Plant Gardens 101

Plants have always played an essential role in our lives. They cleanse and give us air to breathe, beautify our surroundings, supply us with food and shelter and provide cures for our many ailments. It is best to know the value of each plant and acknowledges that most plants and herbs transcend their use in our kitchen counters and some can now be found inside medicine cabinets. Usual forms of medicinal remedies come in infusions, decoctions, tinctures, syrups, infused oils, essential oils, ointment and creams.

Medicinal plants and herbs contain substances known to modern and ancient civilizations for their healing properties. Until the development of chemistry, and particularly, of the synthesis of organic compounds in the 19th century, medicinal plants and herbs were the sole source of active principles of curing man’s ills. The genetic material of old and new herbs and plants are coveted for their potential in discovering, combining, manipulating and synthesizing new medicine.

Thus, even if people are not aware of, or the pharmaceutical industry does not stress the points, medicinal plants and herbs continue to be the source of proven medicaments and of new and revolutionary drugs. Here are five of the most common herbs that pack a mean punch – basil, oregano, peppermint, rosemary and tarragon. (more…)

Any of a group of small, flowerless, nonvascular plants, usually found in damp shady sites with acid soil.

The botanical name for myrtle and bayberry.

So, you worked hard all week, changed the oil in the SUV, took the kids to practice and dance, and went to the Friday night football game. Now the weekend is here and you still have a list, albeit a more leisurely one, of things to do. Well, double-check it and make sure that adding new plants to your garden is right up top. I know what you are thinking – “I planted everything back in the spring and I’m done until next year.” That’s what most people do, but an avid gardener like you should realize all of the benefits of planting in the fall. Let me explain:

First, and most importantly, is the mild weather. We love this time of year – not too hot, not too cold. And guess what, your plants love it too, and for the very same reason! If you take the time to plant hardy perennials during these pleasant temperatures they can focus all of their energy on root growth. Don’t be surprised when you don’t see much happening to the plant. The real work is going on underground. Down there the plant is busy developing feeder roots. Those are the roots that will be ready to bring water and nutrients up to the top of the plant in the spring and give your garden a big head start over the neighbor’s garden. Make sure you give your new additions a chance to get good and cozy before winter comes. You should allow six to eight weeks for trees and shrubs, and four to six weeks for perennials and ornamental grasses. A good rule of thumb is to plant by the end of August in the North and by the end of November in the South. (more…)

A structure covered with narrow wooden slats that let air and light through the roof while screening plants from the hot sun and dry winds.

A sharp ridge or rib on the underside of a petal, leaf, or other plant part.

Compost piles must hold a minimum of organic material before they will maintain rapid decomposition. So the pile should be at least 3-feet-by-3-feet and 4-feet tall. Naturally piles can be larger. Moving leaves to the pile, then chopping them up with a lawn mower or leaf shredder before they go on the pile aids composting considerably, as small particles decompose faster than large ones.

There are other things we can do to accelerate composting and make it more efficient. As slightly wet leaves decompose quicker than dry ones and rain may not penetrate the pile center, I’d dampen dry leaves before adding them. Ground limestone may also be scattered in if we add a bunch of oak leaves and we’re concerned about the acidity they may generate in our pile. Scatter about a pound of lime for every five leaf layers. But do not use lime if your compost will be given to acid loving plants such as mountain laurel, blueberries, azaleas, rhododendrons and potatoes. Adding lime to compost is an option rather than mandatory. (more…)

A shallow tray for starting seeds or for holding or carrying cell packs or pots.

The Japanese art of formal flower arrangement, with special regard shown to balance, harmony, and form.

Hydroponics gardens are an excellent way to grow a large amount of fruits and vegetables in a limited area indoors. However, it’s much more than just growing plants in a water-nutrient system without soil. There are many variables, all of which depend on the space available, your budget and how much time is available to spend on maintenance. There then are some tips that will help to make your hydroponic experience pleasant and productive.

Number 1: Get Your Plants Off to a Good Start

When seeds first sprout, they are said to be germinating. In hydroponics gardening, this happens within a growing medium, which can be any number of things. The best choices are composted bark, expanded clay, gravel, peat moss or sand. Rockwool, oasis and perlite are less desirable; vermiculite should be avoided at all costs, as it is often contaminated with asbestos fibers that can have grave consequences for one’s respiratory health. (more…)

An institution that houses a collection of dried plants mounted, labeled, and systematically arranged for scientific study.

A root of a woody plant grown in a round nursery pot that starts to grow in a coil or spiral pattern, wrapping around the inside of the pot. Such roots should be cut off altogether or pulled loose and straightened out when the tree or shrub is planted. If not removed or redirected, a girdling root can eventually strangle a plant by constricting the growth of the other roots and, more important, of the trunk or main shoots.

Strictly speaking, the raising of flowers, as distinguished from general horticulture. Generally, the term has come to mean any branch of horticulture that has to do with ornamental plants.

If you’re into composting and are looking to try something a bit different, consider going for worm composting. Known as vermiculture or vermicomposting, worm composting is the process of creating cow-free manure or worm castings by letting red worms or European night crawlers feed on your organic matter. The process is simple since the worms will do all the work for you, and you get to reap in the wonderful results for your garden.

To start the vermiculture process, first you’ll need a worm bin to house all your worms. You can easily make your own or you can purchase one from a variety of websites like Composters.com. If you’re the DIY type, I suggest finding a bin that includes a tight fitting lid so that no light will get through. The depth doesn’t really matter, but the deeper it is, the more wiggle room your worms will have to move about. The bin itself has to also hold about 10 pounds of compost and food scraps per week. Ventilation is also important, so make sure that you include a few air vents on the top of the lid and along the sides of the bin. A drain catch like an additional lid or bin underneath the worm bin is a good idea just in case any compost tea leaks out. (more…)

1. The scientific study of the relationships between plants, animals, and their environment.
2. The study of the detrimental effects of modern civilization on the environment, with a view toward prevention or reversal through conservation.

Any greenhouse gardener who is in the business of growing flowers either as a hobby or as a business venture needs to have the recipe for successful greenhouse flower growing.

This recipe will help you grow the healthiest, most beautiful flowers possible. Keep the recipe where you can see it or commit it to memory and it won’t be long before you have flowers you can be proud of.

The recipe is as follows:

One part proper greenhouse heating Add cleanliness Stir in experience (more…)

A garden located in Phoenix, Arizona, dedicated to the study of desert plants. It grows more than 1,000 kinds of cacti.

The botanical name for hornbeam.

Using indoor artificial light allows the home gardener to extend the gardening zone to a much higher one than might be possible in their particular outdoor growing situation. There has been a big trend in gardening circles to push the envelope of gardening zones by introducing tropical plants into outdoor gardening situations. It is also easy to grow exotic flowers indoors, when you have the help of great lighting that is available through the use of grow lights using a hydroponic digital ballast.

One type of exotic flower that is readily available for purchase is the orchid. This is a plant that loves the warm weather that is typically found in its native Philippines, India and southeast Asia. Orchids do not like direct sun, but instead prefer bright and indirect lighting. It performs well under fluorescent light. Consistent watering and appropriate air circulation, along with proper lighting, is needed to succeed with indoor orchids. (more…)

A Quaker farmer and botanist, one of the most famous explorers and plant collectors of his day. He established the first botanical garden in the American colonies on his farm near Philadelphia. The house and garden have been restored and are open to the public. Only plants grown by Bartram or his son, William, were replanted.