Important Kinds of Garden Plants
Gardening is performed by people of all ages in all parts of the world. For some people, gardening is considered an enjoyable hobby or recreation, but to others it is their occupation. They grow vegetables to feed their families, as well as help to feed the rest of the world.
Gardening helps to make a person appreciate beauty. Like all living things, plants need the proper amounts of food, water and sunshine in order to flourish. When the proper elements are not provided to plants, they will not grow in a healthy manner. When a gardener fails to provide enough water during a very dry spell, then the garden will not survive. Plants are living things that deserve the best of care by the gardener in order to grow into healthy, beautiful plants.
There are many kinds of plants, but the ones important in gardening fall into four primary classes, which are: trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables.
Trees: Evergreens are used most of the time near and around homes. They are often used as a border or screen and are beautiful during winter and summer months. Deciduous trees are trees that drop their leaves during the winter and are often used in landscaping yard areas. They grow tall and are wide spread which gives a great deal of shade. There are flowering deciduous trees, like the magnolias and dogwood that add beauty to their surroundings. Orchard fruit trees give both food and beautiful spring blossoms. There are also nut trees, like the pecan tree, that provides shade and food. Have you ever tasted a delicious pecan pie?
Shrubs: Evergreen shrubs are used as borders and the most popular are: arborvitae, junipers and cedars. Many have cones or berries and their color is always green year round. The broad leaf evergreen shrub, like the azalea, is very popular planted in groups in shady areas of the flower garden. The deciduous shrubs are also popular because of their beautiful flowers. They often bear berries, which attracts the birds and the blooms are colorful during the winter months. Lilac and hawthorn shrubs are the most common.
Flowers: There are three important kinds of flowers in your flower garden.
- Perennials: These plants live from year to year. They may look like they did not make it through the winter and frost killed them, but when spring comes they will return to life. Favorites are: Bleeding Heart, Delphinium and Hardy Chrysanthemum.
- Biennials: These plants live for two seasons before they die off. When they are planted in the early spring, many of them will bloom the first summer continue to live during the winter and then bloom again the second summer. Favorites are: Sweet William, Forget-me-nots and Hollyhocks.
- Annuals: These plants come to full maturity the first season and then die. You will need to plant the seeds for annuals every spring, keep them watered well and they will bloom through the summer and fall before dying. Favorites are: Petunias, Marigolds and Zinnias.
Vegetables: There are annual and perennial vegetables. Annual vegetables have roots like beets and carrots. Some hardy annual vegetables can be planted in early spring, but others that are considered tender plants would need to be planted when the ground is warm. Some perennial vegetable plants are asparagus and rhubarb. These plants stay in the ground and produce food year after year.
In order to have a successful garden, you will need to take extra special care by checking the soil and locating the best spot for planting so that there will be enough direct sunlight (unless the plants need shady areas) and moist ground. Planting in an area where the ground is moist but well drained is the best place. It takes patience and experience to grow a garden, but in time you will become a successful gardener enjoying nature and watching your garden grow.
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Raised Bed Garden Kits - Grow a Garden Without the Pain
Raised bed gardens are a great way to start gardening without a lot of the pain. You can either make a raised bed garden from scrap materials, or build one from kit. Here’s a look at some of the options.
Some of the biggest problems with gardening are finding a good spot with good soil to get started, and the ongoing need to spend a lot of time in the garden bending and stooping to prepare the soil, and weed the garden. In addition to this, you may have issues with your soil like poor drainage or soil borne diseases. One way to get around most of these problems is to use a raised garden bed.
One other advantage to using raised gardens is that the crop yield will tend to be higher because you will be using intensive gardening techniques like wide row planting or square foot gardening. This cuts back on the amount of watering and fertilization needed for gardening as well. You can get higher yields because you don’t need space for the rows to walk in between plants, and the closer spacing of the plants helps suppress weeds. In addition, since you aren’t walking on the soil, your avoid soil compaction, so over the years you enhance the root development of your crops.
You can build raised bed garden yourself from scrap lumber, although you may find that your scrap lumber doesn’t hold up as well as more expensive wood like cedar. If you choose to build your own, one common way to simplify the job is to use raised bed corners. Making sturdy corners is the hardest part of the job of building a bed, and these cut out a large part of the job. They also make it easy to stack boards to increase the height of the bed. With these you can easily tailor the bed to your specific needs, even building a bed that has some shape other than rectangular. Hex shaped beds are a popular option, useful for building around a featured item in the landscape like a tree or a flagpole.
If you want to buy a raised bed garden kit, you’ll find that cedar bed gardens are some of the most popular. Cedar is a long lasting wood, it resists insects well, and is quite attractive. These beds are also found as raised planters, and beds raised to almost waist height can really eliminate the pain associated with working in the garden. Add a small platform underneath, and you don’t even need to walk to the shed to get your tools.
For something a little less expensive, take a look at the vinyl or plastic bed kits. Some are made from recycled plastic, and come in a number of colors so they can blend with any yard. The brown is often fashioned to look like a real timber bed, but come in sections that can be extended.
For an interesting change of pace, some plastic raised beds are built to look they are built from rock. Coming in straight or curved sections, they are made of a lightweight composite, but appear as natural rock. Much cheaper and easier than rock, but definitely a change of pace from traditional raised gardens. These typically come in gray finish.
For more on all sorts of information on raised bed gardening like raised garden kits, including cedar raised garden beds, you can go to http://raised-garden-bed-kits.comArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/raised-bed-garden-kits-grow-a-garden-without-the-pain-892750.html
History of Hydroponics Gardening
History reveals that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon is a big evidence of a hydroponic garden. Moreover, the Aztec Indians in the now Mexico had a system of growing crops on rafts. These rafts are in shallow lakes that you can still see in floating gardens near Mexico City. Therefore, history shows the great significance of hydroponic system of growing plants even in ancient times.
Developments with hydroponics did not however take place in Europe until 1699 when Woodward discovered it. He found out that he can grow plants in a solution of water to which soil had been added.
On the other hand, Liebig, a German scientist, originated using nutrient solutions to study the nutritional requirements of plants in the 1850’s. It was then followed by Sachs in 1860. Knop also did some studies of nutrient elements in water solutions in 1861. They grew plants in nutrients-rich solutions with mineral salts. This does away with the soil as a main requirement for growing crops.
Many researches on the nutritional requirements of plants extended through even until the 1870’s. By 1925, practical applications of hydroponics were being introduced for the vast development in the greenhouse industry.
The next decade followed with the wide growth as scientists grown mindful of the prospective development of producing hydroponically to sustain the food supply with rapid growth in population. Developments remained and the commercial use of hydroponics opened worldwide gradually. But it was the N.F.T. method by Dr Alan Cooper in the 1970’s, along with improved nutritional formulations, that successfully made the hydroponic growing of a wide range of plants commercially possible.
Hydroponics has grown rapidly since the Aztecs and it has become an important method of producing crops in areas of the World where water is precious and land futile for growing plants. With conscious, well maintained hydroponic crops, we can be assured that farming high quality crops can be
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Garden Arbor & Pergola Designs
When planning a landscape design, garden structures such as arbors and pergolas are wonderful elements to incorporate. These structures not only provide a strong focal point in the landscape, but they can also be utilitarian as well, serving many purposes that vary depending on the size and design used. Garden arbors and pergolas can range in size from as small as 24 inches to as large as 10 or 20 feet across. In this article, we’ll discuss some varying arbor and pergola designs, and how you can use these structures to your advantage when planning an overall landscape or garden design.
When we talk about the design of a garden arbor or pergola, we’re talking about the material as much as anything. The type of material used in making the structure will have a big impact on the look and use of the end product. There are three primary materials used for garden arbors and pergolas: wood, metal, and plastic. All three materials have their pros and cons, as we will explain.
Wood is probably the oldest type of material that has historically been used for constructing arbors and pergolas. It is inexpensive, readily available, and can be easily cut. Furthermore, wood can be stained or painted to match another existing structure, such as the house, shed or garage. One downfall of wood is that it does decay over time. Wood can also harbor certain types of pests, and it will eventually rot, splinter, and crack. The types of wood that can be used in an arbor or pergola are almost endless, but generally it’s a good idea to look for a wood that weathers well and resists decay, such as cedar. For a rustic look, consider using log cedar. For a very basic, rudimentary structure, you could even use fallen timber, branches, and twigs tied together.
Plastic arbors and pergolas can be purchased in almost every color imaginable. When choosing a vinyl unit, be sure to look for a plastic that is treated with a UV inhibitor, so it won’t fade or discolor over time. Vinyl is a good choice if you want your end product to be relatively maintenance free, because it won’t need to be stained or painted. A vinyl arbor or pergola typically lends itself to a clean and modern design. White vinyl can be an especially attractive choice for an outdoor wedding in the spring or summer.
Metal arbors and pergolas are probably the most durable and long-lasting choice. In terms of their design and style, many have an almost gothic appearance, and they tend to mesh well with wrought iron gates and fences. There are many types of metal to choose from, including iron, steel, and aluminum. Depending on the type of metal chosen, you may encounter rust on the structure over time. A good powder coat paint finish will slow this process. Aluminum can be a good choice because it will not rust like steel, and it is also lightweight and extremely durable.
Another consideration that will play into your design choice is whether the arbor or pergola will serve a functional purpose. Arbors and pergolas can be merely aesthetic design elements, placed in the corner of a yard or garden simply because they are visually pleasing. On the other hand, if you design them correctly, they can also provide an excellent support for climbing plants and vines. Consider designing an arbor or pergola with horizontal pieces beginning close to the ground and continuing upward. Climbing plants such as morning glory, trumpet vine, and clematis will quickly make the structure their new home, adding another dimension of beauty. Arbors and pergolas can also be used to shade a patio or walkway. If you build a structure large enough to span a deck or patio, consider planting grapes or some other vine that will quickly encompass the structure, as this will help shade the area underneath. Arbors and pergolas can also be designed with garden benches or swings underneath to provide an additional seating area in the yard.
There are as many different ways to design a garden arbor or pergola as there are uses for the structures; the choices are almost endless. By taking into consideration the type of material that best meets your needs and the purpose, if any, that the structure will serve, you will come up with a design that compliments your yard beautifully. Remember, an arbor or pergola is a large and important element in your landscape design. Take the time to choose a unit that’s right for you, and you will be rewarded with a beautiful structure that will grace your garden for years to come.
Ellen Bell works for Home Products ‘n’ More, a retail website offering a wide selection of garden arbor kits and pergolas. Visit us at http://www.homeproductsnmore.com/Garden_Arbor_s/629.htm Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/garden-arbor-pergola-designs-888712.html
Hydroponics Gardening, an Effortless Gardening
Effortless Hydroponics Gardening! When I first heard about it, could not believe or accept this. How can the plants survive without the Soil or water or sunlight? Is there any magic formula? If that could be possible then every one grows their favorite fruit or flower tree in their house interiors. But, then Hydroponics gardening has proved us that it can be done.
What is meant by Hydroponics? Well! Hydroponics simply says that the plants can be grown without the necessity of soil. The Plants will be grown with nutrients. Plants need nutrients for its survival & growth not soil. These hydroponics nutrients are nothing but small quantities of magnesium, potassium, calcium, sulfur, iron; copper & zinc which are tonic to the plants & no requirement of soil. The roots of the plants are dipped in nutrient solution rich in minerals or having a mixture of mineral wool, gravel or perlite. One will be truly amazed after seeing this process & will be keen to try the same in their homes.
Then we may ask ourselves this question, is the soil having no purpose in the hydroponics gardening? Of course it has. The Soil is used to provide strength to the roots as the plants grows. In fact, in natural gardening also the plants use the soil to strengthen their roots & search for nutrients & water. A considerable amount time goes there in the search for those nutrients. This search is not there in hydroponics gardening since the nutrients are first fed to the plants & this makes the growing fasted then the normal gardening process. The roots in hydroponics plants also grow faster as they get ample supply of oxygen unlike in the normal horticulture process where the roots get lesser supply since they remain in soil.
Do we require Hydroponics gardening? So, the question comes do we require Hydroponics gardening? Well, then I would say Yes. * Today, most of the countries or in far off places there is huge water scarcity or lesser water, in such places the hydroponics gardening is a boon to those people for growing fruits or vegetables. * They only need to provide the plants with the required nutrients & nothing else. So, no more cultivation or those long labor hours spent in those dry farm lands. * Also it’s a benefit for those people living in rocky or dessert lands where this is very economic way to get the produce.
The above reason has hold good that hydroponics gardening is benefit in water scarcity areas.
The next advantage is for all those garden lovers who would love have their favorite rose plant or a small vegetable garden of their but are not able to have it due to lack of space etc.Today, cities are more crowded & lack space. The people leaving in houses mostly lack garden space. Well, with Hydroponics Gardening they need not worry. * One can place their desired plants in few pots that are stuffed with the nutrients & can place or hang them in their house interiors. * If one may have the doubt that Plants require sunlight & how can these plants grow in the interiors where sunlight is not reached. Well! No problem, the light emitted from those tube lights is enough for these plants.
So, go ahead & grow your favorite vegetable or fruit in the house tops or the window boxes of your houses.
The practice of hydroponics gardening Today, the practice of hydroponics gardening has been rapid with positive results obtained in several global countries & experts have also mentioned that is has several advantages over the conventional method of gardening.
* Another advantage of the hydroponics gardening is the crops or plants being freed from diseases. Soil is the gateway to allow many diseases or insects damaging the plants. In the normal horticulture process, the farmers have to spray or mix pesticides to kill the diseases. * This process is not only costly but also kills the natural taste of the fruits or vegetables. Imagine having the feeling & taste of chlorine or magnesium in your mouth when you have a bite of the fruits grown here. * As soil is not required in hydroponics gardening, the plants are free from getting attacked with such diseases. * The other advantage is no water logging in case of this. Water logging leads to rotting to plants & this is mostly found in the agricultural lands when there is excess of rain or water flow.
So, vegetables or fruits grown by the process of hydroponics gardening are fresh, reliable & healthy. The gardening process is very simple, easy & clean. One need not take a larger space & is also requires minimum care & effort.
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