Over The Garden Wall With Oaky: 10 Great Gardening Tips & Ideas

Here is a nice handy collection of my favourite gardening tips & ideas that may make life in your garden that little bit easier, or at least show you that gardening doesn't have to be expensive to be enjoyed.

I've amassed these 10 tips over my many years of being an avid amateur gardener, and nature-loving enthusiast, from old gardeners, neighbours, friends and my own tried and tested methods. I'm no expert and would never claim to be one, I only pass on a small part of my accumulated knowledge in the hope of helping others enjoy the most rewarding of pastimes "Amateur Gardening".

1. To prevent animals from digging up and eating your spring bulbs, you should have first, wrapped them in a thin layer of steel wool. It does no harm to the bulbs, as its shoot will push right through it.

2. Washing up liquid makes a great insecticidal soap when you mix it with water. Take 1 to 3 tablespoons of washing up liquid and mix it into 4 litres of water, add a tablespoon of vinegar too, put it in a spray bottle and mist spray the entire plant. Small left over soap bars, you remember the ones that clutter the soap tray in the bathroom, and no one likes to use, can be utilized also and easily dissolved using warm or boiling water. Of course always remember to let it cool before applying to your plants. Soapy dish or bath water can also be collected and used effectively.

3. Cut all flower stems at an angle, as it creates a larger surface area for the flowers to draw up more water and you must remember to put your flowers into water immediately. When I cut long stemmed flowers I take a deep pale almost full to the brim with water whish was stood in my glasshouse or shed overnight just for this purpose. If you don't then tiny air pockets will form in the stems and cause the flowers to droop. Oh yes and don't forget to drop an aspirin in your vase with the water, your flowers will love you for it and repay you by staying fresh looking for longer. A small piece of an Alka-Seltzer tablet or a part spoon of liver salts, once the fizzing has stopped are good alternatives to aspirin. Don't put long stemmed flowers in a small vase, and visa versa, for small stemmed ones. Always choose the appropriate vase and your cut flowers will certainly last a little longer, provided you maintain the correct water level. Last but not least, never ever use water straight from your tap for your vase of flowers, always put water in your vases the night before and stand them on a windowsill to gain room temperature, as tap water is very cold and causes those little air bubbles to form.

4. If you didn't plant your trees and shrubs late last autumn, to get well established before the onset of winter, then it's nearing that time of year in temperate zones, when the ground is free from hard frosts. They can be planted out now or as soon as they become available at garden centres and nurseries. Always choose the ones with the freshest or plumpest buds, as these are raring to get growing. A good handful of bone meal or other general-purpose plant food, even the pellet form of chicken manure dug well in the bottom of the hole will help feed your new addition to your garden. Large trees will benefit from the addition of a length of garden hose being buried alongside their roots to help watering in long dry spells.

5. Use old bubble wrap to line your pots and containers, it will help warm the compost and prevent late frosts from damaging delicate new roots.

6. When planting up your fresh spring hanging baskets why not use your old knitwear or newspapers for a no cost basket liner, this will save you plenty, and the money saved can go towards better quality compost and plants. Don't throw away the remnants of last summers baskets; either dig it into your garden or at the very least put it in your compost bin.

7. When giving your garden hedges that all important prune, get nice neat level edges and flat tops by fastening a length of rope to two points across it. Or push broom handles into the hedge at each end and tie your line to them. An old washing line or strong garden twine are ideal, remember not to cut through your line. Although not 100% accurate it will certainly help achieve a better-looking hedge.

8. So now the path has over wintered, and the mosses, lichen's and of course the weeds have all taken over. Salted Boiling water and a good stiff broom will do the trick. It may need to be repeated, but will not damage surrounding soil like commercial products can, and is the safest where pets are concerned.

9. We all love our own pets, but we simply hate it when that old cat from down the way decides to use your garden and freshly dug flowerbeds as a toilet. Now I've tried just about everything in the book apart from a shredder LOL and I've still yet to find a really good solution to this problem, as most only seem to work for only a short time. Please don't say get a dog, frankly my dog is fast asleep just like me when our neighbourhood cats come calling. The closest I've come to a deterrent is rose thorns on your flowerbeds, the cats simply hate them as its like walking on glass and as any gardener knows who has ever had rose thorns in his/her fingers that really hurt and are difficult to get out. It's often easiest to grow lots of plants that cats don't like

10. Now dogs are a lot different, because of their acute sense of smell, old perfume, or the ones given you for Christmas, you know the ones that you always give away as presents to those you don't really like, well use them in your garden instead. Even aftershave will work wonders. Cayenne, White or Black Pepper powders can also help but are easily washed away by rain.

I hope you've enjoyed a few of my gardening tips and ideas, it's off to my potting shed for me, as there is always plenty to do no matter what time of year it is, an amateur gardener's work is never done. Do look out for any of my other articles, but most of all.."HAPPY GARDENING until we meet again"

John Elliott aka Oaky Wood has been an avid amateur gardener for over 25 years

Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_62940_27.html
About the Author: John Elliott Aka Oaky Wood is currently the Co-Founder of "The Corner 4 Women
http://thecorner4women.com

Growing Phalaenopsis Orchids

When you decide that you want to grow Phalaenopsis Orchids, there are some questions that should arise. The first question should be what do I need to know when growing orchids? Well this is your lucky day; you have come to the right place. Below you will find a brief description of the different factors you need to know to effectively grow Phalaenopsis Orchids.

What degree of light do orchids need? This is probably going to be one of your first questions if you have any experience with growing plants indoors. No two plants are exactly alike. With each different type of plant there are different needs for light. Some need direct sun while others need low light.

Phalaenopis Orchids will flourish best when placed in or near a window. If it is possible, use a window that faces east or west as these are the best for this type of plants.
Now that you have the basics of light, let’s look at what temperature Phalaenopis Orchids grow best in. Orchids in general prefer to grow, or should I say grow the best in a temperature range of 55 degrees and 85 degrees. Too hot of temperatures will cause their growth to slow down while temperatures under 55 can cause unopened buds to fall off the stems of the orchids.
Another important factor in the growing of orchids is water. I believe that we all know plants need water to survive but how much and how often can be the determining factor in whether you have a flourishing plant or a sick plant. To begin, try watering the plants once every week to ten days. That should be a good starting point. However, remember not to get any water on the flowers. Water on a flower will shorten its life. Another thing to remember about watering orchids is that the soil or medium that you chose to grow the orchid in must not reach the point where it is completely dry or the orchid will die or at least wilt. On the other hand, if the soil gets too wet, that too can be detrimental to the plant.
Of the questions and guidelines to growing orchids, the one there is the most disagreement about among professional growers is the use of fertilizers. Some say it is imperative to “feed” a growing flower while others say to completely avoid the use of fertilizers if a plant is in bloom. More info on fertilizers and home made recipes can be found here.

Attention should be paid to insure healthy plants don't have any infestation of pests. Orchids are prone to aphids, mealy bugs, mites, scale, and slugs and should be checked for these intruders regularly. If your plants are so unfortunate as to have one of these pests, do not worry, they usually can be taken care of by simply removing the pests with a soft cloth and some luke warm soapy water.

In conclusion, the proper care for a Phalaenopis Orchid is vital to ensure your orchids grow. Take the time to check the light, water, temperature, and be sure that there are no living creatures among your beautiful orchids. Growing orchids is a fun and rewarding way to beautify any living area. Here is to happy and healthy growing. For more facts and tips visit http://www.growing-orchids-bebinners.com

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_514856_32.html