A Successful Garden in not a matter of luck or years of experience and hard work. Simply start by applying these seven keys to success. Then build on them by experimenting reading and talking to other gardeners. Those are the best sources for gardening tipsand help.
Inside or outdoors, gardening is both a popular and satisfying leisure time activity. There are many different ways to grow plants and places in which to grow them. Although plants have different needs, all plant care has seven factors in common.
Space:
The first thing in growing plants is deciding where to put them. Choose from a variety of pots in different types and sizes, window boxes, greenhouses, beds, borders, and of course the garden plot.
Space for plants also means giving them the room they need to grow. Some plants do well bunched closely together, while others, like large trees, may require several feet of room between them.
Nutrition.
Plants get the nutrients they need mainly from their growing medium. Today's gardeners can opt for many different mediums and methods of growing plants.
When growing plants outdoors, a soil test provides you with information on the composition of your soil. Depending on the type of plant you want to grow, you may need to "amend" your soil to provide your plants with necessary drainage, moisture retention, and the organic compounds.
NPK Fertilizers contain nitrogen (N), potassium (P), and potash (K). Each component serves a purpose. However, fertilizers are a plant supplement and not the main meal! Real nutrition for soil-grown plants comes from soil rich with organic compounds.
Potted plants grow in various potting mixtures depending on the cultivars and the method used to grow them. Along with soil based and part soil growing mediums, some plants grow without soil! Hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic gardening are three forms of soil-less gardening.
Temperature.
Growing plants at the right temperatures is essential for successful gardening. Winter hardy plants that do well in temperate areas frequently won't tolerate warm climates.
Conversely, tropical plants typically won't withstand frost and need to live indoors during cold northern winters. House plants, as well, also have maximum and minimum temperature requirements.
Light.
Light is the most important factor in plant growth. During photosynthesis, plants use light to collect carbon dioxide molecules and convert them into sugar, an energy-producing nutrient for plants.
Outdoor light classifications may be from shade to full sun, with varying degrees of light tolerances, such as "part shade" or "part sun", in between. Indoor classifications are often termed as "bright light", "bright-filtered light", "indirect light", and "low light".
Water.
Of course, you'll need to water your plants. However, when and how much vary from variety to variety of plant. Some plants require constantly moist soil, while others like a good drink, but won't tolerate wet feet and some plants, like cacti, need very little water at all!
Air.
Plants breathe just like people do and like people, need fresh clean air. However, in addition to the air above ground, many plants "breath" through the soil as well.
Time.
Ecclesiastes says it best. "There's a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted".
As well as when to plant and when to pluck, time is also important for knowing when to divide certain cultivars like tulips, when to prune shrubs, when to bring tender plants indoors, and when to set them outside. If you provide your plants with the first six necessities and add a drop of patience, in due time you'll have a successful garden to build on when you gain experience.
Hans writes about gardening tips at http://www.gardening-guides.com he is a enthusiastic gardener and finds most of his inspiration working there.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hans_Dekker
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Garden Tips
Below are some gardening tips that I feel are worth mentioning, and may possibly get you on your way to earning your green thumb. There are never to many gardening tips and I will just brush up on a few to get you started. I am sure if you do a search in Google for "gardening tips", you will have more at your disposal than you can ever ask for.
You could also try garden magazines and books and even gardening clubs. There is plenty of knowledge to go around. The list below will sum up tips on planning your plot, soil preparation, mulch, compost and the watering of the plot.
Garden Tip Number 1
Always plan out your garden before you start digging away at your yard. A good way to start is to take a long look at your garden a try to picture your finished product. Take into account the hight the plants can grow to, the sun spectrum, and the proximity to a water source. Once you see a place you like take a seat and start your gardening plot plan on paper. This way you can get more detailed and include things that you may forget otherwise. Make sure to include in your plans the proximity of your garden hose or garden hose reel and fixture.
Garden Tip 2
Possibly the most important tip of all is correct soil preparation and mixture. It is extremely important to use the non toxic soil nutrients when you are growing anything that you plan on eventually consuming.If you are growing vegetables in your garden then a homemade compost is by far the best fertilizer for your garden. The results will speak for themselves. It is not as hard as you think. Do some research and you would be surprised. If compost is not available the next option is mulch. If you are going to go with this rout, it is best to look for soft woods such as redwood or spruce. Softer woods have an easier time breaking down and spreading the nutrients to the soil in the bed. If you are not growing vegetables there are loads of fertilizers that can fit your project. Just go to your local nursery and they will lead you in the right direction. When you decide on your fertilizer, make sure everything is mixed well and aerated properly. A garden tiller can make this part of the job a lot easier but is not necessary.
Garden Tip 3
Once your plant area is picked out and the soil in properly spread in your garden, you can then start laying your plants in the pattern you thought up in your plans. Laying the plants out can give you a better picture of your end results. It is also best to arrange the plants from the largest growing in the back and decreasing toward the fron of the garden. You can group the plants together according to characteristics. This way you can get the most out of your area with all the plants getting the full benefit of the suns rays. This alone can make a huge difference.
Garden Tip 4
It is always best to use gardening sprinklers but this is not always possible for your first garden. If you cannot afford garden sprinkler you can still automate the garden with a hose attachment sprinkler.You can use timers that attach to the hose fixture and place the sprinkler wherever needed and this can make the watering automated also. You might still need to use the garden hose here and there. If you don't mind watering than a garden hose and garden hose reel setup can work nice and fulfill all the necessary watering you need.Another option is the drip irrigation systems although this will also cost you a little more.
Though the above tips are very important for the basics of your garden you can get a lot more from doing your own research on the internet search engine, ordering a book, or joining a garden club. Ordering a magazine or joining a club can help a lot as you get new informative tips every month. I hope the tips are helpful and wish you good luck on your green thumb quest. You will be there before you know it.
Simon Moris is a horticulture specialist with more than a decade experience. For more Gardening Tips visit his site at: http://www.ourgardensource.com/Gardening/Gardening-Tips.php
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Morris
You could also try garden magazines and books and even gardening clubs. There is plenty of knowledge to go around. The list below will sum up tips on planning your plot, soil preparation, mulch, compost and the watering of the plot.
Garden Tip Number 1
Always plan out your garden before you start digging away at your yard. A good way to start is to take a long look at your garden a try to picture your finished product. Take into account the hight the plants can grow to, the sun spectrum, and the proximity to a water source. Once you see a place you like take a seat and start your gardening plot plan on paper. This way you can get more detailed and include things that you may forget otherwise. Make sure to include in your plans the proximity of your garden hose or garden hose reel and fixture.
Garden Tip 2
Possibly the most important tip of all is correct soil preparation and mixture. It is extremely important to use the non toxic soil nutrients when you are growing anything that you plan on eventually consuming.If you are growing vegetables in your garden then a homemade compost is by far the best fertilizer for your garden. The results will speak for themselves. It is not as hard as you think. Do some research and you would be surprised. If compost is not available the next option is mulch. If you are going to go with this rout, it is best to look for soft woods such as redwood or spruce. Softer woods have an easier time breaking down and spreading the nutrients to the soil in the bed. If you are not growing vegetables there are loads of fertilizers that can fit your project. Just go to your local nursery and they will lead you in the right direction. When you decide on your fertilizer, make sure everything is mixed well and aerated properly. A garden tiller can make this part of the job a lot easier but is not necessary.
Garden Tip 3
Once your plant area is picked out and the soil in properly spread in your garden, you can then start laying your plants in the pattern you thought up in your plans. Laying the plants out can give you a better picture of your end results. It is also best to arrange the plants from the largest growing in the back and decreasing toward the fron of the garden. You can group the plants together according to characteristics. This way you can get the most out of your area with all the plants getting the full benefit of the suns rays. This alone can make a huge difference.
Garden Tip 4
It is always best to use gardening sprinklers but this is not always possible for your first garden. If you cannot afford garden sprinkler you can still automate the garden with a hose attachment sprinkler.You can use timers that attach to the hose fixture and place the sprinkler wherever needed and this can make the watering automated also. You might still need to use the garden hose here and there. If you don't mind watering than a garden hose and garden hose reel setup can work nice and fulfill all the necessary watering you need.Another option is the drip irrigation systems although this will also cost you a little more.
Though the above tips are very important for the basics of your garden you can get a lot more from doing your own research on the internet search engine, ordering a book, or joining a garden club. Ordering a magazine or joining a club can help a lot as you get new informative tips every month. I hope the tips are helpful and wish you good luck on your green thumb quest. You will be there before you know it.
Simon Moris is a horticulture specialist with more than a decade experience. For more Gardening Tips visit his site at: http://www.ourgardensource.com/Gardening/Gardening-Tips.php
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Morris
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Secrets to Gardening
Secret 1
First start out with a good plan for your gardening project. How much sun and shade does your garden area have? Don't overlook the type of soil conditions you are working with...does it drain easily or does it get soggy quickly? You will need to prepare your soil type prior to planting.
Secret 2
As you consider your plant selection, remember in sheltered areas with low sun exposure, shade type of plants will do better. On the other hand keep in mind that drought resistant plants love the sun and even the shade too. For poorly drained areas you can plant swamp type plants.
Secret 3
In order to have a healthy garden your soil should be slightly acidic but then some plants also require an alkaline soil for survival. You can easily determine the ph balance of your soil by doing a soil test. Kits are available and it is very easy to do so don't overlook this important tip.
Secret 4
Have you organized your garden ideas in some type of design landscape or layout that you modify? Don't worry it doesn't have to be fancy! Organizing and grouping your plants and flowers is an important decision in beautifying your garden. Arrange your colors so that they flow and look natural. Depending on your goal just layout your color scheme on a piece of paper so that you will have an idea on how to proceed. It's easier to change on paper than it is after you have planted.
Secret 5
Although you've organized your garden on paper now its time for the moment of truth to really test your designer eye. While leaving your plants and flowers in the pot, set them in position according to your drawing. Does this rough layout look to be the same as on your plan? If not, move them around...experiment by moving them about until your are satisfied with the look.
Secret 6
As you view the color combinations in your garden palette, pay particular attention to color and texture clashing. Trust your visual instinct, it will tell you whether your layout will work or get a second opinion. Also be aware of the blooming cycle of your plants as each will bloom at different times. Don't forget that foliage plays an important part of your choices as they can have colors ranging from silver, gray and purplish and can add that extra essence of beauty to your garden.
One other final note in how to plan a backyard garden; keep your plants, if possible away from trees as their roots will absorb rob the moisture from your plants and flowers. As you can see, if you apply good planning you will be on your way to guaranteeing a beautiful garden for all to enjoy. And that's how you plan a backyard garden.
Steve Kent is a highly inquisitive guy who enjoys providing helpful everyday gardening tips to people who need answers to their daily gardening challenges. To get find the best gardening tips information, why don't you visit http://www.gardeningtips.howtofinditonline.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Kent
First start out with a good plan for your gardening project. How much sun and shade does your garden area have? Don't overlook the type of soil conditions you are working with...does it drain easily or does it get soggy quickly? You will need to prepare your soil type prior to planting.
Secret 2
As you consider your plant selection, remember in sheltered areas with low sun exposure, shade type of plants will do better. On the other hand keep in mind that drought resistant plants love the sun and even the shade too. For poorly drained areas you can plant swamp type plants.
Secret 3
In order to have a healthy garden your soil should be slightly acidic but then some plants also require an alkaline soil for survival. You can easily determine the ph balance of your soil by doing a soil test. Kits are available and it is very easy to do so don't overlook this important tip.
Secret 4
Have you organized your garden ideas in some type of design landscape or layout that you modify? Don't worry it doesn't have to be fancy! Organizing and grouping your plants and flowers is an important decision in beautifying your garden. Arrange your colors so that they flow and look natural. Depending on your goal just layout your color scheme on a piece of paper so that you will have an idea on how to proceed. It's easier to change on paper than it is after you have planted.
Secret 5
Although you've organized your garden on paper now its time for the moment of truth to really test your designer eye. While leaving your plants and flowers in the pot, set them in position according to your drawing. Does this rough layout look to be the same as on your plan? If not, move them around...experiment by moving them about until your are satisfied with the look.
Secret 6
As you view the color combinations in your garden palette, pay particular attention to color and texture clashing. Trust your visual instinct, it will tell you whether your layout will work or get a second opinion. Also be aware of the blooming cycle of your plants as each will bloom at different times. Don't forget that foliage plays an important part of your choices as they can have colors ranging from silver, gray and purplish and can add that extra essence of beauty to your garden.
One other final note in how to plan a backyard garden; keep your plants, if possible away from trees as their roots will absorb rob the moisture from your plants and flowers. As you can see, if you apply good planning you will be on your way to guaranteeing a beautiful garden for all to enjoy. And that's how you plan a backyard garden.
Steve Kent is a highly inquisitive guy who enjoys providing helpful everyday gardening tips to people who need answers to their daily gardening challenges. To get find the best gardening tips information, why don't you visit http://www.gardeningtips.howtofinditonline.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Kent
Garden Tips
Ahh, the stress of flower garden ideas! No need to worry as God did all the hard work for us. All we need to do is find what textures and colors we like and then buy them, plant them and water. Presto! Beauty couldn't be any easier. Nature's beauty is just one of God's perfect ideas that we can easily create and enjoy every year.
There are some decisions that should be made before flower gardening planning can be started. You must decide if you want annual flowers that live for one season and must be replanted every year, or perennials that survive the winter and return again in the summer. I would recommend a combination of both. I favor a slightly larger percentage of annuals so I can have a "new" and different flower garden each year. Perennial flower choices will require you to pay attention to what kind of flowers thrive in your climate as well as the sun requirements.
When you are thinking about gardening ideas, you want to look through some magazines to see some of the different designs and flowers that can be used for gardens. If you find pictures that seem hard to make in your own garden, you can always modify the look and make your garden unique. Don't be surprised if you change the type of garden you plant each year and tweak your design ideas a couple of times before you are satisfied.
By using some simple flower garden ideas, you can have a beautiful garden. The first thing in flower garden ideas is the selection of a spot in your yard for the flower garden. If your space is limited than you still have choices. A container flower garden may be perfect for your home. A combination of large containers and hanging baskets for those without a yard is a wonderful solution to allow you to create a flower garden.
If you have a yard your flower garden can be small or large. In either case it will be amazingly beautiful. Some popular ideas gardeners are designing include:
If you have a gazebo, you can plant flowers around it to accent the beauty of the gazebo. By using the gazebo as a focus point, you can add some color and beauty.
A side of a shed, trellis or lamp pole are perfect for climbing rose bushes, clematis or some other climbing vines. These types of flowers are great for hiding unsightly items in your yard.
Rock flower gardens are another way to landscape your property. These are immensely popular and enable you to easily create a tiered flower garden.
Raised flower gardens can help define a yard or solve a drainage problem. They can be built of almost anything with landscape timbers, railroad ties and boards being the most popular.
There are many flower garden ideas that you can choose from when deciding on what type of garden you want.
If you need something to cover up areas of the house that look bare you might consider planting sunflowers. These beautiful flowers grow very tall and when they blossom, they add a wonderful yellow color to your garden and yard. A great bonus is the ability to eat the sunflower seeds in the fall.
There are plenty of flower garden ideas from which you can choose the best one to fit your personality. Some we did not mention are miniature flower gardens, organic flower gardens and flower boxes. Because there are so many different types of flower gardens you can plant you will always be the envy of your neighbors and friends.
Planning your flower garden ideas is an exciting and rewarding hobby.
If you want to learn more about flower gardens ideas for your home, click over to Samuel Wyse's informational Gardening Resource Guide at http://www.Gardening-ResourceGuide.comWhile there, make sure to learn how to turn your green thumb this year with the free Master Gardener newsletter "Make a Healthy, Beautiful Home" which is packed full of helpful tips.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samuel_Wyse
There are some decisions that should be made before flower gardening planning can be started. You must decide if you want annual flowers that live for one season and must be replanted every year, or perennials that survive the winter and return again in the summer. I would recommend a combination of both. I favor a slightly larger percentage of annuals so I can have a "new" and different flower garden each year. Perennial flower choices will require you to pay attention to what kind of flowers thrive in your climate as well as the sun requirements.
When you are thinking about gardening ideas, you want to look through some magazines to see some of the different designs and flowers that can be used for gardens. If you find pictures that seem hard to make in your own garden, you can always modify the look and make your garden unique. Don't be surprised if you change the type of garden you plant each year and tweak your design ideas a couple of times before you are satisfied.
By using some simple flower garden ideas, you can have a beautiful garden. The first thing in flower garden ideas is the selection of a spot in your yard for the flower garden. If your space is limited than you still have choices. A container flower garden may be perfect for your home. A combination of large containers and hanging baskets for those without a yard is a wonderful solution to allow you to create a flower garden.
If you have a yard your flower garden can be small or large. In either case it will be amazingly beautiful. Some popular ideas gardeners are designing include:
If you have a gazebo, you can plant flowers around it to accent the beauty of the gazebo. By using the gazebo as a focus point, you can add some color and beauty.
A side of a shed, trellis or lamp pole are perfect for climbing rose bushes, clematis or some other climbing vines. These types of flowers are great for hiding unsightly items in your yard.
Rock flower gardens are another way to landscape your property. These are immensely popular and enable you to easily create a tiered flower garden.
Raised flower gardens can help define a yard or solve a drainage problem. They can be built of almost anything with landscape timbers, railroad ties and boards being the most popular.
There are many flower garden ideas that you can choose from when deciding on what type of garden you want.
If you need something to cover up areas of the house that look bare you might consider planting sunflowers. These beautiful flowers grow very tall and when they blossom, they add a wonderful yellow color to your garden and yard. A great bonus is the ability to eat the sunflower seeds in the fall.
There are plenty of flower garden ideas from which you can choose the best one to fit your personality. Some we did not mention are miniature flower gardens, organic flower gardens and flower boxes. Because there are so many different types of flower gardens you can plant you will always be the envy of your neighbors and friends.
Planning your flower garden ideas is an exciting and rewarding hobby.
If you want to learn more about flower gardens ideas for your home, click over to Samuel Wyse's informational Gardening Resource Guide at http://www.Gardening-ResourceGuide.comWhile there, make sure to learn how to turn your green thumb this year with the free Master Gardener newsletter "Make a Healthy, Beautiful Home" which is packed full of helpful tips.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samuel_Wyse
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