Thursday, May 8, 2008

Want Herb Garden - Start it !

The most important aspect of planning is to provide enough space in the garden or pot for herbs, as they tend to flourish in organized environments. Since they can grow well under harsh conditions as well their growth increases under good conditions. For instance, Yarrow can spread over large areas, Chives get bushy and condensed and Lavender will spread all over. If they are given about a foot of space between each section, most will grow well. For instance, if you want your Chives to grow well, since they grow in a bunch, their roots will compete with neighboring plants for water and nutrients, if too close to them.

Since herbs require a lot of sunshine, sufficient space in and around them needs to be provided so that all parts get sufficient sunlight. Planting too many in clusters will prevent this from happening. You may even need to thin them if more growth than anticipated takes place.

Herbs do not require much preparation of the soil prior to planting. This however does not mean no preparation. A good assortment of herbs can be grown in compost or a mix of sandy loam and clay. Adequate drainage is to be provided for to prevent water logging, not advised for herbs. Since many herbs originate from the Mediterranean, they flourish in rocky and dry conditions with good drainage. All herbs do need to be watered to keep them moist but not soaking wet.

While for instance, Peppermint will require somewhat more water which can be provided by an automatic drip system, Lavender and Sage, just two to illustrate, can do with no watering at all. They do well with just the regular rainfall!

It will be a good idea to use some landscape fabric to keep weeds at bay. This will minimize the need to either root them out later or use herbicides. Herbicides incidentally may kill the weeds as well as the herbs as many are biologically similar. Spraying such chemicals may not be such a good idea, if you are planning on using some of these herbs in your food!

Insects rarely bother herbs. It would however be a good idea to be smart and use a diversion. Dill is an herb that attracts insects as a "trap crop". Such diversion will protect other plants such as tomatoes in the vicinity from the pests. If however, you wish to grow dill for itself, some use of insecticide will solve the problem.

Another area for proper planning is the timing of planting. Some herbs need to be planted immediately after the snow has melted, some at intervals of four weeks and some can be planted any time at all. Carefully planning this will make for a good garden.

Planned well, your herb garden will flourish with minimum care and effort.

Learn more about how to grow herbs successfully by visiting http://howtogrowherbs.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jillian_Lane

Saturday, December 8, 2007

7 Timeless Garden Decor Practices

Dead but Beautiful in Lawrence Garden
There are a multitude of things that you can add to your outdoor living space to make it comfortable and inviting and still provide you with few hours of work on maintenance.

Here are 7 ways to add Decor to your Garden.

Tip 1: Unadulterated Is Best. When adding products outdoors, from belongings to statuary, you should always look towards the most nature-based of products. When you do this, you'll allow for something that fits within the landscape, not something that sticks out in it.

Garden Path Beautiful Garden

Tip 2: Flow Is Essential. If you have a large garden or landscape, you can create a flow throughout it to make it a much more homely and unadulterated environment. For example, a pathway leading through the garden is essential as it provides for a way to move through the area enjoying all of the principle sights along the way.

Beautiful Garden

Tip 3: Overboard Is not Good

Over crowding a space with too much decor or even too a large number of plants is bad business. Instead, look for a more untouched by mankind landscape element. Smothering plants can cause them to eventually die or take over the entire garden. To much decor can make it look cluttered instead of lavish.

Veg Garden Heligan.JPG
Tip 4: Use Lines
Lines from your home or your edging can help to create a lavish look within the garden. The roof line of the house can be a line that leads the eye to something fantastic at the end. Use the lines that you have to create a flow to the eye.

garden theme beautiful garden

Tip 5: Charm Means Theme.

While you don't need a specific theme throughout your garden decor, you should look towards the same or related resources. For example, if you place a white metal table under your trees to make a restful place, make sure that the chairs that go with it match it. Add a white picket fence or other matching pieces to tie certain areas of the garden together as well.

Tip 6: Uphold It.

A multitude of of the aspects within a garden are going to need some maintaining. If you pull your weeds, don't let this be overshadowed by the fact that you haven't washed that white items in a year. Keep up on broken or misplaced items as well. For the duration of harsh winter months, make sure to put anything and everything in storage that can be broken.

Tip 7: Garden decor is not complete without the look for lovely patio valuables. Allow it to mesh with the surroundings that you have created too. For example, in a woodsy area, look towards an untouched by mankind, beautiful product such as teak to keep it looking as if it belongs there.



These things and more can help to contribute to a gorgeous and fashionable garden decor that is timeless, easy to manage and a welcoming place to call your own.

Garden plaques and supplementary significant garden decor data are on hand at http://www.gardendecorstyle.com. You're welcome to visit day or night!

Article Source: http://www.article-planet.com