Before purchasing outdoor living furniture there are several considerations to think about in order to make the best choice.

Style

A patio or backyard can be considered as an extension of the home so you may want to carry style of the furnishings in the house through to the outdoor living furniture, for example this may be casual, traditional or modern. The style of the outdoor living furniture will also depend on how you will use your space. Do you plan to use it as an informal family dining area or do you have a lot of dinner parties? Maybe the space is going to be used for a cozy conversation area or as a quiet place to relax and read a good book.

Space

The amount of space available may very well dictate the kind of outdoor living furniture that you can purchase. Make sure that the area is large enough to accommodate the pieces that you want with enough room to move around when people are seated.

Material

Outdoor living furniture comes in a range of materials including wood, aluminum, plastic, wrought iron and wicker. When making your choice some of the points to think about are durability, comfort, looks and whether the situation will be exposed to the elements. Let’s have a look at these in turn

• Wood: Wooden outdoor living furniture looks very attractive in any situation, but especially in a country style setting although it can tend to be a bit hard for sitting on without the addition of cushions. It may not stand up to extreme weather conditions; cedar in particular may not be very durable in rainy climates so it would be a good idea to store it indoors over winter. The most common types of wood used are cedar, teak, redwood and cypress. Teak is a very good choice as it is resistant to termites and has natural oils to provide a smooth, splinter free finish for many years.

• Aluminum: Aluminum offers beauty and durability in all weathers. You are able to have scroll work on chair backs and legs as well as table tops much like wrought iron so will fit well into a Victorian setting. Aluminum patio sets are lighter than wood or iron therefore easy to move if you want a change of scene. They are easy to clean with a hose and rag, won’t fade, chip or rust and require very little maintenance.
• Plastic: Plastic is lightweight and comfortable but not very durable if not well cared for.

• Wrought Iron: A wrought iron setting will be very durable but can be uncomfortable because of the hardness. It will be heavy to move but at least you will have no problems if you live in a windy area. Its color and appearance can be maintained through all weather conditions as long as the coating is not damaged or scratched. It is the most expensive kind of outdoor living furniture but is a timeless classic that looks good anywhere.

• Wicker: Wicker outdoor living furniture can be made from natural materials (e.g. bamboo, rattan) or synthetic (e.g. resin). Anything made of resin will hold up better to the sun and rain and will be easy to clean with a hose and cloth. Natural materials are susceptible to cracking but can last for years if looked after carefully. It is sturdy enough for an active family and lightweight so it can easily be moved around your yard. It would go well in a casual or romantic setting.
   
   
  

The Original Post is Located Here: Outdoor Living Furniture

They are easy to grow, providing you prepare a good sunny spot with good drainage so sandy soil is very accommodating. Add lots of well rotted organic material and dig in well.  Buy some today and get great deals on flower bulbs. When growing from bulbs, make sure they are firm and they need to be planted 2-3 times as deep as the bulb is tall. When they start to shoot, use a specialized fertilizer up till the buds start to show.

Spring Flowering

There are various spring flowering types which adorn many gardens throughout the world including tulips, daffodils, lilies, crocuses, hyacinths and alliums. Whilst they are primarily used in the garden for color many of them, especially hyacinths, are also delightfully fragrant. Growing bulbs in groups or “drifts” will increase the impact in your garden rather than having single specimens. Some such as daffodils and crocus are suitable for naturalizing, just scatter them around and plant them where they fall. Choose an area that does not need mowing in early spring because once the flowers have finished you need to let the tops continue growing to provide energy for future years flowers. You can remove the foliage when it dies back naturally after about six weeks.

These all need to be planted a month before the frosts for them to get their biological clock on the move, so growing bulbs in zones 4-8 is suitable. For zones 8-10 where winters are mild you will need to provide an artificial winter for growing spring flowering bulbs. This entails putting them in the refrigerator in a vented bag for about 8 weeks before planting. Check the tips on the packet for more information in your particular zone.

For practical advice on growing and caring for bulbs see:

The Complete Practical Handbook of Garden Bulbs

It gives information on over-wintering, propagation, and general tasks such as dead-heading, watering and feeding with an easy-to-use photographic directory of bulbs. There is also detailed advice on key varieties and their growing requirements.

When growing bulbs it’s easy to be misled where size and price is concerned. Discounted ones can be very disappointing; if you want a show to be proud of and get the rewards you’re looking for, get a good brand name. To help give you an idea on what size flower you can expect, the bulb’s circumference is important, the bigger the better.

Arguably one of the most popular types of plants that are started from growing bulbs would be tulips. These need to be planted in the fall to give an abundance of color in the spring; there is a spectacular display of colors to choose from, black, white, red, pink, purple and orange etc. be sure to buy early, mid and late blooming tulips to have a show throughout springtime. You can have a ball and create a wonderful array of colors.

Summer Flowering

If you would prefer or want to start growing bulbs for your summer garden, dahlias, begonias, lilies and gladiolus, should be planted in late spring. Give them some protection if the temperature drops as they are not hardy plants. If you have a greenhouse or use cloches you will be able to start them started off earlier and they will be ready for transplanting when the weather permits. You will find that you will have continuous color throughout summer growing these summer bulbs. Summer types should be dug up and stored in a dry cool place over the winter months; again it is very important that after blooming you let the plant continue growing till the leaves die off naturally, this allows it to energize itself ready for next season. This is also a good time to multiply your stock by separating them for use next season.

You will also have great success with growing bulbs in pots or on a balcony. Make sure you use a good quality potting mix and a pot at least 8 inches deep is recommended with drainage holes. Just remember that pots dry out quickly so should be checked daily for moisture.

The Original Post is Located Here: Growing Bulbs

Early specimens of the bonsai tree were based on gnarled trunks which were made to take on the appearance of dragons and birds; a Chinese bonsai tree is highly sought after even today because of the myths and legends surrounding this art form. See Bonsai Boy of NY  for a huge assortment of bonsai trees and equipment.

Once the bonsai tree was introduced to Japan, the art form was refined. Over time, they were not just confined to the Buddhist monks and their monasteries, but later were used by the aristocracy as a symbol of prestige and honor. Bon in Japanese means “Tray” and “Sai” denotes planting or growing so put together it means tray planting.

Creating a bonsai tree is an art, where different species of plants are miniaturized and grown in a tray or a pot . The total artistic effect of a bonsai tree is very important and a well balanced result is regarded as a great feat.  Merely placing a stunted tree in a pot is not acceptable. A true bonsai tree is created when the plant is dwarfed by pruning the roots as well as the branches. The root growth and the growth above ground are balanced to give the desired shape. Other techniques like wiring the trunk and the branches with copper wire are also used to make the dwarfed bonsai tree look like the real mature specimen.

Try this book for a quick and easy guide to creating your
very own Bonsai Tree

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Shaping starts even when the seedling is very young, and continues through to maturity. Some specialist tools are required when growing a bonsai tree, the basic ones being pruning scissors, wire cutters and wire.

When growing a bonsai tree you can start from either seeds  or from  cuttings, with the best results coming from seed. There are several styles of bonsai so select a tree that suits the style you wish to create. The choice of pot is also an important consideration and should create a pleasing whole with the bonsai tree. Re-potting is usually required every couple of years depending on the species.

When watering you should be very careful, the bonsai tree should be watered frequently in small quantities. Special soil should be used for growing the bonsai tree, not the normal soil used for houseplants. It needs to have good drainage as the plants don’t like to have “wet feet”.

The application of nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid is essential for a healthy bonsai tree, especially during spring and autumn. Humidity and sunlight are also needed, so try and provide sun for a few hours, so long as the bonsai tree is not an indoor type.

The Original Post is Located Here: Create a Bonsai Tree

You can achieve a quick effect by planting annuals. These are species which sprout, grow to maturity, set seed and die within one season and include such favorites as marigolds, zinnias, alyssum and nasturtium.

Biennials complete their life cycle in two seasons; in the first year they grow and establish then in the following year they produce blooms and die. This group includes pansies, violas, foxgloves and forget-me-nots.

Perennials on the other hand live for three or more years and most are referred to as herbaceous plants meaning that they die down each year but the roots live through the winter and send up new growth in spring. They are best divided every 3-5 years and include asters, chrysanthemums and daisies.

Bulbs are often found in the flower garden though many prefer cold climates. Many are spring flowering so will provide color before the annuals are planted out and before the perennials have begun their new growth. Most bulbs can be left in the ground to return the following year and examples include tulips, daffodils, crocus, gladioli, anemones and dahlias.

A flower garden will often include a mixture of annuals, perennials, bulbs and small trees and shrubs, like rhododendrons and roses, to provide interest throughout the whole year. On the other hand a bed with a mass planting of annuals can look striking or how about a bed dedicated to the ever popular beautiful rose.

Planning

The flower garden should be situated so that it gets plenty of sun away from the shade of trees or buildings for best results. If you want a border then plan to have the larger specimens at the back and the smaller ones to the front. If your flower garden is to be in the form of a bed which has access from all sides then the taller plants should be in the centre.

Some gardeners wouldn’t dream of planting anything without having a comprehensive design and planting plan for their entire yard. Others don’t think about “designing” their gardens until several years down the road. And still other gardeners never develop a long-range or a short-range plan. They do their planning in the moment, poised with a shovel and a couple of homeless plants. Which approach is right for you?

Color

It is worthwhile thinking about the color scheme you want to achieve. Contrasting colors look very effective in the flower garden, for example yellow and blue, or you could try just using one color which looks stunning offset by a display of green foliage. Don’t overlook the effects of foliage plants in the flower garden which can create great interest with color and texture.

Grouping

You will get a much more pleasing effect if the plants in your flower garden are set out in groups of three, five or seven. Using an odd number creates a more natural and informal look though larger shrubs do make good stand alone specimens.

Conditions

Most species prefer sunny conditions, though there are some that thrive in shady spots. Provide a free draining soil enriched with compost and fertilize regularly throughout the growing season. Mulching between the plants will keep the weeds down and help retain moisture in the soil.

Deadhead

You should always deadhead (cut off the spent blooms) to encourage more flowers unless you want to collect the seeds for propagation purposes. Seeds will attract birds to the backyard which, apart from being entertaining, help to keep the insect population under control.

Vases of freshly cut blooms will bring the beauty of nature indoors. When choosing species for your flower garden it’s a good idea to pick colors that will complement the interior of your home. Perfumed varieties are also a good choice.

A flower garden can provide a riot of color in your backyard if you choose but a single color can be equally effective. It all depends on your preference but be sure to make room in your backyard for a flower garden.

The Original Post is Located Here: A Flower Garden for Glorious Color

Plan

When planning for growing vegetables consider that most plants producing fruit will require full sunlight though leafy varieties will take partially shady conditions. Choose a site that is close to the kitchen so that it is easy to nip out and pick what you need. When considering the size of the plot it is better to have a small well maintained area rather than a large neglected one full of weeds.

Growing vegetables amongst garden plants gives an interesting effect as many are ornamental. Others can be grown in containers, especially dwarf or bush varieties, and ones that take up little space such as carrots, radish and lettuce. Just remember that containers need watering frequently, a good idea is to use a Self-Watering Planter . Greenhouses are also a popular place for growing vegetables.

Permanent crops like asparagus or rhubarb need to be planted in a position where they will not interfere with the annual cultivation of the soil. A hotbed or cold frame is best located in a corner and ensure that tall crops will not shade smaller growing vegetables.

As more and more people are becoming aware of the use of pesticides in commercial growing and realizing that many of our natural resources are in limited supply, organic gardening is becoming a  popular alternative.  Growing vegetables in an organic garden will produce fresh vegetables that are produced naturally and cleanly.

Soil

The soil is usually prepared in early spring by tilling or digging with a spade to create a friable, fertile, well drained medium for growing vegetables. It should be reasonably free of stones and well supplied with organic matter which improves the soil and helps release nitrogen, minerals and other nutrients for the plants as it decays.

Commercial fertilizers can be used if desired before or at the time of planting. The amount required will depend on the crops being grown and the composition and pH level of the soil. The county Extension Agent can supply information on soil tests for your locality. Some soils with a natural high fertility may only require the addition of nitrogen or compost. Fertilizers containing small amounts of copper, zinc and manganese are necessary only in areas known to be deficient in those elements. Leafy crops like spinach, cabbage, kale and lettuce often require more nitrogen while root crops such as potatoes, carrots, beets and turnips need more potash.

Seeds and Plants

It is best to buy seeds from a reputable seedsman which are disease free and also buy disease resistant varieties. They can be started indoors, in a greenhouse or cold frame, if you want to get a headstart, or in warmer areas sow directly into prepared beds in the open. If you want to purchase seedlings, look for strong plants with healthy green leaves. Start planting in spring and continue all summer so there is always something fresh and tasty to harvest.

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"><tr><td><img src="" /><td></tr><tr><td><td></tr></table>All the essential information on growing vegetables can be found in this book

Burpee : The Complete Vegetable & Herb Gardener

It is a backyard-gardener’s guide to growing a bountiful, great-tasting harvest. It provides information on how to condition the soil, how and where to plant, sprouting schedules, what kind of yield to expect from each plant variety, and harvesting tips–all in beautiful, illustrated detail. Get your hardback copy today.

Tending the Garden

Generally about 1 inch of water a week is required for growing vegetables. Some of this may come from rain but you will probably need to water the garden yourself either by hand or with an irrigation system. It is better to give the garden a good soaking less often  than water sparingly, every day, which will cause the roots to come to the surface where they can get burned by the sun.

Any weeds that sprout should be hoed up or removed by hand. Weeds will rob plants of water, nutrients and light and some may harbor disease insects and nematodes that will reinfest the garden in the succeeding years.

A few good quality tools such as a spade, rake, hoe, trowel, wheelbarrow and hose will make growing vegetables much easier. All these tools can be safely stored away from harsh weather and crooks in a garden shed.

Protect

Growing vegetables is very rewarding so you should take steps to prevent damage by garden pests. Fences are useful for keeping out dogs, rabbits and deer and can double as a trellis for crops that need support such as beans and tomatoes.

The Original Post is Located Here: Growing Vegetables