Gardening by Phil Edwards

Creating a beautiful outdoor living space can be one way to add usable space to your home. Although, depending on the climate where you live, this outdoor space may not be usable year round, many homeowners find they get a great deal more use out of their backyard by incorporating a few gardening and outdoor beautification tips. Everything from gardening and landscaping to adding water features and installing a deck can contribute to an outdoor space which creates a virtual oasis for the homeowners. When the outdoor space is more aesthetically appealing and versatile the homeowners are much more likely to use this space frequently.

Building or installing a water feature can also make an outdoor living space more appealing. Whether you opt for an elaborate waterfall with a sizable pond or a small tabletop fountain you can enjoy the soothing benefits of the sound of water as well as the visual appeal of these elements. More complex waterfalls may be difficult to install but most commercially available systems come with adequate instructions making it feasible for the average homeowner to complete this project without the outside assistance of a contractor. The sound of a waterfall can be very relaxing and many homeowners enjoy going outside to just sit and listen to their water feature after a long day at work.

Landscaping is one of the most commonly known ways to improve the overall appearance of an outdoor living area. A well maintained lawn is one of the most basic elements of an appealing yard. Keeping the grass looking well involves frequent watering including enough water to really soak the roots, weeding regularly, applying fertilizer and aerating the lawn a few times a year. These practices will keep the lawn looking healthy and vibrant. In addition to maintaining the lawns, homeowners can also plant trees. Trees can serve the purpose of creating an appealing yard with ample shade and privacy. Fruit trees are especially popular because they also yield succulent fruit annually. The use of flowers can also brighten up both front and back yards. Colorful flowers such as pansies, tulips and roses are commonly placed in front yards to create curb appeal but these same colorful elements can be used in backyards for the enjoyment of the homeowners. An outdoor space which is well maintained and colorful will be used more often than those which are not as attractive.

Finally, a deck installation can greatly improve the appeal and usability of an outdoor space. There are many options available for homeowners who wish to include deck space for eating or entertaining. The simplest forms of decks involve the use of paving stones. These decks involve leveling the ground under the deck space and arranging the stones in the desired panel. Paving stones can include a variety of shapes including square, rectangular, octagonal and even irregular shapes. Other options for a deck include a wooden structure which is built either directly on the ground or elevated depending on the setup of the home and the location of the deck. Building a deck can be a time consuming project and is often best left to professionals especially if the homeowners are not confident in their abilities to design and build a structure which will be safe as well as attractive.

About the Author

Phil Edwards is a writer and gardener and author of Gardening Web and DIY Doors

The gardening craze: the popularity of tilling the earth blooms among blacks

Ebony, August, 2005 by Lynette R. Holloway
NOT too long ago, Gwendolyn R. Richardson had to work hard to find compatriots who enjoy gardening as much as she does. She was usually alone as she selected flowers such as blue delphiniums, Asiatic lilies and white Shasta daisies to plant in the garden of her home in suburban Atlanta. Most of her friends were reluctant to dig in the earth and get their hands dirty.
Today she is not alone. Many of those reluctant friends have joined the ranks of gardeners, seeking her advice and accompanying her to nurseries. The dramatic about-face comes at a time when legions of African-Americans from Los Angeles to Chicago to Atlanta to Washington, D.C., are engaging in gardening. (Georgia in particular is a hotbed of gardening activity for African-American homeowners, in part, because of its widening Black middle-class and warm temperatures.)
Some housing experts and homeowners attribute the increased interest in gardening by African-Americans to a burgeoning Black middle-class, which has more leisure time and money to spend on hobbies. They also point influence of home repair, renovation, and gardening television shows, which have helped to spark consumer interest. The pastime appeals to both sexes, young and old, with many saying that gardening is a great way to relax and escape professional and family problems.
As a result of these varying influences, city dwellers are demonstrating that space limitations do not preclude them from planting, pruning and weeding makeshift gardens perched on rooftops, patios, and alongside windowsills and balconies, bringing a touch of color and life to otherwise dreary streetscapes. In cities like Chicago, community gardens bloom in once-neglected neighborhood yards and vacant lots.
Residents in rural areas and in the suburbs are also showing off their gardening skills, maintaining neatly manicured lawns, highlighted by dazzling perennial flowers like hydrangeas and peonies, and colorful annuals like begonias and geraniums, depending on where they live.
"Now everyone is interested in gardening and asking my advice," says Richardson, 52, a married mother of two who tends to her own sprawling garden surrounding her home in Norcross, Ga. Richardson, a gardener for about 25 years, even designed parts of her garden in the front and back yards and around her pool.
"I aim for a more asymmetrical look in my beds in the back[yard] because it's more of a freestyle for me," Richardson says. "Mixed borders appeal to me because my goal is to have a continuous flow of color. To achieve that, you have to mix perennials and annuals."
Stephanie V. Gowdy, an interior designer who tends to her garden outside her European duplex-style home in Alpharetta, Ga., says that more African-Americans are becoming part of the gardening craze as they become homeowners. "More African-Americans are purchasing homes and realizing that the grounds do not take care of themselves," says Gowdy, who is engaged and has two adult children. "It's a big job and a lot of people are taking to it."
Gowdy should know. She has worked as an interior designer for 17 years and says that interior design and landscape design go hand-in-hand, though most experts specialize in one or the other. Gowdy has worked as an interior designer in homes that include those of celebrities such as Ray Buchanan of the Oakland Raiders and Terrance Mathis, formerly of the Atlanta Falcons, she says.
For Kwanza Hall, 34, who lives in Atlanta's Martin Luther King Historic District with his wife and son, gardening is an opportunity for him to reflect on his childhood, when he learned the basics of maintaining flower and vegetable gardens from his parents and grandparents in Montgomery, Ala., and Chicago.
"My great-grandmother was a student of George Washington Carver," says Hall. "So the interest was passed on to me. I was trying to cross-pollinate flowers when I was 12 years old. Still I didn't really get back into it until I became a homeowner. When I lived in an apartment, I just had one indoor plant."
Chicago is also a popular gardening city. Known for its harsh winters, it is also known for its sultry summers, when gardening enthusiasts trade in their winter gear for gardening gear. Cora Williams, 63, a retired senior caregiver, is one of them, and she has been gardening for about 10 years. When she started, her block, a mixture of houses and apartment buildings, was in desperate need of flowers, she recalls. Yards were neglected and vacant lots were littered with construction debris and old mattresses. Now flowers and vegetables bloom in once-neglected yards and lots, says Williams, a member of the community gardening club, Austin Green Team, whose motto is "We build communities garden by garden."
Williams says she has encouraged neighbors to build their gardens by providing them with seeds, sharing gardening tools, and teaching residents the basics of planting. At home, Williams, who enjoys the relaxation of gardening, has planted her favorite flowers, marigolds and petunias, and some vegetables. "I consider it my therapy," she says of gardening. "In the garden, you can meditate. Digging into God's good earth relaxes you and helps you to get rid of a lot of stress."
COPYRIGHT 2005 Johnson Publishing Co.COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

Guide To Growing Annuals

Annuals are beautiful flowers that grace almost every garden. Depending on your zone, they will last only the season and die off in winter. Sometimes called bedding plants they are relatively inexpensive and loved for their bright flowers which bloom all summer.
Annuals start and end their life cycle in one growing season. Typically, you would purchase them in spring and plant them after threat of frost has passed (although some hardy varieties may survive a frost). Some popular annuals include pansies, impatiens, petunias, marigolds and begonias.
You can buy annuals for your garden and most garden centers and even the big home centers like Lowes and Home Depot. Annuals are sold in different packages - some come in large pots but many come in tiny little individual packages like an ice cube tray with about 6 plants per pack. You can buy as many packs as you need to fill in your area, but be sure to read the instructions on the tag as to how far apart to plant so you know how many to get.
Planting them depends on the particular variety that you have but most annuals like a sunny spot with well drained soil. Annuals need warm soil and stable temperatures so you want to wait until it is well into spring and you know the ground is warmed up and it won't be getting too cold.
One good way to figure out where you want to place the plants is to place them in different spots and configurations while still in their containers. Once you have found the perfect arrangement, you're ready to plant!
It's a good idea to moisten the soil before you start planting. Then dig the holes deep enough so that the base of the plant stem will be even with the top of the dirt (all the roots will be under the ground just like when it was in the pot). Carefully remove the annual from it's original container, shake some of the dirt loose from the roots and place in the hole. Then put the dirt back around the plant, pat gently and water thoroughly. You might want to add some organic mulch and liquid fertilizer.
As your annuals begin growing and producing flowers you'll want to be sure to water them every day - not too much though, just enough to soak the ground. Also, get a good fertilizer specifically for flowers and use it as directed. Inspect your flowers for pests or disease and remove dead flowers, leaves and branches regularly. This will prevent fungi from growing which can hurt your plants. Look for signs of wilting and yellowed leaves and adjust your care accordingly.
Planting annuals in your garden can give you variety of plants and color year after year. It will allow you to experiment with different plants until you find the combination perfect for your garden.
About the Author
Lee Dobbins writes for http://backyard-garden-and-patio.com where you can get more articles on annuals and gardening.

Why I Decided To Plan My Next Years Garden Last Fall

by Robin Reckard

Every year spring comes and I get so excited to get outside and plant my garden. I can just taste those fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and all the other wonderful produce that I will grow this summer.

I stop at all the seed displays and see if there is anything new that I want to try and grow this year and take pleasure in my anticipation to dig in the dirt.

I watch the weather and am careful not to plant to soon, I don't want my plants caught in a late spring freeze of course. Then the time comes when I just can't stand it any longer I head to the nursery to buy my plants. I of course get way too many of everything and then I patiently haul them outside every morning to get some sun and then bring them in each night until the big day arrives.

I get my garden area all rototilled and ready and invest in some plant food to help my little darlings along after I get them planted. I've got my stakes and string ready to make neat little rows of carrots and radishes. I've got my wire cages ready to place over my tomatoes plants and am just itching to get started.

Finally the day has arrived and I can plant my garden. I start out the morning with enthusiasm and get everything planted just so. It is a little more crowded than I would like because I seem to always try to fit too many plants and seeds into the area, but I tell myself it will all be worth it.

All through June and July I lovingly cultivate my plants, weeding and watering with a vengeance. August comes and we are thoroughly enjoying all our fresh vegetables. But by then it is getting a little hot out and weeding isn't quite as fun anymore. Toward the middle of August I have vegetables coming out my ears and it is time to can and freeze all this freshness for winter.

I start out with salsa and then move on to tomatoes and pickles. Then of course I need to get those strawberrys in the freezer. And I don't want the corn to get too mature before I get it into the freezer. After a week or two my kitchen is a wreck and I am tired of spending the last of my summer days inside. If I never see another tomato or ear of corn I will be extremely happy. Between getting ready for the new school year and freezing and canning all my great produce I am thoroughly exhausted. Plus it seems like with this heat watering my garden, let alone the lawn is a never ending chore.

But of course we don't want anything to go to waste so I head down to get more canning supplies and keep at it. When it is all said and done I have way too much for my family to use so of course I give it away. You don't want those vegetables to go to waste you know.

By this time I look out and my peaches and apples seem just right for picking and the process starts over with them. While I am working on my fruit of course the garden is still producing and even though I quit canning and freezing from there I can't let it go to waste so I make sure every morning and night I pick what is ripe and give it away to those that will surely appreciate it. Because by this time the thought of eating anything out of the garden is not very appealing, neither is cooking in my kitchen that has become a canning disaster area.

Then the next big day that I can't seem to wait for, the big freeze. Finally my gardening job has ended. All I have to do now is get everything in the compost pile, re-rototill, and fertilize.

As I look at my kitchen and see all the fruits, vegetables, pickles, and jellies ready for winter I am proud, but really really tired. I vow next year I will not take on so much. Last year I went ahead and planned my garden in October and made specific counts of just how much I was going to plant. I made counts of just how much I had frozen and canned to see just how much we would use in the coming year. I made little footnotes of my thoughts on the subject as well.

Well spring is approaching, well kind of there is still snow on the ground, and I got out my garden plan and looked at all the produce my family still hasn't eaten and thought about how much of it I had given away this winter already and thought maybe I should follow this new garden plan as I started to unfold all my notes. I vaguely remember thinking Pace salsa is almost as good as my own, and who really can tell if the canned tomatoes came from the garden or not after they have been cooked.

I don't know if I will be able to stick to this streamlined plan when my green thumb starts itching to grow things but I keep telling myself if we run out of salsa, jelly, corn, or tomatoes it won't be the end of the world. They are readily available at the grocery store and in the long run may cost less than me putting them up myself. I was totally convinced in October, kind of convinced now, but I am wondering come May if I will be able to stick to it.

I have a feeling when the grass starts turning green, and the tulips show their colors all my best laid plans for a more relaxing late summer are going to go by the wayside. Oh well, I guess their could be worse addictions. I wonder is there such a thing as a 12 step program for those addicted to gardening in excess?

About the Author

Robin Reckard, co-founder of Jorbins.com Lifestyle Magazine, keeps busy producing, writing, and editing for the magazine as well as raising and enjoying her six year old daughter.

Visit Jorbins Gardening and Landscaping and Gardening Discussions

Chinese Plants

Chinese people value trees and flowers as much as westerners do.Plum flowers are fragrant and beautiful. They were once the national flower. On the RMB50 cents coins you can see plum flowers on the side.

Chrysanthemum flowers symbolizes a strong life. It is good to give old people chrysanthemum flowers because it means strong life. However, only red ones would be good because white and light yellow ones are used only at funerals. Lovers do not give chrysanthemum to their loved ones. Narcissus, lotus flowers and orchid are flowers which represent high virtues and elegance.Orchid blossoms in spring and it brings an air of high class respectfulness.Narcissus blossoms in winter. White flowers of five ledals and yellow stamen grow in pure water. It represents a sense of purity.Lotus flowers grow in pond water. Its roots are edible. Its flowers blossom in summer and are either red or white. The seeds are also edible and are often used as medicine. Almost every part of a lotus plant is useful though it grows in muddy pond water. That is also why it is compared to people who manage to achieve successfully in life though come from a less prestige background. Azalae flowers represents elegance and wealth. You can find azalea on RMB1 coins.Peach flowers blossom in spring. It represents beautiful girls. In Chinese tradition at Chinese New Year, people who want to find love will usually buy a whole plant and put it home because this will bring them luck in finding love in the coming year. Pomegranate gives very beautiful flowers. Its fruit is sour but contains a lot of seeds inside. In Chinese tradition, people put this fruit on the bed of the newly weds so as to help the newly weds to make many babies. Maple trees in China represents old people who don't admit that they are old because these trees blossoms in autumn which is near the end of a year.Lilac in China represents modesty, which is one of the virtues that Chinese people valueOther than the above, there are some flowers which have medicinal values. Plum flowers can cure heat, cough and diarrhea; chrysanthemum can cure cold; orchid can cure lung disease and coughs; lotus flowers can cure sunstroke, insomnia and blood vomiting; azalea can regulate female menstruation; narcissus and Chinese rose can remove bruises; laurel can remove bruises and dissolve phlegm.What about giving presents?When birthdays or opening a business, red Chinese rose or pomegranate flowers would be good because this represents prosperous future.For old people, plum flowers or tuberose would be appropriate.For patients, orchid, you can buy China pink bamboo.For moving houses, you can buy asparagus fern.For wedding, you can buy lily because in China it represents hundred years of love. Lily is also good for friends which means unity.However there are also plants which carry derogative meanings.Poplar flowers can be easily blown broken. It represents a woman who is not faithful.Broad-leave epiphyllum flowers are pretty but they open just for one night. It can be easily understood that they represent shortness.Duckweed floats on the surface of water. It has no roots and floats anywhere. Since the Chinese nation values family and its unity, things which do not have roots would be pitiful.Thistles and thorns bring people pain. They represent difficulties.Do you know more about what to bring to your Chinese friend next time? Maybe now you can be more confident when asking your Chinese lover out for a date.;-)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
This article was produced by Asia Dragon. Visit us at www.asiadragon.co.uk where you will find authentic Oriental furniture, including Indian furniture, Chinese furniture plus Oriental rugs, soft furnishings and home décor ideas. Our Asian furniture and home furnishings are available in both traditional & contemporary styles. We also feature calligraphy, Chinese art and ornaments, Chinese dresses, fashion accessories, and Japanese kimonos.

An Introduction to No-Dig Gardening

by Justin Brown

The idea of no-dig gardening was developed by an Australian named Esther Deans. It was originally both developed both as a labor saving idea, and a method to rejuvenate badly depleted soil in a vegetable garden.

The process involves starting with layers of newspaper, and by adding lucerne hay, straw and compost in succeeding layers, you can create a growing medium without resorting to heavy digging, and one that is rich in nutrients and which will simplify weeding and encourage your much desired plants to grow. The layers compost together, and greatly encourage earthworms. The gardens are maintained by adding manure, compost, etc., and should not be dug up, as this will undo the good work. I have used this approach to creating vegetable gardens, and it certainly does work.

The principle of not digging has sound foundations. Excessive cultivation of the soil, especially when very wet or very dry, will damage the structure of the soil, and lead to compaction. Such excessive cultivation can also discourage the earthworms, and they are the best free labor a gardener has.

Some followers of permaculture and organic gardening have translated no-dig into never-dig, which I believe is sadly mistaken. If you start with a base soil that is badly compacted, then your no-dig garden will initially work well, but you may find your garden does not continue to perform well. The fertile layer you have built up will encourage the earthworms, but we do know that the worms need to shelter from excessively hot, dry, cold or wet conditions. They have been found to seek shelter from extreme conditions by burrowing more deeply into the soil, sometime many feet down. If they cannot shelter in this way, it is my contention that they will die out or move out.

My belief is that an initial cultivation of the soil before you apply the no-dig system will guarantee a better environment for the worms, and thus a better garden for growing your plants, over the longer term.

By all means give the no-dig approach a try - you will be pleased with the result.

About the Author

To discover some great gardening tips visit http://www.gardeningtoolsandtips.info for information on topics such as container gardening.

http://www.bestguidetogardening.com/gardening/