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Posts Tagged ‘flower gardening’

Not all homes are fortunate enough to have lawns and backyards to grow in home gardens. This is especially true nowadays when most families live in apartments and condominiums that definitely do not offer space for planting and growing a full garden. These homeowners may try and find satisfaction in having plastic plant decorations but aficionados know all to well that this comes nothing close to the real thing. Fortunately, plant lovers can still fulfill their garden fantasies with container gardening. This type of gardening is now preferred by most individuals as they entail easy and uncomplicated maintenance as compared to their lawn counterparts.

The one advantage of having your garden in containers is mobility. We have at one time or another heard complaints from some gardeners and home owners wishing that they could have planted a tree that is perhaps obscuring the view somewhere else or have come to realize that positioning the flowering shrub on the left side corner instead of the right would have created a better landscape. With flower gardening, this does not pose a problem. You simply pick up your pot and then set it in a different location in minutes. Container gardening gives you the option of growing indoor and outdoor plants too. For those plants that are sensitive to weather conditions particularly winter, you can safely shelter them inside during the cold balmy season and then let them out to gather some fresh air as the sun peeks its head in the sky during summer. The mobility offered by container gardening is a good thing especially if there is a chance of you moving residences. You can easily take your garden with you without the dirt and hassle of digging, transporting and replanting your garden in another location.

If you are a person who likes to rearrange furniture according to your moods or perchance loves to match up your home arrangements with the season, you will be well pleased with container gardening. Flexibility does not end with your layout but also with the kind of plants and flowers that you have for your home. You can go wild on a selection of colors and species without the worry that they may contradict and go against each other as you always have the option to situate them in another room. In short, there are no limitations so go ahead and indulge yourself.

In container gardening, you are enhancing your abode’s ambiance as well. Vividly colored plants and flowers can easily brighten any room in the house. Garden pots can create variation and sparkle on dull colored walls and corners. You can go for a particular theme for your house during the different seasons like choosing sunny and cheery bright pottery plants during the summer or opt for winter poinsettias and rosemary through the holidays. Further, you may find yourself having no more need to light up scented candles for aroma as the natural fragrance that flowers and blossoms give off could very well do the job. What is more, the scent can last all season long.

AeroGarden 6-Pod Seed Kit
Organic Gardening Advantages

The definition of organic gardening is a garden that does not use pesticides to kill pests. This method can be used in either vegetable or flower gardens. In vegetable gardens organic is the safest for you since you will be consuming what you have grown. But, if you utilize it in flower gardening also, it is safest for the environment.

Raising an organic garden has many sound reasons to encourage gardeners to go this route. As mentioned above all of your vegetables will be pesticide free, which means no poison on the food you are growing. While in flower gardening, many people plant flowers that will attract butterflies or bees which you won’t attract if you use pesticides. You especially want to remain pesticide free if you have small children or pets because chemicals could be harmful for them.
Gardening Nature’s Way Organic Gardening Step 1
Your organic garden will be anything but simple gardening. Every garden takes effort and research and your organic garden is no exception. As with all gardens you must start with a plan. Research the plants you wish to grow. Find out what their needs are when it comes to light, fertilizer, PH in the soil and drainage. Be diligent in picking a spot that is well suited to your plants. If you are planting an herb garden select a site that is close to your kitchen door for easy harvesting. Find out if there are companion plants and if there are, consider using them.

When planting an organic garden you will need some really good compost. You can make your compost out of soil and organic matter. Organic matter includes leaves, manure, vegetable refuse, coffee grinds and eggshells. You can include peels from fruits and vegetables. (Potato skins, apple skins, orange rinds, etc.) Start your compost early, find a place to put your compost and work it frequently. By working it I mean turn it with a shovel so the organic material will break down. When you are ready to start planting work your compost into the garden beds before you plant.

Your garden location is very important. You need to pick a spot that gets lots of light and drains well. If it is a very windy spot you will have to figure out some way of sheltering. Don’t pick a low spot on your property since that might flood during heavy rains. You really want to put the garden in a place that has easy access for you and for watering with your hose.

Mentioned above were companion plants. Companion plants are plants that repel unwanted pests. If you plant roses, plant some garlic. It is said that garlic will repel rose’s nemesis, aphids. Cucumber beetles will not be a worry if you plant oregano. Marigolds will also repel many pests. For a good natural pesticide follow this recipe:
The Winter Harvest Handbook: Year Round Vegetable Production Using Deep Organic Techniques and Unheated Greenhouses
In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture and 1 cup water. Use at ten-day intervals (or more often if needed) to rid plants of whiteflies, mites, aphids, scales, and other pests.

If you come up with a good plan you can have flowers and vegetables mixed together. Make sure that you know your zone and the conditions that apply in your area. Flower and vegetable gardens will be very different in Alaska than in Florida.

Your organic garden will take some work, but it will not be in vain when you can sit back and enjoy your beautiful blooms or make some culinary delights from the vegetables and herbs you have grown.

Happy Gardening!

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at Gardening Landscaping Tips Gardening Outside and Herb Gardening

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