March 24, 2009 at 5:56 am · Filed under General
After thinking a bit and talking to the always lovely, helpful and now gardening Micah, I decided on a list of plant recommendations for children’s gardens. You want your little one in the garden with you and goodness knows they want to be right beside you as you kneel in the freshly turned soil, but how are you going to harness that energy and put it to good use? You certainly don’t give them a handful of carrot seeds and tell them to get planting! No, you hand them the largest seeds you can find and put them to work. Does this absolve you of the ultimate responsibility of ensuring that all is planted well? Of course not, but it does give you a little more time to plant some of the peskier garden additions.
Read the rest of this entry »
March 19, 2009 at 5:46 pm · Filed under Herbs, Videos
We have done quite a few articles on herb gardening of late and I came across this no frills guide growing herbs simply. The video is hosted by a typically assiduous Brit who shows the results of his methods over a month period.
Read the rest of this entry »
March 19, 2009 at 5:18 pm · Filed under Garden Landscaping, General
The Washington Post have a great story on how to spruce up your back garden on a budget. Recession doesn’t necessarily mean you have to neglect your yard.
The first step is to reduce or remove vegetation. The second is to redefine the lines that frame lawns, beds, fence lines, paths and patios. Together, these measures will yield a neater, cleaner garden that works better aesthetically and bestows a profound sense of satisfaction that transcends the momentary aches and pains of the work. A tip: You don’t have to tackle the whole garden at once.
Read the rest of this entry »
March 19, 2009 at 11:14 am · Filed under Herbs
One of the most common reasons people grow their own herbs is to use them as fresh additives to food. Though easy to grow, they still require care just like any plant. But the rewards are great when it comes to harvesting time.
One of the best uses of culinary herbs is in a fine herb butter. They’re easy to prepare and the herb adds a touch that you just can’t get any other way. It can be used in a vegetable dish, smeared on baked chicken or just as a nice spread on corn on the cob. Breads benefit from a nice layer of herb butter spread on top near the end of the cooking cycle.
Read the rest of this entry »
March 19, 2009 at 11:12 am · Filed under Herbs, Greenhouse
Most herbs are very hardy, surviving winter well and thriving in relatively poor soil. But people and plants may find it more comfortable to carry out their actions inside the greenhouse. Fortunately, there are several herbs that take to that environment readily.
CHAMOMILE
A variety of Chamomile called Roman Chamomile is an excellent choice. With its apple scented leaves and delicate flowers, it can be used as part of a potpourri or make a wonderful tea. Growing it inside the greenhouse in a large container is easy. Just make sure the soil drains well and that it gets plenty of sunshine. Before long you’ll have a plant 2-3 feet high.
Read the rest of this entry »
March 19, 2009 at 11:10 am · Filed under Herbs
Container gardening can have a dozen advantages over ordinary, outdoor gardening. You can bring plants indoors for winter, or grow them in the house all year round. Soil control is surer, since nothing can get in the pot but what you put there. Light control is simpler - you can move a container into shade or put it near a window or under a lamp.
But container gardening can be tricky. Nature does an excellent job of controlling moisture and nutrients, given good soil to begin with. Adjusting these and other factors artificially requires some care. That care starts with selecting the right plants.
Read the rest of this entry »
March 18, 2009 at 1:35 pm · Filed under Planting, General
Our friend Ben was fascinated to receive an e-mail from the Park Seed Co. (www.parkseed.com) titled “Top 10 Seeds for New Gardeners.” What an interesting idea! Our friend Ben thought some of Park’s choices were inspired, some less so. But they certainly inspired me to start thinking of a “Top 10″ list of my own. If I were recommending seeds to new gardeners, I’d choose ones that would grow well when direct-seeded in a garden bed, as opposed to seeds that had to be started indoors and then transplanted. And of course I’d cheat a little. So here’s my list. What’s yours?
Read the rest of this entry »
March 18, 2009 at 1:27 pm · Filed under Videos, Roses
This a series of great videos that will explain how to prune roses and specifically how to look after hybrid rose tree bushes.
Read the rest of this entry »
« Previous entries ·
Next entries »
