Home & Garden

Deadheading Is Not The Same As Pruning

Deadheading roses, not to be confused with pruning, is the removal of spent blooms. As a general rule once a plant has bloomed, the spent flower and a small section of the stem is removed from the plant. Today we understand the importance of keeping as much foliage as possible, instead of cutting down to a 5-leaflet leaf. The older technique removed too many leaves, which are essential for the process of photosynthesis. Plants need leaves to stimulate healthy growth.

Evaluate The Plant

Before deadheading, take a few minutes to evaluate the plant. A strong, mature rose can tolerate a more drastic cutting than new vulnerable plants. The newer your plant, the more foliage it needs to continue producing.

A rose produces fruit – the rose hip – after blooming. Fruit production saps energy from a plant; deadheading halts the process and tricks the plant into trying to produce more fruit by making flowers

The Cutting

The trimming or cutting will be done with pruners, make sure to have a well-sharpened, clean pair of pruners for the job. The stem will be cut, below the bloom, at an angle. Do not cut too close to budding leaves or nodes which indicate new growth. Use white glue or a chemical sealant on the new cut to seal it and prevent bugs from attacking rose plants.

Familiarize Yourself With Your Variety

Deadheading should be tailored to the variety of rose; multiple bloomers require a different approach from one-time blooming plants. Antique roses grow flowers in clusters, with more than one cluster per stem, or cane. Cut off the dead blooms of the first or upper most bloom, leaving the second one to continue flowering. This gives the newer flowers more nutrients and energy. After the second set has faded, follow the procedures for deadheading again.

For single blooming flowers deadheading is still important to keep deter bugs which host on dead flowers.

Deadheading will be done throughout the spring and summer, depending on the zone and blossoming conditions. The procedure usually results in new plant growth, desired in warm weather but potentially damaging for roses in winter. As fall approaches and the first frost is anticipated, deadheading is no longer important. The gardener wants to encourage the plant to harden and slow or stop growth over the winter months.

Strong plants will reward their owners with an abundance of green leaves and lovely flowers. Deadheading roses, treating them well, and feeding them on a regular schedule are a part of good gardening techniques.

We’ve all heard that it is necessary to save water but only a few know how hard it is when water is scarce. The availability of clean, good quality and cheap water in Europe and the USA has created a false notion that there is plenty of water for everyone. Unfortunately, it is not true.

If you live in Australia or near a desert you’ll understand what I’m talking about. The only reason why there is clean water in your tap is that somebody has treated it and made it usable. Water treatment plants consume electricity and fossil fuel to power its sophisticated machinery. Treating water is actually a very carbon-intensive endeavour.

Here are some water saving tips that could help you cut your water bills and most importantly save the water and reduce your household’s carbon footprint.

• Don’t leave a tap or shower running without need. This is the most important of all water saving tips! Turn the tap immediately after you’ve finished using water. This includes washing teeth and shaving. You only need water at the end of grooming, not throughout the whole procedure.
• Switch to a metered water bill. With unmetered water you end up paying for what you haven’t used and you have few means of controlling your consumption. Call your provider and discuss the possibilities of installing a meter.
• Make your own drinking water by boiling and/or filtering it. Bottled water is a really bad idea because making and transporting it involves too much energy.
• Use A+ class washing machines and dishwashers. Wait until you’ve got a full load of stuff before washing or adjust the program to half-load – thus you will save water and electricity.
• Replace your usual showers and taps with low-flow fittings. A low-flow shower is mixing water with air providing the same quality and feeling but using 30pc less water. It also makes sense to switch to a water efficient toilet.
• Consider grey water reuse system. It will collect used water from the sinks and reuse it for flushing toilets. A rainwater collecting system is a great choice for homes with gardens. You can also reuse water from washing vegetables and from fish-tanks for watering your garden.
• Check your fixtures and fittings for leaks on regular basis. Even a small leak can waste gallons of water. Dont’t leave it to drip!

People following these water saving tips will soon find that their water bills are going down but most importantly you will do what’s right for the environment.

Summer is almost here and so is time for starting to plant gardens and flower beds.

Some people are born with green thumbs, but some of us need extra help when picking plants and planting and designing gardens.

Many of my friends are avid gardeners and I always rely on their help and expertise when it comes to gardening.

Over the years they gave me many tips and ideas how to make sure that my garden is full of beautiful flowers.

If you are buying all of your plants and shrubs from a nursery there are few steps you need to follow to make sure that you come home with the best of the best.

There are 5 things you must remember when visiting nursery:

#1. Always buy at least 4 containers of each variety.

#2. Always pick plants that have flowers in a full bloom.

#3. Make sure you buy plants that look full and colorful even after they lose all the flowers.

#4. Do not buy plants that are marked down due to being dry or sitting at the nursery for a long time. You might save money, but you might have to replace then few weeks later.

#5. Do not buy flowers or plants with small roots.

After you bring your plants home there are steps you should remember to get the most out of your plants and make sure that your garden is the envy of the neighborhood.

3 things to remember after bringing your plants home:

#1. Make sure you replant your flowers when you get home or make sure they are well watered (evening or early morning is the best time). Try to plant them within 24 hours.

#2. Place your planters or plant your flowers and plants according to their labels. Plants that need partial shade won’t do well in sunny spots and vice versa.

#3. Chose a color scheme. If you have few areas you can have few different color schemes that compliment each other.

Remember these 8 gardening steps and you will have the nicest garden around.

Don’t forget to water, water, water.

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Tomatoes like lots of light and warmth to grow properly and produce delicious fruit. But that does not mean that they can only be grown in warm climates and during warm seasons of the year. Many a gardener enjoy the fruit of their labors even during the coldest weather by growing winter tomatoes.

One method of growing tomatoes indoors in winter is to have a greenhouse in which to do so. Greenhouses can provide controlled, warm environments even in the coldest climates. Some types of seeds have been developed specifically for use in greenhouses. But whatever kind of tomato seed you start with, they will need a warm environment that gets plenty of light. Depending on your location, this can be difficult to come by in winter months. Light and heat are the two main issues that keep tomatoes from being grown in winter.

But both of those challenges can be overcome in a greenhouse setting. Grow lights can supplement or replace natural light during winter. If focused on the plant for 16 to 18 hours a day, they can provide enough light for the tomatoes to grow even in naturally dark months.

Temperature is the other big concern. In winter, the temperature should be kept between 60?F (15.5?C) and 90?F (32?C). Any higher or lower and the plants could die. Especially in the winter, maintaining these temperatures may require a heater.

There are a few different types of heaters you may want to consider. Paraffin heaters are the most expensive, but are ideal for small greenhouses. Gas heaters are cheap, but can only be used in a well-ventilated greenhouse, as they emit smoke and fumes. Finally, electric heaters are the middle ground. They are affordable and do not emit any smoke or fumes. All that is needed is some sort of power source for the heater.

But you do not need to have a greenhouse in order to grow tomatoes in winter. The plants can be grown indoors just as successfully, using the same sorts of principles. Just as with a greenhouse, a grow lamp will be necessary. Ensure your home is warm and that the tomatoes will not be disturbed as they grow.

Even with these preparations, it is best to grow the tomatoes in the sunniest, warmest part of the house, even in winter. Tomatoes can be planted deep in the soil, as roots will sprout from a buried stem. But they will need support when they get large enough to bear fruit, as they can become very heavy and large at this point. Pruning is also important. Removing extraneous suckers and leaves can help the plant grow by eliminating unnecessary growths that suck energy away from the main plant.

A major advantage to growing tomatoes in winter is having flavorful fruit at a time of the year when the fruit that is commercially available may not be as flavorful. Tomatoes grown in the home in winter will also be preservative free, since they will not need to be canned and shipped, and fresh. And they can be used for a variety of meals. Tomatoes can be eaten raw, baked, broiled, stuffed or made into paste, to name just a few methods.

So while it may take some careful monitoring and attentive care, tomatoes can be a rewarding winter crop that can be grown right in the home.

Gardening is a good hobby that has attracted a lot of people, not just because it is a relaxing activity, but also because it gives one the satisfaction of nurturing something and seeing it grow. People who are fond of gardening usually enjoy the quiet moments they spend tending to their flowers or plants. It also gives them the extra produce which makes gardening a rewarding activity.

If you are just starting to engage in gardening and quite unsure how to get your hobby started, try these few gardening tips:

Try Tomatoes

There are about 25,000 different varieties of tomatoes and they are the most common planted vegetables because they are quite easy to take care of. Make sure to buy partially grown tomato plants, if you are just now starting your tomato garden.

Choose the variety that you know will grow well in your area and select the ideal place for your tomato plants, where they will get plenty of sun. Check if you have enough soil to cover the plants. Now dig holes for your plants and transfer the tomato plants which you bought into your garden. You would just have to water them regularly, more so when the days are hotter, just to make sure they are properly hydrated.

You Can Also Plant Flower Bulbs

As a newbie gardener, you would want to plant those that are easy to manage and fast to grow. Flower bulbs are not that difficult to plant and take care of.

Choose a good location in your garden, with enough soil. Prepare the planting bed by using a little fertilizer, dig holes and then plant the flower bulbs in them. It’s easy, yes, but the real challenge is making your flower bed grow through regular care.

Gardening can be quite an interesting hobby, and one that will allow you some time to think or meditate. It may even be therapeutic for some people who are going through pain or trauma. Young children will also benefit from gardening, because it is one way of learning the process of growth and learning how to appreciate and take care of living things.
Not sure if you have a green thumb? Check the many gardening tips online to find out more information and ask for some tips from fellow gardeners who have seen success in their vegetable or flower plants.

Getting Started

Begin by selecting the roses from which cuttings will be taken. Next, pick the location for these new plants; a sunny, yet sheltered spot, is preferable – a sunroom, or under the eaves of a building would be well suited. Before proceeding, gather materials together: pruners, good potting soil, a prepared spot for root cuttings, root medium, and rooting hormones.

The Cutting

Take the selected rose and make a clean cut at a 45 degree angle on the stem of the plant. The selected cutting should be anywhere from 6 to 8 inches in length, and ideally have at least one healthy cluster of leaves. If you can’t continue with the preparation and planting, be sure to store the prepared stem in a cool moist place until ready to proceed.

Stripping The Rose

The next step is to ready the stem for planting. First, strip the bottom half of your new rose, removing leaves and gently peeling or scraping the top layer of bark down to the cambium layer. The cambium is a delicate pale green layer right under the bark. Keep the foliage on the top half of your new root cutting.

Skinny Dipping

Help your new rose by dipping the exposed stem bottom in a rooting hormone, it will boost the success rate of your cutting. Then dip the end in a rooting medium before inserting in the bed or container.

After The Treatment

After treating the stem, it will be planted in a prepared soil, moistened slightly, and aerated. Propagation has a higher success rate when cuttings remain in a high-humidity environment. The new plant can be planted in the prepared soil, either in a garden bed, a pot or container, or placed in a large zippered plastic bag with soil.

When using the plastic bag, insert a few stakes to keep the bag from collapsing on the plant and crushing delicate leaves. An ideal environment can be created in beds or pots by placing a large mason glass jar or liter soda bottle over the plant. To use a soda bottle, keep the cap on the bottle and cut off the bottom of the bottle, then place over the plant.

Monitor The Rose

The plants will need constant humidity. Monitor the soil to keep it slightly moist. Many gardeners place a new cutting in a large Styrofoam cup which is then inserted in the prepared soil. It requires more attention for watering but will protect roots during transplanting later in the growing season.

The new plants will need to be monitored to maintain a steady, constant temperature during this crucial time of root development. If the plant develops buds, remove them to encourage the plant to establish a strong root system. Roots may take up to eight weeks to grow sufficiently for transplanting. Do not expect to see flowers in the first year; the plant’s energy should be focused on cane production and foliage.

Gardening is as much art as it is science, and just like the painter is nothing without his/her brushes, the gardener is nothing without his/her tools. There is a wide variety of garden tools available to the gardener, many of which are rather unnecessary. However, some tools are so crucial to the gardener that it would be virtually impossible to garden without them. Here are 10 essential tools that no gardener should be without:

1. Rake

The rake is one of the most basic garden tools, and is essential for keeping your piles in order. Think of the rake as your all-purpose organization tool

2. Watering Can

Just about every plant you deal with as a gardener is going to require water, and having a watering can nearby is always a good idea. A watering can is the gardener’s best friend.

3. Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are crucial for the gardener, as half the job is cleanup. Always be sure you have at least three garbage bags at your disposal before getting ready to work in your garden.

4. Gloves

Without strong gardening gloves, your hands will be in rough shape after just a single day of work. Choose gloves that are made of material heavy enough to withstand thorns and other hazards.

5. Hose

When it comes time to water plants that seem a bit too large for just the watering can, you’re going to want a hose at your disposal. Using a hose to water plants is a fast, effective technique.

6. Shears

Having a pair of gardening shears on hand is necessary for the gardener, as it is not uncommon to have to cut through branches and thick plant stems. Make sure your shears are durable, as cheap ones can break easily.

7. Wheelbarrow

Having a wheelbarrow is essential for moving heavy objects and large amounts of mulch. Choose one that is both light in weight and made of durable materials.

8. Garden Fork

Without a garden fork, it can be a real pain trying to create a nice bed for your flowers, amongst other tasks. Make sure you always have one of these with you in the garden; in fact, keep an extra one around.

9. Trowel

Trowels are short-bladed scoops that are great tools for planting bulbs. Keep two around.

10. Pruner

Pruners are ideal for trimming shrubs; always keep one handy.

Okay, let’s start with the obvious way to identify orchids….does it have a tag? Maybe it’s stuck deep in the pot or on a stick inserted into the soil? If there’s no tag you might want to go back to where you bought it and see if there’s another plant just like it with a tag. Or you could call the grower you bought it from and ask.

Let’s assume that you’ve gotten hold of the tag. Check it out and see if it has the name of one of the types below or includes an abbreviation that reminds you of any of the following orchid types: Cymbidium, Cattleya (or Laelia), Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Paphiopedilum, or Vanda. If so, you have your answer. There might also be a couple of letters that are a combination of the names above, in which case you have a hybrid.

There two types of orchids and it’s pretty easy to figure out which is which. Knowing what you have will help you in identification. First there are sympodial orchids. They grow horizontally across a pot, kind of like a creeping vine. The stem is called a rhizome and will lie across the surface of the potting medium and roots will sprout along its length and grow downward. They will produce pseudobulbs which are thick vertical stems. Common sympodial types are Cattleya (or Laelia), Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Miltonia, Ondontoglossum, Oncidium and Pahiopedilum.

The other type is called a monopodial orchid. They grow upward on a single stem. They only grow a couple of leaves each year. Common monopodial types are: Phalaenopsis, Vanda and Angraecum.

If you don’t have the tag and don’t know the grower there are other clues to point you in the right direction. The easiest way to identify an orchid is by its flowers. You really can’t identify it by the color of its blooms as there are so many colors for the same type, but in combination with some other features, the color of the bloom will help you out. You can also look at the shape of the bloom, patterns on the bloom and size of the bloom as well and get some idea as to what kind you have by looking at pictures of the blooms of different orchids.

Perhaps your orchid is not in bloom? This makes things a little more difficult but not impossible. Taking a look at leaves and some other characteristics will help you to identify it. It will take a little bit of sleuthing but you will probably be able to identify your orchid eventually.

Tomatoes are thought to be as one of the major ingredients in cooking. They are one of the most ordinary vegetables that you can see in every home kitchen and refrigerator. They are also considered as one of the most common plants that you can find growing bountiful in the garden of every gardener. Usually, tomatoes are planted in the ground. However, did you know that there is another mean or way of planting tomatoes aside from the usual ground planting we do? Yes, absolutely there is! This way of planting tomatoes is upside down. Sounds foolish, right? But, how can you let tomatoes grow upside down? In aiding you towards a clearer perspective, here is how you can let your tomatoes grow upside down.

Firstly, look for a container where you can grow your tomato plants. Once you already have it, make an opening in the bottom of the bucket. To be a quite precise, the tomato plant should be first planted in a plastic cup. The opening that you will be making right on the bottom of the container should be half or smaller than the actual size of the plastic cup mouth. If already made a hole on the bucket, flip it over and cover the opening using a paper. The next procedure that you should do now is to put enough garden soil in the bucket. When putting the bucket with soil, make sure that it leaves a distance of about 2 to 3 inches in the top of the container. Once the container is already filled with garden soil, cover it and turn it once again upside down.

You next step in growing your tomatoes upside down is to take away the paper that you use to cover the opening that you made at first. Excavate in the hole as deep as you can. The reason for giving the distance allowance of 2 to 3 inches (when you put soil in the bucket) is for you to provide way to dig deep in the base of the bucket. Get the tomato plant from the plastic cup and plant it directly to the bucket. Be sure that you plant it firmly. Take away all leaves that are near the soil. Then hang the bucket upside down. After it, just to take good care of your upside down grown tomatoes. Regularly water the tomatoes as it tends to dry quicker as compared with tomatoes growing ground.

There you go! These are your easy guide on how to grow upside down tomatoes in your own. There may be other ways or means on how to grow tomatoes upside down. But those that were stated above will already help you do the job.

The increasing popularity of container herb gardens is showing just how people love to have fresh herbs handy to flavor their cooking, drinks and use for aromatherapy. It really is very convenient to have a fresh selection of your most popular herbs within a few steps from the back door.

What to Plant.

As my forte is growing herbs for culinary purposes I will be writing about that, but it is merely a matter of changing the range of herbs that is the difference.

In choosing the herbs to grow I would look at what types of dishes I like to cook and choose my herbs from there. In watching TV cooking shows the ones that seem to be used the most are:

· Flat leafed parsley
· Thyme
· Oregano
· Rosemary
· Basil
· Chives
· Sage

All these herbs will grow well together in a large container 24 inches across the top. I would plant the rosemary in the middle because it is a taller plant and quite hardy, then around the outside I would plant the other herbs. Of all the others herbs basil is also quite tall and this could be put beside the rosemary in the centre. Personally I pick a lot of basil so it does not get a chance to grow extra tall. All the other herbs grow to about 10 inches, and some will even spill out over the side of the container.

Other herbs to grow in containers.

Mint is also a very popular herb but it does tend to take over a pot so I would plant that in a pot on its own.

The beauty of the bay laurel. It grows beautifully with its dark green shiny leaves as a container shrub and can even be shaped for topiary. Bay laurel is a delicious herb to use and is a must in your kitchen. If you can grow a container bay laurel, that is great. They grow very well, are quite hardy and can be kept at a manageable height as a patio plant.

Variety in containers.

I don’t know if you have come across them yet, but quite a number of herbs actually come with variegated or colored leaves and these make quite a picture in a container of herbs. There are the variegated basils and sage and other herbs have leaves that display purple veins. These all make for planting an attractive container of herbs. You will be able to tell your friends that not only do you have a very attractive container of herbs but you also have an “edible garden.”