Fall checklist: Watering Schedule, Pruning, Fertilizing

As the leaves turn to the colors of sunrises and sunsets our focus turns to our changing climate . With shorter days and cooler temps. our plants need less water than in the summer so its time to cut back or even turn off these systems. How much you adjust downward will depend on the plants you have, exposure, and rainfall. Those who live in dry climates will have to maintain a watering schedule but those where the rain comes early and regularly can put the watering can away till spring.

Dormant plants will be turning colors and leaves will be falling. It is a good idea to pick these leaves up as they are a source for disease as they break down on the ground. It is best to prune these plants when they are completely dormant. This time will vary according to where you live and your individual micro climate. Let the plants them selves tell you when it is time!

Some people think that during the winter fertilization isn't necessary. This is not true. Evergreens will need nutrients during the cold months and even plants that are dormant will need nutrients as this is a key time of root growth for most of these plants. For active growing plants a nitrogen is still needed. For dormant plants you don't need nitrogen but you do need to give the plant the nutrients that promote root growth. Don't let your plants dry out in the winter either as this will make them more susceptible to freeze.

Mulching enough or too much?

Are you mulching enough or too much? We have all heard that we should mulch our beds to save water and have healthy plants. There are factors that should be considered before you disease or kill your plants with too much mulch lovin.

First you have to decide what to mulch with. Wood chips are a popular item as they are readily available at low cost from arborists. Some problems that may occur is that these chips are not composted and thus carry any disease that the tree or shrub may have had . Thus you may be putting a disease at the base of your plant! A composted ( cooked) mulch is preferred as the heat kills the disease that may have been present.

Recycled rubber chips are gaining popularity as they last along time and retain there color for a along time. The downside is that you do not get that earthy smell and some belive that small amounts of chemical leach into the soil.

How much do you need? What is the harm of having alot?? You should place, in most cases, 4"-6" of mulch. This is thick enough to hamper any weed growth and keep the soil level from drying out in the hot sun. If you put too much mulch it  is detrimental. Too much mulch can promote disease as mold and such starts to grow beneath the mulch. Air flow is resiticted at the soil level and you may find your soil going sour.

Saving water with rain water harvesting.

Many area's of the country are experiencing drought. In areas that receive ample rain fall the idea and process of using water effectively without waste is still wise.

There are many benefits to collecting rain water besides the water saving attribute. Our water systems are deluged with chemicals to make it safe for consumption. These additives are not good for plants. Rain water is still the best source for our growing food crops and our landscapes.You can make a simple rain barrel for your use easily that will allow you to water with water that is better for your garden and you! Best of all, after the small initial investment you get the water for free! Rain barrels save money, provide added water for your yard, and is a healthier way to water.

For detailed ways to save money and have a healthier landscape click :

Shoe String Gardener 

Build a compost Tower

A compost tower will allow you to recycle those grass clippings and yard waste and even kitchen waste. As you fill the tower you can even add manure and red worms from a fishing outlet. This will speed up the process and make the nutrients available faster. The idea of a compost tower is that you add waste to the top and it turns into compost by the bottom. As you water it from the top every week the water picks up the nutrients and carries them out the bottom and into your soil. The plants that you have planted around the tower then get watered with the best compost tea ever. You are also making use of  organic material that would have been wasted. Think of the savings in fertilizer also.

1. Make a cylinder out of wire. It should be around 4' high and 1' in diameter. The

size isn't crucial as yours may be taller or larger around. Either stake it to the

 ground or even better , bury it in the ground.

2. If you are using a large mesh wire then you must line the inside with burlap 

otherwise you are good to go.

3.You can add manure and straw to the bottom to get it going quickly.

4. Make a small mound around the tower to plant your plants. You can plant veggies

or flowers or both if you like. You can also put a tower near a fruit tree also.

5. Water your tower every week. A gallon per week should be right for most sizes.

I hope this info is useful to you. I will be posting more tips and ideas in the near future so check back often.Here is a book that is very useful for making high density gardens . A high density garden is one that produces large volumes in a small space.There is a free gift for just checking out

 " High Density Gardening" so be sure to click the link below and claim your free gift.

click here>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>      High Density Gardening

    

A full bloom for your roses

Have you ever cut roses from your garden and those buds refuse to open? Here is a sweet way to get those buds to open. Take a teaspoon of sugar and put it in the water in the vase. Your buds will open and give you there full beauty!

Are your everblooming roses blooming all summer or do they bloom and stop? Do not fret for here is a solution to keep them blooming through the summer! Take 1 1/2 tbsp. of brewer's yeast and mix it in 1 gallon of water. Soak the root zone of the rose after its first bloom and watch as the blooms come again and again!

Do You want your roses to be the most fragrant roses ever?? Here is a great tip to get them fill your  vase and your garden with fragrance. Plant Parsley around your roses! Parsley increases the roses fragrance and you can harvest some for yourself also! This is sustainability at its best.

Here is a great resource for Gardening! >>>>>>>Click here for more Tips!

Here is another great resource for Gardening! >>Click HERE for more tips!!!!

Organic Gardening Tips and definitions

What is an organic garden?
An organic garden is grown and maintained using only natural fertilizers, fungicides and pesticides. No chemical are used whatsoever. Organic gardening also considers the earth and the environment. One should strive to replenish and nourish the soil.
What are the benefits of planting an organic garden?
* the food is fresher and tastes better
* it is better for the environment
* it is healthy and does not contain harmful chemicals
* it is cheaper than buying organic produce from your local market
What is compost tea and how does it benefit my organic garden?
* Compost tea is organic plant food
* It is made from steeping aged compost in water
* Fights off a number of plant diseases including molds, wilts and blights
* It is a great way to control insect infiltration
* Creates healthier plant environment by helping to grow beneficial bacteria in the soil
* diluted compost tea can be used as a foliar spray If you plan on purchasing compost be sure it isn't too new. If the compost is too fresh it can burn the plants.
What are some great natural pesticidal and fungicidal recipes?
* Garlic & Onions - crush the garlic and onions and mix with vegetable oil. Works great as a fungicide, and it kills soft body insects * Hot Peppers - mixed with the garlic spray, it does a great job keeping rabbits away. It also kills soft body insects with the strength of the acidity
* Canola or Vegetable Oil - Pesticide must be diluted heavily with water or it will burn the plants (3/4 cup/gal H2O)
* Alcohol - Pesticide must be drastically diluted with water (1-3 Tbls /gal H2O)
* Apple Cider Vinegar - works as a mild fungicide and fertilizer (1-2 Tbls/gal H20)
* Corn Meal - works as an anti-fungal when put in compost tea
* Compost Teas - mild fungicide and helps control diseases
* Cloves - works as a repellent for flying insects (4-5 Tbls ground cloves/gal H2O)
* Mild Dish Soap - can paralyze insects on direct contact. Partners with compost teas by creating a sticky surface (1-2 cups/gal H2O
Some facts about organic gardening that you may find beneficial:
* Organic farming involves using insects in order to keep away other insects and pests. Lady bugs in the early spring for example will help you to get rid of spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, white flies e.t.c
* Plant disease can also be easily eliminated if you use organic products such as Eco oil, this will help you to keep insects at bay and get rid of those annoying bugs.
* Studies have also shown that pesticides can be very harmful to young children and can lead to long term health problems in both children and adults.

Angela Carey is a freelance writer and lifelong learner. Learn more about organic gardening at http://www.healthyorganicgarden.com/

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


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Coffee Grounds for your plants !

              Coffee  grounds can help your garden grow ! People go and buy soil amendments and natural fertilizers in an effort to make a more beautiful garden. If you make your coffee at home don't throw the grounds away. Instead, spread the used coffeee grounds around the base of your roses and shrubs. You will be amazed at the results such as more abundant flowers and vibrant colors. Azaleas and roododendrons especially like the grounds! All of your spring -flowering  shrubs will benefit.

                   When pruning your roses or any of your plants for that matter you should clean your cutting tool with denatured ethyl alcohol before and after use. This prevents the spreading of disease from one plant to another. This is especially important if you have borrowed or lent out your tools. If you rent tools it is a good idea to clean them also.

               

Keep dogs or cats out of your bedding areas.

                                Dogs and cats can ruin your garden. It is disgusting to be weeding your flowers or your garden and find a "deposit" left by a neighborhood cat. This is totally unsanitary for a veggie garden or any where for that matter. Cats are especially hard to deal with because they don't stop at fences and merely go right over them.

                                Here is a way you can solve this problem:

1. Sprinkle black pepper liberally in the beds and areas that the animals are 
    doing there business. They cant stand the smell and if they do venture in your
    beds they will start sneezing which they do not like and will
                                   not return.

2. Sprinkle this "hot" spray around your yard. You can spray this at the 
     edges in  the lawn, along sidewalks and anywhere you want to deter both
     cats and dogs.
                                   Take a few cloves of garlic and a few hot red peppers and  
     grind   them in a blender. Put the mixture is a bucket of water along with a
     few drops of dish washing liquid and mix well. Use this mixture to deter the
      visitors!
3. For cats an automated sprinkler works well too! It has a sensor that detects
     the cat coming in your yard and momentarily sprays water at the cat.  
     The key to using one of these is to move it around your yard. If you leave it in  
     one area they will merely go to a safe part of your yard. Surprise is key!

Gopher getters!!

Gophers are always a problem!
First lets get rid of the myth ways of getting rid of gophers. All of us have heard that putting a hose down a hole and turning on the water fully will kill the gopher. It doesn't happen!! In order for this to work you must have a new active hole and the gopher must be near and not able to scurry to an escape tunnel or out of the tunnel completely. If it does come out of the tunnel you can whack him with a shovel...maybe!

                              Some ranchers use Juicy Fruit gum to get  em. They break off small pieces and put them down the hole. The critter eats the gum and can not digest it and they die. Be careful not to touch the gum as this will leave your scent and make the gum yucky to the gopher.

                                     Another way to get em is with a trap. There are many types and many of them work well. The Key to using a trap is in setting it correctly. The method is different for different types and care should be taken to set it correctly.

                          Gopher purge is a plant that gophers do not like and stay away from. You can purchase this plant at most nurseries . It is not appealing and is not pretty. It looks like a weed. Its affect on gophers is limited to close proximity of the plant so many plants must be planted throughout the garden to be effective.

                            Baiting can be very effective when applied correctly. Using a probe to find the tunnels and inserting the poison is the preferred way. Gopher probes are inexpensive and easy to use.

Organic Fruit tree spray for insects !!!!

Organic Fruit Tree Spray for Insects.

Insects can damage your fruit tree and make the fruit useless. Try this solution for your fruit trees:

1. Mix 1 cup of vegetable oil with 1 tablespoon of dish detergent. ( You can make larger amounts by keeping the same ratio). This is your base.

2. Make a spray mixture by mixing 1 to 2 teaspoons of base mix to 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well.

3. Spray both sides of leaves to the point of runoff.

Earwig Control for your Garden!

                    In the above pictures you will see damage caused by earwigs and also a earwig oil trap. You can make the trap at home. It is easy to make and is not toxic to your garden.

                   To make the trap cut about two inches off the bottom of a soda bottle. You can also use a saucer if you would like. Fill the saucer with vegetable oil. Place one or two tea spoons of soy sauce in the oil and stir it in.

                   Place the trap at the trunk of your tree or next to your vegetables. The earwigs will crawl in the oil and die. You can then strain out the earwigs and reuse the oil . Let me know if this works for you or if you have a good idea also!

Click Here for Ideas

Where are your vegetables grown?? What is sprayed on them ?? Do they taste good or are they only adding texture ?? Are you concerned with the growing possibility of contamination?? You can grow your own produce in a very small area in pots on your patio or among bedding areas you already have. It is time for us all to take control of our own food and grow veggies that are more nutritious and better tasting. High density Gardening is the answer and you can do this no matter where you live. You can grow great tasting and safe veggies in a apartment or a condo by following easy to do projects that take little time and small investments. For more information on how you can provide veggies for your family that is safe and tastes great click the following link:


Click Here for " High Density Gardening"

Welcome to Landscape World! The way we look at and implement landscapes has changed more in the last few years than any time before. New terms are being added along with the procedures that implement them. We will look at aspects such as sustainability, drought tolerant, and many other subjects regarding landscapes and the maintenance of them.           
                     

                                    Today we see a growing concern on the availability of water . Water restrictions are increasing both for ornamental landscapes and commercial farmers. A growing trend is to convert lawns and ornamental areas to areas that grow our food. This insures both security of the food we eat but also makes better use of the space around us. A combined garden and ornamental yard can and should be both pleasing to look at and also easy to care for.  Water conservation along with productivity with healthier and better tasting vegetables is not only wishful thinking many families are doing this now with great success .

                                     One way to get started now on a small budget is to start a container garden. They can be placed on patios or decks or even among other ornaments.A superb and helpful guide for this is the "Design a Patio Garden book and audio". Our family loves to plant tomato's in half barrels that is easily reached. We plant cherry's and small yellow bell tomato's that are great to eat by the handful. They are really tasty and are good for us too! We water by hand but there are many manufacturers of irrigation timers that connect to a hose bib that will water the plants for you. Some manufacturers sell kits that have everything you need for a nominal price. We also like to plant bell peppers as they are one of my favourite snacks. The younger ones are green but if you leave them on the plant longer they turn a wonderful red and the taste gets even better!You could even plant the yellow varieties to add wonderful color to your patio. The veggies can be both visually satisfying as well as nutritious.For more information on Patio growing click the following link.
Click Here!

                                    Another very useful publication that  is perfect for those with small space is The " High Density Gardening" book. It will guide you to make the best use of small spaces . The guide has all the information on how you can provide your family with great tasting veggies for less money and you also remove the risk of contaminated produce that seems to be prevalent today. Here is a link to this great publication :
Click Here for " High Density Gardening"!!!!