What is Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is one of the newest techniques in gardening. It is designed to eliminate or reduce the need for supplemental irrigation and promoted in areas where there is lack of fresh water.
Unfortunately, not all plants are ideal for xeriscaping. In the US, this can only work for agave, cactus, juniper, lavender, sedum and thyme.
But if such plants are suited to your environment, you can reap the benefits like lowering your water bills, using the water supply for other purpo
ses, less maintenance for the plants and little or no lawn mowing.
The disadvantages are it will take some time prepare beds to start planting them, not all neighborhoods permit the planting of non-traditional plants especially in residential areas, since you don’t use water that much weeds will soon grow in your lawn and the beds once prepared have to be maintained that happens to be more challenging that edging or mowing.
If you want to try xeriscaping, study your terrain first and then decide if it is feasible. For instance, in California, people there have realized that plants from the northern regions of California are not suitable for plants coming from the desert south. This means you have to consult some first so you don’t waste your time and money.
Should it be feasible to use xeriscaping in the area, the advantages that were mentioned earlier will take place.
Aside from using plants that consume water only found in the US, you might even want to try other species that come from Africa, Australia or Southern Europe. Chances are, these might already be available at the gardening store as these were already imported by someone who is also encouraging gardeners to practice xeriscaping.
But xeriscaping is gaining popularity. This is now being encouraged both by municipal and state agencies in the Western US. You will notice this on the exterior of buildings as well as within the regional parks. Each state has already made a list of what plants can survive a given area so you don’t have to ask around anymore when you can get this information from the experts.
Allowing these plants to grow without even giving them enough water has reduced the cost in maintenance and has even provided a habitat to various creatures like the hummingbird and the butterfly.
To make this look good with your home, landscape experts compliment the plants used with rock garden arrangements that have creeping groundcovers and succulents that can provide color, height, texture, and a seasonal variety equivalent to conventional ornamentals.
But won’t this make the lawn look bear since we are accustomed to bushes and grass? The answer is no because it can be substituted with herbaceous perennials, and deciduous or coniferous shrubs. You can also use buffalo grass and blue gamma grass which does not consume that much water compared to bluegrass.
You can even help this grow by using mulch that is made of bark chips, pine needles, wood grindings, composted cotton burrs or gravel and decomposed granite.
So how do you start xeriscaping at home? Before you do anything, it is best do some research and then come up with a plan.
When this has been laid out, it will probably be a good idea to consult an irrigation professional for advice on your new watering system because this technique still requires you to use water anymore to keep the plants alive.
From there you can already put the walkway and then add the plants one by one to the sides of your garden.
Is it cheaper to do xeriscaping compared to regular landscaping? The answer is no because the prices of the plants and the services of a contractor are pretty much the same. The only difference is that you don’t have to pay that much anymore for maintenance costs since the plants do not need that much water which helps lower your water bill.
Xeriscaping can be done. You just have to check if this can work where you reside and then invest a certain amount of money to remodel your entire garden. In time, your neighbors and friends will compliment you on what you did and may even want to do same thing for their garden.
Container Gardening Ideas
Perhaps you’re wondering how you can start and you need some container gardening ideas.
This is great for those who have very limited space. For instance, if you live in an apartment, you can make use of some good container gardening ideas. The containers can be placed near the window or on the terrace so that the plants can get enough sunlight. If you want to try it, read this article so that you won’t have a hard time in creating a container garden.
It’s really quite simple. You need to purchase pots for the plants or you can use the ones you already have. If you want, you can use your creativity to create attractive plastic containers. After that, you can now buy new plants and compost. Once you’ve planted them on the plastic containers, don’t forget to add water. Having a miniature garden in your own home can create a pleasant atmosphere.
Now, the whole process seems very simple but when you’re already doing the actual thing, it’s a bit different. If you’re just starting out in gardening, this type of gardening is a good choice.
In the recent years, container gardening became very popular. One reason is that there are lots of containers to choose from with different designs, colors, and sizes. You will surely be able to choose a container that will suit your personal taste and preference. Another reason is that you can choose among the many plants that you can plant in them.
Beautiful plants and flowers are attractive and they can create a relaxing atmosphere at home. If you want an instant home garden, these container gardening ideas can give you what you need.
Are you convinced to start container gardening?
First, visit the local garden store in your area. Check out their plant displays, specifically the ones suitable for container gardening. Try to inquire about the growth requirements of the plants you’re interested to buy. The store owner will gladly provide the necessary information you need. You can find pots in the store. Make sure that you purchase the right-sized pot for a certain plant.
Some plants prefer small space but some plants need a larger space to expand. The drainage of the pot should also be checked; proper drainage can prevent the roots of the plants from rotting especially if you’ve watered the plants too much. Use the appropriate kind of compost for each plant. You see, plants are unique and you need to meet their special conditions.
These are just a few tips and container gardening ideas… just let your imagination take over and you’ll soon be beautifying your living space.
Attractive Container Gardening
You can now start gardening in your balconies, rooftops, and along the streets through container gardening. You don’t need a whole yard space just to have beautiful and attractive plants. With container gardening, you can now accentuate the patio or deck with colorful containers and pots with annuals. You can plant rose shrubs in window boxes or you can plant small perennials. Creating a small garden is really fascinating and it all depends on your creativity.
You can establish a color scheme if you like. When the plant has already finished flowering, you can replace it with another plant. You can try contrasting colors and varying plant heights. Plants can be grouped together according to the texture and shape of their leaves. Just use your imagination and creativity and you can create mini-garden that is more beautiful than large gardens.
Tall plants with strap leaves can be used as a background of wide-leafed and low growing plants. It would be best to choose a plant that bears flowers for long seasons but you can get ones that can be replaced after blooming. The choice is really up to you.
There are lots of garden containers to choose from and you can experiment on them. You don’t have to purchase all the containers. If you have an old copper urn or porcelain bowl, you can turn them into plant pots. Tiles and timber can be converted into plant containers. Ready-made containers are widely available in plant or garden stores. Some of the most attractive pots are made from terracotta but before you use them, apply a coating first so that water is not absorbed by the pot. This is one way to ensure that your container gardening plant will not dry out.
There are cheap containers and plant pots sold in the market like the plastic ones. You need to ensure that the pots or containers are sold together with drips so that the floors are not stained.
Try to get a good quality potting mix so that the plants grow healthy. Doorsteps can be accented with colorful pots with beautiful plants to create a welcoming or cozy atmosphere. The positioning of the plants is vital so that you can get the appropriate plants. Plants that need a lot of sunlight should be positioned on an area where sunlight is available. Large rooted plants are not suitable for container gardening. Gardening in containers entails a lot of work. Prepare first.
Gardening without Commercial Fertilizers
If you’re into vegetable gardening, then you’ve probably heard about Mittleider Method. Some gardeners claim that this method is far better than organic system because it uses mineral nutrients (all-natural) to eliminate pests and weeds without using herbicides or pesticides. Gardeners take no chances when using this method unlike others who depend on unknown compost and manure compositions.
The methods sustainability is being questioned by some gardeners. You see, Mittleider Method is primarily based on modern fertilizers. This is a common misconception. You see, the method is not reliant on the availability of commercial fertilizers. Fertilizers are widely available, regardless of your location. To increase the yield, you can use natural mineral fertilizers. There are online stores that sell the micro-nutrients like growfood.com and other reputable sites.
Here’s a very good example of gardening without commercial fertilizers.
Get a barrel (about 55-gallons) and a burlap bag. After that, try to find horse or cow manure and put it inside the burlap bag; you can use turkey or chicken manure but get only less as these are hotter than the horse/cow manure. Put the bag of manure inside the barrel and pour water in it. Soak the manure tea for a day and then the following day, you can already use it when watering your plants. You need to replace the manure tea and the used manure can be dumped on the garden to improve the tilt of the soil. All of this without the use of commercial fertilizers
The crops should be planted a few feet away from each other so that there will be less competition over the nutrients. Water the plants with the manure tea every day. This is suitable for small gardens because you will still need to find horse/cow manure. If you can’t find manure, you can use human wastes and kitchen scraps. You can put it in a compost (in place of commercial fertilizers) and place it in burlap bags to make manure tea.
This method of gardening is excellent for growing vegetables, berries, herb garden, and tomatoes. Some gardeners call the method the hydroponics of a poor man. You can double the yield every year.
You don’t need to use commercial fertilizers just to increase your annual yield. If you’re patient and hard working, you can try this method of gardening. With animal manure, you can already create a natural fertilizer which can help in the growth of your plants. Choose the vegetables and crops best suited in your climate and use the manure tea every day. It’s a bit gross but it is effective.
Biodynamic Gardening
Biodynamic gardening involves advanced methods that can benefit people. It is believed that the moons phases have a considerable impact on most gardening operations. Nature has wonders and it can help in making you a better gardener. If you can determine the secrets of nature, you may be able to uncover deeper resources. Perhaps this is the perfect time to learn about biodynamic gardening.
Rudolf Steiner introduced biodynamic gardening way back in 1924. This system embraces the soils living ecology. It takes into consideration the cosmos elements and its interaction with the community of plants. The products that you can get from biodynamic gardening are far better than the products of organic gardening. Through the biodynamic system, the products are more nutritious and vital. Plants don’t depend entirely on physical enrichment but it needs enhancement from the etheric level. This can be accomplished through homeopathic preparations. Such preparations can be given to plants through spray and soil implants.
Science has its wonders but in gardening, you should use common sense and that’s what biodynamic gardening is all about, science and common sense. If you try to learn about this system, you can better understand ecology and the environment you’re currently living. It can be said that the system is a combination of scientific and spiritual approach of agriculture. If you’re ready to take gardening to a different level, biodynamic gardening is the thing for you.
To some, shifting from pure common sense gardening to the biodynamic system can be a bit hard. If you want, you can start by opting for organic gardening. In organic gardening, you will not be using chemicals but only natural materials. It is believed that organic gardening can produce natural products that can benefit the health of many people, especially those with health problems. If you’re trying to avoid certain foods that contain chemicals, you can opt for products of organic gardening.
Once you’ve mastered organic gardening, you can now start with biodynamic gardening. Firstly, you need to learn about the system. You can read books, eBooks, and other sources of information about biodynamic gardening. Once you’re equipped with adequate amount of knowledge, you can now start gardening using the system. As long as your mind accepts the entire systems mechanics, you can be successful. Prepare your yard now and get ready for planting using the new agricultural system.
About Water Gardens
What do you think should people know about the water garden? Well aside from also being known as an aquatic garden or pond, it has been around for years dating back more than 2000 years.
Water gardens are man made features. Most of the time, these are usually combined with a pool that has aquatic plants and fish. To make it look good, a few other fixed items are installed like a fountain, a statuary or a waterfall.
There are many things to consider when you decide to have a water garden. The first is deciding what type of pond you want to build. Will this contain fish or just plants? These details have to be put into consideration so you don’t make a pond that is too small which limits the number of fish or plants that you can put inside.
But is a koi pond the same as a water garden? The answer is no because a koi pond has fishes and perhaps a few rocks. No plants are able to survive if you try to put them inside because the fishes will just eat them.
Another difference between a koi pond and a water garden is that a koi pond is bigger because these fishes grow as they get older. Ideally, this should contain 1000 gallons of water and must be between 3 to 5 feet in depth. If you want fish and plants inside the water garden, the best fish to have are gold fish.
Once you have decided what kind of water garden you want, you can already move to the next step which is selecting the proper location.
The ideal place to put it inside your home is the backyard. This should also be situated in a place that will not be overflowed with rain otherwise it could flood the pond and make the fish come out.
You should also avoid putting the pond too close to the tress so falling leaves and other debris don’t land in the water. This should also be placed in an area that will get between 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily especially if you plan to grow water lilies.
Don’t forget to also have a pump as this will keep the plants healthy and make sure your filter, fountain or waterfall is working. The best one to get is a biological filter.
Water gardens come in different sizes. If you have not decided on its size or shape, you can do so now by using some rope or a water hose to lay out the shape on the ground.
Next, you work on the ideal depth of the pond. Ideally, it should be 2 feet deep if you plan to grow both goldfishes and water lilies. But is this depth the same regardless where you live? The answer is no. If you live in a cold climate, it should be deeper to prevent from the pond from freezing during the winter.
The bigger the water garden, the better because it is more stable and easier to maintain. If after plotting it with a rope you think that you are satisfied with size, just remember that the finished pond will be 30% smaller so you should give some allowance.
Once you have figured that out, you can now start building the water garden by digging on the ground. We mentioned earlier about filters so once the hole is ready, have these installed these in their proper locations.
The most important thing to put in the water garden is the pond underlayment. This will make sure that the water placed inside will not sink into the ground. Once this is placed, get some rubber pond liner and put it along the edges. If there are folds as you are putting it, don’t worry because it should flatten when water is added. To make the water garden complete, you now add the water, the plants and the fish.
You will not be able to make a water garden on your own and chances are, you will call a contractor to do the work. If you are able to come up with a plan, they will not have a hard time taking care of the rest.
Basic Gardening
Many housewives are into basic gardening. Even men and kids are taking interest in this worthwhile hobby. The size of the garden is not important so whether you have a small or large gardening space, you can make it more attractive for the family to enjoy. Gardens add to the homes beauty. The benefits of basic gardening are many and because of this, more and more people are now interested to try it out.
Every day, you encounter stressful events. One way to unwind is to work in your home garden. Hectic lifestyle can consume all your energy but if you spend more time out in the garden, you can achieve tranquility and peace.
Since you’re closer to nature, you will feel the serenity and quietness of the home garden. All your senses will be utilized when you’re into gardening. You can feel the soils texture and that of plants. You can smell fragrant flowers and the scent of fresh fruits and vegetables. You can admire the beauty of the different flowers and plants. Try to listen to the humming of birds nearby and the soft rustles of the leaves when the wind blows.
You can express your inner feelings through basic gardening. You can bring out your creativity and your wild imaginations.
Gardening is enriching, rewarding, and fun. Did you know that gardens are considered as extensions of your lives and homes? It reflects your personality. If you have a beautiful garden, it tends to tell other people that you’re a good person. You will feel pleasure and fulfillment when you see your garden thriving with life. When the fruits become ripe or when the flowers bloom, you will feel satisfaction and great joy.
For those who hate to exercise or do the usual workouts every day, basic gardening can already provide your body with the needed exercise. You can walk in your garden and at the same time, be able to relax. The whole family can enjoy gardening so let everyone participate.
You can work on different varieties of plants, shrubs, trees, vegetables, and flowering plants. There are lots of plant species that you can try and experiment on your garden.
Online information resources can help you in picking the right plant species for your particular region. Gardening is a continuous learning experience. Every day, you can learn something new.
Add a touch of beauty to your home.
Basic gardening is a rewarding activity. Learn more about it and start working on your own garden.
About Organic Gardening
What would you like to know about organic gardening? There are a lot of interesting facts regarding this technique and perhaps the most interesting is that it has been used by farmers for hundreds of years.
Naturally, you want to know more than its history. This is because a lot of people are talking about it and more vegetables with the “organically grown†label are being sold in supermarkets.
But first what is organic gardening? It is simply the practice of growing crops without the use of fertilizers or pesticides. Nature does most of the work so once you plant these into the ground, you rely mostly on the sun, water and some organic fertilizers to help these grow until it is time to harvest.
Organic gardening like traditional gardening is still threatened by pests. Since pesticides are not used, you have to create an organic pest management system.
You can use insects, caterpillars, microbial pesticides and certain plants that will provide security to your crops. If you are practicing organic farming in the farm, you may also use livestock, birds and toads.
To make sure that the soil is always fertile, farmers should practice crop rotation which is planting a certain variety of fruits and vegetables each quarter and then replacing it with another variant which is designed to control the nutrient levels.
Aside from crop rotation, organic farming can also be done by applying compost, manure and cover cropping.
Compost can be homemade by simply recycling trash and then mixing this with the soil. The same can be done with manure. But if getting your hands dirty is not your thing, both can be purchased from the gardening store.
Cover cropping is basically planting certain plants together with your other crops. It is very similar to crop rotation. The only difference is that the plants used are annual, biennial, or perennial.
For those who insist on using fertilizers, there are now processed versions that are environmental friendly such as seed meal and other mineral powders like rock phosphate and greensand that are natural forms of potash.
People who decide to go into organic gardening are required to follow certain standards set by the US Department of Agriculture. These guidelines are very similar to what was introduced by the European Commission since 1991.
But the governing body which tells the other organizations how it must be done is the International Federation of Organic Agriculture or IFOAM that has been in operation since 1972.
It is no joke when people say that organic gardening is labor intensive. This is because you simply rely on Mother Nature for the most part when you decided to stop using fertilizers and pesticides which gives more nitrates and nutrients.
Although for a time it did produce higher yields, the harmful chemicals that are used are absorbed by the crops. It may be cleaned and washed but it remains as a threat that is harmful to anyone who consumes it.
This is why more and more people are switching to organic gardening. An additional benefit is that it helps the environment.
You might get the impression that organic farming can only be done outdoors but this is not true. If this is planted in a pot, it can be done inside the home. Just make sure you are using a mixture of peat, perlite and vermiculite. It still needs to be watered regularly because its survival is dependent on the fact that it is moist and not damp. Don’t forget that it needs sunlight especially if this is done indoors so put the pot by the window.
Organic gardening is easy and you can do it in your own backyard or indoors. The only things you will need are some gardening tools, some seeds and the ideal location to make sure your crops get sufficient amounts of water and sunlight.
You can get all your organic gardening supplies at the local store or online. When you start planting, try working at night rather than during the day especially when you know that it is about to rain because the seedlings or plants will need a lot of water to adjust to the new environment.
About Herb Gardening
Herb gardening has been practiced for years. In fact, Chinese history has revealed that this was used as early as 2700 B.C. Aside from using it for medicinal purposes, people have also used this to add flavor to what they concoct in the kitchen.
The interesting thing about herb gardening is that it is not that different from planting flowers or vegetables in your garden because you still need to prepare the soil and then plant it into the ground so this will grow.
Since there are no so many herbs around, you have to decide first which herbs you want to plant. For beginners, you can start with basil, dill, oregano, rosemary and sage since these are all easy to grow in containers, require little maintenance and are adaptable for a wide variety of dishes.
Herbs can be planted on the soil or in containers. For those who will be planting these on the soil, make sure you plot the area first before putting these in. While drawing it on a piece of paper is good, why don’t you place pegs, rocks, or other markers to outline the shape of the garden plot? This will give you an idea how it looks like when the herbs finally grow.
It will also be a good idea to mix some flowers to add color so it will look good even when you see this from afar.
If it is hard for you to visualize, buy a few samples and then see how it looks. You can surely take back what you don’t need and exchange these for those that you will end up using.
For those who will use a container, make sure that it is food-safe and made of plastic. Keep in mind that terra cotta pots can also be used. Some people are able to put two or more herbs in one pot. If the herb you are planting is a large plant, don’t even try it and grow these in separate pots.
The best place to buy herbs is in a nursery. There, you can buy a plant that is almost fully grown or one that is still a seed.
The problem with some seeds is that it takes weeks before it grows. On the other hand, there are also some seeds that quickly grow so you have to do some research to find out how fast it grows.
Aside from choosing what to plant when herb gardening, attention must also be given to the type of soil where this will be placed. Ideally, you should work with soil that is sandy because this will provide good drainage for your herbs.
If you are using the proper soil, the only thing to do now is make sure your herbs are getting sufficient amounts of sunlight.
Unlike fruits, you don’t have to harvest the herbs all at once. You should only get it sparingly so these will still be good whenever you mix this with whatever you are cooking.
One thing you should know about herbs is that not all plants are compatible with others. This is because some of these herbs have a negative biochemical reaction with certain plants around them so you have to be careful.
Aside from using the right soil and giving your mulch sunlight, it will also be good if you add mulch. You can make this yourself using some garbage or buying this from the store.
Herb gardening is interesting because it can be used for a lot of things. You can use it for food, as an alternative to medication or even for aromatherapy.
One threat you should always be on the lookout for are pests like red spider mites and aphids. You can get rid of them by mixing castile soap and water then spraying this over the herbs or putting a few other insects that will do the job of getting rid of them.
There are many ways to use the herbs and it can be used fresh or dried. It really depends what you will be using it for because you can even soak this in oil.
So what are you waiting for? Go to the nursery and get some herbs so you can begin your own herb gardening.
About Container Gardening
What should you know about container gardening?
While we can talk about its history, people are more interested in its advantages compared to planting flowers or other plants in the soil. To give you an idea, here are some of the pros.
First, using containers for gardening allows you to plant stuff even if you are living in an apartment or a mobile home. This means limited space is not a hindrance if you want to grow flowers, fruit, herbs, shrubs and even vegetables.
Container gardening offers you mobility since a container placed in section of your can be moved to a new spot in a matter of seconds. If the plants have already grown making it difficult to carry, you can buy a garden dolly to help transport it around.
Pests are the greatest threat against plants. If you were able to catch it before this spreads to the other plants, you can isolate that plant from the others and then deal with the problem. Aside from using a herbicide or getting the help of other insects, you can also rearrange the plants since some of these happen to repel pests.
Container gardening can also help decorate the interior of the house. There are many plants to choose from and you can surely complement this with the overall color of the room.
An example will be to use a collection of yellow and blue bloomers, such as Calendula, heliotrope and pansies which are sure to cheer your day. If you want to some plants in your balcony or patio, you can use either Sedum or Sempervivum.
People who have never tried container gardening before should start with a handful of plants before buying more. This will give you time to figure out which ones are nice and which ones are not.
There are three types of flowers namely annual, biannual and perennial. Gardeners who plant these in containers usually go for either annuals or perennials.
The nice thing about annuals is that it grows from a seed in one growing season while perennials will last for a few years before these are replaced. The most popular annuals are marigolds and petunias because these add color to any room.
If you decide to plant perennials, you should know that these need more care and attention compared to annuals. So just take your pick and then see what happens.
But container gardening is not focused just on what plants you should be buying. You should also pay attention to the containers that will be used. The rule of thumb when choosing a container is that this should complement the plant both aesthetically and functionally.
For those who want to grow strawberries, ideally you should be using a terra-cotta planter that has special holes through which you can cultivate your fruit or herbs. There are many examples that we can discuss but you get the point. Do research about the plant first then select the container.
The containers we keep talking about come in different shapes, sizes, color and material. The ones most commonly used are plastic and terra cotta. Going back to those who live in apartments, a good choice to use are window boxes also made of plastic or wood.
Aside from those you put on a shelf or on the floor, there are also containers you can use through which you can hang a plant. These are made of wire or wood. Just be sure not to put these over a table or any other furniture because water will drip down and damage it.
One of the biggest problems of container gardening is keeping the soil inside the container since it could get washed every time you pour water. Fortunately, you can deal with that by putting a handful of rocks, pebbles, charcoal or Styrofoam in the bottom as this allows water to drain through the soil keeping the soil inside the container.
Container gardening is very easy. Once you have successfully grown a handful of them, you can already expand your collection since you already have an idea what works and what you think should be added.
Don’t be afraid to try planting something new one in awhile so you can expand your gardening experience.