Some Tips for Beginners Gardening

Gardening is a very satisfying experience which some people pursue as a hobby and some do it to enhance the beauty of their home. Growing different types of trees and flowering plants help in flaunting an aesthetic home garden. Thriving plants catch everyone's attention and get admired by the visitors and guests.

There are many factors that influence the growth of plants like soil, water, sunlight, minerals, etc. If all these are provided in the right quantities then the plants grow in a healthy manner. It is crucial to know about a few basic things if you are planning to start a home garden--

Soil -- Good quality soil ensures that the plants get all the nourishment they require. Soil provides many nutrients that are essential for the growth of plants. The type of soil can help in determining whether a specific variety of plants can be grown in it or not. Some plants can grow well in loamy soil and some can even thrive in soil that has high sand content. It is important to know what kind of plants you can grow in your home garden. You can get the soil examined in a laboratory before choosing the plants and the analysis can help you choose the right kind of plants for your garden. It can also help in determining whether you need additional nutrients and fertilizers to improve the soil quality.




TIPS AND TRICK GARDENING

Temperature and Light -- Different plants have different requirements of temperature and light. Some plants require ample sunlight for growth and some can grow indoors in artificial light. Similarly, temperature also affects the growth of plants as some of the plants are equipped to handle extreme temperatures and some can survive only in moderate climate. Each variety has its own specific requirements and you should know about them before planting. There is a lot of detailed information available on the internet and you can also get suggestions from the local nursery.

Landscape -- A well designed landscape contributes in making your garden look appealing. Gather your ideas, chalk out a plan and then start putting the plan into action. The design that you have in mind will help you to choose plants that would complement the landscape. If you are planning to construct a small pond in the garden then you can grow some aquatic plants in it like Lily, Water Hyacinth and Water Lettuce. Cactus and succulent plants that retain water blend well in rocky or desert landscape.

Type of plants -- Select the plants as per your requirements so that they serve the purpose well. If you have a large area then you can plant shady trees and many other ornamental plants. In case if you do not have a lot of space then you can grow plants that require lesser area. You can also grow herbs, vegetables and fruits in your garden. Home grown vegetables and fruits are fresher and healthier as compared to what you get in the markets so you can try growing them in your home garden.

Tools and Techniques -- Make sure to purchase the basic tools that are required for gardening like spade, trimmers, scissors, pruning saw, trowel and rake. If you have the right tools then you can maintain your garden well. Pruning and pinching are common techniques that help in the growth of plants and they can be mastered with time.

These are a few basic things that you should consider before planning out a garden. All these factors will help you choose the right kind of plants for your garden. Once you have planted the seedlings you have to take care of them by providing proper nourishment. You will be amazed to see the flower laden branches when the plants are in full bloom and the sight will give you utmost satisfaction.

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Garden Water Features and Fountains

Gardens have always fascinated people. Practical gardens are used to grow food and have been designed in visually pleasing ways, even before written language had occurred. As people have had more free time to garden they have added more visually pleasing features starting with flowers and going up to garden fountains and other water features that soothe the soul as well as the eye. These features that use water's playful characteristics to please the viewers are a statement of sophistication that no one can misunderstand.

When water fountains first came into use they served the practical purpose of providing convenient water for the household, to use for cooking and cleaning as well as to drink. Adding artistic flourishes to the practical fountain began thousands of years ago and has gotten ever more beautiful as time and history have passed. Today the artfully designed garden fountain is not so much a necessity but as a way to express beauty.





Water features in a landscaping scheme make an already lovely home even more attractive. There is a restful quality to water that evokes in the viewer a sense of peace and safety which no other element can create. Garden fountains in conjunction with other water features in the garden add just the right liveliness to the water to make it even more playful and fun. A cascading fountain leading to a restful koi pond puts a strolling visitor in a mood of contemplation and rest that is the goal of a garden. It is a beautiful and exquisitely personal experience to which any homeowner can aspire.

Many designers of garden water features and fountains use classical patterns that are evocative of Roman or Greek statuary that is found in literature. Others go with a more modern approach with less flowing lines and more architectural detail. Incorporating the landscape plants and shrubbery into the plan allows the water features to fit in with the overall appearance of the garden without detracting from the elegance of the fountains. Depending on the type of design that fits the homeowner's sense of style and taste, it will be a terrific addition to the already beautiful garden setting.

As a natural part of the home's visual appeal a water feature that includes a fountain is a delightful way to show sophistication and elegance. The homeowner can sit in contemplative silence while the fountain chuckles quietly and the wonders of nature surround her, and it is all an expression of her own astutely graceful taste. Garden fountains add years of enjoyment to a landscape along with garnering compliments for the owner. Truly a garden water feature is a gift that gives for a lifetime.

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Start a Garden

1. PLAN

The very first thing you need to do is to plan your garden. This is one of my favorite steps because you can be creative. What do you want to grow? You can have vegetables, flowers, herbs or fruits, or any combination of these.

Research the plants you want to grow so you'll understand the needs of each plant. This is a very important step so don't skip it.

Some things to consider are: Amount of Sunlight, Amount of Water, Height and Width, & Hardiness Zones

A simple drawing of your garden area will help you visualize how to place your plants, being sure that taller plants don't shade smaller ones. If you know the growth pattern of each plant you can allow them plenty of room to grow.

2. PREPARE THE BED




The bed where your garden will be needs to be prepared so that the plants you put in it will have the best advantage possible for grow and thrive. You can prepare the bed in the fall for either fall planting or for spring planting.

First you'll need to mark the area you'll use and then remove any grass or weeds or shrubs etc. so you'll have a clean area to work in.

Then you need to either till the soil to loosen it or turn the soil over with a shovel to about the depth of the shovel.

If you are going to plant in the fall then enrich the soil with composted manure or fertilizer and any amendments needed and turn it in well. It's best if you can wait 1-2 weeks before planting to prevent burning plants or seeds.

If you are going to plant in the spring then you can began preparing the bed in the fall. To do this you can add leaves, grass clippings, manure and any amendments a soil test suggested your soil needs. These will break down during the winter and your garden will have a head start in the spring.

If you prefer though, you can wait till spring to prepared the bed. Add composted manure and amendments and turn it in well. Again, it's best to wait 1-2 weeks to plant.

3. LAY OUT AND PLANT

You have a plan on paper so use it to lay out where your plants will need to be placed. If they are potted plants then you can set them (still in the pots) in place to see how they'll look. That way you can make any adjustments you need to before you dig the holes to plant them.

If you're planting seeds then plant according to the directions on the packet. Remember to mark where you've planted and what you've planted.

If the plant will need staking, it is best to do that at planting time to avoid injuring the roots by staking later.

4. WATER AND KEEP MOIST

Now that your plants or seeds are in the ground they'll need moisture. Seeds need moisture to germinate so make sure that they don't dry out. Once germinated and you can see growth breaking the ground then you don't have to water so frequently. Just know the water requirements of the plant.

Potted plants need frequent watering too until they have gotten established and their roots are able to find moisture.

5. WATCH YOUR GARDEN GROW

Yes, this is actually a step. Don't plant and forget about your garden till time to pick the vegetables or flowers. Watch the plants to see how they are doing. Maker sure no weeds crowd them out, that they're getting enough water and that they aren't being shaded by aggressive neighbors.

Watching your garden grow is one of the best, most relaxing pastimes in the world.

Gardening is fun and enjoyable but it is hard work. If you follow these simple steps then your hard work won't be in vain and you'll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

So to sum up, there is a lot to learn about gardening but these 5 steps will get you started.

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Adding Humus

What is humus? Humus is plant and animal remains which is gradually decomposed in the soil. The agents of decay are the millions of bacteria and other microscopic organisms which live in every ounce of earth. They break down dead roots and underground insects as well as fallen leaves carried below the surface by worms. Partially decomposed organic matter with the horde of living and dead bacteria is known as humus.

Soil without humus is nothing more than finely ground rock. Humus is vital because it contains and maintains the vast population of microscopic organisms in the soil. These bacteria are the key to fertility, and have a beneficial effect both before and after death.

When they are alive they produce heat and transform complex organic material into forms which will later be available to the roots. When they are dead they release these plant foods together with colloidal gums. To the soil scientist it is these gums and not plant remains which are humus - the magical material which cements the soil crumbs together.

Under natural conditions there is a rough balance which maintains the humus level of the soil. Under cultivation, however, the humus content declines and so in the garden it is necessary to regularly replenish the supply. Last year's dead plants and dead worms are not enough, you have to add humus-makers. Many types are available, and they all fall into one or other of three basic types.





Raw Humus Makers:
These organic materials contain sufficient readily-available nutrients to stimulate active bacterial growth. Heat is produced and soil structure is improved, hot beds made with fresh manure were producing early vegetables before electricity was discovered.

Common examples are grass clippings, fresh dung, dug-in weeds and seaweed. Using raw humus-makers is a good way of warming the earth and building up the humus content...provided you know the limitations. The sudden increase in the bacterial population robs nitrogen from the soil. Always add some nitrogen when using a raw humus-maker.

As a general rule, humus-makers of this type are used some time before planting or in an area some distance away from plant roots. The generation of heat and the nitrogen-robbing effect can be damaging to nearby roots.

Matured Humus-Makers:
These organic materials do not contain sufficient readily-available nutrients to stimulate active bacterial growth. A raw humus-maker is transformed into a matured humus-maker by composting - a process which produces humus.

Common examples are well-rotted animal manure, properly made garden compost and Bio Humus. The warming effect on the soil is lost, but this is outweighed by the advantages. Matured humus-makers cannot damage tender roots and the nitrogen content of the soil remains available rather than being partly locked up in bacterial bodies.

All matured compost-makers contain the colloidal gums released by dead bacteria during the composting process. Unlike the fibrous humus-makers, they do more than improve aeration and water-holding capacity by physical means, they also immediately provide the agents to produce soil crumbs and so improve the friability.

Fibrous Humus-Makers:
These organic materials are rich in cellulose, but the lack of sugars and simple starches means that little bacterial activity is stimulated. Soil improvement by these humus-makers is basically a physical effect, bark opens up the soil and peat improves aeration and water-holding capacity.

Common examples are peat, pulverised bark and sawdust. Peat is the most inactive material, it is clean and easy to handle but it is hardly a humus-maker in the true sense of the word. It resists breakdown and so crumb-forming gums are not produced.

Sawdust and some bark products are slowly broken down by bacteria. This bacterial activity requires nitrogen, and the soil's supply will be robbed if you don't add a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.

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