Posts Tagged ‘Garden’
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Add elegance or create a special mood in your garden with lighting. Available in types and styles to suit any purpose or setting, outdoor lighting is a valuable addition to any home. Imagine enjoying a romantic dinner for two on your own patio, bathed is soft light. Install a series of floodlights where bright illumination is desired or use miniature spotlights to create a focal point of a special garden feature.
A wide variety of outdoor lighting choices are available. Recessed lighting allows for fixtures to be placed unobtrusively, flush with a wall or decking, or level with the ground. Uplights and downlights work well on flat vertical surfaces where stationary lighting is appropriate, such as home or garden walls, while adjustable spotlights can be strategically placed to call attention to trees or other plantings. (more…)
Tags: Garden, Light, WATER
Posted in Appliances, Garden, WATER | No Comments »
Friday, February 19th, 2010
- Image via Wikipedia
After the harsh conditions of winter, preparing the garden for spring is important. For maximum beauty and enjoyment later in the year, follow these five basic steps:
- Perform a general clean up, including a thorough weeding. Remove and discard fallen leaves or branches, dead annuals and any other debris from the lawn areas or flowerbeds. Weed all areas while the ground is moist and weeds are small and immature.
- Prune roses, perennials, shrubs and trees, as appropriate. Consult a detailed gardening guide for specific recommendations based on the age and type of plant. In general, most perennials that were not cut back in the fall can be pruned to ground level once new growth is evident at the base. For roses, prune only if mature. (more…)
Tags: Flower, Garden
Posted in DIY, Eco, Garden | 1 Comment »
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
Growing a windowsill herb garden is easy and fun! Best of all, if located in or near the kitchen, fresh herbs are always close at hand during meal preparation. All that is needed are a few pots filled with good potting soil, the chosen plants and a sunny windowsill. To make the herbs really happy, add organic liquid fertiliser and a tray with a layer of gravel to the list.
The first step is to select the spot. While there may be only one sunny window available, if there is a choice, select the most convenient window that has adequate sunlight and space for the plants. For best results, a south-facing window is needed.
Next, chose which types of herbs to grow. Consider what recipes are favoured and grow herbs to enhance these dishes. Basil, parsley, oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme are popular favourites. Although herbs can be grown from seed, this takes time. To speed the process, consider buying small plants at the nursery. (more…)
Tags: Garden, Herb, Kitchen garden, WATER
Posted in DIY, Eco, Garden | No Comments »
Sunday, February 7th, 2010
The main tasks on a gardener’s calendar in February revolve around planning and preparation. The days are getting longer and hold the promise of spring, but winter weather is still very much a concern. Although the warm sun shines brightly at times, another hard frost may be just hours away.
Time to Dream
This is the time to dream and plan. Spend time browsing through seed catalogues. Consider which fresh vegetables are desired for the upcoming season and order the seeds. Plan to rotate edible crops and decide whether to let certain areas rest this year. Remember that even small scale food production may eventually deplete the soil of key nutrients. (more…)
Tags: Flower, Garden, gardening, Plant, Soil
Posted in DIY, Garden | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
Keeping houseplants healthy is not difficult. In fact, houseplants are more likely to suffer from too much kindness than from neglect. To ensure that your houseplants live a long and healthy life, follow these simple care guidelines.
Optimal Growing Conditions
For each plant, try to mimic the natural environment as closely as possible. For instance, place plants that come from a tropical environment in a humid area such as the bathroom. Conversely, a cactus will thrive in low humidity.
Proper Watering
Over-watering of houseplants is a common problem. Each plant variety has specific watering needs. Avoid watering all plants on the same schedule. As a general rule, water plants thoroughly once the top of the soil is dry and never let pots sit in standing water. (more…)
Tags: Garden, Houseplant, Plant, Soil, WATER
Posted in DIY, Eco, Garden, Home, Interesting, WATER | No Comments »
Sunday, January 24th, 2010
Spring is approaching and it’s time to begin thinking about the garden. When planning the garden this year, consider giving plants an advantage by starting the seeds indoors. This will ensure that plants are ready to be placed outside and will also reduce the amount of time required before flowers bloom or produce is ready to harvest.
Choosing Seeds
When selecting seeds to start indoors, consider which plants require the longest growing season. There is no sense wasting valuable indoor growing space on plants with an early maturity. Choose those that require extra time. Once seeds are selected, make sure to provide ample light, proper soil, and adequate water and nutrients. (more…)
Tags: Flower, Garden, Plant, Seed, Soil, WATER
Posted in DIY, Garden, Home | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
Decorating a Christmas tree is an annual tradition in many homes. While some families may go out to the tree farm and cut their own, others purchase a tree at a tree lot. Live trees or artificial trees are also options. The type and size of tree you choose depends on a variety of factors.
Live Trees
There are unique advantages to choosing a pot grown Christmas tree. The tree stays fresh through the holidays. Once Christmas is over, you have a beautiful tree to add to the garden. If the tree is small enough, it can be re-potted in a larger container and kept outside the rest of the year to be brought indoors during a few more Christmases before being planted permanently in the garden. (more…)
Tags: Christmas, Christmas tree, decorating, Garden, Holidays
Posted in Garden, Holidays, Home | 1 Comment »
Friday, November 27th, 2009
- Image via Wikipedia
Adequate water in the garden is essential all year-round, even during the coldest months of winter. Although plants and trees may be dormant above ground, root systems continue to grow and develop despite frigid temperatures. Unless sufficient rain has fallen, supplemental watering is required. During winter, meet your garden’s various watering needs to ensure that plants stay healthy until warmer weather arrives.
Grasses and Other Plants
During winter, grasses and other plants need about 2.5 cm of water 2-4 times each month. Use a rain gauge to monitor the amount of rainfall and supplement, as needed. Do not water the lawn or garden when it is freezing. To prevent damage to plants, avoid spraying bare branches or foliage and water just at the ground level. (more…)
Tags: Freshwater, Garden, Lawn, Rain, WATER
Posted in Garden, WATER | No Comments »
Sunday, November 15th, 2009
Winter is a time of little activity in the garden. As the cold, short days are usually spent indoors, the garden is often neglected. There are a few basic tasks that need attention, however. To prevent damage and ensure enjoyment once warmer weather arrives, prepare your garden to survive the harsh winter weather conditions.
Clean Up
If you haven’t done so already, clean and put away all yard and garden tools. Once they are clean and dry, apply a coat of WD-40 to the metal parts of tools to help prevent rust and coat wooden handles with linseed oil. Drain hoses and wrap faucets to protect against freezing.
Attend to Plants
Thoroughly inspect all vegetation. Remove annuals that need replacement. Cut perennials to a height of 7-15 cm. Remove loose broken limbs but wait until the end of winter to actually prune shrubs and trees. Rake fallen leaves. For potted plants that will winter outdoors, bury the container, if possible. (more…)
Tags: Garden, Home, Perennial plant, Shrub, tips, Tree, WATER, winter
Posted in Garden | No Comments »
Friday, October 23rd, 2009
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Nothing beats the taste of fresh home-grown fruits, vegetables, berries and herbs. Regardless of available gardening space, you can grow your own crops at home in containers. Save money and enjoy harvesting a variety of fresh produce right outside your door.
Many vegetables are well suited to container gardening. While compact bush type plants are best, creepers such as pumpkin and squash can be grown in containers, as well. Just ensure that there is adequate space around the pot for wandering vines. Leafy lettuce and root vegetables, such as carrots and radishes, can also be grown in pots.
Herbs grown at home add fresh flavour and aroma to a variety of dishes. Grow herbs individually year-round in small pots set on the kitchen windowsill or create an entire garden by combining a variety of herbs in a single large container. (more…)
Tags: container gardening, Fruit, Garden, gardening, harvesting, Vegetable
Posted in Garden, Home | No Comments »
