Tuesday, February 14, 2012

What should I plant this spring in my outdoor garden?

I'm in the 5A-6B plant hardiness zone of Canada. I have a garden on a slight incline about twelve feet wide and five feet deep. It is currently quite rocky, it appears gravel was added underneath canvass for drainage (I assume) and then dirt dumped over it. Should I dig all of this out and start over? There are some perennials, (rose bushes - very ugly) that I'd like to pull out, and hostas I planted last year. What type of shrubs, perennials and flowers would do well in this area? I am looking for easy care type stuff, but I like pretty flowers. I also prefer wild flowers or those that look wild. I do not like the rose bushes, they are very difficult to make look pretty and are quite thorny making access to the rest of the garden difficult as they are so overgrown. Any tips for the small hill garden would be appreciated as well.

What should I plant this spring in my outdoor garden?
You could make the area into a rock garden. Suggestions for plants: cranesbill, stonecress, bellflower, gentian, lantana, salvia, sedum, diasca, scilla, onamental onion, crocus, allium, fleabane, phlox, violas, and herbs. Incorporate a few large rocks or use smaller ones as an edging. Removing the roses sounds like a good idea if you don't like them. Plant something that will make you smile every time you see it. Good luck.
Reply:wow this is a big question.ill answer it with a few questions. where do you live ,what do you like to eat ,what is your soil ph.,do you have a compost pile,ben,will you use mulch ,what type of watering system will you use.do use the web or talk to an old timer to get good ideas and suggestions. good luck and happy eating !!
Reply:Lantana is what you need. Get all colors. It loves dry hot weather and would do well among your rocks.

A question for men

How do I stop cats (& maybe foxes) pooing in my garden? It's just patchy grass with a burn area in the middle

Just moved to a previously vacant property. The garden is just grass surrounded by fencing, working on getting some plants/flowers in ....eventually.

How do I stop cats (%26amp; maybe foxes) pooing in my garden? It's just patchy grass with a burn area in the middle
There are professional cat repellants available. The only problem is the frequent application. You can put out moth balls and the smell will repel most animals. Hopefully, if they get the picture, they will go elsewhere.
Reply:Put a bigger fence


If i planted a seed from a cherry in my garden would it grow?

asked my mum this yesterday. she said the tree would proberly grow but woulnt have anythig on it. i live in scotland you see. is it a bush or a tree aswell. i really jsut wana know would one grow in my garden?

If i planted a seed from a cherry in my garden would it grow?
I live in Scotland too and have done this in the past, but have never allowed the tree to get beyond 2 or 3 feet. Cherry stones need to spend a winter in the ground before they will germinate (the frost breaks up the hard stone) but they will grow the following spring. The tree may eventually flower but stone grown trees are never as healthy as specially raised ones and any fruit you get may be poor quality. Also, sweet cherry trees get VERY big before they fruit and birds tend to eat most of the fruit unless you protect it.



If you really want to grow cherries in your garden, get a sour cherry tree (much smaller, and birds don't eat the fruit) from a nursery. The fruit is tasty and can be made into jams etc. but is not usually eaten raw.
Reply:Cherries grow on trees, we used to have two of them in my backyard when i was growing up, they were bith over 20 feet tall.



As for growing, its hard to say. It shoul grow, but there is a reason that trees produce soo many seeds - the odds of any one seed surviving for more thana year or two is not good. Only some will germinate and then some of those will die to to weak root systems, disease etc.



So, theoretically they should grow, but just planting one doesnt give you the best odds of success.



If you want to try, this is what you do:



Cherries are deciduous trees and so their seeds require what is known as cold stratification - they need a simulated winter in order to germinate. If you do not do this, the seed will just sit in the ground until after a real winter stratifies it.



To stratify:



Take the cherry seeds - you should use atleast 10 if you can to increase the odds of success - and place them in a cup of hot water and let them soak for 24 hours. This is called scarrification and allows water to absorb through the hard seed covering and to be absorbed by the inner seed. It helps to replace the water every few hours with fresh hot water.



At first, the seeds will float - once they have been scarified and absorbed water, they will sink to the bottom. While some ofthe one that float may still germinate, some of the floaters will be dead. The best chance of growth is from those that sink.



After 24 hours place the seeds in a bag of peat moss that is moist (moist but not waterlogged) and sprinkle wiht cinnamon. Cinnamon is a natural anti fungal. Seal the bag and place in the refrigerator for 90-120 days.



After this period (you can checkcarefully after about 75 days) you should see that the seeds germinated and small sprouts will be visible.



Remove from the fridge and place each seed in a small pot of soil and water. After a week or so, the new shoot wil emerge fro the soil.



Note: Best time to do this is during the winter, otherwise you sprout them during the wrong time of year and the ymay not survive the first winter without emough growth time.



Also, it will eventually grow fruit, but can sometimes take 10-15 years if not longer for the tree to become mature enough to fruit.



Heres a link on growing trees from seeds:



http://www.bonsaisite.com/germinate.html
Reply:It would be a tree. It would take a while for it to have fruit.
Reply:it should eventually


What are the treatments for cutworms (not grubs) in my garden?

I didn't take the usual precautions when planting seedlings in my garden, as cutworms have never been anything more than a nuisance, but this season I have lost several developing vegetable plants with stems up to a quarter of an inch in diameter. I've found the cutworm in only one instance.



What can I use sparingly around the base of susceptible plants to take them out?

What are the treatments for cutworms (not grubs) in my garden?
Ortho? Bug-B-Gon? MAX? Lawn %26amp; Garden Insect Killer Concentrate Ready-to-Spray



* Kills on contact

* Kills over 150 types of insects

* Provides residual control for up to 6 weeks

* Built-in applicator - no mixing, no measuring, and no mess

* Guaranteed!



usage

How to Use



Connect: Shake well before using. Connect sprayer to hose. Turn on water.



Spray: To begin spraying, point nozzle in the direction you want to spray. Bend small yellow plastic tab back and turn knob clockwise to ON position. Spray evenly over measured area.



Finish: To stop spraying, turn knob counter-clockwise to OFF position. Turn off water. Relieve water pressure by bending yellow plastic tab back and turning knob to ON position until water slows to a drip. Turn knob back to OFF position. Disconnect sprayer from hose.

When to Apply



Apply when insects first appear and repeat as necessary, but not more frequently than every 7-14 days.

Where to Use



* Roses and other ornamentals

* Vegetables and fruit trees listed on label

* Trees and shrubs

* Lawns

* Around house foundations, porches, patios and stored lumber.



Where Not to Use



For outdoor use only. Do not apply directly to water. Drifts and runoff from treated areas may be hazardous to aquatic organisms in treated areas. Do not contaminate water when disposing of equipment washwaters. Do not apply to humans or animals.

What It Controls



On Ornamental Plants (including: roses, flowers %26amp; shrubs):



Aphids, armyworms, bagworms, crickets, cutworms, Eastern spruce gall adelgade, elm leafbeetles, European pine sawfly, fall webworm, flea beetle, grasshoppers, greenbug aphids, gypsy moth, hornets, Japanese beetle (adults), lacebug, leafhopper, loopers, lygus bug, mealybugs, mimosa webworms, mosquitoes, northern pine weevil, oak webworm, orchard weevil, periodical cicada, pine chaffer, pine shoot weevil, plantbug, redheaded pine sawfly, saltmarsh caterpillar, sap beetle, sawfly, spittlebug, spruce mites, stink bug, tarnished plant bug, tent caterpillar, thrips, two spotted spider mite, wasp, whitefly, and Zimmerman pine moth.



On Lawns:



Ants (including carpenter, lawn, foraging fire ant, and Argentine), armyworms, black turfgrass ataenius, chinch bugs, crickets, cutworms, deer ticks, fleas, greenbugs (aphids), Japanese beetles (adults), mole crickets, mosquitoes, sod webworms, weevils (including billbugs and annual bluegrass)



On Vegetables %26amp; Melons:



Aphids, alfalfa caterpillar, alfalfa looper, American plum borer, apple aphid, apple maggot, armyworms, artichoke plume moth, beet armyworm, black cherry aphid, black vine weevil, blueberry spanworm, buckhorn aphid, cabbage loopers, carrot weevil, celery looper, cherry fruit fly, chinch bug, clover mites, codling moth, Colorado potato beetle, corn earworm, corn rootworm (adults), corn silkfly (adult), cow pea curculio, cranberry fruitworm, cranberry weevil, crickets, spotted %26amp; striped cucumber beetle (adults), cutworms, diamondback moth, European corn borer, fall webworm, filbert worm, flea beetle, grasshoppers, green cloverworm, green fruitworm, hickory shuckworm, imported cabbageworm, lacebug, leafhopper, leafrollers, lesser peach tree borer, loopers, lygus bug, Mexican bean beetle, naval orangeworm, oblique banded leafroller, oriental fruit moth, painted lady caterpillar, pea aphid, pea weevil, peach tree borer, peach twig borer, pecan nut casebearer, pecan spittlebug, pecan leaf phylloxera, pecan stem phylloxera, pear psylla, pecan aphid, pecan weevil, pepper weevil, pickleworm, plantbug, plum curculio, potato leafhopper, potato psyllid, potato tuberworm, red-banded leafroller, red striped fireworm, rindworm, rosy apple aphid, saltmarsh caterpillar, san jose scale (fruit only), sap beetle, southwestern corn borer, squash bug, squash vine borer, stalk borer, stink bug, tarnished plant bug, tentiform leaf miner, tobacco hornworm, tomato fruitworm, tomato hornworm, tomato pinworm, tufted apple budmoth, vegetable leafminer, velvetbean caterpillar, variegated leafroller, walnut aphid, walnut husk fly, weevils, western bean cutworm, and whitefly.



Around House, Foundations, Porches and Stored Lumber:



Ants (including carpenter ant, Lasius, Argentine, red harvester, pavement, odorous, pyramid, pharaoh), centipedes, cockroaches (including American, Asian, German), crickets, earwigs, fleas, house flies, millipedes, mosquitoes, palmetto bugs, scorpions, sowbugs, spiders, and ticks (including American, deer tick, brown dog tick)

Cautions



For outdoor use only. Harmful if swallowed. Causes moderate eye irritation. Avoid contact with eyes or clothing. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling.



Active Ingredients:

0.3% Bifenthrin



This works well. And y ou can find other things at http://www.ortho.com/index.cfm/event/Bug...

All of these can be found at the Home depot and if your ever in portchester store 1212 look for me I work in the garden there. Hope this helps you out.
Reply:You don't need chemicals. Make a collar out of cardboard . Cut a strip, tape in a circle around the plant stalk, press about 1/2 inch in the ground. This will keep the cut worm from curling around the plant stem and choking it off. THIS WORKS! I have used it for years and have zero damage from cut worms.
Reply:The above post from "ahuhyeah" regarding using cardboard wraps is absolutely correct!!! I have done the same thing for many years without fail.
Reply:It looks like the following chemicals may help with cutworms.

permethrin (Eight), acephate (Orthene), carbaryl (Sevin), diazinon.


If you just buried a banana peel in your vegetable garden, would it decompose?

If you just buried a banana peel, apple core, the center of the corn cob, orange peels and etc in a vegetable garden, would it decompose? How long would it take to decompose? Would it start to smell bad and attract more bugs than there already is?

If you just buried a banana peel in your vegetable garden, would it decompose?
Of course it would decompose... otherwise there would be banana skins and other bits of vegetables lying all over the place. The time it takes to decompose depends on lots of things... temperature, humidity, what else is in the ground with it.... anything from a few months to a year.



I would suggest, however, that rather than just burying the bits and pieces you place them in a composter. You then have better control of the waste and can speed up the decomposition process by adding layers of cardboard and leaves.
Reply:Banana peel is actually good to bury next to a rose bush. Gives nourishment to the rose bush.
Reply:yes, buried it won't smell

sports shoes

Can grey water be used from (a) a dishwasher (b) a washing machine- on to veggie/flower garden.Is it safe?

I have 2 seperate pipes so I can re direct to diff parts of the garden-

Can grey water be used from (a) a dishwasher (b) a washing machine- on to veggie/flower garden.Is it safe?
Sheeze. I'm hesitating to answer this because you've already got answers all over the board. I spent 20 years in innovative on-site wastewater management design. Attended the American Society of Agricultural Engineers On-Site Wastewater Management Annual Conferences five of those years, and so on and so on and so on.



I'll waste the time typing this and tell you the water coming off the kitchen sink and dishwasher are nearer blackwater in their biological loading, than grey water. Put that into the sewer line or septic system.



The tub/shower and bathroom sink are legitimate grey water and worth using, though it's helpful to float off the soap in a grease trap before allowing it to run out wherever you plan to use it.
Reply:it is perfectly safe - I've done it before - the neat thing is any soap you use (which should be biodegradable) wards off pests...and the proteins from disjes and laundry help feed the soil. I would be careful to not launder any clothling soiled with oils or paints.
Reply:The detergents in the water will harm your plants. Set up a rain barrel for extra water for your gardens.
Reply:It is not recommended. Here's why; soap can raise the pH of the soil and increase salts, regardless of the type of soap. Vegetables to not do well in high salt soils or high pH soils, if at all, same with some flowers and trees.



In some states and or counties it is illegal to use your grey water. Do check with your city/county health department to find out if you can even use grey water first.
Reply:It seems safe enough, have a read through this though:



http://www.awa.asn.au/Content/Navigation...
Reply:For the most part, yes, provided you are not using chlorine bleach or a non-environmentally friendly soap. I use my gray washer water, and I use Oxy instead of bleach (much better for whitening, removing stains, and the environment) and enzyme cleaning tablets (no soap whatsoever). And, of course, assuming you are not washing clothes that have toxins on them (like work clothes might). A little soap isn't going to hurt, but too much can add toxins, hurt natural bacteria action in the soil, deposit nasty stuff in the soil, or damage the roots' ability to absorb water and nutrients. I have yet to find an EF soap for the dishwasher that actually does a good job, but if you want to set up a filtering system of a few layers of fiberfill and charcoal fiber or charcoal granules (similar to what's in a fish tank filter) this will do wonders for "cleaning" your cleaning water.



One thing to bear in mind, for optimum health, growth, and nutrint absorption, your plant should be watered in the morning before 10 AM (plants absorb water and nutrients during the day, grow at night), so you might want to think about a filtered holding tank.



Check first with your local Dept. of Environmental Protection, or Town Hall...some places do not allow you to drain gray water above ground (I know a couple of folks in Australia who were fined for doing it), and folks in the watershed areas around here aren't allowed to do it.
Reply:It doesn't seem logical that the harsh chemicals used in detergents combined with food residue and bacteria are healthful to plants.



Maybe you could try it on one specific plant for a period of time and observe the long-term effects...


How can I keep Cyperus Papyrus from spreading in my garden?

I'm have 3 papyrus plants (still in pot) that I'm getting ready to plant in soil. What methods are there to keep this from spreading throughout my garden? Someone told me to plant it in the pot (i.e. dig a hole and put the whole pot in). Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

How can I keep Cyperus Papyrus from spreading in my garden?
That is one of the easiest ways to keep something from spreading. If the plants have lived in those pots for a while - move them into a larger pot first. Then just dig a whole big enough for the whole pot to fit in the ground. There isn't anything else to it.



Good luck! And water them quite a bit.
Reply:I'm guessing you have Cyperus alternifolia http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/vi... rather than Cyperus papyrus: http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/vi...



Mine (alternifolia and papyrus) have been in the ground for 2 years and haven't spread appreciably. If yours start to creep where you don't want it, just dig it out. C alternifolia roots in water, C papyrus propagated by seed (extremely small, dust size seeds). Both take full sun and love wet feet.


What are those tiny black insects that appear in the garden in the afternoon?

they are about 2mm long and come out mid afternoon for a few hours. they seem harmless but are so numerous they make sitting in the garden impossible and invade the house if windows are open.



can they be got rid of?

What are those tiny black insects that appear in the garden in the afternoon?
Sounds like Thrips.

Minute insect usually brown or black with very slender bodies and usually two pairs of narrow fringed wings. Commonly found in flowers. Unlikely to be confused with anything else.

They live in flowers, and are particularly attracted to the colour yellow.

Populations can grow to numbers where they become a nuisance.

Over 150 species in UK.

Harmless, unless you get them in your eye - which can be quite unpleasant!
Reply:nats
Reply:gnats or midges
Reply:ants?

fruit flies?
Reply:corn flies off harvesting the corn fields
Reply:flies midges gnats all sorts i was camping a few weeks ago and it was a night mare we was told about citronella candles they really do work all bugs bogged off for good available from b%26amp;q homebase etc we got ours from wilcos for a couple of quid problem sorted! :)
Reply:Gnats or midges try a fogger or citronella torch.
Reply:This is usually a sign that your house is possessed by an evil spiritual entity.
Reply:You mean Thunder bugs.



Bloody nuisance make you itch and they reach the places nothing else will and then curl up and die to be stuck just out of reach for ever
Reply:Although often called thunderbugs, they are actually a kind of thrip. They dont bite or sting, but can be really annoying. But there are sooo many kinds of insects, that it probably depends where you live, and what types of trees and plants grow near you.
Reply:Thunder bugs- apparently meant to herald the coming of a storm, but doesn't always seem to be the case.


What is the job title of someone who errects a garden fence?

need to get someone to put up a garden fence but dont no what to look up as the job title!!!

(If anyone intresting in doing the job im in Barnet Herts!!)

What is the job title of someone who errects a garden fence?
Go to www.yell.com , search for "fencing contractor" in "barnet" there are quite a few!!!!! Can I suggest that you price up the cost of concrete posts/gravel boards against wood? Not as much difference.... My own fences (in Hatfield, just up the road) have been no problem since i went to concrete posts, despite the high winds lately.
Reply:how about a joiner or landscape engineer
Reply:Look up fencing manufacturer they will tell you who puts

up fences. also most landscape gardeners will do the job.
Reply:You are looking for a fencer.
Reply:title is "a fencer" look up fences and posts !!!
Reply:fencing contractor or a good landscape gardener
Reply:An Errectionist!
Reply:Landscaper

Carpenter

Fence Builder
Reply:Look in your local Yellow Pages or local free newspaper. Avoid adverts that give only a mobile number.
Reply:simple fencer
Reply:Try an odd job man, garden landscaper or a joiner.
Reply:i think that might be a fencer? i dunno
Reply:Landscape Gardeners will do jobs like that.
Reply:a fence erector
Reply:fence installer
Reply:It's a Fencer. My mate's a fencer his name is D'artagnon.
Reply:A builder, or handyman....

ljuliano11s

What are the best plants to have for a wildlife garden?

I'm moving soon from a first floor flat to a two bedroom house and would love to make my garden very animal/bird/insect friendly.

What are the best plants to have for a wildlife garden?
I am doing something similiar. I am gardening not just for the flowers, but also to attract more wildlife. Different things may be required depending on the species you are after, but in general you want to offer a few things.



One is hiding places, so rocks and logs are good things to have, as well as trees, bushes, and weedy borders.



The other is a source of food. Butterflies and birds need a constant source of nectar and berries. So choose a combination of plants that provide those things all year. For example, many birds eat two kinds of berries - berries with high sugar content in the growing season and berries with high fat content in the winter.



The other big wildife attractor is water. Many of the rarest wildlife live in wetlands. So some sort of pool or soggy ground is a plus for many species.



Other things really depend on what you're after. Different size seeds and nest boxes attract different kinds of birds. Different insects want different things. For example I'm interested in attracting native pollinator such as bees and flies. Many of the species that live here in the US are burrowing species that require vegetation free sand to nest in. So I'm going to make a sand feature of some kind. Hope this helps.
Reply:Thank you all so much for the really helpful answers. Report It
Reply:You'll need a pond with bubbling water as the sound atttracts birds. Have some places where birds can hide from predators, have a bird feeder and you might also want bird houses. Do not use pesticides or herbicides as they kill the insects that the birds (and frogs and bats and snakes) eat. Consider using plants that will be used by insects to eat and lay their young on.
Reply:triffids - but be careful - they bite!
Reply:That completely depends. What kind of wildlife do you want, and where do you live? In general, if you want to attract native wildlife, you should plant native species. There is probably a natvie plants nursery around your area somewhere - they can give you more guidance about attracting particular types of wildlife. Good luck!
Reply:check out the rspb org site they have some really good ideas and will even supply a packet of wildflower seeds to plant out to attract wildlife
Reply:Any native plant will work best. Go to the local garden center and ask if they have any native plants, and they will help you.
Reply:Weeds work the best...they grow naturally and require little or no maintenance.





When you welcome birds and butterflies to your yard, you add colors, movements, and sounds that make your garden seem more alive and vibrant. The following tips from the National Audubon Society will help you create a habitat that allows wildlife to flourish.
Reply:What a lovely question! Lucky you, that sounds great.



Well, birds and butterflies like Budlea, easy to grow and pretty in July. Also Hebe - pretty shrubs, lots of varities available.



The English Marigold are lovely - much nicer than French or African. You can buy packets of seed "Calendula" - bright ornage and gorgeous.



Maybe a red rose for its beauty and choose one with a good scent, such as Ena Harkness.



Geraniums - so many lovely wild ones - Johnson's Blue is my favourite perenial.



Honeysuckle is a must for its gloroius scent!!



Valerian which grows wold in the West Country - great for its herbal properties (helps to relax you)



St John's Wort, beautiful yellow flowers



Evening Primroses



Hollyhocks, sweet peas and forget me nots. All will re-seed themselves every year.



It sounds fun, I hope you have fun choosing!
Reply:all the plants that are weeds in big gardens you will need nettles bramble around the edges poppies daisy/clover /buddlea also grass around the back of your garden do not cut grass and goodluck
Reply:It would help to know what zone you live in. In any case, your best bet would be to plant things that are native to your area. On a general note, purple coneflower and any types of sedums attract butterflies. Climbing honeysuckle and daylillies attract hummingbirds. As for other insects and animals, I'm not sure. I'd check with a local garden center. The staff at most of these are quite knowledgeable. Plus you might want to visit a local bookstore or library and get some books on the subject. That's how I got started with my garden and it helped quite a bit.
Reply:For bees, moths and butterflies; Buddleia (butterfly bush); california poppy, poppy, thyme, white (dead) nettle, stinging nettle, everlasting sunflower, clover in the lawn, runner beans up the fence.



For birds; millet, sunflower, poppy (all contain seeds over winter), anything that gets aphids such as roses and nasturtiums for the sparrows and wrens to feed their young, some cabbages for the caterpillars.
Reply:It depends on what you want to attract and in what zone you live. Also, we can't input pictures here and you would want to choose your own style and colors.

You can get the answers you need by emailing VERMONTWILDFLOWERFARM@YAHOO.COM

They are located in Burlington Vermont and will be able to tell you what you can grow depending on your location and which species will attract the birds and other wildlife you want.



I love that place!

6 acres of beautiful wild flowers - both annual and perannual.

I bought three bags of seed - one for butterfiles, another for birds and yet another a mix of both and hummingbird flowers.

Every year they come up and many are different. I never know which color will come up next!



I used a partly shaded area at the end of my property - spanning and acre long and five feet deep. Put in cut logs (used them like benches) and other items every 20 feet or so.

No weeding, no watering after the first season.

Virtually mainenance free and beautiful every day!



Have fun!
Reply:I bought a box of 'wild meadow' seeds couple of years ago, and I have all the bees and butterflies from miles around visiting!!! the good thing too is that some of the seeds were bi-anual (which I just discovered), so the flowers that popped up this year are diferent to last year so a nice surprise. My daughter kinda 'scattered' the seeds, so they landed thick, and I dont know if the weeds are just blending in well, but I've not had to pull a single one this year.



We have a very old apple tree too, and put a nest box in the fist year we came here and have had visitors to it every spring. You are going to love having a garden!
Reply:Try plants that a native to your area first.They will be the best for attracting the best kinds of garden attention.
Reply:I'm creating one for my daughter's school and planting a buddlea, ox eye daisy, lavender, verbena, honeysuckle, perrenial foxglove and thyme.
Reply:Trees:

Craetagus spp.: Hawthorn

Juniperus virginiana: Eastern Red Cedar

Juniperus scopulorum: Rocky Mtn. Juniper

Malus sp.: Crabapples

Picea pungens: Colorado Blue Spruce

Pinus ponderosa: Ponderosa Pine

Pseudotsuga menziesii: Douglas Fir

Quercus spp.: Oak Perennials:

Aster novae-angliae: New England Aster

Campanula spp.: Campanula

Centaurea Montana: Perennial Bachelor Buttons

Chrysanthemum spp.: Chrysanthemum

Coreopsis spp.: Coreopsis

Echinacea purpurea: Purple Coneflower

Echinops ritro: Globe Thistle

Gaillardia grandiflora: Blanket Flower

Helenium autumnale: Sneezeweed

Helianthus spp.: Sunflowers

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi: Kinnikinnick

Kniphofia uvaria: Red Hot Poker

Monardo fistulosa: Horsemint

Papaver spp.: Poppies

Rudbeckia spp.: Black-eyed Susans

Sedum spectabile: Showy Sedum

Solidago spp.: Goldenrod



Shrubs:

Acer ginnala: Amur Maple

Amelanchier Canadensis: Juneberry

Cornus sericea: Redtwig Dogwood

Cotoneaster spp.: Cotoneaster

Juniperus chinensis: Juniper

Ligustrum spp.: Privet

Lonicera spp.: Honeysuckle

Prunus spp.: Prunus

Pyracantha coccinea: Scarlet Firethorn

Rhus spp.: Sumac

Ribes spp.: Currents and Gooseberrie

Rosa spp.: Wild Roses

Sambucus canadensis: American Elder

Shepherdia argentea: Silver Buffaloberry

Symphoricarpos spp.: Coralberry, Snowberry

Syringa spp.: Lilac

Viburnum spp.: Viburnum

Vines:

Parthenocissus quinquefolia: Virginia Creeper



Perennials:

Aster novae-angliae: New England Aster

Campanula spp.: Campanula

Centaurea Montana: Perennial Bachelor Buttons

Chrysanthemum spp.: Chrysanthemum

Coreopsis spp.: Coreopsis

Echinacea purpurea: Purple Coneflower

Echinops ritro: Globe Thistle

Gaillardia grandiflora: Blanket Flower

Helenium autumnale: Sneezeweed

Helianthus spp.: Sunflowers

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi: Kinnikinnick

Kniphofia uvaria: Red Hot Poker

Monardo fistulosa: Horsemint

Papaver spp.: Poppies

Rudbeckia spp.: Black-eyed Susans

Sedum spectabile: Showy Sedum

Solidago spp.: Goldenrod


What are the easiet flowers to care for an outside garden?

Never had a garden.

What are the easiet flowers to care for an outside garden?
There are a number of perennials that are easy to grow. Perennials are plants that come up every year so are very hardy plants. Some are very invasive by sending out underground roots and taking over your garden so be cautious of those ones (read the plant tag or ask at the garden centre or get a perennial book to look them up yourself). Peonies are wonderful plants that are not invasive and are very loyal to come up for many years. Hosta is another plant that is a great garden plant. It needs dividing every few years as it gets bigger every year. Any plant in the "sedum" or "succulent" groups are wonderful in the garden. They tolerate drought well and are good in sun or part shade and come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colours. I also love Obedience Plant as it blooms later in the season and is quite pretty. I could go on and on but these are some that I suggest for now. Have fun in your garden.
Reply:I agree with pistolpower. We plant impatients every year and they grow and grow and grow! As long as they have water and sun they'll grow. Full sun, part sun... doesn't matter! They fill in and overflow creating a beautiful blanket. They come in lots of colours too! Report It
Reply:Iris and Lilies. when you buy them get the variety of lily that says hearty. They are beautiful and come up every year and are no fus except keeping the snails off them and i got some great advice on here how to do that. Ive had them for many years. Also shasta daisys and blackeyed susans.
Reply:Day lilies are the easiest to grow. They tolerate heat and drought and most are disease resistant.
Reply:Impatiens, wax begonias, celosia, snapdragons, marigolds. Just plant them and they are there until frost.
Reply:perennials: daylilies, oriental lilies, irises, daffodils, hyacinths, hostas (shade)

Annuals: Profusion zinnias, lantana, geranium, impatiens (shade only), petunias
Reply:A wild flower seed mix is great to get. It reseeds itself and has a variety of flowers in bloom from spring through the first frost in the fall.

Also, annuals such as pansies and patunias are great. Marigolds are a natural insect repellant so they're wonderful to plant with your tomatos if you choose to plant those. Flowers and veggies always look cute combined together so it isn't a problem to plant them in the same beds.



Oh, And Don't feel discouraged if any of your plant fail to thrive. It's all a part of the gardening experiance.



Happy Gardening


How can i easily add vitamins and nutrients to my garden?

is there something i can just spread over the top of the soil. its a flower garden will all kinds a plants, so i'm looking for something that will be good for all plants.

How can i easily add vitamins and nutrients to my garden?
No need to add vitamins -- they don't do anything special for your garden.



Try adding a top dressing of 1/4-1/2" of well cured compost

as often as possible, assuming you're dealing with perennials. If you've got annuals, dig in as much compost as possible before the growing season, plant and keep things mulched.



HOWEVER, not all plants grow best in a highly organic soil; for instance, the roots of alpine plants may rot in water-retentive soils, and compost increases water retention. But for most common garden plants, compost is great.



Also, get a soils test (talk to your state extension agency) and fertilize and lime per recommendations.
Reply:Compost is great for building up your soil. You can buy bags of composted cow manure at the home center. Or, you can make your own. Making your own takes time and space. If it's a huge flower garden, buy it by the truckload. It's cheaper that way anyway.
Reply:Worm castings (vermiculture) is the best vitamin shot you can give your plants. But second to that would be oak leaf mulch-decomposed-black oak actually-can't be beat!
Reply:Make a compost pile of leaves and grass clippings and other materials from green weeds, coffee grounds and so forth. Let it rot turning occasionally. When it is the consistency of soil add the nutrient rich mulch to your garden.
Reply:Yes, compost or composted manure or both.


What sort of flowers should I plant for a butterfly garden?

I am wanting to turn a small area of my yard into a butterfly/hummingbird garden. What sort of plants would be best to plant there (prefer annual plants)? I live in IN if that helps and any websites you could direct me to would be great!

Thanks!

What sort of flowers should I plant for a butterfly garden?
i have alink here for you to look at!hope it helps!just about all flowers will do!but this link will give you a more in debth look at it!http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/entfact...
Reply:Here's a website that shows plants and which butterflies they attract specifically for your state, Indiana. I am doing this in my garden also but in California.. I know Milkweed is a good plant for the Monarch butterfly which is common here. Good luck

http://www.thebutterflysite.com/indiana-...
Reply:quins lace is grate for attracting monarchs. tigerlily`s and forget`me`nots attract thees rely cool black blue and yellow butterfly`s
Reply:Definitely add a Butterfly Bush or (Buddleia). I have Purple Cone Flower and Black Eyed Susan's but the Butterfly Bushes attract all of the butterflies. I have six of the Butterfly Bushes in six different colors. Pink, White, Black (dark purple), Red ( dark pink), Lavender, and Yellow. The Red and the White attract the most butterflies in my view. They also attract a number of hummingbirds. These bushes are very durable and disease resistant. In colder climates they often die back to the ground but they will grow back true to form by mid-summer. They like full sun and can grow 8+ feet. I keep mine pruned to 5-6 feet and every few days I deadhead the spent blooms. The only word of caution is to only transplant when they are dormant. They don't like to be moved and suffer from major transplant shock. Other than that they are TOUGH. Each color has it's own scent and they all smell great. On a warm summer night the smell fills the air. I have seen these for sell at Lowe's and Home Depot for less than $5.00 each. The most butterflies I have ever counted at one time was 13. And who says 13 is unlucky. Best of luck!!! :)
Reply:Your climate is very similar to mine (southern Michigan). Our butterfly garden has lots of hydrangea, batchelor buttons, black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, dianthis, lots of herbs they especially love my basil, bee balm, bergamot, Russian sage, lemon verbena and catnip (go figure! the cats love it too)



There's also a plant called a butterfly plant that most of the greenhouses and places like Home Depot/Lowes carry. It's a sweet scented plant that isn't going to be the focal point of your garden...until it's covered with Monarchs in the middle of June all the way til September. They seem to love it almost as much as the lemon verbena and Russian sage.



Good luck...hope you have a beautiful garden. And if you're looking for good resources contact the Nature Museum in Chicago or the Chicago Botanical Gardens. Both have wonderful butterfly resources and are in the same climate as you.
Reply:butterfly plants and zinnias! they also re-seed every year...
Reply:borrelia davidii , common trumpet vine , marigold , chives , clover , dame's rocket , dandelion , grape hyacinth , lilac , moss phlox , peony , privet , spicebush , virginia bluebell .
Reply:plant a couple of emos in there

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What do you do with a garden thats waterlogged?

i have puddles all over my garden when it rains and there is nowhere to drain it. i have planted stuff in the hope that it will help, not everything survives, and the garden is so muddy i cant use it, any suggestions, theres no entrance for a digger and its too big to dig up myself, what can i do?

What do you do with a garden thats waterlogged?
Ummm.... STOP WATERING IT....
Reply:we have the same problem-we've dug up trenches all around the garden to drain excess water.
Reply:Use what god gave you and go for a water garden. The dirt from digging the small garden pond could be piled up giving you a raised bed. Not the ideal, but a good way to minimize work and money. Best of luck.
Reply:You might try adding rice hulls to your garden. We have used them and it helps to soak up some of the water and they are very cheap.
Reply:Plant water loving plants like japanese iris, aroids, and ferns that can take a very soggy soil.
Reply:Your indication is that it is rather large, which is unfortunate, as my suggestion was going to be raising the bed up with amended and enriched fill dirt. We've been getting quite a bit of rain here lately (South East Texas) and I'm seeing that my newer flower beds are too low, and retaining water which will soon kill the plants I have in there. But since these beds are not too large to dig up and fill in and replant, I'll do that. I usually go for sunken beds in the vegetable garden since it gets so hot here in the South, and I want the water to soak in rather than run off.

Now you might also try just making drainage ditches (small but effective) till the water problem resolves, using the dirt you dig out of the ditch area to raise up the existing bed....or consider planting boggy plants which would thrive in the wetter conditions.
Reply:One solution might be to install a french drain. This is a piece of perforated pipe buried along where the drainage problems are occurring. Water soaks into the pipe and is carried away so the ground doesn't get so soggy. You would need to be able to dig a trench to install the pipe, and it does need to have a slight slope or the water won't drain. You also need to have the pipe come out somewhere further downhill so the water has somewhere to go. All this may be moot advice though, since you said there was nowhere to drain it to.



Another idea would be to build some raised beds. Make a frame from lumber (pressure treated or redwood so it won't rot) about a foot high and fill it with dirt. You could also put gravel in the bottom to help with drainage so your plants' roots won't get waterlogged. You'd still have puddles, but at least your veggies and flowers would be above the mud in good soil so you could grow things out there. Maybe put stepping stones or gravel between the raised beds, so you're not tramping through mud to get to them.



Hope one of these ideas helps :-)


How can i clear up the water on my decorative garden ponds?

I just built 2 outdoor decorative garden ponds and they will not clear up. what should i do other than buy a 600$ filter and pump?

How can i clear up the water on my decorative garden ponds?
First of all clean any large clumps of algae. then there are several routes you can go. Micro-lift is a very good product and safe for fish and plants. Also, barley bales work great as a natural way to go. Also, you can get catfish and snails to help cut back on the sludge. Also, a shades pond is always cleaner than a sunny one. If you have no shade and cannot provide any buy some lily plants to help shade the pond.
Reply:First, I would suggest that you go to a local nursery and ask about this... take some pictures of your ponds along, and perhaps a sample.



If the problem is weeds, then this product may help - AquaClear. You can find their website at - http://www.killlakeweeds.com/

(by the way, this a good site to look at... offers descriptions of different types of lake/pond weeds, etc, and guidelines on what works best on them)



As far as purchasing a pump and filter.... you could use a whole house filter, and any inexpensive pump... buy the parts right off the shelf, and put it together yourself... won't cost anywhere near $600.



Good Luck
Reply:Use Algea Fix. It works well and wont kill any fish.



http://futurepet.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.ex...
Reply:If you need to clean the ponds you should buy a pool net at wal-mart and it will work wonderfully.It did for me.
Reply:You could take a more natural approach and try to find some fish that help to clean it out. The website below has some ideas for dif. types of fish.
Reply:see if there are some kind of tablets that will clear the water.


I would like to give my garden a makeover this summer?

I am thinking about trying a circular lawn, would this look better in my small front garden, or the larger garden at the back of the house?

I would like to give my garden a makeover this summer?
Hey man

Personally I think its a great idea but you have to consider a few things before you jump into uktv garden mode. A= is the largest plot the better option. B= do you enjoy having freinds round for bar-b-qs in the summer. and C=do you have young kids. OH AND D= do you know what your doing around the perimmeter of your circle.



Good luck anyway.
Reply:Circular lawn is hard to mow unless there is nothing planted in it like small shrubs etc.......... what are the shapes of your windows, or the outside of your house: what kinds of shapes does your house portray? You need to look at your whole house as a whole and figure out what shapes pop out at you... then go with that.
Reply:larger garden in the back of the house =]


How can i train my dog to come in from garden when called?

My female shihtzu puppy (7months), has been causing a nuisence recently and not coming in from the garden when called, she runs away and when left she chews up the grass and digs holes. Its causing a real problem as today it took 2hours, and even then we had to make her go into the shed with her following a laserpen, and then take her indoors.

Any help would be appreciated.

How can i train my dog to come in from garden when called?
You can train your puppy to come to you. Put her on a leash and lean slightly down with a treat in your hand. Let her know you have the treat. Now that you have her attention, in the high pitched voice everyone uses to talk to their babies, say her name once and then repeat "Come" over and over as you move backwards away from her. Once she is at the desired place, reward her with the treat and tell her, "Good Girl!" Practice this at least 20 minutes a day, every day. Eventually she will come to you without you having to lure her with a treat. If you decide to do "clicker" training as others have suggested, enroll in training classes first. There is more to it than just clicking.
Reply:Dog training classes are a very good idea. It sounds like you need them I don;t get the bit about the laser pen. Isn't that abusive?
Reply:Treats treats and more treats. Try chicken or ham dogs love it, well my dog does. Ihave a begal and she constantly digs the garden and im forever filling in the holes. Dogs will dig because of boredom i think, well thats what im putting it down to. You need to show your dog who is the boss because they will take advantage of you!
Reply:titbits in a bag that rustles
Reply:dog training secret .free informations here it help you hope http://www.freewebs.com/lovepet
Reply:Treats, treats, treats!!

I call mine and give them a treat and lots of praise, They will do anything for food!
Reply:I have a 9 month old shih tzu boy and he is exactly the same! Will not come in for a treat or anything. I call him and he pretends that he doesn't hear me!! I have been to obedience training, hes great as "sit" "stay" "leave" etc but hates the word "Come" or "In" haha. I will have to dig out the clicker and see if that works, he responded to that well during training so that's our best bet I think.
Reply:Get a clicker. All I do is click and he comes running for his treat!

You can never "false" click or it won't work all the time.
Reply:Make sure you make a lot of noise. Wave your arms about and make weird noises so that she thinks that you're interesting, and maybe something's going on that she shoudl know about. Have a treat ready and give her lots of praise if she comes in.

Failing this, buy an elastic lead and put her on it. Then, have her on it in the garden, and call her name. If she doesn't respond, reel her in gently using the lead, and praise her lots. Eventually she'll get the hang of it.

You could also try training classes. These are good for young dogs ad help work on obedience.

I hope one of these methods work; I have a young Labrador and went through exactly the same thing

Good luck!



PS The laser pens are hilarious aren't they!
Reply:if she will not come when called do not call her if you can not make her come because she is learning a bad habit. yes please get her in to a obedience class as soon as you can.. if you are going to be outside with her tie a long piece small rope or twine to her collar. so you can step on it and make her come.
Reply:have a treat waiting on her
Reply:Use treats.

Take a box and show her that you are taking something from it, rattle the box so she associates the noise with treats, tantalise her so she knows what you ave in your hand then throw one near her.

When she's eaten that she will realise there are more waiting for her in side.

When she eventually does come in give her a treat and lots of praise.

Over time lose the treats but keep up the praise.

Use the box shaking method, this works with my dog.
Reply:Well, best thing to do it attend a beginners obidence class. Otherwise, this is what I was taught to give a certain positive response when the dog is called. Its called jackpot rewarding. You have to show the dog that now matter what is going on outside, when they here the command to go to you, it will be more rewarding. Have one treat that is reserved for that command (preferrably something that can easily be brokend down into smaller pieces...dog associate number to reward and not size of treat). When the dog follows the command give it 4-5 treats. Practice this inside in a control enviorment.
Reply:I have the same issue my two dogs they love it outside and never want to come in..Treats work most of the time but sometimes they can still be very stubborn. So since they love the Car and hate it when we leave or is wanting to greet the person at the door. I just yell out going in the car or I ring the door bell. Or just rattle the keys and in they come running. I know its kinda mean because they are all excited then to go ..but eh it works and they get over it pretty fast.. Funny how they have not gotten use to this in two years.. Give it a try with their favourite thing..may work.
Reply:as other people have said give the dog treats but make it a small cube of cheese,

give it a little often an it will get a taste for it and make sure u give it each time u get her to return no matter how long it takes for her to return, eventually she will get the message set in her head that when you call her she is going to get a treat,

i found cheese or rather the scent of cheese set's something off in any dog,

after a time you wont need the treat it will be stamped in her mind. best of luck, john in limerick.
Reply:big problem′s yes,? well I think you have to remember that dog′s when they here us speak they only here 2 syllables at a time . so when you call her it has to be with as less word′s as possible , and you said we, just one person giving the command. It should be heel , come, sit , that sort of thing . also she is a young dog %26amp; like′s to play . she need′s lot′s of exersice , also when your dog has been good you should alway′s reward her with a small dog biscuit, show her that you are happy with her. she will soon learn that by doing what she is told will get her a prize . Of course not all the time other wise she will get to fat . dog′s are like children , they push to see how far they can go , and don′t run after her , just say come then walk away , when she see′s no one is paying any attention to her she will come by herself . Hope I have helped a little
Reply:Teach her that when she comes to you she will get something nice and then she will come to you every time you call her.
Reply:yeah along with kat...act like Pavlov, ring a bell, and train your dog to come in...start by rewarding her with a treat or toy when she comes in, and repeat by ringing the bell and rewarding her with a treat..she'll soon know it'll be time to come in...Dogs like treats and will drop what their doing(unless they're in an intense rabbit/squirrel chase) for something good. You don't have to use a bell, by the way lol...my dog comes running when she hears the sound of her bowl or something familiar that symbolizes food.
Reply:try calling her be fore you want her in or have a bone froe your dog
Reply:zap it with a stun gun till she gets the message
Reply:Give her half a slice of bacon whenever she comes to you from the back yard. Inside a week she'll be at your door as soon as you open it.
Reply:This link explains how to train your dog to come reliably when called:



Training a Steadfast Recall

http://www.clickertraining.com/node/309
Reply:You need some puppy obedience classes. If that's not an option, get the book, "Puppies for Dummies". It's a great reference for puppy training. One method for teaching "come" is to put her on a really long leash, 20' or more, a clothes line will work too. When she's far away, say "come" and use the line to pull her towards you, when she gets to you, give her a yummy treat like cheese and pet and praise her like it's the greatest thing in the world. You'll need to do this over and over and over again until she comes to you on her own 100% of the time and she's weaned off the treats. Don't give the "come" command unless you can enforce it, in other words, don't say "come" then chase her all over the garden. This tells her she doesn't really have to do it (trust me, I learned this the hard way). Also, keep in mind, when you say "come" and she does it, she should never, ever be punished. Coming to you should always be a positive experience, if it's not, she will be unreliable. And this is such an important command, it could save her life some day if you need to call her away from a dangerous situation like a busy road.
Reply:what it needs is a dam good thrashing when being disobedient it will learn eventually
Reply:I have trained dogs in the past for drugs,lost persons, obedIEnce,and attack. Your only solution is either have your dog professionally train for basic commands ie; sit,stay,heel,come. If you cannot afford to send dog for this,then I suggest going to library and pick out a basic training book for dogs. If you can read , you can train. It is very simple and once you do this not only will you enjoy your pet more but he will enjoy you as much. The key to all of it is repetitiveness. It really is that easy. You might want to place black pepper in the areas the she is doing damage to grass.Shake a good amount on area. Trust me she will not like it.!Good Luck

payday loan

How do you stop a cat from messing in your garden?

I have a 2yr old son and am due again in 3weeks and mt neighbours cat keeps doing its buisness in my garden. What can i try to stop it?

How do you stop a cat from messing in your garden?
Spots can be 'filled' by putting prunings of roses or other spiky plants (cut into small pieces about 3" long) into or on the soil. Spread them over the soil to protect new sowings and plantings. Another thing you can try is Pine Straw mulch. I know I wouldn't walk on them barefooted.

Hope this helps ;-)
Reply:I've been wondering the same thing . . and contrary to Loris' answer, it is not fertilizer . . it's acidic and deadly to plants. I'm this side of getting me a pellet gun and shooting anythign I see in there.
Reply:Eliminate the cause.
Reply:do you have a cat? if so take something it lays on like a rug and put it near your garden. that might keep it away
Reply:Well, if he is not digging everything up, just consider it as he is fertilizing for free...
Reply:I had a neighbor's cat using my container plants as its litter box. I found a product called Repell for $1.99 that I sprayed in a perimeter around my yard that kept kitty from crossing it. You can find it at pet stores and at the discounters in the pet aisle. Everything else I tried, dried mustard, cayenne pepper, %26amp; red pepper flakes, etc. didn't deter him, but after a couple of applications of Repell, he stopped coming around my yard.


I am in zone 13. What fruits, veggies, and other plants can I grow in a winter garden?

I live in Southern California zone 13 and have to grow a garden (preferably with primarily edible plants). It doesn't frost much and tempuratures when its really cold are rarely below 40s.

I am in zone 13. What fruits, veggies, and other plants can I grow in a winter garden?
There is no zone 13, but you may be zone 10. You can plant cool weather plants like:

Beets

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrots

Cauliflower

Chard

Chinese Cabbage

Kohlrabi

Lettuce

Mustard

Onions

Radishes

Rutabagas

Spinach

Turnips

Just to name a few.

Here is a site about fall and wintergardening in southern Cali.

http://www.humeseeds.com/falwint.htm

Good Luck
Reply:Southern Calif.

October veggies and flowers.

Click this link:

http://www.digitalseed.com/gardener/guid...


What are these tall patches of grass growing in my garden?

I have these small, tall, dark green patches of grass invading my garden and starting to spread to my lawn. When I pull enough up, they have a small bulb at the end. How do I get rid of them without killing my perenniels?

What are these tall patches of grass growing in my garden?
Could it be Nut-Grass ?



www.aces.edu



Please check out the this website for a photo.

If you are trying to remove the weeds by hand you will have to dig below the nut that is attached to the roots in order to ever get a head of this weed.The roots are very long!

This website has info. about chemicals that you can use.

GOOD LUCK!



I have tried MANY times to add the complete website ,it will not allow me to???

Try going to Google (Images) type in Nut Grass then www.aces.edu
Reply:Take a sponge or sock something absorbent.

Tie it to a stick

Dip it in some roundup

Rub the wet cloth on the weeds be careful to not touch grass.

The weeds will turn brown and die in a couple of weeks. You can then seed the area or let the grass regrow itself into the bare spot.


Does anybody know the rules about fires in your back garden?

What are the rules around having a fire in your back garden? We have a proper fire bin to do it in but not sure if its legal anymore. Are there specific times that you are allowed to do it in? It is only going to be used for wood?

Does anybody know the rules about fires in your back garden?
It depends on local by-laws. Phone your local council to find out.
Reply:In UK not in a Smoke Control Zone (major cities). Elswhere - just be considerate.
Reply:http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommu...

http://www.999today.com/homeandgarden/ne...
Reply:I bought on of those fire bins that look like dustbins and my neighbour said that she thought they had been banned.



I phoned the council and they told me that they were O.K. as long as they were acceptable to your neighbours.



So basically, as long as you are sensible and don't bother the neighbours, they are O.K. to use.



I'm not sure about the timings but I tend to utilise mine at weekends.
Reply:That would depend on where you live.

Yeah, the fire dept would know.
Reply:Call your local fire dept. they should know.



Not sure where you live but in Oregon we have certain times when you can burn that are posted in the newspaper
Reply:not before 9pm - that is a well know bye law in the west mids
Reply:In the UK some area are smoke free zones and no smoking fires are allowed. Check at you local town hall and they will put you right. Know nothing about America.
Reply:Your local firehall denizens will have the latest info for your area. I'd give them a call.

The Muse

racing shoes

What scents or other things that deter squirrels from my garden?

I just put up a garden fence, but I'd also like to know more tricks that will scare off squirrels thanks

What scents or other things that deter squirrels from my garden?
2 tbsp. of cayenne pepper

2 tbsp. of hot sauce

2 tbsp. of chili powder

1 tbsp. of Murphy's Oil soap

1 qt. of warm water



Mix these ingredients in a bucket, then pour the mixture into a hand-held sprayer. Shake well, then coat all of plants from top to bottom to let bother-some critters know they're not welcome.
Reply:I know some people who go to local Beauty Shops or Barber shops and asks for the hair clippings to sprinkle around and in the garden to keep Deer out, it might work for other animals and most times it's free.



Hope this helps.
Reply:Marigolds deter rabbits. They don't like the smell.
Reply:Try sprinkling moth balls around the area.
Reply:I heard fox urine works


Garden=What is the best tree to plan when you have small garden?

i have a small garden looking ,what kind of tree is good, to plant and have shade...

Garden=What is the best tree to plan when you have small garden?
WEEPING WILLOW



hi dear ,

i think WEEPING WILLOW is a nice and small tree

for your small garden ... if you love your familly

you can rest and relax with them under its shadow ...

it will be so cool for you ...
Reply:Not enough information. How small is your garden? How wide is your space?
Reply:I love my redbud trees. Purple flowers in spring. Mottled shade in summer. Yellow leaves in fall, only 20 feet tall.
Reply:Japanese Maples are wonderful for small gardens and can be the centerpiece.


What are some things that i can add to my garden salad?

i am making a garden salad with iceberg lettuce. i want some interesting things to add like other vegtables.. this is my item to bring to christmas dinner so i want it to be different.

What are some things that i can add to my garden salad?
walnuts,,,,, carrots,,,,, olives,,,,,, water chestnuts sliced thin,,,,,,shredded cheese, but take it and toss it in at the last minute,,,,,
Reply:add watermelons and water chesnuts.luv that combo
Reply:I DON'T KNOW WHAT VEGGIES YOU ARE USING. SO I CAN'T SAY ABOUT THE VEGETABLES. I WOULD ADD SOME CRANRAISINS, SOME SUNFLOWER SEEDS , NUTS JUST THINK OF A SALAD BAR IN A RESTAURANT AND GET SOME IDEALS.
Reply:cranberries, sunflower seeds, asiago cheese
Reply:i like to make a salad with iceberg lettuce, mandarin oranges, and silvered almonds. add a vinagrettte dressing on the side so the lettuce doesn't get soggy. if you have the patience, add some pomegranate. if not, add some apple slices.
Reply:cheese, tomatoes, shredded carrots, almonds, crushed peanuts, ham or turkey or both, foutons, and baconbits always work for me hope i helped. Beautyb
Reply:I love avacado in a salad.
Reply:green peppers,olives,bacon bits,mushrooms,broccoli,cauliflower,shre... carrots.Cheese any kind will do feta would be good,red onions or green onions or scallions.Onions enhance a better flavor to greens ,garlic.Dont for get salt pepper summer savoury ,thyme,oregano basil.Fresh is best but if you dont have use dry.
Reply:Feta cheese is good, so are peapods and fresh bean sprouts.

Some other lettuce varieties, like romaine or green leaf, will add color %26amp; flavor, so will fresh spinach.

Bacon bits and croutons to pass are good, too.
Reply:If you can do cut up veggies in their own dishes that way everyone make their own. But I would use Roma tomatoes, red onions, black olives, radishes, carrots, cucumbers, maybe some cut up ham and boiled eggs (if you can put them on the side for people to add if they wish), shredded cheddar cheese, croutons or my favorite sunflower seed meat.
Reply:add strawberries and feta cheese (broken %26amp; sprinkled) it will liven it up.

If you like poppy seed dressing, that dressing goes well with this idea. Wish I could visit you to taste your salad, but I'm already booked for Monday... Maybe next year!
Reply:carrots,tomatoes,peas,cucumbers,olives,c...


Best way to get rid of blue bells in my garden?

I have dug up a large patch of my lawn last year to get rid of them, this year, they have spread to another area of the lawn. I love the different colours of flowers -blue/white/pink but I like my lawn to be grass. I do not use any chemical in my garden. So is digging the only way?

Best way to get rid of blue bells in my garden?
Why would you want to get rid of them.

Herbicides will kill just about everything and leave you with an ugly bare or brown patch of crud.



So you have two choices that are environmentally sound.



Leave 'em be. What's so great about grass anyway? Just a pest. I got rid of all my grass and replaced with creeping sedum and patches of Blue-eyed grass in the Iris family which is a lot prettier than boring old grass and NEVER needs mowing. I know another bright fellow tired of the American lawn stupidity and replaced ALL of his stupid grass with Creeping Myrtle with its purple flowers. A lot saner, and better.



There is a place for grass. In pastures and in football or baseball fields.



Lawns with nothing but grass are for retards that just must enjoy noisy and bothersome perpetual mowing. Maybe it is for a good cause, probably the only exercize these fat couch potatoes will ever get.

beauty

What are some low maintenance plants to put in my garden?

I am redoing the garden in the front of my house. I am not good with plants so professional landscaping is out of the question. I just want to do it myself with some plants I can get at home depot or walmart. I need something a little easy to care fot since I am notorious for killing plants

What are some low maintenance plants to put in my garden?
I have coleus and cactus in my garden, they are easy. Try the hen and chicks cacti.
Reply:One of the best is vinca or periwinkle. It takes care of itself and is in continuous bloom all summer. Comes in all colors and is bright and pretty. Dark green leaves. There are two types, be sure to buy the plants that grow to about two feet tall (not the ground covers). Ask a clerk at the nursery. Buy them already growing.....called bedding plants and usually come in a six pack. DO NOT plant seeds, they take too long to grow.



Vinca are annuals and need to be planted each year. Here is a link full of pictures:



http://www.parkseed.com/webapp/wcs/store...



By the way, send for free gardening catalogs. There are hundreds, but here are two:



http://www.parkseed.com



http://www.burpee.com



Happy gardening to you.
Reply:Daylilies , Black-eyed- Susan, Yarrow, Coneflowers, Russian Sage, Peony, Asters, KnockOut Roses , Fountain Grass %26amp; Blue Fescue are very low maintenance for sunny areas.



The Daylily now has colorful "everbloomers" ... that bloom all summer until frost. Echinacea now comes in various colors.

Stella D' Oro, Happy Returns, Pardon Me, Sunset Returns, Red Hot Returns, Apricot Sparkles , %26amp; Rosy Returns (the first PINK everblooming Daylily).

http://www.sepersnursery.com/Retail/Happ...



Coneflowers (Echinacea) aren't just purple anymore:

http://www.waysidegardens.com/webapp/wcs...



KnockOut Roses

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/cemap...

http://www.landscape-america.com/gardens...

http://www.waysidegardens.com/webapp/wcs...



Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides) Viridescens Black Fountain only grows 20 " full sun The folliage dries in winter, but still looks good.

http://www.bluestem.ca/grass-scapes/penn...

http://www.outsidepride.com/store/catalo...



Blue Fescue

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/grasses/blu...

http://www.greenwoodnursery.com/page.cfm...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41642339@N0...



Thyme, Golden Lemon - Thymus x citriodorus – A delightful, creeping thyme with very aromatic evergreen foliage that forms a dense mat. This Thyme displays tiny lavender flowers in summer. Likes sun Thyme is a semi-evergreen groundcover that rarely grows more than 15 inches tall.

http://mulberrycreek.com/Detailed/204.ht...



For shady areas plant Columbine, ferns, Lily-of -the-valley, %26amp; Foam Flower

Coral Bells (Heuchera) %26amp; Blazing Star (Liatris) can grow in between areas from sun to partial shade

http://www.peak.org/~jnelson/coralbellsp...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wing69/1079...

Foamflower with Heuchera:

http://lesliet.typepad.com/.shared/image...



Variegated Periwinkle is a nice evergreen groundcover, forming a dense mat:

http://www.perennials.com/seeplant.html?...

http://www.sobkowich.com/products/Proven...



Plant low-growing shrubs like Rhododendron %26amp; Azalea



Here's a perennial garden that takes care of itself:

http://www.backyardgardener.com/pren/pre...



More ideas for a low-maintenance garden:

http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/pag...



In the fall you can plant Tulips, Daffodils, %26amp; other spring bulbs among the perennials.



Good luck! Hope this helps.
Reply:most of my 13 flower gardens are perennials and a lot I have started myself but the best source I have found to buy them from is BLUESTONE PERENNIALS. you can look at their on line catalog and get some ideas
Reply:I like Geraniums they are pretty hardy, look good in containers and in the garden, some others I like:



Pansy's are hardy too

Petunias ,purple ones are the best smelling

Marigolds

Allyssum nice smell
Reply:"Snake plants", cactus, "devil's backbone" (which is awesome by the way), Any greenery plants, ... hardly any flower plants are doable.. most flower plants are very fragile because they have to have certain amount of sunlight and water to stay maintained.. Try any greenery plant.. with little to no flowers =)
Reply:most grey leafed plants or grey blue(glaucus)shiney leafed plants also.Make good drainage and plant in spring so enough water get to them at the start.Grey leafed plant can't take more than minus 5c approx 22f.once settled in no maintence required or watering.ie lavenders/bootlebrushes,genestas,yuccas phormiums,cordylines etc
Reply:Perennial plants which means they will return year after year.

My best yard friend is a book I had purchased on perennials.

Tulips %26amp; Daffodils are the first to come up in Spring and are 6" to 12" tall. Coneflowers are nice. Daylilies are hard to kill (even if they look like they died from lack of water - - they will be back next year) but they will spread %26amp; take over if don't have method of stopping them from reproducing from their roots.


What kind of sump do I need to collect run off in my garden?

I have a small garden in San Francisco. When it rains the water all pools in the lowest part which happens to be near our building. I'd like to collect the water and pump in back into the garden. I may even dig a little gutter that would make a nice stream and keep the water away from the paths. The question is this: How do I keep mud from collecting in the sump?

What kind of sump do I need to collect run off in my garden?
Most sump pumps are designed to handle a little mud. Worst case scenario, it plugs. All you need to do is rinse it out with a hose. RScott


How to grow and maintain herbs on a window sill garden?

live in a flat where only sunny window sill also share space with numerous pigeons. but i love to cook with fresh herbs, like oregano, thyme, rosemary, coriander, parsley, etc. can anyone give me tips on how to do this on a window sill garden? is it really bad if they get the occassional pigeon poop? i would know how to keep them pesky pigeons away from the plants.

How to grow and maintain herbs on a window sill garden?
Pigeon poop transmit over 60 diseases. You don't want it anywhere near your edibles.



If you can't prevent them from coming near, grow your herbs inside, facing a southern window, or hanging from baskets


I would love to have some more ideas on how to attract wildlife to my tiny garden?

I am an avid gardener but now have a very tiny garden. I have a small Lilac tree in my garden, in a pot. Birds come to sit in the tree before they eat the bread I put out for them. They even drink from a small soup bowl of water or splash in it. Remembering that it is a tiny garden and residence.

I would love to have some more ideas on how to attract wildlife to my tiny garden?
Do you have room to sink a container of somekind? Makes a wonderful little pond for frogs, toads and newts. Dragonflies would also turn up. It does not have to be very big at all just a foot would be enough preferably wider than it is deep. It would hold a dwarf waterlily too.

http://www.wildsuburbia.net/images/fof_p... something like this.

Grow nectar rich flowers....thyme, lavender, scabious, sedum, astrantias and eryngiums are just a few that spring to mind. These will attract bees, butterflies, moths and other flying insects. Do not forget to plant the caterpillar food plant for the butterflies you will attract, mainly grasses but check online for butterflies in your area and the plants to grow for their caterpillars.

Put up bat boxes, solitary bee boxes used for egg laying and lacewing boxes for hibernation.

Stack a few logs in a corner unobtrusively to attract invertebrates, frogs, toads, slowworms etc. It will also attract a hedgehog if you allow it access to your garden.

Feed different things to the birds to encourage as many species as possible; seeds, meal worms, fatballs, nuts (in season) fruit cakes etc.

Grow climbers for nectar sources (honeysuckle) and coverage from prey. Birds will nest in the climbers if you attach a spaced plastic mesh in front so they can get in it but squirrels, cats etc. cannot.

Stop using any kind of chemicals in your garden. You will be surprised at how quickly wildlife will return if you just get rid of those 'cides.

Check these for more ideas.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/design/pl...

http://www.thecei.org.uk/wildlife/Tips%2...

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/wildlife...
Reply:Nesting boxes, seed dispensers, a bigger water supply.



Lemon Balm will grow in a big pot and the bees love it, nasturtiums support a lot of insect life, honey suckle or clemantis if you have the room.
Reply:Woodpecker bars will attract woodpeckers. Cracked corn will attract deer %26amp; turkeys. Squirrels love all of those as well %26amp; dried corn cobs. All should be available at the local Walmart.
Reply:Plant flowers to attract butterflies, get a small birdbath for the birds, and hang bird feeders on shepherds hooks.
Reply:buy a buddleia bush they range about 7 pound in white or pink or lavender you will have loads of butterfly's in summer
Reply:you could put some climbers against your wall

baffin slippers

What types of magic tricks would you reccommend for a Garden/ Lawn Party?

I do magic often and sometimes for events. I was recently asked if I would be able to entertain at a lawn/ garden party. I was wondering what kind of magic I should do for this event. Difficulty is not an issue, but the demonstrations can't be too geared for stage performances, becasue this has to be fairly casual and impromptu. But, however, they can't be too simple, like easy coin and card magic. They have to impress people, not prove I can go to Chapters and perform tricks from a $5.99 book. Any suggestions or ideas?

What types of magic tricks would you reccommend for a Garden/ Lawn Party?
saw a lady in half, or the head chopper trick


What home made stuff can I use to decorate my garden?

Do you have any idea of what I can use as decoration for my garden- stuff I can easily do or stuff you find around the house?

For example- I have this small case in which I put books and if I empty it and plant something in it, it will look so original.

So, any more ideas?

What home made stuff can I use to decorate my garden?
a simple bottle tree-have some one weld some rebar to look like limbs on a tree stick different colored bottles on them,,,bird bath made from a garbage can lid,,,nailed to the top of a 4x 4 in the ground,,,put some silicone on nail heads to keep it from leaking,,, hub caps stuck in the ground bout half way,,or hanging from a fence or tree,,,old farm plows or tools ,,old shovels with no handles,, painted different colors,,stuck in the ground to form a circle flower bed---2 --5 gallon buckets,,with dirt in em--with a 1 x 12 fasten to top to make a bench,,,paint the buckets,,, that s just a few of the things i have,,i call it called yard art,,some people call it junk--- use your imagination on different objects ,,to see if they look like something else
Reply:Plant an old work boot. Paint a picnic table. How about finding rocks and lining the garden beds? Plant a plastic bag. Put holes in the bag, place plants in the holes and hang on a tree. Only plant the frone. Less money than those bags they sell. Move your house plants out and use them to decorate your patio. Good luck!
Reply:yes....trace your hands on the side of the case and paint it with two differnt colors...one your fav. color....the second....try something in a deeper hue....yours truly sissa~


How to revive an old flower garden (when you have a black thumb)?

We moved into an older home last summer that was owned by an elderly lady who passed away. She had a beautiful garden on the side of the house with all kinds of perenials--daylilies, irises, daffodils, tulips, daisies, etc. We were too busy with the house to do anything with it then, but now things are coming up, and we'd like to bring it back to it's former glory. Trouble is, it's overrun with weeds, and we can't tell what's coming up at this point. How do we clean this garden up if we can't tell what's weeds and what's good stuff? Any advice would be really appreciated, thanks!

How to revive an old flower garden (when you have a black thumb)?
most of the time weeds are smaller than the flowers that are coming up. perenials are easier to spot because they are much thicker. Weeds are thin, atleast most. I think I would just watch every few days and pay attention to the new growth coming up. weeding is not fun, but the beauty of the flowers is amazing. Sorry not alot of help I know...=)


How do l get rid of Green Ants from my garden?

l am from Queensland Australia.

Can someone please help me get rid of these horrible annoying biting (and boy can they bite) ants from my garden.

l have tried a few things from the nursery,but they keep coming back.

Hope you can help me.Thanks.

How do l get rid of Green Ants from my garden?
Get some boric acid and make a frame of boric acid all the way around your garden...The ants won't cross the frame.. :-)

dream theater

How can I stop my 8 month old kitten from pooing in our garden?

Just after we got our kitten spayed, we let her outside. When she was *** enough to jump over the fence, we removed the litter tray and have had no accidents luckily.

However, she has got into the habit of pooing all round our garden and it's a real pain, especially as I'm pregnant and should avoid dealing with it.

Does anyone know how we can deter her from doing this without making her or our older cat feel unwelcome in the garden?



Cheers all.

How can I stop my 8 month old kitten from pooing in our garden?
Hi there...Consider placing a covered litter box outside where it provides some level of privacy and ask a friend or spouse to help you clean the box regularly so it attracts the kitten there rather than away from an overly soiled box to the garden. If she has been defecating in the garden for some time it may be difficult to retrain for litter box.



Therefore, some pet friendly common odours that are effective deterrents for cats are:



Citronella works best for cats as well as citrus scents such as orange or lemon (primarily towards cats), cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and mustard oil.



"Havahart's Cat Repellent" uses capsaicin pepper and oil of mustard as its active ingredients. It repels by both taste and odor, has a lemon scent.



Every animal responds differently to each of these. Some will not be phased by them and others will be quite revolting.



For training purposes they are applied on items that are to encourage avoidance behaviours and not for use with a squirt bottle as they could harm the eyes or respiratory system. Test each substance and observe to see which works as a deterrent so that accidental injestion does not occur as some could then be fatal.



Coleus plants can be effective, but every cat responds differently so it is uncertain without experimenting.
Reply:Would you rather it pooed in the house?
Reply:i think you can buy a spray from the pet shop which is called stay away or something like that. i've not tryed it.



tin foil or orange peel

might deter frtom doing in in certain places
Reply:yes kick the little sh$t up the **** and rub her or his face in it
Reply:The sprays may be harmful to your plants. You can put a litter box next to the garden but when it rains you may have to change it. My suggestion is to get a long handle rake and work it in to the soil. That will help two fold. Manure and no poo where you don't want it. Don't hit her but you can spray her with a water gun if you see her doing it. If your cats are welcome in the garden you may just have to put up with it.
Reply:Keep her inside. Seriously, it's a cat's nature to "bury it" in the garden.
Reply:put orange peel shavings in the garden
Reply:at least she does it in the garden!

cat poo is ok for plants and soon rotes down or just dig it over the its gone then
Reply:Pick her up and shake her really hard. That'll teach her
Reply:Where do you want her to poo? in somebody elses garden you can clean it up with your hand inside a carrier bag like DOG owners do. YOU should not get animals if you carn't clean up after them. Somebody's cat is pooing in my garden and I have to clean it up as well as my little puppies.
Reply:Because you took away her litter tray, she now sees the garden as her bathroom. Half of it is marking territory and the other half is instinct to bury pood. Unless you want to sit in the garden with a spray bottle, I have no clue. You could put some of that Stay Away! spray that cats are said to hate around where she goes pood but that might discourage her from the garden altogether.
Reply:Maybe she is just marking her territory , she may go elsewhere eventually . Fingers crossed .
Reply:why have an outdoor cat? keep her inside where it's safe
Reply:You probably can't. That is perfectly normal behavior for a cat. One thing that might work is to have an area of turned soil near the door, which the cat would encounter before getting to the garden; kitty would maybe do her business there.
Reply:Where do you want it to poo? In other people's gardens? Thats hardly fair, is it?



Although I have plenty of methods to stop you cat pooing



1. Shoot It

2. Shove a firework up its ****

3. Dont feed it

4. Poisen It

5. Sell It

6. Dont let it outside

7. Sell your garden



Hope these help
Reply:My 18 year old cat poops in the garden.



It's good manure for the plants, it keeps other cats away and it means we have no cat poops on our carpet.



Sorry, I don't see a problem.



If you're worried about cross-infection - just make sure your cat is clear of infection (your vet can ensure this) - and it is all just good clean poopy compost for your lovely flowers and plants!
Reply:Just don't feed her.
Reply:Vinegar ands/or lemon juice deters cats. Try spraying a little bit of that and maybe she'll keep away. Don't worry about the pregnancy though, if you are reffering to the whole toxoplasm thing, the possibilities of having a problem with it are much much higher by eating medium cooked lamb or chicken than they are when dealing with a cat.
Reply:If you work a small parcel of your garden so that the soil is soft and she can easily bury her poo there...she will go there. Otherwise encourage your neighbours to use small gravel in THEIR garden...works a treat.


Hardy plants for my garden beds?

hi, i have just put in a heap of sleepers to make garden beds in my new garden. i live in victoria and have lots of frosts and are on the highest water restrictions (no watering of garden at all). i need some ideas on hardy hardy plants for about 100metres of garden beds. i am thinking daisies, diosmas, rosemary, jasmine, geraniums. any other ideas? thanks so much for any suggestions.

Hardy plants for my garden beds?
Lavendar and Russian Sage are both good... they dont need much water, and both get pretty fragrant purple buds on them
Reply:Marigolds are a hardy plant. They can be neglected somewhat and still thrive.



They are beautiful and vibrant in color. They have a long blooming season with plenty of blossoms.



I use them where I want plenty of rich color and want something that will withstand different weather conditions.
Reply:this is an excellent resource.



http://www.monrovia.com/PlantInf.nsf/269...


How should I start my flower garden?

Hey folks!

Today I am off to buy some plants to brighten up the front of our home. We have a large yard, but the front of our house is BORING. White house, white stairs... green grass. That's it. I will want a 12" deep strip of COLOUR against the front foundation of the house, and along one side that catches the sun.

What plants to do suggest that are EASY to care for, don't require a ton of watering, like the sun but can handle some shade, and are cheap? I'm not looking to have an award winnnig garden, just something to liven up the front of our house!

I really like hostas, I may plant some of them on the side of the house... I was thinking about pansies or something easy for the front of the house... I am 7 months pregnant, and won't have a ton of time or energy for garden upkeep other than the basic weeding and watering...



Thank you for your time!!

How should I start my flower garden?
Make sure to amend the soil, if it's needed, with a compost or peat moss. It'll need to be broken up well, crumbly. Pansies are at the end of their growing season now, they hate hot weather. I would go with begonias. Hardy, shade-tolerant, nice foliage. They generally come in two colors on the affordable end of the spectrum, red and white, and the foliage is dark green and green, respectively. AVOID water hogs like coleus, petunias and impatiens--as a father of five I know you will have NO time for watering. Make sure your new plants are watered-in after you plant, and you should have a great looking garden!
Reply:Petunia's.
Reply:Pansies are a great choice. Those things will grow upside-down on a rock, if you'll water it. I've had some in a pot that have come back every spring for the last 5-6 years.

Petunias are great also, for the same reason.
Reply:i think you can find a great help in:



www.gadwood.com\index1.html
Reply:A basic 101 guide on how to plant a beautiful garden.



Steps

Find a spot in your yard or in a local community garden that gets both sun and shade. Ideally, some parts of it should get full sun (6 hours of CONTINUOUS sunshine per day), and some parts should get partial sun (either dappled sun, or full sun for less than 6 hours per day). Even if parts of your garden are in total shade, there are a variety of plants (including foliage plants and even flowers) that can flourish.

You'll need to prepare the land. Dig and churn up all of the packed dirt. Dig about 2 ft. down. If you want to, you can add some nice compost and mix it into your dirt.

Go buy some seeds! Seeds are so inexpensive at the Dollar Store or your local dollar market. Or, you can start with bedding plants (or seedlings) available at nurseries.

Look at the instructions on the back of the seed package, or on the plastic tag in your plant pot. You may have to ask experts when to plant them if it does not say on the back. Plant bedding plants when you are sure you can. Some seeds (such as tomatoes) should be started indoors, in small pots or seed trays, before the last frost, and only transplanted outdoors when the weather warms up.

Make sure to water your plant every other day. Don't drown them in water. A reasonable amount should be fine.

Watch your beautiful garden grow!







Tips

If you want you can buy plant food at the store as well. Put it in the hole with your seed or seedling. Adding organic matter (compost, for example) or a chemical fertilizer in with the soil in the hole will help the plant or seed to establish itself. But of course, don't use a lot of the fertilizer.

You don't have to plant flowers in rows necessarily, intertwining patterns usually come out very nice.

Be creative. Be classic. Make your garden you.

Perennial = comes up every year

Annual = needs to be planted again every year

A pick axe is GREAT way to break up hard ground. So is a pitchfork-shovel. PLEASE have someone knowledgeable show you how to use these tools firmly yet carefully %26amp; with the proper form to get quick results while not hurting yourself physically.

As far as planting vegetables, you don't always have to start from seed. You can plant most veggies that have started to "go bad" because they've grown roots. Or there are nurseries that sell "starts".

Learn how to compost and then use it as the rich soil matter it will turn into!

If you live near a horse farm, ask them if they have any horse manure compost to spare. This also makes great fertilizer!

Putting leftover, wet coffee grounds around your veggies in the garden is a natural way to keep slugs %26amp; other garden "pests" out. Plus, it adds beauty to the garden.

Don't throw away earthworms or kill them! They help aerate the soil to make your growing more successful. Put them back into the soil as you turn it over.

In most locations, dark green leafy veggies will continue to grow until there's a frost.

You really don't need an enormous space to yield a good amount of plants/flowers/veggies/herbs.

Have fun!



Warnings

Watch out for pesky animals and birds who will try to eat your garden. To avoid trouble with them, put up a fence.



Things You'll Need

Soil

Some kind of digging tools, unless you want to use your hands ^^

Seeds or other rotting veggies.

``````````````````````````````````````...



The art of planting roses doesn’t have to be a complicated thing to do. When you have the right knowledge there is no limit to how beautiful a garden or rosebush that you can create.



Now you will have all of the beauty and delicious fragrance that roses can give you with you all the time.



Here are some of the best ideas and tips for planting your roses.



Steps

Talk with your local gardening center or florist to find out which are the best type of roses to grow in your climate. If you are a novice, look for disease resistant types of roses because they need a lot less maintenance.

When planting roses, pick a place that is well lit in the morning. You also want a spot that has sunlight for a minimum of 6 hours a day. Roses need a great deal of light to grow properly.

Choose an area with well drained soil. Great soil has a PH level at about 5.5-7.0. Testing kits are inexpensive and available at any garden center.

Organic matter like manure or lime helps to nourish the roots of your roses.

Soak the roots in water for 8 to 10 hours. Inspect the roots and cut off any root ends that are dead or broken.

Dig a hole that is two times bigger than the amount of space that your roses take up. Fill the bottom of the hole with a cone of soil to rest the roots on and position the bud union at about ground level. Fill the hole half way with soil and water. Wait for the water to filter down and fill the hole with the remaining soil. This process ensures complete root coverage with no air pockets. Do not tramp down the soil. Poor circulation for your roses can cause fungal diseases. Using a larger hole also makes it easier for you to pull them up later and pot them if you’d like.

Water your plants frequently for the first 3-4 weeks after planting your roses. Usually this is when the top 2 inches of soil is dry. To stay healthy your roses need a lot of hydration and food.

Four weeks after planting, you should start soaking the bed every 2 weeks or so. Do this in the morning for the best results.

Start to fertilize about 3 months after planting. Use 3-6 inches of mulch to control the moisture, temperature, and to stops weeds from popping up. Mulch also helps to lock in the vital nutrients your roses need in order to remain healthy.







Tips

It is best to plant roses in the Spring. Choose an area to plant that is well circulated with air. Your roses will not grow in an enclosed or tight area.

Roses love water but can get many fungal and bacterial diseases if they do not get enough sunlight in order to dry off their leaves and pedals. Plant your roses in morning light and remember at least 6 hours or sunlight.



Warnings

Always check your rose plants for diseases.





External Links

Rose Garden Care is a blog full of relevant articles on roses.
Reply:pansies are great. me and mom always plant morning glories or mums in the yards every year. i love petunias, so they are there every year.


How should I start my flower garden?

Hey folks!

Today I am off to buy some plants to brighten up the front of our home. We have a large yard, but the front of our house is BORING. White house, white stairs... green grass. That's it. I will want a 12" deep strip of COLOUR against the front foundation of the house, and along one side that catches the sun.

What plants to do suggest that are EASY to care for, don't require a ton of watering, like the sun but can handle some shade, and are cheap? I'm not looking to have an award winnnig garden, just something to liven up the front of our house!

I really like hostas, I may plant some of them on the side of the house... I was thinking about pansies or something easy for the front of the house... I am 7 months pregnant, and won't have a ton of time or energy for garden upkeep other than the basic weeding and watering...



Thank you for your time!!

How should I start my flower garden?
Make sure to amend the soil, if it's needed, with a compost or peat moss. It'll need to be broken up well, crumbly. Pansies are at the end of their growing season now, they hate hot weather. I would go with begonias. Hardy, shade-tolerant, nice foliage. They generally come in two colors on the affordable end of the spectrum, red and white, and the foliage is dark green and green, respectively. AVOID water hogs like coleus, petunias and impatiens--as a father of five I know you will have NO time for watering. Make sure your new plants are watered-in after you plant, and you should have a great looking garden!
Reply:Petunia's.
Reply:Pansies are a great choice. Those things will grow upside-down on a rock, if you'll water it. I've had some in a pot that have come back every spring for the last 5-6 years.

Petunias are great also, for the same reason.
Reply:i think you can find a great help in:



www.gadwood.com\index1.html
Reply:A basic 101 guide on how to plant a beautiful garden.



Steps

Find a spot in your yard or in a local community garden that gets both sun and shade. Ideally, some parts of it should get full sun (6 hours of CONTINUOUS sunshine per day), and some parts should get partial sun (either dappled sun, or full sun for less than 6 hours per day). Even if parts of your garden are in total shade, there are a variety of plants (including foliage plants and even flowers) that can flourish.

You'll need to prepare the land. Dig and churn up all of the packed dirt. Dig about 2 ft. down. If you want to, you can add some nice compost and mix it into your dirt.

Go buy some seeds! Seeds are so inexpensive at the Dollar Store or your local dollar market. Or, you can start with bedding plants (or seedlings) available at nurseries.

Look at the instructions on the back of the seed package, or on the plastic tag in your plant pot. You may have to ask experts when to plant them if it does not say on the back. Plant bedding plants when you are sure you can. Some seeds (such as tomatoes) should be started indoors, in small pots or seed trays, before the last frost, and only transplanted outdoors when the weather warms up.

Make sure to water your plant every other day. Don't drown them in water. A reasonable amount should be fine.

Watch your beautiful garden grow!







Tips

If you want you can buy plant food at the store as well. Put it in the hole with your seed or seedling. Adding organic matter (compost, for example) or a chemical fertilizer in with the soil in the hole will help the plant or seed to establish itself. But of course, don't use a lot of the fertilizer.

You don't have to plant flowers in rows necessarily, intertwining patterns usually come out very nice.

Be creative. Be classic. Make your garden you.

Perennial = comes up every year

Annual = needs to be planted again every year

A pick axe is GREAT way to break up hard ground. So is a pitchfork-shovel. PLEASE have someone knowledgeable show you how to use these tools firmly yet carefully %26amp; with the proper form to get quick results while not hurting yourself physically.

As far as planting vegetables, you don't always have to start from seed. You can plant most veggies that have started to "go bad" because they've grown roots. Or there are nurseries that sell "starts".

Learn how to compost and then use it as the rich soil matter it will turn into!

If you live near a horse farm, ask them if they have any horse manure compost to spare. This also makes great fertilizer!

Putting leftover, wet coffee grounds around your veggies in the garden is a natural way to keep slugs %26amp; other garden "pests" out. Plus, it adds beauty to the garden.

Don't throw away earthworms or kill them! They help aerate the soil to make your growing more successful. Put them back into the soil as you turn it over.

In most locations, dark green leafy veggies will continue to grow until there's a frost.

You really don't need an enormous space to yield a good amount of plants/flowers/veggies/herbs.

Have fun!



Warnings

Watch out for pesky animals and birds who will try to eat your garden. To avoid trouble with them, put up a fence.



Things You'll Need

Soil

Some kind of digging tools, unless you want to use your hands ^^

Seeds or other rotting veggies.

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The art of planting roses doesn’t have to be a complicated thing to do. When you have the right knowledge there is no limit to how beautiful a garden or rosebush that you can create.



Now you will have all of the beauty and delicious fragrance that roses can give you with you all the time.



Here are some of the best ideas and tips for planting your roses.



Steps

Talk with your local gardening center or florist to find out which are the best type of roses to grow in your climate. If you are a novice, look for disease resistant types of roses because they need a lot less maintenance.

When planting roses, pick a place that is well lit in the morning. You also want a spot that has sunlight for a minimum of 6 hours a day. Roses need a great deal of light to grow properly.

Choose an area with well drained soil. Great soil has a PH level at about 5.5-7.0. Testing kits are inexpensive and available at any garden center.

Organic matter like manure or lime helps to nourish the roots of your roses.

Soak the roots in water for 8 to 10 hours. Inspect the roots and cut off any root ends that are dead or broken.

Dig a hole that is two times bigger than the amount of space that your roses take up. Fill the bottom of the hole with a cone of soil to rest the roots on and position the bud union at about ground level. Fill the hole half way with soil and water. Wait for the water to filter down and fill the hole with the remaining soil. This process ensures complete root coverage with no air pockets. Do not tramp down the soil. Poor circulation for your roses can cause fungal diseases. Using a larger hole also makes it easier for you to pull them up later and pot them if you’d like.

Water your plants frequently for the first 3-4 weeks after planting your roses. Usually this is when the top 2 inches of soil is dry. To stay healthy your roses need a lot of hydration and food.

Four weeks after planting, you should start soaking the bed every 2 weeks or so. Do this in the morning for the best results.

Start to fertilize about 3 months after planting. Use 3-6 inches of mulch to control the moisture, temperature, and to stops weeds from popping up. Mulch also helps to lock in the vital nutrients your roses need in order to remain healthy.







Tips

It is best to plant roses in the Spring. Choose an area to plant that is well circulated with air. Your roses will not grow in an enclosed or tight area.

Roses love water but can get many fungal and bacterial diseases if they do not get enough sunlight in order to dry off their leaves and pedals. Plant your roses in morning light and remember at least 6 hours or sunlight.



Warnings

Always check your rose plants for diseases.





External Links

Rose Garden Care is a blog full of relevant articles on roses.
Reply:pansies are great. me and mom always plant morning glories or mums in the yards every year. i love petunias, so they are there every year.

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