Plant Gardens 101

One of a series of flower parts, often brightly colored and sometimes patterned.

As many of us now know the importance of composting we have a few options of what to use including the soilsaver compost bin.

It is one of the most popular of the many compost bins available and this is because it has some great little features. It is compact enough to be kept just by the kitchen door or somewhere else near to the house so it is perfect to save on long trips down the garden to a compost heap. The easily removable lid makes it very easy to use and this makes it a very popular model.

With vents on the sides we are getting a good air flow through which helps to speed up the composting process and keeps the contents well aerated. This is very important if we want to have quality compost and for it to react as quickly as possible. (more…)

This article is dedicated to planning a successful herb garden. If you have planted herb gardens in previous years this will help to revamp and refresh one already have.

Go to your Garden Center and see what herbs are available and suitable for your area. This is important if you are planning an outside herb garden. If you are planning an inside herb garden, since you control the atmosphere, you can choose whatever you like.

My suggestion here would be to select a theme for your herb garden. You can plant them for cooking herbs, cosmetic herbs, medicinal herbs or fragrance herbs use. Be realistic about your plants. Check your whole property to find the right spot. Look for sun or shade, type of soil, and how well the spot drains. These are all very import for picking the best place for your herb garden. (more…)

Aloes are easy going succulent plants that need very little maintenance. Aloes can be grown for the low maintanance water-saving garden; for the medicinal gel; as container outside or indoor plants or for a hobby. When growing your aloes it is good to know what the aloe habitat of that aloe species is and try to imitate that as much as possible. On the other hand, most aloes for sale are hybrids and even if they were a species, it is seldom possible to get the right identification. There are a few rules that can be followed for any aloe. Aloe hybrids are much easier than aloe species in that the hybrid has a wider choice of growing conditions inherited from at least two different aloes species. In the wild aloe habitat most species occur on slopes or ridges. Follow this pattern by giving aloe plants plenty large and small stones around the roots for drainage. Good drainage is essential; as is humus and old manure. In the wild, leaves and dry grass get blown amongst the rocks and stones. Add some Dolomite gravel it will not harm the plants as it dissolves slowly so that it gives a good calcium/magnesium balance which is appreciated by most, and essential to some aloes. If dolomite is not available, sprinkle roughly one half teaspoon Epsom salts and a full teaspoon lime around the plants at monthly intervals for 3-4 months in the rainy season.      (more…)