Landscaping & Gardening Information
What is Compost Tea?
Organic gardeners all know compost is fantastic stuff. But now, there's something even better and that's compost tea.
Learn All About Feng Shui Money Trees
A feng shui money tree is an indoor plant used in order to attract prosperity and wealth into any space. The feng shui money tree's botanical name is Pachira, and its care requires the average sun light and watering that any other indoor plant would need.
5 Simple Steps To Dividing Your Hardy Water Lilies
If you missed the springtime window of opportunity to divide your hardywater lilies, don't worry, it's not too late. Although springtime isthe best time, you've actually got the entire normal growing season toget it done.
Avoiding Unsightly Algae
Excessive organic matter in the pond provides nutrients foralgae, contributing to its growth. Algae can obscure the view ofcolorful fish, and more dangerously, it robs the water ofvaluable oxygen and releases harmful pollutants.
Building Liner Ponds
Surprisingly enough, it is usually in mid-summer that manygardeners begin to think about installing a small pond orwater garden. Ponds don't need to be weeded or watered, andthey can supply exuberant color in the form of water liliesand bog plants.
External vs. Submersible Pumps. Which One Should You Use?
For many people, it's never been a question of whether to use asubmersible pump vs. an external pump because most people havesmaller ponds and are used to just using a submersible pump.
Fish Health in Hot Summer Heat
Summer is over, but for many of us - the heat remains.Here a couple of things to do to keep your fish healthyand your pond clear going into winter.
How to Choose Between Goldfish and KOI
Many people have asked us over the years "Should I addgoldfish or KOI (or both) to my pond? The answer is "itdepends."Goldfish are better suited to smaller water gardens andponds, in the 50 - 500 gallon range.
Protecting your Garden Pond from Pesky Predators
Notice any fish disappearing lately? While herons are presentyear-round, water gardeners notice the challenges they bring tothe pond in spring and early summer when herons feed their young.An adult heron needs about 13 ounces of food daily, which isequivalent to three 6" koi.
Fertilizing Your Water Lilies...
Unfortunately, sunlight is not enough.Your water lilies will grow, thrive, and bloom much better if youget in the habit of fertilizing them regularly.
Hot Feeding Tips
Summer is the most enjoyable water gardening season and the timeto watch for potential problems caused by high water temperaturesduring extreme or extended hot periods.It's important to feed food that is easily digestible so fishbenefit from fully absorbing the nutrients.
Fall Pond Cleaning
Doing a full pond cleaning during the colder winter months can bevery stressful on your fish. However, if the pond is reallydirty and full of 'muck' - then you may want to consider itbecause all of the decaying organic matter in the pond can causeproblems if the pond ices over, and this begins to de-gas androt.
Keeping the Balance of Nature: Pond Water Maintenance
You might be tempted to let Mother Nature, tend to your backyardpond, and who could blame you? After all, she does a pretty goodjob of taking care of really big ponds, so why would yourbackyard ecosystem pose much of a challenge to her?Unfortunately, the fact is your backyard pond is only going toget some cursory attention from Mom; the rest of the work isgoing to be left up to you.In the "real world" chlorinated water doesn't find its way intoponds very often.
Toxic Pollutants & Their Effect on Fish Health
Once water temperatures increase in the summer months, fishbecome more active and produce increasing amounts of waste,leading to potential water pollution. Fish produce waste in theform of ammonia, which is broken down into nitrites then nitratesby beneficial bacteria.
Gardening Vertically: Fad, Emerging Frontier or Long-Overlooked Art Form
Sure, it makes sense that there's a buzz about vertical gardening-there are lots more of us to feed these days with much less productive land. "Let's make the best use of our diminishing resources," many are saying.
Garden Sheds: Wood Finishing and Weatherproofing Tips
To keep wood garden sheds, arbors, or trellises looking their best, consider using a wood finishing product such as sealer, stain, or outdoor paint. Wood finishing protects exposed wood from sun, water, insect, and fungal damage.
Wooden Greenhouses
An important addition to any British back garden, the greenhouse is firmly established in the British way of life. It's probably the inclement weather that drives the british gardener 'inside'.
Garden Statuary - Time for a Fresh New Look
Spring is coming, and now is the time to get out and whip those outdoor spaces into shape. With new growth appearing on trees, bulbs popping up and birds and butterflies coming out of hiding, your patio, garden or backyard is ripe for a fresh new look with decorative accents that put a delightful finishing touch on your own little corner of nature.
Planning a Vegetable Garden
It is important when you start to plan a garden, to know what you want the garden to do.For instance, if you are hoping to feed a family of four all year round, you will need to plan a garden that is approximately 100 square meters of space (not includingwalking paths) that produces more than once.
Natural Garden Pest Control
No dig gardens essentially strive to be their own ecosystem. This is the sign of the best sort of garden, one that is in tune with itself without the need for pest or disease control.
Preparing Successful Seedlings
Growing your own seedlings is very gratifying and far more economic than purchasing them. It also gives you far greater control over your existing growing conditions.
Get your Garden Cooking with Friable Soil
Oh sure, fried green tomatoes are ok; but I'll take an extra helping of friable soil any day! This is the desire of any gardener who attempts to sink a shovel into the clay found in our area. Clay just does not make a great sandwich.
How to Make Your Own Rooting Hormone
When starting a new plant from a leaf or stem cutting, thecutting will be more likely to form roots and create a newplant if a rooting hormone is used.While commercial rooting hormone can be used there areorganic homemade versions that work as well.
Preliminary Considerations Before Building Your Own Backyard Garden Pond
This article is geared towards the beginner water gardener, who is comtemplating the installation of his/her first garden pond. The key to a successful do-it-yourself project is to gather as much relevant information that you can.
Multi Purpose Tree - Sugar Palm
Palm family is unique in the aspect that most of its members have muli purpose benefits to the mankind, unrivalled by few other trees. There are several palm species such as Borassus, Areca, Sago, Fish Tail etc.
How to Build a Shed
The easiest way to build a shed in the backyard is to make a trip to the local Lowe's or other hardware shop to purchase a shed-building kit.Never choose one from a picture in a brochure or from the Internet.
Getting Started with Garden and Patio Design
The art of managing outdoor spaceDesigning a patio - or a garden, is much like designing a living room or a park. It's all about space, and how you use it.
Trust Your Plants - They Know How To Grow!
I've done a lot of container gardening over the years, and one thing is a given for potted plants: it's a life of constant change. Moving around from one part of the garden, patio or sunroom to another, moving indoors and back outdoors again, and of course the inevitable periodic re-potting.
Basics of Pruning Roses
Pruning your roses does not need to be a dreaded task. Follow these tips and make rose pruning an easy gardening job.
The Basics of Growing Roses
So you want to grow roses? They are a beautiful choice for your garden and not nearly as difficult to grow as you might think.Choose a rose that is easy to grow.