Category Archives: Gardening

Caring For Bonsai Juniper

Posted on by
Reply

When you first get started in the world of Bonsai, you will probably feel a bit overwhelmed with the choices you have. Literally, hundreds of different trees are available that make excellent choices for Bonsai, all of them good options.

To help you through the process of choosing the right tree for your Bonsai, we have gathered information on the top choices. Now keep in mind that you can obviously choose whatever you like but the following trees have been proven time after time to be perfect for Bonsai. They have the characteristics needed, are trainable, beautiful, and hardy. Therefore, if you are just getting started, you might at least consider one or more of these recommendations.

This particular conifer is hardy but produces no flowers. However, they are easy to grown, prune, and train, making them a good choice for Bonsai. Because Juniper is responsive, many beginner Bonsai growers will be encouraged with this choice.

Generally, Juniper has long branches that can be trained into amazing styles, with the exception of the Broom. They do well with wiring and reshaping although some cultivars are stiff and more difficult to work with. Additionally, Juniper is very hardy and can be grown indoors or outdoors.

Permanent link to this post (205 words, estimated 49 secs reading time)

How to Store Animal Manure

Posted on by
Reply

It is not a good idea to put fresh animal manure straight onto your land without first letting it rot down.

The rotting down of the manure helps to stabilise the nitrogen and potassium it contains and should also help to reduce any chemical residues and to a certain extent will kill of some weed seeds with the heat that is produced in the rotting down process.

It is a good idea to compost small quantities of fresh manure through the compost heap because it will act as an activator, which is always good.

In the main, there are two types of manure heaps:
Cattle are brought into a big yard in the fall and bedded down with straw daily. These beds build up over the winter and come spring when the animals are turned out the yard will be clean out, with the muck being spread on the land.

It is this muck from the spring clean out that is the best because it is well rotten down and full of plant goodies. Get hold of some of this and dig it in right away.

Horse manure is made in another way because horses will get foot troubles if they are kept on deep beds of manure as cattle are. The horses are normally kept in a stable and any dung is removed on a daily basis and heaped up.

After a month or so, the heap will have reduced in size and the manure should be rotted and ready to be dug into your beds.

Permanent link to this post (258 words, estimated 1:02 mins reading time)

Planting Companions for Your Tomatoes

Posted on by
Reply

There’s a classic book called Carrots love Tomatoes that was written by a North American woman, Louise Riotte, nearly four decades ago.

Considered by many to be the “bible” of companion planting, it was first published in 1975, and is still on the bookstore bookshelves years after her death in 1998. But in those days the idea of growing particular plants together for mutual benefit was something most backyard gardeners either rejected or failed to consider.

Today, with the ever- growing trend of things organic, and an increasing awareness of the need for sustainability, home gardeners – and many commercial gardeners for that matter – are practicing companion planting, along with crop rotation, green manuring and other natural pursuits.

Why Tomatoes Need Companions

While the companions favoured by different plants vary, the reasons for companion planting are essentially (within broad parameters) the same for all of them. While not all companions fulfill the same function, broadly speaking certain companion plants will:

attract bad bugs

attract good, beneficial bugs

assist pollination

feed and nourish the soil

provide shade

provide support

The end result is that by planting good, suitable companions for the vegetables and other plants you are growing, you will that you are able to minimise the pests in your veggie garden and produce beautifully healthy, organic crops for the table.

Permanent link to this post (222 words, estimated 53 secs reading time)

Landscaping With Wildflowers, Native Plants and Trees

Posted on by
Reply

Landscaping with native plants or naturescaping is an effective way of maintaining ecological balance. It helps us to live in harmony with the nature and wildlife. With the countless number of wild plants and trees available in the country, it becomes easier to grow them in the home gardens.

Native plants are the ones that are naturally found in an area. They can be wild plants, wildflowers, shrubs or trees that occur naturally in the area. These plants can survive even in harsh conditions and they have adapted well to the environment. Their adaptability makes them an ideal garden plant as they need less care and maintenance as compared to the other species.

Growing native plants and trees have many benefits that can potentially motivate any gardener to plant them in their gardens. They are possibly the best option for landscaping a garden and they can transform it completely. The growing pattern, natural beauty and spontaneity of these plants make them very appealing. The fact that these plants and trees need less maintenance means that you can save a lot of energy that gets utilized for irrigation, spraying chemicals, fertilization, etc.

Native plants are generally drought and disease resistant which means that they are less susceptible to pests, insects and diseases. They also attract wildlife in the form of native birds, butterflies, dragonflies, bees, squirrels, etc. By growing native plants you would end up saving money, energy and water. Gardens adorned with wildflowers and plants are admired by everyone as they look naturally stunning. So, if you are planning to create a ‘picture-perfect garden’ you should go in for the native plants.

Permanent link to this post (273 words, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)