There is another somewhat unproven thing you can do that my grandfather practiced when water was short. He would pick the crop a few days early and let them ripen in the house instead of on the vine. His reasoning made sense to me then and still does today though I cannot prove it scientifically. He believed that by taking as much from the plant as early as possible without damage to the vegetable or fruit, it would have more to give to what was left on the stem or vine. You can try it and see what you think.

If it is forecast and you know there will be little water in the growing season, seek out plants and hybrid plants that are hearty in arid or drought prone areas. Science is working very hard to find ways of producing seeds and plants that can thrive on less water thus reducing the amount of water your garden will need over the season. You can check with your extension program at the nearest University to see if they have updated information on these types of plants or seeds for your area.

Finally, you can reduce the size of your garden and contain it in smaller areas like raised beds of pots. You might be surprised just how much you can plant in a small area.

The one thing I hope you never do is give up on your garden for any reason.

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.

What most people miss about the lowly trellis is all of the benefits certain plants get from climbing up this wonderful piece of art.  Yes, the trellis is a full functioning work of art!  If you are smart, you can fully use the trellis as a climbing anchor point for both flowering vines and also with vegetables that vine as well like tomatoes, cucumbers and pole beans.  We forget that these wonderful veggies grow very well when trellises are used; sometimes even better than you ever expected!

Trellises are sometimes incorporated into other garden structures like arbors and pergolas as well and lend themselves too many decorative alcoves in a garden.  Because they are also wonderful against a wall, some tend to imprison their trellises next to their homes.  However, a trellis is best used wherever you have the need for one.  They can be found as stand alone features; used to build flowering walls of protection; and the small trellises can be found in flower pots!  There are many to choose from and all you have to do is look.

It’s easy to look around and see what native plants are growing in your area.  All you have to do is go to a park in your neighborhood and look around or go out into a protected area and take pictures of the plants that you would like to incorporate into your yard or garden.

Get in touch with your state agriculture or extension department and show them the photos and ask if the species is available to plant and how to best take care of it.  That’s just one of the great services they provide to families in their state.  Take advantage of this and other services to improve your yard and garden for the coming year.

You work hard from early spring throughout the fall to have a healthy and flourishing garden. You buy the best seeds, bulbs and plants from local garden centers or your favorite online store. But with the onset of winter you start to worry about your plants.

If you have planted roses and are living in an area which has harsh winter, then you need to over winter your plants. That means you must add mulch to them to protect them from frost and snow. You will want to first remove the old mulch from around your rose bush. Next put four stakes Long around the plant and tie burlap around the stakes. Fill the inside of the burlap with dry leaves and organic mulch. This will ensure that your rose plant is protected from cold winds and will not suffer.

You can find various other kinds of containers available to do this job. You should be able to find them at garden centers in your area.

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… C: wait… SD: wait…

They are now calling me and asking me for advice on gardening, freezing, canning and drying herbs.  Though I am not an expert on any one thing, I have done some of all of them.  I have recommended using the library, of which one son was floored when he found out that’s how I learned to can, suggested the internet and to buy a book on processing home grown food.  With a new baby, they have also looked into making organic baby food and to think, it all started with a garden.

You work hard at turning your space into a place that is yours and yours alone.  You want others to know, by the furniture you choose, what the space says about you.  Are you an avid gardener looking to meld your garden onto your patio?  A cook who wants to use this space to barbeque and entertain?  The great thing is you can decorate using the usual patio and garden furniture or you can be different and use the unusual object or furniture.

You can stick with the simple plastic furniture that can be easily carried anywhere and can be stacked and put away when not in use.  You can choose the traditional iron furniture or the hand-crafted Adirondack chairs that make your home yours.  Or you can go way outside the box and get old truck front seats or tractor seats and use them for your seating pleasure.  Whatever you want to make of your outdoor space, you can.

There is also some great wicker and cane furniture that blends with so many decors at your fingertips.  You get to choose your outdoor furniture according to your personality and what makes you feel closest to nature.  It improves you life and the look of your outdoor space.

There is a variety of herbs you can grow in planters and raised beds.  This allows you to grow your own even if pressed for space.  Some of the best herbs that are sometimes better contained in planters, window boxes or raised beds are mint, coriander and rosemary.  The herbs will thrive and easily satisfy the requirements of the gardener and/or the cook!  You will get so much satisfaction cooking with and eating something you have produced. 

Planters can be fun as well as easy to manage because you can move them wherever there is adequate light and mix and match as you please.  Because planters and raised beds are movable and flexible enough to experiment with and to plant many different varieties of plants, herbs and vegetables, they are a must for any serious gardener and great for the beginner.

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.

Pergolas are terrific out in a lawn area, entwined in a garden or covering a patio.  They give just enough protection form the sun without blocking all the light and in time, with a little planning, can be covered with your favorite vines and blooms to be the addition to your backyard space you have always wanted.

The Wallington Pergola goes one step further and gives you the ability to create an outside covered picnic table that will delight the cook in the family and give you additional seating outdoors.  No more moving the lawn chairs about and balancing your plates on your lap.  You now have a sturdy, secure place to eat that is remarkably beautiful as well as functional.