Garden Articles


Keeping slugs and snails out of your garden

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Slugs and snails can ruin your garden and your plants. There are several ways to keep them out of the garden and from eating your food. Some ways won't harm them but will keep them away naturally and some will be a more modern but harmful approach to getting rid of them.

One way to keep away snails is if you have birds in your area. This way you can let nature take its course without having much to do with it. Black birds like to eat snails so if they are common in your area put out some bait for the birds to attract them to your garden. Make sure of course that you put the bait out in a part of the garden where they won't harm your crop or where you aren't growing anything. You actually might try putting it out in another place on your lawn that is near enough to the garden that the snails will be attracted but not near enough to where the birds will bother the garden. Put out some bait for the snails too. Some bait that works is of course snail bait that you can buy at the store but wet dog food also works. You can just let the birds eat them. The birds will eat the snails and take care of the snail problem in your garden.

"Keeping slugs and snails out of your garden" »

Watering tips for dry seasons

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One of the worst things that can happen to gardeners is to have a dry season or even near drought conditions. When there are dry seasons or drought conditions gardeners are faced with tough choices in regards to watering their gardens. It may not always be an easy choice of what to water but it is a necessary choice. There are many watering tips for the dry seasons to help gardeners make their choices. The following are some of those tips for the dry seasons.

For gardeners they should begin by looking at the short term and long term plants they have. Trees and shrubs are more of a long term investment then the vegetable garden or the annual flowers they have planted. When deciding what to water it would be more beneficial to water the trees and shrubs that occupy a gardener's yard. The mature trees and shrubs are harder and more costly to replace then tomato plants or pansies.

"Watering tips for dry seasons" »

Protecting plant roots for mold and decay

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As a gardener you will want to protect plant roots from mold or decay. This can be plants that are in containers or any plants you have planted outside around your home. The roots of your plants are most often the most neglected part of the plant. Your plant roots are also the least maintained part of your plant. The plant roots are the most vital for your plant so you need to take care of the roots to protect your plants from mold and decay.

Watering is one of the main things that will help you in protecting plant roots from mold and decay. Too much watering and you risk mold growing on your roots, too little water and your plant will start to decay. You will want to water the roots and not the soil. Instead of just pouring water in the pots or watering the ground all around the plants you will want to direct the water more towards the roots. This way your plants will get enough water and the risk of over watering is diminished.

"Protecting plant roots for mold and decay" »

How to discourage garden rodents and pests

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How to discourage garden rodents and pests away from your garden is something all gardeners ask. There are many ways to do this with store bought chemicals that are specially made for the certain rodent or pest you want to discourage or you can go with some homemade remedies.

Common garden pests would include aphids, slugs, and spiders. Common rodents that like gardens are gophers, moles, and rabbits. These are just a very few of the types of problems that gardeners deal with. Some rodents and pests are only found in certain parts of the country but as a gardener you are sure to run into at least one rodent or pest no matter where you are from.

You can buy pesticides and other rodent or pest control products at your local greenhouse, home improvement stores and most super stores. These products will tell you on the package what pests they help manage. Some pesticides can not be used around house pets so it is a good idea to read carefully. The directions will also tell you how to use the product safely and accurately. Some of these products need to be used in the morning or on dry gardens. Following the manufacturer directions will help insure that you rid your garden of the rodents or pests you may have plaguing your garden.

"How to discourage garden rodents and pests" »

Choosing your gardening tools

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If you are new to gardening you may be wondering what tools you need to get the job done. There are so many tools and gadgets available for your gardening needs that it can become confusing. You may already be an accomplished gardener and need to replace some of your gardening tools. This can also become confusing because there are new tools available to purchase and you may not be able to find your same old tool that needs replacing. So how are you to choose your gardening tools? Here are some simple steps to help you decide.

There are ten basic tools that every gardener should have. If you are new to gardening you will want to make a list of these ten tools and take it shopping with you. If you are a seasoned gardener you will want to take a look at your tools and see what you may be missing or which tools need replaced.

"Choosing your gardening tools" »

Best plants for rocky soil

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If you have rocky soil in your area it may be a little harder to find plants that will grow well. Rocky soil can be found just about anywhere but finding plants can be hard. If your soil is really rocky, where it seems there are more rocks then soil, you may want to think about using bought soil to raise the beds for gardening. If your soil is just somewhat rocky then there are some options available.

Some of the best plants to purchase to plant in your rocky soil would be plants that have a far reaching root system. This allows the roots to go past the rocks in the soil and take hold of the soil beneath. There are many types of plants, trees and shrubs that fall into this category. Some trees include junipers, pines, aloe plants or salvia plants. All these plants will do well in the rocky soil because they have far reaching roots that can go beyond the rock and find the soil.

"Best plants for rocky soil" »

Tips for keeping your soil nutrient rich

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A nutrient rich soil is something that all gardeners want. Whether the nutrient rich soil is for a flower garden or a vegetable garden doesn't matter. Having and keeping a nutrient rich soil will greatly benefit anything that you decide to plant on that soil. We will look at some tips for keeping your soil nutrient rich after defining which nutrients are best for any soil.

First you need to know what type of nutrients you garden may need. Most gardens need three primary nutrients used by plants which are nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Your soil will need all three of these to stay nutrient rich.

Nitrogen will help with the plants leaf and stem growth. In a nutrient rich soil nitrogen is available to plants by a bacteria that will convert nitrogen into a form plants can use call nitrates. Nitrogen is used quickly and does not stay in the soil very long. The nitrogen is used by both your plants and any decaying matter that may be in the soil. Nitrogen can be washed out of your soil quickly but an excess of nitrogen cause more leaf and stem growth at the expense of flowers and fruit.

Phosphorus is another nutrient that is very important to your soil in your gardens. Phosphorus is responsible for root growth. Flowering bulbs and root crops will always need phosphorus in the soil that they grow in. Bone meal is often recommended for bulbs planted in the fall because of the need for phosphorus. Phosphorous is also crucial for producing flowers. Fertilizers with high phosphorus content are sold for their claim to be flower boosters.

"Tips for keeping your soil nutrient rich" »

Perennial versus annual flowers, which are best?

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Perennial versus annual flowers, which are best? You may be plagued with this big question when you begin planting any of your flower gardens. There are a wide variety of both annual flowers and perennial flowers to choose from in any nursery. To know which flower is best for you and your gardens is just a matter of personal preference and some trial and error on the flowers themselves.

Annual flowers are by definition flowers that are planted every year. Theses types of flowers include pansies, petunias, and forget-me-nots. Annuals are the most likely of flowers to give you blooms from the time you plant them until the colder months when they will die off. Annuals do cost somewhat less then their perennially counterparts but you will have to plant them every year.

A good reason to stick with annual flowers in your garden would be because you like change. Having annual flowers in your garden will allow you to change them every year. If you don't like a certain flower or where it grows you can change it all in the next year. Another good reason why someone would choose annual flowers over perennial flowers is because you don't have to do so much up keep on your annual flowers. Once they die you just need to remove the debris.

"Perennial versus annual flowers, which are best?" »

Hydro-seeding and planting versus sod

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Are you one of the many people who are looking at re-doing their lawn this spring? Or, are you someone who doesn't yet have a lawn and are looking to finally plant one? If you fall into either of those categories or anything in between then you are probably looking at your options. There are more options available today then there were years ago for getting a nice lawn. Not only can you do the regular seed planting that has been done by many homeowners for generations but you can also hydro-seed your lawn or plant sod. Here we will take a look at all three options and both their advantages and disadvantages.

Hydro-seeding is a fast and cost effective way to get a nice lawn. To hydro-seed your lawn it is sprayed on. Then green colored mulch is applied to the top of the seed for protection. The seeds are specially blended for the conditions and requirements you may have. Factors that help you in choosing your seed would include how much sun or shade the area gets, the terrain of the area, your specific type of soil and if you have pets or children.

"Hydro-seeding and planting versus sod" »

Growing an herb garden tips and tricks

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Herb gardening is gaining popularity. It is a perfect way to spice up your foods naturally or make potpourri. Herbs smell good, some look pretty, and some herbs can also help detract pests. There are different ways to grow an herb garden. You can have an herb garden inside or outside. Here are some tips for growing an herb garden.


Indoor and outdoor herb gardens have many advantages. You can also do both if you like. Plant some herbs in a pot and carry inside in the winter. Herbs can be easy to take care and have many extra advantages. Not only do they look nice but you can also use them as borders or companion plant them to help rid pests in your gardens.


For growing an herb garden inside you will need some type of container. This can be a window box, clay pots, or plastic pots. Choose what type of pots you like for a nice view. You will need an area that gets at least 4 hours of sun a day with no drafts. If you do not have enough sunshine then you can use fluorescent lights but your plants should still be kept out of drafts. Avoid putting your herbs in the kitchen. Herbs don't like cooking fumes. Buy your herbs at a specialty store. You will get more of a selection and the employees will be more knowledgeable. Generally bushier herbs like rosemary, thyme or oregano are great for indoor herb gardens.

"Growing an herb garden tips and tricks" »

Why a compost heap is a good idea

Why a compost heap is a good idea. Whatever type of gardening you do, there are benefits to having a compost heap. You will end up having organic waste from your gardening anyway. So why not make the most of your grass clippings, leaves and dead plants. They do not need to be just thrown away.

It is a real waste of money to have these organic materials hauled away, when you will need to purchase fertilizer for your yard and garden. So alternatively you will be saving money, helping the environment and helping your garden grow by working up a good compost heap.

"Why a compost heap is a good idea" »

Mulching, how to have happier, healthier flowerbeds

Mulching, how to have happier, healthier flowerbeds. Mulching is a great way to bring your less that bright flowerbeds to full bloom life. Here is how you can get the most out of mulching.

What is mulching?

That is a good question. Mulching is a layer of a material that can be made of any one of these different things; straw, sawdust, plastic film, or pine bark. Spreading mulch on soil protects the plants and soil from soil crusting, rain, freezing and even evaporation. The mulch can be artificial, or organic material.

"Mulching, how to have happier, healthier flowerbeds" »

What time of year should you plant your flower beds

What time of year you plant your flower beds depends on what kinds of flowers you like. You can have flower beds or container beds through most of the year. Spring and fall flowers may need some extra planning because you plant some of the flowers 6 months before you want a bloom. Trees and shrubs can be planted whenever your soil is workable but take in mind what it needs to take root. You don't want to be spending a fortune watering a new shrub in the heat of the summer. Like wise in the spring you wouldn't want to kill a tree with an unexpected freeze. This should also be the way you look at planting your flower beds. We'll take a look at the seasons and the flowers that can go with them.

"What time of year should you plant your flower beds" »

Tips for growing an herb garden


Herb gardening is gaining popularity. It is a perfect way to spice up your foods naturally or make potpourri. Herbs smell good, some look pretty, and some herbs can also help detract pests. There are different ways to grow an herb garden. You can have an herb garden inside or outside. Here are some tips for growing an herb garden.


Indoor and outdoor herb gardens have many advantages. You can also do both if you like. Plant some herbs in a pot and carry inside in the winter. Herbs can be easy to take care and have many extra advantages. Not only do they look nice but you can also use them as borders or companion plant them to help rid pests in your gardens.


"Tips for growing an herb garden" »

How to keep the pests away from your garden

How to keep the pests away from your garden is something all gardeners ask. There are many ways to do this with store bought chemicals that are specially made for the certain pest you want to rid or by organic and homemade methods.

Common garden pests would include aphids, slugs, and spiders. Animals that can become a bother in your garden are deer, snakes, and moles. These are just a very few of the types of pests gardeners deal with. Some pests are only found in certain parts of the country but as a gardener you are sure to run into at least one pest no matter where you are from.

"How to keep the pests away from your garden" »

Making your own mulch and compost


Making your own mulch and compost. As we all know, it is good for our gardens, grass, and flowers to have fertilizers for them. Using mulch or compost are effective ways to fertilize your vegetation.

You can purchase some of these types of fertilizing options. However, you can also make your own. Here is a brief description of what mulch and compost is and how to you can make your own.

Mulch

"Making your own mulch and compost" »

Knowing how to harvest your garden for the last time

Knowing how to harvest your garden for the last time. Harvesting your garden will depend on the area that you live it. Though, there are a few key things you can look for. This will help to make sure that you harvest in time. That way you do not loose your crop to frost.

Winter is coming

"Knowing how to harvest your garden for the last time" »

Eliminating slugs and bugs from your garden


Eliminating slugs and bugs from your garden. When you start making your plan to eliminate slugs and bugs from your garden, the first thing to do is to figure out what the good and bad bugs are.

Here is a little information about what bugs you will want to be sure to get rid of. See the good bugs in your garden will help to get rid of the bad bugs in your garden. The reason is that they will actually eat the bad bugs. The bad bugs and slugs in your garden will eat the vegetation you are working so hard to grow. It is just the food chain cycle.

"Eliminating slugs and bugs from your garden" »

Tips for pruning your hedges


There are a lot of different things that you can do in your yard to make it better. One thing that can make or break a yard is the hedges. If the hedges are not pruned the house looks like a disaster and looks like it needs some TLC. But if the hedges are pruned the house looks nice and neat and like the personal that owns the house really cares about their yard. If you are thinking about planting hedges or have hedges but do not know how to prune them here are some tips for pruning your hedges that might help you.

The first tip is to make sure that you prune your hedge just enough. You do not want to prune your hedge too much or you will end up with just sticks and no leaves. This will endanger the health of the hedge which you do not want to do because it can cause your hedge to die. You will also want to make sure that if you decide what type of pruning you are going to do before you start. For example you can do a simple prune where you just trim back the excess growth or you can go a little bit further and shape the hedge. If you are shaping a hedge the best thing to do is to start when the hedge is small. But if you just moved into a house or have waited too long and the hedge is mature then it will be a lot harder to prune.

"Tips for pruning your hedges" »

How to distract slugs from your garden


There are a lot of different things that you have to worry about when it comes to your garden. You have to worry about weeds, rodents, and even slugs. If you are having problems with slugs eating all of your plants here are some tips on how to distract slugs from your garden.

The first tip is to make sure that you do not have weeds growing in your garden. If slugs see hiding places they are going to lay their eggs and tend to want to hang out more in these area. Because of this you will also want to keep debris out of your garden like water buckets, old pieces of woods and other things you might leave lying around your garden.

"How to distract slugs from your garden" »

What bugs are good, and what ones are bad for your plants?


Bugs will be found in gardens all over the world. Getting rid of all of your bugs is not plausible, and definitely not a smart idea. Some bugs that are there will do lots of damage to your plants, but others that are hanging around kill the damaging bugs.

Knowing what bugs will do your garden good and which ones will be the end your garden will help you in having a successful garden. The bugs and plants will change according to the area where you are living.

"What bugs are good, and what ones are bad for your plants?" »

Tips for attracting hummingbirds to your garden


Birds can add so much to garden. They add even more color and beauty than you can plant. But getting birds, especially hummingbirds, requires some pre-planting planning, or a strategically placed feeder.

Here are some tips for attracting humming birds to your garden. If you already have a garden in place, you may just need to make a few changes. If you are just getting ready to plant, you will get some great ideas for flower selection and arrangement.

"Tips for attracting hummingbirds to your garden" »

Keeping your soil weed free and nutrient rich

If you are going to put a whole bunch of work into your garden, you want to see lasting results. But if your soil won't support your plants and weeds are taking over, then you just wasted a lot of time and energy.

Make sure that your time isn't wasted by keeping your soil rich in nutrients and keeping weeds at bay. This sounds like a daunting task, but it can be really simple with regular maintenance.

"Keeping your soil weed free and nutrient rich" »

Ideal conditions for growing strawberries


Here you go trying out your green thumb. Well, you couldn't have picked a pickier plant. Strawberries are some of the hardest fruits to grow because they require such perfect conditions.

But don't let that scare you because you have found information for the ideal strawberry conditions. Just make sure that you take into consideration all of the hints given to you, even the smallest and silliest will make a difference in a strong strawberry plant.

"Ideal conditions for growing strawberries" »

How to plant a window box garden


If you live in an apartment with no gardening space, or you just love gardening and have used up all of your space, a window box will suit your needs. Planting a window box can be fun and can make for a beautiful change of scenery.

You decided you wanted to plant a window box, but now you aren't sure where to go from there. Very first thing is know where you are going to put your box. This will make a difference in what you put in your box.

"How to plant a window box garden" »

What flowers should you plant for the best smelling garden?

Gardens aren't just about colors. Gardens are also about smells. There are a number of different flowers that you can plant to really bring out the best in fragrance, no matter what season of the year it is. Don't forget that scent is the most important sense when it comes to memory-do yourself and plant some gorgeous smells in your garden. Your nose and your memory wil thank you for it.

First, let's talk about planning a fragrant garden.

"What flowers should you plant for the best smelling garden?" »

How to grow a garden in a window box


The following are the steps for how to grow a garden in a window box:

Step one: Choose your garden type. It is obvious that you won't be able to grow things like corn, or pumpkins (at least not the large variety), melons, etc. in a window box garden simply because of the space limitation. However, you can choose between things like an herb garden filled with fresh rosemary, thyme, mint, sage, etc. Or, a flower garden, with a beautiful assortment of colors and varieties. But, no matter what you pick, determine if it is going to be able to grow in your climate, in the location of your window box (for example, will it get much sun?), etc. No matter how bad you want to grow Asian lilies, if you do not live where they can grow, you can't grow them.

"How to grow a garden in a window box" »

How to grow healthy roses.

Is it possible for anyone to grow healthy, beautiful roses? Roses just seem to scream high maintenance. Perhaps it's because they look so elegant, or because they're associated with romance, expectation, and inevitable failure or disappointment. The truth about roses, however, is that they're actually pretty easy to grow. Some varieties are more demanding than other ones are, but overall, you just need to follow a few simple steps, and you can have roses just as beautiful and stunning as the next person.

These instructions are for growing roses from already started plants, not from seed.

"How to grow healthy roses." »

What flowers attract bees? What can I do to avoid this?

There are a number of different flowers that attract bees more than others. Here's what they are, and how you can avoid attracting bees to your yard.

Generally speaking, bees are attracted to flowers that are brightly colored. Bees are also attracted to flowers and plants that produce a lot of pollen and nectar. Bees use the flowers to create honey. Bees are important because they carry pollen from plant to plant, and thus enable fruit to grow, flowers to flower, plants to continue growing, and so on. Here are some of the most popular flowers and plants that also attract bees:

"What flowers attract bees? What can I do to avoid this?" »

How to install lighting in your garden

Whether you are keeping a flower garden or a vegetable and herb garden, good lighting makes the work easier. The aesthetics of a few accent lights attract the eyes of friends and neighbors.

A recommended step 1 is to get and install a transformer. The size of a transformer depends on the number of lights you want to install. Transformers come in many sizes or wattages. To figure out what size you need, begin by designing the layout of your lighting.

"How to install lighting in your garden" »

How to test your soil pH

If you have grown a garden or are thinking about growing a garden, even if it is just a flower garden then you have probably heard of people talking about the pH levels in the soil and how you want to test the pH levels in your soil about once a year. The reason for this is that the pH of the soil is the most important thing that enables plants to consume fertilizer and nutrients, which means that if the pH levels are too high (acidic) or too low (alkaline) then the way that plants can consume the fertilizer and nutrients from the fertilizer is blocked, which means that the plants can not grow and thrive like they are supposed to. The numerical scale for the pH level ranges from 1.0 to 14.0 and 7.0 on that scale is considered neutral which means that the soil is neither to acidic nor to alkaline. When it comes to your soil you want it at the proper pH level so that the soil is unlocked, which will allow the plants to receive the nourishment that they need to grow and thrive. When it comes to your soil levels you want the pH level to range between 5.8 and 6.6, this is the best level so that the plants can absorb all of the nutrients from the soil and the fertilizer that you apply.

Difficulty rating: Moderate to difficult

"How to test your soil pH" »

How to kill weeds without killing flowers


If you have any type of garden you have probably already dealt with weeds. It seems that no matter how many days you spend outside doing yard work, which means pulling weeds; new weeds seem to grow faster than you can keep up. And the problem with weeds is that if you just leave them alone they will end up growing out of control and taking over your pretty flower garden. Not to mention the fact that they can actually kill your flowers if you don't get rid of them fast enough. But one thing that you might not know about weeds is that what you consider a weed might not be a weed to somebody else and this is because a weed is simply a plant that is out of place. But the good news is that there are ways that you can kill weeds without killing your flowers.

Difficulty rating: Easy to moderate

"How to kill weeds without killing flowers" »

How to grow vegetables in your window sill


Do you live in an apartment and want to have fresh vegetables without having to go to the store? If you answered yes to that question the good news is that you can actually grow vegetables in your windowsill, which makes it the perfect garden for somebody who lives in an apartment or who just wants to get a jump start on the growing season.

Difficulty rating: Easy

"How to grow vegetables in your window sill" »

How to have a colorful garden all year round

Too often our yards and gardens look fantastic for spring and summer. Bright colors, beautiful flowers, green trees, a gorgeous lawn. But that kind of beautiful only lasts for about four or five months. You still have to live with your yard and your garden for the other eight months of the year! Fortunately, with a little creativity and by getting to really know your plants and your local nursery, you can have a colorful garden throughout the entire year.

The first thing to remember when designing your year round garden is that different plants flower at different times. You can organize your garden so that different plants bloom during different seasons, and you have a colorful garden all year round that shows off colors appropriate for the season. Remember that different seasons will use different plants to provide colors:

"How to have a colorful garden all year round" »

Preventing pests in your garden dos and don'ts


If you have a garden then most likely you probably have some kind of a problem with certain types of pests. What you might be wondering is what you should or shouldn't do when trying to prevent pests from making themselves at home in your garden. Basically what the dos and don'ts of preventing pests in your garden will vary depending on your individual circumstances and what kind of pests you have in your garden. But here are some general guidelines on the dos and don'ts of preventing pests in your garden and the good news is that you can even try some of these things in your home too.

Here are some dos and don'ts to preventing pests in your garden.

"Preventing pests in your garden dos and don'ts" »

How to choose a good fertilizer


If you have a lawn, garden, flower beds, or houseplants than you have probably bought fertilizer before, but what you might be wondering is how you can buy good fertilizer. Or perhaps you are wondering what good fertilizer is. The problem that many people face when trying to buy fertilizer is that there are so many different types of fertilizers available that nobody ever really knows which kind to pick or which kind is better than the others. Some people say that in order to purchase good fertilizer you are going to have to spend a ton of money because you get what you pay for, while others say that cost is not an issue if you know what you are looking for. And the good news is that if you know what you are looking for and know a little bit about fertilizer you can choose a good fertilizer for relatively cheap.

Difficulty rating: Moderate

"How to choose a good fertilizer" »

How to choose a good fertilizer

If you have a lawn, garden, flower beds, or houseplants than you have probably bought fertilizer before, but what you might be wondering is how you can buy good fertilizer. Or perhaps you are wondering what good fertilizer is. The problem that many people face when trying to buy fertilizer is that there are so many different types of fertilizers available that nobody ever really knows which kind to pick or which kind is better than the others. Some people say that in order to purchase good fertilizer you are going to have to spend a ton of money because you get what you pay for, while others say that cost is not an issue if you know what you are looking for. And the good news is that if you know what you are looking for and know a little bit about fertilizer you can choose a good fertilizer for relatively cheap.

Difficulty rating: Moderate

"How to choose a good fertilizer" »

Tips to help remove mold and mildew from your garden.

Gardens have several types of mold and mildew for the gardener to deal with.

GRAY MOLD is a fungus that attacks a wide variety of plants and probably causes more plants to die than any other. Botrytis blight attacks nearly any plant in the garden or landscaping. A geranium especially is affected along with fruit and vegetables.

"Tips to help remove mold and mildew from your garden." »