Plant Gardens 101

There is nothing more destructive to a person’s home or home life than the introduction of insects. insects come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Typically an individual would not be concerned by the tendencies of other creatures but the infestation of one’s home is an exception to this rule. Three of the major insects that affect a home owner’s life are ants, fleas, chiggers and moles and the following will highlight how to get rid of each one.

Following are few ways which can aid you to get rid of each one of these pests:

Ants: Ants are the most usual home invaders in relation to the kitchen. With their incredible senses it does not take much to entice an ant scout leading to a full infestation overnight. Easy steps can be made as precautionary measures when battling specifically with ants. Often cleaning counters with a vinegar and water concoction or a bleach solution will help sterilize your eating area and disrupt the senses of ants. Additionally fixing dripping faucets and utilizing baking soda to line trash cans will additionally help confuse the senses of the ant. In the event of an infestation the best way to get rid of ants is to spray them with the same formula you use to sanitize the counters. This will kill the ants and help get rid of their residual trail. (more…)

Garden fountains come in a huge variety of decorative styles, from ornately carved wall fountains to floating pond fountains. If you’re looking for a way to bring a soothing ambiance to the sanctuary of your backyard or patio, then a water fountain can be a wonderful feature. The sight and sound of flowing water can have a lovely soothing effect, helping to wash away the stresses and strains of daily life. An outdoor fountain can become a stunning focal point of your garden design. The gentle trickling sound can help drown out the sound of the city and create a peaceful and inspiring environment.

Outdoor water fountains run on either an electric pump or solar power. They come in a range of sizes and styles, to suit all kinds of garden themes. Tiered cascades, birdbaths, wall mounted and traditional pedestal designs are some of the many options available. Designs based on mythical figures, animals and cherubs are popular, as are more contemporary designs. Having a pond fountain not only adds to the atmosphere of relaxation and calm, but also helps keep the water circulating and prevents it from becoming stagnant. (more…)

Pruning your trees, shrubs and plants can be beneficial for almost all landscapes. Pruning is done primarily for the following reasons:

1.Promote flowering

2.Promote higher fruit yield

3.Improve the health of trees, shrubs and plants

4.Improve aesthetics / appearance

5.Control growth

6.Maintain a desired shape

7.Removal of dead, damaged, diseased, and infested limbs (more…)

Balsam family
Balsaminaceae
Im-pay’shens. Nearly 500 species of tender, succulent plants, widely distributed in Asia, tropical Africa, and North America.

Description
Simple leaves, alternate, opposite, or whorled. Flowers irregular, spurred, solitary or clustered in leaf axils.

How to Grow   (more…)

An unheated greenhouse specifically designed for alpine plants. Such structures are more common in Great Britain than in the United States.

The Item you are looking for has moved to the following location:

http://tomatoes101.com/?p=530

A group of plants arranged in a graceful curved shape, spaced closer together in the center or at one end, then gradually farther apart at the edges or other end. Gertrude Jekyll was the first landscape designer to promote the idea of planting in drifts.

Hydroponic gardening is a great way for anyone who wants to garden but does not have a backyard or a hospitable climate to still participate by growing high-quality fruits, vegetables and flowers indoors without using soil. There are some basic hydroponics supplies that you will need to get started, and all of these can easily be found through online hydroponic gardening merchants. Like any type of gardening, hydroponic gardening does take a bit of attention and care, but it is a small price to pay in order to be able to grow wonderful plants where you might not otherwise be able.

Probably the easiest way to put together hydroponic grow systems is through the use of hydroponic kits. A kit will include basically everything you need minus the plants and water to get started. You can choose kits that come in different sizes, so that you can find the most affordable solution for hydroponic supplies. Hydroponic kits are available for many types of hydroponic grow systems, such as aeroponic, deep water culture as well as ebb and flow.      (more…)

In recent years there has been a move towards planting up more containers in the garden. At one time the only container gardening was the occasional hanging basket.

More people have transport and more disposable income that enables them to visit the big horticultural shows. To see garden designers using containerised plants on their stands or small garden plots creates the desire to copy. Garden makeover programs on television also tend to include a selection of containers.

If all you have is a small back yard that is paved, hanging baskets and containers can brighten up this area and totally transform the space if done right. (more…)

1. Also called cold-hardiness. A plant’s ability to withstand cold winter weather. Hardiness is commonly specified as the minimum temperature to which a particular plant can be exposed and still be able to resume growth. Thus a plant may be said to be hardy to, for example, 32 degrees, 10 degrees, or 0 degrees F. Often different parts of a plant are more or less hardy, and sometimes these are rated separately. For instance, growers of rhododendrons, fruit trees, and other specialties may note one temperature that kills the flower buds, a colder temperature that kills the leaves and the tips of the stems, and an even colder temperature that kills the whole plant, roots and all. Most gardeners are content with simpler systems that assign plants to hardiness zones.See also hardiness zone.
2. A term sometimes used to refer to a plant’s endurance of environmental conditions other than cold, such as summer heat or drought.

Make the most of your spring bulb display by using some of these planting tips.

Make your bulbs look like they just popped up by planting them in random clusters instead of in orderly rows. As a rule of thumb, plant larger bulbs, such as tulips or daffodils in groups of five to 15 bulbs. Smaller bulbs, such grape hyacinth or crocus stand out best in groups of 15 to 25.

Plan your color combination’s to make the most of your display. Combine two-tone colored tulips with solid colored varieties. For instance, ‘Palace Purple” coralbells look striking up against the burgundy ‘Uncle Tom” tulip. Pair up white daffodils (also referred to as the orchid narcissus), with pink or rose colored ‘Christmas Marvel’ tulips.

Don’t ignore shady areas of the garden. Brighten them up with paperwhite narcissus combined with ‘Spring Green’ tulips. Intermingle some low growing vinca among your bulbs. Or, use a combination of pastel colored tulips with small forget-me-nots. (more…)

No matter if you are considering opening a commercial greenhouse, selling a few plants from your front yard, or simply want to grow better plants, knowing a few inside secrets of commercial greenhouses is an appealing idea. These tips from the commercial greenhouse experts can help your plants and your business flourish.

The best selling plants are annuals, herbs, and foliage plants. 6″ pots sell best, and carefully pruning off discolored leaves and over-ripe blooms encourages customers to purchase more plants.

Impatiens are a very popular bedding plant. Marigolds and geraniums are good sellers as well. Ferns are terrific sellers and nearly every commercial greenhouse includes these green favorites. Include a few hydroponic vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, in your selection of plants.

If you are selling your plants to consumers, include a display of basic gardening supplies and seeds to help boost sales. A selection of gardening books and magazines is also a great way to increase your profits.   (more…)

Fun, Funky Garden PlantsI have a love for funky, fun and unique garden plants. Here’s one to try. It’s called Sea Holly, and it’s actually in the thistle family. Sea Holly is a perennial garden plant, which means you plant it once and it comes up year after year, somewhat depending on your climate.

This plant never did fail to bring attention And comments from people seeing my garden. It grows About 3-4 feet high, very branchy and the branches are A brilliant electric blue color. It’s stunning!

The only drawback to this lovely plant, in the fall you must cut it to the ground and burn or compost the plant. Do not let it go longer than that, or it will be casting seeds and you’ll soon discover it’s family trait o fbeing a thistle, if you know what I mean. The following spring, it’ll come back again to it’s beauty. (more…)

Daisy family
Compositae
He-li-an’thus. Rather coarse, hardy herbs comprising about 150 species, found mostly in North America. They are very diverse in size and character, since they readily hybridize in their natural surroundings.

Description
Varied rootstocks, some thick, woody, and compact; some thick, woody, and spreading; others tuberous. Leaves alternate, sometimes opposite above, the margins usually coarsely toothed. Flowers in terminal heads, 3-12 in. (7.5-30.0 cm) across.

How to Grow   (more…)

A small sucking insect that feeds primarily on new soft growth.