Posted on: 03 April, 2005
Author: Kathy Burns-Millyard
Hummingbirds feed off of plants and a few insects, but because of the speed which their wings flutter when they're in flight, they tend to burn a heck of a lot of energy. They need to eat about every 15 minutes! You can help by providing Humming Bird Food, known as Hummingbird Nectar, in your yard or garden. There's no reason to buy it from the store either, because it's just simple sugar and water. And it's easy too: 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. That's it. So, if you wanted to make 4 cups of Hummingbird Nectar, you'd...
Posted on: 26 March, 2005
Author: Gerry Fung
So youve decided to build your very own backyard water garden. You are in the process of actively planning out your design, and youre visualizing the end-result. But have you paused to consider what kind of pond construction you will be using? Do you know what kind of pond constructions exist? The majority of garden ponds utilize one of two types of constructions: a preformed shell, or a pond liner. Traditionally, preformed ponds are large shells, which are extremely burdensome and difficult to transport. For example, a typical preformed pond kit would come in a box that is 60 x...
Posted on: 26 March, 2005
Author: The Gift Wizard
Certain types or colors of flowers mean different things, and you don't want to send the wrong message if you give them as a gift! Of course, not everyone knows what a particular flower means, but you can never be too sure! FLOWER NAME and/or COLOR -- FLOWER MEANINGS Carnations Carnation (General) -- FascinationCarnation, Pink -- Emblem of Mother's Day, I will never forget youCarnation, Purple -- Antipathy and CapriciousnessCarnation, Red -- Admiration, my heart aches for youCarnation, Striped -- No, Sorry, I cannot be with youCarnation, White -- Pure Love, Sweet Love, InnocenceCarnation, Yellow -- Disdain and Rejection Lilies...
Posted on: 24 March, 2005
Author: Abigail Baker
A rose is a rose is rose - and there are few things in the garden more beautiful. There are 5 secrets I want to share that will help you to grow healthy roses. 1. Sunshine: Plan to put your rose bush in a spot where it will get as much sun at least 6 hours of sunshine a day. 2. Water: Drops of water on the leaves can cause burning, and lead to black spot disease so always water from underneath, soaking the earth until it is damp but not soggy. It is better to water thoroughly once a...
Posted on: 24 March, 2005
Author: Kathy Burns-Millyard
Planting wild flowers in your garden, or simply scattering wild flower seeds around an area of your yard are both ways to take advantage of Mother Nature's treasured gifts. Wild flowers are carefree, colorful, and tend to attract bees, butterflys and birds. So planting wild flowers not only gives you an easy maintenance flower garden... it also promises to be a constant source of interesting activity throughout the year. The following wild flowers are blue to purple in color, and some say this is a favorite color of bees. VIRGINIA or COMMON DAY-FLOWER (Commelina Virginica) - Spiderwort familyThe Day Flower...
Posted on: 20 March, 2005
Author: Jacob Farin
Many people who have seen our carnivorous plants at the Farmers Market often ask us, How do you get our plants looking so good every summer? Our secret? Yearly repotting. Repotting is very important to encourage new growth. It freshens the soil, aerates the roots and gives the plant more room to grow. Freshening the soil is important because carnivorous plants grow in nutrient-free soil. Over time, nutrients from mineral and bacteria buildup in the soil slow down the growth of carnivorous plants. This is why it is important to replace the soil every year, or every two years at...
Posted on: 20 March, 2005
Author: Linda Paquette
Its a well known fact that the marigold flower is one of the favorites in the home garden, but as well as an attractive and useful bedding plant, the marigold has enjoyed continued use for culinary, medicinal, and cosmetic purposes as well. 1.The most common types of marigold are the wild marsh marigold, the tall African marigold, and the robust French marigold. African and French cultivars frequently are hybrid to sustain longer bloom and soften their pungent aroma. The resulting plant is called a triploid marigold, which is commonly called the mule marigold because of its poor ability to produce...
Posted on: 18 March, 2005
Author: Doug Green
Everybody asks about Easter lilies! Can they go outside; can I plant them in my garden? And to this I reply, "Why not?" Like other bulbs,there are two options if you plant your leftover Easter lily bulbs - either they will live and flower for many years (it is perfectly hardy into zone 4) or they will immediately die. If you don't plant the bulb, it will definitely die. So you have nothing to lose by planting.Once the Easter lily bloom has faded in the house, cut the stem back as far as you can. Grow the plant in a...
Posted on: 18 March, 2005
Author: Jeff Pozniak
Just like most things in life, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If purple blooms put a smile on your face, then you should most definitely use plants with purple blooms. The same is true for any color you find pleasing. There are different disciplines to pull from when trying to decide on color choices, but those disciplines speak in generalities; your own personal experiences mold your tastes into something unique, something your own, something a text or curriculum cant possibly pinpoint. That being said, one of the disciplines I like to pull from often, especially when it...
Posted on: 18 March, 2005
Author: Marilyn Pokorney
To have a snake or two in the garden is good. Non-poisonoussnakes, such as the common garter snakes, are beneficialcreatures because they eat pest insects, mosquito larvae,slugs, snails, crickets, rats, mice, voles and even othersnakes which may be poisonous. But if you really don't want snakes in your yard and gardenhere are a few tips to eliminate them without hurting orkilling them. Keep the lawn neatly cut and clean. Be careful using weedeaters because the sting from the fast moving string cankill them. Snakes need cover for protection. Dont leave wood or brushpiles sit in one spot for more than...