Start Your Plants From Seeds
By admin | November 17, 2008
Propagating your own plants from seeds is much more rewarding and less expensive than buying seedlings from the garden supply shop. One of the first things you will need is a box or tray approximately 3 to 4 inches deep, 12 to 14 inches wide, and 20 to 24 inches long.
Once you have your planting box, fill it with a suitable seed raising mix. A good medium would be 80-85% washed river sand and 15-20% peat moss. If you prefer to buy a bag of seed raising mix, visit your local garden supply store. One you have your medium, fill the box almost to the top, and then pat down the medium firmly.
Prepare the medium for planting your seeds by making rows across the box. They should be one quarter to half inch deep and 2 inches apart.
The seed should be distributed 8 or 10 to the inch in the rows and then be covered. Move the box to a warm shaded place.
It is important to water regularly during germination, however the soil should be kept moist not wet. If the water starts running out the bottom of the box you are over doing it and the soil will become waterlogged. If this happens, the seeds could rot and fail to germinate.
If you can cover the box with a piece of glass or even saran wrap, this will hold the moisture, creating a microclimate, which will hasten germination. Once the seedlings germinate the lid can be removed and the seedlings can gradually be introduced to stronger light - next to a window would be ideal.
When the plants are one inch to an inch and a half high they should be thinned to one or two inches apart in the row, to give them space enough to make a strong stocky growth. If you wish to keep the plants that have been thinned, they must be planted two inches apart each way in boxes similar to the seed box.
When the weather becomes mild, the box of plants should be set out of doors part of the time so that the plants will harden in preparation for transplanting to the garden later. Give the seedlings a good watering just before transplanting so that a ball of earth will stick to the roots.
By raising seedlings in this controlled climate of germination, they will be hardier and flourish. You will also have the added satisfaction of having done all the work yourself.
For more information on gardening, visit the link at the bottom of the page.
For more information, visit The Garden Supply Guide and The Garden Info Center
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Tags: Garden, Garden supply, gardening, plantingPrepare the Garden for Its Winter Slumber
By admin | November 15, 2008
For those who live through winter, the gardening
season is over. But not really. There IS work to do!
If you have not tidied up the garden, there is still
time before the ground freezes and is covered
with snow.
Pull out the rest of the annuals. It is too late to
trim any perennials, so leave these alone.
Mound mulch around your favorite rose bush
and other perennials. Some recommend piling
up leaves over perennials. Others don’t. The
argument is that leaves tend to rot. However,
if you’ve done this before and it works for
you, go for it.
Bring in your precious garden ornaments. Wash
and dry these before storage. Hanging baskets
should be taken down if you intend to re-use them
next year. Most urns and big planters are safe to
leave outdoors, except those made of terracotta
and other breakable materials. Planters made of
heavy duty polyresin, plastic,cast iron or metal can
withstand freezing temperatures.These can be
stashed away in a safe corner to keep them away
from snow removal. However, if you want color, decorate
these planters for the Christmas season. It adds a
festive mood to your garden.
Protect the spring bulbs by covering these with screen
material or a wire mesh and pile up mulch generously.
Those pesky four-legged creatures do not hibernate
over winter. Don’t forget to uncover these come Spring.
Take a good look at your garden, envision what
worked, what didn’t last summer. A bare garden plot
is a canvas waiting for someone to express creativity.
This is a chance for you to re-assess the arrangement
of plants. If you like a change of garden design for
next season, this is the best time to study the garden
layout to get a good idea what changes you will
undertake next season.
If you have rocks or stones in your garden, spend
some time to rearrange, to strengthen or fill in the
gaps. If you have ideas of adding more rocks, it’s
a good time to work on the garden while it ’s bare.
Don’t forget the garden tools. These will last
longer if you clean these up and store them
properly. Bring in the nozzles for your hose.
These tend to crack if left on the hose over
winter.
Tidbit: Store the rake, pitchfork , fan rake
and shovels facing downwards, or the wall if
you are lucky enough to have a place to hang these.
As you walk around your bare garden, feel the
aura of stillness it projects as it prepares for its
winter slumber. The garden at this time can
still be a place for a quiet moment as you fill your
lungs with the fresh and crisp chill of November.
Bonnie Moss writes to inspire and to motivate
her readers to explore the depths of their heart and
soul and make a difference in this world. She draws
from personal experience and her interest in the New Age
Visit her website =>http://goldencupcafe.tripod.com
Algae vs. Lichens in the Garden
By admin | November 13, 2008
What is your opinion on algae and lichens within the garden? Are you trying to discourage them or are you one of the select few who promote their growth. Let me introduce you to these algae and lichens, so you can make an informed decision.
Algae in glasshouses and polytunnels
Algae are the much-maligned green slimes found on ponds and as a greenish scum on paths and drives. You may be surprised to know algae is actually a garden plant, albeit a stem-less and non-flowering specimen. Over winter, disgusting greyish-green algae often builds up on the inside glass of our garden sheds, glasshouses and polytunnels. The solution is to trim back any surrounding planting to allow as much light as possible to enter. Also try to leave the doors and windows open for a few hours each week to prevent the build up of stagnant air. If some of the slightly powdery scum still builds up, you can wipe it off glass with a mild detergent, whereas on polytunnels only wipe the plastic with warm soapy water.
Algae control on steps and paths
Algae and mosses often coat paths and quite dangerously garden steps; damp shade is again a big factor. Reducing shade will cut down on the amount of algae and moss forming; by increasing the access of sunlight, you will also reduce dampness. The application of a copper sulphate solution (commonly known as bluestone) is a time honoured and effective way to combat algae on paths. When applied correctly it has a residual effect that prevents regrowth for up to several years after treatment. Mix copper sulphate or “bluestone” at a rate of 10 grammes to 10 litre of water in a plastic container. Apply on a dry day, brush in, and then leave it 3 weeks to act on the algae. After 3 weeks brush again with a stiff bristled brush and “hey presto”. When applying any algae or moss control solution remember to avoid drift onto surrounding lawns, plants and vehicles. Use protection equipment when applying chemicals including a mask with a dust cartridge, safety goggles and impervious gloves with overalls. Remember, apply all chemicals according to the manufacturer’s instructions and heed those safety warnings.
Lichens in the garden
However, what happens when this algae teams up with a fungus and the two start to live in a mutually advantageous association or symbiosis? Well, in that situation you get a plant form known as a lichen. A situation where lichens grow in abundance is on old carved stone headstones in graveyards. Many of the age-old stones will display white growths often containing bright yellow or orange splashes.When I have occasion to attend a funeral in a graveyard, I am always struck by the contrast between the mourner’s dark garb and the pings and flecks of white, yellow and orange lichen growth. These growths are the lichens, growing where other plants would falter Lichens are tough devils, if there was an SAS for the plant world they would be the first to enlist.
Growing your own lichens
I feel lichens have a place within the garden, they happen to be an accurate indicator of low pollution, no harm in that. Lichen growth also adds a considerable amount of character to feature rocks, boundary walls, terracotta containers and stone garden sculptures. If you would like to encourage this type of growth, try this recipe for “lichen slurry”. Mix one tablespoon of ground up lichen to one pint of natural yogurt or buttermilk and mix well. Paint or dab this slurry onto the object you wish the lichen to grow on, sit back and be prepared to wait, as fine-looking lichen growth is quite slow to form. But, worth it.
James Kilkelly runs a professional garden design service in Galway, Ireland. He has a regular gardening column in an Irish regional newspaper. Visit his website at http://www.gardenplansireland.com/ He also regularly posts his expert advice to a gardening forum at http://www.gardenstew.com.
Article’s original location: Algae vs. Lichens in the Garden
Tags: algae, fungus, lichens, moss