Home & Garden Club

Whether you are in the market for a new home or fixing up your existing residence you are very conscious of your abode (or prospective one), and every square inch of land that accompanies it. You’ll want to make the best use of all off the space available to you. Fencing, terracing and other techniques can turn what was once a liability into an attractive, usable asset.

Technology has rendered us capable of improving our soil, as well as thwarting insects and plant diseases that can ruin a garden. New and tougher seeds and bulbs lead to healthier, more aesthetically pleasing gardens.

Newly developed hybrids add to the gardener’s palate, offering novel colors and shapes to beautify any home and garden in the best possible way. Improved garden tools grant the gardener better results in less time and sweat.

These advances in gardening mean spending time outdoors is more attractive than ever. Whether for a cookout or simply lounging on lawn chairs, even a less than spacious urban or suburban yard can be luxurious in a way unthought-of in the past.

Newer homes are designed to present more of the outside than in the past. Larger windows and sun porches enclosed in glass come close to bringing the garden inside. Because of this, it is more important that the garden be a joy to behold.

A well planned and maintained garden with a healthy lawn and the stunning beauty offered by blooming trees add a lot to the look and feel of a home, and is as much a part of décor as any interior details. Your garden will repay you with untold enjoyment and visual beauty for the time and effort put into it.

The same basic principles of design and decoration apply to the outside just as much as they do the inside of a home. A plan for landscaping is an essential thing to have, especially if you have a sizable yard.

While you can garner some ideas from gardening books, remember that your grounds should be tailored to you and your family’s taste. Talk it over with your family; after all, you’re the ones who will be spending time on your garden,

Within the constraints of space and your family budget, draw up a plan together. Decide what the needs and desires of every member are, and as much as possible try to take these into account. The end result will be a garden the whole family can be happy with.

Try to avoid planting anything out front that will require too much care ‘ after all, you want to spend quality time in the back yard, rather than having to be out puttering in the front yard all the time. Shrubs are generally a good choice for the front of your home as are flowers not needing too much care, as they are attractive without taking too much time to maintain.

Your back yard should be far and away the largest part of your outdoor space. Try to plan it around the trees you already have, to provide shade for the summer. Create peace and quiet in your lounging areas by screening off a play area for the children. In the utility area, plan for parking space and room for the occasional delivery.

Gardening and landscaping is a hobby which can keep you occupied and out of doors nearly year round, every year. The results are well worth it, and the pleasure that it will give you and your family makes it seem like no work at all.

“Wow, what a beautiful garden!” How often have you expressed this view after observing the wonderful vista in front of you? Do you long to create the same magic in your own home garden so that you become the envy of your friends and neighbors? Well, here’s how:

(1) The basic mistake made by self-gardeners is not finding out correct details about the plants they purchase for their home garden. By this, I do not mean going into the botanical details about each and every shrub or tree! What I mean is inquiring about their growing habits. How tall will they be when fully grown? How far can the roots spread?

(2) People with large home gardens tend to forget that plants are also living things and grow up into tall shrubs and trees! Without a thought, they tend to put trees too close to the house or plant shrubs just under the windows. Can you imagine what will follow?

(3) Like growing children, these small shrubs and trees also grow year by year. Being too close to the house and having no place to spread, the roots of large trees may damage water as well as sewage lines by penetrating the foundation of the house. Your gardening expenses therefore go up, what with having paid for the plants themselves plus having to spend on costly repairs. The ultimate disaster is when you have to cut down the entire tree, despite having had it for so many years!

It is the same story with shrubs. Though their roots cannot destroy foundations, still the plants grow tall enough to prevent sunlight from entering the windows. You yourself will not be able to view your garden from within the house!!

(4) Timing is equally important. Yes, there is a proper season for planting young shrubs and trees in your home garden - it is late fall, when the roots are able to grow strong and healthy. Summer is a definite no-no where planting of new trees is concerned!

(5) “God, I am dying of thirst!” Well, shrubs and trees are also living things which require a certain quantity of water daily for their survival. They should not be under-watered nor over-watered, especially when young. In fact, a garden which has received more than sufficient water in the spring and summer, thrives during freezing winters too; much better than plants which have received less water.

(6) Do you trim your nails when they grow too long? What about hair and beard? They also undergo regular trimming to give a neat appearance. Well, plants also tend to grow wildly unless kept under control. Fall is the season for pruning vines and shrubs. This not only ensures proper growth, but also makes sure that there is good airflow. The result is better-looking plants in springtime.

The tips mentioned above may give the feeling that it is all too much work for one person alone! I agree. Creating a home garden is indeed tough work! But remember, working with your hands goes a long way in ridding you of everyday stresses and burdens. Even therapists agree that it is a wonderful way to do both, relax as well as exercise. No more daily trips to the gym! And what a great sense of achievement at the end of it all!

For the increasing number of Americans utilizing “home gardens” as a pastime and hobby today, the visual treat produced is more than enough reward for all their efforts!

Gardening can be a great hobby, enjoyed informally by tending to a few plants in your yard on the weekends. Some people, however, want to create something bigger, a true garden where they try to demonstrate the green thumb that they possess. In these cases, it helps to have a plan for your home garden design so you can create something that has a little more definition that the average flowerbed. Home garden design can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be, and a great home garden design can be a guide to working on a beautiful garden.

What Kind of Garden?

In order to better focus your efforts at home garden design, you should start by getting an idea of what sort of garden you want to have. Are you looking to grow fresh herbs and vegetables for your family to eat? Then your home garden design is going to be more concerned with the crops you plan to grow in your garden. Do you want something that’s beautiful to behold? Then your plans will be more concerned with planting groupings of decorative plants. Keep in mind that some home garden designs can incorporate both, beauty and usefulness.

Sketch It Out

When you are working on your home garden design, it’s best to have paper and pencil ready beforehand. Sketch out an outline of your yard and where you want to place your garden, then start filling in shapes for what you want to plant and where. This helps if you’re trying to define a garden along a particular line or to interact with other elements in your yard, such as benches or patios. By sketching out the shape of your garden beforehand, you’ll better be able to plan what to plant where.

Ask for Help

Once you have the basic idea for your home garden design, your best bet is to talk to your local gardening club, plant nursery, or even a landscaping professional to learn what sort of plants will work well for your design. Even if you already have an idea of what plants you want to choose, running your idea by someone else will allow you to get advice on other plants that will complement your design, or allow you to catch any mistakes before you start planting.

It’s like getting a second draft for a piece of writing. As long as you work with the idea of creating a beautiful home garden design, though, and you put in the work needed for it, you’re likely to end up with something that adds to the beauty of your yard and the value of your home.

Gardening in and of itself is an art form. And the art of fine gardening is just that, an art. Fine gardening may mean many things to many people, but to me fine gardening means more than just a garden. It encompasses all that’s good and graceful in gardening and combines them to make one garden that is the epitome of all your dreams.

My enjoyment of fine gardening comes not only from the finished garden but from the endless hours that I spend designing and planning the actual garden, from the moment I first have the germ of an idea, to the moment I place the last sapling, and plant the last flower. All I want, all that I can be, should show through when first a person steps into this land of fine gardening, a place of peace and calm where a person can meditate on the finer things in life.

Therefore, a water feature, ideally one that will make a continuously soothing gurgle, with a small stepping-type of waterfall-cum-pond, placed on lovely slabs of flat rock with a hint of moss growing on it. A nice water lily or lotus to give off a contrasting color, and perhaps a fish or two. A few ferns and leafy rain-forest type plants placed around the pond, and I’m finished with this stage of my fine gardening.

Ideally I would love a big tree to stand in a corner of the garden, with a luscious velvety dark brown trunk that I can just about span with my arms, overflowing with vibrant green leaves spilling onto the ground in heedless abandon. Since I might not always get what I want, I’ll settle instead for a few saplings that will one day fulfil my wish.

Since green is my target for the moment, I’d also see about laying a lovely shady lawn that you can sink your bare feet into when taking a turn about your garden.

I love the idea of a Zen garden, but prefer colors and lots of plants, so I would incorporate this feature into my fine gardening efforts by placing a path, naturally made out of rough hewn stone, zigzagging in a leisurely course through the garden.

And to finish it all off I’d have a little alcove, unseen from afar, that afforded the curious visitor a wide-angled view of the whole garden, with a sun shade, and a low-lying bench with a few plump cushions strewn carelessly about, and all of it surrounded by a profusion of welcoming flowers.

In the distance I would set about placing a few boulders, pleasing in stature and color to the eye, surrounded perhaps by a few flowers.

And amidst all this fine splendor I would walk amongst my heartfelt efforts of fine gardening and sigh in satisfaction and peace. For what more is there to gardening, than the art of fine gardening.

What is a home without a beautiful garden or lawn? A beautiful garden increases the beauty of your home. It is totally impossible to maintain a garden well without the right garden resources and gardening tips. These can be varied and can take the form of gardening equipment, books or other tutorials that can be used to take valuable gardening tips, and so on. Actually gardening is the practice of growing flowering plants, vegetables, and fruits. Residential gardening most often takes place in or about a residence, in a space referred to as the garden.

Gardening is at once a hobby, an art, and a chore. There are few other things in life that can fill all three of these categories quite as aptly as gardening can. Of course, by keeping good care of your garden all the year through, you can be sure that your garden remains more of a hobby and an art and less of a chore.

There is a big difference between gardening and yard work. Yard work is almost always a chore. Gardening only becomes a chore when it has not been kept up, when the weeds are as tall as the Building and your ivy has begun to strangle your favorite pine tree. To avoid this type of situation you must take care of your garden.

Everyone wants to have a beautiful garden. After all, a beautiful garden can make your entire home look more beautiful and it is a lovely place to spend the day and to commune with nature. To have a beautiful garden, though, you must keep it up and to keep it up, you must have excellent gardening tools.

In gardening, it’s important thing to bear in mind that you need to always have a positive and patient, learning attitude, because not every venture which you embark on will be a success. Before you start on advanced gardening techniques though, you should start small and simple, with easy to grow plants and herbs. After you’ve gained more confidence and experience you can take your gardening hobby to the next level.

Gardening is indeed a great activity that doesn’t really require a lot of cost or preparation and if you’ve never done it before, you’ll soon be surprised by the myriad benefits it brings to your and your family. You do need a small parcel of soil though, even if it’s just as big as a pot. There are many undemanding plants to plant, which means that even the most clueless gardener can grow something successfully.

So, take care of your garden and enjoy its beauty.

For centuries, individuals have enjoyed the elegance and splendor of the garden gazebo. A garden gazebo is a great way to add a vantage point to look out upon your garden. It also adds a peaceful place from which you can really enjoy your life, and your garden.

Careful planning is required before deciding on a gazebo for your garden. Depending upon the region you live in, the material used for the gazebo construction is a very important option to consider. Most garden gazebos come in pine or cedar wood, but vinyl and metal options do exist.

A wooden garden gazebo can really accent your flora by contrasting the colors in your garden with the natural color of the wood. If you plan on purchasing a wooden garden gazebo, you will probably have to decide between pine or cedar wood. While pine is more affordable, cedar is less prone to rot and ages to a beautiful grey.

When deciding between metal gazebos, it is integral for you to decide which metal to choose. Metal gazebos come in aluminum, steel, or wrought iron. A wrought iron gazebo adds a very rustic and gothic effect to your garden, while steel and aluminum remain fairly plain.

No matter the material used, a garden gazebo is a great way to add a touch of elegance to your landscape.

Installing home and garden decor is a great way to make your home and garden attractive, appealing and a relaxing place to stay. Before you enter your home, you see the garden. By creating a welcoming and pleasantly inviting atmosphere in your garden, you are creating a welcoming introduction to your home. Not only that – there are times when you just want to spend time entertaining or relaxing in your garden, so it’s fun to keep it pleasing to everyone’s eyes

In choosing home and garden décor, first you have to know what you want and what style you are looking for. One way of determining which décor to buy is by setting a theme to your garden. Thin about what you would like your garden to look like – what accessories you would like to see, and what plants and trees you’d like to add. Here are some of the theme ideas that you can incorporate with your home and garden décor: butterfly, temple, sundial, Japanese, water, winter, and jungle.

After you choose your theme, you can now make a list of products that are wonderful items to compliment your home garden. Some of these items can be flowers and flowerpots, planter pots, birdhouses, fountains, wind chimes, garden shelves, incense, garden angels, plant stands, flower vases, and statues.

Decorating your home and garden can be very challenging and you have to use your aesthetic ability to come up with a truly pleasing home garden. But before you make any purchase, see to it that your home and garden décor items will be good together so that you will not waste money, time, and effort.

Just because you dont have huge, elaborate gardens does
not mean you cant accentuate what you do have with
garden bridges. Garden bridges could be just what you need
to turn those mediocre garden areas into something quite
splendid.

Garden bridges can add a touch of country or formal design
to a garden. Small garden bridges are easy to find. There
are many garden bridges that you can find in garden centers
or home improvement centers. One of the best places to find
small garden bridges may be online. There are lots of sites
that have many ideas for small garden bridges.

If you are good with a hammer and nails you may even be
able to make your own garden bridge. Plans are available at
building stores and at online sites. You will find many
choices for garden bridges at these online sites and you
can also see photos of many different bridge styles.

A garden bridge can be a big benefit for your garden space.
A small garden bridge will look attractive in a smaller
garden and draw attention to a specific area.

You can choose the right small garden bridge if you do a
little planning ahead of time. If you have a smaller garden
you will want a smaller garden bridge. Look at the space
you have and decide where a bridge would fit in. Consider
more than one area and then choose your favorite.

There are some lovely gardens that are small in size but
large in beauty because garden bridges have been added in just the right places.

Having your own property is not only a luxury but a responsibility and as such you should keep it in optimal condition and attractive at all times. Besides the physical aspect of your house the other important part one should never overlook is the landscaping work, you could hire someone to do it for you or you could do it yourself. In most cases property owners end up hiring someone to do the job but this is not cost effective.

Learning how to do these tasks yourself provides great satisfaction because all the work has been done exactly how you wanted. In order to get things done the right way you need to own at least the most basic set of garden tools unless you intend to visit your neighbor every time you need to do some yard work.

Garden tools can be acquired at your local hardware store and even at some lumber yards, however the most important thing to keep in mind is to go for quality instead of quantity, shop carefully and choose the best ones because the right set of tools will last you a lifetime.

The following are some basic garden tools you will need to get started:

Secateurs: This is the best tool for cutting and pruning around your garden, some people use it when they are working on flower arrangements or cutting small tree branches. There are three types of secateurs: anvil, bypass and parrot-beak; each one has a different purpose and shape but the most common one is the bypass secateur.

Shovel: There are many sizes and shapes of these, handheld ones were designed to help you to easily dig into the ground and plant flowers and small trees, long-handled shovel are used to dig holes where you can place large plants. There are many uses for shovels but according to the size of your yard you will need to acquire one that will help you get things done the right way.

Hoe: These are used for cultivating and weeding, they have a sharp blade bent at a 90 degree angle.

Rake: This is a tool used to gather loosen material (soil that has been dug) or level a surface. Most rakes are many-toothed tools that are also used to gather leaves around the yard.

There are many other tools you can purchase however the most important thing to remember is to acquire top quality tools or the best tools you can afford, make sure you try the grip to ensure they are comfortable tools to use while working on your garden. Buying top quality tools will ensure you won’t have to make several trips to the hardware store to replace them and they will last you a lifetime.

When you’re just starting out as a newcomer to organic gardening, it’s great to get some successes on the board as soon as possible. I’ve put this list together of my top 10 easiest veggies to grow to encourage you to give it a go. Once you discover how easy it is to grow your own delicious, healthy veggies, you’ll be scratching your head wondering why you didn’t try it sooner.

So start out with these, then when you’ve had success you can research other veggies, fruits and nuts that you want to try. Always bear in mind the climate zone you live in so that you are working with Mother Nature.

Radish

Radishes are probably the easiest vegetable to start out with. They thrive in all climates, all year round in temperate zones. The other great thing about them is that they mature really quickly, from seed to eating in as little as 4 or 5 weeks.

They rarely have any pest or disease problems because they grow so quickly.

If you’ve already enriched the soil with organic compost all you need do is keep the water up to them, especially in hot, dry weather - mulch in summer, but not in winter. If you’ve used plenty of seed you may need to thin them as they get bigger. Pick them as soon as they’re a reasonable size or they become woody.

Silverbeet, Spinach or Swiss Chard

This group of vegetables are related and are also quite easy to grow. Spinach grows best in cooler climates, but silverbeet will grow all year round in temperate zones.

If you’re growing them from seed, soak them overnight. Sow seeds about 30cm (12 inches) apart by placing them on the soil surface and poking with your finger to the depth of about 1cm (half inch). Cover with soil and water in well.

Keep them well watered in hot weather and apply organic fertilizer every month, giving them an occasional feed with an organic liquid fertilizer. Mulching with compost or pea-straw will help conserve water, control weeds and feed your soil.

When the leaves are big enough to use, pick from the outside making sure you leave at least 5 or 6 stalks in the centre for the plant to continue growing.

Capsicum (peppers) and Chillies

These plants are also related to each other and enjoy the same growing conditions. They are a warm climate vegetable and will not set fruit if the overnight temperatures are too low. You can grow both capsicum and chillies in pots.

You may need to stake capsicum for wind protection if you grow them vigorously, as they can reach up to 80cm (30inches). Sow in seed boxes in spring. When your seedlings have reached 15cm (6inches), transplant them into beds prepared with compost at about 50cm (20inches) apart.

Fertilize with organic pellets every 4 or 5 weeks when they start to flower. Make sure you don’t over do it, or you will end up with very healthy plants with lots of leaves, but very little fruit.

You can harvest capsicum at any time, but if you wait for the fruit to turn red (they all start out green) they have much higher amounts of vitamin C. Leave chillies on the plant to mature, then they can be harvested and used fresh. If you want to dry some just leave them in a dark, dry, airy place for several weeks. They will store well in glass jars for many years. Remember never to touch your eyes after handling chillies as it is very painful. Wash your hands thoroughly.

Cherry Tomatoes

Tomatoes will grow in most soils and all but the coldest climates. And cherry tomatoes are the easiest to grow, so they suit new gardeners perfectly. They will even grow well as tub specimens. It’s not essential to stake them, provided you don’t mind them sprawling around the place a bit.

They are frost tender, so you can start them indoors if your area has late frosts. When your seedlings get to 15 - 20cm (6-8inches), transplant them into their permanent position, whether it be tub or ground. If you are going to stake them, get your stakes in first so you don’t damage their young root system. Tomatoes (unlike most plants) actually benefit from being planted deeper than they were in the seedling box. You can even bury the bottom leaves. This actually benefits the plant as they grow roots right up to the soil surface, giving it more stability and accessibility to water and nutrients. If growing them in the ground, give them at least 50cm (20inches) spacing. Deep water you plants regularly and give a thick layer of mulch.

Providing you’re planting your tomatoes in a compost-rich soil, you will only need to liquid fertilize when fruiting starts. Use a good organic liquid manure such as Seasol or Maxicrop and use as a foliar spray.

Pick your tomatoes as they ripen, to encourage more fruit.

Zucchini

You will find zucchini one of the easiest vegetables to grow, with amazing yields. They just keep giving! Zucchini are part of the cucumber / melon / pumpkin family and enjoy a warm growing season.

Sow 2 or 3 seeds directly into a mound of richly composted soil in late spring, or after frosts are over. You can train zucchini to grow up a trellis or fence, which can help prevent powdery mildew. When the seedlings are about 10cm (4inches) tall, gently pull out all but the strongest plant.

You’ll need about 3 or 4 mounds (plants) to feed a family of 4 - 6. Give them plenty of water and add organic fertilizer every 4 weeks or so. When the zucchini reach between 15 and 20 cm (6-8inches) it’s time to pick them. They can grow really quickly - literally overnight - so keep a vigilant eye on them otherwise you’ll end up with inedible veggies. You also want to pick them as they’re ready to keep the yields high.

Butternut Pumpkins

Pumpkins are known for being easy to grow. Belonging to the same family as zucchini, they grow in similar conditions. Again plant seeds in mounds and keep the strongest seedling. Have your mounds about a metre (yard) apart.

Mulch around the mound and keep the water up to them in really hot and dry weather. Feed every 3 weeks with well rotten manure or mature compost.

Here’s where the difference comes in. You need to leave pumpkins on the vine to fully mature. Wait until the vines have died off before harvesting (somewhere between 14 & 20 weeks). Before any chance of frost, harvest by cutting the stems at least 5cm (2inches) from the pumpkin.

Store in a dry place until needed.

Leeks and Spring Onions

Spring onions and leeks are in the Allium family and grow in very similar conditions. You can grow in seed raising mix or seed directly where they are to grow. If you grow seeds in punnets you can transplant seedlings when they are about 20cm (8inches) tall into well prepared beds (they like a little lime if your soil is acidic), about 20cm apart.

Some people like to “blanch” the stems of leeks to keep them white, but I don’t bother. All you really need to do for leeks and spring onions is give them plenty of water, mulch to keep the weeds down and the soil moist and apply organic fertilizer every few weeks.

Harvest when leeks are about 2cm (an inch) thick, and spring onions as they become big enough.

Bush or Dwarf Beans

There are many different varieties of beans to choose from. When you’re starting out, go for the bush or dwarf varieties. Grow these beans in warm weather as beans don’t like the cold (unless you’re growing broad beans - different story).

Fertilize along the row where your beans are to grow. Don’t let your bean seeds come into direct contact with your organic fertilizer. Sow your beans directly where they are to grow, into damp soil and avoid watering near them for the first few days. (Don’t soak seeds before planting).

Space rows at 60cm (24inches) and push seeds about 2cm (an inch) into the soil, 10cm (4inches) apart. A row about 3 or 4 metres (yards) long should be enough for a family of 5.

To get a continuous supply of beans, start your next sowing when the first crop has grown their first true leaves. Feed with a liquid organic fertilizer when flowering starts. Remember to harvest your beans while they’re young and tender. They taste better this way, but more importantly, they will give you much better yields.

If you want to save your own seeds, leave the healthiest pods on the bush until they have completely dried. Then pick and pod them, storing in a dry place until next season. Remember to label them.

Peas

Peas will yield heavily if you give them what they need. And they are so delicious! Most varieties love the same conditions. Plant in late summer through to late winter, providing your soil is still workable. Peas like a higher pH than most vegetables, so add some lime into the soil along with mature compost or organic fertilizer.

Provide support by giving them something to climb up. Plant seeds every 5cm (2inches) in a well-drained soil with a sunny position and provide support with small sticks or similar until they reach what you want to grow them on.

Keep down any weeds with good organic mulch. Feed with an organic liquid fertilizer every 3 or 4 weeks. Keep moist in dry weather. Pick regularly to increase yields. Save seed the same as you would beans.

Beetroot

I love growing beetroot. It’s so easy to grow - but let me say this up front; it’s quite different from the tinned supermarket kind.

Plant throughout spring and summer. Add lime to your soil a couple of weeks before planting if your soil is a bit acid. Take your seeds and soak them overnight. Sow directly in the soil, about 1cm (half inch) deep and 30cm (12inches) apart. Cover lightly with soil and water them in. If you want a continuous supply, plant your next crop every 2 - 3 weeks.

At about 4 or 5 weeks, give them a feed with organic liquid fertilizer. You pull your beets when they have grown to about 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3 inches) in diameter, roughly 8 to 10 weeks after planting. Don’t leave them to grow huge as they just become tough and woody.

The young leaves are great in a salad. I love to roast or boil them. They make great juice when added to apple and carrot. I’ve also pickled them and turned them into soup - very unusual, but delicious.

So there you have it - the 10 easiest veggies to grow. If you’re short on garden space you can try growing some of these in pots. You just need to remember to make sure you water when needed.

I wish you every success in getting started gardening organically. If you already garden, have a go at getting your kids (or grandkids) to try growing these veggies themselves. You’ll be surprised at how much more eager they are to eat something they’ve grown themselves.