Gardening Tips

Whether you are in Ohio or not, here is an excellent article that gives sound step by step advice in converting your lawn to an organic type. It covers details in assessing your lawn type and then how to prepare your lawn for the conversion.

The term “conventional lawn care” as used in this fact sheet implies the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that are applied by the homeowner or a lawn care service. Natural organic lawn care is different from conventional lawn care. Soil can be improved by adding organic matter such as compost (made from plant wastes), certain animal manures (chiefly composted cow, chicken, or horse manures) and other naturally occurring substances. Improved soil contributes to healthy plants that will be less susceptible to damage from pests or environmental stress. Fertilizer may be applied less frequently than in conventional lawn care but timing of application becomes especially important. Weeds, insects, and diseases are managed by cultural practices that are oriented toward prevention. Natural organic methods also emphasize the recycling of organic wastes. ²

Limited scientific research has been done on exclusively natural organic lawn care programs. However, well-documented research has been done on many practices that are an integral part of organic lawn care such as core aeration, mowing height, and top-dressing with compost. Recommendations for a completely natural organic approach are therefore based on years of collective experience

The first step in switching from conventional to natural organic lawn care is to assess the quality of the existing lawn. If an existing lawn contains few weeds and consists of desirable turfgrass species, natural organic methods and cultural practices can maintain a satisfactory lawn. However, if a lawn has excessive weeds and/or consists of undesirable turfgrass species, it is best to kill the entire lawn and start over. After this decision has been made, the next step is to assess soil quality.

To get more information regarding organic lawn conversion just click on this number  ²

Although weeds seem to grow anytime of the year, spring time is the most noticeable. A whole industry has grown around this pesky little problem for home gardeners all over the world. So how do you get rid of these little pests? These three (3) random gardening tips are excellent ideas to minimize your weeding chores.

Idea 1
If you are in the planning stages of building or redesigning your patio be sure to use this important step in your plans. Spread a layer of landscape fabric under the paver when you install them. This fabric does not allow the weeds from letting their roots grow deeply. That’s right, those sneaky little devils just might show up in the future but shallow roots systems create weak weeds and are easily pulled without having a long stream of roots.

Idea 2
Another idea that you’ve may have used are the many herbicides available. As an example Roundup is an excellent product that kill weeds when you spray the green leaves or your weeds and it will not leave any residue. Be sure to keep clear of your garden and don’t do it on a windy day.

There are other types of herbicides that remain in soil and have a lasting effect overtime. This prevents weeds from germinating and slows or temporarily stops the growing cycle for some weeds. Warning: make sure your read the label on the containers on how to apply the product safely.

Idea 3
Finally you can go natural and not use herbicides by using a propane weed torch and flaming the exposed weeds. You’ll need to use extra care with this one if you know what I mean. The other reliable technique is to use boiling water to kill your weeds, that always works.

I hope these 3 random gardening tips help keep your patio and garden looking terrific. Have a great week of gardening.

I stumbled on this great video site that features the care of orchid. I will be reviewing this site and will post interesting tips in the care of your orchids.

I really love these plants as they are both mysterious and beautiful. With good knowledge in their care will guarantee you long lasting blossoms and enjoyment with this beautiful plant.

Here is the link:

Oncidium - Colmanara Wildcat Orchid Care
Posted by: orchidexpert

Video duration: 47 seconds
Global video hits: 1252
This ia a Colmanara Wildcat which part of the Oncidium Orchid family. Orchids can be easy to care for if you know the steps. This tutorial should help you very much with care for this Orchid variety. My homepage: http://www.imagine12 3.com/orchidtips

Related: care, colmanara, colmanaras, oncidium, oncidiums, orchid, orchids

If you are planning to put in new lawn from grass seeds or you are just trying to grow new lawn where it is dying off but have lots of hungry birds waiting to feast on your next project…here are some great tips to make your project a success.

Make or buy a bird feeder. Place them around your garden and fill up your feeders with a tastier seeds. Not only will this add a more friendlier bird attraction but will add more uniqueness to your garden.

Protect your new lawn grass seeds by spreading bale hay over the area of new seedlings. One bale of hay will cover 1000 square feet of your seedbed. That way birds will have a difficult time getting to the lawn grass seeds as they rather have the easy pickings than to really work at getting their food.

Don’t worry about the new lawn growing as they will easily grow through the hay.

Another idea you can also use is mulching. You can buy mulching at your local gardening store but this is a much costlier way unless you use the mulch in smaller areas.

And finally you can abandon your lawn grass seeds idea and just roll new sod for your lawn project. Of course that is the easy way…expensive but that way you don’t need to worry about the birds at all!

When it comes to taking care of your house plants many people overly stress thinking that they might over water or give to much fertilizer to their plants. With a little common sense and learning these six basic things on plant care, there is nothing to worry about.

Art of Watering

The basic rule on watering: Don’t over-water your house plants. Test by putting your finger in the soil. You can tell if it is dry or not.

If the soil feels damp then you don’t need to water it. If it’s dry then you’ll need to water it.

Make sure your container plants have good drainage. You don’t want the bottom of your plant container sitting in water especially if the water is unable to drain.

Now, if you are new or uncertain about your skills, then keep a notebook with specific information on how much and how often to water.

When To Feed Your Plants

Here is some basics on feeding your plants. If you have foliage plants, they will require a high nitrogen need. For flowering plants, they need to have K20. You can prepare slow release fertilizer which can be mixed with compost.

Of course there are certain plants that will need special fertilizers such as cacti and orchids. Unlike we humans and our pets who can just about eat anytime, plants like to fed during their most active growth period.

When does that happen?

Easy, you will need to educate yourself and find this information at the library, gardening magazines and on the internet just to name a few handy resources.

The In’s and Outs of Proper Lighting

By determining where the light enters your home, you will also need to know how intense or how far the light will penetrates each room in your home.

Learn which areas in your home have the most exposure as well as the least exposure. Keep in mind that sunlight exposure is different in each season such as longer sunlight in the summer versus shorter light exposure during the winter.

Then decide what types of house plants will fit those unique locations.
Read the labels that are provided on the plant to find the best type of light.
Some plants like the sansevieria and aspidistra require no sun so place those plants away from windows. Plants that require semi shade can be placed just about anywhere whether near a window with sun light or not.

The Importance of Temperature

Normally house plants are fairly hearty as they can adapt to cool or warm temperatures. The key to remember is that they do not like drastic changes in the temperature. If they don’t look well it’s either the temperature, too much water or they need to be fed.

For some reason most plants cannot survive in a home with gas heating so definitely keep them away from the gas heater. Like wise if you have a plant that thrives in warm conditions, keep it away from air conditioners during the summer months. Make sense?

Creating The Perfect Humidity

If you get a plant the requires a humid environment you can create more humidity by using a large container and fill in the gaps with stones or compost to retain the moisture. Another method to humidify conditions is to create a micro-climate by grouping your plants together.

Depending on the type of plants you have you can also spray them once or twice a day keeping in mind the temperature of your area. Just be sure not to spray water on orchids as they can easily rot the flowers.

Tips On Re-potting

Certain plants will need to be re-potted for them to get optimal growth.

Other plants just cannot take the shock of re-potting and will experience root shock. Then there are plants with small roots systems that don’t have to be re-potted.

The best way to inspect your plant for a re-potting job is to turn the plant upside down and tap the pot to release the plant and check the roots.

If there is a good mixture of soil and roots then you don’t need to do anything for a while.

If you see nothing but roots then you can start your re-potting project.

Now if you don’t have a larger pot then you can trim the roots but it is suggested that your re-pot to a larger one.

By providing little tender loving care for your plants, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of your indoor garden. Not only that but you’ll add to the beauty of your decor and also get much pleasure being the indoor gardener.

When starting a garden have you ever been guilty of going to your favorite garden center only to find yourself randomly buying certain plants or flowers because at that moment they looked great? Well the aim of this short article is to reveal the secret to creating and starting a beautiful garden.

Secret 1

First start out with a good plan for your gardening project. How much sun and shade does your garden area have? Don’t overlook the type of soil conditions you are working with…does it drain easily or does it get soggy quickly? You will need to prepare your soil type prior to planting.

Secret 2

As you consider your plant selection, remember in sheltered areas with low sun exposure, shade type of plants will do better. On the other hand keep in mind that drought resistant plants love the sun and even the shade too. For poorly drained areas you can plant swamp type plants.

Secret 3

In order to have a healthy garden your soil should be slightly acidic but then some plants also require an alkaline soil for survival. You can easily determine the ph balance of your soil by doing a soil test. Kits are available and it is very easy to do so don’t overlook this important tip.

Secret 4

Have you organized your garden ideas in some type of design landscape layout that you modify? Don’t worry it doesn’t have to be fancy! Organizing and grouping your plants and flowers is an important decision in beautifying your garden. Arrange your colors so that they flow and look natural. Depending on your goal just layout your color scheme on a piece of paper so that you will have an idea on how to proceed. It’s easier to change on paper than it is after you have planted.

Secret 5

Although you’ve organized your garden on paper now its time for the moment of truth to really test your designer eye. While leaving your plants and flowers in the pot, set them in position according to your drawing. Does this rough layout look to be the same as on your plan? If not, move them around…experiment by moving them about until your are satisfied with the look.

Secret 6

As you view the color combinations in your garden palette, pay particular attention to color and texture clashing. Trust your visual instinct, it will tell you whether your layout will work or get a second opinion. Also be aware of the blooming cycle of your plants as each will bloom at different times. Don’t forget that foliage plays an important part of your choices as they can have colors ranging from silver, grey and purplish and can add that extra essence of beauty to your garden.

One other final note in starting a garden; keep your plants, if possible away from trees as their roots will absorb rob the moisture from your plants and flowers. As you can see, if you apply good planning you will be on your way to guaranteeing a beautiful garden for all to enjoy.