Recreational Gardening Today

By Bonnie Moss

Give the same plants to several people, you will see several arrangements. Each one distinct and different, yet, using the same plants.

This is the ultimate reward of gardening- a means to express, to create with the help and inspiration from the gifts of Nature.

Gardening is not just physically and aesthetically rewarding.It enriches the spirit. It awakens one’s creativity that lies dormant from neglect, or lack of motivation, or a popular excuse, not enough time.

Gardening is fast becoming a popular hobby of the times. From the tropics, to the frigid climes, gardening centers are offering more choices to tantalize even the most conservative taste.

Each year, gardeners look forward with excitement to their gardening; a hobby they take passionately. What new plants are being introduced? What variety of surprises awaits them? The ornamental gardener will be glorious with the new plants or hybrids for the present growing season. The vegetable/herb gardener looks forward with anticipation at harvest time.

With so much variety to choose from, what factors determine which plants to buy? After considering the soil, weather, sun/shade location factors, the choice is all about self- expression. No two gardens are alike, given the same set of plants.

Colors are as revealing as the plants. A conservative gardener will opt for traditional plants. At times, you see the same plants, the same arrangements year after year.
Aha!! Perhaps the gardener does not adapt to change too quickly. It may be lack of time, or change of physical health.

Vibrant colors in the garden reflect a vibrant gardener. A garden bursting with colors is very attractive and pleasing to look at. It is inviting.

What about passion? They say red is a color of passion, of energy and courage. Add white to the reds, and the garden beckons the passer-by to take a look. Someone
said this combination looks like a candy cane.

My garden is overcome by burst of yellow and orange, not really by choice. Somehow, it gives out a golden glow as the blooms bask in the sun. It reflects my enthusiasm for life. Many of my plants are gifts from friends, treasures for my garden. Yellow flowers remind me of my mother.

Purples and blues in the garden are colors of reflection, of peace and calm. Add white flowers to this and it invites a meditative mood.

After colors, the arrangements of the plants reveal something of the person. I have a friend whose flowerbeds are symmetrical, weedless, picture- perfect, right out of a magazine. Indeed, this expresses her organized way of thinking and living.

A gardener who loves to re-arrange the plants and adds new plants and ornaments every year shows an enthusiastic and energetic spirit, ready to welcome change, eager to experiment.

What about an overgrown garden? Perhaps it reflects someone with scattered energies,or, at times, a full plate, or one who does not have the time or energy
to tend the garden. It may well show one who starts with a burst of enthusiasm that wanes quickly after the planting is done.

No matter how you plan your garden, it is a creative tool that allows you to express yourself. Gardening is therapeutic, physically, mentally and spiritually.

Happy gardening and don’t forget to talk to your plants.

Bonnie Moss writes about new age related topics for her website.Her writing also covers a wide range of subjects to includewriting and inspirationals and self-development.She is the Executive Secretary of Tarot Canada International.Her articles are published on high end e-zines.

Visit her website:http://goldencupcafe.tripod.com

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By Peter O’Brien

When you think of any kind of gardening, the first thing that pops into your mind is flower gardening. Flowers and gardens being naturally synonymous with each other. And dedicated gardener that you are, you’ll naturally be doing your own flower gardening this year.

Flower gardening need not be limited only to summertime. If you plan carefully and plant ahead of time, your garden can be filled with an abundance of flowers for most of the year.

If we start by seasons, then for spring flowers, the best thing you could do would be to plant bulbs. Any nursery will have them, and if you’re more inclined towards the exotic, and rarer flowering bulbs, there’s a good chance you can have them ordered specially.

Favorites amongst bulb lovers are early springtime Crocuses, and cheerful Snowdrops. Tulips though, are by and away the most famous of bulbs in demand by flower gardeners, and are available in a variety of shades, including a black-colored one, which is really more of a deep maroon and one of those rare flowers I was talking about earlier.

Remember that all spring flowering bulbs should be planted in mid autumn, as this is the best time for them. Come any closer to winter and you’re in danger of losing your bulbs altogether.

Moving through to summer, we find that perennials are a firm favorite for flower gardening as they yield blooms almost continuously throughout the season, and sometimes beyond. With a little luck and care, you’ll also find that most of your perennials will last through to next year, and the year after that, and, well you get the picture right? You’ll also find that as the years and the seasons wear on, your perennials will become fuller, and generally will become more abundant than the first year you planted them.

As autumn gently closes in most flower gardens are left bereft of anything but a few small hardy plants. If you’re into more dedicated flower gardening however, that need not be the case for you. Hardy, drought resistant plants like Asters number among the many types of fall flowers available, and will look stunning in late summer/early fall, Generally, autumn plants will grow to a good 3-4 feet in height, and have vivid colors, as well as the more genteel pastel colors to choose from. Ornamental grasses are another favorite and will nicely complement your fall flowers.

To round off the year and your efforts at flower gardening, don’t despair as there are many winter blooms available. Amaryllis, Hyacinth, and Narcissus are a few of the more common known flowers and are available in bulb form. If you want something a little more out of the ordinary, you could always try Winter Jasmine, or Winter Honeysuckle.

So, take heart, take plenty of notes, plan, and buy to your heart’s content. By the end of it all you truly will have a flower for every season, and your flower gardening efforts will be rewarded most bountifully

Gardening Advice and Tips

GreenGardenAdvice.com is a great resource for advice and tips on gardening.

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By Mikee Dunn

Bonsai gardening can be one of the most relaxing and rewarding things a person can do for enjoyment. This ancient Japanese tradition has swept the world and now everybody from Tokyo to Timbuktu is growing bonsais in their homes. Now it’s your turn.

One of the first things you should do is buy your bonsai from an accredited dealer. There are people who sometimes sell plants outside of a van at gas stations which they claim are bonsai but are really a fake rip off. So spend the extra cash and buy a real. Once you do, find out if your city has a bonsai gardening meeting group. Yes, these do exist. If you are new to bonsai gardening, the people at these meeting can be very helpful and will tell you all they can.

Now that you have your plant and your support, you can start working on your bonsai. When it comes to watering the bonsai, there is no set amount of water or number of times that you should water them as each one is very different. You should make sure that the soil is not too dry or it could dry out permanently. Too much water can cause the roots to get soggy and die. It’s really an inexact science but can be learned with a little bit of patience.

Despite what you may think or may have heard, bonsai gardening is not intended for indoor growth. Bonsai plants will grow best outdoors with plenty of sunlight and protection from the elements. Don’t forget to take the bonsai indoors in winter and other inclement weather situations like storms and extreme wind or heat.

Bonsais are just like regular plants in the fact that they must be given the chance to grow and expand their roots. You should replace the pot that your bonsais sit in every two years. The pots should be slightly bigger than the one before it, to help root growth and plant health.

Pruning is probably the reason many people buy a bonsai. You should prune the bonsai with specific a specific tool: a concave cutter. A concave cutter prunes the plant without leaving a stub and leaves the bonsai looking great. Pruning can take a while to get a hang of, but eventually you’ll get it.

As you can see, bonsai gardening can be a fun and easy way to relax and take care of something if you cannot have pets. Bonsais can last for years, so don’t worry if you don’t get it right at first. You have an entire lifetime to learn!

If you would like to learn more on bonsai gardening, go to http://www.squidoo.com/bonsaigardening/

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By Mike Mathews

For most people living in the city, Shade gardening is the reality that they have to deal with every day. For the most part, the formal English and full sun gardens are out of the question. Small back yards with high fences to for privacy, large trees, tall building, and our penchant for large houses all have contributed to a shady urban garden landscape. It is highly probable that you have, at the least, one shady spot in your garden that is in need of help. Below is a list of the types of shade gardens and the plants best suited to them for colour and maintenance.

Deep Shade

Deep shade gardens are areas without much or any light, direct or indirect. These naturally occur under large densely leaved trees and tree groupings, deciduous or coniferous. One way around this problem area would be to thin out the trees, prune the canopy, or in the case of the conifer prune up from the ground several feet, exposing the ground to indirect light. Other areas of deep shade occur beside high fences and wall, practically those facing north.

Plants that can do well in this type of deep shade would be mostly woodland plants, especially those from your zone and area.

Here is a list of deep shade plant:

Aucuba (spotted laurel) Shrub

Cornus (dogwood) shrub

Euonymus (pindle) shrub

Lamium (dead nettle) plant

Milium (millet) grass

Rosa (rose) climber

Schizphrgma climber

Lonicera (honeysuckle) climber

Hydrangea

Dappled Shade

These gardens are generally under loose foliage trees or woody areas. The light received in these garden areas is a mixture of spotted light and shade that tends to stay the same during the day. There are many plants that thrive in this type of setting, mostly woodland varieties, but you may be able to plant some sunloving plants that are able to adapt to lower light conditions.

Here is a list of dappled sunlight plants:

Windflower (Anemone nemorosa)

Primrose (Primula)vulgaris)

Blue bells (Endymion non-scriptus)

Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarsissus)

Wild Foxglove (Digitalis purpruea)

Welsh poppy (Meconopsis cambrica)

Azaleas

Rhododendron

Lily (Lilium)

Solomon’s seal (Polygonamatum) Trilliums

Partial Shade

Partial shade is an ambiguous term used for areas that get some direct sunlight during the day and indirect for the rest. Most sun loving plants will adapt to this type of setting as will dappled shade plants

With a little forethought and planning, you can beat the shade and have a great garden in these problem areas of your yard.

About the Author - Mike Mathews is a contributing writer and editor for the popular dog breed site: http://www.dog-breed-facts.com . He provides informative, real-world advice and tips on dog breeds, dog health , dog grooming and more. As well be sure to check out his free report on Dog Training.

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By Andrew M Kelly

Butterfly gardening is a wonderful and rewarding outdoor hobby that is increasing in popularity. Simply put butterfly gardening is the designing of a garden which is likely to attract butterflies by adding plants which are known to be highly attractive to these lovely little creatures.

Obviously some areas will be more likely than others to attract butterflies, housing developments near open countryside are likely to witness a number of different types of butterfly. However butterfly gardening can be highly successful even in the very center of our cities.

As well as including plants which attract the insects it is important to also include other types of plants which are more suitable for the other stages of the life cycle of a butterfly, such as a suitable place for it to lay eggs and suitable plants for caterpillars. You should also include areas of shelter and water. If you are extremely lucky your butterfly gardening efforts will be rewarded and you will be able to witness the progression from egg to caterpillar, from caterpillar to chrysalis and then, finally the hatching of that chrysalis to bring forth a fully developed adult butterfly.

When planning the design of your garden it is worth noting that a totally open garden is not the ideal habitat for butterflies. These delicate creatures benefit from the protection, from the weather, offered by trees and shrubs. Even an area of rocks or a low rock outcropping can provide welcome shelter during periods of harsh weather.

Butterfly gardening requires a little more thought when deciding upon which plants to include in your garden design. A butterfly feeds on nectar and most flowers are abundant in it but some are more suitable than others. Often butterfly gardening requires you to settle on a number of compromises, butterflies prefer native wildflowers and many plants which we often consider weeds. While there are plenty of trees and shrubs, such as the butterfly bush, the willow tree and wild cherry trees, which look wonderful in any garden there are some plants that we would rather do without.

Some of the best plants for use in butterfly gardening are nettles and thistles which are perfect places for the laying of eggs and the development of caterpillars. Nettles are very fast growing and are able to withstand the ravages of a mass of hungry caterpillars. Furthermore chrysalis formed within a small area of nettles and thistles will be somewhat protected by the plants themselves. However we may want to have such plants in a hidden area of your garden in a place in which they can not become too invasive.

Butterfly gardening is something which can be enjoyed by all of the family and will be of interest to all ages. Remember to keep all aspects of your garden green (such as avoiding pesticides) and you should find that year upon year the number of butterflies in your garden will increase.

http://www.landscapinginfo4u.com/ is dedicated to providing quality information about all aspects of landscape gardening. The author, Andrew Kelly, has been a keen gardener since his childhood and, now retired, he spends most of his spare time enjoying the hobby and writing about it.

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By Simon Morris

Gardening is a very rewarding and enjoyable hobby to get involved in. whether you are a complete novice or a die hard pro there is always room to expand. There are many things to keep in mind when first starting a garden one of which is to begin on a small scale. I would suggest an area no bigger then 20×30 feet because this will give you a space where you can grow about 30 plants depending on the size of the various plants. By starting small you can try out your skills and see if enlarging the plot is something you would want to do. Enlarging your garden is something you can always do. Moving from garden hose to fancy sprinkler system is always a blast.

Some useful gardening tips:

The very first thing you want to do is go and find your self the perfect area for your new garden. You should try and find a place that gets sunlight for the better part of the day. Even better would be the whole day. Though if in a place where the climate gets extremely hot that more shade is a good idea. Of course sometimes full sunlight is not always a reality so fear not there are many plants that can grow in the shade. Just head down to the local nursery and ask them for advice they are usually very helpful.

The next thing to think about is the soil. The soil for your garden is the backbone of your greenery. A rotten bag of soil can really hamper your ability to grow anything and cause nothing but headaches. There are different types of soil for different gardens but one common thread is to completely strip your garden area off all debris with a garden tiller if you have one if not a shovel will work. If this is done correctly it will be the best preventative measure against bugs fungus and disease.

When growing a vegetable or an herb garden you will always want to shy away from normal fertilizers and pesticides. There are many organic and chemical free alternatives now on the market. A backyard compost heal works the best but wood much can also suffice. Using a garden tiller to ensure that the soil is mixed well is always recommended. For a standard plant garden that excludes edible plants you can pick and choose fertilizer based on the type of plants. Once again head down to the local nursery and ask them which ones work best for what plants. As previously stated a good ole garden hose might suffice to water a small garden but if it gets bigger a sprinkler system or a drip system should be installed.

A very good idea when planning your garden is to arrange the plants together in groups from small to large growth. The small ones in the front and the big ones in the back. That way you can utilize the space most efficiently. It is also very important to plant in the correct calender month. The perfect time is usually spring but it does very from plant to plant.

A few more notes about watering your garden are keep the water more in the hot months and less in the colder months. Automatic sprinkler systems can pretty much make gardens go on auto pilot . You can also install an automatic drip system. These are sometimes preferred because they are much more efficient due to the fact that they drop water right on the plant and do not water unnecessary area. I suggest installing on of these auto systems if your planting area gets big because it can take a load off!

To bring it all together… A garden can take some work but if you collect the right tools like a tiller and an automatic watering system it will make things easier. The four basic steps to a garden are: Find the perfect area for your garden, create and mix the soil that will be best for your garden, organize the plants by size and features, then plan how you are going to water that place. With a little bit of detective work and time you will have one bang up garden. i hope these gardening tips helped. For a more i depth look at gardening you can visit the site below.

Simon Morris has been gardening for most of his life. For Simon gardening has been a life long passion. For a more in depth look at gardening or for more useful Gardening Tips Check out the site below.http://www.ourgardensource.com

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By R Birch

Successful garden designs create landscapes which are practical, beautiful and compatible with a site’s natural conditions. Gardens should be designed to meet the needs of the people who will use and maintain them. More importantly, however, a garden should enhance the quality of life of the people who visit it. The following covers some of the basic issues involved when planning a garden.

Choosing the appropriate tree for your garden requires an understanding of your local environment and your specific needs. Suppose the lower portion of the grounds is a bit wet much of the year, then the spot is ideal for a willow. An open field may be the ideal location for tulip tree or beech tree, both of which requires a lot of space. A sunny patio may benefit from dappled shade provided by a honey locust. Determine your needs and landscape conditions before searching for the right tree.

Look for plants with interesting, year-round qualities. All plants are available in types which bloom in early, mid, or late season. For instance, forsythia blooms early in the spring while the red twig dogwood and the red berries of the holly provide color all winter. Consider using plants with unique shapes and colorful bark. These qualities are wonderful during the fall and winter.

Certain shrubs are great for hedges while others are perfect as a lone specimen or planted in the shrub border. For instance, Californian privet is an excellent hedge shrub while the Korean spice viburnum can demand attention on its own. Spireas and rhododendrons are both suited to the mixed border planting. Take into account trees and shrubs which are native to your area, they’re low maintenance and are usually quite hardy.

Gardens may be formal or informal. Formal gardens will often utilize crisp straight lines, symmetrical planting and hardscapes containing bluestone, granite or brick. An informal garden may consist of curving lines, plantings which mimic the natural landscape and paths and patios built from fieldstone.

Garden paths may be constructed out of a wide range materials, including gravel, mulch, grass or any type of paving stone. Grass paths are great around the flower beds. However, in a small gardens they would become worn very quickly. A gravel path is easily installed and very inexpensive. Mulch in suitable in the woodland garden while paving stone is effective in any garden settings. Limit the types of material throughout the garden; too many can be a distraction.

Gardens tie together architecture and the landscape creating harmonious whole. In fact, courtyards or patios can be seen as an outdoor room and the transition between the house and landscape. Vines growing on an arbor or trellis help unify the garden and house. Wisteria, honeysuckle, a climbing rose, clematis and trumpet vine are all are all vigorous growers and are effective on garden structures.

Flower gardens are wonderful bordering a walk or near a patio. In general they should be located where they’ll be seen. Formal or informal, flower gardens should be easily accessible for maintenance purposes. Spring flowering bulbs, planted in the flower garden or beneath a large shade tree, are a welcome sight after a long winter.

Proper planning is essential to a successful garden. Draw out your design ideas before getting out the shovels. Know your local environment as well; it will help when choosing what plants will work best.

R Birch is the publisher of http://www.gardenlistings.com . For information on all kinds of garden projects visit http://www.gardenlistings.com/Resources.htm

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