Lying On The Garden Insects Do

Spring is a wonderful and thrilling time, with innovative and lovely flowers universally.

Spring is a perfect and moving season, with brand-new and wonderful flowers the world over. A period boosting the chi with new flowers signs of life far and wide, spring is welcomed with wholehearted joy.The principal spring flowers are symbolic of new beginnings after a flower long ending spell. These flowers usually spring from the ground that is static immobile and may on a par bloom before the flowers snowfall melts. Such flowers welcome the spring term and are considered special. Daffodils, the narcissus with white and pallid flowers flower and the hyacinths with minute blue-dyed flowers are among the early spring flowers. Other flowers of the time of year enter the flower long-lasting tulips and irises, cherry blossoms, poppies, roses, violets, forsythia, amaryllis, cyclamens, freesias, lilies, chrysanthemums, sunflowers, and asters.

Spring flowers enhance flowers the beauty of the environment with their as like as chalk and cheese shades, shapes, and attractive insignia, which diverge from white to violet. Most flowers spring flowers arrange a satisfying smell. Many spring flowers are grown from bulbs. These bulbs are placed in holes with flower the keen ends upwards and then shielded and watered. If the mood is too impersonal, the bulbs can be secure flower using mulch, which is kept over the bulbs.Spring flowers are cool as they make better one\'s day with flag and hopes. flowers They are messengers of kindliness, decadence, love, and concern. Spring flowers are able-bodied suited as gifts for anniversaries, graduations, birthdays, flower Mother\'s Day celebrations, Easter, and bridal procedures.Spring flowers make alluring centerpieces for tables and digs. Bridal bouquets can be set flowers with them. There are a integer of online florists and flower head shops that provide energetic spring flowers and spring elite flower baskets.Spring Flowers provides complete facts on Spring Flowers, Spring Wedding Flowers, Names Of Spring Flowers, Spring Wild Flowers and more. flowers Spring Flowers is affiliated with Fresh Flower Arrangements.

Rose Gardening

Roses have all times been appreciated for their beauty and elegancy. Since ancient times the rose is the symbol of love and prettiness. They were even identified with various goddesses of love like the Greek goddess Aphrodite or her Roman equal Venus. In Europe rose gardening was established in the 1800s, after perpetual blossoming roses were imported from China.

But in the course of time roses’ reputation has gotten a bad change for being hard to grow and maintain. If you are thinking about rose gardening don’t let this myth stop you. While rose gardening can prove to be ambitious, once you master it, it really isn’t that bad.


When you first start rose gardening, you will have to pick out what type of rose you want to plant, and no, I’m not discussing the color. You will have to choose between bare-root, pre-packaged, and container-grown roses. Bare-root roses are sold in the winter and early spring. They should be planted as soon as frosts are over and the ground is warm and workable. Pre-packaged roses are bare-root plants that are sold in a bag or box with something around the roots to keep wet, like sawdust. Container-grown roses are grown; you guessed it, in containers. They will be either budding or already in flower when they get available in the early spring.

Planting in rose gardening is not that much contrary to any other type of plant. The most significant thing, as ever, is good, healthy soil and a quality planting area. It doesn’t matter whether your roses are bare-root or container-grown, the planting ways are just as any other shrub. Make sure the spot you pick out has good drainage, gets enough of sunlight, and will not overcrowd your roses. Ahead of planting, any dead leaves and thin or rotted shoots need to be cut off. Any damaged or very long roots also need to be cut back. Soak bare-root roses in water about 10-12 hours to restore moisture in the roots before planting and water the soil before planting also. Make sure the hole you have dug is big enough for the root growth of the rose. Also it is a good idea to use compost or mulch. After all, roses like additional nutrients just like any other plant.

Roses ask for the same things as other plants; they are just a little needier. One of the most important things to think of in rose gardening is that roses are heavy feeders and will ask for numerous fertilizer applications. Fertilizing should be started in early spring and stopped in early fall. Be sure not to over-fertilize (fertilize should go with directions) and water after each feeding. Roses want big amounts of water; a exhaustive watering twice a week should be adequate.

Pruning is an necessary part to flower gardening. It increases blossoms and advances healthy plant growth. Different assortments of roses have different directions for pruning, so you might want to read up on your rose types and see what is indicated.

The main thing to recollect in rose gardening is to water, water, and water some more. One extra thing about rose gardening is the amount of fertilizer and nutrients you will need to use, and the pruning that needs to be done to keep your roses under control and healthy. Although rose gardening asks for a little more time and roses are more work, they are one of the most unique and beautiful plants, and unquestionably worth the additional work.

Edible Garden Flowers

Violets are not the only flower that can be candied. Many spring flowers with small, delicate blossoms have a sweet, somewhat spicy flavor that is enhanced by dipping them in sugar. It goes without saying that any flowers that you gather for eating should have been grown without the use of pesticide - by growing them yourself, you can be sure that they're untreated. A Candy Fleurist Garden that blooms throughout the summer can include:


Violets - Purple, blue or white, violets are among the first flowers to bloom in the spring. They spread easily, and grow happily when transplanted into a garden bed - and you do want to confine them to a bed unless you love the look of a full carpet of blooms spreading across your lawn.

Pansies - A relative of violets, pansies are just as delicately flavored and can be used as a substitute in recipes that call for violets. They make beautiful border flowers to boot.

Angelica - These delicate, lacy white flowers can be sprinkled in salads - but the stems and shoots make a delicious traditional candy that tastes a bit like licorice with a hint of mint.

Roses - Candied rose petals and rose syrup were mainstays in Victorian cooking. Sweet delicately flavored rose syrup gives baklava its characteristic flavor, and is a perfect foil for cardamom in Indian recipes.

To candy flowers from your garden: Violets and pansies can be candied whole. Roses should be separated into petals. Most recipes for candied flowers call for the use of raw egg whites. Using a confectioner's powdered egg white instead reduces risk of salmonella.

Mix powdered egg white according to package directions (equivalent of one egg white). Spread a cup of superfine sugar in a flat bottomed pan. Carefully dip each flower into the egg white, then press into the sugar. Use a fork to gently turn the flower so that all surfaces of the petals are covered. Lift out of sugar and lay on a screen or drying rack till completely dry. Apple and cherry blossoms can also be candied the same way.

A Soup, Salad and Savory Flower Garden Early summer squash blossoms may be dipped in egg and flour, then fried in olive oil with garlic. The blossoms have a sweet, nutty flavor that is like nothing else. Other garden flowers that are delicious in soups and salads include:

Borage - Like the leaves, borage flowers are delicious in salads and cold soups. They have a cool, cucumber like taste that translates well from flower garden to kitchen table.

Carnations - The flavor is as spicy as the scent. Carefully separate the petals from the bitter white of the flower's base and sprinkle in salads for a surprising touch of color and spice.

Daylilies - Like squash blossoms, day lilies have a mildly sweet, nutty flavor that many people think varies by color. Dredged in flour and dipped in egg, fried daylilies are quite succulent and unique in flavor.

These are just a small sampling of the many edible flowers from your garden. Be careful in your taste-testing. If you are not sute if a flower is edible do not eat it.

5 Tips For Building A Beautiful Garden Shed

re you sick and tired of reading articles which promise you to show you how to build a shed but never deliver their promise? Instead of that you just get recommended the next super cool kit that you should buy? I know how you feel. That's why I am not going to recommend you anything to buy. I'll just give you five simple tips that will help you build your beautiful garden shed on your own - no matter if you are using a kit or not.

1. Forget about the fashion
When you browse the web stores that sell sheds you will notice the same models popping up everywhere as "the best" and "the cutting edge". If you turn around in the gardening, home improvement and do-it-yourself related forums, you'll see the same models being praised and discussed.


My advice is to ignore everyone who tries to make up your mind. Fashion is temporary, your shed will be there for years. You are going to put days of hard work into building your shed, so why don't you just pick the one that suits your personal taste and needs? Just don't let others tell you what kind of shed you should build - listen your own heart and needs.

2. Build it on your computer first
Yes, you heard me right. Get a program like Google SketchUp and design your garden along with your shed there. This will let you visualize much better the position and the look of your future shed. Based on the 3D model you can decide if you want this type of shed or another one.

Of course learning to work with such a program takes some time, but my advice is not to go into too much details. Just roughly design the shed and yard by learning only the basics of the program. This will be absolutely enough for you to decide on the best model.

3. Paint it
Why so many people leave their sheds with the original colors of the materials or kit? Even the simplest shed can look amazing if painted creatively. Just be careful not to use too many colors and make it look like a child's play.

Hint: use paints that survive long time under sun and water. Your shed is an outside building so don't forget this.

4. Make improvements to the shed plans
If you are qualified enough to build your shed by using just shed plans, then you must be qualified to make improvements to the plans as well. Why should you follow the creator's ideas if you don't like them? Just go ahead and fix whatever you want. Be careful not to get wrong sizes or to waste too much materials.

Of course if you are building your shed from a kit, this option will not be for you.

5. Arrange plants around the shed
The shed is just a simple building and cannot look like a castle. If you run out of ideas how to improve its look and feel, just find the possibilities outside of it. Arranging interesting plants and trees next to the shed, growing ivy to creep on it and putting a small pathway to it can make your shed look fabulous.

You see, you can have a beautiful shed even without investing much money and efforts. It all comes down to creativity and listening your voice.

Business Of Organic Gardening

Organic gardening is growing and marketing health foods that have not been treated with commercial chemicals. Only natural fertilizers and pest repellents are used to qualify for the higher, health food prices.

The primary equipment for health food growing is to not use the chemical fertilizers or toxic pesticides. Natural and organically grown foods command higher prices because they cannot easily be mass-produced and generally require more TLC.


Not only are natural foods more expensive, they are mandatory for people who cannot tolerate many of the chemicals commonly used by the majority of growers today. There are also many people today who feel very strongly about chemicals and are willing to pay extra for all natural products.

The organic grower screens pests from the garden, uses insect repelling plants (like marigolds) and natural enemy insects (praying mantis, ladybugs) and natural, nontoxic pesticides to reduce crop damage.

Some organic growers confine their operation to green houses or shade houses, where control is easier.

Natural foods include fresh fruit and vegetables, dried, frozen or canned foods, as well as seeds, powders and juices.

They can be sold through health stores, directly from your garden roadside stands, or to markets in the area. It is also important to note that processed natural foods are equally as much in demand.

When advertising your organically grown produce, be sure to emphasize the "all natural" aspects, which is one of your best selling points.

Setting up to grow health foods is very much like readying a normal garden, except that you take special care to avoid the use of "forbidden" chemicals.

Fertilizers are restricted to barnyard products and natural plant leftovers which can be combined into an excellent (and low cost) garden fertilizer.

In the natural food garden business, you will soon develop a routine to make your own compost almost exclusively from waste products, plant trimmings, and fruit hulls. All plant parts that are not otherwise used (or diseased) are recycled into compost, along with other materials that you have on hand or can buy inexpensively.

The degree of isolation needed for an organic garden depends on its location. If you live in a hot area, consider a shade cloth enclosure to screen insects as well as the direct rays of a hot sun.

Greenhouse enclosures are often used in the more temperate areas where frost is a consideration.

If your garden is in a relatively insect free and not down wind from fields that are sprayed with commercial chemicals, you may need no special considerations other than some of the accepted insect deterring techniques.

Perhaps the most needed assistance for your organic garden will be compost, which is sometimes called (ironically) artificial fertilizer.

The purpose is to fertilize and simultaneously, add humus (decayed animal and plant matter) to your growing medium.

Depending on the needs of your soil, it may be necessary to add specifics to attain the desired composition.

If you cannot test it yourself, take several small samples from different locations in your garden and have them analyzed.

State universities and some large (especially, chain) nurseries will often provide this service at little or no charge. Call your county agriculture agent to find other sources of soil analysis (and remedial actions that may be unique to your area).

In a commercial operation, you will undoubtedly want to generate at least some of your own compost. You should have at least two compost piles so you can be using one while the other is "working."

One way to build an inexpensive compost box is to make an enclosure of wood and chicken wire, some 3 feet wide, 15 feet long and perhaps 4 feet high.

Use metal or treated for the four corners and re-enforcing posts every 3-4 feet on the sides. There should be no bottom (just bare soil).

Add the compost materials: dry leaves, grass clippings, cotton hulls, straw, fruit peelings, sawdust, vegetables, and manure (clean sacked is fine) in one foot layers.

Kitchen scraps are usually avoided because they give off odors and attract flies, as are any diseased plant parts. Mix in a shovel full of regular garden soil here and there, along with some hybrid earthworms if available.

Between layers, sprinkle well with some 8-8-8 or 5-10-5 commercial fertilizer (about a pound per square foot of compost surface).

This small amount of commercial chemical doesn't count as a directly applied chemical. It acts as a catalyst to speed the decomposing action.

Keep the compost pile moist and use a fork to turn and stir the material every few days to help foster decomposition. Add more clippings as the pile shrinks (decomposes).

When restarting a compost pile always leave a couple inches of the old compost on the ground to act as "starter". Depending on the weather and how well you take care of your compost pile, it should be "ready" in 6 to 8 weeks. Of course, if you use heavier products, such as wood that has gone through a compost machine, it will take a little longer.

Tip: If you can't afford a compost machine, put leaves and other small clippings into a clean metal garbage can and insert your weed-eater. This won't work with larger pieces, but does fine with the light material.

Another idea is to mount a barrel so it can be turned daily. Have one made with a door and good latch so it can be turned without its contents falling out. The barrel can either be mounted on rollers or have axles welded on each end and fit into receptacles on a sturdy stand.

Organic gardeners learn which insects and garden denizens are helpers and which are "bad news". Some may look bad but do a lot of good.

Examples are garden snakes that eat mice and insects, spiders and eat insects, wasps that each roach eggs and lay their eggs in insects, dragon flies, and ground beetles and caterpillars. Other beneficial creatures may be more easily recognized: praying mantis (insects and aphids), lady@bugs (aphids, scales, spider mites), bees (pollination), lizards (large quantities of insects), frogs, toads (ditto), pirate bugs (mites, eggs and larvae of other insects), birds (worms, bugs), dragonflies (flies, mosquitoes, etc.).

There are also "organic" pesticides that are used, but one must be very careful not to step over the line to toxic chemicals and lose their "organically grown" label!

As you learn more and more about organic gardening, you will discover many other tricks that work in your area. Some are iron@clad rules; others may be debatable, but in the final analysis, what works for you is best for you! Some organic gardeners NEVER plant anything in the same row twice, to reduce the possibility of pests and disease.

For example: Tomatoes are especially sensitive to nematodes (root insects) as well as tomato worms. A crop of tomatoes may be followed by onions of cereal (not regular winter) rye for a winter green fertilizer (turned) under in the spring).

The latter is reputed to kill nematodes which become tangled in the thick rye roots. Many organic gardeners routinely place marigolds and other insect repelling plants between rows and/or 5 castor beans to help repel flies and moles.

By subscribing to a good organic gardening magazine, and trial and error in your particular locale, you will soon become an expert for the products you raise.

Herb and Vegetable Garden Landscapes

A herb or vegetable garden can make a very attractive addition to any landscape. Herb and vegetable gardens, be they stand alone or, incorporated into the overall landscape, can be just as attractive as many of the common annual and perennials found in most gardens.

Herb and vegetable gardens, be they stand alone or, incorporated into the overall landscape, can be just as attractive as many of the common annual and perennials found in most gardens. An added bonus, is the fact that you can eat most of them as well. This is called an 'edible landscape'.

Stand alone herb and vegetable gardens, are just that. An area is set aside purely for the cultivation of these plants. Stand alone herb and vegetable gardens can be made into any shape and or size. The important thing is to keep in mind how it fits in with the rest of the landscape. Generally speaking, if this is to be a show-piece, then nice lines and an overall neatness is to be desired. Certainly this can be achieved by bordering the garden with largish rocks, however, this can be a problem if the garden is laid in the middle of a lawn. The encroachment of the lawn (especially if it is couch, twitch or kikuyu), will grow under the rocks and you will have a constant battle to keep the lawn out of the vegetable garden. A better solution would be to border the garden with landscape logs, such as railway sleepers, or heavy treated planks. This way, at least you can trim or spray the edges periodically to address the encroachment problem. Yet another way would be to make the lawn of chammomile. Non-invasive and although a lot of work to get established, once it's up and running, it's just glorious. Smells wonderful and has a calming effect on most people.

One exciting method of incorporating herbs and vegetables into your landscape, is to plant them randomly, slotting them into any available space. The only drawback with this method is that in order to have a bunch of vegies for a meal, you must go and find them. None the less, if you were to plant them in small groups, of say 6 to 8 plants, at least then you don't have to hunt for a meal. Vegetables such as corn must be planted in large groups though, as corn relies on the wind for pollination of the cobs, having one plant here and there will see a failure of the crop. Plants of the pumkin family, unless dwarf varieties, should be planted sparingly as they have a tendency to take over. Choko vines can give a very 'jungly' type effect and also have a tendency to smother everything in site. So, unless you really, really, love chokos, I would only plant one.

Many herb varieties make excellent ground covers, keeping the moisture in and the weeds out, with the double bonus of being edible with the lovely aroma. Herbs and a great many vegetables canalso be successfully grown in flower boxes and decorative pots, thereby giving the opportunity for a constantly changing outlook, merely by moving the pots and boxes around.

By the way, you don't have to eat the produce. You can just utilise them as an interesting feature, keep tending and replacing them as needs must - however, I find this would be a criminal waste of an important food resource. Fresh herbs and vegetables - doesn't get much better than that!

Backyard Garden

Now that spring is here, it's time begin selecting the best plants and flowers for your garden. But before you do, have you ever been guilty of buying plants on impulse only to discover after planting them they look like the forgotten step child, making your garden look ackward? The goal of this article is to teach you how to plan a backyard garden...right now.

Step 1 - Starting with a Solid Plan

Take the time to assess your garden environment. Determine how much sun and shade your garden gets. What type of soil do you have? Is it the well draining type or does it get waterlogged easily? Take note whether your garden is sheltered or exposed to the sun and wind. Now that you have completed your homework, it's time to buy the best plants for your situation.

- Tips at the nursery:

Remember shade-loving plants need a sheltered area, plants that love the sun thrive in warm spots, drought-resistant plants can should be located either in sunny or shaded areas and don't forget that swamp plants are terrific for the poorly-drained areas of your garden.

- Soil Testing

I recommend testing your soil first, to determine the pH level of your soil and what type of nutrients you need to add is a good idea. You want to find out if the soil is acid or alkaline. There are inexpensive testing kits available and it's not very difficult to do. Most plants prefer soil that is slightly acidic, but there are some that must have alkaline soil to grow. You can alter the soil's pH level, but it's much easier to simply plant for the soil you have.

- Design your layout

As you are planning your new garden how will you organize your plants and flowers? Will you group them or will they be random? Grouping your plants create a sense of organization and can be pleasing to the eye especially with vivid colors. On the otherhand, random planting if done with a natural look can also make your garden look quite beautiful.

- Experiment with your design

Now that you are ready to begin planting, put your chosen plants around the garden bed and step back to see how they will look. Experiment and move them around until you are satisfied. By grouping plants in small sets of threes or fives can visually look better than groups of even numbers. Place tall plants towards the back or put them in the center if you have a walk way around your garden.

- Picking Your Colors

Select interesting combinations of color and texture of plants. To avoid color clashes, you can still plant your flowers side-by-side but be sure they have a different blooming season. Another important aspect regarding color is that foliage have colors ranging from silver, grey or purplish and are just as attractive as the flower. Plan ahead as you will still have attractive plants past the blooming season.

Finally keep your plants away from trees as their roots will steal the necessary nutrients and moisture your flowers need. So with a little planning, plus choosing the best plants and skillfully selecting the right color scheme you will create your beautiful garden for all to enjoy.

Garden Magic

Are you establishing a new garden? Are you trying to bring a long neglected or difficult garden back to life again? You can create a flourishing garden anywhere. All you need is loads of desire, a little imagination and an open mind. In this article I briefly summarize some techniques that I have successfully used for encouraging growth in difficult areas of the garden. By adding a little magick to some basic ecological gardening principles your can create a sensation.

There are a few essential requirements for a healthy garden. These are: soil with the correct texture, nutrient levels, and drainage; water; sunlight and the appropriate plant choice for your local environment. Garden bed preparation is of utmost importance and you would be well advised to ensure that you have provided your plants with the best physical environment possible for their successful growth. But getting the physical environment right is just the first step. To get the best out of your garden you should provide a happy environment, full of positive energy and a little magick.

Visualize

When you first start planting out your garden it doesn’t look much like it will in two, three, five or ten years. Visualization is a crucial part of the garden design and planning process. It is also important for the growing process. To keep your garden growing in the direction would like it to grow, you should visualize regularly. This is just a matter of looking at the garden and imagining what it will look like when your plants are fully grown. In doing so you are mentally sending your plants messages and encouragement. Make a habit of visualizing your garden on a daily basis and imagine it as it will look in, say, five years of constant and healthy growth.

In the meantime … fake it

While you are in the early stages of garden creation, try making a ‘fake it ‘til you make it’ garden. This simply means creating an interim garden. You can do this by placing pots filled with colorful plants around the area. This will give you some instant gratification for your efforts. It will also give your new plants some company. After all, plants are communal and are not meant to grow alone.

You can quickly and easily create new pot plants by taking cuttings from other plants in your garden or your existing pot plants. Put the cuttings in water until they sprout roots – some won’t grow roots this way, it will be trial and error but many will grow roots within a week. Alternatively, buy some plants, preferably colorful flowering plants. Of course, choose appropriate plants for the location of your garden - shade loving plants for areas with little sun, etc.

Place the pots around the area where you want the garden to be and in between the plants that you have recently planted. If the garden is located in a harsh landscape that is subject to extreme hot or cold or strong winds, you can place the pots so that young plants are protected from harsh winds or direct sunlight. If your environment is particularly harsh, you may consider adding small screens made from bamboo or other natural materials to protect young plants until they establish. In a dark or very shaded area, ensure that your pots will not block any sunlight that your seedlings may be receiving. Whatever the nature of your garden, use plenty of mulch to keep the moisture in the soil and the weed growth to a minimum.

Attract Native Animals

Life attracts life, so by attracting as many animals to your garden as possible you will increase the life energy of your garden which will help your plants to grow. Place rocks and logs in your garden to provide shelter and homes for small lizards and insects. If you do not have any tall trees, installing a pole that a bird can perch atop (but a cat can’t climb) is a great idea, as birds will contribute seed laden droppings that can bring additional plants to your garden as well as additional nutrients. Show your delight when you notice a new native occupant and let him know he is welcome.

Allow the ecology of your garden to evolve along with the growth and addition of your plants and other components. Resist interfering by killing particular animals that you don’t like such as spiders, if you are so inclined. Instead, become curious and learn about them. Talk to them. You will gain an entirely new appreciation for these animals and improve your karma at the same time.

Avoid Using Poisons

Garden shops are full of garden poisons. It’s big business. It would be easy to assume that weed killers, snail killers and the other exterminators are an essential component to gardening. However, the reality is that they are really bad for your plants and the animals that add value to your garden. There is almost always a natural or more gentle alternative to using poisons in the home garden. It is far more effective in the long term to pull weeds out by hand and you will save a lot of money.

Decorate and Communicate

Celebrate your garden area by decorating it with beautiful things, such as hanging pots, statues, bird baths, sculptures and low lighting, will add positive energy and atmosphere. If possible, include an outdoor table and chairs and spend some time there entertaining friends, laughing and having a good time, or just be there on your own relaxing and smiling upon your garden. Make sure you remove or disguise any ugly or unsightly objects. It is important to keep the area beautiful as you are more likely to spend time in, and give loving energy to, a garden that you like the look of and feel good about.

Take a leaf out of Grandma’s Book

Did your Grandmother speak to her plants? Mine did, and that practice was passed down to my mother and now I do it. It works! You don’t need to spend a lot of time in conversation with your flowers. Simply walk around and admire your plants for a few minutes most days. In the difficult spots, stop and talk to those plants that are struggling. Express pleasure when you see some growth. Smile at your plants and talk to them in a light manner as you are attending to their needs.

Crystals for Positive Energy

Use crystals and semi precious stones to add some beneficial energy to the area. Here are some ideas:

Agate

This crystal is known for its ability to produce abundance and increase yields in crops. It can be used to enhance the health of your pot plants or your garden plants.

Jade

Jade represents life and growth and has been associated with the health of plants and the environment. Place jade statues in the garden or use jade in a decoration that hangs above or nearby your plants.

Moonstone

Moonstone helps to enhance the growth and health of plants. Use it in decoration in your garden or wear it when attending to your plants.

Clear Quartz Crystal

Quartz crystal will amplify and enhance the qualities of any other stone and can be used to achieve any goal of pure intention. Use it alongside the other stones or alone in your garden to enhance plant growth. I hang crystals over pot plants to improve their performance.

These are examples of stones and crystals that have specific qualities that can assist plant recovery and growth. However, there are many crystals and stones that have healing and nurturing properties so it may pay to experiment. Crystals can be placed in pots, used as a display on a table, in a bird bath or water feature. They are particularly beautiful when they form part of a hanging decoration.

Add a Little Fairy Magick

Fairies have long been associated with gardens. Flower fairies were thought to live in the flowers of plants. They looked after the plant by ensuring it had everything it needed. You can add your own bit of fairy magick to your garden by placing a hanging fairy near the garden that you want to prosper from this energy.

If fairies are not your thing, hang or place sculptures of other powerful symbols around the area, such as the Sun for positive energy and the Moon for receptivity and supernatural powers. Both of these symbols together represent balance and harmony. There are many other symbols of good fortune such as Buddha that will enhance the energy and the feel of your garden. These symbols and bearers of good energy also look great.

Feng Shui Garden

Designing your garden for good Feng Shui

The Feng Shui garden is designed to allow Chi to flow. To create good Feng Shui, design your garden with plenty of curves. If you have a garden with very straight edges, add features that give the impression of curves. You can achieve this by the way you place your garden features and how you locate your plants. Choose rounded pots and curvy furniture to increase the positive Feng Shui in your garden.

Windchime Magick

Another way to increase Chi in your garden is by hanging a windchime or a windchime bell. Windchimes aid in the flow of Chi and add an additional element to your garden through sound. The right windchime can create a sensation of peace through its harmonic tunes. It is worthwhile selecting a well made bell or windchime that you enjoy listening to as this will make a valuable addition to the atmosphere of your home and give you joy every time the breeze blows.

Water Features

A water feature is also extremely beneficial in the creation of a positive Feng Shui garden. The water must be flowing, however, so that Chi can flow and so that it does not become stagnant. The addition of fish to your water feature will provide more positive energy due to the additional life. Be sure to find fish that do not eat the spawn of local frogs. Gold fish, which originated in China, have become an environmental nuisance in some countries and they will eat frogspawn. For frog friendly fish, check with your Government Fisheries Department.

Frog Magick

Frogs represent good luck in many cultures around the world. The first frogs hopped this earth alongside the Dinosaurs. They are wise beings, worthy of respect and they will bring good energy to your garden. Be sure to locate any pond a good distance from bedroom windows, however, as frogs can croak up a storm at night.

Scent

A wonderful way for a garden to enrich your life is through scent. You can create a special atmosphere by planting the shrubs, trees and flowers in your garden that provide certain scents that enhance particular moods. Add some instant inspiration by filling your pots with lavender, jasmine, geranium, lemongrass or whatever your nose desires.

Burn incenses outside or light a scented candle at night while sitting in the garden. Select the scent that will be most beneficial for your garden’s growth. Try gardenia or lavender for love and healing, ginger for success, patchouli or rosemary for love and growth, the invigorating benefits of sweet orange or frankincense and myrrh for healing and growth.

A closing thought ..

Your garden reflects the relationship it shares with you and the other inhabitants of your home. By increasing the positive loving energy in your garden you will create a place for growth and harmony, a place where life will thrive. In return you will receive much enjoyment. By combining good ecological concepts with a little magick you can turn a difficult garden into a sacred resort for the soul.

Garden Benches

After you have finished you outdoor garden, it is time to admire your hard work and effort. Why would you want to do that from afar? To truly admire all of your work, you can only do it from a close up view of your work. Many consumers have no idea the wide array of garden benches that are currently available.

For instance, the park style garden bench is among the only options consumers think of when they think of a garden bench. Although, this style is beautiful and comfortable it is not the only option out there today. The park style garden bench serves its purpose, but, can you feel confident with buying the first bench you see. Be sure to explore all of the options prior to the purchase of a new garden bench.

Among the more expensive of garden benches is the stone garden bench. This particular style adds a wonderful look to your yard as well as giving you the ideal spot to place your bottom for admiration purposes. Although, if you plan on being in your garden for a longer span of time, this may not be the bench that will best meet your criteria for comfort. Stone garden benches will last for years in the elements of nature, so this is a great purchase for a garden area.

Another of the nicer options available in garden benches is the wrought iron with or without wooden slats for the seating area. The wrought iron can add a one of a kind style to your garden, and be a great addition, as not to take away from the gardens overall look, usually the wrought iron garden bench greatly compliments any garden. With or without armrests will be among the hardest part of your deciding when it comes to the purchase of the wrought iron garden bench. This will have to depend solely on your personal preference of garden bench.

Teak garden benches are another one of the top rated garden benches that are available today. They tend to be a little higher in price, due to the fact that they can usually outlive all other patio and garden furniture. Teak garden benches are designed to beat Mother Nature at her own game. Not only to the hold up against the elements of weather, but will remain beautiful and comfortable. For a more detailed design in teak garden benches, you can easily find one with engraved back, with and without armrest, and if you have a preference in the style of the back of your bench, you can get a varying style. A high back garden bench seems to be among the most popular among the teak garden benches. But, if that is not to your liking, rest assured as you can get a mid back or low back design as well.

These garden benches are just a few, hopefully giving you a taste of what is available today in garden benches. For the perfect garden bench, you must try not to get a bench that can take away from the beauty of your garden. A garden bench should only compliment the garden and be comfortable to sit in.

Fall Garden Planning

It's August, the weather has cooled a bit here and the summer monsoons where I live in New Mexico have begun. The kids are starting back to school and I feel the onset of fall. I'm getting that garden planning itch again! It happens 2-3 times a year... This time, it's time to start ordering bulbs and perennials for fall planting. I'm always planning how my garden will look better next season and I suppose most of you do the same. Fall is the perfect time to plant for established growth next spring!

Take a good look at your garden now and think about areas you need to fill in. Do you need late season color, early spring blooms? Are there bare spots or places where plants like poppies or tulips go dormant and you need a filler to keep your garden alive with color? I find the best time for next years planning is in the fall when bloom time and plant combinations are fresh in my mind.

You may be disappointed with a plant combination you chose last season. Fall is the perfect time to rearrange. Get rid of overgrown plants and revive areas with new color or foliage combinations. Think about areas in your bulb or perennial garden you want to develop. What size, shape and bloom color do you need? Plant them this fall and watch your pans come to fruition come spring.

Shrubs and trees do take years to mature and fill their place. You can get a jump start by planting them this fall. When spring arrives they'll be much more hardy and will require less babying.

Fall is the perfect time to mail order bulbs, perrenials, shrubs, hedges and trees. We're winding down the season and if you're anything like me you're just not ready to quit quite yet. Sure there's clean up to be done, but I find more planting helps to finish those mundane cxhores. As I clean out I plant new!

Ordering online or by mail

Ordering plants online can be a bit scary. How are the plants shipped? Will they be good quality? Will they arrive at the right time and will I be prepared to plant them then?

Fear not! I've ordered in fall for years and have had tremendous results!

Plant Quality and Guarantees

Nurseries do differ in what and how they ship so make sure you do some research, but almost all reputable mail order nurseries do guarantee their plants to grow or your money back. I've never had trouble collecting on that promise and I have used it a time or two for certain plants. I also admit, a bit grudgingly as a then new gardener, that I should never have ordered those specific plants for my climate. Nevertheless the nursery did stand behind it's guarantee.

How Plants Are Shipped

Some plants will be shipped bare root, others as potted plants. This depends on the plant variety and I've actually found preference to bare root plants. They do look dead when they arrive (they are actually dormant), but I assure you that unless they have visible signs of disease like rot they'll thrive come spring.

*Note - If you do get any plants that look like the crown has rotted either ship them back immediately or just phone the nursery and they'll ship out new ones.

When to Plant

While you never know exactly when your plants will arrive, they are shipped to you at the proper planting time for your gardening zone. If plants arrive and it's not convenient to plant immediately just make sure you follow the directions included in your shipment for keeping your plants viable until you can plant them. If you've planned ahead you will know where they go and it'll take you little time to get them in the ground. A Saturday afternoon will usually give you ample time to get this done.

Keep in mind these companies have been in business for years and years and have shipped bare root and potted plants for eons. They do know what they're doing and most of them do it very well. They'd be out of business if they couldn't fulfill your planting requirements.

Gardening Budgets and Selection

You can't beat the cost and selection of ordering by mail! Most mail order companies offer plant varieties you'll never find anywhere else. The selections seem endless and I've been amazed what I can grow in New Mexico. Take advantage of fall specials and free shipping and you get a double bang for you buck. For about half of what I spend on a trip to the garden center on a single spring garden binge, I can have more variety and many more plants shipped to me at home.

Get on the Mailing Lists

Make sure you're on the mailing list for the following nurseries at least! You'll get a catologue several times a year. Take it into the garden with you,look around and plan accordingly. Then hop online and place an order or order by mail, but use the online resources for their help with plant combinations and companion planting. They offer great suggestions you may not have thought of before. Remember - pictures will help any gardener no matter how experienced.

Green Sand

Sand casting is the most ancient form of metal casting and has been around since at least Ancient Egypt. Many metal casters prefer using sand casting over many of the other forms of processes because it’s cheap and the sand used is readily available.

Many experienced metal casters will continue to use sand casting even though their abilities and resources allow them to use the other metal casting methods like Lost Wax Casting or Investment Casting. Sand casting involves less material and less effort than the other casting methods. Sand casting is a great way for new casters to get into the trade.

In sand casting, the metal caster will create a mold by placing an original in the flask which is filled with sand. The original will be a pattern of what you want to cast. By ramming or vibrating the sand, the caster creates a mold of the original. The casting sand used needs to be able to retain the shape of the mold. Finding the right mixture of sand to water is crucial. Too much water can ruin the mold and possibly destroy it while too little water will create a poor casting. Green sand is a type of casting sand that many prefer since its ability to retain the shape of the mold is far better then normal sand. Green sand usually contains bentonite clay, sand, and water.

After the sand is packed, the pattern or original is removed carefully. Molten metal is poured into the mold and allowed to cool. The metal caster will then break the mold and dig out the casting.

While sand casting has its benefits the use of green sand can greatly increase the likelihood of a successful casting. Green sand is not really green the color refers to the damp nature of the sand. Green sand is created by adding water and bentonite to the sand. One of the benefits of using bentonite in green sand is that it makes the sand more permeable which allows more gas to escape.

Metal casters can get the bentonite from a variety of sources like home improvement stores and even from household resources. Many have milled the type of cat litter that clumps since one of the ingredients is bentonite. Remember to work in a well ventilated room or to wear proper face gear when working with bentonite since it will irritate the lungs.

There are several recipes online for green sand but the most common method is experimentation. What you are looking for when mixing the sand, water, and bentonite is a texture that is not wet but damp and will retain its shape when molded.

The type of sand you use to make green sand depends on you and the availability of the sand. Many will use sand that they found out in the wilds of nature and some will buy bags of sand like playground sand. As you cast with green sand you will find out which works best with what metals.

Green sand is growing in popularity as more casters are recognizing the properties of this method. If you have traditionally used regular sand casting, green sand casting will prove to be easier to work with and will produce better casts.

The best part about green sand casting is that is does not cost a lot of green.

Green Metropolis - Green Revolution

Literature and storytelling have been at the heart of culture for hundreds of years. Before the printing press it flourished orally, passing through communities and generations in the recesses of memory. It was adapted by each teller, and recorded according to their preferences as they retold it to their audiences. Oral masterpieces - Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, the anonymously written Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - were never recorded in definitive versions by their authors. As time and technique drove on, forms of printing were established, so that authors could record their work. Generally speaking, the earliest forms of production was woodblock printing, which dates back to 220AD. The earliest surviving forms can be found in China, with similar types from Egypt. In Europe, block printing was common practice by 1300.

Even during early modern history, then, literature and storytelling can be seen as synonymous with the destruction of habitats; every piece that was block printed required wood for the process. But this reached a larger scale in the European industrial revolutions, when mass printing - similar to the forms in which we know it today - required the pulp of vast numbers of trees as demand for printing increased. To this day, then, the mass production of printed literature means the mass pulping of the world's natural habitats. It is becoming apparent that the world of literature - from its readers and writers, through to its producers and distributors - needs to offset this trend; as the world becomes more concious of its environment, so the book world must, too. One website, named 'Green Metropolis', has been leading the field for a number of years.

There caption, "Where Books Grow Trees" is a perfect encapsulation of the problem and solution: to offset the production of books with the recycling of old ones. They have also made the endeavour commercially viable; each and every book that is sold through the website costs just £3.75, and postage and packing is free. It means that it can attract customers looking for a bargain, before connecting them to the cause.

They also buy used books for £3.00, meaning that they make a margin of profit, whilst keeping a circulation of books recycling amongst the websites members.

And their commitment grows stronger, as the website outlines:

"By recycling used books not only are we saving existing trees, we're actually planting new ones. How? GreenMetropolis.com donates 5p for every book sold to the 'Tree For All' campaign run by the Woodland Trust." The Woodland Trust - endorsed, as outlined above, by Green Metropolis - is dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the UK's native woodland. It has four main aims: 1) No further loss of ancient woodland. 2) Improving the biodiversity of our woodlands. 3) Increasing and restoring native woodlands. 4) Increasing people's awareness and enjoyment of woodland. Green Metropolis, along with its compulsory donation of 5p for every book sold, encourages its members to donate too, from the books they sell to the website. So they keep a constant circulation of used books away from the litter bins, and invest in the growth of new habitats. It is a website then, that encourages community and an active role in the environmental protection of the UK. Buy a Book. Plant a Tree.

The Green, Green Grass Of Home: Landscaping

A lawn is a living thing, from the grass and trees to the soil in which they anchor. Here is a checklist to learn why your lawn isn't as lush and green as you'd like.

When you walk around your neighborhood, do you find that everyone else has a lush, green lawn, whereas your own lawn has patches of dead grass, and most of it is yellowish and unattractive anyway! It's time to do some work to bring your lawn back to health.

Just because you live in the same geographic area as your neighbors doesn't mean that your soil is necessarily the same as theirs. So the first thing you should do is some soil tests, to find out what the pH balance ("power of Hydrogen") of the soil is. If your soil is too alkaline, or too acidic, your grass and flowers will not grow well.

If your soil is not balanced properly, there's no need to despair. Add lime (for example calcic limestone) to the soil if it is too acidic, and add iron sulfate to your soil to correct alkaline soil. You'll want to consult with a gardening professional to know exactly how of this material you should add.

What type of soil have you? If you've got soil with too much clay, you're going to have drainage problems - because clay retains water practically forever, which is bad. Sandy soil, on the other hand, dries out too quickly. These problems can be solved by adding peat moss or compost.

But let's say your soil is just right for growing lush green grass. Then what's the problem?

Does your lawn receive enough sun?

If your lawn is scattered with lots of large trees, it's quite possible that their foliage prevents enough sunlight from getting through to your lawn. Consider thinning out the branches. And if you have trouble with your grass dying right underneath your trees, try using groundcover instead, although there are other solutions you can try.

Does your lawn receive enough water? Or too much?

Water's water at all times, but it doesn't behave the same at all times. The heat of the sun evaporates water, of course, so it is best to water in the early morning, or late at night. Never water during the heat of the day. And never water your lawn too much - that's as bad as watering it too little.

Do you water the entire lawn fairly, or do you cheat? Do some spots get more water than others? It's important that your entire lawn be watered equally. If you want to take the human element out of the equation, you can always install an automatic sprinkling system in your yard. But that requires digging up sections of the lawn in order to bury the hoses, and those sprinkler heads can play havoc when you're trying to mow. Still, it's something to consider.

The patter of tiny feet

If you have a lot of kids, or teens, for that matter, playing active games on your lawn such as touch football or catch, they're going to be running around compressing and compacting the soil, which drives out the oxygen plants need to survive. The solution to this can be to aerate your lawn - use a device that punches holes in the soil to loosen it. Aerate your lawn at least once a year.

Does your lawn get mowed properly?

If you don't like to mow the lawn (and who does?) you may decide to solve the problem by mowing it as short as possible, so that it takes a while for it to grow out before you have to mow again. But this actually stresses out the grass, and is not at all good for it. Neither is letting your grass grow too long. Apart from aesthetic considerations, it causes problems with the amount of water and sunlight that reaches the soil.

Ever heard of thatch? It's the dead grass and other material that forms a layer on the soil below the grass itself. This chokes out new growth. Get a de-thatching rake and take care of it.

What kind of grass do you have?

If you've implemented all these solutions and your lawn still doesn't look as nice as your neighbor's, it may be something as simple as the kind of grass you have. Grass comes in different shades of green, from dark green to yellow. Some grass is more resilient to pounding feet than others, and to extremes of heat and cold.

By considering these elements, you'll find that your lawn will soon be the smooth, velvet carpet of green you always envisioned.

Ultra Violet Water Purifier

If you don't trust (and you shouldn't) tap water, use a combination of carbon-block and ultraviolet water purifier; you can rest assured that your drinking and cooking water is as safe as it can be.

Most people don't like tap water for various reasons: it tastes bad, it smell like rotten egg, there might be (and there are plenty) of some stuff that shouldn't be there such as heavy metal, chlorine or chloramines and its by products, bacteria and viruses, trace of drugs...just to name a few. So they turn to bottled water. Sadly, many of the bottled waters are filled from the same source: tap water with some kind of treatment. It may taste better but studies show that some bottled water has the same amount of bacteria or even more.

If you are using the 5 gallons and have a dispenser, the next time you change the bottle, check the bottom of the dispenser and you might find that it is kind of slimy, which means there are plenty of bacteria in the water. Bottled water is often stored in plastic bottle, plastic bottle releases harmful chemical into the water if it is under sunlight. I have seen large grocery stores with piles of bottled water outside the store right under sun for hours even on hot summer days. When recycling the big bottle, you don't know how well it is rinsed before being filled again.

Yes, there might be microorganisms in your tap, by installing ultraviolet water purifier will easily correct the problem and it is less costly comparing to buying bottled water in the long run. Let's do the math. Even taking the bottle to the water store and fill it yourself will cost you anywhere from $1.75 to $3.00 for a 5 gallons bottle (depend on where you live), this has not include your time, your transportation and your effort of carrying it to the house. It would cost more if you add all those up. Ultraviolet water purifiers price range from a few hundreds dollars to a couple thousand dollars, depending on the size and the brand. And you shouldn't use just the ultraviolet water purifier alone because it only sterilize bacteria, viruses and cysts in the water but will not filter other contaminants. Your best bet is to use it in conjunction with an activated carbon filter. I use a unit that cost about $600; it includes a dual cartridge with the ultraviolet bulb inside a carbon-block filter. The activated carbon-block filter will absorb and filter out the bad stuff that we don't want in our bodies such as mercury, lead, dirt, pharmaceutical ect... The ultraviolet light will destroy the waterborne microbes if any are present in the water. Each year just replace the cartridge that cost about $175 and it will purify 1320 gallons of water, bringing the cost down to just about 13 cents per gallon. It's cheap, it's convenient, it saves your time and trouble, but most important, it provides fresh, clean, clear and bacteria free water for you and your family. Just turn on the faucet and enjoy quality water for your drinking and cooking.

Use a refillable bottle to carry water with you when you are on the go. I'm staying away from any kind of plastic since there are reports of plastic bottle leaching harmful substance into the water. Buy a glass or stainless steel bottle is best.

Saw this statement somewhere "Refill not Landfill", it is just everybody should consider doing to curb global warming. If you are concerned about tap water quality, investing in a good carbon-block and ultraviolet water purifier is the best thing you can do to protect harmful contaminants entering your body. Water is good for you, but only if it is good and clean water.

Green House Garden

Gardening is a demanding hobby, what seems like a slow and effortless daily routine is actually a very serious thing, demanding that the gardener knows what he is doing, when he is doing it and what is the overall plan. Normal people have a hard time understanding why gardeners bother, but the passion with gardens surpasses other people ideas and this is exactly why some of us choose to expand the gardening activity even further.

While it is true that greenhouses are used by many different people, some of them are not gardeners outside of their greenhouse, it is also true that most gardeners that practice gardening in a glass greenhouse would be happy to do so in the outdoors, and it is basically a question of the available space and time on the hands of the particular person.

Greenhouses are formed for a basic reason and that is to have a place in which one can grow plants that are too sensitive to be nurtured outside of the protected environment of the greenhouse or in the purpose of maintaining some plants that will not survive the temporary conditions of the outdoors and are kept in the greenhouse only for the duration in which they are threatened by the elements. Either way, the greenhouse serves as a superb place for the Gardner to conduct experiments and take careful care of some plants that he or she may not have had the possibility of doing unless a greenhouse would be there to serve him.

When considering building or buying a greenhouse to place in the backyard or in the garden one should think carefully about the effect this will have on the existing garden or space, which is probably kept for the gardener needs, it is also important to know that once a greenhouse is set in place all of the tools for the gardening may be moved to it hence clearing a lot of space.Positioning the greenhouse properly is also a major issue, that sometime may cause a problem in a garden, especially if you have located trees and special garden features on certain sides of your garden, it is highly recommended to talk with a professional gardener before making decisions and even trying to get a person to visit the garden before buying a greenhouse could save a lot of money and energy.

Underfloor Heating Schema

Underfloor heating is a modernized heating concept, which perhaps owes its origin to the Roman times. It is believed that in those days, civilizations constructed their structures with voids, which enabled circulation of warm air, heated due to the open fire outside, thus maintaining high temperatures inside the premises. Since then times have changed, however one aspect has remained constant and that is the desire to be comfortable in all circumstances, even if the stated required adapting the older methods. The advanced adaptations, like in the case of underfloor heating, proved to be obviously superior and much better conceptualised to enable complete luxury.

The Case of Underfloor Heating
As enumerated above, underfloor heating is a mechanically sophisticated version of the ancient principle, which was aimed at creating a warm inside temperature zone. Presently it is being extensively used throughout Europe, to uniformly heat residential and commercial properties. Herein, the heating equipment is embedded inside the floor, which utilizes the heat conduction and radiant heat mechanisms to control the internal climate. The heating system in this concept could be warm water based or electricity driven, depending upon the precise requirements. In either of the situations, underlying mechanism is almost identical, save few specific system features.

Warm Water Based
In this heating methodology, pipes or tubes are laid into the floor through which warm water circulates and thus coverts the base to a radiant surface. This system is based on a low temperature range say 50OC. The entire setup might accompany higher installation charges, however in the long run, owing to the energy saving features, the economical aspects balance to ensure cost savings. The stated structure offers complete flexibility in terms of pipe types, installation specifics and the control options.

Electrical Systems
An electrical system of underfloor heating works on a similar mechanism, the key difference being the mode of heating. Herein, rather than warm water, electric cable or a heating element is used to generate the same results. The system is cheaper in terms of installation charges, and it also takes less time to install the electric underfloor heating.

Advantages
With the particulars of underfloor heating mechanism outlined, it is now imperative to be precisely clear upon the various positives of this system and thus take a final call. The foremost benefit as extended by this heating model is the comfort level extended. Unlike the available substitutes, which work on a top down approach, underfloor heating works on the principle of bottom up schema. Also as the warm air convects, it losses approximately 2OC, thus creating ambience on the likes of natural surroundings.

Another key advantage of the system is explained from the setup aesthetics. The heating structure is in the floor and thus neither exposed nor bulky. Moreover, the setup is highly energy efficient which is critically important at both micro and macro levels.

The controlling of the system is not a tedious task. Some underfloor heating systems are sensitive to the room and floor temperature and thus adjust automatically to any external changes. The central manifold acts as the distribution point. Moreover, there are options in the category of individual room controls, which can take care of the specific room heating aspects.

With the stated in background, there certainly is a strong enough case in the favour in underfloor heating. The choice is between the available options in this category i.e. water based or electric. While both can suffice, the definite option can be best decided, post an analysis of details like construction type, heating requirements, etc. And underfloor heating continues to grow in popularity as more and more people realise the advantages the heating system has to offer them.

Save Your Precious Memories in a Cedar Chest

What is your most valued memory? Do you keep something that reminds you of that moment? Maybe you’ve saved photographs of the childhood friends you played with in the neighborhood cul-de-sac. Maybe you have your grandmother’s quilts that still smell of her and you can remember curling up next to her listening to her tell a story. These things don’t cost much, not as much as a car or a house, but they mean something to you and you want them to be preserved throughout the course of your life. Rather than use plastic bins to store these things that represent precious memories, consider a cedar chest to keep them safe.

Wooden chests have been timeless places to hold valuable possessions. Even in ancient times, Egyptians used chests for storing precious stones, gold, and documents. To build them, craftsmen used an entire tree to carve a chest made in one piece. It was sturdy, solid, and a reliable place to keep the things the Egyptians valued most.

When families crossed the Atlantic and came to America from Europe, many only brought a wooden chest full of their possessions with them. As these families settled and their descendants moved out west, what do you think they took with them? Their wooden chests filled with their possessions. In colonial America, there were few places to store things like clothes, blankets, and linens. Basements were damp and not appropriate places to keep these items. Few homes had closets to store things in, certainly not like the walk-in closets we have today. Wooden chests were used to keep possessions dry and out of sight during warm summer months, or simply when they were not being used. They also were used as a place to sit since chairs were not very easy to come by.

Cedar chests are traditionally known as “hope chests,” since these were what women brought with them to their marriages; they were filled with blankets, towels, and quilts to begin their own families. Though few women do this today, cedar chests are still used to preserve the things that we cherish. In addition to the practical elements, a cedar chest can bring warmth and familiarity to any room.

Of course, these chests don’t always have to be made from cedar. Chests are also made from wood like oak, pine, walnut, cherry, and mahogany. Cedar just happens to be the best material for these chests because of their natural ability to keep insects out, prevent the items inside from decaying, and give the things that are stored inside it a fresh, comforting scent. Some models, to incorporate the desirability of cedar with the affordability of other less expensive woods, some chests are simply lined with cedar rather than made entirely of it.

Traditionally designed cedar chests are still produced today, but they come in contemporary models as well. Whether you would like to add one to your home or give it as a gift to someone you love, it can be the perfect way to begin a new tradition as well as preserve the possessions and memories of your past. These chests will retain their beauty and serve their function for many, many years.

An Introduction to Garden Roses

Roses have been used in gardens for hundreds of years, from the rose gardens of southern Rome during the days of the Roman Empire through to the seventeenth century bloom in popularity in France, when Napoleon's wife established an extensive rose garden at Chateau de Malmaison near Paris, and up to the modern day when we benefit from a truly massive range of varieties.

Roses are considered one of the most romantic cut flowers to give to a loved one and on St Valentines day every female secretly desires at least one red rose. While red roses are extremely popular garden roses are available in a vast range of colors. Black roses are becoming a popular choice with many landscape gardeners but black roses are not really black, rather, they are a very, very dark red. Although a bunch of black roses may be depressing the simple addition of pure white roses creates a completely different mood.

Hybrid Tea and Floribunda roses are extremely popular in the garden, these, usually free standing, varieties are generally trouble free and easy to grow. The named varieties offer rich wonderful colors with some, such as "Harry Wheatcroft" available in striped colors. HT roses offer blooms on a single stem whereas Floribunda varieties offer blooms in clusters.

There are also climbing and full standard varieties of roses. Climbing roses are the perfect way in which to cover a wall, trellis or archway. They look great when used in conjunction with other shrubs or trees and are suitable for growing in pots and tubs. Most climbers are fragrant and can be extremely useful in a small garden where space is limited as they climb freely creating a wall of color. Full standard roses are roses grafted on to a 1m stem. They are usually supplied with at least three or more strong branches which will very quickly grow into an elegant bush. Full standards are often used as a focal point in the garden and the elegant bushy head roses look fantastic on a patio.

Double roses are more difficult to find. They are usually very highly scented and develop into 1-1.5m bushes which, with a little care and attention, will produces masses of flowers throughout the summer for many years. A more unusual use for roses is ground cover. A variety called "The Fairy" is suitable for ground cover. This prolific cascading rose is ideal in borders and grows well in tubs. It spreads to about 1m and flowers from June to October.

Miniature roses grow to only around 25-40cm but they are available in a number of different colors (pink, red, lilac, yellow and white). A new variety "Rose Nostalgie" produces a combination of cherry red and creamy white, fragrant, blooms. These roses can look great at the front of a border but are spectacular in a container garden or on a small patio.

Rose gardening can be great fun, not only do you produce fantastic cut flowers throughout the summer but you have a wonderful garden plant that continues to produce more and more blooms throughout the season. Roses can appear in a border alongside many other perennials and annuals but a bed of only roses can have a very traditional look and feel that is difficult to create using any other plant.

Roses really are something very special and caring for roses is not as difficult as it sounds. If you do not already have them in your garden why not take a look at adding one or two of the most popular varieties this year? If you are unable to do so yourself why not hire a landscaping contractor who will be able to do everything for a very reasonable price. We are sure that you will not regret it.

Some Tips On Performing Proper Water GardenLandscaping

Perhaps, the gardens that appeal to the senses the best are those that we call water gardens. These go beyond the usual plants because there are also fish and perhaps a few rocks that all help to create a most visually exciting water garden. If you want to create lively as well as unique water gardens, there are several water garden landscaping ideas worth trying out - some of which could be quite complex - but which will nevertheless will prove to be very exciting as well as enjoyable.

More Complex

In water garden landscaping you can expect to do a lot of excavation work and you will need to set up a good water filtration system and have quality pumps. This is not as simple as say rock garden landscaping but it can be done if you have time to spare. If you don't have the time or the patience though there are some simple garden landscaping designs you can try that will not drain your budget but will add beauty to your garden.

When you get started with water garden landscaping or any project for that matter, you first need to plan out everything on paper. Everything needs to be planned out so that you can budget accordingly and you will have a good idea what it will look like when it is finished. There are many complexities but they can be overcome with proper planning.

Once you have finalized the design of your water garden landscaping, you then need to look at the form of your garden's pond, after which you need to begin with excavation work which may be tedious and demanding, but is nevertheless important. In fact, if it is beyond your level of competence, the task may even be entrusted to professional excavators.

After all of the excavation work is complete you must then move onto the step of installing you plumbing. This should be done properly as to avoid problems later and to ensure that you have the water moving the way that you have it planned to; ie a fountain or a waterfall. When the plumbing is done you need to seal the bottom of the pond. This is commonly done with waterproof cement but you can also look into using preformed water garden ponds that will last forever and save some cost in installation.

After your seal is complete you need to fortify the edge of your pond so that it will not cave in. When this is done you can move forward to decorating your water garden landscape. Large rocks are a common addition and work very well. When the rocks are all in it is time to add some vegetation. I like to use low maintenance varieties for obvious reasons. If you are adding plants you will also need to mulch them as well.

At last, you can finally arrange all of the rocks to your liking, put all of the aquatic plans in their proper places and fill up the pond with water. After this is done pick out whatever variety of fish you like be it Japanese koi, goldfish, or carp put them in and enjoy your work of art.

Garden furniture made from stone

Buying your first home is one of the most life changing decisions you can make. Some individuals prefer purchasing a condominium or an apartment where living spaces are made compact and easy to furnish. However, there are some people who love the great outdoors and do not mind spending a little more on a home with a nice lawn that they can spruce up with designer garden furniture. It might cost a fair bit to upkeep your garden but it is very much worth it. Not only will you enjoy lounging in your designer garden chair by the swimming pool, designer garden furniture is a good addition that will raise the value of your property when and if you choose to sell your home in the future.

Granted, designer garden furniture does not come cheap and might even burn a hole in your wallet if you went on a buying spree, but if you think about it, designer garden furniture will enhance your lifestyle greatly. In any case, you may apply for a quick personal loan before you browse the tempting cornucopia of designer garden furniture.

When selecting designer garden furniture, you may consider purchasing furniture made from stone or concrete. Although it lasts quite a long time and does not require much maintenance, you have to think if your desired stone designer garden furniture fits the look and feel of your lawn. If you love basking in the sun in your modern and vogue garden, then stone designer garden furniture is definitely for you. Otherwise, do select wooden designer garden furniture so that it gives a classic and earthy feel to your garden.

A must-have in any lawn is a patio set. Patio sets are great because it allows you and your guests to socialize outdoors while enjoying the unbridled beauty of nature. Some patio sets even come with covered canopies that can be both permanent or be dismantled whenever the need arises. This lets you enjoy a cup of tea outdoors even when the sun is shining at its hottest. As an alternative to formal dinners, casual meals can also be eaten outdoors under the moonlight when seated at your designer patio set. And whether it is made of wood or rattan, you should choose a patio set that can withstand the harsh weather. Just remember to clean it periodically. Visit a DIY store and get yourself some soft brushes and wood cleaning solutions. Don’t forget to install a pressure washer so that you can rinse off stains found upon your designer garden furniture. If consistent steps are taken to care for your designer garden furniture, it can last you for generations to come!

Flower colours and aromatherapy

Everyone knows about the mental and physical benefits of gardening, but did you know that bringing Ontario fresh flowers into your home can also give you a boost? Research shows that your health and well-being can be improved with the addition of cut flowers to your home or office. There are two important factors that make decorating with flowers a good idea for you and your surroundings.

Aromatherapy
The science surrounding aromatherapy is well established, and products to fragrance your home dominate home décor stores. While many do the job of capturing scents that relax or invigorate, these chemical-laden substitutes don't hold a candle to the real thing – fresh flowers. Naturally fragrant flowers in your home capture the qualities of gardens and bring them indoors. Using lilies, lavender, or lilacs will gently perfume your home, with no artificial additives, and improve your overall mood!

Colour-therapy
Every time you begin home renovation projects and are assessing colour possibilities, the experts are full of information about the best colours to use for each room or personality type – and the same can apply to decorating with flowers! Each colour has an associated mood or benefit that affects people that come into contact with it. Follow our quick reference guide for flower decorating tips that maximize the potential of your Ontario fresh flowers.

Red: Increases appetite and energizes – perfect for dining rooms and dinner parties.

Pink: Promotes happiness and youthfulness – use in children's bedrooms.

Orange: Stimulates creativity – home offices and work spaces are a great choice.

Yellow: Cheerful – use as a hostess gift to bring sunshine to friends and loved ones.

Green: Relieves stress and anxiety – great as a guest bedroom accent colour.

Blue: The colour of calm communication – use in a den or sitting room.

Purple: Aids in healthy recovery – particularly good choice for ill loved ones.

White: Simplicity and clarity – works well in small spaces, like bathrooms and hallways.

About Ontario Flowers

The Ontario Flowers brand represents rigorous quality and freshness standards for fresh flowers grown in Ontario, with a customer satisfaction guarantee. Visit our website at www.OntarioFlowers.com for great information about bringing fresh cut flowers into your home. Sign up for our E-newsletter for information delivered to your desktop or browse our information archive of flower arranging tips, flower care tips, and information about the flowers available in Ontario.

Get the Most out of Your Fresh Flowers

There are few people that don't enjoy a gift of fresh flowers or the joy of arranging fresh flowers they have purchased for their home, but not many enjoy the inevitable – fresh flowers have a shelf life and won't last forever. Each flower variety has a different life expectancy once cut, and will have a window of time in which it will look its best. It can be sad to gather up a not-quite-fresh arrangement and head to the garbage can – so don't! Before your flowers wilt, try some of these easy projects, then replenish you home with more Ontario fresh flowers!

Dried Flowers
Once a practice reserved for the first bunch of roses given at the start of a budding romance, drying flowers is a great way to preserve the unique beauty of flowers. Dried flowers, roses and lavender in particular, lend themselves well to scented sachets for linen closets and winter-clothing trunks, as well as an additive to purchased pot pourri. Dried flowers can also be added to your holiday decorating; with a great wreath base you can switch the flowers seasonally for each occasion!

Pressed Flowers
An offshoot of the dried flower technique is the pressed flower. Usually done between the pages of heavy books, flower pressing is extremely easy and produces the flat effect required in many craft projects. Adding a pressed flower to home-made note cards is a special touch that is sure to be appreciated; when framed, they're a perfect home décor accent.

Edible Flowers
Depending on the flower variety, your favourite blooms can be used in a variety of gastronomic delights. Pansies and violets, in particular, stand up well to being preserved with sugar and added as decoration to cakes and tarts, while roses are often blended into batters for added flavour and texture. Add gardenia or gladiolus petals as a garnish for your summer salads for a light taste and extra visual interest.

Important Facts About Planting And Transplanting Trees

Trees look great in even the smallest of gardens. Although you may consider them expensive trees often live longer than you and your child, that is, of course, if you look after them correctly. There are a few very important things to remember when transplanting, or planting, trees in your garden and it is crucial that you do, otherwise you may end up losing them. You will find some of the most important points below.

One thing that can make a massive difference when planting or transplanting trees is how you protect the roots. As well as the larger roots being important for holding the tree in place the finer, fibrous, roots are those that extract all of the water and nutrients, that trees need, from the surrounding soil. Obviously you will need to minimize, or avoid completely, any damage to the roots.

One thing that is, surprisingly, often overlooked by gardeners is the size which a chosen tree can frow to when it reaches maturity. There are a great many different species of trees and most have different heights and spreads when fully mature. Even if a tree looks perfect in the nursery catalog you should always find out how big it can grow and ensure that it will always be a reasonable size for your garden.

Science is great, especially for the gardener, and today it is possible to buy any number of products to help us when planting and transplanting trees. Possibly the two most important, an incredible, are those products designed to reduce leaf drop and/or wilt. The other is the amazing formulae that are usually available in gel or powder form that are designed to help the trees roots grow quickly.

When buying trees it is very important that you inspect the roots to ensure that they are free from disease and are healthy. Always try to get one with a large root ball. By using the products mentioned above you can vastly improve the chances of your tree surviving by minimizing the amount of fluid loss (wilt-proof spray) and ensuring that the roots become established quickly (rooting hormone) and thus able to extract vital moisture and nutrients as early as possible.

However, before you start planting/transplanting your tree you should ensure that you have plenty of fresh water to hand. Tap water is fine but you should leave it to stand for a minimum of a few hours to ensure that any chlorine has evaporated. If you can start to collect rainwater well in advance of planting/transplanting trees as natural rainwater is always the best. Check and double check you have everything to hand so that you can get your tree into the ground as quickly as possible.

Only now can you really get started. Planting and transplanting trees is pretty easy. Simply dig a hole in the ground where you want it to go and make sure that there is a gap of around 1 foot around the root ball. Loosen the soil at the bottom as much as you can and mix in some compost, peat or quality loam. If you really must add manure only use a very small amount and mix it in well, better still mix in a small amount of bone meal (rotting material can burn the roots).

Pour a large amount of water into the hole and allow it to drain away so that there are no puddles. Put the tree into the hole and fill to about two thirds of the way with soil which should be firmed slightly and flooded. When it has drained fill the rest of the hole making sure that there are no air pockets and that's you done. All your hard work will be rewarded when, in a couple of weeks, your trees begin to grow vigorously.

Planting Anemone

Anemone is also called wind flowers, these popular perennial herbs of the Buttercup family vary widely in form, color and size. All require partial shade and rich, sandy loam. Propagation is by root division in early spring or by seed sown very shallow in a finely raked bed during fall or early spring.

The showy horticultural forms are divided into three types: the early spring group, the bulbous group of spring and early summer, and the tall Oriental forms of late summer and fall.

The Early Spring Group: Anemone blanda, the bulbous Greek windflower, grows about four inches high with finely cut leaves and blue, pink or white daisy like flowers.They bloom in early spring and are excellent subjects for the rock garden or locations in light deciduous shade. Foliage disappears in early summer. Plant them in large coloniesnear other small spring bulbs like scilla and chionodoxa. Anemone Pulsatilla, the true pasque flower of Eurasia, has very silky hairs3/4 to one inch long. Its flowers are blue to red purple, 11/2 to 21/2 inches across and bloom in early April. Many cultivars and varieties are known, including the white A. P. cv. 'Alba'.This pulsatilla group thrives best in well-drained soil, or stony places in some shade.

The Bulbous Group: The bulbous group of anemones blooms almost whenever desired, depending on the culture and the time the corms are planted. In sections where it is too cold in winter, corms should be cured or ripened after the flowering period by being lifted from the ground to dry and store. If left in the ground to cure they must be protected against excess moisture; the corms can-not stand frost. The corms are of unusual structure, some resembling a three-cornered horn. Florists use this group extensively in-doors for late winter and early spring blooms. Home gardeners can easily force these anemones into winter bloom. When the corms are received, soak them overnight in room-temperature water, then plant them one inch deep and two inches apart in a good sandy loam in a bulb pan. Planting is done in September or October. Place the pan in a dark place that never gets warmer than 55°F. (12.78°C.) until growth starts. Then move the plants to a cool, bright window and begin to water freely, feeding every two weeks with diluted fish emulsion or weak compost tea.

A. coronaria, the poppy-flowered anemone, has large flowers in red, white an dindigo. Popular controlled varieties with single blooms include DeCaen, St. Brigid and Victoria Giant. Many double forms are also to be had in a variety of colors, although the scarlet ones are predominant. One cultivar known as Anemone coronaria cv. `Chrysanthemiflora' is a seedling produced in 1848, looking much like a full chrysanthemum; Anemone x fulgens, the scarlet windflower, resembles a scarlet daisy having a black center. It can be forced like A. coronaria.

The Tall Oriental Forms: The tall anemones of late summer and fall are the Oriental forms Anemone hupehensis (Japanese anemone) and Anemone vitifolia, the grape-leaved windflower from China and India, which is somewhat hardier than A. hupehensis. These are two to four feet tall with long, slender, flexible stems bearing white and rose purple to carmine flowers two to three inches across. These are excellent to use in a hardy border or colony in a partially shaded place. They bloom from late summer to frost. There are beautiful cultivars of the group, particularly in the white color from the cultivar Alba;Whirlwind is a beautiful, semi double white. September Charm is a good semi double pink, and Alice is rose carmine.

3 Simple Tips For Buying the Best Garden Hose

For anyone who is planning on having a garden, the importance of having a good quality garden hose to water shrubs and plants is well known. But, if this is your first time buying a garden hose there are a few things you need to know to get the best possible product for your money.

A garden hose may look very simple, but there is actually quite a bit of work required to manufacture a quality one. So what exactly should you look for when you buy a new hose?

Consider the length that you need

The first requirement of the garden hose you purchase should be the length. Hoses come in a variety of lengths and many times people overlook the importance of measuring the distance they will need to cover from the water spout to the farthest point in their garden. Choosing one that is less expensive, but does not give you the ability to water the entire area comfortably is not a bargain at all. It is much better to purchase one that is longer than you need than one that is shorter.

Think in terms of durability

The construction of a garden hose will determine its durability in use. If you purchase one that is well constructed, it can give you many years of service without problems. As you go through the selection process you should look at those which are made with brass connectors. These will never rust or rot, give you the highest level of leak control and are sturdy enough to be used every day. Garden hoses with good burst strength can be made of six-ply rubber which are good, but eight-ply rubber hoses are ideal.

Another important feature that is always nice to have in a hose are 6 inch kink guards. Just as the name implies, a kink guard prevents your hose from becoming tangled or "kinking" when it's pulled from the water spigot.

Quality materials

Because this is an item that you will use on a regular basis you will want it to last for many years. It makes sense to spend a little extra money to ensure that you get a good quality product. Although the price depends on where and when you purchase, generally you can expect to spend about $35 for 50 foot hoses that are usable for approximately seven years.

The problem with cheap garden hoses is that they are poorly constructed; they constantly leak, kink up or cause other problems. This makes your gardening tasks more tedious than necessary and more than likely you will find yourself at the store buying another one next year.

Once you have selected one that you want to purchase you should also consider how you will store it when it's not in use. A garden hose reel is an ideal way to keep the hose in perfect working order when you need to use it and conveniently stored out of the way when the work is done.

Remember these tips when you need to buy your next hose. They can save you some money as well as a lot of frustration around your home.

Bougainvillea Bonsai

Everyone wants their living space to be graceful. One of the many ways to do it is growing an indoor Bonsai tree. Bonsai Tree helps a person to bring nature's beauty into his home. There is a variety of bonsai trees available. Bougainvillea bonsai is one of the most grown bonsai trees. It is a popular houseplant, which can grow as much as four meters. It has bright magenta blossoms among lush green leaves. The bougainvillea prefers warm and dry conditions, that makes it appropriate for homes and offices. It is easily available in nurseries or getting it from bonsai growers isn't a bad option either. But a better source is from old gardens and from trash piles.

Different species of bougainvillea are used as bonsai. Some of them are

1. Golden Glow - It has dark yellowish bracts that can fade.
2. Louis Wathen - It is full of orange bracts.
3. Orange King.
4. Mrs. Butt - It has beautiful crimson bracts.
5. Paper Flower - It is the most widely and commonly used species. It has hairy leaves with magenta coloured bracts.
6. Snow White - It is rich in white bracts.
7. Magnifica - It has lovely rose pink bracts.

Many factors like watering, lighting, temperature and feeding are of much importance for the bougainvillea bonsai. As far as watering is concerned, the bougainvillea bonsai mostly likes it dry and has to be watered sparingly. However, during its blossoming, the bonsai requires more amount of water. Bonsai likes to be in full sunlight but never let the sun burn the leaves of the plant. In colder climates bougainvillea becomes deciduous. This bonsai should be kept at a temperature of 49F to 54F. The pests should also be kept in mind while growing bonsai. In this case, pests are rare but still why take a chance? Greenflies and whiteflies can be removed easily with some insecticide.

The feeding for bonsai may range from a week to two weeks. Don't just go on feeding the plant unless it needs it. Bonsai can be pruned at any time of the year. When the plant is young, new growth must be cut every month for a healthy plant. If you find your bonsai being a bit big, this is the right time to cut down the branches. The colours found are pink, red, yellow, purple, lavender, orange, and white. The double forms carry the blooms near the end of stems, rather than being evenly distributed.

Bonsai is basically a tree that is grown and shaped in a particular way. There are other species as well that are used in bonsai trees. Like the Fir tree and the cedar are used to create a bonsai design. Some of these species grow taller and larger than a normal bonsai. But they still resemble the traditional bonsai trees. But, like any other plant, the proper care of it is very important so that it remains healthy and look its best.