Flower Garden Plans

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Garden Design Tips - New Ideas To a Great Garden

Learn how to brighten up your décor with cut flowers without disturbing the aesthetics of your outdoor flower garden. Use our ideas for garden design plans or tips on

Our Flower Guide Will Give Your Garden Plans A Jump Start

Our easy flower guide is always in demand. Discover flower garden ideas that will reflect your own style.

Garden Plans

Garden Inspiration. Choose a flower that you really like and use repeatedly in your garden design. You might be inspired to create a cottage garden design from watching

List of Flowers With Pictures - Landscaping Ideas - Landscape

Browse these galleries to gain ideas for creating The flower pictures below run the gamut in terms of plant the earliest you're likely to see blooming (if you garden

A Professional Flower Garden Design is a Perfect Gift

A flower garden design is an amazing and lasting Christmas gift. You will always be remembered as the one who gave the most remarkable and unusual gift. Your friends

Designs For Garden Flower Beds, Flower Garden Borders, Pictures Of

Designs for garden flower beds with pictures of beautiful flower garden borders, pictures of roses and ideas for a flower rose garden

Flower Bed Design Green Space Flower Garden Plan

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Free Flower Garden Design Ideas: Planning A Wild Flower Garden

Growing wildflowers bring both natural color and beauty into your yard. Best of all, wildflower gardens are generally trouble-free and require little maintenance.

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Nowadays you can buy bedding plants of just about any kind of flower imaginable. They cost more. For what you would spend for a couple of bedding plants all ready to

Shade Flower Garden Design Tips: How to Select the Best Flowers

Shaded flower gardens are a delight when done right. Learn how to design and plant a lovely shady flower bed to enjoy all season long. You'll have it made in the shade!

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Visionary garden landscape design ideas I think this rose is supposed to look like 4th of July fireworks. Red and white striped is certainly appropriate, and it

Want To Learn About Gardening? Keep Reading

By Blaine Peters

Gardening can be a great way to relieve stress and spruce up your home. However, many people aren't sure where to begin when they want to start their own garden at home, and can make mistakes that kill all of their plants. To make sure this doesn't happen to you, read on to find out how to start your garden right!

Garden peas should be picked when pods are fairly well filled out and are still bright green. Pick a few peas and eat them raw. They should taste sweet and delicious. If you consistently pick garden peas as they mature, you will increase your production at harvest time, which is usually one to two weeks.

Don't try to remove low lying weeds by hand. Instead get a small shovel and flip them over so their leaves are under the dirt. You will kill the weed and the leaves will rot creating a fresh mulch like material for you to use. It is green and nourishing for the other plants.

Gardening can be a very rewarding practice. Not only can you improve the look of the outside of your home, but you can be proud of it as well. There are plenty of tools and things to use in gardening and this can be a very rewarding activity. You can improve not only your home but your neighborhood and quite possibly start saving on groceries by growing your own food!

To get rid of weeds and household junk at the same time, use shredded junk mail as a fertilizer. Take the shredded pieces of mail, wet them, and lay them in your garden. This will prevent weeds from growing on the places where they are laid, and will also help your plants to fight off diseases.

Use fertilizers that are free for the taking. Using chemical free grass clippings or human urine for a nutrient rich and free fertilizer. Twenty parts water with one part urine is an excellent fertilizer for seedlings, or steep the grass clippings in water to make a tea for watering and fertilizing the plants. So don't spend a lot on the garden when the fertilizers can be had for free.

Use your leftover pasta water in your garden! Plants are big starch fans and thrive with water that contains higher levels of starch, like the water left over after you boil pasta or potatoes. Make sure, though, that you let the water sit until it reaches room temperature prior to watering your plants with it!

It is best to start planning your summer garden in the winter. Measure and lay out your yard and when the ground is dry, go ahead and dig the perimeter of the garden. Use a garden hose to place your shape, to map out the area, and design of the garden. The hose will hold the shape as you dig, but will be flexible enough to allow for any adjustments that you will most likely make.

Creating a great and healthy looking garden just requires a little bit of knowledge and a lot of work. The previously mentioned tips are just a small segment of the plentiful information that is available to you. By making a little extra effort and following these tips, you can make a big difference in your garden.

About the Author:

Want to find out more about Storage Shed Plans, then visit Blaine Peters's site on how to choose the best Storage Shed Plans for your needs.

Container Gardening for the New Gardener

Have you ever wished you could bring a luxurious blooming azalea into your living room, or enjoy the fragrance of a blooming Meyer lemon when the temperature outside is still below freezing? You can turn these wishes into daily enjoyment if the plants are grown in handsome containers that can be moved wherever you like.

Whether you choose to bring a plant indoors or simply give it a prominent place on the patio or deck, container gardening allows you to move a plant when you want to, regardless of the season or transplanting conditions. And because you can create the proper soil condition (see directions below) and protect a plant from extreme temperatures, you can grow it wherever you like.

CAREFUL WATERING AND FEEDING ARE ESSENTIAL - Plants in containers require more attention to watering and soil condition than plants in the ground. You should water a container plant whenever the top inch or so of soil feels dry (in hot weather, some containers may require watering twice a day). Be sure to water enough so that the water begins to run out of the drainage holes. And if you're planning to be away from home for a few days, tightly group your container plants in a sheltered area; the plants will protect each other from the beat, cutting down moisture loss.

Unless the water in your area has a very low mineral content, salts will build up in containers, occasionally burning leaves or even killing some plants, To prevent this from happening, periodically flush out the soil by allowing water to trickle slowly into the container until it is saturated; or fill the pot several times in succession, allowing it to drain thoroughly. If leaf edges still show signs of burning (the edges turn brown and become brittle), submerge the pot in a tub filled with water.

The frequent watering which is necessary to maintain container plants, unfortunately flushes away any added fertilizer. The best way to keep a plant fertilized is to feed it every week using one-fourth the recommended strength.

TRANSPLANTING TECHNIQUES - Because feeder roots of container plants tend to mass next to the container wall, most plants should be transplanted to slightly larger pots from time to time or they will become pot bound and stop growing. Choose a new container that allows for two or three inches of new soil around the root ball. Guard against putting your plant into a much larger container-the unused soil may become soggy and sour and kill the plant before it has time to send out enough root growth. A day before transplanting, water the plant well. Then, remove the plant from its container, lightly scrape the root ball to stimulate the feeder roots, and set it in the larger pot on a bed of new soil mix. Then gradually add soil until the pot is filled, tamping the surface gently to avoid air pockets.

WHICH POTTING MIX? - A good planting mix is probably the most important element in container gardening. If you want to make up your own potting mix, use the ingredients listed for one of the three different mixes in the chart below. The basic mix is good for growing most plants; the exceptions are acid-loving plants which require the acid mix. The lightweight mix is best used for house plants or for container plants that require frequent moving.

Guard against substituting a raw wood product for one of the ingredients because it will quickly use up any fertilizer you add, leaving the plant without the proper nourishment.

The amount of ingredients listed for a small quantity of basic mix will fill about 18 pots, 12 inches in diameter. The larger quantity of basic mix will give you a cubic yard. Whether you make the small or large quantity, the basic mix will require additional frequent feedings of nitrogen, since it will not retain fertilizer very well (use a quarter-strength fertilizer weekly).

If you prefer to use your own formula for making a soil mix, make sure it doesn't include dense clay. Clay soil retains water, often drowning container plants.

Before putting plants in containers, make sure the mix is damp but not wet (if you're using new clay pots, soak them before planting so they will not rob moisture from the soil mix). Cover the container drain hole with small pieces of broken clay pots. Then check the consistency of the mix-it must be the same throughout the container to allow capillary action to draw water down to the roots, Fill the pot with soil mix to within 1/2 inch of the top. Water slowly to give the mix a chance to settle, adding more if needed.

BASIC MIX (For a Large Quantity)
(Suitable for all but ericaceous plants such azalea, heather, rhododendron.)

• 2/3 yard nitrogen stabilized bark, redwood sawdust, or otherorganic matter
• 1/3 yard sandy loam or uniform fine sand
• 6 pounds 0-10-10 or equivalent dry
• fertilizer
• 10 pounds dolomite limestone

BASIC MIX (For a Small Quantity)

• 16 gallons nitrogen stabilized bark, redwood sawdust, or other organic matter
• 8 gallons sandy loam or uniform fine sand
• 1-1/3 cups 0-10-10 or equivalent dry fertilizer
• 1-3/4 cups dolomite limestone

LIGHTWEIGHT MIX
(Ideal for indoor planters or outside container plants in sheltered areas. This mix may not provide sufficient support for taller plants in windy situations.)

• 2 parts basic mix (above)
• 1 part perlite

ACID MIX
(For azalea, heather, rhododendron, etc.)

• 4 or 5 parts coarse-textured peat moss
• 1 part composted oak leaf mold

Prepare soil mix by putting ingredients into large pile, tossing them into a second pile to mix, and then tossing again if the mix is not blended the first time.

Scatter fertilizer and limestone over the blended organic matter and loam or sand. If you want a lightweight mix, use this stage to spread perlite over basic ingredients. Toss again once or twice to blend in fertilizer (and perlite if you are using it). If you are only making a small quantity of soil mix, use your hands as mixing tools.

If you're starting a new garden or trying to learn some new gardening tricks, editor Tim Lundie invites you to visit NewGardener.com ( http://www.newgardener.com ) for helpful tips and gardening inspiration.
NewGardener.com grows happy gardeners!
(c) NewGardener.com. All Rights Reserved.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Lundie

New Gardeners Guide to Planting a Container Garden

Container gardens give those people who don't have yards or room for a "regular" garden a way to grow the gardens they crave. Now, they can have a garden on a deck, patio or in a window box or even inside their houses. All types of plants can be grown: vegetables, shrubs, roses, annuals, perennials. The list is endless.

Containers filled with colorful foliage and flowers can really brighten the home, indoors and out. You can have any color scheme that you wish, with colors that harmonize or contrast with your existing home colors. Even just having plant foliage without flowers can liven up a drab house.

When you are choosing plants for your container garden, think about the height of your plants in relation to where you plan to put them. Planting a tall plant or shrub in a window box could block the view from inside a window. Flowering plants should have a long blooming season so that you don't have to change them out too frequently.

The containers that you choose also make a difference in the feel of the finished garden. You can be creative and use everything from terracotta pots to large dishes to old oaken buckets. You are only limited by your imagination. Pay attention to the material that the pot is made of. Some materials (such as terracotta) may need to be sealed or painted so that they don't leach all of the water away from the plants.

If purchasing pots for indoors or deck and patio use, you will need to have saucers or plates for them to set on. Otherwise, you will have water and dirt stains on your floors. I have even seen some decks that have rotting wood because of water damage from potted plants.

Never, ever use garden dirt in your plantings. It is essential that you use a high quality potting mix. This will guard against the pests and diseases that you would get from garden soil and will ensure the best possible performance from your plants.

Do you know where you will be locating your plants? Make a plan about where your container garden will be, and then purchase the plants and containers to fit into that area. You also need to determine whether the area is shady or sunny before you purchase your plants. Shade-loving plants will not do well in direct sunlight and vice-versa.

You should also pay attention to the root size of your plants. Those that have a large root system will not be suitable for growing in pots -- even if they are large pots.

You may not have much room for plants in the front of your home. However, you can still place a couple of medium-sized flower pots on both sides of the door or front steps. The flowering plants will make a beautiful statement about your home. The plants and flowers don't need to match exactly. In fact, it's better if they are of differently varieties. This will give the front of your home more character.

If you are grouping plants in an area, it's best to group them in odd numbers. You should also vary the height and type of plants. You can unite the dissimilar plants by placing them in similar pots and by adding stones or rocks that are alike in type and color.

By using creativity and common sense you can grow a beautiful garden even if you don't have the normal outdoor space that a normal outdoor garden requires.

For more information on Container Gardening visit GuideForGardeners.com, a website that provides tips and information on all types of gardening.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jude_C_Wright

8 Creative Ideas for Plant Pots

Planting flowers always adds more color, brightness and life to your house, porch, yard or garden. Their huge variety makes it easier to choose appropriate pants for your place, but flowers are far not everything that can make your life full of bright colors.

Ideas for plant pots create a special atmosphere. Creative and unique containers are fun and appealing. Regular pots are so boring... Don't you want to include lots of other items that are lying around your garage or attic? We offer you the most popular ideas for plant pots to make your ordinary pots unusual.

Creative Solutions For Plant Containers

Boot. Modify your footwear to make it fun, creative, bright and usual. Your choice can vary from an old leather shoe to Dutch wooden one. You can paint the shoe and leave it on the porch, attracting your neighbors with its unusual look.

Teapot. Take a teapot and move its top. Don't take a kettle, as it won't lead to a proper effect. A teapot is an excellent place to grow a peppermint plant or any sort of herb that can be turned into tisane.

Milk Cartons. Ordinary milk cartons are not appealing, you may saya?Э But if you have a lot of them and place side by side, such repetition creates an offbeat look. Besides, the greatest benefit of such ideas for plant pots is the fact you won't have to spend too much money.

Aquarium. Have you got an old one? Are you sure it needs a second lease on life? Then fill it with dirt and repot greenery. Be sure greenery in transparent glass will give a new and much better look.

Mailbox. You'll need an old school mailbox, which is easily turned into a fashionable and very creative plant container. It is great for both outdoor and indoor placement, possessing a distinct and artful shape.

Crockery. Old crocks can be found at a thrift stores or in an attic. Coming in a great variety of sizes, they are nice alternatives to boring regular flowerpots. Kitchen counter crocks are especially charming and creative.

Paper Coffee Cups. It's very easy to get a pot like this one. Visiting a local coffeehouse, save a paper cup and use it as a cheap, but great plant pot.

Tires. That's the greatest way to recycle flat tires you have at home. Cut a tire open and fill in flowers or any other kinds of plants.

Planting in old boots and aquariums, paper cups and cartons is an excellent way to create an attractive flower display. Use any of ideas for plant pots to make your place look unique.

Please visit website http://ideasforflowerpots.info to find out more about ideas for flower pots.
Alice Shuu: creative director, versatile hands-on designer and illustrator.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alice_Shuu

What You Need to Know: Choosing Outdoor Plant Containers

Why in the world does anybody need to write (or read) an article about how to choose outdoor plant containers? I mean, come on, this isn't rocket science. Can't you just pick some pots, get some dirt, get some plants, add together in the pot, stir (so to speak) and, presto, you're done?

Yes, absolutely, you could do exactly that. You wouldn't be the first to do it that way and you won't be the last. And, by the way, good luck to you. No hard feelings.

If, however, you have already gone that route and are experiencing some difficulties, disappointment or outright failures as a result, there are a few tips, observations and tidbits of knowledge that might come in handy when you get ready to replace those not-so-successful choices with new plant containers and flower pots.

Here are a few of the basics that you'll want to keep in mind:

• Materials

• Drainage

• Size

• Color (really? color? yep!)

• Weight (yes, I know, almost everybody is concerned about weight, but this is a little different, so don't go away.)

What about materials is so gosh darn important? Well,

• Wood looks really nice and retains water well and, alas, is also likely to rot over time; so just be sure you use cedar, redwood or teak and you'll nip that little problem in the bud.

• Ceramic containers come in so many styles, colors and sizes (it's almost embarrassing) and, because of this, they are a favorite choice of many a gardener. Just remember, though, that they are made from porous, breathable clay and even the fired-on glazes can't guarantee that some moisture won't get trapped in the clay. Then, when those unforgiving freezing temperatures come along, the cracking that occurs will break not only the pot but also a little piece of either (a) your heart or (b) your budget. (Hint: if you have the space, move them indoors somewhere until temperatures warm up a bit.)

• Clay is, more or less, the unglazed version of ceramics. Terra cotta is a popular example. It is breathable, which has its good side, but the soil also dries faster so you'll have to water more often. And, when those freezing temperatures show up, things could get very ugly: cracks, chips... too horrid to think about. Ditto what I said above about broken hearts and moving them indoors if space allows.

• Concrete is reliable and also very heavy; however, the available styles are not to everyone's taste... just sayin'.

• Plastic pots are usually less expensive than other materials and not prone to cracking; but (wouldn't you know there had to be a "but" coming!), they may also leach unhealthy chemicals into the soil... you decide.

• Resin pots are lightweight, too, and can mimic the look of other materials. Because, like plastic, they also are efficient at retaining moisture, be sure these pots have good drainage holes that don't get clogged... otherwise, root rot.

To address the other basics mentioned above, let me just say this:

Drainage: be sure your containers have it. Drill holes if necessary to let that excess moisture out. Believe me, you do not want your plants to have wet feet... next thing you know, they'll have the sniffles, then a full-blown cold, and then they die.

Size: Containers that are on the small side, cute and precious as they are, will tend to dry out more quickly and, thus, require more watering. Also, the small size may not provide sufficient room for the plant to grow... so if you use these little guys, be prepared to transplant to larger pots before long.

Color: I have to throw this in because, otherwise, how would you know? Here's the thing: darker pots retain more heat and you can end up with cooked roots, roots that even your hairdresser can't do a thing with. So if you live in a hot climate, now you know what to do or, I should say, not do.

Weight:This is really not a mystery, but it needs to be said. If the pot weighs a lot, especially once it's full of dirt and plants, you can't move it. Well, maybe you can, but it won't be easy and it would be a good idea to have put it on a dolly of some kind before you fill it up or be sure you're really going to love it exactly where it sits.

Need I say more? I think not.

If you want to check out some great options for flower pots and plant containers (keeping in mind, of course, all the nifty tips from above), go on over to http://www.plantersandplantstands.com and take your pick.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kay_Hunt

Why Are Apples Good for You?

Everybody has heard the saying, 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away', but how much truth is there to this, and exactly why are apples good for you? In this article you are going to find out how apples are good for you, with information ranging from apple calories to the nutrients that you are going to find inside an apple. If this tasty fruit is not already a part of your regular diet, then hopefully you will learn something here that will encourage you enough to change that.

Why are apples good for you?

Let's start off by highlighting the reasons that apples are good for you, before we go onto covering them individually in more detail. Apples are a natural fruit that are grown on trees all over the world. They are highly nutritious and can help top up levels of many of the essential vitamins and minerals that your body require regularly. There are few foods in the world that hold as many nutritional benefits as the apple. For anybody who is on a diet or likes to keep a count of their calories, the apple is a wonderful edition to any meal plan or snack as there are so few calories in an apple.

Apples nutritional benefits

There are many nutritional benefits that can be obtained from eating an apple, that paint a clear picture as to how apples are good for you. In this section I am going to clearly highlight what these are.

Keeping your body nourished involves making sure that you are getting sufficient levels of all of the essential vitamins and minerals each day. Not only will these nutrients keep your body working in the many ways we all take for granted, but they also provide various benefits as well that help both our short, and long term health.

But which of these nutrients are you going to find inside an apple? This is a very good questions, and the list of vitamins and minerals below will provide you with the answer.

Let's start off with the three essential minerals that your body requires a regular dose of, these are known as 'essential' because more of them is required than the other 'trace' minerals.

* Potassium - Great for energy and the development of your muscles.

* Calcium - The apple contains this essential mineral that provides you with strong teeth and bones.

* Magnesium - Magnesium helps to lower cholesterol.

A trace mineral is something that your body still needs a regular dose of, just a smaller amount.

* Phosphorus - Plays a critical role in the body's ability to create energy.

* Manganese -Vital for bones structure and bone metabolism.

* Iron - Iron is vital for creating blood cells that carry oxygen around the body to where it is needed.

* Sodium - Regulates ions in our bodily fluids and tissues.

* Copper - Aids the development and maintenance of the cardiovascular system.

* Zinc - Zinc helps with your metabolism and immune system.

All of the above minerals are found inside apples, and portray how apples are food for you. That's not all though we are yet to cover the vitamins found in them!

* Vitamin A - Aids skin, vision and also helps to renew body tissue.

* Vitamin B1 - Strengthen nerves and improves brain functionality.

* Vitamin B2 - Breaks down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and helps produce energy, as well as being a useful antioxidant.

* Vitamin B3 / Niacin - Niacin benefits include playing a pivotal role in the body's ability to produce energy, as well as helping to regulate our calcium.

* Folate - Responsible for the creation of cells within the body.

* Vitamin C - High in this important vitamin, a powerful antioxidant.

* Vitamin E - Provides healthy skin amongst other things.

* Vitamin K - Prevents cardiovascular blockages.

Who would have thought that such a small piece of fruit would be able to provide your body with so many nutritional benefits. Apples really are incredibly beneficial to the human body, and helping you to keep your levels of all the above nutrients up is the key example of why apples are good for you.

How about apple calories?

We have covered the fact that the apple is a highly nutritious fruit, but one question that is going to be on the tip of many peoples' tongue, is how many calories are in an apple?

Well the number of apple calories that you consume are naturally going to depend on the size of the apple that you are eating. But overall you are going to be relieved to know that there are very few calories to worry about when it comes to consuming any size or type of apple.

Here are few quick examples of why apples are good for you as far as the calories in them go:

* A medium sized apple weighing approximately 6.5 oz including the skin has approximately 97 calories.
* A medium sized apple weighing approximately 5.7 oz without the skin has approximately 77 apple calories.

When you consider that foods deemed as bad for you are generally high in calories, the apple is a prime example of a food that can provide you with a range of nutritious benefits as well as barely making an impact on your calorie allowance. If you fancy a snack an apple at less than 100 calories makes much more sense than a whopper from Burger King that holds some 670 calories!

What are apples good for?

Other than the fact there aren't many apple calories to spoil your diet, there being a plethora of nutritional benefits, and also the fact that apples taste wonderful, what are apples good for?

You don't just have to pick an apple up and eat it on its own you know, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the taste of apples, and listed below are some examples of what apples are used for.

* Apple sauce - A wonderful condiment that is enjoyed with a variety of foods, most notably roast pork.
* Baking - The apple is a popular ingredient in pies, pastries, turnovers, as well as crumbles.

* Apple juice - Apple juice is a very popular juice that people drink from the carton. This can provide all of the nutritional benefits apples have to offer, and be a healthy alternative to high calorie soft drinks such as pop.

* Apple cider vinegar - Apple cider vinegar is very popular and enjoyed all over the world.

* Sweet treats - Apples are often used as part of sweet treats, great examples are toffee apples and caramel apples.

* Flavoring and scenting - The apple flavor and scent is something that is associated with a variety of things from scented soap to flavored alcoholic drinks.

Apples also contain fiber, something that is very important for helping to lower your cholesterol levels. There really are a magnificent number of reasons as to why eating apples is a good idea, just ask your doctor, they will tell you!

Summary

I hope that this article has been able to show you exactly why apples are good for you, and hopefully tempted you into trying to eat them more often. They are cheaper and healthier than the average snack that people eat between mealtimes, so why not try and get into a positive habit of making them the snack you choose? Find out more about calories in an apple by clicking here.

I am an internet writer from the UK specializing in health and nutrition. Please check out my free and easy to use website providing information on the calories found in the everyday foods that we all eat,

http://www.calories-in-foods.com/ as well as connecting with me on Facebook or Google+ via my profile.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_D_Wright

Tips For Growing Apple Trees

Growing your own apple tree is a very satisfying and rewarding experience. Who hasn't at one time or another longed to wander down the backyard and pick a crisp, juicy apple from their very own apple tree. And a huge benefit is you can choose which type to grow, you have a range to select from to suit all tastes. No need for you to be restricted by the trend set by commercial growers and supermarkets anymore.

Apple trees like at least 6 hours of sunshine during summer, but bear in mind they require a spell in the dormant period, where the winter temperature is in a range of 32ºF-45ºF. These chilling requirements will encourage normal growth in the growing season. The northern hemisphere is where apple trees thrive; they grow best in cool to cold climates with a mild summer and cold winter. You will find that it is standard procedure for garden centers to follow the guidelines set up by the United States Department of Agriculture, to label their trees, giving you the most appropriate zones where the plants they sell will be successful.

Because of the space taken up by apple trees it is necessary to plan carefully before action is taken, and remember they are in place for a great number of years; there are recordings of some being 200 years old.

From time of planting it can take up to 10 years for the tree to reach its maximum yield. Apple trees are a deciduous fruit tree, meaning that they lose their leaves in winter, so they can be used in a position where summer shade or winter sun is needed in the garden. Soil preparation and position is essential to reap the rewards an apple tree will give you. They are quite tolerant where soil conditions are concerned, however if you prepare in advance a plot which has good drainage along with a decent type of loam soil and a pH reading of 6.5, this will provide the ideal conditions for a good supply of apples and a healthy tree.

Apple trees consist of two parts: the scion and the rootstock which are grafted together to form the tree. The scion is the top part that forms the branches, leaves, flowers and fruit while the rootstock determines the size of the tree and it's resistance to drought, pests and diseases. The trees can be dwarf, which grow 8-10ft, semi dwarf, 10-15ft or standard trees, which grow 20+ feet yet the fruit produced on all trees can be the
same size.

Most varieties of apple trees are self-sterile so two varieties, with overlapping blossom times, are needed for pollination. I strongly recommend you buy young stock from a nursery, (growing from seed is possible but it takes too long), where your supplier will help you with your choice. The transfer of pollen from one tree to another is mainly undertaken by bees so try to encourage these insects into your garden and refrain from using insecticides during the period that they are active.

November is the ideal time to plant, but you can plant as late as March. Apple trees are usually sold bare rooted and when selecting the variety you want, make sure they look healthy. Check the roots to make sure they are nice and moist then keep them that way and plant as soon as possible.

Dig a hole big enough to accommodate the roots, then place the tree in the hole spreading the roots out so that they are not entangled. Back fill with soil pressing down firmly to ensure the roots stay in contact with the soil. Make sure that you keep the graft well above the soil level. You can support the tree with a strong stake at this stage (until it's established), then give it a good drink of water after you have bedded them in. A layer of mulch placed around the tree will help to retain moisture and suppress weeds. To protect from abnormal temperatures in winter, raise the mulch higher up the young tree or insulate with old sacks for this cold period only.

When your tree starts to bear fruit, remove apples from the tree by firmly holding the attachment of the stem and gently twisting the apple till it comes off. They are best eaten straight from the tree for optimum taste but if you're intentions is to store the apples, leave the stem attached, as it helps preserve them, and keep in a well ventilated cool, dark, moist location. You will often find that a lot of the fruit will ripen together but one way of avoiding this glut is by having apple trees that fruit at different times, so long as there is that overlap period when they are blossoming to assist pollination.

It is worthwhile learning to prune your trees as they need to be shaped to allow correct

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1946728

Growing Apples in Containers

Due to the limited space in the garden, many people want to know how to grow apple trees in containers so that they can be put in any location indoors or outdoors. Before you do the real planting, you should make a small research on the apple trees suitable for the pot cultivation. You should consult some experienced gardeners instead of believing what the label says in the gardening store.

The most important factors are the height and the span for the adult tree. You should choose the best size to suit for your home or garden. If possible, it is recommended to plant two trees simultaneously to increase the quality and quantity of the product in autumn. They should have the same blooming dates which will facilitate the pollination from each other. Apart from that, the surrounding temperature is another factor for tree selection. The chill hours for each apple tree is different, and you should the time is adequate for your apple trees to grow under a certain temperature. For example, the Fuji apples need 400-600 hours of chill time while the Anna apples need about 200 chill hours to grow. If you are living in a warm area where the chill hours could be less, you should choose the suitable trees for that climate.

Regarding the planting time, the spring and autumn seasons would be recommended for most apple varieties. The size of the container should be big enough to accommodate the root expansions in the future. You can do some trimming on the roots before putting your tree into the pot to avoid the entangling. When filling the soil into the pot, you need to provide a stake to help the tree grow uprightly. During the first few days, you need to water your apple tree thoroughly. Due to the fact that the container will dry more quickly than the gardening soil, you should water your trees more frequently than the plants in the field. You should keep the soil moist once the tree is staring to grow. When the winter is approaching, you should decrease the watering times to make the soil just lightly moist. This can help the plants prepare for the dormancy in cold days.

During the growth of your potted apple trees, you may need to do some pruning work occasionally. All dead or sick branches should be removed asap to conserve nutrients for the health ones. Whichever method you choose to do the trimming, please ensure that each branch will receive adequate sunlight during the day.

Regarding the fertilizers, you can buy some commercial ones specially designed for apple trees from the garden stores. Some organic fertilizers will be a good choice. When you decrease the amount water in cold days, remember to do the same thing on fertilizers as well. Fertilizing in winter days should be avoided because the early growth in cold winter times will be harmful to your trees.

For more articles on gardening tips, please visit http://gardeningknow.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6890256

Types Of Apple Trees

We all love to eat apples, and nobody can escape its temptation. Especially apples are most favourable among children. But hardly many of us will be aware of the apple, and their flowering time, and harvesting time. All these things are highly important to know if in case you plan to start a business or planting apple infields. If we define apple then it belongs to species Malus domestica in the rose family, and apple is the pomaceous fruit of apple tree. You must have come across varied types of apple or must be consuming them. Actually it is the most widely cultivated fruit tree all over the world, and also highly consumed fruit by humans. Further the apple tree was originated in Western Asia, where its ancestor Alma is still present.

Approximately 7,500 known cultivars of apples with varied range of desired characteristics are still found. These cultivators are best known for high yield and ultimately by the size of the tree even if grown on the same rootstock.

If you want to grow apple trees at the backyard of your home's plot or in long fields then must have to learn the traditional as well as modern techniques. Each type of apple tree has its own desired characteristics. It is very much important for the grower to learn those basics which can influence the growth and development of these trees. Some of the known varieties of are Eating Apple Cox's Orange Pippin, Eating Apple Fiesta, Eating Apple Golden Delicious, Eating Apple James Grieve, and much more. Online shops keep updating all the latest information related to apple tree whether its about high production, sweetness, and related articles.

You can make best use of these constant updates and enhance your knowledge and accordingly your skill of planting them. All of these varied apple usually grow in the months of July, August, September, and also need full sun. You can even go one step ahead and can make use of them as mini-orchard. Some of mini-orchard collection includes Fiesta, Braeburn, Bramley, etc. Above all everybody like the most special gift of apple trees and that is apple jam.

Buy plug plants and garden accessories and apple trees online from Gardening Direct. Our range of great value bedding plants, perennials and fruit plants will transform your garden for more information on flower seeds please visit our site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carla_Tingey

Having Apple Trees And Other Fruit Options In Your Garden

It can be wonderful to have a fruit tree in your yard. A fruit tree provides stunning foliage and flowers, as well as delicious, plump fruit. They give you a beautiful tree growing in your backyard, and fruit in your kitchen.

Being able to grow your own produce is great all by itself. There is nothing better than eating produce that has not been sprayed by chemicals. These trees provide you health and beauty both outside and inside.

You have a lot of options in fruit trees. There are so many varieties to decide from. There are even dwarf options for a little space. The key to growing a successful fruit-bearing tree is to find a variety that does best in your local weather environment. Do some studying so you know what those might be. Ask someone at your community nursery for knowledge and advice. All you need is a bit of help and you can have your very own tree growing in your yard.

Next, you should take into consideration your lifestyle. Are you an experienced gardener or home every day? Maybe you are a working homeowner. This will be critical in making your final selection. Get something hardy if you don't plan on being around often. Plum and persimmon trees can grow with very little care.

Planting peach trees or trees may take a little more maintenance. You will have the most success with a tree that suits your lifestyle.

Fruit trees often need a lot of area to flourish. Select a dwarf fruit tree if you don't have much space. There are a number of dwarf tree options. These trees can grow nicely right in potted containers. They grow the same size fruit, but take much less maintenance. Dwarf varieties come in pear, apple, plum, and many more.
They are ideal for any gardener. It gives you a chance to try out tree planting in a much simpler way.
A tree is a fantastic addition to your landscape. You will be able to enjoy one of these for seasons to come.

After you have taken into consideration your schedule and local weather climate, you can decide on the best tree for your landscape. You and your family will be able to enjoy stunning foliage outside and delicious, fresh fruit inside for years to come. You will definitely become the envy of your whole neighborhood. Having a gorgeous tree is probably much easier than you thought.

Smith Nursery is the right place if you're looking for healthy trees or plants. Everything from Smith Nursery is grown on family-owned orchards where quality and care techniques are handed down from generation to generation. Choose from countless varieties of fruit trees, peach trees, and many more live products.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6993482

When To Prune Apple Trees?

Pruning the apple tree is extremely important, if you want it to have a strong framework and want it to yield a lot of fruits. Although the best time to do it is around October and December, you can also prune it during the summer season. I will explain the effects of summer and winter pruning below.

So, when to prune apple trees?

Summer season is the period, when they produce fruits. So, if you trim the tree around this period, it will transfer most of the tree's dynamisms into enhancing the current fruit crop. This will help you to get more apples from your tree.

Winter pruning involves kind of cleaning process. Basically, after the fruiting season, you simply get rid of the branches that grow awkwardly, for instance branches that grow crisscross. Also, you must get rid of the branches that are drying. So, winter pruning helps you to prepare your tree for the next fruiting season with healthier branches.

Quick Steps To Pruning Your Apple Tree

First, you need to remove suckers. These are the small branches that grow at the base of you tree trunk. By removing the suckers, you will allow your tree to grow in good shape.
Second, you need to get rid of any branches that are dry or diseased. The diseased or dry branches can spread to whole tree, if they are not removed.

Third, cut off the crossed branches. By getting rid of the crossed branches, you will give your tree a vase shape and this will help the air circulation between branches. The air circulation will prevent the tree to catch airborne diseases.

I hope you find this article about when to prune your apple tree helpful. You can find more information about growing apple trees at GrowFruitsAtHome.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Murat_Uygar

The Best Apple Trees to Grow

Many gardeners love the idea of planting apple trees but put it off because they are not sure about what are the best apple trees to grow. There are so many different varieties, that it can seem overwhelming. Let's look at this to help simplify things and help any apple enthusiasts start planting.

There are some preliminary elements that a person should keep in mind even before deciding which apple trees to grow in their yard.

One of the most important will be location. Apple trees will not grow well and will not produce well if a gardener does not have the proper planting location. One thing to keep in mind is that if you do not have adequate areas in your yard for trees, you can always opt for potted apple trees that can be placed on your deck or patio and will still give you fruit.

Just about every apple tree that exists cannot stand alone. They need another apple tree to serve as a cross pollinator. Therefore, with two trees, each will use the other for pollination purposes which then allows the trees to produce.

With this being said, one must make sure that they have room for at least two trees. If you space is limited you can always opt for dwarfs which will grow to a general height of between five to eight feet when fully mature.

If you wish for a larger tree, you can choose a semi-dwarf or if you wish for rather huge tree, you can go with a standard.

In all cases, the trees will need to be planted in a spot where they will receive a lot of sun. There are very few apple trees that do well in the shade. Sun is needed for growth and to allow for moisture to evaporate which can save a tree from certain diseases.

The trees also need room to grow and spacing is important. A good rule of thumb is that the spacing between the trees should equal the number of feet that the tree is projected to grow when fully mature. For example, an apple tree that is estimated to grow to ten feet tall should be spaced ten feet from any other tree, apple or otherwise.

Many will do well in all types of soil, but the number one important element in this regard is that they will not do well if planted in soil that does not drain well. How can you know? Just pay attention to what happens after a good rainfall. If there are any areas in your yard in which water remains standing and is forming puddles, this is the area or areas to avoid.

Now that you know where you want to plant your trees and that they will receive enough sun and room to grow it is time to choose the best apple trees to grow for you needs. 
With so many choices, it is best to read about which varieties you may be interested in and then read to see if they will thrive well in the area in which you live.

To read about each type of apple tree, categorized by size, color of fruit and by name and to see which trees to plant with which and all sorts of detailed information, please visit http://www.appletreehill.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alisa_Chagnon

Tips On Building Garden Buildings

By Alex Blaken

Do you need an inexpensive way to add an extra room or office space? Garden buildings supply that for you and are fairly easy to build. The instructions are provided for you inside the box and the equipment is easy to handle. All you will need is the time and how to work a hammer and you are all set to go.

The building parts are delivered to your door usually in a packed down flat project in a box. It does not come with insulation or any of the extras just the main parts of the house. Before beginning to build make sure you have all the parts that are needed. It would be an inconvenience to stop in the middle of the project. Also it's good to plan for bad weather to possibly slow down your project.

Find the perfect spot to build a building. Check to ensure the ground is sturdy enough and leveled for your house. It may suit you to put some form of a base down; concrete is the best to make sure it is sturdy enough. The concrete base should be damp-proof to make sure there would be no possibilities of mold.

Painting the building adds your personality to it. It may be best to paint it before building the pieces together as it will take less work in the end. Use a fast drying paint to prevent more time loss during your project. This part may take ample amount of time due to the many parts that the building has. Try to break it up spreading the pieces out where they will be undisturbed to paint each piece.

After painting it would benefit you to waterproof the shingles. Use a substance that would prevent water from seeping through the wood. This is very important as you would not want leaks or mold to appear. Confirm that all spots are covered and verify that it is dry before beginning your build.

It's also good to know if you will need electricity or internet connection. Plan to make some type of changes for this. For instance you may want an electrician to setup your electricity. If you need internet connections check to see if your connection can stretch from your home. Usually a wireless connection will suffice better then Ethernet.

Lastly once you're done with the building you may want to insulate the walls. This will keep the electric bill down. The insulation also keeps it warm or cooler longer. Make sure to use a foil backed high density foam and not a cheap version. This can cause major problems with your walls.

In the end you can have a project finished within a week, weather permitted, and costs less than a junk car. Forget about adding on space, having to knock down walls in your house. If you have space in your backyard it is much easier to build garden buildings then to add on to your existing house. In not time you will have a building that fits your budget and your backyard.

About the Author:

A well planned landscape design requires attractive garden buildings for tool storage and plant supplies. Many homeowners create functional garden offices as private work space.

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Considerations when building a lean to shed

By Andrew Briggs

Choosing the location of your new lean to shed is fairly often the easiest choice. This is due to the fact that so many lean to sheds are constructed attached to a home or barn. Obviously the barn or home determines where the lean to will be constructed. That said, there are many things you need to consider when you are considering constructing a lean to shed.

But in the case of free-standing lean to sheds in backyards or on country properties, the choice of location and orientation (direction) of the building is important. Even when lean to sheds are used for school bus stops or road-side fruit stands careful selection of the site is wise. Lean to shed plans often ignore this factor although the plans are helpful in preparation of different kinds of foundations. But since these structures are meant to be simple, when building lean to sheds one would want to minimize the amount of earth removal or excavation as much as possible.

Lean to sheds are often built on low ground, on the ground itself. For that reason you should put some thought into how to handle rain water. Depending on the location you may or man not want to install a simple rain gutter to keep H2O away from your shed.

When choosing a location for your free-standing lean to shed, trees can be your best friend or worst enemy. If your lean to is intended to be permanent you will want to do what you can to make the temperature as pleasant as possible. If you live in a warm climate you might want to place your lean to near a tree which will provide much needed shade in the summer. Assuming you don't choose an evergreen tree that same tree will shed its leaves and allow needed sunlight during the winter.

The open end of your lean-to provides access to the elements and based on what your intentions are for lean to you can choose to place that end towards or away from the sun and or wind. You can choose to have morning or evening sun facing your open end. Wind is difficult to predict but often you can determine the most common wind direction and make you choice based on that.

Finally, remember that you can choose to add windows and doors to a lean to shed. If you are interested in this, consult some good lean to shed plans. These plans are usually quite helpful although, as I have pointed out in this article, they often omit to point out how vital a good location and orientation is.

About the Author:

Want to find out more about How to build a lean to shed, then visit Andrew Briggs's site lean to shed

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