Winter Is Starting To Fade

Well winter is by no means over yet but we are now headed towards Spring. I can hardly wait to get back out to the woodland garden. The first day of Spring is 1 month 3 weeks and 2 days from today. It seems like a ways off but the signs are already starting to show. The days are getting longer and soon the tempersture will start to moderate . These are all good things to dwell on because it will take your mind off the cold and snow.

Woodhaven Lakes will be holding a cabin fever weekend on February 13th and 14th for those that can’t wait to get out and enjoy some events. I will not be able to attend because I need to be available 24 – 7 until the end of March. But I will be out as soon as the first weekend in March when no snow is forecast . Trying to plan anything in February always backfires so I have given up.

I always get antsy at this time of year and can not wait till I can get back to the woodland garden. It will be soon though and I will be able to enjoy the spring flowering bulbs and early perennials as they start to poke their heads up out of the earth after the long winters rest. Before you know it the place will be ablaze in color and the sound of happy birds as they fill their stomachs and try to find a mate. Yes it won’t belong till the magic of the woodland garden takes over again….

http://thewoodlandgarden.com/

When to Plant Flowers Outdoors

When you are planning out your planting calendar for your outdoor flower garden, there are several things that you need to keep in mind. Two of the main factors are what type of plant you are planting and what type of climate that you live in, as these will both be very important factors in your planting schedule. Another thing to factor in is the current weather as every year can be different. If you have early spring plants, you may have to hold off on planting them until you are sure that the last frost is gone if it's a particularly cold year. The best time to start your flower garden varies depending on the type of plant as well. Annuals Annual plants are those that need to be planted again every year. These are more delicate plants and you need to make sure that they are planted after the last spring frost, otherwise there is a very good chance that they will freeze with the next cold snap. There are a couple of exceptions which include violas and pansies. These are sold as cold weather annuals and can last through harsher weather conditions. Bare Root Perennials Perennials are sold either as bare root plants or container grown. If you have purchased a dormant bare root plant, as soon as you can work the ground, you can plant it. This is when the soil is no longer frozen but not wet and muddy either. Dormant bare root plants need to wake up slowly with the season and this is the perfect way to do this. If you have to store the plant before planting it, you want to keep it in a cool, dark place, but only for a couple of days. Get it in the ground as soon as possible and keep it out of warm areas or else the root may start to grow before you have a chance to transplant. Container Grown Perennial Plants If the container grown perennial has been grown outdoors, you can transplant it as soon as you purchase it, assuming that the ground is workable. Those which have been grown in a greenhouse, however, need time to adapt to the outdoor conditions. These can be hardened by setting the pot out in the sun each morning and keeping it in a more protected area during the remainder of the day and night. Make sure that it also has protection from the wind and the frost if it has leafed out. Keep it watered enough so that the soil is as moist as a wrung out sponge. After leaving it in these conditions for a week, you can transplant the flowers into your garden. If you are in doubt about when to plant flowers outdoors, talk to your local nursery. Workers there will know all about proper planting times or will have the means to find out. The tags that come with most flowers will also give you a good idea of when they should be placed in the ground.

Growing Herbs From Seed When To Start

When should you start herb seeds for you garden. This is a good question below you will find a chart of the proper time to germinate some common herbs before the last frost date in your area.

Why Germinate Your Own Herb Seeds

One of the best reason to grow your own herbs from seeds is that for the price of a single herb plant you can probably purchase three or more packages of seeds. Also there are some herbs which you might like to try that are hard to find at the local nursery or garden center.

How many weeks before spring to start herb seeds.

Basil	Six to eight weeks before your last frost date
Chives	Eight weeks before your last frost date
Cilantro	Seed directly after your last frost date
Dill	Seed directly after your last frost date
Fennel	Four to six weeks before your last frost date
Lemon Balm	Six to ten weeks before your last frost date
Oregano	Six to ten weeks before your last frost date
Rosemary	Eight to ten weeks before your last frost date
Sage	Six to ten weeks before your last frost date
Thyme	Six to ten weeks before your last frost date

Basic Information

You can start your seedlings in almost any kind of container. Use a light soil mix and keep it moist. I like the peat pots found at most garden centers for their biodegradability. When it is time to plant just tear off the bottom and plant them right in the ground or container.

Seedlings will need to be kept moist while they are growing don’t let the containers dry out too much but remember moist not soggy.

Provide enough light if not the seedling will grow long and spindly and not be as healthy. If you do not have enough light where you are growing out the seedlings than suplement with florescent lights above the seedlings.

All in all growing your own herbs from seeds is not that difficult and I am sure you will find it rewarding.

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Choosing and Planting Perennials

Why Choose Perennials

The use of perennial flowers could be a great way to liven up your garden without adding a lot of extra work.

Perennial flowers are strong, local flowers that come back every year without having to replant or do very much work. During their off seasons, the flowers and stems die back and you can hardly even tell the plant is there While they are dormant these plants are still alive. . When it’s time to bloom, entirely new stems and flowers shoot up where the old ones were.

Before deciding which plants to choose be sure your soil drains well. Most plants require that the root zone stays moist but not wet so well drained soil is a must. Adding compost to the soil is a great way to ensure that the soil will retain moisture while improving it’s structure for better drainage.

Picking your perennials can be a complicated process but not that bad. Most perennials bloom at certain times of the year. The goal should be to have something in flower through out the the year. Making a chart of different perennials that will grow in your area and their bloom times will greatly help your planning.

If you plan it right, you can have a different type of flower blooming at any point in the growing season . Getting just the right mixture of plants can give your yard a constantly changing array of colors. Remember that you will also have to consider the site as well as far as sun or shade goes. A little research will pay off big in the long run and insure you have a beautiful garden .

When you go to purchase your plants be sure to look for healthy plants with out damage. Try to remember that most perennials spread rather quickly and can fill in an area in just a couple of seasons. So a smaller plant may not be such a bad idea as well as more economical as well .

You should definitely use mulch when planting perennials. This will reduce the overall amount of work you have to do, by reducing the amount of weeds and increasing the water retention. As for fertilizer, use it sparingly once your plants are established.

When you plant set your perennials with enough space to allow for growth without overcrowding. A great rule of thumb that I use is that most plants will double in size their 2nd season. Also be sure to remember their height try to place the taller plants towards the rear and low growers to the front. The most important thing is to enjoy your garden and you can always tweak it and move things around. Isn’t that what gardening is all about!

POND MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

Ponds And Waterfalls Are A Beautiful Addition To Any Landscape.

A water garden paradise in your own backyard

~~ Bringing Water Paradise to Your Backyard, Listen to the Soothing Sound, Enjoy Your Pond~~

The sound of a gentle water fall splashing in to a pool of cool clear water in your backyard . As fish play and frolic on the surface. The dragonflies skitter back and forth around the pond as they look for a perch atop a tall water plant. Beautiful water lilies bloom to bring a splash of color to your shimmering pond. A frog sits motionless on a rock waiting patiently for it’s next meal to come along as a bird stops in for a cool drink or a quick splash in the waterfall.

Those that have a pond in their yards will tell you it is not just a breathtaking garden feature it is a way of life. To sit down by the pond after a long day of stress and problems and feel your body slowly start to unwind as the never ending show unfolds before you is probably one of the greatest stress relieving activities that you could ever participate in. A lot of folks tell us that after a long day at work they can not wait to get home and go by the pond and see what is new or different today. The idea of pulling up a chair with a drink in your hand is a soothing balm for the commute home.

Our job is to build ponds and water features for our clients. We do not just dig a hole throw in the plumbing, some plants, and fish. Each of our ponds are designed after consulting with our clients to try and match their ideas and expectations. To custom design the type of experience our clients are looking for. We use only the top of the line materials and supplies for a problem free water feature that will give you years of enjoyment without costly repairs.

Glenns Garden Landscape Services is a premier pond and aquatic garden maintenance and construction company. We can assist you with all your pond construction and maintenance needs. Pond plants, fish, pumps, skimmers and maintenance are some of our services.

We Offer The Following Services:

• Pond Installation And Design
  We offer free phone estimates on new pond construction based on size and area of the pond or waterfall. Phone estimates are just that and may not reflect the final cost of any project. They are very helpful though in helping to establish a budget.We highly recommend our on site consultation and design service for those who are seriously considering a water feature installation.Our professional designer will meet with you on site to discuss your project and help design a water feature which will enhance your property and fit in well with your lifestyle and landscape. Please set aside at least two hours for this consultation.The fee for your on site consultation will be credited back on your construction project.
• Aquatic Plant Installation
  We can help increase your ponds aesthetics and efficiency with a complete selection of water and bog plants.
• Monthly Maintenance
  Most ponds are low maintenance, however, some people still like us to come and keep an eye on things. This service includes cleaning debris out of the skimmer net and pond itself, adding water as needed and adding natural bacteria to the system
• Annual Cleanup
  Spring
  A great time to clean your pond of any debris that has settled in the pond over the winter. You are then ready for a great summer pond season.
  Fall Clean Out
  You may have a lot of debris that has collected during the fall months. This debris can break down during the winter and feed the algae. To avoid this, many choose to have a fall clean out.
• Pond Renovations
  We offer complete renovations or additions to existing ponds and water features.
• Repairs
  We can provide emergency repair service as well as equipment replacement. We use only the highest quality material and supplies from the nations number one manufacturer.

VISIT OUR FAQ PAGE CLICK HERE

The soothing quality of a waterfall splashing next to a patio or in a yard is one of the finest ways to enhance your property. It is a great place to relax, pause, and refresh yourself.

Rain Barrels Old Technology More Useful Than Ever

If you’re a gardener that has an unlimited supply of water, consider yourself lucky. There are many who live in drought zones where the garden and lawn watering rules are very strict and make it hard to maintain healthy garden growth . Many people just give up when they find out how few gallons of water they are permitted to use, or more so the cost of the water. Many have found ways to cope with less available water and the high cost .

Conserving Water

Some of the ways to maximize your water conservation while still enjoying a healthy lush garden are include drip irrigation (the use of a pipe or hose with small holes to gradually seep into the roots of the plant), the placement of plants in groups of equal watering needs (to prevent wasting water on plants that don’t need it), and using compost or mulch to insulate the water and prevent drainage.

One of the best ways to keep your garden alive and growing during a drought is to take preventative measures. Even during a drought period there is usually a few weeks of heavy rain. If you to set up several rain barrels you will be able to . Many people think this would be a time consuming, silly thing to do. But it can save you many gallons of water, and requires very little work.
Even those who have plenty of water available should take advantage of this. The high noitrogen in rainwater is greatt for plants

Finding the barrels will probably be easy. A lot of home improvement centers and garden shops are starting to carry these items. You can even make your own out of 30 gallon or 55 gallon plastic drums available in classified ads or craigs list. If you make your own be sure to have a tight fitting screen top to prevent mosquitoes and debris. A simple on and off spigot can be installed available at most home improvement centers. You can use the rain water collected to run a drip irrigation system or simple run a hose off the barrel.

Once you have your barrels ready, you’re faced with the decision of where to place them. You should place them under down spots off your gutter system. The ideal would be to place them at all downspouts but even one or two will catch a large amount of water .

Not only will this project make your gardening greener it will conserve some of our resources . Using this old technology will help you to be more green with healthier plants to boot.