Wednesday 20 February 2013

Become An Expert Gardener With This Useful Information!

carrot crop

Having your own garden can be a relaxing and enjoyable way to improve the appearance of your yard and give pleasure to all who view it. You can follow these suggestions to help you on your way to creating a beautiful garden. You will be sure to enjoy the time spent admiring your garden.

Are you wondering if you need to water your lawn? One good way to tell is to simply walk across it. If you can see your footprints, you have a thirsty yard. Every week, your lawn should be receiving up to one inch of water. If you live in an area where it doesn't rain frequently, make sure to give your lawn the "footprint test" whenever you're not sure if it's had enough to drink.

Always grow what works in the right area. If cabbage does not work in one climate, but carrots do, then it is a robust carrot crop that needs to be planted and the cabbage crop should be small. Talk to the neighbors and see what is working for them to maximize the output of your own garden.

Fall is a great time of the year to plant a fall vegetable garden. The mild temperatures of autumn are fantastic for cultivating fast-growing, cool-season vegetables such as spinach, radishes and lettuce. Growing an autumn garden does require some planning since you need to harvest your salad crop before the first frost. By looking on the seed packet, you will find out how long it takes for your plant to be mature enough to harvest. Since plants grow more slowly in the shortened days of fall, add two weeks to the time listed on the seed packet. If the total number of days is 45, make sure you plant your fall crop at least that many days before the time that the first day of frost typically occurs in your locale.

The tips in this article are designed to assist you in creating the garden you want in your yard. By employing these ideas, you will be well on your way to having the garden you desire to have. Your neighbors are sure to appreciate the visual attraction it adds to the neighborhood.

Sunday 17 February 2013

Ways To Get the Garden You Always Wanted

pasta water

Gardening is a magnificent way to spend time and spruce up your house's exterior. Not only can it help you to see your home in a new way, but you will also be able to eat all of the great food you've grown. It can also be beneficial to your mental well being, as you will have something to see grow and to take care of. It's a great way to spend your off time.

Planting a garden at the right time is important. Learn when your area will have it's expected last frost. Some plants can go in the ground a little before that time, others must wait until after. There are some plants, such as tomatoes and peppers, that need to be started from seed indoors well before the last frost date.

Use your leftover pasta water in your garden! Plants are big starch fans and thrive with water that contains higher levels of starch, like the water left over after you boil pasta or potatoes. Make sure, though, that you let the water sit until it reaches room temperature prior to watering your plants with it!

Although railroad ties may look very nice in your garden, the chemicals in them, are thought to be hazardous and toxic to the health of the garden, so consider alternatives. Natural wood is easy to find and will add a beautiful touch to your garden.

For a healthy, weed-free lawn, cut your grass at the highest point recommended for the blend of grass you're growing. Cutting your grass too short won't mean you have to mow less often. Instead, it allows weeds to take hold, and causes water to evaporate. Longer grass can better protect itself against weeds, drought, and pests.

Gardening will make you feel better and will help your yard look spectacular. It's a very great way to eat, and to keep busy. You can find many tools to help you and many nurseries in your area that can sell you different types of plants. It is a fantastic hobby for anyone to take up.

Saturday 16 February 2013

Perk Up Your Yard With These Excellent Tips.

rewarding hobbies

Gardening is one of the most rewarding hobbies out there -- or at least that's how gardeners feel. It's not always the simplest hobby, however, and if you love plants but feel you still have a lot to learn when it comes to gardening, these tips are just for you.

When building a rain garden, choose plants that will be able to tolerate fluctuating conditions such as standing water. Choosing native plants to your area are usually easier to grow and heartier than exotic species. After adding plants, spread 2 or 3 inches of mulch, but avoid rock mulch or grass clippings that may be treated with pesticides.

A great tip to consider when gardening is that you can remove the salt deposits from your clay pots with a solution of rubbing alcohol, water, and white vinegar of equal amounts. This is important because it is a safe and natural way to keep your pots looking great.

If you grow roses or rosebushes, spray them with a solution of 1/3 cup powdered milk in about a quart of water once a week or so. The powered milk solution will be sticky on the leaves and stems of your roses which will trap aphids and protect your roses.

If you are looking into gardening for the first time then you should be sure to start small. If you overwhelm yourself with difficult plants then you are setting yourself up for failure and likely frustration. Ask a friend for a plant that is simple for beginners and start from there.

These tips should help you bring your skills at gardening up to match even the deepest, most fervent love of the hobby. Your plants will thank you in the only ways they can for taking the time to follow this advice, meaning that your garden will flourish all the more as proof of your love and dedication.

Thursday 14 February 2013

Make The Most Of Your Garden With The Following Tips

slugs and snails

Gardening can be a fun hobby and for some people, it is even a source of food. But in order to create the garden of your dreams, it is important that you are well educated on the subject. The following article is going to give you valuable advice that both beginners and experts alike can use.

Remove slugs and snails from your garden by hand. These creatures can be damaging to your plants and will, in time, destroy your garden. Snails and slugs can easily be plucked from your favorite flowers. Then just put them in a jar with water and a couple drops of dish soap.

Find out if the plants you have in your garden have special fertilizer needs. Some plants like slow-release fertilizers, while others prefer nitrogen-rich foods. Most like to be fertilized during the high point of their growing season. A little education will go a long way to improving your garden.

You don't need to buy expensive weed barrier fabrics for your garden. Instead use a layer of newspaper or old cardboard under your beds. It will discourage weeds and is a cost effective and biodegradable protective layer. This can also be used on pathways or anywhere you want to limit weed growth.

Don't forget to read your seed packets! They give general information specific to the plant about when to plant, how much sun is needed, how long from planting to harvest, and how far apart the spacing should be. Seed packets from some sources even go into detail about the history of the plant and may even have a recipe.

As was stated above, people garden for many different reasons. Becoming knowledgeable about the topic can help you create your dream garden. The above article provided you with valuable tips you can use to make and keep your garden. Take this advice and you are on your way to becoming a garden expert.

Wednesday 13 February 2013

Get Tips Here For A Thriving Garden!

home gardener

Whether you want to have a garden because you need a hobby, because you want to try growing your own food, or because you find it relaxing to have a little patch of nature all to yourself, there are ways to make your garden more successful. Here are some easy tips for becoming a great gardener.

Pick your fruits and vegetables first thing in the morning. A morning harvest will ensure that your produce is holding the maximum amount of moisture. Also, if you pick in the morning, this will give you a chance to eat those items that day, when they are their peak of freshness.

Use foliar feeding to help shocked or struggling plants recover. Plants can consume nutrients through their leaves quicker than through their roots. If they are having trouble getting nutrients through their roots, spray their leaves with liquid food. Be careful not to overfeed them this way. They may need to feed only twice a month.

Collect your dirt for a soil analysis to see the nutrients your soil needs. You can get this tested at a local university's agriculture department, usually for a fee. The fee is well worth it usually because then you will know what nutrients your dirt needs to have a garden that is successful.

If you have pruned your trees and shrubs, don't throw away the branches and twigs! Instead, cut the material down to lengths of about six inches or less. Then add them to your compost pile. Six inch twigs or branches cut down to this size will more quickly break down.

If you follow the above advice, your plants will be happier and so will you. It doesn't matter whether you're a home gardener with a tiny container garden or an ambitious community gardener who wants to feed a family with what you grow. The tips like these can help make sure you reach your gardening goals sooner rather than later.

Tuesday 12 February 2013

Having Trouble With Gardening? Try These Tips

swap seeds

Gardening is a hobby that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It can range from keeping a small patch of flowers on your front lawn to cultivating acres of land. If you think you can't garden because you don't have a "green thumb," you probably just need to learn more about the subject. The advice in this article provides you with all the information you will need, in order to turn those seeds into gorgeous blooms or delicious fruits and vegetables.

You need to be realistic about what your garden can and can't produce. No matter how tempting a particular vegetable may be, if it's not suitable for your climate, it's not going to grow well. You'll get more out of your garden if you focus on plants that are right for your area.

Are you ready to plant a garden? Swap seeds with other people you know, or join a seed exchange with others online. It is not uncommon to need only a small number of seeds from each of your seed packets for each growing season. Trading will help you gain a greater variety of seeds not found in your stores. It will also save you from spending even more money just to get a greater variety of seeds!

Grow plants from seed rather than purchasing plants from a nursery. It can be tempting to purchase plants that already have a head start, but it is usually not necessary. By growing from seed, you could find yourself landscaping your yard for under $50.00 worth of different plant seeds, rather than spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars at a plant nursery.

A garden can enhance the appearance of your home or provide your family with fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables. In addition, gardening is a pastime that can give you hours of pleasure. If you follow the tips and advice that are given in this article, your garden is sure to flourish, no matter how large or small.

Sunday 10 February 2013

Take A Look At These Great Gardening Tips!

edible plants

A lot of people say that gardening is a tough thing to get started on, but this is only true if you don't know what you're doing. The way to be successful with gardening is to educate yourself as much as you can about the subject. When you do that and start gardening you should be satisfied with the results.

To make the most of your garden, it is important to irrigate the land properly and conservatively. While some might be tended to nourish their gardens with too much water, this is not only a waste of water, but is not helpful for your plants. Ensure you water your plants moderately for the healthiest garden possible.

Garden peas should be picked when pods are fairly well filled out and are still bright green. Pick a few peas and eat them raw. They should taste sweet and delicious. If you consistently pick garden peas as they mature, you will increase your production at harvest time, which is usually one to two weeks.

Plant early flowering annuals. For a spring flush of color, plant early flowering annuals. They enjoy cooler daytime temperatures, and do well in areas where nights get quite cold. Sow seeds in fall: they will lay dormant over the winter, and germinate in the spring. Good varieties include snapdragon, california poppy, candytuft, stock, linaria and cornflower.

The fall season has arrived and the task of emptying our container gardens is at task. However, instead of storing your clay pots in a garden shed for the winter season, why not replace the summer annuals with edible fall vegetables. Having mums in your favorite clay pot signifies fall, however, consider adding alternative edible plants like leafy lettuces such as arugula, endive, bok choy and radicchio. When it is time for a quick salad, simply snip a few leaves, and you will instantly have delicious ready to eat salad.

With the information you just learned you should start feeling like you can get your home garden started. Remember that the only way you can hope to have a good amount of success is if you educate yourself on the subject then apply all that you learned to your garden, if you do that you should have a prosperous garden in no time.