, a single visit by local deer or rabbits could eliminate your blooms.  However, some types of wildlife will add to the beauty of your garden.  Try placing a hummingbird feeder in a tree near your garden to attract the tiny birds.

Creating a beautiful orchid garden is dependant on taking proper care of the plants. Follow all the orchid growing tips carefully to ensure that you are giving your orchids exactly what they need.  All the work will result in an exotic and unique garden that will bring tremendous joy.

Choose Your Watering System: Lawn and Garden Sprinkler

It’s every homeowner’ desire to have his garden green! There are so many methods to nourish garden lawns and plats.But installing irrigation systems can offer many rewards and benefits to the novice or the experienced gardener. You will come across a variety of different irrigation systems you can choose. In this manner, what is essential is to have a deep observation of the options you can have, and reach at an informed choice prior to purchasing them Irrigation supplies are always pricey. That is why, a little planning can save you a great deal of money.

Why will you choose drip irrigation?The choice of drip irrigation can rightly be the best suitable for you if you live in the areas with drier sort of climate, where you see scarcity of water. The most admirable think for a drip irrigation system is that it can deliver the supply of water carefully and exactly at the place where it is essentially required without wasting amount of water.

Installing Sprinkler Heads and Systems

Before installing sprinkler systems and heads, it is important to understand how they work. You can use sprinklers for watering plants and vegetation. Sprinklers facilitate spraying water in a special pattern sometimes known as sprays or sprinkler heads. These sprays are made and arranged to work under certain pressure. This is how , you can offer your garden water in sprinkling way .

Where do you get sprinklers from? They are available in a great many varieties for enriching your garden. Choose residential sprinkler systems for keeping your grass or vegetation green with less supply of water. Apart from this you can purchase lawn sprinkler systems for lawns , plants or crops.

Irrigation Sprinklers for Lawn and Garden

Lawn & irrigation sprinklers are effective for lawn and garden. If you search, you will see equipments and lawn irrigation systems formed to water garden lawn in effective manner. These equipments and systems are easy to install and portable to operate.

Previously many gardeners used oscillating type of sprinklers as they did not have other option of watering techniques . Fortunately , choose systems such as turbo oscillating and power pulsating sprinkler utilized for boosting your watering task . You can buy lawn and garden sprinklers suitable for usage as you can attach them to garden hose and we can shift them around the lawn and can adjust the pattern of spray as we desire.

As you decide to buy any drip irrigation supplies and sprinkler systems for your garden, visiting websites or to a nearest shop will help you decide which will best suit to your watering task.

4 Top tips to Grow tomatoes in containers and pots

I have been growing tomatoes in patio containers and pots this year with some success. My garden plot has always produced a good crop year on year. Over thirty years I have succesfully grown tomatoes in my garden plot. But growing my tomatoes in containers is anew departure for me.

The comparison between the pot grown tomato and those in the ground.

I grew 2 varieties this year moneymaker and an Italian cherry tomato variety. These seeds came with a vegetable magazine. I started off the seeds indoors in march and let them grow on in my conservatory. There were far to many plants for me alone so I gave away the surplus. Once the risk of frost had gone I set them out in the garder and in my containers and within a month I was picking tomatoes. My tomato plant still have plenty of tomatoes on them, it has been a good year. There were a few differences with the pot grown tomatoes that are worth mentioning.

Firstly the moneymaker tomatoes were slightly smaller than the ones grown on my plot.

Secondly there were not quite as many cherry tomatoes in the containers.

Other than that the results were very similar. The taste is uniformly excellent and the texture and colour very appetising. For the container grown tomatoes

I did treat them differently and with a bit more care.

Make sure you put tomato plants in a really big pot.

I like the root systems to have plenty of room and not become pot bound. Make sure you use a very large pot to allow full root growth. I used standard clay flower pots as I like the look of them but just use any large containers you have.

Water your tomatoes even if it rains.

We have had a dreadful summer in the UK this year and it has rained constantly. I still found that the pot grown tomato plants were wilting a bit if I didn’t check them for watering. This is not needed for tomato plants grown on the ground. The pot is protected by the leaves of the tomato plant and the water cannot get through to it. Very little water gets to the root of the plants. I always checked them morning and evening.

Be ruthless with pinching out side shoots on the tomato plants.

I only pinch out once or twice a season when growing tomatoes in the ground because they seem to do fine. I have learned this through trial and error. The moneymaker plants in pots were pinched out once a week to ensure that the fruits I did get were big enough and juicy enough. You do not need to pinch out cherry tomatoes because they do not suffer from being left to run. You can leave them alone safe in the knowledge that with regular watering they will give a good harvest.

Remove excess foliage once you have the tomato fruits.

I have always done this to tomatoes and do not know where I picked this tip up. I take away all the excess leaves to allow the sun to ripen the fruits better. You can ripen your tomatoes indoors but I like to leave them on the plant as long as possible to get ripe. By taking the leaves off you can get bigger tomatoes.

Growing tomatoes in containers

If you have missed this tomato season then I encourage you to plan ahead for your tomato growing in 2009. Grow some in pots and containers as well as in the ground. This can be great therapy for you after a busy day and can be done in any sunny spot.

Easy Ideas for Energy Efficient Landscaping

A pretty backyard can only go so far. Many experts have proven that energy efficient landscaping that takes into consideration energy needs, may well save a family more then 30% of their usual heat or cooling costs - either in the winter or summer. These savings could tangibly translate to almost $250 worth of savings in a year.

Of course we would all like to save on our energy costs but how can we do this?  There are several innovative ideas to look into when relandscaping your yard.

Keep the Sun Out

You may live in the southern most part of the country where summer days are long, hot and very dry.  On the other hand, you may live in the north where the winters are long, very cold and brutal and the days are short.  The type of landscape you have surrounding your home can make a huge difference.  You may need large shade trees to protect your home's walls from the sun's rays or you may want the sun to warm your home for as much of the day as possible.

Usually, the best way to keep the sun out is to design shade landscaping. Plant deciduous, dense, and broad trees to the south or west of the house, where their foliage can provide shade against the rays of the hot summer sun. Keeping the sun out can reduce temperatures to up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

You will also want the warm rays of the sun to heat the hardscape surrounding your home this will also increase the heat levels inside the home.

Adding Protection from the Wind

Wind chill can also cause your home to be cooler.  A cold winter wind blowing through your home can quickly drop the inside temperature by as much as 10%.

There are several types evergreens and other trees as well, that can act as excellent wind breaks.  A sturdy fence, sturdily set in place, can also help stop the wind.

Keeping Your Home Cool or Warm

One of the primary culprits in the wasting of energy is the heat or cool that escapes through the home's roof, windows and doors. It is imperative to find a way to keep heat or cool air inside the home.

Another way to help is through your energy effecient landscaping with thick shrubbery close to the home creating a natural barrier.  This barrier should be close but leave a small space between the walls and the plants creating a dead air barrier.  By communicating with your landscape architect your intentions he will know the best distance between home and shrubbery for this dead air barrier to be the most effective.

A properly maintained and landscaped home cannot only be attractive but practical.  You will saving hundreds of dollars each year by making energy efficient landscaping a priority.

Get more information of landscape plants visit Desert Landscape Gardens

 

The Many Benefits of Backyard Ponds

The beauty of a backyard pond would have been enjoyed by many people from time to time. A backyard pond can create a stunning landscape that is both different and welcoming. Backyard ponds create their own microclimate within your yard and give pleasure to your family and friends. However, did you know that a backyard pond can also benefit local wildlife?

Depending on the region where you live many wildlife species may enjoy the benefits of your pond. Butterflies, birds, turtles, snails, fish, frogs and bugs all have something to gain from access to a pond. By attracting wildlife of this type, you can add to the enjoyment that your pond brings.

Humans Love Ponds Too

If you expand the term "local wildlife" to include your family and friends, you'll see that there are many benefits to creating a pond in your garden. Scientific studies have shown that there are benefits to one's physical wellbeing by practicint relaxation techniques and practicing relaxation techniques, and spending time by a backyard pond and listening to the trickle of water is certainly a relaxing experience. If you are feeling stressed, spending time by your backyard pond can have a truly calming effect and change your mood.

Backyard ponds can create beauty in your life. Ponds and water features can create an exciting new environment for your family from a haven of relaxation to a scientific way to educate your children about an ecosystem.

Pond Pets

Backyard ponds can even provide an environment for special pets. Koi make popular fish pets that are at home in a backyard pond. Koi are closely related to carp, and they can grow to be up to 36 inches long. Koi can be very long living fish - up to 50 years - so koi keeping should not be taken up lightly.

However, if you can make the commitment to care for your koi, they can add to the relaxation and tranquility of your pond. Watching these graceful fish swim and interact with each other is a peaceful experience.

Designing Your Garden Pond

Due to the popularity of backyard ponds, you will find pond kits in nearly any garden center or superstore and you'll find easy instructions to build a backyard pond here. If you would prefer to have a professional handle the installation, many landscaping firms should be able to help and by grabbing a copy of "How To Build Your Own Garden Pond" you'll be well equipped to discuss your pond requirements.

Sprinkler Systems : Keeping Your Garden Green!

The development of shrubs, plants, vegetables and flowers in your garden feeds on the level of water you supply. You see hand watering or moving a lawn sprinkler fixed to the hose to deliver water to your garden is not an easy task. That is why , prepare a layout of proper watering method which can provide sufficient level of water and also save your time and your money as well.

If you install drip irrigation supplies that means your garden is going to get a desired level of watering by way of dripping at the root level of plants. Now what you can do is to consider for selecting a watering system as the requirement of your watering schedule keeping in mind what sort of plants or lawn you need to grow.

Preparing a Lawn Sprinkler System

Plan a suitable watering system for your garden realizing what sort of the soil and climate are. Moreover , what is very essential is to bear in mind that the watering technique or option you design for garden should have proper sort of pressure and flow of water.

When you plan a watering system , at the first stage, measure your yard and make a guess as to how much pipe you will need to buy . At the next step, you have to keep in mind which sorts of sprinkler systems just like sprinkler heads or valves you will require.

The very act of measuring your yard will give you fair idea where your sprinkler systems will go to get the maximum water coverage. Besides this, it works good when you keep the valve boxes at the proper place so that your valves are able to serve each zone proper level of water.

Why Lawn Sprinkler System is recommended?

Reasons are obvious for recommending garden sprinkler systems for your garden. This system performs moving water through pipe from one point to the other. You see that hand watering and shifting watering pipe from one place to other is painstaking task. So, such water supply by hand watering or using oscillator is often time consuming activity and also waste of water. This will offer your garden either over-water supply or under-water supply . Thus , installing suitable garden sprinkler system can give your garden a satisfactory level of water delivery which determines its growth.

Finding and selecting proper irrigation tools for your irrigation purpose is very important as right amount of watering is the marker to the development of your garden plants and vegetations .

Helpful Guidelines For Dealing With Pests At Home

The attempt to get rid of pests has been around as long as agriculture.

This industry is growing at a phenomenal rate. In the last 5 years, the pest control industry has seen an increase of about 50%.  It is now considered to be a $7 billion industry nationwide.

Remote locations have become a very a popular site for new homes. Many people have a strong desire to reside in the woods or desert. I think that few consider the fact that when you're constructing in certain areas, you are destroying the homes of insects and animals. Only when they enter your home are they labeled as pests

What is Pest Control?

Getting rid of unwanted pests is the ultimate goal. Where Structural home pest control is the control of household pests, including wood destroying pests such as termites, or simply unsanitary insects such as cockroaches, insect pest control tends to be the control of pests affecting your plants, garden, lawn and/or soil. It could possibly effect the house also, but it's the garden that we are more concerned about.

Protecting the plants in your garden must be done in order to have healthy produce results. Once pests are discovered in the yard, the damage has gotten out of control. Well there are measures you can take to help eradicate the problem.

What can we do to contain the unwanted pests in our garden?

Many people see gardening and home pest control as a do-it-yourself job. Well that's fair enough - up to a point. To have control over garden pests requires the acumen of a physician: you need to know the nature of the pests and determine how far these pests have damaged each specific plant before you can ascertain the appropriate pest control technology to use. Polls indicated that too many people feel they know what they're doing when they don't, and that they don't need to read or follow the instructions on the can.

The well being of both your family and any visitors into your home  could be affected by this over concentration of insecticide. Of course we are specifically referring to chemicals, as chemical pest control is still the predominant type of pest control today. Nonetheless, as people have become aware of the long-term consequences of using chemical pesticides, there has been a recent increase in research into more naturally friendly methods of pest control.

Periodic visits from a home control pest company is a must if you do not want to dirty your hands and yet still want to take control over domestic pest infestations. One advantage to monthly pest control is that someone should be looking at your house and garden for pest problems regularly. One disadvantage of monthly pest control is that homeowners insist that PCOs apply a chemical treatment monthly whether there is a pest problem or not!

It is astonishing to see the factual pattern of the pesticides used in the home and the garden:

1 Each year 67 million pounds of pesticides are applied to lawns.

2 Much more pesticide is applied to city lawn and gardens per unit area than to most farmland.

Please use any kind of pesticide with greatest caution. There are are insects which are a help in keeping the pests in check and the fear is you may kill them. This means you will have to spray more in the future. Further, various bugs contribute to plant pollination which helps your garden thrive and flourish. Don't use persistent, broad-spectrum, contact insecticides like diazinon, malathion and carbaryl. While these may seem to help, they actually provide only temporary control and kill more of the natural predators than the pests you are trying to eliminate. With their natural enemies eliminated, pest populations will rapidly multiply and you could end up with a bigger problem than you had before.

Do you, the consumer, know just how dangerous they are to you?:

1 Pesticides can be tracked inside as an EPA study found 23 different kinds in the dust and air collected from inside someones home.

2 Garden chemicals are harmful to our environment and the US Geological Survey routinely discovers evidence of them, especially weed killers, in the waterways around urban centers.

It's shocking to some people who feel we cannot live without these pest control methods.

Gardening and Natural Home Pest Control

We are convinced that the safe and successful way to control pests in your yard is through a natural balance of organisms in your lawn and gardens. Not only is natural pest control safer and more environmentally friendly than artificial chemicals, it's even cheaper.

There are several methods that can be used to help eradicate gardening pests:

1 Things you could try include traps, barries and row covers.

2 There are a variety of plants that provide both pollen and nectar constantly. Planting these will attract 'good' bugs to your garden.

3 You can keep pests from damaging your plants by preventing them getting to the plants in the first place. If you only see a few pests,physically removung them can sometimes keep the problem in check.

So, you are not alone, this is obviously a problem encountered by a vast number of people. Thousands of people across the world are also looking for pest control, so we hope this has been of help.

Making Terraced Gardens For Slopes

If your property has an incline or slope, it can be turned into a lovely garden oasis. Instead of a weedy eyesore, the slope could be a lovely flower garden. A vegetable garden would be a great option also. The slope can become a lovely planted area despite the rugged terrain, turning a liability into an asset.

Turn The Slope Into Terraces

Terracing a slope not only broadens your options for planting since you have level areas to work with, but it can also make for some breathtaking results. A level area is just so much easier to walk on and work there. While terraces have great benefits, making them in undeniably a lot of work. It can also be a little on the expensive side, depending on what materials are used for the walls.

In the past, railroad ties were considered a good source of material for making retaining walls for terraces. They’ve fallen out of favor these days, and especially aren’t recommended for organic gardens. Tthe creosote used to preserve the wood makes problems. Considering creosote is a toxic substance,contact with it can irritate the skin. If you breath in the fumes from creosote, they can irritate the respiratory tract.

Creosote is just flat out a toxic substance. Besides the problem of direct contact, there's also the fact it can leach into the water and soil. When it’s in the soil, it’s available for the plants to absorb, and if you’re growing vegetable plants, you’re going to eat whatever chemicals are in the plants. Creosote treated lumber for your terracing ijust sn’t a good idea.

Finding And Placing Safe Wall Materials

The new landscaping boards such as those found at Gardens Alive! that are made out of recycled plastics are an option when leveling out a small slope. For steeper slopes, use bricks, concrete blocks, modular retaining wall blocks or stone. These masonry options require varying levels of expertise, so be sure you know how to build walls with the materials you opt to use.

The steepness of the slope will dictate the height of the walls since the idea to provide level beds. The higher the walls are, the sturdier they obviously need to be, and well anchored. Large terraces also should have proper drainage, and be anchored well into the sides of the slope at each end.

The walls will have to bear a lot of weight from the soil pushing against them, and that will increase even more after a rain. If the walls aren’t built properly, they will bow outwards or even collapse.

This is a big task, so if building your own terraces seems like too much to do own your own, there are landscaping contractors that can do the work for you. It goes without saying that hiring a contractor is more expensive than doing it yourself, since you'll have to not only pay for materials, but the labor costs as well.

Put Plants In Those Terraces.

Due to erosion, slopes often have poor soil so it’s a good idea to enrich the soil before planting. Soil amendments such a well-rotted cow manure, rich loam, compost or other soil amendments to the dirt to make it a better growing medium. Keep in mind, however, that some plants like a poor soil, and if you’re growing that type, you won’t need to enrich the soil.

When the soil is ready, choose your plants, whether flowers or vegetables (DirectGardening.com - Offers quality plants at great prices). You could plant vines along the top edge of the walls, using either vegetables that vine, or flowering or foliage type vines, depending on what type of plants you’ve decided to raise in the terraced beds.

Long Lasting Terraces.

Creating terraces on a slope is a lot of work, and in some cases a lot of expense, but it’s a great way to eradicate an eyesore, improve your land, and provide another place for an organic garden full of flowers or vegetables.

There's never too much space for planting.

Indoor Organic Gardening

The process is still the same whether you are growing plants indoors in your home or you are using a greenhouse for indoor organic gardening. There's a lot more to organic gardening than just getting rid of dangerous chemicals and unnatural substances from the products you use every day to help your plants grow. This involves every aspect of nourishing your plants with healthy foods as well as eliminating pests with the aid of "good" pests to get rid of the "bad" pests. It's similar to the farmer who puts a scarecrow in the garden to repel the crows. It's a matter of utilizing products that are on hand, and making use of our resources to combat the problems during indoor organic gardening.

If you are going to have an indoor garden, it is more important to do organically as opposed to an outside garden. Perhaps that doesn't sound politically correct, but in essence, you are putting your own family at risk if you use harsh chemicals on the plants you grow indoors. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't care just as much if you're growing things outdoors, but outdoors, oftentimes the natural elements in the air will eliminate many of the toxins that might otherwise become a part of the plants themselves, but when you grow things indoors, you do not have the potential for that to happen. Thus, it's more important to practice indoor organic gardening for the safety of your family and those who may enter the building where your plants are housed.

Home gardening can be a great experience itself due to limited available spaces, especially if you have a porch or tiny room as compared to a greenhouse which has lots of space. You, of course, want to choose plants that you are going to grow contingent upon the space you have available so that they will be able to grow properly, and you can keep them healthy for the duration of the time they must be indoors. For example, unless you have a greenhouse, you are not going to grow lettuce, potatoes, or corn because there isn't enough room. In fact, one couldn't even grow corn in a greenhouse, though they may attempt lettuce or potatoes if it's a big enough building.

When growing organic plants indoors, make sure plants have space to grow and to use organic pest control rather than chemicals. Indoor planting requires both knowledge and preparation and if you are doing it for the first time you should be sure of what exactly are the needs and arrange for all the organic products in advance.

Hydroponic Nutrients are Key to Successful Soil Free Gardening

Hydroponics can be defined as a method for growing plants in water rather than soil. The principle behind it is that different media bearing all the nutrients of natural soil will support the growth of plants. Therefore, it's these nutrients which are the most vital component in the hydroponics process. When using soil for plants, fertilizers contain only those essential nutrients which the soil may be lacking. But still, in the case of hydroponic plants, these fertilizers are not adequate and therefore fertilizer formulated specifically for hydropolic systems are the ones that you have to use.

Different plants need different proportions of nutrients for different times. If you are looking for hydroponic nutrients for your plants, look for the ones with easy to read labels. The best ones are the ones that just say "grow" or "bloom" or some such. With this type of mixture, even a new gardener knows what to pick! Change the nutrients along with the growing cycle of your plants. The elements become depleted as the plant grows, so the solution needs to be changed. At certain times, important components can run out more quickly. Ideally you should change the solution every two weeks. Keep in mind that the proportion of nutrient solution and water remains consistent. If the fertilizer level increases due to evaporation of water, it could cause extensive root damage.

Usually the hydroponic nutrient solutions that are available are sold as a concentrate. The grower has to mix it according to the instructions and as per the requirement of the plant. For plants that are in poor growing conditions, like overheated flowerbeds or in low lighting, a weaker solution should be used. A weaker solution can aid even delicate newly planted cuttings. Use a regular solution on your normally growing healthy plants. You are ripe for a stronger solution if your garden can handle high growth with enough carbon dioxide distribution and lighting. Natural sunlight or good grow lighting like fluorescent grow lights are key. However, it is advisable to increase the concentration of the fertilizer gradually to save the plant from burning up.

Though the concentrate to water ratio is in the range of 150 – 600 parts per million, the level for most of the plants is 300 – 400 ppm. Remember that this is not to be mixed with any part of a nutrient solution but with water.

Now that you are aware of the need for different nutrients, you need to know which ones to use.  It is important that you know what nutrient you need. Your first consideration should be your growing medium--whether it be stone wool, sand, coco, etc. For instance, if coco is the medium you are using, go in for specific nutrients like canna coco nutrients. Super Veg A or Super Veg B would be ideal, and is a great formula for a vegitable in the crop stage.

The medium will determine the type of nutrient requirement. The best hydroponic ingredients are composed of mixtures of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Nitrogen is essential for leaf growth and development. Potassium helps in the process of cell production and phosphorus is responsible for root development and flowering.

Controlling Pests With Organic Gardening

The idea of organic gardening pest control is not a new theory, and in fact is as old as agriculture. Unfortunately, since World War II, synthetic pesticides have supplanted organic pest control in technologically advanced countries. These pesticides harm both the environment and those who consume the plants on which they are sprayed. More and more people today are doing organic gardening and prefer not to use pesticides. There are varying beliefs on the use of these products, with some people opposing their use only on food crops, whereas others simply try to reduce their use as much as possible.

There are a variety of sensible reasons that appeal to logic for using organic gardening pest control methods. Most importantly, if pesty insects are left alone, free of pesticides, they ae less likely to become resistant "super bugs". Organic methods tend to be less polluting and blend into the ecosystem around it instead of disrupting it. In addition, because many of the pesticides that are available are derivatives of petrochemicals, their costs are higher, thus making alternatives more attractive. Whatever the reasons may be for avoiding their use, the organic gardener has to be prepared to work in order to make up for the loss of those chemical products that he chooses to abstain from using.

Organic gardeners have several effective, non-chemical methods that they can utilize to control garden pests. One of the easiest ways to avoid pest problems is by varietal selection, which entails choosing seed varieties that have been bred to be resistant to pests and diseases. The cultural control method of organic gardening pest control involves changing your gardening methods in order to reduce the hospitality that your garden offers to pests. This may mean removing or burning diseased plant material and destroying weeds and plan debris that provide hiding places for insects. Using stakes to keep fruits off the ground as well as pruning to remove diseased limbs, removing sickly plants, proper building of the soil, and making sure the plants are in raised areas in rainy seasons also help control diseases and pests. Crop rotation can also help in the prevention of disease and in pest control.

Using non-pesticide methods for pest control may not be as quick as the use of pesticides, but it is safer and over time, these methods will not simply repel the insects for the current season but prevent their reappearance in other corps. Organic gardening pest control might entail a lengthier process, however, all the effort is repaid.

Hydroponics Grow Guide- Why you should use the Internet

Anyone who is interested in learning how to grow hydroponics should understand what a huge resource the Internet is going to be to them here. Whether you are! looking for a hydroponics grow box, any other type of hydroponics equipment or just want to use the fabulous resources available on the Internet to use as a hydroponics grow guide, this is an opportunity that you are going o want to be aware of.

If you are looking for websites to use as a hydroponics grow guide, here are a few of the first websites that you are going to want to check out.

Hydroponics Online

If you want tons of useful information on the art of hydroponics, and this includes information on how to get started, how to properly care for your plants, what sort of plants you should grow, and so on. Then one of the top sites by far that can be used as a hydroponics grow guide is the Hydroponics Online Company.

They are certainly one of the best options available to you if you are looking for a hydroponics grow guide, one that you can trust in to offer you the information that you need and which will stay updated so you can always rely on it for the most advanced, up to date information.

Hydroponicist

Another great option for a hydroponics grow guide that you have is this, Hydroponicist. They represent an education, in-depth, up to date guide that covers all the most basic to the most advanced aspects of hydroponics, including how to get started, which plants you should choose, how to care for them, and so on.

It will even offer you a list of secrets to successful indoor gardening. These secrets are from professionals and you can learn them all here. They also have on offer interesting daily chapter excepts which gives you a great opportunity to get talking about different issues you are having with your hydroponics growing.

As you can see just from the two online companies discussed here, the Internet is a fantastic resource when it comes to learning about something like hydroponics growing. Whether you are a beginner and have no idea where to start or have been growing for years and just want to brush up on your information and get some helpful tips, these websites will be worth checking out, and there are always new and exciting options as well.

Attractive Japanese Landscape Design

Easy To Maintain Japanese Landscape Design

For a Japanese landscape design, you will find a list of specific items to consider.  Now, some Japanese gardens are simplistic while others include everything that would be found in a traditional Japanese landscape design.  Therefore, the first thing you would need to do before shopping for the various types of Japanese garden supplies and materials is to determine the completed look you want.

Plan a strolling garden with beautiful paths taking you past tiny waterfalls and small ponds filled with koi fish. There are so many stonework Japanese art pieces to arrange along the paths to complete the look and feel of an authentic Japanese garden.

A Beautiful Japanese Garden Bridge

By adding a Japanese garden bridge you create safe passage through your exotic garden. At the heart of a Japanese garden is harmony with nature. Through the careful use of plants, stones, and water, areas of serene and quiet beauty emerge.

The Japanese garden bridge is typically constructed from wood or stone with a design that fits with the Japanese style.  In Japan, these bridges are used to connect a shore with an island or in some cases, even to connect one island with another island.  Of course, in a smaller residential Japanese landscape design, the Japanese garden bridge goes along with a strolling garden, again to go over a pond or stream.

Dry Japanese gardens consist of stone arrangements and gravel symbolizing the ocean and islands. It may also include sand that has been carefully raked.  Traditionally five large stones will represent the five basic elements...sky, earth, wind, water, and fire. It is very traditional to have stone figures of Buddah or various animals representing longevity, happiness, or peace, etc.

Locating Japanese Garden Supplies

Once you have carfeully planned and drawn out the design of your garden you will need a shopping list of all the components you would like to include in your garden.  You can look online and order items or find them locally at a garden supply shop.

You can be as creative as you like with your design.  True to Japanese tradition, it must be simple but at the same time include many features such as the dry garden with the sand base and stones, a pond or other water feature with a waterfall and a Japanese bridge.  Japanese Lanterns lining the paths would also be a nice addition.

For additional information on landscaping visit Outdoor Landscaping Ideas.

Types of Desert Landscaping Plants

Desert Landscaping Plants are Long Lasting

Whether living in Arizona, California, or Nevada, many people are discovering the joy of using desert landscaping plants. Typically, these types of plants are easy to grow and maintain, and many have gorgeous, colorful blooms during different times of the year. Although most desert landscaping plants do best in dry, hot climates, they can be used in other parts of the country with a wet, cooler climate.

In addition to using plants for landscaping, which might include yucca, various types of cacti, and so on, you will also find that desert gardens can be used in vegetable garden plans. For instance, fruits and vegetables usually grow exceptionally well in dry climates although you would need to make sure they get adequate watering.

Desert landscaping plants are perfect for an area that gets direct sun all day. Commonly the north side of your home is in the shade most of the day. Landscape shade plants will do will in this part of the yard and add some variety to your landscape plans. Shade plants can produce some beautiful flowers as well.

Listed below are just a few of the hundreds of varieties of desert landscape plants as well as a few landscape shade plants. The hot and dry climates produce many beautiful and hearty plants to choose from.

Opuntia Varieties, or better known as the prickly pear due to its colorful fruit-shaped flower bud. The bud blooms into the most beautiful, almost rose like flower.

Opuntia phaecantha variety discata, This is a very hardy plant that can survive in cold weather and will produce a beautiful deep yellow flower in the spring and summer months. It does tend to crawl along the ground and root as it goes. It has very sharp long spines that can be dangerous if planted around children.

The Agave, also known as the "century plant," because of the legendary flower stalk that is said to only bloom every one hundred years. The truth is that it produces the flower stalk at the end of its life, which can be as long as twenty to thirty five years. They have been grown for fiber for ropes, some for tequila, and some are said to have a delicious meat inside that is very good baked.

Using Landscape Shade Plants in your Desert Garden

Astilbes: These plants have wonderful, plume like flowers of red, pink, and white that will bloom for a long time. As a perennial, the flower will grow back year after year while growing perfectly in a shaded area.

Hosta: This is a perfect choice for landscape shade plants, growing about 12 to 18 inches high with a nice spread. The leaves are dense and if grown close together, they create a wonderful border.

The Liriope Spicata is one more great shade plant that looks like grass and is often times referred to as border grass. The flowers turn from white to purple when in bloom then in the fall it produces a dark berry.

Often labeled a day lily the Foxglove is extremely versatile and grows equally as well in the sun as it does it the shade. The flowers produced by this plant are striking and vary in color depending on the species. It is however a poisonous plant and should not be exposed to children and pets.

To get more info on landscaping go to Desert Landscaping Ideas

Small Backyards And Planting Fruit Trees

Almost monthly we find that we are being bombarded by new exercise, or diet, plans cleverly crafted to entice us to change the way we lead our lives.

It is true that we all need to closely examine our current behaviour with bearing in mind the we need to be eating a reasonable amount  more fresh fruit and vegetables and exercising more regularly. One thing we may want to do is to consider growing one or two fruit trees in our backyard. However, as most gardens are only rather small spaces, it is highly probable that you might be rather restricted in the options available.

Most of us understand well that organic vegetables and fruit are far better for us than the alternatives however the increased cost is sometimes too much. We also know that the fresher the fruit or veg is the  more minerals and vitamins it will contain. By growing our own fruit trees we can cultivate organic fruit at a vastly reduced cost and, because it can be harvested immediately before use, such fruit is also the freshest it can be.

The vast majority of us live in a city environment where it is common to have yards which leave only a very small patch in which to cultivate a garden. Such yards are immensely unsuitable for large mature trees which can lead to a number of problems. The roots can grow into foundations, branches can grow up against walls and windows and they also restrict the light. The most obvious problem is that such a huge item in a little place will obviously look ridiculous.

Even in the smallest yard something incredibly amazingl can be created. Professional landscape designers can create the most incredible plans but, with a a small amount of effort and time, it is possible to do this yourself. To do it correctly you will need to read up a little to understand which are the best shrubs, plants and trees to utilize and the most suitable way to use them.

If you have a really small backyard the inclusionaddition of a fruit tree will add beauty and interest. In the spring the tree will be covered in amazing looking, and sweet smelling, blossom. By the time of fall the tree will be full of ripe fruit perfect for the picking. Even during the winter a fruit tree can still look very interesting and such a tree could be a focal point.

It is now possible to purchase dwarf fruit tree types, these are created by grafting the main stem of a fruit tree to carefully chosen dwarf root stock. Modern dwarf root stock, such as M9, is more reliable than older types of dwarf root stock. M9 root stock can cause a fruit tree to develop rather small while still being able to grow a much larger amount of fruit.

Modern compact fruit trees can be grown in small gardens as the dwarf variety produces a large amount of fruit from the tinniest of bushes. A dwarf fruit tree will uncommonly be larger than 1.8m high but the amount of growth can be reduced a little further by growing it in a container. By following a well planned pruning regime you can restrict the growth while retaining a aesthetic architecture.

Amongst the most useful of fruit trees for the gardening enthusiast with only a little backyard, is the spur apple tree. While the tree can still reach to roughly 1.8m in height it has such an upright habit that it often looks rather strange covered in a mass of ripened apples.

Besides as apple trees there are dwarf varieties of fruit tree such as pears, plums, figs, cherries, nectarines and various others.

Using Perennial Garden Flowers in Garden Landscaping

A large number of people now completely understand that a gorgeous well kept garden can add a great deal of extra monetary worth to their house. It is also true to say that, a cleverly designed yard can seriously increase the amount of useful space for your family and you. For these factors, and a few more besides, garden landscaping has, over time, increased to become an extremely popular hobby. Top of the list for most landscapers is a gorgeous yearly display of colorful and varied blooms.

While many landscape gardeners choose to add color by using annual flowers, the remainder decide that using perennial garden plants is the better method. Annual flowers are those plants which grow, flower and die all in the one year whereas perennials will continue to flower year after year. Of course there are plus points and minus points for both annuals and perennial plants and garden landscaping is all about deciding which is the most suitable blend of the two.

Many people experience heart warming memories of distant days spent in a grandmother's garden enjoying the wonderous aromas of many old fashioned popular garden perennials. Sadly it can be rather problematic for even the most keen gardener (including some experienced professionals) to replicate gardens of the past because many of the varieties (of species) are no longer available. You will be happy to hear that many of the old fashioned varieties have been replaced by strains which are much more able to withstand disease, so you can often discover suitable replacements which show little or no (other) differences to the older plant.

Traditional Perennial Flowers

One of the most popular perennials used in landscaping today is the Achillea which first appeared in American gardens during colonial days when it was introduced from Europe. Achillea is an ancient plant used since the times of the Greek hero Achilles (from whom the plant gets it's name) who used it to help heal his soldiers. Achillea can stop bleeding and works amazingly well at healing wounds.

Achillea millefolium

Achillea ptarmica has really pretty flat groups of small flowers that look rather daisy like. Achillea are available with flower heads in a selection of colors ranging from different shades of yellows, whites and pinks. Achillea are thought by most landscape gardeners to be relatively easy perennial garden plants to cultivate. They are so easy to propagate because they are considerably invasive plants which can be spotted growing on the poorest of soil. If you wish to witness success with Yarrow you only need to avoid growing in boggy or poorly drained soil. The plants are well able tolerating drought conditions. Achillea ptarmica and Achillea millefolium are two of the most often chosen varieties but there are various others available.

For all types of gardening provisions including sprinklers and watering equipment, hedge and string trimmers, lawnmowers and more visit http://store.landscapinginfo4u.com/

Searching For The Proper Plantings for Ponds Can be A Joy

Designing a fish pond within the backyard enhances the landscaping and the landscape and will be able to become  an exotic area.  The decisions are numerous when undertaking installing a backyard pond to insure its success.  One of the main decisions must be to decide on the location of the fish pond.  What will be the focus of the pond?  Is it strictly aethetic or will the focus be mainly for plants? You will need to make a decision if koi fish or turtles will thrive in the pond.  If a landscape installation contractor will be responsible for installing your new water feature be sure to go over all of these points during the development phase.

When the fish pond has been installed now it is time to create some character and interest along with beauty to the landscape around the backyard pond. This is the easy part.  Before selecting your pond plants determine if your city has a directory of aquatic plants that are banned.

Purchase the plants for your fish pond from an honest vendor.  Do some of digging.  It is really not recommended that you buy them online; if you should have any problems with them it could prove to be very hard to return them to the merchant if it becomes necessary.

You may want to plant the tropical water lily, which has a beautiful bloom.  There are also a wide variety of plants that are generally used around the edges of the pond.

For an extensive directory of plants for ponds and detailed planting and care instructions be sure to stop by Pond Pleasure.com.  You will be pleased at the many designs you can create with the use of the right aquatic plants around and within your backyard pond.  Start dreaming about your pond now!

Tips for Growing Indoor Bonsai Trees

A bonsai plant is a striking reminder of a longstanding art. Bonsai trees are very striking in appearance, so there are many who feature them in the home. You need to make sure that you are diligent in your bonsai tree care and give it some special attention since it's not able to benefit from direct sunshine and the effects of outdoor weather. Although they might look quite hardy, a bonsai can be very delicate, requiring precision watering and lighting.

Watering Your Indoor Bonsai

When you bring a bonsai tree indoors it will require sufficient lighting to replace the natural sunlight that it would have been receiving outdoors. Your plant will appreciate being located in an area with lots of air movement. How frequently you water your bonsai will depend on what kind it is and the condition of its soil. Some plants or trees need to have damp soil while others thrive well in spite of a drought.

Misting your plant may be necessary to produce a sort of rainforest humidity in which it will thrive. Humidity trays can be useful, but don't let the pot sit right in the water; it should be sitting on a stand or some stones.

Pruning and Cutting

The indoor bonsai tree will still need to be regularly pruned and cut to maintain its appearance. Just because bonsai plants look frozen in time does not mean that they do not grow. Both indoor bonsai and outdoor bonsai need to be repotted anywhere from once a year up to three years depending on the kind of tree. The branches will also need to be maintained to keep its style intact.

In the wintertime, you'll likely have to reduce fertilization, depending on the type of bonsai you have. This is due to the fact that some bonsai species become dormant in this season, and will not need the level of nutrients that they do in the warmer seasons. It's harder for an indoor bonsai to truly experience the seasonal cycles due to its simulated surroundings.

You need to be on the lookout for pests and other irregularities that might appear on your indoor bonsai trees. The fact that they are indoors may make them a favorite of spiders and other mites who are used to the great outdoors. Use a soft, damp cloth or brush to carefully clean the branches and leaves of an indoor bonsai.

Container growing tomatoes for small gardens

If your garden is small i recommend that container growing is the best option because you can put them in good locations and maintain them easliy. Container growing tomatoes will grow just as well as those grown in the main garden but you need to do a couple of things a bit differently to have good success.

Container growing tomatoes

Some types grow better in pots and tubs than others. Some varieties have such large fruits that this makes them unsuitable for growing in pots and containers. If you have ever grown tomatoes you now how much the y need feeding and watering. only marrows and pumkins come close. The large varieties need a larger root system to sustain the plants long enough and well enough to give you the large tomatoes you would want.

What you can grow very well in pots, tubs and containers are cherry tomato types and medium size tomatoes like Moneymaker and Ailsa.

I always use the biggest pots and containers gor tomatoes as I have had problems getting good fruit with small pots. Your plants need regular watering and feeding and to get really good plants the roots need plenty of space. If they are pot bound you will reduce the size of your tomatoes.

The third thing to do with them is to feed them weekly once the first flower set appears. I do this at the same time every week until the harvest season in almost over. Then you just continue with water. I use special tomato feed from a garden centre. The feed is useful for plenty of other types of plant so it is well worth the investment.

Growing tomatoes in pots

My last hint is to ensire thay are watered daily. Even if it rains I still water them because the pots dry out so quickly and the leaves of the plants deflect the water from the container. The ones in the ground will grow much more easily. Container growing tomatoes for small gardens work very well as long as you follow these simple tips.

 

Growing Vegetables In Your Organic Garden With The Right Fertilization

For effective gardening of vegetables in your organic gardening, you must first think about fertilization. This is almost always attributable to mulching. But there are other things to consider as well, such as the introduction of fertilizers that are available to you both naturally or commercially. To simply define this, it means to place materials, whether they be inorganic or organic in your garden around your plants.

By doing this you will also provide fertilization, it also helps to protect your soil as well. If you garden receives a lot of heavy rain, or is susceptible to high weed growth causing it to be a weed trap, then mulches will provide some much protection from this and much needed supplementation that will aid the natural growth process of your organic garden vegetables.

Beside this, you will also find it will help to regulate the temperature of your soil. Also the added bonus of gardening this way is the aesthetic look this lends to your garden and the improved ground texture. By spreading the mulch to areas not planted will also help to keep any weeds under control.

If you do decide to establish mulches in your garden, you will find that you need to water less often. This is because it help your plants retain water. Also your plants will have far better growth levels because of this added water retention. It will also help you with your weed control, but it will never stop them completely stop them.

You should always test your soil, this way you can maximise your fertilization efforts. Never buy your fertilizer in bulk before doing a test on your soil, this way you make sure you get the correct fertilizer suited for your soil type. Just what could be a worse experience, than having not tested and then having bought in bulk to find that it is of no use to you.

When you do apply your fertilizer, it is recommended that you should maintain it. Always go for a high quality fertilizer, this in an absolute must do for any gardener, especially if you are a beginner. There are also many fertilizers available to you, that are tailored solely to the beginning of your planting experience. These will require no extra maintenance through your gardening activities. In any rate, make sure that you are getting your money's worth and have thoroughly proven for yourself that the given fertilizer you are putting on your garden has been tried and tested on your soil type.

Organic material is always the best source of fertilization in your vegetable garden, this is because it adheres closely to natures natural growth process. Always try to avoid introducing any chemicals in to your soil, this is so that your plants will get used to growing and maximizing there potential via natural means. Going organic has many added health benefits for you and your family and by growing green you are doing your bit to help the environment. So why not go ahead now and grow organic?

The Benefits of Organic Gardening

green gardening

More and more people are getting into natural means of growing crops because of the benefits that organic pot gardening brings. Experts agree that the most basic premise that people—who are planning to do organic gardening—need to understand about the process of how it replenishes the use of natural resources. Meaning, when one does organic gardening, he or she should understand how important it is to use natural components such as composting plants and other fruits peels to feed the soil where the crop will be planted.

How can organic gardening improve lives

The beauty of nature cannot always be seen outdoors by some people. Being inside the comforts of home doesn’t mean that people can no longer enjoy the feel of nature for they can always indulge and reap the benefits of organic gardening. There are many benefits to organic gardening contrary to some perceptions that organic gardens are not good. Although it can be a tedious task to start with, all you need to do is to set your mind into something enjoyable and healthy, then, you can start reaping the benefits of organic gardening.

Some benefits of gardening are as follows:

1. It leads you back to basics. Nature always provides the feeling of health and calmness. The trees, the plants, the flowers, and other elements of nature exude the air of serenity and relaxation. But, due to the dawning of modern age, most people neglect how can nature give ultimate satisfaction and tranquility. But, if you want to back to basics, you can always create your own organic garden in the comforts of your own space.

2. Healthier supply of food. Creating an organic garden might mean that you would have to go down and dirty just to grow fruits and vegetables. Placing all the hard work aside, in the end you can pick the produce that most others cannot find in grocery stores. Not pondering much on the effort you will exert in planting seedlings would also make you realize you are investing on something that could provide you enough supply of fresh, healthy and sumptuous supply of food.

3. An amazing alternative to save money. One of the great benefits of organic gardening is that it can be a great alternative for you to save money. Aside from being an amazing alternative for a feel of great outdoors, organic gardening can also help you save by getting the best crops for free and having a healthy environment.

4. It serves as a great hobby or past time. For older people, one of the amazing benefits of organic flower gardening is that it can buy some time off to people who want lesser stress in life. Since it has something to do with nature, organic gardening can indeed be a leisure activity not just for the elder but for the younger ones as well.

But, before going into the hobby of organic gardening, it is a must for you to know where to begin and how to begin. Organic gardening should start from a detailed planning. The first thing to consider is to determine the appropriate location for the type of garden you would want to have. If you plan to have a garden with ornamental plants, then it should be located in an area where the plants can be safe from harmful elements. Likewise, if you plan to have a vegetable garden, make sure that the location you have chosen would provide the crops enough exposure to the sun and sufficient water supply.

The Art of Growing Bonsai Trees

The art of cultivating bonsai trees is a Japanese tradition for hundreds and hundreds of years.  Translating literally to "tray planting," growing a bonsai tree involves actively shaping a tree into a dwarfed, artistic version of itself.  A bonsai tree is not a special dwarf or hybrid species of a common tree; they’re genetically the same as their much larger brothers and sisters.  It’s the careful cultivation and shaping techniques that keeps these trees small.  Surprisingly, the trees are not damaged by this process, however.  In fact, with the correct care, the bonsai version of a tree can exceed the life expectancy of the same tree if it were grown in the wild.

Grown from seeds or cuttings, Bonsai trees usually grow in height from two inches to three feet.  They are kept miniture through pruning both branches and roots.  Additionally, new growth is frequently removed when the bonsai plants are periodically repotted. 

Cultivating bonsai trees is actually as much about art as it is about horticulture.  Bonsai trees are not only kept small, they are also shaped into pleasing forms.  They frequently follow a number of different growth patterns, from simple triangles to waterfall shapes cascading down over their pots.  The various shapes are normally a product of both the pruning of the tree and by the wrapping the trunk and branches with wire, shaping the tree into its desired form.  Chosen to compliment the shape and color of the tree itself, the pots are also part of the art of bonsai.  Mosses and rocks are often added to the base for aesthetic appeal. 

Care of a bonsai tree is more complicated than maintaining most houseplants.  Since the bonsai, by definition, has has a smaller root system than most plants, it needs water and fertilizer more frequently than most garden-variety houseplants.  Pruining is also essential occasionally, since the bonsai tree would grow into just a normal large tree without pruning.  Also, if wire is used to help mold and form the tree, it is important to take care that the wire doesn’t dig into the bark of the tree, scarring the branches permanently.  Depending on the type of bonsai tree and your climate, you may be able to keep some bonsai trees outside year round, while others will need to be kept inside for at least part of the year.  Moisture is also important, not only in the soil but in the branches and leaves of the bonsai.  They need to be misted occasionally for the bonsai to remain healthy. 

Getting Into Organic Gardening

Instead of chemicals in your soil and on your food, why not try organic gardening?Start with a few plants or pots or little garden space, or go whole hog and plant up half your yard! 

Actually, if it’s your first garden, it’s better to start small.Everything looks so wonderful in catalogs that gardeners have a tendency to plant more than they can reasonably care for!It's a lot of fun to raise your own vegetables in your own organic garden, but there's no denying it's also a lot of work.A month or two into the gardening season you'd likely wish you hadn't planted quite so much.It's better to start small with your first garden, and make biggers ones as you get more experience!

On Location…

Like the real estate agents are fond of saying, “It’s all about location, location, location.You can find plants that will gorw in the shade, but usually just flowers. Most vegetables need lots of sun.Ample sunshine is necessary and can't be provided artificially. It would take a humongous bunch of portable lights to do the job, which obviously isn't remotely practical.

Any garden, whether organic or not, needs ample sunshine to thrive.Best results are obtained by putting your pots of plants or garden area in a location with at least 6 hours of sun daily.Having the organic garden close to the house to allow easy access is a great idea, but shade from the house or trees may make it impossible.The need for sunshine trumps the need for easy access.

There must be plenty of sunshine for your garden area, but it also needs to drain well so plants don't sit in water.Having fertile soil in the garden area is a big plus, but if needed, soil addments can be added to improve soil.

Down and Dirty

Adding compost will help your soil no matter what type it is.To improve the soil and help plants grow better, you can also use organic materials and natural fertilizers.  Most vegetable roots are in the top 6 inches of soil, so tilling or double digging will easily mix the materials into the soil where the roots can reach it.

Time to Plant

Seed catalogs and nurseries are brimming with all types of vegetables.Of course you need to choose vegetables you enjoy eating, but you also need to be sure to get plants that will thrive in your area.Long season crops like sweet potatoes, for instance, wouldn't do so well in the far north, while a cool climate crop like peas wouldn't last in the heat of a southern summer.

Mulching with an organic material around the vegetables in a garden will discourage the growth of weeds, help conserve water, and add humus and nutrients to the soil.  It’s a great way to improve your garden soil and plants!

Don’t Let Them Bug You

Where there’s lovely young plants, there’s bugs looking for a meal.A spray of plain or soapy water will dislodge bugs from plants, or they can be hand picked to remove them..  

 Not all bugs are bad, and some are even beneficial such as ladybugs, green lacewings, praying mantis, spiders and wasps since they eat insects that try to eat your vegetables. 

Companion planting with insect repellant plants such as marigolds or nasturtiums can also help keep bugs away from your garden.

Be flexible. Don't expect your vegetables to look picture perfect.Store bought vegetables may look perfect, but taste blah. Your organically grown vegetable may not look perfect, but it will taste a whole lot better.Bad spots in the food can just be cut out before eating it.

Weed, Weed, and Weed Some More!

Really, a weed is nothing more than "a plant growing in the wrong place.That pretty well sums things up.When something comes up you didn't plant, consider it a weed and pull it up or till it under.Employ whatever method you desire, but just be sure to get the weeds out of your organic garden.Weeds take nutrients and water from your vegetable plants.

All Set To Garden!

The right ingredients for the garden are a good location, fertile soil, the right plants, and keeping the garden weed and bug free.  Growing an organic garden is a wonderful way to put great tasting food in your diet.Enjoy your own organic garden!