文章
Andy
2017年03月13日
Learn how to make a windowsill herb garden, if you’re short of space. Pleasure of harvesting your own herbs is immense– you can make fresh tea, use them in salads and garnish them on food.You don’t need a big yard for this, just a small and simple windowsill that receives a few hours of sunlight.
It’s easy and anyone who have lack of space can create a mini herb garden that grows on a window sill. Here are 6 basic steps to follow to make it possible.How to
Make a Windowsill Herb Garden
1. Choose Suitable Container to Make a Windowsill Herb Garden
Either use lot of pots to grow specific herb in each one or choose a planter as wide as that it’ll cover the space of your windowsill easily, make sure the pot you use should be at least 6 to 12 inches deep. Herbs are shallow root plants so they don’t mind growing in less deep planters. But most of the herbs like mint and thyme have tendency to spread, so it’s good to select a large and wide pot for them.
One more benefit of choosing a large pot is that you can pour lot of soil in it and this will save you from frequent watering.
2. Ensure sufficient drainage
Once you select a container or containers, second step is to ensure good drainage. Check out the bottom of planter for drainage holes, if they are not sufficient, make some.
You don’t need to put gravels or clay balls to make a drainage layer. This is a myth and doesn’t do any good for drainage.
3. Provide quality Potting soil
Soil or growing medium for growing herbs should be of best quality. It have to be light, penetrable, fertile and airy.
Buy soil less potting mix or make your own by adding perlite, compost and garden soil, it is the best growing medium for containers and essential for the success of your windowsill herb garden.
An aerated and rich soil with good retention power of the water improves the quality of plants you grow.
4. Planting a Windowsill Herb Garden
Be realistic and don’t try to grow all the aromatic and tastiest herbs you’ve heard about.
Make a list of herbs you would like to plant, and find out those which matches your growing conditions.
Forget about the species and varieties that are difficult to grow and spread more.
Choose basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, cilantro and sage if your window is exposed to at least 6 hours of direct sun. If exposure of sun is less than this, prefer parsley, lemon balm, fennel, chives, chervil and mint.
These are the all time favorite herbs and easiest to grow, if you want to grow something out of the box, do some research.
5. Windowsill Herb Garden Care
Water your plants frequently in summer, in fall and winter limit the watering needs.
You can also add hydrogel crystals in soil and do heavy mulching to preserve water if you live in tropical climate.
To improve the quality and quantity of your crop, it is essential to use fertilizer regularly. Prefer organic fertilizers that provide all the necessary nutrients while being more environmentally friendly.
You’ll need nitrogen rich fertilizers to promote more foliage growth in herbs.
6. Harvesting
The best way to encourage the production of foliage and dense growth is to harvest herbs regularly, this frequent pinching and picking up of leaves promotes lush and healthy growth of plants.
You’ll also need to deadhead flowers to stop the herbs from seeding to prolong their growing time.
In addition, to add some colors on your windowsill herb garden, you can plant annual flowers that require similar growing conditions to grow.
It’s easy and anyone who have lack of space can create a mini herb garden that grows on a window sill. Here are 6 basic steps to follow to make it possible.How to
Make a Windowsill Herb Garden
1. Choose Suitable Container to Make a Windowsill Herb Garden
Either use lot of pots to grow specific herb in each one or choose a planter as wide as that it’ll cover the space of your windowsill easily, make sure the pot you use should be at least 6 to 12 inches deep. Herbs are shallow root plants so they don’t mind growing in less deep planters. But most of the herbs like mint and thyme have tendency to spread, so it’s good to select a large and wide pot for them.
One more benefit of choosing a large pot is that you can pour lot of soil in it and this will save you from frequent watering.
2. Ensure sufficient drainage
Once you select a container or containers, second step is to ensure good drainage. Check out the bottom of planter for drainage holes, if they are not sufficient, make some.
You don’t need to put gravels or clay balls to make a drainage layer. This is a myth and doesn’t do any good for drainage.
3. Provide quality Potting soil
Soil or growing medium for growing herbs should be of best quality. It have to be light, penetrable, fertile and airy.
Buy soil less potting mix or make your own by adding perlite, compost and garden soil, it is the best growing medium for containers and essential for the success of your windowsill herb garden.
An aerated and rich soil with good retention power of the water improves the quality of plants you grow.
4. Planting a Windowsill Herb Garden
Be realistic and don’t try to grow all the aromatic and tastiest herbs you’ve heard about.
Make a list of herbs you would like to plant, and find out those which matches your growing conditions.
Forget about the species and varieties that are difficult to grow and spread more.
Choose basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, cilantro and sage if your window is exposed to at least 6 hours of direct sun. If exposure of sun is less than this, prefer parsley, lemon balm, fennel, chives, chervil and mint.
These are the all time favorite herbs and easiest to grow, if you want to grow something out of the box, do some research.
5. Windowsill Herb Garden Care
Water your plants frequently in summer, in fall and winter limit the watering needs.
You can also add hydrogel crystals in soil and do heavy mulching to preserve water if you live in tropical climate.
To improve the quality and quantity of your crop, it is essential to use fertilizer regularly. Prefer organic fertilizers that provide all the necessary nutrients while being more environmentally friendly.
You’ll need nitrogen rich fertilizers to promote more foliage growth in herbs.
6. Harvesting
The best way to encourage the production of foliage and dense growth is to harvest herbs regularly, this frequent pinching and picking up of leaves promotes lush and healthy growth of plants.
You’ll also need to deadhead flowers to stop the herbs from seeding to prolong their growing time.
In addition, to add some colors on your windowsill herb garden, you can plant annual flowers that require similar growing conditions to grow.
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文章
Abigal
2017年02月24日
Yep, you heard me, treehouse! Pure fun for the #garden …and I don’t know if you’ve seen the new show on #treehouses , but they aren’t just for kids anymore. There are even treehouse cabins for rent for us grown ups! In other words, society is giving us permission to think like kids for awhile. And thats always a good thing… So whether you want some childhood inspired daydreams, or actually want to build one of these “high in the sky” funhouses, we have it here. So #DIY treehouses ahoy! (Oh, that’s ships, right? Got my childhood daydreams mixed up.) Our feature project, above, is a doozy… a full blown deluxe treehouse with free plans from The Wood Plans Shop. Got kids or grandkids? Want them to love you forever? Make This!
Don’t think you can pull this project off? Go see how Kristen Duke and her family build a treehouse with the help of the sisters from Shanty 2 Chic. (We love them!)
From Popular Mechanics, a lot of good real life tips on building a treehouse
From ‘Make N Do’ on Instructables, this how to build a treehouse tutorial has plenty of step by step photos that make it perfect for the treehouse building novice.
Want to get serious? This DIY treehouse by DIY Network could be my new office! Step by step instructions and cost estimate.
We really like this one and their creative use of materials. Nice design and just very cool! From ‘Kid Baltimore’, you can see how they did it in these three parts – one, two & three.
If that wasn’t enough, we will leave you with this inspirational treehouse that just about says it all by the looks on the kids’ faces. Pure wonder.
Don’t think you can pull this project off? Go see how Kristen Duke and her family build a treehouse with the help of the sisters from Shanty 2 Chic. (We love them!)
From Popular Mechanics, a lot of good real life tips on building a treehouse
From ‘Make N Do’ on Instructables, this how to build a treehouse tutorial has plenty of step by step photos that make it perfect for the treehouse building novice.
Want to get serious? This DIY treehouse by DIY Network could be my new office! Step by step instructions and cost estimate.
We really like this one and their creative use of materials. Nice design and just very cool! From ‘Kid Baltimore’, you can see how they did it in these three parts – one, two & three.
If that wasn’t enough, we will leave you with this inspirational treehouse that just about says it all by the looks on the kids’ faces. Pure wonder.
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文章
Hande Salcan
2017年02月21日
I don’t like the idea of adding chemicals to our environment, whenever it can be helped. And let’s be honest… If you are growing your own veggies, you are probably after some of the health benefits, right? Ok, and then there is the cost factor as well… why wouldn’t you make your own #organic fertilizers for your garden, instead of buying expensive specialty products? It is easy, it is healthy for both your family and the earth at large, and it is cost effective.
Basically #plants need three major nutrients to thrive, Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). You might see these displayed on commercially made fertilizers in number form, for example, 10-5-5. Nitrogen is necessary for leaf and green growth, Phosphorus for flowers and fruit, and Potassium for gemeral health of the plant. That having been said, plants need a lot of other nutrients as well, called Micronutrients. Some of these include Magnesium, Calcium and Sulfur. Plants are also affected by the acidity of a soil, and the biodiversity of bacteria that creates a healthy environment, all of which can be improved with organic fertilizers. Now that you have the basics down of why we are doing this, let’s get down to some simple recipes for our choices for top organic #garden fertilizers you can make!
Coffee Grounds Fertilizer
Coffee grounds is a natural fertilizer that not only adds nitrogen to poor soil, it also increases the acidity of soil. This will especially make your roses, hydrangeas, magnolias and rhodies happy!
Work up to 25% coffee grounds into soil at the base of the plants. Coffee grounds will also improve the organic matter in the soil.
Banana Peel Fertilizer
High in potassium, phosphorus and calcium, banana peels are great for flowering and fruiting plants. Simply bury a peel under the ground at the base of the plant, and allow to decompose. You can also freeze overripe bananas that you would have otherwise thrown away, and then bury next to a needy plant when needed. If you prefer to make a spray, soak a peel in water for 2-3 days, then use the water to spray plants or seedlings.
Epsom Salt Fertilizer
Epsom salt is available at your local drug store, and adds important magnesium and sulfur to the soil. Especially good for tomatoes and roses, Epsom salt tea is great for starting seedlings and reducing transplant shock as well. Known for giving plants a deep green color, especially on magnesium low soils, this is a simple and quick recipe. It is pretty impossible to over do this fertilizer, as it breaks down in to a simple magnesium component.
Recipe
1 Tablespoon Epsom Salt
1 Gallon water
Use from a watering can for both indoor and outdoor plants. Can also be mixed into the soil around plants at a rate of 1 tablespoon for every 1-2 feet in height of plant. Water in well.
Egg Shell Fertilizer
Egg shells are very high in calcium, which is necessary for good cellular growth in all plants. If you have ever had blossom end rot on your tomatoes, then you probably have calcium deficient soil. You can crush up used egg shells and just bury them beneath the surface of the soil, or for a faster response, you can make a spray.
Recipe
20 egg shells
1 Gallon Water
Boil the egg shells in the water for a few minutes, then let them sit in the water overnight. Strain and use as a spray or water from a can directly into the soil.
Grass Clippings Tea
Here is a great way to get a high nitrogen fertilizer, and use up those annoying grass clippings at the same time!
Recipe
1 Five gallon bucket filled with fresh grass clippings.
Cover with water
Allow to sit for 3-5 days. Dilute the strained fertilizer tea by using one cup tea mixed with 10 cups fresh water. Pour onto soil.
Compost Tea
Made in exactly the same way as grass clippings tea, but with organic compost. This gives a much richer tea with a variety of nutrients, perfect for any plant.
So spend a little time setting aside some egg shells and coffee grounds, or drop by the drugstore for some Epsom salts. You will be saving yourself some cash, and creating a healthier environment for your plants, and the planet!
Basically #plants need three major nutrients to thrive, Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). You might see these displayed on commercially made fertilizers in number form, for example, 10-5-5. Nitrogen is necessary for leaf and green growth, Phosphorus for flowers and fruit, and Potassium for gemeral health of the plant. That having been said, plants need a lot of other nutrients as well, called Micronutrients. Some of these include Magnesium, Calcium and Sulfur. Plants are also affected by the acidity of a soil, and the biodiversity of bacteria that creates a healthy environment, all of which can be improved with organic fertilizers. Now that you have the basics down of why we are doing this, let’s get down to some simple recipes for our choices for top organic #garden fertilizers you can make!
Coffee Grounds Fertilizer
Coffee grounds is a natural fertilizer that not only adds nitrogen to poor soil, it also increases the acidity of soil. This will especially make your roses, hydrangeas, magnolias and rhodies happy!
Work up to 25% coffee grounds into soil at the base of the plants. Coffee grounds will also improve the organic matter in the soil.
Banana Peel Fertilizer
High in potassium, phosphorus and calcium, banana peels are great for flowering and fruiting plants. Simply bury a peel under the ground at the base of the plant, and allow to decompose. You can also freeze overripe bananas that you would have otherwise thrown away, and then bury next to a needy plant when needed. If you prefer to make a spray, soak a peel in water for 2-3 days, then use the water to spray plants or seedlings.
Epsom Salt Fertilizer
Epsom salt is available at your local drug store, and adds important magnesium and sulfur to the soil. Especially good for tomatoes and roses, Epsom salt tea is great for starting seedlings and reducing transplant shock as well. Known for giving plants a deep green color, especially on magnesium low soils, this is a simple and quick recipe. It is pretty impossible to over do this fertilizer, as it breaks down in to a simple magnesium component.
Recipe
1 Tablespoon Epsom Salt
1 Gallon water
Use from a watering can for both indoor and outdoor plants. Can also be mixed into the soil around plants at a rate of 1 tablespoon for every 1-2 feet in height of plant. Water in well.
Egg Shell Fertilizer
Egg shells are very high in calcium, which is necessary for good cellular growth in all plants. If you have ever had blossom end rot on your tomatoes, then you probably have calcium deficient soil. You can crush up used egg shells and just bury them beneath the surface of the soil, or for a faster response, you can make a spray.
Recipe
20 egg shells
1 Gallon Water
Boil the egg shells in the water for a few minutes, then let them sit in the water overnight. Strain and use as a spray or water from a can directly into the soil.
Grass Clippings Tea
Here is a great way to get a high nitrogen fertilizer, and use up those annoying grass clippings at the same time!
Recipe
1 Five gallon bucket filled with fresh grass clippings.
Cover with water
Allow to sit for 3-5 days. Dilute the strained fertilizer tea by using one cup tea mixed with 10 cups fresh water. Pour onto soil.
Compost Tea
Made in exactly the same way as grass clippings tea, but with organic compost. This gives a much richer tea with a variety of nutrients, perfect for any plant.
So spend a little time setting aside some egg shells and coffee grounds, or drop by the drugstore for some Epsom salts. You will be saving yourself some cash, and creating a healthier environment for your plants, and the planet!
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1
文章
Joss
2017年02月20日
Lavender blooms in many parts of the world , and there are few #flowers that are more cherished for romance, scent and form. What most gardeners don’t realize is that lavender is easy to grow and maintain, and can make a splash in your flower beds, add an old world touch to your flower gardens, or can have an entire garden design based around it, whether your style is modern, or old world. You can use the flowers for craft projects, aromatherapy, or even a relaxing tea! You don’t have to have a generous field of lavender in Provence to enjoy and appreciate all it can do for your garden. The featured photo above is from a recent trip to Vashon Island, WA. Simply gorgeous! Here are seven easy tips for growing lavender in any garden space!
1. Lavender needs one thing to grow well…good drainage. This is all fine and good if you have a naturally sandy or gravelly soil in your yard, but pretty problematic if your entire garden is pure clay! The solution? You can either grow your lavender in raised beds with good soil, or you can use containers. Regular planting mix is fine, just make sure there are plenty of drainage holes. If your lavender is yellowing, first thing to check is drainage.
2. Lavender is drought tolerant once established, but they do bloom better if they are watered as soon as the soil becomes dry one inch down.
3. Lavender are short lived plants by nature. If they are happy in their spot, they will last a bit longer, but even under the best conditions, three years is not unusual for a plant to start dying out in the center. Here’s the up side of that. Lavender volunteers show up each year in droves, so there are always new plants ready to take over the ones that have passed their prime!
4. Lavender does not need much in the way of fertilizer, making them great low maintenance plants. Give them a dose of liquid fertilizer in the spring, then leave them alone, Too much fertilizer will produce plants that are large and spindly, with fewer flowers.
5. Early each spring, make sure you cut your lavender back, and don’t be a baby about it! Cut back most lavender to one third their height to rejuvenate the plant, and make sure your plant is flowering at it’s best.
6. Lavender blooms in early to mid summer, but may be convinced to re-bloom in later summer or fall. After the first flush of bloom has been harvested or died back, use scissors or shear to give the plant a light hair cut. Give it a dose of half strength liquid fertilizer, and leave it be. Chances are you will see more lavender later in the season!
7. To harvest lavender flowers, it’s best to cut them in bunches with long stems. Choosing to cut them in early morning maximizes the oils in the flowers, which gives them the best scent. You can use them fresh in vases with other cut flowers, or easily dry bunches by tying the ends together and hanging them upside down in a protected place. Dried lavender retains much of its scent and can be used in drawers, crafts or as decorative additions to wreaths or flower arrangements.
Note: Lavender is thought to help induce sleep and relaxation, either made into a tea, or tucked into pillow cases. You can even throw a sachet of lavender through the dryer with your sheets and towels for a natural scent to your laundry!
How to Make Lavender Dryer Sachets
Lavender is easy to grow, easy to find at most nurseries, and can be found in purples, blues, roses and whites. You can choose from hardy English lavender, larger French lavender that is the form you see in photos of the French countryside, or special Spanish lavender. Keep in mind that Spanish lavender, with its flower heads that remind me of butterflies, are great in containers, but are less hardy than its cousins.
Spanish Lavender
Grow lavender. Even if the only use you ever find for it is picking flowers and foliage as you pass by, and taking the time to smell that wonderful scent, fresh from your own garden.
1. Lavender needs one thing to grow well…good drainage. This is all fine and good if you have a naturally sandy or gravelly soil in your yard, but pretty problematic if your entire garden is pure clay! The solution? You can either grow your lavender in raised beds with good soil, or you can use containers. Regular planting mix is fine, just make sure there are plenty of drainage holes. If your lavender is yellowing, first thing to check is drainage.
2. Lavender is drought tolerant once established, but they do bloom better if they are watered as soon as the soil becomes dry one inch down.
3. Lavender are short lived plants by nature. If they are happy in their spot, they will last a bit longer, but even under the best conditions, three years is not unusual for a plant to start dying out in the center. Here’s the up side of that. Lavender volunteers show up each year in droves, so there are always new plants ready to take over the ones that have passed their prime!
4. Lavender does not need much in the way of fertilizer, making them great low maintenance plants. Give them a dose of liquid fertilizer in the spring, then leave them alone, Too much fertilizer will produce plants that are large and spindly, with fewer flowers.
5. Early each spring, make sure you cut your lavender back, and don’t be a baby about it! Cut back most lavender to one third their height to rejuvenate the plant, and make sure your plant is flowering at it’s best.
6. Lavender blooms in early to mid summer, but may be convinced to re-bloom in later summer or fall. After the first flush of bloom has been harvested or died back, use scissors or shear to give the plant a light hair cut. Give it a dose of half strength liquid fertilizer, and leave it be. Chances are you will see more lavender later in the season!
7. To harvest lavender flowers, it’s best to cut them in bunches with long stems. Choosing to cut them in early morning maximizes the oils in the flowers, which gives them the best scent. You can use them fresh in vases with other cut flowers, or easily dry bunches by tying the ends together and hanging them upside down in a protected place. Dried lavender retains much of its scent and can be used in drawers, crafts or as decorative additions to wreaths or flower arrangements.
Note: Lavender is thought to help induce sleep and relaxation, either made into a tea, or tucked into pillow cases. You can even throw a sachet of lavender through the dryer with your sheets and towels for a natural scent to your laundry!
How to Make Lavender Dryer Sachets
Lavender is easy to grow, easy to find at most nurseries, and can be found in purples, blues, roses and whites. You can choose from hardy English lavender, larger French lavender that is the form you see in photos of the French countryside, or special Spanish lavender. Keep in mind that Spanish lavender, with its flower heads that remind me of butterflies, are great in containers, but are less hardy than its cousins.
Spanish Lavender
Grow lavender. Even if the only use you ever find for it is picking flowers and foliage as you pass by, and taking the time to smell that wonderful scent, fresh from your own garden.
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文章
Abigal
2017年02月16日
Formal, fanciful or modern, garden topiaries make one take notice. They do have a bad rap though, for being high maintenance. You don’t need a team of well paid gardeners and a palatial estate to have these in your yard. In fact, you can make them yourself! We won’t lie, you do have to keep them up. But a little bit of trimming and clipping is nothing compared to what they give back. So check out these DIY garden topiary projects, get one (or two!) started of your own, and send us photos of your creations! Our featured photo below, is from the Royal Château of Amboise gardens in France.
There are a few ways to DIY a garden topiary, depending on what effect you are looking for and how much work you want to put into it. Here are the basics for trimming a shrub into fun shapes. The tutorials that follow have more in-depth directions.
Choose your shrub.
Evergreen broadleaf shrubs such as boxwood, yew and privet are the best shrubs to start with. Ivy also can be trained into topiary shapes with a frame.
Choose your shape.
Formal topiaries tend to be a geometric shape, a standard, a globe, a spiral or a pyramid shape. These are probably the best place for a beginner to start.
Wire, or wireless?
Nope, not shopping for bras here ladies. You can either purchase or make a wire frame to create a structure for the shape, or you can choose to go wireless and trim freehand. Wire frames are also necessary if you are using an ivy plant.
Shape your topiary.
If you are using ivy you will be growing the ivy to fit inside the frame. If you are doing a shrub topiary, you will be pruning the shrub as it grows to fit within the frame.
Take care of your plant!
Topiaries bought from a nursery are very expensive, based on the amount of time it takes to bring them to maturity. You wouldn’t let an expensive shrub die for lack of care, so don’t treat your DIY topiary any differently! Water them regularly, watch for signs of pest and treat promptly, and plant in good soil. Want more step by step details? This article from ‘Do It Yourself’ takes you all the way through DIY topiary in pretty good detail.
‘HGTV’ shows us how to create a boxwood topiary using wire as a template for pruning. This makes the process a little less freehand, but doesn’t require a wire frame!
You can also buy topiary templates if you prefer, like this one from ‘French Gardening‘.
Matt Mattus from ‘Ehow Home’ shows us how to make an herb topiary from cuttings. Yep, herb topiaries can be used out in the garden or brought indoors. They can be grown from rooted cuttings or even easier, store bought plants. And yep, you can still cook with them! Follow his tutorial to grow these gorgeous little standards.
Also from ‘HGTV‘, maintaining your topiary is as simple as using trimmers on it regularly to keep the shape.
Ok, now for a little inspiration. Think topiary is just for a traditional garden? Here is a great photo from ‘Evergreen Direct‘ that shows that they can be very contemporary too. Ok, full disclosure, these are artificial plants. But the idea remains the same!
From ‘Jeff Krause‘, this photo of Goofy at ‘Epcot Center’ shows us how fun topiary can get! You would need a frame and a bit of patience for more complex shapes like this.
Last, we just couldn’t resist this cute little elephant topiary. We have no idea where it’s from, so if anyone knows the correct source, please email us! We Googled “animal topiary frames” and found some cool possibilities out there! Let’s trim us a topiary!
There are a few ways to DIY a garden topiary, depending on what effect you are looking for and how much work you want to put into it. Here are the basics for trimming a shrub into fun shapes. The tutorials that follow have more in-depth directions.
Choose your shrub.
Evergreen broadleaf shrubs such as boxwood, yew and privet are the best shrubs to start with. Ivy also can be trained into topiary shapes with a frame.
Choose your shape.
Formal topiaries tend to be a geometric shape, a standard, a globe, a spiral or a pyramid shape. These are probably the best place for a beginner to start.
Wire, or wireless?
Nope, not shopping for bras here ladies. You can either purchase or make a wire frame to create a structure for the shape, or you can choose to go wireless and trim freehand. Wire frames are also necessary if you are using an ivy plant.
Shape your topiary.
If you are using ivy you will be growing the ivy to fit inside the frame. If you are doing a shrub topiary, you will be pruning the shrub as it grows to fit within the frame.
Take care of your plant!
Topiaries bought from a nursery are very expensive, based on the amount of time it takes to bring them to maturity. You wouldn’t let an expensive shrub die for lack of care, so don’t treat your DIY topiary any differently! Water them regularly, watch for signs of pest and treat promptly, and plant in good soil. Want more step by step details? This article from ‘Do It Yourself’ takes you all the way through DIY topiary in pretty good detail.
‘HGTV’ shows us how to create a boxwood topiary using wire as a template for pruning. This makes the process a little less freehand, but doesn’t require a wire frame!
You can also buy topiary templates if you prefer, like this one from ‘French Gardening‘.
Matt Mattus from ‘Ehow Home’ shows us how to make an herb topiary from cuttings. Yep, herb topiaries can be used out in the garden or brought indoors. They can be grown from rooted cuttings or even easier, store bought plants. And yep, you can still cook with them! Follow his tutorial to grow these gorgeous little standards.
Also from ‘HGTV‘, maintaining your topiary is as simple as using trimmers on it regularly to keep the shape.
Ok, now for a little inspiration. Think topiary is just for a traditional garden? Here is a great photo from ‘Evergreen Direct‘ that shows that they can be very contemporary too. Ok, full disclosure, these are artificial plants. But the idea remains the same!
From ‘Jeff Krause‘, this photo of Goofy at ‘Epcot Center’ shows us how fun topiary can get! You would need a frame and a bit of patience for more complex shapes like this.
Last, we just couldn’t resist this cute little elephant topiary. We have no idea where it’s from, so if anyone knows the correct source, please email us! We Googled “animal topiary frames” and found some cool possibilities out there! Let’s trim us a topiary!
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文章
Andy
2017年02月15日
Start apartment gardening if you live in a city and don’t have space for a regular garden with these 7 apartment herb garden tips.
We all try to be as healthy and natural as possible. We go to grocery stores, organic markets and spend money on superfoods. We purify our drinking water, pay attention to our body and try occasionally to enjoy nature to come out of our hectic schedules. A herb garden fits perfectly into this picture. Your home-grown herbs and perhaps vegetables too. Who does not want that? Freshest and tastiest. But of course, there is still a practical side to this story. How to create a herb garden? Did you have space for a garden in your urban house?
Maybe not, but you can create a small garden anywhere. In your apartment balcony, on a small terrace, patio or on a rooftop you can create a herb garden.
Apartment Herb Garden Tips
1. Choose herbs that you like and use most
Gardening with herbs is easiest. A good start is half the work. Carefully think about what you want exactly. A herb garden (or any kind of garden) takes time, money and energy so it’s good to know what you need before you start.
Do you eat a lot of basil, parsley, cilantro or even thyme or rosemary? If you’re not so sure what you’re using exactly and frequently wait for a couple of weeks and keep a small diary or save your observation in a message or email draft and see what often gets into your food, which herb is essential in your food culture and which one you would like to try. Once you get the answers, go ahead to buy herbs for a herb garden or start them from seeds.
2. Evaluate well the available space
Next, it is important that you choose a good place for your herb garden. That is of course entirely dependent on the available space. In a limited space like a windowsill you should probably do this with a few pots. It would be better if you have a balcony or roof terrace, you are all set and if you have a garden, the possibilities are quite endless. What you should think, especially if you need to work in a small space, is that how much sunlight you get there.
3. Go vertical to create space
Go vertical to create space. Use walls, railings and ceiling to hang planters. If you think smartly you can increase your space up to 3-4 times this way. You can hang shelves too where you can put small pots. Another attractive solution to make a pallet shelve or use a shoe rack. If you’re growing herbs indoors buying a herb garden set is also a good idea.
4. Grow more than just herbs
If there is space left grow more than just herbs. Beautiful annual flowers, foliage plants or long-lasting perennials. A lemon tree or a dwarf fruit tree. The possibilities are endless. You can also start to grow your ow vegetables.
5. Provide shade in the hottest months
Plants love sunlight. But as with everything in moderation is very important. If your place receives day long excessive sunshine provides a little afternoon shade, especially in warm climates. Too much sun can dry the herbs and die, herbs like cilantro bolts in warm temperature in the scorching sun.
6. Create a nice seating area in your herb garden
Your herb garden will also look very nice and the fragrance of aromatic herbs will make it a wonderful place to sit in. If you have grown some flowers and shrubs you can enjoy it more. So it’s a good idea to create a nice place to sit.
Also Read: How to Make a Balcony Herb Garden
7. Get enough place to store herbs
With these apartment herb garden tips and some dedication, the time will come when the herbs are ready to be picked. You can pick off fresh fragrant leaves to garnish on your dishes or you can store some for later use. Of course, it depends entirely on how much you have sown this will decide how much you will have to reap. It is nice to keep the dried herbs in the kitchen so that you can use them during cooking conveniently.
We all try to be as healthy and natural as possible. We go to grocery stores, organic markets and spend money on superfoods. We purify our drinking water, pay attention to our body and try occasionally to enjoy nature to come out of our hectic schedules. A herb garden fits perfectly into this picture. Your home-grown herbs and perhaps vegetables too. Who does not want that? Freshest and tastiest. But of course, there is still a practical side to this story. How to create a herb garden? Did you have space for a garden in your urban house?
Maybe not, but you can create a small garden anywhere. In your apartment balcony, on a small terrace, patio or on a rooftop you can create a herb garden.
Apartment Herb Garden Tips
1. Choose herbs that you like and use most
Gardening with herbs is easiest. A good start is half the work. Carefully think about what you want exactly. A herb garden (or any kind of garden) takes time, money and energy so it’s good to know what you need before you start.
Do you eat a lot of basil, parsley, cilantro or even thyme or rosemary? If you’re not so sure what you’re using exactly and frequently wait for a couple of weeks and keep a small diary or save your observation in a message or email draft and see what often gets into your food, which herb is essential in your food culture and which one you would like to try. Once you get the answers, go ahead to buy herbs for a herb garden or start them from seeds.
2. Evaluate well the available space
Next, it is important that you choose a good place for your herb garden. That is of course entirely dependent on the available space. In a limited space like a windowsill you should probably do this with a few pots. It would be better if you have a balcony or roof terrace, you are all set and if you have a garden, the possibilities are quite endless. What you should think, especially if you need to work in a small space, is that how much sunlight you get there.
3. Go vertical to create space
Go vertical to create space. Use walls, railings and ceiling to hang planters. If you think smartly you can increase your space up to 3-4 times this way. You can hang shelves too where you can put small pots. Another attractive solution to make a pallet shelve or use a shoe rack. If you’re growing herbs indoors buying a herb garden set is also a good idea.
4. Grow more than just herbs
If there is space left grow more than just herbs. Beautiful annual flowers, foliage plants or long-lasting perennials. A lemon tree or a dwarf fruit tree. The possibilities are endless. You can also start to grow your ow vegetables.
5. Provide shade in the hottest months
Plants love sunlight. But as with everything in moderation is very important. If your place receives day long excessive sunshine provides a little afternoon shade, especially in warm climates. Too much sun can dry the herbs and die, herbs like cilantro bolts in warm temperature in the scorching sun.
6. Create a nice seating area in your herb garden
Your herb garden will also look very nice and the fragrance of aromatic herbs will make it a wonderful place to sit in. If you have grown some flowers and shrubs you can enjoy it more. So it’s a good idea to create a nice place to sit.
Also Read: How to Make a Balcony Herb Garden
7. Get enough place to store herbs
With these apartment herb garden tips and some dedication, the time will come when the herbs are ready to be picked. You can pick off fresh fragrant leaves to garnish on your dishes or you can store some for later use. Of course, it depends entirely on how much you have sown this will decide how much you will have to reap. It is nice to keep the dried herbs in the kitchen so that you can use them during cooking conveniently.
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文章
Andy
2017年02月15日
Want to grow an Indoor Herb Garden? Learn everything you need to know in these 7 INFOGRAPHICS that’ll teach you everything about growing herbs indoors.
Growing an indoor herb garden is the best way to grow your own herbs if you don’t have space outdoors.
1. Growing Herbs From Seeds
Starting herb seeds successfully either indoor or outdoor requires a number of things including ample light, quality growing medium, moisture, the right temperature, air circulation, and the MOST important thing– lots of patience. Save and use the infographic given above to learn how to start herb seeds.
2. Herb Planting Tips
Use this infographic to learn about a few basic herb planting tips.
3. How To Grow Your Own Indoor Herb Garden
Source: Chadwicks
If you live in an apartment the best way to always have fresh herbs is to make your very own indoor herb garden or if you have a balcony you can create a Balcony Herb Garden. Also, Chadwicks have put together this perfect infographic to help you successfully grow your own indoor herb garden.
4. Light Requirements Of Indoor Herbs
Source: The Growers Exchange
Check out this comprehensive infographic on light requirements of indoor herbs. This infographic will help you ensure that your indoor herbs are receiving proper amount of light so that you’ll get bountiful and flavourful harvest.
5. Easiest Herbs To Grow Indoors
Source: Desima
If you are just beginning with indoor herb gardening it is worth to grow easiest herbs first to ensure successful harvest. This great infographic will help you in choosing the easiest herbs to grow.
6. Guide To Flavoring With Herbs
Source: Cooksmarts
This infographic is about storing and using herbs in cooking. To help you get cooking with herbs and learn how to keep them fresh, take help of this infographic. It will tell you all about herbs and their flavors, when to use fresh herbs and dried herbs and how to properly store them so that they’ll last longer.
7. How To Create A Windowsill Herb Garden
Source: TheTruthAboutCancer
This inforgraphic is about the herbs you can grow on the windowsill, to learn more you can read our guide on Windowsill Herb Gardening.
Growing an indoor herb garden is the best way to grow your own herbs if you don’t have space outdoors.
1. Growing Herbs From Seeds
Starting herb seeds successfully either indoor or outdoor requires a number of things including ample light, quality growing medium, moisture, the right temperature, air circulation, and the MOST important thing– lots of patience. Save and use the infographic given above to learn how to start herb seeds.
2. Herb Planting Tips
Use this infographic to learn about a few basic herb planting tips.
3. How To Grow Your Own Indoor Herb Garden
Source: Chadwicks
If you live in an apartment the best way to always have fresh herbs is to make your very own indoor herb garden or if you have a balcony you can create a Balcony Herb Garden. Also, Chadwicks have put together this perfect infographic to help you successfully grow your own indoor herb garden.
4. Light Requirements Of Indoor Herbs
Source: The Growers Exchange
Check out this comprehensive infographic on light requirements of indoor herbs. This infographic will help you ensure that your indoor herbs are receiving proper amount of light so that you’ll get bountiful and flavourful harvest.
5. Easiest Herbs To Grow Indoors
Source: Desima
If you are just beginning with indoor herb gardening it is worth to grow easiest herbs first to ensure successful harvest. This great infographic will help you in choosing the easiest herbs to grow.
6. Guide To Flavoring With Herbs
Source: Cooksmarts
This infographic is about storing and using herbs in cooking. To help you get cooking with herbs and learn how to keep them fresh, take help of this infographic. It will tell you all about herbs and their flavors, when to use fresh herbs and dried herbs and how to properly store them so that they’ll last longer.
7. How To Create A Windowsill Herb Garden
Source: TheTruthAboutCancer
This inforgraphic is about the herbs you can grow on the windowsill, to learn more you can read our guide on Windowsill Herb Gardening.
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文章
Erin
2016年12月26日
#growing-fruit-tips
DON’TS
1. Don’t water from above. Doing so encourages water born pathogens and spreads disease.
2. Don’t Overcrowd. Tomato seedlings need plenty of room to grow and will be stunted if they are over crowded. The same is true for mature plants. The size of a mature tomato plant is about 3 feet in diameter, so don’t plant young plants a foot apart.
3. Don’t forget tomato cages. While a tall stake will work okay, tomato plants can get very large and will benefit from having a tomato cage around them to keep sprawling stems off the ground.
4. Don’t wait too long to stake. I place my stakes in at the time that I plant the seedlings. I won’t damage the roots if I do this and the stems will be ready to tie up as the plant grows.
5. Don’t forget that critters like tomatoes too! If you have followed my blog, you will know of my exploits with the squirrels. Nothing is worse than seeing a dozen half ripe tomatoes on the ground with a bite out of each one. See my tips for dealing with squirrels. Hint…they don’t like cayenne pepper!
6. Don’t over-fertilize. Doing so will often result in bushy tomato plants with few flowers and flowers are what makes tomatoes later.
7. Don’t go for seedlings with flowers. You may think this will give you a head start on the growing season but the opposite is the case. Go for strong root systems and healthy looking stems. The flowers will come soon enough. (The same goes for flowering plants – why buy those already in flower? Enjoy them in your garden, not at the garden center!)
8. Don’t plant too early. Tomatoes are best if the soil temperature is consistently above 50º F outside. And make sure to measure the temp down a ways into the soil. 6 inches doesn’t sound like a lot, but think of where the roots are!
9. Don’t be impatient. The sweetest tomatoes are those that grow on the vine as long as possible. Don’t be in a hurry to take them off too early. If any fall off the vine, see my tips for ripening green tomatoes.
10. Don’t panic at the end of the season. If you have plants left and a frost is threatening at season end, pull up the whole plant, tomatoes and all and hang upside down in a garage or basement. The fruit will continue to ripen.
11. Don’t store tomatoes in the fridge. Doing so will spoil the taste and take away much of the sweetness that you are looking for. See this tip for sweet tomatoes.
Sun-ripened tomatoes deliver the taste of summer in every bite all summer long. Plant just a few healthy plants and you will ensure the production of buckets of this delicious fruit.
DON’TS
1. Don’t water from above. Doing so encourages water born pathogens and spreads disease.
2. Don’t Overcrowd. Tomato seedlings need plenty of room to grow and will be stunted if they are over crowded. The same is true for mature plants. The size of a mature tomato plant is about 3 feet in diameter, so don’t plant young plants a foot apart.
3. Don’t forget tomato cages. While a tall stake will work okay, tomato plants can get very large and will benefit from having a tomato cage around them to keep sprawling stems off the ground.
4. Don’t wait too long to stake. I place my stakes in at the time that I plant the seedlings. I won’t damage the roots if I do this and the stems will be ready to tie up as the plant grows.
5. Don’t forget that critters like tomatoes too! If you have followed my blog, you will know of my exploits with the squirrels. Nothing is worse than seeing a dozen half ripe tomatoes on the ground with a bite out of each one. See my tips for dealing with squirrels. Hint…they don’t like cayenne pepper!
6. Don’t over-fertilize. Doing so will often result in bushy tomato plants with few flowers and flowers are what makes tomatoes later.
7. Don’t go for seedlings with flowers. You may think this will give you a head start on the growing season but the opposite is the case. Go for strong root systems and healthy looking stems. The flowers will come soon enough. (The same goes for flowering plants – why buy those already in flower? Enjoy them in your garden, not at the garden center!)
8. Don’t plant too early. Tomatoes are best if the soil temperature is consistently above 50º F outside. And make sure to measure the temp down a ways into the soil. 6 inches doesn’t sound like a lot, but think of where the roots are!
9. Don’t be impatient. The sweetest tomatoes are those that grow on the vine as long as possible. Don’t be in a hurry to take them off too early. If any fall off the vine, see my tips for ripening green tomatoes.
10. Don’t panic at the end of the season. If you have plants left and a frost is threatening at season end, pull up the whole plant, tomatoes and all and hang upside down in a garage or basement. The fruit will continue to ripen.
11. Don’t store tomatoes in the fridge. Doing so will spoil the taste and take away much of the sweetness that you are looking for. See this tip for sweet tomatoes.
Sun-ripened tomatoes deliver the taste of summer in every bite all summer long. Plant just a few healthy plants and you will ensure the production of buckets of this delicious fruit.
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