Basic Home Gardening

Basic Home Gardening Tips
By Lee Dobbins

Home gardening can be very rewarding and it really isn't that hard! Here's some tips for growing any kind of plant including flowers, herbs and vegetables that are sure to help you develop your green thumb.


Photo: nikkiartwork.com

There are 3 basic things that you need to know to succeed in home gardening and that is that plants need light, water and soil to survive. If any one of these 3 elements is not adequate, it will result in weak plants. Luckily, it is pretty easy to get enough of all for your plants and the plants themselves usually come with directions on what they need.

Light
In general, most plants need 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. Some more and some less so be sure to read the tags that come with your plants for best results! Study your yard or garden area throughout the day to figure out how much sun it really gets and be sure to place your plants where they will have the best chance of thriving. You can buy plants that like full sun,. partial sun and shade so there are plants that will be happy in every type of yard or garden.

Water
One of the most important home gardening tips has to do with water. Plants need water to survive but too much of it is a bad thing! You want to be sure they get enough water so that the soil is not hard and dry, but you never want to have standing water around your plant. Plants in containers will need to be watered more than those in the ground and more watering is necessary in summer months. When watering try not to splash water on the leaves and petals of your plants as this can promote disease - a garden soaker hose is ideal for this.

Soil
Plants need nutrient which they typically get from the soil. Be sure to use a rich soil that is fortified with fertilizer appropriate for what you are planting. You want your soil to be a bit loose so the roots can easily spread and grow. Nutrients can also be delivered to plants through water which is what hydroponic gardening is based on. With hydropinics you grow plants in a water solution - no soil needed!

So, you see, home gardening is not that difficult - just start off slowly and you'll be growing lush, vibrant plants in not time!

If you want more tips on starting your garden including the key elements you need to know about when gardening, how to grow plants in containers and tips on growing herbs and vegetables sign up for my free gardening tips report at http://gardening-ez.com/gardeningtipsreport.php

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Growing In Containers

Fertilizing Outdoor Plants Growing In Containers - Which Type Of Fertilizer To Use
By Jonathan Ya'akobi

In principle, the best way to provide nutrients to established garden plants growing in the soil, is to add on a consistent basis, organic matter in the form of compost. For as well being a source of the mineral nutriment essential to plant growth, organic matter improves and develops the health of the habitat in which the plants grow, namely the soil. There are circumstances though when the use of chemical fertilizer is preferable to compost. One of these relates to plants grown in pots. As there are a number of methods by which chemical fertilizer can be applied, the question arises as to which is the most appropriate.



Photo: dbcourt.co.uk

Plants in pots or containers must always be grown in some form of artificial potting medium, in order to ensure the correct air/moisture balance in the root zone. One such medium, highly regarded by landscape professionals today, is Perlite, which amongst its various properties, excels both in its capacity to retain moisture on the one hand, and sufficient oxygen on the other. Chemically, it is almost entirely inert, which is an advantage in one sense, as the problem of salt build-up is avoided. Yet the other side of the coin is that mineral nutrient is liable to be entirely lacking for the plants, unless supplied on a constant basis. This is why regular applications of chemical fertilizer are necessary. How though should it be applied?

Clearly, the old method of manually spooning readily soluble fertilizer is impractical at least in the case of Perlite,as the work would have to be carried out every few days or so. An elegant way round this is by installing an automatic fertilizer pump, where a specially balanced blend of liquid fertilizer is injected through the drip irrigation lines. Today, the pumps are calibrated by the manufacturer so that low and safe concentrations are supplied to the plant's roots, during every watering. Watering a bit to excess on each occasion ensures that the salinity of the medium is kept in check.

Despite its many benefits, there are a number of drawbacks to this method, not least of which, is the legal obligation required by most countries to install an instrument preventing the backflow of water. However in Mediterranean climates, typified by hot dry summers, and mild cool and wet winters, there is another disadvantage with fertilizer pumps, which should be considered.

It is often forgotten that the garden plants require some access to nutrients during the mild Mediterranean winter, albeit at greatly reduced levels. For plants growing in the ground, the compost added in the autumn should suffice. When it comes to containers however, especially if the potting medium used is a chemically inert product like Perlite, it is necessary to ensure that a supply of fertilizer is available to the plants. As fertilizer pumps supply the nutrients via the irrigation system, one is forced to open the taps, even if the plants do not need watering. Baring in mind that Perlite can hold sufficient moisture during the winter for a good 3-4 weeks, it follows that this great water conserving benefit is lost.

It is for this reason amongst others, that I advocate the use of slow release fertilizer as the principle means of feeding pot plants that are grown outdoors. (The hydroponic method applicable to indoor plants requires a different type of fertilizing) There are a number of products available, which release the nutrients over periods of time ranging from 3 to 12 months, thereby reducing labor to a couple of times a year or less. Many brands also contain trace elements, which are generally not lacking in garden soils, but may well be so in the artificial potting media.

My name is Jonathan Ya'akobi.
I've been gardening in a professional capacity since 1984. I am the former head gardener of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, but now concentrate on building gardens for private home owners.
I also teach horticulture to students on training courses. I'd love to help you get the very best from your garden, so you're welcome to visit me on http://www.dryclimategardening.com/

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Gardening System

Hydroponic Gardening System
By Keith Richardson

Whether your interest lies in growing flowers or vegetables, the Hydroponic Gardening System, is for you. It is an easy to start, low cost and highly productive and personally, a very rewarding recreation or past time, that will show maximum yield, flavour and colours to whatever you grow. Whether you garden for fun, food or for profit, you also get to reap the rewards of hydroponic gardening without breaking the bank.



Photo: hobbyhydro.com

Whether you have a big garden, a small one or live in a flat with just a couple of window boxes, this can be the start of a very enjoyable hobby for you.

A Brief History of Hydroponics
Hydroponics comes from two Greek words, "hydro" meaning water and "ponics" meaning labour, the concept of which has been around for thousands of years. Two early working examples of such a system are the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and The Floating Gardens of China.

So What Is Hydroponics?
Hydroponics is the art and practice of growing plants and vegetables in either a bath or flow of highly oxygenated, nutrient enriched water without having to use soil.

Imagine the ease and simplicity of growing a vegetable garden without having to worry about the soil or too little water or when to fertilize. And it works for both the beginner and the advanced grower! Hydroponic grown vegetables are healthy, vigorous and consistently reliable. Your flowers are bigger, stronger and more colourful and your gardening efforts are clean and tidy and extremely easy requiring very little effort on your part. Green fingers are definitely not required.

Are there Benefits to Using Hydroponics?
Well, the growth rate on a hydroponic plant is considered to be between 30-50 percent faster than a soil grown plant. The extra oxygen in the hydroponic growing medium helps to stimulate root growth. The nutrients in a hydroponic system are mixed with the water and sent directly to the root system where these nutrients are being delivered to the medium several times each day. The hydroponic plant requires very little energy to find and break down these food nutrients. The plant then uses this saved energy to help it grow faster and to produce more bloom or fruit, which in turn gives a much greater yield. In general, plants grown hydroponically are healthier and happier plants, which has to be a good thing I'm sure you would agree.

Hydroponic Systems
There are two types of Hydroponic systems, which are either active or passive. An active system moves the nutrient solution through a pump to feed the plant or vegetable. A passive system relies on the growth or capillary action of the growing medium being used. The nutrient solution is absorbed by the medium and passed along to the roots.

Should you Buy or Build a System yourself
Should I buy one or build one? Both have their merits. Obtaining an inexpensive system will allow you to get your feet wet, which will give you a hands on approach to understanding just how hydroponics works. Where as, if you are mechanically minded, then building one will give you greater satisfaction but will take longer to set up. The end result of course will be the same.

Conclusion
The future of vegetable and flower growing is through the use of a Hydroponic Gardening System. It is fast becoming a very popular hobby. Above all else, it is fun, exciting and easy for people of any age, to get involved in.

Keith RichardsonDid you find the above useful/interesting/beneficial? You can learn a lot more by clicking here http://normal-use.blogspot.com/

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Lighting An Indoor Garden

The Costs of Lighting An Indoor Garden
By Susan Slobac

If you are an indoor gardener, then you know that one of the major environmental factors that can make or break your garden is lighting. Grow lights are used in the home or in a greenhouse setting in order to replicate, as closely as artificial lights can, natural sunlight. Appropriate lighting varies depending on the room you are using, any ambient light available, and the kinds of plants you are growing. You might choose HPS grow lights, or high-pressure sodium lights, LED grow lights, metal halide lights or others for their brilliant light in the right color spectrums that works well for growing plants indoors. You will want to find the most cost-effective solution for providing your indoor plants with the light they need.



Photo: hidhut.com

Hydroponic lights usually consist of the grow light itself, a digital ballast, and a reflector. The prices on these items vary, depending on the specifics. The price of the grow lights depends on the variety and wattage. Metal halide lights can range from thirty to forty dollars. HPS grow lights are available in the twenty to forty-five dollars bracket. LED grow lights' cost can run about $16 per bulb.

All of the aforementioned lights require the use of digital ballasts in order for them to function properly. The ballast's job is to regulate the flow of electrical current through the bulb. If a ballast was not used, the pure power would surge through the bulb and destroy it. The ballast is what keeps current flowing in just the right amount so that the lighting unit functions properly. Digital ballasts provide very precise amounts of current, saving you money because there are few fluctuations in power and as a result they are very efficient. The digital version of the ballast is also preferred over older kinds because they run quietly and coolly, and they don't weigh very much, a consideration when you are hanging lights over plants. Costs for these items can range from $80 to $400 per ballast.

Reflectors are used in conjunction with lights and digital ballast to control where the light goes and to intensify the light your bulb produces. You will find reflectors ranging in price from $25 and up to $250.

Power costs vary from area to area in this country, but that is also another consideration you will want to consider when you put together your indoor garden. If you are gardening in a greenhouse with access to ambient light in sunny Arizona, for example, you will likely need to light your plants for fewer hours than you would if you were gardening in Minnesota in the winter. No matter where you garden indoors, you need to take into account that your plants will require anywhere from twelve to sixteen hours of bright light per day, whether supplied by sunlight or grow lights.

Susan Slobac has been an avid hydroponics gardening for years. Over this time, she has experimented with numerous types of hydroponic lights and digital ballasts in an effort to identify what combination yields the best results for her indoor gardening projects.

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