Mughal Garden

The effect of the place is such that the presidents of other countries who visited the place have also tried to contribute to the garden in one way or the other. They were enchanted by the garden and made plentiful additions to it. Some of the contributions from the other countries are:

• Bird of Paradise from Mauritius
• Tulips from Netherlands
• Orchids from Brazil
• Olive, a core part of the gardens, from France
• Water Lily from China
• Cherry Blossom from Japan
• Assorted seasonal plants were supplied by Japan
• Rose was a gift from Germany

Special features

Circular garden

Also known as the butterfly garden, this garden lies towards the western part of the main garden and is a blissful sight. The place is brimming with huge dahlias and jasmines entwined to each other and in the midst are bowl plants hanging on the terrace, all with wonderful fragrances. These plants include Stock (Matthiola incana), Verbena (V. Bonariensis) , and Mignonette (Reseda odorata). The whole garden is in a circular shape with a bubble fountain lying inside a pool. Small waves move towards the outer region to form static waves of colors. These waves fall upon the dahlia trees and then rise into the endless sky, thus returning the fragrance to the already awed on-lookers and tourists and fill them with excitement. The place is full of butterflies of all colors, fluttering past each other, adding to the beauty of the garden. Moreover, if you are lucky enough, you may have the pleasure of catching sight of the peacocks playing their little games in this paradise of flowers. You will even find the best collection of bonsais in the country. The nursery, greenhouses, and stores are around this circular garden.

Purdha Garden

Located towards the west of the main garden, the Purdha garden is spread along the sides of the main pavement that leads to the circular garden. The walls on either side are about 12 feet high and are dominated by roses. The aroma of this channel or pathway is enchanting. There are plentiful flowerbeds comprising of only roses in the lower hedges. A sandstone pergola of red color stands in the center and is covered by rose creepers, the sand paper vine (Petrea volubilis), paper flower (Bougainvillea glabra), and grape vines (Namily vitaceae). The walls are tastefully covered by creepers like Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum), Rhyncospermum (Rhyncospermum asiaticum), and Peegee (Porana paniculata). Alongside the walls run special orange trees from China - a major attraction for small children. On the walls running on either side, one can occasionally see a peacock trying to catch the attention of a mate by their ritual dancing and singing.

Terrace Garden

The terrace garden is situated on the northern and southern boundaries of the garden. The plants that grow here are similar to those in the main garden. A fountain is situated in the center of the two longitudinal strips and the water falls inwards into a well. The garden is divided into grids by the two channels that run from east to west of the garden. Though the water is moving constantly, propelled by the sic lotus shaped fountains present here, the tranquillity is such that the water seems to be frozen. There are titanic fountains, which rise up to heights as high as 12 feet and produce a very soothing and gentle whispering of falling water entertaining the visitors. There are two immensely vast lawns - one in the centre that is square in shape, and the other in the eastern region that is oblong in shape and is a bit smaller than the central one. During the evening, one can see peacocks strutting past each other in these majestic lawns, which are covered with the special “Doob” grass.

This garden stays evergreen with the help of the plants such as Moulsri, Putranjiva Roxburghii, Cypress, Thuja orientalis, and China Orange trees, rose shrubs, and a variety of climbers.

There are plenty of birds too, including parrots, mynahs, doves and pigeons who visit this place to bask in the sun, have food and bath as if they own the place to the great amazement of the on-lookers. Fateful visitors may even get a chance to see a stork or a cormorant.

How to reach

Visitors are allowed passage through the gate no. 35 of President’s Estate, which is near the North Avenue, towards the Western Road.

The Mughal Gardens of the Rashtrapati Bhawan, is a place for both family and friends. You may even take your loved ones there to enjoy the beauty of nature or accompany a parent to help them revisit their old memories. The place will most certainly be imprinted in your hearts and minds. Even if you are not a big nature lover, the array of rich colors will surely make you fall in love with them.

Flowers for garden

If you were to look around, there are thousands of flowers to choose from. However, main factors include the soil, weather conditions and environmental factors for flowers to blossom. Let us have a look at some of the most admired ones.

1. Passion flowers: Basically a combination of 500 flowers, these are either vines or shrubs. They are best for outdoors and are found worldwide. Classified under the rank angiosperms, these require attention and care to blossom. The famous ones under this category are Blue Passion Flower and Passion-Fruit.

2. Purple rose: Though roses are very common and found in many colors, this category has a different class. Another delicate flower, this one is often given by lovers as a symbol of love at first sight. As it is very delicate, it generally finds place as an indoor plant.

3. Dog flowers: Found in the lands of Kashmir of India, are generally annuals. Grown in small gardens, these are more widely known as Snap-Dragons. These are mostly admired by children as they love to open and close the jaws of this flower. This is also the reason why they are also called – children’s flower!

4. Water lilies: These water-borne beauties generally make place in gardens and country farms, but, they also look beautiful in small pots in homes. But, if they are kept inside, they have to be looked after so that they receive both – sunlight and natural air.

5. Purple lotus: This is another water-imbibed beauty which in fact is an eye catcher. Not so easily found even in nurseries, this can be grown in and out of the house – in water!

6. Poppy: This is simply beautiful – for the simple reason that its beauty increases and color changes with every changing ray of sun. So, if it is not there in the garden, then definitely something is missing. However, the negative factor about this flower is that it grows only in moderate and cold temperatures. Any extreme condition – be it hot or cold – is not at all suitable for Poppy.

7. Hanging flowers: As the name suggests, these flowers hang from upside to down. Found in two beautiful colors of reddish pink and purple, these are simply charms when it comes to admiring them. Look for them in nurseries, as these are not so easily found.

8. Foxgloves: While many might have not heard this name, these are the dotted flowers which come in a combination of pink leaves and purple dots. Looking more or less like a fox, these are pretty in every sense. Insects are generally attracted towards the center of the flowers, due to their fragrance and design.

9. Cherry blossom: Originally coming from Japan, this exotic flower has today traveled the world. From business meetings to political get-together, these are one of the most sought after flowers due to their color and essence.

10. Hydragea: This one is beautiful from every angle. A bunch of small flowers, making a circle head from head, these make a wave in parties and small gatherings. These are also very popular as wedding and birthday bouquets.

Apart from these, there are many others which make a place in houses and gardens. These not only lighten up the beauty of our homes and surroundings, but also make a beautiful décor. A perfect way to add beauty and warmth, flowers can actually turn simple places into beautiful ones. They are more than living things when it comes to beautifying anything.

And if someone adds a personal touch to them, they simply make a go! Simply for this reason, these are used in marriages, theme parties, birthday celebrations, anniversaries and get -togethers. In fact, these are being widely used in event management these days.

So, if you are looking for planting these in your home, kitchen garden or the small garden in your house; do it. Experiment in all the ways one can to make your surroundings more elegant and stylish than they are now. Move ahead and start today.

1. Kew Palace: The attraction that marks its footings into the lineage of the royal art and architecture, is the elegant red bricked Kew Palace. Built by Samuel Fortrey in 1631, the palace marks the heritage and culture of Britain. After Fortrey, the palace entails the stay of Frederick, Prince of Wales and also the stay of his favourite poets like James Thomson and Alexander Pope.The house also contains some unforgettable pictures like that of Caharlotte’s works and of the Florence gallery by Zoffany. The initials S and C entwined and carved over the front door of the house depicts the bond of love that Samuel Fortrey and his wife shared. Representing a Gothic Style of castellated palace, the building embarks the palace’s name more into the beautification of ‘Royal’.

2. Queen Charlotte’s Cottage: Next to the line of ‘Royal’ is Queen Charlotte’s Cottage which was built in a corn field between 1754 and 1771. Her cottage is an early example of ‘orné’, built as a country retreat. Rural setting, the large paddock and many exotic animals that were kept in the paddock were its main attraction. George III and Queen Charlotte kept pets, like oriental cattle and colorful Tartarian pheasants, which are still to be seen in this quiet area of the gardens. To suite the fancy of the Queen from 1790s ,kangaroos were kept and bred in the Queen’s Cottage paddock.This made the cottage a popular destination for many royal walks. According to legends it is quoted, “The Queen’s cottage in the shade of the garden is a pretty retreat:the furniture is all English prints of elegance and humor. The design is said to be Her Majesty’s.”

3. Sir William Chamber: Following this lineage is the Sir William Chambers designed iconic Pagoda of the mid 18th century. It marks the presence of the Chinoiserie architecture in the Kew Garden. Completed in 1762, the Pagoda is a 163ft high; octagonal structured tallest reconstruction of a Chinese building in Europe. The wall of the building is made of bricks and the interior has a staircase with 253 stairs leading to the top. When originally constructed the building was colorfully decorated with iron plated roofs and 80 gold gilded wooden dragons which through the centuries have disappeared. Even though the inside of the Pagoda is closed to the public view, it still marks the spectacular Royal undertakings of England enhancing the Royalty of the garden.

4. Chokushi Mon: It is another notable example of Japanese Architecture. Built in 1910 for Japan British exhibition, this is a 4/5 scale replica of Karamon of the Nishi Hoganji temple in Kyota.

5. Minka House: This simple Japanese house increases the essence of ‘Royal’ with its bamboo collection.

6. Palm House: Moving towards the nostalgic historiography of ‘Royal’ come in yet another building named Palm House. The combined effort of Decimus Burton and Richard Turner resulted in the construction of this Royal building in 1844-1848. Acquired its name from its purpose of collecting exotic palms and introducing it to the early Victorian people, Palm House is 363 feet long by 100 feet wide and rises to a height of 66 feet. This building has been established following the elegant design with unobstructed space for the spreading crowns of the tall palms. Borrowing the technology of ship building, creating the structure of an upturned hull and working out brilliantly with the use of lights, making of the strong wrought iron ‘ship’s beams’ allowed the unhindered growth of tall specimen palms. The essence of ‘Royal’ in the building is marked as it showcases the Tropical Rain Forest inside the structure of glass marking the union of technique, function and style.

Kew’s essence of ‘Royal’ also lies in its botanical collection. Alpine house with architectural design of 16m length to 10m height allows the natural flow of air and conserves a collection of 7000 types of Alpine plants. The Aquatic Garden exhibits various aquatic plants and species. 14000 varieties of trees are there at Arboretum. Princess of Wales Conservatory Gordon Wilsons architectural genius, showcases the Cacti, Carnivorous plants and Orchids collection. The rose garden, azalead garden, rhododendron dell, lilacs, bonsai, fern and many other such collection of rare plants adds to the ‘Royal’ ness of the garden.

Garden Decor

1. Water features

Waterfalls

The water feature adds to the beauty of the garden. It serves as a water source for the birds and insects that live in and visit your little paradise. The water feature could be anything depending on your preference — a fountain, waterfall, small lotus ponds, or a pool could work wonders. They give an elegant look to your garden. They are also considered a symbol of wealth. Creating a pond in your garden space gives it a natural look and enhances the beauty of your dwelling. These ponds could be modified according to one’s taste to match the surroundings. Setting up a bridge across the pond enhances the appearance of your garden. They can provide an excellent pathway across the ponds; you can make these bridges appealing by decorating them with suitable elements.

2. Pergolas

Pergola

Gardens are the most likely places where one wants to spend time with their loved ones. Making some space for shelter is another way to make your garden comforting. To provide shelter for the visitors, pergolas are an optimum choice. Pergolas are the scented pathways, which can be covered or left open depending on your choice. They are usually set up so that you can enjoy little private moments with your family. Usually they are decorated with growing Ivy or creepers, which provide a suitable cover for the pergolas, but instead you could even use your own choice of shelter. They are easy to construct and maintain too.

3. Outdoor furnishings

Outdoor Furnishings

Outdoor seating is a new trend these days. Most people prefer to lounge right outside their front doors in their peaceful gardens. To provide the outdoor lounging, the first thing that we have to take care of is the seating arrangement. Seating furnishings can be done in accordance with the theme you prefer for your garden. The important factor to remember while furnishing your garden is that the chairs and tables should be made of weatherproof and waterproof materials. Most people choose furnishings made of hard wood, acrylics, plastics, or tightly woven fabrics to re-succumb from the weather problems.

4. Cool garden stuff

Wind Chimes

Apart from the above-mentioned features, there are some other elements, which make the gardens lively. These features include wind chimes; mailboxes that are a symbol of creativity and give cool look to the garden; outdoor thermometers to check the temperature changes that drastically effect the plants in your garden; weather vanes; lightning rods; sculptures; statues; and cobble stones. These cool gardening stuffs are useful in giving a creative look to your garden by adding that color element which makes the garden more attractive.

5. Garden stepping stones

Stones in your garden area could make your pathways look more pronounced and add a neat look to your garden, as they act as outlines for the pathways and edges. The stones are available in numerous colors and sizes. Adding different colored stones to the garden gives that natural look to the decor theme. The presence of stones in the garden is termed to be a sign of peacefulness. So adding such stones in your garden will not only look like a part of garden decor but also will help in relaxing your senses and give you that peace of mind after a hectic work schedule.

Garden makeover

Garden lighting involves many steps. The first one is to decide on the areas that require to be lit up depending on the function such as highlighting the trees, shrubs or features, the pathways and decks will also need to be lit up. Different lighting can be given for a barbecue or dining space and a different decor for the house illumination itself. The next step is to decide on the switching connections that requires either clubbing or separation of the different areas. Then the type of lamps and the light fittings that will look best for the chosen space needs to be decided on. There are basically two types of garden lighting - solar lighting and low-voltage lighting. The solar lighting uses solar panels and do not require any wiring or switching. The low voltage lighting uses low power lights and consumes lesser power as it is controlled by an automatic timer.

1. Lighting the pathway

This adds beauty to the garden and also serves the purpose of safety and aesthetic feeling. These lights, which illuminate the pathways leading to different parts in the garden, can either be lit up from the bottom or from the top, if the walkways are wider. The whole beauty is when the lamps are hidden and the light decorates the way. But in case of absence of trees or walls to hide the light source, a compromise has to be made with visible lights and attractive fittings.

Light up your pathway

2. Lighting the steps

Lighting up the steps in a garden is obviously important for safety reasons in low light conditions. But coupling them with decorative purposes by adding subtle-colored lights with different spreading ranges can enhance the beauty of the garden. If the step lights are placed at points that can be viewed from a terrace, window or any other view point, then they should definitely be low-glare lights. If there is no feature such as a tree or wall for the lamps to be mounted on, spread lights with plain rim or eyelids may be chosen.

3. Up-lighting and down-lighting

There may be many highlighted points in the garden such as unique trees, waterfalls, shrubs and so on. Up-lighting is one of the most common garden lighting technique that gives a dramatic effect. The special features can be lighted from the bottom giving them a spectacular look. Down-lighting can be used to give a more natural landscaping effect to the garden. A low lit moon light can be used to light the tree borders and also a part of the lawn can be covered. This gives a very subtle effect to the area.

4. Lighting the water bodies

The areas to be lit up in pools and ponds are subject to harsh conditions and hence the lighting provided must have the ability to bear with the conditions. The halogen underwater lights can be used to light up a waterfall or fountain from below the water. For linear bodies such as streams, the lighting can be provided by down-lighting from trees or nearby pergolas, giving it a natural silver sheen effect. The most favorite color for water features lighting is obviously blue.

Water Feature Lighting

5. Lighting of pergolas

These areas can be either up-lit or down-lit depending on certain other features. When down-lighting the pergolas which are used for seating or dining, it is necessary to use low voltage lighting to avoid the seating area from being very bright. But the lighting voltage may differ in case of the place being used for reading. When the pergolas have creepers climbing on the posts and on to the beams, careful up-lighting will add an ornamental value.

Pergola Lighting

Plant

These bugs can enter your household through various ways and means, especially when you are introducing an outside plant to your garden. These hitchhikers can cause immense damage to your dear plants, if not kept out. Screen the plants that have summered outside thoroughly, check the undersides of the leaves and hollow portions of the stem and you may also treat them with a mild insecticide, if you want to. And also, keep them at some distance from your indoor plants to keep the pest confined to a limited area. The most common of the garden pests are discussed below.

1. Spider mites

These are not truly insects, but are related to spiders and prefer to live in hot and dry conditions. Irrespective of their small size, they can cause a lot of damage to the underside of leaves by sucking on them. When you find leaves stippled with yellow or in the worst case, encased in webs, understand that it is infected by spider mites. Hold a tissue and under the leaf and give it a jerk, you will see small black dots moving on the white surface which will prove their presence. If you become aware of it early on, then you can bring them under control by simple spraying and if the number is large, spray insecticidal soap and horticultural oil. Repeat it to make sure that every single egg that might have been left, is destroyed. If the plant is severely infected, there is not any hope left and it should be kept away to keep other plants safe.

Because these insects love and thrive in hot conditions, maintaining high humidity around your plants will help them stay protected from these spider mites. Place the pot in a ray of water, so that the evaporating water will keep the humidity high.

2. Aphids

These insects feed by sucking on newest of plants and attack in large numbers. They are pear-shaped and soft-bodied and excrete characteristic sticky honey-dew which distinguishes them. They are found gathered around the young plants and can be removed by just pinching them off because of their soft bodies, the plants will sustain some damage but it is important to remove the most infected parts first. Insecticidal soap spray will definitely work for these.

3. Mealy bugs

Have you ever come across inexplicable masses of cotton on the lower sides of leaves or the stems where the leaves comes out, these are the mealy bugs. They are flat and oval-shaped and their outer body is covered in white powdery wax which may also extend out in form of filaments. They are very dangerous and can cause yellowing of leaves, lowering their numbers and hence distorting the plant growth. It feeds by sucking and makes the plants very weak. They lay plentiful eggs and grow rapidly, and are also mobile, hence can move from one plant to another infecting many of them. They are most vulnerable when the eggs just hatch and can be killed easily by insecticidal sprays.

If the infestation is already settled, use alcohol to swipe it off and repeat on weekly basis. If you want to spray, then use an insecticidal soap with some portion of alcohol mixed in it, preferably on a ratio of 1:9. Test this treatment on a small portion of plants and then go for a full fledged onslaught because it may also damage plants which are sensitive to it. You may have to remove some of the plants which are heavily infected to prevent the pests from spreading to others and try to learn their life cycle to help you act on time whenever they attack next.

These were the three main and most common pests that may attack your garden. Staying prepared from these will save you from a great disappointment.

French beans

Three types of beans are commonly known. The first being string beans, the second is French beans which are “stringless”, known as such due to the fibrous “string” running along its length, and the third are snap beans which may be round or thin and flat.

Selection of site and soil

There are two types of bean plants. One grows like a bush and the other is of a climber variety. The bush plants grow up to a height of two feet and do not require support to grow. They also reach maturity in a short period and start producing. The climber variety can climb up very tall and can end up shadowing the smaller plants close to it. The spot chosen for planting the beans should get lots of sunlight. It should also be sheltered from winds as they are vulnerable to it. Rich and loose soil is necessary for it to grow well and as they have deep roots, the soil should be dug deep and filled with compost. The months of April and May are the right time to sow the seeds.

Creating support for the beans

Bush beans may not require support in good climatic conditions. Yet, it would be a good idea if the small plants were tied to small twigs or short bamboo sticks. This would help the pods from touching the soil, which might attract pests. This method also protects them from strong winds.

The climber beans need support to grow. The support can be in tepee fashion if short of space and it looks very attractive in the garden. A mesh net also helps as a good support for climbers.

Caring with water and feed

The beans need very little requirement in terms of taking care of them. Watering is most important in dry conditions. Weeding needs to be done regularly to keep it under control. The vegetable bed should be spread with organic material around the plants, which helps to reduce evaporation and soil erosion.

Harvesting the pods

It is during summer that the beans would be ready for harvesting. They should be picked when young, which is when they are at their best. You need to pick the beans regularly so that would help new beans to grow. If any of the pods dry up then the beans inside it can be used to rustle up a delicious dish.

Culinary use of French beans

French beans are eaten widely throughout the world. There are three stages of growth of the beans and every stage has its own flavor and culinary use. They are most commonly eaten when the pods are young. The second stage is when they grow on to be flageolets, if they are not picked when young. Once the texture of the skin turns coarse and the beans show through them, they are known as haricots.

Beans are widely consumed during Thanksgiving. The green pods can be used in a variety of salads and soups as well as a side dish. They can be blanched, steamed, cooked in a casserole, and microwaved. If the beans have to be nice and crisp, then blanching is the best way out. Otherwise, steaming would help cook the beans more than blanching.

Pest control

Halo blight is a disease that comes from the seed itself. It is due to bacteria and can affect the whole plant. It is recommended to cut off the affected plants so that it does not destroy the other healthy plants. Only good quality seeds should be used for planting.

Slugs and aphids feed on plants, which affect its growth. Organic pest control can be used to prevent the plants from being destroyed by pests.

Varieties

“Prince” is a very good variety of round pod beans that is well proven in taste. “Masterpiece” is a flat pod variety that matures early and is tasty to eat. “Twiggy” is another round pod variety which is harvested when small.

Gardens in US

1. The Ruth Bancroft Garden: Walnut Creek, California

1. The Ruth Bancroft Garden: Walnut Creek, Calif.

Founded by Ruth Bancroft, this garden is the first in the US to be preserved by the Garden Conservancy. The 81-year-old Bancroft donated this garden to Conservancy in 1989. This “dry” garden has a vast collection of cactus of different colors and sizes. You can find succulents from different dry areas of the world in this garden.

2. Watnong Gardens: Morris Plains, N.J.

Watnong Gardens: Morris Plains, N.J.

The credit for setting up 2.5-acre big Wantong Gardens goes to Frank and Helen Donn, who realized their passion for gardening by purchasing a property, which was once a nursery. This garden has several varieties of conifers, hostas, shrubs, ferns, and perennials. This garden also has a small-size train with four alpine plants filled cars.

3. Wissing Garden: Nashville, Tenn.

Wissing Garden: Nashville, Tenn.

This two-acre big garden is maintained by Connie and Edward Wissing, who are avid gardeners. They spend about 20 hours per week in this beautiful garden, which is built into a hillside, in order to maintain its beauty. The walls of this garden are made using rock. The main attraction of this garden is a bubbling fountain.

4. Longview: Bloomfield Hills, Mich

4. Longview: Bloomfield Hills, Mich

This one-acre garden is owned by Norm Bodine. Located on Long Lake, the main attraction of this garden are a small pond and a fountain. This garden has a huge oak tree and a stairway near this tree can be used to reach the shore of the lake and a bed of lavender. The green garden of conifers, holly, and Japanese plum trees with flowers is wind-protected.

5. The Hidden Garden of Lewis Creek Road: Hinesburg, Vt

5. The Hidden Garden of Lewis Creek Road: Hinesburg, Vt.

This 26-acre property is owned by Marcia Pierce. This garden with several levels is one of Vermont’s largest gardens. Pierce, who indulges herself in gardening for relaxation, has grown several varieties of shrubs, hostas, and conifers on this property. This beautiful garden also boasts of daffodils and 700 apricot beauty tulips.

6. The Beard Garden: Oak Brook, Ill

The Beard Garden: Oak Brook, Ill

This three-acre garden is owned by Susan and Ken Beard. This garden with 280 varieties of hosta features a 19-foot bridge. The Beard couple has also built an arbor in order to prevent the entry of deer inside the garden. This garden features different varieties of perennials, annuals, and flowering shrubs.

7. Old Westbury Gardens: Old Westbury, N.Y.

7. Old Westbury Gardens: Old Westbury, N.Y.

This garden was opened to the public in 1959. Located on the North Shore of Long Island, this garden is regarded by many as America’s best English garden. Spread over an area of 88 acres, this garden has well-designed tree-lined walks and ponds. You can see sycamores, willows, maples, and cypresses besides 2,000 tulips, pansies, poppies, and irises in this garden.

8. Winterthur: Wilmington, Del

8. Winterthur: Wilmington, Del.

This 60-acre garden is located in a 966-acre Winterthur estate, which was once the home of Henry Francis du Pont. Du Pont was fond of gardening and he worked as the “head gardener” of Winterthur when he was alive. You can find several native and exotic plants here. The estate has two gardens – the peony garden and the sundial garden. The former has Chinese, Japanese, and French hybrid herbaceous peonies and it begun in 1954 while the latter was created in 1957.

9. Filoli: Woodside, California

Filoli: Woodside, California

This 16-acre garden is located inside a 654-acre estate, which was owned by millionaire businessman William B. Bourn and his wife Agnes Moody Bourn from 1917 to 1936. This garden is heavily influenced by European culture as you can see terraces, pools, and lawns in this garden. This garden also has several plants, including roses, rhododendrons, camellias, and magnolias. Filoli was purchased by William and Lurline Roth in 1937 and Lurline Roth donated this estate to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1975.

10. Vizcaya: Miami, Fla

Vizcaya: Miami, Fla

Located inside 180-acre Villa Vizcaya on Biscayne Bay, this garden is one of the finest examples of a Renaissance garden in the US. The villa was built by James Deering and the garden here seems heavily influenced from the Italian gardens. The water displays and grass beds of this garden look similar to what is common in several Italian gardens. This garden features decorative balustrades, trees, and shrubs of topiary style.

Garden Bed

What is a raised bed garden?

Raised bed garden features yards that are mounted few inches from the ground level. One may use the native soil for constructing it, or may otherwise opt for some different quality of soil. The sides of the garden are shielded by wood, or may also be patched by concrete, to keep the bed inviolate. Otherwise, it may be kept in free form.

The Advantages

Many advantages might induce the necessity of a raised bed garden. These include:

• A raised garden bed gives you an option to build a barrier box, thus preventing the growth of unwanted weed.
• Having a wire mesh set in the garden bed makes it pest free.
• It leads to better soil quality and in turn better yields.
• They are aesthetically pleasing, as it looks neat and tidy.

How to construct a raised bed garden?

Follow these simple steps to construct a raised bed garden.

1. Selection of a proper site

If you are sure to grow the herbs, shrubs or small trees in your garden, then choose a site that will fetch at least eight hours of sunlight a day. Identify whether it has a proper draining option or not. You should also have an easy access to the water sources. To optimize your plantation, select a site keeping all these things in mind.

2. Size and shape of the garden

Shape and size of the garden is an important factor for perfect growth of your plants. If you are determined to grow small plants in it, you may choose four feet by five feet garden. Trees like coconut, pine, etc. require garden of a larger dimension.

If the quality of soil is poor and you want to grow deep-rooted plants like carrots, parsnips, etc., you should construct the garden at least ten inches higher from the ground.

3. Preparation strategy

The preparation strategy totally depends upon the type of plants you want to add there. If you are looking forward to plant deep-rooted plants, make it at least six inches deep. Use newspapers, fabric, or cardboards to pour soil over it; this will smoothen the soil. It will be a good idea to loosen the soil by digging it a couple of times. Plants grow better in well-furnished soil.

4. Construction of bed

Use a good quality rot-resistant lumber to construct your bed. Two by six inches of lumber will be perfect; it will provide you good strength (the depth of lumber should be a minimum of six inches). Make a simple frame by cutting the lumber into pieces and prepare a butt joint by joining each corner. Then drill and screw the corners to give it a final shape.

5. Leveling of the frame

It is very important to level your frame and place it correctly. If the leveling is not proper, you will face water-draining problems. In addition, water will creep to the lower side; as a result, the higher side will get no water. Adjust the leveling by taking out some soil out from the higher side of the frame.

6. Filling it up

Making use of good quality manures, composts, and top soil, build the soil perfectly. When your soil is ready for plantation, sow the seeds.

Maintenance

Good quality maintenance of the raised bed garden gives more optimal result. So take care of your garden at spring fall or end, and refill the top layer with high quality manure, top soil, and composts. Make sure that there are no weeds. Check whether the level of bed is still intact or not; if not, redress it. Do maintain the drainage system as well.

Fruits in your home garden

Home plantation size and spacing between the trees

First of all, you must know your requirement and limitations. Decide on the types of fruits that you want to grow after analyzing the requirement of the family. Also, you must not try to plant a large number of fruit trees, if you cannot take care of it. The lesser plants will give you more time and space for the healthy growth of the plant. It is also important to have some basic information about the plants, such as which fruit tree will be able to sustain in the available space or what kind and pruning will be required. The dwarf apple trees are a popular choice with home gardens. They look stunning and are also a most commonly consumed fruit. Dwarf cherry, peach and pear trees are also available but are not recommended as these trees do not survive for more than five years due to various plant diseases and incompatibility issues.

It is also vital to take care of the spacing between the trees. For best results, it is extremely important to know the required distance between two plants in the home orchard. The spacing can vary depending on the type and size of the fruit tree that you are opting for. It must not be overcrowded with trees and the surface must be low enough for pest control. For example, between the two apple dwarf trees, there must be a distance of at least 8 feet for the proper growth.

While buying the trees, make sure you go to a reputed nursery. You must not select the ready to bear, fully grown fruit tree. The ideal age of tree to get home is 1-year. The younger trees are easy to maintain, healthy and bear fruits around the same time as the over-sized trees. Generally, over-sized older trees are sold on higher prices whereas they are less worthy than the younger trees.

Site for the home orchard

Another important aspect of fruit orchard at home is the site for the plantation. For home fruit orchard, the site must have good drainage, cold wind and availability of water. Fruit plants on the slope survive more than those on the low surface. The site with heavy winds is a wrong choice as the wind blows will spoil the plants. The site must also have moderately fertile soil and means to drain and fertilize the soil adequately. Sandy clay loam is suitable for almost all types of fruit trees.

Setting up the orchard

Setting up a fruit orchard at home garden is more of a technique than anything else. While setting up, you must keep the right timing in mind. All trees have a right time for the plantation. Research well about the climatic conditions in your area and about the right time for planting the trees.

Handling the nursery stock is also of utmost important. Make sure that the trees are not exposed to extreme climates like freezing or too hot temperature. Make sure that the roots and packaging material have the moist for the trees to sustain. You can store the packaged plants for a week or two at a cool basement or garage.

Finally, before planting the trees, you must prepare the soil. Dig deep, but just to house the root ball and make it wider than required, clear the turf and spade from the area and also prune the roots of the damaged or broken trees. The tree must be set at the approximately same depth as it was in the nursery, do not set it too deep. Start filling the dig while shaking the tree gently to filter the soil on the roots. Add some water, when you have filled almost 3/4th of the dig. Let the water soak in completely then complete the filling of soil, this will increase the chances of survival for the tree.

Managing the orchard

Once you are done with the orchard set-up, now you have to take care of it for the trees to grow healthy and bear fruits. Orchard management starts with the cultivation of young trees by eliminating the weeds. If you are planning to use chemicals for weds, be cautious and attentive as the chemicals can cause severe injuries to the fruit trees. The trees must be cultivated till the time they start bearing the fruits. If trees are mulched, it must extend beyond the spread of the branches and must be taken out during fall.

Fertilization is also important for the healthy growth of the trees. Over fertilization can harm the trees and must be avoided. The right time for fertilization is when the leaves have fallen or three to four weeks prior to the active growth. The young trees may require fertilization three times a year.

Pruning regulates the growth and size and quality of the fruits, control the size of the tree and also to reduce the cost of production. Pruning is significant to give the tree a shape and also to repair the damages to the tree. Type of pruning will depend upon the fruit trees that you are planting.