Often people that want a garden have to make the decision if they want to do organic gardening or gardening using chemicals. The difference is clear and while organic gardening may seem like much more work it actually is not. Chemicals are in many things and while they are approved for use on foods grown in the garden may people would rather chemical free gardens.
The organic garden is not a new thought, it has been done all through history by gardeners and one thing that is as true today as it was at anytime in the past is to start the organic garden the soil is mixed with organic matter that has been broken down. In the past people had pits that certain house refuse was put in, along with leaves and mixed with a pitchfork daily. Today there are special containers that are made with a crank to turn the mixture of household refuse. This is the key ingredient in a good organic garden. This soil is rich and will grow fine vegetables and plants, if desired manure can be added to the soil to make it even richer.
The next key thing in the organic garden is the lack of chemical pest control, it would make little sense to spend time preparing organic matter for the soil to then use chemicals directly on the vegetables or their plants. One of the most interesting ways of dealing with pests in the garden is by purchasing what are known as beneficial bugs. There are certain bugs that naturally keep garden pests at bay. There are other means to control pests in the garden naturally, one of these is the use of lemon grass, and it is a natural mosquito repellent. There is also the use of orange oil that helps to naturally repel some pests.
Information is plentiful for the organic gardener and while some people would think that this would be a time consuming venture, once a gardener understands organic gardening it does not take the amount of time that it does to use chemicals. Using chemicals means that the plants must be treated on a continuous basis in order to keep them pest free. Organic gardening the use of plants and bugs as an aid takes no time once introduced into the garden. The use of natural herbicides takes no more time than it does to use chemicals. There are also the health benefits of the organic garden; no chemicals are much desired when it involves consuming foods, as proof of that more and more organic foods are appearing in grocery stores on a daily basis.
The benefits of organic gardening can be seen on the table and sitting around the table, on the table the vegetables are brightly colored have the taste of fresh grown and are filled with healthy nutrients. Around the table are those family members and friends who will consume the vegetables that are not filled with chemicals.
How to Make a Small Garden Look Big Like the Experts
A small garden benefits from foliage plants in the same way that large gardens do from grasses. Foliage plants will help to calm down the liveliness of the border and produce somewhere for the eye to rest.
This is important in a small garden packed with plants, as the overall appearance can become overly busy. Another use of foliage in any garden, but particularly in a small garden, is to surround a single flowering plant with green or silver leaves so that it makes the flowers stand out, accenting them with a posy effect.
Every bit of space in a small garden is at a premium to a plant lover, so it is important to remember that a garden is three dimensional. Climbing plants can be used against walls or fences. It may also be possible to use one or two posts or tripods, if there is space, to add to this vertical accent. As well as climbers, annuals can be used in hanging baskets and window boxes to add color at or above eye level.
It is possible to use a few optical tricks to make the garden look bigger. Cover the fences with plants so that the margins of the garden cannot be seen. This tricks works particularly well if there is a neighboring garden with shrubs and other plants peering over the fence as it will look as if your garden continues.
Use a winding path that disappears around a corner at the bottom of the garden so that it seems as if your garden continues out of sight. Paler colored plants set towards the end of a short garden will deceive the eye and appear farther away than they are.
Large mirrors covering a wall can give the impression that the wall does not exist and the garden carries on, though the mirrors must be angled so that anyone approaching cannot see their own reflection.
Another idea is to erect an arch, which can be covered with climbing plants, just in front of a wall, and then back the arch with a mirror to give the impression that the garden continues under the arch.
Similarly, using a trompeloeil painting in a wall perhaps a picture of a gate opening into another garden will deceive viewers into believing that more lies beyond.
To learn more about the different types of plant nursery supplies for your garden whether indoor or outdoor, make sure to visit http://www.plantnurserysupplies.com Make sure to get your free catalog on gardening while you are there.
This is important in a small garden packed with plants, as the overall appearance can become overly busy. Another use of foliage in any garden, but particularly in a small garden, is to surround a single flowering plant with green or silver leaves so that it makes the flowers stand out, accenting them with a posy effect.
Every bit of space in a small garden is at a premium to a plant lover, so it is important to remember that a garden is three dimensional. Climbing plants can be used against walls or fences. It may also be possible to use one or two posts or tripods, if there is space, to add to this vertical accent. As well as climbers, annuals can be used in hanging baskets and window boxes to add color at or above eye level.
It is possible to use a few optical tricks to make the garden look bigger. Cover the fences with plants so that the margins of the garden cannot be seen. This tricks works particularly well if there is a neighboring garden with shrubs and other plants peering over the fence as it will look as if your garden continues.
Use a winding path that disappears around a corner at the bottom of the garden so that it seems as if your garden continues out of sight. Paler colored plants set towards the end of a short garden will deceive the eye and appear farther away than they are.
Large mirrors covering a wall can give the impression that the wall does not exist and the garden carries on, though the mirrors must be angled so that anyone approaching cannot see their own reflection.
Another idea is to erect an arch, which can be covered with climbing plants, just in front of a wall, and then back the arch with a mirror to give the impression that the garden continues under the arch.
Similarly, using a trompeloeil painting in a wall perhaps a picture of a gate opening into another garden will deceive viewers into believing that more lies beyond.
To learn more about the different types of plant nursery supplies for your garden whether indoor or outdoor, make sure to visit http://www.plantnurserysupplies.com Make sure to get your free catalog on gardening while you are there.
Using Container Pots and Plants to Make a Great Container Garden
Labels:
Container Garden
Flowers, vegetables, herbs, trees and some fruits can be grown in containers and pots. Containers can be hung from porch railings and some can be used as window boxes.
Keep in mind that containers and pots generally dry out much faster than a garden, especially on hot days or long stretches of dry weather. Water regularly and remember that it is also important when watering the plants to get some advice from your local garden center about the watering preferences of the plants. It is very important to ensure that you understand how much wetting each plant needs.
Watering rates are so important that it might be a good idea to divide the containers and pots into groups with similar sizes and similar watering needs. It is also advisable to separate groups of containers and pots into groups that are split between those that need full sun and those that need more shaded areas. The key to success, as in any kind of gardening, is to put things in the sun that like sun and things in the shade that like shade.
Mixing water-retaining granules with the compost will reduce watering chores but you'll still have to water the baskets once a day in hot, dry weather.
Planting flowers in your garden containers adds immediate color and liveliness to your yard. However, you may find that some of your plants are so special, they deserve special treatment and pride of place at certain times. I move my containers around a lot as the season progresses so that, the best are always in the most visible positions, but be assured that every one of them are beautiful when blooming. Limited visible exhibiting space in some back yards can also make this option appealing to the gardener.
I am always grateful that weeding is not the problem for containers and pot grown plants as it is in garden beds. It is a wonderful to enjoy plants you've successfully started from seed, but again in flower beds the weeds can easily overpower young seeds and weeding can become a chore. Not so with container gardening!
Pot plants are great for adding color to a spot in a garden that 'needs something,' and they can also be moved around for when you are entertaining in a certain area.
Terra Cotta has been the classic material for a garden pot since ancient times. This porous material breathes and provides drainage for optimum growing conditions. You can put plants closer than you would in a garden, but with pot plants much more so than with plants in the ground - you'll have to be vigilant about food and water.
Many may the mistake of thinking that container pots would be a minor accessory in a garden. You need to realize that they can be a major focal point. Not to say that a pot plant will always remain so. As plants get larger and larger, giving them more root room becomes impossible and the act of planting them in the garden may be the only solution.
A large variety of containers are available for all gardens, but be aware of limitations in very dry and hot gardens. For example in the dry, Colorado climate, moss baskets don't do well.
Here is a plant we like. It is sometimes referred to as "Garden Orchids" (Spathoglottis). This plant offers year-round color and can be used in landscaped ground beds in warm climates as well as an interesting summertime flowering patio plant for cooler climates.
In container gardening you need to prune and re-pot late in the afternoon out of the sun, or on cool days. We have a lot of hanging baskets with mostly south/southeastern exposure. We find that attractive, well-planted containers are an essential component of today's garden. In his new book, Pots in the Garden, award-winning horticulturist Ray Rogers offers a fresh approach to container planting and explains the basic design principles of container gardening.
Another tip is to make an arrangement of plants in your basket at the garden center before you buy. You'll easily find many plants suitable for pot and container gardening at garden centers. Remember, if you cannot make up your mind on what pot would suit the plant, experiment, and don't be afraid to try something original. If you decide you do not like the result you can always re-pot the bonsai the following year into a more preferred style. Equally, a low ground-hugging container can be planted with an annual to match or complement its neighbors, seemingly seamlessly. Or a wide-based and tall container can be placed as a contrast, with larger plants to be a focus rather than a background.
Keep in mind that containers and pots generally dry out much faster than a garden, especially on hot days or long stretches of dry weather. Water regularly and remember that it is also important when watering the plants to get some advice from your local garden center about the watering preferences of the plants. It is very important to ensure that you understand how much wetting each plant needs.
Watering rates are so important that it might be a good idea to divide the containers and pots into groups with similar sizes and similar watering needs. It is also advisable to separate groups of containers and pots into groups that are split between those that need full sun and those that need more shaded areas. The key to success, as in any kind of gardening, is to put things in the sun that like sun and things in the shade that like shade.
Mixing water-retaining granules with the compost will reduce watering chores but you'll still have to water the baskets once a day in hot, dry weather.
Planting flowers in your garden containers adds immediate color and liveliness to your yard. However, you may find that some of your plants are so special, they deserve special treatment and pride of place at certain times. I move my containers around a lot as the season progresses so that, the best are always in the most visible positions, but be assured that every one of them are beautiful when blooming. Limited visible exhibiting space in some back yards can also make this option appealing to the gardener.
I am always grateful that weeding is not the problem for containers and pot grown plants as it is in garden beds. It is a wonderful to enjoy plants you've successfully started from seed, but again in flower beds the weeds can easily overpower young seeds and weeding can become a chore. Not so with container gardening!
Pot plants are great for adding color to a spot in a garden that 'needs something,' and they can also be moved around for when you are entertaining in a certain area.
Terra Cotta has been the classic material for a garden pot since ancient times. This porous material breathes and provides drainage for optimum growing conditions. You can put plants closer than you would in a garden, but with pot plants much more so than with plants in the ground - you'll have to be vigilant about food and water.
Many may the mistake of thinking that container pots would be a minor accessory in a garden. You need to realize that they can be a major focal point. Not to say that a pot plant will always remain so. As plants get larger and larger, giving them more root room becomes impossible and the act of planting them in the garden may be the only solution.
A large variety of containers are available for all gardens, but be aware of limitations in very dry and hot gardens. For example in the dry, Colorado climate, moss baskets don't do well.
Here is a plant we like. It is sometimes referred to as "Garden Orchids" (Spathoglottis). This plant offers year-round color and can be used in landscaped ground beds in warm climates as well as an interesting summertime flowering patio plant for cooler climates.
In container gardening you need to prune and re-pot late in the afternoon out of the sun, or on cool days. We have a lot of hanging baskets with mostly south/southeastern exposure. We find that attractive, well-planted containers are an essential component of today's garden. In his new book, Pots in the Garden, award-winning horticulturist Ray Rogers offers a fresh approach to container planting and explains the basic design principles of container gardening.
Another tip is to make an arrangement of plants in your basket at the garden center before you buy. You'll easily find many plants suitable for pot and container gardening at garden centers. Remember, if you cannot make up your mind on what pot would suit the plant, experiment, and don't be afraid to try something original. If you decide you do not like the result you can always re-pot the bonsai the following year into a more preferred style. Equally, a low ground-hugging container can be planted with an annual to match or complement its neighbors, seemingly seamlessly. Or a wide-based and tall container can be placed as a contrast, with larger plants to be a focus rather than a background.
Top 25 Plants For a Butterfly Garden
Labels:
Butterfly Garden
It is time to roll out the red carpet for butterflies in your area. Below is a list of fragrant eye-catching blooms to delight your eye and the butterflies taste for sweet nectar. Check with your local nursery to decide which plants are best for your soil type and climate zone.
25) Rockcress - This spring blooming plant has pink or white flowers and prefers sun. It grows about 10 inches tall and flourishes best in zones 3-7.
24) Tickseed - These daisy-like flowers in gold prefer full sun. They bloom in spring and will grow about 2 feet. They self-sow. This bloom prefers zones 4-9.
23) Joe-Pye Weed - Thriving in the fall in full sun or partial shade, this dusty pink flower grows 6-10 feet in zones 2-9.
22) New York Ironweed - A fall bloomer, this plant has deep purple flowers that love full sun. It gets up to 5 feet high and does best in zones 5-9.
21) Summersweet - This summer blooming bush with its white flowers prefers shade. It can get up to 8 feet tall and grows well in zones 4-9.
20) Flowering Tobacco - Blooming from summer to fall in colors of white, purple pink or green, this tube shaped flower can be found in all zones. It is an annual that can grow up to 5 feet.
19) Wax Begonia - This plant has flowers in pink, white or red that bloom from late spring to early winter. It is an annual of 8-12 inches and does well in all zones.
18) Cosmos Bipinnatus - Pink, red, or white, these daisy like flowers grow 4-8 feet tall. They are an annual that blooms from summer to early fall and do well in all zones.
17) Candytuft - These blooms form white flower clusters. They are a spring flowering groundcover that prefers sun. Zones 3-9 work best for this plant.
16) Wild Passion Flower - Purple pink flowers that bloom in full sun during the summer time. This vine can grow up to 20 feet and flourishes in zones 6-10.
15) Verbena - Blooming from early summer to early winter in all zones, this bloom grows to a height of 12 inches. The flowers come in colors of purple, pink, white, or red.
14) Sweet Violet - This plant's flowers are white or purple. Blooming in the spring it grows to about 8 inches tall in zones 4-8.
13) Butterfly Weed - The flowers on this plant form small bright red clusters. It does best in sun and will grow to about 3 feet tall. It prefers zones 3-9 and is an excellent host plant where butterflies like to lay their eggs and caterpillars like to feed off its leaves. Parsley works well as a host plant too.
12) New England Aster - These blooms look like purple or pink daisies. They bloom in full sun in the fall to a height of 3-6 feet. Zones 3-8 work best.
11) Goldenrod - A fall blooming yellow flower, this plant prefers full sun and grows 1-5 feet high. It flourishes best in zones 3-8.
10) Common Lilac - This shrub blooms in spring. The flowers are purple or white and can achieve a height of up to 15 feet. It prefers zones 3-8.
9) Sweet Pea - This is an annual sun lover that works well in all zones. The flowers bloom in spring and are pink, white or lilac. This plant can get up to 6 feet tall.
8)Shasta Daisy - White daisies with yellow centers that bloom in summer. This flower needs full zone and will grow up to 3 feet. It likes zones 4-8.
7) Queen Anne's Lace - This plant has lacy flat white flowers that bloom in the summer. It needs full sun and will grow up to 3 feet tall. Plant in zones 3-9.
6) Petunia - An annual that bloom from late spring to early winter in all zones. Its flowers come in many different patterns and colors. This plant can grow up to 18 inches tall.
5) African Marigold - This large yellow flower blooms all summer in all zones and is a favorite in many gardens. It is an annual that can get up to 3 feet tall.
4) Dahlia -Another garden favorite that bloom from mid summer to early winter. It can get up to 6 feet tall and the flowers come in many various colors and forms. It does best in zones 3-8.
3) Delphinium - A summer bloomer, this plant can grow up to 7 feet. The flowers form on spikes and are blue, lilac, or ivory. Plant this in zones 3-7.
2) Ageratum - A great annual plant for edging, it grows well in all zones. The blooms come in clusters of fuzzy lilac-blue, pink, or white and grow up to 12 inches tall.
1) Butterfly Bush - This shrub produces pink or lilac flowers in the summer. The plant needs full sun and it can get up to 6 feet tall. As the name implies it is a favorite of butterflies and can be grown best in zones 5-10.
25) Rockcress - This spring blooming plant has pink or white flowers and prefers sun. It grows about 10 inches tall and flourishes best in zones 3-7.
24) Tickseed - These daisy-like flowers in gold prefer full sun. They bloom in spring and will grow about 2 feet. They self-sow. This bloom prefers zones 4-9.
23) Joe-Pye Weed - Thriving in the fall in full sun or partial shade, this dusty pink flower grows 6-10 feet in zones 2-9.
22) New York Ironweed - A fall bloomer, this plant has deep purple flowers that love full sun. It gets up to 5 feet high and does best in zones 5-9.
21) Summersweet - This summer blooming bush with its white flowers prefers shade. It can get up to 8 feet tall and grows well in zones 4-9.
20) Flowering Tobacco - Blooming from summer to fall in colors of white, purple pink or green, this tube shaped flower can be found in all zones. It is an annual that can grow up to 5 feet.
19) Wax Begonia - This plant has flowers in pink, white or red that bloom from late spring to early winter. It is an annual of 8-12 inches and does well in all zones.
18) Cosmos Bipinnatus - Pink, red, or white, these daisy like flowers grow 4-8 feet tall. They are an annual that blooms from summer to early fall and do well in all zones.
17) Candytuft - These blooms form white flower clusters. They are a spring flowering groundcover that prefers sun. Zones 3-9 work best for this plant.
16) Wild Passion Flower - Purple pink flowers that bloom in full sun during the summer time. This vine can grow up to 20 feet and flourishes in zones 6-10.
15) Verbena - Blooming from early summer to early winter in all zones, this bloom grows to a height of 12 inches. The flowers come in colors of purple, pink, white, or red.
14) Sweet Violet - This plant's flowers are white or purple. Blooming in the spring it grows to about 8 inches tall in zones 4-8.
13) Butterfly Weed - The flowers on this plant form small bright red clusters. It does best in sun and will grow to about 3 feet tall. It prefers zones 3-9 and is an excellent host plant where butterflies like to lay their eggs and caterpillars like to feed off its leaves. Parsley works well as a host plant too.
12) New England Aster - These blooms look like purple or pink daisies. They bloom in full sun in the fall to a height of 3-6 feet. Zones 3-8 work best.
11) Goldenrod - A fall blooming yellow flower, this plant prefers full sun and grows 1-5 feet high. It flourishes best in zones 3-8.
10) Common Lilac - This shrub blooms in spring. The flowers are purple or white and can achieve a height of up to 15 feet. It prefers zones 3-8.
9) Sweet Pea - This is an annual sun lover that works well in all zones. The flowers bloom in spring and are pink, white or lilac. This plant can get up to 6 feet tall.
8)Shasta Daisy - White daisies with yellow centers that bloom in summer. This flower needs full zone and will grow up to 3 feet. It likes zones 4-8.
7) Queen Anne's Lace - This plant has lacy flat white flowers that bloom in the summer. It needs full sun and will grow up to 3 feet tall. Plant in zones 3-9.
6) Petunia - An annual that bloom from late spring to early winter in all zones. Its flowers come in many different patterns and colors. This plant can grow up to 18 inches tall.
5) African Marigold - This large yellow flower blooms all summer in all zones and is a favorite in many gardens. It is an annual that can get up to 3 feet tall.
4) Dahlia -Another garden favorite that bloom from mid summer to early winter. It can get up to 6 feet tall and the flowers come in many various colors and forms. It does best in zones 3-8.
3) Delphinium - A summer bloomer, this plant can grow up to 7 feet. The flowers form on spikes and are blue, lilac, or ivory. Plant this in zones 3-7.
2) Ageratum - A great annual plant for edging, it grows well in all zones. The blooms come in clusters of fuzzy lilac-blue, pink, or white and grow up to 12 inches tall.
1) Butterfly Bush - This shrub produces pink or lilac flowers in the summer. The plant needs full sun and it can get up to 6 feet tall. As the name implies it is a favorite of butterflies and can be grown best in zones 5-10.
Add Interest To Your Water Garden With Floating Plants
Labels:
water garden
A water garden can be a relaxing element to add to any landscape but it can be rather boring unless you add aquatic plants. They are actually different kinds of plants you can add to your water garden, some like to populate the edges of the garden, some grow in the deep waters and others float right on top of the water.
These floating aquatic plants float on the surface and have long groups that go down into the water. These plants often have an exotic look and can provide shade to control algae as well as provide a nice habitat for fish and other pond creatures.
While most floating water garden plants are tropical there are a few that you can use in northern climates. if you have a harsh winter, you will want to treat your floating plants much the same as you treat your annuals and plan on replanting them each year.
Three of the more popular floating plants are discussed below and include Parrots Feather, Water Lettuce, and Floating Hyacinth.
Parrots Feather
This floating plant is rather easy to care for and has feathery foliage that is a blue green in color. parrot feather has stems that can grow up to 60 inches long and can provide a great spawning area for your pond fish. It is good in zones 4to 11 and can survive the winter is beneath the ice but may incur frost damage at the top of the pond.
Water Lettuce
This plant, as the name implies, resembles a big head of lettuce floating on top your pond. The foliage has a velvety look and can grow up to 10 Inches wide and may sometimes even produce white flowers and green berries although the flowers and berries are pretty hard to notice. This can be an invasive plant so you want to be careful that it doesn't take over your water garden. Water letters prefers warmer climates and can work in zones 9-11. Be very careful of frost, as this can damage leaves and cause them to rot and you don't want that in your pond!
Floating Hyacinth
Floating hyacinth reduces purple flowers on 6 inch stems and can be a colorful addition to the floating plants in your water garden. In order for proper flowering you'll need to make sure it has full sun and warmth and also that your water is providing the nutrients that this plant needs. If it is In good health, it can reproduce quite rapidly and you have to make sure that it doesn't take over your water garden. Good for zones 9 to 11, Floating Hyacinth and will also help to clarify your water.
Adding floating plants to your water garden will not only help but look better but it can also help the water quality be healthier and may reduce your maintenance. This is because the plants consume the same nutrients from the water that algae needs to grow. Therefore, water garden plants can help keep algae growth in check, thus increasing your water quality and reducing your water garden maintenance
These floating aquatic plants float on the surface and have long groups that go down into the water. These plants often have an exotic look and can provide shade to control algae as well as provide a nice habitat for fish and other pond creatures.
While most floating water garden plants are tropical there are a few that you can use in northern climates. if you have a harsh winter, you will want to treat your floating plants much the same as you treat your annuals and plan on replanting them each year.
Three of the more popular floating plants are discussed below and include Parrots Feather, Water Lettuce, and Floating Hyacinth.
Parrots Feather
This floating plant is rather easy to care for and has feathery foliage that is a blue green in color. parrot feather has stems that can grow up to 60 inches long and can provide a great spawning area for your pond fish. It is good in zones 4to 11 and can survive the winter is beneath the ice but may incur frost damage at the top of the pond.
Water Lettuce
This plant, as the name implies, resembles a big head of lettuce floating on top your pond. The foliage has a velvety look and can grow up to 10 Inches wide and may sometimes even produce white flowers and green berries although the flowers and berries are pretty hard to notice. This can be an invasive plant so you want to be careful that it doesn't take over your water garden. Water letters prefers warmer climates and can work in zones 9-11. Be very careful of frost, as this can damage leaves and cause them to rot and you don't want that in your pond!
Floating Hyacinth
Floating hyacinth reduces purple flowers on 6 inch stems and can be a colorful addition to the floating plants in your water garden. In order for proper flowering you'll need to make sure it has full sun and warmth and also that your water is providing the nutrients that this plant needs. If it is In good health, it can reproduce quite rapidly and you have to make sure that it doesn't take over your water garden. Good for zones 9 to 11, Floating Hyacinth and will also help to clarify your water.
Adding floating plants to your water garden will not only help but look better but it can also help the water quality be healthier and may reduce your maintenance. This is because the plants consume the same nutrients from the water that algae needs to grow. Therefore, water garden plants can help keep algae growth in check, thus increasing your water quality and reducing your water garden maintenance
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