4 Common Composting Mistakes

It's summer and my compost is in full-swing! Is yours? Organic gardeners know that compost is good for your garden because it adds vital nutrients to the soil, thus helping build disease-resistant soil and plants that thrive. However, instead of buying bags of pre-made compost every year at the gardening store, you might want to make your own. It's much more economical, and helps your garden be more sustainable - the waste from last year's garden can feed this year's.

Making your own compost is not hard, especially if you know ahead of time what the common composting mistakes are and avoid them.

1.  Adding the wrong thing.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are lots of things you can add to your bin that will break down into wonderful "black gold", but there are some you should avoid for a variety of reasons. Some will attract critters or won't decompose at a decent speed. Large tree branches or chunks of wood are better left out of the pile. The same goes for treated wood. You should also avoid adding meat, bones, animal remains, animal feces, fatty foods from your table, pernicious weeds or weeds with seed heads.

2. Not having an appropriate mix ratio.

Creating your compost pile doesn't have to be an exact science, but you should have your green waste and brown waste ratios in the ballpark. A good rule of thumb is layering brown, then soil, green, then soil, and repeat. If you'd like to do it in a casual manner - whenever you take out a load of vegetable scraps, throw some of your shredded paper or dead leaves on top and then a shovel-full of dirt.

3. Failing to break up big items or dead leaves.

Your compost pile needs to breathe. When you add dead leaves, they tend to mat down making for a dense pile that's especially hard to turn. Mulch them with your lawnmower or with your weed eater first and then add. Also, the bigger the item, the longer it takes for it to decompose. Clip your big stuff down to size. This also makes it easier to turn everything.

(Photo credit: normanack)

4. Not managing your compost.

Of course you can throw the ingredients into the bin and do nothing. Eventually it will break down into some semblance of what you want, but it will take a lot longer. Make a point of watering the mix when it's dry, to the point of just barely damp, and turn it often. The more you turn it, the faster it heats up and the faster it decomposes.

Making your own compost is not hard once you get started. Start collecting your acceptable kitchen scraps, rake up and shred your dead leaves lawn clippings, and start layering. Manage your compost by keeping it damp and turning it often and you'll be amazed at what you end up with! Plus your garden will thank you - and so will your pocketbook.

Compost Tumblers Make It Easy to Manage Your Compost:
     

Spring Is Here! So Are the Squirrels...

I think we can safely say that spring has finally arrived! My garden is as happy as I am about this fact, and things are growing well. Flowers are popping up everywhere, and my little salad bed is doing well under the netting I applied to ward off the squirrels (thanks Mom - for the great idea!) - growing slowly since the soil is still cool, but it should take off here soon, as we are getting more and more warm days.

As you may know, I face a nearly constant battle with the squirrels, who love to dig up absolutely everything I plant - for no apparent reason other than - I am convinced - to drive me crazy! I have tried so many different things, from human hair (ick - I know, but desperate times...), to pepper, bloodmeal (an organic fertilizer), and cinnamon. The cinnamon and bloodmeal seem to work fairly well, but they don't last long - a few days in the sun, or a short rain, and you have to reapply. And in a freshly prepared bed, even that doesn't keep them away entirely.

My mother recently suggested placing squirrel netting over hoops to keep them out, and since I only have one garden bed this year, I figured it was worth a shot. Two weeks later, not a single intruder has disturbed my little radishes and lettuce, so it's working well so far! Since I will probably be moving this summer, hopefully my new garden spot will be less plagued by these little furry beasts....

Meanwhile, tulips and strawberries are growing like crazy, and so lovely! I will share more photos soon....

What are you into in the garden this year? Feel free to share below!

Landscaping With Garden Safety In Mind

We often overlook the possibility of danger that can lurk in the garden. Everything from rotten limbs on trees that can fall on top of us to slippery surfaces that are covered in moss can present dangers.

There are certain times of the year when there seem to be more problems of safety in the garden and these are generally the wetter months.This is the time when moss can grow on walkways, causing dangerously slippery surfaces.

For more on garden safety visit http://holistic4.ideas4land.hop.clickbank.net

There are products on the market that can eliminate moss but some of these can also cause damage to your plants.

Water blasting will get rid the slippery surfaces and it is possible to buy relatively cheap and good quality water blasters that are suitable for the home handy person.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Once again you will need to take care not to damage plants as the pressure from the water blaster can destroy a garden in a matter of minutes.

Even the weight of plants can change over the wetter months particularly those in hanging containers and the additional weight from the water might just be enough to cause them to come crashing down.

Palm fronds can have very sharp and potentially dangerous spikes that can be lethal if you happen to get one in your eye while leaning into the garden. It is always recommended that you wear safety glasses when getting amongst your plants in the garden because it is so easy to damage your eyes.

Wearing gloves is something that goes without saying to protect your hands, not only from cuts and scrapes, but also from potential infection.

And you might be quite surprised to learn that the biggest danger in the garden, and the cause of most injuries is from garden implements that are left lying around in the garden causing injury when someone falls or stands on them. A tidy garden is generally a safer garden.

For more on landscaping and garden safety, visit http://holistic4.ideas4land.hop.clickbank.net.

Garden Planning: Choosing the Right Plants for Your Garden

One of the most important rules of creating a garden is to ensure that you have the right plants for the right place.

There are many plants that will suffer if they aren't growing in conditions that are suited to them, and by planting in these conditions you will always be fighting a battle to have them looking their best simply because they will always be struggling to survive.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you have a specific theme that you would like to follow when planning your garden and that theme doesn't suit the growing conditions you only have two alternatives: You can change the plants you intend using to something more suitable but still in keeping with your overall theme, OR you can try to change the conditions that the plants will be growing in.

While it is not possible to change the climate, you can make changes to the layout of the garden and surrounding area to create your own 'micro-climate' with other plants or trees offering shading or shelter.

You can plant windbreaks or construct them to reduce the effect that the wind might have on some of the more fragile plants.

If you are looking for a specific color in your garden but the plants you prefer would suffer in the conditions your garden presents, then look for alternative plants that can offer the same color but are more suited to those conditions.

By using native plants that are more suited to the conditions, they will thrive better and require a lot less maintenance while still giving you the 'look' you desire.

It's all about getting your planning right before you even buy the first plants. If the plan is well executed the garden will look better, be easier to maintain, and you will enjoy ownership more than a garden that is a constant struggle.

Gardening with Organic Hydroponics

Seeing that soil seems essential for a plant's life, some people may wonder how a plant could grow without the use of soil. However, due to advances in modern technology, as well as discoveries in agriculture, it is now possible to grow plants very quickly, without even using soil at all. The use of the traditional method of agriculture, which consists of the slow process of cultivating, watering, sowing, and attending to the plants every day, has become less popular among those gardeners who have learned the methods of organic hydroponics. Organic hydroponics lessens a gardener’s efforts greatly.

NASA researcher checking hydroponic onions with Bibb lettuce to his left and radishes to the right (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Gardeners now can grow plants fast and can create more production by applying the methods of organic hydroponics. Some people also know this process as soil-less culture, water gardening, or soil-less gardening. But for most farmers and gardeners it is commonly known as hydroponics gardening. This methodical way of gardening offers a way of cultivating plants without the presence of soil.

With this method of gardening, the needed nutrients are dissolved in water, and directly supplied to the plants' roots. The organic nutrients must be soluble enough so that the roots can easily drink up the solution.

Most hydroponic gardens are contained in some sort of greenhouse. Some greenhouse gardeners worry that the hydroponic method could be ecologically harmful and bad for the environment, but according to many experts who study the science of hydroponics, this is not the case, and indeed, it can be a great way to produce more food in countries where the food supply is limited.

This is especially helpful because organic hydroponics allows the plant to maintain health and grow more quickly. It may also increase crop production in some cases.

Be sure to check back Thursday for a helpful video with more info on the advantages of organic hydroponic gardening.

Video: Late Summer Garden Maintenance Tips

This quick video gives a few simple tips for keeping your summer garden looking its best into the fall months. This time of year, as things start to die down, hot sun and dry conditions can hasten the decline of your garden. Keeping things green and growing isn't hard though - you've just got to keep an eye on your garden and give it what it needs. Now is also a great time to clean out any dead plants and apply mulch or green manure for the fall and winter months.

End of Summer Garden Maintenance
Horticulturist Mitch Baker provides a few tips for keeping lawns and gardens looking fresh and green in the late weeks of summer.To View How-To Videos on Alm...

Garden Planning: Choosing A Theme for Your Garden

When planning your garden, it is often good to have a theme that you can follow throughout your garden,  and a selection of plants that will go along with that theme.

By having a theme to follow this will dictate, not only the types of plants that you will be buying, but also anything else that you put in the garden. This will include everything from sculptures and garden furniture, to the colors of the pots that you will choose.

While some people might think this is restricting their freedom of creation, it does in fact allow you to create a garden that has more freedom of flow rather than being disjointed with a variety of different themes that never quite gel together.

Cottage garden. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sometimes the theme of your garden will be determined by the style of the house that you have on the property, and other times it will be determined by the geographical location where you live.

If for instance you are living near a beach, you might want the theme to tie in with the beach setting. By doing this you are likely to get plants for your garden that are more appropriate and will endure the conditions that they will be growing in. Plants that are suitable for growing in coastal areas will be able to withstand the winds and the salt of the sea air that could quickly damage other plants that aren't suitable for those conditions.

Likewise it wouldn't look quite as appropriate to have a tropical garden with palms where a cottage garden would compliment the style of the house.

And tropical plants are not going to flourish as well in cold harsh climates so there are many factors that need to be taken into account when deciding on your garden theme.

But overall, a well-planned theme can ensure you have a healthy and beautiful garden that is both thriving and enjoyable to work and play in, and expresses your own unique sense of style.

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

7 Benefits of Joining A Community Garden

Take a drive through the countryside, and you'll see that many rural residents plant their own gardens. This is certainly not a new trend. Those who own their own land have long enjoyed the benefits of growing fruits and vegetables for their families and friends, and sometimes to sell.

At Wise Words Community Garden in Mid-City, New Orleans (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But those who live in the city are often unable to plant gardens. Apartment dwellers don't usually have access to land to use, and even those who live in houses often have little or no acreage to work with. But with the growing popularity of community gardens, city residents can enjoy the benefits of planting their own veggies - even if they don't have their own garden space!

A community garden is simply a garden in which multiple parties participate. The land its on may be owned by an individual, an organization or the local government, but it is usually run by the gardeners. There are numerous benefits to joining a community garden. These include:

1. Community gardens provide nutritious fresh produce for the gardeners. Many promote organic gardening methods, which produce much healthier vegetables than those that are grown on most commercial farms.

2. Those who grow vegetables in a community garden can save money on food. Growing your own crops is much less expensive than buying them at the grocery store. And if another gardener is growing something that you want, you could negotiate a trade - furthering community-building in the area (see #6).

3. Gardening is a learning experience for urban dwellers. Few of them have experience with growing their own foods, so it provides an opportunity to learn something new. Kids can also learn lots of things by participating in a community garden, including math and business skills and environmental responsibility.

4.  You can sell some of the food you grow in a community garden if you so desire. This is a wonderful way to make a bit of extra money from your labors.

South Beach community garden, Miami, Florida (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

5. Community gardens are good for the environment. They produce oxygen and help reduce air pollution. They can also reduce waste, since tree trimmings, grass clippings and other organic materials that would otherwise be dumped can be used as fertilizer.

6. Joining a community garden is a wonderful way to meet and socialize with others in your community. It gives those of different ages, races and backgrounds the opportunity to work together toward a common goal and learn from one another.

7.  By participating in a community garden, you are helping to add beauty to the community. Green space is rare in most of the communities that host community gardens, and by contributing to its development, you help provide a sanctuary from the stresses of the city.

Community gardens bring crops into areas where they're not usually found. But they also provide many more intangible benefits to city residents. Getting involved with a community garden is good for your health, the environment, and your community.

The Versatility Of The Summer Garden

There is no hard and fast rule as to what a summer garden should be. This means that your personal vision for your summer garden is going to be quite achievable if you take the time to do the proper research and plan the planting for your summer gardening wisely and with great care. One thing is certain, planting wisely can produce a summer garden that is beautiful and maintains some degree of natural pest control. Your summer garden can produce fruit, vegetables, flowers, and may even be designed in order to attract certain birds or butterflies if that is your aim. Of course, your summer garden may also be designed to accomplish more than one of these goals as well. That's the beauty of the versatility of your average summer garden.

Summer Garden (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here are a few things to consider. Versatility in a summer garden means that you aren't committed to one prevailing purpose or theme. This means that it is not at all inappropriate to plant a few flowering plants or herbs as pest control along with your favorite summertime vegetable offerings. At the same time it is completely acceptable to add a few vegetables that you just can't seem to live without in your flower garden or amid the plants in a garden of greenery.

When it comes to colors, the possibilities of the average summer garden are almost limitless. There are plenty of brightly colored flowers that hallmark the summer season and bring a little splash of color to a world that is often drained of color by the sometimes blinding summer sunshine. By bringing a few well placed colors into your garden as a highlight or border you are adding dramatic appeal. If you choose to make your garden a sea of brightly colored flowers, plants, leaves, and vines you can also achieve great effects. Be prepared to spend a great deal of time tending a garden of this nature however as many of the brightly colored flowering plants are attention and space hogs to some degree.

If you live in a dryer climate you also have the option of using low water landscaping or creative conservation techniques in order to create a garden that is lovely in its own right. A garden doesn't have to be excessively green or full of bright vividly colored flowers in order to be beautiful. By using landscaping techniques that are conservative in nature you are making your own conservation efforts and the rest of the planet should appreciate not only the effort but also the beauty of the creation that was born of that effort.

If you prefer nice lush greenery and live in a climate that will accommodate this particular style of summer garden there is no reason to avoid this either. Be sure to use some conservation efforts though because you never know when drought conditions may present themselves in climates that are typically quite moderate as we are learning in the Midwest over the past few years.

Summer vegetable garden in Roseville, Minnesota (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Vegetable gardens are yet another option when creating your summer garden and another fine example of just how versatile these gardens may be. Keep in mind that many people are discovering the beauty of vertical gardening and hanging plants for a few favorite vegetables and this may be an option if you wish to use limited space wisely and to greater effect.

Another option when it comes to showing the incredible versatility of the summer garden is raised gardening. This is quite literally planting your garden above the ground. Some people create elaborate 'sand boxes' of sorts in which the garden is planted. This allows great versatility for those with smaller spaces in which to plant their gardens as well as those who have landscaping issues that are inhospitable for gardening.

These are but a few examples of just how versatile a summer garden may be but I think they provide excellent insight and food for thought for those who are looking for a little something new and different for their summer gardens. Get creative, and have fun with your summer garden this year!
For More Fun Summer Gardening Ideas: 
   

Video - Starting Seeds Indoors

Starting seeds indoors successfully requires 5 things:

1. A good growing medium
2. A growing container
3. Good seeds
4. Sunlight
5. Water

This short gardening video from Iowa Gardening Magazine shows a few quick tips for successfully starting your seeds indoors to get a head start on your garden this year. (See below video for some helpful resources.)

Gardening in the Zone: Starting Seeds Indoors
Richard Jauron discusses how to start your garden seeds indoors to get a jump start on your garden.


Helpful Supplies For Starting Seeds Indoors:
   

Two Important Tips for Home Hydroponics Gardens

The requirements for plants are the same whether you are growing a garden traditionally or with a hydroponics method.  In hydroponics, the nutrients the plant would get from the soil are replaced by a growing medium that can be purchased at gardening supply stores. The need for water and light is still just as important though.  Light can come from a natural source, an artificial source or a combination of the two.  Depending on the type of  hydroponics system the method that your plant gets water will differ too.

Image via Wikipedia1. In order to get the best results from your home-based hydroponics garden, find a south-facing window to give the plants the best natural light.  If this isn’t possible, you can purchase special lights that are specifically designed for plants.  Instead of using a fluorescent light, buy what is known as a discharge light. This imitates the light the plants would naturally get from the sun and will produce healthier and hardier plants.

2. The water that the root system is growing in needs to be healthy water full of nutrients and this can be determined by checking the pH level (it should be a pH level of 6). The pH level should be checked on a regular basis to ensure it is not too acidic or alkaline. If the reading is too high, add small amounts of vinegar and keep re-testing until you can the reading you want. If the water reading has a pH level that is too low, use the same procedure to raise the pH level except use baking soda instead of vinegar.

By growing your plants with hydroponics, you will see faster and more abundant growth. The method in which the plants get their nutrients is more efficient and results in robust and prolific plants – whether they are houseplants, vegetable plants, or herbs.

Related Articles on Hydroponic Gardening:

• Winter Gardening With Hydroponics (nhlsustainablegardening.blogspot.com)
• Hydroponics - A Novel Blessing Of Technology (tfollowers.com)
• How you can Get Started out With Hydroponics Merely (bigsexymedia.com)
• Homemade Hydroponics Passive System Is Eco Friendly and Grows Great Tasting Vegetables Almost Automatically (prweb.com)

Helpful Hydroponic Gardening Resources:
   

6 EasyTips for Creating a Summer Garden on a Budget

Gardening can quickly escalate into an expensive undertaking if you do not enter into the prospect with certain and very specific budget constraints in mind. If you plan according to your budget and purchase according to your specific plans and needs you are likely to find that your summer garden is more budget-friendly than the vast majority of other gardens on the block. I hope the advice that follows will help you cut the expense of gardening and help you find budget-friendly ways to build the summer garden of your dreams.

Image via Wikipedia1. Don't buy what you don't need. It may seem simplistic, but who among us hasn't gotten seduced by a great sale? It doesn't matter how good the deal is -- if you do not need the seeds, tools, and various other items there is no real reason to purchase them. It is a waste of money that could be better spent elsewhere.

2. Don't pay for shipping if it can be avoided. You may find a few items cheaper online but be very aware of the costs involved in shipping. If it costs more when all is said and done than it would have cost to purchase the same items locally you haven't saved anything at all. Look at the big picture rather than seeing only the cheaper asking price. It is also a good idea to support small local businesses whenever possible as they are going to be more likely to bargain, barter, and throw in freebies.

3. Check locally for free composting materials. Many communities offer these free to residents. When compared with the expense of purchasing these materials the savings can be significant over the course of a summer.

4. Work out an exchange among gardening friends. This is a great way to incorporate new plants into your summer garden without purchasing each plant you wish to include! This is also a great way to make new gardening friends, share a passion, and save money. It's a win-win situation for most gardeners!

5. Select plants that are native to your area for your summer garden. This is a huge money-saver that is often overlooked (and it's also more sustainable!) The costs of non-native plants can be excessive in the best of circumstances and the added care incurs further costs - especially if you end up not being able to keep the plants alive, or productive. Keep costs down by selecting plants that will easily thrive in your climate and those that are locally cultivated. This isn't an all-or-nothing proposition of course. If you absolutely love a couple of non-native plants, by all means incorporate them into your garden. However, if you are planning a garden from scratch choose as many native plants as possible for filler.

6. Check your local classified ads and free-cycle program for used garden tools that are in good condition. There are many reasons that people sell or give away garden tools and a bargain is a bargain on these tools that are going to be used to play in the dirt. You do not need to be incredibly picky about the tools you purchase and saving money is almost always a good thing. It's even better, of course, when you get them for no cost at all. You also might find a few free plants available through these sources too.

Image via Wikipedia7. Mulching saves time and money. Really! It saves water to mulch because the mulch holds the moisture in. This lowers the cost of watering and eliminates many of the pesky weeds that crop up-which saves time. We all know that time is money and most of us despise weeding - unless we have some truly aggressive emotions to work through, that is. :-)

By using all of the steps above you should find that you have saved a good deal of money in the planning and growing of your summer garden. Combine them with tips of your own that you discover along the way and next summer your garden should cost even less.

Video - How to Build Your Own Compost Bin

Here is a helpful video on building your own compost bin - practically for free! If you don't have any tools, you may have to pick up a couple things, but they are pretty basic, and other than the staples and twine, if you follow some of his tips for finding materials for your bin, you may spend little or nothing on making this bin.  (He actually shows you a couple of different types of bins, as well as how to start the composting process.)

I particularly like the first bin he demonstrates because, as he mentions, the sides can easily be opened/removed if needed, to remove the finished compost, and it can also be taken apart and moved to a new location.

Check it out, and see how easy it can be to make your own compost bin!

how to build a compost bin
vavrek shows how to build a large compost bin using free materials :: save the scraps, save our world !

More Composting Resources:
   

Video - Starting Your Spring Garden

If you've got spring fever, this short video might give you inspiration to get your garden started, even if it's not quite warm enough outside to get out there yet. The timely video will show you how to get a head start on the garden season, by starting some seeds indoors, using an easy and affordable garden kit. This one's great for getting your kids involved too! (See below for some resources like the ones shown in the video - at prices ranging from dirt-cheap to the premium model.)

Check it out, and get inspired!

Starting Your Spring Garden
Early Show contributor and gardening expert Ahmed Hassan spoke to Harry Smith about starting an outdoor garden for the spring indoors including using an indoor garden kit and lightweight potting soil.


Indoor Garden Starting Kits, from Basic to Super-Deluxe:
    

Sustainable Gardening News

With spring just around the corner, if you're anything like me, you're starting to get really excited about the upcoming garden season. Here are some good recent articles to give you something to think about, and tantalize your gardening "taste buds" in the meantime. Learn about planting heirloom seeds to preserve your environment, and gardening holistically, and also we included a link to a GREAT resource for all sustainable gardeners (you will definitely want to keep that last one on file).

Plant organic heirloom seeds for sustainable gardening | Go Green Zine
Many people don't realize it, but often the seeds and seedlings that they use to plant their garden have a negative impact on the environment, which could be avoided with the use of organic heirloom seeds. This is because of upstream ...
Publish Date: 02/16/2011 17:32
http://www.gogreenzine.com/plant-organic-heirloom-seeds-sustainable-gardening/

Sustainability In Your Own Garden — First Tuesday Blog
To me, when I think of a sustainable garden, I think of it as a system; one that encompasses a variety of elements such as soil, water, permeability, plants and habitat. And when these elements are modified and improved we discover that ...
Publish Date: 02/27/2011 0:13
http://firsttuesdayblog.com/sustainability-in-your-own-garden/

Sustainable Gardening Resources | DarienLibrary.org
An online community of over 20000 people who are interested in achieving higher levels of "food self-reliance" through kitchen gardening and sustainable local food. Q&As are arranged by vegetable/fruit, and the site includes recipes, ...
Publish Date: 02/04/2011 11:59
http://www.darienlibrary.org/2011/02/04/sustainable-gardening-resources

5 Pricey Garden Gifts (And Some Affordable Ones)

I stumbled across this funny article, and figured it was in keeping with the season! Please keep in mind this is here for humorous purposes only - I'm not suggesting you actually buy any of these things. (Though if you want to, don't let me stop you!)  I just thought it was amusing (and somewhat disturbing) that people pay this much for such items....  What do you think? Does it make you laugh? Cry? Angry? 

Feel free to post comments! (And there are some more reasonable gift ideas below, if none of these work for you.)  :-)

5 Garden Gifts to Give if You're a Multi Millionaire
The imp in me decided to change gears and come up with a list of garden gifts for those of you with cash to burn. The rest of us can just chuckle at the absurdity of paying $269 for a freaking watering can.
Publish Date: 12/06/2010 9:00
http://lifeonthebalcony.com/5-garden-gifts-to-give-if-youre-a-multi-millionaire/

 

Related articles on Gifts for Gardeners:

• 5 Green Holiday Gifts Under $45 (alternativeconsumer.com)
• Gift Ideas For The Avid Gardener (glenns-garden.com)
• Affordable Gifts for Plant-and-Flower-LoversGarden Party (apartmenttherapy.com)
• Gifts for Gardeners (eatdrinkbetter.com)

Recent News in Hydroponic Gardening

As a follow up to our recent series on hydroponic gardening, here are a few other interesting articles. Gardening hydroponically can be particularly useful for those who have little or no traditional garden space.

Image via WikipediaPart of becoming self-sufficient and responsible for our own food supply involves being able to grow at least a part of it ourselves. For city and apartment dwellers, this can seem impossible, but it doesn’t have to be. Use of hydroponic techniques can allow one to successfully grow food indoors, and utilize the availability of vertical space.

How to Grow a Garden When You Have No Yard | Holistic Survival Show
There are some clear cut advantages to hydroponic gardening: 1. Allows urban dwellers to raise their own food, without a dedicated yard. 2. The nutrient solution recycles constantly through the closed system, which means less waste and …
Publish Date: 11/10/2010 15:49
http://www.holisticsurvival.com/2010/11/10/how-to-grow-a-garden-when-you-have-no-yard/

Hydroponics and Indoor Hydroponic Gardening
Hydroponic gardening is often defined as “the cultivation of plants in water.” Research has since determined that many different aggregates or media will support plant growth; therefore, the definition of hydroponic gardening has been …
Publish Date: 10/29/2010 19:20
http://www.asylumhauntedhouse.com/hydroponic-gardeningindoor-gardeninghydroponics.htm

Grow Lights for Hydroponics Gardening | MOJeDELO HOME IMPROVEMENT
One can enjoy hydroponics gardening any season of the year, but it is especially rewarding during the cold and dark winter days. Being a type of indoor gardening, this system implies growing of plants in a special growing medium, …
Publish Date: 11/10/2010 9:48
http://www.mojedelo.us/grow-lights-for-hydroponics-gardening.html

How Hydroponics Can Benefit Your Apartment Garden | Oh My Apartment
For lots of beginning gardeners who don’t have an accessible outdoor plot, hydroponics is the perfect solution for helping to get home-grown herbs and vegetables to the table without using a conventional.
Publish Date: 11/04/2010 12:35
http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/how-hydroponics-can-benefit-your-apartment-garden.html


For more info on hydroponic gardening, check out our last few posts, or you can also find hydroponic gardening kits and supplies on Amazon.com.

Hydroponic Gardening For Beautiful Plants

If you’ve ever wondered about hydroponic gardening then this article is for you. I will explain just exactly what hydroponic gardening is, why it works, the benefits, and what you will need to get started.

Image via WikipediaPut simply, hydroponic gardening is growing plants without dirt. This dirt-less gardening is done one of two ways; with the plant roots growing in a liquid nutrient solution aka solution culture or with the roots growing in another solid medium (other than dirt) which is called a medium culture. It’s all about the nutrients. Soil is just a holder of nutrients and with hydroponics your choices can be perlite, coconut fiber, sand, and vermiculite as well as other mediums.

Hydroponic gardening is simple once you try it, and can be affordable depending on what system you use and to what scale you want to use it. This type of gardening takes less time, uses less space, has no weeds to pull, and requires no digging in the dirt. It’s also very satisfying to watch your healthy plants grow, especially if you’ve never had a green thumb before.

Hydroponic gardening works because the plants are given what they need, in the amount they need, and when they need it. The gardener is in control, not fickle Mother Nature. Also, the plants don’t need to spend time spreading their roots to look for nutrients and they can concentrate on their above root growth. This can mean bigger fruits or vegetables. Another plus to this system is that since the roots don’t spread out, more plants can be planted in a smaller area than when planted in soil.

There are some popular hydroponic gardening name brand systems that you should investigate to educate yourself on what is available. You don’t have to pick an expensive system, especially when first starting out.

You will most likely need a grow tray, reservoir tray, submersible pump with a timer, and air pump and air stone to make bubbles that add oxygen and push the nutrient solution toward the roots. You will also need light; natural or other. Keep in mind that with grow lights you can grow your plants anywhere in your house or garage.

Try the hydroponic way to grow your next crop of lettuce, tomatoes, or cut flowers and enjoy success, even if you’re not known for having a green thumb. Maybe you could take some beautiful tomatoes over to that neighbor who’s always bragging about her garden.

Related articles on Hydroponic Gardening:

• Greener Veggies: The Benefits of Hydroponics (thedailygreen.com)
• Read And Learn To Do Hydroponics Using The Help Of This Guideline And Become A Victorious Hydroponic Gardener (mydecorarticles.com)

Welcome to Spring! New Gardening Series…

Hurray! At long last, after a record-breaking cold and snowy winter (in many locations), spring has arrived!

I realize things have been a bit slow on the blogging front lately, and I apologize. Thanks for hanging in there! We’ve been plugging away getting some new and exciting things going on on our website, and now I plan to catch up on the blog here.

Speaking of which, in honor of this wonderful season, I will be posting a new series on starting your own sustainable garden over the next few weeks.

This series is mostly designed for the new gardener, but we will also get into some more advanced stuff as the weeks progress (such as composting, organic pest control, and more). So be sure to check back and see what’s new, even if the early posts are a bit elementary for some of you!

Our first topic is a bit on the philosophical side, but hopefully will put you in the right frame of mind to begin your own gardening odyssey!

Why Do We Garden?
I don’t know what it is about a garden that has always drawn humans to them. But they’ve always been very popular, and an valued part of peoples’ lives. Most religions feature gardens as the settings for some of the most important events. According to Christianity, humanity was started in a garden and the son of God was resurrected in a garden. The Buddhists build gardens to allow nature to permeate their surroundings. Almost every major palace and government building has a garden. But what’s so great about them? They’re just a bunch of plants, after all, right?
  Image via Wikipedia

Of course, the reasoning is fairly obvious behind why people grow food in gardens. It’s to eat! If you live off the fat of the land and really survive mostly or even partially on stuff from your garden, it’s easy to understand the reasoning. But what about those people who plant flower gardens just for the sake of looking nice? There’s no immediate benefit that I can see; you just have a bunch of flowers in your yard! However, after thinking extensively about the motive behind planting decorative gardens, I’ve come up with several possible ideas.

I think one of the reasons people love gardens so much is that while we have a instinctive desire to progress and industrialize, deep inside all of us is a primal love for nature. While this desire might not be as strong as the desire for a modern lifestyle, it is still strong enough to compel us to create gardens, small oases of nature, in the midst of all our hustle and bustle.

Being in nature feels like regressing to an earlier (and simpler) stage of humanity, and in a garden, we too can escape to a time of comfort and utter happiness. This is why gardens are so relaxing and calming to be in. This is why gardens are a such good place to meditate and do tai chi exercises. A garden is a way to quickly escape from the busy world.

I’ve thought at times that perhaps we as humans feel a sort of responsible guilt driving us to restore nature and care for it. This guilt could stem from the knowledge that we, not personally but as a race, have destroyed so much of the natural world to get where we are today. It’s the least we can do to build a small garden in remembrance of all the plants we kill every day. It’s my theory that this is an underlying reason why many people to take up gardening as a hobby.

Gardening is definitely a healthy habit though, don’t get me wrong. Any hobby that provides physical exercise, helps the environment, and improves your diet can’t be a negative thing. So no matter what the underlying psychological cause for gardening is, I think that everyone should continue to do it. In the USA especially, which is dealing with obesity and pollution as its two major problems, I think gardening can only serve to improve the state of the world.

Of course I’m no psychologist; I’m just a curious gardener. I’ve often wondered what draws me to the garden…. What is it that makes me go outside for a few hours every day (or whenever possible!) with my gardening tools, and facilitate the small-time growth of plants that would grow naturally on their own? I may never know, but in this case ignorance really is bliss.

So how do you go about starting your own garden, especially if you barely know a hoe from a trowel?

Over the next few weeks, I will provide a step-by-step guide to starting your own garden. Whether you are working with limited space, or have a large area available, whether you are interested in fruit, vegetables, or flowers, I hope you will find these tips helpful.

Keep your eye out for the next post, to learn about the first step to starting your own sustainable garden!

In the meantime, you can always find sustainable gardening tips and resources on our main website at http://www.newholisticliving.com/sustainablegardening.html.

Thanks to all of you who have visited through the past few slow months, and we appreciate each and every one of you! As always, we’d love your comments and feedback, so feel free to post!

See you next time!
Rose.