Tag-Archive for ◊ Garden ◊

Wild flower garden
Author:
• Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

A wild-flower garden has a most attractive sound. One thinks of long tramps in the woods, collecting material, and then of the fun in fixing up a real for sure wild garden.

Many people say they have no luck at all with such a garden. It is not a question of luck, but a question of understanding, for wild flowers are like people and each has its personality. What a plant has been accustomed to in Nature it desires always. In fact, when removed from its own sort of living conditions, it sickens and dies. That is enough to tell us that we should copy Nature herself. Suppose you are hunting wild flowers. As you choose certain flowers from the woods, notice the soil they are in, the place, conditions, the surroundings, and the neighbours.

Suppose you find dog-tooth violets and wind-flowers growing near together. Then place them so in your own new garden. Suppose you find a certain violet enjoying an open situation; then it should always have the same. You see the point, do you not? If you wish wild flowers to grow in a tame garden make them feel at home. Cheat them into almost believing that they are still in their native haunts.

Wild flowers ought to be transplanted after blossoming time is over. Take a trowel and a basket into the woods with you. As you take up a few, a columbine, or a hepatica, be sure to take with the roots some of the plant’s own soil, which must be packed about it when replanted.

The bed into which these plants are to go should be prepared carefully before this trip of yours. Surely you do not wish to bring those plants back to wait over a day or night before planting. They should go into new quarters at once. The bed needs soil from the woods, deep and rich and full of leaf mold. The under drainage system should be excellent. Then plants are not to go into water-logged ground. Some people think that all wood plants should have a soil saturated with water. But the woods themselves are not water-logged. It may be that you will need to dig your garden up very deeply and put some stone in the bottom. Over this the top soil should go. And on top, where the top soil once was, put a new layer of the rich soil you brought from the woods.

Before planting water the soil well. Then as you make places for the plants put into each hole some of the soil which belongs to the plant which is to be put there.

I think it would be a rather nice plan to have a wild-flower garden giving a succession of bloom from early spring to late fall; so let us start off with March, the hepatica, spring beauty and saxifrage. Then comes April bearing in its arms the beautiful columbine, the tiny bluets and wild geranium. For May there are the dog-tooth violet and the wood anemone, false Solomon’s seal, Jack-in-the-pulpit, wake robin, bloodroot and violets. June will give the bellflower, mullein, bee balm and foxglove. I would choose the gay butterfly weed for July. Let turtle head, aster, Joe Pye weed, and Queen Anne’s lace make the rest of the season brilliant until frost.

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Let us have a bit about the likes and dislikes of these plants. After you are once started you’ll keep on adding to this wild-flower list.

There is no one who doesn’t love the hepatica. Before the spring has really decided to come, this little flower pokes its head up and puts all else to shame. Tucked under a covering of dry leaves the blossoms wait for a ray of warm sunshine to bring them out. These embryo flowers are further protected by a fuzzy covering. This reminds one of a similar protective covering which new fern leaves have. In the spring a hepatica plant wastes no time on getting a new suit of leaves. It makes its old ones do until the blossom has had its day. Then the new leaves, started to be sure before this, have a chance. These delayed, are ready to help out next season. You will find hepaticas growing in clusters, sort of family groups. They are likely to be found in rather open places in the woods. The soil is found to be rich and loose. So these should go only in partly shaded places and under good soil conditions. If planted with other woods specimens give them the benefit of a rather exposed position, that they may catch the early spring sunshine. I should cover hepaticas over with a light litter of leaves in the fall. During the last days of February, unless the weather is extreme take this leaf covering away. You’ll find the hepatica blossoms all ready to poke up their heads.

The spring beauty hardly allows the hepatica to get ahead of her. With a white flower which has dainty tracings of pink, a thin, wiry stem, and narrow, grass-like leaves, this spring flower cannot be mistaken. You will find spring beauties growing in great patches in rather open places. Plant a number of the roots and allow the sun good opportunity to get at them. For this plant loves the sun.

The other March flower mentioned is the saxifrage. This belongs in quite a different sort of environment. It is a plant which grows in dry and rocky places. Often one will find it in chinks of rock. There is an old tale to the effect that the saxifrage roots twine about rocks and work their way into them so that the rock itself splits. Anyway, it is a rock garden plant. I have found it in dry, sandy places right on the borders of a big rock. It has white flower clusters borne on hairy stems.

The columbine is another plant that is quite likely to be found in rocky places. Standing below a ledge and looking up, one sees nestled here and there in rocky crevices one plant or more of columbine. The nodding red heads bob on wiry, slender stems. The roots do not strike deeply into the soil; in fact, often the soil hardly covers them. Now, just because the columbine has little soil, it does not signify that it is indifferent to the soil conditions. For it always has lived, and always should live, under good drainage conditions. I wonder if it has struck you, how really hygienic plants are? Plenty of fresh air, proper drainage, and good food are fundamentals with plants.

It is evident from study of these plants how easy it is to find out what plants like. After studying their feelings, then do not make the mistake of huddling them all together under poor drainage conditions.

I always have a feeling of personal affection for the bluets. When they come I always feel that now things are beginning to settle down outdoors. They start with rich, lovely, little delicate blue blossoms. As June gets hotter and hotter their colour fades a bit, until at times they look quite worn and white. Some people call them Quaker ladies, others innocence. Under any name they are charming. They grow in colonies, sometimes in sunny fields, sometimes by the road-side. From this we learn that they are more particular about the open sunlight than about the soil.

If you desire a flower to pick and use for bouquets, then the wild geranium is not your flower. It droops very quickly after picking and almost immediately drops its petals. But the purplish flowers are showy, and the leaves, while rather coarse, are deeply cut. This latter effect gives a certain boldness to the plant that is rather attractive. The plant is found in rather moist, partly shaded portions of the woods. I like this plant in the garden. It adds good colour and permanent colour as long as blooming time lasts, since there is no object in picking it.

There are numbers and numbers of wild flowers I might have suggested. These I have mentioned were not given for the purpose of a flower guide, but with just one end in view your understanding of how to study soil conditions for the work of starting a wild-flower garden.

If you fear results, take but one or two flowers and study just what you select. Having mastered, or better, become acquainted with a few, add more another year to your garden. I think you will love your wild garden best of all before you are through with it. It is a real study, you see.

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Perennial garden flowers for shady areas
Author:
• Saturday, January 21st, 2012

Perennial garden flowers can add beautiful elements of color to shady areas of your garden and landscape. Many perennial flowers are shade tolerant, and some even prefer shady areas, but you must be sure that the flower you are planting is appropriate for the amount of shade your garden is receiving.
There are essentially four different shade categories that are suitable for different plants and flowers:
Light shade (also known as “filtered shade” or “thin shade”) generally refers to areas that receive two to three hours of shade daily.
Medium shade (also called “partial shade,” “half shade” or “semi-shade”) is an area that has four or five hours a day without direct sunlight.
Full shade is an area where there is no direct sunlight at all during the day, although there is indirect or reflected sunlight available to plants.
Deep shade (also known as “heavy shade” and “dense shade”) are regions where there is no direct or indirect sunlight during the day.
Once you know what kind of shade you are gardening in, you should be able to select the appropriate shade loving perennial flowers for that area. Here are some suggestions of some of the best shade perennial flowers for light, medium and full shade conditions.
Light Shade Perennial Flowers
Daffodils/Narcissus (Narcissus). From fall planted bulbs you will have beautiful orange, yellow, or white flowers that do well in light shade.
Foxglove (Digitalis). A tall light-shade, perennial flower, the Foxglove blooms in late summer, sending up spires of flowers that can easily reach four feet in height.
Columbine (Aquilegia). Native to the woodlands, columbines can grow up to three feet tall and come in a wide variety of colors. They generally bloom in May and June, and thrive in areas with light shade and moist, well-drained soil.
Medium Shade Perennial Flowers
Hardy Begonia (Begonia grandis). There are many varieties of begonias that grow in tropical climates, but this hardy, medium shade loving variety is an excellent choice for Northern gardeners up to zone six. Their beautiful flowers generally bloom in the fall.
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) – This beautiful plant has heart shaped flowers that bloom in May and June. Bleeding heart plants range in height from just over a foot to nearly three feet tall and prefer medium shade conditions. The plants are poisonous, however, so care needs to be taken to ensure they are not planted in areas frequented by children or pets.
Daylily (Hemerocallis) – Beautiful bright orange flowers that thrive in medium shade and can be propagated easily. In some areas they are classified as a noxious weed because of their quick, spreading habit.
Full Shade Perennial Flowers
Hosta (Plantain lilies). Although hostas are often grown for their wonderful foliage, most hostas also produce beautiful lilylike white and lavender flowers that bloom in late spring until late summer.
Foam Flower (Tiarella). This wildflower has white flowers that grown up to 12 inches tall and are very tolerant of shady conditions. They can be easily naturalized in shady and moist areas (such as along stream banks) or planted in mass to create a beautiful ground cover.

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How Garden Furniture is Used Outdoors Today
Author:
• Saturday, January 21st, 2012

The use of smooth modern lines and intense angles mixed with beautifully crafted wicker helps portray an exquisite appearance of elegance and comfort. Garden furniture made from this material can add life to any outdoor area. 

There is a variety of pieces and sets of wicker (rattan) collections to choose from are complete with chairs, glass top coffee tables, and sofas. These are all are integrated in a certain way to produce the look you want. 

These contemporary pieces are often combined with a variety of accessories to create a space, which will depict your unique and personal style. It is how you can make each summer or outside social event as inviting and fun as possible. 

Suggestions 

Recommended wicker arrangements of include the following (pending current availability): The Juniper Garden Set which is known for its black base and frame against bright colored 12mm cushions, The Saturn Rattan Garden Furniture set which comes with thick, white padded cushions, and the Arizona styled furniture set which is known for its depiction of “Old West” themes. 

These pieces of furniture can complement any outdoor area and will make a warm and inviting place for you and your family to enjoy. There is another reason these sets or ones similar to it are often recommended-because they are UV or weatherproof. 

As mentioned already, contemporary wicker garden furniture is made of the most durable and superior materials with the most careful artisanship.  This is a type of wood material that is harvested from palm trees located in certain regions of Africa, Asia, and Australasia. 

Quite a large percentage of this material used for the production of some of the finest wicker comes from Indonesia. Oftentimes, the frames are produced from lightweight aluminum is usually coated in order to prevent it from rusting. 

Besides being able to resist the outdoor elements, you might want to select furniture that simple to move from one place to another and can be stored compactly. It makes entertaining and dining outdoors much more convenient and your furniture is retained for much longer periods. 

However, of course not all wicker collections can be readily transported every season. That is the main reason why many people prefer types that are treated, which include more than just the ones listed above. 

In any case, garden furniture is beginning to be set in increasing numbers of outdoor spots. It is becoming more of a precious luxury and seems not be any longer just thought of as some affordable wood replacement as it used to be.

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For those Seeking Garden Furniture Help: Style Guide
Author:
• Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

People today are always looking for new suggestions regarding today’s selection of garden furniture (rattan wicker varieties particularly). Finding out more about current trends can help you make the best possible choice. 

Today’s Top Choices 

The use of smooth modern lines and distinct angles blended with beautifully crafted rattan results in the production of the most elegant and comfortable wicker works. These timeless works of art were created with the intent to complement any outdoor area and will create a warm and inviting place for you and your family to enjoy. 

A very gorgeous example of a recommended modern collection is the Arizona Wicker set, which turns out to be one of the more popular choices.  This collection of furniture often includes chairs, sofa, and coffee table.  

This particular set of rattan furniture is characterised by its soft, white cushions. This collection combines clean modernistic lines and sharp angles mixed with glass that would look stunning in any indoor or outdoor sun display. 

An additional fashionable collection of wicker items is the Cube Garden Furniture set, which is one of the top-selling collections. This set is meticulously assembled in such a way that it is likely to last an entire lifespan. 

It often is sold with four chairs, one table and two footstools. It might also come with a variety of other pieces, such as a side table depending upon the specific set you bring home. 

Additional options of today include the following: The Juniper Garden Set, The Saturn Rattan set, and the Havana Rattan Set all which are noted for a variety of characteristics. 

For instance, they are often chosen because of their rich colours, sharp corners, and distinct shapes. The Juniper and Saturn are particularly noted for their very attractive and roomy L-shaped designs which are more suited for large areas. The Havanna set represents a type of desert or “Western” theme. 

Miscellaneous Info 

Contemporary wicker furniture is durable and is made of the finest materials by the most careful hands. Rattan in particular is a type of wood material that is harvested from palm trees located in distinct regions of Africa, Asia, and Australasia. 

About 70% of the material used for the creation of some of the finest wicker comes from Indonesia. The finest pieces are UV treated and can be placed outside all year long very little worry of fading, splitting, or cracking of the rattan.  

Most of these pieces come with an outdoor waterproof cover that can protect the furniture and helps keep it dry and clean when not in use. Frequently, the frames are created from lightweight aluminum is usually coated in order to prevent it from rusting. 

Likewise being able to resist the outdoor elements this type of garden furniture is easy to move from area to area and can be packed away compactly. It makes entertaining and dining outdoors much more convenient and your furniture is retained for much longer periods.

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Perfumed Aussie Native Garden Plants
Author:
• Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

There is a strong belief among many people, that Australian Natives are beautiful but have no perfume. A stroll through the bush will dispel that rumour easily.

The fragrance of crushed leaves and scented blossoms can be almost overpowering at times. But many of the natives have a more subtle fragrance; you have to be close to them at the correct time to appreciate the flavours and scents.

The perfume of native plants is often produced at different times of the day or night. Perfumed native flowers include many of the Grevilleas (some like G. biternata and G. G. buxifolia have a strong honey-like perfume others like G. buxifolia have a light fragrant perfume), Boronias ( e.g. B. floribunda, B. serrulata and B. megastigma), Sowerbaeas (Vanilla Lilies), Xanthoreas (Grass Trees), Banksias, Eleaocarpus reticulatus (Blueberry Ash) which has a strong almost aniseed scent, Hakeas, Pittosporum undulatum (Native Daphne) — the perfume of this species may becoming overpowering in the evening –, Leptospermum species (e.g. L. flavescens), Homoranthus species (which has a Baked Biscuit scent) and Hymenosporum flavum (Native Frangipani). Many of the white flowering Eucalypts, Melaleuca and Callistemon species have a strong honey scent.

There are a number of fragrant orchids particularly the Dendrobium species: these tend to be strongest from early morning to the early afternoon. While some of the Cymbidium species such as C. suave have a good perfume during the middle of the day). The Sarcochilus species have what is best described as a spicy aroma.

The aroma released by some plants foliage is not revealed until it has been disturbed, crushed or brushed against. These include the Backhousia citriodora (Lemon Myrtle) which is probably the best of all native lemon scents and is also used commercially as a cooking ingredient, while the foliage of B. anisata is strongly scented like aniseed; Eremophilas, Eriostemon species, Prosantheras,

Leptospermum petersoni (Lemon-scented Tea-tree — also good as a hedging plant), Darwinia citriodora (a light lemon scent) and some Melaleucas (Paperbarks) also have scents.

Of course you can’t forget the Eucalypt family with its famous eucalypt scent, which is redolent of our bushland. But now many other countries are growing vast plantations of them for timber, firewood and revegetation programs on every continent bar Antartica. One species, the E. citriodora gives off a strong lemon-come-eucalypt scent while Agonis flexuosa has a combination of eucalyptus and peppermint scent.

Calomeria elegans has been used as a substitute for lavender. Some species of Boronias also have strongly scented foliage.

And let’s not forget the grassy type plants, the lomandra’s and the Grass trees, both of which give a lovely honeyed smell when in flower.

So why not think about using some fragrant native plants in your garden. Not only will you get the benefit of supporting your local environment. But you might also get other benefits, like attracting birds, other wildlife and butterflies to your garden.

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Usage, Placement, and Selection of Wicker Garden Furniture Sets
Author:
• Monday, January 16th, 2012

Usage

There is a variety of stylish pieces and that are included in wicker garden furniture sets you can choose from in order to create a very cheerful and cozy atmosphere. They are used to provide seating and table settings for a variety of social occasions.

Among the inventory items included are chairs, glass top coffee tables, dining tables, and sofas. These are all are integrated in a certain way to create the look you want.

These contemporary pieces can be combined with other styles of décor to produce a scene that depicts your own creativity and sense of style. This is an action that is also done in order to impress your long list of important guests and it also provides comfort for your family members.

Selection

There is a quite an assortment of wicker garden furniture sets. Beware that some of them may be of very poor quality while others are known to be far more superior to others.

It is up to you to acquire the ones that are built from the strongest materials obtainable, but yet that are lightweight as possible to make them easily movable. This will help preserve each item for longer times and will also help make it easier for you to arrange them where you want.

The best models of today’s rattan are UV treated for placement outdoors all year round with not much chance of premature fading, splitting, or cracking of the rattan.  Almost all of these pieces are supplied with an outdoor waterproof cover that protects and preserves each piece when it is not in use.

Placement

Distinct models of rattan garden furniture can be combined in such a fashion to produce merely the right look. These contemporary pieces are often combined with different styles of furniture to produce a display, which will portray your unique and personal style.

The styles you choose depends upon your personal preference. It also may depend upon where you place each item, and of course how big or small each piece is and how large the area is where you will place it.

Wicker garden furniture quite often is used in outside areas. However, certain contemporary styles of this line of furniture can easily be applied to improve the appearance of any interior space.  For instance, sometimes instead of outdoors people very strategically place this type of furniture in a lounge area or sun room. 

It depends upon your needs as well as the needs of your guests as well as how much space you have. Therefore, before attempting to place wicker garden patio furniture sets usually the display area needs to be assessed accurately.

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Compostable Garden Planters
Author:
• Saturday, December 31st, 2011

Would you like a more natural alternative to using those plastic planter containers? Well, here is a project for you, where you can have an interesting planter during the growing season, then throw the container out in the garden for mulch, without having to add to the world’s landfill problems.

These planters can be used and grown anywhere you can provide good plant growing conditions, including on a patio, pathway or even a roof top. The main criteria being enough sunlight for the plants chosen, easy access to water and an ease of access to maintain the planter/s.

Just follow the steps below.

What you will need

· One or more rectangular bales of hay, (One per planter).

· 4 to 8 seedlings or small plants per planter.

· One to two good handfuls of soil/compost/potting mix per plant.

· Small garden handtools.

· Hose/watering can.

· Liquid fertilizer.

· Area chosen to provide enough light for growing conditions required by plants selected.

Steps

Take one rectangular bale of hay; flip it on its side so that the straps are around the sides not over the top and bottom.

Moisten the hay bale thoroughly with a hose or watering can.

Using the handle of a hand tool, dig four to eight holes in the new upper surface of the hay bale, these holes have to be big enough to hold a good handful of soil.

Into each hole, place a handful or two of compost, soil or potting mix.

Plant up your choice of annuals, herbs or short-lived perennials.

· Water the plants in well and fertilize them with a liquid fertilizer.

· Because of the air gaps in the hay, this type of planter can dry out more quickly than a normal planter, so regular watering is essential.

· Also remember that your planter is actually decomposing while you are using it so remember to regularly fertilize the plants growing in it. Because nutrients may become temporarily unavailable during the decomposition process.

After you have finished growing your plants, move it out to the garden, take the straps off the bale, and use it to mulch/fertilize a part of your garden. You will find that the centre of the bale has decomposed into compost nicely by this stage.

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Short Rattan Garden Furniture Buying Guide
Author:
• Tuesday, December 06th, 2011

With all the sets of rattan garden furniture available today choosing the right sets should not be very hard. The finest collections are often sold as one set, but you may be able to mix and match varieties of this type of furniture upon request.

Recommended Collections

One of the top collections of rattan garden furniture sold today is the Cube Garden Furniture set. This set is meticulously constructed in such a way that it is likely to last a lifetime. It often is sold with four chairs, one table and two footstools. The rattan in this finely crafted collection is often coloured black and the comfortable cushions are normally a contrasting color, such as white.

Smooth and elegant in design, this rattan garden furniture set is likely to look amazing regardless of where it is placed. An additional very beautiful example of a recommended rattan garden furniture collection is the Arizona Rattan set, turns out to be one of the more popular choices. This set often includes chairs, sofa, and coffee table.

This particular set of rattan furniture is characterised by its soft, white cushions. This collection combines clean modernistic lines and sharp angles mixed with glass that would look stunning in any garden or conservatory. As mentioned already, today’s rattan garden furniture is made of the most durable and superior materials.

Furthermore, certain models of rattan garden furniture are UV treated. Therefore, they can be placed outside throughout the year without the worry of discoloration or damage to the materials used to create each piece. In fact, a majority of the collections sold today are sold supplied with an outdoor waterproof cover.

Oftentimes, the frames are made from lightweight aluminum that is coated with a protective material so it will never rust. Besides being able to resist the outdoor elements this furniture is simple to move from area to area and can be packed away compactly.

It makes entertaining and dining outdoors much more convenient and each piece is preserved for much longer times than otherwise. This is likely to save you money, especially if you purchase timeless works of art that are likely to not go out of style the following year.

By the way, in case you are wondering what rattan material is derived from; it comes from a special palm tree. This material is similar in texture and appearance to bamboo and a majority of this type of rattan originates from Indonesia.

Of course, you are advised to make sure that the supplier of rattan garden furniture sets you prefer offers the choicest selections. This is guaranteed if you know they only deal with manufacturers who adhere to the highest standards.

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Landscape design plans | Landscape Garden design
Author:
• Monday, December 05th, 2011

The landscape design market is booming. But what is booming along with it is the market of the online software that actually helps you design a landscape for your own house. I think it is a brilliant innovation. The advantages of the same are manifold. Not only do you save on the money that you would be giving to a professional landscaper, you will also actually be putting yourself into the design. Each and every corner in your house can now be a reflection of you and your family.

People in the United States spend a huge amount of money in landscape architecture as property is considered as the most important investment there. After all, it is an investment that will bring years of enjoyment, peace and harmony at your property. However, it is very important to understand all aspects of landscaping so that the money is not wasted and also that your landscape architects do not cheat you. Also, it is very vital to understand that the landscape should reflect your personality and not vice-versa. So do not overdo anything.

While choosing a landscape design for your house, considering the geographical and climatic conditions of your area is of utmost importance. For example, planning lush green lawns bordered with exotic flowers in an area where drought is a high possibility would be rather foolish. In contrast, a rock garden in a rocky terrain would be a fantastic idea. Also, in an area where water is available in plenty around the year, a water feature like a pond that reflects the sky and the surrounding surfaces can add depth and dimension to your landscape.

Along with the softwares, there are also a huge number of online websites that provide help. Some sites are owned by professional landscapers who fill their website with beautiful pictures of what they could your backyards into. However, some are in it for the pure pleasure of landscaping and fill their sites with very useful home landscape design ideas and tips.

Some of the easy to use and inexpensive landscape design software available for home landscape design over the Internet are:

Plan 3D: is an online landscape design service that helps you create home landscape with features available for walks, drives, patios, trees and planting. It lets you view your design from any angle.
Instant Architect Home (Broderbund Software): provides the ability to design your own home or landscape and is very intuitive in nature. Hence, no previous experience is required.
Fences and Gates: software helps design fences and gates in an artistic manner. It also provides a list of all the materials that will be required to build the fence after the design has been finalized.
3D Home Architect Home & Landscape: provide easy to use home and landscape design solutions, which also contains a complete set of landscape design tools. It uses the latest design techniques and technologies to make designing a very enjoyable experience.
35 Do It Yourself Backyard Project Plans: allows building 35 different projects for your backyard. It allows a combination of 10 sheds, 3 playhouses, 3 gazebos, 3 arbors, 2 picnic tables, a deck, a doghouse, a sandbox, fence and a loveseat. This is very inexpensive software and permits printing of plans.
Realtime Landscaping PRO (Idea Spectrum): helps you visualize even the most demanding landscape design projects. Using the latest advances in 3D technology, even beginners will find it easy to plan and visualize design ideas.
Realtime Landscaping PLUS (Idea Spectrum): helps create highly realistic 3D and photo based landscape designs. This software is ideal for homeowners as well as professional designers. The plus point is that no CAD or prior architectural experience is required.

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How To Plant A New Garden
Author:
• Monday, December 05th, 2011

When gardening, before anything is planted, it is highly recommended that the soil is prepared properly. To learn more about this go to my article Soil Prep For Your New Garden for more info on this area.
There are two ways you can plant your garden, from transplants or seeds.
There are a few decisions you will need to make before buying your seeds. First you should take a good look at your garden and be realistic with the amount you can plant. It is better to have more plants and little variety than lots of variety and not enough room to grow a substantial amount of anything. For new gardeners, choosing your seeds will be a little difficult as well. You want to strike a balance between their ability to tolerate disease, the amount of time you have daily to put into your garden, and the time of the season they will mature.
There are numerous places to buy seeds. You can go to a nursery, gardening centers, online, or from mail order catalogue. I would recommend you buy new seeds every year to avoid poor germination the next season. You also do not want to save seeds from your harvest to plant next year. I know that it sounds like a nice sustainable way to produce a good harvest year after year but the problem lies with the fact that we plant more than one vegetable in our garden at a time. The plants that would grow from seeds from last year’s harvest will be hybrids of the plants they are supposed to be, due to cross pollination with other plants in your garden. Another thing to remember is that seeds can transmit disease from one year to the next so save yourself a lot of work and aggravation and just buy new seeds every year. One last thing to remember about handling your seeds is that they are chemically sprayed to kill off any disease that may be on or in the seed. This practice also helps prevent the seeds from rotting before you can get them in the ground. So always remember to wash your hands when you are done.
Now it is time to plant your new seeds. There are two methods you can employ; you can sow your seeds by scattering them or planting them in furrows. I would recommend you take the time to plant them properly in furrows so you can regulate the amount of seeds you plant in every square foot of your garden. When planting, try to shoot for a depth of not more than three times the seeds thickness. If you plant too deep the seed may germinate and be too deep to make it to the surface and if too shallow it may be washed away by rain or watering or it may be blown away by the wind. After you add a little bit of mulch on top of your seed row to help you conserve moisture all you have to do is watch and wait.
If you decide to go with the transplant route there are a few more points I want to make to ensue your transplants take. First you need to “harden” your plants. It doesn’t matter if you choose to buy them or grow them yourself you must acclimatise your new plants to the outdoors. I recommend you keep your plants in a shady, dry, and windproof location outdoors for 8-10 days before planting. Over the course of this time you should gradually increase their exposure to the sunlight so they can get used to the warmth of the sun. Also to note, during the hardening period you should allow your plants to dry out a little between watering. The hardening period will help your young plants get used to the harsher conditions when growing outdoors than inside a garden center or your home. The day before planting give them a good watering to help them
Them main goal of transplanting is to not disturb the roots too much. It is nice when you can buy your transplants if biodegradable peat pots because you can just plant them into the soil, pot and all. The only recommendation is for you to make sure you completely bury the pot because it can wick out the water from around the plant. If in a non biodegradable pot then you should carefully take the plant out of the pot and gently tease the roots free from the big ball that they have probably become. Plant immediately and only do one plant at a time. Do not take them all out of their pots and then try to plant them.
Once you plant your new plants they may need protection from direct sunlight or frost (depending on the season you plant in). If you are concerned about the sun then lay a wood board down, leaned up so it creates a sun shade. If the possibility of frost is the problem then drape plastic over you plants to avoid getting frost on them. If you use plastic make sure to put small holes in it to allow the plant to breath during the day. You could burn your plants instead of save them.

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