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.