Sandra's Gardening Tips: 2008

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Gardening tips.

by: Hege Crowton

Gardens come in different varieties like the plants you find in them. There are several gardening tips that can be used for all type of gardens.

1.Mulching protects your garden topsoil from being blown away. It also provides nutrients as it decomposes and improves the appearance of your gardens. Mulching has other benefits and is one of the most recommended gardening tips by gardeners and farmers alike.

2.Healthy plants are more disease resistant. Plants are like people, a person with a strong immune system can combat diseases. A healthy plant does the same.

3. Pests can be eradicated by cleaning the plant with a watery solution of soap. Just make sure to rinse after. This gardening tip is best heeded for fruit bearing trees or edible plants.

4. Using compost fertilizers are a great way to have healthy plants. It is also a great way to save money on expensive fertilizers. Non -organic fertilizers also tend to leave chemical residues that can accumulate in garden soils and harm not only the plants but the gardeners as well. They cause toxins to go to the water supplies. Another gardening tip recommended not just by farmers and gardeners but also by environmentalists.

5. There are several plants that are only suitable for a specified climate, a certain kind of soil or can only grow with certain plants. You have to know what plant grow in the conditions you have in your area this is for you to avoid unnecessary purchases. This is a money saving gardening tip.

6.Landscaping is a good investment which can double the value of your home. This is one gardening tip that can earn you money.

7. Growing grass on bare ground is an easy way to make your home look better and appreciate in value. This is one gardening tip that promotes earning money while growing grass legally.

8. Aside from looking great in your home, trees also provide some sort of protection from direct sunlight exposure and strong winds.

9. Vines on the walls, fences and overhead structures also would offer some protection and would also look great.

10.Flowers are beautiful, but they are also expensive. Get one that is resistant to many elements. Flowers from your local community already have developed resistance to conditions present in your area.

11.For most gardens plants, their roots go only as deep as 6 inches. Putting fertilizer deeper than that would be a waste of money. Put them shallower as they seep down when the plants are being watered.

12.Earthworms are important to plants. They till and aerate the soil for the roots to breathe. Non-organic fertilizers can kill them. This gardening tip dates back to the old days of gardening.

13. Having several kinds of insects that are beneficial to your garden would be good. These insects can be encouraged to stay by having diverse plants in your garden.

14. Spot spraying weeds with household vinegar, instead of using commercial weed-killers, can eradicate them. This is another environment friendly gardening tip.

15. Avoid putting too much mulch on tree trunks; this would encourage unwanted pests to reside on them.

16. Use plant varieties that are common to your area or have been taken from an area with similar conditions.

17. Be sure to know the plants that are poisonous. If you are intent on growing them, make sure to have the necessary cure available in your household. Take note of this gardening tip, it can save your life.

18. The best time to water plants is during mornings.

19. Before planting a new plant in your garden, you must consider its height and size when it matures. This garden tip can help you save money in the future.

20. Newly transplanted plants may require special attention during its first week. This is to reduce the stress and shock it got during transplantation.

And last but not the least of the gardening tips...

21.Plants are living entities. If you want them to grow in your garden you have to treat them as such. They need to be taken care of. They are like your pets, you look out for them. In return you get that feeling of contentment watching them thrive.

A good way to take care of them is to consider that plants might have some feelings too.

About the author:
Hege Crowton is an expert copywriter.
She is known for doing in-depth research before writing her articles.
Many of her articles are posted on
and she also does a lot of writing for

Copyright 2005

Circulated by Article Emporium

Growing Your Own Hydroponics Garden - Introduction to Hydroponics Gardening
By M. Markella

Hydroponics gardening becomes more and more popular these days. Some consider it miraculous. But what is hydroponics gardening after all? How does this system work? Why is it considered more convenient and more successful than classic gardening (geoponics)? What are the advantages and disadvantages of growing your own hydroponics garden? Here are some answers to the questions above.

With hydroponics you can grow plants (fruits, vegetables, flowers etc.) using water and mineral nutrients instead of soil. The idea behind hydroponics gardening is to provide the plants with all the nutrients they need to absorb, without using soil. Besides, soil is just a nutrient reservoir and its not critical to the plant growth.

You can grow almost any kind of plant using hydroponics techniques but there's no guarantee that you will produce greater crops and more nutritious or better tasting products than with quality soil. What is certain is that hydroponics gardening is cheaper, less tiring and it allows greater control of the plant itself.

Here is a list of the great advantages that hydroponics gardening has to offer comparing with classic geoponics gardening:
- In geoponics gardening you kill the plant when you remove it from the ground while in hydroponics gardening you can package the plant and keep it alive and fresh for longer periods of time.
- In geoponics gardening you have to dispose, sterilize and reuse a solid medium while in hydroponics gardening you don't even use any kind of solid medium.
- In hydroponics gardening you have eye contact and full control of the plant's root system while in geoponics gardening roots are hidden in the ground.
- In hydroponics gardening there's no need to worry about over watering or under watering the plant while in geoponics gardening you always have to change and adjust your watering techniques according on the weather and the soil condition.
- Hydroponics gardening can be developed in areas where there's no quality soil present. For example in areas covered with snow or in a space station while geoponics gardening should always be developed in quality soil in order to produce best crops.
- Hydroponics plants is an excellent plant research and plant learning tool. They can be transferred anywhere without any hassle. In order to study a geoponics plant you have to move to the place where the plant grows.
- Plants grown with geoponics methods may suffer from all kinds of diseases, pesticides, weeds etc. caused by the presence of soil. In hydroponics gardening there's no soil at all no weeds and no pesticides of course.
- The use of water to maintain and preserve the plant can be dramatically reduced in hydroponics gardening, while in classic geoponics gardening you always have to use more water than you need for irrigation.
- A hydroponics garden may be set up with timer systems to automatically fertilize the plants while in geoponics gardening fertilizing the plants is always a pain and most of the times it must be done manually.
- Plants grown with hydroponics techniques are healthier because they receive a balanced and controllable portion of nutrients while with geoponics gardening you can never be sure about the plant's nutrition because there are too many factors to consider, for example whether the soil already contains enough minerals to grow the plants or whether it should be enriched with the right mix of minerals etc.

Here are some of the disadvantages of having your own hydroponics garden:
- Hydroponics gardening usually relies in electrical systems like timers or pumps. These systems control critical aspects of the plant's nutrition routine. If any of the system fails it could result to the total destruction of the plant. In geoponics gardening you just add the water and let soil do the rest.
- If you are serious about hydroponics gardening you need more technical knowledge and information on various subjects (different solutions and mediums, types of irrigation, various materials etc.) while in geoponics gardening the rules are pretty standard and well known to almost everybody.
- Hydroponics plants require close attention, care and support and will die if not frequently monitored while geoponics plants do not require such close attention.

Hydroponics gardening gives you the chance to grow almost anything anywhere. In your kitchen, in your roof-top or anywhere inside your apartment. It can be done easily and effectively if you know what you are doing and you love gardening and plants. For further information grab this free hydroponics gardening e-course for beginners or experienced gardeners. You could amaze your friends and your family by growing your own homemade plants and vegetables the easy way.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M._Markella

Home & Garden - 9 Gardening Tools Needed In All Gardens
By Donald Mckenzie Jr

Garden tools have been used for hundreds of years throughout history. Although gardeners today use different and more sophisticated tools, they still respect tools used in the past. Here are the 10 most important gardening tools needed in all gardens.

1) Shovel

Shovels are usually used to dig holes, in order to spread soil in a garden. When you are buying a shovel, be sure to choose one that is solid steel and will not bend when digging. Be sure that you can get a good grip on the handle in order to prevent blisters and even splinters. You also want to make sure that there is an area on the head of the shovel when you can use your foot to push down for greater digging force.

2) Pitchfork

A pitchfork is a gardening tool with approximately 3 prongs and a long handle. The size of pitchforks may vary depending on what they are being used for. The space between each prong will varies as well. Pitchforks are mostly used to separate, lift and throw loose pieces of material such as leaves and sometimes dirt.

3) Pruning Shears

Pruning shears are tools that have long handles and fine edged blades. This type of gardening tool is used to allow gardeners to prune rose bushes and annoying vines. They can also be used to cut the grass at the edges of a sidewalk or garden beds. Without pruning shears, your garden will end up looking very messy and disorganized. Try to invest in high quality pruning shears. They tend to have a lifelong guarantee and will almost never rust.

4) Trowel

A trowel is a shovel looking piece of equipment used to dig up dirt to make space for smaller plants. The best ones to buy have an easy grip with rubber material. A trowel with no grip will be difficult to use and will most definitely ruin your garden. Many gardeners will agree that this tool is a must in any gardening arsenal.

5) Spade

A spade is a gardening tool with a long, thick handle and heavy flat blade. This tool is used to dig and move pieces of dirt from one location to another. Spades can also be used to pack down dirt once a plant has been planted.

6) Regular baskets

It is smart to carry a basket with you when you are pruning or weeding. You can put garden debris in it to be thrown out or reused later on. Be sure the basket is lightweight so you will not become fatigued from carrying it around while gardening.

7) Wheelbarrow

A wheelbarrow is a cart with a handle one wheel designed for easy transportation of materials from one location to another. Buying a wheelbarrow will save you a lot of time and effort. This will make life much easier when you need to go to the compost heap.

8) Watering Can

In order to ensure the survival of a plant, you must keep it well watered. You should choose a watering can that has a long spout in order to place water as close to the roots as possible. Without the proper amount of water, your plant will shrivel up and die.

9) Rake

Rakes are commonly used to remove leaves and everyday garden debris. When you are selecting a rake, be sure to check the handle carefully. Keep in mind that smooth wood handle tend to last the longest. Plastic handles will wear away within a few months of usage.

Whether you are beginner or expert gardener, you know the essential importance of garden tools. They help you maintain your garden in a descent manner and help you to grow better plants. The tools listed below are just the main important ones needed for maintenance. You should check your local warehouse for more gardening tools to help you create an even better garden.

Donald Mckenzie Jr has been an avid gardener for more than 10 years. He uses a wide range of different gardening techniques to create award winning gardens. For access to his articles and e-books, please visit his website. http://tips-for-gardeners.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donald_Mckenzie_Jr

Friday, February 1, 2008

10 Tips for Successful Rose Planting

by: Kathy Burns-Millyard

Planting roses isn't actually complicated, as long as you have some good advice and tips to start with...

1. Check with your local gardening center or florist for the best type of roses to grow in you climate. If you are a novice, you should look fo? disease resistant types of roses because they require a lot less maintenance.

2. When planting roses, you want to pick a spot that is well lit in the morning. You also want an area that is sunlit for at least 6 hours a day. Roses need a great deal of light if they are to grow properly. If you live in a really hot climate though, you'll probably get the best results by not planting your roses in direct sunlight.

3. Pick an area that has plenty of well drained soil. Great soil has a PH level where the amount of acid in the soil is at about 5.5-7.0. You can get a testing kit for your soil at any garden center.

4. Organic matter like manure or lime helps to nourish the roots of your roses. You should soak the roots in water or puddle clay for many minutes, and cut off any root's ends that are broken.

5. The first 3-4 weeks after planting your roses, you should water them often. Usually this is when the top 2 inches of soil is dry. Roses need a lot of hydration and food to remain healthy.

6. Four weeks after planting, you should start soaking the bed every 2 weeks or so. You should do this in the morning for the best results.

7. Begin fertilization approximately 3 months after planting. Use 3-6 inches of mulch to control the moisture, temperature, and to stops weeds from coming up. Mulch also helps to lock in the vital nutrients your roses need in order to remain healthy.

8. Planting in the Spring is the best.

9. You want to plant your roses in an area that is well circulated with air. Your roses will not grow in an enclosed or tight area.

10. Dig a hole that is two times bigger than the amount of space that your roses take up. It makes it easier to plant them and creates a spaced area for them to grow with freedom. Poor circulation for your roses can cause fungal diseases. Using a larger hole also makes it easier for you to pull them up later and pot them if you’d like.

About the author:
© 2004, Kathy Burns-Millyard and Garden-Source.com

This article is provided courtesy of - You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.

Circulated by Article Emporium

5 Most Popular Flowers for Your Garden

by: Colin J Smith

When planting a garden there are many questions which you must ask yourself before you begin. Where are you going to plant it, do you have the garden equipment to do so and how big do you want your garden to be? When do flowers bloom and what are their heights? These are all very important questions, however they mean very little if you have not yet decided which types of flowers you want to plant. There are many to choose from and don’t le anybody tell you which ones you can and can’t plant. Gardens are unique and fascinating to look at because each one is unique it its own way.

There are endless possibilities of flowers to choose from but if you are unsure of which types of flowers are known to look best in gardens, keep reading and you will find out. The following is a list of the five most popular types of garden flowers chosen by gardeners from all over the United States:

1. Cosmos - These flowers have the ability to grow anywhere from 12 inches to 4 feet tall. Cosmos are perfect for cutting gardens and are often picked out of gardens and used in flower arrangements.

2. Marigold – Marigolds can be found in yellow, orange, red or a combination of all colors. This type of flower blooms in 45 to 50 days from sowing and very rarely requires additional water than what the rain provides.

3. Morning Glory – Morning glories have heart shaped leaves and are available in a variety of colors including white, blue, red, pink and lavender. This type of flower has the capability to become more than ten feet high.

4. Zinnia – Zinnias are traditional, old fashioned flowers which are constantly blooming all season. If there is not a lot of rain, this type of flower will require watering on a consistent basis but try to get water on the foliage (leaves) as this can cause mold which can potentially cause the plant to die.

5. Sunflowers – There’s no better flower for your garden than the sunflower. Sunflowers have yellowish-orange petal with a black circle in the middle. These flowers can grow to be as tall as 6 feet or possibly even higher depending on the flower itself.

In order for your garden to flourish successfully, you will have to maintain it and keep it healthy on a daily basis. Watering cans, pruning shears, gloves and spades are all types of gardening equipment which will assist you in keeping your garden in good condition. These pieces of equipment are very important and are relatively inexpensive.

The types of flowers you choose will have a large impact on the overall outcome of your garden. The list above was provided as a guideline for novice gardeners who area unsure of which flowers may be most adaptable to a garden atmosphere.

Which flowers you choose will ultimately be your choice and regardless of the kinds or colors of your flowers, your garden will be a wonderful piece of work for everyone to admire.

About the author:
Colin Smith is a freelance write for – a site that features information about patio furniture, wrought iron patio furniture, lawn mowers and more.

Circulated by Article Emporium

6 Indoor Plants That Love The Dark: A Tip From The Garden Center Nursery

by: Flor Buenaventura

It was a long search that took me more than ten years. But finally I found it - the indoor house plant that will brighten up the end of a corridor 5 meters from my front door. The Aspidistra, commonly known as the Cast Iron plant, has graced the drawing rooms of many an otherwise drab Victorian English manor, and now graces my suburban Sydney brick home.

Many gardening experts describe the Aspidistra as one of the toughest and most adaptable house plants. Its long blades of slender dark green or variegated dark green and white leaves shoot straight out from the soil but in clumps and up to 75 cm in height and 15 cm wide.

It is such a low maintenance plant much like an even-tempered woman who does not need any fussing over but still maintains its sweet nature. It needs very low light, average temperature and humidity and just occasional watering.

Other plants that do not need much light

Low-light plants are usually defined as those that can survive in 25 to 75 foot candles - that is, a spot that is 4 to 5 metres from a bright window, just enough light to read by comfortably, but where artificial lighting switched on by day would give a brightening effect.

You can easily find the Aspidistra in your local garden center nursery. In addition, five other plants that will suit very low light situations are the following:

Aglonema (Chinese Evergreen) which are among the few plants that prefer only moderate light and adapt well to low light. It has large dark green oval then tapering leathery leaves later developing a caney base.

Drachaena deremensis varieties (also know as Happy or Fortune Plants) which are slender leafed and usually white variegated. The Drachaena family are caney plants crested with decorative rosettes of straplike foliage.

Holly fern which adapts to low light and Boston fern a fishbone type of fern that will remain in low light for many months but need a spell in brighter light to rejuvenate.

Neanthe Bella or Parlor Palm which is more suited to low light situations than most palms.

Sanseviera (also known as Mother-In-Law’s Tongue) which stands low to very bright light has waxy, erect straplike leaves usually with cream-colored margins and an unusual banding of the grey-green center.

If you are finding it difficult to find a plant that will brighten up that dark corner, why not try one of these hardy and lovely favorites of mine?

About the author:
Flor Buenaventura is a gardening enthusiast who loves sharing information with her fellow gardeners. To see a great collection of garden-related articles and resources, please visit her website.

Circulated by Article Emporium