Savvy Gardening: Garden Ideas, Tips, Pictures, and More » Christine

Expert tips for creating a backyard habitat for colorful birds

Christine — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:26:04 +0000

(ARA) – Whether city or country, bird watching is fun and you can create an environment for it in your own backyard in less time than you think.

John Robinson, chief ornithologist and manager of Scotts Birding Center of Excellence, says there are three components to making your backyard an oasis for feathered friends:

1. Vegetation provides shelter
Having a variety of shrubs and trees in your yard makes it bird friendly. Birds use trees, shrubs and plants to hide from both the elements and their natural predators, as well as to roost or nest in. Additionally, the right types of vegetation also provide fruit or seeds for the birds to eat.

White pine, arborvitae, spruce, juniper, cedar, holly and other broadleaf and needle evergreens provide essential protection all year as well as food. Hedges of serviceberry or viburnum provide food, shelter and nesting spots. Flowers like columbine and trumpet vine attract hummingbirds with their sweet nectar.

2. Quality food nourishes
Not all bird food is created equal. Look for blends that were researched in the field and created to attract the types of birds you want to see in your backyard. Avoid filler material like milo, wheat or cracked corn.

To attract colorful birds, Robinson recommends Scotts Songbird Selections Colorful Bird Blend, which was developed by ornithologists. This mix is made from 10 high-quality ingredients that are blended in a specific ratio designed to attract more colorful birds. Results may vary by region and/or season, but Colorful Bird Blend has been proven to attract up to twice as many than with ordinary wild bird food. The mix is also less attractive to blackbirds, grackles and cowbirds, which are often considered a nuisance.

Another good option is Scotts Songbird Selections Wild Finch & Small Songbird Blend, which was scientifically mixed to attract goldfinches. Field research done across the country by Robinson, his team, and university partners, shows that while results may vary by region and/or season, this mix can attract up to two times the amount of finches as other types of ordinary wild bird food. Additionally, it also attracts other interesting small birds such as nuthatches, chickadees and native sparrows.

3. Water quenches thirst
Putting out a birdbath, especially one with a trickle or fountain, makes your garden a very popular spot in any season. Whether you put a decorative birdbath in your backyard or simply place a large clay saucer on the ground or on top of a tree stump, make sure it has a rough surface and a shallow bowl. If you have a pond or stream, place flat rocks in them for bird perches.

Birds require fresh water, so clean birdbaths often and replace water every couple of days.

For more information and additional ideas on how to create a bird habitat in your own backyard, visit www.scottswildbirdfood.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

How to make the most of fall’s final harvest

Christine — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:56:21 +0000

The arrival of autumn doesn't mean your days of enjoying your garden are over.

(ARA) – Your vegetable garden has supplied your family with flavorful, nutritious fare throughout the summer. But the arrival of autumn doesn’t mean your days of enjoying your garden are over. If you plant now for the future and prepare for the coming season, it’s possible to enjoy a few last tasty morsels from your garden and ensure next spring’s landscape will be dazzling.

Here are a few tips to ensure your fall harvest is as fresh and fabulous as possible:

Plant a bit of fall flavor

Add a few short-season vegetables to your garden for fresh-from-the-field flavor this fall. Simply count the days from planting to the average first fall frost to determine how many growing days are left in your area. Select vegetables that will mature and can be harvested in that time. Leaf lettuce, spinach, mustard greens, radishes and carrots grow quickly, tolerate cool weather and are great additions to your fall cuisine.

Get these vegetables off to a good start with a side dressing of low nitrogen fertilizer like Milorganite. Incorporate it into the soil prior to planting or sprinkle a narrow band along the row of plants. “This organic nitrogen will provide needed nutrients without damaging the tender seedlings. It is safe to use on all your edible and ornamental plants,” says Melinda Myers, nationally known horticulturist and author.

Cover ‘em up
Protect tender vegetables like tomatoes and peppers from the first few fall frosts. Floating row covers, cloches and cold frames can protect tender plants from frost. Or harvest green tomatoes before the killing frost and finish ripening them indoors. Spread them out on heavy paper or wrap them in newspaper so the tomatoes don’t touch and store them in a 65-degree location. They will ripen over the next few weeks. Speed up the process by moving a few tomatoes to a bright, warm location a few days before they are needed. And don’t leave green tomatoes behind. They taste great fried or made into relish and other tasty treats.

A fall planting of daffodils, grape hyacinths and other long-lived bulbs can provide many springs of beauty.

Plant some spring color
A fall planting of daffodils, grape hyacinths and other long-lived bulbs can provide many springs of beauty. Prepare the soil and add a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer like Milorganite to the soil. “This organic source of nitrogen releases needed nutrients including phosphorous and potassium from the soil without promoting unwanted fall growth,” according to Myers.

Give them a boost
Don’t forget about your trees. As the temperatures cool, and even after trees lose their leaves, tree roots are in their most active growth period. Fertilize trees in need of a nutrient boost about one month after the first killing frost but before the soil freezes. Use Milorganite to encourage balanced growth without the risk of damaging the roots. The organic source of nitrogen is slow release and stays in the soil. The non-staining iron is available to plants no matter the pH. So, you can give stressed trees a boost without encouraging excess growth or incurring root damage.

Prep your lawn for winter
Help your lawn recover from the heat and drought of summer and prepare it for winter with fall fertilization. University research has shown that fall fertilization is the most beneficial practice for home lawns. Less disease problems and slower weed growth mean your lawns — not the pests — benefit from the nutrients. Fall fertilization also helps lawns recover from the stresses of summer because it encourages deep roots and denser growth that can better compete with weeds, and tolerate disease and insects.

“Northern gardeners can follow the holiday schedule and fertilize Labor Day and Halloween. Southern gardeners should make their last fall fertilization at least 30 days before the lawn goes dormant or the average first killing frost to avoid winter kill,” recommends Myers. Use a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer, for best results.

Tuck them in for winter
A good, long drink and bit of winter protection goes a long way to help struggling and less hardy plants through the winter ahead. A blanket of evergreen boughs, straw or marsh hay applied after the ground freezes will prevent frost heaving and early sprouting, and increase the chance of winter survival for bulbs and perennials.

Wind breaks and mulch can reduce winter drying and death of broadleaf and other evergreens. Water these and other plantings thoroughly before the ground freezes to increase overwintering success.

Add a layer of wood chip mulch on the soil surrounding trees and shrubs to moderate soil temperatures, conserve moisture and reduce weed competition. Keep mulch off tree trunks and shrub stems.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

North American Herb & Spice: Native Inspirations

Christine — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:35:37 +0000

Nothing works better when making when making when making North American dishes then using North American herb & spice. North American herb & spices are herbs and spices, which can be found within North America. This does not mean they all are herbs and spices, which had been brought into the country from other places but are actually needed to the North American continent.

There is a wide variety of North American herb & spice options that can add a distinctive flavor and tone to any dish. North American herb & spices can also the end in itself to providing a local and native feel to any kitchen garden. In fact, in some areas using North American herb & spices and a kitchen garden is actually recommended because there is a greater chance of these types of plants actually growing well in the environment. This is because they are native vegetation to the area.

How to Find Native Herbs and Spices

There are a number of ways to find herbs and spices that are native to your area. The first thing to do is check with your local nursery. Local nurseries usually have a good idea of the types of plants that are native to the area and can provide a significant amount of assistance. When attempting to locate native herbs and spices. Often times these herbs and spices are going to be native plants you may not have even considered to be edible.

Another option is to check with agricultural clubs or gardening clubs these can be another great resource. When looking for plants that are native to a particular area. Another option is to use the Internet. The Internet can provide a significant number of resources in regards to the various options for native vegetation and a given area. They can also provide a wealth of information in regards to gardening and growing these native plants.

Finally there is always the option of checking out gardening books and other printed resource materials which can be ordered either online or can be found through your local library system. Any of these options can provide you with the necessary information not only to grow and locate these herbs and spices but also dishes and other way is that these herbs and spices can be beneficial to you through either medicinal or through cooking mediums. They can also provide a great way to have a wonderful native garden.

Do it Yourself Microwave Herb Drying

Christine — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:33:22 +0000

There’s a feeling of loss that comes with the beginning of fall and the end of the summer vegetable and herb growing season. The sun sets early, and nights grow cooler. As leaves begin to change color, every gardener knows it’s time to put their crops to bed. Green tomatoes get picked and pickled; beans get harvested, corn is picked, and cornstalks are pulled up and set aside until Halloween, when they will be arranged on the front porch with pumpkins and other decorations.

Microwave Herb Drying

Late summer and early fall is the perfect time to preserve summer herbs, dried in your microwave oven. When herbs dry in a microwave, the essential oils of the herbs are absorbed and stored in the leaves that result from the drying process.

Just as dried tomatoes, dried grapes (raisins) and dried plums (prunes) have a more concentrated flavor than the fresh fruits, dried herbs are many times more potent than fresh herbs. If you harvest fresh herbs from your garden at the end of the summer growing season and use microwave herb drying to preserve them, you can preserve enough concentrated herbs to meet your cooking needs for the entire winter.

How to Practice Microwave Herb Drying

Microwave herb drying starts with the harvest process. Herbs that are going to be dried should be harvested before they flower. When any plant flowers, it concentrates its energy into creating a flower, robbing the leaves of the essence of the plant. By harvesting the herbs before the flower starts to form, you collect the essential oils while they are still in the leaves of the plant.

Always cut herbs in the morning, before the heat of the day begins to radiate, and use sharp clippers or shears. Cut stems low on the plant. Gently shake the cut leaves to remove loose dirt or bugs. Taking just a few stems of the herb at a time, wrap a small bundle of herbs in a kitchen towel and place it in the microwave oven. Put a glass measuring cup full of water in the microwave to protect the towel and herbs from burning.

Heat the herbs for 30 seconds on high. After the timer goes off, remove the herbs from the oven. Do not unwrap the towel until it has cooled completely. Remove the dried leaves from the stems of the herbs and store them in a cool, dark area in a glass jar or plastic container. Dried herbs tend to look alike, so be sure to mark the container with the name of the herb inside.

Herbal Tea and Magic Herb Tea Help Support the Body’s Essential Functions

Christine — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:32:18 +0000

Herbs have been known to produce many positive effects in the human body. One can find herbal supplements for nearly any disease or condition, as well as for the promotion of overall health.

One of the most common traditional ways to ingest herbs is in tea form. People have been drying, steeping, and drinking herbs in this way for thousands of years, all around the world. The benefits of herbal teas range from immune system support to weight loss to sleep assistance and beyond.

Condition-Specific Teas Are Hot Sellers

Many herbal teas that are popular with health-conscious folks these days work to address chronic health issues. While their effectiveness is not proven and the ingredients are not strictly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they may help to reduce the effects of serious health problems.

Cholesterol-lowering teas are among today’s best selling teas. They help remove “bad” cholesterol which can reduce the risk of future heart problems. Weigh loss teas are also extremely popular and have been said to stave off hunger while keeping you alert.

There is also a product called magic herb tea which may help to reduce blood sugar in diabetics. Magic herb tea contains a blend of many different types of herbs which all work together to support the pancreas’ function. Again, magic herb tea is not regulated by the FDA as a supplement, but people who have used it swear by its effectiveness.

Other products are also marketed under the name “magic herb tea.” These teas also promise to improve your health or mood in one way or another. There are magic herb teas which contain several different types of mint that are said to calm and soothe the drinker. Another magic herb tea contains cranberry to support the healthy function of the urinary tract.

Drinking Tea Just for the Pleasure of Drinking Tea

Of course, not all herbal tea is designed specifically to increase your health. Some herbal tea claims no purpose other than providing a tasty beverage that also happens to be free of caffeine and calories.

Drinking a mug of warm herbal tea just before bedtime is a nightly ritual for many people. The warmth and great taste of the herbs can be very soothing and can help lull you into a restful and peaceful slumber, where you no doubt dream of sipping your favorite herbal tea with your favorite people.

How to Grow your Own Kitchen Herb Garden

Christine — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:31:13 +0000

Many of us love cooking with fresh herbs, but the standard fare in the produce department of the local grocers just won’t do. You want that just picked off the vine flavor, and the best way to get it is by planting your very own kitchen herb garden at home that you can access whenever you need to. An herb garden can consist of a plot of ground just past the backdoor, or it can be a line of pots on your windowsill. It will be up to you, your preference and the amount of space you have as to where and how your kitchen herb garden will evolve.

Choosing the Best Site
If you decide to plant your kitchen herb garden outdoors, you will want to find a spot that gets at least five hours of sun each day, since most herb plants crave the light. It is also important to place your plants in good soil that has plenty of drainage and is slightly alkaline. If you need more drainage, mound your crops up a bit to allow for water to run off easier. If your soil is too acidic, you can add lime to balance the pH for your plants. It is also a good idea to place an outdoor garden within convenient access of the kitchen, so that you can easily run outdoors and snip off a few leaves when you want them.

Choosing the Best Plants
Most kitchen herb gardens will consist of a variety of culinary herbs, like oregano, basil, lemon balm, parsley and dill. Some of these herbs will be perennials, meaning that you can plant once and enjoy them for many seasons. Others will grow as annuals in colder climates, so you can choose to either bring the plants indoors in the winter, or simply replant your kitchen herb garden each spring. It is important to research the growing habits of each individual herb that you include, to ensure that you give them the best environment and care possible.

While some herbs will grow well from seed, others will be much harder to begin this way. For example, rosemary is a difficult crop to start from seed, but can be quite successful when started from cuttings. You can also purchase rosemary plants from the neighborhood nursery and plant them directly into your kitchen herb garden. If you are starting your herbs indoors, they are generally started with seeds and require plenty of light and water to begin the growing process.

Your own kitchen herb garden will be a fun hobby that you can enjoy for the summer, and provide you with many delectable seasonings all year long. Herbs are generally easy to grow, fun to harvest and delicious to eat!

Creating an Indoor Herb Garden

Christine — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:30:32 +0000

If you love cooking you will know how enjoyable it is to create different variations of dishes that you cook regularly. Even changing a few minor ingredients can make a big difference to the final dish, so it’s worth experimenting every time you go into the kitchen to cook a meal.

One of the nicest ways to add an extra something to your cooking is by using herbs and spices, and luckily it is very simple to create an indoor herb garden to make sure everything you use is as fresh as it possibly could be.

How do You Begin?

Think about where you could put your indoor herb garden to begin with. Most people put one on their kitchen windowsill as this usually promotes the most growth, but any position with a lot of sun will get great results.

You can buy an indoor herb garden which is ready made and easy to use, but it’s just as easy to create your own if you start with the right container. All you need to do is fill it with compost and a mixture of herbs that you like, and water it regularly.

You have two choices when it comes to a container – you can either use one long trough style container, which means your herbs may start to mix in with each other, or a number of separate pots which all stand on a long oblong shaped saucer. Either version looks great when you are creating your own indoor herb garden.

The Benefits of Having an Indoor Herb Garden

There are plenty of benefits – not least the fact that you can harvest your herbs as soon as they are growing plentifully. This gives you herbs that are at their freshest, which are ideal for cooking and much better than anything you could buy anywhere else.

An indoor herb garden also makes a great addition to any windowsill, and can be a little more unusual than using a plant or flowers to decorate your kitchen. If you really start to enjoy using them, you could even consider starting to dry some herbs to see whether you get better or different results in your cooking from using that method.

Lots of people find that an indoor herb garden is the easiest and most rewarding way to grow herbs at their home. An outdoor one works well, but you won’t want to go outside to fetch some if the weather is bad!

Indian Herbs: Give an Exotic Flavor to Any Dish or Garden

Christine — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:29:28 +0000

Having an herb garden is one of the great joys of cooking, and there are hundreds or even thousands of options that can provide both beauty to your garden and excellent flavor to any dish. If you are looking for something to give both an exotic flavor to your food and also an exotic twist to your kitchen garden or container garden, consider Indian herb species.

If you have ever tried Indian food, you know that there are some distinctive flavors that can be found only in these dishes these are due to the various types of Indian Herb species that are available and native to India. Indian herb species are hardy and can grow in a variety of climates due to the various climactic changes within India itself.

Growing Indian Herb

There are a few things to consider when growing Indian herb varieties. The first thing is the type of environment they are used to growing in. Keep in mind that India as a number of different climates and the herbs are going to be used to growing in these environments. There are some adaptations, which can be used that can provide for allowing these herbs to grow in other types of climates. However, it is usually best to grow them in the type of environment they are native too.

If you are getting your herbs through a growing, ask the grower the type of conditions that you will need to have in order to ensure the proper growth and development of your plants. They will usually be able to tell you how to grow them and if there are any ways that you can use in order to adapt your home growing environment to one that the plant is more used to growing in.

For example, some plants need to have a frost, this means if you live in a southern area that you may need to bring these plants in and place them within the freezer every year once the growing season is over. Other plants need high moisture, while others need little to none.

All of these factors need to be taken into consideration when growing plants. If you are growing exotic herbs, it is a good idea to consider doing indoor container gardening of these herbs. This gives you greater control over the environment in which they are growing. Of course, another option is to also consider the zones that are located on most plants and save time and trouble by only growing herbs and plants for your zone.

How to Build Indoor Herb Gardens: A Guide to Container Gardening

Christine — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:27:38 +0000

If you are looking for information on how to build an indoor herb garden or how to build indoor herb garden layouts then the internet is probably your best bet for finding this information. There is a lot of information available on how to build an indoor herb garden and how to build indoor herb garden containers as a result it is important to know what you are looking for prior to doing your search.

Steps on How to Build Indoor Herb Garden

There are a few ways that can be used to create an indoor herb garden. There are also a few steps necessary to completing an indoor herb garden. The first step is to locate information on the types of herbs that want to grow within the indoor herb garden. Having this information before you start the process of creating the indoor herb garden is important, because not only will it tell you how much space is needed for the plants but also it will tell you where they need to be placed based on lighting conditions.

Once you know how much space is going to be taken up by the mature herb plants Aaron to know what lighting conditions. They need in order to grow. The next step is to create the actual garden.

There are a couple of ways to do this, the fastest way is to take a container, soil, and already mature plants and transplant the plants into the container. The second fastest way is to use an indoor herb garden growing kits, which is available online or through most retailers. This provides you with everything that you need to grow an indoor herb garden.

Finally, the last way to grow an indoor herb garden is to grow the garden from seeds. This is not usually, except in the case of growing kits, the quickest or most effective way to grow an herb garden. The reason being is that often seeds will not sprout. This can be due to a number of reasons, but is usually attributed to the fact that the soil temperatures are not monitored or even looked at.

Seeds and not only seeds need the correct amount of food and light as well as water, but they also need to be at a certain temperature .n order to reach the optimal conditions for growth. If you are looking to grow an indoor herb garden from seeds, this needs to be taken into consideration.

Grow your Own Herb Tea

Christine — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:26:28 +0000

If you love to enjoy a cup of herb tea regularly but hate to spend the money for the commercial varieties, consider growing your own herbs at home. Many of the herbs that are used in tea can be easy to grow indoors or out, giving you the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing cup of herb tea any time of the year. Herbs can be brewed into tea right from the plant or you can dry your herbs and store in airtight containers for up to a year. No matter how you prefer to enjoy your cup of tea, providing your own herbs can be a fun way to enjoy a new hobby and your favorite beverage.

Best Choices in Herbs
What type of herb tea do you love? A relaxing cup of chamomile or a refreshing burst of mint? Perhaps you like your tea a bit on the sweet side, so a few stevia leaves might be just the ticket. Or maybe lemon is your “cup of tea”, making lemon balm the herb of choice for your favorite beverage. All of these herbs can be grown in your garden or even on your window sill so you can enjoy your steaming cup with the freshest herbs possible.

Chamomile is an easy crop to cultivate in your outdoor garden. Although this herb is an annual, it does have a tendency to reseed, so don’t be surprised if you find your plants coming up year after year. Instead of using the leaves of this plant to brew your cup of herb tea, you will use the tiny white flowers for your beverage. There are two types of chamomile; German and Roman, with the German variety making the better cup of tea.

Mint and lemon balm are two herbs that are closely related, but with much different flavors for your herb tea. Mint can be grown inside or out, and comes in many different varieties like spearmint, peppermint and even chocolate mint. Lemon balm can also be grown both indoors and out, and has a distinct lemony flavor that is truly delightful in herb tea. It can also be a delicious culinary herb when it is used with dishes like fish and poultry.

Stevia is a sweet herb that can be grown in an herb tea garden for the express purpose of keeping your tea sweet and flavorful. The other advantage to growing stevia in your herb garden is that it acts as a natural pest repellent, which is perfect for organic gardeners. This herb takes a bit more care to cultivate, but it can be worth the effort to round out your herb tea garden.

The only thing better than a cup of herb tea is a cup of tea that you have grown yourself. Put them on a windowsill or plant them in your garden, but herbs for tea are a popular choice for many gardeners today.