A Fountain Bird Bath Can Help Make Your Garden More Enjoyable

A fountain bird bath is a great way for both you and your backyard birds have more fun out in your yard. Not only will also add a wonderful ambience to your garden along with the soothing sounds of trickling water, but it will also attract a huge variety of different species of wild birds.

In fact, birds cannot resist the trickling water that can be found in these types of bird baths. And there is nothing more fascinating on a hot summer day and watching birds frolic under the water of your phone while they enjoy a refreshing bath.

There are a few things you want to look out for when buying a fountain bird bath. First of all, you might want to opt for a solar powered one so that you don't have to worry about where to plug in. However if you do get one that needs electricity you want to be sure that you have a source close by.

Another thing to consider is the depth of the birdbath bowl. He'll get one that's too deep because birds prefer shallow bowl and will actually avoid one that is deeper than 3 inches. That being said, if you do find one that you fall in love with and it is deeper than that , you can always fill it up with little stones or pebbles to make it shallower.

The other thing, is that you want the surface of the birdbath to be little bit gritty so the birds can grip it and get a good purchase on the edges.

Of course, the location that you install the birdbath is critical because you wanted to be a place where birds feel safe and comfortable so that they can let their guard down and really have fun in the bath! Make sure it is in a somewhat sheltered spot where other animals can't sneak up on them.

Once you have your fountain bird bath installed and working properly, you want to be sure that you keep it clean. Cleaning out at least once a week is imperative that you might want to clean it every day during summer. You wouldn't want to be that dirty water and neither do your birds. Keeping it free of mold and algae will help ensure that it is a safe environment for your feathered backyard friends.

Kill the Bugs not the Kids

In my case the kids refers to 2 dogs and 2 cats with a taste for house plants. The cats in particular are fond of anything green trying to survive indoors. But not to be outdone Roxy our precocious 3 year old Blue Heeler mix has a thing for my small grove of citrus trees. I find her munching on the leaves regularly. So when I noticed several of the citrus trees infested with spider mites... well lets just say I thought I was faced with a choice of the trees or the kids. And some times that is a tough choice to make.



I have grown the little trees from seeds. The seeds all came from the old fashioned method of saving seeds from fruit rather than tossing them out. Everyone told me "They will never grow" or "They will never produce fruit". The common assumption being fruit is irradiated to kill bugs and such, so the seeds would not be viable.



I have withstood much ribbing and teasing by my spouse and friends, regarding their viability. Much to their chagrin, the seeds did sprout. In fact nearly all of the seeds sprouted and several of the little trees have flourished. These I have protected and pruned. they have become more than the little experiment that I started on.  They are still little more than tiny saplings, and consequently none have flowered, yet. Regardless they have become a symbol, of something bigger. That I was right, and they were wrong.



Even more than the validation of my idea, they make me feel anything is possible. Very few citrus plants can grown in my region. So these little guys surviving is a symbol of hope, and survival.

Attributing so much to these 7 little trees, is a bit much, and setting yourself up for heartbreak, I know. But here I am with all this hope, anticipation and everything.



Now imagine my horror when I noticed something attacking one of the little trees. It seemed to be sucking the life out of it. Once I noticed, the infestation was quite advanced. Several of the trees were affected, and one was in dire shape indeed.



I started the way I always do, pruning away the most affected areas. This had a minimal effect.



So now there I was, my hope infected with mites. Could I disregard my deep sense of dislike for chemicals, to save the "orchard"? Or was there another, better way?



I always want to use organic methods. Up until that point, I had no real nasty bugs to eliminate. So it had been easy, and I was clueless.



I didn't want to make the kids sick. I want to use organic methods, if possible. I want to save the little trees. So, what to do?



The internet is an amazing tool. After a few minutes of research I found a whole host of solutions, and in that search I located a site that has become a lifeline, Arbico Organics.



For the past 30 years Arbico Organics has been producing and marketing natural products for organic homes, businesses, lawns, gardens, farms and pets. They had several products that work for the problem I was faced with.



Since purchasing the  spray for my little trees, I have not noticed any recurrence of spider mites. The trees again look healthy. And none of the kids seems to have had the slightest ill effects. I am hopeful that after 2 or 3 more growing seasons they will finally flower, but if they just survive that long I will be proud. For now they are a nice little edition to our deck in summer, and our guestroom in winter.

About the Author: Christian Hammer is a self proclaimed Serial Entrepreneur, inventor and green advocate. His website, www.mindzle.com is a resource for people who are wanting to live a more sustainable life, but don't necessarily know how to get started, or are worried about how they can afford it. He tries to lead by example, with a wide variety of projects, ideas and how-to's.

Garden furniture and accessories are ideal for Christmas

While it most certainly isn’t the season to use them, garden furniture and garden accessories make ideal Christmas gifts for this year. There’s something out there for every garden’s space and requirements, and will bring friends and family a great deal of pleasure long into the new year. A selection of garden themed gifts is a great way to ensure that the presents you buy are useful and will have some longevity in the households of those you give them to.

Think of the possibilities; garden furniture could include anything from a set of plastic chairs and a table, to a wrought iron and wood bench, or a barbecue set, or a parasol to keep the sun (and rain) off. Garden lighting is also a great idea for gifts, and it is now available as solar powered, battery powered or mains powered items, so there really is something for every home and every pocket.

There are many possibilities for any taste and any space, and in these difficult time it is most important for gifts to be functional and useful in order to be great value for you and great to receive for the people you give them to.  They are reusable, which is always a good thing, and thus they will continue to be admired and appreciated for a long time to come.

So, consider garden furniture, accessories and appliances for Christmas this year, and ensure that the gifts you buy will be loved for many years to come. Plus, you could even enjoy these items with your friends and family after Christmas. Why not stage your own celebrations once Spring arrives, just to celebrate life and the warming of the seasons?  We wish you all the very best in your search for the ideal garden items this Christmas, and we also wish you the very best for the festive period and the new tear. We’ll see you outside!

Tips For Planting Roses

Planting a garden is one of lifes joys and roses are an old standby for any garden and one of the worlds favorite flowers. There are over 5,000 varieties of roses in the United States and they can be used to enhance your garden in many ways — as creepers, shrubs, vines, climbers, hedges or just as beds of pure colour.

When picking out roses for your garden, it is important to get healthy plants. Make sure the stems are green and not shriveled and the roots are moist and partly fibrous. The most expensive rose is not always the best rose; it may be only a newcomer, much discussed and, therefore, a favorite.

In general, there are two types of roses: bush roses and climbers. Bush roses are shrub like and climbers produce canes that require some sort of support. The most commonly planted type of bush rose is the hybrid tea rose. Other types of bush roses include polyanthas (roses in large clusters), the fioribundas (large-flowered polyanthas), and the hybrid perpetuals (vigorous growers with a great crop in June and continuous blooming throughout the summer).

The climbers include ramblers, whose long pliant canes have large clusters of small roses that can be used for covering walls, fences and banks. The climbers also are pillar roses, adapted to growing near buildings and on posts and the climbing hybrid tree.

If you are contemplating planting roses in your garden, make sure you pick out the proper spot and prepare the soil appropriately. You should use garden loam with organic matter that contains peat moss, leaf mould, compost, rotted or commercial manure. Prepare your soil ahead of time so that you can allow for settling.

You can plant roses in fall or spring, but fall is actually best. When planting roses, inspect the roots to make sure they have not dried and if they have make sure you soak them before planting. Trim off any broken, weak or long roots.

Set the plant in a hole that is large enough so that the roots can spread. The part of the plant where the top attaches to the roots (called the bud) should be just under the surface of the ground. Plants should be spaced 18” apart. Prune the branches back to about 8” from the soil.

Keeping your roses fresh and healthy all year is important.You must spray, prune and cultivate in order for your roses to be lush and beautiful. If you have a well-cultivated bed you need not worry about watering. But if you start to water in hot weather, you must keep it up, soaking the roots thoroughly about once a week.
Spraying every 10 days guards against the diseases and insects that attack roses. Nicotine sulphate wipes out the green lice; arsenate of lead is used against chewing insects; or sulphur and arsenate of lead may be used in a dust, as may DDT dust.

When winter approaches, protect your roses by piling sod or straw mulch around them. If you have climbing roses, remove the supports and place the canes on the ground, peg them, and cover with soil mounds.

Growing Basil - How to Grow Basil

Herbs are beneficial in many ways. Growing basil (or Ocimum basilicum) is an excellent addition to your flourishing herb garden. I am pleased to introduce, Basil, a sweet herb, member of the Mint Family. Sweet Basil is the most popular grown basil plant but it grows in a host of other varieties. When it comes to old age medical remedies, and flavoring meals, basil is the best.


Folklore-

Growing basil has a special significance in many cultures throughout the world. Indians swore oaths with basil leaves in court. Italian lovers would wear a piece of basil in their hair when courting ladies. A popular Mexican belief is that carrying basil would return a cheating lover.


Medical uses-

There are big health benefits of growing basil. The herb is a natural source of beta-carotene, which is packed with Vitamin A. Basil, is a cure-all herb that can treat many disorders and ailments from headaches to indigestion. In fact, the list of benefits from this herb proves it so powerful; Basil is considered the “King” of herbs.


Growing Basil-

Don't worry, growing basil is a breeze. The seed can be sown indoors, then transplanting outside at a later date. If you lack the space for growing basil outdoors, it can be grown inside. The plant needs plenty of sun to thrive. You can use fluorescent ’grow’ bulbs if there is inadequate lighting in your home.

Sow the seed in a warm time of year, about 1" apart. After a few leaves have grown, the basil can then be re-planted. But, always be sure the last frost has past.

Add a some mulch of about three inches. Organic mulch is an excellent choice. Water about once a week, preferably in the morning. Never use too much fertilizer, as this can remove the unique odor from the herb.

When re-planting, dig the herbs in at least 1 – 1 feet apart from each other, to ensure appropriate growing space. For growing basil, it has essentially two requirements, well-drained soil, and a sunny, moist area.

Prune at least every 2 weeks to increase the health of the plant. Clip leaves back to about a quarter inch above a node and leave enough foliage for continued growth. Remove dead heads from flower stems for it to continue in good health.

Try growing basil near tomato plants. Both of these plants require above average sunlight, and watering, so it is convenient to place them close to each other. Basil next to tomato – like bolognese sauce! Basil also acts as a natural insect repellent, either in the home kitchen, or to keep pests away from other plants.

After 6” of growth, the top leaves are ready to be clipped. This herb has been known to reach heights of up to 24 inches. Growing basil is a big benefit to both your garden and your household.

Silk Flowers-Adding Spice to your World

Silk flowers are a great way to add color to any places that you can think of. Beyond the beauty of a silk flower lies its ability to spice up any occasions, such the most important day of your life- your wedding day.  Like natural flowers, silk flowers can offer you the same loveliness and attractiveness, as if they were the real thing.

More and more people are using silk flowers for their wedding day’s floral arrangements.  Most commonly used are the white silk flowers, but depending on your motif, you can consider some of these silk flowers:

Tropical Silk Flowers: If you want your wedding to have a Hawaiian atmosphere, then tropical silk flowers are best for you.They can offer your wedding a brilliant, summery, gorgeous and foreign look.  Brighten up your mood with the variety of colors to choose from, like red, pink, orange, white and purple. 

Daisy Flowers: Bring your wedding to life with daisy’s magical blend of fresh and innocent charm.  Daisy flowers are elegantly sweet and are just the right flowers for your big day.They are ideal if you like to provide your wedding a touch of summer or spring setting.  You can also use daisy flowers as accessories for you hair or as a necklace or bracelet.

Hydrangea Flowers: Add some romantic look on your wedding with the adorable beauty of hydrangea flowers.  From their wonderful and stunning look, they are also great for summer or spring themed weddings.  Hydrangea flowers are like small blossoms that come in the colors white, red, pink and purple.

Flowers in acrylic water: You can also choose the beautiful fresh blooms of flowers in acrylic water.It’s a well-known way to build your wedding day look lovely and great.  You can add some fragrance to make them look and smell sweeter.

Silk flowers are a fun way to add some color to your wedding day without worrying much about wilting. With today’s more advanced designs made on silk flowers, you are sure that they are specially designed to look even more realistic and adorable.

Thinking about Practicing the Art of Bee Keeping?

Beekeeping

When people start a hobby some of the things they will think about are fishing, bungee jumping, sky diving as these may be what they have always wanted to do. There is however one hobby that is sweet so to speak which has millions of people engaged in it, this is the art of bee keeping. Bee keeping is not only a hobby though, it can even be a part or full time job and business. What makes bee keeping attractive to many is that is does not require a lot of capital to start of with and thus keeping the start up costs really quite low and affordable.

Things To Note Before You Commit

While the hobby of bee keeping can be a very sweet and rewarding one, there are a few things that one has to consider before starting off. One thing anyone needs to consider is that apiarists or bee keepers are stung by the bees they look after on many occasions, so you will need to check that you and everyone else who will be working with you do not have allergic reactions to bee stings. It is quite easy to know if you are prone to allergic reactions by seeing swelling at the sting site, possible rashes or welts on the body, and swelling of the passageways.

While you may be able to handle most of the basics of bee keeping on your own, it is always helpful to have a partner help you with some of the chores. Heavy lifting is a particular problem when moving the hive boxes so having a helper could be a godsend, unless of course, you can handle the added burden.

Do the Research

Bee keeping is more than just tending to the hives … it is understanding that there are specific duties and activities that take place at distinct times throughout the year.  Bee keeping duties wait for no man regardless of whether or not it is the deep cold winter or a sweltering summer. Apprentice with an apiarist or head to the library to check out as many books and resources as possible.

You must know the difference between the drones, queen bees and workers are in order to succeed in bee keeping as the roles of each are very important to the survival of the hive. Learn what the frames are for, why you smoke some hives out and how to harvest honey and the comb produced.

The important thing that everyone wanting to practice bee keeping appreciates is that the bee keeping equipment is not costly at all nor is it cumbersome or difficult in maintaining. However that said, it is still important for you to diligently research and find out what you really need to purchase only these when starting off. A reliable bee smoker, a good bee suit, veil and hive tool are considered to be the minimum set of tools needed necessary for the job to be done. There are however a list of other equipment needed in the bee keeping hobby that one needs to consider such as the winter protection in addition to honey extraction tools. Just ensure that your level of commitment and your continuing knowledge is used well to guide you through your new adventure in bee keeping.

Growing An Organic Garden gives satisfaction

Growing an organic garden can be a quite stimulating and challenging experience.  The know-how for growing vegetables, flowers and some other plants have been around for eons but creating an organic garden has only recently become a quite popular pursuit. There are many people who don't like the thought of cooking food that has been poisoned with harsh fertilizers and other unholy things. They do not want the idea of taking chemicals around their houses and neighborhoods to maintain their garden. Growing an organic garden calls for knowledge that can be developed in several different places. People who want to grow an organic garden can discover several publications on this issue. These books will offer great information that will help a dedicated gardener create a fantastic garden without harsh fertilizers or pesticides.

Many organic garden centers are available to help gardeners who want to grow plants with natural organic materials. The staff at these garden centers are experts in planting an organic garden, and they are very often willing to provide advice. Organic garden centers have people working who can give new findings on soils, fertilizers and pesticides.  They sometimes provide courses that are open to their customers.  The garden centers normally have all the necessary items for organic gardens on stock.  In addition to this, the centers normally have plants that will thrive using all natural products.

Maintaining An Organic Garden is not Possible without Knowledge Of Techniques

Growing an organic garden requires some study in order to achieve positive results.  Best soil is the basic ingedient for planting an organic garden.  Soil differs greatly from area to area so a closer investigation into the soil is an important step in planting an organic garden.  Natural fertilizers can be mixed with the soil to make it work perfect for an organic garden.  There are also techniques that can be used to make the soil ready for planting. A devoted gardener is able prepare the soil for thriving plants with only natural supplements.

Creating and maintaining an organic garden requires a knowledge of the insects and some other bugs that are detrimental to a successful garden. There are people who use a pesticide to get rid of unwanted pests.  However, there are several elements that can be added to a garden to rid the area of useless pests.  Ladybugs can be given to a garden to rid the garden of aphids.  The presence of these interesting little insects is very good for a garden.  A special type of wasp is also good at killing caterpillars and aphids.  The wasps and the ladybugs do not hurt the plants, of course they will eliminate the bugs that will harm the garden.

How to Water Orchid Plants

We owe it to orchid and other flower growers, at least in part, for the recent movement to make full use of the water that reaches our homes, especially that which comes down as rain. If you are growing orchids, this is a subject you might wish to investigate.

Orchids, similar to most other plants, have specific likes and dislikes as to the water given them to nourish their roots. Most of them do not like hard water. Unfortunately, the water that comes out of the taps in many places is too hard for orchids to thrive at their best. Rarely will hard water actually kill them. It might stunt their growth, though, or keep them from ever blooming as wonderfully as they might otherwise.

A saving grace about orchid plants is the fact that they possess thick, fleshy roots that can stand up to hard water better than many other sorts of plants. Hardwood plants, for instance, with their fine roots, are easily ruined by water that is overly hard. Nontheless, you should avoid using hard water on orchid plants if you can possibly avoid it.

There are filters you can purchase to add to your water line that will make your water less hard while blocking many impurities that would be bad for humans and plants both. But nothing is better than good old rainwater when it comes to your orchids! After all, this is the form of water that Mother Nature supplies to plants the world over.

A number of companies manufacture rain barrels that are great for catching and holding rainwater until you need it. Many homeowners set up the barrels below the rainspouts coming from their roofs. With some planning and work, you could set up several rain barrels to channel water directly to your orchid plants. Then your watering chore, assuming you live in a fairly rainy area, becomes virtually hands-free.

Whatever water you use, don't apply it to your orchids if it has a chill on it. For example, I would never use water taken from an outdoor faucet on a cold winter's day, without first allowing it to come to room temperature in my home or greenhouse. Cold water can result in spots on the plant, rot the new growths and injure the roots.

Some orchids will get benefit from water with some lime mixed in it. In years gone by, people noticed that imported Cypripedium orchids often were covered with chalky lime deposits due to the plants having grown in limestone rock crevices where water trickled down upon them. So if you have a Cypripedium, you could experiment with adding lime to its water, a little at first and then more if you determine that the plant is responding well to it.

The art of orchid cultivation is a fascinating subject. Orchid growing is not as difficult as some people make it out to be, but you need to arm yourself with solid information before plunging in to this rewarding pastime. 

The most complete guidebook to 21st-century orchid cultivation, beyond question, is Orchid Care Expert by a Mr. Nigel Howard, which can be downloaded over the Internet. Howard's wonderful guide will furnish a complete education on the subject. As well, visit the Orchid Secrets web site, which has a growing library of articles on many topics of orchid cultivation.

What is Worm Farming?

Worm farming has been around for years on various scales.  However most people don't really understand the need for farming worms, people who already participate in this activiting fully understand it and realize the great benefit that is bestowed upon the environment.  If you care for the ecosystem and also the garden then worm farming is perhaps for you.

Many worm farmers commercially culture worms for profit.  Specific breeds of worms are bred and are typically kept in breed specific quarters.  Commercially raised worms are typically sold for composting.  There are even landfills that buy worms so that the waste can be composted naturally.  

As worms dig through the soil, they aerate and stir up the soil carrying water with them.  When worms compost the waste it's basically broken down and turned into a product that the soil in your garden can use therefore improving fertilization .

In recent years, the availability of the equipment needed for worm farming has made it easier for individuals to make a hobby of this technique.  Household sized bins are on the market in a variety of shapes and sizes.  

Worm farming provides worms with a nutrient rich diet of what many times is thrown out with the garbage including discarded fruits and vegetables.  Other compostable materials include paper products and cotton rags, leaves, egg shells and hair.  What the worms then produce is called vermicompost  is perfect for feeding your plants.

Worm farming can also be an excellent educational tool.  It's also often seen as a very space-efficient means of composting kitchen waste, small kits can be purchased and even hand made to be used in a classroom setting.  Kids can then be taught about the importance of reducing what we put into landfill and how worms can really help us.

It might surprise you just how many different places you are able to farm worms.  With the various systems available on the market today, home owners can raise their own supply of worms outside or in an apartment.  Providing the correct amount of moisture, light, bedding, temperature and food you should be rewarded with a healthy population of worms.

What is Composting?

Many people who are gardeners or care about the environment at putting in kitchen and garden waste into composts thus turning these waste products into something alltogether more useful for the garden.  What happens is that the process of composting is basically speeding up the natural process of decomposition.  If you are a keen gardener then composting is somthing that you should understand.

Don't confuse compost with soil.  This is something that a lot of people beleive but it really isn't anything like the dirt you find just lying about on the ground.  If you want lush and healthy plants then giving them compost will really help because you are also giving them the nutrients they need.

If you have never done any composting before then you need to understand what options are available to you – what type of container and style suits your project, what you will be putting into your compost bin, and where you are going to be locating the bin.  No matter what choices you have to make, the process of composting happens in the same manner.  It is a breakdown of waste materials as they are digested by microbes (bacteria and fungi).

Without these microbes your waste cannot be turned into compost.  In order for the microbes to do the job needed, they require certain things such as food, air and water all in the correct quantities.  For great compost you should consider using earthworms.

People who have never owned a compost before in their lives are under the misconception that composts are automatically smelly it is most likely the result of not enough air circulating throughout the waste material.  Without air, the material will still breakdown but it will be done by anaerobic microbes (organisms that do not need oxygen) as opposed to aerobic (ones that need oxygen).  If you discover that your compost is emmitting a foul smell then you should add in some cardboads and also turn the compost with a fork to allow more air into it.  Wood chips or hay are good for a good compost.

Composting is good for the environment and your garden – it prevents waste from enetrying landfill and also adds much needed nutrients to your soil.

The Botany of the Orchid

Orchids (more formally, Orchidacea) are a grouping of plants comprising more than 20,000 named species, quite a few of which are very valuable commercially. Many people consider them to be by far the most intriguing order of plants in the entire vegetable kingdom because of their curious mode of growth and existence, their bizarre habits and the many shapes and forms of their flowers, which are quite distinct from those of all other plants -- delicate seeming in texture and with wonderful, glowing tints.

Orchids are also remarkable owing to their well-known adaptability and the degree to which they will easily cross breed or cross fertilize. This is so in their natural habitats as well as under cultivation. This fact also accounts for the virtually endless varieties of flowers and colors that can be the outcome of hybridization.

Some botany: The orchid flower as a rule consists of these parts: the sepals, petals, the labellum (or pouch), and the column or crest.

The labellum is usually the most conspicuous part as well as the most important organ of the flower. Insects go into it looking for the sweet juices stored within the spur or walls of the flower, pollinating the plant as they do so and bringing about cross-fertilization in the bargain. This is how so many new varieties come about in the wild, and these are the orchids that are termed natural hybrids.  But under cultivation this task must be performed by human caretakers using tiny camel's hair brushes and with a careful eye and judgment as to the right moment for fertilization. It is in this manner that the loveliest hybrids are produced, and these are known as garden hybrids.

Among the the things that makes growing orchids so much fun is the possibility of creating our own hybrid orchids. This takes knowledge and a good bit of patience, but even non-professionals have created astounding orchids by experimenting with hybridization.

If you're interested in experimenting with the hybridization of orchids, you should first gain some good experience in basic cultivation of these plants.Only after you have gained confidence in working with orchids should you try the more demanding task of hybridization. Orchids are slow growing, and slow to come to bloom, so you must be prepared to wait often years to find out if your hybridizing attempts are successful. Nevertheless, when it succeeds, it's fantastic experience.  You can produce not only some beautiful flowers by this method, but also orchid varieties never before seen in the world.

Clearly, you must obtain all the information that you can before trying your hand at hybridizing orchids. Fortunately, there are good books available on all aspects of orchid growing, including step-by-step instructions on hybridization.

The most complete guide to 21st-century orchid care, as increasing numbers are learning, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which can be downloaded from the Internet. Mr. Howard's ebook is a full course in itself, suitable for neophytes as well as the more experienced. Additionally, check out the Orchid Secretssite, which is publishing a growing library of entries on many topics of orchid cultivation.