Posted on May 21, 2009 under Best Perennials |
Perennials are those flowers which reliably bloom year after year. They die back to the ground each winter after flourishing for a full growing season only to reemerge again in the spring. They’re also noted for their texture and vibrant colors. Generally, perennials are a bit maintenance though there are those require almost no maintenance. These perennials are some the easiest to care for. They also provide colorful flowers and long lasting foliage.
Daylilies are a very common perennial which do remarkably well with very little maintenance. Their flowers, which are available in a wide range of colors, bloom on stocks which grow up from clumps of long pointed foliage. A profuse bloomer, daylilies flower for weeks. They prefer a bit of shade in the afternoon when the sun is strongest.
Iris is one the first perennials to emerge in the spring. Its purple or white flowers are an essential in the spring garden. Iris grows in spreading clumps which increase in size each year. When their finished blooming, iris will provide the perennial garden with striking foliage through the summer.
Hosta is an extraordinarily hardy and durable perennial. They can grow for an entire season with very little care. Hosta provides the garden with mounds of lush foliage and striking purple or white flower. Hosta is also very adaptable and versatile and can be used in a variety of garden situations. They’re effective as an edging plant and when grown among other flowers in a perennial bed. Hosta is great for shade and part shade gardens.
Astilbe is one of best perennials for the shade or part shade garden. They prefer organic soils and protection from the afternoon sun as dry soils and direct sun tend to cause withering in the plant. Astilbe has finely cut, fern like foliage and pink, white, or peach colored flowers. Astilble may require dividing every few years to encourage healthy blooms as they will often out grow their spot in the garden.
Geranium, a great perennial for the border garden, is a vigorous grower and flowers abundantly. With its spreading habit and profuse flowering abilities, geranium provides the garden with pink, white or purple flowers through mid-summer. Geranium is a wonderful edging plant in a full sun perennial border. Geranium is able to thrive for years with very little maintenance.
Asters bloom in fall and are effective in both the formal perennial garden and the wildflower meadow. Asters bloom in a variety of colors including, white, pink and purple. They are great addition to any perennial border.
Black eyed Susan can tolerate poor soils and survive extreme conditions such as heat and drought. The challenge with black eyed Susan isn’t growing them its keeping them from taking over your garden. As a vigorous grower, they require dividing every few years. Their tall stems produce bright yellow flowers bloom in summer which last though early fall.
Sedum autumn joy is a wonderful fall flowering perennial. It grows clumps which grow larger year after year. Its blooms are tones of pink and not deadheaded, they turn a rusty brown which can add winter interest to the garden. Sedum autumn joy also provides the garden with beautiful lush foliage in the summer.
While these perennials are easy to grow, there are a few very basic maintenance guidelines to follow which will help your garden flourish. In the summer, deadheading the perennials the process of clipping off the spent blooms, in necessary to encourage new blooms. As your perennials grow larger and begin to crowd each other, they may require dividing. Dividing perennials is easily the best way to increase your plant stock. Simply dig the perennial you intend to divide out of the ground making sure to dig out as much of the root system as possible. Take a shovel and chop or divide the plant in half and then replant each half.
Before planting your flowers, observe the conditions of your garden so you can determine what will work best for you. Have a plan or list in hand before you head out to the greenhouse. Once planted, these perennials will provide years of gardening enjoyment.
anonymous
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/gardening-with-easy-care-perennials-87624.html
Posted on Mar 11, 2010 under Gardening Tips |
Bell peppers need nutrient rich soil. They do best in well drained soil, and lots of sun. Raised beds are great for bell peppers, with good topsoil, compost, and rotted manure mixed in.
Your bell peppers grow into small bushes, and need lots of air circulation. Give them enough room by spacing them between 12 and 18 inches apart, and in rows at least 24 to 36 inches apart.
Bell peppers need lots of water during germination. You’ll need to keep them moist but not soggy. If they don’t get enough water, they’ll have a bitter taste. You can use mulches to help keep the soil moist.
You’ll know that your bell peppers are ready to harvest when they turn their final color. They can be red, orange, yellow, green, or purple depending on the variety. The more you harvest, the more will grow, so pick them regularly.
Watermelons
Plant your watermelon after the soil is warm and there’s no danger of frost. Watermelons grow best on a sandy soil, and it’s important to plant them on raised mounds.
Watermelon vines need lots of space. Plant seeds one inch deep in hills spaced 6 feet apart. Make your rows 7 to 10 feet apart. After the seedlings start sprouting, it’s a good idea to thin them to about three plants per hill.
Watermelons have deep roots, so you seldom need to water them. In cooler areas, you can get floating row covers, drip irrigation and black plastic mulch to help produce a great crop in a short season.
Watermelons can be hard to tell when they’re ripe. Here’s a list of things to look for:
# Light green, curly tendrils on the stem
# Surface color of the fruit turns dull
# the skin is tough and resist the thumbnail
# The bottom turns a yellowish color.
Pumpkins
Pumpkins are sensitive to grow. The seeds need warm soil, and frost can really injure the seedlings. If you want pumpkins for Halloween, plant the seeds from late May in northern locations to early July in southern places.
Pumpkins need a minimum of 50 to 100 square feet per hill. Plant seeds one inch deep, and four or five seeds per hill. Allow 5 to 6 feet between hills, spaced in rows 10 to 15 feet apart. Once they have sprouted, thin each hill to the best two or three plants.
Pumpkin plants need to be kept weed-free by hoeing and shallow cultivation. They do okay with short periods of hot, dry weather.
You’ll know when your pumpkins are ready to be harvested when they are a deep, solid orange, and the rind is hard. This will usually be in late September or early October, before heavy frosts. Cut the pumpkins carefully, using pruning shears or a sharp knife, and leave 3 to 4 inches of stem attached.
Summer Squash
Summer squash needs warm, fertile, and aerated soil. They do well with soil that has compost or well-rotted manure added to it.
One way to grow summer squash is to plant them in a corner of the garden and train the vines to grow outside of the garden. Plant them about 2 feet apart and in rows that are 2 feet apart.
Summer squash need lots of water throughout the growing season. Water them deeply during dry spells. Only water the roots; not the foliage. Watering them early morning helps prevent mildew.
Summer squash are ready to harvest when they turn their mature color (usually green or yellow). Straightneck, crookneck, and zucchini summer squash are ready when they reach 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter, while scallop summer squash are ideal at 3 to 4 inches in diameter.
Strawberries
Plant your strawberries in the spring. If you’re planting young plants, be sure that they’re certified and disease frees. Select plants with large crowns with healthy, light-colored roots. Prepare your soil with 1-2 inches of organic matter (like compost, or well rotted manure).
To plant your strawberry plants, make a hole big enough to spread the roots. Make the center of the hole into a hill, and place the crown at soil level. Spread the roots downward, and bury the strawberry plant so that the soil goes half way up the crown.
Your strawberries will need 1 to 2 inches of water per week. This is especially important during the formation of the strawberry, from early bloom until it’s time to pick them.
Pick your strawberries when they’re fully ripened. This means leaving the berries on the plant for a day or two after they are fully colored. To pick them, snap the stem directly above the berry, rather than pulling on the berry itself.
Allan Wilson
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/gardening-tips-for-growing-bell-peppers-and-strawberries-129846.html
Posted on Mar 11, 2010 under Best Vegetables |
Posted on Mar 11, 2010 under Best Tomatoes |
The tomato originated in the Andes, South America where tomatoes grow wild. It is believed that they were first cultivated by the Aztecs and Incas, possibly as early as 700 AD. The tomato plant arrived in Europe in the 16th century, supposedly brought back from Central America by the Spanish Conquistadors, although another legend suggests that two Jesuit priests took them to Italy from Mexico.
At that time tomatoes were also known as wolf’s peach and Peruvian apple. In the UK, the Elizabethans thought the bright red colour of tomatoes was a danger signal and regarded them as dangerous fruits. In fact, it is true that tomatoes are related to the nightshade family.
Tomatoes are sub-tropical plants and therefore require a full sun position when grown in temperate zones. A position against a wall or fence will give an even better chance of success as long as they can receive sufficient water.
Tomato plants grow very well in raised beds, they appreciate the soil conditions which provide moisture without water-logging.
Two or three weeks before planting, dig the soil over and incorporate as much organic matter, such as compost or well rotted manure, as possible. The aim is to make the soil able to retain the moisture needed so much by tomatoes.
Tomatoes are unable to tolerate any degree of frost, the timing for planting or sowing outside is therefore key to successfully growing tomatoes. If the tomato seeds are to be sown directly outside (not really suitable in cooler climates), they must be sown when the soil temperature is (and will remain) above 10C (50F) - any lower and the seeds will not germinate. In practical terms this normally means 3 weeks after the last frost date in your area.
Where the seeds are sown under cover (poly tunnels or cloches) or indoors, aim to sow the seeds so that they reach the stage where they can be transplanted outside, three weeks after the last frost date.
Tomato plants plants take roughly 7 weeks from sowing to reach the transplanting stage and they should be transplanted outside one or two weeks after your last frost date. Therefore you should sow them 7 weeks before you plan to transplant them outside.
Bush varieties do well for cultivation outdoors because they require no pruning for most of the season. Remove any yellow or decaying foliage as soon as possible to avoid the spread of disease.
If your bush tomatoes become too large to support themselves, either trim out a few major branches or add more support canes - the side branches can then be tied into the additional support canes. Limit the number of trusses of tomatoes to seven or eight by pinching out any surplus ones.
Upright varieties are commonly cultivated in pots, grow-bags, the greenhouse and sometimes outdoors in open soil. When the first fruits begin to form, the plant will produce side-shoots in between the main stem and the leaf stems.
These side shoots should be removed by pinching them out with the fingers. If allowed to grow they will produce a mass of foliage but few tomatoes. Any shoots which have been overlooked and allowed to grow should also be removed.
Lower leaves which show any signs of yellowing should also be removed to avoid the risk of infection.
When the plant has developed six or seven trusses of tomatoes (normally around July time), ’stop’ the plant by breaking off the growing tip. If any more than seven trusses of tomatoes begins to develop, pinch them out to encourage the plant to produce good quality tomatoes rather than an abundance of low quality late-maturing fruit.
Pick as soon as the fruits are ripe (colour and size will identify this) for the best flavour - eat as soon as possible. This also encourages the production of more fruit. As soon as a frost threatens, harvest all the fruit immediately and ripen them on a window sill. With upright varieties, it is possible to gently flatten the plants onto the soil and cover with horticultural fleece to protect them from the frost.
gardeningm
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/growing-tomatoes-in-the-home-garden-682688.html
Posted on Mar 11, 2010 under Best Seeds |
It used to be that men didn\’t like to use creams and cosmetics for their own beauty and skin care, but times are changing and most men realize how important is to maintain a good looking skin, not just for vanity but for health.
However most wrinkle creams were made for women and there was no special attention to what men needed to improve their skin appearance, but now there are skin care lines made just for men that improve skin brightness, smoothness, reduce wrinkles and other imperfections.
Although the skins of men and women are similar, the have some subtle differences that should be noticed, is not recommended for a man to use a skin care cream of a women.
The skin of a man is more rough, more prone to redness and inflammation.
Men wrinkle creams Warnings:
However before choosing a wrinkle cream men should know the same warnings that are given a to a women that wants to buy anti aging creams for their skin.
You should only buy creams that are made of natural or pure organic ingredients like plant extracts, seeds, water, flowers, etc.
You should avoid any anti wrinkle cream that is made of harsh chemicals like petrolatum, parabens, alcohol, fragrances and others.
Anti oxidants are essential for any skin cream because they have to protect your skin from toxins and destroy free radicals that hurt the skin tissue.
Read the labels before buying any cream so you can be aware of what ingredients it contains and what chemicals too.
If you are not sure if a specific product is safe to use on your skin, you can search for product reviews on the internet at amazon.com and on forums or you can ask your dermatologist so he can advice you correctly.
Wrinkle creams can be very effective in naturally reducing the signs of aging but you need to use only natural creams that are going to improve your skin appearance not just in the short term but in the long term overall health of your skin.
Ray A. Rubio
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/best-wrinkle-cream-for-men-taking-back-the-clock-691770.html
Posted on Mar 11, 2010 under Best Perennials |
Posted on Mar 11, 2010 under Best For Garden |
For most landscapers, the unique beauty and spirit of something made by hand, constructed, and shaped, emphasizes the joy of creating. And even if it means having a small garden to work with, every landscaper knows the value of enjoying their craft and mastering their skills.
Having a small garden to work on does not necessarily mean less details and minor work. What should matter most is to closely assess each detail to come up with the best result.
Working on a small garden is never a problem to most landscape designers. Whether the area is large or small, the sales continue to have a gradual annual growth increase of 8% for the last five years.
In addition, from 1997 to 2002 alone, landscaping sales achieved a growth rate of almost $40 billion. This shows that the landscape designers know how to hone their craft well, regardless of the size of the area they work on.
Generally, when people describe small gardens, they refer to those areas that have straight walls, borders, lines, and/or walks. Then a problem is created because small gardens tend to create an impression of being dull, rigid, and boring. The goal of landscaping should delve into how to make the garden look alive, larger, and more appealing.
The Main Concept
The very core of landscaping a small garden is based on how a landscaper can make the most of the size of the area through plant selection.
With a small garden, having the right kind and size of plants is crucial to the outcome of the whole project.
Size is an important factor because the size of the plants that will be used in the garden should project an image of a bigger space, even if the area is quite small. The color, shape, and texture of the plantings should be coordinated.
It is best to use curves to create a visible flow to the design. Since small gardens tend to have rigid, straight lines, it is best to have curves to open up the garden to reveal its natural beauty. It is also important to create illusions that will give a small garden an effect of being larger.
Considering these, landscaping a small garden will never be a daunting task. As they say, it is all in the details. So whether it is a small or a large garden, landscape designers always take note of the details in the design.
Joey Simmons
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/making-your-small-garden-beautiful-675703.html
Posted on Mar 11, 2010 under Best Vegetables |
I am just wondering which veggies give you the biggest bang for your buck and time. Also, what tend to grown the best in Michigan. I only have a small garden, about 5 feet by 20 feet.
Green beans are the simplest to grow. The seeds are cheap and the plants will grow in almost every location. Tomatoes are also a good option. Peppers, peas, zucchini, acorn and butternut squash, cucumbers would also work well. Just look for bush varieties or space-saver varieties to maximize your garden space.
The following link has lots of good info about garden planning and soil prep. They also have tons of good tips and advice for planting, watering, fertilizing, harvesting and storing a wide variety of different vegetables. There’s even stuff about diagnosing and curing common pest and disease problems, along with recipes, etc… Good luck!
http://www.backyard-vegetable-gardening.com/index.html
Posted on Mar 11, 2010 under Best Seeds |
Whats a good drink or two from Jamba Juice that I can drink without getting my mouth full of seeds. best to get could be a drink or a modified drink. Do Rasberrys, blueberrys, Strawberrys all have seeds in the jamba juice?
i enjoy the banana berry drink, has no seeds, also the aloha pineapple is good
you can ask them before ordering for drinks without seeds
Posted on Mar 11, 2010 under Best Tomatoes |
I’ve had no luck the past few years. I’ve tried beefsteak tomatoes with no results . They flower but never get any tomatoes ..I want a medium or larger size tomato.
I’m in MA so am not sure what you conditions are like. I assumed it gets quite hot there and you don’t have as much rainfall as here si googled.
Here is a list of tomato cultivars for hot climates:
http://www.naturalhub.com/grow_vegetable_cultivars_tomato.htm