Monday, September 16, 2013

How To Increase Your Crop Yields In Your Garden

By Johnathan Black


A garden makes a home look great but does even more than that. It is also more than just something people with green thumbs can do. Becoming involved in gardening is a great way to find peace in your life, and gain an appreciation for the world around you. The dividends you yield are considerable, in particular when you mature into a great gardener.

Make use of rain buckets and barrels around your home. You can later use this collected rainwater on your garden to grow healthier plants, while saving the planet. This method also reduces your water bill, as you can't be charged for using the water that runs off your roof!

If you want something fun to do that will benefit you in the kitchen, try growing some herbs in your window. Some herbs may not take kindly to this, but many will! In this way you have some herbs always fresh and handy, and they add a nice touch to the house.

Feed your plants. The way your plants are growing can tell you what nutrients are lacking and need replacing. Some plants take up a lot of nutrients early in the growing season and quickly need a new supply. Look for signs of deficiency such as yellowing leaves and stunted growth. Feed the plant with a general purpose fertilizer, unless it has specific requirements. Foliage plants, for instance, prefer a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen.

If you are planning an irrigation system for your garden, consider a drip irrigation system. A conventional system using sprinkler heads loses a lot water through evaporation. However, a drip system irrigates your garden by a constant slow drip of water beneath the surface, which means less water is wasted through evaporation.

Flush your plants with water if the rim of the pot or top of the soil has white salt deposits. Flush using twice the amount water as the size of the pot. Salt accumulates when using liquid fertilizer and can cause a PH imbalance. Once you have flushed the plant, do not water the plant again until the soil is dry.

When you are pruning a tree, make sure that your tools are sharp. Cutting with a dull tool can tear the bark off the tree, causing unnecessary damage to the tree. Not only that, cutting with a dull tool causes you to spend extra energy in cutting. A sharp tool will give you a cleaner cut with the least amount of effort.

Use the above tips to revitalize your garden. Ultimately, when you see your plants bloom and full of life, you will be happy you did. Gardening can work wonders on a hectic and stressful lifestyle, and provide many benefits to just about anyone willing to work at it, so get outside and enjoy.




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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Using Flowers For Your Landscaped Garden

By Johnathan Black


Tons of people have given thought to the idea of landscaping, but never act on that thought for many reasons, such as, lack of landscaping knowledge, lack of funds, fear of doing a bad job, or simply because they are too tired. Fear not, because here are a few landscaping tips that are affordable and easy to implement.

To help you landscape your home garden, draw a sketch before beginning your plans. By sketching out the details of your space with accurate scaling, you will get a better perspective on what you can fit into your space, what types of plants or accessories are appropriate and the various layout options you can experiment with.

Be sure to plan what your landscape before you buy. Try sketching out your landscape design on a piece of paper prior to actually planting and building. When you know exactly what materials you need and where you are going to be putting them, it can help you avoid wasting money.

Before getting started on your landscaping, take the time to talk with some professionals. Even if you have chosen to do your project solo, it's always good to talk to a pro before you start. They can give you some good advice on what to do or avoid if you are new to working on your landscaping. If you do know about landscaping, having a second opinion can always be helpful.

Do not forget your hardscape when it comes to your landscaping plans. A deck or patio is an important aspect in your landscape's appearance. There are many options for decks and patios that include rock designs or woods that coordinate with the colors of your trees, shrubs and flowers. Do not forget this important aspect.

Use stones, and pebbles to decrease the amount of grass on your lawn. Stones and pebbles are attractive additions to any yard, and they do not require regular maintenance. Grass requires regular mowing, watering, and fertilizing. Reducing the amount of grass in your yard can help to save you time, and energy.

Start buying your materials in phases. Few people can afford to buy everything for their projects all at once. By dividing projects into multiple phases, you can pay for what you need as you go. This may save you money, help you keep track of your progress, and let you adjust plans prior to your next phase.

Landscaping is not always easy if you don't know a lot about it. Although it is not easy, a little studying and research can help you perfectly landscape your house. Once you know the right steps to take, you will unlock the fun of landscaping. Use the tips here to be successful at landscaping your house's lawn.




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Thursday, September 5, 2013

The Relevance And Importance Of Gardening Books For Beginners

By Helene Norris


Gardening is said to be very therapeutic. The quiet serene experience of digging, planting and watering outdoors under the cool sunshine is healing to the inner soul. Some do it purely for practical reasons. Whatever the purpose, a first time gardener will need to gain some knowledge about it. These are some useful tips on how to find good gardening books for beginners.

With alarming stories emerging about genetically modified crops and poisonous chemical used on mass produced farm products, more and more people are turning towards home grown herbs and vegetables. Celebrities are doing it, mums are doing and even some dads. It is easy once the basics are learnt.

As a beginner, there are many things one could grow. It is recommended to start with a small herb garden indoors or outdoors. Coriander, Mint, Sage and other herbs all add lovely flavor to food and grow well throughout the year. They require little maintenance, just some soil, sun and water.

Other common vegetables one could plant are tomatoes, lettuce, carrots and marrow. Carrots tend to take longer and grow underground so it is difficult to tell when they are ready to be picked. With a little bit of browsing through gardening books for beginners you could have an entire vegetable garden in no time.

Another favorite is flowers. These easy to grow throughout the year and come in so many different varieties, it can be great fun. Flowers are really pretty and colorful and provide a good way to attract birds. They also give the garden a beautiful appealing appearance. Browse the books to find information on all the different types that are available each season.

Weather is also something to consider for being out in the garden. Early morning is good since the sun is not too hot and the soil is sometimes still moist from morning dew. Remember to use sunblock and a hat for protection from UV rays. Give the plants plenty of water and sun and tend to them regularly.

If you are a beginner, there is no need to feel apprehensive because all of this can be done quite easily and will be very therapeutic as well as an enjoyable activity. It is often recommended for older men and women to keep them active and give them a sense of purpose. Start reading through some gardening books for beginners to get a bigger picture of how to do it really well.

Some people like to experiment on their own, which is also fine. However, we may make some mistakes such as planting at the wrong time of the day or falling prey to pests. Gardening books for beginners will provide all the necessary information on pest control and insecticides. They will also show you how deep to dig, what tools to use and what grows well in the different seasons.

Take a stroll through local bookstores to find gardening books for beginners. There are many out there, even on Internet shopping sites. Once equipped with all the knowledge, you can begin your garden and reap the benefits.




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Monday, September 2, 2013

Vertical Rain Gardens: Why People Buy Them

By Kathy Chu


Are you thinking of building a vertical garden in your yard? Why not incorporate a rain collection system into your garden at the same time? You can increase the value and function of your garden without taking up any more area on your property.

I just recently found a vertical rain garden product designed by RTS that serves both as a rain harvester and as an ornamental vertical garden. There are not very many of these items available, and this design of rainwater collection is extremely special. I expect the demand for these types of items to increase as more homeowners become involved with water preservation.



The cool thing is that residents can just order this unit, set up the system and let it start working. It takes minimal upkeep, however, it does a lot of work for you.

An Upgrade to Any House

Although it needs very little upkeep, this distinct rain collector has a really sophisticated and elegant look. In fact, I would not recommend buying it unless you want to dress up the exterior of your home.

Due to the fact that it increases functionality and beauty to a home, it also can boost a property's value. This is an essential element to think about if you are planning to enhance the value of your home. Adding numerous matching gardens is a widely-used landscape design strategy to produce flow and balance in outdoor spaces.

How Does it Work?

The vertical rain garden is set up around a rain gutter downspout. The rainwater is diverted from the rain gutter into the rain storage tank, which is skillfully hidden behind a gorgeous vertical garden. The floral structure not only conceals the tank but also the downspout.

Increase Water Holding Capacity in a Snap

Unlike various other water storage systems that need residents to invest in a huge tank, this vertical rain garden can start small and increase in size as needed. The system is available in 30-gallon segments, which stack together. For instance, people can begin with a 60-gallon tank and later expand their water holding capability to 120 gallons or more just by adding on additional areas.

Space is Not a Problem

Since the rain garden is vertical, it uses up a very small footprint. For that reason, it can hold a huge amount of water without being a large obstacle that uses up valuable area on an outdoor patio, deck or front entrance.

Rather, it closely hugs a wall and provides optimal use with very little space - even on a smaller sized residential property.




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Orchids care , Care of plants , Fresh flower , Gardening plants , Gardening design tips 2012