Archive for the ‘Garden’ Category

Live Green with Potted Plants

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

A potted plant does more than just look good. Bringing the outer indoors with an abundant of flora and blossoms is a simple way just to drawl the home. In this editorial tips are given in choosing the easiest plants to grow inside your home and also to make the environment a healthier one. The psychosomatic and substantial pleasure that plants bring to people helps to make a long standing relationship. Green represents new life, makes our spirit to feel fresh with great quality. Most people spend eight hours or even more at their workplace with deprived aeration, where no open windows are provided and thus recurring home where again proper ventilation is not provided. The indoor air contributes to poor quality compared to the pollution outside. As a result, we face problems like dizziness, headache, fatigue irritated eyes, skin and much more.

img credit :julia

Therefore with the help of potted plants in indoors the above problems can be cured. Initially potted plants clean the indoor air by riveting detrimental substance from the environment. It filters the dust ad remains. Plants remove dioxide and monoxide and it replaces with energizing oxygen. The increase of humidity levels inside the home is yet another benefit that flora offers. Potted plants make the environment cool with fresh air around. The main advantage of using indoor plants is that, it reduces the stress and has a psychological effect. Now what kind of house plant is to be grown is a common question asked. House plants are the easiest to grow. These houseplants are originated from tropical regions which cannot survive the northern winters. Basic requirements like moisture, light and soil to live in is only needed to plant indoor. Each and every plant requires different amounts of light and water to live and it becomes quite difficult to destroy a houseplant if no water touches the roots for weeks.

img credit :natalieknowshow

Philodendrons tolerate is a good choice for planting indoor. The dark green flora gives a graceful appearance and makes it to be a perfect indoor choice. The one which offers a gorgeous contrast in a group of potted plants is none other than Peace Lily with its mammoth green leafs. Dracaena plant can survive in hazily lit areas which makes it an ideal plant indoor. Boston ferns give a melancholy gaze with its lacy fronds draping down. Ficus are decorative indoor plants which come in a variety with distinct needs and care should be taken in growing a ficus plant. English ivy, Chrysanthemums, Corn stalk plant, Snake plant, Chinese evergreens, Spider plant and Gerbera daisies are some of the other plants which can be planted indoor.

Potted Plants Vs a Garden

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

When you live in a tiny apartment that doesn’t have enough space for a garden, you choose potted plants. Other than this reason, why do we need to have plants in containers? Well, there are many – The most important, is freedom to move the plants around. When we want to move them around to form beautiful and colorful formations it is great to have them in pots. Some plants which bloom for a short period could be kept in attractive containers so they look elegant. You can take your plant with you when you’re moving to another apartment too!

img credit: natalieknowshow

Some plants that burgeon and invade the entire garden should be contained in pots, like mints. Seasonal flowering plants and fruit shrubs can be planted and kept in pots, so they can be removed later. Arranging and growing the plants according to your mood is possible if you have terracotta pots at home. Research shows that plants in pots grow quicker and healthier. When the position of the sun changes, you can move your plant accordingly so it is placed in the sun all the time. Some plants that do not require too much sunlight can be moved indoors so your living room or balcony looks great.

Having potted plants will keep your plant’s growth restricted. You can easily trim the branches and pinch off the spent blooms. It helps you to keep a close eye on the watering and fertilizer requirements of the plant. But, the plants kept in pots will dry out sooner and require watering and fertilizer more frequently. Analyze the soil to see if it is dry or not and change your watering schedule to keep it moist. Over-watering a plant will sometimes kill it.

img credit: coreycam

Choose beautiful containers for your plant, so that their diameters are approximately 1/3rd to ½ of the plant’s length. You can also arrange the plants according to your mood or the colors. Brighter flowering plants can be placed among dull ones to make your garden look more refreshing. You can use pretty plants in pots to decorate large spaces in your house, like a terrace or patio which will otherwise be bare. Lovely plants with flowers add a cheerful look to your home and keeping them in pots brings you great advantages.

How to Water the Lawn Effectively

Sunday, June 20th, 2010

Keep your lawn green and healthy with adequate water delivered on a regular schedule. As the amount of water needed varies based on climate, type of grass, soil composition, and rainfall, research online or ask the local garden centre for quantity and frequency recommendations for your area.

Measure the amount of water delivered to the lawn by placing several open containers four to six inches in diameter within range of the sprinkler. Time how long it takes the containers to fill to the level of water required in your area.

[credit: Matt McGee]

As it is common for sprinklers to deliver water unevenly, note variations in the amount of water in the cans and adjust the watering schedule accordingly. To ensure a green lawn, calculate the watering time based on the slowest filling container. If the cans are placed within the sprinkler area but off the grass, leave them in place to measure rainfall, as well. Check the amount received after each rain and provide supplemental water to the lawn, as needed. (more…)

Hanging Baskets

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Add instant beauty to any setting with hanging baskets. Dress up the front of the home for all to enjoy or place them around the back deck or garden. Suspend a hanging basket full of summer blooms in front of the kitchen window and enjoy watching butterflies and humming birds while attending to kitchen chores. Some edibles even grow well in hanging baskets, such as tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, lettuce or herbs. Create a kitchen garden where ground space is limited.

[credit: Lachlan Hardy]

To create a hanging basket, line a wire basket with moss. Fill with potting soil and add Soil Moist granules, if possible, to keep the moisture in the basket. Alternatively, line the moss with plastic. Add the flowers or edibles to the soil and water thoroughly.

Consider placing plants around the outside of the basket as well. Cut holes through the moss prior to filling the basket with soil and then add soil to the level of the holes. Carefully insert the plant roots through the holes and cover with soil. Work up the basket until it is filled. (more…)

4 Tips for an Amazing Summer Garden

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Summer is a wonderful time in the garden. Green, lush foliage provides a relaxing and cooling respite even during the heat of the day. Have an amazing garden this summer by following these four tips.

Ensure Adequate Water
Provide adequate water based on plant type, soil condition and weather. When dealing with plants with varying moisture needs, supplement general watering with a drip system or individual irrigation rather than over-watering some plants to ensure adequate water for others. Water early in the day to guard against excess moisture loss through evaporation.

Summer Garden

[credit: Memotions]

Encourage Optimal Plant Growth
Hoe weeds on a regular basis, thin seedlings, apply liquid manure to crops and pick peas and flowers to encourage new blossoms. Thoroughly check for signs of pests and parasites at least weekly and treat promptly, as needed. Drape netting over all kinds of berries to prevent damage from birds. (more…)

How to Deal with No-see-ums

Friday, May 14th, 2010

No-see-ums, also known as midges, are small biting insects that are barely detectable to the human eye. Although the bite of a no-see-um is usually harmless, it does hurt and may itch intensely. To effectively deal with this tiny nuisance, follow these tips.

  • Determine the time of day when midges are a problem. This will usually be in the morning and evening hours. Try to confine outdoor activities to the hours when no-see-ums are absent. During the morning and evening, keep all windows closed and avoid opening the door, if possible. (more…)

How to Fix a Dripping Outdoor Faucet

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
Water Pipe
Image by webhamster via Flickr

A dripping outdoor faucet is an unnecessary waste of water and may even cause damage to the home. Even a small leak adds up to a lot of wasted water each month. Inspect all outdoor faucets at least twice each year and repair or replace those that leak.

The first thing to try when dealing with a leaky faucet is to simply tighten the packing nut located right behind the handle. Hold the faucet steady with a pair of pliers and turn the nut clockwise. If this does not work, the rubber washer inside may have become hard or brittle over time and need to be replaced.

Prior to further work on an outdoor faucet, assemble all tools and replacement parts needed. Then turn off the water. Always securely support the pipe to which the faucet is attached while twisting on the faucet. Take the faucet apart and inspect the interior of the valve to ensure that the valve seat is smooth and free of corrosion or debris. If all appears in good condition, replace the washer, reassemble and test. (more…)

Gardener’s Calendar for April

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

April is a month of unpredictability and change. Although the days may be sunny and warm, the threat of hail or frost is ever present. During the month of April, the gardener must be vigilant in protecting any delicate seedlings from damage.

Use this time to finish tidying the garden and prepare for the busy growing season ahead. Ensure that all pruning has been completed and prepare the strawberry beds. Finish planting fruit trees, canes and bushes and renew the grease band around fruit trees, if necessary.

[photo by: Tie Guy II]

Due to the warmer weather and increasing amount of light, rapid growth can be expected in the garden during April. Take advantage of dry days to finish digging and preparing the garden for sowing and to hoe between crops that have wintered over. Early crops may be safely planted if protected by cloches. (more…)

How to Sugar Preserve Edible Flowers

Monday, April 19th, 2010
A sunflower, a typical sign of summer.

Image via Wikipedia

Beautiful, edible decorations can be made for a variety of occasions such as garden parties or weddings. All that is needed are organically grown edible flowers and two simple ingredients.

To sugar preserve flowers, start with edible flowers that have been organically grown without the use of pesticides. Pansies, violets and nasturtiums are all good choices. To be completely safe, grow the flowers yourself.

Prior to picking the blossoms, assemble all needed equipment and supplies. For this project you will need scissors, a paper towel, a small bowl of egg white, a small bowl of super-fine sugar, a small paintbrush, a large plate and a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.

Pick the flowers in the morning while it is cool outside. Cut the stems as short as possible and lay the blossoms on a paper towel to dry. Keep the batches of picked flowers small as the sugaring process is time consuming and must be completed in one sitting.

Gently hold each flower by the back and coat thoroughly with egg white, using the paintbrush. Ensure that no part of the front, back or sides is missed. Hold the flower over the plate and sprinkle with sugar until completely coated both front and back. Lay the blossom on the plate if necessary to complete this step. Gently bump or blow on the flower to remove excess sugar. (more…)

Eco-friendly Solutions to Garden Pest Problems

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
Ant tending aphids
Image via Wikipedia

A variety of insects are drawn to the garden environment. Unfortunately, some of these visitors can be quite damaging to the plants that are growing there. While pest problems are a common garden occurrence, there are many environmentally friendly ways to combat and control unwanted pests.

Preventive Measures
One of the easiest ways to deal with pest problems is avoidance. Prevent certain pests through the strategic placement of companion plants known to repel various unwanted visitors. For instance, marigolds interspersed with tomatoes or peppers effectively repel nematodes in the soil while garlic may be used to control aphids on roses. Based on garden composition and typical pests, determine which companion plants are appropriate.

Personal Action
Many small infestations can be thwarted through hand-picking. Examine plants regularly for signs of pests and remove any that are found. Carry a jar half filled with soapy water through the garden to hold the insects that are removed. Small insects, such as aphids, can be smashed right on the plant.

Natural Enemies
Garden pests often have specific natural enemies. For instance, aphids can be controlled with lady bugs while the praying mantis has a especial fondness for caterpillars but will happily devour many species of harmful insects. (more…)