Can the planting of trees/shrubs protect a home in severe weather. I’m from Sydney – so I would appreciate some info from people who live in tornado/cyclone areas.
Shrubs can shield your home from winds, cold temperatures and noise but they are no match for tornadoes and hurricanes.
In front of my work we have big pots that r too heavy to bring in. I was wondering if Perennials will comeback next year if they were to be planted.
i live in Indiana. Our winters vary from mild to freezing…
If they are in a pot too heavy to big in, the pot should be big enough for the plants to handle the winter.
this is coming from australia cause season changes are very noticable here .. cheers!
Because we all live in so many parts of the world, here’s a rule of thumb we use in Maine:
- plant peas as soon as the frost is out of the ground.
- cold-tolerant veggies like carrots, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower etc. can be planted a month before the last frost.
- anything else (seeds and seedlings) can be planted as soon as all danger of frost is past.
- except basil, which wants 80 F soil temperature!
I want to start an Herb garden and don’t know where to begin. Where is the best place to get the starts, when is the best time to start it and should it be indoors or outside?
Most garden centers will sell common herbs at the appropriate planting time in the spring. If you have a tighter budget but want to start bigger, assuming you live in a part of the country where it freezes in winter… Start seeds indoors in a sunny window in Early March – April, then set out in the garden after danger of frost passes. Start the seeds in a peat-pot, in commercially available potting soil. The peat pot can be set right into the ground and the roots will grow through the sides into the ground. Any seed catalog (Burpee,etc), or local garden center will usually sell a broader variety of seeds than they sell plants. Starting too early may result in leggy plants that may be difficult to transplant (won’t stand up well). Some herbs will root in water from cuttings(Fresh Basil as sold in some grocery stores) and can be started any time, and used as they grow. Most seed packets have clear directions on starting times, according to your part of the country. Most herbs love full sun, and will not do as well indoors.
I just looked on the company’s web site, and although the product does not have any systemic properties it is very potent and has a pretty strong hazard label.
I would NOT use it on any vegetables that have come into flower because with the fruit soon to follow you would not want to eat what the fruit has somehow absorbed. Also before you put it down, consider this…Do you and your family walk through that garden barefoot? Do you tend to pick and eat off the vine? Do you have pets that follow you around the garden and then clean their paws? don’t know what you are trying to kill, but try Boric Acid instead it is friendlier!
We have a frog pond in our garden. Does anyone have any tips on attracting frogs to the pond? Are gold fish a good idea to eat fly larvae (not the frog eggs!)?
Here is some info and I have posted some pictures here: http://weblog.xanga.com/yahooanswerspicture/644986460/frog-pond.html
Construction: A circular bucket 40cm across,12cm deep set into the ground with a smaller dish flowing into it. The 2 containers have a layer of small pebbles. There are larger rocks set up in the larger container, stairlike up to the edge, a small fountain to circulate the water with mesh over the filter and 3 sticks over the top, all surrounded by more small pebbles, stones and bark.
Water: Just tap water.
Surrounding plants: The pond is over shaded by 2 small trees (Yellow Bottle Brush[Callistemon salignus] and Camellia Sasanqua).
Surrounding plants are:
-Giant Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum sp.)
-Blue Grass (Festuca glauca)
-Isolepis (Ficina nodosa)
-Wandering Jew (Not the weed!) (Tradescantia pallida)
-Lomandra (Lomandra longifolia)
-Jade Plant or Friendship Tree (Crassula ovata)
- Alocasia sp.
-Baby Sun Roses (Aptenia sp.)
- 2 small Banana Lilys (Nymphoides aquatica) growing in the water.
Location: Sydney,Australia
I’m in the UK and in my experience your pond is a bit small to attract frogs. I think you need to think about something at least 150 centimetres across and 50 centimetres deep. Frogs also prefer still water, if your pond has too much current they won’t use it. The plants sound wonderful.
My tomato plants just sprouted, and while I would like to plant them outside, I am worried about having to transplant them inside once it starts to snow. How do you care for tomato plants once they have sprouted? I know I have to transplant them into a bigger pot, but will they grow right if I transplant them into a window/planter box so that I can easily bring them inside? Also, I know they need a lot of sun, which will be fine in the summer, but once fall/winter rolls around I don’t want them to freeze and die. Do you leave your tomato plants out for the winter, and if so, do they come back or continue to grow?
Here in Pennsylvania they die in the fall and do not come back the following year. They are considered "annuals." I’ve never known anyone, even in hot weather, grow a long-lifed tomato plant. I would think the plant would become exhausted and die after it has fruited for the season, regardless where in the country is was growing.
BUT we have No clue how to get it going?????
please answer if you really know how to get a container garden going from the very basics. Thank you for your time.
Also, we would like to use all organic materials.
good on you both, use a bag of potting mix , slit the middle and plant what ever plants you have,use stakes if you have to , min 6 hrs sun is needed, when finished you can use the mix by putting into pots for growing flowers, have fun , tou will learn from the experience.
Gardening is an enjoyable hobby. A well-tended garden is a matter of pride to nature lovers. However, deciding to have a garden is only the first step towards this endeavor. There are many factors to be considered before selecting the kind of garden you wish to create. The type of soil, the geographical location, the climate and availability of water are some of the deciding factors. The gardener should also consider the amount of time that can be devoted to tending the garden. It is easier to maintain a garden that has similar types of plants, although one can always have a variety of plants requiring different amounts of care.
Most people dream of a pretty-looking garden, full of colorful blossoms. In such cases, a flower garden is an ideal choice. Planting perennial flowering shrubs will ensure that there are blossoms throughout the year. Different geographical locations and climatic conditions have different plant varieties, which are considered perennial. A quick research via the Internet will give an idea of the perennial plants suitable to your locality. Perennial flowering plants are usually sturdy plants and they will add color to the garden throughout the year. They need minimum care and require preparation of the soil and beds only at the planting stage.
Another option could be a vegetable garden. This serves a dual purpose; you have a lush green garden for display and you can consume the vegetables grown in the garden. Vegetable gardens however require a fair amount of work and a little extra research. Some vegetables do well throughout the year, and you are assured of a constant supply for your dinner table. More vegetables can be added later on as per their growing season to enjoy the pleasures of a kitchen garden. Vegetable gardens do not need a great amount of maintenance and hence one need not spend too much time tending to the garden.
Fruit gardens are the biggest challenge. They are difficult to manage and require a lot of maintenance. Fruit bearing trees need the right type of soil, sufficient amount of water and sunlight to give a good yield of fruits. Fertilizers need to be added to the soil and as the tree begins to bear fruits, one has to contend with insects and pests that are attracted to the flowers and the fruit. Selecting the right kind of pesticide so that it does not harm anyone consuming the fruit is of utmost importance. A fruit garden may not give crop all the year round and alternating another variety of crop during the off-season may prove to be disastrous for its growth. Another disadvantage is that you may have to share the crop of fruit with birds and squirrels. The decision to create a fruit garden finally depends on the person’s willingness to expend the energy and time to make the garden a success.
Before deciding to have a garden, it is prudent to give considerable thought to various factors as discussed above. The easiest garden to maintain is a flower garden, but the only benefit is its appeal in terms of beauty and color. However, one can have a garden with flowering plants, fruit trees and vegetables growing together and benefit from the garden produce as well as enjoy the beauty of the lush greenery and color.
Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/creating-your-perfect-garden-tips-for-making-the-garden-of-your-dreams-753754.html
In recent years deck amenities have become more and more popular in bringing many of the comforts of the indoors into the beauty and spaciousness of the outdoors. The ones chosen will depend a great deal upon how the deck space is to be used.
Outdoor cooking and grilling areas provide opportunities for hosts to enjoy additional time with friends, family and guests. Outdoor kitchens with a propane grill and cabinetry will be almost as easy to use as one indoors. Entire meals can be cooked outdoors without moving in and out of the house if an outdoor working sink is available.
The outdoor kitchen can be equipped with facilities ranging from a plain charcoal grill to a gas range. Any grill or range must be located in the best location which combines safety and convenience. Whether the grilling or cooking device is portable or built-in, it should be out of traffic routes and views. Consider installing a small overhead shelter or locate the grill under overhanging eaves in case of rain.
An outdoor kitchen area needs to have enough room for food preparation, serving space and utensil storage. Permanent fixtures such as outdoor cooktops, ovens and refrigerators provide a wide variety of options. It’s important to select outdoor grade equipment that is manufactured to meet building codes and withstand all weather conditions. Waterproof cabinets are a useful and practical addition to an outdoor kitchen area.
The use of outdoor lighting can add many extra hours to the enjoyment of the deck while also adding decorative appeal to it. Low voltage systems which are simple to install are great at creating a special ambience, giving a deck an entirely different character than during the day.
Decorative and concealed light fixtures lend style and atmosphere to outdoor spaces. In addition they increase security. Concealed light sources focus attention on a particular area or object. They can be stategically placed among trees, shrubs, plants, in trees or at ground level to do the job. Decorative fixtures project a more diffused light and come in 2 forms: freestanding units mounted on short bases or types to be attached to posts or walls.
Uplighting is a technique in which concealed fixtures cast light up into an object from its base to draw attention to an area or decorative object. Position the fixture in from of the object or area so the beam shines away from viewing areas.
Downlighting casts a soft, indirect glow on horizontal surfaces such as paths, steps, deck floors and tabletops. The fixtures should be located out of sight so as not to draw attention away from the illuminated object. They can be mounted on arbor and pergola rafters, tree trunks and branches. Path lighting are short decorative fixtures that cast light downward along pathways, walkways and steps.
A firepit can easily become a cozy focal point for family gatherings and guests providing warmth on cool days and evenings. A fireplace, chimnea or firepit is an addition that requires careful planning and installation.
Outdoor fireplaces are generally freestanding and are usually constructed of mortared brick or stone. The hearth and fire screen provide fireproof safeguards while a damper controls drafts. A rotisserie and brick lined warming oven are possibilities too. The fireplace should blend with the style of the house and the deck.
Chimneas are portable fire sources that resemble potbelly stoves. These decorative fireplaces add comfort with their warmth as well as with the sound and scent of burning logs. They are not designed for cooking and are best stored indoors in colder winter months.
Free standing gas and wood burning firepits are other alternatives that provide firelight, warmth and a great place to toast marshmallows. Safety with these amenities should be a priority. A fire extinguisher is a necessity nearby as is a cover for covering the firepit in case the flames grow too large.
Any kind of water feature can add a great deal of charm to a deck area. A small pool with a fountain or a container fountain will provide hours of relaxing enjoyment for all who view them.
Many outdoor amenities require plumbing, electrical or natural gas lines. These items should be included in the planning stages of the deck design. Hot tubs, ponds, fountains and waterfall pumps require electrical outlets with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). Lighting systems require electrical lines.
A permanent natural gas line for a gas grill might be a better choice that a propane tank. An exterior phone jack is a useful possibility as is an exterior cable connection if outdoor activities on the deck include watching television.
For safety reasons and to avoid visual clutter, utilities are best run underground to the deck site. Plan the utility path so that it does not interfere with anything else in the area. Check with the local building department to make sure the plan meets code requirements. Rough in the systems after any deck excavations but before any of the foundation is put into place.
Luckily homeowners in search of ways to enhance the appeal of their decks have many options available to them. Research, careful planning and the use of some imagination can assist them as they take the steps to create deck amenities.
Richard Vande Sompel
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/how-to-create-deck-amenities-225984.html