Plant Gardens 101

The best part about building a garden or storage shed is that it is a very much interesting and exiting work to do. There are various things to keep in mind before starting to build a DIY shed. Among all these things, a suitable and proper storage shed plan is the key factor involved in the development of shed. With some confidence to build a garden shed and a shed plan, you will be able to build a shed by yourself very easily.

Things to consider while building a garden shed

It can be a real fun and adventurous DIY project to build a garden shed. But, if you will not be careful about certain things, then instead of fun this process can turn out to be a real headache. There are various factors which should be considers in order to build a proper and suitable garden shed. These factors include – (more…)

When working at a nursery, you are supposed to be an expert on everything. Well, I work at a nursery and I sure don’t know everything. However, I am considered an expert on certain plants, fertilizers, and habitats. Things happen fast this time of year and for the next few months. Flowers, trees and shrubs come and go as if there is a revolving door. Here today, gone tomorrow. Blooms fade in a matter of days. Plants get beat up by customers. ID tags are lost. Often I am asked to ID a certain plant and its growth habits. If you don’t trust your local nurseryman or garden center workers, here are a few tips when buying annuals and perennials. When buying perennials, look for ID tags. What is the name of the plant, what growing conditions are required and what are the plants habits? But it has a pretty flower and I like it! Will you like the same plant next year when it has invaded your prized lilies? The plant you bought was only 2 feet tall and in bloom, why is it 4 feet tall this year? ID tags will assist you in this. A nurseryman may not always know or be as helpful. You may have thought it was something else. Growers pinch or cut back plants to make them bushier and to produce more blooms. Ask questions and read tags. Look for plants that are budding, not in bloom. This way you enjoy the flowers longer. Look for multiple stems or stalks. Pull the plant out of the pot and check out the root system. Are the roots white and healthy looking? Is the plant pot bound and showing signs of stress? Does the potting soil smell earthy or sour? Is it a plug from a 1qt. pot shoved into a 3qt. pot and selling at a premium price. Most nurseryman don’t mind if you put the plant back in the pot. Annuals grow fast, their sole purpose in life is to reproduce and die. Look for annuals that are full of growth and buds. Is the tray a bit stalky? Look for new growth coming from the bottom of the plant stalk. If there are signs of new growth, then this is a healthy plant. You can cut the top off and the annual with fill out and bloom better then before. Keep deadheading for continual bloom. Continuous blooms will bring butterflies. Blooms also bring insects that bring birds. Zinnias are a prime example. Butterflies love zinnias. Tiny insects congregate in the blooms and you will find hummingbirds hovering over the flowers licking up these tiny bugs. I dead head perennials that are considered invasive and leave my natives for the birds. Some annuals will go to seed late in the season for my wildlife as well. Plant in groupings for color and to attract wildlife. Never pay full price for a perennial where there is no ID tag. Plant it in a trial bed to see what you may have for next year. You can always prune back a perennial and pinch back annuals to have bushier more productive plants. Some perennials will give you a second and third bloom if you deadhead while others still will continue to bloom all season if they don’t go to seed. Plant native when possible, they are less reliant on artificial food and water. Plant for nature. Ron is a Michigan Certifired Nurseryman and Wildlife Habitat Naturalist. He has combined his years of experience and expertise to help others enjoy gardening and garden for wildlife. You can sign up for Ron’s down home weekly nesletter at: Backyard Birding Tips is a home spun weekly newsletter directed towards backyard birding and gardening. Come join the fun.

By Ronald Patterson

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Once you have your greenhouse in place you will need to start thinking about greenhouse heating, correct? Actually the best time to consider your greenhouse heating needs is before you even buy your greenhouse.

You will have to know where your greenhouse will be built. One thing the greenhouse heating requirements will be based on is the location of the greenhouse. A lean-to greenhouse built next to a home or another inculated wall will need less greenhouse heat then a stand alone greenhouse. A greenhouse that is shaded by many tall trees will have other heating issues as will a greenhouse that has no shade at all.

Another thing to consider is whether your greenhouse will be used all year long. greenhouse heating requirements will be much less if you are not planning to use the greenhouse during the winter.

Where do you reside? If you live in a warmer climate you may not need as much in the way of greenhouse heating as someone who lives in the Midwest or the northern part of the United States.

How large will your greenhouse be? The bigger the greenhouse the more greenhouse heating considerations you will probably have. Greenhouses come in all sizes and if you are buying online there will be someone who can help you figure out what your heating needs will be.

What type of portable greenhouse cover

One final consideration when you are thinking about heating your greenhouse; what will you be growing? There are some cool weather crops that require very little heating and others that will require quite a bit of heat.

So, before you order your greenhouse, consider your greenhouse heating needs.

About the Author: Michelle Torres has nearly 20 years experience using and designing greenhouses and is an avid gardener. Learn more about greenhouses for sale and greenhouse gardening at http://www.greenhousecatalog.com

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A breathing pore in the young bark of a woody stem. Cherry trees, for example, have conspicuous lenticels.

Potato family
Solanaceae
Dah-toor’ra. A genus of 12-15 species, ranging from annual weeds to tropical trees, all with foliage that is malodorous when crushed.

Description
Leaves alternate, often coarsely but remotely toothed. Flowers usually trumpet-shaped, solitary, mostly from the leaf axils. Calyx with a long tube splitting lengthwise or across. Corolla with a spreading limb.

How to Grow   (more…)