tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48822482354483566602024-03-13T23:50:38.343-07:00gardenThis site has content of garden,garden furniture,landscap,plant for garden,idea for garden,bonsai tree,rose garden.romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-9852971711991294692011-09-10T07:58:00.000-07:002011-09-10T07:58:03.412-07:00Organic Gardening - A Speech for Teachers<em>By <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anna_Hart" rel="author" title="EzineArticles Expert Author Anna Hart"> Anna Hart </a></em><br />
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<div id="article-body"> <div id="article-content"> Organic gardening has increasingly become an important part of the curriculum in schools around the world. Teachers at every grade level find themselves teaching it to students, and sometimes being called on to give a speech to a group of parents. As a career educator and principal, I know the difficulty of opening up time for speech preparation, and offer this organic gardening speech for your use. Feel free to edit it to fit your needs.<br />
<b>Organic Gardening Speech</b><br />
How selfish are you? On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest, how selfish would you rate yourself? If you are the least bit selfish, you might be interested in organic gardening.<br />
An organic gardening speech might seem more appropriate coming from a Home Economics teacher, but I am just selfish enough that I love organic gardening. I want to share that love with you and with your children.<br />
<b>Imagine</b><br />
I want you to come with me, in imagination, to a time and place before the Industrial Revolution. The year is 1707. It is late summer. We find ourselves walking the streets of a small town. Houses are spaced well apart for privacy. Land stretches out behind each house. As we look, we notice that much of that land is taken up by gardens. Here and there, we see both adults and children actively engaged in gardening. The plants are beautiful.<br />
You call to one of the adults and ask what they use to make the garden so lush. A broad smile breaks, and through the smile come the words, "Feed the soil, and the soil will feed the plants."<br />
You shake your head. Poor people. Too bad they don't know about that miracle combination of chemicals you saw advertised on TV last week. That's the easy way to grow spectacular plants!<br />
<b>Dinner</b><br />
The organic gardener invites us to join them for the evening meal, and we accept. At dinner, we join in the prayer of thanks, and then watch in amazement as the children, one after another, begin eating fresh vegetables.<br />
You yourself are not that fond of vegetables, but you politely take a small serving of each. You bite into a leaf of steamed cabbage, and your eyes open wide in amazement. It is sweet - twice as sweet as the cabbage you buy at your local market! You watch a small child fill his mouth with dark green kale, and shudder. There's a small spoonful of the nasty vegetable on your own plate, and you pick at it, putting a single small leaf in your mouth. Amazing! It, too, is twice as sweet as any kale you ever ate. The same seems true of every vegetable on the table. You decide that if your supermarket vegetables were this good, you would eat a lot more of them.<br />
Our imaginary trip ends at that dinner table, and we return to the present.<br />
<b>Organic Gardening's Benefits</b><br />
Organic gardening has many benefits. If you are completely selfish, you will want those benefits for yourself. If you are unselfish, you will want those benefits for your family. Let me give you just three of organic gardening's benefits.<br />
1. Taste: Organic gardening has been proven to produce tastier fruits and vegetables. A Hong Kong study measured Brix levels, the percentage of sugar in plant juices, using produce from organic gardening and from non-organic gardening. The results showed that organic gardening produced produce that was 2 to 4 times as sweet as that produced by non-organic gardening. Sweeter fruits and vegetables are tastier, and easier to eat, whether you are a young person or an adult. Organic gardening helps us eat better by providing tastier fruits and vegetables.<br />
2. Nutrition: Organic gardening has also been found to provide nutritionally superior produce. Virginia Worthington, of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, compared the composition of vegetables grown simultaneously under different farming conditions. Her work included 41 studies with 1,240 comparisons of 35 vitamins and minerals. Worthington found that organic gardening produced vegetables and fruits that were higher in most minerals and vitamins than those from non-organic gardening. Not only that, organic gardening produce was lower in potentially harmful nitrates, which result from nitrogen fertilizers. Dr. Worthington concluded that produce from organic gardening is nutritionally superior. You and your family will enjoy better health with fruits and vegetables from organic gardening. (Effect of Agricultural Methods on Nutritional Quality: A Comparison of Organic with Conventional Crops, Virginia Worthington MS, ScD, CNS, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 1998, Alternative Therapies, Volume 4, 1998, pages 58-69)<br />
3. Exercise: Finally, organic gardening offers you and your children regular daily exercise in the outdoors. Organic gardening helps you build muscles, especially important core muscles. Organic gardening gets you into the sunlight where you can absorb essential vitamin D. Organic gardening is a great stress management tool. Organic gardening gives you an outlet for creativity. It provides satisfaction as you see your work produce useful fruits, herbs, and vegetables.<br />
We could talk about the aesthetic pleasures of organic gardening - how beautiful that garden might become. We could talk about how you can save money with organic gardening - growing your produce instead of purchasing.<br />
Finally, we could talk about how important it is for our children to learn about organic gardening, to embrace it as the way to better health, and to practice it with school, home, and community gardens.<br />
An organic gardening speech could go on for hours, but I'm going to stop here, hoping that I have whetted your appetite enough that you will seek out more information on organic gardening.<br />
<b>Helpful Tip for Speech-givers</b><br />
A few large bowls of beautiful organic produce can be set on the platform or around the room to help visual learners picture organic gardening.<br />
</div><div id="article-resource"> ©2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about organic gardening at <a href="http://www.organicspringtime.com/" target="_new">http://www.organicspringtime.com</a>. Anna is posting new articles regularly on that site, each one dealing with some facet of organic gardening. If you would like to get organic gardening tips, you will want to read Annas article with tips for the novice.<br />
</div>Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anna_Hart">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Hart</a> <br />
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</script><div style="overflow: hidden; position: relative; width: auto;"><iframe allowtransparency="allowTransparency" class="chitikaAdBlock" frameborder="0" height="400" id="ch_ad_ctr742" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="ch_ad_ctr742" scrolling="no" src="about:blank" style="border: 0pt none; height: 385px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 100%;" width="550"></iframe></div><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="0" hspace="0" id="ch_ad742" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" name="ch_ad742" scrolling="no" src="about:blank" vspace="0" width="0"></iframe> </div></div><div class="tools-container print-hide"> <div class="bottom-utility-box"> </div></div>Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/556924romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-52903858830113030922011-09-10T07:56:00.000-07:002011-09-10T07:56:05.817-07:00Build a Rain Garden<em>By <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jodi_Andrews" rel="author" title="EzineArticles Expert Author Jodi Andrews"> Jodi Andrews </a></em><br />
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<div id="article-body"> <div id="article-content"> There's a new garden in town. It is (mostly) easy to install, looks good year-round, requires almost no maintenance and has a terrifically upbeat impact on the environment. No wonder rain gardens are such a great new gardening trend!<br />
Storm water runoff can be a big problem in summer during heavy thunderstorms. As the water rushes across roofs and driveways, it picks up oil and other pollutants. Municipal storm water treatment plants often can't handle the deluge of water, and in many locations the untreated water ends up in natural waterways. The EPA estimates <i>as much as 70 percent of the pollution in our streams, rivers, and lakes is carried there by storm water!</i> By taking responsibility for the rainwater that falls on your own roof and driveway, you'll be helping to protect our rivers, streams and lakes from stormwater pollution.<br />
To reduce the excess water runoff, many towns are encouraging businesses and homeowners to install rain gardens in their yards. Rain gardens are specially constructed gardens located in low areas of a yard where storm water can collect. The idea is to have the water naturally funnel to this garden. The rain garden collects water runoff and stores and filters it until it can be slowly absorbed by the soil. Rather than rushing off into a storm sewer or a local waterway, the rainwater can collect in a garden where it will be naturally filtered by plants and soil.<br />
<b>Installing a rain garden is easy.</b><br />
You simply dig a shallow depression in your yard and plant it with native grasses and wildflowers; things that are easy to grow and maintain in your area.<br />
<b>What makes a garden a rain garden?</b><br />
First, the garden will be designed with a low spot in the middle to collect and absorb rain water and snow melt. This depression can range from a few inches in a small garden, to an excavated trough that's several feet deep. Second, rain gardens are usually located where they'll catch the runoff from impermeable surfaces like sidewalks and driveways, or from gutters and roof valleys. Third, rain gardens are usually planted with native wildflowers and grasses that will thrive in tough growing conditions. Finally, rain gardens are designed to channel heavy rains to another rain garden or to another part of the garden.<br />
Your rain garden should be located at least 10 feet from the house. The garden's size and location depends on the yard. The ideal situation would be to locate the garden in a natural depression. You also can funnel water from downspouts on gutters into the garden. The soil should be well drained so the water doesn't sit in the garden for more than two days. A special "rain garden" soil mix of 50 to 60 percent sand, 20 to 30 percent topsoil, and 20 to 30 percent compost is recommended. You can dig this mixture into the soil to depth of 2 feet before planting.<br />
Once you've identified the new garden's location, remove the sod and dig a shallow depression approximately 6-inches deep. Slope the sides gradually from the outside edge to the deepest area. Use the soil that you remove to build up a slightly raised area on the lowest side of the garden. This berm will help contain the stormwater and allow it to percolate slowly through the rain garden.<br />
If your rain garden is no more than about 6-inches deep, stormwater will usually be absorbed within a one- to seven-day period. Because mosquitoes require seven to 10 days to lay and hatch their eggs, this will help you avoid mosquito problems.<br />
Your downspout or sump pump outlet should be directed toward your rain garden depression. This can be accomplished by a natural slope, by digging a shallow swale, or by piping the runoff directly to the garden through a buried 4" diameter plastic drain tile.<br />
<b>Plant Selection... The final touch.</b><br />
The most difficult part of building a rain garden (if it can even be called that) can be plant selection. Plants need to be tough enough to withstand periodic flooding, yet attractive enough to look good in the garden. Deep-rooted, low-care native plants, such as asters, and tough non-natives, such as daylilies, are best. If properly designed, the rain garden can consist of a blend of attractive shrubs, perennials, trees, and ground covers. Planting strips of grass around the garden and using mulch also can help filter the water.<br />
New plants should be watered every other day for the first two weeks or so. Once they are well established, your garden should thrive without additional watering. Fertilizers will not be necessary, and only minimal weeding will be needed after the first summer of growth.<br />
</div><div id="article-resource"> Our goal at Garden Simply is to make your organic garden work sustainable; be more productive, and ultimately more fun! Jodi Reichenberger provides education about enhancing you and your family's health through good eating, organic gardening techniques, organic gardening tips, and an all around sustainable lifestyle; providing helpful organic pest control tips (Integrated Pest Managment or IPM)to help you make the most of your effort, and the lastest community gardening and sustainable gardening news out there. <a href="http://www.gardensimply.com/subscribe.php" target="_new">Join us!</a> Sustainability is a community effort!<br />
</div>Article Source: <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jodi_Andrews">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jodi_Andrews</a> <br />
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/63949</div>romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-41922274655919174242011-09-09T07:14:00.000-07:002011-09-09T07:14:31.668-07:00Solar Garden Lights For Inexpensive Lighting<em>By <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Volkov" rel="author" title="EzineArticles Expert Author Barbara Volkov"> Barbara Volkov </a></em><br />
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<div id="article-body"> <div id="article-content"> Using solar garden lights in remote areas of your backyard garden is a wonderful way to shed light to those areas without the use of electricity. Solar garden lights are inexpensive and simple to install; they just need to be placed in areas that receive ample sunlight during the day. Solar lighting can be used in many different ways such as accent lighting, path lighting and spotlighting.<br />
Solar yard lights need to be accessible to the sun during day-time hours to absorb the energy from the sun in order to light-up during the evening hours. Before you actually install the solar lights place them in the areas you would like to have lit up and place them equal distance apart but make sure those areas get enough sunlight during the day. Most solar lights will need approximately 8 hours of sun; some may need more in order to give off light during the night.<br />
There are a number of motives for utilizing solar-powered lights in the garden: because they do not use electricity but the sun's energy they are considered environmentally friendly; they are simple to install since you will not need to dig ruts for wiring because they do have any; they are easily moved from one spot to another; they are less expensive than any other type of lighting; the upkeep is almost non-existent except to replace a rechargeable battery every so often; the LED bulbs rarely burn out; they add beauty and highlights to your garden during the evening hours; and they you have more of an opportunity to spend time in your garden during spring and summer.<br />
Installing solar patio lights is one way to change the appearance of your landscape, yard, or garden. Because they are inexpensive and easy to install they can give you an array of ways to use them. These garden lights are available in numerous shapes and sizes and some have the ability to change light colors. These lights give you a way to highlight outdoor decorations, lounge areas, or dining areas. When solar lights first emerged on the scene they came mounted on stakes and most people used them for path lighting. Now you can find them for hanging on tall poles that look like lanterns to light up a pathway, they can also be mounted on walls, railings, or inserted into a deck for safety. The lights on tall poles will lead your guests across a grassy area of your garden without stumbling into something on their way to an outdoor living area.<br />
Solar spotlights are much brighter than accent lights or pathway lights. They are mostly used to highlight an outdoor decoration, an unusual landscape or a prize-winning flower garden. Many spotlights are available with the solar panel attached to the light with a wire; this allows you to place the spotlight on a particular area to highlight and place the solar panel where it will receive the direct sunlight. There are other types of spotlights that are specifically designed to be security lights; these are classified as motion sensor lights, they only light up if movement is detected.<br />
The holidays are coming and Halloween is the first. Solar lighting is so popular now that solar string lighting and solar tube lighting is now available for holiday decorating. Some stand along outdoor displays for the yard have gone to solar power. Since these lights are now solar-powered your electricity bill will be a lot lower during the holidays. Many of us have tube lighting and string lighting in the backyard all year but they use electricity and now since they have gone solar we do not need to worry about wasting electricity because we will not be using it.<br />
Solar lights are made of the same materials as most traditional fixtures which make them quite durable; some consist of resistant plastic and others are made of aluminum, copper, or bronze. They come in many different sizes and shapes, are quick to install and easy to move around. Solar garden lights do not cost a penny to operate since they get their power from the sun.<br />
</div><div id="article-resource"> Barbara is using solar garden lights in her backyard garden and finds her garden enchanting. Her website Gardeners Garden Supplies has several articles regarding garden decorations and outdoor lighting.<br />
</div>Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Volkov <br />
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6522635</div>romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-5953657456983920802008-04-30T06:50:00.000-07:002008-04-30T06:55:48.439-07:00Types of Garden Arbors ( garden )By Zane Horton<br /><br />For centuries, <strong>garden</strong> arbors have been a fixture in homes and gardens from the most expensive mansions to the most humble villa and everything in between. The garden arbor originated in Italy, but they can be found all over the world bringing fragrant smells and character to any garden area. There are many different types of arbors and trellises to meet every personal taste.<br />( <strong>home and garden </strong>)<br />Archway Arbor<br /><br />The archway arbor is best used to divide a large lawn by stacking the arbors behind each other in a row to make an arbor tunnel. This line will divide the expanse and allow the archway arbors to give a clean break to plant different plants on either side and make the area cohesive.<br /><br />Traditional Arbor<br /><br />The traditional arbor has trellis sides to allow flowering plants or vine vegetables to grow upwards toward the top of the arbor. The design for the traditional arbor has a flat roof and has a clean line for a <strong>garden</strong> entrance. The traditional garden arbor can also have a wooden seat installed to in the summer afternoon shade.<br /><br />Metal Arbors<br />( <strong>home and garden </strong>)<br />All arbors look amazing when they are first built and installed. But as time and weather take its toll, an alternative to the wooden garden arbor is a metal arbor. Steel, bronze and iron are just a few of the options to make your <strong>garden</strong> come to life without having the maintenance required for wooden garden arbors.<br /><br />Vinyl Arbors<br /><br />If the upkeep of a wooden <strong>garden</strong> arbor or the heaviness of a metal <strong>garden</strong> arbor is not the arbor of choice, consider the ultimate maintenance-free <strong>garden</strong> arbor, vinyl. The vinyl material can give a look of wood and the durability of metal without having to paint and re-paint each season. Vinyl garden arbors come in many colors and styles and are easily installed to make the <strong>garden</strong> or yard more attractive and add character to a large space.<br /><br /><strong>Garden</strong> arbors enhance any <strong>garden</strong> whether it be a small vegetable garden or a large flower <strong>garden</strong>. Place a <strong>garden</strong> arbor for vine plants to crawl up and make a <strong>home</strong> for many seasons to come.<br />( <strong>home and garden </strong>)<br />This article can be freely published on a website as long as it's not modified in any way including the author bylines, plus the hyperlink must be made active just like below.<br /><br />Visit his website http://www.softwarereviewshop.com<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-55939238451727710472008-04-30T06:43:00.000-07:002008-04-30T06:50:32.148-07:00The Benefits of Ergonomic Garden Tools( home and garden )By Rex Magnum<br />Gardening is a popular hobby all over the world. It's carried on in large backyards, in public gardens, and even in small areas like patios and balconies. Everyone can enjoy some kind of gardening, no matter where they are. To do so, however, it's important to have the right tools.<br />( <strong>home and garden</strong> )<br />If you are a gardening enthusiast, there are a lot of different tools available for you to choose from. If you are a gardening enthusiast with a special need, you can also find a large selection of ergonomic <strong>garden</strong> tools available. Ergonomic tools are specially designed to be easier to hold and use. People with hand and joint problems, such as those who suffer from arthritis, can use these ergonomic tools to pursue their love of gardening.<br /><br />Understanding Ergonomic <strong>Garden</strong> Tools<br /><br />Ergonomic garden tools were thoroughly researched and designed to offer relief to gardeners with special problems. Even though hand pain was preventing these people from pursuing the hobby they love, now with ergonomic tools they're able to participate again.<br /><br />Items which can be used to serve two different utilitarian purposes are often considered ergonomic garden tools. A stool that also serves as a tool holder is one of these items. If a person takes the stool into the yard, all of his gardening tools will be available inside plus he'll have a place to sit while he does yard work.<br />( <strong>home and garden</strong> )<br />Sometimes characteristics of tools are changed to make them easier to use for people with physical problems. For example, you might find a rake with a longer handle which would make it easier to use without putting so much stress on the back. Or you might find a shovel that has a larger handle which can be more easily used by people with hand problems. Tool manufacturers are striving to make all the more commonly used garden tools, such as rakes and shovels, in ergonomic versions to help the many people who need special help.<br /><br />Foam handles have become very popular on ergonomic <strong>garden</strong> tools, because they are easier to hold and put less pressure on sore hands. In addition, there are many tools with grips that are easier to hold more comfortably. By changing the traditional way of holding a tool by altering the grip, tools are becoming much easier to grip and use. A loss of hand strength can make real problems for sufferers. All of a sudden they are unable to do the things they've always done. Ergonomic garden tools with new-fashioned grips were developed to help them. By changing the way they grip a tool, they can find comfort and relief from pain.<br /><br />There are even ergonomic <strong>garden</strong> tools being made that allow the user to sit and work. Made with longer handles and foam grips, they are easier to use than traditional tools. People who had given up gardening in despair because they just couldn't stand the pain any longer are now resuming their activities due to ergonomic garden tools.<br />( <strong>home and garden</strong> )<br />If you enjoyed this informative article about Ergonomic Garden Tools, then you may also be interested in <strong>Garden</strong> Tools. You can always visit BESTGARDENTOOLSCENTER.COM where some great tips are being highlighted. feel free to give us any suggestions you might have.<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-46817984621518120512008-04-30T06:41:00.000-07:002008-04-30T06:42:56.595-07:00Easy Vegetable Gardening Really Is Possible - Learn How( garden )By Colin Stride<br />Have you wondered what the secret is to easy vegetable gardening? Or perhaps like many you follow traditional methods of growing vegetables but find it too tiring or time consuming or are beset with weeds. Perhaps you find it hard to bend or do physical activity for long, or perhaps you feel frustrated by lack of time.<br />( <strong>home and garden</strong> )<br />There are many ways to make vegetable gardening easier and more rewarding for you. Here are a few good ones.<br /><br />Good planning and vegetable garden design are the best place to start. Ascertain your own needs and what space and time you have available. Will your vegetable plot be part of your main garden, or at an allotment, or just in a set of containers? What you want to grow even has a bearing.<br /><br />Use some of these labour saving techniques to help you;<br /><br />Minimise the amount of digging by getting your soil in to good condition. Avoid inverting the soil and only dig deep when necessary.<br /><br />Consider the vegetable bed system which has less need for digging as you never walk on the soil so there is little or no compaction. If you choose raised bed vegetable gardening then access is even easier and you could even adopt a no-dig approach.<br /><br />Knowing your vegetable garden soil and its care allows easier soil preparation and maximises vegetable production. There are many ways to prepare a seedbed, but each must ensure good soil conditions and be appropriate to the crop planned to ensure best crop growth. In particular soil must be free from compaction<br />( <strong>home and garden</strong> )<br />Regular addition of organic matter, feeding soil organisms, improves soil structure and ensures a healthy soil, good for plant growth and easier to care for. To this end making good garden compost with a good mix of green and brown materials well aerated is well worth learning. It is easy to make plenty of rich crumbly compost, but, get it wrong and the heap can be wet and smelly and useless!<br /><br />Knowing when and how to plant vegetables is important as they prefer different conditions and need different periods to mature. Seed packets are a good source of such information. Start with growing easy vegetables like carrots, beetroot, lettuce, radishes or even courgettes, outdoor ridge cucumbers, French beans, or even potatoes in a bag of compost. Then as your confidence and knowledge grows more on to other vegetables that you enjoy.<br /><br />Once your vegetables are sown or planted they will need some care. This needn't be time consuming, but can be as your nice seedbed well fed and watered suits weeds too! However, you can master weed control with shading through closer planting and mulches or membrane and through regular weeding to prevent seeding. Watering vegetables with a hose may seem easy, but it rarely delivers enough water for your crops - just wetting the surface, but encourages a mega flush of weeds across the plot. The easier ways, which conserve water, include 'point' watering what needs watering, watering in the evening, and using cover to aid retention.<br /><br />Vegetable gardening should be easy, fun and include the incredible satisfaction of growing your own tasty vegetables all through the year. However, get it wrong and it can be hard and unrewarding.<br /><br />One last trick that makes all the difference - 'little and often wins the day'. Rather than digging/ weeding/ planting or watering for hours on end in one session - spread the load and you will find it takes less time, is more enjoyable and more successful particularly as you build in the easy vegetable gardening techniques.<br /><br />A regular 0.5-1 hour slot every day, or on alternate days, allows you to know what needs doing, keep on top of weeds, keep a regular supply of tasty young produce and of course is easier on your back.<br /><br />I hope you can enjoy your vegetable gardening like I do.<br /><br />Happy gardening - fun, great exercise, satisfying with wonderful produce to eat!<br /><br />©Copyright Colin Stride 2008, All Rights Reserved.<br /><br />For a wealth of information on easy vegetable gardening based on my experiences over 5 years, together with professional knowledge, visit my web site http://www.easy-vegetable-gardening.com/<br />( <strong>home and garden</strong> )<br />To get free monthy vegetable gardening tips to help you practice easy vegetable gardening sign-up at; http://www.easy-vegetable-gardening.com/vegetable-gardening-tip.html<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-73525067789922370112008-04-30T06:33:00.000-07:002008-04-30T06:37:28.076-07:00Home Garden Fountains(garden)Fountains can make a great addition to any outdoor space and with the many styles, sizes available to choose from, you are sure to find one that will meet your individual tastes and preferences.<br />(<strong>home and garden</strong>)<br /><strong>Garden</strong> fountains can be free standing structures, placed on a wall or custom built in to the landscape.<br /><br />Wall fountains can be placed in a <strong>garden</strong> with limited space to achieve the same soothing sounds of a larger fountain.<br /><br />Choosing An Outdoor Fountain For Your <strong>Garden</strong><br /><br />Important things that you need to think about is whether you want a stone or masonry or a plastic fountain.<br />(<strong>home and garden</strong>)<br />If your looking for a fountain that will last a long time consider choosing a stone or masonry fountain as opposed to a plastic one. The masonry fountains will last for many years but they will also be more expensive.<br /><br />Once you have selected the material you want your fountain to be made of, you need to consider the size. Be aware that masonry garden fountains are very heavy, so if weight is an issue in installing your fountain choose the lighter plastic.<br /><br />On larger fountain you may need to consider the cost of a plumber to install the pipes needed to circulate the water through the fountain. Electricity will also be needed to power the circulating pump for your fountain.<br /><br />Many fountains have the option of using solar energy to power the pump. One disadvantage of going solar is that on cloudy days and at night the pump will not work.<br /><br />Be sure that the type of fountain you choose compliments the flowers, plants and landscaping you have in your <strong>garden</strong>.<br />(<strong>home and garden</strong>)<br />For more information on <strong>home garden</strong> fountains please visit <strong>Garden</strong> Pros For the latest information on <strong>home garden </strong>products and ideas.<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-49558295637140938162008-04-30T06:22:00.000-07:002008-04-30T06:33:01.040-07:007 Garden Decor Tips(garden)Your <strong>garden</strong> is your own little oasis. Your retreat from the rest of the world. Naturally, you'll want to add your own touches to your <strong>garden</strong>, to set it apart from everyone else's. You'll want to add your own accents to make your <strong>garden</strong> truly your own. Here are 7 ideas for little touches that you can add to your <strong>garden</strong>, to make it your own personal space.<br />(<strong>home and garden</strong>)<br />1. Wind-Chimes - You can find wind chimes in many styles and materials. You can find copper and metal chimes, clay and ceramic. They may feature random shapes of metal or ceramic, or they may be tubes, tuned to certain pitches. So, chances are, you'll be able to find a set of wind chimes that suit your style and your budget. If not, you can easily create your own. Just look around at some of the wind chimes that are available, to give yourself an idea on how they are made.<br /><br />When you place your wind chimes, look for a place with a slight breeze. Outside, you shouldn't have much trouble finding such a place. Hang the chimes so they'll blow gently in the breeze, creating a relaxing chime. Just don't put them in too strong a breeze, or the relaxing chiming sound will become a harsh, clanging noise.<br /><br />2. Lighting - Several lighting options are available for your <strong>garden</strong> or patio. You can use candles for a soft, flickering light, or a string of electric lanterns for a more steady light. If you don't have an outlet available, you can find solar lights, which soak up sunlight during the day, storing the electricity, and then come on at night when the sun goes down. You may want to include a citronella candle or torch in your lighting to keep mosquitoes away.<br /><br />3. Garden Furniture - These days, you can find a wide selection of outdoor furniture for your garden. I'm not talking about those uncomfortable, aluminum framed, nylon webbed, camping chairs, that trap you as soon as you sit down. You can find comfortable, cushioned chairs and couches, suitable for outdoor use. A hammock strung between a pair of trees can provide a relaxing place to take a bit of a nap on those hot summer afternoons. Several styles of benches are also available to accent the garden, and provide a place to sit and rest under the lilac bushes.<br /><br />4. Fake Flowers - If you have a spot in your <strong>garden</strong> where you just can't seem to grow anything, a container of silk flowers can certainly brighten up the area. You may also put in some small planters on the wall or fence, with trouble-free fake flowers.<br />(<strong>home and garden</strong>)<br />5. Containers - You can plant flowers in a container, or vegetables and herbs, or you can build a small water <strong>garden</strong> to show off water lilies and other aquatic plants. A well placed container garden will add a touch of color and texture to a bare corner of your garden or patio. You can re-plant the containers every season to provide some continual color to your garden, year round, and if you don't like the placement of the container, you can simply move it to a more suitable location.<br /><br />6. Water Features - A water feature can range from a simple container with some water and a few plants up to a large pond, with fish, waterlilies, bridges, and fountains. It all depends on how much time and money you want to spend in creating it, and how much space you have available. Even a small container with a fountain can add the soothing sound of water to your <strong>garden</strong>, without taking over a lot of space.<br /><br />7. Rock Gardens - Rock gardens, like container gardens, can provide color throughout the year, if you plan it well. When plants from one season are done blooming, you can remove them, and replace them with others. A rock garden will take a bit of work to build, especially moving the rocks. Make sure that all parts of the <strong>garden</strong> are accessible for weeding and watering. Try out different rocks and plants until you find a combination that you like.<br /><br />These are just some ideas for accenting your garden, and making it your own personal space. Sprucing up your garden doesn't have to take a lot of time, or cost a lot of money. You can build a water feature or rock garden, or you can simply add a few inexpensive decor pieces throughout your <strong>garden</strong>. Either way, you need to make an effort to set your <strong>garden</strong> apart from everyone else's. You need to take action to make your garden your own.<br />(<strong>home and garden</strong>)<br />Visit <strong>Garden</strong> Style Decor for more <strong>garden</strong> decor tips and resources.<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-7581849335162508252008-03-11T12:19:00.000-07:002008-03-11T12:25:00.553-07:00Tips When Selecting Your Garden Landscape Furniture by Mike Selvon(garden))Tips When Selecting Your Garden Landscape Furniture by Mike Selvon(<strong>garden)</strong>)<br />One very important part of most <em>landscape</em> designs is the <em>garden furniture </em>that is used in the garden and lawn areas around the home. Including outdoor furnishings in a landscaping plan is a terrific way to create special places in your garden where the family and your guests can gather comfortably, to relax and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. In addition, the outdoor furnishings will make people feel drawn to special sitting areas so they will be more inclined to make use of and appreciate your landscaping efforts. (<strong>garden)</strong>)<br />A good landscape design not only creates beautiful surroundings, but the most beneficial landscaping concepts carve out additional living space that extends the effective square footage of a <em>home</em>. Depending on the size of your land and the actual design of the landscape, these outdoor living spaces can sometimes double the area people have for gatherings of friends and family. The seating arrangements make a huge difference in how well these spaces are ultimately used and how you guests will enjoy your efforts at entertaining out of doors. <br /><br />The variety of outdoor <em>furniture </em>that is available these days is almost limitless. You can choose from styles that are very informal and casual or select from styles that reflect formality and sophistication, and just about anything in between. Outdoor furnishings are also available in many different materials such as aluminum or teak.<br />(<strong>garden)</strong>)<br />When selecting garden furnishings, some people like to choose styles, colors and textures that blend in and reflect the overall design of the landscaping around their home. This approach tends to create a harmonious blend that helps people relax and feel more drawn into the garden surroundings. Greens, browns and the more muted tones of nature are popular for those who like to create a gentle flow between their garden design and the furnishings they add.<br /><br />Other homeowners enjoy furnishings for the garden that pop out and get attention. Often the colors are bright and the designs are bold and not meant to blend into the natural background. The pieces usually have an artistic feel and are meant to make a statement and sometimes reflect the personality of the homeowner. These kinds of choices in outdoor furnishings will create a lively atmosphere for fun and frivolity. <br /><br />Another approach that some people take for their outdoor living spaces is to make you feel as though the patio or the garden you have just stepped into is simply a continuation of the interior living space. This is achieved by choosing styles, colors and fabrics that very closely emulate the furnishings inside the house. Many people like this approach as it can trick the eye and make both the home and garden spaces seem larger as they flow together seamlessly. <br />(<strong>garden)</strong>)<br />In addition to properly setting up your outdoor living spaces with wonderful garden furniture, you want to be sure that you don't neglect good lighting for the space. Landscape lighting is a wonderful way to further add ambiance and charm to your outdoor living areas, not to mention it is essential if you will be entertaining after sunset.<br /><br />Article source:www.goarticles.com/romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-16438073758596267202008-03-11T12:13:00.000-07:002008-03-11T12:19:09.219-07:00Spring Time Tips for Gardeners by Ariel Rosen(garden)Spring Time Tips for Gardeners by Ariel Rosen(<strong>garden</strong>)<br />Spring is here, pretty much at your doorstep, and you want to make sure that you get it right when it comes to your garden. That’s why this little brief gives you some basics on maintaining and preparing your <em>garden</em>, at such a crucial time. How your <em>garden</em> turns out will depend largely on taking the right course of action. In the <em>garden</em>, the season is known as one of birth and rebirth begins with the necessary preparation of the soil.<br />3 words â€" Soil, soil, and soil!<br />(<strong>garden</strong>)<br />Without healthy soil, it is unlikely that you will be able to get the best out of the seeds that you plant. There is the inevitable digging which needs to be done in order to loosen the soil so that the roots of the plants you plant can penetrate further. Organic matter for soil is increasingly becoming the “talk of the town†as a way to improve soil quality, and after all, a healthy lawn is dependent on healthy soil. So make sure to mix in some of the magical nutrients into the soil when digging and turning.<br /><br />Pick ‘n’ Mix<br />(<strong>garden</strong>)<br />The next step is to choose the plants that you want to grow. Obviously, this choice is personal, and depends entirely on the look and feel you want in your <em>garden</em>. The key to this part of the process is to make sure that that the plants you pick appeal to you and that they will be suitable for the environment and conditions in which you will plant them.<br /><br />Time to Sew<br /><br />Once you have chosen the plants that you want, the real fun part comes. Planting should be done on a mild day, so that the conditions aren’t too harsh for your budding plants. You should dig a relatively deep and wide hole and place the plant in its new location. You should make sure that the top of the root is level with the surrounding soil before refilling the hole, half with soil before filling the rest with water. The water should seep into the soil at which point you should fill the rest of the hole with the leftover soil. Then, garnish with a little more water and voila!<br /><br />Almost there…<br />(<strong>garden</strong>)<br />You all know that the process doesn’t end there. Your little plants will need dedicated care and attention in order to grow properly. Regular watering, generally in the early morning is best. If you use a hose, make sure that you don’t drown the plants in too much water. Instead, make sure that the water seeps in slowly. Add a couple of inches of mulch for a double whammy of helping to stop weeds from growing and helping the soil retain water. Over the next few weeks, keep watering and you can even add some fertilizer (around mid-season) to give your plants a boost. By following these tips you should soon be reaping the rewards of a beautiful garden. <br /><br />Article source:www.goarticles.com/romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-83098555113573555652008-03-11T12:08:00.001-07:002008-03-11T12:13:23.066-07:00How To Plant A GArden by Eudora DeWynter(garden)How To Plant A GArden(<strong>Home and garden</strong>)<br />Before you start planting a garden make sure you have well prepared the soil. By this I mean have you loosened the soil by hand or with a tiller to allow for the (<strong>garden</strong>)aeration? Have you softened your soil with fertilizers and new topsoil? Most gardens should be lightly tilled in the spring before planting to kill weeds and smooth the soil. Correctly tilling the soil will enhance the absorption of water. Remember also that nitrogen is an important critical nutrient to plant growth so give it time to settle into the soil. Too much nitrogen will make for more vines that fruit on plants such as tomatoes or potatoes. Once you have readied the soil, its time to begin planting. Since you have had all winter to lay out your design and spring has nearly arrived, digging and planting are close at hand. Let's say that we are novice gardeners and are planting for the first time, have a relatively large space and don't know a petunia from a begonia, or an annual from a perennial. First thing an annual (you must plant every year, but they bloom almost all summer) and a perennial (comes back year after year, but has a shorter booming span). Then pick your plants, and try and pick plants that are well suited to your climate and soil region. Know how much sunlight you will be getting in the spot that you have picked out. Annuals such as marigolds, zinnias and impatiens are fairly easy to grow. If you live in a region where late frost is common, don't plant anything until this danger has passed. A simple solution is to start your seedling plants indoors from seed using containers or flats that are designed for indoor planting and the use of a sunny windowsill or an artificial growing light will work wonders. Always make sure your seedlings are kept moist but not wet, never allowing them to dry out. Water every other day or so while they are small then cut back as they grow bigger. If you start with seeds indoors simply follow the packet instructions and when the weather is right transplant outside to fresh air and sunshine. After plants have been transplanted outside continue to water every other day and add mulch around them (when they are large enough) this will cut down on weeds and hold in the moisture from watering. Keep the weeds pulled before they get to big (by hand is best) and if you fertilize with a liquid, fertilize every other month and if with a dry fertilizer use again about half way through the growing season. Always if possible water in the morning when there is less evaporation from the heat of the day. Below is a list of some of my spring, summer and fall favorites.<br /><br />Snapdragons - Beautiful array of colors from early summer until late fall<br />(<strong>garden</strong>)<br />Daylilies - wide varieties, blooms only last a few days but hybrids bloom all summer<br /><br />Marigolds- easy to grow and come in a variety of shades, bloom summer through fall<br /><br />Impatiens- tiny cute flowering plant, but doesn't like very hot weather<br /><br />Pansies- beautiful in all sorts of colors, grows better in cooler weather, velvet feel with black centers<br /><br />Rose Moss- does well in hot climates, an array of colors and an excellent ground cover<br /><br />Begonias- beautiful, but sensitive, not heat tolerant<br /><br />Forsythia- beautiful flowering yellow bush that lets you know that spring has arrived <br /><br />Petunia - an array of colors, heat tolerant and easy to grow, just right for a novice<br /><br />Nicotiana - Multiplies and comes back years after year, has a smell that will attract Hummingbirds for miles white, yellow or purple<br /><br />Gladiola - a garden favorite in mid and late summer<br /><br />Crape Myrtle - beautiful pink flowering bush which is a late spring early summer favorite<br /><br />The pride of my own garden;<br /><br />Bougainvilleas, - climbing woody ornamental plant with red, purple or pink leaves and tiny white flowers<br /><br />Camellias - glossy evergreen leaves with rose shaped flowers<br />(<strong>garden</strong>)<br />Rose - every color, every smell, the very sight is sheer joy <br /><br />Article source:www.goarticles.com/romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-10584456674123281312008-03-11T12:03:00.000-07:002008-03-11T12:08:05.934-07:00Create a Serene Decor in Your Home or Business with Ancient Art Replicas by Chris Robertson(garden)Whether decorating your home or business, ancient art replicas will bring any room to life. Art replicas are works of art or statues that have been re-created to closely match an original artwork. These might be statues of FooDogs, Christian art wall plaques, or famous paintings. There are statues from Buddhist art, Greek art, and many other themes to create the atmosphere you want. <br />(<strong>garden</strong>)<br />Complement Your Furnishings and Colors <br /><br />Ancient art replicas look their best when blended with other decorative items in a room. In your living room, for instance, use replicas of paintings or wall plaques that match or complement your living room furnishings. Lamps, tables, wall colors, and furniture color patterns should be considered. You can fill an empty corner in the room with a lovely statue replica. You can place statues beside a floor lamp or near the edges of furniture pieces. Or, accentuate your fireplace with an ancient art wall plaque of Christian art or Greek art. <br /><br />In the kitchen, add lively ancient art replicas to match the theme and colors of your kitchen. You can hang wall plaques of ancient art along with kitchen wall plates, clocks, or other decorative wall items. You might also use a small statue replica with some greenery along the tops of your cabinets. <br /><br />In the bathroom, a small statue replica can be used to decorate a towel shelf, the toilet tank, or a large sink. Ancient art replicas of paintings and wall plaques also make great pieces for bathroom wall decor. Wherever you place your ancient art replicas, be sure to add lamps, mirrors, flowers, wall sconces, and other decorative pieces to draw attention to your works of art. And in any room, statue replicas make terrific doorstops! <br />(<strong>garden</strong>)<br />Choosing a Decor Theme <br /><br />Before buying ancient art replicas, it's a good idea to choose one particular theme so your decor will remain similar throughout your home or business. There are many themes from ancient times such as Egyptian art, Christian art, Greek art, and Buddhist art. Each theme will offer a variety of statues, wall plaques, and paintings so you can easily find replicas to match your decor. In Christian art, there are replicas of Byzantine crosses, statues of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, or Raphael, Celtic crosses, Mother Mary, and many others. <br /><br />In Buddhist art, you can find unique Buddha statue replicas such as the Head of Buddha, Buddha with 108 Disciples, Buddha Maitreya, and many others. In Classic Greek art, you might want a Greek Sphinx statue, a Greek geometric vase, or a Greek Classic wall plate. Whatever theme you choose, you'll be able to bring that period of time to life in every room with ancient replicas. <br /><br />Outdoor Decor <br /><br />Want to add a touch of elegance to your garden, patio, or business entrance? Ancient art replicas of statues might do the trick. You can guard your home or business entrance with ancient Chinese FooDogs or capture scenes from Greek mythology with Greek statue replicas. Statues can be used to decorate walk paths, patios, porches, and flower gardens. They blend wonderfully with garden fountains, shrubs, and birdbaths. You can also use statue replicas to decorate a religious establishment or educational facility. Statues often invoke a sense of stability and strength or deep religious meaning. <br /><br />Buying Ancient Art Replicas <br /><br />You can find ancient art replicas in your local area or on the Internet. When shopping online, look for high quality replicas that are handcrafted or hand-painted. Also, check with specialty websites to find specific items to match your decor. With specialty sites, you'll be able to buy Greek art replicas affordably. If you want to buy Buddhist art or Christian art replicas, there are many products to choose from. <br />(<strong>garden</strong>)<br />Go online today to find beautiful ancient art replicas to spruce up your home or business decor!<br /><br />Article source:www.goarticles.com/romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-32299315725253826802008-03-11T11:56:00.000-07:002008-03-11T12:02:05.884-07:00Repairing Garden Hose Leaks by Jack Dalton( Garden )Thousands of people each year throw away their garden hoses because the have a leak or sometimes the ends of the hose become over or oblong in shape causing the hose attachments not to work properly and leak.<br />What many people do not know is that there are simple ways to repair your garden house for only a few dollars.<br />( <strong>Garden </strong>)<br />If you have a bad end of the garden hose you can buy a replacement end that is easily installed by just cutting the hose and attached the new end on the hose, and then you will tighten the clamp that is provided. You will then have a repaired end to your hose.<br /><br />If there is a rip, tear, or hole in any section of he garden hose you can by something called a hose mender that will basically connect two end of the hose together.<br />( <strong>Garden </strong>)<br />To install the hose mender cut the garden hose 2 inches from each side of the puncture and then slide the hose mender on two both sides of the hose and tighten down the clamp and your all set.<br /><br />By simply spending a few dollars and spending a few minutes of your time you can save a lot of money doing home repairs yourself<br />( <strong>Garden </strong>)<br /><br />Article soutce:www.goarticles.com/romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-45647430286226115822008-02-27T20:31:00.000-08:002008-02-27T21:25:40.138-08:00Teak Patio Furniture: A Long Lasting Heritage for Your Garden Furniture(Garden)Teak Patio Furniture: A Long Lasting Heritage for Your Garden Furniture(<strong>Garden</strong>)<br /><br />By John Stidolph<br /><br />Cast aluminum, plastic, metal furniture have been a popular patio furniture landmark for quite a while. However a new trend is taking shape where teak patio furniture has become extremely popular. Its obviously the right choice considering the many benefits of teak furniture.<br />(<strong>Garden</strong>)<br />Tell me now,what is it about teak patio furniture,that makes it the best choice? Well, the advantages of using teak patio furniture are many. Quality, class, durability, strength, finesse - all these qualities make teak patio furniture extremely popular. <br /><br />Is it time for your fun tea time on the patio? - relax and enjoy the comfort for your teak patio furniture. Throw in a couple of patio furniture cushions to make it more comfy and you're all set. I've also seen a lot of people tend to have folded tables and rocking chairs made of teak. These are used indoors as well as outdoors. Cool isn't it?<br />(<strong>Garden</strong>)<br />With being able to find teak patio furniture in a lot of places but its always advisable to do a bit of referencing and research of the places that sell this furniture, since prices vary and its always better to be sensible while buying a quality product of high value. The internet sure has many discounts and sales available for online products available including teak patio furniture. Patio tables, chairs, patio chaise lounges, porch swings - you name it, you got it on the internet. So look around before closing in on a deal.<br /><br />Are you tired of always cleaning the dust off of your teak patio furniture? You can always get some outdoor furniture covers which will protect your furniture. Of course people who buy teak patio furniture are aware that teak is durable, it does not require too much maintenance and lasts for a very long time.<br />(<strong>Garden</strong>)<br />With teak furniture on your patio, you'll definitely be the envy of all in your neighborhood. Everyone likes elegant yet durable products and buying teak patio furniture is indeed the right move. Its easy to set up and really creates a 'WOW' effect. So, for reliable, sharp and attractive look, go in for teak patio furniture.<br /><br /><br />Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.comromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-22562664713329514632008-02-27T20:17:00.000-08:002008-02-27T20:29:57.078-08:00Teak Deck Furniture: A Tasteful Alternative for Your Garden FurnitureTeak Deck Furniture: A Tasteful Alternative for Your <strong>Garden</strong> Furniture<br /><br />By John Stidolph<br /><br />Lying around on your deck is the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon. Relaxing on the perfect furniture will make you're afternoon all the more better. Going in for teak deck furniture is the perfect choice, since it class, comfort and style are all found in it.<br />(<strong>Garden</strong>)<br />It's good to get in your head just what it is your want before you get too far into your project. Do you want something where the entire family can get together or something more private and secluded. You will get a better feel for the right deck furniture selections once you determine how the end result is going to be. For example, if it's something for the entire family, you would want to go for something more suited for children. Glass tops should be definitely avoided. For a more quieter and cozy twosome, two good strong chaise lounges would be ideal, a nice teak coffee table with a glass top adds a touch of class. Whatever you plan on doing to you're deck, teak furniture is downright perfect for your deck.<br /><br />If you're not sure if teak deck furniture is right for you, its advisable to start purchase one piece of furniture first. Try it out and you'll want it all you're life. This is from experience. Not only is teak deck furniture durable and long lasting, its also weather proof to all sorts of climate and maintenance is literally none. <br />(<strong>Garden</strong>)<br />Popular demand dictates an elevated essence with teak deck furniture over other types of furniture. But you don't want something regular do you? One of the reason's that teak furniture is so expensive is that teak wood is imported from countries like Indonesia, Burma etc. In addition, the various properties of teak wood that make it long lasting and durable is also another reason for its high cost. But price rarely matters when you're going in for a quality product and that's exactly what it is. Teak deck furniture is quality par excellence.<br /><br />One feature of our deck furniture is the warm and comfortable feel you get, yet something that is durable and strong. Teak deck furniture is exactly that. You can accessories to this furniture to make it wholesome and cool. Throw on a couple of cushions on your chairs, or hang get a outdoor rocking chair, or add some garden benches so that you can have a fun family get together outdoors. <br />(<strong>Garden</strong>)<br />If you want to buy teak deck furniture you're going to have plenty of options, since there is no dearth of manufacturers. In actuality you will probably have a hard time not knowing what to choose because of the limitless choices of teak deck furniture available. Teak deck furniture lasts an eternity, so you definitely want to choose wisely or else you'll find yourself with something you're not too happy about.<br /><br />Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.comromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-26839754022331751272008-02-24T22:39:00.000-08:002008-02-24T22:44:38.082-08:00The More or Less Organic Gardener( Garden )The More or Less Organic Gardener ( <strong>Garden</strong> )<br />By Kenneth Lundeen<br /><br />Afraid to take the plunge into organic gardening? How about dipping a toe in?<br /><br />I'm serious. I believe strongly in organic gardening for all the right reasons - healthier, better tasting vegetables and fruits, no danger of residual pesticides, no worries about how many times it has been handled in the grocery store, and last but not least -- no cloned foods. I can't say cloned food is dangerous, nor can I say it's safe. In another five years, after testing on 100 million human guinea pigs, I might even try it.<br />( <strong>Garden</strong> )<br />In the meantime, although I can't go wholly organic because I can't grow EVERYTHING in my own garden, I will be moving in that direction. I haven't got a big pile of natural compost and soil that is guaranteed chemical fertilizer and pesticide free -- yet!<br /><br />However, this summer I will be buying or producing some organic compost, planting some organic vegetable seeds, and hopefully harvesting some organic tomatoes, potatoes, corn, green beans, beets, and lettuce. Not a lot -- I only have my wife and me to worry about. We will still be eating a lot of items from the local grocery store and we will still be eating out from time to time - restaurants are not going organic yet for the most part.<br /><br />Eating organically is a lot like exercise - you don't have to go whole hog to benefit from it. A half mile walk is not as good as a five mile run, but it still beats being a couch potato. Having organically grown salads and veggies does not have the health benefits of a total organic diet from asparagus to zucchini, but it sure beats soft drinks and Hostess Twinkies!<br />( <strong>Garden</strong> )<br />So, I am a more or less organic gardener this year. Each year I plan to make it shift closer to the "more" side, but I will not feel that I'm a hypocrite because I can't be totally submerged in it right away. I'm still among the working class and even if I wasn't, I like eating out now and then and I am NOT going to bring my own produce into the restaurant and ask them to cook it up for me.<br /><br />I will grow six organic vegetables this year - maybe next year it will be twelve. I will be eating healthy most of the time and if one morning I decide to have a stack of waffles made with Bisquick, slathered with Land O' Lakes butter and soaked in Mrs. Butterworth syrup, my well-balanced conscience will not trouble me a bit.<br /><br />Yes, a full glass is better than a half, but a half is better than none. Is organic gardening for you? If you can't dive in right away, join me in dipping a toe in to test the water, then wading slowly and carefully toward the deep end!<br />( <strong>Garden</strong> )<br />Ken Lundeen is a More or Less Organic Gardener and enjoying it! Learn more about organic gardening by checking out organic gardening videos at http://www.mypureandsimplegarden.com<br /><br />http://www.mypureandsimplegarden.com<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-88131109584533386632008-02-24T22:32:00.000-08:002008-02-24T22:39:05.789-08:00Efficient Garden Tool Storage Can Extend The Life Of Your Garden ToolsEfficient <strong>Garden</strong> Tool Storage Can Extend The Life Of Your <strong>Garden</strong> Tools<br />By David Bailey<br /><br />If you want to keep your garden in good shape then garden tools are a necessity. So if you are to maintain your garden then efficient garden tool storage is a must. This will allow the correct care of the tools and will help to extend their life span. As you will agree garden tools can be expensive and anything to extend their life is welcome.<br />( <strong>Garden</strong> )<br />Efficient Garden Tool Storage Ideas.<br /><br />The use of efficient garden tool storage is really up to the choice of the individual, however, there are some constants that should be adhered to before using the storage. These are such things as the cleaning of the garden tools and also the lubricating and oiling of the tools prior to storage. This will protect the tools whilst in storage.<br /><br />Some people consider there toolbox a tool storage unit whilst others see this as their garden shed. However, it all depends on the type of tools that you are wanting to store and also how many you have. Even a cardboard box would be sufficient for some gardeners.<br />( <strong>Garden</strong> )<br />Although the majority of the tools today are carbon coated or made from stainless steel, it is imperative that you keep the storage free from moisture and dirt. For instance wooden handles on tools will rot very easily if left in damp conditions or left with wet dirt or moss around the garden implement. Just a simple wipe clean will easily resolve this issue and also save money as the tool will last therefore no need for a costly replacement.<br /><br />It is far easier to store the tools dry when using a garden shed as opposed to a tools box. The shed will have a reasonable amount of air flow whereas the tool box could be sealed and the tools will more than likely be stored touching each other.<br /><br />Keeping your garden tools in good shape and also your efficient garden tool storage unit clean is a good way of indirectly taking care of your garden. The proper care of your tools will also help you save money from frequently buying new tools.<br /><br />Looking after your garden tools is the sign of a good gardener. These are your instruments you use to care for your garden and are paramount to your gardening success. Also keeping an efficient garden tool storage can save money as the tolls will not require to be replaced as often.<br />( <strong>Garden</strong> )<br />If you are a avid gardener like me then visit http://www.uniquegardentools.com/ for information on Efficient Garden Tool Storage and all your other gardening requirements.<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-3874436871502677782008-02-24T22:24:00.000-08:002008-02-24T22:32:08.011-08:00Choosing A Tree For A Small GardenChoosing A Tree For A Small <strong>Garden</strong><br />By John Ingham<br /><br />Many of us have small gardens and naturally we want to make the most of them. A tree can set the atmosphere of a garden faster than almost anything else and so choosing the right one can be important. If you choose the wrong one you can spend several years being disappointed and more years waiting for a replacement tree to establish itself.<br />( <strong>Garden</strong> )<br />The trees you like best will be entirely a matter of taste and personal association but there are other questions which determine whether they will thrive and look right in the situation which you provide. These are questions of soil conditions, exposure, hardiness, shade, closeness to buildings and boundaries, site lines and final height. With all these factors to consider a good starting point is to see what thrives locally in other gardens and parks. If they do well in your neighbourhood they are more likely to thrive in your garden. You may find it difficult to put a name to a tree which you like. Some public parks and arboretums have labelled their trees making the task much easier for you. It is also my experience that people who enjoy their own gardens will happily share advice, so don't be afraid to ask what the tree in their garden is called and how happy they are with it. In addition there are some excellent books and below I list three which have been useful to me over many years.<br /><br />The conditions in your <strong>garden</strong>.<br /><br />Firstly the soil. Some trees will not thrive in acid soil, some not in thin chalky soils, some will hate wet soils and some soils which are very dry. There are many however which are tolerant of a wide range of conditions and I list a few below. You can test your soil using a test kit from a <strong>garden</strong> centre or send off a sample to an expert organisaion such as the Royal Horticultural Society. I have never bothered because I can see what does well in my neighbourhood and I know that the soil in my small garden has been cultivated for a hundred years and is a couple of feet of topsoil over clay and limestone. Digging a test hole however will give you an idea of the depth of topsoil (topsoil is the darker soil full of decayed vegetable matter which is at the surface of all natural soils), the amount of clay or rock and the dampness. You shouldn't despair if you only have a couple of feet of soil before you get down to clay or rock. Many trees thrive in this amount and the majority of roots of even large trees tend to be in this top layer.<br />( <strong>Garden</strong> )<br />Hardiness. Within the United Kingdom there is only a limited range of weather conditions but exposure to winds or salt from the sea can greatly effect a tree's chances of survival. Across a continent the size of North America or Europe there is a much greater range of conditions and you may need trees to thrive in the extremes. The books below would give you a good idea of trees for difficult conditions.The Hilliers Manual in particular gives excellent lists of trees and shrubs for many situations and to provide many different effects. Trees for a Small Garden (see below) gives maps of hardiness zones so that you can judge whether a tree is likely to survive.<br /><br />There are several groups of trees which contain species and varieties suitable for a wide range of conditions and which are unlikely to finish more than 15-30ft high. The most useful are probably Malus (apples including crabs), Prunus (cherries and a large number of related trees), Sorbus (rowans, whitebeams etc), Crataegus (thorns) and Betula (birches). I would add Acers (maples) and Salix (willows) for more particular situations. There are few evergreens amongst these groups and so Ilex (hollies) and smaller conifers may also need consideration.Within these groups is a large selection of many of the most valuable small trees. However, since the selection is so big, you will need to be pointed in the right direction to make your choice. If you don't have the name of a particular tree you will need to either visit an arboretum or other public garden, where trees are labelled for you to judge them, or you will need to look the trees up in books or on the web. There are two outstanding books useful for judging trees (and indeed other plants as well). These are - The Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers published by the Royal Horticultural Society. This contains brief details of most of the most useful trees and garden plants and photos of a huge number of them. It costs around £30 but could save you from making all sorts of mistakes in choosing the wrong plants. It makes a wonderful present.<br /><br />The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs which covers most of the plants in these categories commonly grown in gardens. The pocket edition costs around £15.<br /><br />In addition I use Trees for The Small Garden by Simon Toomer, published by Timber Press. It is around £20 or $30<br />( <strong>Garden</strong> )<br />The Author, John Ingham, works for Impact Plants providing large trees, hedges and living green screens throughout the UK. He also provides free advice.<br /><br />Impact Plants can be viewed at http://www.impactplants.co.uk<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-10469671438775459682008-02-24T22:17:00.000-08:002008-02-24T22:23:07.588-08:00Planning an Herb Garden( Home and Garden )Planning an Herb Garden ( <strong>Home and Garden</strong> )<br />By Larry Gildea<br /><br />Herb gardens can be planted for a variety of reasons. Some people plan their gardens for growing medicinal products, skincare products, cooking accents, and so forth. Herb gardens may be both practical and enjoyable from an aesthetic point of view. No matter what reason you have for planting your herb garden, there are a few basics that you should know about herbs and their functions.<br />( <strong>Home and Garden</strong> ) <br />Herb gardens should be planted according to personal taste needs and space considerations. One of the most enjoyable parts of planning any type of herb garden is choosing the type of plants you want to grow. Whether you want to grow your herb garden from seeds, or cuttings or propagation, the possibilities are endless, as are the containers and locations where you can grow your herb garden.<br /><br />There are several basic kinds of herbs; herbaceous, evergreen, and annual. Descriptions of each are offered for you to familiarize yourself with them.<br /><br />Herbaceous Herbs<br /><br />Many herbs are herbaceous, which means that they die back and go "underground" in winter. Some of the more common herbaceous herbs are Oregano, Chives, Sweet Fennel, Winter Savory, Tarragon, Bee Balm and Mint. These kinds of herbs don't require a lot of time with pruning, for simply loping off the plant at ground level will do the trick. This is usually done when the plant is harvested or when you cut back to get rid of the flowers. At the very least, you will do this at the end of the growing season. Herbaceous herbs can even be mowed over several times a year if you choose in order to help keep them free from old and dead branches.<br /><br />Mint is an herbaceous herb as well, but one that should always be planted away from other garden plants, as it is a very invasive plant that will act much like kudzu, so keep it sequestered into its own area.<br />( <strong>Home and Garden</strong> )<br />Evergreen Herbs<br /><br />Evergreen herbs are comprised of such varieties as Rosemary, Thyme and Sage. This type of herb will require pruning at least once a year, but in most cases, people grow these for use in the kitchen. However, if you have planted for other than culinary reasons, these herbs need to be pruned in fall or early spring. We'll talk more about pruning needs later, but this is just to let you know that pruning herb plants is not nearly so involved or time consuming as pruning a tree or shrubs.<br /><br />You only need to prune branches that are old and show no sign of new growth, those that are dead, as well as those lying on the ground or growing across other branches. This process allows additional light and energy to reach the best part of the plant. When harvesting evergreen herbs for cooking cut away only about one section of foliage at a time, and always cut the stem to a section that still has growth showing. Again, we'll talk more about techniques and specifics a little later.<br /><br />Annual Herbs<br /><br />Both herbaceous and evergreen are perennial herbs, which means that they will live more than two years, but only if they are properly taken care of! Some culinary herbs are annuals however, and these include Basil, Chervil, Cilantro and Dill. The life cycle of an annual requires that it produce seeds each year before it dies, so the best way to insure a continual supply of these is to plant new plants every four to six weeks during the growing season. This is called continuation gardening, and will also be discussed in a later chapter.<br /><br />Keep in mind that after an annual starts to make flower, it may be extremely difficult, if not downright impossible, to encourage it to return to merely leaf production. Once an herb has flowered, it won't produce the number of leafs you will need for cooking, but that doesn't mean the plant has to go to waste. Use the flowers and stems for beauty or medicinal remedies instead<br /><br />Herb gardens may be both practical and enjoyable from an aesthetic point of view. No matter what reason you have for planting your herb garden, there are a few basics that you should know about herbs and their functions. There are several basic kinds of herbs; herbaceous, evergreen, and annual.<br /><br />Copyright © Larry Gildea, All Rights Reserved.<br /><br />Dr. Larry Gildea has authored several articles on gardening. Dr. Gildea has created these gardening websites, http://www.gardeningbonanza.com , Gardening Bonanza.com covers many types of gardening, including, bonsai design and cultivation, container gardening, flower gardening, rose gardening, hydroponics gardening and several others.<br />( <strong>Home and Garden</strong> )<br />http://www.organicgardensystems.com<br /><br />OrganicGardenSystems.com is dedicated exclusively to organic gardening. And in his blog, http://larryseasygardening.com<br /><br />Dr. Gildea discusses all types of gardening.<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-18427578230423789702008-01-23T17:36:00.000-08:002008-01-23T17:44:47.090-08:00A Gardener's Guide To Rakes & Hoes(GARDEN)If you are a homeowner with a <em>garden</em> , then you simply cannot avoid rakes and hoes. These two tools are the most basic but crucial tools in any garden. Yet, we hardly give think about them while buying. All that we need is a good price and a strong looking device and we buy it. But there is much more to it than the price and the construction. Here is a guide that will help you choose a good rake.<br /><br />Rakes<br />(<em>garden</em>)<br />Rakes can be further classified into leaf rakes, snow rakes and root rakes. A root rake is used mainly to separate small and medium sized capillary roots during repotting or transplanting. Most root rakes have a single prong that makes it easier to separate the roots without damaging it. A snow rake is effective in clearing snow off a tractor trailer or the roof of your home. The handle of the snow rake can vary in length depending on your use. The leaf rake and the lawn rake are used primarily in the <em>garden</em> and are an effective part of maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene in a <em>garden</em>. Not only are they useful in collecting the leaves, but they are also used for light weeding, leveling the <em>garden</em> and loosening the soil. Make sure that the rake isn't lying teeth up on the ground though.<br /><br />The rake that you choose should have strong tines, a light handle and some springs so that the tines can be maneuvered around without exerting too much pressure on the back. Look for tines made of steel and a powder coated handle in a rake.<br />(<em>garden</em>)<br />Shaping the garden<br /><br />Over grown hedges are a gardens worst enemy and you need to trim them from time to time to maintain the look of the landscape. Hence you can do with a pair of edgers.<br /><br />Hoes<br /><br />Weeding is extremely important to the proper growth of your plants for weeds can rob the plants of all the nutrients and food. Many plants become stunted owing to weeds. Hence you need hoes to scrape out the weeds from the soil. There are several different types of hoes available. They are square, v shaped, bar shaped etc. Depending on the kind of work that you do and your comfort level while handling it, you can choose from one of them. The garden scuffle hoe is a weeder with a push pull mechanism. It hardly requires any lifting on the part of the gardener and hence is easier to use.<br />(<em>garden</em>)<br />About The Author: Jonathan Goodman is the owner of Market Merchants an online retailer specializing in home and garden products. My passion for bbq grilling and fireplaces is the core focus of Market Merchants. I am a member of the Hearth Patio Barbeque Association (HPBA), the National BBQ group (NBBQ), and the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). We sell these products because we love them and are passionate about consumer living needs. So whether its furniture and decor, home improvement, kitchen and dining, or outdoor living Market Merchants brings a dedicated commitment to the customer and a passion for high quality products. Visit the Market Merchants website: http://marketmerchants.com<br /><br />http://marketmerchants.com/content/rakes_and_hoes.htm<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-5779777304104564522008-01-11T01:23:00.000-08:002008-01-11T01:45:24.224-08:00What You Need to Know About Planting RosesWhat You Need to Know About Planting Roses<br />When spring arrives, and the ground is thawed, it is time to start planting your rose garden. Roses date back to biblical times and have been a considered a cherished aphrodisiac then and still are today. Roses hold particular mystery and fascination, not to mention the fact that they just look and smell good! <br /><br />Roses require 4 to 6 hours of sunlight everyday. It is preferable not to plant too many trees or other plants around the rose bush because most of these are likely to either mix with the rose or stifle its growth. If you are replacing an old rose bush, approximately 1 1/2 cubic feet of old soil should be removed and fresh soil added to replace it. <br /><br />When positioning your rose in the garden or landscape, consider the growth habit of the rose. For example, place climbers and ramblers along fences, trellises, or next to arches or pergolas. This location offers them free range of growth, and optimal potential for the biggest and showiest blooms. <br /><br />Roses also look beautiful in island beds mixed with perennials. Miniature roses make great edging plants in front of their taller cousins. Planted singly, shrub roses make excellent specimen plants or they can be clustered to make a flowering hedge. You can also use them to camouflage unsightly garden objects.<br /><br />Dig a hole large enough for the root mass and loosen the bottom of the hole. You should add bone meal, which is a slow acting source of phosphorus that leads to healthy root growth in the rose plant. Special care should be taken with the planting depth. It varies according to the climate you live in. If you live in a colder area, plant a bit deeper and consult with the people growing roses in your area. If you are buying potted roses, you should plant them about 1 inch deeper than their potted level.<br /><br />The plant should be placed in the hole carefully, and the hole refilled with soil, covering the roots completely. Before making the final covering, water the rose plant and let it absorb the water. After this, water the plant more and mound the soil about 6 inches high. The dome will keep the stems from drying out until the plant is rooted. Gradually remove the excess soil as the leaves open. <br /><br />The best time to plant roses varies depending on the winter temperature. Where temperatures do not drop below -10 degrees F; either fall or spring planting is satisfactory. If you live in an area where winter temperatures go below -10 degrees F, spring planting is preferred. Plants should be planted in a dormant condition if purchased bare root, but container-grown plants may be planted throughout the growing season.<br /><br />Spacing of the rose plant is highly influenced by the temperature. In regions where winters are severe, the rose plant does not grow as large as in mild climates. Taking this into consideration, hybrid tea roses should be spaced 1 1/2 to 3 feet apart. Large vigorous growers, such as hybrid perpetual need 3 to 5 feet of space, and the climbers need from 8 to 10 feet of space. <br /><br />If the winter temperature is below 10 degrees F, roses can grow healthy if proper care is taken. The gardener must prepare for that cold, wet reality as he revels in the summer air conditioning. <br /><br />In zones 7 and colder, the roses enjoy their last fertilization of the season by August 15 to limit the emergence of new rose canes, which will almost certainly not survive the winter.<br /><br />For more information about roses, visit http://www.rosegardenanswers.com or http://www.gardencenterinfoguide.com<br /><br /><br /><br />Article source : www.articleworld.netromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-29100904477052508762008-01-11T01:21:00.000-08:002008-01-11T01:23:01.176-08:00Vegetable Gardening on Hard ClayVegetable Gardening on Hard Clay<br />Vegetable gardening can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. Eating your own fresh vegetables picked straight off the plant or fresh from the ground with the real taste still intact beats store brought produce every time.<br /><br />I grew up in Auckland, New Zealand and gardening on the slopes of One Tree Hill, an extinct volcano, with perfect dark volcanic soil, it was merely a matter of chucking some seeds onto the ground, raking it over with soil and coming back and harvesting the bounty. With very regular rainfall there was little need to irrigate, abit of pest control to keep down the snails and abit of weeding was about it.<br /><br />What a shock to come to the Gold Coast, Queensland and attempt to create a vegetable garden here. The soil is poor and solid clay with a rock not far below with little or no top soil.<br /><br />Clay is one of the most difficult mediums to grow plants in. The particular mix is so fine that oxygen and water have a hard time getting to the roots of any plant. Hard as concrete in the dry and waterlogged in the rainy season. Without special preparation you will be lucky to even get weeds to grow.<br /><br />As you can see in the picture above success can be achieved but work is required.<br /><br />To prepare the garden a maddock was used to break up the clay into smaller pieces. It is actually better to do this when the clay is dry, rather than waterlogged. Its just heavier when wet and sticks to the maddock. This is time consuming back breaking work. But take a small patch at a time and come back after a rest. Take several days to complete the vegetable patch, gardening is to help build the muscles, not destroy them. Whilst doing this task many times rock was hit, however most rock on the Gold Coast shatters when hit and breaks into smaller pieces. While many of these were removed pieces smaller than half the size of your fist were left in on the advice of garden manuals. Why? It is said that small rocks help drainage and add minerals to the soil over time. So long as the don't make up more than 5%-10% of the soil, leave them in. Eventually a base of the patch was layed out.<br /><br />To further soften and break up the clay store brought clay breakers were added. Easily available at your gardening or hardware store they are added to water and sprayed on the garden though they work best over a period of time.<br /><br />Next Gypsum was added. This comes in large bags and is easy to spread out by hand, mix in with the clay and it too will further help 'relax' the clay.<br /><br />Some would say, why not just buy a bunch of topsoil and dump it down. Well for a couple of reasons, firstly I have yet to find a good provider of topsoil in Queensland. Most just provide sand with a minimum of organic material mixed in - just enough to darken the sand. The sand is actually poor draining because it is much too fine. Some argue that you can help clay soil by adding sand. But unless the sand is a fine to small gravel I believe you are wasting your time. Sand that is too fine, acts just like a clay soil, it repells short spells of rain or irrigation or becomes waterlogged during a tropical downpoor or solid irrigation. The second reaason why I don't just buy the topsoil is because if the topsoil is not mixed in and bound to the subsoil it will just wash away.<br /><br />To really bring the clay soil up to grade you need to add bio matter. Quality top soil is made of plant and animal materials decomposed or in the state of decomposing. Compost made of of shredded leaves, wood, grass clippings and vegetable/food rubbish is good. But the best material I had available for this garden was straw and chicken waste. With a pen of twenty chickens plenty of nitrogen rich matter was produced. Every three months the coup was cleaned out, the straw smelling strongly of ammonia. However once put on the garden the smell quickly went and the straw and its 'added' contents quickly broke down into the soil. I can reccommend nothing better to add to the soil. If you must add something else to quickly create a topsoil and can't wait for compost or have no chickens then I recommend products such as worm castings or 6 in one products (includes blood and bone, fish compost, etc), they come in 20kg plus bags and range in price between 5 and 15. Several of these, or if your budget handles it 10-20 of these really help to condition the soil.<br /><br />Now the garden is ready for sowing. In the garden pictured above sweet corn, snow peas, peas, beans, garlic, tomatoes, pumpkins, potatoes, beatroot, lettuce, cabbage and much more were grown in such abundance it meet our needs. A small vege patch with good soil, well planned can add to massively to your diet.<br /><br />Unfortunately this garden no longer exists as we moved on from my parents lifestyle block. But as testament to the quality of the soil and the work put into it this small area needed mowing twice as much as the rest of the lawn with quality, healthy, green grass growing quicker with more water in the soil than the rest of the lawn. Showing the truth in Queensland and hard clay soils that if the effort is put in the results will live on for years and decades. Poor soil in Australia is just an excuse for laziness. Yes with have drought conditions at times. But if we prepare the soil well we need less water. If we work with our environment, keeping back water in the times of plenty and molding the environment correctly wonderful results can be achieved.<br /><br />Poor soil should not hold you back, it merely presents a challenge.<br /><br />For full blog go to http://www.gardening-on.blogspot.com <br /><br />Article source : www.articleworld.netromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-79344468327777707122008-01-02T17:59:00.000-08:002008-01-02T19:23:34.948-08:00Gardening Herb Indoorby: Tracy Ballisager <br /> <br /><br /><br />As winter sets in, you usually start getting worried about the plants that you have in your garden because they might not be able to fight the frost or resist the chilly winds. This holds true especially for herbs because they are delicate. Indoor herb gardening is the answer to all your worries regarding your garden. And you don't even have to renovate your home to start growing herbs indoors. A widow that faces the South or West direction and allows sunlight for 5 hours in a day will suffice your need for indoor herb gardening. If you are staying in a high-rise apartment and the only greenery that you get to see is the distant park, then indoor herb gardening is good for you and your apartment too. <br /><br />Thyme, rosemary and mint are good options as starters for your indoor herb garden. You can grow them from cuttings or buy them from a florist. You can get these plants from a supermarket as well. If you want to start your indoor herb garden this way then you need to initially grow the herbs in a soil-less mix of perlite, peat and vermiculite. You get the directions for use on the package or the greenhouse from where you bought the mix. <br /><br />If you prefer staying away from all that shopping, then you can start your indoor herb gardening with the seeds. To start, you need to get some pots in which you can grow your herbs. A pot with good drainage, especially terracotta or a clay pot is preferable. Small pots of 6" diameter are perfect for indoor gardening as they are small enough to grow compact plants and allow enough growth as well. <br /><br />You should have pots of same material, shape and size to bring symmetry in your indoor herb garden. The contrast that you desire can come from the colors and shapes of herbs. Also you should plant different herbs in different pots, rather than 2/3 in the same one so that mint and basil do not taste the same. Herbs that can be directly grown from seeds are basil and Greek Oregano. You need to be careful while choosing the seeds. Buy the ones that are specified as 'compact' as the regular ones are difficult to grow indoors because of their size. <br /><br />To grow your herbs indoors from seeds you need to fill the pots with potting soil that you can get from any florist or greenhouse. Then tuck the seeds in soil to a certain depth as specified on the packet and spray them with water. These pots should be kept on the window shelf facing the southern or western direction to soak up enough sunlight. You should also keep the soil damp, especially if you live in a dry or overheated apartment. You should not over-water your herbs once you see the sprouts, as the roots may rot. <br /><br />If you have started your indoor herb gardening with cuttings or via transplant, you should allow the soil to dry out a slightly. Your indoor herb garden should get plenty of light but should not be exposed to extreme heat.<br /><br />Source : www.articlecity.comromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-47350849443717897952008-01-01T18:33:00.000-08:002008-01-01T18:35:08.051-08:00Create a Comfortable Home and GardenBy Caitlina Fuller<br />Do you look in magazines and see homes and gardens that are simply exquisite? Are you wondering about how you could make your yard and home décor look a little better? Fortunately, it is not that difficult to design a look for your home and garden décor. In fact, when you use the assistance of online stores like Online Discount Mart you will find everything you need to make your plan a reality.<br /><br />The great thing about shopping online is that you can save a lot of money. What you need to do first is sit down and make a plan. If you want your garden to have fountains and hammocks or if you would prefer stones and garden furniture it is up to you. What you do have to do is complete a design that looks good and incorporates your home and garden's best elements. So, focus on what you want to play up and the areas you want to play down. Once you have identified all these areas and have an idea of what you want then you may begin purchasing the necessary items to complete the look.<br /><br />For example, you may decide that you want beautiful wicker patio furniture. Once you decide on this then you need to come up with ways to play up the new outdoor furniture. This includes buying new potted plants to create a beautiful area in your garden. You can plant grass and other flowers so that they will bloom in the spring and summer and look beautiful. Consider the colors you want to plant and the way they will look with your new furniture. Creating an overall design is the idea here.<br /><br />And, the same goes for the interior of your home. Focus on creating a special place. Buy rich fabrics and paint the walls rich colors that will match. You should look through magazines and find rooms that you like. Notice the colors, fabrics, and arrangement of furniture. Try and figure out how you could copy a particular look all the while staying on your budget. Many times you can find used furniture that will work great and save some money not to mention painting yourself in order to save money. When you do things on your own it is amazing how much money you can save. When you use these ideas in no time you will have created a special place in your home and garden that is not only comfortably but beautiful as well!<br /><br />Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. Are you wondering about how you could make your yard and home décor look a little better? Fortunately, it is not that difficult to design a look for your home and >garden decor. In fact, when you use the assistance of online stores like Online Discount Mart you will find everything you need to make your plan a reality.<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/romhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4882248235448356660.post-24469967132851406012008-01-01T18:31:00.000-08:002008-01-01T18:33:13.256-08:00How to Create a Welcoming GardenBy Caitlina Fuller<br />If you have just moved into a new home then the garden is probably pretty bare. In fact, most yards are lacking serious landscaping and few have any shrubs or bushes to speak of. So, when you move in to a new home you will want to put forth a lot of effort to make your home look better and more welcoming. One way you can focus on the outdoors is to add lawn ornaments. You may not think you are into yard art, but you would be surprised at everything that is available today. You should visit your home and garden center and you will see all that is offered and just what a great selection there really is. Even the most conservative gardener will notice some garden gifts to buy and add to the garden to spruce it up a bit.<br /><br />These products could be as conservative as a bird feeder and an outdoor clock to as visible as a large fountain and fishpond. If you want to be ultra conservative then you may prefer buying some stepping-stones and creating the rest of the ambiance with plants and flowers. It is completely up to you how you design your garden but you will find there are many items that will make your garden more welcoming and a more enjoyable place to spend time.<br /><br />For example, you will most likely want to buy a nice bench or a patio set. Anything like this will make your garden more welcoming because it is inviting and a great place to sit and enjoy the flowers and plants. You can easily have dinner parties in the garden or else just take a nightly stroll to enjoy the view. It is completely up to you because it is your garden. The best piece of advice is for you to come up with a plan and then put that plan into motion.<br /><br />If you know more or less what you want to do but you do not know how to go about planning it then you ought to buy a garden design book. This book will help you determine where you need to place certain plants and how you should strategically place furniture and other design elements. It is quite amazing but a book can help you take an everyday idea into an amazing idea in no time! So, let your creative juices flow and start designing your own garden today so come summer time it will be welcoming and beautiful.<br /><br />Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. One way you can focus on the outdoors is to add lawn ornaments. You may not think you are into yard art, but you would be surprised at everything that is available today. You should visit your home and garden center and you will see all that is offered and just what a great selection there really is. Even the most conservative gardener will notice some garden gifts to buy and add to the garden to spruce it up a bit.<br /><br />Article Source: http://EzineArticles.comromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05160231793660078284noreply@blogger.com0