Plant Gardens 101

Redcurrants, and their less well known cousins, whitecurrants are some of the most useful, and most easily grown fruit bushes available to the gardener. Not only do they produce tasty nutritious fruit, crammed with Vitamin C and anti-oxidants but they have good ornamental value and, being extremely hardy, they will grow in colder spots and on poorer ground than most other fruit. Every garden should have redcurrants, so here are some tips and tricks to help grow them successfully.

Varieties first. For redcurrants, Junifer is early and excellent while Rovada (which is one of the best tasting redcurrants there is) crops later. Whitecurrants are thinner on the ground but I like Blanka which yields better thanVersailles (don’t turn your nose up at whitecurrants – their jelly is sensational). All the varieties named have good disease resistance.

Redcurrants and whitecurrants are both completely self-fertile, so there is none of the poring over books needed to decide what goes with what. (more…)

If you think it’s difficult to grow beautiful and healthy roses, think again. Below are a few tips that will get you well on your way.

Prepare the soil
Roses require rich and loamy soil. When choosing a spot to plant new roses pick one that gets at least six hours of sunshine a day. Roses don’t like their feet wet so stay away from areas that don’t drain well. Dig a hole twice as deep and wide as your rose bush container. Backfill the hole with a mixture of 50% compost and 50% of the soil you’ve removed. Sprinkle in slow release fertilizer per the package directions. Please the rose in the prepared hole. Make sure the soil line on the rose is at the same level as the soil line in your garden. You may have to fill the hole a little more or remove a bit of soil. When you’re satisfied, place the bush in the hole and fill the hole half way and water well. When the water has drained completely fill in the hole.

If your roses are already established freshen up their soil by adding compost, well rotten manure, or top soil. Sprinkle with a slow release fertilizer and work this mixture into the soil around the rose bushes.

Bugs and other critters
Keep ahead of bugs by inspecting the roses on a daily basis or at least twice a week. If you catch problems early they won’t become serious. Aphids love roses. Wash them off with a hard spray from your garden hose. If that doesn’t work use a spray of 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in a gallon of water. The soap sticks to the aphids and kills them but it won’t hurt the roses.

If you find a grayish to white film on the leaves and rose buds it’s probably powdery mildew. It’s not serious but it will ruin the look of the flowers. Use a fungicide especially for roses. Neem is a good one.

Other problems are dark spots on the leaves, holes, skeletonized leaves and flower buds becoming brownish. Take a sample of the rose bush to your local plant nursery and they can tell you exactly what the problem is and how to solve it.

Dead Heading
One of the benefits of roses is having lots of beautiful bouquets in the house. That’s good for you and good for your roses. Flowers have only one purpose in life and that’s to produce seeds so the plant can reproduce itself. Once the seeds have set many flowers, including roses, stop blooming. Remove the flowers as they become old and the bush should keep producing new blossoms. It will help flower production if you pick blossoms in their prime as well.

Feeding and Watering
Feed your roses a slow release fertilizer per the package directions. Most roses will only need to be fed in early spring right after they’ve leafed out and late summer. Water well after feeding.

As we said roses don’t like their feet wet so water only when the top 2 inches feel dry. Roots go down about three feet so if the top of the soil feels moist the roses don’t need to be watered yet.

You can grow beautiful roses without a lot of effort.

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About Dee Power
Find more tips from Dee Power on growing roses, flowers, fruits, vegetables and trees at Easy Garden Care. Dee Power is the author of several nonfiction books. She and her daughter have created Party Ideas: Kids Read her Blog

Easy to understand tips for growing organic. Topics covered include toss and grow annuals, blooming biennials, easy to grow perennials, garden herbs, different types of gardens, and how to identify beneficial garden pests.
Enter The Garden Some people have natural green thumbs and seem to know just what to do to keep their plants healthy, how to transform their outdoor space into a canvas of colorful flowers and beautiful roses, or how to grow incredible vegetable and herb gardens.

This guide is designed for the beginning gardener who is not sure how to sprout a seedling or when to harvest the veggies. It includes basic information on which flowers are easy to grow and maintain, how to choose basil that thrives in your region, and tips for growing perfect tomatoes.

Primarily defined as the art of growing plants for flowers or foliage, and vegetables meant for human consumption, gardening is cousin to horticulture, the art and science of the cultivation of plants.

Gardening offers an array of benefits. Organic vegetables grown without sprays and pesticides, or tomatoes and peppers that carry no threat of salmonella poisoning are some primary health benefits.

There are therapeutic benefits that can be gained from gardening. Ranging from moderate to strenuous exercise, you will work up a nice sweat doing lifting, stretching and repetitive motions that burn calories and qualifies as your daily workout.

Gardening is productive, mentally relaxing, and relieves stress, but my personal favorite is having a legitimate reason to play in mud and water. The smell of damp, freshly cultivated soil alive with flowers, herbs and vegetables must be experienced to be appreciated.

The combination of sun, soil, and water provides an escape from conflicts or problems to the peace and tranquility of your garden. Gardening is the best way to become one with nature.

Working in your garden allows you to spend time outside every day and make your outdoor space come alive with vibrant colors. The act of spreading mulch, weeding, or planting and digging with your hands provides a spiritual kinship with life and nature.

Harvesting the flowers, herbs and vegetables that you have grown in your garden will bring a sense of satisfaction, pride and accomplishment for your dedicated efforts, and friends and neighbors will be impressed by the improvements you have made to your outdoor space.

Next: Types of Gardens
http://organicharvesting.blogspot.com

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If you have a tiny yard and would like a simple but well-maintained garden, you only need two things - determination and know-how. Here are some tips on how to keep your garden by the yard looking spruced up and glamorous.

1. Deadheading Keep your border free from wilted flowers and dried leaves. Deadheading or removing dead flower heads will encourage the plants to produce more blooms for longer. Many perennials such as geraniums and dahlias, and some annuals benefit from having spent blooms removed

3. Pinch out tops. Certain plants - especially foliage plants like Coleus - respond with a spurt of growth when their tops are pinched out. Pinching out makes the plant much bushier and so more blooms are produced. Fuchsias are prone to becoming leggy unless they are pinched out.

4. Fertilize lightly. A minimal amount of fertilizer will further boost the growth of your vegetation. If you water your yard frequently, you have to fertilize it more regularly because of nutrient depletion. A fortnightly application of liquid fertilizer is sometimes more beneficial than granules as it is more readily absorbed by the leaves. Container plants will be considerably healthier with a half-strength solution of liquid fertilizer applied regularly.

5. Weed out. This is one of the best ways to preserve the beauty of your garden by the yard. Remember, weeds compete with your plants for both nutrients and moisture. If the weeds are not close to seeding, leave them on the bed to rot down for mulch. If you must use a weedicide, try and get a wick applicator, rather than a spray. This will protect you plants from spray-drift.

6. Water them well One good tip when it comes to watering your garden by the yard is to give it a thorough soaking once a week, making sure there is no run-off to cause erosion. Deep watering will encourage the growth of deeper roots that will be able to withstand dry spells weatherwise

7. Say no to chemicals Chemicals are dangerous to humans and often kill the natural predators of the pest in your garden, so avoid them if possible. There are many organic alternatives that work almost as well.
With these simple tips, your garden by the yard will soon be the envy of your neighbors.

Visit the Cherry Facts website to learn about wild cherry tree and cherry bush.

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Do you love roses? Luscious rose gardens add a beautiful atmosphere to any home and garden. Even beginners can grow roses with little trouble when learn the basics of maintenance. There are some gorgeous ideas for backyard rose gardening. Although there are many steps to growing a beautiful rose garden, even a beginner can do it. Here you will find some rose gardening tips for the beginner.

- First, choose your spot. Roses love sunlight; therefore, they grow best when getting at least 8 hours of sunshine daily. A full day of sunlight is best; however, morning sun is preferable to afternoon sun.

- Prepare the soil for your roses well. Although, roses are not fragile flowers, they thrive in good draining soil, with a pH level about 6 or 7. Roses flourish in soils rich in organic materials.

- Keep in mind that soil that does not drain well, leave plants open to the vulnerability of disease and roots rot.

- Add organic materials such as compost, peat moss and manure.

- Fertilizers come in various choices between organic and chemical fertilizers.

- Allow the soil to rest a few days as it settles. (more…)

When many people think of rose beauty, they think of tea roses. They usually come with fragrant large blooms that are simply elegant, vibrant in color, and with velvet petals. If you want to add tea roses to your rose garden, you’ll probably be overwhelmed with all the different varieties to choose from. In fact, there are actually hundreds of tea roses to choose from. You’ll find them in various colors, sizes, and shapes. So, here are a few tips that will help make your choice a bit simpler for you as you pick the perfect tea rose for your garden.

Tip #1 – Make Sure it Will Do Well in Your Climate – One of the most important things to keep in mind when picking out tea roses is to make sure the one you pick will do well in the climate that you live in. If you live in an area that is quite warm, make sure that your tea rose can stand the heat. Live in a humid area? Then make sure the tea rose can resist various fungal diseases. Also, make sure that your rose is hardy during the cold as well.

Tip #2 – Read the Labels – Usually you’ll find that the tea roses come with a description or label. Even if you look at it and love it, make sure that you read the label information on it. The last thing you want is a rose that won’t thrive well for you, so read it first, even if you love it right away. (more…)

Who has not heard the saying: Every rose has its thorns? To many people the thorn on a rose has symbolism, whether it is spiritual or otherwise. The thorn seems to state that even the most beautiful things in life have a little bad to them. You could even say that the thorn is there to say “hey, you got to take the bad with the good.” No matter how you think of it there is some kind of meaning to it for most people.

In Roman mythology it is said that the thorns are there because Cupid was stung by a bee and started shooting arrows every where. Some arrows hit roses and because of the sting in the arrows the thorns took root and have been there ever since. Whether this is true or we will never know but if you are having trouble with thorns you should not be in despair. All you need is a little care and patience and you can remove these pesky daggers safely for a smooth stem.

When removing thorns from roses you have to be careful, the thorns are actually there to help the rose drink up the water. Therefore you have to be careful not to damage the stem when removing these sharp little daggers. It takes time and practice to know how to remove thorns without damaging the stem of the rose itself. If you accidentally peel or tear the skin you can hinder the amount water the rose gets. (more…)

Don’t be afraid to trim those flowering shrubs and trees that need it. Failure to prune is probably the biggest gardening mistake a person can make. I spent 20 years landscaping homes and businesses, and I watched people make the investment in my services, then they failed to prune when the plants needed it, and before you know it their landscape looked terrible.
If you make a mistake pruning, don’t worry about it. It’s like a bad haircut, it will grow out. Of course use common sense and read the previous articles that I’ve written on pruning.

Along with summertime comes high humidity. High humidity can cause a lot of problems with the plants in your garden and around your house. One of the simple things you can do is don’t water just before dark. For more details visit to www.sales-letter-secret.com Make sure your plants are nice and dry when you tuck them in for the night and you can cut down on the chance of fungus being a problem. (more…)

Many times we go to our local supermarket or farmer’s market to stock up on fresh vegetables. In a matter of a few days, lettuce can become wilted or worse…slimy. Here are five ways to keep your lettuce fresh for that delicious salad recipe you want to make for lunch or dinner.

1. The Tupperware Fridgesmart

Tupperware Fridgesmart is a container that you can store your vegetables in and makes them last even longer. These containers have two special holes that you leave open or closed depending on the specific vegetable. Store your lettuce in the Tupperware Fridgesmart and you will be amazed how long your lettuce lasts!

2. Zip Lock Plastic Bags

After washing your lettuce, shake the excess water off and lay the lettuce flat on a few paper towels. Place the wrapped lettuce in a Zip Lock plastic bag and the lettuce should last for the next 7-10 days. Just grab the lettuce when you need it! (more…)

So, you worked hard all week, changed the oil in the SUV, took the kids to practice and dance, and went to the Friday night football game. Now the weekend is here and you still have a list, albeit a more leisurely one, of things to do. Well, double-check it and make sure that adding new plants to your garden is right up top. I know what you are thinking – “I planted everything back in the spring and I’m done until next year.” That’s what most people do, but an avid gardener like you should realize all of the benefits of planting in the fall. Let me explain:

First, and most importantly, is the mild weather.
We love this time of year - not too hot, not too cold. And guess what, your plants love it too, and for the very same reason! If you take the time to plant hardy perennials during these pleasant temperatures they can focus all of their energy on root growth. Don’t be surprised when you don’t see much happening to the plant. The real work is going on underground. Down there the plant is busy developing feeder roots. Those are the roots that will be ready to bring water and nutrients up to the top of the plant in the spring and give your garden a big head start over the neighbor’s garden. Make sure you give your new additions a chance to get good and cozy before winter comes. You should allow six to eight weeks for trees and shrubs, and four to six weeks for perennials and ornamental grasses. A good rule of thumb is to plant by the end of August in the North and by the end of November in the South. (more…)

Are you fed up with vegetables grown out of season, from who knows where which may look bright and shiny but which taste of absolutely nothing? Are you frightened as to what all those pesticides and other chemicals are doing to your family’s health?

Well the answer is simple; grow your own organic vegetables and fruit. You will need to be prepared to devote quite some time and effort but the end result will be well worth it. Just think of those wholesome, tasty fruits and vegetables which you’ll be able to put on your table at all times of the year.

What is organic gardening and why should you go to all that effort?

It is the growing of produce, flowers, shrubs and so on without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers which, organic gardeners believe, will result in flavorful, healthy and nutritionally beneficial food. This is because the soil is fertilized naturally and insects are kept away using natural materials too so there’s no risk of ingesting or inhaling toxic chemicals. An additional benefit is the fresh air and exercise which you get digging and maintaining your own vegetable plot. (more…)

Your drying strategy will depend on whether you’re growing sunflowers for crop yield or in a personal garden. Today, we’ll focus on a large harvest. The time required to dry the crop is going to be influenced by the moisture content, temperature of the drying room, and the humidity to which your harvest is exposed. Variances in any of these factors will change the dry rate. For example, raising the temperature a few degrees will cause the moisture level of your sunflowers to decline, thereby shortening the time needed to dry them. Below, I’ll provide a few helpful tips that you can use when drying your next crop.

#1 - Use A Moisture Meter

You’ll need to invest in a reliable moisture meter. If you’re a hobby grower, you won’t need one. But, assuming you’re harvesting a large crop, a meter is essential for measuring the level of moisture contained in the seeds. It’s only by taking this measurement that you’ll be able to accurately judge the approximate drying period. If you’re already an experienced grower, you’ll probably already own one. If not, plan on spending $200 or more.

#2 - Don’t Overcompensate

If you grow other crops that need to be dried (for example, corn and grain varieties), take care not to over-dry your sunflowers. Compared with a lot of other crops, lower quantities of moisture need to be removed from them. At any given temperature, it’s easy to overdo it. If you’ve harvested your crop early to prevent bird and disease damage, they’re going to have a higher moisture content and require more time to dry. Even so, keep a close eye on the dryer and take several moisture measurements with the meter. (more…)

IrisVarieties good for cutting are magnolias, the luxurious waxy flowers are all beautiful for cutting. M.denudata is one of my favorites, once established you will get a dense covering of natural white super fragrant flowers.

Cultivation tips for magnolias, they need shelter from strong winds and like the sun, but can tolerate partial shade, soil ph should be neutral, the soil needs to be deep and must have good water retention, but not spongy. Best time to plant is in late spring

Cardamine
Varieties that are very good for picking from early spring are C.pratensis, the subtle pink shades of the cuckoo flower mix beautifully with bluebells. These splendid flowers grow naturally but I prefer to grow my own. (more…)

When is the best time to transplant roses? This is one of the most common questions asked by novice gardeners and one of the most popular topics discussed by dedicated Rosarians. There are no right or wrong answers and any experience gardener will have his or her own rules regarding this based on experience. There are general guidelines offering good advice for novices to follow, which can give successful results. However, it is a good idea to keep a record of the dates when you transplant your roses and observe their progress. This will give you a clear indication of which is the best time for you, to transplant your roses given the type of climate you live in.

For generally guidance, the best time to transplant roses is during a time when they are dormant. In northern climates this period falls at the end of the winter season. In a warmer climate transplanting can take place in late autumn or winter

Exposed roots can be transplanted any time as long as the temperature is above freezing level. Rose transplants will not survive if they are subjected to 10 degrees below 0 F. Container grown roses can be transplanted at any time of year but Spring is best, this will give the roots chance to spread and strengthen themselves before the winter sets in. (more…)

Here are some tips for growing perennials and herbs in containers.

For: Rose Mallow or Hibiscus. Spectacular for tall, bold effects. Large flowers, like single hollyhocks, appear during late summer and fall in red, rose, pink, and white. Hybrids measure nine and more inches across. Good for screening hedges. Plants like rich soil, abundant moisture, and full sun though partial shade is endured.

Select some perennials with good all-season foliage. When daylilies, peonies, phlox, coral-bells, gas plant, astilbe, and hardy candytuft finish flowering, their leaves remain attractive. With Oriental poppies, bleeding hearts and primroses, the leaves turn yellow once blooming is over, though this does not mean they are undesirable. Bare spots left by them can be concealed by other plants like quick-growing annuals.

Perennials like daylilies and iris thrive where it is hot; lupines, delphiniums, and astilbes prefer cooler temperatures.

You can have some biennials, too foxgloves, cantetbury bells, sweet Williams and verbascums and discard them after flowering.

Today, nurserymen and garden centers offer mature perennial and biennial plants in tins, baskets, tar paper, papiermache, and other temporary containers. They provide for quick, colorful effects.

PERENNIALS

Acanthus or Bear’s Breech. Tall and striking from southern Europe, whose leaf the ancient Greeks adapted for the capitals of Corinthian columns. Arching, deep-cut, thistlelike leaves, two feet long, shining dark green, are surmounted with tall, white, rose-tinged spikes. Give plants large pots with good drainage and full sun. Not hardy in the North where they need winter protection.

Asters. Handsome with starry blossoms for rich purple, lavender, rose, pink, and white autumn displays. Many varieties vary from nine inches to four or more feet. Plants need full sun and respond to feeding and watering, but are otherwise easy. They are best divided each spring.

Bearded Iris. Number one favorite, beloved for its exquisite blooms in rainbow colors. Hardy and easy to grow, spearlike leaves provide accent among other plants. Clumps need dividing every third year.

Chrysanthemums. Free-flowering and invaluable for the pot garden. With these alone, you can enjoy riotous color from August even to December. Grow your own or buy plants in bud from commercial growers. They move easily when in bloom, if you take care to keep them moist. After flowering, plant in garden or cold frame and give winter protection or discard the roots like annuals.

Daylilies or Hemerocallis. Thriving in hot and cold climates, in shade or full sun. Straplike foliage remains attractive all season. For warmer regions there are evergreen varieties. Trumpet flowers, mostly yellow and crimson, open over a long period, even though each bloom stays fresh but one day. The Greek name, hemerocallis, means “beautiful for a day.”

Delphinium. Regal plant with tall, stately spikes in shades of blue, purple, and white. Sow seed in February or March for flowering plants the same season or purchase seedlings in spring for large containers. Seed sown in June or July will bloom the following summer. Delphiniums need sun and staking up to their heads. Try some of the gorgeous Pacific Hybrids.

Hostas. These handsome perennials have broad leaves, green or variegated. Low growing types are ideal to edge large planters. Hardy, pest free and easy. Consider the August lily, with fragrant white bells in summer; Honey-bells, with tall spikes of purple flowers; and Thomas Hogg, with green leaves edged white.

Phlox. Dependable for bright color in July, August, and September. Thrives in sun or partial shade and needs plenty of water. Allowed to dry out, phlox wilts and the lower leaves turn brown. Comes in pink, salmon, rose, red, scarlet, lavender, purple, and white. If tips are pinched when plants are six to nine inches high, flower heads will be more numerous, though smaller.

Herbaceous perennials are valuable in the container garden. In planters, raised beds, and large boxes, they contribute greatly to the garden design with their distinctive foliage and attractive flowers. As a group, perennials are adapted to a variety of conditions, tolerating sun or shade, moist or dry locations. For the most part, they are hardy, but some require winter covering.

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About Gerald Mason
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