Garden Tips & Resources

Archive for June, 2009

When it comes to gardening plants, there are too many to name. Gardening plants can refer to flowers, shrubs, herbs, vegetables, fruits, and many more. There are also gardening plants that are in season at different times of the year, some in fall and winter, others in spring and summer. Whatever type of gardening you decide is your forte; there are plenty of gardening plants available to suit your preferences.

If you want gardening plants that you can actually use instead of just look at, vegetables, herbs, and fruits are all very satisfying. Edible plants add an excitement to gardening because of the produce available at harvest time. The main vegetables grown in smaller, home gardens as well as larger ones include corn, peas, cucumbers, potatoes, squash, peppers, onions, carrots, spinach, lettuce, and beets. Popular fruits are pears, plums, tomatoes, blueberries, apricots, cherries, and strawberries. Herbs are used for their wonderful fragrances, to spice up a salad, and in cooking. Herbs that are often home grown include thyme, sage, dill, mint, lavender, and chives.

It is fairly easy to have a colorful garden in the spring and summer months, but it is a whole different ball-game during the cold, winter months. Even though it is difficult, with planning and a little more care you can have a colorful garden year round. One gardening plant that thrives in the fall and winter months is the Rudbeckia, a beautiful yellow perennial. Others include the Christmas rose, the Japanese Anemone, and Cosmos.

When you think of flowers you automatically think of a spring garden full of many different, beautiful colors. Spring and summer gardening plants are some of the prettiest things on earth and give inspiration to all who grow them. Some of the most grown spring plants are tulips, daffodils, and violets. Favorites of the warmer months of summer are lilies, dahlias, and roses.

When gardening, many people will opt for decorative grasses or shrubs. Monkey grass is an all time favorite, especially for a sidewalk. These will gardening plants can be for looks, can act as a border or fence, and can be used for privacy. Shrubs are easy to take care of and add a defining look to any yard or garden.

There are so many different kinds of gardening plants available. Many gardening plants actually have a purpose and can be used, whereas many of them are just for looks. The kind of gardening plant you choose to have in your garden is completely up to you, but remember, no matter what kind it is, it will require some maintenance and without proper care you will end up with a garden full of just dirt.

Isn’t it exciting to get all super creative in the landscape during summer and blow up flowers left and right? You can also get great lawn care info on our site.

What we do not really take the time to check out often enough are the things we should avoid when creating a summer garden. Learning the potential pitfalls of summer gardening can often lead to much better results in the long run while allowing you to learn these sometimes painful lessons from the mistakes of others rather than your own personal gardening flops and nightmares.

One thing that we are all guilty of is landscaping for the neighbor’s enjoyment.

If you spend the vast majority of your free time in the great outdoors, this is one thing but if you are like the typical family you spend the vast majority of your time inside your home looking out.

For this reason it is wise to plant your summer garden in an area that you can easily view from within the walls of your home rather than in an area that only the neighbors are likely to see on an average day. In other words, garden for your enjoyment and make it so that you actually get to view the benefits of your labor on any given day.

Don’t jack up your front yard with a bunch of “stuff.” Keep your summer garden on scale with your lawn. It will look completely out of place if you have too much in garden on a postage stamp lot and will look completely under maintained to have very little landscaping in your summer garden on a lot the size of a grand estate. Try to keep everything in perspective and appropriate to the amount of land available as well as the climate of the area in which you are planning your summer garden.

On the flip side, you don’t want to make it look like a miss-mash of stuff that has no clear plan or direction. Planning is the most important thing you can do for your summer garden.

Without a good course of action upon which to work, the design of your summer garden your garden is doomed to either fail or look as though it was poorly planned and executed. Invest the largest portion of time and energy towards the planning stage of your summer garden in order to achieve the best possible results.

Watch out for what you do and keep your mind’s eye on 5 or 6 years down the road. What is that plant gonna do over the seasons? If you are not interested in heavy maintenance it makes little sense to purchase plants and flowers that are high maintenance by nature. Select plants according to your summer garden needs and not simply because you think they look good in a brochure or on the store shelves.

If you take a little time to make a concerted effort towards properly planning your summer gardens according to your personal tastes and the desired level of maintenance you wish to invest in keeping your garden in top form you will find that you will enjoy your garden much more than if you throw some plants in the ground and hope for the best. One thing to remember is that while there are summer gardens that require a little less maintenance than others there is no such thing as a no maintenance garden.

If you take time to build it, you need to take time to love and care for it too… no kidding! Now get out there and get planting!
You may also consider adding hammocks just to top it all off.

Roses have gotten a bad wrap over the years for being difficult to grow and maintain. If you are thinking of rose gardening don’t let this rumor stop you. While rose gardening can prove to be challenging, once you get the hang of it, it really isn’t that bad.

When you first start rose gardening, you will have to choose what type of rose you wish to plant, and no, I’m not talking about the color. You will have to choose between bare-root, pre-packaged, and container-grown roses. Bare-root roses are sold in the winter and early spring. They should be planted as soon as frosts are over and the ground is warm and workable. Pre-packaged roses are bare-root plants that are sold in a bad or box with something around the roots to retain moisture, such as sawdust. Container-grown roses are grown; you guessed it, in containers. They will be either budding or already in bloom when they become available in the early spring.

Planting in rose gardening is not that much different than any other type of plant. The most important thing, as always, is good, healthy soil and a prime planting area. It doesn’t matter whether your roses are bare-root or container-grown, the planting methods are the same as any other shrub. Make sure the spot you choose has good drainage, gets plenty of sunlight, and will not overcrowd your roses. Before planting, any dead leaves and thin or decayed shoots need to be cut off. Any damaged or very long roots also need to be trimmed. Soak bare-root roses in water about 10-12 hours to restore moisture in the roots before planting and water the soil before planting as well. Make sure the hole you have dug is large enough for the root growth of the rose. Also it is a good idea to use compost or mulch. After all, roses like extra nutrients just like any other plant.

Roses need the same things as other plants; they are just a bit needier. One of the most important things to remember in rose gardening is that roses are heavy feeders and will need several fertilizer applications. Fertilizing should be started in early spring and discontinued in early fall. Make sure not to over-fertilize (fertilize should come with instructions) and water after each feeding. Roses require large amounts of water; a thorough watering twice a week should be enough.

Pruning is an essential part to flower gardening. It increases blooms and encourages healthy plant growth. Different varieties of roses have different instructions for pruning, so you might want to read up on your rose types and see what is suggested.

The main thing to remember in rose gardening is to water, water, and water some more. One other thing about rose gardening is the amount of fertilizer and nutrients you will need to use, and the pruning that needs to be done to keep your roses under control and healthy. Even though rose gardening takes a little more time and roses are more work, they are one of the most unique and beautiful plants, and definitely worth the extra work.

Look guys, you can plant your plants this weekend, but you may want to decide on a fair and balanced garden plan ahead of time. Get some info on lawn fertilizing schedule on our blog site now!

Once you have a line on the things you want to plant, where you want to plant them, and what the needs of your individual plants will be it is time to really dig in and get your hands dirty. Of course, for many gardeners this is the best thing about growing a summer garden (though some will argue that the results are the best thing). Either way, many gardeners relish the idea of getting their hands in the dirt in order to really get their garden underway.

Before the planting begins however you should take a calendar and mark the days that each part of your summer garden will be planted.

Different flowers and vegetables have different growing seasons. Some prosper by earlier plantings while others prosper by later plantings. If you are planting a summer vegetable garden then it is quite possible that some of the plants will need a precise number of days between planting and harvesting. Both the plant and harvest days should be noted. This also however provides an excellent opportunity to plant more of the vegetable (and some flowers) every two weeks to provide a continuous rotation of the vegetable you love well into the gardening season.

So if you want to use shrubs that take up big areas in your garden, you may decide to train them up a wire, pole or lattice area. This will save you some issues in the future.

space is limited, this is highly recommended. Doing this also provides an opportunity to shade plants that prefer less direct sunlight when planted next to these climbing vines that are climbing vertically. Also make sure you have enough stakes for all the plants that require them for best effect.

Plant your plants so that those needing shade get the shade they need and those that require the most water are located on a downward slope so that they get the water that runs off from the plants that require lesser amounts of water. This is a trick of conservationists and seasoned gardeners that makes the most of sometimes limited resources such as water for the purpose of creating a better environment for optimal growth. At the same time you want to avoid planting vegetables and flowers that require less water at the bottom of these slopes as they are likely to become over hydrated, which can be just as devastating as not getting enough water.

Make sure your soil is healthy so that it can create the healthy plants you are hoping to have. Fertilize the soil in which these plants, flowers, and vegetables will be grown. This provides the foundation necessary for optimal performance from your plants and greatest yield from your vegetables.

You should also take great care once the planting has taken place that the plants, flowers, and vegetables that make up your summer garden are well fed in order to produce even better results.

There are plenty of fertilizers and plant foods from which to choose be sure to check local laws in order to make sure you aren’t using a combination that is not recommended for your region or that is not permissible in your reason as this is often strictly regulated from one state to the next.

Plan your pest control before you begin planting your garden.

There are some plants, flowers, and herbs that work as natural pest controls. These make an excellent addition to your garden as they offer no harmful side effect and can rid your garden of many of the pests that provide constant head aches.

Another thing you may wish to consider is the use of chicken wire to protect some of your plants from things a little bigger than the average bug. The more humane the methods of pest control and the less you rely on pesticides the better.
Organic pesticides are also a big deal these days. Going green and natural is an important way to look out for the environment and your garden. You can get great info on organic yard care on our new site!

Craftsman is among the leaders in makers of lawn mower and lawn tractor parts; they are, therefore, a name you can put your faith in. But, as a conscientious consumer, you need to look into a few factors as you purchase Craftsman lawn tractor parts. Buying cheap Craftsman lawn tractor parts is not enough. For all you know, these may not be the original ones that are best fitted for your lawn tractor. Quality should be of utmost concern when purchasing Craftsman lawn tractor parts.

You know you’ll get quality Craftsman lawn tractor parts if you buy them straight from the manufacturer. It can be a little difficult knowing if you are purchasing the right parts from your local gardening center or hardware store. If buying from a manufacturer is not an option, research retailers on the internet to find one offering high quality Craftsman lawn tractor parts at rock-bottom prices. When looking for retailers, make sure that they have a good reputation and that this is supported by positive reviews and comments from their previous customers.

Research the Craftsman lawn tractor parts’ warranties. Original lawn tractor parts include warranties, ensuring the company’s willingness to take responsibility for factory damage the part may have. If your lawn tractor part is broken and is still under warranty, you can trade it for a new part or have it repaired at no cost to you. Manufacturers ensure that their products are of good quality using warranties.

It is recommended to ask for advice regarding the quality of your newly-purchased Craftsman lawn tractor parts from an approved dealership of the lawn tractor. The people here are very much familiar with the products that you purchased as well as the model of your tractor, so they are certainly well-versed when it comes to assessing the quality of a lawn tractor part. It may be expensive to consult them initially, but at least you will know that the Craftsman parts you purchase will fit your lawn tractor.

It is possible to purchase second-hand Craftsman lawn tractor parts, but since their quality is questionable, you should proceed cautiously. People sell secondhand parts for a reason; make sure that reason isn’t that the parts are broken or malfunctioning. Even though second-hand parts are initially cheaper, you may pay more money over time, because of the need to get them repaired. Avoid the bother and opt to purchase quality, all new Craftsman lawn tractor parts. Check out http://www.lawncaremart.com/ for more info.

Surely you have been outside to mow the lawn already a few times this year. So how is that beast you call a lawn mower holding up? If you need a new one, read this! You can also check out our lawn care tips blog for great lawn care info as well.

First, study your lawn. Is it large? Does it have several oddly shaped areas? Is it heavily landscaped? All of these factors will determine what type of lawnmower you should buy.

If you have a small lawn, you might invest in a simple push mower. These come with several advantages: They don’t require gas or electricity. If their blades are kept sharp, they deliver a nice cut. They also tend to be cheaper than gas or electric lawnmowers.

However, if you have a large lawn, you might need to move up to a gas or electric mower. Pushing a push mower does require some effort. You might find that it takes too much effort if you have a large, spacious lawn.

Gas mowers are the most common type of mower for residential use. They deliver a nice cut, and are easy to maneuver around tight corners or landscaped areas. If you use a gas mower, you also won’t find yourself tripping over a power cord.

There are drawbacks, of course. For one thing, gas mowers are louder than are electric ones. And dealing with gas can be a hassle. You have to constantly monitor how much fuel is in your mower’s tank. If you have young children, you also have to make sure that they can’t get at your gas tank.

Electric lawnmowers are a popular alternative to gas mowers. Most of these mowers have to be plugged into an outlet. Once they are, they can run until your lawn is completely mowed. You won’t have to worry about filling up your gas tank or running out of fuel. Electric mowers are also generally quieter than are gas versions.

However, if you have a particularly long lawn, you’ll need to hook up several extension cords to power your electric mower. This can be a hassle. You also have to constantly maneuver around your power cord when you’re mowing, something else that can be a bit of a pain.

Finally, you might want to invest in a rechargeable electric mower. These are more costly than traditional electric or gas mowers. But you simply have to charge these mowers for a certain period of time – by plugging them into an electrical outlet – and you can mow without worrying about power cords or gas.

Whatever you do, get out and get it going now because that mower is gonna get a big workout this season for sure! Get more info on Chicago lawn services on our site.