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A tuberous-rooted begonia is a beautiful plant to grow. It has lovely double-flowers as well as textured foliage. They make excellent potted plants as well as bringing color to summer gardens.

In order to get the earliest flowers, you should start your tubers off by letting them sprout in a seed tray or in a box of damp potting soil in the months of February or March.

Space them approximately two inches apart, and do not bury them too deeply. The top side should just be covered by a surface layer of potting soil.

The begonias like to be put in a temperature of about 64 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they do not seem to mind higher temperatures.

After the tubers have sprouted and you can see small leaves, transfer the tubers to a five inch pot and cover them with compost. Since you will probably be using the begonias in an outdoor garden, begin getting your begonias acclimated to the temperature outdoors in stages.

This process should probably begin towards the end of May. After a week, if the threat of frost has passed, you may leave your begonia plants outside all night.

Begonias like a place that is moist and partially shaded. If they happen to be in the sun for most of the day, then you should water your begonias frequently in order to prevent bud drop.

As the plants continue to grow and buds begin to form, the begonias should be given a regular liquid feed every ten days or so. This will help to promote good growth as well as an abundance of flowers!

Hey there, new gardeners! This ones for all you kitchen garden enthusiasts that want to sow different varieties of indoor plants, both edible and the simply decorative ones too, whod like to know simple, practical and home-grown wisdom regarding a garden thats easy to maintain and provides for both body and soul nourishment.

While some people have all the luck and also large spaces to maintain kitchen gardens, others like those living in apartments, small spaces or those bereft of a backyard can still indulge in gardening as a hobby with making the best of growing potted vegetables, herbs, floral plants and indoor greens.

A good choice of flowering plants that do well even in limited areas of growth, like planter boxes and pots that have been prepped with potting soil are nasturtiums of the compact kinds such as Whirlybird and Copper Sunset.

Marigolds, Iceland poppies and smaller varieties of sunflowers are other options that are sure to happy up your indoor garden area. These are short, easy to care for and not likely to take over your walls like trailing plant varieties are prone to doing!

If choosing herbs for your indoor garden, even small tin-pot containers work well as long as you ensure the necessary sunlight (minimum 4 hours) and water nourishment is given them regularly; check a local nursery for pre-prepared soil-mixes as these contain the right balance of grub for indoor garden glories.

Do check for proper drainage (at the base) for your plant containers or punch holes if these are missing, so the excess moisture escapes and your plants get the necessary warmth too.

If planting herb seeds, try out an old home-gardeners trick of pre-soaking them a couple of hours before planting in pots filled with potting soil; cover with a quarter inch more of soil after randomly scattering the seeds over the base soil and rosemary and thyme are sure to see you through the season with welcome aroma!

A successful landscape is one that lasts a long time. But if you’re wondering what the secret is for a landscape’s longevity then the answer lies on the soil. If your soil is good, then you are almost always assured of growing healthy plants.

However, not every soil in the world is built for growing good plants. More often than not, there are several things you have to do first before you can even plant anything on particular plot of land. Here are some tips on how you can have a soil that is healthy and fertile.

1. Mix your soil with compost

- mixing your soil with compost makes it better in retaining air and water than ordinary soil can. Also, the compost introduces more nutrients to the soil which will help a lot in growing plants.

Creating compost can take a while, though. Active composting, wherein you take a systematic approach in creating compost, takes about a month.

Meanwhile, passive composting, the method where you let nature take its course in composting the organic materials, takes much longer.

2. Putting mulch on your soil

- mulch is any type of organic material that you put on top of your soil. It can range from cut grass to bark. Putting mulch on the soil can help the soil retain water better and
prevent it from eroding easily.

3. Take it easy on the fertilizer

- just because fertilizers help put nutrients on your soil doesn’t mean you have to overdo it. In fact, too much fertilizer can have adverse effects on your soil and the environment in general.

One of the most annoying things about spending time outdoors are the insects. You don’t want to have to stay inside so a good alternative is to use insect repellent. You should know right off the bat that not all of them are the same quality. It is worth it to spend more to get something that is really going to work. There is no insect repellent that will work for all of them though. Too many of them have built up an immunity to certain types of chemicals and they aren’t going to stay away.

You should be able to find a good insect repellent that contains high levels of DEET. This is important due to the many reported cases of West Nile from mosquitoes that have been confirmed in recent years. You also need to make sure it is applied every couple of hours when you are outdoors. Even children need to be wearing it. There are some types of sunscreen that also have insect repellent in them as well. You want to look for something waterproof so the sweat from the heat won’t remove it either.

Some people think they should only apply insect repellent when their skin is exposed. This isn’t the case though and many types of insects can bite right though the think layers of summer clothing. To give you the right level of protection you should also spray it on your clothing.

Not all types of insect repellent are for a person to put on though. You can combine many different types in order to have the best chances of getting rid of all of them. There are candles you can place outdoors that look and smell lovely. At the same time though they will be keeping insects away from you.

Some people still use those bug zappers with lights that attract them. This can be handy but they are also very annoying. The bright lights can be distracting and that zap sound each time one is in contact with it will become frustrating rapidly. There are plug in devices you can use if you have an area for it. They give off ultrasonic pulses that will also repel insects.

Landscaping is an activity that changes the environment. It does not matter how big or small the lawn is, landscaping can make it much more appealing for the homeowner and guests alike.

Because of the impact that changing the landscape can have on the surrounding area, careful planning should go into each project. Things that were not an issue prior to changing the landscape, such as water runoff, could crop up and create some nasty issues that must be dealt with.

Not all of the issues raised by landscaping are immediately obvious. There are some things that can be done to help minimize the impact on the environment and end up with an earth-friendly landscape.

Rain Barrel
Photo courtesy of Pengo

1. Use drought resistant plants

No matter the amount of rainfall in the season that plants are put in, with each new season, there is the threat of drought. Planning ahead and using plants that are tolerant of these conditions means less watering that will need to be done.

In times when water is plentiful, these plants will flourish. In the dry weather, they may become somewhat dormant. Choosing plants that do not demand large amounts of water will make maintaining the landscape an easier job no matter how much moisture the season brings.

2. Use organic fertilizers

Man made fertilizers can have a negative effect on the soil. This is especially true when used by homeowners since most homeowners tend to over apply them. These fertilizers block the amount of nutrients that plants can absorb from the soil.

Over-applying the fertilizers means that the ground may not hold all that is put down. This is when the chemicals are available to leach into the water tables. This is the underground water that flows all over. Wells can become contaminated, causing unsafe drinking water and health issues for anyone consuming it.

Man made fertilizers are also made of chemicals that are not necessarily healthy for humans. Exposure to these chemicals (most commonly bare skin) can cause health issues.

Organic fertilizers contain decomposed natural materials. There is no chemical basis for them. The only exposure issue is that the person applying the compost may get dirty, or not like the smell. The compost is full of ingredients that occur in and support nature. Ground water contamination is no longer a concern, neither is the drinking water from any wells in the area.

3. Use trees to support the landscape

Trees serve several purposes. Not only do they provide shady areas around your lawn, but they can also protect the house from the elements helping to reduce energy costs. Trees have extensive root systems which helps to hold the soil in place.

4. Divert rain water

During seasons when rain is scarce it becomes more obvious to everyone that conserving water is important. When designing your landscape, why not build in a way to divert rain water so that it can be used to support the plants or other parts of the landscape?

Finding ways to use rainwater can be as simple as installing the roll away sprinklers that attach to the bottom of the downspouts on the house. If the landscape includes a pool, the water can be diverted to help refill the water in the pool. Use a rain barrel to catch excess water from the roof and use it to water the plants when the weather is dry.

Thinking about your landscaping and the environment does not have to mean major changes to plans. There are many subtle differences that can have a major impact. The landscape designs of one small yard can help nature improve on the ability to support itself and the area around it.

Making Jam at Home
Photo courtesy of Baryonic Being

Buying a gift is always tough. Trying to find just the right thing for that special someone is more of a headache than something that most of us enjoy. It is usually such a difficult task that many people turn rude and nasty when they have to shop for gifts. Giving gifts from the garden can solve many of these issues.

For those of us that love to garden, the fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables and the delicious foods made from them are commonplace once the garden starts producing. There are many people that do not or can not garden. They do not get to enjoy the taste of fresh herbs or freshly grown fruits and vegetables.

Even buying from a vegetable stand does not satisfy that fresh from the garden desire because many of them have their merchandise imported from another state. The produce that they sell is picked before it is ready and left to ripen in cartons or on the shelves, just like produce from the stores.

Whether you enjoy canning, freezing, or freeze drying, the herbs, fruits and vegetables that you grow, it really does not matter. Making a gift to someone of something that is fresh or was made fresh from the garden is almost always a welcome and tasty treat for the receiver of the gift.

Freezing fruits and berries causes them to lose their texture. If they were put up to use for sauces, pies or jellies at a later time, this change in the texture does not really matter. Instead of being at the store, frustrated by trying to find the right gift, spend the time in the kitchen making these special items to give as gifts.

You can plan ahead and make the additional jams, jellies or sauces instead of freezing everything and waiting until another time. Once they have been canned, they are ready to go. All that is left is to pull something out and dress it up for that special someone.

Hand make a personal label or design a special label and print it out. Of course, each gift will need its own personalized label and the wrapping can be completed with a small piece of ribbon tied around it.

If you have a particular friend that enjoys Italian dishes, a great gift idea may simply be some seeds that you have collected from your garden. Collecting the remaining items that will allow them to grow their own indoor herb garden with herbs that they are likely to enjoy such as oregano, basil, and cilantro might easily rank among their favorite gifts.

For a friend that enjoys cooking or baking, fruits and vegetables fresh from the garden may be the gift that would please them the most.  There seem to be Dollar Stores all over these days. Pick up a couple of inexpensive, pretty bowls or baskets to have on hand for these fresh gifts. Again, a simple ribbon wrapped around the bottom of the basket or bowl with a bow at the top is wrapping enough to dress this up nicely.

Giving gifts from the garden is a way to give friends and family members a bit of yourself. It can be much more fun for you and they will likely enjoy it so much that they will be looking forward to your next freshly made, personalized gift.

Bamboo houseplant

Choosing indoor plants for your home or office is actually a matter of taste as much as any other criteria. There are any number of varieties to choose from. Caring for indoor plants can take methods that are a little different than their outdoor counterparts.

Although every type of plant needs sunlight, some need more than others. If the sunlight does not shine directly into the space selected, choose a type that does well in shade or that does not require direct sun.

Many plants that do not require direct sun still do better in a bright room or near a window that gets bright sun for several hours. They will often begin to tilt toward the sun or grow fuller on the side that faces the sun. Rotating indoor plants by turning the pot will help keep the entire plant growing at the same rate and in a straighter direction.

Some of the major factors to consider when choosing and caring for indoor plants include:

• moisture – different species require different moisture levels. Avoid over watering and under watering. Check the requirements for the particular plant and always check the soil by touching it before watering. No matter what the watering schedule, do not leave them in water saturated soil.
• soil mixture – Potting soil is a blend specifically for house plants.This is different than the soil around the home since it is formulated to provide the nutrients, support, drainage, and aeration that they require. Some plants do better when the roots can breathe even more. These should be potted in a mixture of soil and peat.
• temperature – Most house plants offered for sale are selected for their temperature range. The species that are most often offered for sale thrive between 60 °F to 80 °F. There are, however, specialty plants that require a certain temperature range to thrive.
• humidity – Ideally, the humidity should be around 80%. The typical home is usually kept at 20 to 60% humidity. Misting plants is one way to help raise the humidity around them although it is controversial as to whether it actually helps. Some plants, such as ivys make good plants for bathrooms. This is because they like the high humidity and are tolerant of low sunlight conditions.
• fertilizer – Potted plants that have been in the same soil for a year or more have probably used up all of the nutrients in the soil. To keep from having to re-pot them because of poor soil, fertilize them. The rule of thumb for fertilizers is to use 1 tablespoon to every gallon of water. Watch the plants closely after fertilizing to be sure that it is helping. Fertilizing can be done every few weeks to every few months. For best results, watch the plants reaction. Over fertilizing will burn them up, under fertilizing will not help their growth.

Clay pots with drainage holes are the best choice. This is because the clay will actually allow air to pass through to the soil. They do not seal in the moisture like plastic or glazed pots. This allows proper drainage and is healthier for the plant.

Caring for indoor plants means paying attention to how they are doing. Noticing when the soil is drying or the growth has slowed. It means paying attention to the amount of sun that reaches different spots in your home and experimenting with the placement when it is needed.

A white, double-flowered cultivar

Now that Fall is right around the corner, it is time to start thinking about planting for the Spring season. Many plants do better when they are planted in the Fall and allowed to settle in slowly over the Winter. Lilacs are one such plant. Lilacs are a beautiful, fragrant flower that does better in areas that get a Winter freeze. This and other lilac growing tips will help you grow beautiful lilac plants.

Lilacs are a flowering woody plant that is part of the olive family. They are native to the region from southeastern Europe to eastern Asia and are commonly cultivated in temperate climates elsewhere.

In the United States, these shrubs grow best in areas where winter freezes take place. In areas that do not experience the winter freeze, the lilac may fail to bloom.

Lilacs grow best in well-drained, slightly alkaline soils. They flower best if left unpruned. If they are pruned, the plant produces new growth with no flowers attempting to restore the removed branches.

Lilac bushes can be prone to powdery mildew disease. Powdery mildew is a fungus. It thrives in cool, humid climates and multiplies quickly in cloudy weather conditions. Powdery mildew can be found in all areas of the United States but usually is most severe in the east and southeast.

The best place to plant Lilacs is where they will receive about six hours of full sun. The best planting times for lilacs are in the Spring (late April or early May) and again in the Fall (late September or early October).

Spacing is important for lilacs. Be sure to place shrubs about ten feet apart since most of them grow into large bushes. Lilacs should be mulched to a depth of about three inches. Bark or wood chips work equally as well. Mulching will help conserve water, and also prevent trimmer and lawn mower damage.

Fertilize lilacs twice a year. Once in the early spring and again right after they have finished flowering. Once the lilac has finished blooming, it is time to prune the bush. Trim back the stems and remove any dead or dying limbs.

Lilacs are often considered to symbolize love. They are also strongly associated with Easter since it flowers around that time.

Lilacs are one of the few flowers that you can grow and enjoy the fragrance from across the yard. With their large clusters of small flowers, they are also among the best blooming plants.

With a little care and attention, a few simple lilac growing tips will be enough to help you grow healthy, beautiful lilacs.

Organic gardening is simply growing the garden with only things that are all natural. Why would anyone want to bother with organic gardening? Here are six good reasons to go organic.

1. Compost is easily made from garden and kitchen waste. Making your own compost is more time-consuming, and more work than buying pesticides and fertilizers from the store. The benefit is that composting helps to put garbage to good use, which in turn helps to save the environment.

2. Organic farming does away with chemicals that may have adverse effects on your health. This is especially important when growing a home vegetable garden. Chemical companies tell us that the chemicals we use are safe if used according to directions. The problem with the home farmer is that usually such a small amount of chemicals is needed for the home garden that it is difficult to measure properly. Most home gardens are over-treated with chemicals.

Even small amounts of some of these poisons absorbed through the skin can cause health issues such as cancer, especially in children. Since home gardeners do not take the same precautions as professionals, chances of exposure to these chemicals is much greater in the home market. With organic gardening, these incidents are much less.

3. Organic gardening is less harmful for the environment. Pesticides have often ended up being washed into our waterways. This can happen simply through leaching down through the ground into the natural underground springs. Wells have been polluted by pesticides. All of this causes health issues for people and death to the native fish while polluting their habitat.

4.Organic farming helps to prevent the loss of topsoil through erosion. It is estimated that 30 – 32 billion tons of soil erodes from United States farmlands every year. Erosion speeds up when the soil becomes depleted. Organic gardening concentrates on building up the soil…  getting it healthier.

5. Money savings. Organic methods rely on natural methods for fertilizing and pest control. Many of the recipes to control pests and plant diseases come straight from the kitchen. Many common items work well in the garden, saving the need to buy costly chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Another method that is useful in the garden is to grow other plants as companions to the main crop. A good example of this is marigolds. Growing marigolds in the garden, along with vegetables, helps to repel aphids from the vegetable plants.

A mixture of 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap and 1 cup of cooking oil makes a cheap garden pest spray. This mixture is the “concentrate”. Use 3 tablespoons of this concentrated mixture in 1 quart of water and spray on plants.

A simple mulch of pine needles will help to suppress the growth of weeds and act as a barrier, helping to keep the moisture in the ground.

6. Organic gardening practices help keep the environment safe for future generations. Building the soil up with the additional nutrients that are provided by the compost not only replenishes the ground, it also gives the garden soil the ability to pass the needed nutrients on to plants. Plants that are grown organically provide more nutrients than chemically treated plants.

There are many reasons to consider using organic methods, but these six good reasons to go organic are among the best. Composting is easy and as inexpensive as it gets, it is nearly free and the benefits that you get are much more far reaching than just the small garden in your yard.