Gardener blog: August 2012

Easy Aeroponic Gardening Systems - Even Easier Set Up

Aeroponics gardening systems are great additions to any backyard, not only are they easy to set up but you can easily grow plants all summer long that produce amazing plants with lots of fruits and vegetables. With aeroponics, traditional garden beds are days of the past. No longer will you need to build beds, fill them with soil and pray that elements in the soil such as pests, disease and other contaminants do not destroy your hard work and take everything else down with it.

Aeroponic gardening systems are a great method or growing produce that many are starting to add to their backyards and greenhouses. It not only allows you to grow plants and produce that is healthy and strong but do so in any location; backyard, greenhouses or even any elevation or season.

How It Works
Aeroponics is a system where the plant is suspended in a container while the roots hang below. With this container tubing is inside the container that coils along the inside wall of the container and sprays water on the roots that hang in the center. This allows the nutrients to be taken in through the roots, like with a traditional bed, but without the soil.

The nutrient filled water that is misted along the roots of a plant allows the plant to grow and thrive. Through this method of growing you are able to produce plants that are free from contaminants that can take over a crop and destroy them. This method grows healthy strong plants year round if wanted and produce that is just as good for you as those that are from a traditional bed; if not better.

Set Up
A common misconception about aeroponics gardening systems is that they are difficult to set up, which is incorrect. Set up of aeroponic gardening systems are very easy and can be placed in any location. They are great in backyards or even green houses. You can take seedlings and grow them into starts to be placed in the containers and grow them to be large producers of fruits and vegetables for your family to enjoy. With soil filled garden beds

This is a super easy set up that you can do on your own to yield great produce that your entire family will enjoy. It is also a fun at home project to get the whole family involved with. With aeroponics you can easily set up a great system within your backyard and home and receive amazing results in no time.

Get more tips and information on where to grow and how to garden by visiting Rapid Grower Blog
Here you will find information on how to grow, storing your vegetables and much more to turn you from the novice to the expert.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shailynn_Krow

Gardening With Aeroponics, A Family Affair

Having a garden each year not only provides an outlet for you but a creative way to get the family together. Yet, in that process, we also want to produce an abundance of fruits and vegetables to last the entire summer. Why not enjoy those benefits of a garden and instead use an aeroponics gardening system. With this process you are not only spending time together and having fun, but you are learning a new way to establish a garden without the pests and disease while still producing great food

What is Aeroponics?
Aeroponics is a gardening system that takes plants and by using a container or chamber, suspends the plants, allowing the roots to hang freely. With this technique, the plant receives nourishments through water that is misted directly on the plants roots rather than through the soil. With this type of system the plant is still growing, gathering nutrients and producing fruits and vegetables. It allows you to really take a look at the plant in each stage of growth and get a great idea of exactly how the plant is structurally. It is a great way to show your family the entire process of plant growth, while having fun and receiving great produce.

Why It Is So Great
Not only is it an educational process and fun for the family, it allows you to have that fun and the yummy crops all year. With aeroponics you can easily transform your garden into a year round produce producing machine. They are great for any outdoor space and can easily be taken indoors, for example a greenhouse or shed, where you can control the temperatures to allow plants to flourish even in winter.

Also, unlike with traditional garden beds, there is no soil involved. This allows your plants to truly flourish without exposure to possible pitfalls such as root rot, pests and diseases. Within the soil, roots take in everything to receive nutrients and with that can be problems. Issues like these can certainly destroy a crop in an instant. Yet, with aeroponics you can simply remove those problems and have great tasting fruits and vegetables literally anytime of the year.

Gardening with aeroponics is fun and very easy to do. You can see the entire growth process and eat fruits and vegetables free from exposure to disease, root rot and pests. Not only can you have outdoor systems but indoor as well to maximize your growing potential and yield the most possible. It is an awesome way to get the family interested in gardening and doing it together.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shailynn_Krow

The Versatility and Great Benefits of Aeroponics

Aeroponics sounds like a process that is meant for master gardeners and something left for the professionals. Yet, the thing is, anyone can take it up and have successful growing gardens. It may have a big name, yet the process is simple and brings in big results. You may think, "What is the big deal?" and really once you understand what aeroponics is, you will understand. It is a great process that really allows you to yield lots of fruits and vegetables. This process allows anyone, not just a pro, to garden with style. It can be done to accommodate any home, backyard or lack thereof. It has versatility that traditional beds lack, which is why it is so appealing.

What is Aeroponics?
Instead of growing your plants in a bed with soil where it receives nutrients that way, aeroponics brings in a different aspect to gardening. With this method the plant is suspended in a container where the plant is above and the roots hang below. There, water that is nutrient rich is misted through a tubing system onto the roots of the plant. Roots are still taking in the nutrients bringing life and nourishment to the entire plant yet it is doing so without the need to be underground.

Because of this process you also lack the potential threats that come along with traditional gardens. There is no root rot, damage to the plant through pest exposure, lack of water or too much or even disease that can be laden in the soil. You have completely healthy plants that produce healthy fruits and vegetables.

Easy For Anyone
Just because it sounds tricky, does not mean that it is. It is a process that anyone can do, in any location. Not only can it be done in the convenience of your backyard, but on roof tops, balconies and green houses. Aeroponics is not meant for those who have been gardening for years and are skilled in vast areas of gardening. It is a process that can be taught to anyone who wants to learn the technique and have great tasting fruits and vegetables.

Not only is aeroponics a great process for anyone interested in a new way to produce great tasting crops, it is easy to do in any climate of the world. With this gardening system you can easily produce plants that can yield fruits and vegetables in any climate at any time of the year. The versatility of this process is unmatched and the fact you can do so without the harmful issues that can take away crops, is really a valuable tool. No worries about where you are in your process of turning that thumb of your green, if aeroponics sounds like a great gardening system for you, try it out and enjoy the benefits it will bring you, as well as the great tasting produce.

Get more tips and information on where to grow and how to garden by visiting Rapid Grower Blog Here you will find information on how to grow, storing your vegetables and much more to turn you from the novice to the expert.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shailynn_Krow

Quick and Easy Garden Container Project

Looking for a quick and easy garden container to add some flair to a boring deck, yard or patio? Here is a before and after project that will take less than 30 minutes, can be inexpensive and is a creative take on ordinary container gardening!

Supplies:

Any container that has sections.
(We used an old wood soda crate)
Potting soil
Alpine or compact plants
Polished stones

Step One: Choose plants that are of an alpine or compact nature. You don't want to the plants overgrowing the container so much that you can no longer see the structure that gives it a good design. Line the container with plastic to protect it if you choose, but be sure it has some drainage. If drainage is an issue, place a layer of gravel at the bottom of the container first. Fill the container with potting soil, gently pack down, and place the plants. Fill with more soil, gently press down with your fingers, and water. Tip: Don't plant all the sections of your container. Leaving some empty space highlights the plants and gives the eye a place to rest.

Step Two: Fill some of the empty sections with polished stones or glass. You can find these at craft shops or dollar stores, or perhaps you already have a collection. The stones are a nice contrast to the container and the plants.

Step Three: Place your container, keep it watered and prune the plants as needed to keep them controlled. Remember, in this particular project, you are highlighting the creative container as much as the plants!

Remember to match the plants to the sun exposure... don't place shade plants in the sun, or plants that need a lot of water and care in an easy to forget spot.

Done! Some ideas? Use recycled materials from a building renovation store and succulents for a more modern or contemporary look. Repeat the same plant over and over, or vary your plants for more contrast. Try small grasses, succulents, compact annuals, or even experiment with a trailing houseplant over one side. Think about all containers that have sections...kitchen containers, building supplies, plastic organizing trays, or create your own by placing a series of smaller containers inside a larger one!

Easy, quick garden container project to make your small space or patio garden something special. You can make it as budget friendly as you wish, and this is a great project to reuse and recycle, making it green gardening as well!

For free budget gardening ideas visit her at http://www.TheGardenGlove.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Woodard

How to Design Your Dream Garden - Tips for Important Corporate Managers

You may start by wondering about the title and about the connection between the two apparently completely separate worlds - what has an important corporate manager have to do with gardening? Well, the following article is going to explain this strange idea. In our ever changing world and at the very fast pace we are living and working, a new tendency has arisen especially amongst those who have the harsh experience of working in a large corporate environment. After 5 days each week of continuous rush, after never-ending conferences with colleagues from other countries on different time zones, after piles of reports and difficult decisions taken each day, decisions which impact the life of thousands, managers has discovered the simple and calm life in the countryside.

More and more of them start buying simple peasant houses with gardens, start growing their own vegetables, planting their own trees and exchange their laptops and smart phones for garden tools. They start rediscovering the connection with nature and are surprised to see how relaxing a full day of work in the garden can be.

They notice somehow surprised that the competencies they have developed for their work (time management, decision making, organizing and prioritizing skills, even IT skills) apply in the garden too. It may seem strange, but I dare to speak from own experience. As Human Resources manager I have bought and designed my own garden with the help of my laptop and all the skills mentioned above.

So, first of all you need to buy yourself a piece of land to transform into your dream garden. It can be a small one below your balcony or a large countryside one next to your farm house. Then you need to decide what kind of garden you want: leisure garden, practical vegetable garden or both.

Then, depending on your choice above you need to go to the drawing board. Grab your laptop, open a spreadsheet (it's the best because each cell can represent a measuring unit) and start your work. First of all start measuring the outside lengths - then create in your spreadsheet the real look of your garden as seen from above. Try to keep the scales - use one cell for 1 meter or 1 feet or the scale of your choice. What's important is to use the same scale everywhere. Insert first the outside borders, no matter the shape, square, rectangle, triangle, broken freeform, it's your choice. Then notice what you already have in your garden and put them in the spreadsheet too: house, porch, alleys, trees that you plan to keep, vineyard, anything that you intend to keep. Measure carefully their positioning according to the outer borders and remember to keep the scale.

Now that you have the current status inserted, start thinking about what else you want in the garden and how much space you would like to offer them: you want 10 more apricots, you want a pond, you want 2 more climbing roses, you need to build a parking space for one more car, you would like some lavender, you love tomatoes and want half of your garden to be filled with them, you want a tree house, you want a house for your dog, a playground for your children, tall hedge to protect you from unwanted visitors and many more. Put all these elements on a list in the same spreadsheet or a separate spreadsheet and start placing them in your garden.

Mark each element on our list after you have placed them in your spreadsheet in order not to forget any of them and always remember to watch the scale. While doing this also consider the following:

- Keep as much grass as you can - all in all you are running away from the city, not transforming your garden into yet another cement and tar place;
- Inform yourself about the plant types you want and their needs. Some are in bloom yearly with no effort, some need replacement each year, some need trimming, some need shade, some need the presence of similar one close by (for example there are types of apricots that won't give you any fruit unless they have a complementary one within a certain range close by to spread their pollen), some need sun and plenty of light only, some need protection from the frost.

This may seem complicated but remember you're doing this to relax and forget about corporate issues. Trust me - only looking at catalogs with plants to buy for your garden will relax you more than you think. Just imagine you have all these plants in your garden, all planted by yourself, how much joy and satisfaction they can give you.

Other things that can help: remember there are companies selling plants online. They can always help pick the ones you want and most of the times they deliver the products when it's the best time to plant them - so this is always a great help to remember when to plant something. To be organized you can insert in your spreadsheet the best planting time and order the list accordingly - this always helps.

Also, there's always a professional you can pay to do all this work for you, but when you do this remember you are missing all the fun. The real satisfaction comes from things that you did by yourself. Watching plants grow after you have planted them is much more fun than having a full service garden packed and delivered to you by someone else. You will relax more while working in the garden than just by sitting and looking at someone else's work. A tomato grown by yourself tastes much better than a similar one given to you by a professional gardener - even if it's your own garden.

All these being said, I invite you to just consider this idea for now before making any decisions - talk to the people who have a garden and take care of it by themselves, read blogs and see how happy work in your own garden makes you. And this position will suit you too for sure, no matter your current corporate job and competencies.

I invite you to see my own garden. I am HR manager and yet my garden is the only place filling me with energy. See lots of pictures from our amateur gardening experience. Visit our dream garden here: http://moreni-garden.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Georgiana_Mihalache

Growing and Caring for Sempervivums

The sempervivum is a succulent plant belonging to the Crassulaceae family. Originally from the hot dry climates of Southern Europe, it grows in rosettes of fleshy thick leaves that store water and give them the ability to live on sunny rocks and stony mountain terrain. The sempervivum has a number of affectionate common names such as liveforever, house leek and hen and chicks. Often overlooked, this little plant is actually a real stunner and comes in varied and beautiful varieties. Here is a sort guide on how to grow them, where they look best and some of my favourite varieties.

Growing sempervivums

Although they originate from warm, dry climbs sempervivums are very easy to look after in our climate and will live happily either indoors or outdoors. They are among some of the most frost hardy succulents which make them a popular addition to our gardens. They require only a little water and some protection from extreme exposure to the sun. Because of their origins, it comes as no surprise that the only problem posed to them from our climate is over watering. For this reason I do tend to bring my prize specimens into a cold greenhouse during the winter months to prevent them from getting too wet.

When planting sempervivums they do best in an outdoor sunny position, in well-drained compost, with around a quarter sharp horticultural grit for added drainage. They will grow alongside other cultivated plants in normal flower beds but because of their low growing habit you may experience problems with other plants overshadowing them. Therefore, I prefer to grow them in containers where they can be showcased either on a sunny wall or in groups of pots on a patio. Plant them in the same way but add a further layer of grit to the surface of the container for extra drainage. Sempervivums do not require feeding, but they will benefit from being repotted each year into fresh compost containing a slow release fertiliser.

Green roofs

Because of their ability to grow in dry shallow places and withstand extremes in climate, sempervivums are ideal for roof top planting. Green roofs have become popular in recent years as a way of creating a sustainable roof space that works with the environment. Their ability to self-generate also means that they soon cover the surface with an attractive green blanket.

Varieties of sempervivum

There are many hundreds of varieties of sempervivum. They are grown not for their flowers, but the form and colour of the rosette-leaves which are at their best from March until June. Possibly the most familiar species is arachnoideum, also known as the cobweb sempervivum because of the tiny white hairs at the tip of each leaf. 'Fernwood' has large open rosettes with dark colouring at the tips of the leaves. 'Angel eyes' is a vigorous variety that has sharply-pointed brown and green leaves. 'Moerkerk's Merit' has a velvety appearance due to tufty hairs which grow on the leaf tips. Its leaves are silver-green in colour.

I love the fact that you can grow sempervivums in the most unlikely garden planters. They are great in sinks and troughs, either in single varieties, a mix of varieties or with other alpines. They look great grown in the holes of building bricks, in old logs or at the ends of pieces of piping.

Jo Poultney is one of two people behind Garden Planters. I have an RHS general certificate in horticulture. Garden Planters source unusual outdoor and indoor planters, and other garden related gifts - whatever your taste, be it traditional, modern or just a bit quirky, we will have something for you. I believe garden planters are an integral part of any garden - they enhance the overall design and say a little something about the person to whom the garden belongs. If you would like to know more about Garden Planters, visit our website at http://www.gardenplantersshop.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jo_Poultney

Gardening Ventures for Children

Have you ever observed that nearly every kid naturally is interested in growing things? Not only does it give them a chance to mess around in the dirt, but they also seem to really like watching plants grow. It is an enjoyable experience that can also be extremely educational for kids. You'll discover that there are many rewards both for you and the child when you offer them some gardening activities, even if you do not necessarily have a green thumb. In fact, you might love doing it so very much that you decide to make growing plants a regular part of your schedule. The following are just a few of the numerous possibilities you can consider when looking for something fun and educational that will also get your kids outside.

Have Your Child Grow Their Very Own Salad

If your child isn't a fan of having to eat their vegetables, then demonstrating to them how to cultivate their own can be a great way to encourage them. Children who would typically protest eating veggies often become much more open to the idea if they watch them grow in their own garden. Even when you have a really small yard, you should be able to find enough space for your youngster to grow a tomato plant, one kind of lettuce and perhaps a pepper or a cucumber plant. The truth is, these plants may even be easily grown in a container on your porch, patio or balcony. It is better to start small with just a few plants, so that your child does not become overwhelmed with the need to take care of a larger garden. Small vegetables like cherry tomatoes are often favorites with children. When getting started, you can begin with a few already sprouted plants which you purchased at a garden center nearby, or you could even try starting up from seeds, which will enable your kids to learn even more about growing things. Encourage your child to keep the plants watered and weeded, and soon they'll be rewarded with tasty fresh vegetables. Once this happens, plan a minimum of one meal around a salad made from your child's crops. You may even want to get some snapshots of your family enjoying the scrumptious salad so you can later put them in pretty red picture frames and hang them in your kitchen.

Try Out Sprouting Some Seeds

Even if the weather is cold and does not permit you to garden things outside, this does not mean that you can't sprout some seeds inside in the meanwhile. Purchase a few packets of seeds, like beans, cucumbers, or squash. Since your child will probably be handling the seeds too, you'll want to check and confirm that they have not been treated with any harmful chemicals or pesticides. Get some paper towels a little moist with water, and then spread them out on a counter or another work surface. Then, put several seeds onto the paper towel. Fold the paper towel around the seeds, and set in a warm location. You will need to sprinkle the paper towel with a little water occasionally, because the seeds won't sprout if the paper towel becomes dry. Covering the paper towel with a plastic bag can help keep it damp, but make sure the seeds get at the very least a bit of air. Unfold the paper towel every day or so to examine the seeds' progress. The sprouting seeds and leaves are sure to be fascinating for the child to watch. Take a couple of photos of the growing seeds so that your youngster can display them in great small picture frames to remind them of the experiment. If you go to your grocery store's natural and organic section, you might even purchase mung bean, alfalfa, and some other sprouting seeds to make for salads. Put them in a glass canning jar, rinse them out with some water, and then drain the water thoroughly out of the jar. Repeat this process each day until some sprouts form. Then, use them to finish off a tasty salad.

You'll be surprised to discover how well your kids will do in cultivating their own plants, and how much they will enjoy themselves in the process. You just might find that you even have lots of fun too!

No matter what the subject matter, cool collage picture frames are a great way to both display and preserve your favorite photos. Come see Your Picture Frames selection of lovely picture frames to decide how best to show off your cherished photographs! Visit our website or give us a call at 800-780-0699.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Autumn_Lockwood

How to Reduce Water Usage in the Garden

If you live in the UK, then chances are that you are currently experiencing drought conditions. This means that the reservoirs and water supplies that serve your household and the surrounding area are somewhat lower than their normal levels. In order to prevent supplies drying up it is essential that everybody in a drought area reduces their water usage. There are a number of steps that you can take both inside the house and outside the house to help reduce your water usage. The steps below discuss what steps you can carry out to reduce the amount of water that you use in your garden. These steps aim to help those who are experiencing the hose pipe ban by offering alternative methods to using your hose pipe.

1. Buy a watering can. This will enable you to carry on watering your garden during times when hose pipe bans are in force and will substantially reduce water consumption in comparison to hose pipes.

2. Purchase a water butt. Attach the water butt to your roof drainage system so that any rain water that lands on your roof is stored. Ensure that an overflow pipe is fitted encase your water butt fills up. Where possible make the overflow pipe feed into soil so that excess water isn't wasted or passed into local sewage/drainage systems.

3.Use water from water butt. Using the watering can and the stored water from the water butt, water your plants and your grow your own produce accordingly.

4.Do not water plants during times of heat. Ensure that you water your garden at the coolest times of the day (i.e. first thing in the morning/in the evening) as this will reduce the amount of water that is evaporated from your lawn and plants.

5. Increase moisture retaining capability of the soil. To increase the moisture retaining capability of your soil purchase some water retention gel and mix with the soil within your tubs and containers. The moisture retaining crystals will absorb water ensuring that water is kept within the soil and not simply passed out of the planting area.

6. Increase stress tolerance of plants. Purchase stress tolerance enhancers and apply them to your plants to further reduce the need for moisture.

7. Have native plants and vegetables. Ensure that your garden includes plants and veg that are native to your region and are therefore more likely to require less water than plants from other countries or continents.

8. Relocate plants. Try moving plants from normal soil into containers and tubs as they will hold water for much longer than normal garden soil/compost. A substantial amount of water passed into normal garden soil will be passed further down into the earth.

Information obtained from my own experiences and from glogrow.com an online garden centre.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_G_David

Five Significant Tips To Developing A Thriving Aquaponics Garden

Although it is pretty uncomplicated to set up an aquponics system, you need some fundamental comprehension of aquaponics itself. In order to bring about the best outcome there are five easy-to-follow instructions you can take to reach your goals and objectives with an indoor system.

LOCATION

The site of your system will likely have a direct effect on how well your garden and fish grow. Elements like temperature, light and extreme weather conditions have to be considered when choosing a site to house your system. The temperature should not fluctuate and (needless to say) not be too cold or too hot. Lighting should be ample to sustain plant functions like photosynthesis. And finally make sure there are no dangerous chemical compounds in the region. Toxins are detrimental equally to both plants and fish.

CHOOSE THE CORRECT TYPE OF FISH

A number of common breeds of fish would probably be fine. Nevertheless your particular state may have regulations about what species of fish you can and can't raise. Make sure you find this information out prior to stocking your system.

ADDITIVES

The odds are you will have a reasonably moderate system, at least to start off with. Since you may not have a lot of fish to provide your plants with the appropriate amount of nutrition, you may have to add some supplements to help make up the difference. Additives like iron, calcium carbonate, and potassium carbonate are typical additives.

GROW BED PLACEMENT

One of the strengths of an hydroponic /aquaponic system is never having to weed! One more is that you can place the grow beds at a height where you will not have to bend over down or over. No more kneeling or crouching to take care of the plants. Waist level is exactly right to take care of your aquaponic garden.

OXYGENATION OF THE WATER

Fish and plants both gain advantage from oxygenation. As for the fish it is completely imperative. Being as you will probably have a high density of fish in a comparatively small area you will have to incorporate some sort of oxygenation in the form of an air stone otherwise your fish will run out of oxygen and their health and well-being will likely fail.

Not only is aquaponics not very difficult, it's an organic way to cultivate vegetables and fish right in your own your own house year around! If you pay attention to the five guidelines stated above, you should have a prosperous aquaponic garden in no time!

For ideas as to setting up your own system even if you have no experience in aquaponics at all, check out http://www.aquaculturetanks.org. Here you will find various articles about aquaponic and hydroponic systems, What is Aquaponics? is an particularly valuable article if you want to brush up on what an aquaponic system is.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jess_Sartor

Essential Plant Nutrients and Feeding Plants

An essential part of creating a colourful garden, rich in different forms of plant life, is to grow healthy plants. We all know the importance of adding compost and vegetable waste to our garden soil and this will supply your plants with some of the major nutrients they require, but it can be a bit hit and miss. Some plants require more of a certain nutrient than others, and how do you know that your soil contains enough nutrients to keep your plants happy and in good health? Here is a short guide to the main nutrients your garden plants need and whether it is best to use man-made plant foods or organically produced alternatives.

The three major natural plant food elements are Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. Potassium (K) helps improve the quality of a plant's flowers and strengthens its resistance to disease. Nitrogen (N) is needed for the plant to produce strong healthy stems, leaves and shoots. Phosphorus (P) is essential for sturdy root growth. There are some other minor nutrients that are essential for healthy plant growth. These include magnesium, which is needed for formation of chlorophyll in leaves; sulphur and calcium. Trace elements needed in varied and only small amounts are iron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum and boron.

Even though your soil may contain certain amounts of all these elements, they may not be available in a form that is easily absorbed by plants, or in enough quantities. An example would be iron which is particularly needed by plants such as Camellia and Rhododendron to prevent their leaves from yellowing.

Man-made plant food versus organic

The big advantage of using man-made plant food products is that you can use different ones to match the different needs of your plants. They also allow you to better control the trace elements you put into the soil as they contain carefully balanced nutrients that are either quickly released or released more slowly over a longer period of time. However, if you prefer to use organic then there are some advantages and many different products available that contain recycled vegetable and animal wastes enriched with minerals and are one hundred per cent chemical free. Organic seaweed fertilisers have been shown to be very effective plant food and are particularly good for vegetables and grass. They can be bought both in pellet form or as a liquid feed. Pelletted poultry manure is another effective organic fertiliser as it is a useful source of nitrogen.

Remember, whatever type of plant food you choose, take particular care to feed those plants in garden planters with the correct amount of nutrients to offset the limits placed on their intake due to the confines of container growing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jo_Poultney

How to Deal With a Black Spot on Roses

The rose is probably the icon of the English garden. There is nothing quite like the bloom of bush, patio and climbing roses in June. They add elegance, colour and scent to the summer garden. On the whole I find roses quite easy to grow. Many of my old English specimens are grown in containers as well as the ramblers and bush roses I have growing in borders throughout the garden. However, the one problem even the most experienced gardener can't avoid is that of a black spot.

Although common to roses, a black spot can also be found on other plants. But it is the most serious disease for roses. Popular varieties such as hybrid teas, floribundas, climbers and patio types are usually the most susceptible. Caused by the fungus Diplocarpon rosae, a black spot appears as purple or black spots on the leaves which eventually drop off thus greatly reducing the vigour of the plant. Badly affected plants can shed almost all their leaves in a very short time. First signs of a black spot are usually seen in early spring when new leaves begin the sprout. Because the fungus is very diverse and new strains form all the time, it is difficult to create lasting resistance in new rose varieties.

Treating and controlling a black spot

There is not really very much you can do if you don't want to use chemicals. Old varieties of rose tend to be less susceptible to a black spot, so as a form of prevention is might be a good idea to do your home work and select old varieties of rose when buying new plants or replacing lost ones. For new varieties, go for those that have shown some evidence of resistance to the disease - that's not to say the plant will be free of a black spot for its entire life, but you will have a head start. If your rose does show signs of a black spot, remove and destroy the affected leaves immediately. Don't put them on the compost heap as the fungus will survive and affect other plants when spread with the compost. To reduce the chance of re-infection the following year, prune affected plants back hard in autumn.

If you have to resort to chemical control, then start spraying with a suitable fungicide as new leaves open and repeat at fortnightly intervals. Continue to spray the plant every two weeks throughout the season. It is also a good idea to alternate several different products in order to maximise their effectiveness. This is especially relevant for roses grown in garden planters which will always be slightly compromised when grown in a container rather than in open ground.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jo_Poultney

Sprucing Up Your Garden for Summer

With the weather getting warmer you're going to want to spend more time outside in your garden. It's well worth putting in a little effort and making your garden look more attractive. You'll definitely appreciate it on long summer days.

Clearing out and cutting back is the first task. Some areas of your garden are bound to be overgrown. This can make your garden look scruffy and feel smaller. Keep bushes neatly trimmed, don't let trees and shrubs get out of hand and make sure any dead parts plants of plants are removed. You'll find your garden feels instantly tidier.

Make sure your tools are in good working order before you start. Electric garden power tools can be dangerous so give them a good check over to make sure they are not damaged, and familiarise yourself with the safety guidelines if it's been a while since you used them.

Give the lawn a good mow and you'll start to be able to see what your garden should look like again! Trim the edges of the lawn, and then move onto your paths and patio areas. If you have a pressure washer then giving them a good clean will work wonders. If you have decking or a tiled patio then do check for damage that may have occurred over winter. If your patio is made of porcelain floor tiles then they will most likely be fine as they are not affected by frost and are very strong, however if your patio is made of the popular terracotta floor tiles, these can be affected by frost, so check for any cracked tiles and replace them. Broken tiles look unsightly, but they also represent a tripping hazard so make sure you fix them.

If your garden furniture has been outside all winter, then it will need a thorough clean. Depending on the material, it may also need some maintenance, or may need replacing. If it has been in storage then now is the time to get it out and dust it off.

Get to the garden centre and add some colour to the garden with some new plants. If you have pots, fill them all up with some bedding plants. You'll find all sorts of great pots and containers at the garden centre, so why not treat yourself to something new for the summer. You could even have a water feature perhaps.

As the weather gets warmer, the weeds will grow quicker and it's important to keep on top of them or it can get out of hand. Spending a little time weeding your borders daily is well worth it.

In these tough economic times you might also want to consider growing your own vegetables. Even if you only have a very small garden there are plenty of vegetables you can grow in containers. Some have beautiful flowers and foliage so they don't need to make your garden look ugly. It's well worth the effort. Fresh home grown vegetables taste so much better than those you buy from the supermarket and it's very rewarding to grow your own.

If you're considering giving your home a makeover! then why not check out tiles4all for a amazing range of cheap floor tiles. Visit http://www.tiles4all.co.uk/ for more information today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_C_Naylor

Planting Summer Hanging Baskets

Hanging baskets are a great way to brighten up a wall or fence and showcase a colourful front door. They are even increasingly brightening up the centres of our towns and cities, making us feel good with a splash of bright colour in a concrete environment. Hanging baskets are just perfect for growing exotic annuals, particularly trailing varieties and can even provide the medium for a decorative display of vegetables and fruits such as tumbling tomatoes and strawberries. Here is a guide on how to plant a hanging basket and some suitable and decorative plants.

There are a number of different styles and sizes of hanging basket from cone-shaped to round, wicker to metal. Some come already lined, others will need a liner of either moss, cardboard or natural fibre.

Once you have chosen your basket and lined it, place an old saucer in the bottom to help retain water. Then fill half the basket with good general purpose compost. It is also a good idea to mix a few slow release fertiliser granules into the compost to help feed the plants over the course of the summer. Place trailing plants through holes made in the sides of the liner and cover their roots with more compost. This will produce a fuller look to the basket once the plants become established. Plant the top of the basket with more upright, bushy plants and also include a couple more trailing plants around the edge too. It is best to fill the basket with as many plants as will comfortably fit as this will produce a more colourful, dramatic display.

Looking after your hanging basket

If you have included a slow release fertiliser in your compost, this should feed the plants in the basket for up to six months, but an additional weekly feed with tomato food should ensure your basket flourishes throughout the summer. Regular watering is essential. Hanging baskets are often exposed to wind being high up and will quickly dry out in hot weather. During extremely dry weather you will probably need to water hanging baskets twice a day. Early morning and late evening is best.

Plants for hanging baskets

Colour schemes and planting designs for hanging baskets are a personal choice. Hanging baskets planted with a single variety can look just as stunning as those planted with a variety of different plants and colours. For flowers plant petunia, geranium, verbena, lobelia and bidens. For unusual foliage, use cineraria, nepeta, Felicia and coleus. For vegetables plant tomatoes (tumbler) and strawberry. Hanging baskets also make good garden planters for herbs too. Placed at the side of a kitchen door they ensure an accessible supply of favourite culinary herbs like sage, marjoram, thyme and chives.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jo_Poultney

Why Buy a Chinese Witch Hazel Plant

As a garden lover it is always nice to think about which plants you want. Everybody is familiar with the staples of roses, tulips, marigolds, peonies and the like but, true gardeners are always on the lookout for something different. It might be a plant of a certain colour, a certain shape or fulfil a specific need. When looking for a statement piece there also comes the expectation that it isn't going to be cheap and also there might be a need of specific conditions.

An interesting large plant for consideration is the Chinese witch hazel. It's Ideal for fertile soil but not for acidic conditions, and it doesn't much like chalk but might do well if the area is improved with the addition of organic matter. Hamamelis mollis is a slow-growing deciduous shrub which can grow up to 8m tall but in the UK tend to be around 4 metres at maturity. Shorter varieties are available. It is hardy, highly ornamental and enjoyed for its flowers and scent.

Chinese witch hazel plants aren't overly common, you won't find them in every garden centre and as a grafted slow-growing shrub it is on the expensive side. The price gives you bright spidery flowers with long ribbon like petals which come in a range of excellent colours that can be likened to chillies, citrus and marmalade. The species is a white flower shrub but cultivated varieties such as Ming Dynasty, Blush and Firedance bloom in bold pinks and reds.

One of the delights and benefits of Chinese Witch Hazel is that it is a winter flowering plant. When the garden is looking bare and colour is sparse, witch hazel injects some much welcomed brightness. It makes a good addition to a border close to the house or a pathway where the blossoms and their scent can be appreciated. Take care when choosing though, because if scent is a factor in your decision, you might be surprised to find that the aromatic range extends from heady perfume to drain cleaner. The winter twigs are hardy enough to withstand being cut and used as indoor flower displays. Cut the twigs long to create a display with a sense of drama.

Chinese witch hazel is fairly easy to care for. It needs a bit of TLC in spring with some judicious pruning of poor branches and will benefit from a nice feed of compost or manure.

This shrub is ideal for pretty much any garden with decent soil conditions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Smithson

The Benefits of Growing Your Own Apple Tree

Growing an apple tree in your own mini orchard is a fun and easy thing to do. Apples are some of the most extensively cultivated fruits in the country and they can be grown on various rootstocks. For this reason, they can be grown in large gardens or trained as espaliers if you do not have enough space. Depending on the variety, apples become fully grown from late summer to late autumn.

You can choose from over 7,000 varieties if you decide to grow your own apple trees. As each one of these varieties is different, you should take your time to research the best selection for your specific area. If you are not sure, you can ask for help at a local garden centre.

There are several benefits of planting fruit trees in your garden. Firstly, planting an apple tree will offer your environment a lot of nourishment. Moreover, when you choose to plant a fruit tree, this will greatly transform the appearance of your patio. The blossoms of apple trees are visually appealing, so this will enhance the beauty of your home. Fruit trees are an excellent source of shade during those sunny summer days.

The health benefits of apples are another reason to start thinking about growing your own fruits. Apples contain plenty of antioxidants that may prevent various diseases and promote general health. Apples contain dietary fibre and they are low in calories. What is more, they are rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C and they also contain several minerals, including calcium, phosphorus and potassium. When you grow your own fruits, you can be sure the trees are not treated with any kind of harmful chemical substance, so the apples will be completely safe for you and your family.

By growing fruit trees in your own mini orchard or garden, you will not have to worry anymore about buying out-of-season or about pesticides. Besides, a single apple tree produces plenty of apples, often beyond the needs of a family, so you will have extra fruits every year, which are perfect for pies, cider, preserves and applesauce.

If are worried about not having enough space to grow your own apple trees, you may consider an apple espalier or a hedge of dwarf apple trees. When choosing to grow apples this way, you will benefit from ease of care and harvest. Choose the perfect planting site carefully and remember that these trees need well-drained soil and full sunlight.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Smithson

Sweet Times - Producing Braeburn Apples!

Braeburn apples are a delight to eat, so by growing your own it gives you the chance to feel and experience all the processes involved in nurturing your apple tree into bearing fruits; and this makes for a sweet experience. Whilst making for a beautiful addition to any garden, yet being a fun and rewarding experience at the same time. So, it's time to take a look at some of the benefits of purchasing a young Braeburn apple tree, planting it and making it grow into producing delicious, sweet and crispy Braeburn apples.

Nowadays, there are numerous online stores that can supply you with plants of varying sizes, anywhere from 2-5 foot, or even dwarf variations that grow 40-60% the normal size of a matured tree. But, sometimes it's more fun and better to take the time and go out to a local nursery and personally select the one you like, whilst making sure to purchase a young one, about a year old, with an established root system will help your tree transplant much more easily into your garden.

Take careful thought and consideration into where to plant your Braeburn apple tree, making sure to give adequate room for growth, whilst placing in an area with plenty of sunlight. The optimal time to plant your young tree is sometime between late autumn to early spring. So, before planting your newly purchased tree, be sure to place the root system in water for approximately an 1 hour so the roots aren't too dry, whilst in the mean time you can prepare your soil adequately by making a large enough hole so the roots are not too cramped when planted.

Pruning is vital in developing your young tree, therefore, the winter time is best advised as the plant will be in its dormant stage during this time of the year, so during the following summer this will invigorate the plant into growing more. Also remember to keep an eye out for any pest or diseases within the tree, and deal with them accordingly, preferably using natural methods. With plenty of care and attention it will grow into a full-fledged apple tree, bearing the fruits of your labour year on year.

So, there you have it; whether you're growing just one tree or a mini orchard in your back garden, growing your own braeburn apples trees isn't as difficult as it initially seems, while being an extremely rewarding experience to grow your own fruit.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Smithson

Patio Gardening - How To Grow Fruit Trees

Is gardening a passion, but the obstacle faced is the lack of space? Anyone interested in growing their own fruit trees can easily do so with a bit of effort. Growing conventional trees is not possible without suitable garden space; however, it is possible to grow dwarf fruit trees on your patio. Interested? Keep reading to find out what is needed to enjoy being able to do it out on the patio amidst a mini orchard.

The first step to growing patio fruit trees is to assess the space that is actually available. Apart from the space, the amount of shade and sunlight the place receives daily also needs to be considered. Growing fruit trees is a grand hobby and nothing compares to the pleasure of eating fruit out of one's own garden.

There is a wide range of special dwarf tree rootstalks available to the home gardener. It is no myth that the tiniest garden, balcony or patio can and does produce excellent fruit. With small trees, feeding, spraying, pruning and harvesting become much simpler. A mini orchard can be set up to produce the fruit needed only for family use, or a little extra to give away to friends and family. The gardener gets to decide how much is sufficient.

How to Choose Fruit Tree Varieties?

Fruit varieties need to be selected based on the amount of sunlight the patio receives daily on an average. For example, apple trees require plenty of sunlight, and air circulation as well. Measure the space and the containers to make a decision as to how many fruit trees will fit on the patio without overcrowding.

Each fruit type will have several different varieties and glamourous sounding names. Stick to the common varieties, they taste just fine. It is easier to get popular varieties in rootstock form from gardening supply centres.

When buying the plants, check with the nursery about whether the plants will need pollinators or not. If they do, each variety will require at least one other variety fruit tree that is a suitable pollinator. There are self-fertile varieties as well, so make sure to ask.

Rootstocks and Forms

Fruit tree rootstocks are pruned in different ways to suit diverse growing spaces. Fan and espalier forms are the better choice when the growth will be against a backdrop such as a wall or fence. Free standing plants will require bushes or standards and cordon form is ideal for making a hedge.

Find a reputed nursery for buying the patio fruit trees. Build a relationship with the nursery to benefit from tips and suggestions the experts can provide. Even when buying one fruit tree, buy from the same place. Select bare rootstalks, they are cheaper than the pot-grown options, more sturdy and available in a wider range of choices from speciality fruit-grower centres.

Planting is best done in late autumn soon after the plants have been lifted. Make sure to protect the roots and keep them moist until they are planted.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Smithson

What You Need To Know About Japanese Knotweed Removal

Japanese Knotweed is an invasive weed and without proper removal, you could end up with a real problem. Hiring Japanese Knotweed specialists is usually the only way to ensure complete removal and to ensure you never have any problems with this weed again. From domestic gardens, allotments and business parks to stately homes, ensuring that you have control over the Japanese Knotweed on your land is essential.

Most people won't have a huge problem with weeds like Japanese Knotweed but making sure that you are aware of how to deal with things if you do end up with a problem, is a good start. First, you need to be aware of what Japanese Knotweed is. Japanese Knotweed is a large weed that grows reasonably tall. With large oval green leaves and several sprouts of seedlings per plant, Japanese Knotweed is very easy to spot.

Usually the plant will start growing in small patches and because of the seedlings; it can spread very quickly and very easily. You will need to make sure that you are aware of where this weed is in your garden and to keep an eye on any spreading. Before long, you could end up with a large invasive spread of invasive weed and this will require professional removal. Invasive weed removal is something that you need to take seriously. Removing it yourself can be a waste of time - specialists have expert equipment and strategies to deal with this kind of plant so it is well worth the investment.

Steps towards Herbicide Treatment

Identify your problem

Before you hire invasive weed removal specialists you'll need to understand the problem yourself identifying the areas of concern.

Hire the help

You will need to make sure that you find a good reputable company who can take care of invasive weed removal. There are quite a few weed removal companies you can find online and lots of them offer this service.

Making sure that you take your time to find the right company is important. You don't want to hire an industrial gardening company when you are only dealing with a small patch of land at the rear of your house. In the same respect, you do not want to hire a small gardening company when you are in need of Japanese Knotweed removal for a stately home or business park. You need to hire the right company for your needs. However, some companies out there can deal with all sizes from small gardens to large stately homes and parks such as AJW Landscaping and Weed Control.

Taking the time to do research ensures that you will end up dealing with a company who is right for your plot size and requirements. Japanese Knotweed removal is a specialist skill and is certainly something you shouldn't attempt on your own or you could make it worse.

For more information about invasive weed removal companies and how to deal with minor or major invasions of this weed, head over to our website or call us.

Mitchell Mike is a director of AJW Specialist Landscaping and Maintenance Ltd. The company offers excellent landscape maintenance and playground maintenance services for Buckinghamshire client. Also provides weed control, Japanese Knotweed removal, pest control, garden design and gritting services. We supply artificial grass for sports ground & Playground. Call us today at 01494 882 492 for booking our services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mitchell_Mike

What Is a Spider Mite?

Spider Mite Basics
The spider mite is a member of the Acari Family, is an extremely common, hardy, plant eater. There are 1200+ differnent species of spider mite. Each differing in their area of habitat, climate, diet, life cycle, etc. This is a generalized basic run down of the mite.

Spider mites are extremely small, normally less than 1 mm wide. In order to make looking for them you should use a Lighted Pocket Microscope in order to REALLY see these tiny red spiders.

Mites come in many colors, from green to red, brown and spotted. There are so many different varieties, it can be difficult to identify spider mites easily. To top it off, there are also a different type of pest called "false mites" or "false spider mites".

The Egg
Spider Mites lay round clear eggs that will turn a milky then yellow before hatching. These eggs will hatch in 3 days to 3 weeks depending on environmental conditions. When the temperature is between 85 - 90 degrees Fahrenheit and conditions are very dry, spider mites will multiply exponentially.

Mite mothers lay about 20 eggs a day from the ripe old age of 5 days. These same mothers mites can then live to be between 2-4 weeks old. Meaning, that mother mites can lay hundreds of eggs resulting in over a million mites in less than a month if left unchecked.

Life cycle
Mites develop resistances quickly because they have such high birth rates, that mutations, such as resistance to Insecticides or tolerance to cold, are multiplied quickly. Every month about 10 generations of mites will be born. Leading to exaggerations in any form of resistance.

Tetranychus Urticae do have natural enemies, these predator insects can eat 5 or more mites a day or up to 20 eggs. Lady bugs, predator mites, and praying mantis are just a few examples of great natural enemies.

Defenses
The tiny mites do have one defense for predators, that would be, the webs that they spin. These webs highly resemble spider webs, hence the name "spider" mite. Mites also use these webs to quickly move from one branch to another. Making it easier for them to eat fresh foliage.

The egg is also extremely difficult to kill. This shell is a hard protein that doesn't allow much through.

Resistance
Most chemicals used against mites only work on the adult mite and not the spider mite egg. Treating your plants every 3 days for 3 weeks will truly beat them back. You just want to make sure that you are switching the chemical being used as well as its "Mode of action" or "mechanism of action"

Furthermore, when treating for mites, make sure that they are all dead before you give up the fight. If you miss some, they will come back resistant, and determined to win the war. Many times they will do FAR more damage on their second wave because the gardener has become lackadaisical and has forgotten to check his plants for some time.

Also use a leaf shine product as a deterrent as opposed to a miticide. In many parts of the world Tetranychus Urticae have become so accustomed to miticides that they seem to eat neem oil if sprayed directly on them.

Facts

Tetranychus Urticae are very small, about 1/32" or 1mm across
Mites Diets' varies on species but, consists of many hundreds of different types of plants
Live primarily on the bottoms of leaves
Develop tolerances quickly due to high birth rate
Eggs will develop even if not fertilized, resulting in male mites( Arrhenotochous ).
Many spin webs in order to protect their homes from predators

If you have ever gardened then you know that plant pests can be the downfall of a beautiful harvest.

We all hate Spider Mites most of all! Help us to Kill them all. Join us a spidermitehq.com and begin your Pest free future!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerrimy_K_Anderson

Making Your Garden A New Living Room

Many of us tend to concentrate on the interior of the house when we are doing our home remodeling. The fact of the matter is, however, many of us also have considerable amount of space outside that should be considered as well. Depending upon the time of year and the location in which you live, having the outside of the home as annexed living space can really add to the enjoyment of the home as well as to the perceived size of your living area as well. There are some things that should be considered when you do this type of design, as we will cover through the course of this article.

One of the things that you should think about is the type of design that you are going to do outdoors. Although there certainly are a number of different choices, you should always consider the possibility of using something natural, such as flagstone. This will make the perfect patio, and you can use it for building other areas outside as well, such as an outdoor fire pit or even an outdoor kitchen. The more you are able to build outside, the more space you are going to have and the more convenient you will find your overall outdoor living space will be for you and your family.

Another thing that you may want to think about is a central feature of the outdoor area that can really pull things together. Water is something that many people use, either in the form of a pool or perhaps a decorative fountain. This is going to require a little bit more work, and of course, more money in order to have it set up properly, but if it is, you will find you are enjoying your outdoor area much more as well. You may also want to consider more of a garden theme, although water can be used with the garden quite nicely as well.

The seating area is also something that should be given some thought. There are a number of different types of outdoor furniture supplies that are available for you to choose from. As far as durability and beauty, choosing some type of deep seating patio furniture that is made out of teak is really going to be a great choice. Teak outdoor furniture is going to be able to withstand the elements nicely, although you are going to want to check with the cushions to ensure that they are also going to hold up to the elements as well. Of course, many people do move the cushions to a safe environment when they are not used, and you may want to think about doing so as well.

When you are able to pull an outdoor living environment together, you will find that you are spending more time outdoors with your family and friends. It is a great way for you to enjoy an afternoon or evening or simply to unwind after a difficult day at work. It is also going to provide you with something that you can be proud of and will enjoy sharing with others.

Tina Trinks is the author of this article about how teak outdoor furniture and deep seating outdoor furniture can make your back yard like a new living room. Tina loves working in her garden and putting together parties.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tina_Trinks

Beyond Garden Variety Garden Furniture

Gardens are among the most civilized of human habitats. Visually evocative and yet functional garden furniture is an important part of the lives that people enjoy in their gardens. Poets have written about gardens. Novels have been based around them. People have an ancient and intrinsic sense of peace and serenity when they are at one with their picturesque plot of land. Humans revel in the beauty of their garden flowers and other vegetation, but they survey that beauty from the benches and chairs that distinguish a garden from any other plant-filled yard.

The words lawn furniture used to call up images of cheap wooden picnic tables with tacky patio umbrellas, collapsible lawn chairs, overwrought iron garden benches, wildly outdated wicker, chintzy hard plastic bistro tables, fake teak bars, forty-year old Hawaiian torches and visual terrors of many other kinds. The modern era of outside living components having laid waste to the age of gimcrack, people are now inviting the future into their gardens.

Lawn furniture of all kinds are available in a vast array of colors, patterns, styles and functions. Even old stalwarts like rattan and updated wicker have been envisioned for today. Garden living gear ranges from the latest all-weather surfaces and materials to decorator patio groupings meant for an outdoor-indoor space. Antique reproductions have merged the vintage look with the latest inventions and materials. Neo fashion created with classic sensibilities has been married to high-tech devices to truly grace the garden. Tacky torches and lanterns have moved aside to be replaced by solar based lighting systems.

Livingroom quality comfort seating like sofas and sectionals are routinely grouped around outside televisions and other entertainment centers. All weather truly means all-weather now. Even if it didn't, the walls of the home themselves, driven by retractable screens and similar devices, have become less rigid and circumscribed. Areas of the home may be transformed from outdoors to indoors in a matter of seconds.

Even the time-honored barbecue pit has been updated with the most advanced cooking systems, which swim-up bars and other conversation centered dining furnishings often surround. Dim evening light is banished immediately with advanced light-sensitive lamps. The party no longer ends at darkness. Life at home can go the distance from external to internal and back again.

With invisible components to high-tech security systems, modern tech has pushed slumbering outside past the spindly constraints of a hammock or one's grandmother's old summer sleeping porch. Snoozing under the stars no longer requires a smelly old sleeping bag and a pup tent. Entire bedroom sets have been created and stylized for the great outdoors. Day beds are very common. Canopy systems are at the ready for when weather changes.

What other innovations will come about as the lines between outside and inside continue to grow thin? The progress of technology seems to be the only limit to this convergence of human life. Landscaping and home decorating may somehow merge. Perhaps a home will combine elements of the outdoors and indoors, bringing together the best of both worlds to beautify and improve our lives.

Poppy Lynch has been helping beginner gardeners for over 15 years. For simple, easy-to-follow gardening tips, Poppy suggests signing up for the Woolly Green Weekly, a great source of gardening chat, products, offers and competitions. Woolly Green is a new website, for people who like to garden as a bit of an antidote to their otherwise busy lives.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Poppy_Lynch