Growing Good Plants By Soup
With summer in the West, your garden will soon show how well you’ve taken care of your soil. If you have plenty of humus in it, there will be plenty of moisture to keep everything growing fine without constant watering in spite of the heat.
That brings us to the subject of “gardener’s gold” compost flower stalks, lawn clippings, leaves, trash, etc. Just as the wealth of the small French farmer is said to be determined by the size of his manure pile, so may a gardener’s status and success be measured by his use of compost, nature’s most potent life elixir.
Select Japanese Iris now, while they’re in bloom, for fall planting. Their culture becomes more standardized each year and the selection of colors more varied. Cultural rules are simple: sun, rich soil, perfect drainage and constant soaking while the plants are growing but little water while the foliage is dying back. Plants grown in containers completely submerged in large fish pools do marvelously well. This is the way they were grown years ago in Golden Gate Park’s Japanese Garden. Plants purchased now in bud will flower if carefully handled or the container itself is “planted.”
Combining Plants with Roses Some authorities maintain that roses should be planted in a bed by themselves, while others are just as insistent that they do equally well and are more attractive combined with low-growing edgings and groundcovers that do not interfere with the regular cultivation. Groundcovers keep the soil cool and cut the water bill.
Annuals for edging are lobelia, alyssum and the torenia mentioned below. The white alyssum is preferable to the lavender, because in most locations it has a longer blooming season. Sweet alyssum makes a good groundeover while the lobelia, in Blue, is delightful alone or in combination with alyssum. Alyssum comes quickly from seed but because lobelia requires a longer growing season, buy plants.
Dwarf nasturtiums make good groundcovers if attention is paid to combining the right colors with the roses. Screaming yellows with red roses are “bad,” whereas red nasturtiums with white or ivory roses are gay and perky. Watch the annual groundcovers closely for aphids which might build up there and then head for the roses. No serious problem is involved, however, as 15 minutes a week spent spraying or dusting with lindane will rout not only aphids but a long list of other bugs including thrips, leafhoppers and many others.
Pinch Chrysanthemums when the wood is still soft and continue until the plant is well branched and the buds begin to form. Small-flowered types grown outdoors for cut flowers may be pinched every two weeks. Early-flowering varieties may be pinched up to mid-July; medium-season ones up to the first week in August; late ones, late August.
Potted plants may be left longer than outdoor ones because they need stocky growth. The best rule is to pinch back until you see the buds pushing out faster than you can pinch.
The Torneia or wishbone flower is a little blue annual seldom seen in gardens or landscaping with annuals. It does not fit as an annual for landscaping but it fits in nicely with other low-growing annuals and is attractive planted alone. It likes partially shaded spots. If unavailable as plants at your local nursery, grow torenias from seed.
It Takes “Soup” to grow good plants. Here’s why: Food materials are carried up through the roots and stems in liquid form. Thus, without sufficient water in the ground food elements cannot be formed or transported
2009 Garden Vlog 11, Pruning Cucumber Vines, Compost, Beans
I finally had to do *something* about my cucumber vines which were about to totally smother my cantaloupe and watermelon vines.
Also a little about my compost pile and my beans.
Music:
“Cumbia No Frills”
From:
Kevin Mcleod/Incompetech.com
Duration : 0:12:14
Making Hypertufa Garden Art
Hypertufa, a lightweight man made material similar to stone, was created as a substitute for the natural rock called Tufa. It is used to make a myriad of garden art objects. Anyone can make hypertufa, it’s really not that difficult. Hopefully, this article will be of some help.
The materials needed to make hypertufa include Portland Cement, peat moss, sand or gravel, perlite, vermiculite and others. There are a lot of different recipes and combinations of the ingredients you can use. The most basic hypertufa mixture will contain Portland cement, peat moss, sand or perlite, and of course water.
What is hypertufa good for? It has a myriad of uses, you are limited only by your imagination. It’s perfect for plant containers, stepping stones, sculptures, fake rocks and all sorts of garden ornaments. It’s really amazing what you can make with it.
Making hypertufa is not much different than a child making mud pies. It’s equally fun. You need a mixture and a mold. For molds you can use all kinds of items you can find around the house. Tupperware, pans, pots, various containters, cardboard boxes, wastebaskets, even halloween masks can come in handy.
The process is simple. You apply the mixture to the outside of the mold, cover it with a garbage bag and seal tightly. If you’re making planters, don’t forget to add drainage holes. Put it under the sun for about 3-5 days, then carefully remove from the mold. Cover it up again with plastic bag and allow it to cure for about a month. That’s it.
A word of advice – start simple. Mixing and building hypertufa is a like mixing and baking a cake. You don’t start with a complicated cake recipe, you start easy and work your way up.
If you want to enhance your garden’s look and beautify its appearance, hypertufa is a way to go. It’s fun, affordable and easy way to create your own garden art.
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How to Choose and Use Mosquito Control Repellents Wisely
Mosquitoes know when humans are nearby. Even from a distance they can sense the heat and carbon dioxide that we give off. The way mosquito repellents typically work is by masking those cues that attract mosquitoes. Because several important diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes, it’s important to use a good mosquito repellent.
Mosquito repellents work better for some people than others. The level of protection is not equal. The age and level of activity of the person involved vary as do the gender and type of mosquito. Another important point is that these repellents only work on the surface they’re applied to. Good coverage is a must.
One of the most effective repellents is DEET. Another good one is picaridin. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends these products because they work well and offer long lasting protection. DEET was first offered for sale in 1957 and has an excellent safety record.
The length of time you’re outside can help you determine what concentration your mosquito repellent needs to be. If you’re often outside 3-4 hours, you’ll need a product with 20% or more of DEET for good protection. If you’re typically outside for less than 3 hours, consider a product with less than 20% DEET or 7% picaridin. Products with more than 50% DEET do not offer any extra protection.
According to various agencies and organizations, these mosquito repellents products are safe. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says DEET does not pose any health threat and is not a human carcinogen. The CDC recommends not combining sunscreen products with other products containing DEET. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics products that contain DEET are safe to use on children over two months old.
There are two other active ingredients recommended by the CDC. These ingredients provide good protection but not for the length of time as higher concentrations as DEET. The two products are oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535. Testing by EPA says that oil of lemon eucalyptus provides protection that lasts as long as lower concentrations of DEET. Children under the age of 3 should not be exposed to this ingredient, so be sure to read the label of the specific product you choose.
In spite of widespread advertising, there is no scientific evidence that the ultrasonic mosquito repellent devices work. Current beliefs that eating garlic, vitamins, onions, or any other food can repel mosquitoes are not true. The portable mosquito traps that emit carbon dioxide are too new to have been thoroughly tested yet.
Here are the ground rules for using mosquito repellents safely: Read and follow the instructions on the label. Only apply these products to exposed skin. Don’t use these products under clothing. Don’t apply to cuts, wounds or rashes. Don’t apply near eyes or mouth, and apply lightly around the ears. Don’t allow children to apply these products. When you return indoors, wash with soap and water or bathe.
All About Lawn Mowers
An eye catching lawn is a status symbol for many homeowners. Households compete for the best looking lawn in the block secretly. Probably because a well kept lawn does reflect a well kept house and a well kept household. A lawn says a lot about its owners. Many homeowners are quite picky with their choice of lawn mower. After all the care of the right lawn mower is the secret to a perfect lawn.
There are various types of mowers to suit our various needs. For demanding lawns, a lot go for gas powered machines, be it push type or self propelled. There are also the less powerful electric powered lawn mowers. Lastly but personally my favorite, the not so publicized and talked about manual reel.
The gas powered lawn mower is able to do a lot of things for you. It can mulch, some have side discharge, and some have bag clippings. There are some rave reviews about particular models that have recoil starts. Accordingly, it fires up on the first pull almost every time. This gas powered equipment can also accommodate huge demands for huge lawns. The drawback for this type is that like any gas powered machine, it has issues on environmental concerns. Many gas powered lawn mowers though, have passed the emission standard laws. Furthermore, some of these equipment require adjusting all four wheels when changing the cutting height.
Your other option would be electric powered lawn mowers. In relation to its gas powered cousins, these models are a lot quieter and is almost maintenance free. Many models come with cordless features. There are those that can be bought with solar charged batteries. Solar batteries can be very expensive and for most of them you have to change the batteries every two years or so. All solar charged lawn mowers use lead batteries and you have to dispose of them carefully and properly for environmental issues. The electric mower can only mow a maximum of 1/4 of an acre per single charge. If you don’t have the cordless type, the maximum length of cord that I know of only has a length of 100 feet.
The manual reel type lawn mower would be the ultimate in quietness. It also is very economical and is almost maintenance free. These devices however are only good for small, flat, and weed free lawns.
Lawn mowers are as varied as our taste. There are several factors to consider when choosing a lawn mower. At the moment, there is an ongoing trend to be environment friendly – the greener, the better. Your lawn size would also be another consideration. The size definitely dictates the demands of your lawn. Other factors to look into would be the type of grass you are growing and the weather as well. There are also lawns that have obstacles and difficult terrain that might require for a particular type of make.
One area that should be looked into is one’s health concerns. For people suffering from asthma and other health concerns, the manual reel type lawn mower is highly recommended. It provides you with the extra exercise and does not stir up as much dust and pollen as the other models.
Many household activities and family events take place in the lawn. A beautiful lawn could be the site of happy times and valuable memories. It requires the right touch and proper care. Give your natural carpet the perfect caress with the right lawn mower.
Eliminate Kitchen Scraps With A Composter Program
There is a lot of technical jargon floating around concerning a compost pile. The idea behind this article is to put in layman’s terms. Although the technical explanation can come in handy at the right time, the main concept of this article is to put it in terms that anyone can understand.
A compost pile is really just an attempt to give back to mother nature. compost is more that just a fertilizer. It is a mulch, a soil conditioner and it will provide the minerals and nutrients your plants need to grow. Compost rich soil retains water much better, this will be very beneficial for your plants.
There are many different composting programs, the simplest is the no turn method. As the title indicates you simply do not turn the pile. This method does take a bit longer but it is by far the easiest. Retrieve the ready compost from the bottom and add new material to the top.
Adding straw or some other course material to the compost pile creates air pockets and allows the pile to be aerated. When air is allowed in the pile you can expect your compost to be developed at the same rate as when the turn over method is used.
A compost pile will need materials that are rich in carbon and nitrogen such as fruits and vegetables and other tables scraps. Some of the other useful items are eggshells, grass clippings, pine needles, coffee grounds, wood ash, tea leaves, cardboard and shredded paper.
Stay away from bones as they attract a number of pests. Oily substances do not break down well so they should be avoided also.
Discourage fruit flies and other pests from grouping together on your pile. Do this by covering the pile or add lime to the top as you add new materials to your compost pile. The lime also helps to neutralize odors although if your pile is properly built the odors should not be a problem.
This article simplifies a compost program. It is not a very complicated process, the biggest element is just time.
3 Simple Steps In Planting Glads
Tips for Planting Glads
Dig planting hole in your annual border for a group of gladiolus corms… make hole 4 inches deep in heavy, clay soils. and 6 inches deep in light, sandy soils.
Place gladiolus corms in hole after first making a “cushion” of granulated soil at the bottom. Space the corms from 4 to 6 inches apart.
Fill in soil over corms. If soil is hard to work, treat it first with a conditioner. For longer blooming, make plantings every two weeks until midsummer.
Building Mum Stock
Chrysanthemums are now pushing up quickly, offering good opportunity for increasing your stock. Cuttings rooted this month and early June will grow into sturdy low plants that require no support whatever. These plants are excellent for bedding, for window boxes and for any other purpose where a low, bushy plant is needed. Chrysanthemums are very easy to transplant; they become established very soon after the shift.
Taking cuttings is a simple process. With a very sharp knife, cut off the top 3 or 4 inches of the plant. Place the cutting in a pail of water or cover it with moist newspaper.
Fill a 3-inch deep flat with pure sand, firm the sand and then soak the flat in a deep pan of water. The sand, when thoroughly wet, should be level with the edges of the flat. Remove the lower two or three leaves of the chrysanthemum cuttings and insert them in rows across the flat, spacing them 2 inches apart. When inserting the cuttings, use a dibber (pointed piece of wood the thickness of a pencil) to make the hole, insert the cutting and firm the sand gently around it. If more than one variety is being rooted, be sure to start at the left side of the flat, inserting a label at the end of a row of one variety and continuing the row with another variety. When the flat is filled, soak it to settle the sand more compactly around the cuttings.
The flat can be set in any convenient spot where it gets sun, but for the first few days when the cuttings are likely to wilt shade them. Like what i am doing, i choose where to cut an orchid especially when i cut orchid stem. An easy method is to rest the newspapers or plastic on a framework made by pushing in six 5-inch stakes around the sides of the flat.
Rooting will take place in three to four weeks. The cuttings can then be removed from the flat and planted directly in a bed in the garden. Space the plants 12 inches apart. When 6 inches tall, snip off the tips to induce bushy, lush growth.
Product Review: Big Round Compost Bin
http://www.cleanairgardening.com/compost.html
This big round compost bin is an excellent composter for your lawn. It can hold a whopping 18 Cubic Feet of material – that’s about 135 gallons! In addition, this compost bin is also made from recycled plastic, so it keeps in the tradition of reusing materials (just as you will be reusing food scraps to make fresh black gold for your lawn).
This composter is a wonderful addition for your garden. It embles quickly, and you will be well on your way to composting like a pro in no time. It also comes with a guide to composting, just in case you have any additional questions.
For more information on this composter, please visit the web address listed at the top of this video description. Thank you, and happy composting!
Duration : 0:1:47
Organic Flower Horticulture
You just cannot dive in into the world of organic gardening without doing your homework. It is a broad science, with each subject that branches out of it all contributing to the complex yet fulfilling world of organic horticulture. There are five schools of thought about organic horticulture.
The first is floriculture, which obviously means the cultivation of flora in your garden and the secrets, skills and knowledge required to maintain it. The science of knowing how to market these floras for your business is also included in this school of thought.
The second area of study is olericulture, where one learns how to cultivate and protect vegetables, which are very fragile vis-à-vis the pests that may exist in your garden.
Third is pomology, where the type of plants involved are fruits, the ones highly targeted by insects because of their edibility and their natural usage of giving life onto the garden, which basically means it has the necessary minerals and nutrients to carry that on.
Next is landscape flower horticulture, where one gets to design creative and captivating landscapes for the garden not only to attract people to it. But also provide the perfect backdrop for landscape plants.
And the last area of study in organic horticulture is post harvest physiology, which involves keeping the soil fresh for future usage and for the gardens general maintenance. Also, this is the school of thought wherein one gets to learn how to prevent spoilage from current horticultural crops. With these five areas of study mastered and put under your belt, you are sure to carry them all out and make the best garden possible.
With all these said, one can be an exceptional gardener with a little interest tucked in and a lot of perseverance carried over to create the best garden possible. All one has to do is to study the basics of organic gardening, which is knowing the soil, learning how to protect the plants and mastering the intricacies and needs of certain types of plants.
Garden Girl TV: Natural Insect Control
Patti Moreno the Garden Girl shows you how she controls insects in her garden, by using diatomaceos earth! Distributed by Tubemogul.
Duration : 0:3:9