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17 May 2013

Improve The Look Of Your Lovely Garden With This Useful Information

 

Does it always seem like the grass look greener when you look to the other side? You might think your neighbor has got a secret formula to a lovely garden. The truth is there’s no secret to a lovely garden. All it takes is knowledge on how you can care of your garden in the right way. You can get started on your gardening knowledge today by reading the information below.

How to improve your lovely garden:

  • Your plants need to adapt and must be gradually introduced to changes of environment. Put them out in the sun for a couple of hours the very first day. Over one week, increase the time outside slowly. By weeks end, your plants will be ready for their big move and should have no problems!
  • Select plant types that will bring a relatively high yield.
  • Plant perennials that are resistant to slug and snails won’t be interested in eating. Slugs and snails are voracious eaters. They can kill a plant literally overnight. These pests are particularly fond of young perennials. Those varieties with leaves that are tender, herbaceous stems and leaves, particularly seedlings and young plants.
  • Perennials with hairy, furry leaves and unpleasant tastes are less likely to attract slugs and snails. Some of examples of these are achillea, heuchera, euphorbia, hellaborus, and euphorbia.
  • Transfer your favorite plants inside so they survive the winter frosts. You may be able to save the ones you spent the most resistant or expensive plants. Dig carefully around their roots and place it a big enough pot.
  • Be diligent in your garden. Weeds can kill a good garden. White vinegar can be used as a pesticide-free way to battle weeds. White vinegar will definitely kill those pesky weeds. If you are too busy to pull weeds by hand, douse them with a white vinegar solution.
  • Pre-soak your seeds through the night in a dark place. This will keep seeds to be hydrated and facilitate growth. This improves the seeds a better chance of successful plant development.
  • If you learn that your soil has a high amount of alkaline, try mixing some coffee grounds into your garden’s soil.
  • Using coffee grounds is a less expensive way to increase the acidity of the soil. This will allow your vegetables you grow healthier and more flavorful.
  • A great garden starts from seeds and not plants. The most “green” way to start a new garden is to start with seeds.
  • The plastics used in nurseries are rarely recycled and ends up in landfills, that is why it is advised to use seeds or purchase from nurseries that make use of organic materials when packaging their plants.
  • You can prevent pests from invading your garden with certain plants and natural materials. Slugs can be kept at bay with either onions or pungent vegetables. These methods you can use to get rid of the need for harsh chemical pesticides.
  • If you are planning on growing peas, start them indoors before putting them in the ground outside. The seeds will have a better chance if you start them indoors. The seedling may also be hardier, which means they can resist pests and diseases better. You could transplant the seedlings outside after they are able to survive and thrive.
  • You may want to think about planting evergreens that will produce berries in your yard. Some plants provide color during the winter like the Winterberry, and American Holly, the Winterberry and the Common Snowberry.

As you can tell, most of these ideas don’t require a major expenditure of effort or funds. Just apply the lessons outlined here and assess their effectiveness in your own lovely garden. Pay heed to the response of the plants as you work with them. If one thing doesn’t work, try another. Be patient and your lovely garden will eventually be envied by your neighbors.

Need more gardening assistance for your lovely garden? Contact us today!

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28 Oct 2011

Flowers: How to Care for Them?

 Dealing with Rose Diseases

When watching for rose diseases, look for these issues:

  1. Flowers that don’t open or are deformed when they open.

If your flowers are not opening, or aren’t looking quite right when they do, it could be due to Thrips.  Thrips are thin, brownish yellow bugs with fringed wings that suck juices from flower buds. Cut and discard the infested flowers. Orthene and malathion may also treat this problem.

  1. Leaves with black spots on them.

Black spots appear with fringed edges on leaves and can cause them to yellow. Remove the infected foliage and pick up any fallen leaves around the flowers. Artificial sprays may be used to prevent or treat this kind of rose disease.

  1. Stunted or malformed young canes

Known as powdery mildew, this is a fungal disease that covers leaves, stems and buds with wind spread white powder. It makes the leaves curl and turn purple. Spray with Funginex or Benomyl to treat this fungal disease.

  1. Flowers andleaves that don’t form correctly or fully.

Spider Mites are small yellow, red or green spiders that live on the underside of leaves and feed off of them. The application of Orthene or Isotox may help in treating this infestation.

  1. Blistered underside of leaves

Known as rust, this disease is characterized by orange-red blisters that turn black in fall. It can survive the winter and will then attack new sprouts in the spring. Collect and discard leaves that are infected in fall. A Benomyl or Funginex spray every 7-10 days may help.

  1. Weak and mottled leaves with tiny white webs under them

This is caused by aphids. They are small soft-bodied insects that usually brown, green or red. Often clustered under leaves and flower buds, they suck plant juices from tender buds. Malathion or diazinon spray may help roses to survive these bugs. Remember that roses are hungry feeders that require much fertilizer to become healthy bushes.

How to Care for Tulips

Tulips are flowers that enjoy cold weather, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow them in California! If you want to enjoy these beautiful flowers in the spring, you’ll need to get started sometime in November. We will show you the right way to care for your tulips so you can enjoy a colorful spring flowerbed.

  1. Faking Cold Weather

In Zones 8 through 11, the ground doesn’t often get cold enough for tulips to grow. These bulbs like at least six weeks of soil temperatures below 45 degrees, otherwise they’ll stay dormant. If your soil temperatures don’t drop that low, the best thing to do is dig up your tulip bulbs in November and store them in the refrigerator. Keep them in the veggie crisper, and pack peat moss around the bulbs to draw away excess moisture and keep the bulbs healthy.

  1. Planting Your Tulip Bulbs

In January, you can take your tulip bulbs out of the refrigerator and plant them in your garden. Avoid planting your bulbs in areas that are too shady or a spot that is too close to your home. While it won’t hurt the bulbs, shady areas stay cool, which will make your tulips bloom later, while a warm spot next to your home will make the tulips bloom too early. Make sure the flower bed you’re going to plant them in is well drained. Bulbs, including tulips, are prone to rotting if the soil is always soaked. If your soil is hard or has lots of heavy clay, use compost or peat moss to soften it. Tulip bulbs should be planted approximately seven inches deep, with the pointed ends facing upward. Space the bulbs so that they’re four inches or more apart. Water the bulbs once you’ve planted them, but avoid topping them with mulch until the shoots are two or three inches high. Mulch will trap water, and could cause the bulbs to rot. Once you’ve planted the tulips, you’re ready to sit back and enjoy the show! Remember to remove blooms as they fade to promote healthy growth, and when the foliage turns yellow, you’re free to cut it away. In November, you can come back and dig up the bulbs to get ready for the next year.

Interested for more tips on how to care for your flowers? Don’t hesitate to contact us at 805-773-5395 or