Basic Gardening Tips for Beginners

You've decided to plant a garden but you need basic gardening tips for beginners, this is the place to be. Gardening has become a delightful hobby for people all over the world.

There are many rewards for the gardener, the visuals of his creation, the scent of the blooms, great fresh air and lots of exercise. Imagine a weekend spent in the yard with your feet up drinking in the spectacular gardens that you have created the fruits of your labor and love. If you are a beginner gardener, here are some basic gardening tips. No matter how much room you have, you can create a masterpiece garden.

The basic garden tips for beginners will help you create new gardens and make it a successful and joyful experience. In the beginning go slowly, start small but use your imagination. Choose a project that will not take a long time to complete. If it takes you weeks to finish a project you will get frustrated and start to hate the project you wanted to enjoy. Even if you have 75 or 100 square feet you will be amazed at how much you can plant.

If you are determined to have a larger project, then work in sections and turn your attention to one area at a time. This way as each section is finished you can enjoy that completed job. This will also build up your confidence as you go along making the next section not so daunting.

But for a beginner gardener a small scale garden is optimal. You are going to have to learn the basics of gardening, all about disease, the best way to control weeds and pests, the all important watering and when and how to fertilize. After your initial project you can enlarge the garden or plant one somewhere else in your yard with your new found confidence.

To cut down on the weeding of your garden, place mulch around the plants. This serves three purposes; it cuts down on weeding, as well as aiding in temperature control and water retention. Granted there are some gardeners that love to work the soil and weed the plants but it would be more rewarding to tending to the plants or just watching them grow. To maintain really healthy plants water for longer periods of time but less frequently. Do not let the plants dry out. Always water early in the morning so the plant leaves have time to dry out during the day which helps prevent fungal disease.

After planting, try to have your garden remain pesticide free. An especially good natural deterrent is as follows:

In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture and 1 cup water. Use at ten-day intervals (or more often if needed) to rid plants of whiteflies, mites, aphids, scales, and other pests.

These are the basic gardening tips for beginners. Remember, that you can create lovely gardens in containers which you can move around as you please. There are hundreds of different plant combinations and containers that you can use for a container garden. So, if you are an apartment or condo dweller, you can plant lovely gardens on your balcony or patio. The basic tip here is that container gardens will dry out much faster than the plants in the ground so be vigilant about checking them for moisture.

Happy Gardening And Good Luck!

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at Gardening Landscaping Tips, Gardening Outside, and Herb Gardening

Delicious Ground Cover Or Edging Plants For the Edible Garden Landscape

There's no reason to settle for the old standbys when it comes to ground covers and edging plants for your landscape. When you take the edible garden landscaping approach, a wide variety of delicious plants is available to fill your yard's need for a ground cover as well as edging plants. Use herbs, fruits and even vegetables to create a beautiful cover that you'll also enjoy in your kitchen. Here are just a few ideas that could work in your garden landscape.

Herbs

Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) is an aromatic evergreen ground cover that grows no more than six inches in height. Drooping white flowers are followed by edible red berries also know as tea berries. However, the leaves are used most often for flavoring. Varieties available for hardiness zones 3-8.

Garden Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a perennial herb that grows 4-8 inches tall. It should be planted in full sun. The leaves can be used fresh any time and leaves can be dried for later use. A number of varieties are available for hardiness zones 4-9.

Greek Oregano (Origanum heracleoticum) is the type of oregano most often associated with cooking. It is a perennial that grows 8-12 inches tall, if it is regularly harvested; but it could grow up to 30 inches tall, if not managed. Cutting stems all the way back to the ground will encourage more stems and a fuller plant. Oregano does best in well-drained soil in full sun and is hardy in Zones 5-9.

Fruits

Strawberries can grow 6-12 inches high and some varieties are hardy all the way to Zone 2 if they are covered over winter. Strawberries require direct, full sunlight and light, well-drained soil. They bloom early in the spring, so don't plant them in low-lying areas of your yard where cold air gets trapped.

Low growing or "half-high" blueberries grow a bit taller than strawberries - 18-24 inches - but they make a terrific landscape plant as well as fruit producer. The University of Minnesota has developed a couple of varieties in particular that are very cold hardy making it possible for edible gardeners to grow blueberries in cold hardiness zones 3-7. They do need acidic soil and 2 or more different varieties to propagate.

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)grows only a few inches high and compare to the cranberry in use, although it is smaller and if picked at the peak of ripeness can be eaten right off the plant, unlike the cranberry. Lingonberry thrives in full sun or partial shade, but if summers are hot, they do best in partial shade. They prefer very acidic, moist soil. Cold hardiness zones 4-7. Also known as foxberry, mountain cranberry, lowbush cranberry, mountain bilberry, or partridgeberry.

Vegetables

Swiss Chard has a smoother and larger leaf with a more mild flavor than spinach with the added bonus of delicious stems. There are several new varieties such as Neon & Bright Lights that also have stunning stems. Chards prefer at least 6 hours of sun per day and well-drained non-acidic soil.

Kale is another plant that can really surprise with a variety of leaf sizes, shapes, colors and textures. They have sweet tender greens that get better in cooler weather. Redbor and Winterbor both have curly leaves - Redbor's are a deep purple and Winterbor's are greenish blue. When combined they make a stunning border. This plant grows to about 12 inches, prefers part- to full-sun and sandy soils; although it does OK in some clay. Grown in hardiness zones 2-10.

Lettuce blends that combine a wide variety of shapes, textures and colors make stunning cut and come again borders. Read seed packages and plant descriptions carefully to select varieties that are slow to bolt (when the plant flowers and produces seed). If you plant in partial shade you may be even to extend the growing season even longer, particularly where temperatures get hot in summer.

These are just a few of the options for using edibles for edging or ground cover plantings. Just about any low-growing edible plant would work, use your imagination and ask questions if you're unsure. Feel free to email me at info@ediblegardenlandscaping.com. Sources: Landscaping with Fruit by Lee Reich and garden catalogs from Miller Nurseries, Cook's Garden

About the author

Greene has been gardening for more than 25 years and has focused on edible garden landscapes for the last 12. Her website, ediblegardenlandscaping.com provides information and resources to people who want to use more of their available growing space for beautiful trees, shrubs and plants that also provide a delicious, nutritious and economical food supply to the home gardener. Be sure to sign up for the Weekly Tips E-Newsletter at [http://www.ediblegardenlandscaping.com] to be the first to know when the Edible Garden Landscaping book becomes available! For quick answers to your Edible Garden Landscaping questions, email Lisa at info@ediblegardenlandscaping.com.

Lawn Edging

How do you make those flowers bloom where they are planted and not go overboard and how do you make your turf stick to its own turf and not edge into your flower beds, borders, and garden spaces? Lawn edging is the answer!

Edging bricks, lawn timbers, and treated wood edging , molded plastic edging and heavy duty plastic strips are all ways to wall in your flowers and keep weeds out of your garden and the other landscaped areas of your yard. In addition to curbing your weed problem, lawn edging also keeps mulch and decorative landscape treatments in place.

Brick edging remains a favorite method of lawn edging. Now available in many colors and pattern variations, it is an attractive, durable, and easy way to cut back on lawn chores.

If you want to dig deep into your weed problem, pressure treated wood edging or plastic strip edging is the way to go. Because these types of edgers are usually easier to bury deeper than bricks, molded plastic edgers (decorative), or wood timbers, they provide more resistance to types of invasive weeds that send out underground runners.


Of course, you can always put the action into lawn edging by trimming your lawn with an edging tool. Lawn edgers are sold in various types from spade shaped implements to those that look like saw blades on wheels. In addition to muscle powered diggers and walk-behind rolling edgers (which also take a fair amount of muscle in a dry summer!), there are many electric and gas powered appliances. Some weed trimmers also have special lawn edging attachments that keep you from chopping the shrubbery off with the weeds!

With all the variety in today's modern edging tools, appliances, and edging embellishments, it's easy to make your manicured yard a picture of perfection right up to the very edge of it!

Linda is an enthusiastic gardener, researcher and author of http://www.gardening-guides.com and http://www.lawnmower-guide.com/ at these sites you find heaps of information and the solution to most gardening and lawn issues.

Designs For Garden Flower Beds

Various designs for garden flower beds can be applied on your garden. These designs should be carefully followed and maintained as well for better enjoyment of the garden layout. Gardens give delight to our human senses such as tasting, smelling, feeling, hearing and seeing. They give our senses the natural stimulation as we get surrounded with flowers and greenery environment. However, designing a garden can be a tedious process for any gardener since the purpose of giving delight to other people would always be there. Also, the measures of giving excitement to all our human senses would also be there as a purpose in designing our own garden.

Flower beds would always be one of the attractive portions of a garden. It makes the plantings and flower plants to appear even better. It also gives the garden a nice layout for better appearance. Flower beds are also best in segregating perennials to avoid mixtures of bordering. This scheme helps the separation of shrubs join flowers and small flowering trees for a more pleasing arrangement. Here are some helpful tips that can help you enhance your designs for garden flower beds:

(1) A wide size of flower bed is better. This is to allow the adding of graceful flowering trees and flowering shrubs that may grow as season changes. It also allows that lush and layered look for more planting opportunities. The flower beds should be at least 5-6 feet in width.

(2) Every flower bed requires a definition sense whereas a good line that will set them apart within the garden is a must. There are various lines that can be used for the flower beds. Among these lines include straight and curved lines. The straight lines give more elegance to the scene of a garden. However, the curved lines are the most preferred by some people since it gives a more elegant flower bed designs. Wiggly lines for curve lines on flower beds are not recommended since it gives a wavy pattern for the snakes.

(3) Planting in group for garden flower beds gives the impression of a well-planned garden. This idea is recommended by most garden experts to avoid jumbling look for the garden. Of course, planting in group is not recommended for those stand-alone plants that are in odd-numbered groupings.

(4) Check and monitor the height of your plants on the time that they are supposed to get tall or taller. It is best to give some tags on some plants for your reference on the next checking. In this way, you can easily monitor the change of size if needed for your garden flower beds.

(5) Create unity for your garden flower bed designs. Try to limit the colors and the sizes of the beds if possible. Make it more harmonious as well to give a more appreciating look for the garden. If needed or possible, you can put some specimens of other plants on the flower beds to make it more appealing.

Candis Reade is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about Designs for Garden Flower Beds [http://flowerislandgarden.info/designs-for-garden-flower-beds], please visit Flower Island Garden [http://flowerislandgarden.info] for current articles and discussions.

Flower Bed Edging Ideas

If you are into gardening, you obviously know what a difference a border can make to your flower bed. It is not just about giving your garden a polished look. It is about improving visual appeal and creating your own style.

Although the edging ideas are only limited by your imagination, here are some popular ideas that you can borrow to enhance the look of your garden.

o Plants: This is the most commonly used edging. You can use plants like shrubs, perennials, flowering plants or even small trees around the border of your flower bed. The idea is to have plants that are big enough to attract attention but not so big that you would have to spend all your time pruning and maintaining them. A broad border is suitable for beds with tall flowers. You have tall edging to give your home privacy and this is more suitable for the boundaries of your garden or where there is a garden bench. You can use flowering plants like asters, geraniums, chrysanthemums or tulips to make a colorful flower bed edging. If you want a hedge-like look, then opt for herbs.

o Flagstones: Usually people use flagstones in the space between the lawn and the flower beds. This method of edging ends up giving the garden a English-garden appearance. In addition, flagstones offer an outlet for water and make mowing rather easy.

o Terracotta Tiles: You can use different colored terracotta tiles cut into decorative shapes and sizes, and bury them partially near the flower bed. You do not have worry about maintenance and at the same time end up with a novel landscaping idea.


o Bricks: You can use bricks, especially mismatched ones, to give your flower bed a domino effect. Although many people use red bricks, you can use colored ones too. This type of edging is easy to lay down and offers an easy outlet for excess drainage water from the flower bed.

About Author:
Pauline Go is an online leading expert in the gardening. She also offers top quality articles like:
Weeds in Flower Garden,
Growing Organic Vegetables

Concrete Landscape Edging

When you are living on the suburbs, there is an ongoing competition where your front lawn says a lot about you and how well - off you are. And what would be more humiliating than a front lawn that looks like the jungle in Vietnam. So why not give it a classy and professional look. Who you would do that, you ask. Well, you could try concrete landscape edging. It has lots of benefits for your front lawn and your backyard and it would definitely save you from the trouble of being branded as a careless and untidy person. It would definitely make your flower beds look more organized, cleaner and nicer. It also provides each the sections of your lawn a neater appearance, like it is well - groomed. And the best thing about this is that you could actually do these things yourself. All you need is some effort and some few basic tools and you are ready to place edgers that would improve the entire look of your front lawn.

Concrete Landscape Edging 

First things first. You should determine the exact type of concrete landscape edging that would suit your preference. Anything that would make you feel a little bit comfortable with it. You could even pour down concrete and make a concrete landscape edging out of it. It is perhaps the easiest method of making it. You should choose from a variety of option that includes:

Concrete Landscape Edging 

1. Straight lengths
2. Circular lengths
3. Curved lengths
4. Swirled lengths

These are intended to be compatible with others so that you connect them without a problem at all. They would link together perfectly. By doing so, you would be able to create flowerbeds out of it. You could also actually pick colors that would fit your preference. Available colors are green, tan, and beige. Pick one that would perfectly fit your existing landscape.

Concrete Landscape Edging 

Next, you need to mark your borders. To do this, you need to measure it firs. You can use strings and tie it wooden sticks so that you could mark where you want to place the flower beds. For curved concrete landscape edging, try using an ordinary garden hose and lay it down according to the shape or curve that you wanted. Then use either of the following to mark the edge in which you want to place the curved concrete landscape edging"

1. Spray Paint
2. Flour
3. Chalk

Now, you have to dig up some sort of trench for your concrete landscape edging. The size should be at least the same size or width as the edgers. But to be totally sure, make the trench a bit wider. Remove all the debris, rocks and other objects when you dig the trench. The bottom of the trench should be leveled using sand. Lay down the concrete landscape edging and pour a thin layer of concrete on the trench. This is to make sure that the concrete landscape edging is secured. You should lay the concrete first before the concrete landscape edging.

So now that you know how to make your own concrete landscape edging, I guess it's time to make one for your front lawn.

Need more concrete tips?
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