Gardening Informations : How to Create Your Garden.

A garden designer quickly appreciates..

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:14:00 +0000

The essential sourcebook for creating your own dream garden. From planning to planting, a comprehensive guide to creating attractive landscapes and flourishing gardens.

From Library Journal
Using over 500 color photos and illustrations of garden design elements, Williams successfully presents a plan for devising a home landscape that harmoniously incorporates these elements into a beautiful garden. His credentials as a British landscape expert and chair of the Society of Landscape Designers in England are evident in this style sourcebook, which is filled with excellent landscape ideas and design examples. Williams covers how to plan a garden, which begins with establishing individual priorities and analyzing the property to be landscaped. He includes horizontal surfaces (everything that covers the ground); vertical elements (e.g., plants, walls, fences); garden furnishings (e.g., plants, pots, statues, furniture); and sample plans for types of gardens (e.g., water gardens, city gardens, wildlife gardens). Valuable for the many examples of garden elements that go into the making of an attractive outdoor space, this book offers readers the opportunity to explore options for a successful home landscape. Recommended for gardening and landscaping collections.
Dale Luchsinger, Athens Area Technical Inst., Ga.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Firs time I saw this book in library and it was great for me (I wanted to create a nice garden near the house and this book seemed very helpful) so I decided to try to buy the same through internet - found it at Amazon and was suprized about possibility to buy it not for $32 bur for $4.15 (Great Thanks to Smoky Mountain Books !!!) plus shipping ($3.99) - this prise was more than good especially for such a great book. The shipped it quick enought and in "like new" condition. So, now this book helps me a lot with my garden(it has nice pictures and good theoretical information) - it's really great and more thanks to Smoky Mountains for such an affordable price. !

All New Square Foot Gardening

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 18:49:00 +0000

Do you know what the best feature is in All New Square Foot Gardening?

Sure, there are ten new features in this all-new, updated book. Sure, it's even simpler than it was before. Of course, you don't have to worry about fertilizer or poor soil ever again because you'll be growing above the ground.

But, the best feature is that anyone, anywhere can enjoy a Square Foot garden. Children, adults with limited mobility, even complete novices can achieve spectacular results.

But, let's get back to the ten improvements. You're going to love them.

1) New Location - Move your garden closer to your house by eliminating single-row gardening. Square Foot Garden needs just twenty percent of the space of a traditional garden.

2) New Direction - Locate your garden on top of existing soil. Forget about pH soil tests, double-digging (who enjoys that?), or the never-ending soil improvements.

3) New Soil - The new "Mel's Mix" is the perfect growing mix. Why, we even give you the recipe. Best of all, you can even buy the different types of compost needed.

4) New Depth - You only need to prepare a SFG box to a depth of 6 inches! It's true--the majority of plants develop just fine when grown at this depth.

5) No Fertilizer - The all new SFG does not need any fertilizer-ever! If you start with the perfect soil mix, then you don't need to add fertilizer.

6) New Boxes - The new method uses bottomless boxes placed aboveground. We show you how to build your own (with step-by-step photos).

7) New Aisles - The ideal gardening aisle width is about three to four feet. That makes it even easier to kneel, work, and harvest.

8) New Grids - Prominent and permanent grids added to your SFG box help you visualize the planting squares and know how to space for maximum harvest.

9) New Seed Saving Idea - The old-fashioned way advocates planting many seeds and then thinning the extras (that means pulling them up). The new method means planting a pinch- literally two or three seeds--per planting hole.

10) Tabletop Gardens - The new boxes are so much smaller and lighter (only 6 inches of soil, remember?), you can add a plywood bottom to make them portable.

Of course, that's not all. We've also included simple, easy-to-follow instructions using lots of photos and illustrations. You're going to love it!

I love this new, updated version of the classic Square Foot Gardening book. Lots of pictures, charts, and visuals. This version has suggestions for protecting the plants from critters of all kinds as well as ideas for hoop houses to extend the gardening season. The book is full color and much easier to read than the older version. Even if you already have the original book, the new one is worth buying. He's added some updated information based on 25 years of sqft gardening experience from around the globe. The website is also interesting as it contains photos and such of square foot gardens from all over the world.

How to Create a Butterfly Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:52:00 +0000

By Kathy Anderson

People who love to garden also tend to enjoy watching butterflies flitting about. After all, butterflies are just as pretty to look at as the flowers that they visit. Gardeners can entice even more butterflies to visit their gardens by creating gardens specifically for butterflies.

It’s quite easy to create a butterfly garden. You may even find that you already grow some flowers that attract butterflies. With just a little effort you can create a beautiful haven for these lovely winged creatures, and the butterflies will appreciate your efforts.

If you’re starting from scratch and will be creating a new planting bed for your butterfly garden, you’ll first want to learn how to properly create a planting bed for your plants. You can find information on preparing raised planting beds at http://www.freeplants.com

When deciding where to locate your butterfly garden, choose a spot that is not isolated from other plants. Butterflies will be more likely to find your garden if there are other flowers nearby to lead them to your butterfly garden. But if your butterfly garden is the only patch of flowers in a vast sea of grass, butterflies won’t have much reason to be in the area. If you have a border of flowering shrubs and other butterfly-enticing plants are scattered around your yard, the butterflies are much more likely to spend time in your garden.

The butterfly garden should include a variety of plants that attract butterflies, and those plants should be in a variety of colors and heights. Consider planting azaleas, rhododendrons and lilacs for height. Fragrant ‘James McFarland’ lilacs seem to be especially attractive to butterflies. Weigela, with its flowers like dainty trumpets, is another good shrub for attracting butterflies.

No butterfly garden should be without Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa). Not only will the bright orange blossoms attract many butterflies, but the plant will also provide food for caterpillars. Without the caterpillars there would be no butterflies. Dill and parsley also provide food for butterfly caterpillars. If you’re lucky, you may even have Monarch butterflies laying their eggs on the milkweed and you can watch the entire life cycle, from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly.

Many other commonly grown flowers will attract butterflies, including hollyhocks, purple coneflowers (Echinacea), Black-eyed Susans (rudbeckia), cosmos, huechera, zinnias, beebalm and cleome. Buddleia, also known as butterfly bush, is a must in any butterfly garden. If you have room for this large plant, Mexican sunflower (tithonia) will attract many butterflies and hummingbirds with its sunny orange blooms.

Plan your butterfly garden so there are blooms all season long. The rhododendrons, azaleas and lilacs will provide a spring snack for butterflies, followed by summer-blooming plants such as the buddleia and asclepias. In the fall, butterflies will sip nectar from asters and ‘Autumn Joy” sedum.

In addition to providing food for butterflies, your butterfly garden should also provide a resting place along with shelter from the wind and cold. Include flat rocks in your garden where the butterflies can sun themselves. It’s even better if the rocks have shallow depressions where water will puddle and provide a place for butterflies to gather for a drink.

A small log pile will provide shelter from the weather for butterflies. You can also purchase butterfly shelters that look rather like tall, narrow birdhouses with several slots for entrances. These may attract butterflies, but in my experience wasps tend to move in, discouraging any butterflies from entering.

One final thing that every butterfly garden should include is a comfortable bench placed where you can sit and admire the beautiful butterflies. After all, you’ve created this garden not only for the butterflies but also for your own enjoyment.

Kathy Anderson has been an avid gardener for many years and has grown tomatoes by the acre, along with many other vegetables, flowers and landscape plants. Kathy recommends http://www.freeplants.com as a great place to learn more about gardening. Article provided by http://gardening-articles.com

- How to design your garden

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 06:53:00 +0000

By John Ugoshowa

The first thing in garden making is the selection of a spot. Without a choice, it means simply doing the best one can with conditions. With space limited it resolves itself into no garden, or a box garden. Surely a box garden is better than nothing at all.

But we will now suppose that it is possible to really choose just the right site for the garden. What shall be chosen? The greatest determining factor is the sun. No one would have a north corner, unless it were absolutely forced upon him; because, while north corners do for ferns, certain wild flowers, and begonias, they are of little use as spots for a general garden.

If possible, choose the ideal spot a southern exposure. Here the sun lies warm all day long. When the garden is thus located the rows of vegetables and flowers should run north and south. Thus placed, the plants receive the sun's rays all the morning on the eastern side, and all the afternoon on the western side. One ought not to have any lopsided plants with such an arrangement.

Suppose the garden faces southeast. In this case the western sun is out of the problem. In order to get the best distribution of sunlight run the rows northwest and southeast.

The idea is to get the most sunlight as evenly distributed as possible for the longest period of time. From the lopsided growth of window plants it is easy enough to see the effect on plants of poorly distributed light. So if you use a little diagram remembering that you wish the sun to shine part of the day on one side of the plants and part on the other, you can juggle out any situation. The southern exposure gives the ideal case because the sun gives half time nearly to each side. A northern exposure may mean an almost entire cut-off from sunlight; while northeastern and southwestern places always get uneven distribution of sun's rays, no matter how carefully this is planned.

The garden, if possible, should be planned out on paper. The plan is a great help when the real planting time comes. It saves time and unnecessary buying of seed.

New garden spots are likely to be found in two conditions: they are covered either with turf or with rubbish. In large garden areas the ground is ploughed and the sod turned under; but in small gardens remove the sod. How to take off the sod in the best manner is the next question. Stake and line off the garden spot. The line gives an accurate and straight course to follow. Cut the edges with the spade all along the line. If the area is a small one, say four feet by eighteen or twenty, this is an easy matter. Such a narrow strip may be marked off like a checkerboard, the sod cut through with the spade, and easily removed. This could be done in two long strips cut lengthwise of the strip. When the turf is cut through, roll it right up like a roll of carpet.

But suppose the garden plot is large. Then divide this up into strips a foot wide and take off the sod as before. What shall be done with the sod? Do not throw it away for it is full of richness, although not quite in available form. So pack the sod grass side down one square on another. Leave it to rot and to weather. When rotted it makes a fine fertilizer. Such a pile of rotting vegetable matter is called a compost pile. All through the summer add any old green vegetable matter to this. In the fall put the autumn leaves on. A fine lot of goodness is being fixed for another season.

Even when the garden is large enough to plough, I would pick out the largest pieces of sod rather than have them turned under. Go over the ploughed space, pick out the pieces of sod, shake them well and pack them up in a compost heap.

Mere spading of the ground is not sufficient. The soil is still left in lumps. Always as one spades one should break up the big lumps. But even so the ground is in no shape for planting. Ground must be very fine indeed to plant in, because seeds can get very close indeed to fine particles of soil. But the large lumps leave large spaces which no tiny root hair can penetrate. A seed is left stranded in a perfect waste when planted in chunks of soil. A baby surrounded with great pieces of beefsteak would starve. A seed among large lumps of soil is in a similar situation. The spade never can do this work of pulverizing soil. But the rake can. That's the value of the rake. It is a great lump breaker, but will not do for large lumps. If the soil still has large lumps in it take the hoe.

Many people handle the hoe awkwardly. The chief work of this implement is to rid the soil of weeds and stir up the top surface. It is used in summer to form that mulch of dust so valuable in retaining moisture in the soil. I often see people as if they were going to chop into atoms everything around. Hoeing should never be such vigorous exercise as that. Spading is vigorous, hard work, but not hoeing and raking.

Garden Stepping Stone Walkways - An Overview

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 01:33:00 +0000

Garden Stepping Stone Walkways - An Overview
By Scott Byers
We all want to protect our grass from being spoiled. The easiest way to do this is to create a stepping stone walkway. A stepping stone walkway in the garden gives a natural and beautiful feel and makes your garden stand out. Decorating your garden with the stepping stones is like adding beauty in your garden.

Modus operandi

Creating a stepping stone walkway can be a tricky business if not done in the proper manner. In order to create a stepping stone walkway you have to follow a set of instructions that are discussed below.

Mark the area
Marking the area is the first step which you need to perform while creating the stepping stone walkway. Mark the area in a curved or straight manner with the help of ropes. You can also mark the area with the help of limestone powder.

Arranging the stones
Once you have marked your area, you can begin placing the stones one after another in it.

Ensuring the right placing
Arranging the stones and making sure they are at the right place is of much importance as well. While laying the stones make sure that you have placed the stones properly and not in an imbalanced manner. For your convenience you may take the help of a spade.

Remove the stones
After arranging the stones, let the stones to be there for few minutes, mark the area that they cover and then remove the stones from the marked area. Dig the outlined area which is created by stone so that the stones can be fixed properly.

Pouring sand
Dig the outlined area and remove the grass. Once you have removed the grass completely pour an inch of sand so that you can lay the stones flat.

Rearrange the stones
Once you have poured sand in the marked out and dug area, place the stones again in their place.

Balancing the stone
Place the stones in the area and check their balance properly. An imbalanced stone could be dangerous for anybody at any time.

Tamp the level
Fill up the soil in the ground where you have placed the stones. Tamping gives a better balance to the stones.

Adjusting the height
While leveling the area make sure that you have given the same height to all the stones. In order to give a proper height to the stones you can the take the help of a board.

Readjusting the height
If you are feeling uncomfortable while walking on the stepping stone walkway you may readjust the height of steeping stone walkway.

In this way you can have your own stepping stone walkway by following these simple steps. You will see how much your garden is appreciated by just few simple stones which add a new light to your garden or lawn. So go ahead and create a natural and striking stepping stone walkway.
Scott Byers is the owner of Stepping Stone Info, a complete stepping stone walkway resource with articles on stepping stones and directions on how to make them.

- Quick Tips to Get Growing!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 07:08:00 +0000

Quick Tips to Get Growing!

1. Choosing the right plant: You won't have to spend as much time caring for your palnts if you choose plants that are suited to your environmental conditions and gardening style. Let the Floracle help you find which plants are right for you, or browse our collection of Gifts that Grow™, and get the perfect plant shipped to your door.

2. Watering: Test the soil in your containers every day with your finger. If it's dry an inch below the surface - water. If you can't water your plants on a regular basis, consider self-watering containers. If you've got hard-to-reach plants, we'd recommend a watering wand, which has saved us from lots of stepstool time.

3. Fertilizing: Fertilizer is important. Mix a dry, time-release fertilizer into the soil when planting, and use small amounts of liquid fertilizer for regular feeding every few weeks.

4. Fighting Pests: Inspect plants regularly for fungus, insects, bugs, etc. Remove any diseased or dying leaves. Spray insects with water or other natural repellants to get rid of them.

5. Pruning: Don't be afraid to cut or trim plants to keep their shape and encourage growth - just leave at least 2/3 of the original plant intact so it'll have enough surface area to absorb sunlight. Pinch (aka. deadhead) faded flowers regularly to encourage more blooms on annual plants. A good set of tools can make all the difference.

Keep in mind that every plant is different. Take some time to read up on your plants and learn as much as you can about their individual needs. A little time spent reading and planning now can save you a lot of time and disappointment later.

- How to make stepping stone walkways

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 05:55:00 +0000

Garden Stepping Stone Walkways - A How-To
By Scott Byers
Do you want to an attractive walkway to lead way to your beautiful yard or garden? Then a great way to give your garden a new look is to try garden stepping stones in your walkway.

Stepping stones are often used to give a natural looking walkway to your garden through the front door of your home. Stepping stones are considered as a work of art which give your walkway or garden a personalize signature of your lifestyle. Using stepping stone in your lawn for walkway not only personalizes your living style but also an adds touch of beauty to your garden.

How to make a garden walkway using stepping stones

A series of steps we have discussed below which could be helpful and you can give a better look to your garden using stepping stones.

a) Marking your lawn: Marking your lawn is the foundation of your walkway. Determine your path which you would like to take. Mark your way in a curved fashion with the help of ropes. While marking your way make sure that you are laying two ropes together side by side.

b) Positioning the stones: Positioning the stones in the marked area is the second important step in creating a walkway. Once you are over with the marking process you need to place the stones in the marked area. Position the stones with a proper distance and fix them properly by placing them in a hole. Make sure that the difference between the stones is 18inches from the hole.

c) Arranging the stones: Arrange the stones with the help of flat spade and give proper spacing. Difference between the rocks helps you to fix them properly in the ground.

d) Removing the stone: Removing the stone from their place helps you to fix the stone in the ground. Dig the outlined area from the spade so that you can fix the stone properly in the ground.

e) Pouring sand: Once you have dug the outlined area, pour about an inch of sand so that the stone will lay flat.

f) Placing the stone: Place the stones in there respective holes.

g) Leveling the stone: Make sure that you have leveled the

stones properly in the hole. An oddly fixed stoned can be a cause of accident while walking on the walkway.

h) Tamping the level: Once you have leveled the stone in the ground tamp the area with the soil. Filling the area is of utmost importance because it always gives a proper balance to the stone.

i) Deciding the height of stones: Make sure that you have given same height to all the stones. You may level the height of stones by laying a board.

j) Sweeping the stones: Once you are done with all the process mentioned above sweep the stones and make sure that they are giving a better look.

k) Readjusting the height: You can adjust the height of stones according to your preference. While readjusting the height of stone you need to take out stone and can decide the height of stone by filling up more sand in the area.

Once you are done, leave your walkway for few days so that the stones can sit properly. The best option would be leave it for at least week. Once you confirmed that stones are well fixed in the ground, you are all ready to use your newly made walkway.
Scott Byers is the owner of Stepping Stone Info, a complete stepping stone walkway resource with articles on stepping stones and directions on how to make them.