Plant Gardens 101

A garden or flower bed can begin with beautiful plants, but their continuing growth and beauty will depend on whether they are receiving the proper amount of water. This is especially important since over 90% of a plant consists of water. Your plants’ water requirements are dependant on the type of plant, the plant environment, the type of soil and the amount of time and energy that you have to spend in watering. The results of a proper watering schedule can produce a healthy plant with a good root system, the ability to resist disease and the capability to grow, flower and multiply.

Choose plants for your landscape and your lifestyle. It is beneficial to choose plants that are adapted to the location that you plant them in. Determine if they prefer sun versus partial shade or shade. A sunny area will require more water because of evaporation. You also need to consider whether the plant is drought tolerant or requires more water, whether it prefers a well drained soil or will do well in a clay soil, and whether the plant will be a large plant with a great amount of foliage or remain small. Your climate may be a large influence on the types of plants you choose. Plants that are naturally adapted to your area will thrive better. (more…)

You see beautiful potted plant designs in yards, at businesses and along city streets and wish that you had that kind of green thumb. Wouldn’t such a pot with those colors and that texture be beautiful in your yard or on your deck? How do those gardeners create such wonderful potted plant designs? They follow the ten basics of container planter creativity and then they let their imaginations run wild. As you begin to dream about you container planter design, it is good for you to know the basics of container planting so that your decision produces the effects you desire.

Style Generally you will see two styles of design with some variations among those styles. The most common style for upright containers uses the focal point, the filler and the trailer. A focal point plant stands out above the rest by being taller and/or more colorful. The focal point is the first to attract your attention. The filler plants are use to compliment the focal plant. They are good for providing the color and texture and are used to cover the bare parts of the pot. The trailer plants hang over the edge of the pot and add softness to the design. A second style of design is to use the same type of plant, in bulk, with variations to create the difference in look. It is best to use plants that are dense and will cover or fill the entire pot. (more…)

There can be so many technical questions to ask about your yard and garden, your plants and trees, and your soil and water, but you don’t know who to go to for the answers or your budget can’t afford a private horticulturist or technician. Fortunately, you can find answers available through the Cooperative Extension Service. The Cooperative Extension system is associated with every state land-grant university and is a network of local or regional offices which are staffed by one or more experts-Extension Agents-who can provide answers to lawn and garden technical questions. Their expertise can provide practical, useful and research-based information.

Cooperative Extension Agents provide teaching, research and informational services to the public regarding many aspects of plant horticulture, plant physiology, entomology, soil science, botany, and fertilizer and pesticides. They are available to answer questions, provide diagnosis, and provide training and information based on the local area based on years of experience and research. Best of all, they are accessible either in your local or regional area and generally provide their services for free or for a minimal fee. (more…)

The design and implementation of a plan for a beautiful yard and garden can set your home apart. It can also have other important advantages, including increasing the value of your home, reducing the cost of creating and increasing satisfaction while reducing the time required to keep it beautiful and personal.

There are many ways to create a design plan for a yard and garden including hiring a custom designer, purchasing and using design software, or by doing your own research through the many magazines and do-it-yourself books. The goal is to upgrade a yard or garden from poor or average to good or excellent. It has been researched and proven that the monetary return can be anywhere from 7 to 14% when a home is sold. It may be the attraction that sets your home above the competition when you decide to sell your home. (more…)