2019 Year In Review: Laura’s Fave Annuals for Landscapes

You would think watering orchids is a standard procedure that does not change from one species to another but as you will find out in this article on the way orchids are watered, there are many ways. Although orchid care and watering is complicated it should not stop you from growing these wonderful flowers. Orchids have no equal among other blossoming plants for many reasons.

There are also several other difficulties with the use of herbicides by home gardeners. Many herbicides are nonselective and will kill the vegetables, as well as the weeds.

A conversation starter to be sure, this uncommon aroid will be a scene stealer. Whether you call it voodoo lily, dragon lily, vampire lily, snake palm, devil’s tongue, stink plant, Holy lily of India, black lily of the Nile, Hydrosme rivieri, or umbrella arum, a rose by any other name smells…

Just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean you can’t grow your own herbs, both for cooking and herbal remedies. Here are a few suggestions.

Butterflies feed on the nectar of flowers, so if you want to see an increase in the number of butterflies visiting your garden, you will want to ensure you plant the right kind of flowers and shrubs in your garden. It is also worth remembering that some butterflies will only lay their eggs on specific plants, so you can help to ensure the future survival of these species too.

Growing plants in the southwest is a challenge. Water, mulch and fertilizer in the appropriate amounts will make all the difference.

There are a lot of greenhouse gardening tips available out there. Every gardener has their own tricks and tips to ensuring a great yield. Many of these tips come from superstition, others have been passed down by the previous generations.

The other regular task facing the gardener during the summer is feeding. Plants in containers will quickly deplete the fertilizer present in the potting compost soil mix unless a slow release fertilizer was added at the planting time. You will need to feed weekly from about six weeks after planting. Some fertilizers are formulated for specific plants, tomatoes, roses and lawn grass are the best known, but most gardeners will also find a general fertilizer of some kind useful. These fertilizers are supplied in powder or liquid form and may need to be diluted or made up according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

In an aquaponic system there are basically three crops, fish, plant life and most important is beneficial bacteria. This bacteria is what converts toxic components of fish waste into a form of nutrient that plant life can use. There are several types of bacteria that exist in an aquaponic system, and all of them perform there own specific job. Without them, a healthy aquaponic system for food production would not be possible. These bacteria do not need to be introduced into a system, they occur naturally.

The water temperature in an aquaponic systems is of great importance. It can influence dissolved oxygen levels, the rate that algae and aquatic plants photosynthesize, metabolic rates of aquatic organisms, and how aquatic organisms are affected by different parasites, pathogens and pollutants.

If you know what it’s like to bite into a fresh, succulent, juicy delicious tomato grown in your own garden, then you don’t want to be shut out of the opportunity for growing tomatoes at home just because you don’t have a garden. Perhaps you live in an apartment in the middle of a big city, or you live in a cold climate where the growing season for tomatoes may be too short. Growing container tomatoes is the perfect solution!

The best way to control pests and diseases it to maintain a healthy garden environment and grow plants well so that they are able to shrug off or recover quickly from most attacks. It is also worth seeking out problem free varieties that are naturally resistant to attack. Good garden hygiene is the most important factor in the battle against pests and diseases. Clear all debris from around the garden and put suitable material on the compost heap. Consign the rest to the dustbin or bonfire as soon as you can. Clean containers once you finish using them.