Arguing for Paradise

If you have lived all your life in a city, like I have, then your need to be able to view and touch plants is something that has probably haunted you for years. At least in my case, the idea of developing my own garden came naturally one day during a discussion with some friends on my roof. As they saw it, my apartment building had a lot of unused space on the roof, which no one from the rest of the tenants had ever thought of using. Creating my own paradise in the premises of my own house evolved from a simple idea to a challenge that I wished to take.

Most people consider the creation of a roof garden as a wonderful idea, but it takes great motivation and patience if you wish to begin constructing a roof garden on your own. For me, things were rather simple. During the owners and tenants next board meeting, I introduced my ideas on paper and with the help of a visual aid computer program I gave them a first pick on how the roof garden of our building would look like. The reaction was not exactly what I expected to receive. Instead of happy faces and words of encouragement or even declarations from volunteers that they would help, people looked at me as if I had just landed from Mars and begun questioning my intentions. The first question I had to answer had to do with the cost of my roof garden idea. The second with the time period it would take for everything to finish, while the third, fourth and so on, addresses issues like noise, extra building costs, paperwork, licenses and watering. One person even mentioned that he has heard of a building collapsing because of the excess plantation weight on its roof, which I have never heard of!

While some of the questions had some validity, others annoyed me since people seemed to raise them deliberately, so as to put me on the spot for proposing something that everyone would enjoy, but only I would receive the credit for initiating. A few minutes after I began answering everyone's questions, I too began questioning my determination and if I was ready to overcome various problems and address all of their concerns for something I only-apparently-thought as a wonderful, necessary idea. But fortunately enough, I did not surrender without a "fight." After researching on every single concern I heard that evening and coming up with a budget and a time plan, I contacted all those who had initially been opposing my idea. Then I paid courteous visits to each of those people's residences and obtained their signatures on a piece of paper that a lawyer friend put together for my sake. Since everyone was now in agreement, my roof garden project began and I kept myself busy for ten consecutive weekends. Some volunteers did show up and by the time we were about to finish, everyone in the building was excited that they would soon have a place to relax and dine with friends just above their heads at a brand new roof garden!

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Keep Your Garden Growing With Efficient Garden Supply

Having a blooming garden and keeping it well replenished is no longer a distant dream. For continuing garden supply materials, tools and equipments, convenience is the keyword. Today, the Internet has various options wherein you can choose your plant, figure out the right way of planting and pruning shrubs, order the appropriate fertilizers and have everything delivered to your doorstep. Just at the click of your mouse.

Log on to any of these websites, and shop for your garden supply from the comfort of your home.

www.bloomingbulb.com - This site is a good source for quality flower bulbs, rose gardening and other garden supply equipments. You can seek updated information by opting for their newsletters and chats. Testimonials add an authenticity to the site as well.

If you would like to order your garden supply equipment from www.brecks.com, there is a clearance sale available for exclusive members at the moment. A catalog company and an online supplier of premium bulbs, perennials and trees, Brecks provides you with the facility of ordering via traditional mail. The site also offers you the privilege of consulting their expert panel.

Log on to www.charleysgreenhouse.com for garden supply equipment and climate monitors. You can choose from their collection of greenhouse, greenhouse supplies and other items for your garden.

www.deerbusters.com is an interesting site for garden supply that focuses on wildlife control, fences, deer repellents, insect repellents and tips on controlling birds and dogs. This website also has a section for kids. If you choose to order above $50 dollars, you get free shipping and a free return service.

Another garden supply website that may be helpful is www.directgardening.com. One of the most visited sites, DirectGardening has all regular sections on plant care and interesting ones like tip of the week and the gardeners handbook.

www.dutchgardens.com offers you garden supply straight from the Netherlands. You have the privilege of ordering fresh bulbs and plants from Holland. They have a customer service section that can attend your queries. You also have the choice of going through plant finders and shopping related articles. So what is stopping you? Go ahead and plant beautiful tulips at your home in USA and experience a bit of Holland!

If you would like to opt for environment friendly products for garden supply, log on to www.gardensalive.com. They promote organic products in soil care, lawn care, plant care, pest control and weed control. You have the option of signing up for their newsletter or joining the garden solutions club. Their products are supposed to be alternatives to harsh chemicals.

A one-stop shop for your garden supply, www.gurneys.com supplies vegetable seeds and plants, fruit trees, flowering bulbs along with the regular gardening materials. You can check out their Todays Deals section for current updates.

www.krupps.com provides you the regular garden supply materials along with interesting gifting ideas. Besides, this Michigan based company also sells landscaping items like trellis, stepping stones, wishing wells and more.

You may also log on to www.landscapeUSA.com for your regular garden supply. They have an interesting garden library and cater to the needs of both the full-time landscaper and novice gardener.

Options are abundant for those interested in garden supply. Log on to any of the following for more information - www.gemplers.com , www.mastergardening.com, www.michiganbulb.com and more.

So what are you waiting for? Just visit a site, choose your options and order garden supply equipments from the convenience of your home.

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Things To Know Before Buying Lawn Mower Parts

There are many things to be considered when buying lawn mower parts, and its always helpful to have some advice about the do's and don'ts that need to be considered, with this in mind lets begin.

DO
Always make sure that any mower parts, or even mowers that are purchased have a warranty, I can not stress this enough, if you have no warranty you have no leg to stand on when it comes to faulty merchandise, if you have no problem with paying out good money for parts that are most probably going to be faulty, and no use to you anyway- that's fine, otherwise always enquire into the warranty of a product before purchasing.

DON'T
Never buy second hand parts, sure they are cheaper but it is likely they will not be of the quality you desire or will not be covered by a warranty, besides if you buy a part that has been used before, that just means someone has had the best run out of it already. Avoid second hand, pay a little extra for quality.

DO
Seek advice and parts from an approved dealer, it may seem a little more expensive to go through a registered dealer, but they stock the correct parts for your mower and are familiar with the different parts and mowers that they sell. They have had specialist training in their field, you know you can trust their word, it is backed by a huge company.

DON'T
Never use non-brand name parts for your mower, once again they are cheaper, but they aren't always good quality, if you use a non brand part it is likely that you will void your warranty of your mower, if there is a defect arising from using un-approved parts. It's not worth the hassle to save a few dollars.

DO
Be wary of companies, that seem non-professional and are offering parts at 'ridiculously' low prices, these will either be a scam or the parts will most likely be defective. Think to your self, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you deal through a large company, or directly through the company you bought your mower from, you know they aren't going to scam you, then jump up and run away, they have built a product and company name for many years to be where they are now - in the position to offer stability and reliability.

DON'T
Never buy the first part that you see, research, look around see if any reputable companies are offering a good deal for that month, make sure it is an approved dealership, that is one way you can save a few bucks safely, just make sure that the bargain you are buying is exactly what you need, and has a warranty attached to it!

There are many choices available online, when finding parts for your lawn mower, and with proper research and a little know how you can get the best product for your money, and have the information at your fingertips. Keep in mind the do's and don'ts of buying lawn mower parts when researching and you can't go wrong!

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Which is Better, Bare Root or Potted Hostas?

The great debate. Bare Root or Potted Hostas? Which is the best choice for your average home gardener to purchase? Should you only buy potted plants or should you consider buying bare root hostas as well?

Let's cover the basics. A bare root hosta is simply a piece of freshly dug plant and root material. When you dig up an existing hosta clump and divide a few eyes from this clump, you have a piece of bare root hosta. A potted hosta on the other hand, is this same bare root piece of plant material which has been transplanted intoa pot. Usually a potted hosta which is actively growing is proof of a successful transplant experience.

Since bare root pieces still have to endure the transplant process to survive, it is a fact you will have more transplanting success with potted hostas since they are already established. Many hosta vendors may argue this claim but I have found almost all of those who discredit this claim sell bare root hostas exclusively. So it is only natural they are "defending" their livelihood.

My experience is over 20 years growing and selling hostas. I am going to reveal to you what I think is the best solution for most home gardeners. I have dealt with growing and selling both bare-root hosta and potted hostas so my revelations are based on experience.

When is the last time you walked into your local garden center and purchased a bare root hosta? More than likely this has not occurred unless you walked into a specialty hosta grower who digs the plants on the spot. Why is this? I do not understand why the majority of Mail Order firms tend to ship bare root hostas. My only guess is to save on shipping costs?

I think potted hostas are better for the average home gardener. Why? They offer several advantages which include:

No Transplant Shock
Planting Convenience
Survival Rates

There is little or no transplant shock when transferring a nicely rooted potted hosta into the ground. Usually a few sips of water after transplanting and you are done. Bare root hostas on the other hand endure shock since they have been cut or separated from the mother plant. The roots are usually cleaned of all soil. Does this sound natural? Each step causes more shock to the existing plant.

A potted plant offers the buyer the conveniece to plant when he or she has the time. Most potted hostas can last for several month if not longer in their existing pots if need be. This allows the home gardener to plant during a weekend when they have the time, not necessarily immediately upon purchase.

People will argue with me but I dare say potted hostas endure better survival rates when considering the average home gardeners growing environment. I have been involved with growing acres of bare root hostas and thousands of potted hostas. I have witnessed first hand the survival rate of bare root hostas versus potted hostas. Potted hostas outperform bare root hostas any day of the week when it comes to transplanting survival rates. So next time you are looking to add some hostas to you garden just make sure they are potted!

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Essential Tools For The Gardener

There's an appropriate tool for every garden project. Using the right tool will make your job much easier. When shopping for garden tools make sure they're comfortable. Tools which are too heavy can quickly become tiresome while tools which are not heavy enough seem to be poorly made. The handles of well made tools are made from high-quality wood such as ash. The following are the tools which every gardener should own.

Grading Rake
The grading rake is essential for smoothing soil after it has been tilled. Ideal for finish work when preparing planting beds or a new lawn, it enables you to give your garden a finished smooth grade.

Cultivator
These modern gardening tools are available with patented tines to help in cutting the hard compacted soil smoothly. Some cultivators include a border edger. It is perfect for perennial gardens which often end up with compacted soil due to frequent maintenance. Cultivators are great for preparing vegetable gardens and annual beds.

Edger
This gardening helps flower gardens and shrub borders retain their shape. Over time lawn grass begin to encroach on the these gardens and as a result the gardens lose their crisp lines. Edging a garden a few times over the course of a season will prevent grass roots from taking hold in the planting beds.

Pitch Fork
The pitch fork is the perfect tool for aerating compacted soil and preparing garden beds. Pitch forks are also used to divide grasses and perennials. In addition to this these gardening projects the pith fork is often used to spread mulch in the spring.

Reel Mower
Engineless push reel mowers are great for the small lawn. They use no gas, don't pollute and actually give a cleaner cut than a power mower. One drawback is that this type of mower tends to get bogged down a bit in taller grass so more frequent mowing may be necessary. The modern version of this type of mower is light weight and easy to maneuver.

Hand Pruners
For cleaner, more precise cuts, look for hand shears with bypass blades, which slip past each other when closed and cut the branch cleanly. Hand pruners are able to prune branches of 1 inch (2.5 cm) and smaller diameter. Select a pair of garden shears that fits comfortably in your hand.

Loppers
These are basically pruners with long handles which provide leverage and the ability to prune branches up to 2 inches (5 cm) thick.

Compact Pruning Saw
This is a very convenient and useful tool which is small enough fit into the middle of a shrub to cut a branch.

Over the winter, head out to the shed and take an inventory of your gardening tools. Be sure you have what you'll need for next season's garden projects. More than likely there's a tool on this list you'll need.

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Planting An Herb Garden

Herbs of all kinds have been cultivated and used for thousands of years. They have been used for cooking, tea and medicinal purposes. Herb gardens easy to grow and require little maintenance. The following article covers the basics of starting an herb garden.

Plan your garden before planting it. Consider the herbs you want to plant and what you'll use them for. Herbs grow in various ways; some herbs, such as thyme, are low growing and spreading while others, such as parsley, grow in clumps. Mint is a taller, vigorously growing herb which often needs to be contained. Herbs are considered either annuals or perennials and many will bloom just like more traditional flowers.

List or draw your garden on paper first. If you know the size of your garden you'll easily be able to choose the appropriate plants. Likewise, if you have certain herbs in mind you'll able to plan the right size garden. Plant the annuals and the perennials in different locations in the garden. When fall arrives and you have to pull out the annuals, you won't disturb the perennials. Perennials can be planted on the edge of your garden so when it is time to till your garden they won't be in danger of being dug up.

Research the growth habit of the herbs you plant in the garden. As a general garden design rule, plan your garden with the tall herbs at the back and the short ones in front. Also, give your plants with enough space to grow; many of the spreading herbs require quite a bit of space. In fact, some can be quite invasive and require frequent pruning.

If you lack the adequate space for a garden, plant your herbs in containers. Be sure to use a high quality planting mix. A good planting mix will feed your plants throughout the entire growing season.

Designing your garden depends on the plants you choose as well as your own preferences. Square beds can be divided into four by two paths crossing at mid point. You can border it with stone or brick. A more rustic idea is to create a wagon wheel bed. Plant your herbs within the wagon wheel's wedges. Locate the garden where they'll be easiest to access; especially if you plan on using them in your cooking. An herb garden adjacent to a patio usually works well. Kitchen window boxes are also a great place to plant herbs.

Though different herbs have different needs, a sunny location is almost always necessary. Add lime to your garden since many herbs also prefer alkaline soil. Become familiar with the herbs you'll be planting and design and prepare your garden accordingly. Though perennial herbs can be planted anytime during the growing season, annuals should be planted in the spring, after there is no longer a chance of frost. You can also start herbs from seed, just be sure to follow the directions on the packet for soil, watering and temperature.

Herbs are simple to grow and, once established, easy to maintain. If you provide them with adequate drainage, a sunny spot, water and nutrient rich, organic soil, your herb garden with thrive for years.

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Hydroponics - Growing Plants Without Soil

Derived from the Greek "water working", hydroponics simply means growing plants in either a bath or flow of highly oxygenated, nutrient rich water. The strange part is hydroponics does not need soil to grow. During hydroponics water is enriched with nutrients salts, creating a hydroponics nutrient solution that remains perfectly balanced. The advantage of hydroponics is it does not harm the environment as does waste from fertilized soils.

Requirements for hydroponics

Hydroponics systems cannot be applicable in poor growing conditions such as improper temperature, inadequate light, or pests' problems.
Following are the requirements for hydroponics plants to survive:
? Water - you have to provide adequate amount of water. If the aggregate amount of water is not enough to keep the roots sufficiently moist, then the plants may dry and die. Make sure that water contains adequate [neither excess nor less] amount of alkalinity, sodium or salt contents for survival of hydroponics.
? Oxygen - plants will require good amount of oxygen for respiration to carry out their work of nutrients and water uptake. The best way to supply oxygen is to bubble the air through the water solution.
? Temperature - hydroponics grow well within limited temperature range. Either too high or too low temperature results in reduced productions and abnormal developments of the plants.
? Light - plants like vegetables and fruits grown through hydroponics need at least 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight each day to produce well. However as an alternative to sunlight, you can apply incandescent light or high-pressure sodium lamps to produce the same effects.
? Mineral nutrients - green plants must absorb certain minerals through their roots to survive. The essential elements needed in large quantities include potassium, calcium, nitrogen, magnesium, phosphorus and sulfur.

Hydroponics may also be called "controlled environmental agriculture" as it helps to control the environmental systems like water, light, CO2, oxygen, pH and nutrients.

Hydroponics growing technique

Hydroponics has a completely different growing technique method as compared to normal gardening methods.
Following are the brief ways you can grow hydroponics:
? Nutrient film technique - the nutrient is fed into grow tubes where the roots draw it up. While a thin film of nutrient allows the roots to have constant contact with nutrients and the air layer above, the excess nutrient is drawn back into the reservoir.
? Aeroponics or deep water culture - in this system the roots are misted within a chamber. A pump pushes the water with nutrient solution through sprayers, keeping the roots wet while providing a maximum amount of oxygen.
? Drip-irrigation - this is also known as micro-irrigation where a controlled amount of solution is continuously drip-fed over the medium and root system. There is another tube that gets connected to the lower part of the garden system to recover the solution.
? Home hobbyists system - these systems include deep water and aeroponics systems, which are more famous with housewives and children.

Grow hydroponics in your home, restaurant or office to give a completely different and fresh touch to the surrounding ambience.

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