The best pest advice anyone can give.

?

The best way to keep those little pests at bay is to start with a clean room. Sterilise in between uses with chlorine or bleach or some other potent form of strong cleaning fluid.

Also when taking cuttings or seedlings from the nurseries or friends drench them in something like Dead Red or some other general purpose insecticide. Really drench them cause the last thing that you want is other people's problems in the form of pests and diseases.??Pests can ruin even a experts garden.

Even when planting I give them a good squirt as a precautionary measure that has saved my Garden from being infested.

You can also use a natural pesticide called Neem that you can use all the way up to harvest. It has no residual and stops the pests from breeding and feeding.

Also if you have used no chemicals you can employ beneficial bugs to eliminate the problem. This is the best solution because they don't stop until they have eaten all there prey.

Just drop us a line and we can give you advice or check out your local store for products and solutions that I have not mentioned here.

Happy Gardening

By Pepelapue

4/06/2009

www.richmondhydroponics.com.au

We have a huge range of Nutrients, Additives and all the Supplies/Equipment at awesome prices.? We have tested all the procuts we sell ?and they come up to a high standard otherwise they get rejected. No Matter how good the idea is it has to work to make it onto our site.?. We have a secure site that ensures peace of mind when inputing your credit card details.So give us a try you will not be dissapointed. We?deliver worldwide.?Goto www.richmondhydroponics.com.au

Vapir Vaporizers

Hi all I was looking for and easy way to quit cigarettes and came acroos these digital?vaproisers. That vaporize instead of burning and not only that. You can inhale any essence of any plant including but not limited to Lavender, Peppermint and Spearmint. They are available with special Nicohale Disks which are another way to quit for good the unhealthy pratices that we have become addicted to.?The Lavender for example is very relaxing and can be grown legally in the back yad. It can also be used for aromatherapy to soothe the soul all while being healthy. What a break through man has been burning things for satsifaction for centuries so these products will help so many people that until now have not?been able to give up the unhealthy habit of burning tobacco to get what we think is relief. When in actual fact it is generating more stress and raising our heart rates. We have these items available for purchase for this Xmas. Sorry for the delay but I believe in tesing everthing we sell and I can report they are awesome. I have had mine for over twelve months and I love it. Goto http://www.richmondhydroponics.com.au/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=215?to purchase in complete security. It will be despatched to your door in discreet packaging in the name of Coogan Water. I am?getting a site built that will have demos and heaps of information of the benefits and stratagies for smoking cessation. So stay tuned and I will post it on the dictionary front page as news.?

Jason

Ablite 600 Watt Icebox kit complete with Adjusta shade.

The lighting package is the biggest seller we have. Because it is made in Australia using only the highest standards known to man. They come with a Full two year no hassles?warranty.?They also use alot less electricty than most of it's cousins. To top it off I sell them cheaper than most of my competitors sell the cheap Asian varities. They are also quieter than it's cousins as well. Our kit come with a bulb of your choice and the shade of your choice. But with the added reflection from the Adjusta shade most people go with them. The price is too hot to print go to www.richmondhydroponics.com.au . It is a very secure site that can handle all of your shopping needs.

The best pest advice anyone can give.

?

The best way to keep those little pests at bay is to start with a clean room. Sterilise in between uses with chlorine or bleach or some other potent form of strong cleaning fluid.

Also when taking cuttings or seedlings from the nurseries or friends drench them in something like Dead Red or some other general purpose insecticide. Really drench them cause the last thing that you want is other people's problems in the form of pests and diseases.??Pests can ruin even a experts garden.

Even when planting I give them a good squirt as a precautionary measure that has saved my Garden from being infested.

You can also use a natural pesticide called Neem that you can use all the way up to harvest. It has no residual and stops the pests from breeding and feeding.

Also if you have used no chemicals you can employ beneficial bugs to eliminate the problem. This is the best solution because they don't stop until they have eaten all there prey.

Just drop us a line and we can give you advice or check out your local store for products and solutions that I have not mentioned here.

Happy Gardening

By Pepelapue

4/06/2009

Vapir Vaporizers

Hi all I was looking for and easy way to quit cigarettes and came acroos these digital?vaproisers. That vaporize instead of burning and not only that. You can inhale any essence of any plant including but not limited to Lavender, Peppermint and Spearmint. They are available with special Nicohale Disks which are another way to quit for good the unhealthy pratices that we have become addicted to.?The Lavender for example is very relaxing and can be grown legally in the back yad. It can also be used for aromatherapy to soothe the soul all while being healthy. What a break through man has been burning things for satsifaction for centuries so these products will help so many people that until now have not?been able to give up the unhealthy habit of burning tobacco to get what we think is relief. When in actual fact it is generating more stress and raising our heart rates. We have these items available for purchase for this Xmas. Sorry for the delay but I believe in tesing everthing we sell and I can report they are awesome. I have had mine for over twelve months and I love it. Goto http://www.richmondhydroponics.com.au/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=215?to purchase in complete security. It will be despatched to your door in discreet packaging in the name of Coogan Water. I am?getting a site built that will have demos and heaps of information of the benefits and stratagies for smoking cessation. So stay tuned and I will post it on the dictionary front page as news.?

Jason

Ablite 600 Watt Icebox kit complete with Adjusta shade.

The lighting package is the biggest seller we have. Because it is made in Australia using only the highest standards known to man. They come with a Full two year no hassles?warranty.?They also use alot less electricty than most of it's cousins. To top it off I sell them cheaper than most of my competitors sell the cheap Asian varities. They are also quieter than it's cousins as well. Our kit come with a bulb of your choice and the shade of your choice. But with the added reflection from the Adjusta shade most people go with them. The price is too hot to print go to www.richmondhydroponics.com.au . It is a very secure site that can handle all of your shopping needs.

The correct way to prepare your nurtient.

The correct way to prepare your nutrient tank is to firstly add the finest water you can get your hands on ( reverse osmosis filters are the best and cheapest way to get pure water). Then add part A and stir very well (i use a pump to stir for me). Then part B and do the same stir very well. Adjust your EC level of the tank to the desired level.?If you use additives then now is the time to add those into the tank. Finally then check and adjust the PH to betwee 5.5 and 6.5. 6 being the optimum level to reach if possible. Also if you add to much Up or Down solution you cannot correct it. You have to dump the tank and start again. Doh !!

Happy Gardening

Neem Repel

For Indoor/Outdoor use on ornamental flowering plants, trees, shrubs, foliage.

All Natural Disease and Pest control

Neem Repel

For Indoor/Outdoor use on ornamental flowering plants, trees, shrubs, foliage.

All Natural Disease and Pest control

The best pest advice anyone can give.

?

The best way to keep those little pests at bay is to start with a clean room. Sterilise in between uses with chlorine or bleach or some other potent form of strong cleaning fluid.

Also when taking cuttings or seedlings from the nurseries or friends drench them in something like Dead Red or some other general purpose insecticide. Really drench them cause the last thing that you want is other people's problems in the form of pests and diseases.??Pests can ruin even a experts garden.

Even when planting I give them a good squirt as a precautionary measure that has saved my Garden from being infested.

You can also use a natural pesticide called Neem that you can use all the way up to harvest. It has no residual and stops the pests from breeding and feeding.

Also if you have used no chemicals you can employ beneficial bugs to eliminate the problem. This is the best solution because they don't stop until they have eaten all there prey.

Just drop us a line and we can give you advice or check out your local store for products and solutions that I have not mentioned here.

Happy Gardening

By Pepelapue

4/06/2009

The correct way to prepare your nurtient.

The correct way to prepare your nutrient tank is to firstly add the finest water you can get your hands on ( reverse osmosis filters are the best and cheapest way to get pure water). Then add part A and stir very well (i use a pump to stir for me). Then part B and do the same stir very well. Adjust your EC level of the tank to the desired level.?If you use additives then now is the time to add those into the tank. Finally then check and adjust the PH to betwee 5.5 and 6.5. 6 being the optimum level to reach if possible. Also if you add to much Up or Down solution you cannot correct it. You have to dump the tank and start again. Doh !!

Happy Gardening

Ablite 600 Watt Icebox kit complete with Adjusta shade.

The lighting package is the biggest seller we have. Because it is made in Australia using only the highest standards known to man. They come with a Full two year no hassles?warranty.?They also use alot less electricty than most of it's cousins. To top it off I sell them cheaper than most of my competitors sell the cheap Asian varities. They are also quieter than it's cousins as well. Our kit come with a bulb of your choice and the shade of your choice. But with the added reflection from the Adjusta shade most people go with them. The price is too hot to print go to www.richmondhydroponics.com.au . It is a very secure site that can handle all of your shopping needs.

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Testing out the new server!

Coco Coir media the friend of the environment fast overtaking other medias.

?

Coco coir is fast becoming one of the most used growing media in the world today. It's cheap, it does not get taken from the environment and best of all it does not go to landfill. I'll explain in more detail in a minute.?

Firstly let's see where coco coir comes from. When they have harvested the coconut milk and its edible fruit. They make brooms and all sorts of items from them. When they do this a dust is formed into piles on the floor. They collect this and most of the coco is done in Sri Lanka or India. But some is taken to the Netherlands where they sterilise it in fresh water ponds and buffer it. Then they ship it around the world. This is RHP certfied for quality assurance. Don't buy anything else.

It has a natural friendly bacteria called Trichaderma which is great for nurturing the root system. I have covered where coco coir comes from but where does it go. Well what I do with mine I sprinkle on the garden or on the lawn. It adds humus to poor soil and is full of nutrients. It holds 1000% its weight in water so it assists in these harsh drought times.

Also use for seedlings through to all stages of plant life. Now that's a versatile media for growing all your favourite crops. Pick up a bag today. If you use the blocks that come from Sri Lanka or India sterilise first by boiling.

Happy Gardening

By Pepelapue

4/06/2009

Coco Coir media the friend of the environment fast overtaking other medias.

?

Coco coir is fast becoming one of the most used growing media in the world today. It's cheap, it does not get taken from the environment and best of all it does not go to landfill. I'll explain in more detail in a minute.?

Firstly let's see where coco coir comes from. When they have harvested the coconut milk and its edible fruit. They make brooms and all sorts of items from them. When they do this a dust is formed into piles on the floor. They collect this and most of the coco is done in Sri Lanka or India. But some is taken to the Netherlands where they sterilise it in fresh water ponds and buffer it. Then they ship it around the world. This is RHP certfied for quality assurance. Don't buy anything else.

It has a natural friendly bacteria called Trichaderma which is great for nurturing the root system. I have covered where coco coir comes from but where does it go. Well what I do with mine I sprinkle on the garden or on the lawn. It adds humus to poor soil and is full of nutrients. It holds 1000% its weight in water so it assists in these harsh drought times.

Also use for seedlings through to all stages of plant life. Now that's a versatile media for growing all your favourite crops. Pick up a bag today. If you use the blocks that come from Sri Lanka or India sterilise first by boiling.

Happy Gardening

By Pepelapue

4/06/2009

Neem Repel

For Indoor/Outdoor use on ornamental flowering plants, trees, shrubs, foliage.

All Natural Disease and Pest control

www.richmondhydroponics.com.au

We have a huge range of Nutrients, Additives and all the Supplies/Equipment at awesome prices.? We have tested all the procuts we sell ?and they come up to a high standard otherwise they get rejected. No Matter how good the idea is it has to work to make it onto our site.?. We have a secure site that ensures peace of mind when inputing your credit card details.So give us a try you will not be dissapointed. We?deliver worldwide.?Goto www.richmondhydroponics.com.au

Neem Repel

For Indoor/Outdoor use on ornamental flowering plants, trees, shrubs, foliage.

All Natural Disease and Pest control

www.richmondhydroponics.com.au

We have a huge range of Nutrients, Additives and all the Supplies/Equipment at awesome prices.? We have tested all the procuts we sell ?and they come up to a high standard otherwise they get rejected. No Matter how good the idea is it has to work to make it onto our site.?. We have a secure site that ensures peace of mind when inputing your credit card details.So give us a try you will not be dissapointed. We?deliver worldwide.?Goto www.richmondhydroponics.com.au

Coco Coir media the friend of the environment fast overtaking other medias.

?

Coco coir is fast becoming one of the most used growing media in the world today. It's cheap, it does not get taken from the environment and best of all it does not go to landfill. I'll explain in more detail in a minute.?

Firstly let's see where coco coir comes from. When they have harvested the coconut milk and its edible fruit. They make brooms and all sorts of items from them. When they do this a dust is formed into piles on the floor. They collect this and most of the coco is done in Sri Lanka or India. But some is taken to the Netherlands where they sterilise it in fresh water ponds and buffer it. Then they ship it around the world. This is RHP certfied for quality assurance. Don't buy anything else.

It has a natural friendly bacteria called Trichaderma which is great for nurturing the root system. I have covered where coco coir comes from but where does it go. Well what I do with mine I sprinkle on the garden or on the lawn. It adds humus to poor soil and is full of nutrients. It holds 1000% its weight in water so it assists in these harsh drought times.

Also use for seedlings through to all stages of plant life. Now that's a versatile media for growing all your favourite crops. Pick up a bag today. If you use the blocks that come from Sri Lanka or India sterilise first by boiling.

Happy Gardening

By Pepelapue

4/06/2009

The best pest advice anyone can give.

?

The best way to keep those little pests at bay is to start with a clean room. Sterilise in between uses with chlorine or bleach or some other potent form of strong cleaning fluid.

Also when taking cuttings or seedlings from the nurseries or friends drench them in something like Dead Red or some other general purpose insecticide. Really drench them cause the last thing that you want is other people's problems in the form of pests and diseases.??Pests can ruin even a experts garden.

Even when planting I give them a good squirt as a precautionary measure that has saved my Garden from being infested.

You can also use a natural pesticide called Neem that you can use all the way up to harvest. It has no residual and stops the pests from breeding and feeding.

Also if you have used no chemicals you can employ beneficial bugs to eliminate the problem. This is the best solution because they don't stop until they have eaten all there prey.

Just drop us a line and we can give you advice or check out your local store for products and solutions that I have not mentioned here.

Happy Gardening

By Pepelapue

4/06/2009

Getting the most out of your nutrient and additives.

?

When you have selected your nutrient and additives if you are using them. Have a clean reservoir then add the water. A little tip if you are making up big batches is to use a pump to stir. Preferably a strong pump so you can add your nutrients and it get stirred up within seconds.

Measure equal amounts of nutrient? A & B solutions and then add them one at a time waiting for a few seconds or minutes (if you have a small pump). When these are mixed well add your additives. Then check the PH and adjust. A safe range for PH is between 5.5 and 6.5. A safe range for the nutrients is between 1.2 EC and 2.5 EC depending on the plant. Always use a weaker mix first if unsure then increase slowly so as not to burn the plant. An instrument for measuring nutrient is called a Truncheon and will save you money on Nutrients plus save plant burnings.

Thanks for reading and we'll be back real soon.

Happy Gardening

By Pepelapue

4/06/2009

?

Courtyard Garden: Patio Garden Design Ideas

The need for courtyard gardens and patio gardens have increased in demand as people require them to get away from the pressures of life. Courtyard gardens have become a very important extension of your home and its easy to see why. These garden courtyards or patio gardens are very beautiful and tranquil and can be designed according to your needs and demands and are ideal for easy apartment gardening.

Courtyard Gardening

Courtyard garden design can be a very enjoyable experience, if you have a small area that you wish to decorate. Courtyard gardens can be either large or small depending on the area in which you decide to garden and are excellent when you have limited space to garden. Majority of courtyard gardens are designed in a manner which is found open to the sky, but sometimes it can be covered partially by a pergola. It can also be covered completely using transparent coverings such as glass or polycarbonate. Courtyards can be designed in such a way, that it seems as if it is a part of the house. .

Patio Garden Ideas

When creating a patio garden it is important to understand the entire process and patio garden ideas before embarking on this adventure.

• The things that will be of great importance when designing your patio garden will be flooring for one. Be sure to aim for a surface that complements the design of your home.
• Painting the patio garden walls in colors that work with the interior of your home is very important in creating a beautiful patio.
• An important part of creating a beautiful courtyard garden is adding fixtures and fittings such as arches, pergolas and miniature container plants.
• You can also add a small coffee table and a bench, but make sure that you do not cramp the entire patio.

Always consider you interior accessories when decorating your patio garden in order to maintain a flow from the home into the patio.

Choosing Patio Garden Plants

When choosing? your courtyard or patio garden plants, it is important to understand the space that you have to work with. You can find a host of plants that all well suited for your courtyard or patio garden, such as:

• Adam’s Needle
• Bay
• Bizzie Lizzie
• Chusan Palm
• Lily of the Valley
• Tulip

These plants work are great courtyard garden design ideas as they work well in restricted areas. You can also find a host of other plants that work well with patio and courtyards. These include:

• Dwarf Fan Palm
• Forest Pansy
• Ornamental Cherry
• Passion Flower
• Red Hot Poker
• Rock Rose.

Adding plants to your courtyard and patio garden adds to the beauty of the area creating a magical and tranquil feel. If you have trouble finding plants at the local nursery, you can even buy plants online.

Planning and implementing a courtyard garden is an enjoyable experience and it is a great way to use small spaces in your house to create a masterpiece.

Reference:

1. Courtyard Garden Design - Gardening Australia

The Spanish Garden: Creating Your Spanish Style Garden

A Spanish Garden is different from other gardens. Mainly because it is a private space where different types of exotic plants may be grown that would not survive in other places, as the climate supports it here. However, the Spanish Garden should be well planned and regularly tended so that the Spanish style garden will retain its beauty. You must ensure unity and harmony when picking out landscaping designs for a Spanish garden. Also, Spanish gardens may be easily created in the United States by following some guidelines.

Creating The Boundaries Of A Spanish Style Garden

Of the Spanish garden it may be said that they are enclosed by stucco walls. These may be added to a Spanish garden or cypress evergreen screens with wrought iron fences behind them may be used. In some Spanish gardens, short walls are used to demarcate different areas of the garden so be creative and design this space innovatively. Vines may be grown to cover the walls and increase privacy in your Spanish garden.

Elements Of Spanish Garden Design

When you are creating your Spanish garden, some of these tips might come in handy for your Spanish garden design.

• Use water in your Spanish garden design which was originally derived from the Moorish influence. A wall fountain, rock covered pool or ornate water fountain will not only provide a soothing effect but also create the ideal ambience for the Spanish garden.
• Use terracotta tiles and containers to create a garden within a garden with one part leading into another
• Edge to edge tiling or paving with some aesthetically placed plants will also build a Spanish style garden.
• A Spanish garden design incorporates shady areas as the climate in Spain is hot and some cooling areas provide a retreat for both the gardener and some of his plants.
• Garden furniture in your Spanish garden should be something comfortable such as wrought iron or lovely cedar pieces.
• Wind chimes and Spanish decorative pieces can make this an appropriately named Spanish garden.
• Make the Spanish garden colorful, both by using colored decorations and growing beautiful and colorful perenial garden plants.

What To Grow In The Spanish Style Garden

First find out what plants can be grown under the climactic conditions of your Spanish garden. Then try and select some Spanish plants so that this may be as authentic a real Spanish garden, in design and landscaping plants grown. Palm trees, pine trees and oranges are usually grown besides daisies, lavender, rosemary, cactus and grapes.

What To Remember While Maintaining A Spanish Garden Design

The Spanish garden created should be a space where you enjoy yourself and which adds to the peacefulness of the surroundings. Therefore, in your Spanish garden grow plants that can be tended easily and those that you enjoy looking after.

Spanish gardens are of different types and depending on your style and needs you may create a Spanish garden design of your choice. The Spanish style garden is the ideal retreat from the cares and worries of the world and to make it your peace haven plan well in advance and execute your thoughts sincerely to create this space.

References:

1. Spanish Garden Furniture - Do It Yourself

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Testing out the new server!

Cabbage Disease Due to Cabbage Maggots, Caterpillars & Moths

The cabbage family is inclusive of a number of different kinds of plants including plants such as watercress and cauliflower. In a normal garden they are under the threat of a number of cabbage pests such as the cabbage maggot, the cabbage worm, cabbage caterpillar etc. These cabbage pests damage the crops and cause cabbage disease.

What Are Cabbage Maggots?

The cabbage maggot is a bright milky white and is soft-bodied. They are usually found in clusters at the roots of the plant. Each cabbage worm grows to be about 1/3 inches long. The cabbage maggot attacks the root of the plant causing channels to from in them. A plant that has been damaged by a cabbage caterpillar will slimy or brown in the damaged area. The plant will slowly start to wilt? and will eventually die.

Cabbage maggots prefer moist weather and presently thrive in the United States due to optimal weather conditions. The adult cabbage caterpillar is a fly and closely resembles a common house fly. However like in most other cabbage pests, it is the cabbage worm rather than the cabbage fly that causes damage to the plants.

Other Commonly Found Cabbage Pests

Other cabbage pests that may damage crops are the cabbage looper, the imported cabbage worm, cross striped cabbage worm, the cabbage moth.

• The cabbage looper is light green in color and moves in a looping motion. These particular cabbage pests are found on the under side of the leaves and feed mostly on the leaf veins. They slowly chew their way to the centre causing great damage to the plant.
• The imported cabbage worm has larvae that are velvety green with a thin white stripe. The imported cabbage worm causes similar damage to the loopers but feed closer to the centre of the plant. Larger larva can cause great damage to the plant.
• The larva of the cross striped cabbage worm is bluish grey in color with black stripes across its back. In addition it has yellow and black stripe running across on each side of its body. The cross striped cabbage worm feeds on all tender parts of the plant but prefer terminal buds. These cabbage pests are also found in clusters.
• The cabbage moth has larvae that are lime green, small, spindle-shaped and have a forked tail. The adult cabbage moth has a small grayish brown body with folded wings. The larvae cause damage to buds

It should be kept in mind that at most of times it is the cabbage caterpillar that causes more damage than the adult cabbage moth. Thus it is important to start damage control at an early stage.

Cabbage Disease Caused By Cabbage Pests

The presence of cabbage pests can lead to a number of cabbage diseases that can be very harmful for the crop. The cabbage caterpillar and the looper cause holes in the leaves that lead to the plant starving and eventually dying. Cabbage maggots that affect the roots of the plant cause the leaves to wilt.

The plants of the cabbage family are affected by other cabbage diseases as well, that may not be caused by cabbage pests. These are:

• damping- of ( where the seedling dies)
• bacterial soft rot ( leaves turn yellow starting at the edges)
• leaf spots ( brown lesions appear on the leaves)
• black rot ( leaves turn yellow or brown)

Control of Cabbage Pests and Cabbage Disease

It is important to pick off the larvae of cabbage worms as soon as they appear as it is the larvae that cause the most amount of damage to the plant. In-furrow application of insecticides may give some respite from cabbage maggots. Soil insecticides may also be used to prevent and control the spread of cabbage worms and caterpillars.

Plant disease and garden pests are despised by every gardener so whether it is cabbage worms that worry you or pests in the form of garden weeds, control them actively before they start taking over your garden.

Reference:

1. Cabbage Insects - University of Kentucky Entomology
2. Cabbage Maggot - Government of Alberta, Agriculture and Rural Development

Neem Repel

For Indoor/Outdoor use on ornamental flowering plants, trees, shrubs, foliage.

All Natural Disease and Pest control

Gardening For Kids: Tips For Gardening With Kids

Gardening with kids can be both delightful and a wonderful way of educating children early in life about nature’s beauties. Not only will kids planting find this a wonderful activity, but kid gardening will also be a big step towards creating a youth garden.

Why Kid Gardening?

Why should you involve your kids with gardening in the first place? Kids enjoy playing with mud, playfully using a hose and watching things grow so gardening for kids can be a lot of fun. Further, if they are made a part of the gardening process they will surely enjoy it even more. As much as they should be introduced to kids planting, they should also be consulted about the design of the youth garden as they can come up with colorful and innovative ideas. As you help in gardening for kids, watch their inquisitive minds come up with questions that can only make them better future gardeners.

Kid Gardening: Preparing The Soil, Watering & Weeding

Start with the basics when gardening with kids. When gardening for kids teach them the importance of preparing the soil well to ensure a healthy plant in a youth garden. This entails looking into the pH of the soil, checking the weather that can help grow the right plant and adding the right fertilizers. Loamy soil is best to work with as it should ideally not be too clayey or sandy in a youth garden. While watering a plant in a youth garden is an enjoyable activity for all ages, while gardening with kids, it is also very important to teach them about the environment and the importance of conserving water while gardening. In addition, the importance of weeding should be emphasized as well when with gardening with kids.

What To Grow In Kids' Gardens

When gardening with kids, it is advisable to start with food items that can be grown easily and in a short span of time. For kids gardens, growing watercress, radishes and lettuce are excellent choices as they will be the quickest to grow in 6-8 weeks. Bean shoots may also be grown quickly in a youth garden and eaten in a salad or sandwich.

• First soak the seeds overnight.
• Next take a wide mouthed jar and place the drained seeds in them, covering the top with a wire mesh through which water and air can pass.
• Water regularly, always draining away the excess and enjoy the bean sprouts in a few days.

What To Remember While Maintaining Kids Gardens

When gardening with kids, there are certain things to keep in mind which will make kids planting their own youth garden a more enjoyable process for them and hopefully make them lifelong gardeners!

• Gardening tools kids will enjoy using will increase interest in kid gardening so when gardening with kids, choose your tools well.
• Subscribe to Kids Garden News for monthly e-mail alerts on gardening conferences, resources and more.
• Exchange ideas with fellow gardeners who are also gardening with kids to increase the variety of your youth garden and learn better kids planting methods.
• Though mistakes may be made while gardening for kids, do not hesitate to learn from them to create a better youth garden.
• From gardening with kids one can easily move on to garden crafts such as painted flower pots to garden plant markers or even innovative garden design such as a fairy garden.

One of the easiest ways to make your kids eat those greens is to make them grow them so gardening with kids might be a great idea to get them into healthy eating habits as well! They will no longer turn up their noses at what they have been cultivating for weeks in their youth garden. Gardening with kids will therefore not only promote healthy eating but will also providing the kid gardening with extensive practical knowledge on the subject.

References:

1. Kids Gardening and Gardening For Kids - Kiddie Gardens
2. Why Youth Gardens - Kids Gardening

Getting the most out of your nutrient and additives.

?

When you have selected your nutrient and additives if you are using them. Have a clean reservoir then add the water. A little tip if you are making up big batches is to use a pump to stir. Preferably a strong pump so you can add your nutrients and it get stirred up within seconds.

Measure equal amounts of nutrient? A & B solutions and then add them one at a time waiting for a few seconds or minutes (if you have a small pump). When these are mixed well add your additives. Then check the PH and adjust. A safe range for PH is between 5.5 and 6.5. A safe range for the nutrients is between 1.2 EC and 2.5 EC depending on the plant. Always use a weaker mix first if unsure then increase slowly so as not to burn the plant. An instrument for measuring nutrient is called a Truncheon and will save you money on Nutrients plus save plant burnings.

Thanks for reading and we'll be back real soon.

Happy Gardening

By Pepelapue

4/06/2009

?

Coco Coir media the friend of the environment fast overtaking other medias.

?

Coco coir is fast becoming one of the most used growing media in the world today. It's cheap, it does not get taken from the environment and best of all it does not go to landfill. I'll explain in more detail in a minute.?

Firstly let's see where coco coir comes from. When they have harvested the coconut milk and its edible fruit. They make brooms and all sorts of items from them. When they do this a dust is formed into piles on the floor. They collect this and most of the coco is done in Sri Lanka or India. But some is taken to the Netherlands where they sterilise it in fresh water ponds and buffer it. Then they ship it around the world. This is RHP certfied for quality assurance. Don't buy anything else.

It has a natural friendly bacteria called Trichaderma which is great for nurturing the root system. I have covered where coco coir comes from but where does it go. Well what I do with mine I sprinkle on the garden or on the lawn. It adds humus to poor soil and is full of nutrients. It holds 1000% its weight in water so it assists in these harsh drought times.

Also use for seedlings through to all stages of plant life. Now that's a versatile media for growing all your favourite crops. Pick up a bag today. If you use the blocks that come from Sri Lanka or India sterilise first by boiling.

Happy Gardening

By Pepelapue

4/06/2009

Garden Drainage: Importance Of Improving Soil Drainage

Ensuring good garden drainage is an important part of the gardening process. It is extremely important that all cultivated soil should be well drained. While some plants will need more watering than other which are more drought tolerant, regardless of this, they still require good soil drainage. Apart from water, the majority of plants require air around their roots as well therefore if the soil drainage is poor, so will the air supply, and the plants will suffer in the process.

Clay Drainage vs Sand Drainage

One of the most important questions about improving drainage is what sort of soil should be used in your garden. Is sand drainage better than clay drainage for improving drainage in your garden? Clay soil is probably what you are most likely to find in your garden. Heavy clay soil can be better for garden drainage due to the fact that it can retain nutrients and moisture, and the roots are steadier. The problem with sandy soil drainage however is, when free draining, water and nutrients are often leached out, the structure is not as steady as that of the heavy clay soil. As a result, clay drainage often proves to be a better choice for improving drainage. It is important to understand the nature of the soil you will be using in order to create a perfect garden.

Improving Drainage - Poor Heavy Clay Drainage

When improving drainage for your garden, these tips might come in handy.

• Organic matter is usually the best answer to poor heavy clay drainage. The best material to use is rotted garden compost or farmyard manure. This should be done yearly by digging into the ground, the best time to do this is in autumn.
• Bulky organic matter is good for improving drainage and open up heavy clay.
• Peat and bark are the best as mulches and do a good job of improving the soil surface.
• Always remember to use as much material as possible for better garden drainage.
• If you have a large patch to cover, it is best that you concentrate on one area before moving on to the rest of the area if your material is limited. You will not get the same effect if you try and cover the entire area at once, you will see the benefits of this as time goes on.

Sandy Soil - Improving Poor Soil Drainage

When you are working with sandy soil steps need to be taken in order to increase the water holding capacity for better garden drainage. The reason for this is that sandy soil quickly loses any nutrients that they are given. Digging in plenty of compost is a very effective solution for improving drainage; however never dig deeper than the depth of one spade (25cm to 30 cm). Deep digging will open up the soil even more allowing water and nutrients to escape. The best time for digging is when you are ready for planting; always make sure that the soil is firm after digging or planting.

Poor Soil Drainage - Identify Badly Drained Soil

Very few plants can thrive with poor soil drainage. Certain plants such as vlei and marsh require the ground to be wet in order to thrive and the majority of garden plants cannot thrive if the ground is too wet and therefore improving drainage is vital. Badly drained soil? can be easily identified as it is:

• infertile, which means it is lacking in important soil nutrients
• lacks air
• has reduced bacterial activity which will slow down decomposition and the release of nutrients into the soil.

Soil drainage is a very important aspect of gardening as it not only ensures proper growth of plants but will also prevent dehydration of plants and ensure that your plants receive the right amount of nutrients and water.

Reference:

1. Prepare different soils - Garden Advice

Neem Repel

For Indoor/Outdoor use on ornamental flowering plants, trees, shrubs, foliage.

All Natural Disease and Pest control

Growing Watercress From Watercress Seeds

Growing watercress can be both easy and beneficial as this perennial has the healthy component lutein that helps prevent coronary artery diseases and heart attacks. Moreover, watercress has many culinary and decorative uses.

How to Grow Watercress In Water

Contrary to popular opinion, one does not need a flowing stream for growing watercress and watercress lettuce can be grown if you want to conserve water. It can be easily grown indoors a few weeks before the last frost, by placing the watercress seeds on a moist paper towel that has been previously soaked in water and now placed in a shallow bowl, with about a quarter inch of standing water. An easier method of germinating watercress seeds is to use stem cuttings and placing them in a bucket of water or a black polythene bag. To grow watercress in this way, the water should be changed everyday as stagnant water spells death for the watercress seeds. The seeds germinate 7-10 days later.

Planting Watercress Lettuce

Once the watercress seeds have germinated, they should be planted in individual pots. After 3 weeks the watercress lettuce seeds may be transplanted in the soil. The fine and delicate roots must be carefully handled while planting watercress in the soil after the season of frost. The watercress plant should be kept in damp soil and in the shade. Moist soil, limestone and organic compost should be used to grow watercress. The challenge is in keeping the plant in damp, but not soaked soil. Growing watercress stems should be kept about 8″-10″ apart from each other.

Harvesting Watercress Lettuce

The growing watercress lettuce sends runners from the mother plant and once they have grown they can be harvested. The older watercress should be cut back to about 10 cm when it will start sprouting new leaves. When pruned in late spring, the watercress plant will be ready for a second round of harvest in the fall. The tastiest watercress leaves are found in spring and fall, the hot summer reducing the plant’s beneficiary nature. Harvesting should be carried out before the flowers bloom. Leaves gathered can be refrigerated for about a week.

Watercress Lettuce: Pests and Diseases

Watercress planters can breathe easy as this plant is free of most pests and diseases. However, flea beetles or mustard beetles may afflict the growing watercress plant. They can be removed by flooding the cropping beds for about 2 hours.

Why Grow Watercress

Growing watercress is fairly uncomplicated for a gardener because you do not require much technical gardening knowledge on how to grow watercress, much the same as growing basil. In addition to the ease of growing watercress, the plant also serves some other purposes such as:

• Watercress lettuce, cut into small pieces may be added in salads and sandwiches to provide a delicious flavor.
• Watercress soup treats mouth blisters, swollen gums, foul teeth and bad breath.
• Watercress lettuce is loaded with vitamins and low in calories, making it a good healthy perennial.
• Phytochemicals and antioxidants in watercress fight cancer and protect the immune system.

Watercress, known for its peppery taste is a ‘superfood’ because of its high nutrient properties. While Persians fed it to their children to increase their strength and stature, it is known to cure coughs, colds and even help in the metabolic processes of the body.

Reference:

1. Growing Watercress - Simple Gifts Farm

Vegetable Planting: Growing Zucchini & Squash Vegetables

Growing squash is possible and easy at any time of the year. However, growing zucchini (which is one of the fast growing summer squash vegetables) requires vegetable planting following a few specifications.

Zucchini Squash Growing In Summer

Summer is a good time for planting zucchini as zucchini squash grows best in warm soil. When the soil temperature reaches 60?F (or 16?C) the seeds should be sown. This vegetable planting requires full sunlight and an airy environment. A second round of planting squash in mid-summer will ensure a stock lasting till fall. The plants are harvested within 45-60 days while they are still immature and tender.

Gardening Care When Planting Zucchini and Squash

• Zucchini squash spreads really quickly and one must cautiously plant a few seeds about 3″ deep in the ground and space them out four or five per hill or in clusters with 2-3″ between them.
• The smaller the zucchini, the better it is generally.
• Enough water and the right watering technique is important. Moderately rich soil that drains well will suffice for growing courgettes (another name for zucchini squash). One may further enrich the soil by adding fertilizers.
• Mounds should be created for each zucchini plant. Once they have grown 2-3″ tall, the zucchini squash saplings should be thinned to 1-2 plants per hill by choosing the better plants.
• Stakes should be used while growing zucchini to support the delicate plant.
• Zucchini is also susceptible to frost so a perfect summer will be good for growing these squash vegetables.

Disease Prevention For Squash Vegetables Growing

If the weather becomes too hot and humid and as the squash vegetables age and weaken, they become susceptible to various kinds of diseases.

• If there are any bugs in your garden you want them to be the good kind of bugs. The plant must be watched closely for pests like cucumber beetles, squash bugs and squash vine borers. While the cucumber beetles can spread easily from one plant to the other, the squash vine borers chew into the base of the stem, cutting off the vine circulation.
• Blossom End Rot may also occur if the soil is too acidic or there is lack of calcium. A careful application of quicklime will solve this problem.
• Zucchini plants are also very susceptible to bacterial and fungal diseases like powdery mildew and bacterial wilt. At the first hint of trouble the zucchini squash should be treated with fungicide.

Tips For Growing Courgettes, Zucchini and Squash

• A good zucchini squash is heavy for its size because it is filled with moisture and has a firm, even texture with no sunken spots.

• Zucchini readily cross breeds with other members of the cucurbita (or pumpkin) family of which it is a part if seeds are stored. Interesting variations may sometimes be produced after planting zucchini!

• A few handfuls of dolomite lime in the soil while planting zucchini will provide calcium and prevent rotting.
• Both male and female blossoms of the plant should be present for pollination to occur.
• Use caution while harvesting the vines as they contain prickly leaves.

Since growing zucchini is relatively simple and a few seeds yield many squash vegetables, it is one of the most popularly grown vegetables by amateur and seasoned gardeners alike.

Coco Coir media the friend of the environment fast overtaking other medias.

?

Coco coir is fast becoming one of the most used growing media in the world today. It's cheap, it does not get taken from the environment and best of all it does not go to landfill. I'll explain in more detail in a minute.?

Firstly let's see where coco coir comes from. When they have harvested the coconut milk and its edible fruit. They make brooms and all sorts of items from them. When they do this a dust is formed into piles on the floor. They collect this and most of the coco is done in Sri Lanka or India. But some is taken to the Netherlands where they sterilise it in fresh water ponds and buffer it. Then they ship it around the world. This is RHP certfied for quality assurance. Don't buy anything else.

It has a natural friendly bacteria called Trichaderma which is great for nurturing the root system. I have covered where coco coir comes from but where does it go. Well what I do with mine I sprinkle on the garden or on the lawn. It adds humus to poor soil and is full of nutrients. It holds 1000% its weight in water so it assists in these harsh drought times.

Also use for seedlings through to all stages of plant life. Now that's a versatile media for growing all your favourite crops. Pick up a bag today. If you use the blocks that come from Sri Lanka or India sterilise first by boiling.

Happy Gardening

By Pepelapue

4/06/2009

Test post!

Testing out the new server!

Getting the most out of your nutrient and additives.

?

When you have selected your nutrient and additives if you are using them. Have a clean reservoir then add the water. A little tip if you are making up big batches is to use a pump to stir. Preferably a strong pump so you can add your nutrients and it get stirred up within seconds.

Measure equal amounts of nutrient? A & B solutions and then add them one at a time waiting for a few seconds or minutes (if you have a small pump). When these are mixed well add your additives. Then check the PH and adjust. A safe range for PH is between 5.5 and 6.5. A safe range for the nutrients is between 1.2 EC and 2.5 EC depending on the plant. Always use a weaker mix first if unsure then increase slowly so as not to burn the plant. An instrument for measuring nutrient is called a Truncheon and will save you money on Nutrients plus save plant burnings.

Thanks for reading and we'll be back real soon.

Happy Gardening

By Pepelapue

4/06/2009

?

Vegetable Planting: Growing Zucchini & Squash Vegetables

Growing squash is possible and easy at any time of the year. However, growing zucchini (which is one of the fast growing summer squash vegetables) requires vegetable planting following a few specifications.

Zucchini Squash Growing In Summer

Summer is a good time for planting zucchini as zucchini squash grows best in warm soil. When the soil temperature reaches 60?F (or 16?C) the seeds should be sown. This vegetable planting requires full sunlight and an airy environment. A second round of planting squash in mid-summer will ensure a stock lasting till fall. The plants are harvested within 45-60 days while they are still immature and tender.

Gardening Care When Planting Zucchini and Squash

• Zucchini squash spreads really quickly and one must cautiously plant a few seeds about 3″ deep in the ground and space them out four or five per hill or in clusters with 2-3″ between them.
• The smaller the zucchini, the better it is generally.
• Enough water and the right watering technique is important. Moderately rich soil that drains well will suffice for growing courgettes (another name for zucchini squash). One may further enrich the soil by adding fertilizers.
• Mounds should be created for each zucchini plant. Once they have grown 2-3″ tall, the zucchini squash saplings should be thinned to 1-2 plants per hill by choosing the better plants.
• Stakes should be used while growing zucchini to support the delicate plant.
• Zucchini is also susceptible to frost so a perfect summer will be good for growing these squash vegetables.

Disease Prevention For Squash Vegetables Growing

If the weather becomes too hot and humid and as the squash vegetables age and weaken, they become susceptible to various kinds of diseases.

• If there are any bugs in your garden you want them to be the good kind of bugs. The plant must be watched closely for pests like cucumber beetles, squash bugs and squash vine borers. While the cucumber beetles can spread easily from one plant to the other, the squash vine borers chew into the base of the stem, cutting off the vine circulation.
• Blossom End Rot may also occur if the soil is too acidic or there is lack of calcium. A careful application of quicklime will solve this problem.
• Zucchini plants are also very susceptible to bacterial and fungal diseases like powdery mildew and bacterial wilt. At the first hint of trouble the zucchini squash should be treated with fungicide.

Tips For Growing Courgettes, Zucchini and Squash

• A good zucchini squash is heavy for its size because it is filled with moisture and has a firm, even texture with no sunken spots.

• Zucchini readily cross breeds with other members of the cucurbita (or pumpkin) family of which it is a part if seeds are stored. Interesting variations may sometimes be produced after planting zucchini!

• A few handfuls of dolomite lime in the soil while planting zucchini will provide calcium and prevent rotting.
• Both male and female blossoms of the plant should be present for pollination to occur.
• Use caution while harvesting the vines as they contain prickly leaves.

Since growing zucchini is relatively simple and a few seeds yield many squash vegetables, it is one of the most popularly grown vegetables by amateur and seasoned gardeners alike.

Coco Coir media the friend of the environment fast overtaking other medias.

?

Coco coir is fast becoming one of the most used growing media in the world today. It's cheap, it does not get taken from the environment and best of all it does not go to landfill. I'll explain in more detail in a minute.?

Firstly let's see where coco coir comes from. When they have harvested the coconut milk and its edible fruit. They make brooms and all sorts of items from them. When they do this a dust is formed into piles on the floor. They collect this and most of the coco is done in Sri Lanka or India. But some is taken to the Netherlands where they sterilise it in fresh water ponds and buffer it. Then they ship it around the world. This is RHP certfied for quality assurance. Don't buy anything else.

It has a natural friendly bacteria called Trichaderma which is great for nurturing the root system. I have covered where coco coir comes from but where does it go. Well what I do with mine I sprinkle on the garden or on the lawn. It adds humus to poor soil and is full of nutrients. It holds 1000% its weight in water so it assists in these harsh drought times.

Also use for seedlings through to all stages of plant life. Now that's a versatile media for growing all your favourite crops. Pick up a bag today. If you use the blocks that come from Sri Lanka or India sterilise first by boiling.

Happy Gardening

By Pepelapue

4/06/2009

Conserving Water in Garden Watering Restrictions

Drought prone regions often call for smarter garden watering practices as water is an extremely precious commodity. In fact, authorities in some places will even impose water restrictions thereby limiting water usage of households. If you live in a drought prone region, you have probably already mastered the art of gardening with water restrictions in place. But even if you do not have to really worry about water restrictions, it is a good idea to be an environmentally conscious gardener and conserve water anyway.

Believe it or not, gardens account for about 25% of water usage in a household and a lot of this is due to unnecessary wastage that can be avoided if you are conscientious. To optimize your usage of water, some of these garden watering restriction tips might be worth considering.

No Garden Water Sprinkler System

Most water restricted areas will probably put a ban on the use of garden water sprinklers, so a hand held watering cans or small buckets are the best way to save water as they dramatically reduce wastage of water. If you are using a water sprinkler system, use a timer to control your usage.

Choose Xerophyte Plants to Conserve Water

As a gardener, you probably already know that some plants “drink” more water than others. A good way to be water wise is to choose plants that are drought resistant, consume very little water (xerophytic) or use non-invasive exotic plants instead. I have also found that plants with foliage do extremely well when you are trying to conserve water and in keeping with the current container gardening trend, foliage plants do very well in containers. Yuccas, Agaves, Escheverias, Cycads, and various types of Flax are some examples. Plants with grayish or silver leaves also do well in drought prone regions so Lavenders, Westringia or Bearded Iris are all good choices. If you are unsure of how to choose the right plants for your garden, your local nursery is a good place to look for advice on plants that do not need large amounts of water to survive.

Conserving Water when Watering

Most gardens only really require about one bucket of water for every square meter to avoid wilting; so most of the time, we tend to use more water than necessary. I have always believed the easiest way to save water is simply being smarter about the way we use it while gardening. For example, I always group plants according to how much water they need so I use only the amount of water that is really needed. Also, remember to water plants at their root zone as this will help them retain water longer and also encourage the growth of deeper, hardier roots.

Saving Water by Slowing Evaporation

Another good idea is to mulch your garden beds and even potted plants as this slows evaporation and keeps your plants hydrated longer. Over 70% of water evaporates instantly if the soil is not protected by a layer of mulch. Soil wetting agents are also great because they hold water in the soil longer. In fact, early mornings and evenings are the best times to water your garden as evaporation is least during these times.

Weeding to Conserve Gardening Water

Every gardener knows this but when it comes down to reducing wastage of water, weeding is especially important because they are in competition with the rest of the plants in your garden and are soaking up water that would otherwise be used by your plants.

Recycle Water for Gardens

We love our plants, but they do not necessarily need clean filtered water to grow. Your garden can successfully survive if you use “gray water” to keep your plants hydrated. Gray water is domestic waste water, that comes from your laundry or bathroom and this water is suitable for watering the lawn, fruit trees and garden beds.

Gardening with water restrictions may seem a challenging task for the inexperienced but smart thinking and creative water usage can not only help you stay within legal water usage limits, but also make you an environmentally conscious gardener.

Coco Coir media the friend of the environment fast overtaking other medias.

?

Coco coir is fast becoming one of the most used growing media in the world today. It's cheap, it does not get taken from the environment and best of all it does not go to landfill. I'll explain in more detail in a minute.?

Firstly let's see where coco coir comes from. When they have harvested the coconut milk and its edible fruit. They make brooms and all sorts of items from them. When they do this a dust is formed into piles on the floor. They collect this and most of the coco is done in Sri Lanka or India. But some is taken to the Netherlands where they sterilise it in fresh water ponds and buffer it. Then they ship it around the world. This is RHP certfied for quality assurance. Don't buy anything else.

It has a natural friendly bacteria called Trichaderma which is great for nurturing the root system. I have covered where coco coir comes from but where does it go. Well what I do with mine I sprinkle on the garden or on the lawn. It adds humus to poor soil and is full of nutrients. It holds 1000% its weight in water so it assists in these harsh drought times.

Also use for seedlings through to all stages of plant life. Now that's a versatile media for growing all your favourite crops. Pick up a bag today. If you use the blocks that come from Sri Lanka or India sterilise first by boiling.

Happy Gardening

By Pepelapue

4/06/2009

Furnace Duct Cleaning Fort McMurray

A-1 Ductworks has been serving the Fort McMurray and Edmonton area's since 1965. If you are looking for furnace and duct cleaning services call A-1 Ductworks in the Fort McMurray area at 780-792-7272. http://www.furnacecleaning.info

For the most part, people choose to have their home furnace ducts cleaned do so because their children or other family members are suffering from allergies. Like all air ducts, furnace ducts, when they are left uncleaned, can act as breeding grounds for mold and mildew, and lead to poor air quality. Furnace duct cleaning can also improve the efficiency of your furnace.

Furnace duct cleaning requires cleaning not only of the ducts themselves, but of the entire furnace system: the blower, heat exchangers, cooling coils, and condensate pan. When all these parts are clean, air flows more efficiently through the entire furnace system.

Furnace Duct Cleaning in Fort McMurray 780-972-7272 http://www.furnacecleaning.info

The best pest advice anyone can give.

?

The best way to keep those little pests at bay is to start with a clean room. Sterilise in between uses with chlorine or bleach or some other potent form of strong cleaning fluid.

Also when taking cuttings or seedlings from the nurseries or friends drench them in something like Dead Red or some other general purpose insecticide. Really drench them cause the last thing that you want is other people's problems in the form of pests and diseases.??Pests can ruin even a experts garden.

Even when planting I give them a good squirt as a precautionary measure that has saved my Garden from being infested.

You can also use a natural pesticide called Neem that you can use all the way up to harvest. It has no residual and stops the pests from breeding and feeding.

Also if you have used no chemicals you can employ beneficial bugs to eliminate the problem. This is the best solution because they don't stop until they have eaten all there prey.

Just drop us a line and we can give you advice or check out your local store for products and solutions that I have not mentioned here.

Happy Gardening

By Pepelapue

4/06/2009

Getting the most out of your nutrient and additives.

?

When you have selected your nutrient and additives if you are using them. Have a clean reservoir then add the water. A little tip if you are making up big batches is to use a pump to stir. Preferably a strong pump so you can add your nutrients and it get stirred up within seconds.

Measure equal amounts of nutrient? A & B solutions and then add them one at a time waiting for a few seconds or minutes (if you have a small pump). When these are mixed well add your additives. Then check the PH and adjust. A safe range for PH is between 5.5 and 6.5. A safe range for the nutrients is between 1.2 EC and 2.5 EC depending on the plant. Always use a weaker mix first if unsure then increase slowly so as not to burn the plant. An instrument for measuring nutrient is called a Truncheon and will save you money on Nutrients plus save plant burnings.

Thanks for reading and we'll be back real soon.

Happy Gardening

By Pepelapue

4/06/2009

?

Conserving Water in Garden Watering Restrictions

Drought prone regions often call for smarter garden watering practices as water is an extremely precious commodity. In fact, authorities in some places will even impose water restrictions thereby limiting water usage of households. If you live in a drought prone region, you have probably already mastered the art of gardening with water restrictions in place. But even if you do not have to really worry about water restrictions, it is a good idea to be an environmentally conscious gardener and conserve water anyway.

Believe it or not, gardens account for about 25% of water usage in a household and a lot of this is due to unnecessary wastage that can be avoided if you are conscientious. To optimize your usage of water, some of these garden watering restriction tips might be worth considering.

No Garden Water Sprinkler System

Most water restricted areas will probably put a ban on the use of garden water sprinklers, so a hand held watering cans or small buckets are the best way to save water as they dramatically reduce wastage of water. If you are using a water sprinkler system, use a timer to control your usage.

Choose Xerophyte Plants to Conserve Water

As a gardener, you probably already know that some plants “drink” more water than others. A good way to be water wise is to choose plants that are drought resistant, consume very little water (xerophytic) or use non-invasive exotic plants instead. I have also found that plants with foliage do extremely well when you are trying to conserve water and in keeping with the current container gardening trend, foliage plants do very well in containers. Yuccas, Agaves, Escheverias, Cycads, and various types of Flax are some examples. Plants with grayish or silver leaves also do well in drought prone regions so Lavenders, Westringia or Bearded Iris are all good choices. If you are unsure of how to choose the right plants for your garden, your local nursery is a good place to look for advice on plants that do not need large amounts of water to survive.

Conserving Water when Watering

Most gardens only really require about one bucket of water for every square meter to avoid wilting; so most of the time, we tend to use more water than necessary. I have always believed the easiest way to save water is simply being smarter about the way we use it while gardening. For example, I always group plants according to how much water they need so I use only the amount of water that is really needed. Also, remember to water plants at their root zone as this will help them retain water longer and also encourage the growth of deeper, hardier roots.

Saving Water by Slowing Evaporation

Another good idea is to mulch your garden beds and even potted plants as this slows evaporation and keeps your plants hydrated longer. Over 70% of water evaporates instantly if the soil is not protected by a layer of mulch. Soil wetting agents are also great because they hold water in the soil longer. In fact, early mornings and evenings are the best times to water your garden as evaporation is least during these times.

Weeding to Conserve Gardening Water

Every gardener knows this but when it comes down to reducing wastage of water, weeding is especially important because they are in competition with the rest of the plants in your garden and are soaking up water that would otherwise be used by your plants.

Recycle Water for Gardens

We love our plants, but they do not necessarily need clean filtered water to grow. Your garden can successfully survive if you use “gray water” to keep your plants hydrated. Gray water is domestic waste water, that comes from your laundry or bathroom and this water is suitable for watering the lawn, fruit trees and garden beds.

Gardening with water restrictions may seem a challenging task for the inexperienced but smart thinking and creative water usage can not only help you stay within legal water usage limits, but also make you an environmentally conscious gardener.

Gardening Tips Blog

Hello

This blog is dedicated to gardening. I will post gardening articles, tips, pictures and designs.