I like technology. I like modern science. I do not believe that primitive is
better. There is a place for human-made chemical formulas in the garden.
However, the natural gardener must be aware that improper application of
chemicals can upset the delicate balance of nature in the garden and wipe out
habitat in an instant. You do not have to forego modern products, but you must
go easy. Read the label. Don't apply above the recommended rate. Be aware of the
side effects of whatever you are using.
And it is in the area of "side effects" that I believe we risk going wrong.
Let's face it, we are creating man-made habitats here. There is nothing wrong
with using man-made products-with restraint- so long as you realize that
the products have both seen and unseen consequences.
Butterflies (and caterpillars) are insects. Insecticides such as Dursban,
Diazinon and Malathion kill insects. They don't discriminate between
harmful and beneficial insects. They are designed to kill insects that come into
contact with them. So what to do?
First, get your plants healthy. Use compost. Select plants native to your
area. Plant sun-loving plants in the sun. Plant shade-loving plants in the
shade. Read Brenda Beust Smith's Saturday column in the Houston Chronicle
for a discussion of easy-to-grow "lazy gardener" plants.
Also, keep your head. If leaf-eating insects are nibbling on your plants ask
yourself if it really matters. Can't the plant spare a few leaves? Why nuke your
garden to kill a few bad guys?
Remember folks, butterflies come from caterpillars. And caterpillars eat
leaves. If you kill all the leaf eating caterpillars, where will the butterflies
come from?
Here are my rules regarding pesticides:
(1) Less is more. Spray the plant instead of the garden. In fact, spray the
part of the plant insects are after instead of the whole plant. And only spray
insecticides if you know the insects are there. Preventative spraying of
insecticides is not good.
(2) Always try to plant disease and insect resistant plants. Native plants
usually meet these requirements.
(3)Read organic gardening books and magazines. They will steer you toward the
less harmful products.
(4) Mellow out. Unless you are entering your plant in a contest, so what if
something has nibbled some of the leaves.
(5) Be vigilant. Walk your garden. Some critters are like gangs of
thugs--they wipe out a plant overnight. Benign neglect does not always work.
(6) Don't exceed the recommended dose. Doubling the strength usually does not
help and it may burn the leaves of the very plant you are trying to save. In
fact, try using less than the recommended rate.
(7) Make the plant taste bad. Certain sprays work on the principle that a
plant that tastes bad to an insect won't be eaten by that insect. The natural
gardeners have lots of hints using this approach. But remember that caterpillars
need to eat larval plants. Don't get carried away with this technique.
(9) Do not use systemic poisons. These are chemicals that are placed in the
ground and taken up by the plant's roots to make the entire plant poisonous.
Unfortunately, this makes the plant a killer of both beneficial and harmful
insects. It also leads to the increase of insects resistant to the systemic.
(10) Avoid bacillus thuringiensis (BT). This is a powder which contains a
bacterial pathogen that kills caterpillars. It is often cited favorably by
natural gardeners as an accepted biological control because it doesn't harm most
beneficial insects. But it kills caterpillars. Butterfly gardeners need
caterpillars to make more butterflies.
(11) Buy a water wand to control spider mites and aphids. Its high pressure
spray knocks these critters off the leaves without the use of any chemicals. It
is amazingly effective.
(12) If thrips are attacking your roses, spray the insecticide only on
the bloom. Also, thrips usually attack white roses. Confine your attack to those
roses. This technique will minimize the odds of insecticides drifting into
"butterfly areas" of your garden.
(13) Wear protective gear when spraying insecticides. A long sleeved shirt,
pants (not shorts), gloves and goggles are a minimum. Many insecticides and
fungicides are very harmful to the eyes. Do not spray without eye protection.
And wash the clothes separately.
(14) Water your plants before you spray.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
WILDFLOWER GARDENING - TRY IT THIS YEAR
Have you secretly been considering turning your high maintenance mixed border into a wildflower garden? It can be hard to resist when seed companies are out there promoting their instant wildflower gardens in a can, sack or roll. I spoke with a handful of gardeners who gave wildflower meadows a try. Their efforts to date have not met with much success.
Many gardeners naively believe you can simply scatter some seeds, ignore the gardening basics,, and wind up with a self-sowing meadow of bluebells and lacecaps. In truth, starting a wildflower garden is often more work than putting in a perennial border and it is not necessarily self-perpetuating.
If these plants are truly wild, (weeds, to most highway maintenance crews), why must they be coddled and coaxed out of the ground?
Many gardeners naively believe you can simply scatter some seeds, ignore the gardening basics,, and wind up with a self-sowing meadow of bluebells and lacecaps. In truth, starting a wildflower garden is often more work than putting in a perennial border and it is not necessarily self-perpetuating.
If these plants are truly wild, (weeds, to most highway maintenance crews), why must they be coddled and coaxed out of the ground?
What is a Wildflower Garden?
According to my local Extension office, wildflowers are species of flowers that have shown themselves to be hardy and self-reproducing, with little attention form the gardener. Although they will grow wild or on their own, they are not necessarily native plants. Wildflower gardens are considered a low cost alternative to high maintenance gardening. Many wildflowers prefer poor soil and neglect, making them ideal for tough to maintain areas of your property. My wildflower garden got little attention, so where did I go wrong?Preparing for Your Wildflowers
Even a wild look requires some planning and effort. The good news is that most of the effort is in getting it started.- Chose a site with full to partial sun. If you want the plants to sustain themselves, you had better give them conditions they find agreeable.
- Weed control is paramount. Weeds are a successful wildflower garden's biggest threat. Of course, only you can determine what is a weed and what is a wildflower, but for the sake of simplicity I would suggest you start your garden with a clean palette and remove all existing vegetation. There are three proven methods of doing this.
- Weed or remove sod by hand. If you are starting with a small area or if you are planting where healthy grass is growing, this may be your best option.
- Solarization is a good way to kill all vegetation, including most seeds. Mow the area to be planted as low as your lawn mower will allow. Water the area well and then cover securely with clear plastic sheeting, leaving it there to bake in the sun for 6 - 8 weeks. This method relies on cooperation from the weather and you will probably still want to remove the dead vegetation before reseeding.
- Spraying a broad spectrum herbicide will kill everything within a few weeks. Be careful with herbicides. They don’t discriminate in what they kill and can accidentally drift on a breeze and wipe out garden plants. Again, you will probably want to remove the dead vegetation before reseeding.
- Till the soil shallowly to a depth of about 3 inches, once the existing vegetation is removed. You don't want to uncover and encourage more weeds. In fact, you may want to respray with the herbicide at this point to kill any weed seeds that may have surfaced.
- Rake and level the soil, leaving the grooves left from raking to help hold the seeds and give them contact with the soil.
Planting a Wildflower Garden
- Packaged seed mixes will tell you how large an area they cover. In general, use 4 pounds of seed per acre or 4 oz. per 2,500 sq. ft.
- Most wildflower seeds are very small. Mixing some sand in with the seed mixture will make it easier to spread evenly. Broadcast evenly throughout the area to be planted.
- Rake lightly again after spreading the seed.
- Water the whole area and keep the seeds moist until they are a few inches tall. A light mulching with straw, peat or compost will help retain moisture and keep the birds from eating the meadow. It’s much like starting grass seed.
- Germination should occur in 10 - 21 days and your first blooms should reward you in 5-6 weeks.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE VALENTINE FLOWERS !!
Here's some great advice about keeping those beautiul flowers in good shape as long as possible. It helps keep the good feelings alive longer, too.
Care for Valentine flowers
Care for Valentine flowers
By Dennis L. Patton, M.S., County Horticulture Agent, K-State Research and Extension/Johnson County
OLATHE, Kan. — The most popular day to give flowers is fast approaching with the arrival of Valentine’s Day on February 14. Many people will be sending that special someone a bouquet of fresh flowers, and, by far, roses are the most popular gift.
Proper care is important for extending the life of fresh flower arrangements. Following are a few guidelines which will make this symbol of love last longer:
Water is vital.
Keep the vase or floral foam soaked with water at all times. Add fresh water daily and use warm water as this aids in uptake. If the water turns cloudy, replace it immediately with fresh water. If possible, re-cut the rose stems every day by removing one to two inches. Use a sharp knife. If at all possible, this cut should be made under water as this allows the stem to draw in water instead of air.
Keep Valentines flowers cool.
Warm temperatures shorten the life of the blooms. Avoid direct sunlight and heating vents. Warm air from ceiling fans will cause the flowers to fade. Appliances like televisions and computers give off heat causing the flowers to dry out.
Floral trick for wilted or droopy flowers
Try this trick if the flowers start to wilt, remove the stem from the arrangement and re-cut the stem. Next, submerge the entire flower in warm water. Leave it in the water for one to two hours. This treatment should perk the flowers up and extend its life for a couple days. This trick works well for cut roses.
Care of flowers received wrapped in paper or a box
If you give or receive loose stems of flowers keep them cool as long as possible before delivering to your sweetheart. Fill a clean vase with water and add flower food from the florist. Follow packet instructions for mixing.
Before placing the stems in the vase remove all foliage that will be below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth which decreases life. Re-cutting the stems under water with a sharp knife is recommended before placing in the vase. Follow the same guidelines for arrangements for longer lasting flowers.
Care for potted flowering plants
Potted plants are also a popular gift. Like arrangements, keep them in a cool location and avoid heat drafts or dry air for longer color. Most plants will require even moisture so check the soil daily and water if dry to the touch. Do not let the plants stand in water. This will harm the root system.
Potted flowering plants will last anywhere from a few days in the case of forced bulbs to several weeks. For example, under good conditions, expect azaleas, exacum cyclamen, and kalanchoes to last up to four weeks.
Keep the vase or floral foam soaked with water at all times. Add fresh water daily and use warm water as this aids in uptake. If the water turns cloudy, replace it immediately with fresh water. If possible, re-cut the rose stems every day by removing one to two inches. Use a sharp knife. If at all possible, this cut should be made under water as this allows the stem to draw in water instead of air.
Keep Valentines flowers cool.
Warm temperatures shorten the life of the blooms. Avoid direct sunlight and heating vents. Warm air from ceiling fans will cause the flowers to fade. Appliances like televisions and computers give off heat causing the flowers to dry out.
Floral trick for wilted or droopy flowers
Try this trick if the flowers start to wilt, remove the stem from the arrangement and re-cut the stem. Next, submerge the entire flower in warm water. Leave it in the water for one to two hours. This treatment should perk the flowers up and extend its life for a couple days. This trick works well for cut roses.
Care of flowers received wrapped in paper or a box
If you give or receive loose stems of flowers keep them cool as long as possible before delivering to your sweetheart. Fill a clean vase with water and add flower food from the florist. Follow packet instructions for mixing.
Before placing the stems in the vase remove all foliage that will be below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth which decreases life. Re-cutting the stems under water with a sharp knife is recommended before placing in the vase. Follow the same guidelines for arrangements for longer lasting flowers.
Care for potted flowering plants
Potted plants are also a popular gift. Like arrangements, keep them in a cool location and avoid heat drafts or dry air for longer color. Most plants will require even moisture so check the soil daily and water if dry to the touch. Do not let the plants stand in water. This will harm the root system.
Potted flowering plants will last anywhere from a few days in the case of forced bulbs to several weeks. For example, under good conditions, expect azaleas, exacum cyclamen, and kalanchoes to last up to four weeks.
Monday, February 13, 2012
GARDEN TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
Here's an article for all you "almost" gardeenrs, wanting to have a garden that makes you proud !!
Did you ever want to turn your backyard into a garden but then you gave up because you didn't know anything about gardening? You don't have to do that anymore: gardening is actually not as hard as people might think it is. If you know a few basic rules, then you can have your own garden without much effort. The time you need to create a garden is not too long, and it is definitely a good way to relax. The beauty and scent of the blooming flowers will repay you for your effort, you can be sure of that. Here are a few basic gardening tips, that will help you gain that beautiful garden you've always dreamed of.
Flowers grow and bloom, but so do weeds. There can be a lot of unwanted weed among your plants. This is natural, since most weed seeds are carried by the wind and it is impossible to stop their spreading. Weeds are usually stronger than flowers and much more resistant, so they have a bigger chance of survival even in bad conditions. Get rid of weeds in your garden, because they take away the water and the minerals from your flowers. The best way is to rip them out with their roots to make sure that they won't grow back again. You can also use weedkiller products, but avoid using sprays, because they can destroy your flowers as well.
Most of the flowers and plants require certain conditions, otherwise they won't survive or they will be very weak. Water your garden regularly, at least once a week, and more often if it's a very dry hot summer. Deep watering is relevant because that way the roots can absorb much more minerals and the flowers will be more fresh looking and beautiful.
At all times try to avoid the use of chemicals in your garden. Most of the chemicals do more harm than good. For instance if you use a pesticide, it kills the bad insects but the beneficial ones as well. This way you will only destroy the natural balance of the garden. Some chemicals are also harmful for the plants and flowers, and they can be dangerous for humans and pets as well. For all problems there are organic, natural products that you can use instead of the chemicals.
If you want to fertilize your garden, choose fertilizers that are organic. Don't use too much fertilizer, most of the times the soil contains already a lot of minerals that the plants need. The minimal amount of fertilizer is enough to give your flowers extra strength and resistance. Use this regularly, especially if you water your flowers very often. Repeated watering washes away nutrition from the earth and that's why you should add fertilizer to it.
Cutting of dead flowers and leaves will not only make your garden look more beautiful and organized, but it is also beneficial for the plants. Most of the flowers will bloom more if the dead flowers heads are removed. Some perennials will have new flowers only if the dead flower heads are cut, like dahlias and geraniums. Similarly, there are some plants that require their top to be pinched out. This way they will be more bushy and have more flowers. Some of them will grow too high if you don't do this, like fuchsias for instance.
Did you ever want to turn your backyard into a garden but then you gave up because you didn't know anything about gardening? You don't have to do that anymore: gardening is actually not as hard as people might think it is. If you know a few basic rules, then you can have your own garden without much effort. The time you need to create a garden is not too long, and it is definitely a good way to relax. The beauty and scent of the blooming flowers will repay you for your effort, you can be sure of that. Here are a few basic gardening tips, that will help you gain that beautiful garden you've always dreamed of.
Flowers grow and bloom, but so do weeds. There can be a lot of unwanted weed among your plants. This is natural, since most weed seeds are carried by the wind and it is impossible to stop their spreading. Weeds are usually stronger than flowers and much more resistant, so they have a bigger chance of survival even in bad conditions. Get rid of weeds in your garden, because they take away the water and the minerals from your flowers. The best way is to rip them out with their roots to make sure that they won't grow back again. You can also use weedkiller products, but avoid using sprays, because they can destroy your flowers as well.
Most of the flowers and plants require certain conditions, otherwise they won't survive or they will be very weak. Water your garden regularly, at least once a week, and more often if it's a very dry hot summer. Deep watering is relevant because that way the roots can absorb much more minerals and the flowers will be more fresh looking and beautiful.
At all times try to avoid the use of chemicals in your garden. Most of the chemicals do more harm than good. For instance if you use a pesticide, it kills the bad insects but the beneficial ones as well. This way you will only destroy the natural balance of the garden. Some chemicals are also harmful for the plants and flowers, and they can be dangerous for humans and pets as well. For all problems there are organic, natural products that you can use instead of the chemicals.
If you want to fertilize your garden, choose fertilizers that are organic. Don't use too much fertilizer, most of the times the soil contains already a lot of minerals that the plants need. The minimal amount of fertilizer is enough to give your flowers extra strength and resistance. Use this regularly, especially if you water your flowers very often. Repeated watering washes away nutrition from the earth and that's why you should add fertilizer to it.
Cutting of dead flowers and leaves will not only make your garden look more beautiful and organized, but it is also beneficial for the plants. Most of the flowers will bloom more if the dead flowers heads are removed. Some perennials will have new flowers only if the dead flower heads are cut, like dahlias and geraniums. Similarly, there are some plants that require their top to be pinched out. This way they will be more bushy and have more flowers. Some of them will grow too high if you don't do this, like fuchsias for instance.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
MORE INDOOR GARDENING - HERBS
This is an article I thought was very helpful for all you "indoor gradeners". Fresh herbs year round can't be anything but good, healthy, and fun.
Growing herbs indoors means you will have an all-year-round supply of fresh herbs.
So no matter what the weather is like outside, frost, snow, torrential rain, your indoor herb garden will continuously and happily provide you with fresh herbs ready for when you want them.
And the easiest way to start your indoor herb garden is with readily available herb growing kits.
Herb growing kits are an easy and inexpensive way to start your indoor herb garden.
There are many different types of growing kits available from a simple plastic pot with a packet of herb seeds to over the top kits with self watering, heating and misting functions which also include compost and several different packets of seeds.
But the most common type come with about three ceramic pots, enough compost and three different types of seed. Many come with a stand for the pots and all will have basic instructions.
These are the best type of herb growing kits for getting started.
They are real easy to use and will reliably produce good edible herbs for use in your cooking and food flavouring.
Once you have sown your seeds and they have germinated, usually within around seven days or so, there is very little you need to do.
Just keep them somewhere with good light, a windowsill that receives plenty of sun is ideal, and keep them well watered and give them a fortnightly feed with a soluble plant fertilizer and they will grow away happily just waiting for you to harvest them.
There's lots of herbs you can easily grow indoors,
Thyme
Dill
Tarragon
Basil
Rosemary
Chives
Mint
Parsley
Marjoram
Oreganobr
Sage
Fennel
Borrage
All of these will grow well indoors and they are all ideal for flavouring your food and adding to your cooking.
Growing herbs indoors means you will have an all-year-round supply of fresh herbs.
So no matter what the weather is like outside, frost, snow, torrential rain, your indoor herb garden will continuously and happily provide you with fresh herbs ready for when you want them.
And the easiest way to start your indoor herb garden is with readily available herb growing kits.
Herb growing kits are an easy and inexpensive way to start your indoor herb garden.
There are many different types of growing kits available from a simple plastic pot with a packet of herb seeds to over the top kits with self watering, heating and misting functions which also include compost and several different packets of seeds.
But the most common type come with about three ceramic pots, enough compost and three different types of seed. Many come with a stand for the pots and all will have basic instructions.
These are the best type of herb growing kits for getting started.
They are real easy to use and will reliably produce good edible herbs for use in your cooking and food flavouring.
Once you have sown your seeds and they have germinated, usually within around seven days or so, there is very little you need to do.
Just keep them somewhere with good light, a windowsill that receives plenty of sun is ideal, and keep them well watered and give them a fortnightly feed with a soluble plant fertilizer and they will grow away happily just waiting for you to harvest them.
There's lots of herbs you can easily grow indoors,
Thyme
Dill
Tarragon
Basil
Rosemary
Chives
Mint
Parsley
Marjoram
Oreganobr
Sage
Fennel
Borrage
All of these will grow well indoors and they are all ideal for flavouring your food and adding to your cooking.
About this Author
Find out how easy it is to get started in indoor herb gardeing with herb kits at http://www.freegardeningplants.com/herb-growing-kits.html and for more information on indoor herb gardening go to http://www.freegardeningplants.com/indoor-herb-garden.htmlArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Cangialosi
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3990385
Saturday, February 11, 2012
CONTAINER GARDENING
For all you gardeners who live in a condo or apartment, or just don't have an outside space to grow in, here's a great article for you. Enjoy it, and if you have questions, ask me at: tsmith203@hotmail.com
Colourful containers with beautiful blooming flowers will create an amazing and stunning show anywhere around your home, indoors or out. You can easily enhance your patio or any other area with bright dazzling pots of flowering garden plants grown in containers. Or you can fill your garden troughs and window boxes with beautiful low growing plants or small evergreen shrubs. Use hanging baskets brimming with beautiful trailing flowers such as Fuchsias.
These really do give you a spectacular show. Even if you have a large garden you can extend your container gardening onto patios, or around sheds and garages with pots and tubs filled with lush flowering plants. You can group your pots together to give a stunning effect or in a smaller area just use a single container with one specimen plant that will draw anyone's eye. Containers are so versatile, you can move them around for the best effect or change them to create different moods. As flowers fade just change the plants to ones that are flowering or about to flower, its so easy to have a continuous flowering display throughout the growing seasons. With containers you have so many different choices. You can have containers that compliment the colour of the flowers.
Or you could have them contrasting each other. Either option can give you a special unique display. Its nearly always best to have containers that are similar in colour to each other as it gives the best effect. Use the plants to compliment or contrast with each other. For the best aesthetics its best if there is a tall plant in each container with shorter plants around the edges and perhaps trailing plants hanging over the sides, almost hiding the container. You will have to think about leaf shapes as well. Long broad leaves can act as a back drop to smaller plants with shorter leaves and bright flowers. With containers its so easy to change plants around until you get the effect you want.
Dark green leaves will give a better background effect than light green ones. Especially for bright coloured flowers, which will stand out sharply against the dark green leaves. This doesn't mean to say you cant use light green leaves, if the container is against a dark colour, a dark painted fence or shed for instance, the flowers will stand out against this rather than the leaves. This will give the same effect as using dark green leaves except the light green leaves do not stand out al all. Its always best to try and use plants that flower for long periods, or have plants of a different type ready to replace them as they finish blooming. Or you could grow a container with just one type of plant. A patio tub full of yellow flowering crocus takes a lot of beating in spring.
The choice of grouped plants is absolutely endless, especially in early spring before your beds and borders start to flower. You can use almost anything as a garden container, an old china tea pot or coffee pot or a disused bucket, as long as it will hold compost and is big enough for the type of plants you want to grow in it then it can be used. You could even make your own if you are handy with tools and timber, its real easy to make your own wooden containers. You can of course use commercially available containers which are made from all sorts of different materials. The most common being plastic and terracotta. Terracotta pots are available in all sorts of sizes, shapes, colours and shades. The best ones are glazed on the outside, this helps retain water and gives the pot a somewhat more expensive look.
The cheaper plastic pots and tubs are ideal. They are less likely to be broken than terracotta and they are available in a vast range of sizes and styles and colours. Today's plastic materials are far superior to a few years ago and this is no different for plant containers. They are strong, lightweight but don't look "plasticy" You can personalize plastic pots by decorating them on the outside with paint or stickers. If your are an arty type this gives you great scope of producing your own brand of container, your own personal touch. You can buy saucers to stand your container on which helps retain water, especially in dry weather. They will also prevent unsightly water marks on concrete or wood.
Never ever use garden soil in garden containers. It contains weed seeds and many diseases which would soon multiply in the confines of a container with disastrous effects for your plants. Use a proper potting compost which is especially produced for growing plants in containers. Your plants will thank you for it. A really good place for containers is a porch or veranda where they will make your home more attractive, inviting and welcoming. Stand pots and tubs on your porch or veranda, fit troughs or window boxes to hand rail guards and fit hanging baskets under the roof. This really does change the appearance of your property for the better. It brings it alive and if done well the containers will enhance your home and make all your neighbours envious. You could have containers along each side of your driveway.
This can look really stunning if your driveway is not just a straight line and curves. Just make sure your selection of plants harmonize with each other and enhances the rest of your garden and house décor. For a fabulous night time displays use discrete lighting to highlight the container plants following the outline of your drive. And don't forget all the different types of containers you can have for your indoor plants which not only enhance the plants but, if chosen correctly, will compliment all your décor. There are so many uses for containers in your garden and around the home you could find different uses each and every day.
Just use your imagination and you will be amazed at the difference containers will make. And if you don't get it right first time just move the containers around until they look right and pleasing to your eye. But don't forget plants in containers will be completely dependent on you for water and nutrients. So keep them well watered, especially in dry spells, and give them a weekly shot of a proprietary plant feed.
Colourful containers with beautiful blooming flowers will create an amazing and stunning show anywhere around your home, indoors or out. You can easily enhance your patio or any other area with bright dazzling pots of flowering garden plants grown in containers. Or you can fill your garden troughs and window boxes with beautiful low growing plants or small evergreen shrubs. Use hanging baskets brimming with beautiful trailing flowers such as Fuchsias.
These really do give you a spectacular show. Even if you have a large garden you can extend your container gardening onto patios, or around sheds and garages with pots and tubs filled with lush flowering plants. You can group your pots together to give a stunning effect or in a smaller area just use a single container with one specimen plant that will draw anyone's eye. Containers are so versatile, you can move them around for the best effect or change them to create different moods. As flowers fade just change the plants to ones that are flowering or about to flower, its so easy to have a continuous flowering display throughout the growing seasons. With containers you have so many different choices. You can have containers that compliment the colour of the flowers.
Or you could have them contrasting each other. Either option can give you a special unique display. Its nearly always best to have containers that are similar in colour to each other as it gives the best effect. Use the plants to compliment or contrast with each other. For the best aesthetics its best if there is a tall plant in each container with shorter plants around the edges and perhaps trailing plants hanging over the sides, almost hiding the container. You will have to think about leaf shapes as well. Long broad leaves can act as a back drop to smaller plants with shorter leaves and bright flowers. With containers its so easy to change plants around until you get the effect you want.
Dark green leaves will give a better background effect than light green ones. Especially for bright coloured flowers, which will stand out sharply against the dark green leaves. This doesn't mean to say you cant use light green leaves, if the container is against a dark colour, a dark painted fence or shed for instance, the flowers will stand out against this rather than the leaves. This will give the same effect as using dark green leaves except the light green leaves do not stand out al all. Its always best to try and use plants that flower for long periods, or have plants of a different type ready to replace them as they finish blooming. Or you could grow a container with just one type of plant. A patio tub full of yellow flowering crocus takes a lot of beating in spring.
The choice of grouped plants is absolutely endless, especially in early spring before your beds and borders start to flower. You can use almost anything as a garden container, an old china tea pot or coffee pot or a disused bucket, as long as it will hold compost and is big enough for the type of plants you want to grow in it then it can be used. You could even make your own if you are handy with tools and timber, its real easy to make your own wooden containers. You can of course use commercially available containers which are made from all sorts of different materials. The most common being plastic and terracotta. Terracotta pots are available in all sorts of sizes, shapes, colours and shades. The best ones are glazed on the outside, this helps retain water and gives the pot a somewhat more expensive look.
The cheaper plastic pots and tubs are ideal. They are less likely to be broken than terracotta and they are available in a vast range of sizes and styles and colours. Today's plastic materials are far superior to a few years ago and this is no different for plant containers. They are strong, lightweight but don't look "plasticy" You can personalize plastic pots by decorating them on the outside with paint or stickers. If your are an arty type this gives you great scope of producing your own brand of container, your own personal touch. You can buy saucers to stand your container on which helps retain water, especially in dry weather. They will also prevent unsightly water marks on concrete or wood.
Never ever use garden soil in garden containers. It contains weed seeds and many diseases which would soon multiply in the confines of a container with disastrous effects for your plants. Use a proper potting compost which is especially produced for growing plants in containers. Your plants will thank you for it. A really good place for containers is a porch or veranda where they will make your home more attractive, inviting and welcoming. Stand pots and tubs on your porch or veranda, fit troughs or window boxes to hand rail guards and fit hanging baskets under the roof. This really does change the appearance of your property for the better. It brings it alive and if done well the containers will enhance your home and make all your neighbours envious. You could have containers along each side of your driveway.
This can look really stunning if your driveway is not just a straight line and curves. Just make sure your selection of plants harmonize with each other and enhances the rest of your garden and house décor. For a fabulous night time displays use discrete lighting to highlight the container plants following the outline of your drive. And don't forget all the different types of containers you can have for your indoor plants which not only enhance the plants but, if chosen correctly, will compliment all your décor. There are so many uses for containers in your garden and around the home you could find different uses each and every day.
Just use your imagination and you will be amazed at the difference containers will make. And if you don't get it right first time just move the containers around until they look right and pleasing to your eye. But don't forget plants in containers will be completely dependent on you for water and nutrients. So keep them well watered, especially in dry spells, and give them a weekly shot of a proprietary plant feed.
About this Author
Chris has over thirty years experience in real life down to earth gardening, but especially in propagating all types of gardening plants. You can take advantage of all his knowledge and experience, just visit his free online gardening resource at http://www.freegardeningplants.com/index.html.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3539785
Friday, February 10, 2012
SOME MORE ABOUT INDOOR GARDENING
Here's a good article that lists specific plants for all you cold climate folks who can't even think about outside planting yet. Enjoy.
Plants are just as popular as furniture when one is deciding on what to place in his or her home as interiors. This is what spiked the market for plastic plants. However, artificial plants are known to collect dust and could sometimes be subjects for the homeowner's ridicule.
Why not opt for the real thing? Do indoor gardening. Aside from the aesthetic value plants could provide your home with, think of the health benefits - grade school science class has it that plants cleanse the air through utilizing the carbon dioxide and producing more oxygen.
Are you clueless with this kind of gardening? Here is some indispensable information on how to be successful at having a garden that is situated right inside the comforts of your home.
Lighting
One thing you must consider is how the plants will be provided with the necessary light. You have to decide which part of the house you will place your indoor garden. This would help you in deciding which kind of plant you would take care on you indoor garden.
Here are the varieties of plants (usually those that only require medium to low light) that are known to be suitable for indoor gardening:
a. Philodendrons
b. Boston ferns
c. African violets
d. Cyclamens
e. Creeping Fig
Watering
A common mistake most people make in indoor gardening is they tend to over-water the plants, which may lead to harming the roots. Make sure to research on the type of plant you have, because each kind of plant varies on their watering needs.
Potting
Most indoor plants require the use of pots and containers. Make sure that the pot is clean before placing your new plant into it to prevent infection and for a healthy growth of the plant.
Humidity
In indoor gardening, humidity is a big issue. The amount of moisture in the air has effect on the growth of the plants. During mornings, you could spray the plants with water for their much needed moisture.
Fertilization
Just like watering, it depends on the type of indoor plants whether they require constant fertilization or not. If you have achieved to supply your indoor garden with the appropriate amount of light, water and humidity, fertilization may not need much attention.
With these tips in mind, you don't have to settle for plastic decorative plants in your house. Anyone can maintain an indoor paradise with an indoor garden.
Plants are just as popular as furniture when one is deciding on what to place in his or her home as interiors. This is what spiked the market for plastic plants. However, artificial plants are known to collect dust and could sometimes be subjects for the homeowner's ridicule.
Why not opt for the real thing? Do indoor gardening. Aside from the aesthetic value plants could provide your home with, think of the health benefits - grade school science class has it that plants cleanse the air through utilizing the carbon dioxide and producing more oxygen.
Are you clueless with this kind of gardening? Here is some indispensable information on how to be successful at having a garden that is situated right inside the comforts of your home.
Lighting
One thing you must consider is how the plants will be provided with the necessary light. You have to decide which part of the house you will place your indoor garden. This would help you in deciding which kind of plant you would take care on you indoor garden.
Here are the varieties of plants (usually those that only require medium to low light) that are known to be suitable for indoor gardening:
a. Philodendrons
b. Boston ferns
c. African violets
d. Cyclamens
e. Creeping Fig
Watering
A common mistake most people make in indoor gardening is they tend to over-water the plants, which may lead to harming the roots. Make sure to research on the type of plant you have, because each kind of plant varies on their watering needs.
Potting
Most indoor plants require the use of pots and containers. Make sure that the pot is clean before placing your new plant into it to prevent infection and for a healthy growth of the plant.
Humidity
In indoor gardening, humidity is a big issue. The amount of moisture in the air has effect on the growth of the plants. During mornings, you could spray the plants with water for their much needed moisture.
Fertilization
Just like watering, it depends on the type of indoor plants whether they require constant fertilization or not. If you have achieved to supply your indoor garden with the appropriate amount of light, water and humidity, fertilization may not need much attention.
With these tips in mind, you don't have to settle for plastic decorative plants in your house. Anyone can maintain an indoor paradise with an indoor garden.
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