All You Need To Know About Organic Gardening

Nobody really wants to think about about what would happen if they invest time and money into an organic garden and it doesn't grow. Still, if you want your own organic garden to grow, then it's important to know what you need and what you need to do. That's what the tips below are for.

To save on energy, cost, and resources, don't plant more of a crop in your garden than you are able to use. If you're not planning on selling your crops at a market, planting more than you can use will just end up wasting resources and space in your garden. If you have extra space, look into planting a variety of crops instead.

Pick your fruits and vegetables first thing in the morning. A morning harvest will ensure that your produce is holding the maximum amount of moisture. Also, if you pick in the morning, this will give you a chance to eat those items that day, when they are their peak of freshness.

Knowing the layout of your yard and what kind of soil you have can greatly improve your gardening experience. By knowing this, you can figure out what seeds will work with your current yard or if you need to create a different environment around your planting preferences. Different plants require different nutrients, so plan accordingly.

If frost has killed your pumpkins before they've had a chance to turn orange, it's not too late to save them. Cut the pumpkins off the vine, leaving a minimum of 4 inches of the vine on the top of the pumpkin. Wash them thoroughly with water mixed with a small amount of bleach to prevent the development of mold. Bring them inside, and place them in a warm, sunny location, turning them occasionally so the sun can reach all the green areas of the pumpkin. Within a few weeks or less, you'll have bright orange pumpkins to carve into jack-o-lanterns or use to make homemade pumpkin pie.

When you need to control weed growth, choose your weed killer carefully, and always follow the directions. Many weed killers have chemicals that are harmful to people if they are not applied properly. They are especially harmful to young children if the children play around an area that has recently been treated.

Get your kids and grand kids involved with gardening by letting them help you in the garden, and by taking them to nurseries and arboretums. Children generally love being outdoors and will soak up any knowledge you are willing to share about sunlight, water, and soil quality. Gardening is a great way for children to learn about nature and for them to bond with you.

To make sure your garden looks great from season to season, plan ahead. Make sure your garden includes both annuals, biennials, and perennials so that you can always count on something blooming. Before you plant any flower, think about what you want for your garden in the next year or two.

Dish washing soap can repel insects. If you find insects ravaging your garden, fill a spray bottle with water and add a squirt of dish soap. Spray the foliage of your plants and watch the insects flee. They will leave your garden alone until the soap washes away. Simply reapply as needed.

Organic gardening is a great way to get exercise, as well as, a way to relieve stress. There are many healthful benefits you will reap, especially if your organic gardening efforts reward you with a plentiful harvest. Do yourself a favor and follow the tips in this article so that you can grow a healthy organic garden.

Garden Hedges - Understanding The Basics

A garden hedge is quite simply a row of shrubs, spaced closely together so that they form a solid mass. Whether you clip them to a formal shape or allow them to grow freely, with only occasional pruning to keep them thick and bushy from top to ground, depends entirely on your own personal taste and the style of your garden.

Low clipped hedges of Box, Rosemary, or Lavender are used to edge flowerbeds in the most formal of gardens in the European and English styles. Tall hedges, clipped or not, are primarily used for privacy or to divide the garden into 'rooms'.

There is certainly no need to limit your choice to the commonest form of hedge, Privet - let your imagination flow. Any bushy shrub that can withstand regular pruning can be used. If you plan to clip regularly, those with smaller leaves will inevitably look less mutilated.

Even tall trees can be used as garden hedges as long as they can tolerate the constant clipping - Yew and Cypress are commonly used. Hawthorn hedges work well with their branches interwoven 'basket style' to make them impenetrable. This was a common feature of the English countryside prior to modern agriculture that has led largely to their demise. In the average garden however, small and medium shrubs are safer and less work.

A clipped 'tapestry hedge' with the foliage display of two or more different plants woven together can provide a pleasing effect. You might try combining Viburnum TInus with the red young leaves of Photinia for a rich effect.

To create a clipped garden hedge, you must prepare your soil well first. Then plant your plants at a spacing of around one third of what would be considered normal. For a standard Box edging, plant about 30cm apart. For a head high hedge of plants such as Camellia sasanqua, plant your shrubs around 1 metre apart. Stake the plants if needed to maintain form and water and fertilise as usual.

It's tempting to encourage the plants to grow up to their desired height as quickly as possible, but you must be patient and keep the plants bushy by pruning their flanks. If you let the shrubs get leggy, and bare at the base in the early stages it will be difficult to encourage them to fill in later.

Once the final height is reached it is a simple matter of clipping. Slow growing shrubs often provide the best end result so exercise patience. Rapid growing plants such as Privet require far more maintenance and constant discipline to achieve the desired results.

To rejuvenate an old, tired, overgrown garden hedge, cut it back ruthlessly to its proper shape and give it some fertiliser and water. New growth will soon come through and cover the butchered appearance. Be very careful though as some conifers for example will not grow back if you cut into the old wood. If your old hedge is a Cypress variety you may be better off starting from scratch.

What plants have you used successfully as a hedge? Have you encountered problems establishing a new hedge? Share your experiences with us in the comments box below. Happy gardening!

My 3 Favorite Types of Lilies

Lilies are the most beautiful flowers in the universe and with superior reasons. Lilies are of over 100 different species, they come in many beautiful colors. Their awesome fragrant amazes and mesmerizes me all the time. Flowers make us feel loved and appreciated when they are given to us as gifts. They also add to the beauty of a place considerably. Lilies are one of the best flowers to plant in your compound and give people as gifts. Honestly it was tricky for me to choose favorites but I have listed the three top lilies that I love.

Trumpet lilies

They are easy to grow and a good option for gardeners who intent to start growing lilies. Trumpet lilies are big and splendid with long stalks and huge waxy flora that give supreme fragrance and beauty. They tall stalks makes them noticeably from a far by your visitors when they get to your home. They look awesome whilst planted next to patios, the front side of climbing roses or beside evergreens. They may outshine other shorter flowers if planted in clusters. They beautify your compound considerably and give you a lovely atmosphere around your home.

Asiatic lilies

Asiatic lilies blossom early and display brilliant and colorful petals. They frequently blossom amid June and July and usually bear 3-15 flowers on each stalk. I adore them because they are easy to take care of and to grow. They are greatly known for their ability to resist pest and for their power of endurance. They can grow in many areas and diversity of zones (5-9). Among all the lilies they have the widest or broadest type of colors. They are greatly known for dazzling shades of pink, red, yellow and red. They love sunshine and they blaze beautifully under the sun. Asiatic lilies are very beautiful and make wonderful gifts to friends and loved ones. You could also give them as presents during valentines, graduation ceremonies and many other occasions.

Oriental lilies

Oriental lilies are known for their large, gallant blooms and their spicy odor. They can be challenging to nurture or grow but the attempt is worth the while when they blossom. They have various shades like pink, red, yellow, white and sometimes a mixture of different colors that are stunning to look at. Mostly they bloom amid July and august and produce 6-12 fleshy buds per stalk. Their awesome fragrance makes them my personal favorite because they give me a refreshing feeling that is unimaginable to smell.

Landscaping Personal Property

Landscaping personal property can be an exciting and rewarding outdoor activity. How do you want to design your landscaping? This is the fun part of decorating the land which surrounds your house. You have invested much work into preparing your new ground. It does not matter if you did the hard labor of clearing the land with your own hands or if you hired a landscaping crew to do it. Both are costly in effort and monies.

Designing the landscape will require planning. It is worth the effort to do your research concerning which plants will grow in your geographical location. Know your growing zone in order to select the correct trees, shrubs, and flowers you wish to plant.

Reasons for planning

1. Save money
2. Improve the environment
3. Save on maintenance costs
4. A yard and garden which satisfies your lifestyle

Save Money

If you are anything like me, you have noticed how expensive plants are becoming. Take advantage of selecting perennial plants for your zone as these are the plants which will survive for many years. I am as guilty as anyone else about purchasing a beautiful annual plant. Choose sparingly; it can get costly.

Check with your neighbors, they may wish to pass cuttings on to you. Or drive through your community on the days when the trash man picks up yard waste. Sometimes, people are throwing away plants which you would benefit your landscaping and your wallet.

You may wish to have a house-warming party and request that friends and relatives purchase gifts of plants. Just as wedding gifts are listed with different retail stores, you may wish to have a list of plants which gift buyers can purchase. These gifts will add a touch of love to landscaping your personal property.

Improve the Environment

Plants will do much to add other life forms to enhance the earth and other insects and animal life. If possible do as much organic gardening as you are able in order to replenish the soil. Keep both soil and plants happy for an ever improving environment.

Save on Maintenance Costs

Save energy costs by gathering rain water or installing a shallow well. Recycling your rain water for wetting your yard, utilizing a shallow well, or setting up solar power will help to save energy costs.

Satisfy Your Lifestyle

Landscape personal property to fit your lifestyle. Think of how much care will be necessary. If your lifestyle is busy; grass and trees are great. If you are an avid gardener and have the time to care for your plants then do more.

True, the landscape design needs to suit the architecture of your house, but at the same time, you do not want to become a slave to your yard.

Landscape with native plants

Consider landscaping with some of the native plants in your growing zone. For instance, where I live, I am incorporating the scrub oak among drought resistant plants. To be more specific the African Iris is very drought resistant and will grow in sandy soil. This plant gets along very well with the scrub oak. To some people the scrub oak may not be attractive. However, I have discovered that their branches can be trimmed into beautiful shapes.

The scrub oak is needed to maintain the natural environment; the African Iris is a perennial and seemingly insect resistant. The soil need not be altered with chemical fertilizers, watering is minimal, maintenance is minimal, and both help to support the Florida environment.

If you have not done so, take a look at your state's native plants. There are many buildings affording less land, animals, and other living organisms which give life to our planet. We need to balance nature with our modern growth.

Planned Landscaping Benefits

1. It enhances our neighborhoods
2. Increases the value of our homes
3. Offers protection
4. Conserves energy
5. It's a playground for children and an entertainment arena for adults
6. Plants supply us with oxygen

In summary economize your energy costs with the use of native plants, plant gifts, plants thrown away by neighbors, and cuttings from neighbors. Save on energy costs with solar power, shallow well, and collected rain water. Landscaping personal property allows freedom to plan designs suited to your lifestyle and finances.

Landscaping Using Local Plants

Prepare to design your landscaping around all sides of your house. It does not mean that you will be landscaping the entire area, but rather preparing a guide for the total design.

Tour front, back and sides of the house and envision landscaping using local plants of trees, shrubs, and other flora which will enhance the architecture of the house and the neighborhood.

Sketch your ideas of plant placement. It helps to have the eye of an artist visualizing the height, width, growth pattern, and color of trees, shrubs, hedges, vines, and assorted plants which will be used.

The best way to minimize maintenance which includes labor, water, gasoline, oil, fertilizers, insect and pest control products, gardening and lawn tools and equipment is to utilize native plants. These plants are naturally suited to the climate and soil conditions in your locality.

Advantages of native plants

1.Create a natural habitat for birds and other insect and animal life. Yes, you will attract the good and the bad, however, for your surroundings to exist it benefits the habitat. Introducing plants not common to your state may or will cause problems for the environment and its ecosystem.

2.Help to re-establish natural vegetation representing your state. Each state has a state flower, state bird, and other plant and animal life which make that state unique. Planting tropical plants in a state known for cactus may be a refreshing look, but not good for the environment or the ecosystem.

3.Landscaping using local plants common to your state have a higher tolerance for seasonal changes.

4.No need to worry about prohibited plants by your county, city or state laws.

There is much beauty in your local plants. Take time to be an artist and arrange your plants according to their height, width, color, and texture, and you will be amazed with their beauty.

There are states which are losing their habit because of the increased population. These states are experiencing loss of their habitat and are discovering problems arising from that loss.

The palmetto plant was once considered a common nuisance weed in Florida and they were removed for personal reasons or to build subdivisions, shopping centers, industrial areas and much more.

The years have passed and I have noticed that people are now including the palmetto plant in residential and commercial landscaping because they are not as plentiful and are now considered to be attractive plants.

People are noticing their natural wildlife disappearing and the importance of landscaping using local plants which will help to correct and save local habitats. Just as sea oaks have become endangered along our coastlines we need to avoid these plant losses.

How To Plant A Container Garden

Container gardens are a good option for those who want to have a flower garden, but do not have the space for a flower bed. Container gardens are also good for those who may have the room for a regular flower bed, but want some flowers in other locations, such as a patio, or a corner of the yard away from a planting bed.

Obviously the first thing that you'll need for a container garden is a container! Practically anything that will hold soil can be used as a container garden. You can choose something like a terracotta flower pot or ceramic container that you can find at your local gardening store or you can choose something more unusual. If you want something unique, your options for containers are almost unlimited. Whatever container you choose, just be sure that it will drain water. A few holes drilled into the bottom should suffice.

A container garden can be used to add your own unique touch to your garden; you just have to choose a container that reflects your personality. For a slightly whimsical garden, you can use an old watering can for a container garden, or perhaps an old bowl and pitcher. For something even more unique, you can let your imagination run wild. A pair of boots, an old claw foot bathtub, or even a toilet can be turned into interesting container gardens.

Once you have your container, you need to fill it with soil, and start planting. You may want to put some landscaping fabric in the bottom of the container to prevent the drainage holes from getting clogged with soil. If your container is large, you may want to partially fill the container with empty water bottles, or Styrofoam peanuts, and then fill the rest of the container with soil. This will reduce the weight, and make it easier to move your container garden if you want it in a different location.

When choosing plants for your little garden, you can either choose plants with contrasting colors and textures, or plants with complimentary colors. Try to vary the size of the plants in the container. Plant something tall in the center of the container, or in the back of the container if it will be against a wall or a fence. In front of this, use a smaller plant for some variety. Along the edge of the container, use plants that will spill over the side. This three layered planting method provides some interest to the garden.

You don't necessarily need to follow the planting instructions exactly. If you are using annuals in your garden, you can pack them together, since they will not have the chance to grow and spread. Just give them some room to spread, but do not leave gaps.

A container garden is ideal for adding a touch of color to a corner of a patio or yard. You can even plant it several times a year, using different flowers for different growing seasons. With the right container, your garden can even reflect your own unique personality, making your garden your own.

Top 5 Reasons To Build An Aquaponics System

An aquaponics system is a sustainable and environmentally friendly method of growing fish, fruits and vegetables. The concept dates back thousands of years ago and it replicates an existing ecosystem.

In modern times, it makes even more sense to build an aquaponics system and people are beginning to realize this. Here are 5 of the top reasons to build an aquaponics system.

1) Grows Faster

In comparison with other methods of gardening, aquaponic gardening generally sees faster rates of growth. Plants have the ability to grow twice as fast when compared to traditional soil-based gardening, and you can yield anywhere from 5 to 20 times as much food in less time.

Putting things into a bit more perspective, lettuce grown in 10 square feet of space in an aquaponics system can have the same results in one month as lettuce grown in 100 square feet of space in a two month period.

One of the main reasons for these impressive results is the fact that aquaponic plants have access to the necessary nutrients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

2) Low Operation Costs

When you purchase a pre-made aquaponics system, it can often run into the thousand dollar mark for just a basic media-based aquaponics system. However, if you were to build your own system, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars. It's also very straightforward and simple.

Once that's done, the costs of maintaining your aquaponics system is very low. The main things you need are stock fish, fish food and plant seeds. If you plan on having your system placed indoors, then you need to account of lighting electricity also.

3) Easy To Operate

The most difficult part of an aquaponics system is building it in the first place (if you don't purchase a pre-made model). When it comes to maintaining the efficiency of your system, 95 per cent of it is auto-mated. You won't have to experience the kind of backbreaking work that's required in traditional soil-based gardening.

There is no weeding required since grow beds are placed around waist height in grow media so plant roots cannot spread beyond its boundaries. Also, aquaponics media replaces soil so you won't need to do any soil cultivation or fertilization.

The main things you need to keep an eye on is the health of your fishes and plants. You do this by testing pH and ammonia levels in the water, and also the water's temperature. These tests are conducted at least once a week and take less than a few minutes.

4) Offers An Alternative Source Of Income

When you've gained the experience of having a simple and basic aquaponics system, you may want to upscale your system to make some extra money on the side. Using aquaponics for commercial purposes is a different subject than using it for personal reasons.

However, supplying surplus fish, fruits and vegetables to end consumers or wholesalers is very realistic and many people have done it successfully.

5) Much Healthier And Tastier

It's a fact that many of the fruits and vegetables in our food supply chain are riddled with different chemicals which can be harmful to the long-term health of human beings.

Outbreaks of various diseases such as salmonella can be attributed to a compromise of food safety somewhere in the supply chain. This makes it hard to trust what we're really eating.

Food grown with aquaponics is all organic and natural, and you will have peace of mind knowing exactly what your fish has eaten and how your plants are grown. Not only is this direct food source a healthier option, but it's also a much better tasting one.

Water Pumps Failing You - Replace Them For An Affordable Price

A failed water pump is not the start to a great day. Instead of worrying that you'll never find a replacement, it's a good idea to start looking as fast as possible for a great replacement. You can use the power of the Internet to make absolutely sure that you find the water pumps that you really need, skipping over the ones that don't serve your needs.

In order to find the pump that you really need, you might want to look at the serial number of the pump that you're trying to replace. Of course, if you're thinking about upgrading to the next level above what you already own, this would be a great time to do it. Far too often we don't think about the performance that we're missing out on by not upgrading the system that we rely on most. So, if you're thinking about it, this is a great time to start updating. The next natural question would be to look into what really makes a great water pump.

You want to make sure that you're looking at purpose before you do any shopping around. It's important to study this so that you select the right pump in the long run. For example, if you're trying to remove standing water from an area that might have debris in it, a trash pump is going to be superior to a utility pump. It also might be a little more expensive than what you expect, but quality is really important. The investment will pay off in the long run since you will have a longer maintenance schedule than others that invested in cheaper equipment that breaks constantly.

This is linked to submersible pumps -- the water pumps that can handle being immersed in water. If you've ever had to pump out a water-logged basement, then you can appreciate the sheer value that a submersible pump brings to the table.

There are also fuel concerns that need to be considered. You might want to go with a gas powered pump to have more output, but that doesn't mean that electric pumps are necessarily bad. They're just not applicable for every situation. If you want to make sure that you have a pump that serves you well even if the power goes out, then a gas powered pump is really where you want to be.

Your budget will play a role into the ultimate decision that you make, but not as largely as you might think. The truth is that you can definitely get affordable pumps out there. While you're looking around, try to also think about a site you can go to if you have to make repairs. This will make sure that you have a pretty seamless operational case, because it can only be a matter of time before a pump goes out. Yet with so many great deals coming into the marketplace for small motor-based equipment, chances are good that you're going to be able to pick up multiple water pumps, allowing you to just rotate them out.

The Importance Of Quality Garden Machinery

Looking after the garden can be time consuming, but for many Australians it represents an opportunity to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of suburban life for an afternoon. It can take a lot of equipment and machinery, such as mowers, leaf blowers and hedge trimmers to keep your garden looking great. Unfortunately, much of the cheap equipment on the market is not actually fit for its intended purpose.

While it may be more costly in the beginning, it is important that you buy quality equipment. Below are just a few reasons why you should consider paying a little bit more to get it right the first time.

Cheapest Isn't Always Best

There is a proliferation of cheaply constructed electric tools and motorised garden machinery flooding into hardware and department stores. These tools are very cheap, which makes them an attractive proposition for those on a tight budget.

However, before you go and buy these tools, it pays to remember the old adage: 'buy quality, buy once'. Cheap tools are generally cheap for a reason - they are just not designed to last for a long time. You may very quickly find yourself replacing these cheap tools, making the initial discount price far less enticing. By buying quality tools, you may pay more to begin with, but they will last much longer. Spreading the cost of these quality tools over many years of service can actually make them cheaper!

Small Motor Maintenance Cost

Small motors are actually quite complicated and mechanics who are skilled in repairing small motors can demand a premium for their skills. This can make repairing garden machinery, which uses small motors, an expensive proposition. For the cheaper machinery, it is often not even worth the cost of repairs - this results in much of these cheap tools ending up in landfill. Such waste is a real shame and is awful for the environment. On the other hand, more expensive machinery requires less maintenance and is still cost effective to repair if it breaks down.

A Better Gardening Experience

So far, the benefits of buying quality garden machinery have been explained in terms of saving money. However, there is another very important benefit to using quality machinery: a better gardening experience.

When you go to spend time in your garden, you want to be relaxed, with all the necessary tools at your disposal. Whenever your tools break or fail to do the job correctly, it introduces undue stress and hassle to the gardening process. Quality machinery is built by companies with years of experience, who have a good track record. By using quality tools you can not only save money, you can save yourself a lot of unneeded stress and angst!

My 3 Favorite Types of Orchids

Over the years, orchids have emerged to be the most elegant and long lasting type of flower, for instance, it is well known all over the world for its suppleness. Basically, it is one of the best flowers prized for use in the home and also out in the garden because of their unmatched beauty and strength. Also, it is important to mention that the orchid family is one of the largest plant types in the world with up to 25000 species spread all over the world. Orchids produce flowers that bloom for relatively longer periods of time. The following are the tree common types of orchids that have emerged to be a favorite with a majority of people.

Phalaenopsis Orchids

This type of orchid, native to Australia and South East Asia, is popularly known as the moth given that its flowers have a fluttering appearance (from basic white to pink, yellow red and green) that resembles the wings of a flying moth. Phalaenopsis Orchids can make the most beautiful addition to your home décor, patio or garden because they can flourish when grown indoors. They bloom early in the summer and can last for months when kept in the right temperatures, warm with limited light. In the wild, Phalaenopsis orchids are epiphytes and grow on trees in a continuously moist environment. It is one of the best type of orchids that is more suitable for beginners.

Cymbidium Orchids

Cymbidium orchids have over 40 species and thousands of hybrids in the orchid family. They are considered to be one of the first type of orchids to be cultivated but their nativel habitat extends from Southeast Asia to Australia. Cymbidium orchids' popularity can be attributed to the fact that they are easy to grow and provide beautiful flowers every year and thus it is the best option for beginners.

Dendrobium Orchids

This is another type of orchids with over 1600 species in its family. Unfortunately, Dendrobium Orchids are a bit rare when compared to the other types in the orchid family but in the most recent past, the popularity of this type of orchids has been on the rise because of their fast growth rate and more so their fragrant flowers with amazing color combination. Dendrobium orchids require bright light, well-drained mixers, small spots and relatively high humidity regardless of type. During spring, sleeping buds burst forth from the flower's base and bloom in autumn. It is quite interesting to know that the flowers of Dendrobium Orchids turn light golden brown when heated with medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes.