There are three things that every living plant needs; sunlight, water and love but not necessarily in that order. Love seems to be the easiest because most people don’t raise plants they either don’t love to grow, smell or eat. If you love what you grow then you will make sure they have ample sunlight throughout the day as well as enough water to flourish. However, sometimes it’s hard to know how much water is enough without being too much. Yes, you can actually give your plants too much water.

One of the things that is important to know is that water releases nutrients found in the soil and the root systems of the plants soak up those nutrients and send it to the rest of the plant. Discovering how much you should water so this takes place properly can be a little more difficult because it depends on several factors that include; your soil type, region you live in and what you are growing.

If you live in a tropical area you will have very different watering needs than if you live in an arid climate. The same thing applies if you are growing a type of cactus compared to tomatoes in your back yard garden. It always helps if you know the consistency of your soil. If you don’t know where this can be found, call the agriculture department to the University nearest you and they can point you in the right direction. If you don’t have a University near you call the US Department of Agriculture and find out if they have a lab you can send a soil sample to for analysis. Most of the time for a small fee you can have the answer back in a few months.

Armed with this information, go to the internet and research to find everything you can find on the type of plants you are either growing or want to grow. You should be able to easily find out everything including how much or little water is required to grow it in your region. You will also discover your regions growing time to make sure you have enough time to grow the plants in your yard and garden.

If your green thumb is feeling a little blue because of the cold weather during the holidays, don’t worry. There are many cold weather plants that can be grown indoors for you and your family to enjoy and appreciate.

Christmas cactuses are aptly named because they tend to bloom right around the holidays. With a little light and ample amounts of water (but not too much water) these plants will blossom just in time for your holiday guests to enjoy. Poinsettias are given throughout the holiday season, because they are a beautiful, festive, and sturdy plant that holds up well to the colder holiday months. Whether you give or receive Poinsettias this holiday season, they are a wonderful plant for this time of year. Holly is also well known during the holidays, because it’s great for decorating, and stands up well to the colder weather of the holiday season. Your plant-loving hobbies don’t have to hibernate this winter, and you can enjoy live plants during this time. Surround yourself with the beautiful plants of the holidays.

Everyone needs a place to go and escape and get lost in their own little world.  My place is my home garden greenhouse that sits in my backyard. It is inside this wonderful space of fragrant blooms that I can put aside any stress of my day.  I know when the world around me gets crazy I have a tranquil, peaceful space waiting for me at home.  It is here I find peace and quiet and a calm I cannot totally explain.

However, it is my world of lush green flowers and herbs, a place I can grow and be a part of the earth on a year-round basis.  There is no better place to get back in touch than spending some time in nature.  Since most of us don’t have a lot of “nature” in our backyards, you can create your own garden oasis with a garden greenhouse.  After just an hour or so of escape, I am ready to reenter the real world refreshed and ready to go.

I highly recommend playing in a little dirt everyday as it sooths the soul.  There is no better way to accomplish this than with a wonderful greenhouse.

The pictures you see of little country cottages, sitting on a lake with their front yards a mass of colorful blooms, almost always have cedar window boxes full of flowers hanging beneath the window sill as well. Although such little cottages are more difficult to find in today’s flurry of housing additions, all with very similar homes throughout, we can still add window boxes and bring color and originality to our environment.

For a minimal cost, cedar window boxes, built to withstand rain, sun and heat, can be installed beneath the windows of almost any style home and fit right in with the other landscaping. Add a few profuse bloomers, some TLC, and water when it doesn’t come naturally, and you have revitalized what might have been an otherwise boring landscape.

Do you want your home filled with the fragrance of the outside garden?  You can have that by planting your favorite flowers and bulbs in planters.  Planters also help to fill those empty corners and awkward spaces in your home if you know how to use them.

Have you ever heard a Realtor talk about showing a home?  They often tell their client to bake cookies or bread right before someone comes to the showing.  This wonderful fragrance reminds them of home and childhood.  Just like that fragrance, flowers bring the smell of freshness and wonder into your home and it’s so easy to do.

There are species that enjoy shade; cineraria, salvia and hosta’s that can be placed in entry ways or breezeways or anywhere where they improve the interior of your home. You can bring in the fragrant bulbs of freesia or hyacinth when they bloom if you have planted them in planters.  Why you can even makeover a room by placing few planters at suitable locations.

Having plants in the house also improves the air quality in our home through the plants natural processes thus giving us better air to breathe.  This can all be possible by using planters for your plants both inside and out.

The greatest thing about decorating your outdoor space is the way you choose to accent your furniture pieces.  Some people like to stay consistent with the type of furniture and accents, i.e. all wood planters with wood furniture.  However, it may be fun to mix and match a bit.

Think about mixing natural elements to build the entire space.  If you have wrought iron furniture, get some wood and stone elements in the mix whether they are planters, window boxes, candle holders or patio flooring or decking.  There is such a variety of options these days to choose from for both garden and patio furniture.

Another growing trend is concrete work.  There are some fantastic concrete stains and stamps that can be done to enhance your outdoor space as well as birdbaths and planters that are beautifully done.  If you also have a shed, greenhouse, arbor or pergola, think about how to accent these outdoor structures with wind chimes, trellis’, flowers and planters and window boxes. 

You will find this a fun and exciting way to add enjoyment to your yard.  Accents can be used to soften up hard edges of masculine up a very feminine yard or visa versa.  You can always place planters with lovely blooms as accent pieces around your outdoor furniture and bring the beauty of your garden to your patio and oh the smell…