Video - How to Keep Houseplants Healthy

This short video gives a couple of helpful tips for keeping your house plants healthy and your indoor garden green and growing so you can enjoy your beautiful plants throughout the winter and beyond. My tiny indoor garden is doing great this fall so far, except for the lemongrass, which I left outside for too long - apparently it doesn't care for frosty mornings. It's starting to green up again now though, and my Christmas cactus is covered with tiny buds, so I should get a good show this year!  The rosemary and parsley are growing like the dickens. Maybe I'll post a few pictures soon....

In the meantime, check this quick video for a couple of tips on keeping your houseplants healthy organically - without chemical fertilizers or other possibly harmful things you probably don't want in your house.

How to Keep House Plants Healthy & Alive : Keep House Plants Healthy
Get tips for maintaining a healthy house plant arediscussed in this free educational video series. Expert: Yolanda Vanveen Contact: www.vanveenbulbs.com Bio: Yolanda Vanveen is a sustainable gardener who lives in Kalama, Wash. Filmmaker: Daron Stetne...

Tips For Diagnosing your Sick Houseplant

Whether you've moved some of your garden indoors for the winter, or you have year-round houseplants, sometimes your plants won't necessarily be as healthy as you'd like. The signs of ill health will probably be easily noticeable. Your indoor plants are going to let you know if something isn’t right. The leaves may fall off, turn brown or yellow, or some other symptom will manifest itself.  The are various causes, some that can be rectified and others that cannot.  When you are trying to figure out what is wrong, start with the simplest solution as a starting point. 

(Photo credit: Sorbus sapiens)

The most common cause of a sick houseplant is watering, either too much or not enough. If the plant’s leaves are starting too look wilted or are drying up, check the soil and if it is dry add a good amount of water to wet the dirt and leave it moist once the water has run through.  If you have over watered a plant, make sure the drainage hole is not clogged and if you have a dish underneath that catches excess water, empty it out to make room for more water to drain out of the pot.

If the edges of the leaves are turning brown and are starting to look dried out it is from too much heat.  In this situation it is best to remove the plant from direct sunlight, or adjust the temperature inside the home if possible. If your plant is sitting near a heater vent, you will want to find a cooler location. These symptoms can also show up if there is not enough humidity in the house.  As a quick fix you can put a small dish of water near the plant and as it evaporates the plant will soak it up.

When a plant loses its leaves it could be because the roots were damaged from over watering, the plant is not getting enough water to support the amount of foliage, or it is too hot.  Assess the plant’s environment to begin nursing it back to health and giving it what it needs to get better.  If you need more information you can ask the experts at your local gardening center

Common Misconceptions About Composting

Composting can benefit your garden and the planet (when done on a large scale) in many ways.  But a lot of people may shy away from composting because of some common myths or misconceptions.  Below we list some of the most common myths, and expose the truth about them.

Myth: Composting is creating new dirt.
Truth: Actually composting is not dirt, soil, or earth but it is humus – decayed matter that provides nutrients to soil.

Composting Process (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Myth: It takes a lot of time and effort to compost. 
Truth: Once you have your compost bin set up you will only have to add new materials and turn or rotate the piles once in a while.

Myth: Having a compost is too smelly. 
Truth: If your compost bin has a bad odor, something is wrong.  You need to ensure there is enough air circulation and the right combination of green and brown materials, and then there shouldn't be any bad odor.

Myth: If I have a compost in my back yard, animals are going to come and dig through
it. 
Truth: If you have a cover for your compost bin and ensure a good layer of brown material (at least one inch) is on the top you should not have any animal control problems. (Or just get a tumbler or bin with a locking top.)

Myth: If I don’t measure the exact ratio of green to brown materials it will not work. 
Truth: Composting is not an exact science. If you add more green food one week and then balance it out with additional brown food the next week – that is fine.  You will be able to tell with time what your compost pile is lacking or needing.

Composting is easy, environmentally friendly, and an inexpensive way to fertilize your lawn, garden, or house plants.  With some time and patience your mature compost will be ready to use with minimal work involved.

Now have a Happy Thanksgiving, and be sure to compost all those dinner scraps!

Top 10 Reasons for Composting

Some of us may at first be hesitant in making and using compost. Some find the task of making a compost troublesome and time consuming. Or they might have false perceptions of smelly compost piles and having such a messy process right in their backyards. While others would prefer buying their fertilizers, soil amendments or conditioners, and mulch from their garden stores to avoid all the hassle of reading about compost and actually making one. Before you give up on composting, read this article and hopefully it will lay some of your fears and reservations to rest.

Here are my 10 top personal reasons for composting. I only hope that you move your butt out of that chair and begin your own compost pile before you reach number eight!

Turning a compost pile for viticulture (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

#1. The first reason I find composting highly worthwhile is the fact that the materials used are absolutely free and are readily available. Compare that with the ever rising costs of commercial fertilizers and other gardening products in the market today. All you need is a little extra effort to find the best materials for your compost pile, but otherwise, everything’s for free - or you already have it on hand anyway.

#2. The second one is that compost provides more nutrients and minerals needed by my plants than commercial organic or synthetic fertilizers - it is usually a more balanced and holistic form of fertilizer. The overall effect of compost is also longer than commercially available fertilizers. It’s free and it works better - who wouldn’t want that? Plus, if you organize your ingredients just right, you can provide an even wider range of nutrients.

#3. Another good reason would be the benefits of compost to the soil structure. When applied to the soil, compost can help the soil be more resistant to erosion, improve its retention of water, and in some types of soil (like clay) it can reduce the chance of the soil becoming compacted. This is also important for farmers since compost can make the soil easier to till, conserving time and fuel needed to operate the machines.

#4. With the right composting technique, the process can kill those troublesome weeds as well as pests and disease-causing organisms present in the materials being composted. High temperature (or hot) composting is the technique I am talking about. Although, this technique is not always the backyard variety, it can be done with the right materials.

#5. There have been studies which indicate that using compost can suppress the growth of diseases in crops. Other studies also show that crops grown over compost rich soils are healthier and can better resist pest or insect attacks.

#6. Likewise, some observations in the field also show that crops grown using compost bear produce that can be stored longer. If that’s not reason enough, I don’t know what else you are looking for.

#7. For the environmentalists and conservationists, compost has something for you as well. Adding compost to the soil can build (sequester) soil carbon which can eventually reduce the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It may take a lot of compost to have a positive effect on the greenhouse gases but that fact is quite useful as well.

#8. It has also been found that compost works well as an antidote for soils that are toxic due to agricultural chemicals. Compost can balance the levels of soil acidity, and help farmers to go organic after years of using synthetic agricultural products.

compost scraps (Photo credit: morganthemoth)

#9. (Maybe most important....) It reduces waste. Throwing plant and vegetable matter into a landfill is just plain nonsensical in my mind. It's like dumping perfectly good fertilizer down the drain - it's a total waste of resources, and it could be doing so much good in my garden, rather than clogging up a landfill, where it can't even decompose properly or do any benefit to anyone!

#10. It's kind of fun! Seeing all those old food scraps, weeds, dead leaves, etc., turn into dark, rich compost before my eyes is so fulfilling and makes me feel like I'm doing something good for the planet, my garden, and myself.

So there you have it - my top 10 reasons for composting. Some of them may not directly benefit my personal needs, and some of mine may not be yours, but hopefully they'll motivate you to explore the use of compost for yourself in your own garden - and then you can come up with your own reasons!

Video - Gardening for Health & Stress Relief

This short video discusses just a few of the many benefits of gardening - from physical health to stress relief and beyond, gardening is a great way to enhance your health in a number of ways - and it's so much fun too!  Gardening organically can also give you a sense of pride as you are doing something healthy for both the planet and your family, and it's a great activity for families to do together. Children can enjoy it too, and they'll learn valuable lessons about taking responsibility for their own food supply and the health of the environment.

So get gardening, and get healthy!

Garden for Health: The Physical, Nutritional and Stress Management Benefits
Stacy discusses the physical, nutritional, and stress management benefits of gardening.

How to Relieve Stress - With Gardening

Many of us garden because we want to grow our own fruits and vegetables. An attractive landscape or curb appeal may be the goal of others. But gardening, no matter what kind, can also be therapeutic. For many people gardening relaxes the mind, body and spirit. Actually, it is not gardening that's relaxing, but the way that we approach it. If gardening is seen as a chore, it's stressful. If we view it as enjoyable, it can help relieve stress.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Focusing on your gardening task is the key to relieving stress. Digging, chopping, and pounding motions can relieve stress and tension. Strenuous activities also provide an outlet for pent up aggression. But strenuous activities are certainly not the only ways to relieve stress in your garden. Something as simple as a walk around the garden may be just what the doctor ordered. When you take your walk, be sure to absorb all the colors, fragrances and designs in the garden. You can also admire your gardening skills and this is sure to reverse the stress into a state of well being.

Here are some pointers for stress-free gardening:

1. Make a short "to do" list and stick to it. Don't try to do everything in one afternoon, evening, or weekend because this is sure to manifest as stress.  Attack garden chores with the same vigor as weight-lifting, running, or swimming - or any other activity that you enjoy.

2. Stop what you're doing and rest periodically, reviving yourself with some stretching and plenty of fluids, as you relax and survey the results of your efforts. Listening to music while gardening can add a pleasurable environment with the calming effect of your favorite tunes. And teach your children how to garden. Not only will they be learning a lifelong skill but will cherish the time spent with you.

3. Stress is at an all time high in the society we live in today and is the root cause of many diseases and chronic illnesses. Learn how to quite your mind and tune out the noise by having brief moments of internal silence.  If you don't have the yard or space to denote your own gardening skills, volunteer!  There are many places that have horticultural therapy programs that are in need of volunteers.  Schools, day cares, nursing homes and hospitals are great places to start looking to volunteer.

(Photo credit: RaeAllen)

Gardening has many other advantages, too. Growing your own produce supplies you with fresh fruit and vegetables for your summer meals. This is always too a great avenue to share the harvest with friends and family.  What's better than home grown tomatoes from your own garden? Being out in the sun in limited amounts of time gardening also supplies you with vitamin D.  Sunshine brightens your spirits and will give you that sun kissed glow.  (Remember moderation is key when being out in the sun.)

4. Garden safely. Gardening usually requires a lot of bending and lifting. Doing it the wrong way can put a lot of strain on your lower back so a good technique for planting or weeding is to squat. Put one knee on the ground rather than bending at the waist, switching knees every few minutes. Kneel on a small pillow or purchase knee pads which you can buy at a department store, hardware store, or gardening shop.   Also use caution when lifting shrubs or bags of soil or waste. Try to keep your back straight and bend at your knees.  Use your legs instead of your back to lift the weight. Be careful not to twist your body and if something is too heavy to lift then wait on help.

Gardening is an excellent way to relieve stress for all ages but remember to do it safely and take breaks when you need to.  When you see all you have accomplished, you can feel proud of your efforts, and your beautiful garden that results. Gardening can become not only a stress reliever but a fulfilling hobby to share with your friends and family.

Ideas for Designing Your Rose Garden

The use of landscape roses can make the exterior of any house more graceful, fragrant and inviting. Selecting the right varieties to compliment and accent the home's style and your vision, will contribute to the success of your landscape and rose garden design.

Finding the perfect roses for your rose garden is not hard at all because of the the diverse varieties roses come in. The problem lies in choosing the right ones for your landscape needs and the design you wish to attain.

'Singin' In the Rain', a floribunda rose.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Roses come in a number of classes.  Each class holds characteristics that make them a great choice for use as landscape ornamentals. If you'd like to have roses growing up and over a trellis or archway or cascading from window boxes, the tall growing tea roses are a perfect choice. Tea roses are known for their wild growing blooms and all who walk under the archway enjoy a beautiful display of roses.

If a trellis is not available and you're looking to accent a wall, then choose a true climbing rose. The beauty of a true climbing rose allows you train the plant into many different looks and effects. In essence you can train it any way you want it to grow.

The Floribunda rose is an excellent choice when a vibrant splash of background color is what you're looking for. The popular Floribunda rose varieties give all this color in the landscape with their large and breathtaking sprays of blooms.

The versatile rose can also be used as a ground cover or planted in front of other plants to give color and accent. They can also be used as stand alone specimens and trained into a small tree or planted as hedges.  Rugosa roses are a good choice for this.

Lili Marlene floribunda rose (Photo credit: digiteyes)

The goal or impact of the rose is not the varieties or ways it can be grown but the colors they offer in the living gardening palette. What gardeners want are healthy rose plants that deliver impact in many sizes, styles, textures, colors and shapes. When considering your design for your rose garden choose the complimentary colors for your surrounding landscape. A simple arrangement of pink roses delivers the perfect compliment to a stone or marble entrance way or drive.  White tea roses offer a striking contrast against a dark red brick home. Roses come in so many colors it should be easy to find colors which compliment and enhance any decorating or landscape design you come up with.

Designing your rose garden will be exciting and challenging to say the least.  Incorporate your own color favorites and mix styles and textures for an interesting appeal.

Roses do well in a variety of temperature zones and climates so make sure you choose the varieties suitable to the area in which you live. This translates into fewer maintenance issues, and fewer pests and disease issues promoting overall a healthier rose garden.


More Rose Garden Design Ideas:
   

All About Roses

The most well-known of all flowering plants you could grow in your garden has got to be the rose.  The rose plant can spark a quick conversation amongst even the shyest of persons.  Almost anyone can tell you of someone they know who has grown beautiful roses or of someone who couldn't.  Almost anyone can tell you of someone who got or sent roses, especially around the holidays.  Even little children know what the rose plant is.

Cover of Beautiful Roses

Your local florist most likely has dozens of colors, types, and sizes of roses.  It would seem to be the best selling flower of all time.  The local discount store and even the local grocer carries some sort of rose these days. There are even books written just about roses! 

In my personal opinion, the best rose is one that has a strong scent.  A rose has a most distinct smell, and a scent welcome to most anyone.  The fragrance is like no other and has been reproduced in hundreds (if not thousands) of perfumes and air fresheners for years.  There are rose-scented oils and lotions, bath products, soaps, and shampoos.  There are rose colors and rose images galore.  You can find rose parades and people named Rose (like me!) :-).  You can even come out "smelling like a rose".  All because of a mere plant that reached enormous proportions of popularity.

The rose plant is available in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and types. It is known and grown worldwide.  The prices vary depending on where you buy or what type and size you want.

Do you want a rose plant already started in a pot?  You may have to repot it, so make sure you do your homework before you buy one.

Bagatelle Rose Garden (Paris, France). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you decide what type of rose plant you'd like in your garden, think of placement.  There is a plant called the thornless rose plant that will grow in the shade.  But most rose plants are known to have thorns, so you wouldn't want your small child or grandchild or frequent tiny visitors to happen upon something that is so pretty that they can't resist grabbing and end up with an unwelcome handful of thorns.  It may even sour them on the enjoyment of the rose plant for life because of a tearful memory.  And roses are too beautiful to allow such a thing!

There are climbing rose plants which you most certainly wouldn't want trailing across the ground to be stomped by animals or other foot traffic.  Some roses are delicate and unfiltered light would cook their leaves to an unlovely brown.  If your rose plant is the type that grows into a bush, you would want to place it in a spot that allows for it to spread.

As you can see, deciding where you would like to plant your roses is an important consideration that is largely determined by the type of rose you are planting, so it will require some research and careful planning.  But for rose-lovers everywhere, it is a job that is well-worth the work.


Rose Gardening Resources: 
   

Video - Garden Landscaping Tips

This short video gives you some helpful ideas for landscaping when planning your garden. Planning out your garden ahead of time can save you time and problems in the spring, so now is a great time to plan out the layout of your garden for next year, and get some of your landscaping in ahead of time if possible.

GARDEN PLANNING TIPS
Some helpful garden landscape planning tips that will save you a lot of time, money and heartache.