Green Thumb Blog

Having your own green house nursery is a dream of many gardeners. Imagine being able to walk through your own garden full of herbs and vegetables and beautiful plants protected from the elements and roving destructive insects and animals. If you have a green thumb this could be your idea of heaven and construction is not that hard which makes this an attractive project to get into.

Building a greenhouse requires first of all a decent amount of room, at least 10 meters by 20 meters is a good size but you can go much larger if you choose. The more compact the cheaper and easier of course but if you want small you can always get a DIY green house kit but the limitations on these are quite restrictive.

Next you need your materials:

-Wooden poles to construct doors and frames for each end of it and if quite a large greenhouse you may need more to prop up the roof. A strong end structure and centre are vital for sturdy construction. Make sure the wood is treated however as it can get quite damp and you do not want it to rot.

-6mm clear plastic, enough to cover the entire area of your greenhouse. Getting more than you need is ok as you may need to replace some sections as time goes on.

-Enough PVC piping to create the structure for the green house like a rib cage curving from the ground one side to the other. This is done in pieces not one long piece.

-Metal stakes, this is for hammering into the ground for a solid base for your PVC piping which then slide onto it to hold it in place.

-Duct tape, an essential part of any handyman’s kit! You will need to use a fair bit of this to join pieces together.

-Hammer, nails and so on

While you may need a few other bits and bobs this is the main structure for your greenhouse. You will need to use the wood to create the doors and ends of the greenhouse making sure they are well propped up by hammering them deep into the round or by having some wooden poles propping the structure up on a 45 degree angle from the frame.

You then need to hammer the metal stakes into the ground at even intervals between the frames keeping them about 2 meters apart is about right. The metal stakes must line up on the left and right side also of course.

Once the stakes are on you can slot the PVC piping onto the metal stakes giving the PVC a good solid structure at the bottom so it can hold up your roof. Bend the PVC piping as much as you can so it makes a U shape over the top of where the green house will be and slide the other end into the metal stake at the other side.

This may mean you need to cut the PVC into smaller sections and use some small PVC flexible joiners you can buy from any hardware store.

By now you should have the frame for it and quite a study one. Now you need to put the plastic cover over your green house. This can be tricky and you may need to cut lengths to fit but using your duct tape and measuring well you should be able to create a cover for the whole structure and keep it in place with more duct tape or even by plastic ties if you choose, the cover must be attached to each piece of the structure so there is no movement. Do not forget to cut a door in the cover also!

The cover can be held in place at the ground by good duct taping or by some large heavy rocks; some have used tent pegs to tie it to the ground but whatever works best for you.

You now can build your own and can bring in all the extras you need to tend your green house nursery!

Do you need more information on how to build a greenhouse?

Do you want to know the best green house gardening methods?

Click here to find out comprehensive information about green house construction and maintenance! http://homegardenstyles.blogspot.com/2007/11/complete-guide-to-building-your-own.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Porteous

If you are stuck in a urban jungle and you feel like you still need to have that green thumb put into use that you have always had, then you can often do things straight from your home. While it may not be the same as having lush tropical gardens full of wild animals, it will enable you to maintain your style of living while you are still living the life that you do in a city. While it may not be for everybody and some people just have to put their green thumb on hold, for some urban gardening is a way of life.

Balcony Gardening For Newbies

If you’re only space outside exists of your window sill or your balcony, you can still have a garden growing lush and green with whatever type of small planes that you want. While balcony gardening is not for the gardener with a weak constitution; your plants will die very often undoubtedly; you can be growing numerous things in simultaneous repertory and fully get everything you need to out of your garden without too much difficulty whatsoever.

There are plots of dirt that are perfect for your window sill or your balcony so long as you are able to follow some simple instructions and keep your plants in some kind of a sunlight. Even if it is artificial sunlight given off from a heat lamp; although this isn’t very natural; it is an option for the person who is suffering in their basement apartment or is out of the direct line of sunlight.

Making Your Home A Lovely Home

Many times people judge how nice their home is based on how nice their garden is. If this is you and if you need to be able to have a wonderful garden to show off to all your friends and neighbors and all your visitors who come to your home then you definitely shouldn’t live in an apartment. However if you do live in an apartment you can start to plan your ultimate escape into a beautiful home with a beautiful garden which you can till yourself and which you can take from just average or so-so into being a fantastic place to plant your plants.

Having a garden is not the easiest thing in the world and it takes a great deal of time, work, effort, and due diligence. However the rewards can be enormous so whether you’re talking about a window sill balcony garden in your urban jungle apartment or are you are talking about a prize-winning front yard, you can have it all in your garden of choice.

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Well designed and maintained landscapes turn heads and stop people in their tracks. The use of plants, the sharp edges, proper pruning, all combine to compliment one another, giving the passerby that “WOW”, I want that at my house feeling.

Now, add some pockets of vibrant annual flower color throughout the design and now imagine the reaction.

Instant impact, Instant notoriety, instant best friend of every neighbor.

This is what should happen when you add annual flower color to your landscape taking out the best friend part and this can be easily achieved by following a few simple tips.

Start With Planting design

Always try to design flower beds to be planted in mass. Mass meaning planting in large, consolidated groupings. This makes the color very strong and dramatic, expressing a greater finished impression or explosion.

Example; A bed with 50 flowers should be no longer than 6′ long and 6′ deep. Make that same bed 25′ long and 2′ deep and you stretch the same color out ,achieving less impact.

Think of some of the flower displays you’ve admired in theme parks like Walt Disney World or the Cherry Blossoms that bloom in Washington D.C.. All planted in mass or large groupings for an incredible effect.

Mix Colors? Is there a difference in bed size?

Small beds should have one color only. Don’t get fancy in small beds by using different colors. There is not enough room to add enough flowers of differing colors to make a dramatic affect. Keep small beds simple.

In larger beds, experiment, have more fun, make elaborate designs and use multiple colors. Remember, even in larger beds, try to make the colors too choatic. When in doubt keep it simple and use one or no more than two colors.

Environment

Use the right flower in the right environment. Sun flowers in sun and shade flowers in shade.

Planting in the proper environment encourages future success. It makes all the difference.

Know your plants and your gardens environment. If you are unsure, ask an expert.

Planting under mature trees

When planting flowers under mature trees, remember you are planting into a mature root zone. The tree and flowers will battle for water and fertilizer and the tree will always win. Extra attention, meaning water and fertilizer, will be needed all season for the flowers to survive and give a great show. Make sure you spend extra time preparing this soil deeper to give the flowers a better chance for survival.

Bed Prep

Always prep (till) your planting beds, adding compost or peat moss to clay soils and a topsoil/compost mix to sandy soils. Try to get to a depth of 8″-12″.

Annual flowers need to establish themselves relatively fast to survive up coming seasonal changes and stress associated with each planting season (summer heat, winter cold). Tilling each bed before you plant provides a planting medium that is loose and perfect for young plants to grow and mature in quickly.

Fertilizer

Always use a slow release fertilizer (example 14-14-14) for flowers, spreading generously but evenly around the bed before planting. Don’t be afraid to add a little extra, just don’t leave clumps of the granules massed together in one spot in the bed. By spreading before you plant, some of the granules fall in for the roots and some will stay on the soil surface, ready to be watered in. Perfect.

Why use slow release fertilizer?

When flowers are installed, they are hungry and looking for food. With a slow release fertilizer, every time you water, a small amount is released for flowers to use. After establishment, they continually need that little boost to keep their color and continue their show. Slow release will consistently feed plants over a 8-12 week period.

Should I water a lot?

When you water a lot (and you better if you want great flowers), you will need to add more fertilizer about every 6-8 weeks. Your flowers will need it and they will thank you with continued great color.

### The more you water the faster the fertilizer reserves will deplete. This is especially true for pots and hanging baskets. Pots and hanging baskets need watering more often and need fertilizer every month.

Quick release fertilizers, (not recommended for installation) will release all of their nutrients at one time, giving a quick boost but are gone in about 3 weeks. Usually this type of fertilizer achieves more green leaf growth than flowers because of its high nitrogen content and is quickly washed thru the soil.

Quick release can be used as a liquid, sprayed over the top, for a quick green up in the summer but you still need a slow release to get that continuous feeding. Because quick release leaches so fast, you need to re apply every week to two weeks. This is the major reason why it is not recommended for flower beds.

Why are my flower leaves yellow?

Flowers that were planted without fertilizer or not enough fertilizer will show signs of yellowing on their leaves. Also, flowers planted in soils not properly prepared, will also show signs of yellowing because of lack of oxygen from poor, wet soil.

Lack of proper prep and fertilizer will produce flower beds with reduced vigor, reduced flowers and an all around unhealthy appearance that go hand in hand with a frustrating, very dull flower display. Take your time, start right and you’ll be rewarded.

Mulch

After you prep, fertilize and plant your flowers, apply at least a one inch of mulch over the entire planting bed. It is important to apply at least one inch or as much as an 1 1/2 inches, because the roots need constant moisture and protection from the sun. Also, with the amount of water that will be applied to this bed over the season, this will help keep the mulch in place and not allow it to run off.

Water

If you take your time and follow all of the above steps, then please water and continue to water your flowers at least every other day for the first month. There are many flower varieties that are drought tolerant but no flower is drought resistant until it becomes established.

Newly installed flowers need supplemental watering from the start, rain or shine, no excuses. Water, even if it does rain unless it’s an all day affair at a slow pace. Depending on the weather (meaning cloudy compared to sunny), flowers need to be watered at least 3 times per week for the first month.

After about a month, flowers will have established their root zones and their increased spread will start to shade their root zones. This shading of their root zones helps reduce water, eventually totally covering their root zones and giving the plant the ability to survive longer between watering.

How much water after they are established?

Once established, water drought tolerant plants once a week and less drought tolerant plants twice a week. Watch the weather and your plants, they will tell you what they need.

Stress is bad

Flowers that are wilting and showing water stress are suffering root lose. Don’t let your annuals get to this point. Once the root system starts to die, the plant will struggle, develop slowly if at all and require a lot more of your time.

Common Flowers For Full Sun

Petunias

The regular petunias grow in clumps, 12″ high– plant about 12″-14″ apart, when established water once a week..Many colors-red, blue, white, pink, rose, purple

Wave Petunias

They grow flat to the ground and spread. One plant can grow 2′ around 4″-6″ tall. Give plenty of room, they grow fast. Plant about 18″ apart from plant centers. May look a little thin at first but they will grow fast. Over plant and you will have problems with disease in the late summer from overcrowding. Many colors-lavender, rose, pink, purple, misty lilac.

Begonias

These require a lot of water, but once established a beautiful flower; plant about 9″ apart, fertilize and water, water, water. The plants will look like they are just sitting there for about 2-3 weeks, but continue to water and they will start growing. Leaves stay a vibrant shiny green when healthy. can grow to1.5′-2′. These flowers will grow to different heights in the same bed. When this happens, simply prune the tops off of the taller flowers and even the bed. Flowers will resume growing. Colors; red, pink, rose, white

Flowering Vinca

This grows to about 1.5′ and likes it dry. Plant about 12″-14″ apart and let grow together. Plant grows from shoots on the sides and if planted too close, will rot in late summer from overcrowding. Give this plant room and do not over water. Need to wait to plant this flower until late in May, does not like cool weather, will yellow out. When established, water once a week. A very dark green shiny leaf means a healthy plant. Yellow leaves means lack of fertilizer, too much water or cool weather, shows signs fast Many Colors-red, pink, purple, white, peppermint, blue and others

Salvia

This grows to about 1.5′-2′ and likes it dry. Plant 12′-14′ apart and let grow together. Plant grows from shoots on the sides and if planted too close will rot in the summer. Give this plant room. When established, water once a week. Many colors; red, blue, white, purple

Some other flowers are Marigold, Sweet Potato Vne, Setcresha and many others.

Knowledge is Flowers.

Good luck.

All the best,

Todd

Ah, the sweet smell of fresh flowers, herbs and fruit. But what if you don’t have room for a flower garden or a fruit tree? What about if you always over or under water your herb garden? What happens when your house just doesn’t get a lot of sun? And what about when you try and try but you just don’t have that coveted green thumb? Sigh. And even if you could grow that prize winning dahlia, what happens in the winter when you crave that subtle floral scent wafting through the house, room to room? You’re probably not going to import 20 plumeria leis from Hawaii to fulfill your dream.

True, nothing can really replace an honest-to-goodness bouquet of fresh picked flowers or just-cut ripened melon. But, consider the versatility of burning scented soy candles. Soy candles are environmentally friendly and can be placed almost anywhere in any room. They create a beautiful ambiance and the scent can be changed as often as needed or whenever you feel the urge for something different. Soy candles hold their fragrance longer than their paraffin counterparts and burn slower, so they burn longer.

Not all climates are suited to grow mountain heather, jasmine, or honeysuckle. But, soy candles come in those fragrances. Oh, and those 20 plumeria leis from Hawaii? Yes, soy candles come in plumeria, too. Not to mention lavender, clove, apple, peach, cantaloupe and lots of other scents that will make your home smell like the finest English garden or California orchard.

So, whether you have the gift of mastering the garden or you’re not so talented with potting soil and mulch, you still can have the sweet smell of flowers, herbs and fruit all year long with soy candles.

Deborah DeLuna is a professional Massage Therapist and has been in the luxury hotel and hospitality business for over 25 years. Her love of candles came out of using them everyday in business and in her personal life. Visit her website at: http://www.createamood.com

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Ahh, spring! It has sprung! Gardeners (and budding gardeners - no pun intended) have begun the quest for a weedless lawn, or a bountiful garden. But if you’re looking for gifts for someone with a green thumb (or someone with green thumb envy), consider the situation first.

Some people think of gardening as a chore. Others see it as relaxing. Some will see it as exercise, and still others consider it art. Some people have the magic touch in the garden, while others couldn’t grow mold if they tried! This is important when considering gardening gifts. You need to know if you should give something to make gardening easier, more fulfilling, more challenging, or more fun.

For those people who see it as a chore, gardening just adds more items onto the never-ending to-do list. In this case, you need to consider gardening gifts that will make these outdoor chores easier, faster, and less of a hassle.

Power tools and storage & organization aids usually fall into this category, along with the ever popular lawn tractor. A leaf blower/vacuum can make clean-up a breeze (again - no pun intended). The same can be said for a pressure washer. Heavy jobs are made easier with a wheelbarrow or yard cart. And organizing a collection of garden tools is simple with a storage bench or shed. Other ideas include a convenient watering timer.

If your gift recipient enjoys gardening as a hobby, you’ll want to take a look at gardening gifts that can bring more fulfillment or enjoyment to the outdoors. They would benefit from a magazine subscription like “Garden Design”, or a gardening book (”Front Yard Gardens: Growing More Than Grass”) to help cultivate their ideas. Garden enthusiasts like to sit back and enjoy their hard work, so patio furniture and accessories would also be a great gift.

And let’s not forget the gardener wanna-be: those whom we love that just can’t seem to keep that plant alive - whose thumb isn’t really green at all! Start off with a how-to book like “Lawn Care For Dummies” or “Taylor’s Encyclopedia of Garden Plants”, and complement that with some basic gardening tools or accessories. These types of gifts would also be great for first-time home buyers.

For the gardener who already “has it all”, you might want to consider something a little more unique, like an indoor grow light, solar stepping stones, or a cascading fountain. And if you’re just not sure what to get, there’s always a gift certificate or gift card.

A Heath is a gift researcher for http://www.the-gift-wizard.com

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So you want your own garden? And why not? Gardening is a relaxing way to spend time. It relieves you of stress. Staying close to nature reminds you of the most important things in life. Besides, it’s pleasant to have a garden, no matter how big or small.

As a beginner gardener, there are a few basic steps you should know before planting your first seed. If you follow these steps, you will increase your chances in having a garden you will enjoy for a long time.

• Select your spot. Experienced gardeners usually advice beginners to draw a detailed plan of the garden they want to have. This plan usually contains the shape of your garden and what plants you want to have in it. But to do this, you need to first choose the location for your garden. You can choose a spot along a wall, around a tree, or in the middle of your yard.

• Analyze your space. If you have chosen a location near a tree, you have to remember that your plants will compete with the tree for water, so you need to choose plants that are suited for dry areas. Check out the amount of light and shade. How much sunlight will hit the spot all throughout the day? Do a little research on the needs of the plants you want to have, or the plants perfect for the spot you’ve chosen.

• Work your new garden spot. Remove grass, weeds, and other debris. To remove grass and weeds effectively, you need to dig them up with a shovel. There are herbicides you can use as alternatives, just make sure to read the fine print on the label.

• Amend the soil. Many plants are sensitive to the type of soil (things to consider include acid or alkaline levels and the amount of nutrients in the soil). To give it fresh nutrients or give it proper consistency, you can add compost, aged manure, peat, or sand to your soil.

• Choose your plants carefully. It pays to do your research. Consider the height, flower color, and light requirements of each plant and incorporate these in your planning. For example, taller plants should be planted behind shorter plants. Dark colored flowers should not be planted in the shade, because they will just get lost in it. Consider, too, the kind of plants perfect for your climate.

• Watering your plants. Make sure you know the water requirements of each plant. It helps to group plants with similar water requirements together. As gardening rule beginners should do well to follow is that plants should be watered daily for the first week, every two days for the second week, and at least once a week thereafter.

• Put mulch in your soil. Mulch is a material that provides protection or aesthetic improvement. It can be organic (bark, leaves, and straw) or non-organic (small rocks and black plastic). This will conserve water and help control weeds, among other benefits.

• Practice pest control. But take note that this doesn’t mean your garden shouldn’t have any insects or living creatures in it. Some, like worms and toads, are actually helpful. You just need to maintain a healthy equilibrium to ensure your plants’ survival. You can use chemicals for this purpose, but it’s better to incorporate this in your maintenance. Keep your garden tidy, prune plants regularly, select plants that do not attract pests to begin with, or add some “pest-repelling” plants in the mix.

For more information on Hydroponic Gardening try visiting http://www.yourinternetreporter.com/ where you will find a variety of information and resources including information on Gardening

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It is simple to grow houseplants. Anyone can be successful at growing indoor plants. These statements are true for the most part, but you have to have an interest in growing and a true desire to be learn in order to be successful. Also, your home must have adequate conditions that allow your to grow indoors. If you live in a basement with no light, you will not be able to grow many plants, for example.

There are no universal rules for gardening to achieve specific results. The results that you get are unique to you. Each time you grow a plant, you are faced with a unique situation and unique problems to deal with. Learning how to deal with those problems is the true skill in gardening. You can be truly proud about every plant that you successfully grow to maturity. The satisfaction gained from growing something yourself, along with the beauty of the plants, makes the time, effort, and money involved in growing indoor plants well worth it.

Growing houseplants should never get old because there are hundreds of plants to choose from and thousands of ways that you can arrange them. You can let your personality show through in the plants that you choose and the way that you arrange them. You have to give the plants the right temperatures, water, and amount of light, but after taking that into account, you can place them anywhere and have as large or small of a garden as you wish.

It is best to analyze the area where the plants will go before choosing which types to purchase, rather than buying the plants and trying to modify your home to allow them to grow. You will be able to grow different types of plants in the kitchen than you would be able to grow in a bathroom, for example. Some plants need direct sunlight, where others only need a little bit of indirect light.

In addition to light, humidity is important. Some plants like warm, moist air, while others need it to be dry. No matter what the conditions are in your home, you can find plenty of plenty of tropical house plants you can grow rather easily. With proper research, houseplant care can truly be simple.

There is much more to explore on the subject of tropical house plants. Visit us at http://www.plant-care.com to learn more.

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