Plant Gardens 101

I think of lettuce as one of those “staple” vegetables. In other words it can be used in a variety of recipes, from salads, to sandwiches.

Because lettuce thrives in cooler temperatures, it is best to grow it in early spring or fall.

Here are some steps you can take to improve the conditions where your lettuce will grow to optimize and increase your harvest.

As stated earlier lettuce is a cooler temperature vegetable. The seeds will germinate best when the temperature of the soil is between 40 to 60 degrees F (4 to 16 C). Once the seeds have germinated they thrive best when the soil temperature is 55 to 65 F (13 to 18 C). (more…)

When you have roses, you have to water them about one inch of water per soil. It can depend on the soil how often you need to water. Sandy soil need frequent watering, but as a rule of thumb once a week is good for most soils.

Using mulch on the soil around the plants to retain the moisture in the soil is a good practice. Mulch will also keep down the growth of weeds and keep the soil cool. Use mulches of dry grass clipping, wood chips or straw. Mulch needs to be applied about 2-3 inches deep. Remember to replace it when it needs to be replaced. Even though using mulch is good. Organic mulch can bind up the nitrogen as they decompose, so you will need to fertilizer to prevent deficiencies in the soil.

For roses to stay healthy and strong you will need to make yourself a fertilizer schedule. This will need to be performed yearly and the schedule will vary depending on the type of roses you are growing. Check with a plant expert in your town to find out, what type of fertilizer schedule you will need for your roses. As a rule of thumb general-purpose fertilizers like the 10-10-10 or the 12-12-12 are usually adequate. The ration is ½ to 1 full cup per plant. You will spread the fertilizer in a band starting 6” from the base of the plant and spread the band until it is 18” from the base of the plant. Your fertilizer will be a band around the plant will be 12” wide. Work it lightly into the soil and then water. Some roses will benefit from a second application after the spring bloom period ends. Then you can fertilize one more time in mid July for nonstop blooms or repeat-blooming roses. Never apply fertilizer after August; you do not want to encourage growth, which could be easily damaged during winter. Roses can be fertilized in the fall after the plant lay dormant. This fertilizer will not encourage growth, but will be there when they do start growing again in the spring. To increase hardiness during the winter fertilize with fertilizers high in potassium. (more…)

Grapes have been grown and harvested by humans for thousands and thousands of years for their satisfying, thirst-quenching properties, and distinctive taste among fruits. Though grapes are grown commercially on large farms or vineyards for use in wines and jellies, they can be just as successfully grown in a budding green-thumb’s backyard garden. Besides their obvious taste factor, growing grapes can be attractive for gardeners due to their beautiful climbing fronds, allowing them to be adaptive to growing on walls and slopes, providing decorative properties as well. Whether for jellies, wines, or simply snacking, growing grapes for personal use is a well worthwhile endeavor.

It is essential to make an annual visit to your local lawn and feed store before embarking on your grape planting in order to find starts of the best varieties which grow hospitably in your area. Pick the brains of the friendly staff, tell them what your objective is, and they will surely be able to point you in the right direction of the starts you need. Pick up a couple of large bags of compost/manure to help your soil quality improve, grab your starts, and head home. (more…)

If you are going to plant a water garden or upgrade the one you currently have, there are a few things that you have to understand before proceeding. If you are creating a new water garden, you will want to check out the different varieties available. They can be created from scratch with all the materials you need to set it up or you can purchase a water garden kit.

The kits can be added to your garden to get the look you want to attain. If you want to add statues or fountains, there are loads of pre-made ones. A waterfall will look great and your fish will love it too. Read the instructions that came with your kit so that you can set it up smoothly. If you do it correctly the first time, you will not have to dismantle it and start over because you made a mistake.

The plants you wish to put in your water garden can either be submerged plants or floating plants. Submerged plants live virtually totally in the water with leaves that may grow above the water. Water lilies are a good example of this type of plant. Normally, they are planted in a container or at the bottom of the pond, around one or two feet below the level of the water. Water lilies also create oxygen for fish in the water. Another submerged plant that many people have is the hornwart. (more…)

Imagine never having to buy vegetables again. How much money could you save in a year? For those on a tight budget, growing micro greens in your own home can offer some financial relief from paying high grocery store prices for fresh produce. You will not only save money, but you will still enjoy the benefits of eating healthy food.

Micro greens are seedlings that have not been allowed to mature into full grown plants. Many trendy restaurants serve these greens in salads, and as garnishments for other dishes. These seedlings can be grown in large or small batches. You can decide how much or how little you want to grow.

It is very easy to learn how to grow micro greens. You can grow an endless supply of vegetables and herbs on your windowsill or deck, using just a window box or seedling tray filled with potting soil or potting mix. It requires very little room and very little care. It is also very inexpensive. (more…)

It’s easy to imagine a garden that is full of tall, brightly-colored sunflowers. They’re easy to grow, simple to maintain and can add a dazzling splash of color to any landscape. However, though sunflowers are easy to grow and maintain, there are several potential pitfalls. Small critters can steal the seeds before they have a chance to sprout. High winds can decimate a sunflower garden if stakes aren’t used for structural support. Wild birds can swoop down to pillage the seeds before they can be stolen by other animals.

By taking a few preventative measures, you can help ensure that your sunflowers grow to be a vibrant, stunning component of your garden. Below, we’ll explain how to grow sunflowers and provide a few useful tips for cultivating a gorgeous end-of-summer garden. (more…)

I can hear you thinking that you have no idea about growing vegetables. The truth is that you can easily learn enough to be growing useful crops very quickly, and each session spent in your garden teaches you even more. You will learn much that is unique to your own situation, such as local soil conditions, your particular aspect in relation to the sun, and oddities that relate to your local microclimate. You will learn most of this by getting out and giving it a go.

The taste of home grown vegetables is vastly superior to that of the commercially grown produce. Have you heard people complain that tomatoes no longer have any taste? They will have when you grow your own - you will never taste better. The lack of taste with the commercial crop is not all the fault of the growers, as they are under pressure to produce a crop, of uniform size and colour, to the schedule of the wholesale market, and ultimately the supermarket. You set your own schedule.

The freshness of your own crop is a big plus. Vegetables I have bought from the supermarket, and stored in the refrigerator, have started to become inedible after a few days. I have had home grown produce still fresh in the refrigerator after 2 weeks!

Typically, your home garden will produce a generous yield, and can readily help pay for the cost of growing them. You can effectively end up having free vegetables. Summer, especially, is usually a time of abundance, even glut, as family and friends leave your place with perhaps more produce than they had expected to see. A tip - when giving away fresh produce, try to limit your generosity - it is better to give a small amount to many rather than to give to the few more than they can actually use.

One of the turn-offs to trying something you have not done before is the intimidating flood of information (and misinformation) you will receive. If you are browsing one of the major bookstores, you may find hundreds of books on the topic - which do you buy? To begin with, look for the simple, basic information. Do not bother with those full of jargon - you will learn the technical terms as you go.

You will hear folklore from the family, such as “Uncle Henry always put … (you name it) … on his … (name it again)”. Folklore is part of our heritage, but there is no guarantee of its usefulness. You will hear from the office genius, who has done nothing, but still knows all the answers - nod wisely, and then ignore him.
Plants evolved millions of years before humans, and they actually want to grow. It has been said that in many cases plants grow despite what we do to help them. If you provide the basics, and these are reasonable nutrition and regular watering, Mother Nature does the rest - let her work for you.

Find tips about gloriosa lily and rain lily at the Types of Lilies website.

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Beans are easy to grow. You can grow beans in your sleep quite literally. You do not have to go through pains to grow beans. They are easy to maintain. In fact, all you have to do is water them and be ready to pick the produce once it is ready. To be able to grow them you have to be dedicated and be ready to do whatever you have to do. If you do not have the aptitude for garden work, then growing of beans; or anything else for that matter is not for you. You are better off keeping a pet. There are four simple steps you need to follow when planting beans. (more…)

Bonsai Japanese White Pine How to care for Pinus Parviflora and Pentaphylla

The Japanese White Pine requires careful attention to maintain its health and train it as a bonsai. When you consider White Pine, you must learn cleaning techniques, growth, re-potting, soil, pruning, wiring, water, spray, feeding, etc. In addition, you want to consider peat, pests, disease, and more. Now, we cannot go into extensive details, however I can provide you a few helpful tips to get you started in growing Japanese White Pines as bonsai.

How to clean: Cleaning the plants is easy. Use your “thumb and index finger” to pluck the aged pine needles. The pine needles often turn yellowish during the fall. Next, prune the internal undergrowth or foliage and get rid of any decaying and/or injured sections. As well, get rid of any debris or decaying elements from the soil. Finally, you have cleaned your Japanese White Pine; however, you will need to move ahead. Remember the growth of the Japanese Whites is a slow process.

You want to clean the plants as needed, water, and provide nourishment for your White Pines as recommended. Wait five years before you re-pot the plants. You can re-pot the plants in a larger pot, which has a deep bottom. You want to treat the plants for a few weeks once you re-pot the plants. Early spring around March, you want to prune the roots. Prune around 1/3 length and get rid of the aged roots. You can leave aged soil about the roots so that the plant can re-establish its growth. Avoid cleaning at this stage. After you re-pot the plant, you want to, carefully watch its growth. (more…)

Asparagus is a tasty vegetable which also has a lot of vitamin value. However, it is a seasonal crop, meaning it is available only for a few months of the year. It takes quite some time to grow and therefore requires a lot of patience. If you are not willing to be around for some time to tend asparagus, then it is not the right vegetable for you to grow in your home garden. Your home garden needs to be relatively large to grow asparagus, and therefore it is not suitable for growing on a window sill garden. It does not do well in pots. It needs lot of sunlight to grow. Do not grow them too close together or they will not grow to a decent size. An asparagus plant can remain productive for quite some time and so it is a worthwhile investment. (more…)

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The Word Bonsai means “Little Trees in Pots.” Contrary to popular belief, the art of bonsai originated in China and was later refined in Japan. The western world has adopted this art to their lifestyles. Bonsai has become extremely popular and is recognized as an international art form.

Indoor Bonsai
Indoor bonsai are tropical plants that are adaptable to indoor conditions. All indoor bonsai grow best in sunny areas. For best results, place your indoor bonsai near windows facing southeast or west. If you do not have a place for your tree to receive adequate sunlight, we recommend using a grow light.

Indoor bonsai will flourish if grown outdoors on a patio or deck during summer months. The ideal placement is where the bonsai receives morning sun and afternoon shade. Return your bonsai indoors when night temperatures fall below 55 degrees. Never allow your bonsai to freeze. (more…)

Kohlrabi is cousin to cabbage and broccoli. The best time to grow this great tasting vegetable is in the cooler months in the autumn following plants that can only grow when the temperatures are hot. Here is how you can successfully grow kohlrabi in your home vegetable garden.

It is not recommended that you sow your kohlrabi seeds indoors due to the fact they germinate better in cooler temperatures that are more than likely readily available outdoors during the autumn months. Therefore sow your seeds in your garden no deeper than 1/2″ and space them out at least eight inches.

For an optimal growing environment make sure you test the pH level of your soil. Kohlrabi likes the soil to be neutral or as close to neutral as you can get. 6.0 - 7.0 would be ideal. (more…)

Bonsai are miniature trees grown in pots. The goal of bonsai culture is to develop a tiny tree that has all the elements of a large tree growing in a natural setting. A presentable bonsai can be created in a few seasons. Cultivating these miniature potted trees is both an intriguing hobby, and a means of adapting a wide range of plants to specialized and decorative uses.

How Do I Care for My Bonsai

4 Easy Ways to Love and Care for Your Bonsai

1) New bonsai are started in the spring. This is the time for any pruning and training of last season’s bonsai.

2) Cool nights, sunny days and mist (or rain) each day help them thrive in the summer. Place your Bonsai where they receive 3-5 hours of direct sunlight a day. Water the entire bonsai — plant and soil — daily.

3) Be sure to water the trees less frequently, in the fall season, to slow their growth for the approaching winter. Do not prune or cut branches after mid-August. To reduce winter die-back of flowering trees and maples, make a light application of 0-10-0 fertilizer. (more…)

Flowering landscape trees are the crown jewels of the yard. Perhaps no other plants, individually, can have as great an impact on how a yard looks in spring. Browse the articles to which I’ve linked below for information on particular varieties of flowering landscape trees. Pictures are included.

Crape Myrtles: Landscape Trees of the South

A popular choice in flowering landscape trees for Southerners, crape myrtles have a long blooming period (mid-summer to fall). The blooming clusters of these flowering landscape trees come in pink, white, red and lavender. The clusters appear on the tips of new wood. Northerners can sometimes get away with treating these flowering landscape trees as perennials that die back in winter but come back in spring. (more…)