The Cayenne Uprising! Even though my jalapenos flowered first it was too hot and they dropped their flowers (almost 100 °F or 38 °C) Now that its a little cooler the ones that survived are showing off. Aphids are a constant battle. Always checking under the leaves for them. Finaly got my first tomato flower but still no fruit. Cilantro and dill all but died. Rosemary is slow but actually growing. After the video I topped the basil and gave it a trim. I want to encourage it to bush out, not up. I don’t need it being to top heavy. I’ll have another update when we harvest our first pepper!
Video Rating: 5 / 5
Apartment Garden Update 4
Effective Way To Deal With Garden Pests
Effective Way To Deal With Garden Pests
We all know that one of the most disgusting things that can happen in gardening is to deal with garden pests. Sometimes, we are always guarding every petal of our flowering plants just to make it sure that they will be safe from attacks. Too often, we fail on this and we just see out plants having holes made by these pests. Slugs, worms, caterpillars, snails, are some pests that we have to deal with. Though, we can not make our garden to be totally pest-free, still it is better that you do something to even just minimize their damage.
One of the worst things that your garden may have are insects; they can live beneath the soil, piles of leaves or old weeds or in any other area. To be able to eliminate garden pests, or even just lessen them, on thing that you must do is to put out all things that can be used by these insects as their shelter. You need to remove old leaves, weeds and any other foreign matter. This garden pest control is effective for your garden improvement.
Another garden pest control strategy is, by using dormant way to keep under control destructive insects. It is best effective to use dormant spray for your dormant plants, this is usually on, between February and March. Dormant spray can make wonder for your garden. However, it needs to follow correctly all the instructions to wipe-out insects effectively.
Another pest problem, aside from insects, are birds. Sometimes, I found my self chasing them away but then, they are still returning. One thing you can do to deal with birds is to put bird feeder somewhere in your garden to divert there attention from destroying your garden because they eat what is in the bird feeder instead. Not only can bird feeder keep birds outside your garden but they can also add attraction.
If you see mount of dirt within your yard and your plants are slowly dieing, then gopher can be expected to have hit your garden. One effective method to get deal with this insect is to set traps. By locating their locations, their tunnel, you can set-up you gopher trapping device. Another way to control this kind of insect is to utilize smoke bombs, place them in the gopher tunnel to spread smoke in their hide-outs. You can also make an organic garden pest control.
If you think that your garden is being attacked with garden pests, do your best to establish a garden pest control strategy to make your garden free from this problem and achieve your goal.
Bercle George is an expert gardener and has published an excellent greenhouse gardening resource at http://www.greenhousemanagement101.com/
How to Plant a Vegetable Garden : How to Grow Squash in a Vegetable Garden
Learn how to grow squash in your vegetable garden in this free online video guide to vegetable gardening. Expert: Scott Reil Contact: www.safelawns.org Bio: Scott Reil is an accredited nurseryman and longtime horticulturalist with over two decades of experience in the field. Scott is now working for www.safelawns.org. Filmmaker: Christian Munoz-Donoso
Dealing With Caterpillars And Your Garden
Dealing With Caterpillars And Your Garden
Butterflies, especially the colourfully marked types are very pretty to watch as the undulate through the summer breezes but there are certain varieties that can cause losses in your vegetable garden.
The cabbage white butterfly
The main culprit is the cabbage white butterfly which is mostly attracted to a chemical emitted from the leaves of brassicas. The brassica group covers such vegetables as cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower. The butterfly lands on these plants and in itself is harmless but the eggs it deposits are the problem, or what eventually emerges from these eggs. Emerging quite soon after are the dreaded caterpillars which are hairy and about 3 to 4 cm long.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars are the larvae or the young of the butterfly; this is the main feeding and growth stage of the butterflies’ life cycle. As most vegetable growers know caterpillars are very hungry and a small handful can turn a head of cabbage into a skeleton within a day or two. Infested leaves are quite toxic to animals and humans even if washed thoroughly.
Control methods
So how can you battle against the caterpillars, well there are various chemical and organic methods. The chemical methods are available in all good garden centres in the form of sprays, dusts and bug guns with names too numerous to mention. With cabbage, broccoli etc being food crops that you may grow at home organically to avoid chemicals you should try to tackle the menace organically. Cover your plants with sheer netting whilst the butterflies are around, if they cannot touch the plants then they cannot lay their eggs on them. Ensure the netting allows sufficient sunlight through to enable growth.
Companion plants
Try planting tomatoes and celery as companion plants close by as their scents tend to cancel out the scent emitted by brassicas therefore deterring cabbage white butterflies. Finally if all else fails try sending your cat or cats on holiday during the summer, you’ll be surprised how many songbirds start to visit your garden. Songbirds just love caterpillars.
For tips on garden snails and how to plant a garden, visit the Starting A Garden website.
Kitchen Garden magazine: Cucumber harvesting
In this clip, Kitchen Garden magazine editor Steve Ott gives some useful tips on harvesting cucumbers. The importance of regular harvesting to ensure continued fruit production is explained. See more on www.kitchengarden.co.uk
A Garden is Natural Art
A Garden is Natural Art
A gardener’s inspiration and motivation for gardening can vary, but most of the time, gardening is a hobby done either as a recreational form of natural art, or as an experiment in self-sufficiency. And with so many plant varieties available ranging from flowers to vegetables, it would be quite rare to find two identical gardens.
Most gardening takes place in regions with temperate weather, and each season bears the potential for new beauty. Planting can take place anywhere from early spring through mid-autumn depending on the location, climate, and plant.
Getting your gardening materials ready
Before you get started on your gardening project, there are a few tools and materials necessary to begin. Of course, you’ll need a plot of land or area within a yard to plant your garden. The size and design of the garden largely depends on what kind of garden you will grow.
Once you have determined how your garden will be physically laid out, you’ll need some basic tools to get started. A hoe or small plow will be needed to turn the soil in which you will plant. For small flower gardens, a hoe or even a small trowel may be sufficient. For larger gardens and for many vegetable and fruit gardens, a plow, or rototiller, would probably be more desirable.
After you have planted your seeds or plants, they will require water. A garden hose or watering bucket can be used to help irrigate the garden, particularly in months when rain may be at a minimum. Automatic sprinkler and irrigation systems may also be installed to maintain your garden.
Finally, some gardeners insist on the use of fertilizers and plant foods. While these may not be necessary, they may have a significant impact on your garden. If pests and other insects may be a problem, you might also consider investing in a safe insecticide for treating your plants.
Common challenges faced in gardening
We aren’t all “green thumbs,” but everybody faces the same basic problems in the planting and maintenance of a garden. First of all, insects and other pests can cause serious issues for an otherwise healthy garden. Many nurseries can offer you guidance in common pests and plant diseases that might be prone to your region or type of plant, and should be able to help you pick out a pesticide.
The weather can also seriously hamper your efforts at maintaining a successful garden. Brutally hot temperatures, lack of rain, and other weather conditions during the growing season can stunt growth, prevent blooms, or even kill entire gardens. And, of course, unexpected changes in the weather can catch even the most experienced gardener off-guard. Be prepared for anything in terms of weather, and this will help prevent surprises later on.
Gardening for beauty
Flower gardens greatly add to the overall landscaping of a home or business, and can add color at any time of year. Understanding the difference between annuals — which bloom only once and typically die at the end of the season — and perennials — which, if cared for properly, will return again season after season — can be of great benefit to establishing a garden.
Many flower gardens feature a set of perennials as part of the landscape, requiring the gardener to simply fill in the open space with annuals each year. Popular annuals for flower gardening include impatiens, begonias, daisies, tulips, and pansies. Some gardens may be designed around a color scheme or theme, and are often designed to be incorporated into the larger landscaping theme of the home or business.
Gardening for food
Many gardens are created for the sole purpose of growing and harvesting edible fruits and vegetables. In some regions of the world, fruit and vegetable gardening is so popular that nearly every home on every street or road has at least some size garden filled with fruits and vegetables.
While planting and growing flowers from seed is fairly simple, knowing when to plant seeds for a vegetable garden can be a more of a challenge. Many novice gardeners choose to purchases small plants to grow, leaving most of the work in maintenance of the garden.
Most vegetable and fruit gardens are planted in rows, which makes working in the garden, the weeding and watering for example, easier. Planting in rows also eases in harvesting the yields of the garden, as a person can walk through the rows next to plants to harvest and pick the food. Common plants in fruits and vegetable gardens include beans, tomatoes, all varieties of peppers, corn, and radishes. Most fruit and vegetables are summer gardens, although the yields may not be harvested until fall for some vegetables and fruits such as gourds and pumpkins.
For those who like plants for beauty, or those who want to grow fresh food in their backyard, the rewarding hobby of gardening is well worth a try.
Steve Dolan loves to garden and is blessed with green fingers. Take a look at Organic Garden | Organic Vegetables to make the most of your garden. Also visit Home Improvement | Home DIY for home improvement ideas.
My patio garden week 3
This is week 3 of my patio garden and I can’t believe how much it has grown!
Video Rating: 5 / 5
Learn about the materials you’ll need for square foot gardens with expert gardening tips in this free video clip on growing grid gardens. Expert: Yolanda Vanveen Contact: www.vanveenbulbs.com Bio: Yolanda Vanveen is sustainable gardener who lives in Kalama, Wash. Filmmaker: Daron Stetner
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Earth Friendly Tips For A Rosy Garden
Earth Friendly Tips For A Rosy Garden
Tip 1: Grow your own fruit and vegetables
There are so many reasons to grow your fruit and veg. Having your own vegetable garden means you will have vegetables which taste amazing, are fresher and have higher vitamin content. Organic gardening also means no packaging, no carbon footprint from transportation, and it will save you money every day! On top of all that, it’s really easy to do. Phew. That’s quite a long list of benefits. Many crops can be sown in March – so start preparing your beds today.
Find out more about growing your own vegetables
No garden? Don’t despair. Many crops can be grown in pots on balconies and window ledges. Or, if you want more space, get an allotment.
Tip 2: Teach your children where food comes from
The more we can teach children about healthy eating and caring for the environment, the better. And there’s no better way to learn about food than getting your hands dirty and growing some yourself. It’s mucky, fun and rewarding, which makes it perfect for kids. Why not give your child their own patch in your organic vegetable garden and help them sow seeds and care for the plants as they grow? The more children understand where our food comes from, the more respect they will have for sustainable living.
Get more information on setting up a kid’s vegetable garden
Tip 3: Keep your head above water
Water is a precious commodity, even in a country renowned for rain. There is likely to be another hosepipe ban this year so the thoughtful gardener needs to plan ahead. Use water butts to collect rain water throughout the year and then use this to water the garden during dry spells. Old bath water and washing up water can also be collected and used on the garden – but make sure you are using organic, biodegradable detergents and soaps that won’t harm the local ecosystem.
Find about more about saving water in the garden
Tip 4: Keep out the chemicals
Many fertilizers and garden products are laden with chemicals that could cause damage to the local ecosystems. Opt for natural organic fertilizers that have no negative effect on the environment. Or make your own compost and use that. Ehow.co.uk has a video to show you how to get started.
Find out more about choosing the right natural fertilizer.
Tip 5: Recycle and compost organic waste
All garden waste and most food waste can be composted and used again to feed your soil. Collect all this waste in a compost bin and it will provide a free, year round, nutrient- rich organic fertilizer. Recyclenow.com has a great step-by-step guide to getting started and lists what you can put in your bin.
Tip 6: Share your garden
If you have a large garden that is too big for you to manage on your own or have spare garden space, you might benefit from Landshare. Landshare aims to link people with spare garden space with people who want some. Owners, growers or helpers can post listings describing what they are offering or looking for so people in their area can respond. It’s a great way to share resources.
Tip 7: Encourage wildlife
Birds, hedgehogs, frogs, toads, slowworms, ladybirds and bumblebees are your friends as they like to dine on the worst garden pests – snails, slugs and aphids. Encourage them to visit your garden by leaving a slightly wild area with longer grass, piles of logs and fallen leaves. This will provide a perfect habitat for them to thrive. Also, consider installing a pond or leave your water butt open for them to drink from. Bird boxes and lady boxes can also help.
For more advice on how you can reduce your carbon footprint and help the planet by growing your own fruit and vegetable garden, visit the Energy Saving Trust.
Garden Landscaping
Garden Landscaping
The garden in country-style perfectly approaches to small plots. Fruit plantings, a kitchen garden and indiscriminateness in leaving — there is the basic lines of this style. In such garden usually there are some apple-trees, cherries, plums, plodovo-berry bushes — a black, red currant, a gooseberry, etc. There is the place for a kitchen garden , and with addition of colours and the form of landings it not only is practical, but also is decorative. In a garden-country always it is a lot of colours. The considerable quantity of colours and their density create sensation of deliberate “neglect” of a garden, there is an impression that the garden are many ears old, make organic garden.
In flower compositions use perennial plants in a combination with annual. It is admissible
to apply forms of the plants meeting in local flora. From ornamental shrubs preference give to the blossoming. A lilac, a jasmin, a guelder-rose — a traditional ornament of such garden. It is better to use plants with not so large simple or semiterry flowers.
The small sizes of a garden-plot demand application of some receptions of the garden landscaping allowing visually to increase space. So, alternation small densely set with bushes and trees about an arbour and a solar open lawn with bright flower beds makes impression of open space. Turns of paths also visually expand a garden.
The vacation spot near the house in the form of a terrace twined grapes, is convenient for reception of visitors. In a terrace you can see a front garden — the main ornament of all composition. An arbour in the distant corner under crones of apple-trees — a place for a solitude and a quiet rest. Small beds of the triangular form are rather practical.
At selection of plants in garden lanscaping the main thing — to be guided by rules of science about colour. Are most pleasant for perception of a combination of the paints which are in a spectrum «through two», for example dark blue with the yellow. As it is necessary to give preference to plants with various and most long terms of flowering. The background or the bed centre occupy the highest plants with gradual fall of height to edge.
It is desirable to do paths smoothly bent. In a garden-country for a covering of paths use natural materials: granite elimination, a natural stone, wood. The concrete covering can be recovered addition of ceramic crocks. The terrace is possible to decorate with capacities with blossoming plants. For this purpose will approach not only ceramic pots, but also old buckets, flanks. By the way, the more the non-standard details then made you hands will be in your garden-country, the better, in other cases they can look is inappropriate, alien, but only not in the present state of affairs. Also do not forget then all details in garden landcsaping should be harmoniously connected among themselves. This is help you to do you garden organic.
From Olga
Farm n Garden Scenes
This is a photo essay displaying my passion for the family farm and some of my own English cottage garden.
Part 2 of 2 videos. Phil Jones of Jones Farm ( www.jonesfarm.net ) talks about going a step beyond organic farming.
Video Rating: 0 / 5