Gardens - Garden Tips 7

By Ted Wosko and Sandra Wosko

Hi Everyone

Yet again another great week although you can really tell the temperature is dipping over night now, as we have to clear our windscreens and it is just about time for the old sweatshirt to go on over the polo I am wearing.

Rusty our dog made me laugh the other morning. It was probably the coldest day we have had recently, and usually when it is time for me to go to work rusty comes outside with me so I can throw his ball for him a couple of times before I leave. This morning when I opened the door and the cold wind hit him he just stood there and looked up at me as to say 'if you think I am going out there today you have another thing coming', that is certainly the character we love about him. When I picked his ball up the temptation was just too much and out he shot like a speeding bullet.

Work wise we are just about on top of things now with the entire amount of grass cutting we have been doing. We have just completed a grass- seeding job for a landfill site – only 11 acres, just a bit larger than normal size garden. Basically it is the same process as we do for new lawns in a home garden but we are using much larger mechanical machinery.

If you are preparing your lawn at home you would first loosen up the ground with a rotovator and you would end up with fine tilth - meaning fine small granules of topsoil without large lumps. You must also remove large and small stones from the surface, rake over to get the surface as level as possible. A good tip here is to get a piece of board about 4 foot long, place on the surface and pull back towards yourself. This will help you get the ground level by taking out the humps and filling in the holes- easy hey! When you are happy with the result, step back and repeat until you have completed the whole area to be seeded.

You should now have a nice level base to sow the grass seed. Place the seed into a bucket and hold in the middle against your stomach. Now stand at the edge of the new lawn area, using your free hand grab a handful of seed, you then broadcast the seed by moving your hand forwards, outwards and across your body at the same time opening your hand up as you go. This sequence should spread the seed nice and quite evenly across the whole area. Take a step forward and repeat the process until the whole area is completed.

You can then go back and put seed on any parts you have missed or the seed is a bit thin. Next get a grass rake and rake the area over covering the grass seed with the soil. Do not worry about trying to cover all the seed, as it will still grow. You can then get your board and re-level the area in the same manner as before, if you have a garden roller you can use it to give it a light roll- but it is not essential. Now give the lawn a good sprinkling of water and leave alone.

After about two to three weeks depending on the weather you should start to see some growth. Once it starts it will soon thicken up to leave the whole area in your garden looking like a new green carpet. Allow the grass to grow to about 2 to 3 inches long before cutting. Reduce the length of the lawn slowly, take at least three cuts over a period of three weeks to take it down to no shorter that 1 inch in height. Till next time just enjoy your gardens.

Ted & Sandra

This article was composed by Ted and Sandra Wosko of A-Z Landscapes & Contract Services Ltd. We run a very successful uk based landscaping family company. We have some blue chip companies as our clients and been retained by them for several years. We have been acknowledged for helping companies achive their environmental compliance standards.
http://www.topgardensuk.com
http://www.theaudiobookdownload.com
http://www.learnturnandearn.com

Article Source:ezinearticles.com

Gardens - Garden Tips 7

By Ted Wosko and Sandra Wosko

Hi Everyone

Yet again another great week although you can really tell the temperature is dipping over night now, as we have to clear our windscreens and it is just about time for the old sweatshirt to go on over the polo I am wearing.

Rusty our dog made me laugh the other morning. It was probably the coldest day we have had recently, and usually when it is time for me to go to work rusty comes outside with me so I can throw his ball for him a couple of times before I leave. This morning when I opened the door and the cold wind hit him he just stood there and looked up at me as to say 'if you think I am going out there today you have another thing coming', that is certainly the character we love about him. When I picked his ball up the temptation was just too much and out he shot like a speeding bullet.

Work wise we are just about on top of things now with the entire amount of grass cutting we have been doing. We have just completed a grass- seeding job for a landfill site – only 11 acres, just a bit larger than normal size garden. Basically it is the same process as we do for new lawns in a home garden but we are using much larger mechanical machinery.

If you are preparing your lawn at home you would first loosen up the ground with a rotovator and you would end up with fine tilth - meaning fine small granules of topsoil without large lumps. You must also remove large and small stones from the surface, rake over to get the surface as level as possible. A good tip here is to get a piece of board about 4 foot long, place on the surface and pull back towards yourself. This will help you get the ground level by taking out the humps and filling in the holes- easy hey! When you are happy with the result, step back and repeat until you have completed the whole area to be seeded.

You should now have a nice level base to sow the grass seed. Place the seed into a bucket and hold in the middle against your stomach. Now stand at the edge of the new lawn area, using your free hand grab a handful of seed, you then broadcast the seed by moving your hand forwards, outwards and across your body at the same time opening your hand up as you go. This sequence should spread the seed nice and quite evenly across the whole area. Take a step forward and repeat the process until the whole area is completed.

You can then go back and put seed on any parts you have missed or the seed is a bit thin. Next get a grass rake and rake the area over covering the grass seed with the soil. Do not worry about trying to cover all the seed, as it will still grow. You can then get your board and re-level the area in the same manner as before, if you have a garden roller you can use it to give it a light roll- but it is not essential. Now give the lawn a good sprinkling of water and leave alone.

After about two to three weeks depending on the weather you should start to see some growth. Once it starts it will soon thicken up to leave the whole area in your garden looking like a new green carpet. Allow the grass to grow to about 2 to 3 inches long before cutting. Reduce the length of the lawn slowly, take at least three cuts over a period of three weeks to take it down to no shorter that 1 inch in height. Till next time just enjoy your gardens.

Ted & Sandra

This article was composed by Ted and Sandra Wosko of A-Z Landscapes & Contract Services Ltd. We run a very successful uk based landscaping family company. We have some blue chip companies as our clients and been retained by them for several years. We have been acknowledged for helping companies achive their environmental compliance standards.
http://www.topgardensuk.com
http://www.theaudiobookdownload.com
http://www.learnturnandearn.com

Article Source:ezinearticles.com

Garden Hoses - 3 Tips To Choosing Your Best Garden Hose

By Terry Edwards

So, you have decided you need to buy a new garden hose? How do you know what to look for in a new hose? Before you make a purchase here are 3 tips to help you find the perfect garden hose for your home.

1. Construction - Obviously, the quality of the hose will determine its life, so look for garden hoses that have brass connectors. Why? Because brass fittings are the best in preventing water leaks and hold up well to everyday use in the yard or garden. It also will never rust or rot out.

Be sure that any water hose you buy has 6 inch kink guards. These guards are what helps prevent your hose from kinking when it's pulled out from the faucet.

2. Long Life - If you are going to spend $25 or more on a new garden hose, then get a good one. A high quality multi-layered rubber hose will give you 7 years of life. Yes, you can go to Wal-Mart and buy a $10 cheap garden hose. But don't expect to use it again next year.

3. Style Of Hose - This is an important area that is often overlooked. How you store your hose has an effect on what style to buy. For example, a coiled hose will work great will a nice hose reel. Just be wary of trying to use any kind of hose reel with a cheap coiled hose. If you have ever seen the tangled rats nest it can make, then you know what I mean.

Finding your best quality garden hose is the only way to go. Whether it is for watering your garden vegetables, plants or shrubs, it will give you years of trouble free use.

By the way, you can find out more tips to choose your best Garden Hose as well as much more information on all types of garden hoses and garden hose accessories at http://www.GardenHosesA-Z.com

Article Source:ezinearticles.com

How to Arrange a Garden

By Esmee McCornall

When it comes to arranging a garden there are only a couple of considerations. One is color and the other is size. There are a number of software programs that allow you to arrange your garden and I have tried one or two of these. They are not to my taste mostly because the time I spend installing and trying to figure out the program I could have been pulling weeds… I prefer getting my hands dirty over sitting in front of a screen any day of the week.

The first thing you need to do is consider color. This is a totally personal thing, but I prefer flowers in shades of the same color so I try to arrange my garden so that the colors are the same or complementary. For instance, I have yellow begonias that bloom more or less all summer. I put yellow and blue pansies in the same garden for ground cover. The pansies are annuals and the begonias have to be dug up and taken inside in the cooler months. So for the perennials, I have white and yellow tulips that come up in a mass in the spring followed quickly by daffodils and then by other yellow flowers that come up in rotation all summer – lilies, potentilla, and daisies.

Arranging this garden is fairly easy. The tall plants are in the center flanked by the lower plants with space for the begonias to be replanted annually. The rim of the bed is filled with pansies.

The choices for colors range from the single color bed (with a splash of white in the case of the one I just described) to a multicolored bed to a bed that comes up in waves of colors. A neighbor has a bed that starts with red tulips then is filled with blue and pink William and Marys (officially known as Pulmonaria and unofficially known as lungwort, Bethlehem sage, Jerusalem sage, Joseph's Mary, and spotted dog).

Once the William and Marys lose their bloom their leaves remain green with nice white spots so they make a nice low greenery look in the garden. Then she has purple irises appear along with bleeding hearts. These are followed by orange tiger lilies. The only thing she plants annually are kale (or ornamental cabbage). She tucks these in under the taller plants and when the bleeding hearts die down and the irises and lilies are ready to be trimmed, there she has her cabbages popping up as if by magic.

The beauty of these kinds of gardens is that they are very low maintenance. You keep weeding them and in the divide any that are getting too overwhelming but you don’t have to do much in terms of digging and planting and yet the color just keeps on coming all summer.

The size of the plants can provide lovely texture to your garden if they are mixed properly. Mix high and low plants so that they can all be seen and mix thin plants with bushy ones so that the graceful stalks of the thin ones can be seen and the bushy ones have room to expand.

Esmee McCornall is a 'Gardoholic' publisher and writer. She recently published a guide called "Tips and Tricks to Create the Garden You Always Wanted". You can download a free copy at http://www.gardensandflowers.net

Article Source: ezinearticles.com

Garden Design for Beginners

By Esmee McCornall

There are two things to consider in garden design. Especially when you consider yourself a beginner. One is the location and the other is you. Let’s look at location first.

What do you have to work with? Sketch out your yard on a plain piece of paper and then on a sunny day, mark the areas that have full sun, partial sun, full shade, and any other variations that you can find. You may need a couple of copies of this paper before you begin because morning sun is different from afternoon sun. Mark the directions on the paper too. Now you can see where the full eastern sun hits and the full western sun.

I made a big mistake with my geraniums the first year by putting them where they could be seen from the street. Unfortunately that was at the northeast side of the house and the geraniums spent half their day in the shade of the house. They did not like this very much. They bloomed but they were not hanging with blooms like they should have been. So take note of the sunlight and match your garden choices with the sunlight available.

Your sketches will guide you to the bed locations that would be best to begin with. Likely you will have several options. You want them to be in a highly visible place and your first choice should be a location that is highly visible to you. Where do like to sit in your home? The living room? At the kitchen table? Sit in that spot and look at the choices on your piece of paper. Which one is most visible from where you sit?

That is the place to begin.

Okay. Now step two of the design is to actually layout the bed. This is where you have to do a serious self assessment. Are you the type of person who takes on way too much work and then gets overwhelmed? Go for perennials. Are you the obsessive type who likes to keep rearranging things? Go for annuals. Do you have a lot of time? Start with two beds and experiment with different layouts for your flowers.

What? You don’t know what kind of person you are? Here’s a quick way to figure yourself out. Pick up some of those gardening magazines you have around the house. (Yes, I know you have them.) Now flip through the pages and mark each page that has flowers that appeal to you.

Now look through those marked pages and narrow them down to the top four favorites. Use those pages as a guide to what you want to see in your garden. Are they big flowery plants like peonies? Are they dainty little flowers? You have just figured out your style.

Esmee McCornall is a 'Gardoholic' publisher and writer. She recently published a guide called "Tips and Tricks to Create the Garden You Always Wanted". You can download a free copy at http://www.gardensandflowers.net

Article Source: ezinearticle.com

How to Plant a Flower Garden

By Esmee McCornall

This is done in layers of activity. It depends on when you read this but ideally the best time to begin your flower garden is in the fall. That way you can use nature as your assistant. If it is fall, you dig your bed, toss in compost, cover the bed with grass cutting, fallen leaves, or whatever you like. My neighbor empties her potato and apple peelings and pumpkin rinds into her bed.

But this is about planting a garden, not preparing it so let’s focus on planting. Your bed is ready. You’ve hoed it and raked it and fed it. Now is the time to begin. Speaking of time, plant in the late afternoon or evening so the plants have time to settle into the ground before the hot sun hits them.

Check to make sure that you can reach the center of your garden from the side. You don’t want to be stepping into your garden to tend to it. If you have created a big garden and cannot reach the center without stepping into it, then incorporate the need to step on the garden bed into the garden bed. Get a flat stone or two and place them as decorative elements right into your garden.

There. That is taken care of. Now it is time to plant. Lay out your tools. Use those little garden tools and have a little spade ready. Get your bucket of water and a can or something to dip out the water. Line up your plants. Begin in the middle of the garden with the plants that will be the biggest. Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the roots, pour in water, and place the plant in the hole. Use your hands. Steady the plant with one hand and pack the soil around the roots with the other. Mound the soil up a little bit because it will settle down once the plant begins to spread out its roots.

Space out the rest of the plants, working from the middle out to the sides. Leave room for expansion. It is a classic mistake to put the plants close together because they look good but the fact is what you are planting is just the beginning of the gardening. The little plant you just placed in the garden might be a foot wide in a few weeks time. When you get the plants, make sure you follow the instructions on how far apart to plant them. If it says plant 6 inches apart, then plant them 6 inches apart (on all sides).

There. That’s all there is to it. Your flower garden is planted.

Esmee McCornall is a 'Gardoholic' publisher and writer. She recently published a guide called "Tips and Tricks to Create the Garden You Always Wanted". You can download a free copy at http://www.gardensandflowers.net

Article Source: ezinearticles.com

Selecting the Right Water Feature for Your Garden

When contemplating a water feature for your garden it is important to reflect on the style of your landscaping and draw from this to select the right style of water feature to suit the surroundings. The wrong choice could result in your water feature looking out of place. Consider a contemporary minimalist garden with a Whisky Barrel Kit as the water feature!

Below we have prepared a list of common garden styles and some suggestions for incorporating water features into these gardens. This list is by no means exhaustive. Also, take into account that many gardens are a fusion of two or three garden styles.

Contemporary Garden

This style of garden is usually characterised by attention to detail such as the use of a single specimen plant. Simplicity, form and the clever use of light and space are fundamental to this style. Colours are used minimally to produce dramatic effects.

Suitable Water Features

Stainless Steel Features

Water Walls Clad (with Contemporary materials)

Canals and Rills (made from Contemporary materials)

Reflection Pools

Architectural Granite Features (Aquifer Columns or spheres)

Cottage Garden

Arguably the most enduring of all garden styles, this garden is characterised by mass planting of colourful flowers and herbs in well designed garden beds. Although the plant design is carefully structured it is designed to look natural and free-flowing. This style often incorporates places of interest to visit such as bench seats, arbours, and gazebos.

Suitable Water Features

Bird Baths

Wishing Wells

Natural Ponds

Statuary Features

Formal Ponds

Fountains

Formal Garden

A formal look in a landscape is typically achieved by placing plants to conform strictly to a geometric design theme. This style relies on the use of symmetry to draw the eye to focal points such as water features or sculpture. The use of hedging plants and topiaries is essential to achieve the formal look.

Suitable Water Features

Stone Fountains

Bird Baths

Reflection Pools

Spilling Urns / Pots

Fountain Sprayers

Geometric Ponds

Tuscan Garden

The rustic Italian garden seems to assimilate very well into the Australian landscape. Aged, muted colors intrinsic to Italian gardens are echoed in our landscape. A focus on Al Fresco dining and entertaining is essential to this style. Planting is often semi-formal – formal and includes topiaries and hedges.

Suitable Water Features

Spilling Urns

Wall Fountains

Stone Fountains

Classical Statuary

Tiled/Stone Water Walls

Wall Spitters

Japanese Garden

The Japanese garden has its emphasis in simplicity, control and thoughtful design. This garden must incorporate the careful use water as a focal point. Well placed, gracefully formed plants such as bamboos, grasses and flowering shrubs provide balance which is essential to this style. These gardens also use stone and sand to imitate the natural landscape. The Japanese garden is the ultimate meditation and relaxation.

Suitable Water Features

Deer Scarer (Shi Shi Odoshi)

Japanese Spill Basin (Tsukabi)

Large Containers with Fish and Water Lilies

Rock Geysers

Fish Ponds

Natural Ponds with Rock Waterfalls and Cascades

Xeriscape Garden

Xeriscape is a term derived from the Greek word 'xeros' meaning dry and from the word landscape, to form a new term for water conserving gardens. This style is increasing in popularity due to our dry climate. This garden often features both native and exotic species and is landscaped to minimise water use and to channel water to plants that have a higher requirement. Xeriscaping often draws from Cottage and Contemporary styles.

Suitable Water Features

Dry Creek Bed

Mill Stone Features (re-circulating)

Rock Geyser (re-circulating)

Granite Features

Natural Ponds (to provide an oasis for wildlife)

Tropical Gardens

The tropical garden is one for the plant lovers, these gardens are gaining in popularity due to the range of plant species now available to Australian gardeners. Tropical plants, densely planted, look their best in summer when we typically use our gardens. Characterised by the use of bold, lush and colourful foliage with spectacular flowers. This style provides a cooling oasis in the warmer months.

Suitable Water Features

Natural Ponds

Waterfalls

Creeks / Streams

Reflection Ponds

Spilling Pots/Urns

Contemporary Statuary

Water Walls

Australian Native Garden

This style of garden draws on the unique characteristics of Australian materials and the natural colours of Australia. Often rustic in style, the use of timber, stone and corrugated iron can be incorporated into the Australian garden. Modern Australian native plantings are often designed similar to a traditional cottage garden with the focus on the colour palette.

Suitable Water Features

Whisky/Wine Barrels

Wishing Wells

Mill Stone Features

Cobbled Creeks

Natural Ponds

Concrete Sinks/Troughs

Rock Geysers

Danielle Dickinson is an avid water feature enthusiast. She is a regular contributor to Gardening Magazines. Visit her website http://www.waterfeaturesonline.com.au for more information on building and maintaining any type of Water Feature as well as a huge range of water gardening products.

Article source : www.articleworld.net

Happiness - The Gardening of the Soul

Copyright © 2005 Julian Kalmar

"Happiness actions" are the physical and mental actions that naturally and automatically create a sense of well-being in us. They work because there is a certain something within us—our internal wiring—that responds to these actions. Although there is some variation between people, many happiness actions are shared with just about everyone.
For example, most people will feel good after doing physical exercise. Likewise, the mental activity of learning a new skill can be tremendously gratifying.
The most powerful happiness actions involve both mental and physical activities, and have astounding personal effects. Gardening is an excellent example. Providing it’s not overly strenuous, quietly tending a garden can create an enormous sense of tranquility. You get in touch with the soil and plants, and most importantly, your own thoughts.
To get your hands in good soil, quickly puts you in communion with nature. There is nothing like filling a pot with soil, and patting it down with your hands. Making a little hole, putting a seed in it, and covering it over, brings an excited sense of anticipation. The magic of a little water and some time brings forth new life in a way that never gets old. Every day thereafter, there are visible changes in your little plant that are captivating.
With a larger garden, there is even greater involvement. You quickly become part of the soil and plants. All your stresses melt away, and you lose yourself in the quietude of the experience. (When was the last time you got so carried away?) Suddenly you’ll completely lose awareness of your problems with family, work, or the economy. Your biggest concern becomes, finding the critter responsible for eating the leaves of your tomato plant. Getting lost in “bug hunting” takes you back to earlier days when you were completely in touch with your real life.
Then there’s that good tired feeling you get after spending hours in the garden. You sleep more soundly that night, since…you can’t remember when. A day or two later you start discovering muscles you never knew you had! Every movement brings with it an ache that reminds you of your gardening accomplishments and you feel good as you relive your experience communing with the spirit of your garden.
Next comes the impossibility of passing by your garden without stopping to admire it. With that comes one of the highest things you can do for your sense of well-being. You bathe in the appreciation of beauty.
Is it any wonder that centuries ago it was discovered that people recovering from illness and injury recovered faster if they tended a garden? You cannot help but put something of yourself into the soil, the plants and the environment. As you cultivate your garden, so it cultivates a certain something upon your soul.
Indeed, gardening is a spiritual experience. It connects us to the One-ness that is, to the oneness of where we truly are. We lose our I-ness, and unconsciously integrate into the flow of the universe. We fall into perfect harmony and finally arrive home.

About the Author:
Julian Kalmar is part of a small think tank dedicated to spreading happiness throughout the world. More happiness teachings are available in his 4-CD audio collection, “Happiness: The Highest Gift.” Julian recently joined the ranks of Nelson Mandela, Wayne Dyer and Marc Allen in winning the coveted "Audio-of-the-month" award. (http://www.thehappinessformula.com)

Article source : www.articleworld.net/

Happiness - The Gardening of the Soul

Copyright © 2005 Julian Kalmar

"Happiness actions" are the physical and mental actions that naturally and automatically create a sense of well-being in us. They work because there is a certain something within us—our internal wiring—that responds to these actions. Although there is some variation between people, many happiness actions are shared with just about everyone.
For example, most people will feel good after doing physical exercise. Likewise, the mental activity of learning a new skill can be tremendously gratifying.
The most powerful happiness actions involve both mental and physical activities, and have astounding personal effects. Gardening is an excellent example. Providing it’s not overly strenuous, quietly tending a garden can create an enormous sense of tranquility. You get in touch with the soil and plants, and most importantly, your own thoughts.
To get your hands in good soil, quickly puts you in communion with nature. There is nothing like filling a pot with soil, and patting it down with your hands. Making a little hole, putting a seed in it, and covering it over, brings an excited sense of anticipation. The magic of a little water and some time brings forth new life in a way that never gets old. Every day thereafter, there are visible changes in your little plant that are captivating.
With a larger garden, there is even greater involvement. You quickly become part of the soil and plants. All your stresses melt away, and you lose yourself in the quietude of the experience. (When was the last time you got so carried away?) Suddenly you’ll completely lose awareness of your problems with family, work, or the economy. Your biggest concern becomes, finding the critter responsible for eating the leaves of your tomato plant. Getting lost in “bug hunting” takes you back to earlier days when you were completely in touch with your real life.
Then there’s that good tired feeling you get after spending hours in the garden. You sleep more soundly that night, since…you can’t remember when. A day or two later you start discovering muscles you never knew you had! Every movement brings with it an ache that reminds you of your gardening accomplishments and you feel good as you relive your experience communing with the spirit of your garden.
Next comes the impossibility of passing by your garden without stopping to admire it. With that comes one of the highest things you can do for your sense of well-being. You bathe in the appreciation of beauty.
Is it any wonder that centuries ago it was discovered that people recovering from illness and injury recovered faster if they tended a garden? You cannot help but put something of yourself into the soil, the plants and the environment. As you cultivate your garden, so it cultivates a certain something upon your soul.
Indeed, gardening is a spiritual experience. It connects us to the One-ness that is, to the oneness of where we truly are. We lose our I-ness, and unconsciously integrate into the flow of the universe. We fall into perfect harmony and finally arrive home.

About the Author:
Julian Kalmar is part of a small think tank dedicated to spreading happiness throughout the world. More happiness teachings are available in his 4-CD audio collection, “Happiness: The Highest Gift.” Julian recently joined the ranks of Nelson Mandela, Wayne Dyer and Marc Allen in winning the coveted "Audio-of-the-month" award. (http://www.thehappinessformula.com)

Article source : www.articleworld.net/

The Importance of Garden Decor

Transform Your Life

Gardens and their ornaments are symbols of enchantment, of mystery, of meaning, and of ultimate being.  Another way of looking at this is to see that gardens and garden accents provide the power to transform one’s mood and one’s life.  To be sure, garden accessories can become symbolic reminders of life’s blessings as they encourage people to enrich their surroundings by transcending the mundane.

The Gardening Imagination

Garden ornaments help people take an active stance in their lives by enabling them to create a niche in the world that is in concert with their values and their dreams.  Indeed, it is this “gardening imagination” that provides people with the opportunity to select meaningful objects that speak to their senses, to their experiences, and to their lives.

An Invitation to Add Garden Decor to your Life

Websites that sell garden decor can be viewed as invitations for people to experiment and let their imaginations run free so that they can, with conscious effort or with playfulness, select the accents that they like—decor that speaks to their dreams and to their soul.  With this in mind, look at the different products that are sold and select garden accessories that help elicit childhood fantasies.  Examine the different garden accents and choose ornaments that speak to your inner self. 

Let Your Personality Shine Through

Garden decor helps calm the spirit, soothe the soul, and delight the senses.  By letting your individuality shine through as you select your decorative accents, you will transform your garden into one of the most meaningful experiences in your life.  The challenge is to capture moments of wonder, joy, and inspiration and experience the lasting pleasures of beauty and the splendors of nature by decorating your garden in a way that is congruent with your noblest thoughts, feelings, and aspirations.  

Your Garden Sanctuary

Strive to decorate your garden with ornaments that magically call you to return to your garden sanctuary.  Look at different garden products and decide on decorations that motivate you to tap into your playfulness or into your artistic bent as you contemplate how you will decorate your garden.  In a word, you can add richness, depth, and a sense of discovery to your garden with different garden ornaments.

Summary

In conclusion, garden decor is significant because it is an invitation for people to open themselves to the magic, to the wonder, to the meaning, and to the pleasure that gardens and garden related accessories can bring to their lives.
About the Author:
Denny Soinski is the owner of the highly successful company Water Fountains and Garden Decor. Dennys website http://www.water-fountains-and-garden-decor.com features garden decor accents including water fountains vases birdhouses lanterns sculptures plant stands birdfeeders lighthouses wall plaques planters and windchimes. This article is copyrighted (c) 2005 by Denny Soinski and may be reprinted in its entirety as long as this byline and copyright statement is included.

Article source : http://www.articleworld.net/

Pre-Spring Garden Planning by Tammy Clayton

Copyright © 2005 Tammy Clayton
The end of Februrary already? My how time does fly! The sun has already become more readily available than in the past few months. Perhaps more cold and clear, but those candle-hours are important to the sleeping natural world; it is their built in clock. You cannot lie to a plant, it knows what time it is. Far more intelligent than one gives them credit for.
As you plan what to add to your garden this winter, I am sure you are paying attention to the light and water requirements all good perennial vendors attatch to each entry in their catalog. This is very important to your success with each plant. But it is possible to mix more drought loving plants with those that require more moisture in the same planting with good results. The secret lies in the substructure of each given plant's area in the bed.
Drought lovers do like some water, they will reward you with a much more beauty with some weekly water...in a drought bed. But what if you want to put say - lavender and phlox in with lobelia and ligularia? Those water requirements can really hamper one's creativity! So some knowledge of drainage engineering will give you the ability to try mixing them in the same planting area. Lavender and Phlox like drier conditions. Not that the Phlox will die in a spot where daily overhead watering is recieved. It will survive and grow huge, and flower excessively, but be stricken with fungus that makes the lower leaves yellow, icky looking and then become half defoliated. Ground watering is it's preferred daily moisturizing treatement. One can place it in a corner the sprinkler doesn't hit and water that section by hand once or twice a week and it will reward you very nicely indeed. Since Phlox is rather tall, this avenue of placing it in the back corner works out well. It likes the moisture but not on its leaves. Roses fare better this way as well, especialy since one cannot control what the heavens will pour down. Less black spot and such other marring problems will occur, if ground water is used vs. overhead.
Lavender on the other hand loves it hot and dry. It doesn't mind what heaven pours down IF there is a good drainage structure where the roots are. Too much water retention and it will slowly die. To conteract good soil water retention where one would like to plant the ever so beloved lavender row, a blind drain is required. It is called "blind" because on the surface you do not know that it is different from the rest of the area. In a planting area that is scratched once or twice a month some of the substructure will mix into the top surface and change the color of the topping soil. But once the bed fills no one will see this. (Surface scratching, by the way will put much needed air tunnels to roots, create more water availability to roots, and lessen the amount of weeding one must do, if it is done twice a month.)
The smaller the particle size of soil, the moisture it will retain. Clay having the most minute pieces and sand having the largest. Each person's garden area will have a totally different soil structure. If you are in hard clay, I would advise that either you excavate 6" of clay and fill with 7 inches of peat/topsoil 50-50 fill OR raise the bed at least 6 inches above the harsh environment of the clay. Raising it is much less labor than excavating! Not too many things will do nicely in clay. The only way around it is correction. Once you have nice workable soil, with good moisture retention, yet good drainage - you can go about planning what goes where and how to amend each area for certain plants.
To get good drainage, you need to go down at least 4-6 inches, depending on the plants requirements. SHARP drainage is engineered with pea gravel in a 2" layer, followed by 2" of coarse sand, topped off with 2" of your rich garden soil. In times of extreme moisture the worst of it will lay in the gravel bed. The gravel there also holds more heat than the moisture retaining soil, therefore using the warmth to do away with excess water faster. Variegated irises planted with a bed of road gravel 4" beneath the surface will grow three times more lushly than those in average garden soil - they love that heat! Heat and drought loving plants are much happier in that environment when regular water is recieved. It is the retention that causes decline and not what comes from above. More moderate drainage would be created using 3" of sand and 3" of soil on top. Since each plant has different needs, your engineering of drainage will require a bit of working on. But it opens doors to what you can put in a planting as happy bedfellows that no drainage field would never allow you to attempt.
Plants such as Ligularia need loads of moisture. To truly enjoy these types of plants you must keep the soil moist at all times. So to plant these in a happy spot, average garden soil (50/50 peat-topsoil mix) must have good composted humus worked in and layed on top as a mulch. This holds water and coolness where it is needed for the roots to stay wet enough. Another neat trick I have seen that might aid in keeping these hungry types lush would be a water reservoir or two at their bases. Using an inverted 20 oz. pop bottle with the cap on and bottom cut off. Then 3/4 of the way up the bottle poke a small hole every inch. The water in the reservoir only leaks out when the water in the soil is depleated. So it slowly oozes moisture where it is needed. Refilling it would depend on the heat index and the amount of rainfall or irrigation in a given spot. To keep the soil from filling the bottle, a peice of landscape fabric, a hunk of old polyester fabric, or even the foot of an old nylon stocking, rubber banded in place allows moisture in while keeping most of the dirt from washing into your reservoir.
If tulip bulbs are rotting in an area due to heavy spring and fall moisture a more aggressive drain system is needed that will carry the water down and out more quickly. Water runs down hill, so an incline to your drain bed is needed. The more water, the more layers of decreasing size fill is needed and the deeper one must go to drain the area. BEWARE! Sometimes you can over do drainge and even daily watering will not keep things moist enough! If that problem occurs, excavate and change your "recipe" to lessen the sharpness of draining. As with all things, experience is good guidance as to what is enough and what is too much. Heavy water problems can be solved with this system. The bigger the area, the bigger your drain field. Using successive layers of 1-2" roofing stone, pea gravel, coarse sand and topsoil or garden soil. Some drains go down a whole foot or more. The layered field can also be used with slotted tile pipe in a sock, attatched to solid pipe in some severe situations. A one to two inch decline over many feet can take a "pond" in your lawn or garden out to the woods or curb; to an area that it is no longer a detriment to whatever you are trying to grow in that spot. This same system was used repeatedly over the coarse of decades by my father who specialized in "corrective drainage" while in the landscape contracting field in. We employed it in many planting areas of customers yards with much greater success of what we could grow in any given customer's yard. (It was also used to correct basement flooding.) This will widen the choices of what you can grow together under "normal" garden conditions quite a bit, no matter what your limitations are at the moment.
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Read more great Gardening articles at:
http://www.LostInTheFlowers.com

Raised by a highly respected & successful landscape contractor in the metro Detroit area, Clayton wanted a career in anything but landscaping! Now an award-winning landscape designer, Clayton runs Flowerville Farms, a mail-order nursery in Michigan. Read more at LostInTheFlowers.com.

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The Basics Of Landscaping

Author: Stephen Campbell

Landscaping can be quite challenging, especially if this is your first time being a homeowner or having landscaping duties. However, there are several things that you can do to make your journey into landscaping a successful one.
First of all, keep it simple. If this is your first attempt at landscaping, don't try to do too many things at once. Keep a simple line of bricks to separate your home from your yard, for instance. This is one of the easiest things to do to brighten up the look of your home. You first want to choose a brick style and buy the bricks. Then, make a straight line around your home. Make sure that you keep the line the same amount of space away from the foundation of your home. Lay down the bricks along that line. Dig them into the ground an inch or so with a trowel, so that the bricks will lie down easily. Next, you can fill the space between the line of bricks and the foundation of your home with chips or stones. If you lay down heavy plastic before you use the chips or stones, you will not have to deal with weeds and other things growing in your landscaping area.
Once you have your home outlined, you can continue with several simple things. You can put plants or potters inside the stone, making sure to space them evenly so that they look nice against your home. You can also use the same style of bricks to outline your sidewalk or driveway, which will tie in all of your landscaping.
After you have mastered this, you can move to creating other things, such as corner flowerbeds, fountains, and fishponds. Always remember that when you are landscaping, you should use the same materials and color scheme for all of your projects. This will make sure that you are doing things in your yard that all match and go together. Always remember that if you are in doubt, the simplest is always going to be the best, especially for beginners. Also remember that in order to have a nice looking yard, it is important to make your property clean and neat. Remove debris and garbage, and keep your yard and flowerbeds trimmed. This is the basis of good landscaping, no matter what level landscaper you are. It is always important to be neat, clean, and simple when it comes to landscaping.

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Tips on Finding the Right Garden Hose Reel

Author: Terry Edwards

One of the most overlooked areas in your yard has to be the garden hose. If you are like most folks, the hose just lays out in the yard. Then, when you go to use it to water the garden, wash the car, etc, it inevitably gets kinked and tangled up, leaving you frustrated and angry. We've all been there. So, what is the answer? Simple, a garden hose reel is the perfect solution.
Whether you have a 50 foot hose or a 200 foot garden hose, keeping it in place with a garden hose reel is the only answer. Not only will it keep it wound nicely, but it also protects it from being run over or damaged. It also helps provide safety for your family by preventing accidents. You won't have to be concerned about the kids tripping over it or getting their tangled up in it.
Garden hose reels are available in all different types and price ranges. You can find reels that mount on the side of the house or come in the form of a cart. Others can be found in their own storage container. It all depends on your budget and your taste.
You can find all the different types by doing a search online or going to your nearest Home Depot or other home and garden store. A company online that sells all different types of hose reels is called MyReels. They specialize in the needs of gardeners and landscappers everywhere. They also have the one of the largest selections of garden hose accessories around.
One of my favorite reels is actually a complete gardening station. It comes complete with a sink, hose reel, storage area and flat table for setting down plants, potting soil, etc. It makes for a great outdoor convenience for sure.
So, don't let that garden hose sit on the ground any longer. Get yourself a nice garden hose reel and end the frustration of kinked hoses and a messy landscape.
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Herb Gardening: Great For Food Or Pleasure

Author: Gabriel Adams

There are few things better tasting than foods seasoned with herbs grown in your own backyard herb garden. A small 4 foot by 6 foot herb garden can provide plenty of room to grow enough herbs for a small family. Many common herbs can easily be grown indoors or outdoors for use in cooking.
Of course, cooking is not the only reason for growing herbs. Adding herbs to a flower garden or landscaping area is a great way to add aromatic elements to your gardening area. Many of the herb plant varieties are very aromatic and can enhance the atmosphere of your backyard landscaping.
Some herbs can also enhance vegetable flavors if you plant them next to each other. Tomatoes are highly susceptible to picking up the flavors of nearby herb plants. This can create a unique and delicious taste in your vegetables that is dependent on the herbs that you plant nearby. Some herb plants produce beautiful flowers and can be a wonderful addition to a flower garden.
One of the most important aspects of growing herbs in a home garden for use in cooking is the preservation process. Herbs can be used fresh while they are in season, but if you plan to use them over the winter months, you will need to dry or freeze your herbs to preserve them.
Herbs are great for beginners because they require very little soil and fertilization maintenance. Also, pests and diseases are not usually problematic areas for herbs. If you are growing herbs for the first time, try to limit your choices to a few of the basic herbs, such as chives, parsley, basil, thyme, coriander, sage, rosemary and dill.
Growing herbs indoors or outdoors is easy and beneficial for use in cooking, aromatics or simply decoration. Try your hand at maintaining an herb garden, and you will be well pleased with the results.

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Even Texas Has Gardens: Gardening 101 For Arid Climates

Author: Pat Carpenter

Now, now. Before I hear the seasonal sighs and woeful mumblings of secret New England jealousy, let me offer a word of encouragement. You can do it. This is not an unattainable goal. There are no insurmountable obstacles here. Apply the power of creativity and a little resourcefulness, like any good student, and it will be easier than you think. Yes, even Texans in Dallas, Houston or the most arid spaces can grow a beautiful herb garden.
What is this I say? Impossible! But it's true; any good gardener would swear by it. The congested cities of Dallas and Houston and the sandy deserts of southwest Texas can support a garden without constant watering and nutrient support. Just look at the plants and animals in the area. How do they survive? All living things need nutrients and water - the trick is figuring out which plants enjoy living in which climate. If we do, we're well on our way to living a healthier, natural life. Individual health insurance can't cover everything, after all.
The biggest mistake defeated gardeners make is fixating on certain plants. But coffee isn't grown in Alaska and, sorry, it's just not realistic to try for edible mushrooms in arid Texas. Texas is considered to be in hardiness zones six through nine, which means the state experiences average minimum temperatures of from -10F to 30F. Considering that regions of North America commonly dip below -50F, that's a huge plus. The perceived problem is dry climate and sandy soil in much of the state.
Contrary to popular belief, however, many plants actually prefer this environment. Cacti is the most exploited example, perhaps, but its shallow root system and ability to store water do serve as a perfect example of how plants create their own versions of individual health insurance policies: in times of emergency, simply draw from the well. This adaptation not only allows cacti to survive in dry climates, but to actually thrive. Cacti would literally drown if watered too much. Calendula, bay, eucalyptus, ginger, lemon verbana, and Madagascar periwinkle are all perfectly suited to climates throughout Texas, and make wonderful garden plants.
Soil is essentially a composition of minerals (45%), organic matter (5%), water (25%), and air (25%). Its texture is dependent on the size of mineral particles, and different soil types will feel differently when they're at their healthiest. Damp, sandy soil, for instance, will fall through the fingers, but still stick together when pressed. Plants growing in this type of soil will have shallower roots that spread quickly, but will quickly lose water as well.
To check moisture content, gently remove the top layer of soil and survey the condition at the roots. If the soil is cool and moist, and the plant shows no signs of distress, such as wilting or discoloration, all is well. Choose a level garden site with adequate drainage, and make sure it's not in a valley or low spot. Lowlands decrease drainage and air circulation in the soil.
Choose plants that are considered "half-hardy," or that need a warm environment to germinate, but, once established, can survive a mild frost. Calendula, or "pot marigold" is a popular choice. Germinate inside, if possible, and transplant to the outdoor garden once a strong root system is established. Dill is considered a "hardy" plant, which is also an excellent option, and can be sown outside while spring or fall frosts still threaten.
Keep hardiness zones in mind, as well as watering and nutrient needs. Being able to provide some shade is best, but working shade-giving plants into the design could take a year or two. Check to see how much light a plant needs, and provide for it accordingly. A plant requiring full sun is able to be exposed directly from sunrise to sunset. Partial- sun plants can be directly exposed from five to six hours, but then need at least partial shade for the rest of the day. Most seed packets will provide the appropriate information, and, if there are any doubts, don't be afraid to visit the local gardening store.
Most plants require one to two inches of water a week, and those in dry climates may require more. Overhead watering systems lose 30-50% of their content to heat on a summer's day, so the misperception of how difficult it is to grow a garden may actually come from choosing the wrong plants and then employing inefficient watering systems. A rudimentary irrigation system, such as trickle lines, tends to be much more efficient. Simply dig a space for a trickle line - a hose with small, periodic punctures allowing water to drop or spray into the soil - next to your plant and hook it up to a nearby water source. Less water evaporates, runs off, and feeds surrounding weeds; in turn, more water reaches favored plants.
Gardens need nutrients, of course, but they may not need a constant, artificial source of them. Starting a compost is a great resource, and easy to do with organic food wastes. What may be better in climates like Texas, however, is a quality mulch. Mulching will not only retain more soil moisture, dramatically decrease weeds, and protect against erosion, but will also insulate the ground against temperature changes. For Texans, this means mulching will keep the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the frosts.
Excellent choices for Texas gardens are:
- Basil. Thrives in mild climates. Considered an annual plant, grows one to two feet, and is primarily used as a culinary herb.
- Bay. Thrives in Zone 8 (average annual minimal temperatures of 10-20F). Considered an evergreen shrub or tree, grows six to twelve feet, and is primarily used as a culinary herb.
- Eucalyptus. Thrives in Zone 8. Considered an evergreen tree, grows from five to three hundred feet, and is primarily used as a medicinal herb.
- Ginger. Thrives in Zone 9 (average annual minimal temperatures of 20-30F). Considered a perennial, grows two to four feet, and used as a culinary and medicinal herb.
- Lemon verbana. Thrives in Zone 9. Considered an evergreen shrub, grows five to ten feet, and is primarily used as a culinary herb.
- Madagascar periwinkle. Thrives in Zone 9. Considered an annual, grows an average of two feet, and is used as an ornamental.
See, it's not so hard. Armed with proper knowledge and an appreciation for climate-suitable plants, gardening in Texas is, if not exactly easy, much less difficult than common (mis)perception would imply. A little water, a little shade, and some attentive germination will reap many rewards. Within a few months, a beautiful and functional array of plants will bloom. Yes, even Texans (resist that sigh) can have an herb garden.

 

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Wildlife Gardening: Attracting Wild Visitors

Author: Linda Pollitt

Why is it so Important?
In recent years, the popularity of wildlife gardening has grown dramatically. Not only are gardeners increasingly aware of our declining wildlife and keen to play a role in its survival, but they are also discovering the joy of sharing a garden with native species.
We share our small garden with birds, frogs, toads, hedgehogs and even the odd fox. Nothing quite beats the magic of breakfast outside on a sunny morning, watching the birds feed, squabble and sing.
Jane Davies.
The past 100 years have seen the loss of some of our most precious habitats. Ecologist Janice Crook explains "Estimates vary widely, but it seems that since 1945 we have lost something like 50% of our ancient woodland, and 95% of our flower-rich meadows." Little wonder then that many of our most loved wild animal species have also declined dramatically. Even once common species such as tree sparrows are at risk – these lively garden visitors are now on the RSPB's red data list for endangered species.
Even tiny wildlife areas can help to stem the decline by providing a safe home for native plants and animals. It might seem that one small garden cannot make a difference to such a huge problem, but with around fifteen million private gardens in Britain , covering up to three million acres of land, gardeners really can make a difference. If even a fraction of these gardeners gave some of their land over to wildlife habitat they could provide many new homes for our most endangered species. Gardens have special value because they are arranged into networks of green space, often going into the very hearts of our largest cities, and forming safe 'wildlife corridors' along which animals and plants can travel.
As our farmland and other natural areas continue to be degraded or developed, gardens will become ever more important as wildlife refuges.
A Wildlife Food Supply
If you have the space, select a range of plants that can supply different types of food throughout the year. The following guidelines will help you to maximise the amount of pollen and nectar available in your garden:
Plant a range of species that flower at different times of the year;
Include some early flowering plants, as early spring is a critical time for many insects;
Include plenty of species where the nectar and pollen is available near the surface of the flower;
Select simple flowers where the pollen and nectar are easy for insect visitors to reach - avoid double flowers and others that are difficult for insects to tackle. Also be aware that some garden flowers are sterile.
What To Do
Small changes can make a tremendous difference to the amount of wildlife attracted into your garden. For instance, by incorporating native plants carrying scented flowers, seeds and berries you can attract birds, bees, butterflies, and many other desirable animals, as well as predatory insects such as ladybirds. Butterflies, moths and songbirds feed mainly on nectar, pollen and seed. Bees too are attracted by nectar.
You can incorporate 'food' plants throughout the garden or perhaps plan a 'service station border' which contains a mixture of flowering and fruiting shrubs, herbaceous perennials and colourful bedding plants, all chosen to provide food for wildlife. If you only have a small window box select beautiful flowering annuals to attract bees and butterflies, as well as brightening up a window sill.
The following list shows some of the most successful border flowers and shrubs offering pollen, nectar and seeds, but remember that wildflowers can be important too.
Garden plants to look out for include: Christmas rose (Helleborus niger), winter aconite (Earanthus hyemalis), elephant's ears (Bergenia cordifolia), anenome (Anenome blanda), polyanthus (Primula vulgaris elatior), honesty (Lunaria biennis), sweet rocket (Hesperis matronalis), forget-me-not (Myosotis spp.), leopard's bane (Doronicum pardalianches), sweet william (Dianthus barbatus), shasta daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum), cranesbill (Geranium spp.), sweet bergamot (Monarda didyma), oriental poppy (Papaver orentiale), valerian (Centranthus ruber), angelica (Angelica archangelica), lovage (Levesticum officinale), yarrow (Achillea filipendulina), hollyhock (Alcea rosa), snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus), teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), mint (Mentha rotundifolia), meadow saffron (Colchium autumnale).
Wildflowers that are particularly good as a source of nectar or seeds include: lesser burdock (Articum minus), hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum), field scabious (Knautia arvensis), foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), woody nightshade (Solanum dulcamara), wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum), betony (Stachys officinalis), and hedge woundwort (Stachys sylvatica).
Shrubs to attract wildlife include: Buddleia (Buddleia spp.), Chaenomeles japonica, Pyracantha coccinea, Amelanchier canadensis, Cotoneaster frigida, Viburnum tinus, Viburnum bodnantense, Mahonia spp., Cytisus scoparius (broom), and shrub roses of all kinds.
In addition, where possible incorporate native tree and shrub species, such as hawthorn, guelder rose, and elder in the UK, as these are particularly attractive to native insects and birds.
For more advice on gardening, visit the Garden School.
To try a free home study gardening course visit Learning Curve.

 

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Sensory Garden: Engaging All Five Sense in your Garden Design

Author: Linda Pollitt

Engaging the Senses
"We each have our own, unique ideas about how our garden should look and feel - the common element is a clear identity. A garden with a clear sense of place might thus be a tranquil, simple space within which to escape from the frenetic pace of modern life, or it may be a lively, colourful area where the whole family can enjoy games and barbecues."
Dean Hickson, Tutor
As a gardener, what does the phrase, 'a sense of place' mean to you? We thought of the following meanings, but you may have thought of others:
A clear sense of identity - even 'personality';
a sense of belonging - whether within the landscape or in harmony with the house;
a feeling of cohesion and completeness;
timelessness - garden design, like any other area of design, goes through fashions and trends, but the strongest gardens are often timeless.
Designers may adopt contemporary ideas and incorporate them into an existing garden, but this will probably not change the 'sense of place' greatly; instead it should enhance it.
"People like circular or curvy gardens with plenty of movement.... They don't want formal gardens - they are looking for something softer, more relaxed and easy to live with."
Carol Gallagher McCulloch, Scotland on Sunday, 2005.
A garden with a strong sense of place works in every respect - cohesion, design, colour, identity. The design is confident (although that does not necessarily mean bold) and visitors feel comfortable within it.
"You always know when you're entering a balanced, well-proportioned garden because it feels comfortable - lines lead you naturally through the space, and shapes and volumes are restful on the eye ... Most of us want our outdoor spaces to offer a peaceful sanctuary."
Diarmuid Gavin, Design your Garden.
Sensory Experience
We experience a garden through every one of our senses, and a true sense of place is created when there is harmony between the different sensory messages we are picking up - touch, smell, sound, vision and even taste. For this reason, when creating a garden, you need to be aware of the different ways in which your design harnesses the senses.
How do you think a garden design could engage the following senses: hearing, smell, touch, and taste? There are many possibilities here, but some that we thought of immediately include:
Hearing - water features, wind chimes, plants that rustle or rattle in the wind.

Smell - open patio fires, especially if burning scented wood; flowers; scented foliage. Smell is often used to create a welcoming, tranquil atmosphere in the garden.
Touch - when it comes to experiencing a garden, touch is often of central importance. Examples range from spiky ornamental thistles to the feathery, plume-like flowers of astilbe and Cotinus Coggygria. Hard landscaping may also be important, ranging from soft, warm wood to cold granite or slate. Texture is a key feature of many successful designs.
Taste - This is often associated with smell, so it can be a particularly important sense around the patio area. Because vision, smell and taste are closely linked, your design can engage the sense of taste indirectly. For instance, a patch of strongly scented mint will set the taste buds tingling, as will a tree laden with luscious citrus fruits. You see a citrus fruit and catch a hint of their aroma, and before you know you can almost taste them too!
Vision
Of all the senses, vision is the one with most impact when we first walk into a garden.
The way we see colour evolved primarily as a survival mechanism, and today colours still gives us important messages about safety - for instance, the warning colours of a poisonous snake, or the red-orange glow of a hot ember - but more than this, colour helps us to enjoy the beauty of our environment. Scientists have argued that our ability to experience colour is far beyond that we might need simply for survival purposes and we seem to have an inbuilt ability to find pleasure in colour. Researchers Padgham and Saunders note:
"Our ability to see colour is highly elaborate for the mere necessities of reproduction and survival. Our capability is far beyond what is needed to distinguish ripe from unripe fruit or acuity for mobility. Joy in colour is a bonus of our senses."
Scent
Our sense of smell is a powerful tool. Among other things, it tells us:
If something is good to eat or has gone bad;
How something tastes - if you nip your nose when you eat, you will not be able to taste the food properly;
Often, if there is a danger nearby - for instance, a gas leak;
If we find someone or something attractive - smell is an important hidden component of attraction.
Smell can also evoke memories and help us to identify people or places, even when we cannot see them. As we have seen smell is central to creating a strong sense of place in the garden.
Many of us under-use our sense of smell, choosing instead to rely on our vision. Try to become more aware of the way everyday items, places and people smell. As you go through the day, close your eyes sometimes (but only when it safe to do so!) and experience your environment entirely through smell.
Think about what smells can tell you? They might, for instance, tell you that the chicken you are cooking for dinner is fresh and will taste good. On the otherhand, they might tell you that there is something old and out-of-date lurking at the back of the fridge! Some smells will evoke memories. These may be pleasant, or rather less so. Understanding more about aroma and how it affects mood can help you to make the most of scent in the garden too.
There has been much research into the powerful psychological impact of smell. For instance, researchers at Yale University in America found that the aroma of apple and cinnamon has a powerful stabilising influence on some people, especially patients suffering from nervous anxiety. The smell was even found to reduce the blood pressure and ward off panic attacks. In the garden, similarly, the right smells may have a calming and soothing effect.
The area of the brain associated with smell is called the olfactory centre. It is directly connected to other parts of the brain concerned with basic drives such as sex, hunger and thirst, and also with much more sophisticated aspects of understanding, including emotion, memory, intuition and creativity.
Advice from the Garden School.
To try a free trial home study course visit Learning Curve.

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Beautifully Combine Color for Use in your Flower Garden

Author: Robin Monarch

Remember the color wheel from art class in school? Some easy to remember keys to beautifully combine color in your garden areas lie in the way those six basic colors are set up on the color wheel.
Starting from the top and working clockwise around the color wheel, simply remember the sequence of the colors: violet/purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red and then back to violet/purple. By knowing and using the order of the colors around the color wheel you can apply the following three quick and easy to remember tips to beautifully combine color:
Combine colors that are next to each other on the color wheel:
Suppose you want orange flowers in your garden. To compliment the orange, you could combine orange and yellow flowers...or orange and red flowers...or orange, yellow AND red flowers.
Combine colors that are straight across from each other on the color wheel:
Starting with the orange example again, you could combine orange and blue...or yellow and purple...or red and green.
Combine colors that form a triangle with each other:
Orange, green and purple...or blue, yellow and red.
Following the sequence of colors around the color wheel and these three tips as a guide, you will soon be creating beautifully combined areas of color throughout your garden areas.

 

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A Few Simple Steps to Make your Garden Look Great

Author: Chris Head

The reason that I enjoy gardening so much, not only for myself, but working in other people’s gardens is the transformation that can be done, sometimes in a relatively small space of time. As such offering garden services to others is a pleasure and not a chore.
The main reasons for people calling in someone to look after their garden is because they simply don’t have the time but also because they lack the knowledge that is required to transform a basic ordinary garden into a colourful and tidy place that you can lounge and relax in on those hot balmy days during the summer months.
I am often called into gardens that have let nature take over, the main structure of the garden is in place, but the beds and borders have been swamped by weeds. The lawn is growing into the beds as well; they have lost their way and need redefining.
Garden Lawn Care
The lawn will need to be cut, preferably with a good rotary or cylinder mower. Hover mowers are great if you have banks and slopes to contend with, but a rotary or cylinder mowers will give your lawn the nice cut that is required. Rotary mowers have an advantage over the cylinder mower in that they are simpler to use and generally the ground does not have to be 100% even. They are also easier to maintain than a cylinder mower. A cylinder mower is generally used if you want a bowling effect lawn, which most people do not. To finish the lawn off you must always cut the edges. If the edges need redefining then use a lawn-edging tool.
Garden Beds and Borders
Always ensure the beds and borders of your garden are kept tidy by regular weeding. This can be achieved using a long handled hoe. Although this can seem a bit of a chore it will later pay dividends. The main structure of the planting should be created using shrubs. Then you will have your perennial plants and finally for that splash of additional colour through the gardening calendar summer bedding, spring bulbs which can include snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils, tulips and many more. Also ensure that any shrubs are kept in check by pruning at the required times. For example spring flowering garden shrubs need to be cut and tidied after they have flowered. This will ensure new growth during the summer for flowers the following year. Be sure to place plants in an environment in which they will feel at home in.
Patio Cleaning
Patio areas need to be kept clean and tidy. This can be undertaken by the professional using specific patio cleaning equipment or by pressure washing. There are also many chemical cleaners on the market. Patio paving can cost a client large sums of money to have installed so it is worth looking after this area for longevity. Additional sand and cement mix brushed in between the paving may be required after either of the above processes.
Gravel Areas and Pathways
Keep any gravel areas free from weeds either by using a systematic weed killer or getting down on your hands and knees and removing the garden nuisances by hand using a trowel for example.

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Garden Benches - Not Just For The Garden Anymore

Author: Jesse Akre

When people think about garden benches, they immediately believe that the only place they can be put is in the garden. Well, that just is not the case and even though the garden is still a great spot for one, there are still a number of lovely areas that they can go. Plus, not only would one add a wonderful seating option for you, your family, and guests, but it would also enhance the appearance of any space that it is put in.
Really, any place throughout your outdoor area would be a wonderful spot to put one, but if you are stumped on where you could place a few, gorgeous garden benches, then here are some awesome ideas for you. One idea is in your backyard deck or patio area. It would be not only be a nice way to complement the other furniture that you have, but you could also use it as the main source for your outdoor seating since they are so comfortable. Plus, they have a spacious seating area that would be perfect for a few people, so then during those summer barbecues or get-togethers, you do not have to worry about having quality seating for all of your guests. For even more luxury you can purchase a cushion for the ones that you get and one of the best available options are cushions made from Sunbrella fabric, which is water repellent, mildew resistant, and colorfast. Another idea on where you could place one is on the front porch as a nice spot where you, or a friend, can sit and take in the sights and the sounds of the neighborhood after a long day at the office, or a long relaxing walk. A third spot is just right in the backyard on the lawn, for a comfy place to rest during or after those intense lawn games with the family. You could even put one in your home as a rustic decorative twist, like in an entryway or basement area. Basically, they work well in any setting.
Wherever you decide to put one, you are not only adding a lot of comfort to the space, but also a lot of beauty since garden benches are extremely appealing to the eye with their different designs and finishes. Some can have very plain designs that you would see sitting in the park with just straight wood finishes while others can look very elaborate and feature different flamboyant colors. There are a lot of different options available and when you go to purchase yours, it is important to keep in a few things in mind when trying to find one. Like, what it is made out of because you do not want it to be constructed out of cheap materials since they will not be very durable and stable and will have to be replaced sooner rather than later. Some top quality materials include woods like alder, cedar, pine, shorea, and teak along with metal that includes stainless steel and yet another option is stone or brick. Each is very durable and will ensure that what your purchase will last for many, many years wherever you decide to put it. For an easy way to see all of the available options, check out the internet and all of the online stores. Not only is it an easy way to browse, but you will probably end up finding the best possible prices.
So, the next time that someone starts talking about garden benches and how they can only be placed in the garden, set them straight and let them know they would work well anywhere. And, not only do they offer a comfortable place to sit, but they also add to the appearance of the space that they are in. By purchasing one of these fine outdoor furnishings for your deck, patio, lawn, or porch, you cannot go wrong.

 

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River Rock Landscaping Ideas

Author: David Faulkner

Your backyard has been the same for years, and you've decided to give it a new look. You've chosen to put in a modestly-sized brook, and to give it the most natural appearance you can, will be finishing it with river rock landscaping. Because you are new to river rock landscaping, however, you'll need some suggestions which can be quickly and easily implemented.
Rustic Feel
Using river rocks when landscaping is no different from using ocean rocks; they are both popular among those who want to give their landscaping a rustic natural appearance. River rocks are very effective when used to border manmade brooks; but they have to wait until the brooks have been built.
Brook Basics
Brook installation goes far beyond digging a backyard trench and adding water. It includes installing a water circulation system; otherwise the water will stagnate, becoming a breeding ground for insects, algae, and other health hazards hazard. To make sure its water circulates properly, you really need to have a professional install your backyard brook.
You also need to consider the depth of your brook, especially if your have small children. And check your local zoning laws; many communities have strict rules about fencing around water.
Once your brook's water is flowing freely, it's time to devise a plan for your river rock landscaping. You can place the rocks in the brook's channel to give it a more natural look, or you can arrange them along the edges of the brook.
If you decide to place them along the edges, you can substitute faux river rocks for the real thing; they are more readily available, but your river rock landscaping may not look entirely natural. For more info see http://www.onlinelandscapedesigns.com/Landscaping_Equipment/Landscaping.php on Landscaping.
Consider the Environment
While you may be thinking that river rocks are as near as the closest natural stream or river, you may be prohibited from gathering them because of environmental restrictions. Too many rivers and stream ecosystems are already in fragile condition; having people remove the rocks which offer protection for the wildlife that inhabits them will only make matters worse.
Your best bet for getting river rocks that you can be sure were not taken from environmentally threatened areas is to get them at your local garden supply store.
If your garden store doesn't carry them, do an Internet search on river rock landscaping and you'll find many websites with ideas on where to find them. By bookmarking the best ideas, you can compile enough research that you'll be able to locate plenty of rocks to complete your river rock landscaping in style!

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Gardening Indoors? Find the Right Tools

Author: Christopher Jay

If you've just set up an indoor garden, you're doubtless excited and want to make sure it grows right and produces results. To do so, you will need to make every effort to ensure your plants get what they need to be as healthy as they can be. For this, you need theproper indoor gardening supplies.
Indoor Gardening Supplies You Need
Indoor gardening supplies are not that much different than gardening supplies for outdoor gardens. However, they differ in that they are specifically designed to use in indoor gardens instead of outdoor gardens and are therefore manufactured to scale. They also are manufactured to cater to the specific needs of indoor gardeners.
For example, if your indoor garden will have many small rocks, you'll want to put gardening tarp at the very bottom underneath the rocks, so that the rocks stay in one place and don't move. As an alternative, if you want to, you can simply use larger rocks that will frame the garden and therefore avoid using the tarp. Whichever you choose, they should match with the overall look of the garden. Play with this and have fun.
Next, look at the tools you'll need for your garden. If the plants you have will require frequent trimming, for example, you'll need gardening shears or another type of trimmer.
Of course, you'll also need the correct soil. Because regular soil from the outdoors usually is shy of having the proper nutrients in it for many indoor plants, you'll need to get gardening soil from your gardening supply or department store. Many specialize in particular kinds of plants, for example, so if your indoor garden is made up of a lot of flowers, for example, you'll want to look for a gardening soil that will support them. Many even have plant food incorporated right into the gardening soil so that you do not need to buy a separate plant food.
Finally, of course, you'll need to water your indoor garden; how frequently you do this will depend on the type of plants you have and how dry the atmosphere is indoors. Check with the nursery you bought your plants from to see how often they need to be watered, or search the Internet for information on the particular kinds of plants you have.
Of course, it's likely that you won't need the same gardening tools for your indoor garden as you would need for your outdoor garden, such as a weed trimmer or gardening claw. However, your nursery will be able to tell you what you will need for tools and will even gladly supply some of them. As always, for anything you can't find, the Internet is a good resource, both for information and for tools for your indoor gardening supplies.

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Tips For Nurturing Your Garden

Author: Jeff Dahlberg

When starting a flower garden, there are a few important things you need to know about how to care for the garden. For beginner gardeners, the most common mistake is not letting your plants get an adequate amount of natural light. Natural light whether they are partially or full is essential to ensure that the flora gets its nutrients on regular basis. Another important element for a healthy garden is water. Water as the liquid of life, however, anything beyond the needs of a garden will completely destroy it. Making sure the garden gets enough water and at the same time sustaining it is a daily challenge that a gardener has to face. Let it get rain water if you wish or you can even provide it for your flowers yourself. On top of these two essential components for gardening, fertilizing the soil is a must. Fertilized soil will boost your garden's vegetation nevertheless, too much of it will burn your plants.
Garden should be a place where one can picture heaven on earth, well if not they can relax and dream away in the lushness of its beautiful landscape. That is why a thriving garden would need all the nutrients and care it deserves. Water is on of them. Water and good drainage system goes hand in hand to provide the perfect amount of fluid the garden needs. Plants need the sun to produce chlorophyll, without it they will lack other things that they need to grow. Do not expect your garden to thrive if it doesn't get enough light it needs. Fertilizing your soil also means providing food to the garden. When it gets enough food it can live and work, so treat your garden like the way you would want to be treated!
Annuals and perennials can be mix in your planting project to get the best of both. Not only they provide assortment of flowers for your garden, they will make sure that there will always be something to see in your backyard. Of course for enthusiast gardener, this will keep you busy all through the year. If you find flowers that are drooping, pinch them off to let new flowers bloom. If you do not wish to use your hands, cut off the buds instead. This process is called deadheading.
Mixing different types of seeds in a garden can create a wonderful combination of flowers. There will be plants growing throughout the year. Perennial plants grow in early spring and this will be a sight for sore eyes. Adding annual seeds simultaneously will make sure more growth to come. Make the plants productive by cutting off old flowers. This is also called deadheading.
Insects can in fact help maintain a garden so that it becomes healthy and well balanced. Insects provide natural nutrients to the soil in the garden. It helps purge other predators of the plants. For this reason, a garden with bugs and insects has all the natural insects should do away with artificial insecticide as it can do more harm than good. Thus keeping the good insects for your garden would be a better option than artificial chemicals.
When you see bugs and insects in your garden, before you fret, you must be sure whether they are the ones you must rid off or keep. Although some insects may eat away your leaves and plants, some are there to help maintain your garden. They usually help pollinate flowers and keep nutrients in the earth. They can also act as natural predators to harmful bugs. This makes them good fertilizers and insecticide. Not only they are not harmful to your plants and environment, they come to you absolutely free.
One way to keep your garden attractive is using mulch to cover the soil. Other than that, mulch can also regulate optimal temperature for seeds to grow. Besides, mulch will not give room for weeds to grow. Another thing that a gardener might want to use in his garden is fertilizers. Fertilizers can maintain flowers blossoming for a longer period of time. When choosing fertilizer, one should opt for fluid type as the usage is easier to administer.
Soils need to be fertile in order for them to nourish seed and existing plants. When your soil is not naturally in this condition, you may need extra help from additional fertilizers. Liquid fertilizers are best because they not only let flowers bloom for longer period, they are also easiest to handle. Other than fertilizers, mulch will take care of soil during cold temperature. Therefore you can maintain the best temperature for your newly planted seeds. Adding mulch to soil should be done by at least 3 inches thick.

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Enhancing Your Garden With Wind Chimes

Author: Stephen Betzen

There are a number of different ways to enjoy a set of wind chimes. While chimes are frequently hung on patios and balconies, if you want to enhance your garden area, why not hang your chimes on a set of decorative poles and enjoy the tinkling sound of music among your flowers and plants? As the gentle breeze blows through your garden you will be able to enjoy the soothing sounds produced by your chimes.
Due to the wide variety of styles, designs and sizes, garden wind chimes have become increasingly popular. Not only are chimes beautiful to look at as well as listen to but they can also create a more peaceful place to rest at the end of the day. If you enjoy relaxing in a hammock in your garden, placing a set of chimes nearby can provide much needed rest and relaxation.
There are certainly no limits when it comes to choosing a design that is uniquely inspired. There are literally hundreds of choices to select from as well as the ability to design your own unique and personalized set of chimes.
Wind chimes provide you with the ability to transform your garden and outdoor living area into something extraordinary. With a few thoughtful, tasteful additions any garden can be improved. Regardless of how beautiful and spectacular your plants and flowers may already be, there is truly nothing more unique than introducing a beautiful set of chimes to your garden area. Personalized chimes allow you to place your own individual stamp in your garden and help it to stand out from every other garden in the area.
For a more distinct musical serenade choose wind chimes that are produced with tubes of various lengths and diameters. By selecting a variety of different chimes and placing them throughout your garden you will be able to achieve more depth to the sounds created by your chimes.
When choosing your wind chimes to serve as garden accessories, give some thought to the overall style and them that you want to develop in your garden. What kind of look or feel do you hope to achieve? By selecting a set of chimes that will blend well with the theme you are weaving into your garden you will be able to strike a balance of harmony and beauty that will both soothe and relax.
The positioning of your chimes can also be an important matter. Decorative poles can be used to strategically place your chimes throughout your garden. You might also consider hanging your chimes on the edge of an outdoor entertaining area, along your gazebo or in your tree line.
Taking the time to purchase quality wind chimes will not only enhance your garden area but also your ability to unwind and relax as well. Quality wind chimes will provide you with beautiful music resonating throughout your garden for many years to come.

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How to Enhance your Brisbane Garden With Steel Sculptures

Author: John Hacking

Sculpture has been used for centuries to enhance a garden's natural beauty. Every garden would have a little spot which could be better highlighted using an unusual sculpture, a bird bath or water feature rather than just another plant.
Careful positioning of these sorts of things has traditionally been used in garden feng shui to bring all the elements into the garden. Any size garden can be enhanced with sculpture as it draws the eye to a focal point as you walk around the garden.
Metal sculpture is often chosen due to its durability to withstand the variances of weather and the uniqueness that the artist can create. It is often heavier and more stable with the ability to be pegged to the ground which is important in strong winds. With the correct coating outdoor sculpture should last for years in the garden.
One sculptor who is creating uniquely Australian garden sculpture is Peter Kozina of Brisbane's bayside. Peter's works are made completely from recycled steel hence he goes by the business name "Recycled Treasures". He is often inspired in his work by what he sees in a discarded piece of scrap metal whether it be a piece from an old plough, a brush hook or railway spike from days gone by. He immediately sees an emu, eagle or perhaps a person's stance in a shape he discovers buried in the scrap heaps of Queensland.
Recycling has long been a passion of Peter's and he likes nothing better than making something worthwhile out of supposed "junk". He was featured in a segment on Channel Nine's Brisbane Extra last year which highlighted the benefits of recycling in the Brisbane area.
Peter also makes a series of garden ornaments which feature terracotta pots which can be planted up as an added feature in the home garden. Old pushbike wheels have been transformed into penny farthings which look really colourful when the 3 pots are planted with your favourite annuals.
He turns a rusty wheelbarrow into a real talking point complete with a huge central terracotta bowl and 4 smaller pots surrounding it enhanced with scrollwork. Another popular item is his unique birdbaths. No two are the same as he builds the stand out of an old car or truck spring which leads up to the bath encased in a discarded basketball hoop with 2 feeders on either side.
Water features are popular in modern garden design. Peter makes his uniquely Australian by using farm posts with an old brass tap attached. It flows into a bucket so for the water saving folk it uses only a small amount of water to get that soothing sound of running water.
Peter is aware of the difficulty metal features have in being able to withstand the weather. All his garden ornaments have been coated with a high quality etch primer followed by an enamel exterior paint. His individual sculptures have been specially treated with a formula he has created to allow the natural look of rusted metal to be maintained without rusting any further.
All the purchaser has to do is spray it occasionally with clear lacquer if it is in direct sunlight and the sculpture once again has that wonderful lustre. Peter's motto has always been : "Bringing the past to life in sculpture".

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