Posts Tagged ‘gardening tips’
Written by admin on 07 November 2009
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When I saw the headline in The Seattle Times Newspaper “10 Steps to a 30 minute garden” my first thought was “Oh no, not yet another of those quick garden makeover fixes”. There have been so many of those television programmes where gardening gurus have been called in to do a makeover in anywhere from half a day to two days for people who do not have any idea or real desire to create a garden. So often the result is good, perhaps a bit fanciful, but within a year has been allowed to deteriorate.
My other gripe has always been that these type of gardening programmes can send out the wrong message to new home owners. Create a garden over the weekend just like you would decorate a room in your house. The trouble is those who have not gardened before may get the idea that you only have to freshen up the garden as often as you would your house decor.
When I read the article I realised that I was misinterpreting the headline. To quote; “The popularity of gardening has even taken a hit, as we find more and more competition for what would have been time spent in the garden. But whatever the reason, if 30 minutes is all you have to spend each week, here’s my list for 10 ways to minimize your time while creating a beautiful, lower-maintenance yard and garden.”
The article gives sensible gardening tips for those who want a tidy looking garden but find their time pulled in all directions.
The message for any new home owner or budding gardener is that a garden takes time to create or to get to your liking. In fact any experienced gardener will tell you that a garden is never finished. You can always see things to improve, unfortunately plants and shrubs die for a variety of reasons and this can create the opportunity for a change of theme or improved theme.
Tags: garden, garden diary, gardener, gardening, gardening tips, how to vegetable garden, plants, shrub, shrubs, vegetable, vegetable garden
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Written by admin on 03 December 2008
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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 admin on 17 October 2008
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September can be a question mark when making landscape and gardening plans. In Southern California, summer can easily extend into September or the month can bring cooler temperatures. Still, there is much to do and plant in the garden during early fall, say experts at Agromin, a Camarillo-based manufacturer of premium soil products.
Lawn Care: In September and October, lawns are still growing.. Mow weekly. For cool season grass such as Kentucky bluegrass and fescues, now is the time to fertilize as they grow rapidly in fall. Also, consider aerification (coring) with an aerator that can be rented at equipment rental shops. Coring allows for better water and nutrition penetration.
Plant Trees: The best time to plant trees is when they are dormant–in fall or early spring. To reduce transplant shock, dig a hole for planting at least three times the size of the plant’s root ball is wide, but only as deep as its roots. Don’t plant the tree too low in the ground to allow for some settling. Firmly pack the soil around the tree to eliminate air pockets. To keep in moisture, Cover the soil with mulch and help moderate extreme soil temperatures. The mulch should be one to two inches away from the tree trunk.
Blooms for Autumn: Warm Septembers allow gardeners to plant flowers for fall blooms. These include snap dragons, chrysanthemums, sweet peas and asters. Also, plant bulbs such as crocuses and autumn daffodils.
Add to Your Vegetable Garden: Some vegetables can still be planted in fall for a winter or early spring harvest. These vegetables include carrots, peas, fava beans, kale, leeks, beets, brussel sprouts, broccoli, radish, carrots, celery and winter Squash.
For more planting and gardening tips, go to blog.godfreys-gardens.co.uk
Tags: crocuses, flower, garden, gardener, gardeners, gardening, gardening tips, lawnmower, lawns, root ball, roots, soil, trees, vegetable, vegetable garden
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Written by 2 on 09 October 2008
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In the first place, many gardeners try to steer clear of fall gardening as much as they can on account of the winter frosts which often occur quite early and have the tendency to make things a little complicated. Reading all you can regarding fall gardening plus other gardening info will undeniably prove valuable to you in addressing any setbacks that may perhaps develop.
If you want to develop a garden like that of professional , you better learn some gardening ideas like “flower garden pictures ”, “gardening advice uk ” or “ gardening flowers plants trees ”. With that, you will surely gain additional techniques and skills and these are essential catalysts in developing your own garden.
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Tags: flower garden design, gardening advice, gardening ideas, gardening tips
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Written by admin on 23 June 2008
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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
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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 06 June 2008
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It is June and the vegetable garden is beginning to burst forth. Promises of things to come.
Peas
Early sowings of peas may be ready for harvesting depending upon your location. Gently press the pods to check if the peas have swollen to a size ready for picking and after cropping cut off the top of the plants but leave the roots in the ground to fix nitrogen from the air into the ground.
Peas need staking and this can be achieved with pea sticks, netting, or pruned twigs from the garden. Netting is practical but somehow does not look as natural in my opinion as twiggy supports.
Maincrop peas can be sown now.
Potatoes
If you have planted early potato tubers they may be ready or almost ready for harvesting. As a guide many are ready when the plants come into flower. When digging them up take care not to damage or skewer your potatoes with your fork. Avoid this by inserting your fork some distance away and lifting the soil carefully.
For maincrop potatoes Keep a close and regular check and earth them up as required which should result in 2 inch or 5 cm of shoot showing above ground or the compost in your container.
If planting through black plastic check regularly for slugs, the cool damp conditions under the plastic are an ideal home.
Celeriac
Celeriac can be planted out in June. It is many years since I discovered this vegetable and started to grow it regularly. Easy to grow and excellent in soups, a vegetable on its own or mashed into potato.
More Vegetable Garden in June tips
Tags: container, earth, flower, garden, garden ideas, gardening, gardening advice, gardening questions, gardening tips, gardening vegetables, growing vegetables, hints and tips, plants, pot, roots, slug, slugs, soil, soil care, vegetable, vegetable garden, vegetable growing
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Written by admin on 27 May 2008
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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 13 May 2008
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So you have discovered the delights of having a wildlife pond and would like to have one in your own garden or back yard. We can greatly improve our garden’s biodiversity by including a pond and what is more it does not need to be large. If we can only accommodate a small pond we will be providing a lifeline to many creatures and give ourselves a wonderful opportunity to observe nature in action and close at hand.
During the past century many ponds have been lost in the countryside and it is important to preserve those left. It is just as important for us gardeners to provide ponds wherever and whenever it is possible and safe to do so.
What Can We Expect To See?
Pond favourites have to be frogs, toads and newts which can breed in quite small amounts of water as long as the pond has at least 24in or 60cm at its deepest end. At first glance it may seem that a pond is devoid of life but look closer and you will see little eyes just above the surface of the water weighing you up. Those eyes belong to the same creature that will be causing the dense planting in your garden to move, frogs searching out slugs to eat. Unfortunately fish have a habit of feeding on many other forms of pond life so their introduction in ponds for wildlife is best avoided.
Larger ponds quite possibly may attract mallards, moorhens and coots, as well as swallows and house martins which pick off insects from above the water surface and use muddy areas for nest building. Ducks are entertaining but can make quite a mess around the pond and garden. Grey herons can also visit small ponds and will soon polish off any fish you have in there unless you provide protection.
Then there are the smaller and numerous inhabitants that are crucial to the biodiversity and health of your pond will. This may include pond-skaters, water beetles, snails and caddis flies and if you are lucky the beautiful damselflies and dragonflies.
The next steps when considering Wildlife Ponds and Water Garden Ponds
Tags: damselflies, dragonflies, frogs toads, garden, garden ideas, gardeners, gardening, gardening questions, gardening tips, mallards, small pond, water beetles, water garden ponds, wildlife pond, wildlife ponds
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Written by admin on 05 May 2008
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The hole in the lawn mystery, some long lost book by Agatha Christie or one of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five adventures? No, something has been digging little holes in my front lawn, not deep, not that big but each morning there are more. Opening the curtains one night before heading for bed, there was the culprit just visible in the filtered light coming through the hedge from a street light.
It is hard to know where to start this week writing about the garden, so much is happening.
In the greenhouse I have nipped out the leading shoots of my dahlia seedlings so that they bush out, the cucumbers are taking off and the peppers have germinated at last. The petunias and alyssum that I pricked out have started to move on at a rate but the basil is very slow.
Outside in the garden the Exochorda The Bride is still starring, over 6 feet tall and wide it is stunning. The first rhododendrons are in flower, light pinks that were here when we arrived over 20 years ago and Rhododendron Luteum which has to be one of my favourites with its yellow and beautifully scented flowers. The tiny sweet scented violets are everywhere, again they were here before us and seed themselves everywhere but are a joy rather than a problem. Bluebells in their full glory and blue mists of forget-me-nots that seed themselves every year, I know some that think this a problem but for me they seem to complement all around them and if in the wrong place they are so easy to pull up. The same can be said for Bowles Golden Grass or to give it its proper name Milium effusum ‘Aureum’. The late Geoff Hamilton brought this to my attention many years ago and I struggled to find a specimen way back then when I suppose grasses were not such a design item as they are now. I would not be without it as it is an absolute ray of sunshine in the garden and goes well with most colours, one exception being yellow. I let mine seed and transplant it to wherever I think appropriate or just leave it where Mother Nature decided it would look best. The magnolia is still in flower and the pink apple blossom with its delicate scent has shown itself.
More on the garden and The Hole in the Lawn Mystery
Tags: cucumbers, garden, garden ideas, gardening, gardening advice, gardening questions, gardening tips, geoff hamilton, greenhouse, greenhouse gardening, Greenhouses, hints and tips, magnolia, plants, scented flowers, seed, seedlings
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Written by admin on 28 April 2008
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Saturday at last I was able to cut my lawns. How many times have I written “get your mower serviced during the winter months because come spring there will be a long waiting time”? Did I take my own advice? No, do as I say, not as I do!
Saturday was a beautiful day and I was able to start catching up on a few jobs as my muscles are telling me this morning. I had a small patch of ground that needed tidying and planting where a shrub had died back. Continuing my policy of dividing or transplanting self sown plants instead of buying I filled the space with geraniums and golden grass. I have a hosta that I am bringing on in a pot that will look good there too.
Read more of the Garden Diary
Tags: flower garden, flower gardening, garden, garden ideas, garden maintenance, gardeners, gardening, gardening advice, gardening tips, geraniums, hints and tips, Lawn Mowers, lawnmower, lawns, plants, pot, shrub
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Written by admin on 22 April 2008
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Looking at my notes from last year the weather at this time was hot, very hot for the time of year. My tomatoes were romping away and other seedlings demanding attention as they grew at an amazing rate. Then guess what happened? The weather turned colder, a lot colder. The tomatoes continued to look very healthy but took ages to set fruit. Bedding plants that had raced away could not be planted out into the border as it was too cold and some had to have the growing tips nipped out to hold them back and help them to bush.
When will Spring arrive this year?
Tags: garden, gardeners, gardening, gardening advice, gardening questions, gardening tips, greenhouse, greenhouse gardening, Greenhouses, hints and tips, plants, seed, seed sowing, seedlings, seeds, tomatoes, trees
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Written by admin on 22 April 2008
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Spring Flowering Bulbs
Dead-head or remove any fading flower-heads from primroses and pansies to encourage further flowers.
The foliage of daffodils and other spring flowers should be left intact but faded heads should be picked off. Do not be tempted to tie up the leaves of flowered daffodils to make them look tidy as was once the fashion, leave them to die down naturally so that all possible nutrients can feed the bulbs and help good flowering next Spring.
Keep a keen eye on the compost in pots of spring bulbs to ensure they stay moist, water well if it has dried out.
Clumps of spring-flowering bulbs benefit from a sprinkling of fertiliser. Bulbs naturally “clump up” and compete for any nutrients available in the soil. A bit of help will help them perform better for you next year.
More Gardening Tips for the Flower Garden in April
Tags: corms, fading flower, flower, flower garden, flower heads, garden, garden ideas, garden tips, gardening, gardening advice, gardening questions, gardening tips, hints and tips, leaves, lilies, plants, pot, pots, roses, seed, soil
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Written by admin on 14 April 2008
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Here we are in April and the days are getting longer and the sun is getting stronger.
Now is the ideal time to consider seed sowing and taking delivery of the young plants you have ordered. Bear in mind that those young plants will still need protecting from the frost at night but they will enjoy the warmth and light of the days. Soon you will see them racing away with the optimism that comes with Spring days.
Prick out seedlings from earlier sowings of cauliflower, putting them into seed trays and allowing space for them to grow in readiness for planting out later in the spring.
Tomato seed can still be sown in a warm place to provide plants for either growing on in an unheated greenhouse or planting out early in June. Later sowings very often quickly catch up earlier sowings and can be better as the early sowings can become a bit “leggy” when grown when daylight hours are short. Choose varieties to best suit your own taste and requirements.
Sweet Corn seed can be sown in warm conditions at this time so that plants will be ready for planting outside in early summer. Picked fresh, cooked and dripping with butter – well worth the wait!
More Vegetable Growing Tips for April
Tags: corn seed, flower, garden, gardening, gardening advice, gardening tips, gardening vegetables, greenhouse, growing vegetables, hints and tips, plants, seed, seed sowing, seed trays, seedlings, vegetable, vegetable growing
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Written by admin on 14 April 2008
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One thing to plant is a buddleja or buddlia which is also known as the butterfly bush because the little beauties cannot resist the taste of the sweet, honey scented flowers. You have choice of shades of blue, red and white and they should be cut back hard in early spring, you will be surprised how much growth they put on in a season.
Another plant I have grown for years is Sedum Autumn Joy which is a late flowerer to follow on from the buddlias. This herbaceous perennial provides a long period of interest with its blue green foliage developing light green flower buds that in autumn burst open to reveal a mass of salmon pink flowers that turn bronzy as they age. Small Tortoiseshell butterflies especially love the flat headed blooms. I have grown this for 30 years and the plants I have now all came from the original one that I bought mail order all that time ago. As a plant clumped up I split it and transplanted elsewhere in the garden, even potting some up to bring to my new garden. I think I just might have got my monies worth!
Michaelmas Daisies are another species favoured by butterflies and Aster Monch which has large yellow centred lilac blooms over many weeks is one of the earliest. Verbena bonariensis with its many small heads of purple blooms became the beloved of many garden designers, and perhaps overused, but will grow quite tall bringing height and an airy feel to a border and is popular with Tortoiseshells.
Also try Echinops, Hebe, Ceratostigma and Heleniums, Aubrieta, Yellow Alyssum, Primroses, Forget-Me-Not, Marsh Marigold and Lady’s Smock, Honest, Sweet Rocket and nettles. Nettles, but we gardeners spend so much of our time weeding out these stingers. Not all of us have the room to leave a small corner to run wild with nettles, I am lucky enough to have a field next to my garden and there is a small patch just over the hedge that is so close it might as well be mine, but if you have a patch of stinging nettles provides a nursery for the caterpillars of Comma, Painted Lady, Peacock, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell. Cut the nettles down at midsummer before they flower and set seed to give soft, new growth for late caterpillars.
Read more about The Butterfly Garden
Tags: flower garden, garden, garden designers, garden ideas, gardeners, gardening, gardening advice, gardening tips, hints and tips, plants, pot, scented flowers, seed
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