Sunday, March 25, 2012

Basic Pointers to Grow Backyard Garden

Growing vegetables can take some hard work but it is a lot of fun and is very rewarding. When that plant finally yields its produce and you are able to go out and pick your cucumber and tomatoes and lettuce and make your own salad it is very satisfying indeed. And in today's climate of having little to no money for groceries, especially the more expensive fresh rather than canned foods, growing a vegetable garden is cost effective too. You do not have to be an expert gardener to grow vegetables but there are some basic pointers to grow backyard garden that can help get you going.


Basic Pointers to Grow Backyard Garden in containers:

Container gardening suits people if they do not have much garden space. Most vegetables can be grown in containers, peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, squash and so on but they will need containers that are at least one gallon in size – some need a lot more. Simply fill them with a compost and then plant the seeds of your choice. Have them in a warm place and then you can transplant them when it is time or buy starter plants. Make sure you put holes in the bottom of the containers and have them sitting on bricks or something similar for draining.

Basic Pointers to Grow Backyard Garden outdoors:

When choosing where to put your outdoors vegetable garden remember the key thing is somewhere that gets the sun. Work out how much square footage you are giving up to it so that you know how much fertilizer to buy and how many plants you can have. Once you have properly prepared the soil by weeding, tilling, fertilizing and watering you can plant either seeds or starter plants. Allow the vegetables room to grow so avoid overcrowding. From seeds germination varies based on what vegetable it is but can be a week up to six weeks. Keep the soil moist but do not over water so that it looks like a puddle.
Remember nature has its own watering system called rain – if it rains you do not need to water. This is true whether they are in a container outside or in the garden. Use a gentle spray when you do have to water them and if there is no sprinkler ban set it in the garden to water for a couple of hours. You will also need to weed when necessary and consider having a fence around your garden if you do not already to keep out critters that will eat or ruin your hard work!

Outdoor or containers
You have two ways of growing your vegetables either outdoors or in containers. Whichever you opt for both need to be located where there is lots of sun. Therefore of outdoors you have a lot of trees putting your garden into shade then you need to do some trimming. If you choose containers then if they are not too big you can choose to move them around to where the sun is during the day.

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Friday, March 23, 2012

Vegetable Garden Layout Ideas

Vegetable Garden Layout Ideas



If you are considering starting your own vegetable garden to have the pleasure of eating healthy fresh food grown yourself and to save money in the grocery store, this article has some vegetable garden layout ideas for you to think about. There are several ways you can grow your own vegetables, in rows as is traditional, on raised beds or even in containers. You do not need to make it formal or traditionally to get a good harvest of vegetables. You can even choose to mix vegetables with flowers so that you get the joy of both worlds, a colorful and pleasing garden to look at that also puts food on your table. There are some flowers that are actually edible that will make your salads or meals look amazing such as nasturtium, roses and violets. It is also a fact that growing a mix is also good for the soil, keeping the nutrients in it balanced.



The traditional vegetable garden layout

As mentioned the traditional layout for a vegetable garden is in rows. Each row has a certain type of vegetable, so row one will be beans, row two will be tomatoes and so on. If you can ideally they need to be positioned so that they run from south to north so that they get the maximum possible sunlight. Choose a level area and till the soil, then clear it of weeds. Rows are practical because it means you know where the types of vegetables are, and by creating walkways between them you can reach to harvest the vegetables and take care of the maintenance. If the land is sloped make sure you plant going across so that seeds do not just wash out and run down the slope and so that the roots grow well. Make sure you give them enough room to grow and do not plant too many too close. Plants that are too close spread disease quickly if it occurs and if you have a pest problem they move from vegetable to vegetable easily.


The raised bed vegetable garden layout

One alternative to taking the traditional row route is to have raised beds for the vegetables. This is also a good way to plant if you have a smaller garden as you can plant in blocks. And since you are raised off the garden soil you can control more the condition the plants are growing in by adding in what you want them to grow in. It may also better suit people who are a little older or who have back problems, as it is easier to bend to and weed and look after. Create your raised bed by using cinder blocks, timber or some left over bricks you may have lying around. Make it around a foot deep to give the plants room to root and grow.



The kitchen garden vegetable garden layout

A kitchen garden is a mix of vegetables and herbs and usually is placed near the kitchen so that the cook can just pop out and pick the herbs or vegetables they want. You can pattern the herbs and vegetables into geometric designs between paths or brick or stone making it visually attractive. For example lettuce with parsley against a lattice that has peas and beans growing up it mixed with marigolds that keep the insects away. Practical and pretty.



A four square vegetable garden layout

How you lay out the garden depends on the space you have but you could go for a four square layout where there is a plus sign of pathway in the middle of which is a center piece like a statue or sundial, then four squares of vegetables.



Whichever way you set out your garden you need to remember or keep a sketch of what is where. Some things can stay in the same area of soil and will not need to be moved, but some vegetables should be rotated so that the soil stays healthy.

How To Grow A Vertical Vegetable Garden

Want to learn how to grow vertical vegetable garden? Well you are on the right track because this guide will provide you with all the necessary details on how to go about it? If you have a limited area, the growing vertical vegetable garden will be considered the best idea for you. You can build a little garden where you can plant your choice of vegetables. Let's see how you can grow vertical vegetable garden.

The initial point to do is to prepare the soil. How? Use organic compost, this will provide your vegetables with very vital nutrients which will help them to climb vertically thus generating healthy foliage as well as high yields of vegetebles.here you should ensure proper drainage of you garden to prevent it from being waterlogged.

The second step is to build a framework in your vertical to support your vegetables. You can make it uncomplicated by just constructing wood posts at the two sides your vertical garden, then join them using a cross bar basically at the top this will enable you to run string up and down for ascending vegetables to climb.

Select the type of vegetable that you want to grow but it is mostly preferred that you should choose natural climbers such as cucumber, tiny squash etc.

Add fertilizer to your vertical vegetable garden and remember to drinking water the vegetables regularly to provide them with adequate moisture. You can as well add organic manure, however recall to check your garden from time to time incase the are attacked by insects and pests As a result spraying them with the proper insecticides.

You can as well grow vertical vegetable garden by use of pots, use of hanging stands or else using cross-bars that you have already build on your vertical garden. If your vertical vegetable garden lacks adequate space, you can hang containers crammed with annual A flower bouquet in order to entice insects such as bees which will help in pollination.

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Friday, March 9, 2012

A More Healthy Diet Is To Grow Backyard Garden of Fruits and Vegetables.

Recent reports from the World Health Organization have demonstrated that obesity is becoming a serious problem in many parts of the globe Along with the increase in the number of people who are over-eating or not eating healthy foods, there has been an uptick in the number of men and women who have taken a keener interest in "watching what they eat," in developing a more healthy diet. One step that a significant number of people from around the world have taken in regard to ensuring a more healthy diet is to grow backyard garden of fruits and vegetables.

The keys to healthy living growing their own fruits and vegetables.

If you are a person interested in developing a healthy eating regimen, you will want to take a close look at the benefits of growing your own fruits and vegetables. In point of fact, there are many significant health benefits to be derived from growing a backyard garden for your own fruits and vegetables.

At the outset, it is important to note that the process of planting and cultivating your own backyard garden fruits and vegetables can have significant health benefits in and of itself. Too few people get enough proper exercise on a regular basis. The act and process of tending to a garden actually is good exercise.

Additionally, gardening has been proven to be a significant stress reliever for a person, resulting in lower blood pressure and other demonstrable health benefits.

Researchers have long noted that the average person (in most countries around the world) does not consume enough fresh fruits and vegetables.

By planting and producing your own fruits and vegetables, you have a ready source of wholesome food that can be consumed on a more regular basis.

Many gardeners have taken to using organic practices in the cultivation of their gardens.

By utilizing organic gardening practices and techniques, you will be able to grow and consume fruits and vegetables that are free of chemical residue that can be found in many produce items for sale at a typical grocery market in the brick and mortar world.

In the end, you can put yourself on the road to a more healthy life by growing a backyard garden to have  fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet on a more regular basis. By growing your own fruits and vegetables, you will be able to better integrate healthy eating into your overall lifestyle -- both now and into the future. Click Here for Successful Home Gardening

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Garden Design Plan for a Sunny Flower Bed

The joy of the INTERNET is that you no longer have to sit with pen and paper, or magazines, trying to find a free garden design plan that suits your needs. You now have access to many plans online! This free garden design plan is not for the whole garden but for a sunny flower bed. If you are looking for ideas on what to plant in a border bed that gets 6 hours or more of direct sunlight a day then have a look at the ideas in this rough sketch. It is meant to be for a fairly long border though you can adjust the plants or the how much you plant according to the size of your bed. Also included are alternative plants if you have difficulties getting the primary suggestion, or if you would prefer something else. Keep in mind that this free garden design plan does not know what other colors you have in your garden, the type of soil you have, the style of your house and garden. These are important things to think about when planting a sunny flower bed. This plan has purples, pinks and yellows.



A = 'Potters Purple' Buddleia davidii

B = 'The King' Phlox paniculata

C = 'Purple Dome' Aster novae-angliae (New England Aster)

D = 'Golden Plume' Heliopsis helianthoides (Sunflower heliopsis, False Sunflower)

E = 'Hyperion' Hemerocallis (Daylily)

F = 'Vintage Wine' Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)

G = 'Autumn Joy' Sedum

H = 'Coronation Gold' Achillea filipendulina

I = 'Blue Spires' Perovskia (Russian Sage)

J = 'Kobold' Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)

K = 'Moonbeam' Coreopsis verticillata (Tickseed, Threadleaf Coreopsis)

Plant A – Potter's Purple

This is a butterfly bush, they are attracted by the continuous spiky flowers that come in purple, pink, white and magenta shades. In early Spring trim it down to between ten to twelve inches thne let it grow. By the beginning of Summer it will have grown five to six inches. If you do not want this plant or it is classed as invasive where you live then try a Chaste Tree.

Plant B – The King

This plant does need to be watched for mildew which can make it unattractive by mid summer. However there are new varieties being bred that do not have that problem. This plant will need stakes as the large flower heads are too heavy for the stems, and deadhead the flowers so that you keep getting new ones growing. Other potential choices include the Red Feelings a reddish purple color or the Red Valerian a magenta color.

Plant C – Purple Dome

When taking care of this plant you need to pinch back the stems to stop them growing too tall and to get more fuller plants that bloom better. They also continue to bloom into Autumn so your garden still has color when other plants may be fading. Other options include Monch which has purple flowers and will also carry on a little longer than others.

Plant D – Golden Plume

This has bright yellow flowers that bloom most of the summer months but you may need to do some staking. To keep the flowers blooming as long as possible do some deadheading. Or you could plant large flowered tickseed.

Plant E – Hyperion

This perennial is well liked by gardeners because they do well with little need for maintenance. There are repeat bloomers that have a few weeks of blooming, then rest then repeat. Or you could plant different varieties that bloom at different times so there is a long period of color from that area.

Plant F – Vintage Wine

Another plant that is easy to look after and blooms late giving you some color into the Autumn season. They attract wildlife like birds and butterflys too and come in a large number of varieties. They can survive in poor soil and with little water but obvioisly bloom more in rich soil that is moist. Or you could plant Twilight or Violet Queen.

Plant G – Autumn Joy

This choice depends on whether you have deer near by! IT will look attractive all year round, but the deer love it. If you do plant it just do some pruning in the early spring. Or you could plant Autumn Fire.

Plant H – Coronation Gold

A sturdy plant with a vibrant color. Deadhead the plant to keep the flowers blooming for longer. Or there is Moonshine or Harvest Moon that also have gold / yellow blooms.

Plant I – Blue Spires

This became popular amongst flower gardeners twenty years ago. In spring when the lower buds start to become green cut the shrub back to eight to ten inches and then let grow. Over the summer the flowers will bloom, a blue color that gets stronger and stringer and then when it peaks they become a blue grey color. Dark Knight is an alternative.

Plant J – Kobold

These spikes contrast nicely with the more wispy leaves of neighboring plants plus it continues the blue/purple and yellow theme. Or plant Black Adder or Grosso.

Plant K – Moonbeam

A delicate plant that is a soft yellow color. Though it is not an aggressive grower taking over plants around it it can sometimes disappear from where you planted it and grow elsewhere though! Deadheading is tricky because there are a lot of small flower heads so instead just let it bloom then cut it all back to two thirds of its size. The new flowers will bloom quickly again, just a couple of weeks. Or try planting Zagreb or Golden Showers.


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Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Designing a Small Garden – Plant a Three Season Garden

When designing a small garden you can grow a surprising amount of vegetables and plants by using intensive planting techniques and crop rotation. This article looks at how to plant a three season garden so that you get the most out of a small area. It takes close spacing – though not too close as to affect the plants growth and then growing from Spring to Autumn or Fall vegetables and flowers combined. This gets a garden that provides food for the table as well as looks attractive all in a place as compact as 4ft by 4ft.



First of all you need to prepare the soil properly, tilling, weeding, watering and using organic fertilizer or compost if the soil needs it. You need to have at least six hours of direct sunlight a day too. You can also maximize what you can grow by using fencing for vertical planting. Though specific vegetables are mentioned for this plant a three season garden plan you can take out those you do not like and put in ones you prefer.

Designing a Small Garden - Spring

Bulbs planted in Autumn will flower in early Spring creating an attractive garden. As spring moves on the sugar peas planted to climb the fence will start producing as will broccoli that you can have in the middle of Johnny jump-ups. Once the main central head is cut you should have smaller ones forming on side shoots. Inter-planted with beet or carrots are radishes which grow quickly, you can eat them in three weeks, and they help to keep the soil nice and loose for vegetables that root deeper. You may also want to consider trying New Zealand spinach which can take an increase in temperature better than the regular kind, and have some lettuce too.

Designing a Small Garden – Summer

Those early season vegetables will stop producing as the weather gets warmer and you move into the beginning of summer. At this point for those of you who want to plant a three season garden you will bring out mid season seeds you started indoors or you can buy from a nursery or gardening center. Running up the fencing is going to be runner or pole beans and these are the only thing that do not need starting ahead of time as they grow very quickly. But with them you can out in a tomato plant and have a lettuce that can handle the warm weather near by so that it gets some shade. Between the broccoli can be grown nasturtium and an eggplant, pepper and a patch of chives. At the front of the garden have some herbs that grow low and flowers that are edible. For color and to help with controlling the bugs also grow dwarf marigolds and dianthus.



Designing a Small Garden – Autumn

The final change in Autumn to adjust to the cooling weather. Leave the tomatoes, they will keep doing well. You could have a small squash or pumpkin along the fence and chrysanthemums will flower in autumn. Use the time to tidy up and plant bulbs ready for early spring. If you plant a thee season garden you can maximize what you get from it in terms of the vegetables and appearance, it just takes some planning!
 
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