Birthday Flowers

Birthdays are one thing you can count on. We all have them and I'm willing to bet, all of your family members and friends have them too. Sometimes birthdays seem to roll around quickly. You can't believe it's been a whole year since you found the perfect gift for your cousin Susie, and now it's time to deliver again.

Whether the birthday boy or girl is a friend, lover or just an acquaintance, flowers can be ordered and designed to say just the right thing. Flowers have so much going for them, it's a wonder you haven't thought of this before!

Think of the blossoms as building blocks. Each has color, texture and form. They each have a personality and many have a tradition. The rose is elegant and says love. The carnation is sturdy and says you can count on me. The orchid is exotic and dares you to dream.

Next, think of your florist as an architect. She uses the building blocks to design a birthday greeting. An architect won't design a home for you until she has spent time with you and discovered your personality and your needs. A good florist should be asking a couple of questions to help her design the floral piece that says just what you want to say.

No, we're not talking about a million dollar home, were just talking about a birthday bouquet. Still, you should try to convey the message you are trying to send when you order your flowers from the florist. Your florist can translate your words into flowers. Using words like Romantic, Festive, Bright, Soft, Extravagant, Elegant, Simple, Fun, Young, Classic, Natural, Earthy or Modern will help your florist understand the personality she is fitting.

You can send flowers with little or no thought, and they'll probably be just fine. The enclosure card will say "Happy Birthday", and the message will get through. Or, you can invest just a few minutes into the process and choose flowers in a design that expresses the personality and message that fits the situation. It'll be worth the investment, I promise.

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About the Author

Karen Marinelli is a Floral Industry Professional with nineteen years of experience in the academic, retail and wholesale sectors of the industry. She believes the common goal should be to sell more flowers to more people, more often. For information on How to Open a Flower Shop, visit http://openaflowershop.com/

To order flowers online, visit http://send-flowers-online.ws/

This article may be reprinted without permission under the following conditions:

Article must be printed in its entirety. Author information and links must be printed exactly as printed above.

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The Ultimate Green Garden

Spring is the season to start planting seeds for the future. For me, the ultimate Magic Garden would be planted using the Feng Shui bagua as a guideline for the boundaries of the plot and incorporate flowers herbs and plants that correspond to each signifigant direction..

The first thing I would suggest, is to mark off your garden(or balcony full of pots) as a square (or as close to a square as you can get it) and determine the directions -- north, south, east and west. Then use the rough guideline below, taking into account your climate and seasons to know what to plant where to bring you health, wealth, peace, guidance, happiness and protection. You don№t have to incorporate all the suggestions below of course -- just a couple of touches here in there might do wonders.

The SOUTHERN corner of your garden governs recognition and fame. The flowers you plant there should be predominantly red in colour. Red and pinks should be main theme, although there well be flowers in there included for properties besides colour. Flowers that bring you fame: poppies, roses, bluebells,violets. Trees: Cherry, orange. Foilage: Holly, hazel, heather and all ferns. Herbs: Star anise, veviter. Trees: .Produce: strawberries, leeks, chili peppers. This corner also represents the Fire element so it is a good area to string up lights, put the barbeque or have a little hearth for fire.

The SOUTHWESTERN corner governs marriage prospects and marital happiness.The predominant flower colour should be yellow. Flowers for emotional security: daffodils, lillies, tulips, asters, bleeding hearts, daisies, roses, gardenia, lavender, orchid, poppy, primrose, periwinkle, hyacinth, trilliums, violet, geranium. Trees: Magnolia Fig, Willow, Olive Elm, Plum,Foilage: Myrtle, rye, witch grass, juniper, chickweed. Herbs: basil, marjoram, dill, mint, rosemary, thyme. Produce: Ginger, endive, raspberries, tomatoes. This area represents Big Earth so it is a good place to put a stone statue or a large rock or boulder.

The WESTERN corner governs children and fertility. The predominant flowers should be yellow and white. Flowers: Lavender, Cyclamen, Lily of the Valley, Morning Glory Trees: Oak, olive, banana, apple pine Foilage; Hawthorne Herbs:Mustard, catnip. Produce: Beans, carrots, cucumbers, grape, mustard. This area is known as Small Metal and would benefit from some windchimes or small silvery objects that catch the sun.

The NORTHWESTERN corner governs helpful people or mentors. The predominamt flower colour should be white yellow and orange. Flowers: Passion flower, sweetpea, Sunflower, Iris, carnation Trees: Lemon, peach, beech, walnut Foilage: Rowan, Myrtle, dogwod, clover Herbs: Pennyroyal, lemon balm, sage Produce: peppers, fennel, pumpkins, squash. This corner is called "Big Metal" so it is a good place to put table and chairs to invite the help into your life.

The NORTH corner governs career prospects. The flowers here should be
predominately dark purple or blue. Flowers that boost career: Camellia,
honeysuckle, jasmine, periwinkle, poppy, trillium, snapdragons, dandelion.
Trees: Orange, elder, apple, oak, maple, poplar Foilage: bromeliads, myrtle,
Irish moss (all mosses), ferns Herbs: dill, goldenseal, mint Produce:
cashews rice, grapes, onions, oats,peas, wheat. This direction represents
water, so it is the ideal place to put a fountain or pool. Add fish to it
and double your luck.

The NORTHEAST corner governs education and wisdom. The flowers here should be predominatly yellow and orange. Flowers: jasmine, marigold, roses, iris , sunflower. Trees: peach, bohdi, acacia Foilage: bracken, all grasses,flax Herbs: borage, eyebright, peppermint, saffron, thyme, rosemary, caraway, rue, savory, mint Produce: celery, onons, grapes. This area is "Small Earth" so it is good for a rock garden, a small alter or a birdbath.

The EAST governs family relationships and health. The foilage here should mainly be green and filled with bush or trees. Flowers are: loosestrife, meadowsweet, morning glory, violet, daisies, hostas Trees: all trees especially pines and spruces, Magnolia, Elder Foilage: Witchgrass, purslane, tobacco, hemp, hops Herbs: Lavender, scullcap, vervain, linden, sage Produce: avocado, rhubarb, rye. This area is called Big Wood which is why it is good to have at least one big tree there or a tree house.

The SOUTHEAST governs wealth and prosperity and should be as green and lush as possible. Flowers that bring wealth: Camelia, golden rod, helorope, honeysuckle, trillum Trees: all fruit trees, pecan, walnut, oak, pine Foilage: all bromelaids, mosses and ferns Herbs basil, clover, dill, mint, vervaine Produce: lettuce, corn, peas, oats, onions. This area is known as Small Wood and would be augmented by windmills, a swing or another structure made of wood (preferably one that moves to circulate energy.)

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About the Author

Sam Steven's metaphysical articles have been published in many high-standing newspapers and she has published several books. You can meet Sam Stevens at http://www.psychicrealm.com where she works as a professional psychic. You can also read more of her articles at http://www.newagenotebook.com where she is the staff writer. Currently she is studying technology's impact on the metaphysics.

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Hibiscus Flowers

This article provides useful, detailed information about Hibiscus Flowers.

When Hibiscus flowers are mentioned, many visualize the exotic red blossom pinned in the hair of a woman. The Hibiscus - one of the most beautiful flowers in the world - comes in numerous colors, shapes and sizes. Some have single petals, others double or crested, and some do not open fully. Sizes vary from tiny to 10-12 inches.

The flower of each species of the Hibiscus has its own individuality. The colors and the combinations are fabulous. Hibiscus come with romantic names like Sun Showers, Midnight Blue, Silver Shadow and Sunny Moon to name a few.

This dream flower is in great demand for decorative purposes, and this demand has developed into a big business.

Hibiscus flowers are not just endowed with beauty. They are useful in many ways. In some countries, Hibiscus are called \"shoe flowers.\" Perhaps this is because they can be used as black shoe polish. Shampooing with hibiscus flowers is supposed prevent dandruff and stimulate hair growth. There are branded cosmetic products containing the Hibiscus flower extract. And, they are believed to have anti-bacterial properties, as well as correct liver and stomach aliments. There are also claims that the flower acts as laxative and diuretic, relaxes the uterus, controls blood pressure, increases circulation and reduces cholesterol. The high vitamin C content in Hibiscus flowers helps resist colds and chest congestion.

The major consumption of this bloom is Hibiscus tea. The Arabs, who invented this tea, call it \'karkady\'. This brew is popular among Americans. Dietary supplements in capsule form containing Hibiscus flower extracts are available. Also, several table recipes like salads use Hibiscus flowers. Hibiscus Margaritas are considered to be an exciting cocktail, and there are Hibiscus flower wines as well.

Hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia and the state flower of Hawaii. This flower is truly one of God\'s great gifts to man.

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About the Author

Hibiscus Flower provides detailed information on Hibiscus, Hibiscus Flower, Hibiscus Plant, Hibiscus Care and more. Hibiscus Flower is affiliated with Care of Orchids.

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Add Rich Color To Your Garden With Blue Perennial Flowers

Blue flowers are some of the most striking plants around and can add a rich splash of color to any garden. Plant them in a cluster of all blue or mix them in with other flowers for a rainbow of color.

When planting flowers, it is important to remember to follow the instructions on the tag for the plant. Always buy plants that will thrive in the conditions in which you intend to grow them. A plant that loves sun won't do well in a shady area and you will only be disappointed with the results.

When planning your garden, be aware of the bloom time of the flowers. Planting perennials with different bloom times near each other will insure a garden that has blooms all season long. Remember also to plan for the height of the plants, putting the taller ones in the back.

Below is a list of favorite blue flowering plants that you might want to consider for your garden:

Polemonuim, Blue Pearl - A compact plant with deep sky blue flowers that grows to 10". It blooms in late spring to early summer. Plant in partial shade and in well drained soil.

Blue Sea Holly - This dramatic plant has a lavender blue cone like flower with long spiked petals. It grows to 30" and is a favorite for dried flower arrangements. Plant in full sun - blooms in mid to late summer.

Delphinium, Butterfly Blue - Bright blue delicate flowers adorn this plant that blooms in early to mid summer. It reaches 10" tall and prefers a sunny location with rich moist soil.

Campanula, Blue Carpet - Bright blue to lilac colored flowers bloom for weeks in the middle of summer. This low growing perennial grows to 4" and prefers full sun with well drained soil.

Penstemon, Blue Buckle - This plant has tubular shaped blooms in blue to purple and flowers in mid summer to early fall. It grows to 15" and likes well drained soil with full or partial sun.

Hydrangea, Nikko Blue - Gigantic clumps of blue flowers adorn this shrub for most of the summer. In the fall, the flowers turn a golden color. This plant is a new variety that prefers rich soil but will grow in shade, partial sun or full sun.

Vinca - Medium blue flowers and glossy green leaves form a carpet that grows to about 6" tall and blooms in mid spring. This plant will grow in most soil conditions, in the shade or sun.

Ajuga, Bronze Beauty - This short bushy plant has spikes of blue flowers that grows quickly. Great as a ground cover or in raised beds. It blooms in spring and prefers a shady area.

Scabiosa, Butterfly Blue - A bushy perennial with lavender blue flowers that bloom from June to October. This plant likes full sun and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Verbena, Babylon Blue - Blue purple flowers petals adorn this plant that blooms in early spring. Great for window boxes and planters.

Additional information and resources for this article can be found at: http://www.garden-source.com/archives/2005/05/24/add-rich-color-to-your-garden-with-blue-perennial-flowers/

A beautiful blue wildflower picture can be found at: http://www.garden-source.com/archives/2005/06/02/blue-wildflower-in-kathys-garden/

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About the Author

© 2005 This article is provided courtesy of The Garden Source Network - http://www.garden-source.com This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the links are live, and this notice is left intact.

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Blue Wild Flowers for Your Garden

Planting wild flowers in your garden, or simply scattering wild flower seeds around an area of your yard are both ways to take advantage of Mother Nature's treasured gifts. Wild flowers are carefree, colorful, and tend to attract bees, butterflys and birds. So planting wild flowers not only gives you an easy maintenance flower garden... it also promises to be a constant source of interesting activity throughout the year.

The following wild flowers are blue to purple in color, and some say this is a favorite color of bees.

VIRGINIA or COMMON DAY-FLOWER (Commelina Virginica) - Spiderwort family
The Day Flower has blue, one inch wide or smaller flowers which tend to be irregular. The flowers are grouped at the end of the stem, and are upheld by long leaf-like bracts. The leaves are lance-shaped and 3-5 inches long. The upper leaves form like a hood of sorts about the flower. These wild flowers prefer moist, shady ground and flower from June through September.

The day flower tends to open in the morning and looking somewhat "alert". In the afternoon, or after the bees have visited and fertilized it, the petals roll up and quickly wilt into a wet, shapeless mass which will leave a sticky blue fluid on your fingers if you touch it.

SPIDERWORT; WIDOW'S or JOB'S TEARS (Tradescantia Virginiana) - Spiderwort family
The Spiderwort's flowers are purplish blue in color but on rare occasion they can be white. There's usually several flowers about 1-2 inches wide, and usually contain clusters of drooping buds between long, blade-like bracts at the end. This one can grow from 8-36 inches tall, and has long blade-like leaves. It prefers rich, moist woods, thickets or garden space, and it flowers from May through August.

Like its relative the dayflower, the spiderwort opens for part of a day only. In the morning it is wide awake and pert; early in the afternoon its petals have begun to retreat and wither away. New blooms appear each day throughout the season though.

WILD HYACINTH, SCILLA or SQUILL. QUAMASH (Quamasia kyacinthina; Scilla Fraseri of Gray) - Lily family

The Wild Hyacinth tends to produce many pale violet blue flowers, though once in awhile they can be white. There tend to be equal groups of 6 flowers on long, oblong-shaped branches. The plant tends to grow 1-2 feet tall, and has grass-like, short leaves. These wild flowers prefer meadows, prairies and stream banks, and they bloom from April to May.

These wild flowers tend to be low maintenance, and they propogate on their own, without being invasive. In addition to attracting bees, the Wild Hyacinth also tends to attract ants, wasps, flies, butterflies, and beetles.

Whether you prefer to start your flowers from seeds or potted starter plants, wild flowers are a wonderful addition to any type of garden. Creating a stand alone wild flower garden is also a fantastic way to make a great, naturalized impression in large or unused areas of your landscape.

Watch for future articles where I'll introduce you to many other wild flowers in a variety of other colors too!

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About the Author

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard, The Garden Source Network - http://www.garden-source.com - A premier online publication featuring gardening articles, tips, advice, resources, shopping and supplies. This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the author, copyright, website address and link, and this notice are left intact.

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Chinese Plants

Chinese people value trees and flowers as much as westerners do.

Plum flowers are fragrant and beautiful. They were once the national flower. On the RMB50 cents coins you can see plum flowers on the side.

Chrysanthemum flowers symbolizes a strong life. It is good to give old people chrysanthemum flowers because it means strong life. However, only red ones would be good because white and light yellow ones are used only at funerals. Lovers do not give chrysanthemum to their loved ones.

Narcissus, lotus flowers and orchid are flowers which represent high virtues and elegance.

Orchid blossoms in spring and it brings an air of high class respectfulness.

Narcissus blossoms in winter. White flowers of five ledals and yellow stamen grow in pure water. It represents a sense of purity.

Lotus flowers grow in pond water. Its roots are edible. Its flowers blossom in summer and are either red or white. The seeds are also edible and are often used as medicine. Almost every part of a lotus plant is useful though it grows in muddy pond water. That is also why it is compared to people who manage to achieve successfully in life though come from a less prestige background.

Azalae flowers represents elegance and wealth. You can find azalea on RMB1 coins.
Peach flowers blossom in spring. It represents beautiful girls. In Chinese tradition at Chinese New Year, people who want to find love will usually buy a whole plant and put it home because this will bring them luck in finding love in the coming year.

Pomegranate gives very beautiful flowers. Its fruit is sour but contains a lot of seeds inside. In Chinese tradition, people put this fruit on the bed of the newly weds so as to help the newly weds to make many babies.

Maple trees in China represents old people who don't admit that they are old because these trees blossoms in autumn which is near the end of a year.

Lilac in China represents modesty, which is one of the virtues that Chinese people value
Other than the above, there are some flowers which have medicinal values. Plum flowers can cure heat, cough and diarrhea; chrysanthemum can cure cold; orchid can cure lung disease and coughs; lotus flowers can cure sunstroke, insomnia and blood vomiting; azalea can regulate female menstruation; narcissus and Chinese rose can remove bruises; laurel can remove bruises and dissolve phlegm.

What about giving presents?
When birthdays or opening a business, red Chinese rose or pomegranate flowers would be good because this represents prosperous future.

For old people, plum flowers or tuberose would be appropriate.

For patients, orchid, you can buy China pink bamboo.

For moving houses, you can buy asparagus fern.

For wedding, you can buy lily because in China it represents hundred years of love. Lily is also good for friends which means unity.

However there are also plants which carry derogative meanings.

Poplar flowers can be easily blown broken. It represents a woman who is not faithful.

Broad-leave epiphyllum flowers are pretty but they open just for one night. It can be easily understood that they represent shortness.

Duckweed floats on the surface of water. It has no roots and floats anywhere. Since the Chinese nation values family and its unity, things which do not have roots would be pitiful.

Thistles and thorns bring people pain. They represent difficulties.

Do you know more about what to bring to your Chinese friend next time? Maybe now you can be more confident when asking your Chinese lover out for a date.;-)

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About the Author

This article was produced by Asia Dragon. Visit us at www.asiadragon.co.uk where you will find authentic Oriental furniture, including Indian furniture, Chinese furniture plus Oriental rugs, soft furnishings and home décor ideas. Our Asian furniture and home furnishings are available in both traditional & contemporary styles. We also feature calligraphy, Chinese art and ornaments, Chinese dresses, fashion accessories, and Japanese kimonos.

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Orchid Flowers - Growing Indoors

Many people think the orchid plant cannot be grown indoors. When grown in the wild, the orchid plant often forms a symbiotic relationship with other plants in order to get the nutrients that it needs. The orchid plant, like most other plants, must live in the proper conditions in order for it to bloom. The three major conditions that must be controlled in order for the orchid plant to bloom are water, light, and temperature. The orchid plant receives moisture through its roots like all other plants. Avoid planting the orchid in potting soil, because it does not like to be in standing water. The orchid thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. The orchid will continue to grow without this change, but it will not bloom.

Orchids can be a difficult flower to grow indoors because they are usually found growing in nature. As long as you are familiar with the living conditions that orchids need to grow, then you can grow orchids indoors. Orchids should be grown in a similar way. If wholesale orchids are left in standing water, they will eventually die. Wholesale orchids also need to have the temperature variations of the plants that are grown in the wild. The leaf color of wholesale orchids will indicate whether or not the orchid is getting the right amount of light. Yellowish color leaves mean the plant is getting too much light.

The orchid is a perennial plant that usually has three petals. There are about 30,000 different species of orchids wildly growing worldwide. There three basic types of orchid: epiphytic, terrestrial, and saprophytic. The first of the types of different orchids, the epiphytic orchid, grows mostly in tropic and subtopic regions. The epiphytic types of orchid are the most popular for growing indoors. The terrestrial orchid is the second of the major types of orchid. Many people who try to grow terrestrial orchids attempt to grow them in potting soil. The third of the types of orchid is saprophytic. The saprophytic orchid has underground roots just as the terrestrial orchid does. Some species of saprophytic orchids grow completely underground and never come above. If a person can understand how to grow other plants inside the home, then they can understand how to grow orchids.

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About Jeffery Rush:
Jeffery is a keen gardener with a passion for orchids. Visit his sites for more information on orchid keeping:- www.orchid-flower.info www.hub-news.info/orchids/

African Violet: An Indoor Plant

African violets can bloom any time of the year. They are indoor plants, and as such, are not under the constraints that other plants are to bloom seasonally. Some growers say their violets actually can bloom 12 months of the year; in other words, all the time. I, myself have found that after blooming for six to eight weeks my violets need to take a "rest" period of one to three months.

But, usually my violets are in bloom twice a year, sometimes three, and at six to eight weeks at a time that sums up to about five to six good months of blooms, not too shabby! They are especially lovely when blooming during the cold of winter, when their deep green foliage and bright colorful blooms are in contrast to the white snow or the gray landscape, outside the window. One thing that will contribute to violets' potential to bloom year-round is to fertilize them every time they are watered. That, along with enough sunlight, humidity and warmth is the best recipe for African violets.

It is not uncommon for violets to "sport". In other words, your white violet puts up a purple blossom, or pink blossom or some other color. When the hybridizer created your particular variety, they cross pollinated two violets, more than likely, one of them was purple. So your violet has reverted back to one of its parents. Will it go completely purple? That's a good possibility. Why? Well some are just more "unstable" than others. I would guess the plant you bought was probably an Optimara violet.

Optimara violets are grown by a huge commercial grower in Nashville, Tenn. It was started by the Holtkamp family when they were in Germany. Eventually they came to this country and the family has carried on with violets for years and years. They are the biggest or at least one of the biggest commercial violet hybridizers and growers in the nation.

They produce plants for the home grower that uses window light. Folks like me that have ten lighted plant stands and a big room grow for show, I do grow Optimara violets, some of their plants make great show plants. However, when I do get one, I figure it has at least a 50% chance of sporting to a different color.

That makes it not blooming true so I couldn't show it under the name that was given because the plant would not match the description they gave to the African Violet Society of America to register it. Complicated I know but that's the rules and since I'm also an African Violet judge, I have to know those rules.

When a violet sports to a different color, it doesn't mean you have done anything wrong. Although environment can be a factor, it is more likely that the plant is just not stable. Sometimes you get pretty interesting color combinations from the plant that sports. Sometimes it will change colors and never go back to the original color. In fact, all the plants that I have grown that sported never went back to the original color. You never know what you'll wind up with sometimes.

As for repotting. If it has been over six months since you acquired the plant or since you have repotted, it would be a good idea to repot. But repotting into a pot that is too large will cause the roots to stay too soggy and your plant will not thrive. Violets like "tight feet" and they don't like soggy roots. So overpotting and overwatering is a no,no. The general rule is the pot should be 1/3 the size of the plant. For example: If your plant is 12 inches across from leaf tip to leaf tip, then it should be in a four inch pot. The soil you use is important also.

Most of the soils labled for African Violets is junk! Way too heavy for violets. So I would try to find a very light soil. Sunshine makes a good one, Optimara makes a good one. You can use one labeled for violets but be sure to add at least 50% or more perlite to the mix. That makes it lighter. You can usually find everything you need at Wal-Mart or a good nursery might have what you need. Most good violet soils are 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 perlite and 1/3 vermiculite. But you should be able to find a "ready made" one.

The most important factor in getting African Violets to bloom is light-Insufficient light is probably the most common reason for failure of African violets to flower. They need at least six to eight hours per day in order to flower. South or west windows will give you the best light this time of the year. You can also use artificial lighting.

They do best in daytime temperatures of 70 to 90 and nighttime temps of 65-70. They also like high humidity, which you can offer by placing the pot into a pebble tray-fill a small tray with pebbles and place the pot into this tray. Keep filled with water, this will create humidity around the plant. Never mist an African Violet or any plant with 'hairy' leaves.

Allow the soil to become dry to the touch between waterings. Pour water until it is coming out of the drain holes. Try not to splash water onto the leaves. Add a 20-20-20 fertilizer at least once a month. I believe it is Miracle Grow that makes one just for African Violets.

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About Victor Epand:
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for www.SendFlowers4.info/. SendFlowers4.info is a great place to shop for flowers, gift baskets, and plants when you are looking for a special gift. Start here to search by "Special Occasion": www.SendFlowers4.info/category/occasions.html.

Indoor Gardening

If you’re living in the middle of the Amazon jungle, the last thing I would recommend for you to do is try your hand at indoor gardening. After all, why try to compete with mother nature and come out looking like an amateur? But if, like most of the population of the western world you don’t actually live at the foot of a rain forest then I would really recommend looking into indoor gardening. As a jungle substitute of course.

Why would you go for an indoor garden - as opposed to an outdoor one of course? The reasons are pretty simple really. You don’t need to get too mucky grubbing around on your hands and feet in the dirt. You’ll almost never need to brave the harsher weather elements that nature will throw at you for trying to compete with her. It will make your house look nice, and you feel good. And ultimately in the grand scheme of things, it’s good for you.

It’s difficult to imagine how indoor gardening could be good for you, but really it has nothing to do with the gardening itself, more with the plants instead. If you hark back to the good old days of high school and peer pressure, you might just remember vaguely hearing something in science class about plants and photo-something-or-other.

To refresh your memory, it’s a procedure called photosynthesis, where plants remove carbon dioxide from the air, and release oxygen into it instead, thereby removing pollutants from our environment. If you’re living in a jungle there’s not too much of a problem with that, but living as we are in our singular little houses, indoor plants are the next best thing. Thus the indoor gardening.

When planning your lovely miniature rainforest - substitute ‘indoor garden’ - you have a variety of stunning plant options to choose from. Ones that the outdoor gardner might not be privy to. I won’t go into a list of possible indoor plants right now as the list is longer than my arm, but if you are interested I would suggest you take a look around in your local plant nursery.

You’ll get a good idea of what types of plants there are for you to choose from, and what types are a no, no. They just won’t grow indoors! You’ll also find with indoor gardening that some plants can be temperamental and will flat out refuse to grow anywhere within a walled-in and roofed area! A simple and easy place to start with would be try your hand at herb gardening. Simple to grow, useful in the kitchen, and best of all not the prima donna type.

Gardening, of any kind, just doesn’t get any better than indoor gardening, especially if you’re not an outdoorsy type of person and don’t want a close encounter with the wormy kind. Or any other type of crawly insect that resides in your outdoor garden, not your indoor garden. The benefits of indoor gardening just keep growing!

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Jumpstart The Spring Garden - Gardening Tips For March & April

Snowdrops stand guard over tiny daffodil buds. Daylight is lingering a bit longer. The snow is receding and the robins are returning. The big thaw has begun. There's no denying the signs. Spring is right around the corner.

If you're like me, you can't wait to get your hands into the soil. While you're holding out for higher temperatures, there's plenty you can do today to jumpstart the spring gardening season.

Sow Seeds Indoors

Take a trip to your local nursery or home store and buy seeds to start indoors. In March I like to start annual flowers for my pots and containers. Currently, I have Coleus, Zinnias, Impatiens, Petunias and Marigolds germinating. Follow the seed packet instructions and you'll get excellent results. Some plants will take longer than others to bloom or bear fruit, so plan accordingly. This is also a great time for starting culinary herbs and vegetables. If you're looking for something new this year, try moonflower vine or cathedral bells to climb your fence or trellis. Both can be started from seed. If you have children, get them involved. Many children have a natural affinity for gardening. It's a great quality to encourage and nurture in them.

Dust Off The Birdhouses

I put my birdhouses out in early March. Small birds like chickadees will be actively searching for appropriate homes to raise their families. Mine were up for less than 24 hours before the home tours began.

Give Your Garden Tools A Checkup

Take your pruning shears and other cutting tools to your local hardware store for cleaning, oiling and a good sharpening. On a warm day you may want to assess your lawnmower. Take it in for servicing or a tune up now-while you can. Many lawnmower repair centers are swamped shortly after the season starts. It's one tool you don't want to be without.

Get Inspired

Order your garden catalogs. Purchase your favorite garden magazines. Here in the northeast, there's nothing like winter time to remind me how valuable my summer garden space is. Create a wish list of new plants, design features and outdoor furniture. With a little planning, you won't be overwhelmed when May rolls around.

Seek Out Indoor Gardening Events

In March there are countless indoor garden, flower and landscaping expos. If you can't find anything in your local area, a day or weekend trip to a flower show might be just what you need. Look for a botanical garden or arboretum with indoor facilities. In my area we have Longwood Gardens. It has year round indoor gardens and the displays are fantastic.

Clean Out Your Beds

As soon as the snow has melted and the weather permits, you can clean out your beds. It's a good time to rake and clear your planting areas of dead branches, leaves and debris. I like to mulch as soon as possible in the spring, while there's still plenty of space between the emerging bedding plants.

Learn A Landscape Design Software Program

There are so many inexpensive landscaping software programs available today, many of them under $50.00US. During the winter months you'll have plenty of time to learn how to operate the system.

Create and sample new designs before digging. Take advantage of the overhead and 360 degree views. Many of the programs now offer a 3D walk through feature. It simulates the experience of walking through an actual garden. You can also advance the garden timeline into the future to see what it will look like when the plants and trees mature. It's a wonderful creative tool to beat the winter blues!

Call Your Landscaper Now

If you're planning to use a professional landscaper this year, make sure to schedule your work as far in advance as possible. When the ground is soft enough for digging, landscapers will be working overtime to keep up with the volume.

Book Your Garden Tours Now

Scour the internet for local and regional garden tours. Find out when tickets go on sale and plan ahead. I've often read announcement lists in the newspaper after I've already made other plans. There's nothing like
visiting other people's gardens for encouragement and inspiration.

I hope these suggestions get you motivated to take action. The sooner you get started on your garden plans-the more time you'll have to enjoy the rest of the season. Happy Gardening!

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About John Conti:
John Conti is a landscaper and publisher of Stellasyard.com | The Soulful Garden. Visit his web site for how to articles, advice and free design plans. Beginners are welcome. stellasyard.com

How You Can Control Hummingbird Feeder Pests Such as Ants, Bees and Wasps

The same sugar solution that attracts your Hummingbirds
will also be attractive to ants, bees and wasps. Not only will they drink, they
will also contaminate the nectar and sometimes even keep the Hummingbirds from
using the feeder. Ants getting inside the feeder will drown and
contaminate the nectar as their bodies decompose.
As for bees and wasps ..... I have seen bees and
wasps at my feeder so thick that the Hummingbirds couldn't feed at all. Thumping
them with a rolled up newspaper seemed to help a little, but every time I
thumped one, it wasn't long before it was replaced by another. Besides being a
little too risky .... after a while it begins to take a toll on your feeder! So,
let's examine some alternative possibilities to controlling pests at your
Hummingbird feeder.
Controlling ants

1. Keep the ants from finding your Hummingbird feeder
   ..... Using a drip less feeder is one way to help keep the ants from
   locating your Hummingbird feeder. Bottle-type feeders have a tendency to drip. When the
   air that's trapped above the nectar heats up, it expands and forces the nectar
   out through the feed ports. Basin or saucer type feeders are designed so that
   they are less likely to drip.


2. Keep the ants away from the Hummingbird nectar
   ..... okay, the ants have found your feeder .... go to plan b ..... The best
   way to keep ants away from the nectar is to use some sort of "ant
   guard". An ant guard is a barrier that's placed between the ants and the
   Hummingbird nectar. These aunt guards are built into some feeders in the form of an ant
   moat that can be filled with water to keep the ants away from the nectar. But
   they can also be purchase separately and added to a feeder. They usually
   consist of a plastic cup about 3 inches in diameter that fits tightly around
   the hanger wire above the feeder. Once the cup is filled with water the ants
   can't get to the nectar.

You can also make your own ant moat using the plastic
cap from a spray can. Punch or drill a hole in the cap to run the feeder hanger
wire through, then use hot glue or silicone sealant to seal the hole and make
the lid water proof so you can fill it with water.
Controlling bees and wasps

1. Buy a feeder with bee guards. Some
   Hummingbird feeders come equipped with plastic mesh bee guards. Unfortunately,
   a lot of these Hummingbird feeders will also be prone to dripping which will undermine the
   effectiveness of the bee guards.


2. Try moving the feeder. Sometimes just
   moving the Hummingbird feeder a few feet will trick the insects into thinking that it's
   gone and they won't find it. If your insects happen to be too smart to fall
   for this one..... try taking the feeder down for a day or two until they quit
   looking for it. The Hummingbirds won't give up as quick as the insects, so
   once you hang it back up the Hummingbirds will find it again.


3. Give the insects their own feeder.
   Personally, I would rather go back to thumping them with a rolled up newspaper
   before I conceded and tried this trick, but it's a technique used effectively
   by lots of people, so I thought it appropriate to mention here. You will need
   two Hummingbird feeders, one for the bees and wasps and one for the Hummingbirds. Bees and
   wasps are more attracted to higher concentrations of sugar, so in their feeder
   use a nectar ratio of 1 part sugar to 3 parts water. In the Hummingbirds
   feeder, instead of using the standard 1 to 4 ratio, use a ratio of 1
   part sugar to 5 parts water. This ratio although not as sweet as the 1 to 4,
   will still be good enough for the Hummingbirds , but not nearly as attractive
   to the bees and wasps as the feeder with the 1 to 3 ratio. Give the bees and
   wasps a few hours to attach themselves to their feeder then move it away from
   the Hummingbird feeder and hope they follow.


4. Buy a basin or saucer-type Hummingbird feeder.
   These type feeders are pretty much drip proof, so they're not as likely to
   attract insects in the first place. Also, the nectar level will be lower and
   out of reach to the insects, but not out of reach to the Hummingbirds with
   their long tongues. My favorite basin-type feeder is
   the HummZinger.
   It's kind of expensive, but has several features that might warrant a
   high price. The HummZinger has patented Nectar guard tips which are flexible
   membranes attached to the feed ports that prohibit entry from flying insects,
   but allow Hummingbirds to feed as usual. The HummZinger also has a built in
   ant moat that will stop crawling insects from getting to the nectar. This
   Hummingbird feeder can solve your ant, bee and wasp problems all at the same
   time.

   Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

   About Michael Baughman:
   Michael Baughman is the producer of A Bird In The Hand video a series of videos that will quickly teach your backyard birds and squirrels to feed out of your hand. He is also owner of the How To Enjoy Hummingbirds web site, where you can learn all about attracting and hand-feeding Hummingbirds.

Integrated Pest Management

The Garden as Ecosystem
Twentyfive years ago, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) seemed a utopian dream to mainstream agriculturalists. The idea that plant pests could be kept at acceptable levels without large amounts of chemical pesticides ran counter to everything they had been taught. But now IPM is embraced by nearly everyone involved in the field. What has caused this turn around?

Chemical Miracles
When chemical pesticides were first introduced in large quantities in the 1940s, they were seen as miracles of modern life. Now all farmers had to do was spary their crops with DDT, or some other chemical, and they could achieve complete control.
But within a couple of decades, problems began appearing. The most important of which is the environmental harm done by chemicals which are both toxic and persistent. Even 25 years after being almost totally banned in the U.S., DDT can still be found in the tissue of animals.

But even disregarding environmental concerns, there were a number of other factors that called into question the wisdom of such uninhibited use of chemicals. First, when using an insecticide to control a pest, its natural predators are often killed off as well. This can have the unintended effect of actually causing an upswing in the pest population.

Second, many insects can very quickly develop populations resistant to a given chemical.

And third, when one pest is eliminated the door is opened to others that were less apparent before their competition was killed off. At first the solution to these problems seemed to be to just use more, or different, chemicals, but eventually it became obvious this was no more than a good way to line the pockets of chemical manufacturers.

Avoiding the Problem
The first tenet of IPM is to try to avoid the problem in t he first place. Plants have natural defenses against pests. Problems are more likely to occur when a plant is stressed by its general condition. A plant that receives inadequate moisture or too much sun is less able to put up a resistance to the onslaught of insects.
And those that are planted in too shady a spot, are planted too closely together or get watered in late evening are more likely to suffer from fungi. To minimize problems with fungi, make sure the plants are mulched, have plenty of air circulation and are watered in morning. Try to keep them outside the drip lines of nearby trees and remove the severely damaged twigs and foliage.

Many insects feed primarily on just one genus, or even species, of plant. For instance, the rhododendron lace bug, Stephantis rhododendri, feeds almost exclusively on rhododendron. While its cousin, S. pyrioides, feeds mostly on azaleas. Large, single-species groupings of plants, so popular with landscape designers, are a sure way to create problems.

By the time you notice the Corythucha cydoniae (yet another lace bug) in that huge bank of cotoneaster, it will be too late. Within a few weeks they will have a permanent footing and you will be locked into periodic sprayings of insecticides. By diversifying your plantings you minimize these risks. This doesn't mean you can't have small groupings of particular species or cultivars, just avoid those truly massive displays.

If you want to avoid using chemicals entirely, you may have to do without some plants. Except in ideal conditions, most hybrid roses require regular sprayings. Then again, if you can be satisfied with the less dramatic blooms of the rugosas or other landscape roses you can minimize the use of fungicides and insecticides and perhaps avoid it altogether.

Picking the right plants for the right places, planting them properly and giving them adequate care are key to minimizing the use of pesticides.

Striking a Balance
Integrated Pest Management involves using a variety of methods to control pests. But more importantly, it involves deciding when to use those methods. The point is to only deal with pests when the health of your plants or their aesthetic value is in jeopardy.
The latter is obviously a somewhat subjective call, but we all need to relize that no matter what, we will have pests in our gardens. For instance, in my garden I frequently see dozens of aphids munching on my Irises. But they have no effect on the blooms and they can't even be seen without looking closely.

If I spray them (even with an insecticidal soap), I may harm my very healthy population of praying mantises by eliminating part of their food supply (they love to dine on aphids). These insectivores may be holding in check other pests that I'm not even aware of. So by spraying my Irises for aphids, I may be endangering other plants to other insects.

A lawn is another example of a situation where the best solution is often to do nothing. Assuming one of the reasons you have a lawn is so children can play on it, you might want to avoid using chemical weed killers.

If you've planted the right grass for your area, and take care of it properly, it will generally be strong enough to compete.

Natural Controls
There are a myriad of natural controls at work in your garden. Lady beetles, mantises and spiders are all there eating insects. Parasitic wasps lay their eggs in the larvae of other insects where they hatch and devour them from within. And as mentioned earlier, healthy plants themselves produce a variety of means for controlling pests.
You can purchase lady beetles, parasitic wasps and mantis egg casings for release in your garden, but they are probably there already. If someone has been a little heavy handed with insecticide, it may be worth purchasing some of these predators to replenish their populations. Otherwise, introducing more than your garden can sustain will either cause a massive die out or a migration to greener pastures.

Either way you've wasted your money.

The best way to maintain a healthy population of predators is to avoid using insecticides, and when you do use them, make sure you are only applying them to the areas at risk.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Jodi Reichenberger:
Teaching good ways to garden organically, and tips to help you get the most of your effort, GardenSimpy.com helps you learn to live well and eat well. Live an all around sustainable lifestyle reading the lastest community and organic gardening news out there.
It's serious information for serious fun!
Join us! Sustainability is a community effort!

Even a small garden in your home can make a difference

Human beings have ever depended on the trees and plants around them to provide food, clothing, shelter, medicine and above all oxygen. Now, various researches are increasingly revealing that plants and flowers can also contribute to better physical, mental and emotional health.

We can easily trace the fragility and beauty of life through flowers. They evoke and share the feelings of love, health, trust, age and the fleeting fragments of time. Flowers and people and flowers - they have been identified with each other through life's greatest and darkest moments.

Over the time, flowers have gained much importance in our daily lives and it has become part of our daily lives and we use them for all purposes such as to express something to someone, to greet, to congratulate, to welcome and most importantly for rituals and weddings. We place them even on graves.

Gardening of flowers has become an important aspect of our lives. A small garden filled with various kinds of flowers in front of our house is a delight to everyone. Everyone admires and even dream of such a house. If we have a special love for any flower then we can make it an everlasting beauty of our garden with innovative cultivation and enjoy the beauty of the flower of our choice even though the climate and other conditions are not quite favorable. But then if we want to divide the flowers on the basis of their life cycle then there will be three divisions, namely, annuals, biennials, and perennials though we can certainly go out of our way and plant flowers according to our choice.

Annual flowers complete their life cycle in one season so it is easily changeable and it also gives a bright color to our garden. These flowers are quite comfortable in the summer season and they are sun-lovers. Some names of flowers that can be grown in March and April - ageratum, aster, balsam, celosia, cone flower, cosmos, crotalaria, cypress vine, dahlia, floss flower, globe amaranth, gourds, marigolds, morning glory, nasturtium, petunias, rose-moss, salvia, sunflower, torenia and zinnia. There are also bright shade loving flowers like impatiens and bedding begonias.

Biennial flower plant
Flowers grow more during the fall and spring. The life cycle of biennial plants begins during the fall continues all through the winter season and ends at spring. During the fall the biennial plants produce only leaves. Then the winter period passes and they bloom in the spring, produce seeds, and then die. Some popular biennial plants include foxglove, hollyhock, stocks, and sweet williams. The only disadvantage of biennial flowers is that it produces too much of leaves.

Perennials are considered to be ornamental plants that do not die after one season of growth. This does not mean they live forever. In fact many perennials are considered to be short-lived, lasting only 2-3 years. Rose campion is a short lived perennial, but because it self-seeds so readily, it appears to live much longer. Some important perennials are; Pink Astilbe, Blue Pincushion Flower, Blue Perennial Sage, Purple Coralbells, Threadleaf Tickseed, Russian Sage, Blue Speedwell
Purple Coneflower, Black-Eyed Susan and Purple-Leaved Beard-Tongue.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About komal:
A leading online provider of fresh-cut flowers Cheap flowers Toronto shop and send flowers cheap toronto.

Origami Lotus Flower

This gorgeous origami flower looks complicated without clear instructions. Watch the full video to learn how to make this great origami flower.

Origami Lotus Flower
Cargado por Antiidol

The Best Flowers For Your Garden

Have you ever wondered if what you know about picking the best flowers for your home garden is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on picking the best flowers for your home garden.

Choosing the right flowers is one of the most critical decisions when planning a new garden, and combining colors and textures can make any garden a showplace. The many different colors and varieties of flowers for the garden makes finding the colors you like best very easy.

Of course plants should be chosen for their health and hardiness in addition to their beauty. When choosing seedlings for transplantation, it is important to choose only the healthiest, best looking seedlings, and to reject those that show any signs of disease or insect infestation. Choosing only the healthiest plants will make sure your new garden gets off to the right start.

Some problems with seedlings will be apparent even to the beginning gardener. For instance, it is easy to see things like spots on the leaves, holes in the leaves, or wounds in the stems. Other problems, however, are more subtle, and they may easy to miss for the beginning gardener. If you are planning your first garden, you may want to take along a more experienced gardener, or solicit the advice of the nursery staff, to find the best seedlings for your needs.

As you browse around the garden center, be sure to carefully examine the flowers, the leaves, and the foliage of the plants you are considering. Look especially for white and black spots on the flowers, leaves and foliage, as these spots are often signs of a bacterial or fungal infection.

It is also important to be on the lookout for wilted leaves and waterlogged roots, as these can mean the plants will fail to thrive after they are planted. Plants with cut stems or other types of wounds should also be avoided.

Knowledge can give you a real advantage. To make sure you're fully informed about picking the best flowers for your home garden, keep reading.

Of course, finding the healthiest plants is only part of the battle. The other part is transplanting those seedlings properly, and caring for them once they are in the ground. It is always important to get the transplants into the garden as quickly as possible. When planting seedlings or young plants, the hole you dig should be slightly larger than the root ball of the plant. Making the hole larger will ensure that the plant can be placed into the ground without disturbing the delicate root structure. After the plant is in place, the earth should be gently tamped down, and the plant should be given plenty of water and fertilizer.

When starting a new garden, it is also a good idea to have a good soil analysis done before buying your first plants. A soil analysis will tell you if your soil is of sufficient quality, and help you be sure that it contains the nutrients your plants will need. A soil analysis will also spot common problems, such as soil that is too acidic, too alkaline, too sandy, contains to much clay, etc. There are ways to fix all these problems, but it is important to have a soil analysis done so you know how to correct any problems found.

In addition, understanding the type of soil you have can help you to choose the plants that will do best in that soil. Tailoring the plants you select to the soil you have is a great way to reduce the use of pesticides and other chemicals while still enjoying a healthy and robust garden.

Those who only know one or two facts about picking the best flowers for your home garden can be confused by misleading information. The best way to help those who are misled is to gently correct them with the truths you're learning here.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About J. Brian Keith:
B. Keith Johnson is a contributing author for Flower Gardens. Visit his other sites for Product Reviews, Free Website Content and Free Photo Sharing

Green House Gardening Tips and Tricks

Gardening enthusiasts in the more interesting temperate climates and any place where there are four seasons are faced with great benefits as well as challenges. Because of the four seasons, gardeners are blessed with huge plant varieties conducive for planting on one or two of the seasons. In the period of a year, they are given an opportunity to plant varieties that must grow in cooler climates, and take advantage of the sunny summer to plant those that would require more exposure to the sun. However, the seasonality of plant varieties may pose challenges to those who would rather grow plants continuously, regardless of season. This is especially true for flower and fruit varieties that require continuous sunlight for an entire year, for example, or fruit and vegetable perennials that do not bear fruit and instead shrivel up in the winter.

The response to these challenges is the creation of greenhouses or greenhouse facilities. A greenhouse is a structure made of glass or plastic that stores up the sun’s rays in order to simulate the temperatures in the spring all year long inside. By storing up heat inside a greenhouse, it allows individuals to grow plants continuously even while winter rages hard outside it. Greenhouses also go by the name glasshouses or hothouses. The glass or plastic used in the construction of greenhouses are specially designed to have transmission qualities that will allow for the sun’s ultraviolet rays to be stored inside the greenhouse facility, providing a warm atmosphere inside, and in effect, warming the plants and the soil. A greenhouse leaves little or no openings through which the air heated by the stored sunlight can escape; leaving a small window or hatch open in a greenhouse will lead to a drastic drop in temperatures.

The general idea of a greenhouse is to protect temperature and climate sensitive plants from extreme shifts in temperature—either too hot or too cold. Maintaining a greenhouse has its own share of toil. Unlike the normal outdoor environment, which may be left to its own devices to some extent as nature creates some degree of balance, a greenhouse must be placed under strict regulation. Inside the greenhouse is a controlled environment that must simulate the outdoors without overdoing it. For a start, it must regulate heat and humidity inside the facility. Other factors to be considered are irrigation of the plants (and sufficiency of the water available to them), light exposure, and the presence of pests and diseases must be put into great consideration. Moreover, due to the fact that the spring outdoors is sealed into a single facility, natural activities like pollination must be simulated by the introduction of species that will help make this possible. Bumblebees are the most popular option for pollinators in greenhouses.

It is recommended that greenhouses be built in the southeast portion of the property. It is in this way that the minimal sunlight available during the winter will be maximized by the greenhouse. Moreover, the house can serve to protect the greenhouse from strong winter blizzards coming in from the north.
Greenhouses may be built attached to a house, or as stand-alone structures. The latter option provides more growing room for the greenhouse facility. While it may seem that there is too much to do in order to simply start a greenhouse, gardening enthusiasts will be more than willing to vouch for greenhouses, especially if gardening is a hobby. Gardening affords even the busiest of folks to tend to their plants when they are available. With a greenhouse, the constraints of day and night, and even the seasons, are put in the backseat. Greenhouses provide the option of tending to gardens even at night because lighting and heat is consistently present inside the structure.

Moreover, it gives gardeners the ability to plant exotic flowers and fruits that are usually grown in warmer tropical areas as they are able to control light exposure and heat inside the greenhouse. Greenhouses may even provide profit-making possibilities for gardeners. With potted plants for indoor growing and flowers growing in demand, greenhouse owners are given opportunities to sell what they grow inside their greenhouses to buffer whatever maintenance costs they incur along the way. In the higher-latitude territories, greenhouses carry the important task of growing fresh produce in areas where the climates are harsh and cruel on plants. This is one of the biggest reasons for huge greenhouse facilities that house vegetables and fruits more than flowers and exotic foliage. At the end of the day, greenhouses allow for the creation of a miniaturized and highly controlled natural environment to suit gardening needs. Its growing potential to provide for fresh produce in territories even with the instability of global climate proves to be a benefit that may be explored in the future.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Percy Troughton:
Percy Troughton's runs his own garden center as well as running several shopping based websites. His particular speciality is gardening equipment. Visit his website which is full of Green House Gardening Tips. www.gardenresourcesworld.com/green_house_gardening.html

Composting Do’s and Don’ts

So long as they have a high surface to volume ratio, most plant materials from your garden will work beautifully in your compost pile. However, you want to use common sense when adding larger items like sequoia branches or giant rubber tree leaves, simply shred them or chip them up into smaller pieces - the more surface area available to you resident critters, the faster the decomposition process. Plant food scraps from the kitchen, shredded cardboard boxes, and sawdust from untreated wood will all contribute nicely to your organic potpourri, just don't put too much of any one thing in - it can throw off the N-P-K balance, not to mention the pH.

Always remember to throw in a handful of good garden soil to inoculate the new pile with living organisms. A few earthworms and rollie pollies are a nice addition, too. Though it is not required, many individuals add compost starters and accelerators to help their pile along--this is fine, just avoid the synthetic additives and seek out natural and organic sources with minimal packaging.

Though all organic matter can be broken down naturally, some materials are just not suitable for the home compost pile. First and foremost, no human or pet excrement should be added to the bins. Feces can harbor harmful bacteria, and there is no guarantee that the high temperatures of your pile will successfully kill them. Second, stay away from greasy foods, dairy products, meat scraps and bones. Not only can their decomposition result in 'colorful' aromas, they can attract rodents. Unless you are a seasoned composter, it is best to avoid them completely.

Natural chemicals in citrus peels, eucalyptus leaves, and pine needles can actually slow down your compost pile, so avoid mixing them into your artistic masterpiece. Ashes from your fireplace are basically worthless --- they are already broken down as much as possible (remember the heat and flames), and therefore have little potential energy to offer the micro organisms in your pile. Beside, ash can drastically alter the pH of the soil. If your prize tomatoes experienced their worst blight on record, you probably want to keep their diseased leaves and stems out of the pile, especially if the finished compost will be returning to your vegetable garden. Why propagate pestilence? Rocks, plastic and Styrofoam are not going to do much for your creation either, so keep them out. A good rule to go by is “when in doubt, keep it out.”

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Jim Allen:
For a HUGE selection of composters and supplies, and for a great selection of eco-friendly furniture visit Composters.com and Eco-furniture.com.

Enrich Soil Naturally - How To Make Compost

Anyone who prefers to buy their vegetables and flowers from the local grocery store will have a difficult time understanding the gardener's delight digging into a smelly pile of compost, or having a truck load of manure dumped in their yard. Really, who in their right mind, would pay to have a substance excreted by animals brought to their home?

A gardener. One who knows that good manure and compost can be the difference between a lush garden and a sparse, struggling one. And lets not forget the aroma, a gardener will describe the smell of compost or manure, as "sweet", or "rich", the average person, with no interest in gardening, is more likely to use the word "disgusting".

An experienced gardener knows that compost and manure are the life-blood of a garden. It is the primary way to enrich your soil naturally, and provide all the nutrients your plants will need to grow healthy and strong. The addition of compost and manure can transform even the worst soil into black gold, given enough time.

Composting is a natural biological process where bacteria, fungi and other organisms decompose organic materials such as leaves, grass clippings, and food wastes. The resulting product is called compost. Although composting occurs naturally, the process can be accelerated and improved by human intervention.

Where do you start?

In this article the focus will be on composting. If you are new to gardening, knowing how to start and build a good compost bin may seem a little complex, you may ask, "How do I build a compost bin" or "What can I put in my compost bin". Overall, making compost is relatively simple.

We will focus on compost bins and tumblers. Tumblers are excellent alternatives for gardeners living in the city who may not have room for a compost bin, or where city bylaws prohibit open compost bins. Putting kitchen scraps in the compost bin versus the garbage can have the added benefit of reducing foul odors. You will also have the peace of mind knowing you are contributing less garbage to the local landfill.

It is best to have two compost bins, one for fresh compost additives, and the other for use in your garden each season. Using two compost bins ensures you will always have good compost at the start of each gardening season. If you prefer to use tumblers, the same principal applies. One is in development, the other is ready to use.

There are two ways of composting, "Passive" and "Managed".

Passive composting
This is really very basic. You have a compost bin; you throw in all the various kitchen scraps, yard waste and so on. Once in a while, you mix it up; weather, bacteria, fungi and time do the rest. Hopefully, each year, you will have useable compost. Often referred to as "The Lazy Gardener's Compost".

Managed composting
This requires more time and attention than passive composting, but the resulting compost will be ready sooner, and better quality. A managed compost pile is often referred to as hot compost since the pile heats up as it decomposes, thus speeding up the process.

A managed compost bin can be ready in just 6 weeks, however, unless you are using tumblers, in most cases useable compost will probably take 2 to 3 months. Chopping or shredding leaves and other materials will speed up the process drastically.

Most of the organisms that decompose organic matter in a compost bin are aerobic - this means they need air to survive, so air circulation is important. This can be done by mixing (turning the top and sides of the pile into the center) the pile up every 3 or 4 days, or when the compost begins to feel cool. Building a bin with slats allows air to enter the pile from the sides. Using both methods is best.

How fast you produce finished compost will be determined by what you add to your compost, if you chop it up and how you mix them together. Layering is a common technique, but in most cases, redundant if you hand mix the pile.

The temperature of your compost pile is critical - If it is warm or hot, everything is good. If it feels luke warm, decomposition has slowed down and you need to add more materials such as grass clippings, leaves or kitchen waste. If you prefer to be very precise with the management of your compost, a compost thermometer can be used see how well your compost is doing. They are not expensive and readily available. If you can't buy locally, you will easily find them online.

Keeping your compost pile moist is important. Too dry, and the pile will not decompose as quickly. A compost pile should be moist, but not wet - add water or dry matter as required to maintain this balance. To much water will reduce air in the compost thus slowing down the decay process. A good sign of healthy compost is worms. Worms don't like it too cold, too hot, too wet or too dry - they can be used to monitor the condition of your compost.

A new compost pile will begin to heat up within a few days as the microorganisms thrive and your pile begins to decompose. Ideally, your pile should heat to about 140-160 degrees to kill weed seeds and diseases that may be present in garden plants.

Building a compost bin
A compost bin can be made from almost any scrap lumber. It does not need to be pretty; it simply has to hold all the different household and yard waste you will be adding to it. See the image to your right; this is typical of a compost bin.

A good design will be at least 3' x 3' x 3'. This will provide enough mass to generate optimal temperatures. A bin should incorporate removable front panels, usually in the form of boards, which can be removed one at a time. This is important since the weight of mature compost against a single large panel may make it impossible to open. If you want to get fancy, you can add a gate on the front.

There are many ways to build a compost bin, the details of which are too lengthy for this article. However, a simple search on Google using the term "How to build a compost bin" will provide numerous links to websites offering you many ways to go about building a compost bin. There are heap composting and worm composting - although worms can, and should be added to any compost bin, regardless of design.

Compost bins need to be turned by hand (mixed) to help with the decomposing process and help recently added scraps decompose quicker. Mixing helps improve overall quality of your compost.

Compost tumblers
You have probably seen these on Internet or at your local garden shop. Basically, they are a round tub, mounted on a frame, or base, designed to turn compost and speed development. Many will also collect compost tea (excess nutrient rich moisture that seeps into the base of the tumbler).

Compost tumblers are perfect if space is limited, or city bylaws do not permit open compost bins. They are also ideal if you have a small garden and do not need a large bin. These bins work by rotating the bin every few days, which can speed up compost development by as much a 3 times. The rotation helps to mix compost evenly and create very good compost.

What can you put in your compost?

• Grass Clippings (thin layers 1 - 2 inches)
  
• Leaves and yard waste
  
• Flowers
  
• Dead plants from end of season garden
  
• Weeds without seed heads
  
• Fruit and vegetable scraps
  
• Coffee grounds
  
• Tea bags
  
• Egg shells
  
• Citrus fruits (cut up)
  
• Pure wool jumpers and socks (cut up)
  
• Pure cotton articles (cut up)
  
• Blood and bone (with no meat)
  
• Shredded newspaper
  
• Small amounts of wood ash
  

Do not add the following to your compost!

• Any Type Of Plastic
  
• Foam
  
• Metal
  
• Weeds with seeds (personal recommendation)
  
• Bulbous weeds
  
• Weeds with runners
  
• Pet Droppings
  
• Dead Vertebrate Animals
  
• Uncooked Meats
  
• Cooked Meats
  
• Diary Products (Except Egg Shells)
  
• Pig manure (questionable parasites and bacteria)
  
• Big woody twigs
  
• Evergreen needles (unless you want an acidic compost)
  

Troubleshooting
Composting is generally not a problem and easy to do. However, sometimes things don't progress as expected and this can usually be attributed to a few common problems. Here are the most common problems and solutions:

• Bad odor
  There is not enough air, or your pile is too wet. Mix the pile, or add dry materials to the pile.
  
  
• Not decomposing
  Pile may be to dry or wet. If dry, mix the pile and moisten as you turn the compost. If wet, mix the pile and add more dry material.
  
  
• Compost feels right, but not heating up
  Lack of nitrogen - add items like grass clippings, manure, and other greens
  
  
• Animals attracted to the compost
  Are you adding meat or milk products to the pile. Avoid scraps likely to attract animals.
  

Compost is the best natural fertilizer for your garden. In most cases, it contains all the nutrients your plants will need. Compost made with a wide variety of materials, including manure (recommended) is the best.

Compost is the best natural material to enrich and build soil. If you want black gold, you need compost. Experienced gardeners know that healthy soil, rich in organic matter, will grow healthier plants that naturally resist disease, insects, and adverse weather.

What more could a gardener ask for.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About H Reinders:
My name is Henry Reinders. Avid gardener and owner of usagardener.com A complete online guide to gardening. My Latest commercial garden project was included in our community garden tour and featured on our local community cable channel.

The Foundation of Agriculture is Root Mass

Providing nutrient dense food for cattle and people finds its basis in the soil borne nutrients that roots can absorb to turn into these foods. Without healthy dense root mass and micro mineral laden soils to draw from, food may look good but is empty of nutrition. The two major functions of roots are 1.) absorption of water and inorganic nutrients and 2.) anchoring the plant body to the ground. The pattern of development of a root system is termed 'root architecture', and is important in providing a plant with a secure supply of nutrients and water as well as anchorage and support. Some plants have very deep root systems like prairie grasses that reach 7 feet above ground, but 15 feet below ground.

The majority of roots on most plants are found relatively close to the surface where nutrient availability and aeration are more favorable for growth. Rooting depth may be physically restricted by rock or compacted soil close below the surface, or by anaerobic soil conditions. the 'plastic' nature of root growth allows the plant to then concentrate its resources to seek out nutrients and water are they are more easily available Roots will generally grow in any direction where the correct environment of air, mineral nutrients and water exists to meet the plant's needs. But roots will not grow in dry soil. Primary roots less than 2 mm diameter have the function of water, mineral and nutrient uptake. They are often heavily branched.

Roots also function in cytokinin synthesis, which supplies some important shoot needs. Cytokinins are a class of plant growth substances (plant hormones) active in promoting cell division, and are also involved in cell growth, differentiation, and other physiological processes and are mainly created in the root. These many processes’ are reliant on macro nutrient and micro nutrient activation minerals to regulate biosysthesis of phytochemicals. For minerals to be immediately available to plant roots, particles have to be microscopic in size. Liquid minerals solutions like ASAP Plant Minerals provide these nutrients at the right size. As soil is stripped, the re introduction of these activation micro nutrient minerals is essential for continued nutritional content in plants used for agriculture. A perfect example of a loss of nutrient in grasses due to stripped-out micro minerals is the reduced milk output by dairy cattle fed hay and grass devoid of micro nutrient minerals. Eating more nutrient empty grass does not produce more milk because minerals that stimulate lactation are absent. Re-mineralizing our soils to offset the loss yearly by harvesting will solve this problem. Healthy roots, in micro mineral laden soils, produce healthy shoots.

In roots, the architecture of fine roots and coarse roots can both be described by variation in topology and distribution of biomass within and between roots. Having a balanced architecture allows fine roots to exploit soil efficiently around a plant, but the 'plastic' nature of root growth allows the plant to then concentrate its resources where nutrients and water are more easily available.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About August Dunning-13741:
August Dunning is the head Research Director at www.asaporganics.com

Water Cooled Lighting

All conventional sources of light produce heat as well as light. While some lights sources like the incandescent filament lamp are quite inefficient, producing huge amounts of heat, others like the sodium vapor lamp are somewhat more efficient and run comparatively “cool”. In applications like hydroponics this heat produced in the lamp can have several deleterious effects on the plants in an indoor grow room. It is imperative in such applications that the heat generated in the lamp is dissipated effectively and efficiently so that plant growth is not adversely affected.

Perhaps, the best approach is to deal with the problem at the source. Water cooled lighting attempts to address the problem by conducting the heat away from the source, using a water circulating system. There are several such systems to choose from, which allows growers a degree of flexibility in selecting the system best suited to their needs and preference.

Water cooled lighting is typically available in the higher wattage range with 400W and 600 W high pressure sodium (HPS) or metal halide (MH) lamps along with accessories such as reflector, remote ballast, contactor, relay timer etc. The basic lighting system is the same as the one used commonly, the special feature being the replaceable lamp which is encased within two tubes. Water flows thru the tubes that allow for maximum heat transfer leaving the casing cold to the touch. This is ideally suited for mounting the lights in close proximity to plants, which ensures availability of more light for plant growth. This also eliminates the problem of plants burning due to their proximity to the intense heat of the high wattage lights.

Cooling Systems

The cold water is taken from a reservoir; for best results large reservoirs are preferable. Large reservoirs enable greater heat dissipation which allows several lamps to share a common reservoir. The water may be obtained from any clean source, like the local municipally water supply as this will reduce maintenance, though other sources may also suffice. Growers can choose from a number of cooling systems. These include:

Run to Waste

This system is cheap, easy to set up and requires minimal hardware support. Best suited for growers with just a few lights it basically comprises a hose connected to a tap at one end. At the other end, the hose is connected to the first of the lights that are arranged serially. The water finally exits through the last light and is vented to waste. This system will require a good quality water supply such as the municipal supply.

Recirculation System

This system saves on water costs and uses a heat exchanger to cool the heated water thus saving on the consumption of water and electricity. It comprises a reservoir, filter, hose and heat exchanger and pump. Water is pumped from the reservoir through the filter, passes through the lights and is then cooled in the heat exchanger prior to flowing back to the reservoir.

This system is recommended by many manufactures of water-cooled-lights.

System for Venting Heat to Lakes, Streams etc.

This system offers an easy way of getting rid of the heat produced in the lights for people who live near large bodies of water like lakes, streams etc. The system involves stringing several hundred feet of garden hose from the pump in the reservoir to the lake. From the lake it is connected back to the house to the inlet to the lights. The water is pumped from the reservoir, through the hose in the lake where it gives off its heat before re-entering the lights.

The systems described above comprise only a few of the cooling options for use with water cooled lights available to growers today. Several advanced systems incorporating the basic features of the above cooling systems can be built to optimize lighting performance and enhance grow-room productivity.

Water cooled lighting systems have been around since a decade; growers have reported all-round benefits of incorporating such systems in their grow rooms. The following benefits reported by growers will perhaps help you in making informed decisions about water cooled lighting your grow room -

Enhanced grow tent productivity

Better control over pests

Reduction in installation size

All weather operation through out the year

Modular design for rapid, easy setup and expansion.

Easy and fast dismantling and disassembly

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Diana Heyden:
Get more information on grow room and indoor greenhouse visit at hydrohuts.com.

For Hydroponics Growers

The development of better health consciousness among consumers has led to a phenomenal growth in the demand for hydroponically grown produce. A combination of hydroponic technology and a controlled environment greenhouse or indoor grow rooms can tackle this demand. Such a blend is known as Soil-less/Controlled Environment Agriculture (S/CEA).

A majority of the numerous hydroponic farms in the United States are family or small business operations. These farms generally have 1/8 -1 acre in hydroponic production while the larger facilities average 20 - 40 acres. The smaller operations hold the advantage of proximity to the marketplace. Tomatoes are the most popular hydroponic crop in the U.S. followed by cucumbers, leaf crops, herbs, peppers, and flowers. There is a requirement for more hydroponic farms as much of the produce is presently imported.

Testing and monitoring are part of the daily operation of a commercial hydroponic grower. It is essential to test the pH and nutrient concentrations of the feed solution and the reservoir. The temperature and humidity levels are also monitored. Recording such information proves useful in assessment of overall health of the crop, diagnosing problems and ascertaining the positive and negative influence of various factors. Good observation, diligence, and order are the qualities demanded of a grower. The best way to prevent diseases and other problems is to perform daily checks.

A grower performs culturing depending upon the nature of the plant. Long-term crops like tomatoes or cucumbers require daily culturing. With short-term crops like lettuce, continuous seeding and harvesting is more important. Most commercial tomato growers replant their growing chamber once a year. Very little space is required to propagate the seeds. The seedlings are shifted to the greenhouse when they are several weeks old. Harvesting is done in about hundred days and continues for eight to nine months. The five main culturing jobs for fruiting crops are (done weekly):


1. Clipping—the plant is clipped to the string hung down from the main support wires.

2. Sucker Pruning—suckers are the side branches that grow at every leaf axial. A sucker is removed by grasping it firmly and then bending it back in one direction.

3. Cluster Pruning—this involves discarding the misshapen, smallest, and weakest fruit to allow the larger ones to develop.

4. Leaf Pruning—the lower leaves are removed to encourage new growth at the top of the plant. To remove it, pressure is applied at the base of the leaf.

5. Leaning and Lowering—this is done to keep the producing part of the plant within reach. The top six feet are left vertical while the remaining stem is laid horizontally.

Other grow-room jobs that growers must perform include pollination, harvesting, and packing. Pollination may be done by touching a vibrating pollinating wand to every open flower cluster. Another way is to bring a specialized bumblebee hive into the greenhouse and let the bees do the pollinating. If this method is employed, pesticides should not be used for insect control. Growers of hydroponic cucumbers need not pollinate them artificially as they are self-pollinating. Crops may be harvested every two or three days. Commercial growers label their product with the brand name and a brief description or the benefits of how it was grown.

The cost of growing hydroponic plants in a controlled environment often exceeds the cost of growing crops in a field. These extra expenses are incurred in providing the ideal temperatures, humidity, light and feed to the plants. In order to compensate for these, the produce must be marketed well. Highlighting the advantages of hydroponically grown crops in grow tents is of utmost importance. Growers may cite that they are free of herbicides and pesticides, available for nearly the whole of the year, have better nutritional value, have aesthetic appeal, are vine ripened and packed and harvested by hand. Following are the methods of selling:

• Grocery stores—Selling directly to grocery stores requires expertise to determine markets and the time to deliver regularly. But it offers control over transportation and handling.

• Produce brokers—A produce broker or distributor markets the produce for the grower. While it is convenient, earnings and control are diminished.
• Co-op or grower network—as the name suggests, growers may form a network to market and distribute collectively.

• Roadside or market stand—this allows growers to sell directly to consumers. But some growers may not prefer to take the time to transport and sell by themselves.

Hydroponics has come a long way from the floating gardens of the Chinese, described by Marco Polo in his journals. Commercial growing can be lucrative and satisfying, provided the produce is grown with the right procedures.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Diana Heyden:
For more information about grow tent or indoor greenhouse visit hydrohuts.com.

Selecting and Purchasing Right Garden Tools for Your Garden!

There are thousands of garden tools available in the market and every individual tool has its own specialty so far as its use and handling skills are concerned. You may need to use different tools in different gardening circumstances and in certain scenario you may not need to use certain garden tools and in some other gardening circumstance you have to use certain garden tools. But owning every gardening tool that you see in the market may improve the look and feel of your gardening tool shed, but you need not to use all the gardening tools frequently unless you are a garden professional and provide gardening services. So this article will guide you how to select basic garden tools that would help you accomplishing most of your gardening activities. Selection of garden tools mostly depends on the type of garden you work at and its surroundings, soil and nearby vegetation. By analyzing hundreds of garden tools, I’ve made a list of 10 basic gardening tools. The list of garden tools follows here:

- A Sturdy Hand Trowel
- A Stirrup Hoe
- A Square Blade Spade with a D-Shaped Handle
- Bypass Hand Pruners
- A Garden Fork
- A Leaf Rake
- A Bow Rake
- A Hand Cultivator
- A Wheelbarrow or Garden Cart
- A Knife

You can find a number of garden tool stores in your locality and they offer wide ranging options for purchasing garden tools. There are so many garden tool manufacturers and you can find attractive, stylish and Hi-Tech garden tools and prices too vary from manufacturers. So you need to have a thorough idea about what types of garden tools you are going to purchase and how much budget you should fix for garden tools. Here is how to buy useful, high-quality gardening tools that can last longer and easy to store and carry with:

User Manual

If you are new to gardening, then you can make a fresh list of garden tools including the above mentioned garden tools or you can consult with your garden advisor or any experienced gardener living the next door. If you are a bit experienced, then make a list of garden tools you want to replace or exchange. Sometimes garden tool stores do prefer exchange offers where you can obtain new gardening tools exchanging your old ones and this helps you saving quite a few pounds. You can start your gardening jobs smoothly with the above mentioned basic garden tools, but if you have a lot of trees, shrubs and bushes, then you may need to purchase heavy duty power tools, hand saw, by pass loppers and hedge shears.

Never be complacent so far as the quality of garden tools is concerned. I would suggest stainless steel garden tools are the best, because they are easy to clean, don’t rust and thus long lasting. But they are comparatively expensive than other types of garden tools. It’s not that important that you should stick to only stainless steel garden tools. The better and cheaper alternative to stainless steel garden tools is carbon fiber steel as tools made of carbon fiber steel are sturdy, durable and easy to sharpen. Always buy garden tools with ash shafts and steel-strapped or forged sockets as they handle pressure and stress well.
Now it’s the time to check the garden tools properly. Always ensure that the garden tools’ shafts are straight and the wood grains stay down enough into the length of the shafts. Always avoid garden tools with painted handles as the paint is used to hide the lower quality of the handle-wood. You can check the weight of the tool by hold the tool whether it’s heavier or lighter for the gardening job you want to do. Always buy pruners, loppers and handsaws with replaceable blades.

If you are physically limited or aged enough to do strenuous jobs, then go for ergonomic garden tools as this type of garden tools are designed to minimize stress on muscles and joints. Garden tools like shafts with longer handles are always the best option, because they increase leverage and prevent you from stooping over. For people suffering from arthritis or joint pain problem, pruners, loppers and hedges shears with ratcheting mechanism is useful and multiplies your strength while using tools and makes your job much easier. While selecting cutting tools, always prefer tools with rubber bumpers, because these rubber bumpers protect you from unexpected electric shock.

Tips & Warnings

- After each use and every use of the tools, always clean them before storing; because soil causes blades and iron parts to rust.
- Use linseed oil to keep the handles as it removes rough spots and splinters and nourishes the wood.
- Always use bypass pruners or loppers on live woods instead of dried ones. You can use bill hook for dried wood.

Sustainable Living Articles @ http://www.articlegarden.com

About Julie Cadence:
The author is one of the popular garden advisor and freelance writer. He too manages three home and garden stores on Ebay.co.uk and has already been promoted to Power Seller on Ebay.co.uk. Garden Care and Accessories Store Get Them Fast Grab Your Deal