by: George Mole
Organic gardening is growing without chemical fertilizers, naturally building the soil to support healthy plant life. Organic gardening is a constantly evolving dance that allows you to be a full participant in your garden. It is not a fad or new in any way. In fact, it is the oldest method of cultivation and had its first serious beginnings in Europe. It's good for your family, and it's less expensive to do. Organic gardening is really about designing the garden as a complete ecosystem, a natural environment where the gardener is a participant, not an observer.
The key to organic gardening is to work with nature in the growing of plants so that the resources consumed by the garden can be replenished both minimally and consistently. Although organic gardening does require a few changes in the way things are done from traditional gardening, you will quickly discover organic gardening is easy and fun. Reduced pollution of the environment through recycling of garden, household and other wastes rather than dumping or burning them is seen as a beneficial by product.
One of the basic tenant of organic gardening is to "Feed the soil and the soil will feed the plants". This involves the mysterious world of compost making. Organic compost is a great soil conditioner, is nutrient rich and will give your plants, crops and flowers all they need to prosper. Organic matter (decayed plant material) is an essential ingredient in fertile soils, improving the soil tilth while preventing soil compaction and crusting. Adding organic matter improves any soil's texture as well as attracting soil organisms that create nutrients in the soil.
Sadly, many people still view organic gardening as a niche or trend, not realizing the incredible benefits gained. Organic gardening benefits not only you and your family, but your land, animals and the earth. Benefits to our children and pets, which are often accidentally exposed to pesticides sprayed on people's lawns and gardens. Benefits to wildlife if pesticide residue is kept out of our waterways and land. Benefits to the world (a recent study has shown that global warming IS happening, and it IS caused by humans) by keeping pesticides, herbicides and fungicides out of our air and soil.
Remember that organic gardening is much more than preparing soil, using mulch, avoiding synthetic disease and pest controls, and planting your plants. When the kids discover how much fun organic gardening is, they will look forward to making this a normal part of life when they grow up.
About The Author
George Mole
A keen and avid gardener of many years with a yearn to share my passion with others. If you found this article useful then you can learn a lot more about the benefits of organic gardening by visiting my website at http://www.organicgardening methods.com
Friday, December 2, 2011
4 Gardening Lessons Revealed: Planting Methods, Tools, Crop Rotation & Clothing
by: John Parker
1. Planting Methods: There are several methods for planting.
Picking any of these methods depends on the vegetable, the size of your garden, and your fondness. Three methods of planting, namely, single rows, wide rows, and hills are clarified as follows:
A) Single Rows: In this method, seeds are sown in rows or lines that are spaced equal distances apart. The distances between the rows and between the seeds within the rows differ from vegetable to vegetable. If you want the rows to be straight, which gives a pleasant appearance to your garden, stretch a string between two stakes and sow the seeds along it. If you think this is too much work, use a stick to mark a line on the ground and try to make the line as straight as possible. With some training, you will get it straight.
B) Wide Rows: In wide row planting, seeds are sprinkled at equal spacing in both directions over a wide area. The width of the row varies from 6 to 16 inches. The row's width is limited by your arm's reach to the area in the middle of the row while standing at the edges. We find that wide rows are convenient and productive for peas and beans. In addition to giving high yield per unit area, they cut down on weeds. Wide rows are also good for starting leaf vegetables like lettuce and spinach. When the seedlings emerge, they can be thinned and transplanted elsewhere. Double rows are a special form of wide rows.
C) Hills: In hill planting, 3 to 5 seeds are sown close to each other. They need not be sown on a formed hill, as the name implies.
This method is used for example when planting zucchini and cucumbers.
2. Gardening Tools: There are many gardening tools available on the market today. The basic tools you'll need are a shovel, trowel, steel rake, tomato cages, and a water hose or can. The shovel is used to till the soil, mix potting soil, move soil around, and cut the weeds if they grow big. Some gardeners use a fork instead of a shovel to till the soil, but we don't.
The choice is yours. The trowel is used for cultivating the weeds, transplanting the seedlings, mixing soil or fertilizers, and filling containers with soil. The steel rake is used to grade the soil and to compact the soil over the seeds. Tomato cages are indispensable for supporting tomato plants. You can also use them to support running plants such as cucumbers and peas. Without them the plants will collapse on the ground and their fruit will get into contact with the soil and eventually decay. A hose or a can is used to water the plants in the garden and within containers.
3. Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is the practice of planting each vegetable in a different location each year. The advantages of crop rotation are:
A) The chances of transmitting diseases and insects to next year's crop are very much reduced. Certain diseases and insects attack certain vegetables. These diseases and insects move from the plants to the soil, where they winter. If the same vegetable is planted in the same spot the following year, the diseases and insects will surface from the soil and attack the new plants once again.
B) Each vegetable absorbs trace amounts of specific minerals from the soil. If the same vegetable is planted in the same spot year after year, the minerals the vegetable needs to grow healthy plants will be depleted, resulting in a meagre harvest.
C) The roots of legumes (peas and beans) have bacteria that soak up nitrogen from the air and fix it on the roots of the plants and in the soil. To take advantage of the nitrogen they fix in the soil, the legumes should be followed by a leafy vegetable, such as lettuce and or spinach, which both need nitrogen-rich soil. This is one of the techniques organic growers use to grow vegetables without the use of chemical fertilizers. It may be impractical to rotate every crop each year if your garden is small.
This difficulty can be overcome by taking the following measures:
(1) choose disease-resistant vegetable varieties, (2) keep your garden clean of rubbish, and (3) watch for insects and diseases. If a plant becomes teeming with insects, pick them by hand; if a plant is infected by a disease, pull it from the ground and dispose of it.
4. Proper Gardening Clothing: In the course of gardening, your footwear and clothes are likely to be soiled. You walk on dirt and or mud, your clothes make contact with plant leaves and stems, and your hands are soiled. You are also exposed to the sun. Your shoes accumulate mud and will soil the floor if you walk directly into the house. Therefore, you should have a pair of aged shoes set aside for gardening. Put them on before going into the garden and take them off before entering the house. Leave them in the garage or put them in a bag until you use them again.
Also, have special clothes for the garden. If you don't, your ordinary clothes will be soiled no matter how careful you are. To protect your hands and fingernails from collecting dirt, use a good pair of garden gloves. Some are washable and can be reused again and again...
Please feel free to forward a copy of the "Gardening Online Newsletter" to any of your friends and associates.
Happy Gardening,
About The Author
John Parker makes it easy to create beautiful gardens, quickly & easily. Learn the essential keys to lush, vibrant gardens. To receive your free gardening newsletter visit: http://www.how-to-grow-tomatoes.com
1. Planting Methods: There are several methods for planting.
Picking any of these methods depends on the vegetable, the size of your garden, and your fondness. Three methods of planting, namely, single rows, wide rows, and hills are clarified as follows:
A) Single Rows: In this method, seeds are sown in rows or lines that are spaced equal distances apart. The distances between the rows and between the seeds within the rows differ from vegetable to vegetable. If you want the rows to be straight, which gives a pleasant appearance to your garden, stretch a string between two stakes and sow the seeds along it. If you think this is too much work, use a stick to mark a line on the ground and try to make the line as straight as possible. With some training, you will get it straight.
B) Wide Rows: In wide row planting, seeds are sprinkled at equal spacing in both directions over a wide area. The width of the row varies from 6 to 16 inches. The row's width is limited by your arm's reach to the area in the middle of the row while standing at the edges. We find that wide rows are convenient and productive for peas and beans. In addition to giving high yield per unit area, they cut down on weeds. Wide rows are also good for starting leaf vegetables like lettuce and spinach. When the seedlings emerge, they can be thinned and transplanted elsewhere. Double rows are a special form of wide rows.
C) Hills: In hill planting, 3 to 5 seeds are sown close to each other. They need not be sown on a formed hill, as the name implies.
This method is used for example when planting zucchini and cucumbers.
2. Gardening Tools: There are many gardening tools available on the market today. The basic tools you'll need are a shovel, trowel, steel rake, tomato cages, and a water hose or can. The shovel is used to till the soil, mix potting soil, move soil around, and cut the weeds if they grow big. Some gardeners use a fork instead of a shovel to till the soil, but we don't.
The choice is yours. The trowel is used for cultivating the weeds, transplanting the seedlings, mixing soil or fertilizers, and filling containers with soil. The steel rake is used to grade the soil and to compact the soil over the seeds. Tomato cages are indispensable for supporting tomato plants. You can also use them to support running plants such as cucumbers and peas. Without them the plants will collapse on the ground and their fruit will get into contact with the soil and eventually decay. A hose or a can is used to water the plants in the garden and within containers.
3. Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is the practice of planting each vegetable in a different location each year. The advantages of crop rotation are:
A) The chances of transmitting diseases and insects to next year's crop are very much reduced. Certain diseases and insects attack certain vegetables. These diseases and insects move from the plants to the soil, where they winter. If the same vegetable is planted in the same spot the following year, the diseases and insects will surface from the soil and attack the new plants once again.
B) Each vegetable absorbs trace amounts of specific minerals from the soil. If the same vegetable is planted in the same spot year after year, the minerals the vegetable needs to grow healthy plants will be depleted, resulting in a meagre harvest.
C) The roots of legumes (peas and beans) have bacteria that soak up nitrogen from the air and fix it on the roots of the plants and in the soil. To take advantage of the nitrogen they fix in the soil, the legumes should be followed by a leafy vegetable, such as lettuce and or spinach, which both need nitrogen-rich soil. This is one of the techniques organic growers use to grow vegetables without the use of chemical fertilizers. It may be impractical to rotate every crop each year if your garden is small.
This difficulty can be overcome by taking the following measures:
(1) choose disease-resistant vegetable varieties, (2) keep your garden clean of rubbish, and (3) watch for insects and diseases. If a plant becomes teeming with insects, pick them by hand; if a plant is infected by a disease, pull it from the ground and dispose of it.
4. Proper Gardening Clothing: In the course of gardening, your footwear and clothes are likely to be soiled. You walk on dirt and or mud, your clothes make contact with plant leaves and stems, and your hands are soiled. You are also exposed to the sun. Your shoes accumulate mud and will soil the floor if you walk directly into the house. Therefore, you should have a pair of aged shoes set aside for gardening. Put them on before going into the garden and take them off before entering the house. Leave them in the garage or put them in a bag until you use them again.
Also, have special clothes for the garden. If you don't, your ordinary clothes will be soiled no matter how careful you are. To protect your hands and fingernails from collecting dirt, use a good pair of garden gloves. Some are washable and can be reused again and again...
Please feel free to forward a copy of the "Gardening Online Newsletter" to any of your friends and associates.
Happy Gardening,
About The Author
John Parker makes it easy to create beautiful gardens, quickly & easily. Learn the essential keys to lush, vibrant gardens. To receive your free gardening newsletter visit: http://www.how-to-grow-tomatoes.com
Care of the Flower Garden
by : hasan
Knowing how to care for your flower garden can make a big difference in the look and over-all health of your plants. Here are some simple hints to make your garden bloom with health
1. The essentials must always be given major consideration.
Your flower garden must have an adequate supply of water, sunlight, and fertile soil. Any lack of these basic necessities will greatly affect the health of plants. Water the flower garden more frequently during dry spells.
When planting bulbs, make sure they go at the correct depth. When planting out shrubs and perennials, make sure that you don't heap soil or mulch up around the stem. If you do, water will drain off instead of sinking in, and the stem could develop rot through overheating.
2. Mix and match perennials with annuals.
Perennial flower bulbs need not to be replanted since they grow and bloom for several years while annuals grow and bloom for only one season. Mixing a few perennials with annuals ensures that you will always have blooms coming on.
3. Deadhead to encourage more blossoms.
Deadheading is simply snipping off the flower head after it wilts. This will make the plant produce more flowers. Just make sure that you don't discard the deadhead on the garden or mildew and other plant disease will attack your plants.
4. Know the good from the bad bugs.
Most garden insects do more good than harm. Butterflies, beetles and bees are known pollinators. They fertilize plants through unintentional transfer of pollen from one plant to another. 80% of flowering plants rely on insects for survival.
Sowbugs and dung beetles together with fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms are necessary to help in the decomposition of dead plant material, thus enriching the soil and making more nutrients available to growing plants.
Other insects like lacewings and dragonflies are natural predators of those insects that do the real damage, like aphis.
An occasional application of liquid fertilizer when plants are flowering will keep them blooming for longer.
Always prune any dead or damaged branches. Fuchsias are particularly prone to snapping when you brush against them. The broken branch can be potted up to give you a new plant, so it won't be wasted.
Knowing how to care for your flower garden can make a big difference in the look and over-all health of your plants. Here are some simple hints to make your garden bloom with health
1. The essentials must always be given major consideration.
Your flower garden must have an adequate supply of water, sunlight, and fertile soil. Any lack of these basic necessities will greatly affect the health of plants. Water the flower garden more frequently during dry spells.
When planting bulbs, make sure they go at the correct depth. When planting out shrubs and perennials, make sure that you don't heap soil or mulch up around the stem. If you do, water will drain off instead of sinking in, and the stem could develop rot through overheating.
2. Mix and match perennials with annuals.
Perennial flower bulbs need not to be replanted since they grow and bloom for several years while annuals grow and bloom for only one season. Mixing a few perennials with annuals ensures that you will always have blooms coming on.
3. Deadhead to encourage more blossoms.
Deadheading is simply snipping off the flower head after it wilts. This will make the plant produce more flowers. Just make sure that you don't discard the deadhead on the garden or mildew and other plant disease will attack your plants.
4. Know the good from the bad bugs.
Most garden insects do more good than harm. Butterflies, beetles and bees are known pollinators. They fertilize plants through unintentional transfer of pollen from one plant to another. 80% of flowering plants rely on insects for survival.
Sowbugs and dung beetles together with fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms are necessary to help in the decomposition of dead plant material, thus enriching the soil and making more nutrients available to growing plants.
Other insects like lacewings and dragonflies are natural predators of those insects that do the real damage, like aphis.
An occasional application of liquid fertilizer when plants are flowering will keep them blooming for longer.
Always prune any dead or damaged branches. Fuchsias are particularly prone to snapping when you brush against them. The broken branch can be potted up to give you a new plant, so it won't be wasted.
Gardening Transforms Your Home Into A Scene Of Breath-Taking Beauty
by: Rose Mary
Gardening is a common hobby. Most people are doing it. It has become the least exclusive hobby of all. Many people are striving to make their garden, no matter how small it is, a more beautiful and better place to have and to enjoy. Gardening is a great leisure activity which has many benefits. With all the stress and strife we face in this fast-paced society everyday, spending time in the garden gives us a much needed break. Gardening brings us closer to nature which gives us a sense of peace and tranquility so desperately needed in this hectic lifestyle of the present time. It offers us a form of retreat from the outside world, as we can enjoy the quietness and serenity of the garden. In the garden, we have the opportunity to utilize all our senses. We get to feel the soil and all the interesting textures of different plants. We can smell the fragrance of flowers and taste the freshly hand-picked vegetables and fruits. We get to see and admire the great variety of different flowers and plants and their beautiful combinations. We can hear the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze and chirping of birds as they hid among the branches and leaves.
Gardening is a form of expression. Whether tending a small pot or an extensive plot, gardening is a wonderful way to express ourselves. It provides us an opportunity to express our imagination and creativity. As such, many people find gardening fun, enriching and rewarding. Gardens are considered as extensions of our homes and lives, and they reflect a great deal about us and how we live. Furthermore, gardening gives us a sense of fulfillment and pleasure as we watch the plants grow whilst we nurture them. We experience the joy and satisfaction of seeing the plants blooms and the fruits turn ripe.
Gardening is a good form of physical exercise. It is like having a great workout and there is plenty of fresh air out in the garden. Hence, this activity helps to keep us healthy. As gardening involves tasks for both young and old, it is a suitable activity for the whole family to participate in. It helps to bring the family together.
The work of creating and tending a garden not only provides joy, the end result also brings pleasure. A beautiful garden is a great place to walk and relax. It is a wonderful place to spend time with family and friends. The garden can provide an ideal atmosphere for large get-togethers with family, relatives, friends or business associates. Even if you just want a quiet dinner with some friends, the garden can also offer a perfect place for such entertaining. Besides, if you wish to take a break from work and be alone, you can take a vacation in your own backyard and relax in a shady spot, secluded from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Gardening indeed gives us a lot more to enjoy than the work we put in.
The things to learn in gardening are limitless. There are hundreds of thousands of flowering plants, shrubs, and trees, each with subdivisions of varieties and species. Besides, there is also a wide range of gardening tools and equipment in the market. There is so much to learn, experiment and explore in the field. This is one of the reasons why many people find gardening interesting. There are many resources available with easy-to-understand instructions which can help those who are keen to learn about gardening and how to create the gardens they want. Once started, gardening can become a real joy and tough to stop. Along the way, there are always new discoveries and surprises. It is a journey of constant learning experience.
Every garden is different and every gardener’s needs are different. In planning to create a garden, you need to consider you and your family’s needs and the way that the garden would satisfy those needs. Besides, you need to consider the various aspects of gardening that take up different amounts of time, effort and money. This is necessary because you need to plan for a garden that suits your level of time and budget. However, a beautiful garden does not always require a great deal of time looking after it. If you want a nice and presentable garden but can only afford to devote a small amount of time to look after it, there are recommended ways to achieve that. There are resources available to teach you how you can plan for a beautiful garden and has a low maintenance workload.
Copyright 2006 Rose Mary
About The Author
Rose Mary
More information on gardening techniques can be obtained from the LINK. Enjoys various handcrafts, hobbies and cooking. Special interest in caregiving. Freelance Writer.
http://www.internetbizcenter.com/gardening/gardening.htm
Gardening is a common hobby. Most people are doing it. It has become the least exclusive hobby of all. Many people are striving to make their garden, no matter how small it is, a more beautiful and better place to have and to enjoy. Gardening is a great leisure activity which has many benefits. With all the stress and strife we face in this fast-paced society everyday, spending time in the garden gives us a much needed break. Gardening brings us closer to nature which gives us a sense of peace and tranquility so desperately needed in this hectic lifestyle of the present time. It offers us a form of retreat from the outside world, as we can enjoy the quietness and serenity of the garden. In the garden, we have the opportunity to utilize all our senses. We get to feel the soil and all the interesting textures of different plants. We can smell the fragrance of flowers and taste the freshly hand-picked vegetables and fruits. We get to see and admire the great variety of different flowers and plants and their beautiful combinations. We can hear the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze and chirping of birds as they hid among the branches and leaves.
Gardening is a form of expression. Whether tending a small pot or an extensive plot, gardening is a wonderful way to express ourselves. It provides us an opportunity to express our imagination and creativity. As such, many people find gardening fun, enriching and rewarding. Gardens are considered as extensions of our homes and lives, and they reflect a great deal about us and how we live. Furthermore, gardening gives us a sense of fulfillment and pleasure as we watch the plants grow whilst we nurture them. We experience the joy and satisfaction of seeing the plants blooms and the fruits turn ripe.
Gardening is a good form of physical exercise. It is like having a great workout and there is plenty of fresh air out in the garden. Hence, this activity helps to keep us healthy. As gardening involves tasks for both young and old, it is a suitable activity for the whole family to participate in. It helps to bring the family together.
The work of creating and tending a garden not only provides joy, the end result also brings pleasure. A beautiful garden is a great place to walk and relax. It is a wonderful place to spend time with family and friends. The garden can provide an ideal atmosphere for large get-togethers with family, relatives, friends or business associates. Even if you just want a quiet dinner with some friends, the garden can also offer a perfect place for such entertaining. Besides, if you wish to take a break from work and be alone, you can take a vacation in your own backyard and relax in a shady spot, secluded from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Gardening indeed gives us a lot more to enjoy than the work we put in.
The things to learn in gardening are limitless. There are hundreds of thousands of flowering plants, shrubs, and trees, each with subdivisions of varieties and species. Besides, there is also a wide range of gardening tools and equipment in the market. There is so much to learn, experiment and explore in the field. This is one of the reasons why many people find gardening interesting. There are many resources available with easy-to-understand instructions which can help those who are keen to learn about gardening and how to create the gardens they want. Once started, gardening can become a real joy and tough to stop. Along the way, there are always new discoveries and surprises. It is a journey of constant learning experience.
Every garden is different and every gardener’s needs are different. In planning to create a garden, you need to consider you and your family’s needs and the way that the garden would satisfy those needs. Besides, you need to consider the various aspects of gardening that take up different amounts of time, effort and money. This is necessary because you need to plan for a garden that suits your level of time and budget. However, a beautiful garden does not always require a great deal of time looking after it. If you want a nice and presentable garden but can only afford to devote a small amount of time to look after it, there are recommended ways to achieve that. There are resources available to teach you how you can plan for a beautiful garden and has a low maintenance workload.
Copyright 2006 Rose Mary
About The Author
Rose Mary
More information on gardening techniques can be obtained from the LINK. Enjoys various handcrafts, hobbies and cooking. Special interest in caregiving. Freelance Writer.
http://www.internetbizcenter.com/gardening/gardening.htm
BENEFITS OF GARDENING FOR KIDS
by : hasan
Apparently, we can see how nature is treated these days. It is a sad thing to know that people do not pay attention so much anymore to the environmental problems. What can we do about this? It's as simple as starting with the children. It is good to see the children's involvement with environment-friendly activities. One such nature-loving activity that children could easily get their hands on is gardening. Why should you consider gardening for your children?
Here are the benefits that gardening could easily provide the children with:
1. Science
In planting, children are indirectly taught the wonders of science like the plant's life cycle and how human's intervention can break or make the environment. They can have a first hand experience on the miracle of life through a seed. This would definitely be a new and enjoyable experience for the kids.
2. Life
Watching a seed grow into a tree is just as wondrous as the conception to birth and growth of a child. In time, kids will learn to love their plants and appreciate the life in them. Gardening could actually help simulate how life should be treated -- it should be with care. The necessities to live will be emphasized to kids with the help of gardening - water, sunlight, air, soil. Those necessities could easily be corresponded to human necessities, i.e., water, shelter, air, food. By simply weeding out, one could educate how bad influences should be avoided to be able to live life smoothly.
3. Relaxation
Studies show that gardening can reduce stress because of its calming effect. This is applicable to any age group. More so, it stimulates all the five senses. Believe it or not, gardening may be used as therapy to children who have been abused or those who are members of broken homes. It helps build one's self-esteem.
4. Quality Time with the Family
You can forget about your stressful work life for a while be soothed by the lovely ambience in the garden. You can play and spend quality time with your children. You can talk while watering the plants or you can work quietly beside each other. The bottom line is, always do what you have to do, together with your kids. You might discover a lot of new things about your child while mingling with them in your garden.
Let kids become aware of their environment's needs. And one way to jumpstart that environmental education may be through gardening. It's hitting two birds with one stone -- teach them to respect life while you bond with them.
Apparently, we can see how nature is treated these days. It is a sad thing to know that people do not pay attention so much anymore to the environmental problems. What can we do about this? It's as simple as starting with the children. It is good to see the children's involvement with environment-friendly activities. One such nature-loving activity that children could easily get their hands on is gardening. Why should you consider gardening for your children?
Here are the benefits that gardening could easily provide the children with:
1. Science
In planting, children are indirectly taught the wonders of science like the plant's life cycle and how human's intervention can break or make the environment. They can have a first hand experience on the miracle of life through a seed. This would definitely be a new and enjoyable experience for the kids.
2. Life
Watching a seed grow into a tree is just as wondrous as the conception to birth and growth of a child. In time, kids will learn to love their plants and appreciate the life in them. Gardening could actually help simulate how life should be treated -- it should be with care. The necessities to live will be emphasized to kids with the help of gardening - water, sunlight, air, soil. Those necessities could easily be corresponded to human necessities, i.e., water, shelter, air, food. By simply weeding out, one could educate how bad influences should be avoided to be able to live life smoothly.
3. Relaxation
Studies show that gardening can reduce stress because of its calming effect. This is applicable to any age group. More so, it stimulates all the five senses. Believe it or not, gardening may be used as therapy to children who have been abused or those who are members of broken homes. It helps build one's self-esteem.
4. Quality Time with the Family
You can forget about your stressful work life for a while be soothed by the lovely ambience in the garden. You can play and spend quality time with your children. You can talk while watering the plants or you can work quietly beside each other. The bottom line is, always do what you have to do, together with your kids. You might discover a lot of new things about your child while mingling with them in your garden.
Let kids become aware of their environment's needs. And one way to jumpstart that environmental education may be through gardening. It's hitting two birds with one stone -- teach them to respect life while you bond with them.
The Problem with Traditional Vegetable Gardening?
by: Jonathan White
Traditional vegetable gardens require an enormous amount of hard work and attention - weeding, feeding and strict planting schedules. There is also the problem of seasonality, allowing beds to rest during the cooler months producing nothing at all. Then we are told to plant green manure crops, add inorganic fertilizers and chemicals to adjust imbalanced soils. It takes a lot of time, dedication and a year-round commitment to grow your own food the traditional way.
But does it really need to be that difficult?
Let me ask you this question. Does a forest need to think how to grow? Does its soil need to be turned every season? Does someone come along every so often and plant seeds or take pH tests? Does it get weeded or sprayed with toxic chemicals?
Of course not!
Traditional vegetable gardening techniques are focused on problems. Have you noticed that gardening books are full of ways to fix problems? I was a traditional gardener for many years and I found that the solution to most problems simply caused a new set of problems. In other words, the problem with problems is that problems create more problems.
Let’s take a look at a common traditional gardening practice and I will show you how a single problem can escalate into a whole host of problems.
Imagine a traditional vegetable garden, planted with rows of various vegetables. There are fairly large bare patches between the vegetables. To a traditional gardener, a bare patch is just a bare patch. But to an ecologist, a bare patch is an empty niche space. An empty niche space is simply an invitation for new life forms to take up residency. Nature does not tolerate empty niche spaces and the most successful niche space fillers are weeds. That’s what a weed is in ecological terms - a niche space filler. Weeds are very good colonizing plants. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t be called weeds.
Now back to our story. Weeds will grow in the empty niche spaces. Quite often there are too many weeds to pick out individually, so the traditional gardener uses a hoe to turn them into the soil. I have read in many gardening books, even organic gardening books, that your hoe is your best friend. So the message we are getting is that using a hoe is the solution to a problem.
However, I would like to show you how using a hoe actually creates a new set of problems. Firstly, turning soil excites weed seeds, creating a new explosion of weeds. And secondly, turning soil upsets the soil ecology. The top layer of soil is generally dry and structureless. By turning it, you are placing deeper structured soil on the surface and putting the structureless soil underneath. Over time, the band of structureless soil widens. Structureless soil has far less moisture holding capacity, so the garden now needs more water to keep the plants alive.
In addition to this problem, structureless soil cannot pass its nutrients onto the plants as effectively. The garden now also needs the addition of fertilisers. Many fertilisers kill the soil biology which is very important in building soil structure and plant nutrient availability. The soil will eventually turn into a dead substance that doesn’t have the correct balance of nutrients to grow fully developed foods. The foods will actually lack vitamins and minerals. This problem has already occurred in modern-day agriculture. Dr Tim Lobstein, Director of the Food Commission said. "… today's agriculture does not allow the soil to enrich itself, but depends on chemical fertilisers that don't replace the wide variety of nutrients plants and humans need." Over the past 60 years commercially grown foods have experienced a significant reduction in nutrient and mineral content.
Can you see how we started with the problem of weeds, but ended up with the new problems of lower water-holding capacity and infertile soils. And eventually, we have the potentially serious problem of growing food with low nutrient content. Traditional gardening techniques only ever strive to fix the symptom and not the cause.
However, there is a solution! We must use a technique that combines pest ecology, plant ecology, soil ecology and crop management into a method that addresses the causes of these problems. This technique must be efficient enough to be economically viable. It also needs to be able to produce enough food, per given area, to compete against traditional techniques.
I have been testing an ecologically-based method of growing food for several years. This method uses zero tillage, zero chemicals, has minimal weeds and requires a fraction of the physical attention (when compared to traditional vegetable gardening). It also produces several times more, per given area, and provides food every single day of the year.
My ecologically-based garden mimics nature in such a way that the garden looks and acts like a natural ecosystem. Succession layering of plants (just as we see in natural ecosystems) offers natural pest management. It also naturally eliminates the need for crop rotation, resting beds or green manure crops. Soil management is addressed in a natural way, and the result is that the soil’s structure and fertility get richer and richer, year after year. Another benefit of this method is automatic regeneration through self-seeding. This occurs naturally as dormant seeds germinate; filling empty niche spaces with desirable plants, and not weeds.
Unfortunately, the biggest challenge this method faces is convincing traditional gardeners of its benefits. Like many industries, the gardening industry gets stuck in doing things a certain way. The ecologically-based method requires such little human intervention that, in my opinion, many people will get frustrated with the lack of needing to control what’s happening. Naturally people love to take control of their lives, but with this method you are allowing nature to take the reins. It’s a test of faith in very simple natural laws. However, in my experience these natural laws are 100% reliable.
Another reason that traditional gardeners may not like this method is that it takes away all the mysticism of being an expert. You see, this method is so simple that any person, anywhere in the world, under any conditions, can do it. And for a veteran gardener it can actually be quite threatening when an embarrassingly simple solution comes along.
I have no doubt that this is the way we will be growing food in the future. It’s just commonsense. Why wouldn’t we use a method that produces many times more food with a fraction of the effort? I know it will take a little while to convince people that growing food is actually very instinctual and straightforward, but with persistence and proper explanation, people will embrace this method.
Why? Because sanity always prevails…
…eventually!
By Jonathan White, environmental scientist.
http://www.food4wealth.com/grow
Traditional vegetable gardens require an enormous amount of hard work and attention - weeding, feeding and strict planting schedules. There is also the problem of seasonality, allowing beds to rest during the cooler months producing nothing at all. Then we are told to plant green manure crops, add inorganic fertilizers and chemicals to adjust imbalanced soils. It takes a lot of time, dedication and a year-round commitment to grow your own food the traditional way.
But does it really need to be that difficult?
Let me ask you this question. Does a forest need to think how to grow? Does its soil need to be turned every season? Does someone come along every so often and plant seeds or take pH tests? Does it get weeded or sprayed with toxic chemicals?
Of course not!
Traditional vegetable gardening techniques are focused on problems. Have you noticed that gardening books are full of ways to fix problems? I was a traditional gardener for many years and I found that the solution to most problems simply caused a new set of problems. In other words, the problem with problems is that problems create more problems.
Let’s take a look at a common traditional gardening practice and I will show you how a single problem can escalate into a whole host of problems.
Imagine a traditional vegetable garden, planted with rows of various vegetables. There are fairly large bare patches between the vegetables. To a traditional gardener, a bare patch is just a bare patch. But to an ecologist, a bare patch is an empty niche space. An empty niche space is simply an invitation for new life forms to take up residency. Nature does not tolerate empty niche spaces and the most successful niche space fillers are weeds. That’s what a weed is in ecological terms - a niche space filler. Weeds are very good colonizing plants. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t be called weeds.
Now back to our story. Weeds will grow in the empty niche spaces. Quite often there are too many weeds to pick out individually, so the traditional gardener uses a hoe to turn them into the soil. I have read in many gardening books, even organic gardening books, that your hoe is your best friend. So the message we are getting is that using a hoe is the solution to a problem.
However, I would like to show you how using a hoe actually creates a new set of problems. Firstly, turning soil excites weed seeds, creating a new explosion of weeds. And secondly, turning soil upsets the soil ecology. The top layer of soil is generally dry and structureless. By turning it, you are placing deeper structured soil on the surface and putting the structureless soil underneath. Over time, the band of structureless soil widens. Structureless soil has far less moisture holding capacity, so the garden now needs more water to keep the plants alive.
In addition to this problem, structureless soil cannot pass its nutrients onto the plants as effectively. The garden now also needs the addition of fertilisers. Many fertilisers kill the soil biology which is very important in building soil structure and plant nutrient availability. The soil will eventually turn into a dead substance that doesn’t have the correct balance of nutrients to grow fully developed foods. The foods will actually lack vitamins and minerals. This problem has already occurred in modern-day agriculture. Dr Tim Lobstein, Director of the Food Commission said. "… today's agriculture does not allow the soil to enrich itself, but depends on chemical fertilisers that don't replace the wide variety of nutrients plants and humans need." Over the past 60 years commercially grown foods have experienced a significant reduction in nutrient and mineral content.
Can you see how we started with the problem of weeds, but ended up with the new problems of lower water-holding capacity and infertile soils. And eventually, we have the potentially serious problem of growing food with low nutrient content. Traditional gardening techniques only ever strive to fix the symptom and not the cause.
However, there is a solution! We must use a technique that combines pest ecology, plant ecology, soil ecology and crop management into a method that addresses the causes of these problems. This technique must be efficient enough to be economically viable. It also needs to be able to produce enough food, per given area, to compete against traditional techniques.
I have been testing an ecologically-based method of growing food for several years. This method uses zero tillage, zero chemicals, has minimal weeds and requires a fraction of the physical attention (when compared to traditional vegetable gardening). It also produces several times more, per given area, and provides food every single day of the year.
My ecologically-based garden mimics nature in such a way that the garden looks and acts like a natural ecosystem. Succession layering of plants (just as we see in natural ecosystems) offers natural pest management. It also naturally eliminates the need for crop rotation, resting beds or green manure crops. Soil management is addressed in a natural way, and the result is that the soil’s structure and fertility get richer and richer, year after year. Another benefit of this method is automatic regeneration through self-seeding. This occurs naturally as dormant seeds germinate; filling empty niche spaces with desirable plants, and not weeds.
Unfortunately, the biggest challenge this method faces is convincing traditional gardeners of its benefits. Like many industries, the gardening industry gets stuck in doing things a certain way. The ecologically-based method requires such little human intervention that, in my opinion, many people will get frustrated with the lack of needing to control what’s happening. Naturally people love to take control of their lives, but with this method you are allowing nature to take the reins. It’s a test of faith in very simple natural laws. However, in my experience these natural laws are 100% reliable.
Another reason that traditional gardeners may not like this method is that it takes away all the mysticism of being an expert. You see, this method is so simple that any person, anywhere in the world, under any conditions, can do it. And for a veteran gardener it can actually be quite threatening when an embarrassingly simple solution comes along.
I have no doubt that this is the way we will be growing food in the future. It’s just commonsense. Why wouldn’t we use a method that produces many times more food with a fraction of the effort? I know it will take a little while to convince people that growing food is actually very instinctual and straightforward, but with persistence and proper explanation, people will embrace this method.
Why? Because sanity always prevails…
…eventually!
By Jonathan White, environmental scientist.
http://www.food4wealth.com/grow
Butterfly Gardening
What is butterfly gardening? Simply put butterfly gardening is the art of growing flowers and plants that will attract these colorful and dainty creatures to your garden. Delight your family and visitors with beautiful butterflies, but be sure to create a safe habitat for them. If you own cats rethink your plans, because it would be a shame to attract these lovely insects to their death.
The design your butterfly garden is a matter of personal preference. Typical points to consider are the size of your garden and the types of flowers and plants you want to grow. Pick a style of garden that appeals to you, but ensure it also contains the plants and flowers that appeal to the butterflies you wish to attract.
It is important to find out which plants and flowers will attract the species of butterflies. that live in your area. This information can be found at the local library
To create the kind of environment that they find attractive, you will also need water of some kind. A birdbath will look attractive and keep the butterflies up off the ground, away from stray cats or mischievous puppies. A shallow dish on a post or hung in a tree will do just as well.
When planting your butterfly garden be careful how you coordinate the colors you choose for your flowerbeds. Although butterflies do not care about your choice of color, you don't want your garden to be a hodgepodge of unrelated colors and textures. Butterflies are attracted to those flowers that have nectar rather than pollen, like honeysuckle, milkweed, summer lilac, Valerian, daisies, Purple Coneflower, Yellow Sage, day lilies and lavender.
Some people find it helpful to draw and color a layout of their butterfly gardening plan to see what the finished product would look like. Keep in mind that warm colors like red and orange are flashy and showy. These colors have a greater impact against a strong green background. Cool colors such as blue and purple are soothing and toned down and would work better with a white contrast to create the look of freshness and brightness.
by : hasan
The design your butterfly garden is a matter of personal preference. Typical points to consider are the size of your garden and the types of flowers and plants you want to grow. Pick a style of garden that appeals to you, but ensure it also contains the plants and flowers that appeal to the butterflies you wish to attract.
It is important to find out which plants and flowers will attract the species of butterflies. that live in your area. This information can be found at the local library
To create the kind of environment that they find attractive, you will also need water of some kind. A birdbath will look attractive and keep the butterflies up off the ground, away from stray cats or mischievous puppies. A shallow dish on a post or hung in a tree will do just as well.
When planting your butterfly garden be careful how you coordinate the colors you choose for your flowerbeds. Although butterflies do not care about your choice of color, you don't want your garden to be a hodgepodge of unrelated colors and textures. Butterflies are attracted to those flowers that have nectar rather than pollen, like honeysuckle, milkweed, summer lilac, Valerian, daisies, Purple Coneflower, Yellow Sage, day lilies and lavender.
Some people find it helpful to draw and color a layout of their butterfly gardening plan to see what the finished product would look like. Keep in mind that warm colors like red and orange are flashy and showy. These colors have a greater impact against a strong green background. Cool colors such as blue and purple are soothing and toned down and would work better with a white contrast to create the look of freshness and brightness.
by : hasan
Benefits Of Hydroponics Gardening
by: Ian Basford
Many gardeners are switching to hydroponics gardening for a variety of different reasons. Hydroponics gardens are small, can easily be grown indoors and are a perfect gardening solution for most vegetables. Also, the equipment required for hydroponics gardening is inexpensive and fairly easy to use.
Basically, hydroponics gardening is the growing of plants, fruit and vegetables without the use of soil. There are many methods of hydroponics gardening, most of which work better than regular gardening. Using this method it is far easier to give the plant exactly what it needs, and when it needs it.
Plants will only receive what you give them, therefore you will be able to regulate the pH, nutrients, nutrient strength, water and light which the plant receives. This makes it vitally important that you research the kind of plants you will be growing, so that you know what they will need to survive.
Hydroponics gardening can be over-complicated if computers with sensors are used to control water cycles, nutrients and light for the plants. It can also be as simple as a single plant and a bucket of water.
The normal home hydroponics system is usually made up of a few basic things, such as a growing tray, light (natural or artificial), a reservoir, a pump for watering (or some type of watering equipment), and an air pump to provide oxygen to the nutrients. You can get instructions from a gardening store, online or even buying separate parts to build your own. Kits are also available in gardening supply stores.
The growing medium used in hydroponics gardening can be any number of things, such as Rockwool, coconut fiber, gravel, sand or even air.
There are certain micro-nutrients that are necessary for healthy plant growth. These include magnesium, sulfur, calcium, cobalt, iron, copper and zinc. These nutrients are absolutely essential to plants, and if missing could cause health problems for anyone who eats it. It is also vitally important that you use a quality fertilizer.
Another important aspect of hydroponics gardening that must be closely regulated is the pH balance. When the pH balance varies, the plants will lose the ability to absorb the nutrients that they need. The ease with which the pH in hydroponics gardening is tested and controlled give it a huge advantage over regular gardening.
Even though there are hundreds of different variations, Wick, Water Culture, Ebb and Flow, Drip and Aeroponic are the five most basic types of hydroponics gardening systems. Hydroponics gardening is easy, affordable, and can provide you with fresh produce, flowers, herbs and spices all year round.
About The Author
Ian Basford is a keen vegetable gardener. Download his FREE ebook “Foolproof Vegetable Garden” from his blog at http://foolproof-vegetable-garden.blogspot.com The author invites you to visit:
http://foolproof-vegetable-garden.blogspot.com
Many gardeners are switching to hydroponics gardening for a variety of different reasons. Hydroponics gardens are small, can easily be grown indoors and are a perfect gardening solution for most vegetables. Also, the equipment required for hydroponics gardening is inexpensive and fairly easy to use.
Basically, hydroponics gardening is the growing of plants, fruit and vegetables without the use of soil. There are many methods of hydroponics gardening, most of which work better than regular gardening. Using this method it is far easier to give the plant exactly what it needs, and when it needs it.
Plants will only receive what you give them, therefore you will be able to regulate the pH, nutrients, nutrient strength, water and light which the plant receives. This makes it vitally important that you research the kind of plants you will be growing, so that you know what they will need to survive.
Hydroponics gardening can be over-complicated if computers with sensors are used to control water cycles, nutrients and light for the plants. It can also be as simple as a single plant and a bucket of water.
The normal home hydroponics system is usually made up of a few basic things, such as a growing tray, light (natural or artificial), a reservoir, a pump for watering (or some type of watering equipment), and an air pump to provide oxygen to the nutrients. You can get instructions from a gardening store, online or even buying separate parts to build your own. Kits are also available in gardening supply stores.
The growing medium used in hydroponics gardening can be any number of things, such as Rockwool, coconut fiber, gravel, sand or even air.
There are certain micro-nutrients that are necessary for healthy plant growth. These include magnesium, sulfur, calcium, cobalt, iron, copper and zinc. These nutrients are absolutely essential to plants, and if missing could cause health problems for anyone who eats it. It is also vitally important that you use a quality fertilizer.
Another important aspect of hydroponics gardening that must be closely regulated is the pH balance. When the pH balance varies, the plants will lose the ability to absorb the nutrients that they need. The ease with which the pH in hydroponics gardening is tested and controlled give it a huge advantage over regular gardening.
Even though there are hundreds of different variations, Wick, Water Culture, Ebb and Flow, Drip and Aeroponic are the five most basic types of hydroponics gardening systems. Hydroponics gardening is easy, affordable, and can provide you with fresh produce, flowers, herbs and spices all year round.
About The Author
Ian Basford is a keen vegetable gardener. Download his FREE ebook “Foolproof Vegetable Garden” from his blog at http://foolproof-vegetable-garden.blogspot.com The author invites you to visit:
http://foolproof-vegetable-garden.blogspot.com
Thursday, December 1, 2011
In Search of the Best Gardening Tools
Different kinds of gardens require different kinds of garden tools. Hardware stores mostly cater for a wide range of tools, but there are shops that specialize in the more expensive kind of garden tool that shouts quality. Wherever you decide to shop, here are a few pointers to advise you.
Do you have small garden or a large one? A small garden will not require the same large equipment that would be of use in an extensive one. A ride-on mower is unnecessary if you only have a small strip of lawn. Another point to consider is who does most of the gardening? Some tools are too heavy for use by women.
When you buy secateurs make sure the blade always stays sharp to avoid damaging the plant. Look for models that have blades that can be sharpened or replaced, models with tension control and with sizes that best fit your hands. Secateurs usually cost around $50 - $130.
Hedge trimmers or shears are handy - but only if you have a hedge, or plan on growing one. Some hedge trimmers have curved blades to stop branches from sliding out when cut.
Forks are used for turning and aerating compost and breaking up lumps of soil. The cheaper ones are often not strong enough for heavy soil, so go for sturdiness instead of price. Forks usually cost around $30 - $100.
A shovel has a scoop blade and is best used to move around dirt and garden soil. A spade has a flat blade great for cutting edges, digging and dividing plants. The edge of a spade should be kept sharpened for clean and efficient cutting will cause the least amount of damage to plants. These are a basic garden necessity and usually cost from $30 - $50.
A pruning saw is used for pruning trees and larger shrubs, while secateurs are for plants like roses. Pruning saws have a narrow curved blade that fits between stems or branches and easily and cuts them as you pull the saw backwards. They are approximately $27- $55.
A chipping hoe is a handy tool for getting rid of small weeds. The Dutch or push-hoe is slightly more user-friendly as the action required to use it does not jar the neck and shoulder quite so much.
A rake is also a basic requirement for the garden. The strong rake with the flat head and sharp metal prongs is used for smoothing a garden bed and getting out the last of the bumps and weeds. The plastic rake is used to gather leaves and grass clippings only.
Gardening tools don't have to be expensive. Flea markets and garage sales can be excellent places to pick up great tool bargain.
by : hasan
Do you have small garden or a large one? A small garden will not require the same large equipment that would be of use in an extensive one. A ride-on mower is unnecessary if you only have a small strip of lawn. Another point to consider is who does most of the gardening? Some tools are too heavy for use by women.
When you buy secateurs make sure the blade always stays sharp to avoid damaging the plant. Look for models that have blades that can be sharpened or replaced, models with tension control and with sizes that best fit your hands. Secateurs usually cost around $50 - $130.
Hedge trimmers or shears are handy - but only if you have a hedge, or plan on growing one. Some hedge trimmers have curved blades to stop branches from sliding out when cut.
Forks are used for turning and aerating compost and breaking up lumps of soil. The cheaper ones are often not strong enough for heavy soil, so go for sturdiness instead of price. Forks usually cost around $30 - $100.
A shovel has a scoop blade and is best used to move around dirt and garden soil. A spade has a flat blade great for cutting edges, digging and dividing plants. The edge of a spade should be kept sharpened for clean and efficient cutting will cause the least amount of damage to plants. These are a basic garden necessity and usually cost from $30 - $50.
A pruning saw is used for pruning trees and larger shrubs, while secateurs are for plants like roses. Pruning saws have a narrow curved blade that fits between stems or branches and easily and cuts them as you pull the saw backwards. They are approximately $27- $55.
A chipping hoe is a handy tool for getting rid of small weeds. The Dutch or push-hoe is slightly more user-friendly as the action required to use it does not jar the neck and shoulder quite so much.
A rake is also a basic requirement for the garden. The strong rake with the flat head and sharp metal prongs is used for smoothing a garden bed and getting out the last of the bumps and weeds. The plastic rake is used to gather leaves and grass clippings only.
Gardening tools don't have to be expensive. Flea markets and garage sales can be excellent places to pick up great tool bargain.
by : hasan
Choosing the Best Plants for your Garden
Many times we buy plants on impulse then find there is nowhere in the garden that really suits them. Before buying plants carefully examine your garden to see how much sun and shade it gets, whether the soil is well drained or waterlogged and whether your aspect is sheltered or windswept. You'll then be equipped to go and buy the best plants for your situation; shade-loving plants for the sheltered areas, sun-lovers for the warm spots, drought-resistant plants for the parched areas which may be either sunny or shaded, and swamp plants for the poorly-drained parts.
But wait! Test your soil first, to determine the pH level of your soil and what kind of nutrients you need to add, if any. Is the soil acid or alkaline? Most plants prefer soil that is slightly acidic, but there are some that must have alkaline soil to grow. You can alter the soil's pH level, but it's much easier to simply plant for the soil you have.
Now you are ready to plant. Well - almost. Will you plant in groups or singly? If you buy 'one of everything' your garden may seem rather spotty. Group plantings are organised, harmonious and you can vary the color for interest.
Before planting out, place your chosen plants around the garden bed in their pots to see how they will look. Re-arrange them until you are satisfied. Grouping plants in sets of threes or fives usually looks better than planting in groups of even numbers. Be sure that you have an interesting combination of colors and textures of plants. Tall plants should go to the back, or the centre if your garden will be viewed equally from all sides. Try to keep your plants away from trees. The roots of trees are fiercely competitive and will steal all the nutrients and moisture meant for your flowers.
The right color scheme is one way to maintain the harmony in your garden. Imagine the color of the flowers when they are in bloom. Some colors may clash with others, but can still be planted side-by-side if they have a different blooming season. Foliage color is also important. Many flower plants have silver, grey or purplish foliage that is just as attractive as the flower. This means that they are still attractive well past the blooming season and so have added value.
by : hasan
But wait! Test your soil first, to determine the pH level of your soil and what kind of nutrients you need to add, if any. Is the soil acid or alkaline? Most plants prefer soil that is slightly acidic, but there are some that must have alkaline soil to grow. You can alter the soil's pH level, but it's much easier to simply plant for the soil you have.
Now you are ready to plant. Well - almost. Will you plant in groups or singly? If you buy 'one of everything' your garden may seem rather spotty. Group plantings are organised, harmonious and you can vary the color for interest.
Before planting out, place your chosen plants around the garden bed in their pots to see how they will look. Re-arrange them until you are satisfied. Grouping plants in sets of threes or fives usually looks better than planting in groups of even numbers. Be sure that you have an interesting combination of colors and textures of plants. Tall plants should go to the back, or the centre if your garden will be viewed equally from all sides. Try to keep your plants away from trees. The roots of trees are fiercely competitive and will steal all the nutrients and moisture meant for your flowers.
The right color scheme is one way to maintain the harmony in your garden. Imagine the color of the flowers when they are in bloom. Some colors may clash with others, but can still be planted side-by-side if they have a different blooming season. Foliage color is also important. Many flower plants have silver, grey or purplish foliage that is just as attractive as the flower. This means that they are still attractive well past the blooming season and so have added value.
by : hasan
The Gardening Brochure - a Gardeners Visionary Tool.
by: Chris Meagher
Gardening brochures, whether they arrive as a monthly edition, or with each season, glossy or plain paper, are a handy ready-reckoner for planning the coming season's garden display, access to hard to get plant varieties, and the replacement of worn out-tools or apparel. This is a great time of vision for most gardeners and many idle hours are taken up, traipsing through the garden in the mind. Oh! The possibilities! The imagination can run wild, with what you could do, given the time - and money.
These mini-magazines enable gardeners to buy the necessities for their gardening demands without leaving the comfort of their own home, offering a greater range at less expense, with much less trouble and also have it delivered to your front-door, ready for you use.
Gardening brochures, most of all, are very handy. Should you reside a fair distance from a nursery, or some kind of gardening center, it's often difficult to acquire all those essentials needed keep your garden in top shape. Let’s face it, in any case - most gardening centers do not have everything you need for a garden, not to mention the fact that the really large centers can be quite overwhelming.
Let us also not forget, that there is a definite problem of the "I want's" in big centers, with the plants on show at their best and everything laid out just so. Gardening brochures give you more options and allow you to view everything and more, available as you sit at home, also, you are not assailed by the sensory over-load of all those colours and scents. At least with a brochure, you can take your time in the comfort of your own home (probably still get the "I want's" though, just not as bad). Whether you are in the market for seeds, plants, protective clothing, or equipment, a gardening brochure is a great alternative to gardening centers.
Gardening brochures really are a valuable hoarde of info for either the newbie or skilled gardener. There is generally in-depth explanations about all available stock, their growth habits and flowering seasons, and also the upkeep needed, whether it be specialised, or generic. Also, information about nutrient requirements and the correct occasions for fertilising, is often included in these mini-magazines.
Gardening catalogues will often provide snippets, ideas and suggestions on things like: mower maintenance; how to control weeds and/or diseases in your garden; succession planting for colour: etc. They can give step-by-step planting instructions, such as: plant positioning; how much sun; and seasonal planting times. Reputable businesses sending these brochures, will wait to deliver your products, until, based on what climate-zone you reside in, the correct planting time arrives.
Many gardening brochures also included gardening equipment, such as roto-tillers, whipper-snippers, etc, although this is generally considered to be a specialist area of gardening supply. Depending on the supplier, if they are only showing soft supplies, or only specialise in plants, a quick enquiry will probably see them forwarding you the information you need. If nothing else, gardening type people are very easy to get along with.
If it's hydroponics you're into, although once again a fairly specialised field, most catalogues will probably offer things like: water pumps, tap-timers, artificial illumination, nutrient solutions, etc.
Pruning shears or secateurs, knives, hand tools, and the like are fairly standard items in most brochures. Some have a big choice of gloves, making it possible to find a pair that's practical if not stylish, likewise a reasonable variety of protective clothing. Often there will be on offer a range of larger garden tools, generally regarded as large disposable items (this means that they will in fact wear out, or break - eventually) hoes, rakes, forks, spades, shovels, hoses, sprinklers, irrigation and drainage systems, etc.
Usually, the selection of seeds is far greater through catalogues, often including those really hard to get varieties. Also, some varieties of plants are rarely put on show in garden centers, say, if they are just too big, or some such. This is where the gardening brochure, really comes into it's own, imagine, being able to have full-grown trees delivered to your front door.
So, get on a couple of mailing lists and have gardening brochures sent to you, so that you can plan for the next spring from your armchair, with this visionary tool.
About The Author
Mr Meagher has been a Netpreneur for 5 years.
Producing diverse articles from agriculture to weddings.
further reading to be found at : http://start-a-garden.com The author invites you to visit:
http://start-a-garden.comwww.resellingresoldresalerights.com
Gardening brochures, whether they arrive as a monthly edition, or with each season, glossy or plain paper, are a handy ready-reckoner for planning the coming season's garden display, access to hard to get plant varieties, and the replacement of worn out-tools or apparel. This is a great time of vision for most gardeners and many idle hours are taken up, traipsing through the garden in the mind. Oh! The possibilities! The imagination can run wild, with what you could do, given the time - and money.
These mini-magazines enable gardeners to buy the necessities for their gardening demands without leaving the comfort of their own home, offering a greater range at less expense, with much less trouble and also have it delivered to your front-door, ready for you use.
Gardening brochures, most of all, are very handy. Should you reside a fair distance from a nursery, or some kind of gardening center, it's often difficult to acquire all those essentials needed keep your garden in top shape. Let’s face it, in any case - most gardening centers do not have everything you need for a garden, not to mention the fact that the really large centers can be quite overwhelming.
Let us also not forget, that there is a definite problem of the "I want's" in big centers, with the plants on show at their best and everything laid out just so. Gardening brochures give you more options and allow you to view everything and more, available as you sit at home, also, you are not assailed by the sensory over-load of all those colours and scents. At least with a brochure, you can take your time in the comfort of your own home (probably still get the "I want's" though, just not as bad). Whether you are in the market for seeds, plants, protective clothing, or equipment, a gardening brochure is a great alternative to gardening centers.
Gardening brochures really are a valuable hoarde of info for either the newbie or skilled gardener. There is generally in-depth explanations about all available stock, their growth habits and flowering seasons, and also the upkeep needed, whether it be specialised, or generic. Also, information about nutrient requirements and the correct occasions for fertilising, is often included in these mini-magazines.
Gardening catalogues will often provide snippets, ideas and suggestions on things like: mower maintenance; how to control weeds and/or diseases in your garden; succession planting for colour: etc. They can give step-by-step planting instructions, such as: plant positioning; how much sun; and seasonal planting times. Reputable businesses sending these brochures, will wait to deliver your products, until, based on what climate-zone you reside in, the correct planting time arrives.
Many gardening brochures also included gardening equipment, such as roto-tillers, whipper-snippers, etc, although this is generally considered to be a specialist area of gardening supply. Depending on the supplier, if they are only showing soft supplies, or only specialise in plants, a quick enquiry will probably see them forwarding you the information you need. If nothing else, gardening type people are very easy to get along with.
If it's hydroponics you're into, although once again a fairly specialised field, most catalogues will probably offer things like: water pumps, tap-timers, artificial illumination, nutrient solutions, etc.
Pruning shears or secateurs, knives, hand tools, and the like are fairly standard items in most brochures. Some have a big choice of gloves, making it possible to find a pair that's practical if not stylish, likewise a reasonable variety of protective clothing. Often there will be on offer a range of larger garden tools, generally regarded as large disposable items (this means that they will in fact wear out, or break - eventually) hoes, rakes, forks, spades, shovels, hoses, sprinklers, irrigation and drainage systems, etc.
Usually, the selection of seeds is far greater through catalogues, often including those really hard to get varieties. Also, some varieties of plants are rarely put on show in garden centers, say, if they are just too big, or some such. This is where the gardening brochure, really comes into it's own, imagine, being able to have full-grown trees delivered to your front door.
So, get on a couple of mailing lists and have gardening brochures sent to you, so that you can plan for the next spring from your armchair, with this visionary tool.
About The Author
Mr Meagher has been a Netpreneur for 5 years.
Producing diverse articles from agriculture to weddings.
further reading to be found at : http://start-a-garden.com The author invites you to visit:
http://start-a-garden.comwww.resellingresoldresalerights.com
Benefits Of Landscape Gardening
by: Joanna Harris
Gardening is essentially adding flowers to a bed. But landscape gardening is something different. Like planning the layout of a drawing room, layout of the garden yard is planned. The furnishing goes beyond flowers and shrubs and includes trees, side walk, fountains and many more. It surely takes a good amount of time but the benefits it offers are various.
1. Gardening is a fantastic hobby. Many people start gardening but generally give up soon as gardening takes a lot of time. One can’t expect the flowers to bloom on the very next day of sowing seeds. However, just a little bit of patience and you’ll realize that it is bringing out the best in you. The most important thing is that landscape gardening can be a family activity. Each one in the family can pick up a task and devote time together in doing it. In no time, you will have a beautiful garden ready.
2. Landscape gardening increase the value of a property manifolds. If you have a lush green creative garden, your property value will be much higher than your neighbours’. If you think of selling your home in the future, you can get a good price on it owing to your well maintained garden.
3. Landscape gardening is also a good way of exercising regularly. The garden takes constant care. Every week’s weed pulling, moving around wheelbarrows and digging will energize and strengthen your body at the same time. One hour of such work is equal to an hour of aerobic workout.
4. A beautiful landscape attracts other species like butterflies, birds and other delightful creatures. You’ll experience immense joy by seeing them strolling in your garden.
Landscape gardening is not just for experienced gardeners. It is an excellent hobby for anyone to take. If you aren’t too sure about where to start from, you can hire a professional landscape gardener. The professionals can create a good basis for your garden to grow and get beautiful. In the very beginning he can come every month for a while to make sure everything is going all right. Then he can provide you resources and tips on beautifying and proper maintaining your garden in the future.
About The Author
Joanna is a well renowned Polish journalist specialising in Polish, Russian and English translation services. She has been residing in the UK for 3 years where she has made her home among the Polish community in Tooting, South West London.
Visit the author's web site at:
http://www.gardenernottinghill.co.uk/
Gardening is essentially adding flowers to a bed. But landscape gardening is something different. Like planning the layout of a drawing room, layout of the garden yard is planned. The furnishing goes beyond flowers and shrubs and includes trees, side walk, fountains and many more. It surely takes a good amount of time but the benefits it offers are various.
1. Gardening is a fantastic hobby. Many people start gardening but generally give up soon as gardening takes a lot of time. One can’t expect the flowers to bloom on the very next day of sowing seeds. However, just a little bit of patience and you’ll realize that it is bringing out the best in you. The most important thing is that landscape gardening can be a family activity. Each one in the family can pick up a task and devote time together in doing it. In no time, you will have a beautiful garden ready.
2. Landscape gardening increase the value of a property manifolds. If you have a lush green creative garden, your property value will be much higher than your neighbours’. If you think of selling your home in the future, you can get a good price on it owing to your well maintained garden.
3. Landscape gardening is also a good way of exercising regularly. The garden takes constant care. Every week’s weed pulling, moving around wheelbarrows and digging will energize and strengthen your body at the same time. One hour of such work is equal to an hour of aerobic workout.
4. A beautiful landscape attracts other species like butterflies, birds and other delightful creatures. You’ll experience immense joy by seeing them strolling in your garden.
Landscape gardening is not just for experienced gardeners. It is an excellent hobby for anyone to take. If you aren’t too sure about where to start from, you can hire a professional landscape gardener. The professionals can create a good basis for your garden to grow and get beautiful. In the very beginning he can come every month for a while to make sure everything is going all right. Then he can provide you resources and tips on beautifying and proper maintaining your garden in the future.
About The Author
Joanna is a well renowned Polish journalist specialising in Polish, Russian and English translation services. She has been residing in the UK for 3 years where she has made her home among the Polish community in Tooting, South West London.
Visit the author's web site at:
http://www.gardenernottinghill.co.uk/
Greenhouse Gardening
by: Timothy Samuel
Greenhouse Gardening. Our only hope is to help you become a great greenhouse gardener!. A brief introduction to the benefits of greenhouse gardening and what to consider before buying a greenhouse. You don't have to be an expert to enjoy greenhouse gardening. Today there are a multitude of greenhouse kits to fit every skill level and price range.
Greenhouses are a great addition to anyone's garden They come in all different sizes and you can nestle them right where you want them and with smaller versions of greenhouses you can move them quite easily. Greenhouse Kits, Custom Greenhouses, Commercial Greenhouse, Lean to, Atriums. Plants That Should Be Keep In Your Greenhouse. However, snow and January thaws produce some beautiful days under the greenhouse roof. The blazing poinsettia, now past its prime as a living room showpiece, should be brought back to the greenhouse and stored under the bench until spring. These are usually brought into the greenhouse in late fall from the shaded cold frame where they have spent the summer. A weed specialty in my greenhouse is a plant described as a choice exotic, Chamaeranthemum Gaudichandi. Seed is scattered throughout the greenhouse, a good greenhouse is both part of and a supplement to your landscape.
A lot of information is available on greenhouse growing, equipment, and supplies. Solar greenhouses are insulated to collect and store energy from the sun for use at night and during cloudy weather. As a result, greenhouse production in these areas will likely require the use of supplementary light and/or heat. This type of greenhouse system is often referred to as an active system. Greenhouses can be attached to a building house, shed, barn or freestanding. Most commercial greenhouses are freestanding. For an attached greenhouse, the south side of a building will be the sunniest all year. Another factor to consider in deciding where to locate a greenhouse is wind, especially one that is freestanding. Some experts suggest that any greenhouse from simple hoop structures to glass conservatories which grow plants in the soil can produce vegetables without artificial heat. To achieve this, all you need is to do is add a second protective layer of translucent material inside the greenhouse. So a completely sealed greenhouse is not ideal. Plants That Should Be Keep In Your Greenhouse. Some experts suggest that any greenhouse from simple hoop structures to glass conservatories which grow plants in the soil can produce vegetables without artificial heat. Warm weather crops like melons, peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes can be started early in the greenhouse for later transplanting outside or can be grown inside the greenhouse all the way to harvest. For winter growth in the greenhouse look for varieties of plants grown in the South which are varieties adapted to short-day culture. Other possibilities for greenhouse growing include herbs, specialty or delicate plants such as orchids, some types of mushrooms, bedding plants, bulbs, potted flowers and, of course, cut flowers. Whether you plant cold tolerant or heat loving plants, timing is key in greenhouse growing. Diseases and pests can enter the greenhouse via insects, in soil, on plants, and on seeds so careful handling and monitoring can go a long way to prevent disease and pest infestation. Grow boxes simplify the whole process of hydroponic gardening by providing an ideal environment for your plants. Your choice of profit-making plants may be dictated somewhat by your indoor gardening experience and the time you have spent as a hobby gardener or collector. For more information on gardening go to http://www.teegoes.org/Greenhouse_Gardening.html
Greenhouse Gardening. Our only hope is to help you become a great greenhouse gardener!. A brief introduction to the benefits of greenhouse gardening and what to consider before buying a greenhouse. You don't have to be an expert to enjoy greenhouse gardening. Today there are a multitude of greenhouse kits to fit every skill level and price range.
Greenhouses are a great addition to anyone's garden They come in all different sizes and you can nestle them right where you want them and with smaller versions of greenhouses you can move them quite easily. Greenhouse Kits, Custom Greenhouses, Commercial Greenhouse, Lean to, Atriums. Plants That Should Be Keep In Your Greenhouse. However, snow and January thaws produce some beautiful days under the greenhouse roof. The blazing poinsettia, now past its prime as a living room showpiece, should be brought back to the greenhouse and stored under the bench until spring. These are usually brought into the greenhouse in late fall from the shaded cold frame where they have spent the summer. A weed specialty in my greenhouse is a plant described as a choice exotic, Chamaeranthemum Gaudichandi. Seed is scattered throughout the greenhouse, a good greenhouse is both part of and a supplement to your landscape.
A lot of information is available on greenhouse growing, equipment, and supplies. Solar greenhouses are insulated to collect and store energy from the sun for use at night and during cloudy weather. As a result, greenhouse production in these areas will likely require the use of supplementary light and/or heat. This type of greenhouse system is often referred to as an active system. Greenhouses can be attached to a building house, shed, barn or freestanding. Most commercial greenhouses are freestanding. For an attached greenhouse, the south side of a building will be the sunniest all year. Another factor to consider in deciding where to locate a greenhouse is wind, especially one that is freestanding. Some experts suggest that any greenhouse from simple hoop structures to glass conservatories which grow plants in the soil can produce vegetables without artificial heat. To achieve this, all you need is to do is add a second protective layer of translucent material inside the greenhouse. So a completely sealed greenhouse is not ideal. Plants That Should Be Keep In Your Greenhouse. Some experts suggest that any greenhouse from simple hoop structures to glass conservatories which grow plants in the soil can produce vegetables without artificial heat. Warm weather crops like melons, peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes can be started early in the greenhouse for later transplanting outside or can be grown inside the greenhouse all the way to harvest. For winter growth in the greenhouse look for varieties of plants grown in the South which are varieties adapted to short-day culture. Other possibilities for greenhouse growing include herbs, specialty or delicate plants such as orchids, some types of mushrooms, bedding plants, bulbs, potted flowers and, of course, cut flowers. Whether you plant cold tolerant or heat loving plants, timing is key in greenhouse growing. Diseases and pests can enter the greenhouse via insects, in soil, on plants, and on seeds so careful handling and monitoring can go a long way to prevent disease and pest infestation. Grow boxes simplify the whole process of hydroponic gardening by providing an ideal environment for your plants. Your choice of profit-making plants may be dictated somewhat by your indoor gardening experience and the time you have spent as a hobby gardener or collector. For more information on gardening go to http://www.teegoes.org/Greenhouse_Gardening.html
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