Suburban Home Guarden

Even Non-Gardeners Can Grow Cucumbers

2011-02-18T12:03:00.000-08:00

Cucumbers are are easy to grow and provide a bountiful harvest with minimal use of space. Grow vining cucumbers along a fence, trellis, or using beanpoles. Cucumbers may be the highest producer in volume for the amount of ground they require to grow.

Cucumbers thrive in zones 4 and higher. Either plant seed any time after the last frost or sprout inside and transplant after the last frost. Plant the seed 1/2 into the ground. It will take 5-10 days for the seeds to sprout. Plant several in each hole and thin.

They like well drained fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Use 10-10-10 for fertilizer. Harvest time will depend on the type of cucumbers you grow.

They need watering regularly. Keep the soil moist. Wilted leaves are a sign of too much water being lost. Keeping the plant wet invites all kinds of problems. Water with sprinklers in the morning but water the soil by hand as needed.

If you are running your plants along a fence or trellis then space them 6-10 inches apart. Use 4 plants for each 6 foot beanpole with 3 anchors. You are providing structure so the plant can spread out and absorb as much light as possible.

There are literally hundreds of varieties of cucumber available. Grow several each year and regrow the ones you like. Replace the others with new varieties. Burp-less is probably the most popular with new gardeners.

Should You Use Grass Clippings as Mulch?

2011-02-17T17:23:00.000-08:00

by janet ashby

Using grass clippings for mulching is a long established practice, as clippings are organic and can be of benefit to any garden if correctly applied. But there are some points to consider before you use grass clippings in this way.

It's important for you to understand the purpose of mulching when you choose your mulch, because when used correctly it can conserve much-needed moisture from rain and other forms of watering. The key is to get mulch that doesn't mat and lose water; therefore, it needs to be loose and coarse so that water can get through it to the soil. To be most effective, mulch should be able to maintain a three-inch thickness with no matting. The best way to prevent the spread of weeds is to use a three-inch layer of mulch, which also acts as insulation by keeping soil warm in cold weather and cool in the hotter months. Ultimately, this protects the roots of the most shallowly rooted plants.

Organic mulch has a number of benefits, as it add nutrients to the soil when the organic material decays. It can also help to improve soil structure, because it allows various organisms to live that are essential for garden soil to thrive.

If your lawn is properly cared for, you shouldn't have any grass clippings, which are a common yard waste. In order for your clippings to be fine-textured enough to decompose where they lay, you should take care to mow your lawn at the proper height: 2 1/2 inches to 3 1/2 inches when the temperature is cool, and 1 1/2 inches to 2 1/2 inches during warm weather. You should also mow your lawn often and use a mulching blade, cutting only one-third of the blades' total height. If you leave these clippings in place and allow them to decompose, they'll eventually add nutrients back into your soil which will have numerous benefits for your grass. Up to 24 percent of the necessary nutrients for grass can be supplied by grass clippings alone, which contain roughly 4 percent nitrogen, 2 percent potassium, and 1 percent phosphorous.

One of the concerns about using grass clippings as mulch is the threat of insecticides, weed killers and other chemicals that have been used on your lawn in the three weeks prior to the time you need the clippings for mulch. Another problem with clippings is that they compact tightly and get soggy, making it more difficult for water to penetrate through and reach the soil. Moreover, grass clippings that are applied in thick layers will warm up as they decompose. This can damage the roots of some plants, alter the soil temperature and have a negative effect on plant growth, and contribute to the development of disease. If you're going to use grass clippings as mulch, first subject them to hot composting.

About the Author

For more information on lawn care and some good deals on lawnmowers visit Cheap Lawnmowers for Sale or Electric Lawnmowers for Sale UK

Grow Bountiful Fruit Trees

2011-02-17T17:20:00.000-08:00

by Rudy Silva

Is it time for you to upgrade your home yard with trees? Have thought about planting fruit trees with other types of trees? There are some great fruits to plant. They come in different sizes so you can pick small or large. You will have to pamper the trees to get them started. Do you have experience planting? Use the tips in this article to start planting your fruit trees.

Planting fruit trees in your yard can be productive. It provides shade for you and the whole family. Birds are also attracted and may be happy in building their nest on the trees. Growing trees can give you a pleasure when they start to bear fruits.

If you plant a single-semi dwarf apple tree, in a season you can produce up to 500 apples. Its productive life can reach 20 years. There is also a tree that has a shorter span in producing fruits, and it can take 8 months up to one year depending on its harvest time.

The benefits of planting fruit trees are many, you have to consider many things including, the type and size of trees, the location of the trees to grow, the condition of the soil, and the maintenance. It's not that easy to grow fruit trees, but you can fully enjoy the rewards when it bears fruit.

If you want to have a shady tree, an oak or maple tree is the best choice to plant. It can be grown several feet away from your home in your backyard. Make sure that your fruit trees are not planted near your fence. When they are grown, they can damage your fence and can cause trouble to your neighbors.

The soil conditions are also an important consideration. If you are in a community that always experiencing drought, you can choose a Russian olive tree, Pear tree, and apple tree. These trees are well-suited for dry land. To improve the soil conditions you can add compost, mulch, or top soil. Make sure to water the soil constantly. An arborist can recommend to you different trees that are appropriate to your soil.

All trees require maintenance, which is another consideration in growing fruit trees. During the first year, pruning fruit trees are very important to get rid of any dead limbs or branches. These limbs should be inspected for any pest infestations. Trees that are planted closer to your houses should be pruned regularly.

There are three sizes of fruit trees that you can choose from. There are dwarf fruit trees, which are ideal for small spaces. They do very well in an 8' diameter area. They are the easiest way to prune and harvest because they do not grow tall. The fruit has a normal size; the disadvantage is, it can produce less and has a shorter life span.

The semi-dwarf fruit tree requires a growing area of 15' diameter, and they can range in height from 10 to 16'. They need annual pruning to keep the height down and the shape balanced. These trees are very productive; it can produce hundreds of fruit in one season.

The standard fruit trees are huge, which requires more space. It is more difficult to prune and harvest. At the peak of their growth, they can reach 40' high, if left un-pruned. They are great for grandchildren to climb on and to attach a swing to it.

In choosing the trees to plant, it is helpful to go to the local nursery to check the different varieties. There are fruit trees that do not self-pollinate, so be ready with your pollinators.

About the Author

Visit us at http://www.naturehills.com/ to see what fruit trees you might like. Do you like the fruits framers grow, you can have the same. These trees produce a lot of fruit when mature. Choose the type of fruit that you like. Visit us at Fruit trees to decide which tree we can ship to you.

Grow A Winter Garden

2011-02-17T17:17:00.000-08:00

by Louanne Baelde

Okay, so the sun is not out there as long. Avid gardeners don't let that stop you. Winter doesn't have to be a time of scarcity. Bring life back to the cold winter months. It's absolutely amazing to see tiny little green stalks popping out from under the snow.

There are steps that you can take to assure that your garden will look colorful all winter long. Plant beautiful shrubs or trees with vibrantly colored bark with artfully textured twigs. These cater to feed our winter birds, and add color to instead a drab winter garden. Some vines appear to be ice sculptures with the winter freeze. Such architectural delights!

No need to spend a bundle on fertilizer. Compost and mulch is one of the best fertilizers that you can use, and certainly very affordable. Many gardeners place bales of hay on top of their new plantings to keep them warm. Snow is one of the best covers for both carrots and parsnips.

Now of course, you will definitely want to have your winter gardening facing south. Your new winter vegetables will need as much winter sunshine as possible to be a success.

Planting different evergreens work great in the wintertime. They help to shield the plants and not only look absolutely beautiful, but serve as a windbreak. Boxwood shrubs normally stay green all winter, and when planted on the north side of your garden, will also give you added protection for your winter garden.

One of the things that you can do to keep your plants healthy in the winter is to cut back on the watering. This will help to prevent the green foliage from freezing.

Unbelievingly, some live where it's as low as -25 and still sell fresh produce all year round at their local farmer's market. Many of these planters plan for the whole year when they plant, and not just for the summer. These growers usually use the wooden frame structure technique. Now, what exactly is this technique? Well, it's a wooden frame that is topped by other glass or plastic that covers and protects the plants from the elements. Yes, these types of structures are the ones that are often used to start seedlings in the spring. They can definitely now have double uses.

Turnips, parsnips, carrots, beets and leeks are all ideal choices for your winter garden for up until about the end of December, depending on your geographical area of course. Fresh carrots are often pulled out of the snow in December and often, even in January! After that up until about the month of April spinach, Swiss chard, and kale come into play.

Many will attempt potatoes and yams in potted pots on the balcony. Others will try fresh herbs on the window sill.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different ideas. Growing your own fresh produce is so beneficial.

For those that are in the coldest areas of the country, using potted plants are always another great choice. Some go as far as to have a winter garden as planting in their house, rooftop, balcony, and window sills, or next to a trellis stashed away neatly at the corner of the house.

To know which types of seeds to select for your climate and zone, gather one or two planting catalogues and note which seeds will grow and work best with your geographical area.

Don't forget to keep your statues, bird houses and bird feeders for the winter garden, as they make a magnificent addition to your winter fashion wardrobe. Gates decorated with wreaths also add a festive theme to your garden entry.

Grow your own vegetables all year round. It's not as hard as you think. You will be amazed at not only the amount of money that you will save, but the absolute fantastic taste difference.

About the Author

You may find several gardening tips and gardening resources at http://ez-gardening-tips.com EZ-Gardening-Tips.com Top gardening directory and gardening articles.

How to harvest and dry parsley

2011-02-17T17:15:00.000-08:00

by Steve Gunther

Harvesting and drying your own parsley is very simple to do and assures that you will have homegrown parsley all winter long. I use the parsley from my garden to re-fill my dried parsley spice container and I can taste the difference. Here is how to do it.

1. I am not picky in how I harvest my parsley. I simply grab a clump of it and snip it near the base with a sharp pair of garden scissors. The parsley will grow right back and fill in the clump that I just cut.

2. Take the cut parsley and rinse it to make sure that any little insects or dirt/dust is off.

3. Get a large baking sheet and spread the parsley out on it. Try to make sure that the parsley is not piled to high in any one area of the baking sheet as this will slow down the drying process. Alternatively, you can hang clumps of parsley with twine tied around their stems in a dry cool place to dry out.

4. Place your oven on the "warm" setting or at 200 degrees or less. This will dry out the parsley without baking it or burning it. Many people, myself included, like to keep the oven door slightly cracked to let the moisture out. If you let the door cracked make sure to keep kids and pets away from it.

5. Occasionally check the parsley and turn it and spread it out more when needed. It will likely take a couple of hours for the parsley to fully dry out.

6. Once all of the parsley is completely dried, remove the tray from the oven and let cool. You are now ready to crumble the parsley and place it into bags or containers. I crumble the leaves and remove the stems at this point, however, you can remove the stems from each plant before step 3.

About the Author

Steve Gunther is passionate about vegetable gardening. Though only introduced to gardening himself a couple of years ago, he has immersed himself in the gardening community. Steve is currently starting a website dedicated to vegetable gardening http://getready2garden.com/ and a blog: http://getready2garden.blogspot.com/

How to Build a Pole Bean Tepee

2011-02-17T17:11:00.000-08:00

by Steve Gunther

Building a tepee for your pole beans to grow up is a fun and space saving method of growing these delicious vegetables. Follow the steps below to create your own pole bean tepee!

1. First you will need to make mounds to plant the beans in. The mounds I build are approximately 6' from side to side and 8"-12" high.

2. You will need to find a pole for the center support. I like to use pressure treated 2"x2" lumber in 8' sections. These can be found at any home improvement store (will likely be back by decking materials).

3. Using a saw (miter, hand saw, reciprocating saw, any saw!) cut one end to make it pointed. It should now look like an 8' tall stake, pointed on one end and flat on the other.

4. Drive the stake into the center of the mound using a mallet or heavy hammer. You will want to bury the pointed end about 2' deep. You will likely need a step ladder for this part. Also, at this time you will want to screw an eyebolt into the flat top of the stake (get as large an eyebolt as you can without splitting the lumber).

5. Next, choose approximately 8 small wooden stakes (these can be found in several different lengths in most garden centers, you will need to cut them down to about 10" long with one end pointed). Try to space them evenly around the top edge of the raised mound around the center pole and drive them in at an angle away from the center pole (like tent pegs).

6. You will now need either heavy garden twine or fibrous light rope. You will start by wrapping one end around one of the small stakes with one heavy duty staple to hold it in place, run the other end up through the eye bolt on the large stake, then down to the next small stake, where you will again make a single wrap around the small stake and affix it with a staple. Continue doing this all the way around and when you are finished you should have something resembling a tepee.

7. The final step is to plant beans near the bottom of each of the small stakes and at the bottom of the large stake. As these plants grow you will need to train them around the twine. However, once the vines really take off you will no longer need to train them. In no time at all, all you will see is a large green bean tepee. This method makes picking the beans very easy and you can grow enough for a whole family off just one or two tepees.

About the Author

Garden Pests

2011-02-17T17:07:00.000-08:00

by Steve Habib

If garden pests are not a problem gardening is so much more enjoyable. When toxic sprays and chemical are applied to plants, it never good for the environment, not to mention the health risk to humans and pets. There are a number of beneficial predators you can attract to your garden that are just as effective as any harsh chemical spray.

Some of these garden allies live within your garden already killing garden pests that harm plants and crops. Two types you may already heard of are toads and frogs. Both have always been attracted to gardens.

To entice these critters to call your garden home add a small pond, birdbath, or waterfall. This is something they will enjoy and will give them reason to stick around all year.

Toads and frogs are effective at controlling garden pests from getting out of control and devastating your garden plants. The Ladybug and Green lacewing are two beneficial insects known to feed on aphids and other pests.

One green lacewing can eat 200 aphids in a 3-week period of time. To get more of these friendly bugs to your yard, you can buy a food source from a garden nursery. You also can buy these bugs directly from suppliers found on the Internet.

The use of ground beetles is another way of getting rid of garden pests. During daylight hours they hide beneath rock and other yard debris. At night they emerge to feed on cutworms, slugs, snails and other unwanted pests. To encourage ground beetles to call your garden home, place some large stones where they can hide under until feeding time.

Birds are another effective way to keep pests out from your garden. Birds feed on caterpillars, slugs, snails, grubs and aphids to name a few. Placing bird feeders, baths and houses are an effective way getting birds to stick around your yard.

Providing water and food year-round is sure fire way of attracting beneficial predators to your garden. Once in your garden they do the dirty work of eliminating garden pest from plant and crops. Unlike most chemical sprays, the use of these predators does no harm to the environment or put your health at risk.

About the Author

Steve Habib is researcher on the subject of growing and caring for different kinds of plants. You can use his research to eliminate garden pests from your garden free. Just visit Garden Pests Now

Growing Coriander

2011-02-17T17:02:00.000-08:00

by Lisa Summerfield

The fragrant leaves of the coriander herb are part of many types of cuisines such as Oriental, Middle Eastern and Hispanic and are used in meat, vegetable and lentil recipes. Growing coriander in your own garden is the best way to ensure the freshest supply for your cooking.

By becoming familiar with the growing requirements of this distinctive herb it will make growing coriander an easy task. To get good results one should prepare the soil by ensuring that the area intended for planting is weed free. I like to dig the soil and rake it, this way it removes any large clumps of dirt.

The small seeds can be sprinkled in rows no closer than four inches apart and lightly covered with a thin layer of washed river sand or seed raising mix. Then one should mist the area just planted being careful not to displace the seeds. When growing coriander it is important to keep the seeds moist by misting the soil on a daily basis until the seeds sprout.

Unlike many seeds that take about a weed to germinate, coriander seeds take up to twenty-one days. Once the seedlings are 2 inches tall it is recommended to thin the plants to about 8 inches apart to ensure that you get tall plants with plenty of healthy leaves.

Growing coriander in pots is not recommended since this herb has a long taproot which develop best in an open garden. It also prefers a milder climate, for this reason if you live in a tropical or sub-tropical area it is best to grow coriander during winter, while early spring and late summer are the preferred seasons for growing coriander in temperate climates.

Most gardeners sow coriander directly into the soil because transplanting causes the plant to stress, in fact if transplanted the coriander plant will most likely bolt and cease to grow before it is mature. One thing to remember is that if you are growing coriander in hot weather, the plant will mature more quickly.

You should plan to sow in increments of every three weeks to obtain new seedlings. If you get a few hot days it is likely that your coriander will go to seed therefore growing coriander seeds every 3 weeks will produce lots of coriander plants over several months.

To harvest the tastiest coriander leaves, wait until the plants are mature, and snip the stems from the base of the plant. The leaves should be light green for the best coriander flavor for your salads, stews and soups. Be sure to leave a few stems and leaves on the growing coriander so the plant will keep producing and you can enjoy this fragrant herb all summer long.

About the Author

Lisa Summerfield is an herb garden lover and author and is caring for her home garden. For more information on growing coriander check out her site http://herbgardensolutions.com

Gardening for a Safe Crop

2011-02-17T16:57:00.000-08:00

by Sarah Duke

Organic gardening is a great way to appreciate nature, without destroying it. You will use compost to build healthy soil and will try techniques like companion planting and ladybug cultivation, rather than using chemicals on your food. As someone who truly appreciates the earth, you feel very strongly about making the world a better place through your gardening experience. The most ardent natural gardeners will even use only manual gardening tools to till and cultivate.

Advocates for growing food organically argue that this method is better for several main reasons. First, gardening organically reduces your exposure to pesticides, which have been linked to everything from skin rashes, eye irritations and neurotoxicity to cancer, birth defects and hormone disruption. Secondly, organic food contains a higher concentration of nutrients like chromium, selenium, calcium, boron, lithium, magnesium, vitamin C, carotene and vitamin B. Thirdly, organic gardeners work with manual garden supplies and tools, so they avoid gasoline-powered machines that leave emissions. At the same time, the organic gardener is getting a great workout in! Lastly, this method for growing plants prevents chemicals and contaminants from leaching into the soil and down to our water table, so this style of gardening is much better for the planet overall.

Your main concern when organic gardening is soil health. You want your little ecosystem to be as strong and healthy as possible to support the plants you're growing and the beneficial microorganisms within the soil that depend upon your plant's byproducts for nourishment. As you know, these elements work symbiotically to create the best environment for all to survive. Most gardeners begin with a test kit that will provide a detailed analysis of the nutrients present, as well as the acidic or alkaline reading and the drainage level.

Garden guides recommend using organic compost comprised of decayed matter from table scraps to horse manure. Compost works to add nutrients and aeration to the soil. It also breaks up huge clay clumps to allow for better drainage. Use a tiller when you add your compost to keep air flowing through your garden and encourage earthworms to plow through. If you're uncertain about your soil's composition and want to start fresh, then consider buying your soil and using raised beds.

In organic gardening, weeds are pulled rather than stripped by chemicals. Growing plants surrounded by mulch, straw or hay can keep weeds from poking through as well. Organic gardeners rely on birds, ladybugs, dragonflies, spiders and praying mantises to kill the pests that feast on their precious plants. To attract these natural born killers, plant Angelica, caraway, cilantro, coreopsis, white cosmos, dandelions, dill, fennel, geraniums, tansy and yarrow for them to sample while they look for bigger prey like aphids and beetles. You can purchase ladybugs at some garden shops and dragonflies at certain bait shops. In the end, you'll be glad you cultivated a healthy and hardy garden, without destroying nature in the process.

About the Author

Eating healthfully doesn't have to be expensive when you plant a vegetable garden. From permaculture gardening to vegetable garden layouts, you'll find the information you need at the Vegetable Garden Site.

Growing Tempting Tomatoes

2011-02-17T16:21:00.000-08:00

by Clint Sidney

A box full of ripe, red, and organically bred tomatoes is sure to tempt the taste buds of anyone. It is all the more fun when you can cultivate them on your own in your home garden! For ages agriculturalists and small time gardeners have been looking for the perfect vegetable gardening guide for the perfect yield. Here is the big secret for you on cultivating delicious and mouth watering tomatoes.

If you really want an exceptional yield, you must give enough of your time and attention to your little tomato plants. You must also know what your tomato plants require and at what time they require, it is almost like decoding the plant psychology! Before we move on to the plant psychology part let us begin with choosing the right tomato stems to plant in your garden.

An ideal tomato plant must have a healthy stalk with no sign of any plant diseases. Once you have planted the young tomato saplings on a moist plot ensure that they receive enough sunlight and water.

Once they show signs of growing, you need to administer organically prepared compost and fertilizers to help them bloom properly. While proper fertilizers can help your crop to grow well, your tomatoes also require a good amount of sunlight and air, which is often denied to them due to lack of knowledge.

Clearing unnecessary leaves on the plant can help the plant to get the sufficient supply of sunlight and air. These leaves block the flow of carbon, which is an important nutrient for the plant to grow healthy.

When you grow a delicious tomato plant it is obvious that it will attract pests. It is advisable to use organically prepared pesticides and insecticides as they will not harm the yield and also has a lasting effect. These are the most common tips discussed in each and every vegetable gardening guide. Practice these simple tips if you are planning to plant tomato saplings in your garden and yield wonderful results.

About the Author

Clint Sidney is a gardening enthusiast and enjoys giving information about Vegetable Gardening Guide. You can learn more about gardening at GreatGardener.eHelpshome.com.

Organic Gardening & Pest Control

2011-02-17T16:19:00.000-08:00

by Clint Sidney

Your garden or farm is overwhelmed with delicious fruit bearing plants and trees, you are expecting a good reap this year, but are you worried about keeping away pests from your precious fruits? Leave those worries away because there is a simple and effective way to keep all your troubles that is "organic gardening pest control".

These solutions are simple, easy, and highly beneficial. Unlike the synthetic pest control remedies these remedies will not harm your trees in any way.

Baits and Horticultural Oil - Moths can be ridden of with the help of sticky traps and folded cardboard. If moths are your prime problem, try using pheromone baits. Horticultural oil can just be sprayed on the stems and leaves of fruit bearing trees and plants to get rid of moth larvae and insects.

Organic Soap Solution and Oil - During late summer you might face big problems in keeping away the insects and spider mites from your precious fruits. Spray this in the evenings for better results.

Predators of Nature - Lacewings and lady bugs are some of the good natural predators that can help fruit farmers. Insects like Aphids are best tackled by their natural predators. Make sure that you have plenty of Lacewings and lady bugs around to help you deal with insects like these.

To protect your trees from borers it is advisable to cover up the tree trunks. But if the tree is already infected inject nematodes to the stems. You can identify the infection with signs like wilted stems and stiff bark. However, it is advisable to pull off the stems that are severely infected.

Till the soil around the trees affected by oriental fruit moths. This will expose the moth larvae and you can get rid of them more effectively.

Organic gardening pest control is an excellent way to protect your fruit bearing trees and plants from pests and the result you gain will be enormous!

About the Author

Clint Sidney is a gardening enthusiast and enjoys giving information about Organic Gardening Pest Control. You can learn more about gardening at GreatGardener.eHelpshome.com.

Grow and Italian Herb Garden

2011-02-17T15:09:00.000-08:00

by Henry Thomas

If you enjoy Italian cooking, you will know that the Italians are not shy with their herbs. This is one of the best known secrets of Italian cuisine. It is not surprising either, since we can trace most of the herbs that we use today to the early gardens of Italy that were established centuries ago. But what if want to establish your own Italian herb garden?

It is not just the herbs that we identify with Italy. It is also the way that these herbs were grown in traditional gardens that is so appealing. Italian garden design, with its firm lines and symmetry, its use of water and use of sculptured foliage and statuary, has also made its mark.

So if you want to grow popular Italian herbs in a traditional-style herb garden, you will need to firstly design your garden in a formal and symmetrical way, and then plant those herbs that are commonly used for Italian cuisine. If you look at photographs of famous Italian herb gardens, you will see that there are often hedged parterres, which are ornamental beds that look just as good as the herbs that grow in them. Clipped hedges were planted to create geometric patterns, and then low-lying herbs were planted in between.

If this approach does not appeal to you, do not worry too much. There are many Italians today who favor a more casual and informal approach.

Whichever type of Italian garden you decide to plant, you do need to be sure you prepare your soil correctly and pay attention to the needs of all the herbs you are going to grow. Here are some hints that will help you to succeed.

Rosemary, which can be successfully clipped to form hedges, or grown into a bush, is a perennial, half-hardy evergreen shrub that is easy to plant from cuttings. In the right conditions, you can break off a twig, stick it in the ground and it will quickly grow into a pretty shrub. It does like well-drained soil, and it should be protected from frost.

Oregano is another perennial herb, and one that also grows in well-drained soil, in a sunny position. There are various types, all of which grow close to the ground and seem to creep. Origanum majorana (often called marjoram) is sweeter than ordinary oregano, and a popular variety for Italian food.

Sweet basil, a delicious annual herb, is a must in Italian cuisine. It is not difficult to grow and will thrive alongside rosemary and oregano. To promote new growth you will need to pinch out the little flowers before the plants mature. There are also various perennial basil plants, but they are not quite as flavorsome or soft-leafed as the annual type.

Parsley comes in a variety of guises, some of which are easier to grow than others. Flat-leafed parsley is common in Italian cuisine, but curled leaf and other types may also be used. Parsley is a biennial species that grows best in a sunny position. It should be harvested before the plant begins to flower.

Sage is yet another perennial herb, and it also likes a sunny position in well-drained soil. It is not always that prolific as the other herbs, and it should be harvested before the pretty purple flowers appear.

The perennial fennel is often grown primarily for the use of its seeds in Italian cooking. It is not a difficult herb to grow, but should not be grown near dill, because they can cross-pollinate. The fennel seeds should be gathered when they are hard and a grey-green color, and they should be left to dry indoors before you use them for cooking.

Garlic is part of the onion family and is grown from a bulb. Once you get the plant going, it will continue to produce new heads for quite some time.

Once you have established your Italian herb garden, why not learn a bit more about Italian cooking so that you can reap the full benefits from your labors?

About the Author

Henry Thomas is an herb gardening enthusiast who has grown herbs for over 15 years and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing activity. For great information on Italian herb garden go to http://herbgardening-ultimatesecrets.com/italian-herb-garden/, or visit http://herbgardening-ultimatesecrets.com/. His newest book, "Herb Gardening - Ultimate Secrets", teaches beginners herb gardeners everything they need to know about.

Water Gardening Tips

2011-02-17T15:07:00.000-08:00

by Tauqeer Hassan

The first thing that any gardener planning to reconstruct a garden should be aware of, particularly if they are undertaking much of the construction work themselves, is that the whole project should be fun.

If you are planning to employ professional landscapers or builders to do the 'heavy' part of your garden construction it is always important to get several estimates for work to be carried out. Professionals are likely to work outside in all weathers but, if you're doing it yourself, you have the luxury of picking and choosing when to do the work.

Nobody really likes the idea of their garden turning into a building site but, if the job involves a lot of concrete work, such as the building of walls and patios - or even that of the pond itself -then it is probably inevitable.

Site clearance is, arguably, the most fundamental aspect to garden reconstruction. It may involve simply shouting at the dog to get out of the way, or it might require a degree of demolition, lifting and disposal of slabs and the hiring of the ubiquitous skip (this latter operation can be quite costly, so only hire one when there is a genuine need).

The trees that you want to keep can hardly be called obstacles, but in some ways that is what they are. These would normally include trees over 5m (15ft) high which, unless they are diseased or dangerous, are not worth felling. In addition, be aware of hidden obstacles, such as well-heads, drains and drainage pipes, manhole covers, electric cabling and assorted lumps of concrete hidden just under the soil.

With your plan firmly in hand you, or the landscapers, will need to mark out the site and it is crucial to know exactly where any walls are to be built and paths laid. Even a few inches out in any direction can cause big problems (especially with more intricate designs).

Thin lines of white spray paint can be used to mark bare soil and pegs, and taut string can be employed to indicate heights of walls and eventual paths. A good, old-fashioned spade should be used to mark out shallow trenches for such things as the water feature.

About the Author

You can also learn how to create stepping-stones in water gardens and place them beautifully. Also water wheel pump look quite good in garden, which you can build yourself. You can learn how to build water wheel pump and practice it in your garden.

10 Eco-Friendly Gardening Tips

2011-02-17T15:02:00.000-08:00

by Marcy Tate

Taking care of your lawn and garden is just as important as taking care of your roof in terms of resale. An attractive landscape can increase the value of your home and add curb appeal. Maintaining your lawn and garden properly can save money and time. Eco-friendly, or "green," landscaping habits can help the environment and decrease the amount of hazardous chemicals around your home. Did you know that the average suburban lawn uses six times the hazardous chemicals per acre as conventional farming does? Learn how to avoid chemical use below.

Tip 1: Water Efficiently Water during strategically planned times only. The best time to water is between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. Watering in the afternoon is inefficient since water is lost due to evaporation and wind. The second-best time to water is between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Running an irrigation system excessively can waste a lot of water. Just one hour can use up to 250 gallons of water.

Tip 2: Install an Irrigation System Consider the installation of a sprinkler or irrigation system for your lawn. Irrigation systems work well at targeting only the specific areas of your lawn that need to be watered, thus cutting back on unnecessary watering of uplanted areas. Irrigation systems are available with a timer option, which helps homeowners avoid overwatering by turning off the system at predetermined times. Make sure to check the weather forecast and turn off the timer when rain is predicted.

Tip 3: Go Organic Say goodbye to chemical fertilizers and pesticides. There are many top-quality organic and natural weed killers. Additionally, organic compost can be used.

Tip 4: Make Your Own Compost Make your own compost to use in your garden. Compost can be used as a fertilizer, serving as an excellent alternative to chemical-based fertilizers. Making your own compost involves mixing browns (such as dead leaves, branches or twigs, greens (such as grass clippings, vegetable waste, fruit scraps and coffee grounds) and water in a compost bin.

Tip 5: Mulch Garden mulch can enhance the look of your garden and help keep it healthy. Spreading mulch in your garden can also save time by decreasing the need for watering, applying herbicides and pulling weeds.

Tip 6: Drought-Tolerant Plants The technique of using drought-tolerant plants, known as xeriscaping will significantly help reduce water usage in your garden.

Tip 7: Native Plants Planting native plants will cut down on the need for water and fertilizer. For example, if you live in Arizona, don't plant high water plants such as bluegrass or clover.

Tip 8: Make Your Own Planters Making your own planters is a great way to reuse empty containers. Rinse out plastic containers (cottage cheese, yogurt and dessert whip containers are just the right size), fill them with dirt, add a plant and you have a great new planter. Not only is this eco-friendly, it's also inexpensive.

Tip 9: Harvest Rainwater Harvesting rainwater means collecting and storing rainwater to be used for your lawn or garden. This is a simple way to conserve water and help your garden bloom.

Tip 10: Hang Birdfeeders and Nesting Boxes Birdfeeders and nesting boxes attract birds to your garden. Birds are a great benefit to gardens as they eat unwanted pests, such as snails and slugs. Instead of using pesticide against these little bugs, simply invite the birds in and they'll take care of the pests naturally.

About the Author

Marcy Tate is a home improvement writer with over a decade of experience in the landscaping industry.

Local Arizona landscapers can help you select the best plants for your garden. Landscapers can also provide many other landscaping maintenance services.

Vegetable Gardening Guide

2011-02-17T14:57:00.000-08:00

by Clint Sidney

Vegetable gardening can be very stimulating. If you are just planning to have you own organic garden, here is a vegetable gardening guide to help you along with the new pastime and get you started. First you need a space at your disposal, if you are an apprentice it is advisable not to start with a big space. You must begin with a single raised bed of 9'x12'. Then as you learn all about organic gardening, you can add number of beds to dwell upon.

Prepare the bed early in the season then it is time to sow, you can first plant the kind of vegetable which your family needs. This doesn't mean you have to supply vegetable for your family for the whole year. Be contented with small achievement that you can little by little increase. You can search the internet, read gardening books and catalogues to assist you in deciding on what kind of vegetable to grow in certain time of the year or season.

The next significant step you must do after planting is uprooting the weeds surrounding your crop. Weeds are obstacle in making your vegetables grow healthy. You have to hoe on a regular basis even if you do not see weeds among the plants. Avoid walking on the beds. Another method to exterminate weeds is by mulching. Organic mulches like pine needles, grass and straw are advisable to use, you just apply it when the soil is wet. You can preserve the dampness of the soil as well as enhance the temperature through mulching.

Another important aspect in vegetable gardening is watering the plants. Frequent watering supports root formation, steadiness of the plants and revival of nutrients. It is best to put in sprinkles or drip irrigation. It is essential and a must for seeds and transplants to be watered every day. Water the plants before it withered.

The last thing to deal with is the problem with pest and diseases. You should never use pesticides for the basic reason that they terminate bugs that are useful too along with the damaging ones. The common strategy to overcome this trouble is to grow other plants along with your main crop. You can plant onions and garlic together with carrots. Grow flowering plants around the beds because it draws beneficial insects.

Hope this vegetable gardening guide will be of great help in creating your own organic vegetable garden. You can also learn more from browsing the internet, by reading books on gardening or talking about it with neighbors. Have fun on building your own garden.

About the Author

Clint Sidney is a gardening enthusiast and enjoys giving information about Vegetable Gardening Guide. You can learn more about gardening at GreatGardener.eHelpshome.com.

Can Garden Activities Be As Good For You As Exercising?

2011-02-17T14:47:00.000-08:00

by William Hardy

Can garden activities do you as much good as a brisk walk, or a morning spent in the gym? It seems that "yes" is the answer. Your favourite pastime may be all you need to keep healthy. Now, isn't that good news! Of course, it does depend on how active you are in the garden. If lazing in a hammock suits you just fine and the idea of turning compost fills you with dread, perhaps you will be better off in the gym. However, for the rest of us, garden activities from weeding and digging the garden to mowing the lawn will help to keep you in excellent shape.

I'll bet you never considered that something as simple as raking leaves or grass for half an hour could burn off 162 calories. It does though. And of course, the dead leaves can become part of your compost, which needs turning occasionally, which means more calories burned. Turning compost for a grueling hour will evaporate an impressive 500 calories for the average person. Don't forget also that your hard work isn't over even at that stage. All that lovely pile of nutrients you've worked so hard on then goes into helping the growing of your flowers and vegetables. It a win-win-win situation all the way!

You may think that simple tasks such as planting trees or trimming shrubs won't provide as much exercise as say, laying sod, you'd be wrong. Planting a few extra trees for half an hour will burn 182 calories, and trimming shrubs for the same length of time will also see the same amount of calories disappear. And you probably won't even break into a sweat either.

Treat your garden activities as you would any type of exercise. Yes, of course you are doing it to get your garden in trim; that's the end result, but don't forget that it's also exercising your muscles too. A few stretching exercise, or a short brisk walk before you start will help to warm up the muscles you use. Then you can ease yourself into the gardening activities by starting with something easy. Keep alternating between heavy and light work and you will probably get most of the daily exercise you need.

The man of the family often dreads mowing the lawn. Now he can look forward to it, knowing that even sitting on a motorised lawn mower can burn off 100 calories every hour. But use an old-fashioned push, pull one, and the gain is even better. Garden activities could be seen as a natural resource, so to speak. Knowing how to grow flowers, plants and vegetables is definitely a bonus, but just your general horticulture duties is all you need to keep fit and healthy!

About the Author

To learn more about how to enjoy garden activities and gardening in general, visit the Garden Health site promoting garden health for everyone.

Useful Home Vegetable Gardening Tips

2011-02-17T14:43:00.000-08:00

by Clifford S. Magno

The popularity of home vegetable gardening has increased in the last few years and one in every three families does some kind of home gardening. There are some basic home vegetable gardening tips that you can follow to become a successful gardener.

Home Vegetable Gardening Tips

There is not much choice available for urban gardeners in terms of garden sites, but it still remains the most important aspect for successful gardening. Areas that are full of sunlight and that have deep, fertile and well-drained soil is ideal for any kind of gardening. Make sure that the plot is located near a water outlet and does not have other shrubs and trees.

Another important home vegetable gardening tip is to select the appropriate crop. Depending upon the size of the garden, you can choose the vegetables ideally suited for them. Crops like cantaloupes, watermelons, cucumbers and water squash need large spaces to grow. Beets, beans, onions, carrots, spinach and tomatoes are small garden vegetables. Plantations can also be chosen as per family needs but make it a point not to over crowd the plot.

A good home vegetable gardening tip is to plan the garden just like you plan your house. A good planning reduces the effort you will have to put in later and will increase your return on labor. You need to separate the long-term and short-term crops so that long-term crops do not interfere with harvesting and care of short-term crops. Crop rotation is another home vegetable gardening tip as it helps prevent insect build-ups and diseases.

An important home vegetable gardening tip is to have a soil that is fertile, deep and well-drained. Organic matter or sand can be added to the soil if it is heavy clay. Granular soil is ideal for planting and if you do thorough preparation of soil, it will reduce your work of planting and caring for the crop.

Proper fertilization is another very important home vegetable gardening tip. The amount of soil required will largely depend upon crops and soil types. You should plant your garden early in the fall and spring so that vegetables will get ideal conditions to grow and mature. Spring is the time of nice weather and an ideal time for you to start your home vegetable garden.

Some good spring vegetable gardening tips are to involve your kids in the entire process, prepare the soil for spring vegetables, choose the appropriate vegetables, and make your child a part of each and every process. Gardening needs patience, and spring gardening can offer a good lesson of patience to your kids.

Another useful home vegetable gardening tip is to provide the plants with enough water at the roots so that the water is able to penetrate the soil up to the depth of six inches. To get rid of unwanted plants in your vegetable garden, use along-handled hoe. Avoid using chemical weed control, as it is not necessary in small areas. Mulching is a good home vegetable gardening tip that will increase the yield from your home vegetable garden. Control the pests using chemicals if necessary.

About the Author

If you love this article, you will also love another article written by this article's author on http://preventivepestcontrol.org/ and discount clarks pest control.

5 Herbs With Medicinal Properties

2011-02-17T14:39:00.000-08:00

by Mike Zambrano

While the Indians still practice Ayurveda (a medical science completely based on the medical properties of plants and herbs) and the Chinese swear by their traditional Chinese Medicine, both of the parties have strong, compelling reasons to believe so much in the therapeutic properties of herbs.

Nature's bounty has a lot in store and one of the greatest gifts it has held for us has been herbs with medicinal properties. Exotic Herbs with medicinal values could just be the thing that could help you recuperate from an unforeseen illness. Would you not want to know about all the medicinal perks herbs can give you?

You must bear in mind that not all herbs have medicinal properties and that not all herbs with medicinal properties can be had by anyone due to possible allergic reactions known to happen for most of the herbs. However, for the most part, herbs are an excellent alternative to modern medicine and are completely organic. Here are five herbs with medicinal properties that you can benefit from:

Eyebright: Loaded with astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, Eyebright has always been used for treating patients with eye problems like pinkeye or conjunctivitis. This herb, native to Europe, has been used as a traditional folk remedy for eye inflammation, eye irritation and other eye related problems. Introduced by a naturalist St. Hildegard (1098 - 1179), it has been a must-have herb when it comes to many eye problems. Eyebright is naturally found to be very rich in Vitamin A and C. It also comes with moderate amounts of B Complex, Vitamin D and slight incidences of Vitamin E. When it comes to minerals, it has zinc, Iron, silicon, Iodine and copper.

Garlic: Did you know that in spite of the fact that garlic is one of the most common spices used in the culinary rich Asian continent, its actual medicinal properties are unknown to most people? Garlic also has a rich and vibrant history. Ever since 3000 B.C, it has been in use for its extremely rich medical properties. Taking moderate amounts of garlic can reduce the incidence of your heart-risk by at least 67%. It is also known to reduce systolic blood pressure and diastolic pressure. Garlic lowers lipid-effects, decreases cholesterol levels (serum cholesterol - the bad cholesterol) and pumps up the lipoprotiens.

Gingko Biloba: This herb is one of the most important ones in the doctrines and practices of the ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine; the Chinese truly have a high regard for this herb simply because it is a wonder herb. Gingko Biloba - taken in usual supplement size of 40- 200 mg -- literally cures like it's a panacea - tuberculosis, cholera, bronchial congestion, problems related to the heart and the kidney. Ancient Indians believe that it is also an effective cure against the asthma. Gingko seeds are said to improve your brain functions and make you sharper. Further, Gingko might also help with curing ear problems, Alzheimer disease, dementia and many more health conditions. It also helps in improving concentration, helps in enhancing memory and brings about a sense of calmness when taken in little doses.

Ginger Root: In ancient China (Traditional Chinese Medicine), tea made with ginger root is said to be able to cure coughs, cold and flu. This tea is also said to cleanse and strengthen lungs and kidneys. In China, about 2000 years ago, ginger was known to aid in digestion and diarrhea. It is also known to help cure colic and heart conditions. Tibetans use ginger root to energize those suffering from various illnesses. Ginger root is said to also cure people from vertigo, dizziness, motion sickness and nausea. When you chew Ginger root, it is said to stimulate your salivary glands and is said to revoke the paralysis of the tongue.

Agrimony: The "all-cure' herbs - or so the English believed - was known to cure and provide respite to those who suffer from most common conditions. It is said to cure people of all problems related to the kidneys, disorders relating to the gall bladder, and the liver. Agrimony is said to be a girl's next best friend after diamonds because it was recommended for use for many gynecological problems. Skin diseases, asthma, coughs and cold were also known to be treated by agrimony.

Although there are really a lot of herbs that have medicinal values and can be used as alternatives to modern English medicines, these five herbs together probably constitute a group of herbs which can handle almost all normal and naturally occurring conditions and diseases. All of the herbs discussed here have no known or minimal allergic reactions and are moderately safe for use. It is however best to discuss your condition with your doctor before using any of the herbs here or otherwise.

About the Author

For more information on myself and growing and using herbs, please visit my website: growing-herbs-at-home.com

How To Make A Compost Bin

2011-02-17T14:36:00.000-08:00

by Marcie Snyder

Have you ever thought about making your own compost bin rather than buying the commercial bins which can be a bit pricey? Here are five easy cost-effective methods you can choose from.

Style 1: Extremely Simple And Easy

A circle of chicken wire, or a bottomless barrel with air holes in its sides, although simple, works fine. When you cannot add any more materials in the circle, just lift the wire away from the pile, set it up again nearby, and put the newer layers back in, leaving behind the finished compost.

Home compost bins can be made of anything. For instance, when I first settled in Oshawa, Ontario, I marvelled at the way my neighbor, an older Ukrainian lady, would create her compost. In the fall when she was cleaning up her garden for the winter, she would simply pile up all garden debris against a wire fence that had been set up between her land and the public park on the west side of her property. This section of her garden along the wire fence would be her "compost bin" during the winter months.

In the early spring as soon as the ground had thawed, she would spread this half- decomposed material all over her garden and have it plowed under. Then she would add mushroom compost bought from a mushroom grower. When it was time for seeding, everything had pretty well thoroughly decomposed. This lady had the nicest vegetables in the neighborhood.

(Please Note: If you decide to buy mushroom compost from a grower, first find out what the farmer uses to make his mushrooms grow. Things have changed a lot since the 1980's. Today's compost may be full of chemicals. So beware!)

Style 2: Pens

One of the simplest structures for a home compost bin is a circle of snow fencing or wire mesh supported by posts or stakes. When it is time to aerate the pile, you unwrap and remove the fencing, set it up in a new location nearby, and fork the compost back into the pen.

It's true that this requires a little more space and some lifting effort, and it leaves the compost in full view. However, it is inexpensive, strong enough, and very easy to construct.

Style 3: Homemade Bin

Now let's take a look at the third type of container for hot composting-- the diy compost bin. These are sturdier and more discreet than pens. They may require a little more skill to build but are still inexpensive.

The four sides can be made of almost anything: wire screen stretched on wooden frames or old pallets standing on end. Three walls are normally fixed permanently together but may be hinged, hooked or tied.

For example, you can build your compost bin with concrete walls and a movable front panel. Three of the four walls can be made of concrete blocks, stacked without mortar, and a fourth wall of removable boards.

Another idea is to stack up square bales of straw to create the three immovable walls of the bin. For a fourth wall you can always use a simple screen tacked onto a frame the size needed.

To turn the pile, you remove the front of the bin and fork the material out onto the ground. Then the pile is rebuilt in the bin.

The disadvantage is that extra ground space in front of the bin is needed for aerating the pile; however, its biggest advantage is that the compost does not need to be lifted over any wall when you need it or you wish to aerate the pile.

Another idea is to set a bin over a pit so that your compost pile gets the extra insulation. Although this encourages the presence of helpful earthworms, it does mean reaching down below ground level to turn the compost.

Style 4: Composting drum

You can also make your own rotating barrel composter. Simply take a large drum and punch aeration holes in it. If you wish, fins can be added inside the drum to lift and mix the compost materials. To finish it off, add a hinged loading door in the side so that you can add your waste.

One way to make your material inside the drum decompose faster is to roll the barrel on the ground to mix the contents. However, if you have welding skills, you can mount the barrel on a stand and add a crank attachment. Then all you need do is turn that crank every day or second day.

If bacteria is introduced with a good amount of garden soil and the barrel is turned every few days, compost can be made in a few weeks this way with little physical effort.

Style 5: A New Zealand Box

A New Zealand bin is a bottomless wooden box with ventilation spaces between the wall boards, and an easily removable face to make it easier to remove the compost or to turn it. Since the compost rests directly on the ground, a lid is normally added to prevent nutrients leaking from the pile during heavy rains.

There are still some people who prefer the wooden type to the plastic ones you can buy at a store or sometimes from the municipality. For example, I know a lady who had three of them scattered around her yard. People love them because they make nice compost, are easy to make, and are light so easy to move.

A New Zealand box, or something similar, can be made at home by people with minimum skill. It can be moved to a new location fairly easily if required, and it keeps the compost neatly out of sight.

Variation of the New Zealand Box

A popular variation has two or three compartments in a row. The compost is turned from one box into another, and the empty box is then used to accumulate the material for a new batch of compost.

It is ideal for people who use kitchen and yard wastes as they accumulate so can't save up enough materials to make a really big pile.

As you can see, making a compost bin is both easy and cost effective. It can even be fun. So why not try it?

About the Author

A gardener for years, Marcie has learned the value of having organic compost to feed her plants. So needless to say, she has used compost bins for years. For more composting tips or to download her newest ebook on composting, visit SuperCompostingTips.com

Red Wigglers for Composting

2011-02-17T14:34:00.000-08:00

by Christine Harrell

Composting is the newest trend in giving back to Mother Nature. Not only is it environmentally-friendly, it saves costs as well. Creating a worm compost bin can be done with a couple simple steps. For avid gardeners, it brings forth rich soil, abundant blooms and hardier plants. There are a variety of ways to compost; one is with worms. Relatively odor free and taking up little room, worm bins can be stacked on top of each other and will stay well-protected through each season.

Worm Tubs Use a rubber or galvanized tub with a lid. The basin should measure no more than two feet deep. Rubber is cheaper and easy to come by. Galvanized buckets are more expensive, but they last much longer. Sturdy plastic can be used, but it will deteriorate sooner and is prone to cracking. These can be bought from a hardware store, farm supplier or from a worm specialty website. It is best to buy two bins then rotate from one to the other when the compost is ready to be harvested.

Do-it-yourselfers may prefer to make their own worm bin. If this is the case, the bin should be well ventilated with many holes about four inches from the bottom on the container. They can be approximately 1/8-inch in diameter. Make sure the lid is removable, but will prevent light and rain from entering when it is closed.

Use thin strips of non-bleached corrugated cardboard, shredded newspaper, dried out grass, straw or similar fiber-like base material. Add a handful of dirt on top and sprinkle in some water to make the bedding very moist. Allow the bin to set for a full day before adding worms.

Backyard Worms The worms in your back yard are not ideal for garden composting. The best compost worms are red worms. They help add essential nutrients and enzymes to the soil. In purchasing worms, there are about 800 to 1,200 red worms per pound. Red wigglers are very effective for home composting. They enjoy many different temperatures and will help the soil become very rich. They range in size from about a half an inch long to about three-and-a-half inches long. They can be purchased through a worm farm or online. Worms should be contained and not allowed to escape. Otherwise, they may have an adverse impact on the natural habitat of neighboring plants and animals.

Maintaining the Worms Elevate the worm bin by using cinderblocks or bricks. Keep a light in the same area and sprinkle water on the surface every two weeks. Feed the worms vegetable scraps about once a week. Add more fiber approximately once a month, or when the bin becomes about half full. Four pounds of worms will eat about fourteen pounds of vegetable scraps each week. Reducing the amount of food you feed the worms will cause them to become fat, which is good when they are used for fishing. Consult care instructions when making a purchase.

Plant Fertilizer Add compost to plant bedding and container dirt instead of fertilizer when planting or gardening. This dark, rich mixture will enhance gardens, container plants and flower boxes. To harvest the compost, move the worms and uncomposted matter from one bin to a second one, using the first for compost only. When the next batch is ready, transfer them back to the empty bin.

About the Author

If you would like to learn more about compost worms then please visit http://www.special-tworms.com/ where you can find additional information.

Natural Pest Control

2011-02-17T11:02:00.000-08:00

by James Southland

Natural pest control should be done with consideration safety in terms of the plants, animals and humans. This holds especially true for those with vegetable and organic gardens.

Most gardeners put a lot of work into their gardens and do not take kindly to pests that decides to start eating their hard work. They are also considerate of nature and do not want to use harsh chemicals that will harm the environment. So the hunt is on for products that are all-natural because the main purpose of growing vegetables organically would be defeated if they become tainted with pest control chemicals.

Here are a few tips to make pest control less damaging and more environmentally friendly.

The most natural method is by using the physical process. This is accomplished through picking off the pests by hand. This method will consume a lot of your time, however, there will be no products to purchase.

Using biological insects such as green lacewings and dragonflies to feed on aphids and other pests which attack your plants is another natural method. You can attract dragonflies by placing a shallow bowl of water in the garden. You can also purchase praying mantis and ladybugs which will eliminate the bad pests. May beneficial insects can be purchased online.

If lawn grubs are your pest problem, there are organic products available that can be applied directly to your lawn soil. If you have a vegetable garden with plants that are being attacked by pests, there are organic products available that can apply directly to the vegetable plant that which is being attacked by pests.

About the Author

James has been writing articles online for nearly 6 years now. Along with spending time in his garden, he enjoys writing articles about families and gardening, check out one of his favorite web sites Garden Harvest Supply which offers one of his favorite vegetables, heirloom tomato plants.

Choosing Which Culinary Herbs to Grow in a Home Herb Garden

2011-02-17T11:00:00.000-08:00

by Henry Thomas

Fragrant herbs have been cultivated for the kitchen for thousands of years - in huge lots where they are harvested for sale to supermarkets and grocery stores, and on a small scale in the home herb garden, for the homeowner`s kitchen. Restaurateurs also often establish their own herb gardens so that they always have fresh herbs to hand.

You may choose to plant according to your favorite dishes, or to a type of cuisine that your prefer.

The great dishes of the world`s cuisines are characterized by specific herbs and specific combinations of them - and often also spices and other flavorings. For example, Mediterranean cooking frequently uses healthy amounts of thyme, sage, oregano, rosemary and bay leaves. In Indonesian cooking, lemon grass and chilies are both common ingredients. Indian food is commonly topped with chopped coriander or cilantro. This herb is also used frequently in traditional dishes originating in the Middle East, Spain, Portugal and Mexico. Oregano and basil are just two of the popular herbs frequently used in Italian cooking, while the French favor parsley, tarragon, chives and chervil chopped up to make "finesses herbes", and a combination of oregano, marjoram, rosemary, thyme and the annual summer savory to make dried "herbes de Provence".

All these herbs are easy to grow and should find a useful place in any domestic herb garden.

In addition, the aromatic dill, an ingredient in Scandinavian, Germany and many traditional dishes from other parts of Europe, is another. Borage, an herb that has limited use in the kitchen, is used in some German stews, and the Chinese are said to stuff and roll the leaves in the same way the Greeks roll vine leaves. In parts of Czechoslovakia and Italy, lovage (Levisticum officinale) roots are peeled to remove the bitter skin, and then cooked and served as a vegetable.

Of course you don`t have to be limited by the traditional dishes and the herbs that are used in them. Many herbs are used in home-style dishes that we have adapted for our own personal taste buds. Parsley, for example, can be used successfully in just about any dish, in any country.

A good starting point when choosing what to grow for your kitchen is to make a list of the herbs that you normally cook with. If you are happy to grow from seed, you are likely to find at least most of the herbs you use. Otherwise, see what your local nursery has available. Remember that most herbs are seasonal, and that annuals should be planted in spring. Most perennials go on year after year, although they may eventually have to be removed and replaced. Lavender, for example, will grow for five years or more, but then it will get woody, and will usually start dying off. Rosemary, on the other hand, seems to carry on forever.

When you plant, it is a good idea to plant progressively, so that you have plants of the same type, but of different ages. This way you can be sure that, provided the herb is in season, you will always have a fresh supply for the pot.

About the Author

Henry Thomas is an herb gardening enthusiast who has grown herbs for over 15 years and enjoys helping others get started in this amazing activity. For more great information on "home herb garden" go to http://herbgardening-ultimatesecrets.com/home-herb-garden/, or visit http://herbgardening-ultimatesecrets.com/.

His newest book, "Herb Gardening - Ultimate Secrets", teaches beginners herb gardeners everything they need to know about.

Helping Nature through Organic Gardening

2011-02-17T10:57:00.000-08:00

by Manimaran Rengarajan

If you are pondering about organic gardening, keep doing so. Not many people are like you who think of such causes for the benefit of nature. Nature may be smiling at you now. With the advent of all the problems with the world around us, specifically the global warming, such simple steps to ease the bigger problem is already a big leap to be carried out.

This will take a lot of hard work. So you better be prepared for it. Once you are already into the process, take time to familiarize yourself. Do not give up just because of a minor problem. Just think of it like nature is testing you how big your love for it is. So prove it worth your tears and fears regarding this type of gardening.

What makes this hard? Unlike the ordinary kind of gardening, going organic will remove from you the freedom to use just about anything that is commercially available as long as it will help you with your venture. No way. You cannot use synthetic materials on this one. Everything must be organic. It must come from nature itself. You must have done it using elements that can be found on the ground. Or you can also buy those available in the market as long as they claim to be organic.

By going organic, you'll be able to help nature replenish its resources. Yes, you get from it all the materials that you will be needing for this task. You will get the dried leaves, the sawdust, some vegetable peels and other materials from the ground. This is also your way of cleaning your surroundings. But such materials can be used as elements in compost.

You can actually do your own compost by going over some books on how this can be done. You can also turn to someone who is successful with this type of gardening and ask that person for tips and tricks. You can use the result of that compost as fertilizers on your garden.

Finding a guru may serve a lot of purpose as you go along in this type of gardening. It doesn't matter if you will just be doing so as a hobby or you will turn it into a business. So start asking around and look for that person who can further mentor you in the trade of doing the stuff that surrounds such method of gardening.

By having the aid of an expert, especially if you are only beginning on this task, you will be better at helping nature. You will know what type of plants you can grow in what type of soil. You will have a clearer view as to how the elements of the ground can contribute to the success of your project. You will know what to do in cases of trouble with regards to the growth of your plants or the emergence of pests on your garden.

Nature will really love you for the way you will only utilize organic materials for the purpose of growing green things on your garden. And you will benefit a lot in the process of organic gardening. You will be able to become a guru of this type of task. You will be able to produce organic sources of food.

And you can also turn this into a business venture once you have mastered the art and you are already harvesting more than enough.

About the Author

I have small and beautiful family and live with my wife and two kids studying in school. I am a hospital management professional and have vast experience in hospital administration. Internet marketing is my part time job and trained by Affiliate classroom 2.0. My main interests are Articles, Blog marketing and Twitter marketing. Follow me on http://www.twitter.com/rmmaran. Visit my blog website: http://www.maranblogs.com

Why Organic Farming?

2011-02-17T10:54:00.000-08:00

by Big-topics.com

Organic farming is the method of growing plants of fruits, vegetables, as well as ornamental plants like garden plants without using artificial pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. It is the combination of best farming methods used in past and modern scientific knowledge. It acts in accordance with nature instead of opposing it, as seen in conventional farming. The processes involved in organic farming are natural. Almost all the organic products are of good quality, as farmers follow strict methods during cultivation. Food and agricultural products like cotton widely use organic methods. Organic farming preserves the nutrients in soil.

Difference between conventional farming and organic farming: In conventional farming, farmers use chemical fertilizers to add only nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium where as in organic farming, farmers uses many favorable soil micro organisms and rock dust to make soil well balanced for growth of better plants. In conventional farming, farmers put chemicals, which kill microscopic bacteria that are very useful to enhance the ability of plant to absorb nutrients. In organic farming, farmers follow simple and Eco-friendly techniques in farming.

Disadvantages of Conventional farming: Rivers, lakes and water sources get polluted as artificial fertilizers and herbicides are washed away easily. ·In this type of farming, every year the use of artificial fertilizers is increased to produce same crop (amount). ·Nutrient availability is reduced and the soil structure becomes poor as chemicals destroy micro organisms in soil. Artificial pesticides stay in soil, enter into food chain and cause health problems to animals and human beings.

Organic farming methods: Organic farming methods replace the chemical fertilizers and pesticides with natural methods of food cultivation.
·Cultivation: Polyculture (growing variety of crops in single piece of land) is preferred in organic farming rather than monoculture (growing of single crop in single piece of land) followed by conventional farming. This is because different crops invites different soil microbes (which are useful for soil) and also helps in pest control organically.
·Fertilization: Composts and green manuring is used to increase the fertility of soil. They add nutrients (organic matter) to soil that is necessary for plant growth.
·Pest Control: Beneficial insects which control harmful insects are grown by growing plants which attract them. Biological insecticides like neem extract is used for pest control. Special crops are grown which diverts harmful pests and crop rotation helps in protecting crops from different pests.

Benefits of Organic farming:
· To consumers
·Nutrition: Organically grown food products are rich in vitamins and minerals compared conventionally grown food products.
·Contamination free: Substances hazardous to health such as pesticides, fungicides and herbicides are not present in organic products. They are healthy and free from contamination.
·Food tastes better: In organic farming as plants are grown with natural methods, the products are nutritious and tasty compared to conventionally grown products.
·Food stays longer: Organically grown food products can be stored for longer time and they do not get decayed (rotten) easily.
· To environment:
·Climate friendly: Emission of green house gases is low as low input needs are utilized for cultivation.
.Ecological friendly: As natural methods are used for cultivation, it do not cause soil and water pollution.

Today, organic farming is not widely used as it involves more labor and the yield of crop is also less, compared to conventional farming. It is good practice for farmers follow organic farming methods, to maintain ecological balance, retain the purity of atmosphere, and to produce consumable healthy organic products.

About the Author

Big-topics.com cover important topics on several categories including home, recreation, health, and business. It focuses on providing unbiased and functional information on significant topics to understand things easily and quickly.

Different Types of Mulching

2011-02-17T10:49:00.000-08:00

by Abe Williams

Mulching is the practice of placing a loose surface onto the surface of soil in your flower or vegetable garden in order to protect, insulate and beautify the area. This loose covering is called a mulch and it can be either of an organic or inorganic variety. Examples of mulches include compost, stone and grass clippings. Every gardener should understand the many benefits of mulching the soil in their garden. This article will discuss the benefits of mulching, how to choose the correct mulch and have a quick look at some of the different types of organic and inorganic mulches available.

Benefits of Mulching --------------------

Let us explore some benefits of mulching:

* Prevents soil erosion - Soil erosion happens when winds or water slowly wear away the surface of soil and remove it. Mulching your soil will prevent this as there is now a protective, replaceable layer.that comes between the surface of the soil and the forces of nature above it.

* Insulates the soil in winter - The harsh temperatures of winter can be unkind. Mulching the soil in winter will insulate the soil preventing it from repeated patterns of freezing and thawing and will insulate plant roots. It prevents heaving (buckling upward) of soil in spring. Mulch should be applied to the soil when it has frozen and removed in spring only when there is no danger of further frosts. Winter-mulched soil thaws out more quickly in the spring.

* Cools down soil in summer - A layer of mulch in summer protects the soil beneath from the extreme heats of summer and reduces the need for constant watering i.e. water retention is improved.

* Helps against soil compaction - The layer of mulch acts as a buffer or extra layer between entities that can cause compaction on the soil below e.g. people, equipment, heavy rains.

* Improves appearance - A mulch applied to your bed can make it look more complete and attractive. This varies from mulch to mulch as some are more attractive and natural looking than others.

* Prevents weed growth - One of the more useful benefits of mulching is in weed prevention. While the mulch itself will not stop weeds from germinating it serves to act as a barrier between the weeds and the outside world above. When a weed reaches the mulch layer it will not be able to break above it and it will eventually die back. Some mulches perform this weed prevention feature better than others. Depth of mulch is also a contributing factor. Care should be taken however when selecting mulches as some mulches like grass clippings and straw may actually contain weed seeds.

* Keeps fruit and vegetables clean - A layer of mulch reduces the chances of fruit and vegetables getting dirty from splashes from the soil below.

Choosing the Correct Mulch for Your Garden ------------------------------------------

Careful thought should be given when choosing a mulch to apply to your garden as each is different and should fit in with your exact requirements. Here are some common factors that should be considered:

* Soil pH suitability - Some mulches like bark mulch and pine needle mulch can affect the pH value of soil so they are best used on soils containing acid-loving plants.

* Removal in spring - Certain mulches need to be removed in spring because they can smother emerging plants. Examples include stone mulch and bark chips.

* Cost - Is cost a limiting factor in your choice of mulches? If so you can find your mulch for free if you choose certain types. If you keep a compost heap then you will have compost for mulching. Other free mulches (if you have the sources) are pine needles and grass clippings.

* Appearance - Do you care about how the bed will look when the mulch is applied? Each mulch adds a different look and depending on the design of your garden you may want to choose a mulch that matches it in colour and texture.

* Penetration by water and air - Some mulches are better at allowing water and air to pass through them than others. This may be important depending on a plant's watering requirements.

* Addition of nutrients to the soil - Organic mulches add nutrients back into the soil when they decompose. The nutrient types and their amounts added back into the soil depend on the mulch and it varies quite a bit. Using compost as a mulch guarantees plenty of nutrients for your plants.

Some Types of Organic Mulch ---------------------------

This type of mulch once used to be living material and as such will decompose over time. During their decomposition vital nutrients will be added back into your soil. However you may want to avoid using organic mulches if you have rodent problems. Some common organic mulches are:

* Compost - Mulches and feeds the soils as it decomposes. This mulch is free if you have access to your own compost heap. Apply at a depth of 1 - 3 inches.

* Pine Needles - Commonly used with acid soils. Cheap, looks great and allows water to pass through freely to the soil below. It decomposes quite slowly however. Apply to a depth of 1 - 1.5 inches

* Straw - Provides great insulation, water penetration and weed control. Care should be taken that straw does not contain weed seeds itself. Apply to a depth of 6 - 8 inches.

* Grass Clippings - Readily available and decomposes quite quickly adding nitrogen back into the soil. Try not to apply too fresh as it can heat up quite a bit and possibly cause damage to your plants. Apply to a depth of 1 inch.

* Newspaper - Provides great weed control and is readily available. Apply another mulch on top to keep it in place. Apply in 2 layer sections.

Some Types of Inorganic Mulch -----------------------------

Inorganic mulches are inert materials that have not originated from living material. Sometimes inorganic and organic mulches are used in conjunction with one another. For example a geotextile (inorganic mulch) may be covered and held in place by bark chips (organic mulch). Some common inorganic mulches are:

* Stone - Looks great and provides great insulation. If removal in spring is a factor in your choice of mulch avoid using stone. Degrades very, very slowly. Apply to a depth of 2 - 4 inches.

* Plastic - Does not decompose so it does not add anything into the soil. Acts as a great weed control and is easily laid. Must be perforated to allow water to pass through. Apply in a thickness of 1 - 6 mm.

* Geotextile - Expensive blanket-like synthetic fiber that provides great weed control and allows for water penetration. Almost always used in conjunction with a cover mulch (e.g. bark chips). Apply in a single layer.

Conclusion ----------

In this article we looked at the many benefits of mulching and the different types available. Maybe take the time today to decide which mulch to use in your garden if you have not mulched in the past. You may be surprised at how cheap the process can be if you use mulches such as compost from your compost heap, grass clippings from your lawn cuttings and/or the Sunday newspapers! Happy mulching.

About the Author

To learn about acacia fiber and acacia baileyana, visit the Acacia Plant website.