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Hi everyone
Welcome to this edition of your Gardening Weekly, today's edition is entitled:
Where To Put Your Garden
QUOTE: All good work is done the way ants do things:
Little by little.
- Lafcadio Hearn
Generally the location of your garden will be determined by many factors that cannot be changed such as the location of any buildings on the property. Aside from the obvious constraints that you will need to work with, you will also need to take other factors into consideration.
These factors will include the lie of the land, where the land is shaded or how much sun it gets during the day, the view from the rooms of the house, privacy factors and more.
Before the first plant goes into the garden you need to have a plan of what you want and what you want the garden to do for you in terms of display, privacy, shade etc.
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Without a plan the garden won't have a cohesive flow and that will show when the plants have matured.
You will also need to consider irrigation and drainage as these will determine how well you will be able to manage the soil and whether you will be able to supply the plants with the necessary nutrients over time.
Your decisions might even determine whether your plants will survive and as some plants can be quite expensive, you need to get your research right from the start.
You might even need to consider the proximity of the plants on your neighbors side of the fence as these can also affect the growth of your garden if they are shading your property from the sun, or their roots are taking the nutrition from your soil.
When buying plants, also consider their height when mature as a large tree blocking the view can actually devalue your property.
Once you have a good plan that is well thought out for the long term of your garden you will be ready to start digging, and that's when the fun starts.
Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
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Thanks,
Annie
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Hi everyone
Welcome to this edition of your Gardening Weekly, today's edition is entitled:
Testing the pH of your soil
QUOTE: The rose has thorns only for those who would gather it.
- Chinese Proverb
It is easy to test the pH of the soil in your garden with the use of a simple and inexpensive test kit. All you need to do with the test kit is take a sample of the soil and mix it with water and then compare the results in the sample to the colors on the chart. This will tell you whether the soil is acidic or alkaline.
If the soil is too acidic you can add lime to bring it back into balance. If on the other hand there is too much lime and the pH reading is high you can add more compost to reduce the levels of the lime in the soil.
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Soil that is slightly acidic tends to be more fertile.
Old gardeners used to use a simple taste test to determine the condition of the soil. This method isn't recommended but it can be quite accurate.
If the soil tastes sour then it is likely to be acid. This is also represented by a sour smell.
Vinegar is another way to test whether there is enough lime in the soil, as lime will cause the vinegar to bubble.
Drop some soil into a cup of vinegar and if it starts to bubble then you know there is enough lime in the soil.
For the low cost of a pH tester, you will get a lot more accurate reading and this will allow you to easily monitor the condition of your soils and adjust the nutrients accordingly rather than guessing what is needed and not having optimum nutrition.
You should also take samples at different points throughout your garden, as there can be changes in the soil from one area to the next depending on what has been added over the years and what has been growing in the various sections of the garden.
Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
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Thanks,
Annie
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Hi everyone
Welcome to this edition of your Gardening Weekly, today's edition is entitled:
Themes in Your Garden
QUOTE: Who would have thought it possible that a tiny little flower could preoccupy a person so completely that there simply wasn't room for any other thought….
- Sophie Scholl
It is good to have a theme that you can follow throughout your garden and work on a plan and a selection of plants that will go along with that theme.
By having a theme to follow this will dictate, not only the types of plants that you will be buying, but also anything else that you put in the garden. This will include everything from sculptures and garden furniture, to the colors of the pots that you will choose.
While some people might think this is restricting their freedom of creation, it does in fact allow you to create a garden that has more freedom of flow rather than being disjointed with a variety of different themes that never quite gel together.
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Sometimes the theme of your garden will be determined by the style of the house that you have on the property, and other times it will be determined by the geographical location that you are living in.
If for instance you are living near a beach, you will probably want the theme to tie in with the beach setting. By doing this you are likely to get plants for your garden that are more appropriate and will endure the conditions that they will be growing in.
Plants that are suitable for growing in coastal areas will be able to withstand the winds and the salt of the sea air that could quickly damage other plants that aren't suitable for those conditions.
Likewise it wouldn't look quite as appropriate to have a tropical garden with palms where a cottage garden would compliment the style of the house.
And tropical plants are not going to flourish as well in cold harsh climates so there are many factors that need to be taken into account when deciding on your garden theme.
Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
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Thanks,
Annie
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Hi everyone
Welcome to this edition of your Gardening Weekly, today's edition is entitled:
Gardeners Knees
QUOTE: True friendship is like a rose: we don't realize its beauty until it fades.
- Evelyn Loeb
While gardening can be good for your health, both in body and mind, there are many occasions when your knees might not think the same way.
It often seems a lot easier to kneel down when working on low areas of the garden, but in doing so on a regular basis you can damage the delicate area of the knees causing swelling and ongoing pain from permanent damage.
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If there is no other alternative in your garden than to get down on your knees to work, then it might be time to look the benefits of getting some suitable gardeners kneepads.
These kneepads can be worn comfortably on your knees while working in the garden and the materials in them reduce most of the impact caused by kneeling.
Alternatively you can buy a kneeling platform that you can carry around and place on the ground when you need to kneel down.
Gardening supply manufacturers have realized the demand for products to help in this area and there are new products coming on the market on a regular basis. Even of you are unaffected by problems with kneeling in the garden, it is the long-term damage that you need to be concerned about as it can take years to surface.
It might even be necessary to look at the gardening equipment you are using to see whether you can use longer handled implements that will allow you to do the same work from a standing position.
The more you care for your health and well-being while working in the garden, the longer you will be able to devote to gardening as you age.
The quality gardening tools and implements that are available are a wise investment as they can make your life in the garden a whole lot easier and more enjoyable.
Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
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Thanks,
Annie
My Gardening Home Blog
Hi everyone
Welcome to this edition of your Gardening Weekly, today's edition is entitled:
Paving and Walkways
QUOTE: Every garden-maker should be an artist along his own lines. That is the only possible way to create a garden, irespective of size or wealth
- Vita Sackville-West
Laying good paving and walkways around your garden can add considerably to the number of months during the year when you will be able to enjoy your garden and whether or not you will be able to work in it.
During the wet season, unless you have suitable areas to walk without the ground turning to mush and mud, you won't be able to access your garden to do the necessary maintenance.
Paving can also add to the style of your garden by adding a border that will set off the plants.
It also allows you to add drainage and redirect water that could end up flowing into the garden and causing damage to the plants by letting them get waterlogged.
Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
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Paving is also a good alternative for people who don't like mowing lawn as it is virtually maintenance free if it has been prepared and laid correctly.
Another advantage of paving is the fact that you can transport all your garden needs around the garden more easily when you have a firm surface to run wheel barrows and trolleys on.
You can also place garden furniture on paving if you allow for a little more area and this will enhance your outdoor living space, allowing for excellent and dry entertaining areas throughout the year.
You can get paving quite cheap particularly if you use second hand materials such as bricks.
While this might not sound very appealing, secondhand bricks already have that chipped and weathered look that can look really good when laid as a path and can often blend in with the garden better than new pavers.
One thing that you will need to consider when laying pavers, and particularly when using seconds, is to ensure that the walking surface doesn't have any areas where someone might trip and fall when they are walking.
Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
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Thanks,
Annie
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Hi everyone
Welcome to this edition of your Gardening Weekly, today's edition is entitled:
Watering Your Plants
QUOTE: Don't count the days, make the days count
- Anonymous
Plants are approximately 90% water and therefore it is essential that they get enough water to survive. Gardening is all about balance and that applies to the amount of water your plants need to stay healthy.
Over watering can be as harmful as not giving them enough water. The soil that the plants are growing in is a big factor in the amount of water that you should be giving them. If the soil is heavy and doesn't drain well you will need to give them less water or they could get water logged and the roots can rot. If the soil is a lot freer draining then you might need to water a little more often.
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Too much water can reduce the plants ability to draw oxygen and nutrients from the soil and this is as essential to their growth as the water.
Gentle watering is better than heavy watering with a hose as the higher pressure of the hose can cause the soil to turn to mud. Once the soil dries out again it will become solidified. This compacting of the soil after heavy watering makes it more difficult for the plants to grow.
Soakers are a good method of watering provided the flow of water is not too great.
Soakers are also excellent when using a timed irrigation system so that the plants get sufficient water when you are away and particularly in the hotter months of the year when the soil tends to dry out more often.
If you are using timed irrigation you will need to adjust the timing and the flow of water according to the seasons and always make changes when there have been unseasonal changes to the weather that will require extra care for the plants.
Once again, plants need the human touch to maintain that balance.
Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
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Thanks,
Annie
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Hi everyone
Welcome to this edition of your Gardening Weekly, today's edition is entitled:
Greenhouse for All Seasons
QUOTE: We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.
- Abraham Lincoln
In many climates growing plants in the winter months can become quite frustrating, and if you are finding that you are in that situation then it might be time to consider getting a greenhouse.
Greenhouses are available in many different sizes and there are some very compact versions that will suit most budgets. Having one of these greenhouses tucked away in a sunny corner of your garden will be a godsend when the weather dictates that you would normally have to stay inside rather than venture out into your garden.
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With the added benefit of being able to control damage that might have been caused by birds, insects and the weather, greenhouses can also save you a lot of money in the long term.
They are excellent for growing seedlings and also for extending the season that you will be able to grow particular plants by controlling the climate.
You should always set your greenhouse in a position that gets the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the day while allowing easy access to water and electricity.
If you have a particularly windy property make sure that the door to the greenhouse is facing away from the prevailing wind.
When deciding on the size of greenhouse that you need always try to get the biggest one possible as once you see the benefits of having a greenhouse you might find that you will be wanting more and more room.
That way you will be able to spread out your plants giving them more room to breathe and reducing the risk of disease.
Most good greenhouses come with in-built ventilation systems, which are essential to reduce the temperature when it begins to rise. If you decide to build your own greenhouse, ventilation is one of the most important factors that you need to consider.
Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
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Thanks,
Annie
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Hi everyone
Welcome to this edition of your Gardening Weekly, today's edition is entitled:
Growing in Baskets
QUOTE: We come from the earth, we return to the earth, and in between we garden.
- Anonymous
If you are growing plants in baskets there are a few things that you will need to take care of if the plants are to survive.
Obviously you will need to start with the best and healthiest seeds or plants. It is important that you choose good quality container mix too. There are proprietary hanging basket mixes that you really should use as they have been developed to provide the best growing conditions in these unique situations.
Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
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For aesthetics you will probably want to get the basket looking as 'full' as possible so you will be cramming the plants in. It is best to put the larger plants in the middle of the basket with smaller plants trailing out to the edges and the sides.
The larger the basket the better chance your plants will have to survive and they will also require less maintenance.
As with all plants no matter where they are growing water will be essential and with baskets more care is required than normal.
You can place a water trough between the plants and the liner to maintain a place to hold water that would normally seep through the liner.
In warmer weather you will need to water the plants more often and this is best handled with a long watering wand, which makes reaching the plants easier.
Occasionally, where you have baskets that are easily moved, you can soak the entire basket in a tub of water.
If the basket has been quite dry you will need to soak it until the bubbles stop rising.
Always use quality liquid plant feed to ensure your plants are getting all the nutrients that they require.
To prevent the plants from drying out in the sun and the wind aim to get maximum foliage coverage.
If you take the time to give your basket plants the additional care that they need, you will be rewarded with a pleasant addition to any living area.
Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
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Thanks,
Annie
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Hi everyone
Welcome to this edition of your Gardening Weekly, today's edition is entitled:
Garden Lighting
QUOTE: Where flowers bloom so does hope.
- Lady Bird Johnson
Garden Lighting is a great way to make use of your garden at night and to add an impressive display for outdoor living. Most garden lighting is very affordable these days and many of the products that are on the market can be installed quite easily by the home gardener.
You can light areas where you will be sitting, or outdoor dining areas, or you might just want the lighting for effect where you can shine the light on feature trees or plants in the garden.
Garden lighting can also add a degree of safety to your property by lighting steps and walking areas.
You can use this lighting to assist people to find entrances to your house and even use it for security purposes where the lights can come on automatically if there are intruders on the property.
Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
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The range of lighting equipment that is available these days will allow you to create almost any effect that you desire in your garden.
Before buying any lighting for your garden it is best to decide what the purpose of your lights will be. You will need to create a plan that will determine which areas need lighting for safety and where you want lights for dramatic effect such as up lights on a specimen tree.
Once you have a plan for the lights you will be ready to choose and decide on what style suits the style of your house and garden.
You can get professional help or install the lighting yourself as most garden lighting runs on low voltage for safety and there are kits that make installation very easy.
If you want the lighting for ponds and pools then additional care will be needed as safety is a concern with water and electricity and in these situations it is wise to get a professional to do the installation.
Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
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Thanks,
Annie
My Gardening Home Blog
Hi everyone
Welcome to this edition of your Gardening Weekly, today's edition is entitled:
Pruning
QUOTE: When gardeners garden, it is not just plants that grow, but the gardeners themselves.
- Ken Druse
Most plants will remain healthier and stronger if they are pruned occasionally.
Trees will bear more fruit if they are pruned and plants such as roses will have more blossoms and not become 'woody' if they are pruned correctly.
Bushes and hedges can also benefit from pruning as this can reduce or eliminate the possibility of diseases and problems with pests.
By removing the old growth you will allow new growth to flourish as new shoots are allowed to come through.
For many people pruning is a hobby or an art form where they can create interesting shapes with their plants. This is made easier when done on plants that have smaller more tightly bunched leaves.
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For most of us however pruning is all about controlling and improving the health and condition of our plants. By removing the dead wood and those parts of the plants that are struggling to survive we are allowing the nutrients to be used better by the rest of the plant.
You should always use sharp pruning shears to ensure you make clean cuts. Look for areas of plants that show signs of fungal infection and remove those first.
You can thin out plants to allow more air to flow through them by reducing the incidence of fungus and rot.
Topping trees and trimming hedges will help them to 'thicken out' with more lush foliage and stop them getting 'woody'
Some plants thrive better when they get regular pruning while helping to maintain their shape and condition.
With summer plants it is best to prune them in the winter when they are dormant. If by chance they flower early the pruning should be left until after they have flowered.
The more pruning you do the more you will get a feel for what is required but if in doubt seek the advice of a garden professional.
Website Of Interest. Check out the following:
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Thanks,
Annie
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