| Gardening |
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| Let us be grateful for the many gifts our gardens give us. I started gardening last fall with many variety of annual and perennial seeds. When I saw they grow and then blooming, gosh....gorgeous!! I love gardening!! To improve my gardening skills, I became a member of Gardening Club in this country, called: |
| There is nothing like freshly picked herbs to add flavor to the cooking. If you love to cook and have the space, why don't you create a herb garden close to the kitchen so you can pick your favorite herbs whenever you want them. I have some of the most useful and popular culinary herbs, such as: Thyme ----) use in meats, poultry, or game. Rosemary ----) flavors lamb, oils, and vinegar. Basil ----) use leaves in salads, tomato sauce, and pasta Mint ----) flavors potatoes, mint sauce, and some beverages. |
| The best time to plant most spring bulbs is in the fall, when the soil is moist. Bulbs look best planted in loose drifts. To create a natural effect, scatter them by hand and plant them where they fall. Water the bulbs well after planting. Once the flowers have faded, give the plants tomato fertilizer that has been diluted to half its recommended strength. Let the leaves die down naturally to ensure good flowering the following year. Mulch with compost during their dormant period. |
| Buying Seeds Catalogs ----) most garden centers stock a good selection of seeds. However, it is worth looking through the catalogs produced by major seed suppliers, which usually offer a wide range of choices. Early Ordering ----) whether you buy your seeds from garden centers or catalogs, make sure you do your seed shopping early. New kinds are available starting in winter, and the most popular varieties are likely to sell out quickly. Damaging Heat ----) garden centers can become very hot during the summer. Avoid buying seeds at this time, since extreme temperatures can damage seeds. |
| Choosing Bulbs Always try to choose that show no signs of new root development. However, if they have started into growth, make sure the growth tips are firm and healthy. If you choose double-nosed bulbs, remember that the smaller of the two may not flower for a year or two. Use your thumb and index finger to squeeze the bulb gently; it should be firm to the touch and not feel hollow. Store bulbs in a cool, dry place if you cannot plant them right away. |
| Keep water and liquid fertilizer from being wasted by putting pots or other containers directly underneath your hanging baskets. Any overflow from the baskets will then drip into the containers below. |
| Trimming Plants Some plants tend to take over the whole container. Trim vigorous plants regularly to keep them in check. Use sharp scissors to prune any straggly stems; this will encourage bushy growth. Cut any flower heads off trailing plants to encourage the growth of new foliage. Removing Leaves Remove leaves from overhanging trees and other plants promptly. Since they encourage rotting and may exclude air. Deadheading Pinch-out or use pruners to cut off, faded flower heads of any that are beginning to form seedpods. This will stimulate the plant to produce more flowers of a larger size, and over a longer period of time. |
| (Source: [1] National Home Gardening Magazine; [2] Gardening Hints & Tips by Pippa Greenwood; [3] Garden Design Magazine) |
| and also member of the Internet's Garden Community called: GardenWeb. |
| Also visit Plant & Flowers, Garden, and WaterGardening. |
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| My red Amaryllis |
| Foxgloves |
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