Gardening|Tips for growing your own produce
Sep
30
Filed Under (Gardening) by Don
Gardening and caring for the different rose types
WATERING
Roses are deep rooted and once they are well established are more capable than most plants of surviving mild drought spells. The first spring and summer directly after planting your rose is very important. During this period if the soil around your rose seems to be drying out give your roses a good soaking. Each rose could get about 2 gallons of water. In following years you will only need to water them if drought seems iminent.
FEEDING YOUR ROSES
As with all plants that provide us with beautiful blooms they need plenty of the correct nutrients. Give roses a good helping of blood, bone and fishmeal in early April, about two handfuls to each rose. In June a handful of specially prepared rose fertilizer will give your roses a huge lift. The magnesium and potash gives the rose a great kick. Just work the fertilizer in gently around the soil at the base of the plant.
MULCHING YOUR ROSES.
Mulching is a very simple task with great benefits. Mulching retains moisture, smothers weeds and generally boosts the health of your roses. Well rotted manure is best but garden compost or bark mulch can also be used.
DEADHEADING YOUR ROSES.
Deadheading spent blooms not only tidys up the rose but actually saves the plants energy and thereby encourages more bloom flushes. A light pruning of hybrid teas will encourage a second flush.
WATCH OUT FOR ROSE SUCKERS.
Shoots that emerge from rootstocks are known as suckers. These will be different in coloring and often by the amount of leaves, than what grows from the stems over ground. Gently scrape away the soil until you can see where the sucker is growing from the rootstock, tear the sucker away cleanly.
CONTROL OF WEEDS.
Mulching is the most effective method of controlling weeds and also the less back breaking.
Hoeing is not as effective and you must take care not to damage the stems.
Sowing other plants underneath the rose is also an option. The least favored option is the application of a rose-bed weedkiller. This will eventually damage the soil and thus your rose.
ROSE DISEASES AND PESTS.
This is an area that turns people off growing roses and really it shouldn’t. Roses have diseases and pests particular to them and as such regular treatment is very effective. The main problems are greenfly, mildew and blackspot.
There are plenty of products that treat these main three problems in one treatment. Performing a regular maintenance schedule starting in April will leave you with very few problems. Do make sure to follow exactly the manufacturers recommendations.
Your roses will respond brilliantly to a little regular maintenance and once you have started your routine there will be very little work attached. Issues will only arise once you neglect your routine and this is what often deters people from growing roses.
By: Gardener
About the Author:
WATERING
Roses are deep rooted and once they are well established are more capable than most plants of surviving mild drought spells. The first spring and summer directly after planting your rose is very important. During this period if the soil around your rose seems to be drying out give your roses a good soaking. Each rose could get about 2 gallons of water. In following years you will only need to water them if drought seems iminent.
FEEDING YOUR ROSES
As with all plants that provide us with beautiful blooms they need plenty of the correct nutrients. Give roses a good helping of blood, bone and fishmeal in early April, about two handfuls to each rose. In June a handful of specially prepared rose fertilizer will give your roses a huge lift. The magnesium and potash gives the rose a great kick. Just work the fertilizer in gently around the soil at the base of the plant.
MULCHING YOUR ROSES.
Mulching is a very simple task with great benefits. Mulching retains moisture, smothers weeds and generally boosts the health of your roses. Well rotted manure is best but garden compost or bark mulch can also be used.
DEADHEADING YOUR ROSES.
Deadheading spent blooms not only tidys up the rose but actually saves the plants energy and thereby encourages more bloom flushes. A light pruning of hybrid teas will encourage a second flush.
WATCH OUT FOR ROSE SUCKERS.
Shoots that emerge from rootstocks are known as suckers. These will be different in coloring and often by the amount of leaves, than what grows from the stems over ground. Gently scrape away the soil until you can see where the sucker is growing from the rootstock, tear the sucker away cleanly.
CONTROL OF WEEDS.
Mulching is the most effective method of controlling weeds and also the less back breaking.
Hoeing is not as effective and you must take care not to damage the stems.
Sowing other plants underneath the rose is also an option. The least favored option is the application of a rose-bed weedkiller. This will eventually damage the soil and thus your rose.
ROSE DISEASES AND PESTS.
This is an area that turns people off growing roses and really it shouldn’t. Roses have diseases and pests particular to them and as such regular treatment is very effective. The main problems are greenfly, mildew and blackspot.
There are plenty of products that treat these main three problems in one treatment. Performing a regular maintenance schedule starting in April will leave you with very few problems. Do make sure to follow exactly the manufacturers recommendations.
Your roses will respond brilliantly to a little regular maintenance and once you have started your routine there will be very little work attached. Issues will only arise once you neglect your routine and this is what often deters people from growing roses.
By: Gardener
About the Author:
Sep
28
Filed Under (Garden & Landscape) by Don
laura D asked:
Does anyone have any “Martha” tips on how to keep nails from looking like an auto mechanics when you are an avid gardener? Martha Stewart suggested to put rubber gloves under gardening gloves, but they make your hands sweat badly! Or, how best to clean “gardener’s hands?” Thanks!
Coleman
Does anyone have any “Martha” tips on how to keep nails from looking like an auto mechanics when you are an avid gardener? Martha Stewart suggested to put rubber gloves under gardening gloves, but they make your hands sweat badly! Or, how best to clean “gardener’s hands?” Thanks!
Coleman
Sep
28
Filed Under (Gardening) by Don
Buying a present for a gardener should be easy. Whether they are a novice or an expert, you’ll find the holidays are the ideal time to give them gifts they will enjoy. When spring rolls around, they’ll have had plenty of time to decide how and where to use the gift you’ve given them.
You won’t have to go far to find the right gift. You probably have a gardeners’ catalog in your mailbox, a garden supply store nearby, and access to the Internet. There are many websites for wonderful selections.
Giving Practical Gifts
Your local hardware store or garden supply should have a good line of practical gifts. For the gardening beginner, gifts such as a shovel or trowel, garden hose or other digging and planting tools are perfect. Perhaps your gardener would like to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. There are certain flowers and plants that will draw them to a garden, and you can most likely get them at your local garden supply. Not too sure about buying plants? How about a gift certificate to a garden supply store?
Baskets Of Gifts
Another great gift idea is a basket full of excellent “stuff” for the gardener. You can purchase one already assembled, or find a basket you like and fill it with some of the many items you will find in a garden shop. A basket with just essentials is a good choice for the beginner. It could include gloves, poison oak/ivy medication, flower seeds, plant food, a rain gauge, a Farmers Almanac, and special hand cream.
Gardening Books Are Nice
Gardening books can be a treasured gift for the gardener on your list. Any bookstore will carry books covering a variety of gardening topics. Choose among specialty garden books, such as wildflower gardens, vegetable gardens, or drought-tolerant gardens. Buy them a book on the subject of perennials and annuals. Which flowers are best suited to their climate? How do you select plants that grow best in their type of soil? These and countless other questions are answered in the many books available on gardening. You’ll find that some of the larger bookstores have whole sections devoted to gardening.
Garden Stones
A garden stone is another perfect gift for gardeners. Garden stones can be found in unusual shapes and colors, or inscribed with famous quotations or poems. Kits are available to make garden stones with a child’s handprint and name added to it. That’s the making of wonderful memories for the child and for the gardener. You can also buy a garden stone and personalize it by putting your favorite gardener’s marriage year, or the year the garden was established. Personalization can turn a plain gift into something unique.
On the more practical side, there are hundreds of gifts to choose from. Hose carts and attractive pots for storing garden hoses out of sight are easy to find. Water sprinklers and fertilizer sprinklers are also good gifts. You can find fun water sprinklers, like one in the shape of a John Deere Tractor.
Fun Gifts
Some gifts add whimsy and fun to a garden. They are easy to find, and make perfect gifts, whatever your gardener’s experience. Gazing balls are available in all sizes and colors, and add a creative dimension to the garden. Holders for the gazing balls come in dozens of various shapes, sizes and materials, too.
Among the most fashionable gifts for gardeners are wind spinners and flags. You can find wind spinners in a variety of colors, such as the patriotic red, white, and blue spinner, or the rainbow spinner. Garden flags are a popular gift because they can be changed to coordinate with the seasons, or more frequently just to create a new look in the garden.
Exotic Gift Ideas
Wanting something a little more unusual? Your gardener might love an exotic plant, such as the amaryllis exotica, a gift of unusual Iris bulbs, or a sago palm. How about a ginkgo tree growing kit, or a Shitake mushroom log?
Statues of animals, gnomes or angels of have regained popularity after many years of being out of favor, and they make great garden gifts. Birdbaths and bird feeders attract birds, a source of joy for most gardeners. You’ll also find delightful hummingbird feeders that will keep these beautiful birds coming all rear round.
Whatever your gardener’s inclinations are, you’ll be able to find the perfect gift..
By: Ron King
About the Author:
You won’t have to go far to find the right gift. You probably have a gardeners’ catalog in your mailbox, a garden supply store nearby, and access to the Internet. There are many websites for wonderful selections.
Giving Practical Gifts
Your local hardware store or garden supply should have a good line of practical gifts. For the gardening beginner, gifts such as a shovel or trowel, garden hose or other digging and planting tools are perfect. Perhaps your gardener would like to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. There are certain flowers and plants that will draw them to a garden, and you can most likely get them at your local garden supply. Not too sure about buying plants? How about a gift certificate to a garden supply store?
Baskets Of Gifts
Another great gift idea is a basket full of excellent “stuff” for the gardener. You can purchase one already assembled, or find a basket you like and fill it with some of the many items you will find in a garden shop. A basket with just essentials is a good choice for the beginner. It could include gloves, poison oak/ivy medication, flower seeds, plant food, a rain gauge, a Farmers Almanac, and special hand cream.
Gardening Books Are Nice
Gardening books can be a treasured gift for the gardener on your list. Any bookstore will carry books covering a variety of gardening topics. Choose among specialty garden books, such as wildflower gardens, vegetable gardens, or drought-tolerant gardens. Buy them a book on the subject of perennials and annuals. Which flowers are best suited to their climate? How do you select plants that grow best in their type of soil? These and countless other questions are answered in the many books available on gardening. You’ll find that some of the larger bookstores have whole sections devoted to gardening.
Garden Stones
A garden stone is another perfect gift for gardeners. Garden stones can be found in unusual shapes and colors, or inscribed with famous quotations or poems. Kits are available to make garden stones with a child’s handprint and name added to it. That’s the making of wonderful memories for the child and for the gardener. You can also buy a garden stone and personalize it by putting your favorite gardener’s marriage year, or the year the garden was established. Personalization can turn a plain gift into something unique.
On the more practical side, there are hundreds of gifts to choose from. Hose carts and attractive pots for storing garden hoses out of sight are easy to find. Water sprinklers and fertilizer sprinklers are also good gifts. You can find fun water sprinklers, like one in the shape of a John Deere Tractor.
Fun Gifts
Some gifts add whimsy and fun to a garden. They are easy to find, and make perfect gifts, whatever your gardener’s experience. Gazing balls are available in all sizes and colors, and add a creative dimension to the garden. Holders for the gazing balls come in dozens of various shapes, sizes and materials, too.
Among the most fashionable gifts for gardeners are wind spinners and flags. You can find wind spinners in a variety of colors, such as the patriotic red, white, and blue spinner, or the rainbow spinner. Garden flags are a popular gift because they can be changed to coordinate with the seasons, or more frequently just to create a new look in the garden.
Exotic Gift Ideas
Wanting something a little more unusual? Your gardener might love an exotic plant, such as the amaryllis exotica, a gift of unusual Iris bulbs, or a sago palm. How about a ginkgo tree growing kit, or a Shitake mushroom log?
Statues of animals, gnomes or angels of have regained popularity after many years of being out of favor, and they make great garden gifts. Birdbaths and bird feeders attract birds, a source of joy for most gardeners. You’ll also find delightful hummingbird feeders that will keep these beautiful birds coming all rear round.
Whatever your gardener’s inclinations are, you’ll be able to find the perfect gift..
By: Ron King
About the Author:
For seasonal gifts, see Gifts For Gardeners. For more info click on Gardener Gifts. For landscaping ideas visit, Gardening Gifts.
Copyright 2007 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
Sep
27
Filed Under (Gardening) by Don
Each gardener has his own set of characteristics that make him fit for certain gardening styles. If you know yourself and the right gardening style that will fit your rearing of your organic garden and help you yield your vegetables effectively, then you have pretty much gotten an edge over other gardening enthusiasts. But what are the different types of gardening that you can look out for? Here are some of the types that you can consider:
Community Gardening
If you are motivated by group efforts, community gardening may be for you. It involves concentrated efforts of the different members of the community to be able to help make a greener place. It involves a huge scope, but the members of the community are given autonomy to style their areas in whichever way they choose.
Impact Gardening
If you are up to the challenge of blocking weeds with minimal costs, then impact gardening is for you. It involves using a relatively small space and maximizing its gardening potential. The plants are often crowded together.
Indoor Gardening
Residential gardening is under the huge scope of indoor gardening. Other types under this category include the gardens of conservatories, greenhouses and academic institutions. Systems for heating and air conditioning may also be found for certain breeds of plants. If you are the type of gardener who really loves cultivating plants in and out of season, then indoor gardening is for you.
Residential Gardening
This is the most common of all gardening techniques. If you are just a beginner and not yet inclined to produce vegetables for industrial reasons, then residential gardening is for you. The primary purpose of residential gardening is to sustain a family or two of a steady supply of vegetables and at the same time, render aesthetic appeal to your backyard.
Residential gardening does not require too much space. It can also be cultivated in window sills, balconies and other small areas that have sufficient light source, easy to monitor and at the same time, easy to maintain or free from pests. The good thing about residential gardening is the ease with which it ushers the gardening wannabe from having no knowledge of planting to expanding to other gardening styles, whichever deems the fancy of the budding gardener.
Specialized Gardening
Specialized gardening involves non-residential areas that are known for its green quality and are often marketed as such. Parks, botanical gardens, amusement parts and other tourist attractions fall under this category. Often a staff is required to maintain due to its size, so effective administrative skills on top of gardening expertise may be required. It is also tailored for delivering in profit to certain causes or organizations.
Water Gardening
If you want to garden with minimal supervision and love water organisms, then water gardening is for you. This is a bit of a challenge for most gardeners because it usually doesn’t involve the initial conditions of other traditional gardening techniques. The novelty of water gardening appeals only to those who have ample water facilities to cultivate this type of gardening style.
By: Paul Hata
About the Author:
Community Gardening
If you are motivated by group efforts, community gardening may be for you. It involves concentrated efforts of the different members of the community to be able to help make a greener place. It involves a huge scope, but the members of the community are given autonomy to style their areas in whichever way they choose.
Impact Gardening
If you are up to the challenge of blocking weeds with minimal costs, then impact gardening is for you. It involves using a relatively small space and maximizing its gardening potential. The plants are often crowded together.
Indoor Gardening
Residential gardening is under the huge scope of indoor gardening. Other types under this category include the gardens of conservatories, greenhouses and academic institutions. Systems for heating and air conditioning may also be found for certain breeds of plants. If you are the type of gardener who really loves cultivating plants in and out of season, then indoor gardening is for you.
Residential Gardening
This is the most common of all gardening techniques. If you are just a beginner and not yet inclined to produce vegetables for industrial reasons, then residential gardening is for you. The primary purpose of residential gardening is to sustain a family or two of a steady supply of vegetables and at the same time, render aesthetic appeal to your backyard.
Residential gardening does not require too much space. It can also be cultivated in window sills, balconies and other small areas that have sufficient light source, easy to monitor and at the same time, easy to maintain or free from pests. The good thing about residential gardening is the ease with which it ushers the gardening wannabe from having no knowledge of planting to expanding to other gardening styles, whichever deems the fancy of the budding gardener.
Specialized Gardening
Specialized gardening involves non-residential areas that are known for its green quality and are often marketed as such. Parks, botanical gardens, amusement parts and other tourist attractions fall under this category. Often a staff is required to maintain due to its size, so effective administrative skills on top of gardening expertise may be required. It is also tailored for delivering in profit to certain causes or organizations.
Water Gardening
If you want to garden with minimal supervision and love water organisms, then water gardening is for you. This is a bit of a challenge for most gardeners because it usually doesn’t involve the initial conditions of other traditional gardening techniques. The novelty of water gardening appeals only to those who have ample water facilities to cultivate this type of gardening style.
By: Paul Hata
About the Author:
Paul Hata is active in various community and social programs.Get the latest Gardening,Environment and Ecology information here – WorldGardenPages.com ,WorldEnvironmentPages.comand WorldEcologyPages.com
Sep
24
Shannon B asked:
I live in New Orleans, Louisiana and have been wanting to grow my own herbs and small plants. I don’t have experience in gardening whatsoever and I’d like to know what I should start off with and what plants/herbs are good for this climate (hot and humid). I would like to plant something within the next month. What’s good to plant at this time of year?
Titus
I live in New Orleans, Louisiana and have been wanting to grow my own herbs and small plants. I don’t have experience in gardening whatsoever and I’d like to know what I should start off with and what plants/herbs are good for this climate (hot and humid). I would like to plant something within the next month. What’s good to plant at this time of year?
Titus
Sep
19
Filed Under (Garden & Landscape) by Don
jascovv asked:
My husband and I just bought our first home and I’m very excited about planting my own flower beds and vegetable garden. I don’t want to do anything extravagent, just basic beginner stuff until i learn more. Unfortunately I’m starting from ground zero with little to no knowledge on gardening and am in desperate need of some good resources.
Ethanael
My husband and I just bought our first home and I’m very excited about planting my own flower beds and vegetable garden. I don’t want to do anything extravagent, just basic beginner stuff until i learn more. Unfortunately I’m starting from ground zero with little to no knowledge on gardening and am in desperate need of some good resources.
Ethanael
Sep
18
Filed Under (Garden & Landscape) by Don
Jmac asked:
I have been looking for annual humming bird and butterfly vines that would grow well in my area. I don’t want anything invasive.
The web sites I am looking at keep refering to certain zones…like annual for zones 3-8 and perineal for 9-10. How do I find out which one I live in??
This is serious; please don’t make fun of my rookie gardening issues.
Thank you all!! I live in the Texas Gulf Coast area and I am in zone 9! Cool, now I know! Thanks for your help! Now I just have to deal with what grows in our gumbo soil. LOL
Oscar
I have been looking for annual humming bird and butterfly vines that would grow well in my area. I don’t want anything invasive.
The web sites I am looking at keep refering to certain zones…like annual for zones 3-8 and perineal for 9-10. How do I find out which one I live in??
This is serious; please don’t make fun of my rookie gardening issues.
Thank you all!! I live in the Texas Gulf Coast area and I am in zone 9! Cool, now I know! Thanks for your help! Now I just have to deal with what grows in our gumbo soil. LOL
Oscar
Sep
17
Filed Under (Garden & Landscape) by Don
DAISEY MAI asked:
and what exactly does one do once joined? does everyone go as a group to one anothers house for fun and work of helping each other w/their gardening or what?
Carroll
and what exactly does one do once joined? does everyone go as a group to one anothers house for fun and work of helping each other w/their gardening or what?
Carroll
Sep
16
mom23boys asked:
I’m a novice gardener and I’m interested in starting a vegetable garden next year, but would need to do it in containers. Do you have any book recommendations for container gardening? I’m also looking for suggestions on how to get started and what would be easy to grow in containers. Thanks!
Edwin
I’m a novice gardener and I’m interested in starting a vegetable garden next year, but would need to do it in containers. Do you have any book recommendations for container gardening? I’m also looking for suggestions on how to get started and what would be easy to grow in containers. Thanks!
Edwin
Sep
14
Filed Under (Gardening) by Don
With the old familiar variety of garden hoses as well as black Poly irrigation systems, there are two major problems that occur along the length of the hose or pipe, one is cracking and/or splitting of the hose/pipe and the second problem is the familiar kinking of the hose/pipe. So what can you do about it besides going out and buying a new hose or roll of poly’ pipe? Well there is at least one repair method that should help with either problem. Without the cost and problems of putting expensive joiners into your watering system.
Split Hoses/Pipes
What do you do once your garden hose or irrigation pipe has developed a crack or split after your son has mowed over it or you’ve managed to drive over it once too often?
With either type of system, you could cut out the section of the damaged hose or pipe and put in a joiner, but sometimes this is impractical or impossible. Then why not look at repairing it instead of replacing it. Use the same method as you would for a kinked hose. Which is listed below.
Kinking Hoses/Pipes
Once a garden hose or irrigation pipe has jack-knifed back on itself at a particular spot, it will continue to do so for the life of the hose/pipe. This is because it has become weakened at that point. Again you have the option to cut out the weakened area and join the remaining parts of the hose. Or you will have to look at repairing the weakened area to stop it kinking in future, you can do this by bracing the weakened area/s by the following method . . .
What you will need to repair split/kinked hoses or irrigation pipes
An excess section of garden hose or irrigation pipe A Sharp knife or blade Container of hot water Measure and cut off a small section of hose/pipe, approximately three inches long, or as long as is needed to cover over the weakened or broken area. Cut this section down its length on one side only.
Soften the hose or pipe section in hot water. Open it up and wrap this like a bandage around the weakened section of hose/pipe.
This acts like a splint over the weak area, strengthening it so that at that point it will not kink or fountain out water anymore.
If you are repairing a split area of the hose you may have to look at sealing the hose with something like a silicon sealant. But you will find that simply putting the hose splint will greatly reduce and/or stop the leak.
The hose or pipe splint will not move off of the weakened or split area because it rehardens fairly quickly as it cools, this tightens its grip over the weak part of your hose/pipe.
Repeat this procedure for other areas that are split or are prone to kink of the garden hose or irrigation pipe that you are using.
So if that garden hose or irrigation system of yours is split in one or more places or is kinking all the time, and it is frustrating you no end, then do something other than throwing it out. Either repair it or at least keep the old hose or pipe to repair your future watering systems.
By: Bare Bones Gardener
About the Author:
Split Hoses/Pipes
What do you do once your garden hose or irrigation pipe has developed a crack or split after your son has mowed over it or you’ve managed to drive over it once too often?
With either type of system, you could cut out the section of the damaged hose or pipe and put in a joiner, but sometimes this is impractical or impossible. Then why not look at repairing it instead of replacing it. Use the same method as you would for a kinked hose. Which is listed below.
Kinking Hoses/Pipes
Once a garden hose or irrigation pipe has jack-knifed back on itself at a particular spot, it will continue to do so for the life of the hose/pipe. This is because it has become weakened at that point. Again you have the option to cut out the weakened area and join the remaining parts of the hose. Or you will have to look at repairing the weakened area to stop it kinking in future, you can do this by bracing the weakened area/s by the following method . . .
What you will need to repair split/kinked hoses or irrigation pipes
An excess section of garden hose or irrigation pipe A Sharp knife or blade Container of hot water Measure and cut off a small section of hose/pipe, approximately three inches long, or as long as is needed to cover over the weakened or broken area. Cut this section down its length on one side only.
Soften the hose or pipe section in hot water. Open it up and wrap this like a bandage around the weakened section of hose/pipe.
This acts like a splint over the weak area, strengthening it so that at that point it will not kink or fountain out water anymore.
If you are repairing a split area of the hose you may have to look at sealing the hose with something like a silicon sealant. But you will find that simply putting the hose splint will greatly reduce and/or stop the leak.
The hose or pipe splint will not move off of the weakened or split area because it rehardens fairly quickly as it cools, this tightens its grip over the weak part of your hose/pipe.
Repeat this procedure for other areas that are split or are prone to kink of the garden hose or irrigation pipe that you are using.
So if that garden hose or irrigation system of yours is split in one or more places or is kinking all the time, and it is frustrating you no end, then do something other than throwing it out. Either repair it or at least keep the old hose or pipe to repair your future watering systems.
By: Bare Bones Gardener
About the Author:
The Bare Bones Gardener is a qualified Horticulturist and a qualified Disability Services Worker. He hates spending money on stuff which doesn’t live up to the promises given. So he looks for cheaper, easier, simpler or free ways of doing the same thing and then he passes these ideas on to others.
Garden Blog – http://barebonesgardening.blogspot.com/
