Rule #1 – Buy plants from a very reputable source–we prefer nurseries over discount stores and warehouse stores.
Rule #2 – Select plants that will grow in your climate–consider your high and low temperatures.
Rule #3 – Plant your plants in the right place in your yard–sun-loving plants in the sun, shade-loving plants in the shade. (more…)
Many people anxiety a lot when it comes to care for their plants. When talking about house plants, there is no must to fear. There are just a few effects you oblige to deem.
1. Watering Overwatering kills most houseplants. Looks can be deceiving, so to see if your soil is dry enough to water, try the touch analyze. Insert your pointer handle up to the first joint into the soil. If the soil is damp, don’t water it.
2. Feeding Foliage plants commonly have high nitrogen desires, while zenith plants, K2O is needed. Slow delivery fertilizers can be mixed with the muck. However, certain plants like cacti and orchids essential unique fertilizer. Feed plants during they’re most active progress interval. (more…)
Knowing the proper way to care for your flower garden can be the difference between a beautiful swath of flowers that everyone makes glowing comments on or a so-so garden that seems on the verge of dying all the time. As with all things learning the how to care for your garden can take time , but if you follow some of these basic tips you will be well on your way to having beautiful blooms all summer long.
1. Do you have the essentials covered? Just like any other plant, flowers are living growing organisms and without the proper necessities they will wither and die. They need a consistent water supply, varying amounts of sunlight depending on the plant, and rich fertile soil. The more pampered and cared for they are the better they will respond. During times of intense heat and little rain be sure to water more often. (more…)
Orchid is a fantastic yard because it struck flower. However, orchid desires singular cares and interest from growers in problem they woud like it to grow up well and flower. Here are the basics to bury the lovely orchid.
The solo prevalent logic for orchid troubles is over watering. To inhibit this, you must adjust your watering to the factory’s environment. The environment includes temperature, damp, light, the category of pot and the sort of media. For example, an orchid preserved in peat/perlite mix in Florida requires much excluding water than one conserved in level bark in Arizona. Do not set a fixed watering schedule. Rather, eradicate the place mark from the pot and feel for mugginess. If it does not feel almost completely dry, storage off your watering. Try to water only in the morning so that the workshop has time to dry fairly before evil. When you do water, you should give the yard at slightest the equivalent of 1/3 the capacity for the pot. More are select. Problems come not from the total of water you give a skin, but with the frequency of watering. The orchid must get a venture to almost dry completely out before more water is added. With a few exceptions, such as with vandas in lath baskets, it is not a good idea to mist your orchid excepting in the early morning hours. (more…)
You can make your lawn into that sanctuary that you want and penury. All you indigence to do diagram and practice the landscaping blueprint so that you will be prime to carry out your diagram.
I am positive that you have many different landscaping dreams that are inside your brains and middle. This is the best way to find the right landscaping point for your particular yard, because it assures your satisfaction. You, too, can make your lawn into that relaxing and relaxed perceive that you deserve and required. You don’t have to be a professional landscaper to make your lawn look great. All you poverty is sometime and energy, as well as creativity, to make your lawn into the oasis that you request.
Plan Your Landscaping Design Planning and preparation are the most important parts of landscaping proposal. You first basic to lay it all out on paper. This will permit you to see exactly what you basic and how it will work plot-judicious. Take the time to idea your landscaping purpose carefully so that you will be properly primed. Keep foliage and buildings in brain when you diagram your landscaping blueprint, so that you will not have harms once you onset liability the work. Make them fit into your landscaping intention now so that you will have an organized intend in heed. (more…)
Plants, like people, need to be fed regularly, and like people, too much or too little is not a good thing. So, giving advice on fertilizing plants can be challenging. Differences in soil types, existing nutrients, plant type and climate are but a few of the factors that affect proper fertilization. First, let’s understand a little bit about fertilizers in general. All plants require at least 17 different nutrients to survive. Some nutrients come from the air, some from water and others from the soil. When we fertilize a plant, we are adding some of the nutrients that come from the soil.
When we fertilize, three nutrients stand out as the ones that are needed in the greatest amount and that need to be supplemented most often. These are called the primary nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium . Every fertilizer will have three numbers on its label to indicate the percentage of each of these three nutrients that it contains. For example, our Bud-N-Bloom Booster is a 15-30-15 formulation. It contains 15% nitrogen, 30% phosphorus, and 15% potassium. Knowing the formulation is important, but there are other factors such as solubility, molecular form, etc. that directly affect nutrient availability. We will leave those details to the plant scientists and others who have a more technical interest, but it is essential to purchase fertilizers from a trusted source so you can have confidence that you are getting what you pay for and what your plants need. (more…)
One of the first things to consider when choosing a plant for your garden is to determine if it is suitable for your area. Cold hardiness, heat tolerance, and drought tolerance all factor in to successful choices for gardening in your location. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has put together what is called a plant hardiness zone map. The map shows in detail the lowest temperatures that can be expected each year in the United States. The map shows 10 different zones, each of which represents an area of winter hardiness for the plants of agriculture and our natural landscape. It also introduces zone 11 to represent areas that have average annual minimum temperatures above 40 degrees F and that are therefore; essentially frost free. Before purchasing plants find out exactly which zone you live in and purchase plants hardy enough for your zone. Most plants should have a label listing its intended zone. If a plant is not recommended for your zone it’s probably not a good idea to buy it.
Regardless of you projected zone, microclimates vary dramatically within a small area and you may be warmer or colder than the gardener across town or even the gardener down the street.
Before making a plant selection for your garden or patio please remember this word: location. Plants can require different types of soil, light, shade, water, space, and the amount of wind can even play a role. Make sure the location in your garden can provide the proper environment for the plant to flourish. (more…)
pH is a gardening term used to reflect the acidity or alkalinity of a soil. The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14, with 1 being very acid and 14 being very alkaline. A pH reading of 7 is considered neutral. Most soils, due to climatic conditions, tend to be a little on the acidic side and these soils may need to have their alkalinity levels raised (meaning they may need to be “limed”). In dry arid climates soils are often on the alkaline side and for good gardening, they will need to have pH their levels lowered. Usually a phone call to your local county Extension office can give you a general idea of soil pH in your area. For site or garden specific information, the Extension Service offers soil collection kits and for a nominal fee, will provide the lab service needed for measuring your soil’s pH. They will also make specific liming or acidifying recommendation for your garden.
Different plants prefer different pH levels, however, as a general rule, most plants thrive in a pH range between 6.0 to 6.8. Some favorite Cottage Farms garden plants like azaleas, blueberries, and rhododendrons actually do better in more acid soils (pH 5.0-6.0). Hydrangeas do well anywhere from 5.0-6.8, but the flower color may be affected (blue flowers in acid soils and pink in more neutral soils). Having the optimum pH range insures proper nutrient availability and allows fertilizers to more readily absorbed by the roots, so checking your garden’s pH is important to insure gardening success. (more…)
For gardening success, it is very important to unpack your plants immediately. Damaged leaves or branches should be clipped off. Place the plant in a protected, shady location and water thoroughly. Water should seep from the drain holes in the pot and the plant should feel “heavier” after watering. It is a good idea to wait 24 hours before planting to allow the plants to fully hydrate and adjust to their new environment
Once you have decided where a plant belongs in your garden, dig a hole at least twice as big as the size of the pot. For larger planting, it may be more efficient to till or turn a portion of the bed. You may want to mix compost or potting soil with your native soil to improve root growth. Place enough of the mixture back in the bottom of the hole and tamp it lightly so the new plant will not be potted too deeply. (more…)
Preparing your garden for winter will minimize cold damage and ensure much healthier plants in the spring. The following guidelines will help you in preparing your landscape for the cold winter months.
Tropical potted plants need to be brought indoors before the first frost. Place them near a window with strong sunlight – preferably on the south side of your home. Hardier potted plants need some winter protection, especially in colder climates. It is a good idea to place them in a protected area like a garage and bring them out into shaded areas on warm days. Another alternative is to place the plants on the south side of your home against a wall. For best results mulch heavily around the containers. The sunlight will last longer on this side of your home, heating the wall which will radiate heat out through the night. It will also give the plants protection from northerly winds. (more…)
Many homeowners often find a tree, shrub or plant that just isn’t right for a particular location and decide to transplant it to a different location. Before transplanting trees, shrubs, or plants it is important to understand that transplanting an established tree, shrub or plant will disrupt its root system and “shock” it. When transplanting larger trees and shrubs it is recommended to do some root pruning one season before you transplant. You will need to take a sharp spade and cut the existing roots. Make your cuts around the tree cutting the roots as far down as the spade can go. This should be done at the outer edge of the trees existing drip line. The drip line is the outer most point at which water falls straight down from the leaves. By doing this the tree will develop a more condensed root system within the pruned area.
The best time of year for transplanting is during the cold, wet winter days. This time of year plants are dormant and will suffer less shock from transplanting. (more…)
Due to seasonal changes in weather, many plants have adapted to survive harsh conditions through a process called dormancy. Seasonal environmental changes, such as day length, temperature, and drought, stimulate the transition of a plant from active growth to dormancy in the fall and then reverse the process in the spring. This natural process is essential to the health and survival of our garden plants. We do not want to use gardening practices that interfere with this cycle.
Gardeners should not fertilize in late summer or fall. Fertilizing can stimulate new growth that will not survive the cold winter months. It is okay to fertilize plants in more temperate areas where they will grow throughout the fall and winter.
Gardeners should not water in the fall, unless they are is suffering through a severe drought. Mother Nature will usually take care of herself at this time of the year. If you are having an extremely dry fall, moderate irrigation is appropriate. Excessive watering in the fall can promote new growth and delay dormancy. (more…)
Many factors affect how often you must water your plants. Some of these factors are heat, humidity, wind, season, soil, and type of plant. The following guidelines pertain to plants recently transplanted into the garden. Remember, when transplanting, always be sure the plants were recently watered and are well hydrated before you put them in the ground. Water should be applied around the base of the plant and outwards a distance that is at least one and a half times the distance of the farthest reaching branch.
Water enough so that the soil will become wet throughout the entire root area. This will require a slow, soaking irrigation. Water should be applied only as quickly as it can be absorbed by the soil. Keep in mind your deepest roots will be located below the trunk and limbs of the plant. This area will require more water than the shallower roots located near the end of your farthest watering area. Root depths are commonly 6-12 inches for annuals, vegetables, and lawns: 12 – 24 inches for perennials and shrubs; and 28 – 36 inches or more for trees. (more…)
Bare root plants are easy to handle. They are usually dormant perennials, shrubs, or trees that have been harvested from the field, have had the soil washed from their roots and then have been stored in refrigeration for later shipment. “Bare rooting” a plant is a safe, proven, and much used means of storing and shipping many garden plants. At Cottage Farms we always recommend that you plant bare root plants as soon as possible, but you can hold them in a refrigerator, unheated garage, or cellar for a short period if necessary. The best time of year for planting bare root plants in the garden is during the winter (if the soil is not frozen) or spring. The arrival of warmer temperatures and longer days cause the plants to wake up naturally from their winter dormancy and help insure gardening success.
Daylilies:
Cottage Farms suggests choosing a garden area that will receive at least four hours of direct sun each day. Spade or roto-till the intended flower bed to a depth of at least 8-10 inches. If you do not have good garden soil, you may want to blend in a generous portion of dehydrated manure, compost, peat moss, or shredded leaves, but daylilies are one of the easiest to grow and most forgiving plants in any garden. (more…)
Due to seasonal changes in weather, many plants have adapted to survive harsh conditions through a process called dormancy. Seasonal environmental changes, such as day length, temperature, and drought, stimulate the transition of a plant from active growth to dormancy in the fall and then reverse the process in the spring. This natural process is essential to the health and survival of our garden plants. We do not want to use gardening practices that interfere with this cycle.
Gardeners should not fertilize in late summer or fall. Fertilizing can stimulate new growth that will not survive the cold winter months. It is okay to fertilize plants in more temperate areas where they will grow throughout the fall and winter.
Gardeners should not water in the fall, unless they are is suffering through a severe drought. Mother Nature will usually take care of herself at this time of the year. If you are having an extremely dry fall, moderate irrigation is appropriate. Excessive watering in the fall can promote new growth and delay dormancy. (more…)
Plants, like people, need to be fed regularly, and like people, too much or too little is not a good thing. So, giving advice on fertilizing plants can be challenging. Differences in soil types, existing nutrients, plant type and climate are but a few of the factors that affect proper fertilization. First, let’s understand a little bit about fertilizers in general. All plants require at least 17 different nutrients to survive. Some nutrients come from the air, some from water and others from the soil. When we fertilize a plant, we are adding some of the nutrients that come from the soil.
When we fertilize, three nutrients stand out as the ones that are needed in the greatest amount and that need to be supplemented most often. These are called the primary nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium . Every fertilizer will have three numbers on its label to indicate the percentage of each of these three nutrients that it contains. For example, our Bud-N-Bloom Booster is a 15-30-15 formulation. It contains 15% nitrogen, 30% phosphorus, and 15% potassium. Knowing the formulation is important, but there are other factors such as solubility, molecular form, etc. that directly affect nutrient availability. We will leave those details to the plant scientists and others who have a more technical interest, but it is essential to purchase fertilizers from a trusted source so you can have confidence that you are getting what you pay for and what your plants need. (more…)
Spring flower bulb planting in the fall is fast, easy and a nearly foolproof way to add color to your garden. By following a few simple steps you should enjoy your spring and summer bulb garden for years to come. Here are a few basic guidelines. Spring flowering bulbs need to be planted in the fall before the first hard freeze. Subsequent cold weather will sustain the bulbs’ dormancy period required to stimulate root growth and spring flowering. If you have purchased your bulbs early in the fall it is ok to store them unpackaged in a cool dry place between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit for a few days. For extended periods store them in your refrigerator, but keep them away from ripening fruit as the ethylene released by the fruit can damage your bulbs. When planning a new bulb garden site keep in mind the following: (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…)
Are you looking to get into the growing trend of organic hydroponics gardening? Well, the first thing you to need to do is understand what hydroponics is before you can know to use it for organic purposes. Hydroponics, simply put, is the process of indoor growing plants in water and nutrients under grow lights or LED lights, compared to the normal method of using just soil. There is a growing majority of gardeners starting to grow their plants this way, feeling as though it is better for the plants. It should come to no surprise then that so many people are using organic hydroponic gardening to grow our vegetables and other food items. (more…)
