Posts Tagged ‘containers’
Written by admin on 09 February 2010
Discover the Organic Food Gardening Beginner's Manual
November in the garden last year was a bit bleak to say the least. Early really cold weather finished off the annuals and the dahlias had to be put into storage. What a difference this year.
The weather did turn cold, the cold winds suggested a repeat of last year but instead the cold winds went away and unseasonal mild weather returned. The result is that the Dahlias are still looking good, the Cosmos are still stars in the border, Geraniums are still flowering en mass and Busy Lizzies (Impatiens) in sheltered spots are flowering their hearts out.
It is strange looking out of the window into the garden. There are trees that have completely lost their foliage due to the strong weekend wind, others with no foliage but have berries hanging like coloured baubles, Acers that are showing there beautiful autumn foliage, shrubs with autumn colour, roses still blooming and annual bedding still in flower. There can be no doubt however that we are well into autumn, the Sycamore leaves are thick on the ground with still more to come off this majestic tree. The leaves of most the trees in the garden are easy to gather using my Stihl Leaf Blower / Garden Vacuum but the shear bulk of wet Sycamore leaves make the job hard work.
I can report pleasing results from my summer containers this year apart from two bowls that sit either side of the steps down to my front lawn. Why I cannot say but they have just not looked good all summer and yet two other large pots a few feet away using the same compost and plants from the same sowing are still looking good. This weekend I removed them thinking that I may discover a problem at the roots but no, the compost was full of healthy root. I have replanted now with Winter Flowering Pansies that I sowed earlier this year so it will be interesting to see if they fare any better.
The one problem, if you can call it a problem, of summer bedding still doing well in containers is that I do not have the heart to uproot them as I know I should and the Winter Flowering Pansies really need to be planted out. Still, I am sure I will wake up one morning soon to see bedding that has collapsed and had enough!
The last of the cucumbers have been picked and eaten this week. What prolific croppers they have been. Just two plants have provided more than enough cucumbers for the family and there were plenty to give away. If you have not tried the smaller fruiting varieties that grow just big enough to provide one meal then I urge you to do so. Picked fresh, still crisp and used in a salad or put onto sandwiches, excellent.
Tags: container, containers, cucumber, cucumbers, flower, garden, garden diary, garden tools, gardener, gardeners, gardening, geraniums, hints and tips, leaves, plants, pot, pots, roots, roses, salad, shrub, shrubs, trees, wildlife
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Written by admin on 09 February 2010
Discover the Organic Food Gardening Beginner's Manual
When you go away on holiday in the height of summer it is always a worry that friends or neighbours cannot get round often enough to keep up the watering. Everyone is busy and they cannot be expected to lavish all the love and care that you would yourself. One of the good things about taking a vacation this time of the year is that most things will survive well enough with a watering every other day. This has been the case with my week away rambling in the wilds enjoying the fresh air.
The birds have had to find alternative arrangements for the week but they are slowly finding the food again. Each day is bringing back more feathered friends.
Only a week away but I can see significant changes. Autumn colour in plants, tree and shrubs that was not present a week ago. The grass is not growing so quickly, it is cooler and the days are getting shorter.
There is still plenty of colour in the garden from flowers and the colour from the flowers is being joined by foliage colour.
The Rudbeckias seem to have been flowering for weeks as do the white Cosmos. The large flowered Dahlias have certainly been worth waiting for and have provided good value.
The tomatoes are coming to an end now. There are still tomatoes on the vines but it is doubtful whether they will all ripen. Of course I can pick them and ripen them inside but my preference is to use the green tomatoes in chutney. The theory is that we will eat the chutney through the winter months but believe me it has no chance of lasting that long no matter how much we manage to make!
The Runner Beans are also coming to an end, there are still some to pick but do not look as appetising as a couple of weeks ago. Very likely they will be a bit hard and stringy.
One success of this year has to be the Mini Iceberg Hearts lettuce. Sown close together in a deep box they have done well and hearted up into nice crunchy heads. They stand for a long period and the cut heads will keep for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
I sowed seed of Winter Flowering Pansies a few weeks ago and they are ready to go into their winter locations now. Two containers can be cleared to make way but I am pleased to say that the other containers that will home them are still full of flower. Sorry pansies, you will just have to sit in trays a little bit longer.
Tags: birds, container, containers, feathered friends, flower, garden, gardening, plants, pot, pots, runner beans, seed, shrub, shrubs, tomatoes
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Written by admin on 09 February 2010
Discover the Organic Food Gardening Beginner's Manual
It is not so long ago that I made an entry in my diary giving an opinion on the tomato varieties that I have grown this year. At the time I stated that I would grow more of the same next year, this being Harbinger and the plum variety Red Alert. I have changed my mind and will only be growing Harbinger next season.
So what has changed?
Harbinger has proved to be the best cropper by far and in my opinion Harbinger has the better flavour. In addition Harbinger tomato plants have proven to be much healthier.
The blackbirds have disappeared as they usually do at this time of the year to moult. I spotted one in one of my rhododendrons and he hardly had a feather left on his head.
The great news on the bird front is that we have more sparrows this year that we have had for a very long time. They are doing their best to eat me out of bird seed but I have no complaints. Flocks of them arrive on mass and disappear together. I hear them in the bushes near the feeder waiting for a refill. Their numbers suddenly declined dramatically one winter and it has taken years for them to make a comeback. The funny thing is, last winter was the harshest we have had for many years and yet it is this summer that we have had the biggest increase in numbers. Long may it continue.
For the first time ever I have had problems with caterpillars on my salad crops grown under cover. I recognised the caterpillar of the cabbage white but I must confess my ignorance when it comes to identifying the other thug. Whatever it was it had a voracious appetite!
This autumn I must give some thought to my vegetable garden layout. I have already made some alterations that will help next years crops which has entailed cutting back shrubs and trees that had put on more than expected growth due to good growing conditions.
My begonia hanging basket is looking good at last. For the first time this year I have grown tuberous begonias from seed that are recommended for baskets and containers, having only grown the fibrous rooted varieties from seed. They have taken a while to reach flowering size but the wait has been worth it. Hopefully I can over winter the tubers and have earlier flowers and a cheaper hanging basket next year.
Tags: birds, container, containers, flower, garden, garden diary, garden tools, gardener, gardeners, gardening, hanging basket, hints and tips, how to vegetable garden, plants, pot, salad, salad crops, seed, shrub, shrubs, tomatoes, trees, vegetable, vegetable garden, wildlife
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Written by admin on 09 February 2010
Discover the Organic Food Gardening Beginner's Manual
Normally I take pictures of beautiful flowers to show on my diary. This week is very different; this is a picture I never wanted to take.
I have been growing tomatoes for over thirty years with very few problems. This year I had a few extra tomato plants going spare so I asked my daughter whether she would like to try her hand at cultivating her own tomatoes. There was no room in the greenhouse and so I helped her to plant in containers outside.
She probably gave her tomatoes more TLC than me, she was doing a good job, listening to all the advice and had started to pick fruit. There is nothing better to encourage and enthuse people to gardening that enjoying the fruits of their labour.
However, one day she asked me to look at her tomatoes as she thought they were suddenly taking a turn for the worse. Although I have never experienced the problem it was clear what the problem was, tomato blight. Thankfully this is a tomato disease that does not affect tomatoes grown under glass very often but it can devastate tomatoes grown outside when the summer is warm but wet.
On a brighter note my large flowered dahlias are open and stunning again this year. The cuttings I took earlier in the year are looking healthy so I will hopefully increase my stock again next spring.
That sounds like I am already planning for next year in the garden and, yes, I am! I have identified one area of the garden that needs revision next year. Around the patio has perhaps been a bit neglected while developing another couple of new areas but you cannot do everything. I have not decided fully what changes I will make but I always like to mull several ideas over before taking action. Whatever I do I want it to be there for a few years so it is worth taking that extra time to think it over.
Tags: container, containers, flower, garden, garden diary, garden tools, gardener, gardeners, gardening, greenhouse, hints and tips, how to vegetable garden, plants, tomatoes, vegetable, vegetable garden, wildlife
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Written by admin on 03 December 2008
Discover the Organic Food Gardening Beginner's Manual
Restricted space in your garden should not deter you from growing vegetables; there are ways to achieve this even in the smallest garden.
We like our farmers to grow organically and so should we home vegetable growers. There are those who argue otherwise but common sense suggests this is the healthy approach.
Buying organically grown vegetables in the supermarket usually results in paying more for your produce but fortunately if you consider having your own vegetable garden higher prices is something that you do not have to worry about any longer.
Just think by growing your own vegetables you only have to step out into your garden and bring that ultra fresh produce into your kitchen for preparation. How much better is that than driving to the supermarket for veggies that may have been flown half way around the world?
Any vegetable can be planted, grown and harvested in your garden or backyard, even on your patio. Restricted space means choosing the right varieties and maybe ensuring that you have containers with sufficient depth. For instance, if you do decide to plant a squash you should know that this vine type plant can be trained up supports instead of letting it take its natural course which would take up too much precious ground space. Carrots can be grown in any old container as long as the container has sufficient depth.
Sit down and consider the varieties that you would like to eat. Choose the seed carefully; there are varieties of plants available these days that are a lot smaller when reaching maturity. Choose wisely if you garden in a limited space.
Buy your seed or buy plants ready started. It is far better to buy and start from seed which is the cheaper option but in your first year you may find that it is too late to sow seed of one of your favourite vegetables. Whether you buy seed or plants make sure you are buying from a reputable source.
To find out more read gardening tips for growing vegetables in a small space or town garden or read these articles:
- The Right Way To Grow Organic Vegetables Your Garden – by Greg F Williams. Weeds are the central drain on your gardens resources, such as, nutrients, sunlight and revenue for farmers. So the earlier you annihilate them, the better it will be for your garden and crop growing. …
- grow your own tasty and healthful organic vegetables – fortunately, anyone with a vegetable garden can grow organic vegetables of their own for much less than they could buy them at the store. this is great if you have the lots of room in your yard, but many people feel that an organic …
Tags: container, containers, garden, gardening, gardening tips, growing vegetables, growing vegetables in small spaces, plants, seed, shrub, shrubs, small spaces, trees, vegetable, vegetable garden
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Written by 2 on 06 November 2008
Discover the Organic Food Gardening Beginner's Manual
Growing vegetables in a small space or town garden and gardening vegetable plants in a container can be a wonderful hobby. With a little patience, a person can produce bountiful harvests from a few growing plants. Everything from cucumbers, eggplants, carrots, and tomatoes can be grown in containers. Gardening vegetable plants is a little different from producing flowers. Gardening vegetable plants has never been easier and more satisfying now that container gardening has opened the door for veggies such as carrots and eggplant.
The container that will be chosen depends strictly on what planter garden plants will be chosen. If tomatoes are the plant, then a perfect way to purchase them would be to find wholesale garden plants. This way many can be bought at once. When selecting a pot, make sure that it is large enough for the plant to grow tall.
planter garden
Also, gardening vegetable plants like tomatoes requires a metal cage to contain the tomato plant. Otherwise, it will be weighted down when it begins to bear fruit. If root crops such as carrots are to be grown, one must be sure to buy a container that is deep enough. A local nursery should be able to help with container gardening ideas for gardening vegetable plants such as carrots.
Another thing to consider when gardening vegetable plants in box garden planter is what type of potting mix one will use. The main thing to remember here is to make sure that whatever soil is chosen that it drains well. When dealing with a storage box garden, one must remember that it will dry out faster than a field vegetable would.
container herb garden
By choosing a good potting mix in the beginning, gardening vegetable plants will be easier because the soil will more than likely hold water better. A good way to help this is by putting a thin layer of gravel on the bottom of the container. This will help any drainage issues and will also ensure that root rot is kept at bay.
Gardening vegetable plants in a container can be a great thing for people who have small spaces yet still want to have a garden. No longer is a large plot of land needed to grow crops such as tomatoes, carrots, and eggplant.
container gardening ideas
Anyone with a small space can grow these edible plants quickly and easily in containers if they just take the time to learn all there is to know about gardening vegetable plants in a container. The rewards of a vegetable garden can make a person’s mouth salivate at just the thought of all those vegetables.
Tags: container gardening ideas, containers, growing vegetables
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Written by admin on 04 August 2008
Discover the Organic Food Gardening Beginner's Manual
The wait for the Californian Poppies to flower has been very worthwhile. More have now started to flower and the colours are beautiful.
Apart from the poppies the undoubted stars of the garden at the moment are the Dahlias and the Crocosmia, I remember them as Montbretia when I started gardening. Lucifer tend to be the variety that get a lot of mention but the large flowered orange varieties that I have are absolutely stunning at the moment.
It is a good job that I photographed my hanging baskets and containers last week, the wind has given them a right battering.
This week has been very windy, so windy in fact that Saturday morning I awoke to find that three branches had blown off one of my Hawthorne trees. We were very lucky the way they fell, causing no damage but if they had fallen the other way I dread to think what the resulting damage would have been.
Read more of this week’s diary The Toad and the Hawthorne
Tags: containers, crocosmia, flower, hanging baskets, trees
Posted in Flower garden tips, garden, gardening tips | No Comments »
Written by admin on 10 July 2008
Discover the Organic Food Gardening Beginner's Manual
Support Those Plants
We all have good intentions but how often do we forget to stake tall growing perennial flowering plants before they get too high and start falling over? If this is you, add supports to tall plants such as lupins, delphiniums and gladioli.
Geraniums and Delphiniums
I love growing geraniums but after the first flush of flowers they can start to look a bit untidy. Be brave and cut back your geraniums after their first flush to encourage a second flowering period, feed to help them on their way. Delphiniums can be treated in the same manner.
Hanging Baskets and Containers
If your displays start to look a bit wild or tired, cut back the plants in your baskets and containers and feed to encourage fresh foliage and flower.
Retain Moisture
It is surprising how quickly some soils can dry out. Help to retain moisture by mulching which will also help to keep the weeds down.
Alpines or Rockery Plants
I am sure I am not the only one who finds alpine or rockery plants can develop bare patches in the middle. Rub gritty compost into these areas to encourage re-growth.
Sweet Peas
Keep cutting and bringing them into the house to enjoy their colour and perfume.
More Flower Garden Tips for July
Tags: container, containers, flower garden, gardening, geraniums, hanging basket, hanging baskets
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Written by admin on 23 June 2008
Discover the Organic Food Gardening Beginner's Manual
The petunias planted into the hanging basket and containers are coming on well, bushing out nicely from the base and should provide a beautiful show as the season progresses. The dahlias suffered a little slug and snail damage when first put out but, fingers crossed, they seem to be coping well now.
The hardy Geraniums or Cranesbills are still providing much colour in the garden as are the [TAG-TEC]Roses[TAG-TEC]. My very large hardy Fuchsia is wonderful again this year and will be flowering for months to come. I admit that it has grown much larger (more like a tree!) than I imagined but it is in a spot where it does not matter and looks really good. The day lilies are beginning to bloom, they put on such a great show each year and their strappy leaves add so much to the texture of the border.
Perfume is so important to me in the garden and the Philadelphus (Mock Oranges) and Roses are doing a fine job.
Read more of this week’s garden diary – The Taming of the Shrew | It Is a Good Job It Is Summer
Tags: container, container garden, container gardening, containers, flower, garden, garden diary, garden ideas, gardeners, gardening, gardening advice, gardening questions, gardening tips, geraniums, hanging basket, hanging baskets, hints and tips, leaves, lilies, plants, pot, roses, slug, snail
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Written by admin on 13 June 2008
Discover the Organic Food Gardening Beginner's Manual
It is June and everything in the garden is starting to flourish, especially the weeds!
Spring Flowering Plants and Bulbs
If you have not already done so cut back dead bulb but do wait until the foliage dies down naturally as cutting back too early can lead to no flowers next spring.
Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of bulbs after they have finished flowering, overcrowded bulbs may stop flowering.
Cut back clumps of spring and early flowering perennials. Hellebores and Pulmonaria produce new and attractive foliage and stay more compact.
Cut back the flowered stems of Euphorbias back to ground level leaving the more attractive foliage. Take care not to get the milky sap on your skin as this can result in blisters.
Summer Bedding Plants
A great way to produce a good show of bedding is to sow hardy annuals directly into the ground. There is the possibility of your garden landscape scheme not turning out as you have dreamt as there is always the danger that one of your sown varieties fails. It is a good idea to have back ups sown in trays whether that be hardy or half hardy annuals.
The hardy annuals sown outdoors should now be thinned out. Do this if practical in two or three stages at fortnightly intervals. Final spacings should be between 4-8in (10-20cm) using the higher figure for tall or spreading plants and the lower figure for smaller plants.
If you have not sown under cover and the weather has not been perfect for early sowings it is not too late to direct sow for the garden seeds of a few fast growing, late-flowering hardy annuals such as Clarkia, Calendula (pot marigolds) and Godetia. I did this in my first ever garden and was very pleased with the result.
Use annual bedding to fill gaps in herbaceous borders.
Plant out dahlias and cannas and if there is no longer a danger of frost.
If you have not already done so it is time to plant out your summer bedding and seed-raised plants. Always make sure they are well watered in, keep moist during dry weather and try to water an area wider than just where you have planted your young, succulent and delicious to eat youngsters. It can help to put slugs and snails off the scent where just damping the area where your plants have just gone in gives them excellent conditions to slide in and munch.
Containers, window boxes, garden pots and tubs can be planted up with summer bedding. They may sulk but if well watered in and covered with horticultural fleece on a cold night and they will soon establish and race away.
For more timely tips read The Flower Garden in June
Tags: container, containers, flower, flower garden, flower gardening, garden, garden ideas, garden landscape, gardeners, gardening, gardening advice, gardening questions, gardening tips, hints and tips, plants, pot, pots, seed, seeds, slug, slugs
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Written by admin on 27 May 2008
Discover the Organic Food Gardening Beginner's Manual
I had a shrub given to me this weekend, an Elaeagnus that was growing in a concrete container but outgrown its situation. All I had to do was collect it, simple. Off I went with my wheelbarrow with the shout of “back in 30 minutes”. It would not come out of its pot. I tried tipping the container over but it seemed a lot heavier to move than I expected, brute force was called for. The reason suddenly became clear as I heard a tear.
The anchor root had found its way through the drainage hole (no drainage crocks had been put in) and through a crack in the paving. Obviously this container had not been moved for years. As the pot had been sitting directly on the paving the root had become flatted and bulbous, the only way to release the shrub was to hack off the root.
The next problem was getting it home on the barrow when a gale force wind came up, unfortunately a side wind, from behind would have been great. Seeing me pushing a wheelbarrow angled sideways at 45 degrees trying to keep this shrub on board must have provided much amusement and enjoyment for the locals! Anyway it is in its new home and we will have to hope it does not sulk too much.
More of this weeks Garden Diary
Tags: container, container garden, containers, elaeagnus, garden, garden containers, garden ideas, gardeners, gardening, gardening advice, gardening tips, hints and tips, lilac, pot, scented flowers, shrub
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Written by admin on 12 March 2008
Discover the Organic Food Gardening Beginner's Manual
Growing vegetables is so rewarding. Whether growing vegetables in the ground or growing vegetables in containers, the end result is the same. A delicious meal! And do you know what the best part is? You are being rewarded for all your work and care in nurturing those fruits of your labours from seed to maturity. Read more vegetable growing tips for March
Tags: container, container gardening, container vegetable gardening, containers, garden, gardening, growing vegetables in containers, growing vegetables in small spaces, seed
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Written by admin on 08 February 2008
Discover the Organic Food Gardening Beginner's Manual
If you are totally lacking a garden or balcony, you can use more decorative pots or containers.
If you place your vegetables correctly in your flat, they can act as decorative pieces as well as great food. The key for decorating with vegetables is to get creative. Wrapping a vine from a vegetable plant around a post or railing can make a nice accent.
Just be sure indoor plants are getting plenty of direct sunlight. Just remember, instead of concentrating on how your small space limits you, think of the fun and creative things you can do with vegetables in the area you do have.
See the full article at My Garden is My Space
Tags: container, container garden, container gardening, container vegetable gardening, containers, garden, garden ideas, garden maintenance, gardening, gardening advice, gardening questions, growing vegetables in containers, growing vegetables in small spaces, hints and tips, plants, pots, vegetable
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Written by admin on 31 January 2008
Discover the Organic Food Gardening Beginner's Manual
You are probably still thinking “what kind of vegetables could I possibly grow in such a small space?” While there are certain fruits and veggies that grow in small spaces, like strawberries, the real key is picking the right variety of vegetables to grow. Many vegetables have smaller versions that don’t need as much space as their full size counterparts.
When picking plants to grow, look at how much room they need to have and how far apart they need to be. Seed companies are introducing new smaller varieties each year. A good example of a good cropper that you can train upwards and produces small fruits big enough for one meal is F1 hybrid Green Fingers which is described as an early cropping, high yielding baby cucumber that can be grown outdoor or inside.
No matter whether your containers are outside on a paved back yard, on your flat or apartment balcony or inside your home, they are totally reliant on you for water and food. Food will soon run out of the compost in your containers so you must feed regularly with the appropriate soluble fertilizer.
See the full article at My Garden is My Space
Tags: container, container garden, container gardening, containers, garden, gardening, gardening advice, gardening questions, hints and tips, plants, seed, small spaces, soft fruit, vegetable
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Written by admin on 20 January 2008
Discover the Organic Food Gardening Beginner's Manual
Would you just love to grow vegetables, but you do not have the space?
While a big sprawling garden may be the ideal, quality vegetables can be grown even in the absence of a garden.
Many people who live in flats in crowded towns and cities still manage to grow great vegetables to enjoy.
When you don’t have a garden to plant in, you can turn to container gardening to grow your fresh fruit and vegetables. It’s easy to find pots and other containers, both large and small that work great on small back yards, flat balconies and even inside the home.
Plastic gardening containers can be purchased fairly cheaply and work well in most cases. If you are looking for something more stylish, you can buy or make wooden containers. These keep the soil temperature from fluctuating as much, but require more watering because they’re very porous. Wooden containers may not be the friendliest for using inside your home being more difficult to keep clean.
See the full article at My Garden is My Space
Tags: container, container garden, container gardening, container vegetable gardening, containers, garden, gardening, gardening advice, gardening questions, gardening tips, gardening vegetables, growing vegetables, growing vegetables in containers, growing vegetables in small spaces, hints and tips, plants, pots, vegetable
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