A 15 by 15 feet garden can produce more than 100 pounds of garden-fresh vegetables and herbs.

(ARA) – The economy is tanking, grocery bills are climbing and food safety scares are on the rise. For the 43 million Americans planning a vegetable garden this year, growing your own is a matter of dollars and sense.

Food gardening will jump 19 percent this year over last year, according to a new survey by the National Gardening Association (NGA). Homeowners with shrinking household budgets are looking for help in their own backyards. Can planting a veggie patch really save you money? Government agencies and gardening organizations say yes.

Every $100 spent on vegetable gardening yields $1,000 to $1,700 worth of produce, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates. That’s a serious hedge against skyrocketing food prices, expected to jump another 5 percent this year.

Your backyard can become your own personal grocery store, producing enough vegetables to feed your entire family all season long.

You’ll get a half-pound of edibles from every square foot of ground devoted to backyard crops, NGA experts say. Even a modest garden (15 by 15 feet) can produce more than 100 pounds of garden-fresh tomatoes, salad greens, vegetables and herbs. Better flavor and bragging rights come with the harvest.

Planting a vegetable plot and keeping it productive isn’t that hard if you start small, keep the basics in mind and plant reliable varieties. Take it step by step:

Lead with Location — A sunny, well-drained spot close to a water spigot is ideal. Leafy greens tolerate some shade, but other crops want eight hours of sun daily.

Suitable Soil — Adding organic material is the key to an easy-care garden. It loosens stiff soil, helps retain moisture and nourishes important soil organisms. Good “ingredients” include manure, humus and chopped-up leaves. Spread a 4-inch layer of amendments on your plot and till into the top 9 to 12 inches.

Fertilize Faithfully — All edible plants remove some nutrients from the soil, and can quickly exhaust the soil without the help of a fertilizer. Always follow the rates given on the label when deciding how much to use.

Water Wisely — One inch of water weekly is adequate for most vegetables. Soaker hoses or drip systems deliver water efficiently and keep foliage dry, fending off leaf diseases.

Patrol for Pests — Monitor insect damage but try to keep your crops pesticide-free. Hand-pick pests or dislodge them with a jet of water, then let natural predators do the rest. If you must spray, do it late in the day when beneficial insects are less active.

Pick the Right Plants — Flower gardeners gravitate to the newest, showiest varieties, but smart food gardeners appreciate the tried-and-true. Bonnie Plants, available coast to coast, are time-tested varieties selected to suit regional conditions. For best results you’ll need to choose veggie and herb varieties suitable to your geographical location. Because Bonnie’s varieties are distributed regionally, you will automatically have suitable varieties available to you at retail locations in your area.

Look for Bonnie Plants in eco-friendly biodegradable pots that not only keep tons of plastic pots from ending up in landfills, but also reduce transplant shock. Just tear off the bottom, set the pot in the ground and water.

If you’re ready to try your hand at creating your own backyard grocery garden, here are 10 easy crops to plant:

Basil — Perfect with tomatoes. Choose sweet basil or the compact ”Spicy Globe.”

Beans — Bush beans like “Bush Blue Lake’”are easier to pick, but tall “pole” beans have higher yields.

Bell peppers — Harvest green or red, when vitamin levels are higher. Try “Bonnie Bell” or the new, hot bell pepper “Mexibell.”

Chard — This leafy green tolerates cool temperatures well. Varieties like “Bright Lights” have brilliantly colored stems.

Cucumber — Plant after the weather warms. Choose the mild Japanese cucumber or the old favorite “Burpless Bush Hybrid.”

Eggplant — A much-loved favorite, eggplant thrives in hot weather. Try “Black Beauty” or the white-skinned “Cloud Nine.”

Lettuce — Go for easy “leaf” lettuces like “Buttercrunch,” “Red Sails,” or Romaine.

Parsley — Pick curly types or flat Italian parsley. This herb is rich in vitamins and a breath-sweetener, too.

Summer squash — Squash are very productive plants and easy to grow. Try zucchini “Black Beauty” or yellow crook-necked squash.

Tomatoes — These crimson favorites are the most popular backyard vegetable. Choose disease-resistant “Better Boy,” “Bonnie Original” or the extra-easy cherry tomato “Sweet 100.”

For gardening tips and more herb and vegetable varieties, visit www.bonnieplants.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: Basil, Beans, Bell peppers, Bonnie Plants, Chard, Cucumber, Eggplant, Groceries from the Backyard, Lettuce, National Gardening Association, Parsley, Summer squash, Tomatoes, Vegetable Garden, Vegetable Garden Planning, Vegetable Garden Plans, Vegetable Gardens

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PHOTO CREDIT: Novalis Plants that Work. Starting a garden space begins with a list of ways the space will be enjoyed when completed, a list of plants to suit the need, and an action plan for installation.

(ARA) – Setting out to create a garden that is uniquely one’s own is an exciting yet overwhelming process for many homeowners. The goal should be to build a space that is beautiful, comfortable and convenient for personal use and enjoyment. Having a plan is important to aid any project, whether homeowners prefer large garden beds and borders or smaller container gardens.

“Plants are the lifeblood of every garden, with their ability to constantly evolve and surprise with the seasons,” says Linda Guy, new product development director for Novalis Plants that Work. Successfully blending living plants with the inert objects they surround, like decks, fences, walkways, walls and containers, takes persistence but is conversely enjoyable.

With the help of plant consortium Novalis Plants that Work, garden design and maintenance takes on a whole new dimension. Guy travels the world to search for exciting new plants. She and the Novalis grower network have dedicated themselves to helping homeowners become successful gardeners by providing easy-care “plants that work” for diverse conditions.

Build Layers for Depth

A good place to start in creating a plan for large garden beds and borders is to choose trees and shrubs for the foundation. Building a solid basis visually anchors the garden bed with a background, providing substance and maintaining interest with layers of plants in varying heights and sizes. Characteristics for year-round appeal include flowers, fruit, berries, spring foliage, fall foliage, texture and structure.

With a goal of horticulture how-to education for homeowners, Novalis established its Plants that Work line to cultivate ornamental shrubs, perennials, vines, and small trees that offer homeowners options for starting successful foundation gardens. Two such varieties Guy recommends include the fast-growing Diervilla ‘Cool Splash,’ a foliage plant with variegated green and white leaves, and Hydrangea ‘White Diamonds,’ boasting large white flowers.

PHOTO CREDIT: Novalis Plants that Work. Plants like Diervilla "Cool Splash" from Novalis Plants that Work make great additions to the garden for year-round appeal with variegated, colorful foliage throughout spring, summer and fall.

“Consider planting small ornamental trees at each corner to draw the eye outward and add texture and height to the garden,” Guy says. “Tall plantings at the corners help soften the edges and tie the look of the space together.” She suggests Acer ‘Shirazz,’ an upright maple featuring burgundy variegated foliage.

Next, build out the garden with a second layer of varied sizes of shrubs and perennials with different bloom times. The Hypericum Mystical Series offers the appeal of berries for color and texture. Planting specific varieties in a range of foliage, blooms or berries will allocate a distinctive medley of styles all year.

Accent with Color

Homeowners who love colorful gardens will enjoy annuals, like Geranium ‘Angel Eyes Orange’ in the front layers of their flower beds and in containers for bursts of color throughout the landscape. Guy suggests picking plants with diverse shades and tints like ones her horticulture colleges grow for the Plants that Work by Color rich-hue line.

“For attention-grabbing impact, position colorful perennials in descending order of mature height, with the tallest in back, then mid-sized plants, and the shortest plants in front,” Guy advises. “Then, group three of the same perennials, like Phlox ‘Cotton Candy’ or Bletilla ‘Chinese Butterfly’ in triangular arrangements throughout open areas.”

For smaller areas or where gardens need touches of color and appeal, the Novalis team created Plants that Work in Nooks & Crannies. These diverse plants fit in small-scale applications, like containers, the front layer of garden beds, along walkways and on green roofs. “Challenged with bare patches or weeds that grow up in pathway crevices, home gardeners can use succulents and other small-stature Plants that Work in Nooks & Crannies because they grow in the toughest conditions,” Guy advises.

Choose Plants Carefully

Once homeowners have a plan for filling in the different layers of their landscapes, it is important plants are designated for the right areas. “Consider the available space and the sun that space receives each day,” Guy says. “Size and sun are two important considerations when planning a garden,” Guy and her team have developed the Plants that Work in the Shade and Bring on the Heat lines to take the guesswork out of plant selection. For full sun gardens expecting high humidity, homeowners can look to Bring on the Heat varieties like Baptisia ‘Carolina Moonlight’ with high drought tolerance.

Most homeowners want outdoor spaces to be relaxing sanctuaries, and privacy is crucial. Blocking distracting views is an important goal in a landscape plan. Guy suggests Plants that Work’s line of screening bamboo, including Phyllostachys bissetti, a vigorous timber bamboo with dark, emerald-green canes and leaves.

“Homeowners can use bamboo to shield sunlight, as a privacy screen, hedge or windbreak,” Guy says. “Bamboo is sustainable and produces more oxygen, offering a soothing, cooling effect.” Picking plants based on meeting homeowner needs is the start to a logical and enjoyable space.

To learn more about Novalis Plants that Work programs and varieties that will work in each region, visit www.plantsthatwork.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: garden plans, planning a garden

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Rabbits wreaking havoc on your prized plants? Natural products use taste and smell aversions to keep critters away.

(ARA) – You love the great outdoors, especially gardening. But sometimes wildlife can be just a bit too wild, with rabbits munching prized plants to the ground, deer devouring petals of roses and azaleas, and cats rolling over seedlings and leaving their “calling cards” throughout your landscaping.

Unfortunately, these critters are a common, perpetual annoyance to home gardeners. Learning a little more about their habits and identifying the culprits is your first step to critter control. First, you’ll need to recognize your four-legged foraging foe. Here are some tips to help you determine the critters you’ll need to thwart: 

Rabbits: Bunnies don’t just dine on clover and grass, they’ll also wreak havoc on your vegetable plants and can even damage woody plants in your landscape. Tell-tale signs that bunnies are bountiful include damage that is usually no higher than 2 1/2 feet above the ground, and sharp cuts at 45-degree angles on plants. 

Deer: A lovely sight almost anywhere other than in your backyard. Deer can, and do, cause major damage to plants, landscapes and vegetable gardens, consuming about 12 pounds of foliage in a single day. To determine if your flowers and vegetables are disappearing due to deer damage, look closely at the half-eaten plants. If you see a jagged, rough edge, you can be sure the damage was done by deer as they have no incisor teeth and tear at the food source, leaving proof of their presence. 

Squirrels: These furry, funny, cute creatures can be quite destructive when it comes to your gardens and landscapes. Squirrels are burrowing animals; they usually feed on bulbs and green leafy material during the spring and summer, switching to seeds and grains during the fall and winter. They love wild bird feeders and have a reputation for driving away the very birds you put the feeder out to attract. You have squirrel damage if you see gnawing marks on tree bark and outside wiring, and signs of digging and burrowing. You’ll also see them in the light of day sitting atop your birdfeeder. 

Cats frolicking in your flowerbeds? All-natural products can control critters in your garden and are safe for children and pets.

Cats: Cats love to dig in soft already-tilled soil, making gardens just perfect for their digging desires. Most cats think the outdoors is their litter box, and a patch of dirt is an invitation to come do their business. It also makes a great place to play or roll. They’ll roll over your plants, breaking new shoots and foliage. A sure sign you have a cantankerous cat frolicking in your flowerbeds is cat droppings. 

These critters don’t have to be the enemy of your gardens, and trapping them won’t solve the problem. The arrival of warm weather means the arrival of new foliage, green grass and pesky critters in our backyards and gardens. As spring is sprung, we’re suddenly faced with long gardening to-do lists and a wide variety of unwanted animals in our garden beds. As a rule of thumb, it’s far better to prevent animal damage than to wait until it occurs and try to combat it. 

There are a number of less-than-ideal approaches for dealing with these frustrating problems. Messy, dangerous chemicals pose unacceptable risks for most homeowners, considering pets and children. Sealing off entire areas of your landscape would be impractical, inconvenient and potentially very costly. Trapping is a lot of effort, and again, it would be a perpetual labor as trapping does nothing to prevent new pests. 

All-natural alternatives can help keep critters out of your gardens and landscape. Look for 100 percent certified organic products like those made by Messina Wildlife Management. Easily applied in ready-to-use spray bottles, these organic products dry clear, smell good and work for 30 days before reapplication is needed, no matter the weather. They’re safe to use on vegetables and none will harm the animals they’re intended to repel. Natural products use taste and smell aversions to keep critters like rabbits, deer, squirrel, cats, groundhogs, moles and even armadillos out of your backyard. 

For most animals scent and taste are the primary senses that attract them to food sources. If you disrupt the animal’s sense of smell and taste, you have won the battle against the constant parade of pesky critters in your landscapes. Visit Messinawildlife.com for more information on natural, safe, effective pest repellents. 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: cats, cats in the garden, keeping cats out of the garden, pests in the garden, rabbits

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This I’m I’m featuring some of my very favorite flowers in pictures – Bluebells – I hope you enjoy these fabulous flower photos as much as I do:

photo credit: paul quinn photography

photo credit: C.K.H.

photo credit: wsilver

photo credit: jpockele

photo credit: lepiaf.geo

photo credit: Katherine_Davis

photo credit: ed~it

Tags: blue bell pictures, blue bells, bluebell pictures, bluebells, photos of blue bells, photos of bluebells

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This week we’re showcasing our favorite Iris photos from flickr – enjoy!

Purple Bearded Iris:

photo credit: amandabhslater

Pink Iris:

photo credit: Donnaphoto

Purple Iris:

photo credit: faeparsons

And finally this gorgeous group of Irises – entitled “mmmm colour” -

photo credit: nicer than air

Tags: Iris, Iris photos, Iris pictures, Irises, photos of Irises, pictures of Irises

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Welcome to our first in a series of flickr flower photo highlights – check back as we select our favorite flower pictures each week!

photo credit: arvindgrover

photo credit: lissalou66

photo credit: [lauren nelson]

photo credit: elbfoto

Happy Spring!

Tags: flickr, flower pictures, Tulips

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(ARA) – It’s never too early to get a jumpstart on planning a more beautiful backyard. Maybe you are looking forward to inhaling the perfume of flowers wafting through the air, clipping buds from your prize-winning rose bushes, or simply enjoying the beauty of a lusher, more verdant backyard oasis this year.

Here are some tips to help you to make that dream a reality, in a “greener,” more cost-conscious way:

* Switch over to a push lawn mower or electric mower this year. Overall they’re traditionally lower in price, save you money at the gas pump and also provide you with healthy exercise.

* Use a landscape fabric like Weed-X or Weed Shield to protect your investment in expensive perennial and annual plants. Unlike other landscape fabrics or simple black plastic, these fabrics are the only products proven to prevent weed roots from penetrating the soil from above, and prevent existing weeds from growing up through the fabric. Also, since these landscape fabrics help soil retain its moisture, thereby conserving water, and eliminate the need for toxic or harmful chemical weed killers, you’ll save yourself time, money and help contribute to conserving our Earth’s resources. The fabrics are guaranteed to work for 20 years, reducing the amount of waste you create.

* Decorate your yard with carriage and porch lights, but install them on an “as needed basis” with a motion detector light system. This way you can still enjoy your landscaping after dark, but don’t need to worry about wasted electricity or unnecessarily large utility bills.

* Build or purchase a rain barrel to capture water draining from your gutters and downspouts. These barrels work to provide you with fresh water for your plants in between showers, but also prevent soil runoff from where the spouts dump water in your grass.

* If you are dealing with hungry critters in your yard, avoid using expensive toxic chemical pesticides which can be dangerous for pets and children. Instead install a scarecrow device, like Dalen’s Rotating Head Owl or their Holographic Scaretape. These scarecrows effectively and humanely deter destructive yard pests like rabbits, birds, squirrels and gophers while depending on wind and sun for movement, eliminating the need for electricity or batteries.

Visit www.dalenproducts.com for more ways to save money and keep your garden even “greener” this summer and for years to come.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: eco-friendly, eco-friendly gardening, green living

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Plant Knock Out roses against your porch to add eye-popping color to your home.

(ARA) – Stroll your neighborhood and chances are you’ll spot landscape shrub roses decorating someone’s garden or backyard. Take a drive into town, and you’ll see them planted at your favorite shopping center.

If you haven’t noticed, landscape shrub roses have taken the country by storm. In home gardens, in containers and along highways, these low-maintenance roses bloom continuously from spring until frost with little to no effort.

“Anybody can grow these hard-working roses, no matter where they live. If you can grow grass, you can grow landscape shrub roses,” says James A. Baggett, editor of Country Gardens Magazine. He likes Knock Out roses for their drought tolerance and disease resistance, especially against black spot.

When designing with shrub roses, think of them as you would any flowering shrub, only this one will bloom continuously all season and do all the work for you!

Here are some tips on using landscape shrub roses in the garden and throughout the landscape.

1. Problem Solvers in Your Landscape
Whether you live in a city or the ‘burbs, have a small garden plot or large acreage, the gardening and decorating possibilities with shrub roses are endless. Plant them individually among other shrubs, annuals and perennials, in mixed beds and borders.

2. Pot up a Container
Renowned garden designer Jon Carloftis prefers to plant shrub roses in containers. “I like to give them perfect planting conditions such as good drainage, rich soil and the addition of regular fertilizer that won’t be an overdose to neighboring plants,” he says. “The results are outstanding when roses are planted in formal urns or combinations of rustic pots.”

From small apartments to grand homes, containers filled with shrub roses bring an understated sophistication to any sized deck, porch and patio. Pot them up in large and small containers, around a gazebo, poolside, or your entranceway for the perfect plant for all seasons.

3. Close to Home
Nothing says simple elegance like the original Knock Out rose. Try planting them “en masse” against your front porch or home. The large clusters of cherry-red blooms say “welcome” with a generous bloom cycle of every five to six weeks. Against your house, porch or deck, the rich, eye-popping red color is a sure winner.

Group several Knock Out roses together to hide unsightly utility units.

4. Second Look Curbside Appeal
Looking for plants with great curbside appeal that add year-round beauty? Cluster shrub roses around a mailbox or blend with perennials to create visual curb appeal. Plant the award-winning Rainbow Knock Out along with perennials. This lovely coral pink rose complements any color scheme and the blooms almost look hand-painted with rich yellow at the base. The plant adds height and color for maximum curbside appeal.

5. Now You See it – Now You Don’t
Do you have an unsightly utility unit, shed, trash can, or pool pump you want to hide? How about a slope or a hazardous spot to fill? Group hardy and attractive roses for a showy “cover-up.” Try planting Pink Double Knock Out with double flowers in a cheerful bubble gum hue. Unfazed by heat, this hardy shrub rose will cover up those unsightly spots with a pink profusion of color.

6. Borders and More
Want to create a natural privacy fence in your backyard? Shrub roses will keep wandering children, pedestrians or stray dogs out of the landscape with a colorful “living wall” hedge.

7. Create an English Garden
You don’t need to dream anymore about having a showcase formal garden. Stake and trim your favorite shrub roses to grow as small rose trees for the look and feel of an English garden. Mix in old-fashioned favorites such as spiraea and hydrangea to create an enviable cottage garden.

It’s no wonder that these roses are the number one choice for folks looking for a carefree landscape shrub rose that looks great and performs beautifully. For more information visit: TheKnockOutRose.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: Knock Out roses, landscape shrub roses, spring gardens

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There are many factors that affect the growth of your bonsai plants. One of these factors is the kind of soil that you use for planting. If your bonsai plants look anemic despite giving it enough sunlight and water, you should check the composition of your soil. The best bonsai soil can help your plants grow healthy and strong so make sure that your bonsai soil recipe is good enough for your plants. Remember that different types of bonsai trees require different types of soil. To keep your plants, healthy, you need to give your plants the best bonsai soil available.

Finding Good Quality Soil

Since your bonsai plants only get limited amount of soil in its pot, you need to make sure that you give it the best bonsai soil. The correct quality of soil will keep your plant alive and healthy. The best bonsai soil has good water retaining quality. When you go hunting for the best bonsai soil, check the ingredients of the soil carefully. Soils that have dead organic matters in them can absorb water better than those soils that do not have any organic matters in them. Most bonsai lovers agree organic soils are better than inorganic ones. Not only will this type of soil help your bonsai plant grow well and stay healthy, this type of soil is also good for the environment. You can contribute a lot towards the protection of the environment if you use organic soils for your plants.

Aside from its capacity to absorb water, the best bonsai soil has the right nutrition absorbing qualities. To see if the bonsai soil is good in absorbing nutrients, check the label of the soils sold in your favorite garden supply store. To make things easier for you, ask the help of your local garden shop salesclerk when it comes to selecting the best bonsai soil.

Match Your Soil With The Kind Of Plants That You Have

Plants are just like human beings. They have different needs and preferences. To make sure that your plants stay healthy, you need to buy the right types of soil for your plants. Remember that the best bonsai soil for one plant specie may not be good enough for other plant species. You need to match your soil with the kind of plants that you have. If you are really serious about growing beautiful bonsai plants at home, take time to study the needs of your different bonsai plants.

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To begin raising bonsai one need only some bonsai tools. Nevertheless, with the correct tools one can do numerous functions and tasks easier, best and quicker. There are tools for few dollars; nevertheless, some cost some hundred dollars also. As with all other substance good quality also has here its cost. The option is big. There are tools in all grade and cost positions. Add value on quality and purchase the best bonsai tools which one can yield. Be certain, one never will repent it later and if treat cautiously one will have in it the joy for long time.
Outside Bonsai Tool Set
There are, really, only three instruments which should consist from the beginning to the basic instrument to form a bonsai from a small-scale tree.
One needs a pair of scissors hold with which one can do the good work. These scissors should be forever acute, and one should utilize them entirely for the work on the bonsai. If one start, try it first with a minor sentence of cutting shears. The cutting shears which were believed especially for the work on the bonsai are also usable.
Probably the most significant tools for bonsai shaping are knives with a boat-shaped edge. With concave cutting tool it is affirmable to cut off arms of the tree and to leave down a concave bruise. A concave bruise heals much quicker than a smooth one. Also such a cut indurates much better and one must look later already very precisely to accredit that broadly a cut was done. Cutting tool with a boat-shaped edge are an all important factor of the bonsai tool instruments.
A few wires cutting tool is also recommended, though these must not be purchased at once at the beginning. If one work with wire, one will have to move out this also again. With wire cutting tool one can cut the wire at once up to skin of the tree without wounding the bonsai tree. It is also a bonsai tool which is significant.
If one wants to work with wire, one will also require wires in passed away effectiveness. Normally anodized copper wire is suggested. This is very flexible, hence, can be inclined with ease and binds well its position, after tying it. Wire is used with delight to put limbs and to condition it.
Once one become more intensely with the bonsai forming, there are still few bonsai tools which should consist to the instrument. These bonsai tools make easier numerous tasks and allow one to use also boosted bonsai method.

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