Below are four tips to help you get started on square foot gardening:

1.Creating your square foot garden

All you need for a basic square foot garden is an open-bottomed box, divided into one foot square sections. The size of your box depends on the space you have and your own personal preference, but a standard size is sixteen square feet  (4 feet x 4 feet). Each of the beds is divided into approximately one square foot blocks and marked out with sturdy slats, or twine to ensure that the square foot blocks remain visible as the garden grows.

For certain plants (e.g. potatoes and carrots-deep root), you will need to raise the section by a foot and fill with soil, whereas others may require frames on which to grow.

People with physical disabilities may need to have a bottom to their garden so that it can be placed on a suitable surface.

2. The benefits of the square foot garden

There are lots of benefits to square foot gardening.  These include:

• It requires much less work to manage a square foot garden than a conventional one. You don’t need any heavy tools since you won’t be standing on the soil to compact it, and weeding takes minutes at the most.
• Square foot gardens are more productive than conventional single row planting. The wide spacing and lack of weeds means that each square foot of garden gives you more produce.
• By providing a quality soil that retains water, while minimizing waste by hand-watering, you can save water.
• Square foot gardening is compatible with the permaculture philosophy, whereby people are encouraged to work with nature to protect their crops. For example, companion plants, such as insect-repelling marigolds, can be planted to form a natural barrier to some pests. In addition, by mixing plant varieties, disease can be halted quickly.
• Another benefit of square foot gardens is that they can be easily covered if necessary.

3. What soil do you need for square foot gardening?

When it comes to choosing your soil, there are a number of options:

You could use your own, freely-available soil, although this will need testing and possible modification.  Other disadvantages are the presence of weed seeds and the time and effort needed in preparation.

A mix from your local nursery would be an easier option, though quality can vary. Alternatively, you may want to search for specially pre-prepared mixtures or recipes, and this I highly recommend. One popular, but expensive, mixture has been devised by square foot garden expert and civil engineering graduate, Mel Bartholomew.

You can even use pure compost on your garden, though drainage is not ideal and some nutrients may be deficient.

4. What can you plant in square foot gardens?

You can plant a huge variety of plants in your square foot garden, from herbs and flowers to fruit and vegetables.

Plants such as tomatoes, broccoli and many herbs need to be planted one to a section, whereas you can plant four strawberry or lettuce plants, nine spinach plants or sixteen onions, carrots or radishes in each section.

Deep-rooted vegetables need to be planted in raised sections, as described earlier, whereas those that grow on runners (squash, cucumbers, etc.) can be put on vertical frames with netting and string to secure them.

Taller plants should be put at the northern end of your garden (southern in the southern hemisphere), to ensure they don’t block the light reaching other plants.
There are many online sources for square foot gardening, so the next time the sun is shining, pull on those gardening shoes and start creating your own.

This post was contributed by Romona Weston.

Romona lives in Southeastern PA in the beautiful Amish countryside of Lancaster County. She is a web publisher who writes about various subjects. She writes about every sort of rolling kitchen cart and kitchen carts on wheels.  As a researcher rather than a seller, she presents an unbiased view of products. Explore her reviews at www.kitchencarts360.com. If you are a retailer or manufacturer and would like her to review your product you can contact her via her website.

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Benefits of Black Mulch

The main benefits of black mulch are related to how they protect your plants, shrubs and flowers. These benefits include:

• Moisture retention – Black mulch (or any colored mulch for that matter) helps plants retain moisture. Any moisture that plants receive is shielded from evaporation by the layer of mulch that sits above the soil. This means that you have to water your plants and flowers less and it also means that if you go through some really hot or dry spells, your plants are better prepared to handle the unfavorable conditions.
• Winter protection – Spreading some black dyed mulch in the fall is a great way to protect your plants throughout long, cold winters. The extra layer of mulch acts as a blanket to keep your plants from damage due to freezing temps in the winter.
• Soil enrichment – Mulch is made from a combination of organic matter. This organic matter helps to enrich the soil and helps plants grow, even as the matter breaks down over time due to exposure to air, sun and water.
• Aesthetic enhancement – Garden beds that have a layer of mulch spread over them are more attractive and look more well cared for than those that don’t. Black mulch is especially attractive in flower beds. The rich blackish color stands out against the lush green of the lawn and enhances the colors of plants and flowers.

Problems With Black Mulch

If you buy black mulch from a reputable landscape supplies dealer, you should have no problems at all. There can be problems with black dyed mulch however, so it is worth inquiring a bit about what is used to create the black mulch on sale at your local landscape supply store.

• Chemicals - For one, make sure that the black mulch you buy is made from natural wood bark chippings and does not contain any type of pressure-treated wood, which can contain harmful chemicals. You also want to make sure that the black mulch dye used is made from natural and ecologically friendly ingredients and again, that there are no harmful chemicals in the dye. If either of these components contains chemicals, the chemicals can leach into the ground, ruining plants and negatively effecting ground water and the health of your soil.
• Components – Be sure that you find out what components are mixed in with your black wood mulch to ensure that everything included is safe for the types of plants that you grow. All components should be natural and organic and should naturally decompose over time, adding to the richness of the soil below.
• Fading – Depending on the type of black mulch dye used, your black dyed mulch can fade. All black dyed mulch will fade to some degree, but if your mulch fades too quickly or if it fades unevenly in sunny and shady locations, you will not be happy with the look of your new mulch for very long.
• Heat – Black mulch retains heat more than lighter colored mulch. If you live in areas prone to excessive heat, you may prefer to choose a lighter colored mulch so that your plants remain cooler during the heat of the day.
• Staining – Some of the black mulch dye used to stain the wood in mulch to its rich black color can come off and stain surrounding areas when the mulch gets wet (such as when it rains). If natural, water-based mulch dye is used, the effects of any mulch dye should not be permanent, but if the dye is not water soluble, you may find some staining occurring on surrounding areas, such as walkways, driveways or exterior siding.

Types of Black Mulch

In addition to black wood mulch or black cedar mulch (the most common types), you can also buy black mulch made from rubber or other synthetic materials. Black rubber mulch is best used in areas such as playgrounds for added cushioning beneath the equipment, rather than in flower beds.

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Single, Double and Triple Ground Bark Chippings

You can find single ground bark chippings, which will still resemble small pieces of bark from a tree or you can opt instead for double ground or triple ground bark chippings which offer a finer consistency. Although triple ground bark chippings may be the most attractive looking, they will not last as long as single ground bark chippings will. As a rule of thumb, you can expect that the larger the pieces of bark in the mixture, the longer it will take for it to decompose and the longer the time interval before you have to buy more bark chippings again.

Benefits of Using Bark Chippings

Retains moisture and keeps plants cool – Bark chippings are a gardener’s friend because they can improve the health of flowers, vegetables, plants and shrubs. By laying bark chippings on top of the soil in flower and vegetable beds, it helps to retain moisture in the soil so that plants do not dry out as easily. This insulated layer also keeps plants cooler because there is a layer of moist matter near the stem of the plants. This is especially good in climates with dry, hot weather because it is difficult to otherwise retain adequate moisture levels.

Insulates plants for the winter – For those who live in climates that experience very cold, severe winters, the reverse is also true. Bark chippings serve as a layer of insulation from the extreme cold of the winter and help to protect plants during this time.

Prevents weeds – Spreading bark chippings in garden beds is a great way to protect against the growth of weeds. It is important to first remove any weeds growing in the soil prior to laying down the bark chippings, but if the beds are already weed-free, the layer of chipped bark helps to discourage weed growth. If you really have a problem with weeds in any particular area, you can first lay down some black plastic sheeting, with a few holes sporadically put in the plastic to allow for water penetration, and then lay the bark chippings over the sheeting. This will provide a great barrier against weeds.

Introduces organic matter – Bark chippings are a combination of chips of bark from trees, as well as other organic material. When mixed together, this organic mixture adds nutrients to the soil and helps plants to grow strong and healthy. Some bark chippings include more organic compounds than others, so inquire as to what is mixed in with the chipped bark before you buy bark chippings.

Decorative Bark Chippings

In addition to choosing between single, double and triple ground bark chippings or bark mulch, you also have options such as what color you want your chipped bark mulch to be. The color of bark chippings you choose will change the overall look of your garden décor, so choose colors according to your design preferences. Choose between:

• Red bark chippings
• Brown bark chippings
• Black bark chippings
• Natural bark chippings

Colors of chipped bark mulch other than natural are achieved using a mulch dye that is ecologically safe for plants and flowers.  Black mulch can make an especially attractive backdrop that highlights the beauty of plants and flowers.

Buying Bark Chippings

You can buy bark chippings in bulk from a landscape supply company. These companies typically sell bark chippings by the cubic yard and will deliver the chipped bark mulch in a dump truck right to your home or business. Garden supply stores and home improvement stores that also sell plants and other landscape supplies will usually often sell bagged bark chippings. This is a good option if you only require a small amount, since you can just grab a few bags and take it home with you.

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Types of Outdoor Sinks

When it comes to choosing a sink for outdoors, you have quite a lot to choose from.  What type of sink you choose will depend on where you plan on locating the sink and what you will use it for.  Here are some of the most popular types of outdoor sinks:

• Outdoor garden sinks – There’s almost no where that you need access to water more than the garden!  Outdoor garden sinks can provide easy access to water for keeping your flowers looking fresh, cleaning off tools when you are done tinkering in the garden and keeping hands clean after digging in the dirt.
  • Plastic garden sinks – These are very popular because they are inexpensive and lightweight.  They can easily be set up near a shed, along the side of a fence or just about anywhere that water is needed.  They are also inexpensive, too!
  • Outdoor garden sink stations – These come complete with additional space for planting and gardening activities.  Some include a series of shelves and hooks for storing tools and garden necessities, while others have full sink cabinets to store anything you want inside. 
  • Mobile garden sink carts  - Just hook up to a hose and tote these portable garden sinks around anywhere you need them so you have water at a moment’s notice.
• Outdoor kitchen sinks – If you have an outdoor kitchen, one of the main components you need (besides a BBQ of course!) is a sink.  Outdoor kitchen sinks are generally made of stainless steel and can be installed right within the counter of your outdoor kitchen, just as they would be inside the house. Some types of outdoor kitchen sinks include:
  • Single bowl sinks
  • Double bowl sinks
  • Cocktail/bar sinks
  • Undermount sinks
  • Top mount/drop in sinks
  • Apron sinks
• Outdoor portable sinks – If you have an garden hose, you can hook up an outdoor portable sink.  These are self-contained sink units that are on wheels and can be moved all around your backyard or garden.  The sink can be contained within a cabinet or can be supported by a series of supports and shelves.  Installation only requires you hook up a garden hose to the sink and then it’s ready to use.  For those that enjoy camping, you can even buy small portable sinks to take with you on your next camping trip!
• Outdoor utility sinks – Have large messes to clean outside?  Outdoor utility sinks and laundry sinks may fit the bill!  Most utility sinks are made of materials that can withstand outside use and provide great functionality outdoors.  Simply select a utility or laundry sink that is sized to fit your needs and install it outside and you’ve got a very functional freestanding outdoor sink!  Most utility sinks are made from heavy duty plastic so they will work perfectly outdoors.  Then you can wash anything you want – hands, tools, pool toys, even the dog!
• Outdoor sink stations – An outdoor sink station is similar to a portable outdoor sink, except it is not necessarily on wheels.  These outdoor sinks come complete with the sink installed into a cart, cabinet or workstation so you get more than just a place to wash your hands – you get a place to do work and store items, whether that is for kitchen use, bar use or gardening use.

Buy outdoor sinks here!

Installing Outdoor Sinks

Installing outdoor sinks is relatively easy to do.  Some types of outdoor sinks can tap right into the outdoor plumbing for your spigot and don’t require major plumbing skills to install.  Portable outdoor sinks simply hook up to a garden hose for their water source and require no installation at all – and they can be moved anywhere you need them, as long as your hose is long enough.  Of course, there are some types of outdoor sinks that will require a plumber to install, since they function just like sinks inside your home.  But the functionality you get from these sinks is usually worth the expense of hiring a professional plumber.

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So, before you buy a garden tool rack, you have a few decisions to make.  Here are a few to consider:

What will I be storing in my garden tool rack?

Garden tool racks come in an assortment of shapes and sizes.  You can buy garden tool storage racks that are designed to house long handled tools, such as hoes, spades and rakes, or you can find small garden tool racks that are specifically made to organize smaller tools, such as weeders, small shovels and plant spikes.  Some large garden tool racks will have multiple compartments that allow you to store both long handled and smaller garden tools and will even have a place for more awkward sized tools.

Where will I be placing my garden tool rack?

It’s a good idea to decide where you plan on putting your garden tool rack before you buy one.  You can find floor garden tool racks that sit securely on the floor with spaces for tools to fit right in.  You can also buy wall mounted garden tool racks that are secured to the wall and provide spaces and compartments for hanging your tools, keeping them off the floor.  If space is limited, you can even buy a corner garden tool rack that fits snugly in the corner of a garage or shed and provides out-of-the-way space for storing tools.  If you have a big yard or just love to garden and often need lots of tools, you may even want to consider a portable garden tool rack.  These garden tool organizers are on wheels so you can easily transport your tools around the garden with you, while keeping them all together and organized.

What material is best for a garden tool rack?

Most garden tool racks are made from some type of plastic or resin material.  This is because this material is durable, long-lasting, and easy to care for.  Plastic and resin hold up well to contact with moisture and dirt, two components that are often found on garden tools.  They are also sturdy enough to contain tools without easily falling over and will not damage tools due to sharp edges.  Metal garden tool racks are also available, although metal, steel or aluminum is normally coated with a plastic-like coating to protect the metal from rusting and to protect the garden tools from being scratched up.

What companies make garden tool racks?

There are numerous companies that make garden tool racks and they all come in a variety of different styles and sizes.  Some of the more popular garden tool rack manufacturers include:

• Rubbermaid
• Suncast
• Arrow
• Plano
• Continental
• Racor

How much do garden tool racks cost?

Of course, most people don’t want to spend a ton on a garden tool rack that simply organizes their tools.  They’d rather put their money into high quality tools that make their gardening chores easier and more productive.  The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot to organize your tools!  You can buy a garden tool rack for as little as $10 to as much as $100 or more.  Most quality garden tool racks will run you in the neighborhood of $25 – $45.

Buy a garden tool rack here!

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Rotovators, like most garden tools, come in different sizes. If you only have a small patch of land to work with, you can pick up a small tool. On the other hand, big jobs will require substantial pieces of machinery – in this case it is best to pick up a heavy duty hydraulic rotovator. Just be sure to choose something that you can operate yourself. You will need to push your rotovator around, so there is no point in buying a huge one if you can’t budge it. If you’re thinking about getting a big rotovator, also be sure that you have the room to store it when not in use.

You will also need to make your selection of what type of rotovator to buy with the condition of your soil in mind. If you are lucky enough to have a smooth, soft bed then you can get by with just about any machine. However, if the soil you are working with is hard and dry, you may need to invest in a more powerful rotovator, which will churn up even the toughest soil.

Also be sure to find a machine which is reliable and sturdy. For example, you can look for the Mantis brand, as they generally sell very good rotovators, while the now defunct Merry Tiller line is also a good option for used rotovators. If you only have a few jobs to do and don’t want to buy an expensive machine, you can go to tool hire websites to find great rotovators that can be rented on a daily basis. Renting a rotovator may be your best option if you don’t plan on using this piece of equipment very often and this is an option that many homeowners and garden enthusiasts select.

Rotovators are excellent tools which will make a noticeable difference to your seed beds. Buying or renting a rotovator is a crucial step in developing an amazing garden and can reap great rewards in terms of the ultimate health and beauty of your garden. These are, however, serious machines, so be sure to have safety in mind when operating them and make sure that children do not use this equipment unsupervised.

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Many of us might have felt that we wanted to play sports at a higher level but simply did not have the time and energy to devote to such an endeavor. For outdoor lovers and plant enthusiasts, gardening might also feel like an arduous undertaking, given all the time constraints life places on us. However, if you plan your planting carefully, a beautiful low-maintenance garden can flourish right before your eyes.

With a little thought and a lot of care you can be enjoying your new garden from the delight of your classic porch swing before you know it. Let’s take a look at seven steps that will help this gardening dream become a reality.

1. No Seeds Or Leads For Weeds

Any low maintenance garden will be as weed free as possible. The way to accomplish a non-intruded garden is to make sure there are no weeds from the start. Removing all weeds and seeds from your soil pre-planting can help assure that there will be no surprises or unwanted strangers sprouting up. Another key is to make sure weeding issues do not grow unmanageable. Destroy weeds at the root of their existence and do not let them get out of hand when you do find them, and you should have a much more stress free gardening experience.

2. Make Sure Your Garden Paths Have Purpose

Attending to and viewing the flowers and plants you have nestled into the ground can at times be challenging due to size, shape and other needs in your garden. A design idea to make you gardening life much easier is to plan pathways and stone walkways in such a manner that allows access to all of your perennials, annuals and biennials. The more robust and intuitive the segmenting of your garden is, the less time you will waste navigating difficult terrain or conquering hard to reach obstacles. As an added perk, a well laid out garden makes a visitor’s time much more delightful as well.

3. Put Your High-Maintenance Plants In Carefully Selected Locations

It is essential to be aware of what plants will be more finicky and to plan accordingly. The more difficult a plant is to tend to, or the more susceptible it is to disease or disaster, the greater the need for strategic position within your garden. Fruits, flowers, vegetables and other shrubbery with known issues should always be located in areas that facilitate their needs and makes them highly serviceable.

4. Lawn Logistics – Let There Be A Layout

If a lawn is incorporated into your gardening environment, very close attention should be paid to its shape and size. When plotting the dimensions of your lawn, make sure it is conducive to maintenance and is easy to mow. It is also wise to build structured edges around your lawn to discourage wild growth and to make edging simpler. Implementing a bordered and properly formed lawn can go a long way towards happier gardening.

5. Excitement For Pots Should Not Be Contained

The beauty of a garden is that it can be interpreted in many different ways and it all does not have to be embedded in the ground or dug into the soil. Planting pots, ornamental containers and overhead planting hangers are all ways to add a little flair to your garden while still minimizing the upkeep. In case of drastic weather, pots and containers are also great ways to transport precious garden members indoors and away from harm.

6. Strong Chants For Strong Plants

There are many theories and gardening techniques, and one such movement is xeriscaping. This is where gardeners make a conscious effort to plant species that rely on very little water and nutrients to exist. If you purchase native plants that are environmentally friendly and are accustomed to specific climate conditions that represent your living conditions, you will be rewarded with a more hassle free yard. Bushes and flowers that have low watering needs include butterfly bush, boxwood, California poppies, Dahlberg daisies and petunias. Even the addition of a rock garden or rock formations is a great way to show your dedication to a lower maintenance and environmentally friendly garden, and it will even be easier on your wallet as well. Using plants and systems that demand very little water are great time and resource savers, and they can be the ideal solution for the busy, distracted or environmentally aware gardener.

7. The Gym Is Not The Only Place To Trim

Since plants are living organisms just like us, they constantly need grooming. Making sure your garden is properly trimmed is a key piece to the puzzle that is low maintenance gardening. Assuring that your plants have all of the appropriate nutrients and are cut to a size that induces vibrant and healthy growth will make your gardening experience that much more enjoyable and easier to manage. Feeding your plants nutrients and water in a timely manner will also help keep them in top shape. Planning and implementing a drip irrigation or soaker hose system and a sensibly scheduled trimming pattern can do wonders for your gardening frame of mind and overall gardening sanity.

Summations And Additions

Above all else, planning and research are the vital elements to the proprietorship of a prolific garden. Intelligent planning, including the seven steps above, and a solid well rounded gardening knowledge base will ultimately provide you with the tools necessary to produce a colorful and fruitful piece of land you can be proud of. Below are a few additional notes to further help with the planning and research.

• Devote a sketchbook to your garden. Map and draw out the lawn, walking and access paths, irrigation networks and pot and container decor. You can use different color pencils for your work to define distinct garden characteristics for clarity and ease of reference.
• Keep a journal and log all of your gardening findings and ideas. Keep track of what works and inspires in both written and drawn form.
• Do not hesitate to read an article or search the internet for gardening information. If available, consult an expert at the local nursery. You should also befriend other garden enthusiasts as well. The more support you have, the better.
• Keep the environment and yourself in mind when planning. Gardening is meant to be fun. Think about what will make you most happy and try to merge that with a low maintenance, environmentally centered approach.

If you have taken garden planning seriously, and you stick to the advice given above, you will be headed in the right direction towards a peaceful and beautiful planting experience. By deploying certain sets of gardening principles, techniques and tactics like the ones given above, the entire gardening experience becomes more enjoyable and less burdensome. When it comes to gardening, it is best to take your time and plan ahead, as this may very well save you lots of trouble and heartache in the future.

Post written by:  Jay Chua

About the Author:

When it comes to such things in life as knowing the difference between a garden rope hammock and a pawleys island quilted hammock, Jay is the man with the answers. Utilizing his online knowledge and extensive business background, Jay strives to help others find the same peace and pleasure he does in watching a fruit or flower grow or sitting on a comfortable porch swing, relishing in the passing of earth’s intimate details.

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There are many companies that offer professional advice and services to help you maintain your lawn and garden, including weed control services and pest control services. Apart from gardens, they also may offer lawn weed control and maintenance for your grass.

There are many ways to stop weeds from overrunning your garden and many types of landscape supplies that you can buy to suppress the growth of weeds. One method is the use of chemical weed killers that are usually sprayed on the plants. But because of growing environmental and safety concerns, many are switching to organic weed control.

Below are typical methods used by a weed control service to manage weeds organically:

• Manually pulling weeds
• Regulating the delivery of water with the use of rubber hoses and other methods directly to plant roots to limit the weed’s access to water
• Tilling and plowing around plants mechanically with the use of tractors at various periods in the cultivation process
• Rotating crops with ones that kill weeds by choking them out, such as hemp (this works better on a farm than in your backyard, however)
• Mulching or the use of weed mats, which are made of fibrous materials such as cloth bark or newspaper placed on top of the soil to prevent weeds from growing to the surface

One popular weed control service method used to destroy weeds organically is the use of herbicides. Through the use of various equipment on the ground, or even in the air, herbicides are applied directly on plants. Common organic herbicides include spices, vinegar, steam, flame, citrus oil and many others. Major herbicides used by professionals include 2,4-D, aminopyralid , atrazine, clopyralid , dicamba, Glufosinate ammonium,  Fluroxypyr, Glyphosate, Imazapyr, Imazapic,Linuron , Metolachlor, Paraquat, Pendimethalin, Picloram, Sodium chlorate and Triclopyr.

Herbicides can be classified in many ways. Contact herbicides kill only the plant directly in contact with the chemical. These generally are the fastest acting herbicides but are less effective on perennial plants. Systemic herbicides are translocated through the plant, either from foliar application down to the roots, or from soil application up to the leaves. They are slow acting and can easily manage perennial plants. Soil-applied herbicides are absorbed by the roots of the plant and are applied directly to the soil.  These are just some of the options that a weed control service will consider in helping you combat weeds in your lawn and garden.

Weeds are the worst enemy of garden and lawn owners. So to relieve yourself from the hassle of dealing with them, go to a professional weed control service company and let them get the job done right, so you can just sit back and enjoy your weed-free landscaping and your beautiful garden decor.

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You have many different options when it comes to garden potting benches. Here are some to consider:

Wood Potting Benches – When it comes to a wood potting bench, you can’t go wrong with cedar. A cedar potting bench looks good out in your backyard or garden, and cedar will hold up well to moisture, sun and just about anything you can throw at it. This is the most popular potting bench type, since wood blends in so well with the outside surroundings, while still being durable.

Plastic Potting Benches – If you want a super low maintenance potting bench, then plastic may be the way to go. While a plastic potting bench will not look as attractive or “natural” near your garden, it is easy to clean, durable and long lasting. This is also a cheap potting bench choice, if budget is a factor.

Metal Potting Benches – Metal is not the most popular of materials when it comes to potting benches, but you can still find some options available. Just make sure if you buy a metal potting bench that it is one that won’t easily rust, because it will be exposed to moisture and water quite a bit.

Folding Potting Benches – If you don’t have the space to leave a potting bench out all the time, or simply don’t want to, then a folding potting bench is a great option. These models fold up compactly for storage when not in use. Since a folding potting bench does not usually remain out all the time, it often does not have any room for storing your gardening supplies and is used mostly just as a potting table when you need to get some work done.  With this option, you may want to consider hanging garden tool racks in your garage or shed to store your tools.

A garden potting bench will usually have a shelf below the main portion of the bench for storing supplies like potting soil, fertilizer, garden pots, and garden tools. The main part of the potting bench should be comfortable to work at from a standing position, so be sure to check that out before you purchase. Some potting bench designs will also include specialized garden tool storage along the top of the work space, and side containers or bins to either sweep debris or scraps into or to hold compost, soil or other materials. You can even find some potting benches that include an outdoor sink, so you can have access to running water to make it more convenient when working on your plants and flowers, or to wash off your hands after they’ve been digging through the dirt.  Another option is a potting bench that also serves as a garden bench that you can just sit in and enjoy as you admire the surrounding flowers when you’re not hard at work.

If you love to garden, then a potting bench should be high on your list of garden accessories to buy. It provides a comfortable place to work on small gardening tasks and is the perfect way to keep all of your gardening supplies and tools organized and easily accessible. There are many potting bench styles to choose from, so depending on your needs, you should be able to find one with the features you are looking for and within your particular budget constraints. Happy gardening!

Click here to shop for potting benches.

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Neem oil is a completely natural bi-product of the Indian neem tree.  The tree is grown widely around the world to provide this useful insecticidal oil.  Rather than destroying pests immediately but wearing off quickly, neem oil provides a longer-term method of garden pest control.

How does neem oil insecticide work to prevent pests from eating your plants?

1. By preventing any insect that has digested neem oil from molting, pests die as immature juveniles and are unable to breed.  This reduces the number of future insect generations.
2. Since only those insects that eat your plants and so consume neem oil are affected, it helps protect the beneficial bugs in your garden.

Using neem oil is an extremely easy, cheap and effective form of garden pest control, but it won’t immediately destroy all insects.  You do need to be a little bit patient and wait for those bugs to digest the oil themselves.  Of course, if you sprayed the oil directly onto insects it would kill them, but it would kill beneficial insects in this way, too.  So it is best to spray either early or late in the day when insects are least active.  Also, doing this prevents you from scorching the leaves of your prized plants when the sun hits that liquid and heats it up.

The most economical way to use neem oil as an insecticide is buy purchasing pure neem oil in a gallon or quart bottle.  Then dilute it, using four teaspoons of oil to every gallon of water.  Add in a spoonful of liquid soap or mild dish-washing detergent and it will work even better.  Then, once you have made your neem oil insecticide solution, you can simply spray it on your plants and wait for those pesky little pests to ingest it and die.

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3. Things To Consider When Creating an Organic Garden

Portable Greenhouse Frames

The frames of most portable greenhouses are often comprised of piping made of PVC or some other rigid plastic.  These result in structures that are lightweight, easy to assemble and that usually don’t require the use of any tools during assembly.  Steel, copper, and other metal tubing can also be used as materials for portable greenhouse frames.  However, they are heavy, can be prone to corrosion from rain and humidity, and are more expensive than plastic parts.  Some of the more elaborate portable greenhouse kits feature wood as the frame material.  Wooden frames are lightweight and aesthetically pleasing, but are also the most expensive material to use.  Assembling wooden greenhouse frames also requires some carpentry skill and proper tools.

Portable Greenhouse Covers

The covering material of a portable greenhouse needs to meet several requirements.  It needs to be able to let solar energy in (the sun) while preventing heat and moisture from escaping.  It also needs to be durable enough to stand up to exposure from the elements and any pests and critters that try to get in.  Glass is the traditional material used in many greenhouses, but it is heavy, brittle, and fragile, and is not at all suited for a more mobile or portable application.  Acrylic plates are lighter, cheaper, and more durable than glass.  They can easily be cut to any size and shape, but are prone to scratching.  However, because acrylic is a rigid material like glass, it makes moving and re-assembling a much tougher task, although it is safer to use acrylic than glass if you will be moving the greenhouse around.

For portable greenhouse applications, plastic fabric-like coverings, such as woven polyethylene are your best and cheapest option.  They can be folded up for easy storage and transport, and are very easy to install on a portable greenhouse frame of any material.  These coverings aren’t as durable as the rigid materials, but they are easy to patch up or replace altogether when the need arises.  There are some companies that specialize in portable greenhouse coverings and replacement covers, so if you need to replace just the cover and not the whole structure, you can do so rather inexpensively.  Just do a search on the internet for “portable greenhouse replacement covers” and you should have no problem finding them.

Portable Greenhouse Kits

You can buy portable greenhouses completely assembled, or you can start from scratch and buy the component materials for the frame and cover to build your own portable greenhouse.  One other option, which offers cost savings off of buying a fully assembled model but saves you the headaches of having to plan, measure, buy and cut materials to build your own, is to buy a portable greenhouse kit.  These kits include all of the materials for the frame and covering in the size and shape specified on the particular portable greenhouse kit you buy, along with instructions as to how to put the whole structure together.  Portable greenhouse kits provide the best of both worlds – savings of time and money off of the other options.

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Many gardeners says herbs are the easiest to plant and manage, and they can be grown indoors or outdoors. You can start growing herbs in small pots and place them on the window sills or in a small patch of land outside of your house.  Or, you can find an attractive garden pot or two and fill it with herbs and place it almost anywhere you want outdoors.  You can even invest in a mini greenhouse to get your herb garden started.  The good news is that you don’t have to sit and scratch your head trying to figure out how to design your garden, since your herb garden will only take up a small amount of space.  As long as the location you choose gets a few hours of sun exposure each day, then you are good to go.

But why start with herbs?  Well for one, herbs can be used in many different ways.  They can add aroma and taste to your cooking, get rid of your flu, and drive insects away from your house and your plants.  They are also great as ornamental plants.  Of course, you can always say that the herbs are simply your experimental gardening specimen, if any of the above don’t work out.

So what is the first thing you need to do when designing your herb garden?  Start by finding the best location to plant your herbs, and also research the types of herbs that are most suitable for that place (full sun, part shade, etc).

The most important and obvious factor that affects what you can plant where is the amount of sun exposure.  Many herbs enjoy a sunny day for the longest duration possible, but there are herbs which require moister conditions for optimal growing and would do better in a shadier spot.  If possible, count the number of hours a possible spot receives of sunlight and try to notice any large objects or trees that might cast a shadow to determine if the location will be good for the plants you want to grow.

If you plan to have your herbs on your window sill, do make sure the edges are big enough so that the pots won’t easily fall off.  If you have small children or pets, leaving potted plants along the sills are not such a good idea, unless your windows are really high.

Now that you have a spot identified and you know roughly the duration of sunlight, it’s time to list out your favorite herbs.  Specify the herbs which you know you will use either in cooking or for medicinal purpose, or just choose those you like for their viewing pleasure.   Then, based on your spot’s sun exposure and what will work best in the location you have selected, you can pick out the clear winners as your chosen herbs for growing.

To get you started, here is a list of a some herbs which require  sun all day:

• basil
• oregano
• dill
• rosemary
• chives

If you only get partial sun in the location of your herb garden, then consider selecting some of these:

• chervil
• lemon balm
• mint

There are many other types of herbs as well that you can choose from.  Starting your gardening hobby with an herb garden is a great way to feel more confident in your gardening ability, since herbs are relatively easy to grow, and they also give you the added bonus of providing you with an aromatic and tasty crop to enhance your cooking pursuits.  Then, once you feel more confident  in your gardening ability, you can start growing vegetables to go with those herbs.  When you are ready for that step, there is tons of online information about vegetable garden design tips to help you get started with that more ambitious endeavor.

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Orchids are the most common exotic flower that is requested from Hawaii.  There are many different styles and colors of Orchids available to choose from.  This exotic flower requires only a minimum of attention and care in comparison to many other exotic flower types.   They require less water than most exotic flowers and also continue to grow in dark areas.  They will also remain fresh up to 2 weeks without withering, which makes them viable candidates for shipping across the continental US without fear of them deteriorating before they reach their destination.

The Yellow Hibiscus is Hawaii’s state flower and it is a truly beautiful and vibrant flower.  This type of hibiscus is rarely seen in the wild and is mostly grown in nurseries.  This might be one of the hardiest and most costly exotic flowers to get, but they are worth it if you are looking to get something unique and stunning.  Yellow Hibiscus are mainly used in wedding flower arrangements.

The last exotic flower we are going to discuss in this article is the most famous and weirdest exotic flower found in Hawaii.  The Bird of Paradise is similar to orchids in that these exotic flowers grow wild in Hawaii and also require minimum to no maintenance.  But they certainly have a rather unique look to them that’s all their own.  You’ll mainly find them growing from lava rocks, which is a perfect combination of yin and yang – beauty growing on a harsh environment.

There are many types of exotic flowers available and some are easier to get than others.  In some cases, you can have them shipped directly from their original destination to just about anywhere in the world.  If you enjoyed this article about some of the more common types of exotic flowers that people seek and would like to learn how to send exotic flowers abroad, visit the site SendFlowersAbroad.org.

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The first consideration is where you will position the greenhouse.  Stand alone greenhouse models can be placed almost anywhere, but you need to find a spot which will get a lot of sunlight.  Take a look at how the sun spreads over your garden throughout the day, and where any shadows appear before deciding where to place your greenhouse.  Other structures in the garden, such as fences and trees can cause shadows which will block sunlight.  It may be impossible to find the perfect spot, but a compromise is often just fine.   Next you need to make sure there is plenty of space around the greenhouse for easy access.  You will probably need room for a wheel barrow to get in and out.  In addition, you may need to create a pathway to the greenhouse to make it easy to get to.

Size is also important.  You don’t want a huge greenhouse in a small garden, because it will overpower everything else. A large greenhouse may also block light from hitting your neighbors’ yards, so think about them as well – you don’t want to cause any petty arguments over something as simple as the placement of a greenhouse.  On the other hand, you don’t want to get a small greenhouse, only to find out that it doesn’t offer you enough room to plant the things you want to grow.  There is an almost limitless amount of shapes and sizes of greenhouses available to buy these days from places like garden centers and online stores like the Argos catalogue (for those in the UK).  You will most likely have to erect a greenhouse yourself if you buy it through these methods, but the instructions are very straightforward and will save you money over having someone come and build a greenhouse for you on-site.

Heating the inside of the greenhouse may be required if you don’t get much sunlight.  Alternatively, you may need something to cool down the inside if there is too much light getting through.  You can purchase small greenhouse heaters or fans for this purpose from most garden or outdoor home stores, such as a place like Additions Direct.  Don’t forget that if you use heaters or fans you will need a power supply, so the cost of installation should be factored in before you buy.

Finally, when deciding on the material of a greenhouse, you can choose between plastic or glass panels.  Plastic is much cheaper, but it is not as strong as glass, and may flex in high winds.  Glass is much more solid, but it can break more easily if something hits it.  The look of a glass greenhouse is also more attractive, so you may want to keep that in consideration if the structure is something you will be looking at often.

There are many things to keep in mind when buying a greenhouse, and since doing so is a fairly major purchase, you should first carefully consider factors such as location, size, shape, and material, as well as how those options fit into your budget.  By doing so, you will get the most from your new greenhouse purchase.

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First off, you’re going to have to make sure your vegetables or flowers are being fed with the most organic materials.  You can buy organic soil at your local lawn & garden store, or you can make it yourself.  In order to make it yourself, you’re going to have to create your own compost.  You can use a compost bin or barrel to make your own using organic materials you’d normally throw out, such as leaves, grass clippings, egg shells and vegetable peelings.  This homemade compost will turn into a rich soil within a month or two.

Next, to ensure the integrity of your organic garden, you must investigate the origin of your seeds.  You need to check the package of your seeds to see if it is labeled as organic.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture has strict regulations regarding the sale of goods certified organic, so it should be clearly printed on the label.  This makes sure your seeds are born from organically grown plants, free of pesticides and genetic manipulation.

One final point to make note of when cultivating an organic gardening is controlling pests.  There are several steps you can take to keep pesky bugs away from your plants.  You can use a citrus-based spray that actually kills most insects.  They’ll fall to your garden floor and add nutrients to your soil.  If this is a bit grim for you, you can also plant repellent plants, such as garlic and hot peppers alongside your other plants.  Along those same lines, you can spray your plants with compounds that have been made of those plants, in addition to other essential oils.

When you’re just learning how to start an organic garden, it may seem like a lot of extra work, but the benefits to your health, and the health of the Earth, far outweigh the extra effort you have to put in.  And, once you’ve harvested your crop of lush organic herbs, you can learn how to make organic shampoo, conditioners, and soaps from your harvest.

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This method utilizes bags of topsoil that you just lay out on the ground.  These bags are convenient and you can have them almost anywhere, even on an apartment balcony.  Here’s what I did.  I laid out a 4×8′ piece of black plastic.  The purpose of this black plastic is two fold.  First, it will keep out all of the weeds and grass so I don’t have to worry about those nasty things taking over my bags of topsoil.  Second, it provides a nice clean place to lay out my bags of topsoil.  You don’t have to use black plastic – you can just throw your bags of topsoil any place.  But, I prefer the black plastic.

Next, I bought several bags of topsoil and even a few bags of potting soil.  I laid these out on the black plastic, evenly spaced.  I then cut out the tops of the topsoil bag and used a long gardening knife to punch holes through the bottom of the bag and the black plastic.  This is so that water will drain.

Next, while at the garden center, I purchased a wide variety of herbs that were already started and a few seed packets.  I then planted each of these potted herbs evenly spaced in the topsoil bags.  Keep in mind that some herbs, just like vegetables, don’t get along too well side by side.  Keep your sage and rosemary away from other herbs, for example.  I used a separate topsoil bag for these two plants.  If you want to know which herbs to keep away from the others, then just Google “herb companion planting” and you will find lots of charts that will tell you what you need to do when it comes to planting herbs in close proximity to one another.

That’s about it.  Then I just watered my herbs as I would if they were in a regular flower bed or in another type of garden pot and watched them grow.  No digging, no preparing beds, no purchasing of pots – just a few bags of topsoil and I was good to go.  I love my “no dig topsoil bag instant garden” ’cause its just so easy!  And I still reap the rewards of a season full of delicious fresh herbs, so I haven’t lost out on anything!

Go ahead and try this topsoil bag gardening trick.  You can even use it for your vegetables or flowers, if you’d like.  And with a trick like this, there’s almost no excuse not to plant a few fresh herbs or veges this coming growing season!

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High output lights, such as T5 lighting, do not give off a lot of heat, so you are able to place them much closer to your plants then you would be able to do with traditional bulbs.  This allows you to give your plants a higher level of light, which can help them grow and flourish.  Also used for indoor growing, fluorescent lights help to mimic the light of the sun, and this is a help for getting those plants to grow as well.

You can also use T5 fluorescent lights for cultivating your seedlings or even for cloning.  It is very important to make sure that you choose the right type of bulb for your needs in order to be successful, however.  For growing vegetables, cultivating seedlings and cloning, you want to use bulbs that are in the blue light spectrum.  If they say “cool white” then this should be sufficient for your needs.

T5 light fixtures and grow light systems using these type of high output bulbs will help you to see a larger growth with your vegetables and plants.  Because T5 light bulbs do not put out a lot of heat, you are able to place them closer to the tops of any of the plants that you are growing.  Usually keeping them one to 3 inches from the tops is good, but on the odd chance that they do touch the plants, no harm will be done to the plants.  The lights should not burn the plants like traditional metal halide bulbs would.

The way T5 lights are typically set up for growing plants is that there are several bulbs lined up next to each other, although in some grow light systems, there is just a single T5 bulb suspended above the plants or two bulbs set up side by side.  The best style of T5 bulbs to use in order to get the best growth are the long tubular ones.  There are many types of lighting and bulb options available to the avid plant grower, however, so it is worth doing a bit of research and looking into what is going to work best for you and for your plants.

You can buy T5 lights and grow light systems here.

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You can tackle weeds and protect your corn with persistence and the right tools. You don’t need to use harmful pesticides that could infect your corn crop in order to kill weeds.  There are many safe organic alternatives that work just as well.

Mulch can work well in protecting corn against weeds.  A thick layer of mulch keeps light from reaching weeds. Without adequate light, the plants will sicken and die before you even notice them, and the few plants that do manage to stick their leaves into the light will be shallowly rooted and therefore easy to pull.  Organic mulches nourish the soil as they decompose and are fairly effective weed barriers.  Organic mulches include compost, shredded leaves, wood chips, bark, dried grass clippings, and other biodegradable materials that nourish the soil as they decompose.

There are many organic natural weed killers for purchase as well.  There are those that are ideal for use in killing weeds, as well as organic pesticides that are quite effective with pests you may have in your garden.  Before purchasing these products, make sure that they are all organic, meaning no chemicals have been added to them.  There are many types of organic weed control on the market that you can use. You will find those that help with disease control as well as weed control.

By growing corn close together, they will consume all of the available space, nutrients, and light, thereby pushing the weeds out of the way.  Growing corn close together will also help with pollination, as corn pollinates through wind.

Some other organic weed killers include:

• Scythe – a fatty acid-based, non-selective contact herbicide that disrupts the cellular structure of the plant
• Neem Oil – for killing aphids
• Burn Out Weed and Grass Killer – which is also an acid-based weed killer made of vinegar and lemon juice

Weeds are like a thorn in the side of many a plant grower or farmer, but before you head to the store to pick up a bottle filled with potentially harmful chemicals to get rid of those weeds, consider that controlling your weed problem can be accomplished in a much safer and more organic way.  And when you keep the chemicals away from your corn or other vegetables, you can feel a lot better about bringing the food to the table when it is time to eat!

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Bonsai making used to be called as Penjing in ancient China.  It is believed to have originated from the Han Dynasty.  During that time, the emperor of China had ordered a huge courtyard to be built.  It had to be grand and include various landscapes found in his kingdom.  So, to follow his order and please him, his subjects cultivated small trees to make it look realistic and attractive.

Looking at the small trees, the emperor was greatly pleased.  He considered his small trees and garden as a prized possession.  Over the years, he became so obsessed with it that he ordered people not to cultivate the plant.  Death was awarded to those who broke his rule.  For a long time, only people who had power and money were allowed to grow this plant.  So a bonsai was considered as a valuable commodity for many generations.

Today, Chinese bonsai is still a very valuable commodity because it is one of the legacies that China has given the world.  Some people, though, do not appreciate the art of bonsai making – they consider it like the practice of bonding the feet of women.  In ancient China, women who had small feet were considered beautiful.  So they purposely controlled the growth of women’s feet by making them wear iron sandals.  Some people think of what is being done to the plants, confining their growth, in a similar fashion and dislike the practice of cultivating bonsai.

Chinese bonsai is actually a miniature of a landscape in pots made of different materials, shapes and sizes, and includes the arrangement of trees, flowers and mountainous rocks.  It is an art that combines garden cultivation, painting and literature.  Today, it has become very popular with the general public of China and all other parts of the world where people appreciate all forms of art.  Bonsai is also a combination of natural and artistic beauty.  A work of bonsai involves plants, rocks, water, soil, mountains and a horticulturist’s creativity, formation and care.

A horticulturist puts a bonsai in a small pot, presenting the beauty of Mother Nature along with it.  Some people honor Chinese bonsai as a 3-D painting and even sometimes call it a silent poem, too.  Bonsai can be created with changes in time, season, arrangements, moods and colors.  Chinese bonsai is elegant and attractive, and provides food for thought for anyone who sees it.  It not only reflects the joyous and artistic mood of the creator, but also imparts the true characteristics of life and growth.  As a style, even today, there are great Chinse bonsai trees grown, and they enjoy a great reputation all over the world for their wild, organic looks.

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The different kinds of light can transform the way that plants look, so it makes sense to position those plants to receive the maximum benefit.  There are many easy-care plants that will help with the correct lighting that you are trying to get.  The same plant can look different depending on whether it is lit from behind or in front.  The individual flowers of Stipa gigantea, for example, shimmer in the light, especially when seen against a darker background, while nearer to the ground, salvias, with their rows of calyces after the flowers have fallen, seem to come alive when lit from behind.  A plant can also have a number of different faces if it is illuminated at only specific times of day.  Yet these dramatic transformations are often denied the attention of the spectator simply because the plant is poorly positioned.

The flower and seedheads of grasses catch light easily, and look especially beautiful when they are wet and covered in hundreds of beads of moisture.  So, you can either plant rows of grasses like molinia and calamagrostis, to catch light in this way, or scatter them throughout a planting to provide highlights.  Clumps of miscanthus will glow silver in the winter.  Monardas and asters are lightcatchers too, with each individual flower transmitting the light slightly differently, depending on whether the light is coming from in front or from behind.

Light is very transitory.  In summer, it can be very harsh and unflattering during the middle of the day, so early morning and evening light tend to produce better effects.  It is easier to appreciate the quality of colors in these moderate lights, too, although the two ends of the spectrum behave in very different ways.  Blues are very effective under a low light, while reds become darker and darker until they eventually disappear.

Autumn and winter lights are low, illuminating plants from the side.  They are also weak and around for only a relatively short period each day.  Plant growth is often thinner, however, so this low light has more opportunity to create subtle effects, creeping in among the plants and playing on parts that summer light does not, simply because there is less growth to get in the way.

Other tips about the effects of natural garden lighting on plants can be found at primearticles.com.

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