French Garden Design - A Formal Approach to Gardening

French garden design is a style of gardening which calls for great control of the garden and the natural environment. Symmetry and geometry are key to achieving this style. It is a very formal garden design style.

The French garden design style achieved great popularity with the completion of the gardens of the Palace de Versailles by the great Andr Le Notre. The style was copied by nobility throughout France and can still be seen at many of the great chateaus of France.

Usually the focus of the French formal garden is the house and avenues and paths radiate out from this.

Paths tend to be gravel and will be edged by avenues of trees, long clipped hedges, or immaculately trimmed topiaries. Water is often an integral feature and reflective pools and long rectangular ponds of water are very common. Often with fountains or cascades added for interest.

Traditionally French garden design was all about impressing the visitor, a demonstration of wealth and power. Statues by leading artists were incorporated, follies and pavilions built by leading architects.

The parterre or knot garden is integral to this style of garden design and this is the main element of French garden design which has been kept and used into the 20th and 21st century. Usually the parterre is edged in boxwood, though lavender, rosemary and santolina are all suitable. Inside the parterre traditionally stone was used to provide the contrast but in the 19th century the use of bedding plants became more and more popular and added colour to these otherwise quite austere gardens.

The gardens of the Palace of Versailles and the gardens of the Chateau of Villandry are two of the best examples of the French Garden Design style in France.

To find out more about French garden design and gardens of France visit our French Gardens guide.

Gardening With Children - Ideas For Your Kids' Garden

There are many reasons to involve your children in gardening. Examples include:

Outdoor activity: In this day and age it's tough to get your kids outdoors and in the fresh air. When they get involved in helping you in the garden they are naturally in the healthy setting of the great outdoors, and can begin to appreciate the beauty of creation.

Learning about nature: Children learn best through experience, and there are few things more fascinating than the simple act of planting seeds in the garden only to see them sprout a few days or weeks later. Some types of vegetables that are particularly good for this are quick sprouting ones like radishes, or for cooler days snow peas can be a good choice.

Planting transplants: Another way to gratify small hands quickly is to simply buy plants. When choosing plants, try something that will not only grow quickly, but will be harvested quickly as well. It helps when the plant that is grown is something the kids will like to eat. Some real favorites are Sugar Snap peas and Sweet 100 tomatoes. Often these will never make it into the house, as they are simply picked and eaten.

Kids Garden Tools: Giving the kids a set of their own garden tools can get them involved. You can find small shovels, trowels, and watering cans for them to help get the garden started. There are also small wheelbarrows for hauling leaves and small loads of dirt.

Pesticides: If you do a vegetable garden with the kids, avoid chemical pesticides, since kids will be tempted to pick and eat, and don't care to read the label. Even some organic controls should be used with care when kids are around the garden.

Sometimes they can enjoy helping you outside in some activity like mowing the lawn or raking the leaves in the yard. You can still find the traditional bubble mowers we remember from our childhood, and in addition there are newer types of toy mowers that make all sorts of different noises and effects for your children to enjoy. There are also toy rakes that can actually rake leaves, or one of the small rakes used to rake around bushes can be a good substitute for little hands.

To help your children get more out of gardening with you, take a look at this review of different kids garden tools, or you might take a look at a toy lawn mower.

Lawn Irrigation

Irrigation is the artificial water supply to a garden. Due to the changing climate one has to think of other ways of supplying water to their garden rather than waiting for the rain season. A lawn is a area planted with grass or specific plants which are kept at a specific height. A lawn in most cases is for beauty purposes.

The most commonly used method of irrigating the lawn is the overhead sprinkler system. This ensures that the whole area gets water evenly and there is no water wastage. For this type of lawn irrigation you need pipes, adequate supply of water, sprinkler heads and irrigation valves. You need an adequate supply of water to meet the pressure required for the sprinkler heads to function with ease. For lawn irrigation, drip irrigation is not applicable. This is because a lawn needs a lot of water supply. According to the lawn size you can use as many sprinkler heads as you want. You just attach them to the pipe system.

For those who travel a lot, you don't have to worry about your lawn getting wasted away. You can take advantage of the automatic lawn irrigation systems that come with rainfall sensors. It is set to go off at particular times of the day or night. If it rains the whole system shuts down. In this way, water is conserved. The main components of an automatic lawn irrigation system are the controller or a timer, irrigation valves, underground piping systems and sprinkler heads.

Peter Gitundu Researches and Reports on Sprinklers. For More Information on Lawn Irrigation, Visit His Site at LAWN IRRIGATION You Can Also Post Your Views About Lawn Irrigation On My Blog Here LAWN IRRIGATION

Container Gardening - Installing a Professional Drainage System to Get the Most From Your Pot Plants

Container gardening is all about giving the pot plants optimal growing conditions. While everyone knows that plants have to have access to sufficient moisture, it is less obvious, but no less essential that there be a ready supply of oxygen in the root zone. Understanding the air/moisture balance is probably the key to successful container gardening; but while the hydroponics method achieves this for indoor plants, outdoor pot plants have to have some sort of drainage system. The question is then, what type of drainage is best?

The most common method is to place some receptacle underneath the pot, which collects the excess water flowing out of the bottom. Such an arrangement hardly deserves the epitaph - "system". It may be the most obvious thing to do, but it is far from being the best.

The main problem is water spilling over and staining the floor or pavement, which induces people to water using small quantities on each occasion. The correct method of irrigating container plants is to water to excess, and then wait until the top 4-5 cm of potting mixture have dried out to some extent.

The aim is to arrive at a better air/moisture ratio in the pot, while periodically leaching salts from the medium. In other words, worries about soiling the pavement lead to irrigation practices that are detrimental to healthy plant growth and development.

After years of growing container plants outdoors in a dry climate, where regular and automatic irrigation is the prerequisite for success, it is clear to me that the simple receptacle method is inadequate. A far better idea, although one not without its own drawbacks, is to attach each pot to a common pipe that takes the excess water to a drainage hole on the roof or patio, or out into the garden soil.

This means that in addition to a feeder pipe bringing water to the pots, there is a collector, or drainage pipe taking water away. While the irrigation pipe is usually 16mm in diameter, the drainage pipe should be 20mm in diameter. The pot is carefully drilled on its side, so that a connector can be inserted in the hole and then attached to the 20mm drainage pipe. If the container contains drainage holes on the bottom, these obviously have to be sealed with material like epoxy putty or silicon.

The method is perfect in terms of providing optimal growing conditions for the pot plants, because it allows for correct irrigation and proper drainage, without fear of spillage and staining. The disadvantage though, is aesthetic, as it is not always easy to disguise the pipes and the connectors. The work is also laborious and painstaking, if future leaks are to be avoided. For this reason, it is not a cheap option if passed on to a hired professional.

My name is Jonathan Ya'akobi.

I've been gardening in a professional capacity for 25 years.

I am the former head gardener of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, but now concentrate on building beautiful gardens for private homeowners.

My job is to help you get the very best from your garden, so visit me at http://www.dryclimategardening.com

Take the opportunity and download FOR FREE, the first chapter of my book How to Garden in a Dry Climate Go to http://www.dryclimategardening.com/Products/tabid/55/Default.aspx

Mary Magdalene and Spirituality - Movie Video

This video has more information on Mary Magdalene, great video on advanced spiritual thinking.

If you're really seeking the kingdom of heaven, the glory of God and the true vision that Jesus had, check out some great Christian articles . These articles are designed to teach and educate Christians.

Claude M Bristol
Ann Louise Gittleman

Gardening and Garden Design

Gardening and garden care are popular with hobbyists all across the United States. Gardening historians and enthusiasts know that in the Western tradition much of our knowledge of modern gardening comes from Europe and ancient Greek culture.

The Greek traditions were sporadically kept alive in Europe in centuries following ancient Greece's decline, but then were revived with a renewed vigor in the early Renaissance in the Italian gardens. While other perspectives developed in the 18th and 19th century, we will focus on the revival of Renaissance gardening in Italy. Many die-hard gardeners dream of taking a trip around the historic gardens of Italy to understand the true origins of modern garden care.

For 15th and 16th century Italians, the Renaissance garden served as a retreat from the chaos of the world. It was designed to provide a special place for contemplation. One contrast between the Renaissance garden and one of our modern gardens is that fruits and herbs in an older Italian garden are not so much practical but rather are woven into the design so that they are ornamental and add to the overall beauty.

Perhaps one of the most famous Renaissance gardens in Italy is The Medici Villa Petraia, near Florence, which was designed by Niccol Tribolo. It represents the ideal of the Italian garden of the early Renaissance before the much larger schemes of the high Renaissance came into play. It can still be visited today. If you go, take special notice of how much attention is given to garden care particularly in the sculpting of plants; the sculptures are carefully shaped to represent to the Italians the Renaissance ideas of order.

Also adding to the feeling of contemplation and beauty are the tremendous number of scenes from ancient mythology and other scholarly allusions. One might find sculptures that recall earlier medieval or ancient sculptures. There might also be sculptures depicting scenes from famous literature.

Renaissance gardens also included fountains because water was especially symbolic and was connected to symbols of fertility and abundance in nature.

When we think of the modern garden in Hollywood that overlooks the ocean we should think back to the Italian Renaissance garden which is terraced on a slightly sloped hill side. Here, paths and steps connect to the various levels. These terraces divide a large property's garden into different rooms and allow each room to display a different mood. Terraces also limit views and create a sense of anticipation for when you are at the top of a property. Still, any connecting terrace should feel like a surprise as you make your trek up the garden path. Looking down from the top of the villa you should feel like you are seeing a painting of pleasant vistas which have been carefully sculpted.

Again, this architectural design goes back to the Renaissance idea of the garden as a place of order and contemplation and garden care is especially important for keeping this sense of purpose in the environment. Should you be lucky enough to visit the gardens of Italy, no doubt the way you care for your own garden will be changed and touched.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on solar energy, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background also includes teaching, gardening, and health and fitness. For more of her useful articles on gardening, please visit The Benefits of Having Your Own Garden

What Do Tomatoes Need to Grow Fast and Big?

What do tomatoes need to grow fast and healthy? In this article I'm going to show you a way to get your tomatoes growing faster and healthier. If your new to vegetable gardening then this is the perfect article from you to learn from. Even if our not new to vegetable gardening I still think you might learn a thing or two here. With that being said lets go ahead and get into the good stuff shall we?

First your going to need to start with the flats. A quarter size flat will work well here. A flat is basically just a seed tray, you will need to fill this with an multi purpose compost. You should use a peat free compost. This is good for the soil but for actually sowing the seeds you should use a peat based compost.

- Next you will need to press the compost down so that the seedling roots will actually grow better in a loose soil compared to soil that is hard and firm.

- Make sure you that you space your tomato seeds apart so that they do not still nutrients from each other. This will allow your plants to grow bigger and faster. If you space them to close you get more plants but in the end they could end up dying or at least hindering the growth of each other.

- Now you should water the flat, just place the flat in a container and let it soak up the water. The color of the vermiculite will change once the water is soaked in.

- Lastly you need to set your flat in a warm place. You can use a heat pad for this, but as soon as you see a sign of germination you need to remove the flat from the heat source.

I hope this was not too vague for some newer vegetable gardeners. If you still need help check out my bio box below. I hope this short overview on what do tomatoes need to grow has helped you!

Learn More Tips On Growing Tomatoes And Get A Free Vegetable Gardening Guide At http://www.vegetablegardeninghelp.com And See More Information On What Do Tomatoes Need To Grow!

Drying Herbs - Drying Herbs to Prolong Their Wonderful Usefulness

In the fall time the herb growing season starts to wind down, but this doesn't mean the end of your herbs usefulness in the kitchen. Drying herbs in the autumn is a great way to extend their usefulness. Imagine setting around the table with your family on a cold winter night, with the smell of your favorite herbs steaming out from your favorite dish that you so lovingly prepared. Not only that but dried herbs look very appealing hang in in your kitchen or the pantry.

A herb that contains high moisture can be a bit more difficult to dry. Herbs such as bay, dill, thyme, marjoram, summer savory, sage, basil and oregano are just a few that lend themselves to drying.

Herb plants that are going to be harvested should be harvested in the early morning, in this way they have not extended much energy. Also if you can gather them just before they go into bloom they will be in their best condition for you to produce great dried herbs.

Increased flavor is obtained from the herbs if the leaves are dried whole, but when used they should be crumbled first before being added to your favorite dish . Herbs can be kept for a year or two, but for better results and increased flavor is recommended that they be used within six to 12 months. Your dried herbs should be stored in a airtight container placed in a cool dark dry place.

Herb drying can be carried out in a few different ways. These are a drying rack, hanging in warm well ventilated shady spot, microwaving, dehydrator and not really drying but freezing the herb leaves will preserve herbs also.

4 common methods a drying herbs

#1: Air drying
For small batches of herbs one should make sure first that they are rinsed off and all the water padded off. Pick off any of the wilted leaves and just leave the healthy looking ones. Next tie a bundle of herbs tightly around stems and insert into a brown paper bag. Make sure that this bag is large enough as to leave lots of room around the leaves of the plants. It is best practice to hang the herbs upside down as this allows the essential oils to flow into the leaves and increases the flavor greatly. You should hang them in a dark warm area with the temperature somewhere around 70 to 80F.

#2: Microwave drying
For people that don't have the patience or just want to get to their herbs dried quickly, the microwave offers a great solution. The disadvantage is that you can only do small batches at the time. The high-frequency waves produced by the microwave will cook the herbs from the inside to the outside. The drying process usually only takes two or three minutes in the microwave on a high setting.

#3: Oven drying
Oven drying is not a recommended way of drying herbs, as it evaporates the water and essential oils in the herbs to quickly, but for those that can't wait it will suffice. Herb roots can be successfully dried in the oven. Thick walled herbs such as basil and rosemary do well. It should only take a couple hours in the oven to produce your dried herbs.

#4: Dehydrator
The main advantage of using a dehydrator is that you can control the temperature and air circulation. This tends to produce a high quality dried herb. Another advantage of using a dehydrator is that you can dry large quantities of herbs and also herbs with high moisture without any problems.

So if you're looking to prolong your bounty that you have grown in your summer herb garden be sure to try drying your herbs for winter use.

Herbs can give you a sexy strong healthy body, so if that,s what you are looking for check this out!

http://www.herbgarden.rolltra.com

Simple Soil Testing Helps Gardeners Grow Lush Landscapes and Healthy Vegetables

Consumers across the world have started gardens only to find growing anything vibrant and healthy seems impossible. The plants may grow for a brief period then wither away. Some consumers can't even get plants to take root. The answer may not in better equipment or even a better gardener. The solution to your gardening problems may be found with a simple soil test.

Landscapers and professional gardeners know the importance of proper balances in the ground. Greenery requires effective chemical balance in order for plants to function properly. This is not something only for professional farmers or certified organic growers. It can be a cost effective method of ensuring your future plants will thrive.

Plants require nutrients in their soil. The proper test can make your life much easier. Your gardens will produce healthy crops. You can greatly reduce your costs for fertilizers and pesticides. If you can adequately nourish your plants they can fend of pests more effectively. Testing your grounds will give you the information you need to feed your soil before you plant. The tests can tell you if your ground is fertile or if there are harmful contaminates.

A reputable testing lab will give you a insight into your ground. The results can tell you what the acidity levels are. A good pH balance is required to have healthy plants. Testing will also examine the organic matter in your ground. There are self tests available for consumers. These are not recommended.

Self tests will usually analysis your soil for nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. They will often include a test for your ground's pH levels. The major problem with this type test is ineffective use. The steps may be simple for the test. The issues arise when the results are completed. Consumers usually find the soil testing results difficult to read or understand. This is the primary reason a lab should be the first candidate.

A lab will cost slightly more than a self testing kit. The results are far worth it. Consumers aren't just checking their ground with a test. They often find that their ground will reach the optimum efficiency with a good test. The expensive pesticides and fertilizers aren't needed any longer.

The testing performed by a soil testing laboratory will tell you many more details about your composite. You will have results from the same contents as with the self test kit. You will also have information on micro-nutrients, organic matter percentages, and any harmful contaminants. Tests are available to check for heavy metals in your ground.

You should look for a highly reputable laboratory that offers soil testing services. They should offer follow-up instruction that will let you know what you need to do to improve your situation. The services should also tell you:

* Are there recommended fertilizers suited to your ground?
* Do you need to incorporate organic matter?
* Do you need to use different management techniques?
* What materials should you add prior to planting?
* Should you look into a cover crop?

An effective soil test will give you the information you need to achieve greater results in your garden. A good laboratory will be the key in bringing it all together and finding a better garden.

Save on buying unnecessary fertilizers and treatments by knowing the full details of your soil. Learn more about your soil to help you reach the optimum efficiency with reputable soil testing online from from Midwest Labs. http://soiltestingonline.com.

November Gardening Tips For Southern California

Winter gardens have a beauty all their own and November is the time to plant hearty cool season flowers, trees and vegetables in Southern California.

Certain Flowers Thrive in Cool Weather: Plant fall annuals such as pansies, violas, primrose and calendula so they will be in full fall and winter bloom. Perennials including nemesia, godetia and schizanthus are also good choices for a richly varied fall and winter flower garden.

Keep Lawns Healthy: Rake falling leaves from lawns as leaves could impede lawn growth. If a lawn is looking "tired," sow in annual rye seeds to cover brown spots and to introduce new growth. After seeding, scatter a light covering of soil amendment and water thoroughly.

Plant Trees Now: Fall is the ideal time to plant trees. Our fall climate, with cool nights, mild days and moderate rainfall, gives trees a strong beginning that will serve them well when growing season begins in spring. Just about every tree type can benefit when planted in fall. The key to success is to select a planting location that is best suited for the tree type. Take into account the tree's rate of growth, root configuration, leaf type (evergreen or deciduous), tree shape and ultimate height at maturity. Make sure the site you select has enough sun. Other issues: is the selected location on a slope where watering may be difficult? Is it near a walkway or patio where in a few years roots may cause a problem? Will the tree at maturity be too big for the site? Better to answer these questions now or you may find yourself trying to extract a tree and its roots when it outgrows its location.

Winter Vegetable Garden: You can enjoy fresh vegetables even during winter months by planting cool-season vegetables including beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, celery, cauliflower, lettuce, onions, turnips and rutabaga. Plant fall herbs including oregano, garlic, rosemary and thyme.

Bill Camarillo is CFO of Agromin, a Camarillo, California-based manufacturer of premium soil products for the agriculture and horticulture trades and for consumer use. Each month, Agromin receives and processes hundreds of thousands of tons of urban wood and green waste. Agromin then uses a safe, organic and scientific system to formulate its soil products from the processed recycled green materials. http://www.agromin.com

Office Recycling - 5 Ways to a Greener Business

Recycling has become an increasingly popular activity for homeowners all over the world. More and more families are choosing to go green and help save the environment with easy at-home solutions. From recycling and composting to reducing energy and water, keeping the environment healthy has become a huge initiative for homeowners.

What's surprising is the lack of participation from many companies all over the country. One company (depending on the size) can have the same impact on the environment as a small village of homes. If your company could make the world a greener place, wouldn't you want to be part of it?

Here are some simple things you can do in the office that will not only make the environment healthier but will cut back on costs as well:

1. Recycling Bins. It's important to promote recycling within your company. Not only should employees be aware of the initiatives but all measures should be taken to ensure that recycling is as easy as possible. Place the recycle bins close to the garbage cans so employees don't have to walk further to the bins (they might lose interest if it means more work). You may even want to give each employee a normal waste basket and a recycle one so they don't have to leave their desks to recycle their products.

2. Water Coolers vs. Water Bottles. Water bottles are not environmentally friendly and they cost significantly more than water coolers. Opt for switching from water bottles to a single (or multiple if you work for a larger company) water cooler instead of countless water bottles.

3. Energy Efficient Dishwashers. Purchasing an energy efficient dishwasher will make a huge difference in the amount of water and energy it takes to wash your dishes every day. There are several types of energy efficient dishwashers to choose from, in a variety of price ranges to suit all budgets.

4. Email vs. Paper. Communication is an integral part of every company. More and more companies are choosing to communicate via email rather than paper. Power Point presentations are becoming increasingly popular and 10-page paper handouts are becoming a thing of the past. Some companies are even opting to do pay stubs via email to cut back on the paper usage every pay period.

5. Carpooling, Public Transportation etc. You can't force your employees to carpool to work or take the bus instead of driving every day, but you can persuade them. A lot of companies have chosen to promote carpooling and public transportation through reward programs. If you carpool, many companies will reimburse your gas money, likewise, if you take the bus they will agree to pay for it (or at least pay for some of it).

If you haven't started any economically friendly initiatives in your company, it's time to start. After all, green is the new black, right?

Marjorie Jackson is pushing for environmentally friendly cleaning within her business. She's started paper recycling and plastic recycling programs within her company and insists on air quality testing at home.

Apartment Renting - Tips For Living Green in an Apartment Rental

When it comes to apartment renting, many people feel they need to abandon their environmentally friendly lifestyles. After all, unless everything is cleared with the property manager and you are willing to flip the bill, items such as geothermal heating and xeriscaping are simply not an option. Many different things can be done that will allow you to enjoy the benefits of an apartment rental as well as an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Reduce Energy And Water Consumption

Apartment renting doesn't always allow for things such as geothermal heat or solar power, but that doesn't mean you can't save energy and water. Basic things such as turning lights off when you are using them and switching over to energy efficient light bulbs are just a start. Unplugging anything that isn't in use, even if it has a 'standby' mode can save hundreds on your energy bill every year. Depending on how the apartment rental is set up and where you live, you may also be able to phone the power company to switch over to renewable energy sources.

Water is another easy way to go green while apartment renting. Water conserving fixtures and items such as flow controls for the shower are simple to add in. If your landlord isn't interested in installing them in your apartment rental, you can switch back the originals quickly and easily when you move. Cutting meat from your diet is also effective. In fact, for every quarter pound of beef you leave on the store shelf, you are saving the 4,500 gallons of water that it takes to get it from the cow to your plate. Turning off the water when you aren't using it, using leftover water for plants, taking fast showers instead of baths, and only running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads also helps significantly.

Reducing Waste

Food is one of the most common products tossed out in homes across the country. Freeze, consume, or reuse leftovers to make additional meals until they are completely gone. For anything that can't be saved, with the exception of meat and dairy, get an indoor, compact composting system. Take this one step further, and add recycling bins to your space. You can even work with other residents in the building to create group recycling, composting, and donating. Finally, stop the junk mail from filling your mail and opt for online billing.

Green Living

Since most people learn by example, take that as a challenge to show them just how easily it can be done when apartment renting. Dry clothes on your balcony, exchange chemical cleaners for homemade mixtures, and make use of public transportation. Add potted plants inside and outside the apartment rental by selecting plants that will thrive in these conditions. You can even encourage the rest of the building to do the same. Start a ride share program, and take time to show others in the building how you have made small changes to your lifestyle to become more environmentally friendly.

If you are considering delving into the world of apartment renting or already have one and think it is impossible to live an eco-friendly life, don't despair. Living green in an apartment rental isn't as difficult as you think. You might even get more people into the green lifestyle and help the environment more than if you were in a house.

About the Author: Christine O'Kelly is an author for leading apartment renting company Beal Property, LLC in Chicago. Beal Properties is a property management company featuring vintage apartment rental options along the waterfront of Chicago's Lake Michigan.

Which is Better For You Gas Or Electric?

A beautifully kept lawn is very important as it not only adds value to your property it also enhances its beauty and makes you feel that the time you spend behind the lawnmower was well spent. One of the earliest problems that you will encounter is the decision, Gas or Electric. Like the perennial , Paper or Plastic?, question this is a question that only you can answer.

Machine or engine powered lawnmowers are very handy in terms of cutting the time and energy needed to keep the lawn well trimmed. Generally, machine or engine powered lawnmowers are either gas or electric lawnmower.

If you are conscious about your health and seeing to it that the environment is protected against pollution, an electric lawnmower may be the best for you. Additionally, the skyrocketing price of gas could lead you to use a electric lawnmower. Gas powered lawnmowers can be very expensive nowadays and with gas prices continually on the rise the cost of running them seems to only be going up.

Generally however, the noise and air pollution emitted by your gas powered lawnmower will be enough to put some people off buying one. If you like to cut your lawn in the evening or late at night then it a electric or even a cordless lawn mower may be the best purchase for you.

One of the huge drawbacks for electric lawnmowers is that most of them have to be plugged into an electrical power source while in use. You will have to contend with electrical wires lying around when you are at work. The danger of electrocution and accidental tripping on the wires are omnipresent. However, there are now cordless electric lawnmowers that are equipped with rechargeable batteries to eliminate the problem of electrical wires lying around and obstructing smooth operation.

Electric lawnmowers are virtually noiseless and most models are relatively easy to clean because of their simple set up. Your neighbors will greatly appreciate it when you mow your lawn without the irritating noise of an engine running for hours.

Another thing to consider is how big a are you need to cut, if you have a very large area then a gas powered lawn mower may be your only choice.

So now do you know which lawn mower you want?

Gas or Electric

Is your lawn mower in need of a update? Technology is improving so rapidly that the lawn mower you have owned for 5+ years will look like a flintstone mobile in comparison to a modern lawn mower.
http://www.finestlawnmowers.com.

Compost - Great Addition For Raised Bed Gardens

Compost is the great addition for all those organic gardeners who have moved to raised beds instead of the traditional row garden. Raised beds allow for a greater concentration of plants per square foot which in turn allows for a greater harvest whether of blossoms or vegetables. However this places a greater demand on the soil to be a healthy growing environment and a great source of nutrition. Compost rises to the challenge.

Healthy soil is a must for raised beds. Closely planted flowers and vegetables compete for every square inch of space. Many of our plants are started in ideal environments contained in rich potting soils in individual pots under cold frames or indoor lights. A move to less than ideal quarters can be a shock to the whole root system and thus the plant.

Raised beds are dug and constructed so as to have a loose soil that is kept from compaction by not waking on it. However, sandy soils drain too quickly and retain too little nutrient value while clay soils hold too much water in pools on the surface and compact under their own weight. Compost allows sandy soils to retain moisture and supplies an ample amount of nutrient matter. It will also break up clay soils so as to allow the water to drain but still have adequate amounts remain available to the roots. Compaction is prevented as the compost draws the clay to itself to make a more finely tilled soil.

Compost may be added to the raised bed garden in a variety of ways but two main ones are generally used. The first is to dig the compost into the bed when it is being made or renewed for the season. A determined organic gardener has been known to mark off the new bed and remove the sod for a new compost pile. Then a shovel width of soil is removed to the far end of the bed. The resulting trench is broken up a shovel's depth and the top soil from the next bit of bed placed on it and broken up. This is continued the length of the bed until the first bit left at the far end is used to top the last trench. Finally a three inch depth of compost is added to the bed and dug into the top layer. One calls this double digging and leaves a bed about twelve inches deep with a top layer rich with compost.

As the growing season begins, a raised bed attracts the sun's warmth in the spring, giving plants an early start. However, even with a living mulch of closely growing plants, it may be too warm for some plants in the midst of summer's heat. A layer of compost added to the top of the bed in a depth of two to three inches will cool some of the soil. It also adds nutrition to a bed that has has great demands on it from the closely growing plants. At the end of the season or the beginning of the next, it is either easily dug in to the loose soil of the bed or left on top as the growing medium.

Darrell Feltmate is an avid gardener who has been composting and gardening for over 25 years with gardens up to 1/2 acre and compost piles for each. His composting site may be found at Compost Central. You can be a master composter in no time at all.

Much of his compost uses wood shavings from his wood turning hobby. The site for wood turning may be found at Around the Woods.

Hummingbird Food - Why Buy When You Can Make?

It is spring at long last, and here in Colorado, it seems we have been ready and waiting a long time to glimpse our favourite bird, the hummingbird. We love seeing these petite, graceful animals of such bright color outside our windowpane. There have been a few summers here that we have seen twenty various hummingbirds at our two hummingbird feeders sipping on our homemade hummingbird food. We had to replenish them daily just to stay caught up with the hungry birds!

We are lucky to have really great soil in our yard, although most of this part of the state is pitiful, stony soil. This makes growing perennials simpler and makes the flowers more plentiful. I say simpler since we're in a high-desert clime and have to irrigate constantly to keep things growing.

Those two things: heavy blooms, and running the sprinkler system help draw in the hummingbirds to our property. With their specially configured snouts and long tongues, they just love the blossoms fitted to their shape. Our aquileges, torch lilies and buddleias are like big signs promoting a hummingbird-friendly playground.

We have tried to plant perennials that flower throughout the summertime so that we always have something to appeal to the hummingbirds. What a difference it's made. We often get to delight in the hummingbirds at least a good calendar month earlier than they find our next door neighbours yard.

Although you might not need to run a sprinkler in the summertime as we do, you can put in a fountain or birdbath that will appeal to just as many hummingbirds. They enjoy the splatter and spraying of the water and we have watched them a lot of times hovering and ducking across the nearby river wherever the water strikes the rocks and sprays up.

In addition to the blossoms and water, we put up our hummingbirds feeders filled up with sugar water. There's no reason to purchase mix for use in the feeders because it's easier and cheaper to mix your own. Here's the recipe:

-One part cane sugar

-Four parts water

-Boil for 2 minutes

-Cool to room temperature and fill feeders made for hummingbirds

There's no reason to add food coloring to the feed. It might in reality be damaging to the hummingbirds. Why take the risk?

A small trick we have discovered over the years is to put a small bit of transparent tape around the base that holds the beeguard in position. That way it keeps the bigger, more enterprising birdies like the Orioles from removing the beeguard and stealing the nectar.

We have tested a lot of different types of feeders and ascertained that the birds like the ones with hard plastic "blooms"' ringing the beeguards. We have not had very much luck with the drip-type feeders.

Make certain to wash the feeders well with very warm water between use. It's not advisable to place any component of a hummingbird feeder in the dishwashing machine or use detergent. To be sure the feeders are absolutely clean prior to storing for the wintertime, we use a small amount of chlorine bleach and water. It is essential to rinse the feeders very well whenever you do need to use Clorox.

And so if you are wanting to draw in graceful hummingbirds to your yard, remember the blooms, the water and some hummingbird food. You will presently have your personal flock of hummingbirds who come back to your yard every year!

Mary Johnson is the owner of BirdFeederStore.biz. Visit her store to browse the huge assortment of bird feeders and bird houses as well as hummingbird feeders, just in time for the arrival of the hummers!

Composting Systems - Choosing the Right System to Fit Your Needs

There are many different types of systems that can be used to compost. There is your standard compost pile, trench composting, sheet composting, compost bins, worm composting and compost tumbler systems that can be purchased commercially. Choosing the right system just needs a little thought.

First you will need to know what volume of composting you are planning on doing. Are your plans to compost a large volume of yard waste along with organic waste material from your household or are you planning on just composting kitchen scrapes.Time is another factor that will help determine what type of system that will be best for you, like are you planning on using the compost as it matures the same season or are you planning to use it the next growing season.

If you are in no hurry and plan on using the compost in the following years to come you can just pile your compost material in a pile on the ground with or without any type of bin and let the organic matter decompose over time. For compost that you plan on using during the same year you will need a faster method like worm composting or a tumbler type system. Bins also work good in creating a large volume of compost in a fairly quick amount of time but are more labor intensive.

Just a single bin that can be made from wood pallets as sides makes a cheap way to build a compost bin. You can also put four corner stakes in the ground and wrap it with wire mesh for the sides. There are two and three bin systems built the same way mentioned above. The two and three bin systems make it easier to turn the compost pile by being able to move the material from one bin to the other.

The rotary tumbler systems that are commercially made are a little costly to buy but take up a lot less room and can produce compost faster than a bin system.

Trench composting is another type of system that can be used. Just dig a shallow trench and fill it with compost material then bury it letting the material decompose in the ground naturally.

Personal preference it going to be the major decision in what type of composting system or method is best going to fit your needs.

A environment friendly and healthy way of gardening. Organic Gardening is away of gardening in harmony with nature. Growing a healthy and productive crop in a way that is healthier for both you and the environment.

John Yazo

http://www.organicheirloomgardening.com

Getting Roses Winter Ready

If you are an avid gardener, then you are already programmed to get your roses ready for winter. Protecting your roses for winter mostly depends upon the climate you live in. In mild winter climates more than likely your roses will need little if any covering or protection. If you live in a region where the winters can be long, cold and harsh for long periods of time, then you will want to give them some sort of protection during this time.

Begin the winterization by pruning back your roses as soon as they have gone dormant, usually a week or two after the first hard frost in your area but before any hard freezing begins. Cut the long stems back by at least half their length and the shorter ones by at least a third, this will reduce the bulk and make them easier to cover and tie with rose cones, which will protect them from the cold winter winds. After pruning they back spray the pruned stem with a sealant to prevent moisture loss, and the thawing and re freezing which occurs during the winter months.

After you have cut your roses back hilling (piling dirt around the base) is another way to give them protection. When hilling be sure to take dirt from another part of the garden and not from around the rose itself, you don't want to leave any roots exposed. The addition of mulch such as hay, straw, bark chips pine needles or shredded leaves will add to the winterization protection. Do this just before the ground freezes solid and it should be piled from 6 to 8 inches high or in colder climates as high as 12 inches high. The heat from the dirt and mulches draws heat from the ground to the lower branches of the bush giving some protection to the crown of the plant from the cold.

In the spring be very careful when removing the winterization dirt and mulch, being sure that the ground is good and unthawed and no damage to new growth can occur. Keep some of the mulch put aside just in case of a sudden frost. When danger of frost is completely passed give your roses early spring fertilization and another about every six weeks until July, and watch them bloom profusely.

Eudora DeWynter offers tips on Winterizing Roses on her blog at http://www.gardentoolguru.com

Green Houses With Soda Bottles

I am certain that just about everyone reading this article has at one time or other created a make shaft green house from a discarded plastic soda bottle. The idea is far from new and is easily implemented.

To start you merely cut a plastic soda bottle in half. It doesn't matter if it is the small 16 ounce bottles or the 2 liter version. After you cut it in half take and deposit some dirt in the bottom portion of one of the bottles. Now plant a seed or two in that dirt. A good seed to plant would be the wheat seeds. Place your new greenhouse in a sunny spot and watch it grow.

In the event that you have to bug out you can also use this method while spending some time in the woods or at your survival retreat. It is very adaptable to use in an automobile or BOV. In place of sitting it in a window you only have to place it on your dashboard and let the sun directly hit it. You can easily push the bottom pieces back into the top portions of the bottles and leave or remove the cap as necessary to provide ventilation to your new growing plants.

I remember these little greenhouses when my own children were pre-school age. I would help them plant the seeds and we would watch them grow. As an adult I even employed the same technique for starting plants for my garden. The principle is the same whether it is done for fun or for serious survival purposes.

Several types of quick growing plants that you can use in it would be wheat, Swiss chard, Collard Greens, Garlic Clove or any other green vegetable for that matter. I would highly recommend that you attempt this method of gardening at least once in the event that you will need to use it in an emergency situation. At least in that way you will have some familiarity with it. If you are a fan of sprouts then this would be an excellent means of supplying the family with fresh sprouts for their garden salad all year long.

Copyright @ 2009 Joseph Parish
January 5, 2009

For more information relating to survival visit us at http://www.survival-training.info

Composting Systems - Choosing the Right System to Fit Your Needs

There are many different types of systems that can be used to compost. There is your standard compost pile, trench composting, sheet composting, compost bins, worm composting and compost tumbler systems that can be purchased commercially. Choosing the right system just needs a little thought.

First you will need to know what volume of composting you are planning on doing. Are your plans to compost a large volume of yard waste along with organic waste material from your household or are you planning on just composting kitchen scrapes.Time is another factor that will help determine what type of system that will be best for you, like are you planning on using the compost as it matures the same season or are you planning to use it the next growing season.

If you are in no hurry and plan on using the compost in the following years to come you can just pile your compost material in a pile on the ground with or without any type of bin and let the organic matter decompose over time. For compost that you plan on using during the same year you will need a faster method like worm composting or a tumbler type system. Bins also work good in creating a large volume of compost in a fairly quick amount of time but are more labor intensive.

Just a single bin that can be made from wood pallets as sides makes a cheap way to build a compost bin. You can also put four corner stakes in the ground and wrap it with wire mesh for the sides. There are two and three bin systems built the same way mentioned above. The two and three bin systems make it easier to turn the compost pile by being able to move the material from one bin to the other.

The rotary tumbler systems that are commercially made are a little costly to buy but take up a lot less room and can produce compost faster than a bin system.

Trench composting is another type of system that can be used. Just dig a shallow trench and fill it with compost material then bury it letting the material decompose in the ground naturally.

Personal preference it going to be the major decision in what type of composting system or method is best going to fit your needs.

A environment friendly and healthy way of gardening. Organic Gardening is away of gardening in harmony with nature. Growing a healthy and productive crop in a way that is healthier for both you and the environment.

John Yazo

http://www.organicheirloomgardening.com

How to Start a Vegetable Plot

Starting a vegetable plot for the first time can be rather daunting at first. For the less experienced gardener this can raise a number of questions; how do you prepare the plot? What do you grow? When do you harvest? How much do I grow of each crop?

The place to start is with planning your plot and thinking about what you want to grow. Deciding on this is a matter of first thinking about what you actually eat and how often. If you only eat celeriac once in a blue moon, and this is unlikely to change, then there is no point in growing it.

Another thing to think about is cost versus taste. For example, you are likely to save little, if anything, growing ordinary onions from sets as mature onions are generally very cheap to buy from your local supermarket, and the difference in taste is usually fairly minimal. Personally, if I grow onions, I prefer to grow red onions, white onions, or shallots. Another example is potatoes, again you will save little if anything growing from seed potatoes, but you have a far greater range of potatoes available and the difference in taste is huge. In contrast, courgettes (or zucchinis if you prefer) and pumpkins are very cheap to grow, and will produce a sizable crop.

Once you chosen your crops, you need to prepare your plot. Your new vegetable plot needs to be in a reasonably sunny spot, although a certain amount of shelter from the wind is beneficial. Your first task is to dig over the plot, preferably incorporating some manure, and ensuring that your plot is reasonably weed free. You particularly need to dig up any persistent perennial weeds (such as dock) otherwise you will be troubled by these throughout the growing season. Where you intend to sow seeds directly into the soil you will need to work the soil to a fine "tilth", i.e. to the consistency of breadcrumbs. This is time consuming and hard work, but you stand a greater chance of success if you put enough work in at the start. You will save yourself a certain amount of time if you use a rotavator, although it is still hard work.

You will then need to think about where you intend to plant your crops. It is better to group similar types of crops together (for example leeks, onions and garlic are all in the same family), simply because this will make it easier for you the following year when you will need to rotate your crops. Rotating crops is important to ensure that the same types of crop are not grown in the same place in successive years so as to avoid your crops having viruses and diseases.

Also, when thinking about where to plant your crops you will need to build in walkways so you can get to the plants and make sure you leave enough space between rows so there is sufficient space for the plants to grow. Some your plants will need to be started in the greenhouse, so you will need to bear this in mind.

Putting in this preparatory work will greatly increase your chance of success in growing vegetables. Starting a vegetable plot can be a little daunting at first, but the satisfaction of harvesting your first crops is immeasurable and certainly makes the effort worthwhile.

You can follow the author's attempts at living a more self-sufficient lifestyle and pick up more tips for growing your own vegetables and fruit and his blog, A Smallholder's Diary.

Everything Poolside - The Options Are Virtually Endless

Purchase statuettes, decorate with potted plants, experience the sweet dim light of lamps in your garden at night and much, much more. Purchase porch swings, purchase garden benches, and even reclining chairs and many kinds of patio furniture for your outdoor enjoyment and overall poolside dcor. There are virtually endless possibilities for your home outdoors. You may be surprised at the amount of accessories, furniture, heating and lighting that can enhance (and almost transform) your poolside ambiance significantly.

There are many different things to consider when you decide what kinds of poolside accessories to buy. Now, not all pools have them, however, I believe that a hot tub, reflecting pool, or a swimming pool is almost incomplete without an underwater light or two. Why? I think it is because you make it more uncomfortable to swim at night, debris in the pool may not be visible, and sometimes it just seems a bit primitive, or weird, to be swimming in the dark. And sometimes the reflecting pool is right there in your yard or garden, but only slightly visible at night because of the lack of any sort of lighting.

Some people prefer non submersible lighting, whether inside or outside of the reflecting pool, its luxury and allure is wasted without decent lighting. Its elegance seems to be diminishing as quickly as the sun goes down. This is because your reflecting pool is literally, as a matter of fact, becoming less and less impressive when you, friends and family members and /or other guests can not see it well. Therefore, you are taking away half of the relaxation, comfort and outdoor enjoyment potential of your pool, whatever kind of pool you might have.

We all know that your home dcor outdoors can be just as (if not more) important as your special home dcor within. Many people consider their yards and / or gardens as a sort of sanctuary . . . a place to relax and unwind in his or her spare time. Currently, especially in the United States of America most of us are under extreme stress and seem to have very little free time as it is. This is why many different people, under many different circumstances, want to get the most out of his or her free time outdoors in their own personal space.

Everything from high quality pool heaters to alluring waterfalls are options for you as pool accessories. Then there are poolside accessories to consider such as lamps, lanterns, speakers, pool sheds. In addition you want to have excellent furniture items such as elegant, decorative tables, chairs, and chaise lounges. You can consider as well that plants are beautiful additions to the ambiance for your swimming pools, reflecting pools, patio gardens, extra accessories, or garden ponds.

You do not want to waste your Saturday soaking up the sun in an uncomfortable lounging chair or on a towel by the pool. Of course you want to have the very best, most comfortable surface on which to relax by your pool. Who doesnt? You dont want your special, relaxation time combating with your ability to get in a comfortable position. Imagine, back pain on Monday from your weekend by the pool.

While we are discussing poolside reclining and relaxing, some of the safest ways to do that is to build your pool in a shady area. In case your pool is already pretty much consistently encased in the sunlight, you may want to build yourself a structure to provide shade. Anything from an awning to an enclosed patio area is a great idea for your garden, yard or poolside.

Nonetheless, many people simply enjoy soaking in the sun. If you prefer to rest while exposing your self to the sun light, be sure to use a high quality sunscreen for protection. Do not take this lightly, even if you are often in the shade. In addition, sometimes people like to wear sunglasses. Or, to avoid the goofy sunglasses tan-line many people will wear a brimmed hat, anything from a visor, to a baseball cap, to a stylish summer-wear hat brimmed all around. The latter of these, as a woman, is my personal favorite. Wearing one you will avoid tan lines and the many hats available for you are often very striking and stylish. Get one to match your bathing suit, your towel, your beach bag and other accessories!

Many different poolside items, without even exploring the summer styles for bathing suits, beach bags, sundresses, and other accessories, are available that can transform your outdoor ambiance completely. As a matter of fact, you can even increase the length of time throughout the year that you can enjoy a more comfortable temperature in your outdoor space as the chillier months approach.

Of course, there are not only many high quality pool heaters available on the market right now, but there are also patio or poolside table and / or area heaters that may be perfect for you. In addition, elegant outdoor fireplaces come in an enormous number of styles, shapes, designs and sizes to best suit your personal taste.

When you discover the possible ways to enhance the ambiance of your personal space, the private sanctuary in which you can relax and unwind. Find the most beautiful poolside furniture, lighting, and other accessories for your pool. Whether you have a reflecting pool, a swimming pool, or even a waterfall, or garden pond, there are great poolside accessories available to choose from.

There also exists, a thing I consider the latest miracle in outdoor furniture technology: plush yet weatherproof outdoor furniture. Purchase sets of these amazing new outdoor lounging and even dining furniture. High quality, and absolutely pleasing to the eye selections of chairs, sofas, chaise lounges and other furniture with cushions (that are virtually maintenance free) are now available on the market of outdoor furniture.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her articles on poolside decor, please visit outbackpatio.com, supplier of high quality Patio Fountains and Garden Furniture.

Human Waste As an Alternative Energy Source

With all of the news buzz these days around renewable energies such as solar and wind power, even harnessing the energy of ocean waves, one often neglected energy source is right under our noses, so to speak: human waste. It may not be as appealing or pleasant as the alternatives, but energy generation from human waste could be the most important of all. World population increases every day along with demand for energy and resources, and resources become scarcer and more coveted. The only potential resource that will increase proportionate to population is our own waste. Feces and urine are abundant and readily available wherever there are humans. Currently vast quantities of energy made from fossil fuel combustion and (often potable) water are used to process said waste products. New projects in composting toilets, biogas harvesting, biofuels creation and even microbial fuel cells could allow us to reverse the cycle and take advantage of this untapped resource.

Though skeptics believe that composting toilets will never be successful in the Western world, new technologies as well as old are being used to solve two problems: how to treat our waste, and how to produce enough food without poisoning ourselves and our environment with expensive chemical fertilizers. The next generation of composting toilets, such as that made by Clivus Multrum, are solving these problems and making the system more appealing to consumers. The low-flow composting toilets that they produce contain a basement level compost bin and service is included with the product. A much more low-tech version of the composting toilet is being used by the NGO Estamos in Africa. Although the organization's aims are to improve sanitation and reduce illness, their programs are also helping small-scale farmers make a living. The organization provides composting toilets at no charge, and has greatly improved the quality of life for many poor families. The organization's director, Feliciano dos Santos, just won the 2008 Goldman Environmental Prize in Ecological Sanitation for this work.

Many countries have well-established methane-capture programs that use animal waste, such as pig farms in Australia and cattle ranches in the United States. But what of the gas creation potential of human waste? Developing countries are pioneering this technology as a way to save money and create renewable energy. With the help of the Heifer International Foundation, rural farmers in Uganda's Mukono district are mixing human feces and urine with other biological waste such as water hyacinth and banana peels to create biogas, and using the byproduct to fertilize their fields. The biogas produced contains 60-90% methane, and is being used for lighting, cooking and some engines, and many residents are improving their quality of life and rising above the poverty level. Likewise, Cyangugu prison in Rwanda is creating biogas from the excrement of its prisoners. The Kigali Institute of Science and Technology built the digester for the prison, which is using the resulting product to cook 50% of the prisoner's meals, and saving $22,000 annually -- a great deal of money in Rwanda. But developing countries aren't the only ones taking advantage of human generated biogas. The Lions Gate Wastewater Treatment Plant in Vancouver, British Columbia, once the subject of a lawsuit regarding a violation of federal pollution laws, has piloted a $1.1 million project to harvest methane from the city's sewage and feed it directly into the natural gas distribution system. The project, which is expected to be operational in 2009, projects a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 500 tonnes annually, and enough energy production to power 100 homes. A similar project is underway in San Antonio, Texas.

Current debates surrounding plant-based biofuels focus on competition between food crops and biofuels crops, and many experts worry that high demand for biofuels will exacerbate current food shortage problems. Several projects have tackled this issue by creating biofuels from algae grown on human waste. One of these is Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation, which harvests the algae used in the sewage treatment ponds in Malborough, New Zealand. The "green crude" they create from the algae can be used for all crude-oil applications such as gasoline, diesel and plastics. In a more direct process, a Canadian company called Dynamotive Energy Systems Corporation is feeding human waste directly into a biofuels generation system using a "fast pyrolysis process". The system achieves 80% efficiency by recuperating waste gasses and heat from the process, and the end product, BioOil, can be used as a substitute for a variety of petroleum products. One of the most high-tech, cutting-edge technologies for energy creation from human waste is the development of microbial fuel cells. Developed by Dr. Bruce Logan of Penn State's engineering department, the system has been suggested as a way to take waste treatment plants off the grid. The fuel cell, still being refined to produce an acceptable energy output, uses wastewater to generate hydrogen fuel, and clean water is produced as a by-product. While the technology is not practical for other fuel-cell applications such as hydrogen-powered cars, it can be used anywhere there is a large supply of biological waste.

Many people cringe at the thought of human waste based energy systems, and would rather not think about what happens down the pipeline, but as humanity becomes increasingly demanding of energy we must begin to embrace unconventional methods of producing it. With the increasing success of the projects mentioned exists the possibility of eliminating human waste pollution worldwide. One day our sewage may be referred to as "brown gold", and could be more valuable than even crude oil.

For more information on alternative energies, including renewable energy solutions for your home and business, please visit the Alternative Energy Weblog (http://www.alternativeenergyweblog.com).

Certified Organic Gardening Nurseries - Getting It All at One Stop

For a variety reasons that often include environmental and health concerns, many people are choosing to make their vegetable gardens organic gardens. Even though a newcomer to the world of organic gardening may feel more than slightly overwhelmed with the concept of, there is no reason to be worried; organic gardening does not have to be hard. In fact, it can be incredibly rewarding to watch your family enjoy vegetables and fruits that you know are completely free from harsh, potentially dangerous chemicals.

Many people do not know that there are certified nurseries where you can purchase all organic products in a way very similar to health food stores. When you go to a certified organic nursery you can be confident that whatever items you purchase will be one hundred percent organic, something you cannot say of traditional nurseries.

What Is Available at Organic Nurseries

Organic gardeners face challenges that normal gardeners simply do not have to deal with. In order to get assistance with these difficulties, you can visit a certified nursery where a wide variety of products that will help you to successfully grow organic fruits and vegetables. These nurseries are the best places to find and purchase certified organic seeds and pest control products. Most of these nurseries carry live insects that can be used in your garden to keep plant destroying pests under control. Using live insects is good way to save money on organic pest control.

Since compost is a very important part of any successful organic garden, obtaining nutrients from a local nursery can help you make your compost of more benefit for your garden. Phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium can be released into your compost pile by adding worms to it, which can also be bought at a certified nursery. Fortunately, you will not have to purchase many worms because they reproduce quickly.

The Importance of Knowledge and Experience

The people who work at certified nurseries are quite knowledgeable about all things related to organic gardening. You can get lots of great advice simply by visiting such a nursery and asking questions. Since success is so related to experience, you can get some great tips from experienced gardeners who work at organic nurseries.

Do not forget that the way in which you care for an organic garden has much to do with where you are located, so suggestions from local farmers are best.

Are you looking for living green tips you can use but are afraid it's going to be more expensive? Get some environmental tips that will not only help save the world, they'll also help you spend less. Stop by the How Can We Go Green website for more information.

How to Start a Worm Farm

Getting started on a worm farm is not that complicated, all you'll need is a love for recycling and a little bit of worm trivia so here's some worm trivia that could help motivate and inspire you with your new venture. How much do worms usually eat? Mature worms capable of eating up to three times their own body weight every day and for those who are just starting in the world of worms and what to know how to make the worms eat more and have a lot more productivity.

The answer is simple - shred, mash or blend food scraps since these will make the food more digestible and is very easily eaten by the worms. Also maintain worm bed temperature at around 23-25 degrees Celsius, since it is at these temperatures that worms feel their best, but don't feed your worms foods high in acid content as it will screw up their digestive system. The following are a few things you'll want avoid feeding your worms, manure, onions, citrus fruits or peelings, garlic, garden waste sprayed with insecticides, dairy products like milk and cheese or meat.

Watering the farm will enhance the production of the fertilizer but take care not to add too much water in the farm or the worms will die. Take note that food wastes are actually eighty percent water content which is released as the worms begin to break it down. So, if you happen to pour water over the system every couple to few weeks be sure to just add sufficient water to make sure that the bed remains damp and cool, and you will have a constant supply of this fertilizer.

You will not be able to harvest the worms since they'll regulate themselves within any space and the amount of food made available to them. Here are a few other questions that you might find yourself inquiring.

Why is it common for worms to gather on the lid of the farm when it is raining? It's a perfectly normal response for these worms to act in this manner during the rainy season to avoid getting drowned.to avoid drowning. Just take the farm containers to an area where it won't be exposed to too much rain and drop the worms to the farm bedding.

Why don't the worms just relocate to the upper level of the tray? If could be the result of you putting in new food before the worms have completed the earlier batch. Worms have an instinct to stay with leftover food and won't seek out to find a new food source until it consumes what was left previously. Therefore, before adding new trays, halt the feeding of the worms for at least five days so you can be sure the old food has been eaten and make sure that the levels in the tray needs to be placed high enough for the worms to pass easily up to the next tray.

Do worms have the ability endure high temperatures? worms are able to stand a temperature ranging between ten to thirty degrees Celsius. so if it gets hotter than they can stand, place the farm in a nice shady cool place where it can regulate the moisture and humidity of the boxes. In colder temps make sure to cover the box with old clothes, blankets and wool shavings to sustain the warm temperature. It's also good to feed the worms at least a quarter more than you're supposed to since more food by the worms gives way for more heat to be generated within their bodies. So use these ideas and you can be on your way to create a great worm farm.

P Abbey owns and operates http://www.wormcompostingdiy.com - Worm Composting Troubleshooting

Flower Gardening: Have Your Flower Garden Bursting With Color All Year Round

Flower gardening need not be restricted to just summertime. Planning carefully and planting ahead of time, will have the garden filled with an array of flowers for all of the year round.

Let's plan the seasons, then for spring flowers, the best thing would be to plant bulbs. Any nursery will supply them, and if you're more disposed towards the exotic, and rare flower bulbs, there's a good chance that they will need to be ordered specially.

The most popular amongst bulb lovers are early springtime Crocuses, and cheerful Snowdrops. Tulips though, have shown to be the most famous of bulbs in demand by flower gardeners, and are available in a variety of colors, including a black-colored one, which is really more of a dark maroon.

Remember that all spring flowering bulbs should be planted in mid autumn, as this is the best time for them. Come any closer to winter and you're in danger of losing your whole crop of bulbs completely.

Moving through to summer, perennials are the firm favorite for flower gardening as they bare blooms almost continuously throughout the summer season, and on occasion longer. With a little luck and care, the perennials will last through to next year, and the following year. It's also found that as the years and the seasons roll on, your perennials will become fuller, and generally will become more abundant than the first year you planted them.

As autumn approaches most flower gardens are left with only few small hardy plants to choose from. For those more dedicated to flower gardening, that need not be the case. Hardy, drought resistant plants like Asters number among the many types of fall flowers available, and will look stunning in late summer/early fall, Generally, autumn plants will grow to a good 3-4 feet in height, and have vivid colors, as well as the more genteel pastel colors to choose from. Ornamental grasses are another favorite and will nicely complement your fall flowers.

So, take heart, take plenty of notes, plan, and buy to your heart's content. By the end of it all you truly will have a flower for every season, and your flower gardening efforts will be rewarded most bountifully

Ron is the webmaster and owner of http://www.gardeningmoments.com and would like to share his passion and ideas for creating a fantastic garden. Flower Gardening is not restricted to certain times of the year have flowers bursting with color all year round.

The Art Of Extracting Juices

Making juices may seem simple. There are a variety of devices used for making juices. The ideal juicer will make the maximum amount of liquid from a given quantity of plant material, leaving a quite dry residue behind which, incidentally, makes a first class material for composting organically grown fruits and vegetables.

An electric blender can make a juice-like liquid from soft raw materials and is quite good with raspberries and similar fruits although it is usually advisable to add a little water to the mixture before blending However, for nearly all sources of raw juices the most efficient machine is a purpose built juicing machine.

These represent a sizeable expenditure for the average family and it is often more economical to buy one where the basic motor unit can perform a number of different functions so that the whole is a useful culinary aid. For example, a model which is not only a continuous juicer but also shreds or slices for raw salads, blends and chops.

Every type has its own special merits and its particular disadvantages. Which you choose must depend on your individual circumstances, but an experienced health store owner is invariably a good and willing guide. But there are certain points that it is as well to be aware of in advance.

Any reasonable manufacturer will give a one year guarantee against faults in manufacture. The machine will be made of high quality plastics and chemically inert metals, such as stainless steel rather than the more reactive aluminum, in places where it is in contact with the juice.

The cheapest type and one that is usually very efficient consists of a basket with perforations into which the fresh materials are put through the feeding hole. There are cutters which divide the matter into fine particles. The basket whirls round expressing the juice through the holes by centrifugal force. After every pint or so of juice has been prepared the machine must be dismantled (always check to see if this is a simple or a tortuous task), the pulp has to be removed, the machine re-assembled and the process repeated. These are excellent value for the moderate user but very tiresome if you want many pints each day.

The next kind is the continuous machine in which the juice comes out of one aperture and the pulp from another. This is very convenient and some makers claim to have juiced two tons of apples without stopping. In these machines the design of the pulp outlet is very critical for especially with the softer fruits, there is a risk of clogging which if unnoticed leads to a table covered with leaking liquids and a very messy juicer. Do not be put off for the majority of makers have overcome such faults. Just make certain that you buy on the understood condition that continuous means more or less what it says.

The extraction rate is often a little lower that for other types but this is offset by the great convenience. It is important to remember to clean all juicing machines after use or else the rotting and caked-on residue will make a visit to the repairers a premature necessity.

The next class of machine is a hydraulic press which first shreds and then subjects the pulp to between 3,000 and 7,000lb (1375-3175kg) pressure leaving the plant matter almost bone dry. Such a machine is costly and often hard to obtain but probably the most efficient and certainly very desirable for institutional use. It is too large and awkward for normal juicing purposes.

Finally we must consider the non-electric or manual methods of juicing which have, after all, been the only means possible until recently Very good results are obtainable with a small scale wine press. The fruit or vegetables are chopped and put into a slatted, circular wooden basket a threaded post runs up the centre and a long lever forces a strong plate downwards onto the material forcing the juice out. A good model will last so well that you may leave it to your heirs.

A good juicer is an investment in health that is small compared to the great benefits you will derive from its regular use. Not only is it essential for therapeutic purposes but, when you are fit and well, fresh raw juices can be prepared into subtle and delicious cocktails of entrancing gastronomic delight. Who else but the host/hostess with a juicer can offer good health with a drink?

Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home remedies websites which have information on all the common and serious illnesses and many benefits from the different juices and ways of extracting it.

Design Your Garden With Permaculture Principles

It seems there are two big reasons people are reluctant to do more with their yards: money and time. But you can save a lot of both if you take a little time to consider how your yard fits into the environment around it and you can let Mother Nature do some of your gardening for you.

The fancy word for thinking about and organizing intelligent ecological design is permaculture, coined in the late 1970s. It was first intended as an alternative to destructive industrial agriculture, but its principles make absolute sense for the home gardener as well.

The first and most important step (yet also free) is to observe the effect of the elements and how they interact on your property. So get out a pencil and paper, and draw a bird's-eye view of your lot and buildings. You can get a great overhead photo of your property from Google Earth. Trace the outline of your roof and all other surfaces and buildings where water runs onto your property, and use it as your master. You can then use tracing paper to draw the water flows to see where you have a natural water harvesting opportunity.

You can also observe and plot sun/shade patterns. Did you know that the sun doesn't really rise in the east and set in the west? Okay, yes, technically it does, but it differs dramatically from summer to winter, moving far to the north in the summer, and south in the winter. How does that actually affect your yard? Track the sun patterns at the fall and summer solstice on the diagram you made earlier. Knowing where the shade is thrown is important for choosing the placement of garden plots, trees and plants. How do the buildings on and around your property provide shade? What about your trees or your neighbor's trees? Maybe you don't have much shade. That may dictate how you design your new space, and most importantly, what you plant.

Here in the desert, we've got to make the most of our water. Soil built with plenty of compost and other organic materials actually retains water best. You can also design your garden in a way to maximize retention as well: every drop that flows down a storm drain is a drop that could have raised the water table on your own property. The best way is to build a system of berms and swales, either on contour, or as is the case on most urban lots, as a path system with sunken beds. You'll eventually use less municipal water and create a cooling effect with more moisture around your home. Think about using barrels or cisterns to collect rainwater and help with day-to-day watering. Arizona rainwater harvesting expert Brad Lancaster has a great website filled with resources.

So now you're ready to start digging, but what's the best type of bed? Surprisingly, sunken beds have some advantages in the desert that are worth considering. They're cooler, hold water better, and give plants a little extra shade. Raised beds allow you more control over the content of your soil, but they may also limit the depth of your garden, and they dry out faster. Most plants have roots that grow down, so if your raised bed is not at least two to three feet high, your plants will grow through your wonderfully amended soil and only to hit our Arizona clay. If you must use a raised bed, be sure to also turn the soil under the bed before you build it. If you're concerned about the content of your soil, or want to know what it might be lacking, you can get a soil test at one of the agencies listed at the your local extension office

Google the word permaculture to learn more and find on origanization in your area.

Doreen Pollack is the Garden Goddess and owner of Down 2 Earth Gardens. Join her newsletter for free gardening tips on monthly What to Do in Your Garden this Month. She also holds garden consultations and gardening classes in Phoenix AZ. To find a workshop near you, visit http://www.down2earthgardens.com