Plant Gardens 101

As a species name, means “spreading by stolons,” as do the shrubby red osier dogwood, Cornus stolonifera, and the dainty little strawberry geranium, Saxifraga stolonifera.

When the Oriental converges with the Occidental, in place of a fantastic synthesis, we more often end up with total chaos. However, when things slowly settle down, a new consciousness tiptoes in and the thrill and rapture of a completely new culture spreads all around. The same is true of Japanese gardens.

The perfect Japanese garden is the very epitome of minimalist beauty and appearance, frequently necessitating a total transformation of one’s outlook in order to set it up, but afterwards one discovers that it is much easier to preserve and admire.

Japanese gardening equipment comprise of a number of items we normally do not regard as gardening equipment, on account of their precision, clean lines and shape.

Are Rocks Garden Decorations?   (more…)

As a species name, means “having palmate leaves,” as on the running bamboo Sasa palmata

With little more than fallen leaves and kitchen scraps you can make dark, humus-rich compost to add to your house plants and garden. Enormous benefits can be had by adding just a little compost to your soil. Adding compost improves soil structure, aeration and water retention. It also adds important micronutrients and increases the bacterial activity in the soil. It’s no wonder that so many gardeners refer to compost as “Black Gold” or “Gardeners’ Gold”. There’s simply nothing better you can do for your soil.

Step One: Choose A Compost Bin
There are many types of bins used to hold the compost materials. There are commercially made plastic bins, homemade square bins often made of wood, and rotating tumbler style bins, just to name a few. Each type of bin has it’s own advantages and disadvantages but all types of bins can be used to make great compost. Choose a site that is level and easily accessible year round. Place the bin over bare soil rather than concrete or paving to ensure that worms and other beneficial organisms can make their way into the pile. It’s a good idea to remove any grass or plants and turn the soil to a depth of about six to eight inches. (more…)

A group of cells within the ovary that develops into a seed after fertilization.

A bed that gardeners use to grow seedlings or transplants until they are ready to be planted in a permanent site.

by andre brown
Installing garden and home decor is a great way to make your garden and home appealing, relaxing, and attractive. place to visit. Before you enter your house, you see the front lawn and garden. By creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere in your garden. You are creating a warm welcoming introduction to your home. Not only that there are times when you just want to spend time entertaining or getting a little R&R in your garden, so it’s fun to keep it pleasing to everyone’s taste.

In choosing garden and home decor, first you have to know what you want and what style you are looking for. One way of determining which decor to buy is by setting a theme to your garden. Think about what you would like your garden to look like. What accessories you would like to see, and what plants and trees you would like to add. Here are some of the theme ideas that you can incorporate with your garden and home decor: egyptian, butterfly, water, japanese, temple, and african. (more…)

As part of a species name, means “red.” For example, the red maple, Acer rubrum, has red flowers and fruits and red fall foliage. The redleaf rose, Rosa rubrifolia, has reddish leaves and stems.

Any of numerous insects of the family Cicadellidae that suck juices from plants.

A general term for any compound used to kill insects, mites, weeds, fungi, bacteria, or other pests.

Botanical gardens are places where a enormous variety of plants are developed, usually for scientific purposes. Not all botanical gardens are open to the public, but the ones that are serve as a great educational tool, as you will be able to study many different plants up-close. While research certainly takes place on these plants, a botanical garden also serves as a place for conservation, keeping these plants protected in the process.

Here are some of the best botanical gardens in the world.

1. The New York Botanical Garden is one of the most well-known botanical gardens in the world. Situated in the Bronx borough of New York City, this garden sits on 250 acres and contains 50 gardens and plant collections. It was founded in 1891 and it acts as the region’s leader in research and plant collection. The New York Botanical Garden has also remained as international leader when it comes to research. If you ever are scheduling a trip to see one of these gardens, this would certainly be a place to keep in mind, as they contain some of the best collections of plants in the entire world. (more…)

A main branch of a tree or shrub.

A particular kind of soap that is mixed with water and used as an insecticidal spray, as an alternative to more-toxic chemical controls.

Gardening has been converted into one of the most popular hobbies, and you probably know a gardener or two that would love a gardening gift for their upcoming special occasion. There are hundreds of gardening gifts to buy for both the beginner and expert gardener, and the great thing about gardening gifts is they can be bought just about anywhere: online, nursery, feed store, farmer’s market, even your local Wal-Mart or grocery store.

If buying a gardening gift for a beginner, an instructional or informational book is always a good idea. Books like this will give tips on how to eliminate gardening nightmares like disease, insects, and weeds. They will tell gardeners which kind of plants thrive in different climates, for more details visit to www.insomnia-battle.com as well as how much sun, water, and nutrients various types of plants require. Books like this can be purchased at nurseries, online, or at your local bookstore. If your gardening friend is a “computer nerd”, a gardening information CD might be a better gardening gift for them than a book. (more…)

The dead wood at the center of a trunk or branch of a tree. Although it no longer sustains the tree’s life by conducting water, it does supply support.

Garden buildings have been popular for centuries and were associated with luxury gardens during the Renaissance. The concept of garden buildings then spread north of the Alps and into the United Kingdom, and they are now very much part of the traditional English landscape.

Garden buildings remain popular in today’s garden, such as: garden sheds, summerhouses, or log cabins. They come in variety of shapes of sizes to fit any household need. The size of garden building you opt for isn’t necessarily related to cost, but to how much available space you have in your garden. Ideally you should have a clear space of least 18” wide on all sides of the building to ensure easy access for installation and future maintenance.

Garden buildings are usually made from wood, but metal or heavy moulded plastic is also an option. Wooden garden buildings can blend into the garden or stand out as an attractive addition. The wood will need protecting from the elements, termites, mould and damp, and therefore a good wood finisher needs to be applied once a year to protect the garden building. Plastic garden buildings are durable, will not degrade and hardly need any maintenance. Metal garden buildings often do not come with a floor. Consequently it is advisable to mount metal sheds on foundations to reduce rust problems, insects and ground water seeping into the building. (more…)

As a species name, means “heavy-scented.” For example, dill, Anethum graveolens, has aromatic foliage, flowers, and seeds.

To press down the soil after planting, in order to eliminate air pockets and to secure the plant in place.

The uncapitalized Latin adjective or noun that follows a capitalized genus name in binomial nomenclature and serves to distinguish a species from others in the same genus, as saccharum in Acer saccharum (sugar maple). Also called trivial name.

As a species name, means “of two different colors.” For example, the pussy willow, Salix discolor, has leaves that are green on top and silvery on the bottom.