Home And Family

In the first article of this series, we went over a foolproof method for sowing carrot seeds. If you followed those first steps, you should be on your way to growing a healthy crop of delicious organic carrots.

Making sure that as many of the carrots seeds germinate as possible is our next step. Under ideal conditions, which for carrot seeds is around 75 degrees F (22 degrees C), carrot seeds germinate 7-10 days after planting. In the meantime, it’s important to keep them moist, so daily watering is essential. Skipping this step means fewer seeds will germinate, and your crop will not be as robust and energetic as it could be.

One trick that I’ve run across for germinating carrot seeds is to cover the bed with a board, cardboard, old carpeting, or clear plastic for a week until the carrot seeds germinate. I’ve tried this, but I prefer the method I’m describing here. The problem with the board method is if you leave the board on for just a day too long, the seedlings, which will have germinated in the dark, are long and spindly and vulnerable to drying out. I’ve had better luck covering the seeds with fine soil to a greater depth than usually recommended, about three-quarters to a full inch (1-2.5 cm), and watering regularly.

I mentioned the option of adding radish seeds to the seed/soil mixture when sowing carrot seeds. If you’ve done this, the radish seedlings will begin to pop out in just three or four days. By the time the carrot seedlings emerge, the radishes will already be several inches tall.

Carrot seedlings are very fine, with tiny serrated leaves. Be careful when harvesting the radishes and try not to pull out adjacent carrot seedlings along with the radish. Should you accidentally yank a baby carrot, just push it back into the soil; there’s still a good chance it will take hold and produce a nice carrot.

Pull any weed seedling you see at this early stage. You will quickly learn the difference between a weed seedling and a crop seedling. Weeds pull easily when they are young, and if you compare that to some of the monster annual weeds that infest some gardens, you’ll agree with the logic of pulling as many of them as you can when they’re still babies. Please don’t skip this step! Once the carrots get established, they will shade out most weeds.

It’s your job to give them an early advantage in the never-ending competition for space and sunlight. Now you know the all-important second step of germinating carrot seeds. Treat young carrots tenderly, and you will be rewarded later in the season.

John C. Peterson grows carrots, fruits, poultry products and pastured lamb on his Wisconsin homestead. Want to learn more about growing your own food organically? Get your free gift here: http://www.howtogroworganiccarrots.info/ Thank-you for your kind attention!

Torpedo grass is the most common and most difficult to get rid of weed that can grow in your garden or lawn, but if you follow these basic tips your lawn and garden will be torpedo grass free.

The most simple and inexpensive method of getting rid of the annoying grass is by digging it out. Using your everyday shovel or weed popper will aid you in ridding your lawn of the grass. When using a shovel or weed popper make sure you don’t come into contact or shake around the sprouted part of the plant, doing this will spread out more torpedo grass seeds and result in germination all over your yard.

The alternative to doing the back breaking labor of digging out the weeds is to spray them with herbicides. This method is best used when you lawn is completely overrun with the grass and digging it out one weed at a time is too unreasonable. To make sure this method takes be sure to spray your lawn with the herbicide at least twice a year for a couple of years. This will make sure the persistent reoccurring weeds die off effectively.

Now in the extreme case that your lawn is nothing but torpedo grass which may occur if left unattended for a long period of time you have the option of tearing up your current lawn and relaying fresh sod. This procedure is only to be done if your yard is overrun to the point where one cannot walk without stepping on the grass.

If you have an infestation somewhere in between the basic couple of weeds and the extreme whole yard coverage you have the alternative method which combines the digging of the grass with a herbicide. What happens is once you dig up the torpedo grass you can spray that area with a lighter herbicide such as Round Up. This will assure that no torpedo grass will survive.

Overall if you are suffering from this overgrown weed there are several methods to follow that will completely eradicate it, just be sure to follow through with each method till the end!

Learn more about how to kill torpedo grass and read other helpful how to articles by visiting http://www.howtogetridofit.com

A cup of hot coffee and a homely discussion beside a beautiful pool amidst the beauty of a well kept garden can relax your senses beyond imagination. We all work hard to perfect the look of our interiors but how can we afford to forget that the exterior portion of our house is as important?

Yes, it is as important as the interior of our house and it a person’s taste is well reflected in the way his/her living space is maintained. If you are thinking of enhancing the look of your outer space you can take the assistance of Landscapers Brisbane who can add a beautiful essence to the unkempt extra outer space.

What is the main job of Landscaper in Brisbane:

Brisbane landscaping is renowned for its artistic construction work. It is seen that it is giving a new and beautiful meaning to the exterior decoration. It utilizes the outer space in the best way since even this needs a proper architecture planning. In this case if you are planning to have an enthralling outer space you should immediately get in touch with the team of Landscape architecture Brisbane who can give you the ultimate riveting look to the exterior of your house.

The various services provided by this excellent construction services are as follows:

?They can help you in the garden design
?You can also have pool construction, renovation of pools of varied shapes and sizes
?They also do an excellent work in structuring pavilions, outdoor kitchen, decks, gate houses etc
?All types of driveways, slabs, steps, gardening etc
?Landscaping Brisbane is also famous for paving and tiling
?Lights can always give a desired look to the dull and boring space so they also apply and fit garden lights
?Other services are water features, gardening and different kinds of fencing
?Outdoor roofing is another important service provided by them.

So, if you really want to leave an impressive image then approach the right person and in the right time. You can have the most amazing outer space. You sometimes want to relax in your garden but then if you have a garden constructed by efficient people like landscaping construction Brisbane then there is no doubt about the quality.

If you see the other aspects then you will see that it has a bright prospect as a career option. The basic requirement to be a part of such a creative team is to have the urge for outdoor decoration and the willingness to travel.

Landscaping can be a great career option for you or you can also initiate your own services and earn good profits.

Therefore, give a new and beautiful look to the exterior of the house.

For any help on Landscapers Brisbane, check out the info available online, these will help you learn to find the Landscaping Brisbane an instant go!

For most of us, a trip to the grocery store includes at least one pass through the produce isle. If you are anything like me, that excursion through row after row of tomatoes, cabbage, carrots and the like includes a growing anger at how high the prices are, and how lousy the veggies look! You know, you do not have to put up with it. You could very easily grow your own veggies! Why grow your own vegetables? There are some pretty good reasons to start a small garden besides the ones we have briefly mentioned. Take a look at the top 5 reasons to start your own victory garden.

Taste And Freshness

Nothing can compare with the fresh taste of home grown fruits, herbs and vegetables. Tomatoes that go straight from the vine to the table are one of the most delicious garden treats. The tomatoes we see on grocery shelves are picked long before they are fully ripened, and then exposed to ethylene gas to artificially ripen, and then maintain their red color. No wonder they can be so tasteless! When you grow your own garden you can have your choice of fresh vegetables every day. Lettuce, radishes, onions, squash, and tomatoes are just a few of the easy to grow veggies you can raise, even if you have limited space. You can even grow fresh herbs right in your kitchen!

Controlled Pesticides

Besides the ethylene gas used on most store bought veggies, many are exposed to dangerous chemicals and pesticides, too. Organic vegetable gardens will eliminate the use of chemicals, and use natural methods to control weeds and pests. When you grow your own garden, it will be easy to make it an organic garden.

Health

Growing an organic vegetable garden will ensure healthier vegetables for your family. Keeping your produce chemical free should be one of the most important reasons to grow your own veggies. A diet filled with lots of fresh vegetables is healthy, and kids are much more likely to want to eat something that they helped grow. You will also eliminate the risk of buying tainted foods at the store. Remember, we have had salmonella scares for the past several years. Working in the garden is also good exercise, which is another important part of healthy living.

Save Money

The money you save on vegetables has to be considered when you grow your own garden. If you went to the store to buy just veggies for a salad, or to dress up a Sunday dinner, think about what else you might buy, just impulsively! A trip to your own garden in the back yard, or on the patio will eliminate that impulse buying. Also, the price you would pay for just a package of carrots and a couple of tomatoes would buy enough seeds, or starter plants to feed your family all summer long! You will also save on gasoline costs, and heaven knows that has started up again!

Family Project

Planning and growing your own garden is a great family project. Let each member of the family select, and be responsible for their own favorite vegetable. Even the smaller children will enjoy planting, watering and picking ‘their’ own veggies. Best of all, they will actually eat them without all the fuss!

Why grow your own vegetables? It would seem that there are a myriad of reasons! The planting season is just around the corner, and the planning season is now! I can hardly wait for the picking and eating season!

Want your garden to give you the best tasting, healthiest crop of vegetables you have ever had? Give organic vegetable gardening a try! It is easy to start and maintain an organic garden, and you will never have to worry about dangerous chemicals or pesticides tainting your foods.

For a healthy, and plentiful crop of vegetables, check out this neat organic gardening guide now! Hurry! Planting time is just around the corner!

The advantages of solar birdbaths far outweigh any fuss or muss
associated with their installation. First of all solar powered bird baths are not very hard to install as they do not really require any extra plumbing or wiring. They are also very economical as they harness the power of the sun’s rays to naturally heat the water in the bird bath. Needless to say, this type of bird bath, which usually features a running fountain in the center as well, can save you tons of money when it comes to your energy bills.

There are several types of solar bird baths on the market including ones that run a circulating fountain in the window to keep the water from freezing in the winter and ones that have a cover to prevent other animals from getting into the bath water. The one component that all solar bird baths on the market have in common is the solar panel that provides energy for its operation.

One of the advantages of solar bird baths is that the birds always have access to fresh circulating water. This running water is better for them to bathe and drink, as it is less likely to contain bacteria and viruses. A solar powered panel located in the bowl powers a pump in the reservoir hidden in the base. The pump then efficiently circulates the water, which prevents it from stagnating. This means the water won’t go green, smell or attract too many mosquitoes.

Another advantage of solar bird baths is that they do not require a cord or any wiring. This means that they can be placed anywhere on a lawn without you having to worry about a power source. All that matters is that they must be placed on a flat stable surface to make sure that the water flows through the bird bath’s fountain pump smoothly and does not splash. The fact that these solar powered bird baths can be placed anywhere in a yard is also a boon for landscape architects as well as people who forget to unplug ordinary birdbaths when they mow the lawn.

Yet another benefit of owning a solar operated bird bath is that it is relatively inexpensive. The fact that it is heated water helps birds have a constant source of water in winter climates. You can also use a small heater in tandem with the solar bird bath to make sure that the birds stay hydrated and warm.

In terms of maintenance some types of solar bird baths may need their solar panels removed in the winter and replaced with a non-solar insert during the winter months. This is particularly recommended if you live in a climate where there is no sun at all. However if you live in a climate with a lot of cold, yet sunny days, you may not need to do this. The necessity of removing the solar panels and replacing it with a non solar insert is dependent on the recommendation of the manufacturer of the bird bath.

Like all pools or ponds, solar bird baths may also need regular
cleaning. Seeding the bath with natural enzymes can help prevent algae and grime from staining the insides of the bird bath bowl.

Solar bird baths also appeal to more and a wider variety of birds. This is because most bird varieties are more attracted to water that is moving, than water that is standing. It is easier for them to spot the moving water as they are winging their way over your yard. It is as if the birds instinctively know that moving water is healthier for them than still pools. For this reason you are likely to see even more types of birds than you ever have seen before enjoying themselves in this type of bird bath.

Solar bird baths are also healthier for you and your family. This is because bird baths that have running water are less likely to attract mosquitoes that spread the West Nile virus. In fact water that stands for three days is a great attractant for mosquitoes so if your solar bird bath malfunctions make sure you get it fixed quickly! Almost 2,500 cases of West Nile virus are reported annually in the United States. Running a solar bird bath is one unique way that you can protect you and the birds from all kinds of viruses and bacteria.

For more information on bird baths, visit our website at

http://www.best-bird-house-kits.com/birdbaths.htm

Emphasis plants are those that are different to some degree to the mass of plants with which they associate. Their design purpose is to create a gentle or subtle contrast, not an especially dramatic one. The landscape bush, Nandina domestica, sometimes known as Heavenly Bamboo, is a perfect example of an emphasis plant, especially when combined with landscape shrubs of delicate, leaf texture.

Nandina has a clear, upright form, reaching some 2 meters (6 ft) in height, with a spread of about 1 meter. (3 ft) As its common name implies, it has some similarity in appearance to bamboo, with lightly branched, thin stems, and delightfully delicate, lacy foliage. It is most effective when planted in a small group in front of screening shrubs, which are either trimmed as neat hedges, or loosely shaped. Possessing delicate leaf texture itself, it looks incongruous next to course-leaved plants such as Hibiscus.

A very charming feature of Nandina domestica is its changing leaf color through the year, despite it being an evergreen bush. Young foliage has a bronze tint, which turns to a soft, light, green. In the fall, purplish, bronze tints return, while in cold winter climates, the whole plant can be a fiery, bright red. The white flowers are not especially attractive, but the red berries that follow can add a stunning dimension to the shrubbery. For the berries to be numerous enough to make an effective show, plant a number of specimens together, as single plants do not fruit heavily.

Nandina domestica originates from China and Japan, but is suitable for Mediterranean and dry climate gardens under certain conditions. It is hardy to any cold that a Mediterranean winter is likely to produce, and recovers from temperatures lower than -15c. Although not an arid region plant, its water needs are modest, and considering that as an emphasis plant it is best used sparingly, it can be combined with water conserving shrubs like Pistachio, Sumac and Myrtle. The heat and intense light of a Mediterranean summer are more problematical however, and in such climates the plant is best grown in light shade or filtered sun.

Another limiting factor is the alkaline soils typical of most arid regions. Nandina is subject to chlorosis in alkaline conditions, (high pH) where the inability to take up certain mineral nutrients causes a yellowing of the leaves. For this reason avoid planting it next to walls, as residues of building material like cement, raise the pH to problematical levels. Other than in extreme cases, the easiest way to reduce the soil’s alkalinity is to add massive amounts of compost and other organic matter prior to planting, and modest quantities as part of a regular maintenance regime. This should take care of all the feeding requirements of the plant, without the need for adding chemical fertilizer.

Excessive, indiscriminate pruning, spoils the natural shape of Nandina, Eventually though, mature specimens will become top-heavy and bare of foliage towards the ground. This is easily rectified by occasionally pruning old canes to the ground, rather as one should prune Barberry plants, (Berberis thunbergii) which belong to the same botanical family, and with which Nandina domestica combines so well.

My name is Jonathan Ya’akobi.
I’ve been gardening in a professional capacity since 1984.
I am the former head gardener of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, but now concentrate on building gardens for private home owners.
I also teach horticulture to students on training courses.
I’d love to help you get the very best from your garden, so you’re welcome to visit me on http://www.dryclimategardening.com or contact me at jonathan@dryclimategardening.com

Worn out, depleted soil is a major concern for both farmers and consumers, as studies continue to reveal the problematic effects of chemical fertilizers. With no rest from cultivation or fertilization, farmers and agriculturists are noticing that because the soil is so depleted, crop fields are still not yielding despite fertilization with powerful state-of-the-art chemicals.

The problem? Instead of giving the fields rest and relieving them of the synthetic fertilizers, farmers just increase the application of these chemicals. What occurs is a real concern that crop yields will not be able to meet the food demands of the world population. In fact, in some areas of the world, they are not being met now.

In terms of fertility, soil has a limit as to how much support it can offer over a period of years, and then it becomes depleted. Adding nitrogen, potassium and phosphate only works for a time, but this is not enough of a boost to make the soil fertile again. It also has to be enriched with trace elements.

This is where soil testing can provide some answers. Soil testing does not work for every type of farmer. It works best for people with gardens and people with smaller fields. Soil quality can vary every couple of yards or even every couple of feet, so it can become very expensive to test the soil of large-scale agricultural operations. All they can do is estimate where depleted soils lie, and to have those tested to keep their testing costs reasonable.

But if you have a small garden, soil testing can be done without too much of a hassle. Soil testing kits can be easily found at a local garden store or online.

After testing the soil, you will specifically know what your soil is lacking. Let me give you some advice. For many gardeners, the reason their soil is so depleted is because they refuse to give it rest. Naturally, plants use the vitamins, minerals, and trace elements in the soil, but if done time after time, year after year, it is never replenished.

God didn’t command us to keep the Sabbath day for nothing. Soil that is continually worked will eventually become worn out and depleted of the vital nutrients your fruits and vegetables need to grow. Don’t wait until your soil is in trouble. Every six years, let your garden have a year off.

As well as giving your garden rest, you will also need to apply a natural fertilizer. You can either make your own with compost, manure, or dead leaves and plants, or if you want to save time you can purchase a natural fertilizer. Remember, natural fertilizers are organic, contain no chemicals, and are extremely beneficial in replenishing your depleted soil. In truth, they are vital to the long-term health of your soil, plants, and even you.

Christopher A. Williams (aka Natural Fertilizer Guy) edits the website: http://www.safe-fertilizer-reviews.com/articles.html

The website contains articles about natural fertilizers and seaweed based fertilizers, as well as general natural gardening tips.

Cooking meals with fresh ingredients has several positive benefits. First and probably most important is the taste. Some individuals, particularly children, can be pretty picky when it comes to what they’ll eat. Parents want to prepare healthy meals that taste great and with an indoor herb garden that’s easily done.

If you’ve ever visited the grocery store in search of fresh oregano, mint or rosemary you know how pricey it can be. All too often people forgo the fresh variety and instead settle on a bottle of the dried herb. If you do this you are losing all the nutritional value of the herb not to mention the burst of flavor fresh provides. An indoor herb garden can fit into any space and it saves the cook a lot of money.

Don’t believe for a second that you need a green thumb to be able to grow your own fresh herbs at home. You don’t. You simply need a really sunny spot to place the indoor herb garden, some water, a few simple instructions and some tender loving care.

Purchasing the plants when they are already sprouting is one approach that many people take. The reason these fit well into an indoor herb garden is that you can usually begin using the herb within a few days or weeks. Most garden centers will have a healthy selection of plants that are ideal for an indoor herb garden. The best time of year to buy them is during the spring and summer months.

Some people decide to jump onto the fresh cooking bandwagon once winter rolls around. If you decide in the frozen cold of November that you want to begin growing some herbs inside you can. Many websites offer year-round availability of plants that can be used in an indoor herb garden. You simply pay to have them shipped right to your home. Once they arrive you will have an already growing indoor herb garden that you can enjoy throughout the winter and the rest of the year too.

A less expensive route but one that requires a lot of patience is planting the seeds and growing the plants yourself. This simply requires pots, potting soil and the seeds. If you enjoy gardening to this degree and you are not in any rush to enjoy your indoor herb garden, this can be a rewarding approach.

Regardless of which approach you ultimately take you can certainly take advantage of the warmth of the summer sun and put your indoor herb garden outside for a few weeks. This won’t harm the plants in the least as long as you bring them back indoors before the frost arrives.

Percy Troughton’s runs his own garden center as well as running several shopping based websites. His particular speciality is gardening. Check out these great Flower Garden tips and articles or Garden Tools tips and articles.

If you want to improve the look, design and planting in your garden, then you may well be thinking about getting a garden designer in to help.

So what makes one designer better than another? Is there such a thing as good design?

In short yes!

Garden design is all about shaping and organising space, meeting client requirements and also harmoniously linking the house to the garden and the wider environment.

Gardens are for people as well as plants. We’re all different and what we expect and need from our gardens will vary. A good garden designer will understand what you want and help you achieve it.

So how do you choose a designer?

A quick look at Yellow Pages will confirm that plenty of people offer this service. But it may not be as simple as that. Some practitioners are not garden designers at all – they are planners, horticulturists or builders. Qualifications alone are not a guarantee of a good designer. The only way you will know is to meet and talk. Ask to see a portfolio of their work and, if they have a website, have a look at it. This will give you a feel for the standard of their work and what you can expect from them.

The next issue is how much will you be charged. There are a number of ways that designers will charge for their time. Some will charge per hour, some per job and some as a percentage of your total budget. Some will charge a fee for the first consultation; others will not. However, whatever method is used, the cost of the design service is usually linked to the quality of the overall service.

So use your first meeting with the designer to assess them. Make them assure you that they are good enough and that they care about you and your garden.

At the end of the day it is your garden. It has to work for you.

Samantha McKay has been designing gardens professionally since 1999. She has design and horticultural qualifications from both the Royal Horticultural Society and a Diploma in Design (distinction) from the Pickard School of Garden Design. Sam is based in Norfolk and provides garden design services in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, East Anglia and across England. See her website http://www.samanthamckay-gd.co.uk

Pruning grapes is an important aspect of grape growing. In fact it is an art in itself. Pruning is to be done at the right time in the right amount. Pruning leads to better quality fruit but too much pruning can lead to no fruit at all! So how do you make sure you are pruning the grapes right? Here are a few pointers that you may find useful.

Remember always that the canes that produce fruit one year will not produce fruit the next. It is the new canes that produce fruit each year. So you need to prune and remove all the canes from last year so that the energy is not wasted in sustaining canes that are not going to yield fruit any longer.

The best time to prune is during the dormant season. There are two ways to prune one is Spur pruning and the other is Kniffin system. When you prune you can select 4-6 one year old fruiting branches. Cut these back and leave around 30-50 buds. Remove the remaining branches. As a grape grower you aim is to o achieve a balance between fruit production and adequate, but not excessive, shoot growth.

When you increase the bud count it also increases the number of shoots. If this is excessive it can result in a crowded canopy and increased shading. Also another factor is that when the bud count increases, the vine may not be capable of fully ripening high crop levels despite the increased shoot number.

The concept of pruning grapes is based on the idea that a balanced vine will have strong, but not overvigorous, cane growth from all buds that are retained. So while pruning you selectively remove unsuitable or extraneous canes, retaining a small number of good canes. Why do we do this? For two reasons:

A) To produce fruitful shoots in the upcoming season
B) Develop healthy shoots from which good fruiting canes and be used for the next dormant season