photo credit: anslatadams

New England weather can be difficult for the home gardener. Always consider climate and growing season when picking a shrub or bush. You want things in your garden to provide color and texture not only during the summer months; you want them to provide beauty during the long, cold winter months. In light of the growing concerns regarding invasive species, this list contains only ornamental plants that are native to the region. Check with a quality landscape supplier in your region for alternatives.The Bayberry plant is drought tolerant, produces small flowers and is hardy even in cold weather. Throughout the fall and winter months it provides small berries that will attract migrating birds. These berries will also attract the birds upon their spring return. During the fall the bush will produce burgundy colored leaves.

The Summersweet, or Sweet Pepper bush produces lovely white flowers during the late summer. Fall will being forth yellow or brown colors in the foliage. Partial to full20sun and moist conditions, this bush will attract butterflies and other nectar lovers. It is tolerant to salty soils and prefers acidic surroundings. This bush is native to all of New England although it doesn’t appear frequently in Maine.

Buttonbush is another native plant that does well near or in water features. With shiny green leaves and greenish-white flowers that grow in clusters, this is a visually attractive plant. The bush is often used as a nesting site for birds and will attract butterflies to your garden. The seeds provide texture and interest during the cold months.

The Spicebush is unique in that all parts of it are aromatic if crushed. The bush is an early bloomer in the spring, adding color to your garden quickly. Best suited for soil that is well drained, it also adapts to most conditions. Thick, long leaves will feed swallowtail caterpillars in the summer and turn a beautiful shade of yellow in the fall. Native to all areas of New England, it also produces berries for birds and other animals in the fall.

American Holly is native in the southern parts of New England. technically a tree, it can grow up to 30 feet but is often kept at bush size. Particularly hardy in acidic and salty soils, it does well in more severe conditions when well established. A few years of careful management will ensure a long lived, attractive pl ant. Holly has wonderful leaves that last throughout the winter. An additional feature is the bright red berries produced in the fall if you have a male and female within 100 feet of each other.

New England and Blueberries go hand and hand in the mind of many. Different varieties will allow you to choose the one that best suits your landscape and goals. Summer fruit come from the spring blooms and then being colorful foliage. To protect your fruit you may want to invest in netting, or the birds and deer will provide fierce competition. Blueberry bushes like acidic soil, with good drainage and plenty of moisture. Planting different varieties will yeild you blueberries all season long. Blueberry bushes are fun and nutritious to cultivate.

There are numerous other plants you can add to your New England landscape to provide color and beauty to your home. A good nursery or a good landscape supply house can help you make the best decisions for your particular needs and location.

How to reduce your electricity bill

If you have been bogged by the enormous electricity bills you have been getting, it is time to take some concrete steps. You can reduce your electricity bills by following very simple steps.

This article will list some simple, easy-to-do things to reduce your electricity bill.

Limited use: Start with the room you are sitting in. If you were to take a call in another room or join your family at the dining table, would you just step out of your room without any concern for the electrical appliances in the room? If you would, stop right there, and look around. Switch off all the appliances even if you would be back in five minutes. Yes, even that will help. Every drop of water constitutes to the ocean.

Another thing to take care of here is what you perceive as an electronic appliance. Would you switch off the television set, turn off the fan, but not the light bulb? Yes, you need light, but not now when you are leaving the room. Taking care of these small things will go a long way in reducing the dreaded huge electricity bills.

Smart investments: Make some smart power investments by replacing your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. These bulbs are a great power-saving investment.

Buy the Power Save gadget. The gadget helps monitor the power supply to your house and uses the minimum that is needed.

Home appliance usage: Most of us complain that the electricity bill touches the sky because of the number of electrical appliances they have at home. However, the electricity bill is not directly proportional to the number of gadgets you use but the way you use them. Let’s see how you can avoid the typical power-wasters.

Use the washing machine only when there is a full load of clothes.

Keep the geyser on for the minimal amount of time.

Keep the air-conditioner at the minimum low or high temperature, just enough to keep you off the heat or the cold outside.

Switch off the computer monitor even when you take a one-minute break. It takes just a second to switch on the monitor again!

Yeah, you have to stick to this way of life for saving power at home and for the world.

Remember, reducing your electricity bill is equivalent to saving power, thus helping the world save power for its future generations.

Make power at home with solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill. Get our complete guide at www.earth4energy.com

photo credit: Vividy

“Discover Everything You Need to Know to Grow Magnificent Orchids That Are Brighter, Healthier and More Vibrant Than The Average Orchid…”

Most people assume that growing orchids entail special care and treatment. Furthermore, it sometimes needs an extra patience. That’s why, growing orchids is considered as only expert’s job.

Are there warily hidden secrets to growing orchids successfully? Not really. These plants can be grown in nearly all houses. After choosing an assorted these plants that have been tailored to your certain area, consider these few essentials and presently your family and friends will be praising you on your green thumb.

“Must-Haves” For Orchids Care

Just Like any growing plant, growing orchids have certain needs that must be provided to best result. These essentials of growing orchids include the right amount of light and water and a controlled temperature as well as humidity level. This is not very difficult and as soon as your plants are set up in your home, you will know that caring these essentials take up only a small percentage of your time. Let us take a closer look at all of these necessities.

The best place for growing orchids is on your sunniest windowsill. Ascertain that the plants are kept free from drafts and that the window receives sunshine in the mornings and afternoons. A southern exposure is best. If your windows are very large, and therefore the amount of sunlight is intense, place the plants about 20 inches from the windowpane.

If you plan to growing orchids in your home, your orchids will benefit from the intensity of the sunlight, but also need a period of time in the shade. If you don’t have a sunny windowsill, think about using fluorescent lighting. Keep the lights on for 12 hours a day as a minimum to insure proper growth and flowering of the orchids. Choose fluorescent lighting that has been made for plants.

Another factor that is vital in growing orchids is providing the right amount of water. There are two points to consider in watering your plants in a proper amount. First, you must understand the water requirements of your particular species. The second thing to remember is to water only when the potting soil or growing medium is dry. As information, orchids potted in a bark mix or clay pot need more frequent watering.

Keeping the right temperature and humidity level is also essential in growing orchids. Placing pots of orchid plants on decorative pebbles in a water-filled tray boosts the humidity level to a right degree. Misting the plants is a good practice, but do not steep them because bacterial or fungal diseases could grow.

It is also important to know the necessitie of your particular species before you set the proper temperature level. Don’t be afraid that your orchids can not grow well. Usually, they will adapt themselves properly to their home environment. Happy growing orchids!

Don’t keep yourself trapped in doubt. Have more knowledge about growing orchids and get yourself updated with orchid!

photo credit: geefour907

History reveals that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon is a big evidence of a hydroponic garden. Moreover, the Aztec Indians in the now Mexico had a system of growing crops on rafts. These rafts are in shallow lakes that you can still see in floating gardens near Mexico City.

Therefore, history shows the great significance of hydroponic system of growing plants even in ancient times.

Developments with hydroponics did not however take place in Europe until 1699 when Woodward discovered it. He found out that he can grow plants in a solution of water to which soil had been added.On the other hand, Liebig, a German scientist, originated using nutrient solutions to study the nutritional requirements of plants in the 1850’s. It was then followed by Sachs in 1860. Knop also did some studies of nutrient elements in water solutions in 1861.

They grew plants in nutrients-rich solutions with mineral salts. This does away with the soil as a main requirement for growing crops.

Many researches on the nutritional requirements of plants extended through even until the 1870’s. By 1925, practical applications of hydroponics were being introduced for the vast development in the greenhouse industry.

The next decade followed with the wide growth as scientists grown mindful of the prospective development of producing hydroponically to sustain the food supply with rapid growth in population.

Developments remained and the commercial use of hydroponics opened worldwide gradually. But it was the N.F.T. method by Dr Alan Cooper in the 1970’s, along with improved nutritional formulations, that successfully made the hydroponic growing of a wide range of plants commercially possible.

Hydroponics has grown rapidly since the Aztecs and it has become an important method of producing crops in areas of the World where water is precious and land futile for growing plants.

With conscious, well maintained hydroponic crops, we can be assured that farming high quality crops can be environment-friendly for tomorrow.

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Organic gardening is a growing interest at all levels of society. Due to the increases in food prices, concerns over pesticides used in food production and a general desire for better health, organic gardens are springing up all over. It is not difficult to get started with your own organic garden, just a little time and effort are required.

The basic concept behind organic gardening is that you will be growing food without the use of synthetic pesticides. Organic gardens are not necessarily devoid of all herbicides and pesticides; they simply avoid the use of the more harmful synthetic varieties. Successful organics require you to work with nature as much as possible. This means feeding the soil well, spending time on pest management and weeding and growing plants that are complimentary. Alternate your crop rows so different plants use different nutrients from the ground.

One of the most important things you can do when starting an organic garden is to invest in a compost bin or pile. Blueprints for building simple compost bins are available on line. Incorporating compost into your soil ensures that your organic food will be nutrient rich. Organic gardening success depends on healthy soil. To have your soil tested, contact your county extension office. They often hire master gardeners that can be sent out to test your soil thoroughly and advise you as to which crops are best for your region and soil type. This service if normally provided free of charge.

When you in planning stages remember to consult with your landscaping designer for ideas about flowers and shrubs that may compliment your organic garden.

The time and effort you put into your organic garden means you don’t want to share the produce with insects. Insects will come around less when you take good care of your organic garden. Insect traps, pheromone baited lures and plant collars are all part of an organic approach to pest control. Making your organic garden friendly to natural predators will help keep the insect count down. You can find natural agents to discourge leaf eating creatures

Beneficial insects can be your best friend, so when you are planning to attack harmful pests make sure that you won’t affect your allies. Planting a border of beneficial plants will attract good insects reducing your need for pesticides, organic though they may be. Cornflower, bachelor’s button, fennel and borage are just a few plants that can encourage helpful insects to colonize your organic garden. If you have the area, you may want to have a bat house near your organic garden. If you are lucky enough to acquire a few bats in your garden, you can be sure they will keep down the numbers insects that you find objectionable too.

When you think of your organic garden you will think of it as a labor of love. Besides providing yourself and your family with nutritious, homegrown vegetables and fruits you are contributing to a healthy environment. Your gardens production will be your reward for all the time and effort you have put in. Spending time watching your organic veggies grow is a great way to spend a summer afternoon?

Flower and shrubs will compliment your organic garden no matter what size it is, call your landscape expert for advice on what looks the best and think about using pavers for a really nice walkway through your garden.

photo credit: OakleyOriginals

Make sure that your plants are growing in the proper temperature, correct air circulation and that humidity buildup is not too extreme with the right fans, hygrometers, thermometers and more.

Keep your hydroponics crops healthy to provide for utmost production of fruits or vegetables with the right climate controllers.

pH testing is one of the critical climate controllers you need to control. Is the pH balance in your garden right for your plants to ensure strong growth? With the appropriate pH test meters, you will get correct measurements of the pH balance. This will be effective to make necessary modifications to ensure the growth of your hydroponics garden.

A pH meter is an electronic instrument used to measure the pH, the alkalinity or acidity. A regular pH meter has special measurement probe a glass electrode associated to an electronic meter that quantifies and shows the pH reading.

The pH probe measures pH as the activity of hydrogen ions at its tip. The probe makes a small voltage (about 0.06 volt per pH unit) that is valued and shown as pH units on the meter.

When the pH is not at the appropriate point, the crop will suffer its ability to absorb many of the necessary nutrients necessary for healthy increase in yield during harvest time. For all crops there is a specific pH level that will produce the best results. This pH level will vary from crop to crop, but most will favor a somewhat acid growing environment between the levels 6.0 – 6.5.

Ph meters are very easy to use and help enhance the growth of your plants for maximum production.

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Revolution™ Planter
Customers spoke and we listened! The new and improved Revolution Planter is better than ever. We’ve added a new swivel hook on top for easier adjustments and a new moisture indicator to let you know when to water.

Growing tomatoes upside-down eliminates the need for weeding, staking or tying your plants and it’s ideal for gardeners with limited space or limited mobility. Our Gardener???s Revolution™ Planter has a 1-gallon water reservoir on top, to make sure your plants get the moisture they need. The sturdy, enameled steel cage has a soft, woven-poly liner with a big 17-quart soil capacity.

When you’re ready to plant, simply fill the liner with our Organic Self-Watering Container Mix, add our All-Organic Tomato Fertilizer (both sold separately) and insert a tomato seedling through the bottom opening. Hang the planter in a convenient, sunny spot and before you know it, you’ll be harvesting your own sweet, juicy organic tomatoes.

Even if you have a regular garden plot, we think you’ll find as we did that this revolutionary growing system is a fun way to get a picture-perfect harvest of delicious, homegrown tomatoes! New swivel hook makes it easier to adjust New moisture level indicator helps you know when to water Homegrown tomatoes at your fingertips

No weeds, no pests, no cages and now all-organic, too! This planter grows peppers, cucumbers and eggplants, too We recommend our Self-Watering Container Mix and Organic Tomato Fertilizer, sold separately The Four-Arm Plant Hanger, sold separately, is an ideal support Sturdy polyethylene-coated steel cage with soft synthetic fabric liner Planter is 8″ diameter x 16″ H Holds 17 quarts of container mix 1-gallon water reservoir Moisture-level indicator and capillary matting Swivel chain and hook Gardener’s Supply Exclusive