Growing Basil - Tips on Growing Basil

Herbs can help life in many ways. Growing basil (or Ocimum basilicum) is an excellent addition to your flourishing herb garden. I am pleased to introduce, Basil, a sweet herb, member of the Mint Family. Sweet Basil is the most popular grown basil plant but it grows in a host of other varieties. When it comes to old age herbal remedies, and flavoring meals, basil is the best.


Folklore-

Growing basil has a special significance in many cultures throughout the world. The people of India swore their oaths in court on basil leaves. To signify love, Italian suitors wore a sprig of basil in their hair when they courted their ladies. A popular Mexican belief is that carrying basil would return a cheating lover.


Medical uses-

There are big health benefits of growing basil. The herb is a natural source of beta-carotene, which is packed with Vitamin A. The herb is known by herbalists as a 'cure-all' for a wide array of ailments, from stomach trouble to headaches. In fact, the list of benefits from this herb proves it so powerful; Basil is considered the “King” of herbs.


Growing Basil-

No need to worry, growing basil is a breeze. The seed can be sown indoors, then transplanting outside at a later date. It can even be full grown indoors if preferred. The plant needs plenty of sun to thrive. You can use fluorescent ’grow’ bulbs if there is not enough lighting in your home.

Sow the seed in a warm time of year, about an inch apart. When the seedlings have developed a few leaves, they can be replanted. Make certain you wait until a late frost is no longer a threat.

Organic mulch should be added to the surface about 3” deep. Water about once a week, preferably in the morning. Never use too much fertilizer, as this can remove the unique odor from the herb.

When re-planting, dig the herbs in at least 1 – 1 feet apart from each other, to ensure appropriate growing space. For growing basil, it has essentially 2 requirements, well-drained soil, and a sunny, moist area.

Basil should be pruned fortnightly to increase its hardiness. Clip leaves back to about a quarter inch above a node and leave enough foliage for continued growth. Remove dead heads from flower stems for it to continue in good health.

Try growing basil near tomato plants. These plants equally need sunlight and above average watering, so having them close together will be more convenient for the time-pressed gardener. Basil next to tomato – like bolognese sauce! Basil also acts as a natural insect repellent, either in the home kitchen, or to keep pests away from other plants.

Once the basil plant has reached six inches, you can start to pinch off the top sets of leaves. Basil plants can grow to approximately 24" tall. Growing basil not only adds to your culinary delights, but it is delightful addition in the garden.

Growing Roses - Care And Planting Of Roses

Planting a garden is one of lifes joys and roses are an old standby for any garden and one of the worlds favorite flowers. There are over 5,000 varieties of roses in the United States and they can be used to enhance your garden in many ways — as creepers, shrubs, vines, climbers, hedges or just as beds of pure colour.

When picking out roses for your garden, it is important to get healthy plants. Make sure the stems are green and not shriveled and the roots are moist and partly fibrous. The most expensive rose is not always the best rose; it may be only a newcomer, much discussed and, therefore, a favorite.

In general, there are two types of roses: bush roses and climbers. Bush roses are shrub like and climbers produce canes that require some sort of support. The hybrid tea rose is the most commonly planted type of bush rose. Other types of bush roses include polyanthas (roses in large clusters), the fioribundas (large-flowered polyanthas), and the hybrid perpetuals (vigorous growers with a great crop in June and continuous blooming throughout the summer).

The climbers include ramblers, whose long pliant canes have large clusters of small roses that can be used for covering walls, fences and banks. The climbers also are pillar roses, adapted to growing near buildings and on posts and the climbing hybrid tree.

If you are contemplating planting roses in your garden, make sure you pick out the proper spot and prepare the soil appropriately. You should use garden loam with organic matter that contains peat moss, leaf mould, compost, rotted or commercial manure. Prepare the soil in the rose beds well before in order to allow for settling of the soil.

You can plant roses in fall or spring, but fall is actually best. When planting roses, inspect the roots to make sure they have not dried and if they have make sure you soak them before planting. Trim back any roots that are weak, long or broken.

Set the plant in a hole that is large enough so that the roots can spread. The part of the plant where the top attaches to the roots (called the bud) should be just under the surface of the ground. Plants should be spaced 18” apart. Prune the branches back to about 8” from the soil.

Keeping your roses fresh and healthy all year is important.You must spray, prune and cultivate in order for your roses to be lush and beautiful. If you have a well-cultivated bed you need not worry about watering. But if you start to water in hot weather, you must keep it up, soaking the roots thoroughly about once a week.
Spraying your roses every 10 days will help protect them against insects and diseases. Nicotine sulphate wipes out the green lice; arsenate of lead is used against chewing insects; or sulphur and arsenate of lead may be used in a dust, as may DDT dust.

When winter approaches, protect your roses by piling sod or straw mulch around them. If you have climbing roses, remove the supports and place the canes on the ground, peg them, and cover with soil mounds.

Kill the Bugs not the Kids

In my case the kids refers to 2 dogs and 2 cats with a taste for house plants. The cats in particular are fond of anything green trying to survive indoors. But not to be outdone Roxy our precocious 3 year old Blue Heeler mix has a thing for my small grove of citrus trees. I find her munching on the leaves regularly. So when I noticed several of the citrus trees infested with spider mites... well lets just say I thought I was faced with a choice of the trees or the kids. And some times that is a tough choice to make.



I have grown the little trees from seeds. The seeds all came from the old fashioned method of saving seeds from fruit rather than tossing them out. Everyone told me "They will never grow" or "They will never produce fruit". The common assumption being fruit is irradiated to kill bugs and such, so the seeds would not be viable.



I have withstood much ribbing and teasing by my spouse and friends, regarding their viability. Much to their chagrin, the seeds did sprout. In fact nearly all of the seeds sprouted and several of the little trees have flourished. These I have protected and pruned. they have become more than the little experiment that I started on.  They are still little more than tiny saplings, and consequently none have flowered, yet. Regardless they have become a symbol, of something bigger. That I was right, and they were wrong.



Even more than the validation of my idea, they make me feel anything is possible. Very few citrus plants can grown in my region. So these little guys surviving is a symbol of hope, and survival.

Attributing so much to these 7 little trees, is a bit much, and setting yourself up for heartbreak, I know. But here I am with all this hope, anticipation and everything.



Now imagine my horror when I noticed something attacking one of the little trees. It seemed to be sucking the life out of it. Once I noticed, the infestation was quite advanced. Several of the trees were affected, and one was in dire shape indeed.



I started the way I always do, pruning away the most affected areas. This had a minimal effect.



So now there I was, my hope infected with mites. Could I disregard my deep sense of dislike for chemicals, to save the "orchard"? Or was there another, better way?



I always want to use organic methods. Up until that point, I had no real nasty bugs to eliminate. So it had been easy, and I was clueless.



I didn't want to make the kids sick. I want to use organic methods, if possible. I want to save the little trees. So, what to do?



The internet is an amazing tool. After a few minutes of research I found a whole host of solutions, and in that search I located a site that has become a lifeline, Arbico Organics.



For the past 30 years Arbico Organics has been producing and marketing natural products for organic homes, businesses, lawns, gardens, farms and pets. They had several products that work for the problem I was faced with.



Since purchasing the  spray for my little trees, I have not noticed any recurrence of spider mites. The trees again look healthy. And none of the kids seems to have had the slightest ill effects. I am hopeful that after 2 or 3 more growing seasons they will finally flower, but if they just survive that long I will be proud. For now they are a nice little edition to our deck in summer, and our guestroom in winter.

About the Author: Christian Hammer is a self proclaimed Serial Entrepreneur, inventor and green advocate. His website, www.mindzle.com is a resource for people who are wanting to live a more sustainable life, but don't necessarily know how to get started, or are worried about how they can afford it. He tries to lead by example, with a wide variety of projects, ideas and how-to's.

Silk Flowers-Adding Spice to your World

Silk flowers are a great way to add color to any places that you can think of. Beyond the beauty of a silk flower lies its ability to spice up any occasions, such the most important day of your life- your wedding day.Like innate flowers, silk flowers can provide you the same beauty and good looks, as if they were the true thing.

More and more people are using silk flowers for their wedding day’s floral arrangements.  Most commonly used are the white silk flowers, but depending on your motif, you can consider some of these silk flowers:

Tropical Silk Flowers: If you want your wedding to have a Hawaiian atmosphere, then tropical silk flowers are best for you.They can offer your wedding a brilliant, summery, gorgeous and foreign look.  Brighten up your mood with the variety of colors to choose from, like red, pink, orange, white and purple. 

Daisy Flowers: Bring your wedding to life with daisy’s magical blend of fresh and innocent charm.  Daisy flowers are elegantly sweet and are just the right flowers for your big day.  They are perfect if you like to give your wedding a touch of summer or spring ambiance.  You can also use daisy flowers as accessories for you hair or as a necklace or bracelet.

Hydrangea Flowers: Add some romantic look on your wedding with the adorable beauty of hydrangea flowers.From their dramatic and magnificent look, they are also immense for summer or spring themed weddings.  Hydrangea flowers are like small blossoms that come in the colors white, red, pink and purple.

Flowers in acrylic water: You can also choose the beautiful fresh blooms of flowers in acrylic water.  It is a renowned way to make your wedding day look great and lovely.  You can add some fragrance to make them look and smell sweeter.

Silk flowers are a fun way to add some color to your wedding day without worrying much about wilting. With today’s more advanced designs made on silk flowers, you are sure that they are specially designed to look even more realistic and adorable.

Garden furniture and accessories are ideal for Christmas

While it most certainly isn’t the season to use them, garden furniture and garden accessories make ideal Christmas gifts for this year. There’s something out there for every garden’s space and requirements, and will bring friends and family a great deal of pleasure long into the new year. A selection of garden themed gifts is a great way to ensure that the presents you buy are useful and will have some longevity in the households of those you give them to.

Think of the possibilities; garden furniture could include anything from a set of plastic chairs and a table, to a wrought iron and wood bench, or a barbecue set, or a parasol to keep the sun (and rain) off. Garden lighting is also a great idea for gifts, and it is now available as solar powered, battery powered or mains powered items, so there really is something for every home and every pocket.

There are many possibilities for any taste and any space, and in these difficult time it is most important for gifts to be functional and useful in order to be great value for you and great to receive for the people you give them to.  They are reusable, which is always a good thing, and thus they will continue to be admired and appreciated for a long time to come.

So, consider garden furniture, accessories and appliances for Christmas this year, and ensure that the gifts you buy will be loved for many years to come. Plus, you could even enjoy these things with your friends and family after Christmas. Why not stage your own celebrations once Spring arrives, just to celebrate life and the warming of the seasons?  We wish you all the very best in your search for the ideal garden items this Christmas, and we also wish you the very best for the festive period and the new tear. We’ll see you outside!

Growing An Organic Garden will Make You Happy

To create an organic garden could be a quite fulfilling and educating experience.  The techniques for planting vegetables, flowers and some other plants have been around for eons but planting an organic garden has become a very popular endeavor lately. There are many people who do not get accustomed with the idea of using vegetables that has been poisoned with chemical fertilizers and other unholy things. They just don't like the idea of taking chemicals around their houses and neighborhoods to maintain their garden. Growing an organic garden involves know-how that can be acquired in various different places. People who want to grow an organic garden are able discover several publications on this issue. The books will offer great information that will help a devoted gardener create a marvellous garden without harsh fertilizers or pesticides.

There are many organic garden centers that are also available to assist gardeners who want to grow many plants with natural organic materials. People working at these garden centers are experts in growing an organic garden, and they are always willing to share advice. Organic garden centers have employed people who can provide new findings on soils, fertilizers and organic pesticides.  The staff sometimes hold workshops that are open to their customers.  These centers normally have all the necessary items for organic gardens on stock.  In addition to this, the centers usually sell plants that will thrive using all natural products.

Growing An Organic Garden is not Possible without Knowledge Of Techniques

Growing an organic garden is difficult without some learning in order to achieve good results.  Good soil is the basic ingedient for planting an organic garden.  Soil differs greatly from area to area so an analysis of the soil is an essential step in growing an organic garden.  Natural fertilizers can be added to the soil to make it work perfect for an organic garden.  There are also techniques that can be used to make the soil ready for growing plants. A dedicated gardener is able develop the soil for thriving plants with only natural products.

Creating and maintaining an organic garden requires a knowledge of the insects and some other bugs that are negative to a successful garden. There are people who use chemicals to get rid of unuseful pests.  Nonetheless there are several ingredients that can be added to a garden to rid the area of useless pests.  Ladybugs can be added to the garden to get rid of aphids.  The presence of these beautiful little insects is good for a garden.  A special type of wasp is also good at getting rid of caterpillars and aphids.  The wasps and the ladybugs will not hurt the plants, of course they will get rid of the bugs that will hurt the garden.

A Fountain Bird Bath Can Help Make Your Garden More Enjoyable

A fountain bird bath is a great way for both you and your backyard birds have more fun out in your yard. Not only will also add a wonderful ambience to your garden along with the soothing sounds of trickling water, but it will also attract a huge variety of different species of wild birds.

In fact, birds cannot resist the trickling water that can be found in these types of bird baths. And there is nothing more fascinating on a hot summer day and watching birds frolic under the water of your phone while they enjoy a refreshing bath.

There are a few things you want to look out for when buying a fountain bird bath. First of all, you might want to opt for a solar powered one so that you don't have to worry about where to plug in. However if you do get one that needs electricity you want to be sure that you have a source close by.

Another thing to consider is the depth of the birdbath bowl. He'll get one that's too deep because birds prefer shallow bowl and will actually avoid one that is deeper than 3 inches. That being said, if you do find one that you fall in love with and it is deeper than that , you can always fill it up with little stones or pebbles to make it shallower.

The other thing, is that you want the surface of the birdbath to be little bit gritty so the birds can grip it and get a good purchase on the edges.

Of course, the location that you install the birdbath is critical because you wanted to be a place where birds feel safe and comfortable so that they can let their guard down and really have fun in the bath! Make sure it is in a somewhat sheltered spot where other animals can't sneak up on them.

Once you have your fountain bird bath installed and working properly, you want to be sure that you keep it clean. Cleaning out at least once a week is imperative that you might want to clean it every day during summer. You wouldn't want to be that dirty water and neither do your birds. Keeping it free of mold and algae will help ensure that it is a safe environment for your feathered backyard friends.

Thoughts About The Practice of Bee keeping

Beekeeping

When people start a hobby some of the things they will think about are fishing, bungee jumping, sky diving as these may be what they have always wanted to do. There is however one hobby that is sweet so to speak which has millions of people engaged in it, this is the art of bee keeping. Bee keeping is not only a hobby though, it can even be a part or full time job and business. What makes bee keeping attractive to many is that is does not require a lot of capital to start of with and thus keeping the start up costs really quite low and affordable.

Considerations before Committing

Bee keeping can be a sweet and rewarding hobby or vocation but there are a few things to consider before making the commitment to raise bees. First of all, bee stings for apiarists (beekeepers) are commonplace so you should be sure that you and those who will assist you are not allergic. You will know an allergic reaction to a bee sting if you see it – swelling at the sting site, possible welts or rashes on the body, wheezing and swelling of air passageways.

While you may be able to handle most of the basics of bee keeping on your own, it is always helpful to have a partner help you with some of the chores. Heavy lifting is a particular problem when moving the hive boxes so having a helper could be a godsend, unless of course, you can handle the added burden.

Researching

Bee keeping is more than just tending to the hives … it is understanding that there are specific duties and activities that take place at distinct times throughout the year.  Bee keeping duties wait for no man regardless of whether or not it is the deep cold winter or a sweltering summer. Apprentice with an apiarist or head to the library to check out as many books and resources as possible.

You must know the difference between the drones, queen bees and workers are in order to succeed in bee keeping as the roles of each are very important to the survival of the hive. Learn what the frames are for, why you smoke some hives out and how to harvest honey and the comb produced.

Luckily, bee keeping equipment is not costly nor is it very cumbersome in terms of maintenance but you must be diligent in your research to know what you must absolutely purchase. A bee smoker, a bee suit and veil and a hive tool are the minimum bee keeping requirements necessary to get the job done. However, rest assured there is more equipment in the bee keeping arsenal for winter protection as well as honey extraction. Your level of commitment as well as your knowledge and pocketbook will guide you in your new venture into bee keeping.

What is Worm Farming?

Worm farming has been around for years on various scales.  While the reasons for worm farming are not widely known, those who participate are big believers inthe benefits that these worms have on the environment.  If you care for the environment and also gardening then worm farming is perhaps for you.

Many worm farmers commercially culture worms for profit.  There are actually many types of worm and there are some that are specifically bred.  Those that are farmed commercially are normally sold to gardeners wanting to do composting.  There are even landfills that buy worms so that the waste can be composted naturally.  

If you are a gardener then you should already appreciate the importance of worms in the garden because the help with the aeration process.  When worms compost the waste it's basically broken down and turned into a product that the soil in your garden can use therefore improving fertilization .

In more recent years, the supply of worm farming equipment and accessories has meant that ordinary people can enjoy worm farming from their own home.  There are bins that can be bought that are fairly small and easy to be stored.  

Worm farming provides worms with a nutrient rich diet of what many times is thrown out with the garbage including discarded fruits and vegetables.  In addition to fruit and vegetables you can also include such products as paper products and cotton rags, leaves, egg shells and hair.  What the worms then produce is called vermicompost  is perfect for feeding your plants.

If you have kids then teaching them about worms can be great fun.  It's also often seen as a very space-efficient means of composting kitchen waste, small kits can be purchased and even hand made to be used in a classroom setting.  Using natural methods for composting and reducing waste in landfills is easily demonstrated by classroom worm farms.

Worms can be farmed just about anywhere.  With the various systems available on the market today, home owners can raise their own supply of worms outside or in an apartment.  As long as you give the worms the correct levels of light, moisture, temperature, food and bedding you you will be rewarded with a thriving population of worms.

Hybridizing Orchids

The orchids (more formally, Orchidacea) are a grouping of plants consisting of over than 20,000 named species, quite a few of which are highly valuable from a commercial standpoint. Many people believe them to be far and away the most interesting order of plants in the whole vegetable kingdom because of their unusual mode of growth and existence, their odd habits and the many shapes and forms of their blooms, which are quite distinct from those of all other plants -- delicate seeming in texture and with wonderful, glowing tints.

Orchids are also to be remarked on owing to their widely admired adaptability and the extent to which they will easily cross-breed or cross-fertilize. This is the case in their natural environs as well as under cultivation. This fact also accounts for the nearly endless varieties of flowers and colors that can be the outcome of the hybridizing process.

A little botany: The flower of the orchid as a rule is made up of these parts: sepals, the petals, the labellum (or pouch), and the column (or crest).

The labellum is generally the most notable part as well as the most important organ of the flower. Insects crawl or fly into it looking for the succulent juices held inside the spur or walls of the flower, pollinating the plant in the process and furthering cross-fertilization in the bargain. This is how such a large number of new varieties are produced in the wild, and these are the orchids that are termed natural hybrids.  But under cultivation this work must be performed by human caretakers using small camel's hair brushes and with a careful eye and judgment as to the right time for fertilization. It is in this manner that the most wonderful orchid hybrids are created, and these are termed garden hybrids.

One of the the things that makes growing orchids so exciting is the dream of producing our own hybrid orchids. The process takes knowledge and a good bit of patience, but even non-professionals have created breathtaking orchids through hybridizing.

If you are interested in experimenting with the hybridization of orchids, you should first gain some good experience in basic cultivation of these plants.Only after you have gained confidence in working with orchids should you try the more demanding task of hybridization. Orchids are slow growing, and slow to come to bloom, so you must be comfortable with waiting sometimes years to see if your hybridizing experiments are successful. Nontheless, when you do succeeed, it's fantastic experience.  You can produce not only some beautiful flowers in this way, but also orchid types never before seen in the world.

Naturally, you must obtain all the information that you can before attempting to hybridize orchids. Fortunately, there are good books available on all aspects of orchid growing, including step-by-step instructions on hybridizing orchids.

The most complete guidebook to contemporary orchid care, I have found, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which is available to be downloaded from the Internet. Mr. Howard's ebook is a complete course, useful for novices and the more experienced growers alike. As well, be sure to visit the Orchid Secretssite, which is publishing an ever-growing database of entries on a wide range of facets of orchid care.

An Introduction to Potting Orchids

Orchids are traditionally separated into two principal types, epiphytal and terrestrial. The epiphytals are the orchids that grow on trees. There are several different methods for growing this type of orchid in the house or in greenhouses. It all begins with the potting.

In a state of nature, the epiphytal orchids typically have roots that are much more exposed to air as compared to other plants.  Therefore, by "potting" we do not mean to pack them all around with thick potting soil.  Rather, we want to place them in a pot with loose, organic matter, from which they can draw necessary nutrients, along with rocks or broken pottery bits to create open spaces and to assist the plants to stay upright.

The typical formula for potting material appropriate to epiphytals is 1 part sphagnum moss to 1 part peat moss. Place a layer of this material in the bottom of the pot, followed by a layer of rocks or pottery pieces, then a second layer of the compost, and so on. When the pot is around a quarter or at most a third full, carefully place your orchid's root system down into it. Then continue adding rocks and mix, packing all of this material just tight enough to support the plant.

Try to gradually build the mix until it is up to and even a little above the top of the pot. The height you need to go above the pot depends on the size of the pot as well as the depth to which you have placed the plant. The general rule is to allow the plant's crown to rest on top of the mix. By crown is meant that part of the orchid plant from where the roots begin.

If you are repotting your orchid, you have to take special care when taking it out of its previous pot. If there are any new roots clinging to the exterior of the pot, you should attempt to ease them off with a penknife. It there is a mass of vital roots -- meaning, roots that have sap in them -- attached to the inside of the pot, then you might have to break the pot and pick away all that you can. You might need to repot it with bits of the old pot still hanging on the roots, and this is fine.

It is a good idea not to water for a day or so before or immediately after potting this type of orchid.

This has been a general introduction to potting epiphytal type orchid plants. The subject can be more complex than this, particularly in the case of some of the more delicate or senstive species. Entire books have been printed on how to pot the various species of orchid plants!  Fortunately, most of us don't need books devoted entirely to the potting art in order to enjoy success with orchids. A recognized, comprehensive guide to all aspects of orchid growing is sufficient.

These days there exists lots of excellent, accurate information available for anyone who wishes to grow orchids. The most thorough guide to contemporary orchid care, many people are finding, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which is available to be downloaded over the Internet. Howard's well-written guide constitutes a comprehensive education all to itself. And, you will find it suitable for beginners as well as more experienced orchid growers. Also, be sure to visit the Orchid Secrets site, which contains a growing library of information on many topics of orchid care.

Orchids Adore Rainwater

We can thank orchid and other flower fanciers, at least in part, for the burgeoning movement to make full use of the water that reaches our houses and yards, particularly that which comes down as rain. If you are growing orchids, this might be something you should look into.

Orchids, similar to other plants, have very particular likes and dislikes as to what is provided them to nourish their roots. Most of them will not thrive in hard water. Unfortunately, the water that comes out of the taps in many areas is too hard for orchids to respond as well as we might like. Most of the time, hard water won't kill orchids. It might stunt their growth, though, or keep them from ever blooming as wonderfully as they would have.

A good thing about orchids is the fact that they have thick, fleshy roots that can stand up to hard water better than many other types of plants. Woody plants, for instance, with their fine roots, are easily destroyed by water that is too hard. Nevertheless you should take measures to avoid using hard water on your orchids.

You can buy devices that fit on your water line to soften your water while removing various types of unwanted impurities. But to tell the truth nothing beats rainwater for treating orchids right! After all, this is the way nature waters wild plants the world over.

A number of companies produce rain barrels that are perfect for catching and holding rainwater until you want to use it. Many homeowners set the barrels up underneath the rainspouts coming from their roofs. With some planning and work, you could set up several rain barrels to direct water directly to your orchids. Then the watering chore, presuming you live in a fairly rainy area, becomes virtually hands off.

Whatever type of water you use, don't use it on plants if it has a chill on it. For instance, I would not use water that I got from an outside tap on a cold winter's day, without first allowing it to come to room temperature in my home or greenhouse. Chilly water can lead to spotting, rot young growths and damage roots.

Some orchids will get benefit from water with some lime mixed in it. In years gone by, people noticed that imported Cypripedium orchids often were covered with chalky lime deposits due to the plants having grown in limestone rock crevices where water trickled down upon them. So if you have a Cypripedium, you could try adding lime to its water, a little at first and then more if you determine that the plant is responding well to it.

The art of orchid cultivation is an intriguing topic. Orchid growing is not as difficult as some people make it out to be, but you must arm yourself with accurate information before plunging in to this rewarding pastime. 

The most up-to-date guidebook to expert orchid growing, in the opinion of many, is Orchid Care Expert by master orchid grower Nigel Howard, which is available to be downloaded online. Mr. Howard's guide is a comprehensive course, enlightening for novices as well as more seasoned devotees alike. As well, visit this Orchid Secrets site, which contains a growing library of information on a wide range of topics of orchid care.

What is Composting?

Many people who are gardeners or care about the environment at putting in kitchen and garden waste into composts therefore creating a product which can then be used in the garden.  This is done by speeding up the process that the materials you use to compost go through on their own – decomposition.  If you are a keen gardener then composting is somthing that you should learn more about.

Compost is not soil.  It is a common misconception that the end-result of composting is the dirt that you find in the ground.  Compost allows plants to grow healthier by providing lots of wonderful nutrients.

Before you begin composting there are choices to be made – what type of container and style suits your project, what type of waste you will be composting, and the location of your bin.  No matter what choices you have to make, how you convert your waste into compost happens the same way.  It is a breakdown of waste materials as they are digested by microbes (bacteria and fungi).

This might not sound very nice but without the microbes, you'll not be able to achieve compost.  They need air, water, and food to do their job and it is up to you to supply it to them in the correct amounts.  For great compost you should consider using worms.

People who have never owned a compost before in their lives are under the misconception that composts are automatically smelly it is most likely the result of not enough air circulating throughout the waste material.  Without air, the material will still breakdown but it will be done by anaerobic microbes (organisms that do not need oxygen) as opposed to aerobic (ones that need oxygen).  If you discover that your compost is emmitting a foul smell then you should add in some cardboads and also turn the compost with a fork to allow more air into it.  Wood chips or hay are good for the composter.

Composting is something that everyone should get involved in, even if you only have a very small garden – it prevents waste from enetrying landfill and also adds much needed nutrients to your soil.

Killing Insects The Natural Way

You might be one of these people who think that all insects should be nuked.  It's because of this belief that there are so many products on the market designed to help people get rid of the unwanted insects.  While it's true that there are many insects that can cause harm, normally the insect only is defending themselves.  So think again about how you kill ants.

If you need to attack insects, at least do nature the justice of attacking the ones that are only a threat to you or your plants' survival or health.  Some people have allergies to insects and so are left with no choice but to eradicate them.  A wasp or bee sting could put some people in the hospital.

Some insects that are beneficial and do not cause harm to us will cause harm in some form to our plants.  Everyone loves butterflies as they are so pretty, however those who are keen gardeners aren't too happy about the caterpillars munching on their plants!  Some insects that you will want to encourage into your garden include ladybugs, bees and also some wasps.  Honeybeens will sting you if they feel under threat but if we didn't have them we wouldn't be able to enjoy honey and also our plants will have great difficulty in pollenating.

Boric acid has been used for many years to help control nasty little roaches.  Ants have always been quite a problem because they love to come into our homes and can also bite.  Wasps that do sting cause allergic reactions, fear in small children and many adults because of their aggressive nature.  People usually use some form of spray to attack them so they don't have to get too close and risk their painful stings.  A useful thing to learn too is what do ants eat.

Neem comes from the Indian lilac tree.  The reason it works is that it prevents the insect from being able to feed and also regulates growth.  Pyrethrum is one of the most popular natural insecticides for attacking insects.  It is used to paralyze and must be applied directly.  It's contained in many pet shampoos for flea and tick control.  Nicotine is well known as a tobacco product, it of course causes major problems to people's health.  Some insects can actually be controlled by it.  Rotenone and sabadilla dust can be considered exotic natural insecticides because they are made from plants that exist in other countries.  If for whatever reason you want to get rid of honeybees then you should use Sabadilla, however it should be noted that it's only a short-term solution.  So consider the possibility of homemade ant killer.

Adding Interest To the Garden With Ornamental Grass

A group of plants that get forgotten in the garden for most of the year, but deserve greater appreciation for the texture and balance they provide are ornamental grasses. They may be used as a sole clump that provides a variation on the normal foliage within a garden bed or they could be made as a living showpiece at the centre of the garden. They're a versatile group of plants and can be grouped together to from hedgerows or as a formal border.

For the most part, ornamental grass varieties aren’t fussy about the soil types they are given. With water conservation an ever-present consideration these days, ornamental grasses become an ideal garden choice with many of them drought tolerant with the exception of sedges. Although it is best to look up exactly which position is most suitable for an individual type of plant, ornamental grasses generally prefer a sunny to partially shaded position.

The diversity of the various types of ornamental grass can be seen by taking a brief look at a few well known grasses ofdifferent sizes.

Some, such as Muhly Grass will sit largely unnoticed in the garden blending in with its neighbours as an unremarkable looking plant that grows to a height of around 3 foot. But come the end of summer it really comes out of its shell and produces a resounding display of deep pink-red inflorescence giving it a real cotton candy look.

In larger gardens you may find an ornamental grass such as Pampas Grass commanding attention as a magnificent clump ruling over the rest of the garden looking visually stunning. The plumage of the Pampas Grass can be quite showy with a coice of either white or pink and various shades in between sitting up to 12 feet tall. However, Pampas Grass must be carefully tended and is regarded as a noxious weed in some areas.

Moving from the big to the small, some ornamental grass varieties such as Mondo Grass are used to show off other plants in the garden by providing a lush green background canvas. Used as a groundcover or low border they can really define the tone of a garden.

A quick run through of some of the popular ornamental grasses to consider includes: Fountain Grass, Blood Grass, Blue Fescue, Maiden Grass, Pennisetum, Northern Sea Oats, Zebra Grass and Bunny Tails.

The various types of ornamental grasses have a lot to offer a garden and is well worth considering when planning a new garden design. Whether using them as a border, a ground cover or a striking floral statement they will give the garden an added memorable elemental design.

Understanding Orchid Fundamentals

At one time, many folks assumed, perhaps with some justification, that cultivating orchids was an occupation only for the quite affluent. Today, most folks know that cultivating orchids is an absorbing pastime that is available to people no matter their means.Yet another false perception is still around, though: that taking care of orchids is extremely difficult. But this is certainly not so.

The fact is, many of the most astonishingly lovely orchid types are really fairly easy to grow. All you need is some foreknowledge, gleaned from books, whether they are the hard-copy kind or the convenient digital kind that you can download from the Internet. If you live in a mild or warm climate, you will be able to grow many varieties outdoors, in your yard or garden.But even if your climate is a cold one, you can still grow gorgeous orchids in a greenhouse or even a regular room, dedicated to the purpose.

Why grow orchids rather than other types of plants?If you have had any experience growing orchids, you would not need to ask the question. Orchids can seize us with a hold that never relaxes once it has us in its grips!

Nevertheless, here are some possible answers to the question. One huge advantage of growing orchids as opposed to other flowering plants is their extreme showiness paired with the great length of time they will stay in bloom. Some orchid varieites will delight you with their blooms for three or four months. A few will continue blooming for six months. Even if your collection of orchids is a small one, it is possible to have blooms the year around, due to the varying blooming seasons of different species.

The topic of orchids, and how to cultivate them, is both broad and deep. You should dig deep into the subject, learning as much as you possibly can before acquiring your first plant. Nevertheless, there are a few basics you should know right off the bat. One of those basics is that orchids are divided into two great groups based on their growing habits.

One of the two major groupings is the epiphytal orchids. These are orchids that grow on trees, or sometimes in moss or fungus on rocks. They are the air dwelling orchids, because they seemingly live on nothing but air and sunlight, though this of course is not actually true. It is these fascinating species that first seized collectors' imaginations and led to the orchid craze of more than a century ago. They are still the ones that most fascinate people today.

Epiphytal orchids are not parasites, though. They draw only a little of their sustenance from the bark of the trees to which they cling, and this does not harm their hosts in the least. They also draw nutrients from water, moss and fungi, as well as leaves that often get caught on and around them, decomposing in the process. Orchid devotees adore the epiphytals because of the enjoyment of recreating their unusual habitats in a garden or greenhouse.

The other major grouping of orchids comprises the terrestrial ones. As you can guess, these are the kind that grow in the soil like "normal" plants. Growing them requires potting, just as with any other familiar houseplant. Many of the most gorgeous varieites of orchids are to be found here.

Many orchid growers start out by concentrating on one of these two main groups of orchids. As you might guess, though, they end up growing at least a handful of species from both groups. It''s recommended to learn about both types of orchids if you are serious about joining the world of orchid growers.

In our day there exists an abudance of good, accurate information to be had by anyone who would like to grow orchids. The most complete guidebook to 21st-century orchid growing, more people are finding, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which can be downloaded over the Internet. Howard's clearly written guide will provide a full understanding of the subject. Also, visit the Orchid Secrets website, which features an ever-growing library of articles on many facets of orchid cultivation.

Some Useful Organic Vegetable Gardening Tips

We all want to stay healthy by eating chemically free, fresh, vitamin filled and natural foods. When we grow our own food, it makes us less dependent on commercially grown foods, which are coated with chemicals and are also quite tasteless.

The US Department of Agriculture compiled data that reveals that the mineral levels in vegetables, fruits, dairy and meat has decreased substantially in the foods that are commercially produced. Chemical fertilizers that are used for commercial produce swell it with more water. Organic food on the other hand has more dry matter and is loaded with essential nutrients. It is also much higher in antioxidants, which is another big reason to go organic.

How is Organic Gardening Different

The main difference between conventional gardening and organic gardening is in the areas of pest control and fertilization. In organic gardening, organic and natural methods and materials are used rather than synthetic chemicals which are detrimental to the environment and our health.

If you are fond of home gardening for organic vegetables, some of the useful home vegetable gardening tips are to choose your crops carefully, select a garden site that is appropriate for plants, plan your garden, prepare the soil and choose appropriate fertilizers.


Successful Organic Vegetable Gardening

The most important organic vegetable gardening tip is that you need to provide good growing conditions for the healthiest produce. A good crop does not happen by accident, it needs lots of hard work and suitable conditions. The most important factor responsible for adequate growth of any plant is at least six hours of direct sun each day. You also need to make sure that the soil is full of organic matter.

Another organic vegetable gardening tip is to choose the plants sensibly. There are some plants that are more susceptible to diseases and pest problems as compared to other plants. To save unnecessary problems for yourself, look for varieties that are disease-resistant.

One valuable organic vegetable gardening tip is to feed your organic plants naturally. Fertilizing your plants may not be necessary in most soils, but it definitely helps them grow better. Feeding your plants with well-rotted animal manure is a good source. Organic matter improves tilth, structure and the condition of the soil. It also improves the ability of soil to hold water and nutrients.

Another handy organic vegetable gardening tip is to be absolutely intolerant of weeds as they rob plants of water and essential nutrients. They also attract pests that can spread diseases from one plant to another. It is therefore important to walk through your garden and pick up weeds and shed foliage.

Another important organic vegetable gardening tip is to water wisely. Use water saving soaker hoses to water the plants directly at the roots. Also, jamming the plants in the plot can cause problems. Do not plant the organic vegetables too close to each other. There has to be good airflow between the plant for them to grow well and prevent any fungal disease.

For more about gardening please visit www.organicgardeningzone.com

A Healthy Option: Green Gardening

There is a new world developing in the gardening world that is called green gardening, otherwise known as organic gardening.  Since it is becoming more popular, there is more gardening help available to help a person who has been gardening for years change over to green gardening from traditional methods.  There is also plenty of information that allows those who have not ever gardened before to become green gardeners in a short amount of time.

Going Green

Going green is a slogan that has been tossed around more and more in recent years, as more and more people become informed about the effects of our actions on the environment and more environmental problems surface due to man's negligence.Since this is the case, people have been finding more ways to be environmentally friendly yet still able to participate in the activities they enjoy, such as gardening.

Green gardening means using products that are organic, such as compost instead of chemical fertilizers.The compost can be made through grass clippings, leaves or scraps from the kitchen that are organic.  All of these items are thrown onto a pile called the compost pile, which begins to decay and let the nutrients from the decaying bodies into the soil, which plants love.Earthworms also help to decompose the compost pile if the person doesn't mind their squirming.

In addition to growing flowers organically, green gardening includes growing food, so that most of what is eaten is home grown.Organic food that is bought in a grocery store or specialty shop is always more expensive then alternatives.Growing food in a vegetable garden saves time and money, including the gas required to get to the grocery store!  In addition, picking the vegetables and fruit from the garden, fresh, right before use always tastes better than those that have been shipped to the store.

For those who do not have the option of starting a green garden in the back of their house, there are a couple of different options available.One option is to join a community garden in which people sign up to take care of the garden on different days of the week and the produce from the garden is shared amongst them all.The other option for urban dwellers is to do container gardening, doing green gardening in potted plants.All sorts of plants can be grown this way, including vegetables, so it is a viable option for those who do not have yards.

For more about gardening please visit www.organicgardeningzone.com

Crazy About Orchids? You're In Good Company

Since tulip mania (or "tulipomania") crested in the Netherlands until the present, no single group of plants has acquired such a firm grasp on popular fancy as the orchids. Believe it or not, though, today's orchid craze hardly compares to the fevered devotion that the plants inspired in our Victorian forebears, especially in England and the United States.

Certainly, of course, many other plants were greatly admired in the Anglo-Saxon world of the latter half of the 19th century.Among these were ferns, cacti, chrysanthemums, palms and roses. But orchids to a great extent represented the summit of horticultural respectability in the 19th century garden. So highly were these mostly tropical epiphytes esteemed that in May of 1885 the first general conference on orchids was held in London. The gala event brought together amateur as well as commercial growers to show off their prized specimens and to discuss important issues, including the culture and nomenclature of these marvelous flowers.

At the time of that great conference in London, the exotic tropical orchids had been known to most of the world for only around a hundred years. A 16th-century Spanish botanist, Francisco Hernandez, casually referred to a few orchids as curiosities when recounting a voyage to Spanish America. Some 200 years later, naturalist Engelbert Kaempfer and botanist Georg Eberhard Rumphius, employed by the Dutch East Indies Company, described several of the Asian orchids. But it wasn't until just before the beginning of the 19th century that Europeans in general became aware of these mysterious and exciting plants.

By the early 19th century, botanists were attempting to cultivate a handful of specimens at such places as London's famous Kew Gardens. Until 1820 orchids were looked upon as curiosities in botanical gardens, but about that time some showy Cattleyas and other species produced some stunning flowers, piqueing greater interest among the public. By the middle of the 19th century, new orchid specimens were making their way to Europe from all around the globe. Additionally, more and more people were attempting to cultivate orchids at home.

The first great orchid craze was going full throttle by the late 1800s and continued undiminished for many years to come. Somewhat suprisingly, a solid scientific understanding of orchid botany and what was needed to be consistently successful in growing orchids did not arrive until the 1920s.

Today, of course, we have an abudance of good, accurate information available for anyone who wants to grow orchids. The most accurate and clear guide to today's orchid care, many growers agree, is Orchid Care Expert by a Mr. Nigel Howard, which may be downloaded online. Mr. Howard's guide is a comprehensive course, helpful for beginners as well as the more seasoned fanciers alike. Also, be sure to visit the Orchid Secrets website, which is publishing an ever-growing library of articles on all aspects of orchid care.

How to Make Organic Gardening Compost

So you want to get involved in organic gardening and farming, and know that one of the first things that you are going to need to do is make some organic gardening compost. This organic gardening compost is what you are going to be using to provide nutrients to the soil which in turn will make stronger, healthier plants.

There are a few different ways to make organic gardening compost, but here is some basic information that you will need to be aware of.

Full Instructions

When it comes to organic gardening compost, the most important thing to learn about is what you can use to make compost. Basically, anything that was once living will make for great compost. You should avoid using meat, dairy and cooked food in your compost however because these foods can attract vermin and so you really want to avoid home-composting them.

All fruit and vegetable peels work well in organic gardening, and for the best results you want to always use a mixture of types of ingredient. The right balance for you here is going to really only be learnt by experience, and so just because you may not get it perfect right away, you should not become frustrated and after you practice and stay at it, you will continue to make better and better compost each time.

Keep in mind that some things, such as grass mowing and soft young weeds, will rot quickly, and so they do work as activators which means that they get the compost started, but they do end up decaying and causing quite a mess.

Any tea bags and leaves, coffee grounds, soft green prunings, animal manure, and poultry manure and bedding for instance, will all work very well in your compost. Make sure that you try a few different things, and see what works best.

Depending on the type of plants that you have in your garden, certain mixtures are going to work better than others. Only over time will you be able to recognize which mixtures work best on your garden.

Remember, your organic gardening compost can be as simple or complex as you want to make it. If you are just getting started, it will be best for you to stick to a simpler compost recipe, and then as you begin to get more used to making it and get more familiar with the routine, you can start adding in new things.

For more about gardening please visit www.organicgardeningzone.com

Beautifying the Yard: Flower Gardening

Flower gardening is one way to make a huge difference in the yard and raise the value of any home.  There are so many different choices in flowers that a flower garden can change every year or even every month!  In addition, there are ways to green garden, which means that all of the products used in the garden are organic, so that pesticides and fertilizers are not used which can be harmful to humans, pets and the environment.  

The first choice in flower gardening is what types of flowers to plant, since that will determine where the garden should be located.  If there is only one option for where the flower garden can be placed, then the plants chosen for the garden should be based on how much sunlight is available in the garden and what the overall climate is where the person lives.  That way the flower garden will be more likely to be successful, and the gardener will not get frustrated with plants that will not grow or that die after a short amount of time.

Roses?

There are many people who would like to have a rose flower garden but are afraid to do so because they have heard that roses are temperamental flowers and are difficult to grow and maintain.However, there are some tips that can be used to successfully grow a rose flower garden in any climate.   

The first tip was mentioned above – choose the flowers according to the climate.  Roses are tougher than they look and were found naturally in every climate.  The trick to planting a rose garden is to choose the types of roses that enjoy the type of weather the person lives in.Also, roses enjoy sunlight, so a flower garden composed of roses should be placed where they can get direct sunlight.

When planting rose bushes in a flower garden, they should be planted apart from one another so that they can get air between the different plants.They also should be pruned regularly so that the bushes do not get too thick where they cannot get air within the branches of the plant.  Roses also like to be watered regularly, but not in the way other flowers are usually watered.Roses need to be watered at the roots so that they can more readily absorb the water.

If all of these instructions are followed, then a beautiful rose flower garden should be blooming in no time.Keeping the roses well fertilized with healthy mulch from compost will also help them to stay healthy and strong.

For more about gardening please visit www.organicgardeningzone.com

Home Gardening

Home gardening can be a wonderful way to relax after a rough day in the office, allowing the individual to have time outside, physical activity, and produce a gorgeous garden that everyone can enjoy.  Whether they choose to grow a flower garden or stick to vegetables, a garden comes in all shapes and sizes, from containers gardens, ornamental gardens or ones that provide food for the entire family.

Types of Gardening

There are different types of home gardening styles for individuals to choose from so that they can experiment to see what ones work best for them.Getting started in home gardening almost always starts with the soil, since that is the essence of all that will grow in the garden.Placement of the garden is of importance as well, since there are some flowers and plants that will not grow in direct sunlight or full shade, so the area where the garden is to be placed should be chosen with care.

There are different types of plants that can be planted in home gardens.  Besides the many varieties of fruits and vegetables, there are different types of flowers, grasses and bushes that can be grown in home gardens.Annual plants are ones that only live for one growing season.  The downside to these plants is that they have to be replaced every year.However, they are great filler plants and add splashes of color and texture wherever they are planted.  In addition, there are biennial plants that last for two seasons, so the individual gets more 'value' for their money.

Perennial plants are usually the foundation to any decorative garden since they continue to grow year after year and, if tended well, will fill in and make the garden look more and more luxurious with each year.  Rose gardening is another option of perennial that can make for a beautiful garden.Some people are wary of choosing roses for the garden, thinking that they are hard to tend and finicky, but with a few simple tips, growing a rose garden is a great choice in a home garden.

The other popular choice in flowers is growing from bulbs and tubers.These flowers also grow back year after year, but have to be tended to ward off deer and other creatures who love the tender bulbs.Ornamental grasses and vines are also wonderful choices to edge home gardens or to use as ground cover, since they are decorative and easy to tend once they have grown in.

For more about gardening please visit www.organicgardeningzone.com

If You Grow Orchids, Beware of this Insect Pest

The Cattleya fly is among the the most devastating of pests that could assault your orchid garden.. In fact, this pest is intimately associated with orchids rather than any other family of plant, as you might gather from its scientific name, Eurytoma orchidearum.

Cattleya flies deposit their eggs in the orchid plant's young growths. The eggs hatch and then nymphs (or maggots) hatch and begin to feed voraciously. These nymphs soon swell to a huge size within the orchid's bulbs. One signal that these maggots are doing their nasty work is that the bulbs themselves will swell becoming club-shaped at the part where the pests are munching away.

Finally, the nymphs are transformed into flies, which munch their way to the outside by chewing through the flesh of the bulbs. Adult Cattleya flies are very easy to recognize. They have clear wings and black bodies, and are about a quarter inch long. Sadly, by the time you see them, it could be too late to salvage many of your plants. Nonetheless, you should always attempt to kill the flies before they can lay eggs in your remaining healthy plants.

Abnormally swollen bulbs are a sign that a plant is already infected. In this situation the best remedy is to cut off the bulbs. Then, drown the nymph by dropping it into a bowl of water. It's disheartening to have to cut away your plant's young growth, but this is better than leaving your other plants open to being attacked by this pest. With some luck, that plant that you did surgery to will produce a new bulb in place of the old one.

Now here's the good news about Cattleya flies. They are fortunately not especially common, and most orchid growers will never see them. Regardless, it is just good practice to inspect every new orchid for the signs of these flies and their maggots. Besides looking out for unusually swollen bulbs where the fly's nymphs might be eating, inspect for minute holes where a female fly's ovipositor might have inserted her eggs into the plant. Absent such signs, you probably do not have a Cattleya fly problem.

To be really successful growing orchids it is important to know how to deal with all the various threats to your plants, including insects. It isn't as difficult to grow orchids as many people seem to believe, especially if you first read up on how to properly care for these fascinating plants.

The most complete guide to 21st-century orchid growing, many agree, is Orchid Care Expert by a Mr. Nigel Howard, which can be downloaded over the Internet. Howard's wonderful guide will provide a full understanding of the subject. Also, visit the Orchid Secrets site, which contains an ever-growing library of articles on many facets of orchid care.

A Green Thumb

Everybody has something he or she enjoys doing, maybe it is for relaxation or maybe a hobby. Sometimes that hobby can be hard work and sometimes it can help one unwind. I have found something that can be hard work at times but most often, it helps me unwind and relax. Want to know what my secret is? Well, it is gardening.

I first got started gardening while working with my mom in her garden. She helped me understand the basics of gardening like, the difference between annuals and perennials and the pros and cons of different plant types. At first, I would complain about helping, but after the project was completed, I felt a sense of pride in our accomplishment. She still tells me how much she wants me to come home and help her because, my brother and sister, who still live at home, do not help. My last trip home I spent two days putting in a pond and landscaping it.

Gardening can be hard work both physically and mentally. Someone may laugh at the thought of that, but digging up the ground and leveling it out to make a flowerbed can wear someone out. Maybe even harder than that is making sure you pick the right plants. The most important thing is, for it to be pleasing to the eye, but then I have to take into consideration the amount of sunlight the area receives, the make-up of the soil because all plants like different soil types. For instance, some plants like acidic soil while others will die if planted in it and other plants have to have the proper drainage or the root system will rot. Another important consideration, and most often overlooked is, how big the plant will be when it matures. Considering all this can be overwhelming, but if done right, the perfect garden is at your fingertips.

After the hard work is done, then it is time relax and enjoy all the time and energy spent creating my masterpiece. I like to come home and unwind by getting a cold glass of ice tea or maybe a beer, go outside and water my garden. I find it relaxing because I sit in an office all day in front of a computer, so I like going outside and getting some fresh air. After I have given all my plants a drink of water, I sit in my lawn chair and watch the kids play, spot some weeds that need to be pulled, and plan out my next landscaping project.

When I first moved to my house, there was not much landscaping in either the front yard or the back. Now all that has changed because of the hobby I enjoy so much. Yes, it was a lot of hard work at first having to dig up the ground, picking out the right plants and putting them in the ground but now I get to relax while either watering them or just sitting in a lawn chair enjoying my creation.

Zen Gardening

For a region that is predominantly Buddhist, Chan, or Zen, is an important philosophy. Zen is a term used for a school that teaches the teachings of Buddha and how they are active in the natural world. Buddhism was in China before the Zen teachings, and when the Indian prince Bodhidharma introduced the idea to the Buddhist in 526 A.D., they were amazed at his way of seeing the world for what it is. Zen took off after Bodhidharma's ideas were spread.

Schools of Zen teachings were a mix of the Daoism philosophy and Mahayana. These were very strict schools that insisted on the idea that separate things exist only in relation to one another, which means nature cannot be defined or classified in any way. The goal of these Buddhist practicing Zen was to accomplish the way of seeing the world as Buddha did, just as it is, with a mind that has no grasping thoughts or feelings. Schools that teach Zen recognize the importance of the arts, such as: painting, calligraphy, architecture, ceremonial tea drinking, and gardening. Other areas of Buddhism, such as Japan, practice arts such as Jujitsu as an art as well. Of the Zen arts, gardening is one of the most important and interesting forms of art.

Zen Gardening has been practiced for almost a millennium. In the eleventh century, monks began creating these gardens as a tool to teach the principals of Zen and Buddhism to students. These gardens take careful consideration and care to make a peaceful environment for meditation. It takes a lot of labor to keep them looking nice, but Buddhist think of it more of an opportunity to create than just a basic chore. The gardens have to be a perfect place to meditate.

We know these gardens simply as the desktop sand box with a rake, but there is a lot more to a Zen garden. Everything in a garden is there for a reason. Every single rock, plant, sand spread, water form, and bridge serves a purpose for the garden. The number 3 has importance in Buddhism because of the Buddhist trinity and the sky, earth, and humanity. Odd numbers are used because of the Buddhist belief that the earth is not an even structure and nature is naturally uneven. All gardens are meant to be massive landforms on a much smaller scale.

The materials used in the gardens represent different things. Of the objects used, rocks are the most meaningful. Tall rocks are used to symbolize the sky and wide flat rocks are used to symbolize the earth. Some rocks are even used to represent animals or specific landforms. The sand spreads are the most interesting part of Zen gardens; they are important because they are meant to give a sense of emotion while meditating. While many plants are used in the gardens, floral fixtures are rarely found because they are not naturally occurring. Not everything used is natural; pathways, bridges, a lanterns are frequently used to guide the visitor in the path that Buddha would take. They also are used to show Buddhist beliefs, such as, the Eight-Fold Path. Everything in a garden has a purpose.

These beautiful gardens are now all over the Buddhist countries in Asia. What began in China is now celebrated more in Japan and Korea. Japan is home to the world's finest gardens, such as, Kyoto, Nijo, Katsura, Sento and numerous others. Over time, the gardens have stayed true to the basic style, the only exception is Japan, many of their gardens have a lot of ponds and other water fixtures. The gardens, though a big tourist attraction, are still used today.

Overall, the ultimate goal of Zen and Zen gardening is to show the world from the point of view that Buddha saw it. Because of this, they are some of the most unique gardens in the world. They give monks a great place to meditate and are fun to look at. Their popularity in Asia has brought them to the United States. Americans use miniature dry rock gardens with sand and a rake as a relaxation devise. There are even a couple of Zen gardens in the Chicago land area. They look simple and easy to make, but they are really complex and need a lot of care. If a leaf falls in any design, it must be picked up, that's just how meaningful and important Zen gardens are.

Artful Orchid Cuttings Leads to More Blooms

You might notice that you have an orchid that seems to thrive, year after year, yet never produces more than one lone flowering pseudobulb. If you wish to multiply the number of blooming growths, you could be able to do so by using a method of cutting in order to produce back shoots. With luck and a suitable type of plant (those from the Cattleyas family are best), you will eventually have a really spectacular orchid.

Proceed this way: Take an orchid plant having at least four or five back pseudobulbs. Slice the rhizome in two between the bulbs, taking care not to otherwise disturb it. That's basically it, but here are some things to keep in mind:

• The best time to cut most orchids is during their resting phase, usually fall or winter. When they next enter into their growing stage, you may observe them sending forth two growths from one pseudobulb at the place where you cut it.
• No matter how eager you are to force more blooms, you should refrain from cutting any orchid that is not in good health. Cutting as described above will not harm a healthy plant, but could be stressful to a weak or sickly one.
• By cutting the same plant for back shoots year after year, you will end up with an orchid that is both much larger and much more stunning than it would have been otherwise. This is how some of the amazing specimens are produced that you come across in orchid showings.

There is more that might be conveyed as to the science of cutting to bring forth more blooms, as well as the method of taking cuttings for the purpose of starting more plants. To learn more about these and other secrets of orchid cultivation, a good guide such as that written by Nigel Howard is highly recommended.

The most complete guide to contemporary orchid growing, many growers agree, is Mr. Howard's Orchid Care Expert, which is available to be downloaded from the web. Mr. Howard's guide is a complete course of study, enlightening for novices and the more seasoned growers alike. Also, visit the Orchid Secrets web site, which features a growing database of articles on many aspects of orchid cultivation.

Blossoming Orchids - Keep 'Em Cool

So, you've tenderly cared for an orchid for months and now it is finally rewarding you with a gorgeous bloom.Should you handle the plant any differently now? The answer? Perhaps.

Although the species of your orchid will be the final determinant, as a general rule it would be wise for you to remove the plant to a cooler and drier place that that in which it was grown. This will help the flowers to last much longer than in a warm and moist greenhouse or other typical growing room.

Most orchids will not be harmed by putting them into a cooler, drier location when they are blooming. Most will certainly benefit from it. Still , you should make sure that the temperature where you place your blossoming orchid should not fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

Here's an experiment you can carry out if you happen to have two orchids of the same variety that come into bloom at about the same time. Leave one in the warm room or greenhouse, and place the other in a dry, cool location as advised above. You will almost certainly notice that the one in your "cool room" will have fresh flowers for a much longer time than the one that was left behind.

The flowers of even the best-kept orchids will finally begin to fade at some point, of course. When this occurs you can re-locate the plant back into the warmer growing room. Just be sure to shade it from the sun until it re-adjusts to warmer surroundings. If you neglect this, the plant could become scorched.

One of the keys to success in growing orchids is understanding their life cycles and the different stages they go through. Each of those stages demands a different type of care, and the blossoming phase has "rules" all its own.

The most thorough guide to expert orchid cultivation, many agree, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which is available to be downloaded from the web. Mr. Howard's ebook is a complete course in itself, appropriate for novices as well as those more experienced. Also, check out the Orchid Secrets web site, which has a growing library of postings on all aspects of orchid cultivation.

Carnivorous Plants

Fascinating gardens are a true art form and if you are wanting one that will catch the attention of others, you may consider adding a few of the best carnivorous plants available. There are several interesting exotic species to consider, such as the ever popular Venus Flytrap or the Cobra plant. Both these plants consume insects and can be of benefit to any garden in that way and in addition, they are a great conversational piece. While the benefit is strictly related to the size and type of carnivorous plants that you own, these plants can provide a small level of relief while providing entertainment to adults and children alike.

Basically there are five different types of carnivorous plants for you to consider. The most common type, is the Venus Flytrap found in cultivated varieties of the Dionaea muscipula family. Snap traps rely on a mouth that close in around its pray, where the plant will eat whatever it catches.

Once an insect is captured, the plant closes its trap tightly around the meal and bathes it in digestive juices that dissolve the insect’s soft, inner parts. Digestion takes five to 12 days, after which the trap reopens, then the insect’s exoskeleton blows away in the wind or is washed away by rain.

These plants range from colorful to bland, and do not have moving parts like their snap trap counterparts.

Sundew plants of the Venus Flytrap family are amongst the most interesting to watch. These plants secrete a glue which traps and breaks down insects for nourishment. The type of secretion created by this particular plant can cause skin irritation to humans and therefore should be treated with caution.

Bladder traps plants are a fascinating subset of carnivorous plants. Numerous, tiny glands inside the bladder absorb most of the internal water and expel it on the outside, and as a result, a partial vacuum is produced inside the bladder and the pressure on the outside becomes greater than the inside. This causes the walls to squeeze inward and explains their slightly concave appearance. Bladderworts are more commonly found underwater than above ground, which is another distinct characteristic from other carnivorous plants.

Finally, the lobster pot traps are among some of the most unusual looking carnivorous plants that you can acquire, they function by giving insects an easy way to enter, but little chance of escape.

Corkscrew plants are interesting, in that, the inside of the plant mouth is filled with downward pointing obstructions, used to prevent it’s prey from escaping it’s grasp.

For those interested in borderline species, there are several varieties of plants that do not meet all of the requirements of carnivorous plants, but have sharing characteristics. Some of these type of plants come from the Martyniaceae family, such as the Brocchinia Roridula. These plants lack one of the three required aspects, which is to attract, kill and digest prey, to be classified as a true carnivorous plant.

Carnivorous plants should be placed where young children and babies cannot reach them. While most of them are relatively harmless to humans, digestion of these plants should be avoided, due to the digestive enzymes that the plant utilizes to break down prey.

How to Care for an Indoor Bonsai

A bonsai plant is a striking reminder of a longstanding art. Bonsai trees are very striking in appearance, so there are many who feature them in the home. You need to give your indoor bonsai trees some special attention since it's not able to benefit from direct sunshine and the effects of outdoor weather. Although they might look quite hardy, a bonsai can be very delicate, requiring precision watering and lighting.

Watering Your Indoor Bonsai

When you bring a bonsai tree indoors it will require sufficient lighting to replace the natural sunlight that it would have been receiving outdoors. It's important to place your tree in a location with good ventilation. How frequently you water your bonsai will depend on what kind it is and the condition of its soil. Some plants or trees need to have damp soil while others thrive well in spite of a drought.

Your bonsai tree will thrive in high humidity, which can be achieved by regular misting. You can use a humidity tray, but be certain that your pot is placed on some small rocks or a stand, and not sitting directly in the water.

Pruning and Cutting

The indoor bonsai tree will still need to be regularly pruned and cut to maintain its appearance. Bonsais often appear changeless; however, they are definitely a living, growing tree. Both indoor bonsai and outdoor bonsai need to be repotted anywhere from once a year up to three years depending on the kind of tree. In addition, the branches must receive proper care so they keep their shape.

Depending on what species your bonsai is, you will need to cut back on the fertilizer when it is winter time. The reason is that some bonsai varieties go dormant at this time and don't require as much nutrition as they do in the warm seasons. Your indoor bonsai might not fully experience the whole cycle of seasons because it is in an artificial environment.

You need to be on the lookout for pests and other irregularities that might appear on your indoor bonsai tree. Because they are inside, they will be quite attractive to spiders, mites and other outdoor insects. It is best to gently clean the leaves and branches of your indoor bonsai plant with a damp cloth or a brush.

Stalking the Wild Literary Orchid

One of the pleasurable side hobbies of orchid apprecation is that of searching out references to these strangely fascinating flowers in works of literature and popular entertainment.

One of the earliest works in which an orchid stars in a leading part is an odd little story by the early science fiction master, H.G. Wells.This story is not so much science fiction as it is horror, though. It has been republished a number of times and today you can easily find it on the Web. Sometimes it goes by the title, "The Flowering of the Strange Orchid," and other times simply as "The Strange Orchid."."

Wells lived and wrote during the period of the first great orchid craze, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This was also a time when there were still some distant and relatively unexplored places in the world, which fired contemporary imaginations with imaginings of unknown monsters that could yet be lurking in some jungle or mountain fastness.

For "The Strange Orchid," Wells built on the fact that flowers discharge their scent into the air to attract insects, which in turn spread pollen from one plant to another, assisting the plants to reproduce. Wells wondered: What if a flower had evolved to take this a giant step further by developing its scent to overpower and feed on large animals?

In the story, a retired civil servant with a passion for orchids has purchased a rare specimen. After months of caring for it, he is overjoyed to see that it is finally about to blossom. He goes alone one day, eager to enjoy the first sight and odor of the unknown flower. Later, his housekeeper discovers him on the floor near the orchid, which is emitting a powerful scent and looking very strong indeed (and evil!). A blood red-tint suffuses its
leaves and it has already pushed some of its finger-like shoots round the orchid lover's neck and beneath his shirt front.

With an inarticulate cry she ran towards him, and tried to pull him away from the leech-like suckers. She snapped two of these tentacles, and their sap dripped red.

Then the overpowering scent of the blossom began to make her head reel. How they clung to him! She tore at the tough ropes, and he and the white inflorescence swam about her. She felt she was fainting, knew she must not. She left him and hastily opened the nearest door, and, after she had panted for a moment in the fresh air, she had a brilliant inspiration. She caught up a flower-pot and smashed in the windows at the end of the greenhouse. Then she re-entered.

She tugged now with renewed strength at Wedderburn's motionless body, and brought the strange orchid crashing to the floor. It still clung with the grimmest tenacity to its victim. In a frenzy, she lugged it and him into the open air.

Then she thought of tearing through the sucker rootlets one by one, and in another minute she had released him and was dragging him away from the horror.

He was white and bleeding from a dozen circular patches.

Thanks to the fast thinking of the housekeeper in this story, the orchid's victim survives--this time.

Fortunately, orchids that feast on blood do not actually exist.You can, though, view this tale as symbolic of the strange grip that orchids can have on anyone who falls under their spell. People who succumb to orchid fever--and that includes everyone who decides to try their hand at growing them--tend to contract the illness for life. Consider this due warning!

If these fascinating plants have put the bite on you, you will want to find out as much as you can about how to grow orchids successfully.  The most complete guide to expert orchid growing, many agree, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which may be downloaded from the web. Howard's delightful guide will provide a thorough education on the subject. Also, check out the Orchid Secrets web site, which has a growing library of articles on many topics of orchid cultivation.

Hobbyist Enjoy Healthy Foods With Their Home Garden

There is an increasing trend towards growing a home garden so that fresh produce is readily available to enjoy for meals, or for freezing and canning. One primary reason for this is that people are learning more about the pesticides that are routinely sprayed on the fruits and vegetables that are available in the supermarkets these days. The produce grown in one's own back yard provides better nutrition.

Not only that, but for many people starting and cultivating a home garden for the purpose of providing wonderful foods for the table is an enjoyable endeavor. Gardening has long been a popular hobby for many people all around the world, but when you add the extra incentive of being able to provide your family with nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables that have not been contaminated with chemicals and pesticides, it is easy to see why the popularity of the garden has grown.

In addition to concerns about the quality and safety of store-bought produce, another reason why people love to have a home garden bursting with wonderful foods is that you can go out and pick the vegetables at just the right time to assure freshness. Compare this with tomatoes, for example, that are picked long before they ripen, transported, stored and finally put on the store shelf.

In that scenario, which is common of the vast majority of produce sold in the grocery stores today, the tomato has been detached from its life-giving parent plant for many days and sometimes weeks. But with a vegetable garden just outside your kitchen door, you can pick your tomatoes when they are at their peak of ripeness and be able to have the freshest tomatoes to add to your salad or for your famous tomato sauce.

Most of the common and popular vegetables that are available in the produce sections of grocery stores can be grown in home gardens. Some of the most popular varieties are carrots, green beans, potatoes, peas, beets, broccoli, cabbage, and many varieties of squash, just to name a few. And don't forget about all of the wonderful berries that can be home grown as well. Technically a fruit, tomatoes are one of the most popular foods that people enjoy including in their home gardens. They are easy to grow and simply delicious plucked off the vine.

Produce from a vegetable garden can be used immediately or it can be frozen or canned for later use, and many people include herbs in their gardens too. In fact, herbs can be even more convenient as they can even be grown indoors, making your gardening efforts even more simple and easy. And, just as those fresh vegetables taste better and are better for you, you will also find that fresh herbs from the garden are superior in taste and flavor as compared to the dried and packaged varieties.

Being able to enjoy the bounty of fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs is the main motivation for many people to grow a home garden. For others it all comes down to the hobby of gardening. For gardening aficionados, they receive great satisfaction and joy from seeing their efforts flourish as they tend and nurture the garden. If they also have the benefit of being able to share a meal with friends, made from delicious, fresh foods while enjoying the landscaping of their patio lawn garden, then their enjoyment is complete.

No building is complete without some grass, a few plants and some shrubbery to help enhance the quality of the building. The added value of curb appeal can make the difference when selling a house or increasing the value of a home. Any small amounts help and you don't have to always use a professional to complete the landscaping for you. There is no downside to get some advice from professionals or some knowledge prior to you beginning tearing up your front yard. Some trees, some pleasant green grass, and you will get it down pat before you know it Who knows? Possibly you will decide it as a career that you might be curious in pursuing. The following are some of the frequently asked question people have for landscaping so that you can have an idea of how landscaping is done and how it can be easier than you might think.

Is it possible to do my own landscaping?

Yes, you can do your own landscaping if you have a small amount of information on how to get it done and if have the time to do so. You will be getting your hands dirty. Plus you will need to have knowledge of what plants are the best for your terrain. If you are making man-made structures for instance ponds or decks, you will needs to have some carpentry and plumbing skills. You will also need to recognize how to upkeep the pond because one of the last things you need after putting in all that work is to produce a body of water filled with algae as well as moquito larvae.

Perennials and annuals - What makes them different?

Both are, certainly, plants but the variation is in the time span in which they last and how often you need to plant them again. Annuals must be replanted eash year. Some examples of annuals are any type of vegetable, sunflowers and flowers such as violets. Perennials are plants that will renew themselves. They include trees, bulb plants such as lilies, tulips and also include roses and other hardy plants that become dormant during the winter months. Most ornamental grasses are thought to be perennials.

How do I decide which type to plant?

The kind of plant you choose will be contingent upon on your climate and the amount of water you want to use. It will also be dependent on the amount of sun that your gets during the day. Some plants flourush in the shade while others will wilt. For those individuals who live in areas that are prone to drought, they should consider planting hardy plants which need small amounts of water and really help to maintain the soil from process of erosion. Many people choose to have rock gardens as well as cactus if they happen to live in desert environments.

When is the ideal planting season?

The ideal planting season is dependent upon what variation of plant you wish to grow. Bulbs are best planted in the fall so that they have time to root within the soil. Other types of plants are best suited to planting in the months of the spring. Some plants will not produce flowers or fruits until one or two seasons later so you need to get ready for this. Trees will need to work through several years before they become big enough to provide the right amount of shade or to produce fruit.

What will be the cost be to have my home landscaped?

It would be virtually impossible to get an accurate estimate without knowing how big your yard is, what the overall condition of the soil is and finally what kind of plants that you are looking to plant in your yard. You can generally guess that it will be at at a minimum of around five hundred dollars and can easily go in the range of several thousand dollars for exotic plants and intricate features. You can get an estimate for the overall price from the landscaper.

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Spark your Imagination in Your Local Garden Center

Whether you are a greenhorn with gardening or a certified green-thumb, there is nothing better than knowing just where to head for all of your gardening needs. Whatever the size and kind of your garden is, it is inevitable that you will still need to frequent your local gardening center for tools and products that you cannot do proper gardening without. This is why it is so important to stop by your local garden center so you can see what is available out there for you to use to make your gardening job a lot easier.

If you take time to look around, you will soon see that there are probably a couple of garden centers near you. These types of stores seem to pop up like mushrooms all over the place and are becoming a very popular place to shop at. The garden center is the most likely place where you will find just about everything on your garden shopping list. Although the prices can sometimes be steep, the convenience of one-stop shopping can certainly make it all worthwhile in the end.

Budget-conscious Shopping

If you need or just want to be a bit budget-conscious, it is fairly alright to avoid several high-end garden center stores. Not just because their retail prices is something that you can beat elsewhere, but for those who love the outdoors, their wide selection of items can make overspending surely tempting. These are just some of the many reasons why people would go to the extremes just to avoid these high-end garden centers. Although some people believe those are the only places to shop, there are still other options out there.

Flea markets and yard sales proliferate throughout the summer and these are the perfect places to find some of the tools that you are searching for. Just about everything that you would need from the garden center can also be found at a yard sale or two throughout the summer. Even if the item is slightly used, as long as it is still in decent shape, there is nothing wrong with picking it up and saving yourself a good amount of money. In the end, it will all depend on your skills and intuitions to find the best garden center that could expand your collection of gardening tools while keeping your pockets happy.