Gardening With Seeds

Quick Tips For Gardening With Seeds

During the spring and summer months, many people are eager to get outdoors and begin planning their gardening for the year ahead. Many will head to the nurseries to purchase plants, while others choose to start their own garden from seeds.

Anyone familiar with gardening knows that it’s more expensive to buy plants rather than seeds. While cheaper seeds may seem like a good bargain, if they don’t grow, they’re just as much of a waste as the plants that don’t survive after they’re brought home from the store. It will take a lot more work and care to grow a plant from seed.

The majority of seeds will be able to germinate in temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, or about 18 to 23 degrees Celsius. After the seedlings have made their way through the soil, be sure to give them plenty of light, as much as 16 hours each day, depending on the type of plant. In addition to sunlight, some fluorescent lights also help with growth, just be sure to periodically move your plants as they grow taller so they are not too close to the light source.

Young, fragile plants that haven’t firmly rooted yet need a bit of extra care to be sure they thrive and grow well. The right kind of potting soil with the proper amount of nutrients is essential for gardening with seeds. Be aware that inexpensive brands of potting soil may not include enough of these nutrients to produce hearty plants, in essence wasting money that would be better spent on a higher-end brand.

When you are using gardening containers the most important thing to remember is that regardless of their size or shape, the one thing they must have is enough drainage holes. These holes help the soil stay at the right level of moisture, keeping young plants out of dirt that’s too wet for them to grow properly. Inexpensive flats hold several plants at once and already have the necessary drainage holes, or try using old milk cartons or other containers that will serve the same purpose. If you do decide to use some type of container from home, be sure to thoroughly clean it before using, making sure there’s no residue of harmful bacteria or chemicals.

Several gardening manufacturers sell flats that are biodegradable, allowing you to start plants indoors from seeds, and then simply plant the entire container when ready. Moisture within the soil will cause the containers to break down and essentially be absorbed in dirt, which allows the roots to firmly plant themselves into the earth. This method also causes the least amount of stress on the young plants by not having to take them out of their container when transplanting.

By following these few easy tips, gardening will be the enjoyable adventure it’s supposed to be, rather than stressful or disappointing. All it takes for a rewarding harvest that you can be proud of is a little bit of hard work, and a lot of patience and dedication.

Beneficial Insect

Tips For Attracting Butterflies To Your Garden

Butterflies are colorful creatures that are special and wonderful additions to your garden. A carefully planned garden can attract butterflies that sip nectar from many flowers and search for a place to lay their larvae. Butterfly gardens are basically organic gardens that use no chemicals. With this in mind, be sure to create a safety zone for your butterflies. Habitual zones and places where areas of the landscape meet with the tree lines are favorite safe places for them. It is also helpful to find out what kinds of butterflies are native to your area so you can find appropriate plants for them.

Fennel, parsley and dill are wonderful plants for attracting Anise Swallowtail and the Black Swallowtail butterfly. Lupine flowers are a favorite with Fritillary butterfly and Snapdragons are a great choice of attracting butterflies that are native to your own area. To attract butterflies in passing, early butterfly gardens are often sufficient; however, gardens that offer a safe haven for them will urge the butterflies to stay longer. Most butterflies are active in the mid to late summer, so it is important that you also have plants available to them during that time. You can also use a home made feeder as a supplement the garden’s flower nectar. To make a home made feeder from a small jar, drill a small hole in the middle of the lid and plug the hole with cotton. Next fill the jar with a solution of nine parts water and one part sugar, attach brightly colored fabric petals to the lid and hang your feeder in a tree near your garden.

Butterflies are attracted to gardens that will provide adequate food for both them and their offspring. While young caterpillars eat from the plants, adult butterflies sip nectar from the flowers. As your plants grow and mature, the number of butterflies will also increase. They also search for areas that can shelter them from high winds, summer storms and rains. Shrubs and trees are good choices for plants that will provide them protective shelter. The wide open areas of the garden are also desired on normal warm and sunny summertime weather. To find water, butterflies often seek soft, sandy ,soil; especially when the soil allows water to puddle up after a rainstorm. Unlike birds, butterflies are unable to drink from birdbaths and other sources of open water. Flat rocks are helpful to butterflies so they can stretch out in the sun and absorb much needed heat that makes it possible for them to fly.

If the plants in your garden appeal to butterflies, you will attract them. The ideal place for butterflies would be a place for them to sip nectar, hibernate and lay eggs, as well as plants where the larvae and caterpillars can feed off of.

Seeing your landscape come alive with butterflies is a beautiful thing to see. Now you can sit back and watch these wonderful creatures grow and thrive in your own back yard this summer.

Garden Watering

Tips on Using Gray Water For Your Garden

Every day, more and more news is coming out on just how damaged the environment has actually become. We are finally awakening to the fact that we have severely damaged our planet and we are looking for ways to live better and not deplete our precious natural resources.

One simple way to help the planet is by planting trees. Trees have a natural ability to convert carbon dioxide that is present in the air, into oxygen. Another way to help is to conserve water so there is enough water for all humans, plants and animals.

Here in lies a paradox. How can we achieve a balance between giving plants very little water while trying to conserve it, yet giving those plants enough water to survive?

Scientists are hard at work trying to develop plants that are genetically engineered to require little water to grow, but we can also do our part. One way is through a gray water rerouting system.

What is Gray Water?

Water that is generated from our baths, dishwashing, hand washing and laundry is called gray water. Black water is water that is generated from our toilets. It is estimated that an average family of four, generates nearly three thousand gallons of gray water weekly. This water is wasted down the drain and could be reused.

The gray water that is discarded does contain soaps and detergents and often bleach. These soaps and detergents do contain certain minerals that can actually help plants, but the gray water also contains chemicals that may harm plans and the soil. Bleach is especially dangerous as it damages the roots and can actually stay in the soil for a long time.

It is possible to reroute the gray water that is now going down the drain and reroute it to your garden. This is done through a series of treatment tubes and a filtration system. This will help the environment by permitting more plant life to grow and you are conserving water by reusing water that would have gone to waste.

The following tips will help you get started to use gray water for your garden.

If you are planning to use gray water to water your garden, then take note of the following tips before you start. Check with a local plumbing supply house or repair shop to see what products are available to reroute gray water.

Drip irrigation systems that direct gray water directly to the plants are available. These types of units are very efficient as they direct water to the root system of the plants where it is needed and best absorbed.

Most gray water does not require treatment, but a filter on the system will help keep dust or debris that may harm delicate plants, out of the water. Your plumbing supply will be able to assist you on how to treat the water. A stop at your local gardening supply center or landscaping professional will be able to give you information on whether or not you can use gray water on the plants you have in your garden.

Most gray water contains phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen, all of which benefit plants. These chemicals are found in organic soaps and shampoos. Check the labels on the products you purchase and look for natural or organic products. Avoid products that contain toxic chemicals and bleaches. If you notice that your plants are suffering damage from the gray water, stop using it and consult a horticulturist or gardener.

Research is needed before you can use gray water. Every garden is different and has different plants with different growing conditions. If your passion is gardenias, you may not want a gray water recycling system as gardenias to not like soap products, and can damage them severely.

If all this sounds expensive and beyond your ability, remember that you can still recycle gray water by keeping a bucket handy whenever you do your laundry, wash your dishes, or take a bath. If you use organic soaps, you can use this otherwise discarded water on your plants.

Garden Planing

For years I have been going to the nursery in the spring and buying flowers and plants that I thought were “pretty” only to get them home and realize they don’t go together or don’t all fit in my small city garden. This year, I have decided to put a little effort into planning my garden before I go out and let my impulses drive my purchases. There are several questions you should ask yourself before you decide which plants and flowers to put in your garden.

1. What is your gardening experience level? If you’re a novice gardener, don’t fill your garden with high-maintenance, temperamental plants that require a lot of attention and knowledge. If you are interested in gaining gardening experience, I suggest that you add one higher-maintenance plant such as a rose bush which requires regular pruning to get some idea of the work involved. If you enjoy it, you can consider adding more next year.

2. What is the purpose of your garden? Some people have a garden because they love to spend hours and hours gardening. Others just want some pretty flower to look at while sitting outside on the deck. There are lots of options for the “lazy” gardener who enjoys the beauty of a garden, but doesn’t want to get her hands too dirty. Do some research before you buy or ask an expert at the garden center which plants and flowers are easiest to grow.

3. How big is your garden? You should plot out your garden space on graph paper and plan where each plant will go and how much space it will need. Be sure to allow room for plants that will need to spread out as they grow. Empty spaces can easily be filled in with small green plants or decorative rocks.

4. What color combinations will work best? Some colors go very well together while others seem to stab your eyes. It’s also important to consider the location of the garden. The surrounding structures and foliage will also help you determine the best color scheme.

5. Are you planning to grow food? Fruits and vegetables have their own requirements that must be kept in mind when planning a garden. You might choose to have a separate space for growing vegetables and keep a separate flower garden.

6. Do you want a more formal, manicured look or a natural wildflower garden? Some plants and flowers spread out on their own and require little maintenance. Occasional weeding is all that you’ll need to do for this wildflower garden. A more manicured garden obviously requires much more work. In addition to weeding, you will have to keep shrubs trimmed and pruned as well as maintaining the flowers you choose so they don’t spread out of control.

7. Have you done enough research? This might actually be a better first question to ask yourself. There are so many books, websites, and magazines dedicated to gardening, you have no excuse for not doing the research. Spend a rainy afternoon in the library browsing through gardening books and then choose two or three to check out and use in you actual plan. Visit gardening websites and get specific information about plants, vegetables, and flowers that grow best in your area.

My last word of advice is to start small and create a garden that you will enjoy for years to come. The beauty of home gardening is that you don’t have to create your dream garden all at once. Make small changes here and there throughout the season or from year to year. The creative process and the experience of nurturing your own garden can be extremely rewarding.

Garden Design

General Perspective Of Garden Design

For the house owner who has a little bit of space outside the house, they may thinking about having small garden. Or even ones who have large space so they can have bigger garden either. However, wjat generally happen is garden design and arrangement, most of them normally take this job to professional. Only they have to do is to choose the design from the catalogue that designer give to them and pay when the garden finished.

However, some of them knowing what they are choosing but unfortunately, some of them don’t. Therefore, as there are many style and arrangements of garden design. It is also good to know how they different from each other and which factors you have to consider when you want to have good, attractive and beautiful garden within the budget.

Generally, it is depends on the preference and style of the house owner which type of garden that they are going to have, but apart from that, you may have to that the decision about the type of type of garden have to based on these following elements;

1. Weather/Climate

This is the most important factor to consider but normally be ignored by many of us. You have to choose garden design or type of garden base on the climate of where you are living. For example, it is really impossible to have tropical garden if you are living in the freeze zone and vise vesa. You have to choose garden types and designs that suitable with the local climate first, other wise your garden will not last long and you have to spend a lot of money on maintenance your garden.

2. Space

Space has great impact to the design of the garden. You have to consider the design that suitable with the space that you have. However, in most case, I would suggest that utilization of the space is very, depending on the purpose and preference of the house owner. Arranging space particularly for garden have to be very careful in design and function. Because 0garden needs more function than any other area. For example, it needs the waste water system, it is the place that sunlight have to reach and has proper climate for plants and tree. So you have take these factors in to account before you decide type and design of the garden.

3. Budget

This factor is also important, you can not have your desired garden without proper budget. Also, you do not have to spend much money to get good and beautiful garden if you have good budget planning. One of the big tips here is if you have very limited budget, you can hire only garden designer and once when you have he design, you can ask the designer to give you the list of plants and equipment need for the garden and you go to the shop/market then let the designer arrange it. This is very effective ways, because you can reduce the cost for the garden equipment. As you can have cheaper price if you buy them for yourself to avoid mark-up cost that usually add by the garden designer.

Garden Tips

Garden Tips For Your Home

A lot of people may have in silence and in secret thought dreamt of having their very own garden at home. Think of getting those organic greens or picking those freshest lush tomatoes straight from its stems or perhaps imagine opening your windows early morning and being greeted by flourishing blooms from your flower garden. However, for many people these things remain but a dream reasoning that a lot of factors have kept them from fulfilling this fantasy. Keeping a great home garden is not an easy feat.

Unless you have one of those gifted green thumbs, maintaining a well tended garden can entail a lot of hard work. Further, at this time and age when most of us are always on the go, a hectic lifestyle does not allow enough time for us to attend to and cultivate a home garden. Here are however a few tips that could help you in taking care of your garden with less effort and less time.

Remember to top dress your soil. Adding two or three scoops of compost or organic matter to soil will generate you great benefits. There is little difference on whether your soil is poor or already rich. Fertilizing your soil is always a good thing. This not only adds to the soil structure in increasing its nutrients but it can also prevent weeds from spurting out. Further, you can get organic matter straight from your kitchen. Hitting birds with one stone, you get to recycle your waste and cultivate your garden soil.

One fine tip is to do your weeding regularly. The longer you put off your weeding duties, the more it would take for you to take those weeds out of your garden. Pulling a lot of weeds at one time can be quite drudgery. So try to take a little moment to pull out the weeds in your home garden each day. A few minutes spent every day may prove to be less taxing and grueling as compared to a whole day of weed yanking. Another advantage of doing the task every day is you get to pull the weeds when they are still young, smaller and easier to pull.

Make use of mulch. Mulch works a protective cover for your soil especially in areas where local climate tends to fluctuate. Mulch works to adjust the soil temperature by making it retain heat during cold seasons and water to keep the soil cool during hot summers. Weed growth is controlled as the mulch blocks sunlight and at the same time insects are repelled. Mulch is commonly composed of organic residues which may be in the form of leaves, shredded bark, sawdust, shredded newspapers, wood chips, grass clippings, hay or straw. This is an added bonus as the mulch will also act as a fertilizer nourishing the soil with more nutrients.

Water is essential in any garden, any plant or for that matter any living organism. Watering your garden may prove to be a hassle with you haggling the hose all over the area. It may help for you to have a soaker hose which you can bury in your mulch. Soaker hoses are typically inexpensive and easy to use. Because it is submerge on your mulch, the evaporation process is slowed down and your plants take the advantage of benefiting from the retained water more.

Garden Tools

Great Gardening Tools

It's no wonder so many people love gardening. It allows one to spend time in perfect tranquility, tending the earth and enjoying the stillness and serenity of nature. Gardening gives you a good reason to get dirty, and feel the warm earth between your fingers and toes. You are able to enjoy a sense of accomplishment when you garden, as you carefully plant and attentively pamper your crops. Best of all, gardening produces tangible, colorful, and delicious results for all of your hard work.

In any situation, the proper tools can make the work more pleasant. Experienced gardeners have their favorite tools. Some remain faithful to traditional tools, while some opt for more modern power tools. Whatever your preference, it is challenging to garden with no tools at all. When choosing gardening tools, it is important to consider the size of your garden, the type of tools you will most enjoy working with, as well as your physical ability. Traditional tools require a little more elbow grease. The cost of the tools, as well as the time you have to devote to your hobby, as also important considerations in your decision making process.

In early spring, when it is time to prepare your garden for planting, there is a lot to be done. The soil must be turned, fertilizer should be added, and the area should be well watered. Having proper tools will make for easy work in the spring. Tillers are a popular tool for this time of year. The availability of a variety of cultivating tools should allow you to choose the tool just right for you.

Many gardeners prefer to use hand tools, so that they can really feel the soil and feel more a part of the garden. Hand tools are very useful. They include items such as rakes, spades, pitchforks, shovels, and trowels. You may find many of these already at home in your garage. You may also find yourself happy to have a wheel cultivator, a mattock, and a pickax.

Depending on the size of your garden, and the amount of physical labor you wish to commit to, you may wish to use power tools in your garden. Yes, they are somewhat more expensive, however, they get the job done with more ease. If you have a larger garden, a tiller will be very useful in preparing your soil. It is also helpful for people with mobility issues. A tiller is useful for breaking up the ground, to help mix compost and fertilizer into the earth, and to chop up any debris lying around. A tiller can be quite expensive, so they can also be rented at most tool supply stores. You may also choose to share with or borrow from a neighbor. Chippers, chainsaws, and shredders are additional power tools that are useful in the garden.

A nice addition to any garden is a small tree, some shrubs, or a neat hedge. To care for these plants, and to make them look their best, it is beneficial to have pruning tools. Pole pruners extend to about 15 feet. These make reaching higher branches a snap. On shrubs and hedges pruning sheers are usually sufficient. If the diameter of the branch you are trimming is more than a half inch, you may wish to use lopping sheers. These are useful up to about two inches in diameter. If these tools do not get the job done, you could consider stronger hedge shears and pruning saws.

Plants need water in order to survive, and Mother Nature doesn't always take care of this business. So, it's essential to have tools and equipment on hand to keep your garden nicely watered. If you have a larger garden and a grass lawn, you'll definitely need to have a garden hose with a good quality spray nozzle or sprinkler. If your garden is limited to containers such as pots and balcony planters, you may be able to get away with a simple watering can. Some gardeners use drip hoses for proper irrigation, and more advanced gardens have entire irrigation system set on timers to provide accurate watering.

Getting down and dirty with nature and creating a lush, healthy garden is a dream come true for many homeowners, but trying to create or tend that garden can be a nightmare without the proper tools. You don't have to invest a lot of money; purchasing the basics including a shovel, trowel, pitchfork, and leaf rake is often all you need. And be sure to pick up a good pair of gardening gloves, or you'll quickly have calluses on your hands along with that dirt under your nails.

Organic Gardening

Turning to Organic Gardening

Organic gardening is a chemical-free and earth-friendly method of gardening. Organic gardening and conventional gardening differ on how they control pests and nourish the soil. Conventional gardening uses chemical pesticides and chemical fertilizers while organic gardens use organic means of enriching the soil and organic weed killers and fertilizers.

Organic gardens follow natural practices that include:

Organic Soil: Quality soil is the main component of creating a successful garden. By providing nourishing natural substances to the soil, you will be well on your way to growing healthy plants and vegetables. For an organic garden, it is essential to add natural additives such as organic compost, manure, chopped leaves, and mulches. Before adding natural compounds, you should do a soil test to determine whether the soil has any mineral deficiencies. To improve the quality of the soil, you can add a number of natural products that are rich in nutrients. Natural additives can include organic compost, fish emulsion, and blood meal. If you do not have the time to make your own natural soil feed, there are many natural products available for purchase. Such products that are rich in nutrients include seaweed meal, straw mulch, and worm casts. Making worm compost is a great way to compost organic waste

Organic Pest Control: Every garden will attract pests that will eat some of the plants and vegetables. Conventional gardens use pesticides to control pests. These pesticides contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment, humans, and animals. Attracting or buying bugs that will eat pests such as aphids will help reduce their numbers. Bugs that kill aphids include damsel bugs, lady bugs, and lacewings, and more. There are also organic pest control products on the market. Homemade tomato leaf and garlic sprays will also repel aphids.

Diversifying your garden will help reduce pests. Planting strong smelling herbs will repel plant eating bugs. Birds and insects that feed on aphids will also be attracted to a diverse garden and will reduce pests that harm your plants. To control weeds, there are number of organic weed control products on the market. Removing weeds daily is the best way to control weed infestation.

Crop Rotation: To maintain rich and healthy soil, it is recommended that you rotate your crops. Crop Rotation involves planting crops so that plants and vegetables are not grown in the same spot each year. This will ensure that the soil does not lose its nutrients. It will also reduce the risk of disease. The nutrients left behind from one set of plants can be used by another type of plant the next year. The best way to rotate your crops is to draw a map of the garden that outlines where each plant is located. You can then refer to it the following year to make sure you do not plant the same type of plant in the same location. Crop rotation and growing diverse plants will help deter pests.

The benefit of organically enriching your soil, using organic pest control, and rotating your crops ensures a healthy garden. This method will also attract bees which will result in pollination of the plants.

The biggest difference between organic gardening and conventional gardening is that organic gardens do not use chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Successful organic gardening can be achieved by understanding how to create organically productive soil that is rich and fertile, the type of crops to plant that includes the appropriate plants for the particular climate and season, and implementing organic maintenance practices.

Because of the illnesses and diseases such as cancer that are now being linked to chemicals in fertilizers and pesticides, more people are turning to organic gardening. Developing an organic garden may seem like a bit of hard work, but the reward of creating a healthy garden will be very gratifying.

Planter Pot

Secrets to Choosing a Planter Pot

You may have been impressed with someone’s garden or yard because of the type of planter pot or plants that they use. It’s easy to be impressed with others who know how to create such a beautiful setup however learning how to do it can be rather challenging. One of the easiest ways to enhance the look of your house both indoors and outdoors is by your style of planter pot.

Since a planter pot can come in many different shapes, sizes, colors, and materials you will have to make several choices before you actually buy a planter pot.

Your planter pot should be able to blend into its surroundings. Although this is easier said than actually done it’s the key to having a beautiful setup. When you are trying to select a planter pot that you can blend into its surroundings you can use these tips to help you.

When choosing you’re choosing the material that the planter pot is going to be made out of you need to ask yourself where you’re going to be placing the planter pot. This has a huge impact on what material it’s made out of.

To properly blend it in its surroundings you need to have the right material for the right setting. If you’re planning on using the planter pot indoors you may want to consider using a ceramic pot. On the other hand if you have stone siding for your house you may want to consider getting a stone planter pot.

The next important aspect of your planter pot will be its color. You want something that will blend in nicely. If you have a garden that has several types of flowers you may want to use a brighter colored planter pot to bring out the colors of the nearby flowers more.

You should use caution when choosing your colors because if you choose the wrong color you risk it being gaudy.

Finally you’ll want to keep in mind the size that you’re going to use for your planter pot. Size is also greatly influenced by where you’re going to be placing it. Your size may also be affected by a predetermined plant choice that you have for your planter pot. Use your judgment and choose the right sized planter pot or choose the right place to put the plant based on its size.

Now that you have new knowledge on choosing the correct planter pot you need to put that knowledge to use. You can make a great design inside and outside of your house with a few well placed planter pots. You simply have to take the time and action to do so. Continue learning as much as you can about the secrets behind choosing good planter pots and décor and you’ll be amazed with the end result.

Don’t be afraid to have and use a unique idea with your planter pot. The best designed decors are usually the ones that have a little creativity put behind them. Combine your creativity with these tips to help you achieve a great look to the inside or outside of your house.

Tomato Plants

14 Tips to Grow Happy Tomato Plants
Just dropping in for a quick list of successful tomato tips.

1. DETERMINATE tomato plants produce a heavier yield at one time and are best for canning.
2. INDETERMINATE tomatoes bear fruit throughout the summer and tend to sprawl. Best for continual eating enjoyment.
3. Transplant tomatoes when all danger of frost is past. Put in well drained soil, and mix in some humus or compost if needed.
4. Putting plastic jugs over the plants creates a greenhouse effect and can help them grow faster. Just keep an eye on daytime temperatures.
5. Transplant on a cool evening to prevent wilt and transplant shock. Space plants two feet apart in rows three feet apart.
6. Snip off bottom leaves and plant DEEP. Leave about 4-6 inches of crown above the ground with the leaves on. The plant shoots roots from the entire stem underground, developing a better system.
7. "Mud in" your new tomatoes. Dig the hole three times larger than the root ball, place the plant in, and fill halfway up with water. Then carefully pack dirt around the plant.
8. Always "side dress" your new tomatoes. Make a ring around the plant about one foot away, sprinkle 10-10-10 garden fertilizer in the ring, and water well. READ THE DIRECTIONS on all fertilizers so you don't burn your plants.
9. Keep the plants watered according to weather conditions. Don't overwater, as this results in poor aeration and stem rot. Mulch if desired.
10. Keep the area weed free, but don't hoe too close to the plant. This breaks off the roots that supply water to the fruit.
11. Before they start setting fruit, dust the plants about every ten days with a good combination insecticide and fungicide. Do this before they show symptoms, because it's difficult to stop blight once it's started. If blight does infest your plants, DO NOT plant tomatoes in the same area the next year.
12. Two common problems with tomato plants are "leaf roll" and "white shoulders." Leaf roll is caused by too much fertilizer or herbicide spray. White shoulders appear on the tomatoes and are caused by extremely high temperatures.
13. Plants may be allowed to sprawl over the ground, but they produce better fruit if tied to stakes at least four feet tall. All indeterminate plants should be staked.
14. Before first frost, pull up your tomatoes and hang them upside down in a protected place. Many of the green tomatoes will ripen. Keep dry or mold will occur.

These tips will keep your tomato plants happy, and you happy, all summer long.

Organic Seeds Basics

You know your soil is "clean", that your soil is not contaminated in any way because you got your soil tested, so now you’re looking for some organic seeds to plant. At this point you are probably asking yourself, "How do I know that the seeds I am buying are organically grown and where is the best place to buy my seeds?"

Well, you can wait till the last minute and chance buying your seeds at your nursery or such places as Canadian Tire or Home Hardware. However, your best bet is to plan ahead and order via seed catalogs so that you can identify whether the company's seeds are organically grown.

When looking for companies, look for those who have labels for the seeds which they grow and sell. Those who grow and sell organic seeds will use one or more of these labels: U for untreated, O for organic, OP for open-pollinated, and H for heritage.

Untreated seeds (U) are seeds which have not been coated with chemicals that are harmful to soil, life, and humans.

Also, organic growers refuse to plant any seeds that have been genetically modified, that is, seeds in which the genes of anything from a pesticide-resistant weed to an animal or even bacterium have been inserted or spliced right into the seeds' DNA for two reasons:

Organic growers have no idea whether these injected genes will mutate into something that will endanger a person's health, such as create different allergens in the food, damage the liver or the kidneys, combine with the good bacteria in the gut to create its own version, etc.

The second reason concerns the environment. Once introduced into the environment, no one can predict where the wind will carry the GMO seeds, and there could be irreparable damage done if these genetically engineered plants cross breed with wild ones.

Organic seeds (O) come from plants which have been grown via organic methods.

Open-pollinated (OP) is the best type of seed because these seeds are capable of reproducing themselves. You can save the seeds from these plants, let them dry off, store them in plastic bags, and use them the following year.

Hybrid seeds, even though they are open-pollinated seeds, do not always reproduce true to type. The hybrid seeds will grow, but you might have some variance in your results, so if you want the exact same type of plant, it’s usually necessary to buy new seed every year. The company will usually identify those hybrid seeds which do reproduce true to type.

Heritage seeds (H) are a little more difficult to find, for they are not necessarily sold in mainstream seed catalogs.

Heritage seeds have been passed down from generation to generation and are usually a collector's item. These organic seeds are generally sold through small seed companies and seed saving organizations who try their best to keep them in circulation to preserve a diminishing genetic diversity. Often people who are interested in heritage seed will find other people who are willing to exchange seeds and thus grow their little collection.

Garden Indoors

Use Plant Lights to Bring Your Garden Indoors

Plant lights, or grow lights are artificial light sources that replace the sun’s natural light. They are designed to support growing plants, and to be used indoors. Artificial planting lighting is a necessity if you want to produce healthy seedlings indoors because most homes, even those with abundant Southern exposure, cannot capture enough sunlight in the early spring to grow strong seedlings.

Plant lights use special types of light bulbs, usually fluorescent, halide, high pressure sodium, or LED, which are different from incandescent or compact fluorescent light bulbs. Grow lights are also known as grow lamps. Grow lamp bulbs emit either cool or warm light. Cool light, which is primarily in the blue spectrum, is good for promoting foliage growth; whereas warm light, primarily in the orange spectrum, is good for producing flowers and fruit. Plants do not actually use the entire spectrum of the sun's light, only the red/orange and blue ranges are necessary.

Fluorescent Plant Lights

Fluorescent plant lights are recommend for seedlings and low light plants. Fluorescents can't deliver the strong light you need to grow plants taller than six or eight inches. Fluorescent lights are a popular choice because they can get much closer to the plant than an ordinary light without damaging your plant. The closer the light source, the stronger the light, and therefore, the more benefit to your plant. Fluorescent grow lights are some of the most commonly used lights for indoor gardening. Plants grown under cool white bulbs will be stocky or even slightly stunted. If you are growing seedlings under 2-bulb fluorescent fixtures, you can usually achieve a good color balance by combining one cool white and one warm white bulb.

Within the fluorescent grow light category, there are a number of different lights to choose from including standard fluorescents, high output fluorescents, compact fluorescents and HID hybrid/High output fluorescent lights. Fluorescent lamps need a ballast to operate; it is almost always built into the fixture. The 2 lamp shop light fixtures available at the hardware store are inexpensive.

Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium Grow Lights

Metal halide and high pressure sodium plant lights are the most efficient and productive lighting system available to take plants from seedling to maturity. Metal Halide lamps emit cool blue/green/violet light, simulating daylight. High Pressure Sodium grow lights supplement MH lighting with their warm red/orange light. Metal Halide grow lights are generally used during a plants growing cycle and HPS lights are used during a plants blooming and fruiting phase. Also used in street lighting and for industrial use, these bulbs provide a great deal of light from a small source.

Plant tops under metal halide must be kept 12 to 18 inches from the bulb or they will burn. Metal halide will support nice, healthy plant growth up to 24 inches or so, and they will reach this height much more quickly than with fluorescents.

HPS/MH setups are much more effective for growing than any other type of lighting system, LED included. The lumens per watt ratio of an HPS or MH cannot be matched by any other type of light. HPS bulbs are very efficient, producing up to 140 lumens per watt. There are two sub types of HPS lighting: one is enhanced for the blue spectrum, which is better for fruiting, and the other is red spectrum enhanced, which specific benefits flowering. HPS and HM lamps need to be used in conjunction with a ballast, a piece of equipment that controls the flow of electricity to and through the lamp.

LED Plant Lights

LED prow lights deliver only the colors of light (wavelengths) plants use most efficiently for healthy growth. This grow light uses very little energy, and still provides all the light your plants need for vigorous growth indoors. LED grow lights are a good choice if you are interested in growing indoors without a lot of hassle. Traditional grow lights generate a lot of heat and use large amounts of electricity. LED grow lights run much cooler, which not only means that you can place them closer to the plants safely, but they reduce the need to take measures to keep your grow room cool. Plants receive all the light they require without growth-stunting excess heat. In addition, your plants will suffer less from heat related root damage that can occur when hot conventional grow lights heat the soil.

LED panels have no ballasts to burn out like other plant lights. They do not run hot, just warm. LED bulbs last up to 50,000 hours and are recyclable after they finally die out. LED plant lights deliver light that is perfect for your plants, but relatively dim to people. Your plants get only the light that they really need.

If you love to grow your own plants, indoors and out, consider setting up some indoor plant lights. You can set up a tiny little system on your kitchen counter to grow salad greens and herbs, or convert an entire room to start vegetables and annual flowers for planting out in the garden for earlier crops and blooms.