Pesticides are harmful to us and the environment. There are more than 9,000 different acceptable pesticides that have been approved by the FDA. You may not be able to see, smell or taste them, but unless you eat organically-grown food, you’re consuming them. And unfortunately these pesticides don’t harm only the pests they are intended for. They can pose health risks for us too. Even produce certified as organic may contain some pesticides that are allowed under the organic certification, although the amount of pesticides on organic produce will be far less than that used on commercially-grown, non-organic produce.

So are pesticides even necessary? Contrary to what the developers of agricultural pesticides would tell you, the answer is NO. And the one way to make sure the food you eat is pesticide-free is to grow your own, work with nature instead of “fighting” against her, and use natural pesticides if you really have to.

Pesticides can:
* be carcinogenic
* cause infertility
* cause organ damage
* cause birth defects
* cause neurological problems
… and more.

The big advantage of growing your own food, is that you can have the freshest, tastiest food for a fraction of the cost of store bought. Now if you could also grow your food organically you would also have the healthiest food available, you won’t be contributing to the environmental damage caused by chemical pesticides and you’d save even more money, since organically grown food is usually more expensive.

Just because you don’t use chemical pesticides, doesn’t mean you have to put up with insect damage to your garden either. There are many tried and true natural pesticide alternatives that work just as well or better. You probably have the ingredients for most of them in your kitchen already. Here are just a few to get you started.

4 Natural Pesticides You Can Make At Home

1. The Beer Trap: Slugs and snails can decimate a garden literally overnight if they get out of control. Luckily, they also love a popular human beverage – beer. They don’t mind if it’s flat, either. You can use a bowl, or even better re-use a discarded jar with the lid removed. Pour some beer into your container and place it near a bed you want to protect overnight. The slugs and snails, attracted to the beer, will crawl in to have a drink and drown. The next day, tip it out and repeat.

2. Dish Soap Spray: This is one of the simplest natural pesticides you can make. It works well on mites, aphids, whitefly, mealy bugs and scale insects. Just mix a cup of biodegradable liquid dish soap, such as natural castile soap, into a gallon of water. Pour some into a spray bottle and use it to mist your plants. Only use it when necessary to keep pests under control, because it can slow down the growth of your fruits and vegetables. Since it’s effective, and doesn’t have a strong odor it’s ideal for use on your indoor plants as well.

3. Garlic & Cayenne Pepper Spray: This spray protects against slugs and insect infestation. To one gallon of water add one minced/mashed garlic bulb, one minced/mashed onion and either 3 fresh cayenne peppers, minced (if you have them) or 4 tablespoons of dried cayenne powder. Let it steep for 24 hours. Strain out all the pulp, so it won’t clog your spray bottle, add 1/4 cup biodegradable liquid dish soap and stir it in. Fill your spray bottle and apply where needed. The pulp can be buried around the edges of your garden beds to help repel the insects. The oil in the cayenne will burn if it comes in contact with your skin or mucus membranes (like your nose and throat), so be sure to use eye protection, gloves, and use caution when working with this spray.

4. Orange Spray: This spray is great for getting rid of soft-bodied insect pests such as aphids, mealy bugs, and can also be used indoors and out as an ant repellant. Save your orange peels, if they are organically grown, all the better. Use 2 cups of boiling water, and one teaspoon of biodegradable liquid soap (such as castile soap) per orange peel. Pour the boiling water over the peel and let it steep for 24 hours, then strain. Add the liquid soap and pour into spray bottles.

All these recipes use safe, common household ingredients. They’re inexpensive and easy to make, and there is a certain satisfaction and sense of self-sufficiency that comes from making your own natural products. So this summer, instead of tipping out the stale beer after the barbecue or tossing out those orange peels try using them to make your own natural pesticides. Your garden, and your planet, will love you for it.

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Growing your own fresh, organic produce is satisfying on so many levels. Flavor; the convenience of walking out to your garden to select fresh vegetables to prepare for a family meal; reduction of food costs; and knowing the origin of your food source, are just a few. Gardening can be both an art and a science, and it can take some trial and error to get to the point where you can rely on your own green thumb to provide an adequate food source for your family. Here are a few basic tips that can help you get started.


Location

Choosing an area for your garden is the first step, and should be considered one of the most important. Growing organic produce requires a fair amount of sunshine, so choose a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of sun per day. If you need to clear an area of vegetation before working the soil, wet down the area and cover it with a layer of black plastic for 3-4 weeks prior to digging up the area. This will rid the plot of existing grass and weeds, and will also sterilize the soil, killing any dormant weed seeds. To ensure a truly organic garden, you’ll also want to make sure that your garden is not located in an area that was recently treated with lawn chemicals or pesticides. If you have difficulty meeting any of these requirements, a raised bed garden is a great option.

Soil

The soil needs to be well-drained, and have a rich organic consistency. Add peat moss, and a variety of composted materials to build up your soil. If you are using a raised bed garden, you can create your own soil mix by combining peat moss, vermiculite, and compost in equal portions. All of these materials can be purchased at your local garden center. You’ll also want to start your own compost pile for ongoing inexpensive soil amendments. There also organic fertilizers available to build up the soil.

Planting

When selecting what to grow, it is best to start small, and choose plants that your family likes to eat or that can be added to dishes that appeal to your family. Be sure to choose seeds that are organic or open pollinated, and if buying seedlings, choose the organic varieties. Garden centers are a good source of organic seeds and seedlings, however if you are unable to find them commercially, starting your own seeds indoors in a greenhouse is a cost-effective way to ensure that your plants are organic. First-time gardeners may want to start with plants such as beans, peas, carrots, onions, squash, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, and pumpkins as they are all easy to grow and need little care. Be sure to water transplanted seedlings and newly planted seeds well to encourage germination.

Weed Control

If you sterilized the soil prior to planting your garden, or you’re using the raised bed garden technique and created your own mix of soil, weed growth should be minimal. Sowing seeds in close proximity, and companion planting (such as growing marigolds next to tomatoes) results in very little room for weeds to grow between plants. Once the vegetables are established, mulching around the plants and on garden paths is a very effective method of maintaining a weed free garden, and also builds up your soil as the mulch decomposes. When using mulch, be sure that it contains only organic materials (not grass clippings that have been treated with lawn chemicals). Keep any new weeds at bay by hoeing and weeding by hand regularly. When hand weeding, be sure to pull the weed from the base of the plant to ensure that you get the entire root. Pouring boiling water over the entire plant is also an effective way to kill established weeds.

Insects and Pests

Many insects are beneficial to your garden, and organic gardening encourages bees, butterflies, earth worms, and frogs to make themselves at home. Earth worms can be purchased and added to your soil. Lady bugs are also a welcome friend to organic gardeners as they feed on aphids which love to chew on leafy greens. Remove any unwanted pests by hand. Slugs, which can do a great deal of damage in very little time, can be deterred by using beer traps (shallow containers such as jar lids, filled with beer). You can also use organic slug repellent. Rabbits, deer, and other four legged creatures can be kept out of your garden by installing a fence around the perimeter of the plot. Fencing is easily installed by using steel fence posts and 4′ high wire mesh. Secure the bottom of the fence to the ground with stakes, and make sure the openings at the bottom of the mesh are small enough to keep the baby rabbits out too, as they can be very destructive all by themselves.

Water

Watering your garden until plants are well established, and during dry spells, will keep them healthy and better able to ward off diseases and pests. Watering in the morning will reduce problems with pests that like dark, moist places to hide (slugs). It also gives the plants extra energy to get through the hot, sultry days of summer.

Journal

Keeping a garden journal that includes dates, plant names, and photos will help you track what works and what, if any modifications you need to make for planning your garden next year. The photos will help with crop rotation, by helping you track where things were planted so you can move them around every year.

Don’t forget to get the whole family involved. Teaching your children organic gardening is educational and they’ll learn lifelong skills that are enjoyable and useful. For many people, learning how to garden organically is a hobby that can bring your family closer together, while creating memories and healthy eating habits that each of you can benefit from and cherish for years to come.

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“A beautiful garden is a work of heart.”

There is immense satisfaction in creating your own garden plan — the satisfaction derived from relaxing or entertaining in the garden as well as the satisfaction that comes from a job well done. The effort that you expend in planning and executing a design unique to you will add to the enjoyment your garden provides for years to come.

How do you begin to create a garden space that is unique to you? Here are ten simple steps that will help you move effortlessly through the process.

1. Identify WHY you want a garden.
   How will you use it? Who else will enjoy the garden? Remember that you may not be the sole inhabitant, so get input from all family members on how your outdoor space will be used.
2. Do a little dreaming.
   Now that you know why you want a garden and how you intend to use it, let your imagination play with all the possible features in your special space. A little dreaming will uncover those attributes that will put your personal imprint on the garden.
   
   Also decide whether you want a formal or an informal garden. Formal gardens are highly structured, divided by a strong central axis and cross axes. Informal gardens have a more natural look with strong, flowing curves.
3. Make a list of “must haves”.
   What items are essential? Listing your needs up front ensures that your final plan won’t be missing anything important. Do you need a retaining wall? A privacy fence? A path to the garage? More parking space? Do children need a place to play? What about pets?

   Walk around your property and make note of everything that is essential. Your final design should balance dream features and “must haves” to create a satisfying and functional space.

4. Evaluate what you already have.
   To get where you are going, it helps to know your starting point. Is your space large or small? Is the site flat or sloping? What is the climate? What type of soil do you have? How much water is available and from what sources? What are the predominate views?
5. Ballpark your budget.
   Once you know what you want and what you need, it’s time to consider what you are willing to spend. This dollar figure will influence what features you include in the final garden plan — trees, plants, hardscape materials and architectural elements such as arbors, fountains, ponds and benches.

   Remember that your “budget” comprises two elements: money and TIME. In terms of time, does the garden need to be finished by a certain date or can you create it over time? (Speed costs!) Also, how much time are you willing to budget to maintain your dream garden? Can you spare several hours a week or are you lucky enough to afford a caretaker?

   As you develop and refine your plan, you may need to balance time and cash costs. Be flexible. You may need to spend more time if you can’t spend more money and vice versa.

6. Identify your garden’s focal points.
   Every garden needs an eye-catching spot that causes you to pause a moment. When you choose a focal point, you are choosing the direction you want visitors to look when they enter your garden. Did your list of “wants” include a waterfall or fountain? An arbor retreat? A blossoming apple tree? If so, you are well on your way to identifying a focal point — or points — for your garden.
7. Create a rough design.
   Take all the information that you’ve gathered and incorporate it into a workable design that balances the “wants” with the “must haves”. Your goal is to create a space that is both satisfying and functional.

   Buy a pad of graph paper that contains 8 or 10 squares per inch and let each square equal one foot. (In other words, every inch on the paper will equate to 8 or 10 feet on your property.) Create a basic map with your property lines and house drawn to scale.

   You will also need tracing paper, markers, a tape measure, a ruler, a pencil and a good eraser. Lay the tracing paper over your basic scaled map. Then refer back to your list of “must haves” and “wants” as you sketch the various areas of your garden. Show the approximate position of focal points, activity areas (“rooms”) and pathways. Use as many sheets of tracing paper as necessary until you find a layout that pleases you and meets the goal that you identified in Step 1.

8. Choose your plants and hardscape.
   The colors and materials that you choose will create the character of your garden, adding interest, movement and visual appeal. Do you want harmonious colors or strong contrast? Warm hues or cool tones? Bold colors or soft hues? Mixing different colors and materials and textures will give your garden a strong sense of space.

   Plants comprise a significant part of your garden. In addition to plants, hardscape materials contribute variety and texture — wood arbors, brick borders, gravel paths, bronze statuary, and wrought-iron benches.

   As you review your preliminary layout, consider the best material for each of the hardscape elements. Keep in mind that each element needs to fit with and compliment the whole. For example, a terrace constructed of the same material as the house unifies while railroad ties around a formal garden create discord.

9. Make a scale drawing.
   Thus far, you have created a basic map of property lines and your house as well as an overlay sheet that shows focal points, “rooms” and pathways. You also have a list of the trees, shrubs and plants for each area of your garden. Now you need to create a scale drawing that shows EXACTLY where each feature will go. You will use this blueprint to lay the walkways, set the arbors and trellises, and plant the trees, shrubs and flowers.

   It is important that you have enough information to help you create in reality the garden that you just designed on paper. As long as your scale drawing or blueprint is in sufficient scale to accomplish that purpose, you will be successful.

10. Execute your plan.
    Before you begin actual construction of the garden, check all local building codes and regulations to make sure that you will be in compliance. Structures such as decks, patios and retaining walls may require a permit from the local city government. Once all permits are in place, you can start to lay out the garden.

    With your scale drawing as a blueprint, use a tape measure to position all structures, walkways and plants. Be sure to measure accurately so each element in your design fits its assigned space.

If designing a garden space sounds a bit intimidating, don’t panic. Just follow these steps one by one and let a space unfold that feels right to you. You CAN do it. After all, a successful garden is just another room of your house, which you’ve already successfully decorated!

With some imagination (and a lot of perspiration), you can create an outdoor room where you will enjoy spending time with your family and where you will be proud to welcome friends.

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Hydroponic Gardening is becoming very popular. There are many reasons for this, but first we need to define hydroponics or hydroponic gardening.

The simple answer is that hydroponic gardening means growing plants without soil or dirt. A growing medium and nutrient solution are used instead.

Advantages of Hydroponic Gardening

1. Hydroponic gardening means year round gardening. In other words, you can have fresh herbs and vegetables year round. No longer do you need to do without during the winter or even worse, pay the prices for produce flown in from another continent. Year round gardening means year round fresh produce on your table.
2. Hydroponic gardening can be accomplished in a very small or confined space. And, it is best done indoors. So if you do not have a yard, hydroponics may be your answer for how to be a gardener.
3. Hydroponic gardening does not use soil. Plants grown in soil expend a lot of their energy sending the roots out looking for nutrients. With hydroponics, the roots are fed directly with the nutrients, allowing the plant to spend its energy growing a higher yield. And, since the plant is not exposed to the soil, the roots will not pick up any diseases which can then kill your plants.
4. Hydroponic gardening can be very controlled and precise. As the gardener, you will control the amount of nutrients your plants receive, as well as the amount of light. Because this is usually done indoors, you do not have to rely on the sun and the amount of rain to make your plants grow. You have complete control with a hydroponic garden.
5. Hydroponic gardens are relatively easy to set up. Many supplies can be purchased from your local discount store. You can choose to spend a lot or a little, depending on your goals. You can even buy kits for getting started. The one thing you must not skimp on is the nutrient solution. Because your plants are not getting certain trace minerals from the soil, you must provide them. Therefore, be sure to buy nutrients made specifically for hydroponic plants.

Whether one of these reasons is your deciding factor for becoming a hydroponic gardener or all of them are, you will find the hobby not only fascinating as you learn more, but also very rewarding as you provide your family with a constant flow of fresh produce year round.

If you’re looking for a soothing and aesthetically appealing addition to your garden, then you should consider adding a fountain. Nothing is more relaxing than enjoying sitting on a garden bench and listening to the calming sounds of a water fountain! In addition to the beauty a foundation brings to any garden, installing a water feature is fairly simple and a worth-while investment. Another advantage is the minimal amount of maintenance required to keep your foundation running smoothly and looking beautiful after it’s installed.

Fountains are typically installed for the natural ambiance they bring to life, even in the blandest of outdoor gardens. You can always feel a positive vibe soaking in a gorgeous water scene. For those practicing Tai Chi or other forms of yoga, the constant drone of the water enhances one’s ability to concentrate and focus on meditating. Even those not honing in on their mediation skills appreciate the meditative quality garden fountains offer.

Before installing a fountain, you should give some serious thought into selecting one that will nicely complement the rest of your garden’s theme. You should take into consideration the existing motif of the other decorative items found in your garden. For example, does the fountain you’re considering match the other decorations or does it look totally out of place? For nature lovers who may be a bit challenged when it comes to designing might consider asking someone more naturally inclined to help with design plans. You may also try searching online for water fountain themes and decorating ideas as well as do-it-yourself fountain projects.

Occasionally garden lovers installing a fountain may encounter technical difficulties, especially when supplying fountains with power electricity in cases where the garden isn’t in close proximity to a power supply. To avoid tacky eyesores, and more importantly dangers, from running long extension cords, it’s often necessary to come up with safer solutions. With the help of your local Home Depot or other home improvement store, you can find the perfect solution in the form of an extension cord that can be buried. After purchasing, all you need to do is dig a small trench across the yard from your garden to the nearest power supply. Although it may require a few hours of minimal labor, you don’t have to worry about unsightly cords cluttering up your yard and distracting from the beauty of your garden!

If you’re interested in adding a natural beauty and ambiance to your garden, a water fountain offers both at affordable prices to fit any budget. Fountains also add unique character to an otherwise boring garden. There are numerous styles, colors and themes of foundations for you to shop from. Remember, when you hear the word garden, it isn’t just used to describe those for growing vegetables! Nature lovers have enjoyed all the benefits gardens have to offer for centuries. Best enjoyed as a place to retreat to after a long day and dwell peacefully in your own little place on Earth to enjoy your thoughts with no interruptions!

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Gardening can add a new dimension of immeasurable beauty to your yard and life. But perhaps you don’t think you have enough time to dedicate to your garden. Even if you think you are too busy to dedicate spare time to gardening, you would be surprised how much you can do with just a couple of hours on the weekend a few minutes throughout the working week. If you crave a garden, but don’t think you have enough time for one, here are some simple tips and instructions on how to plant a low maintenance garden.

Designate a Space for Your Gardening

Gardening does not need to take up hours of your time. The easiest way to brighten up your yard or outdoor living space without exerting a lot of time, money and effort is to designate a specific space for your garden. A lot of gardens are time-consuming because the plants are scattered throughout a large outdoor area. If you limit your gardening space to one raised bed, for instance, you will not have to worry about watering several garden beds or maintaining a large garden. Start by focusing one area in your yard that needs space and work from there.

Container Gardening Adds Easy Color and Texture to Any Space

Do you want to brighten your yard with color and texture, but don’t have the time or money for a whole garden bed? Consider container gardening, an easy way to add flowers or plants to any part of your home. Moreover, if you are working with malnourished soil, or simply don’t have the space for a full planting, container gardening can fill this void with minimal effort. You can opt for one large planter, a variety of container sizes, or a small-scale container garden. Container gardening is a cost-effective and easy way to satisfy your craving for a garden without having to do the full-scale plant bed preparation, seeding and transplanting.

Choose Hardy Perennials for Easy Year-Round Color

Do you wish you had a garden that boasts year-round color? You don’t have to be a gardening whiz to ensure that your garden is rich in color and texture on a year-round basis. There are many hardy perennials that, once planted and become well established, will present you with blooms throughout the growing season. Perennials are plants that continue to bloom season after season. For this reason, perennials will usually cost you more, but the investment in a long-lasting garden is well worth it. Make sure that you understand which perennials thrive in your climate. You will want to choose the hardiest perennials available in your area for the best low-maintenance garden. Visit your local nursery and ask which plants do best in your area despite minimal care and attention.

Install a Drip Irrigation System for Easy Plant Care

Do you wish you had a healthy, thriving garden, but don’t have the time it takes to water your plants on a regular schedule? A drip irrigation schedule can take care of this for you. Drip irrigation systems are becoming increasingly popular because, once properly installed, they water your garden with maximum efficiency. This system works by dripping water on a continuous basis, thus avoiding over-watering and loss of evaporation. A drip irrigation system can help keep your plants properly watered without you having to lift the hose ever again. Moreover, these systems can help save you water and time, making them an environmentally friendly option for the modern gardener. Visit your local nursery or home improvement store to take a look at the latest drip irrigation systems. They can be tricky to install, so you may want to enlist the help of a professional.

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You want to enjoy the soothing sound of water in your garden, but you don’t have the time, money or resources to create a pond or purchase a large fountain. Fortunately, there are many fast and easy container water garden options that are open to you. If you don’t want to spend the effort in digging (or paying someone to dig) you a pond for a water garden, here are some easy ways to achieve fast container water gardens that are lovely to see and hear.

A Versatile Container Water Garden

Do you want a water garden without all the fuss? If so, here is one quick and fun project that will have your guests oohing and ahhing. This project takes all of a half hour to set up. A container water garden is essentially a large watertight pot with floating water plants. You can use your creativity to choose the container and the type of floating plant that you would like to put on display.

How to Create Your Own Unique Container Water Garden

Begin by finding a watertight pot that is the right size for your garden space and the plant you would like to feature in your water garden. A good choice is a glazed pot that can be used to grow lotus plants. These types of pots are known for their watertight structure. But if you cannot locate a traditional glazed lotus pot, any large watertight pot will do the trick. For the best effect, make sure that the watertight container you choose is at least 18 inches in height. You will also want a container that is at least 24 inches in diameter. When it comes to a water garden, aim for the size of half barrel. In fact, a half-barrel is the ideal size for your water garden, except that they are not watertight. However, many nurseries now sell plastic liners that are fitted to half barrels, which make it easy to transform a half-barrel into the perfect place to create your own water garden oasis. If you choose to use a half-barrel to create a water garden, make sure that you will be placing it in the right location. Remember that these are difficult to move and quite heavy, so they may not be ideal if you are planning to place your water garden on a deck or balcony patio.

Putting Together Your Water Garden

You will obviously need to work with aquatic plants in order to create your own water garden. You will need to fashion a platform on which your aquatic plant will sit. An easy way to achieve this effect is to use a stack of bricks on the plants can sit. However, this method should only be used if you don’t plant to move your water container garden, or if the weight of the planter does not matter. Once you have created a stable platform for your aquatic plants, you are ready to fill the container with water. Once you have filled your watertight container with water, arrange your aquatic plants on the platform in a way that you find pleasing. Let your imagination run free as you work on the composition of your aquatic plants.

Adding a Decorative Touch to Your Water Garden

If you want to hear the sound of water in your garden, you can add a neat decorative touch to your water garden by installing a re-circulating hand pump. This is an easy way to create a working water garden fountain. Simply install a small pump at the bottom of your water container garden with a short hose attached. This will keep the water circulating, which prevents the water from going stagnant.

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Are you looking for a fun and easy way to make your garden stand out? With just a few hours on the weekend, you can transform your garden using one of these quick and simple project ideas. Here are just a few projects that can make your garden sparkle.

Create a Charming Half-Barrel Fountain

This is a quick and simple garden project that can provide years of texture and soothing water sounds to your garden. Visit your local nursery to get the right parts for this project. You will need a half-barrel planter, a fitted plastic liner for the barrel, a re-circulating pump, a decorative water pump and the appropriate tubing. Part of the fun of this project is that you can individualize your half-barrel fountain to blend in with your yard environment. If you enjoy brightly colored pots and yard ornaments, you can coordinate your half-barrel so that it complements your garden environment.

Make Your Own Decorative Garden Wind Chimes with Recycled Items

There are many easy ways to put together your own decorative wind chimes using recycled items that you can find around the house. Easy recycled items include old spoons, keys and CDs that you no longer need. You can use a metal hanger and sturdy cord or wire to hang antique forks and spoons from the hanger so that you can listen to the relaxing sounds of your own handmade wind chime. You can use just about any resonant material, your imagination is your only limit. You can also use old CDs to create your own dazzling hanging display. These can pull double-duty as they are reflective and are helpful in ridding your garden of pests.

Paint a Few Pots and Watch Your Garden Sparkle

Want to add a little color to your garden? Here is a very fast and simple way to brighten up any patio or deck. Buy three planters of varying shapes and sizes and paint them with bright colors that coordinate with your home. Use stencils to create your own dazzling designs on your pots. Protect your handiwork with paint sealant. Choose flowers that coordinate well with the flowerpot. For instance, for a bright yellow pot, plant blue-blooming flowers with long stems. This will create an eye-catching display that will be sure to please.

Install Window Boxes with Bright Showy Annuals

This is a classic touch that has been overlooked in recent years. Installing window boxes below your windows adds a classic and charming touch that is not easily missed. Coordinate the window boxes to complement your homes exterior. You can choose from a variety of materials, including wood, metal and plastic. Plant showy annuals that complement the window box and your home’s exterior, providing warmth and vibrancy. This is a classic way to add color and texture to an otherwise drab exterior, and you can complete this project in one short afternoon.

Add Stepping Stones to Your Garden

What could be more charming than steppingstones that lead right up to your garden gate? This project is a fast and easy way to enhance the overall appearance of your garden. You can use natural stones that are available throughout your yard and plant them firmly in a well designed garden path, or you can purchase readymade steppingstones in a variety of designs from your local nursery or home improvement garden store.

Decorative Lighting Adds Security and Sophistication to Your Night Garden

Decorative lighting has never been as affordable as it is today. Install a row of solar lights along your garden path, and enjoy the subtle yet moving glow that it imparts across your night garden when the sun goes down.

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Involving kids in gardening can be a great experience and educational resource for children. If you do not have the time to have a big garden or the space, there are other options you can use. How about planting a herb garden with your kids?

There are many different possibilities on the market for planting herb gardens. The probably oldest way is to get a pot or container and fill it with potting soil. Then add some seeds that you can buy at many garden centers or even at your local department or grocery store sometimes. Spread only a few seeds per pot and then cover with about one inch of soil. Water carefully; try not to reveal the seeds. From there a consistent watering and some patience will bring up the herbs you are looking for within a couple of weeks.

If you are looking for an even easier way, there are other options available. How about an herb kit? An herb kit generally comes with a small green house made from plastic, special growing pads and all the necessary seeds. The kit also includes easy directions and descriptions of the necessary steps. This is so easy, that your children might even be able to grow the herbs completely themselves with little assistance from you. This kit is generally used to sprout the plants and grow them to a certain size, then the plants need to be transplanted into a small to midsize pot. Generally you should have one plant per small/medium pot. Garden stores also offer special herb pots that have several opening on the sides and the top so that you can grow more than one herb in the pot. Your children will most likely need help for the transplanting process, since the still young plants can snap easily.

Another easy way to grow herbs is to buy one of the gardens in a bag. These gardens in a bag come in many varieties and also include herb gardens. A garden in a bag includes everything necessary and all you have to do is add water to the bag. The bag can be used as a pot for sprouting and then as a pot for growing the herbs. No messy pot filling, no getting your fingers dirty and no potting. Gardens in a bag are available at many gardening stores and online.

If you do not want to sprout your herbs from seeds you can always buy the herb plants already grown. Most garden centers offer herbs all year round and nowadays even supermarket offer a select amount of fresh herb plants. This way all your children have to do is keep the plants in a sunny bright place and water the plants. This is one of the easiest ways of herb gardening available. These wonderful herbs are then used in the daily cooking and enhance the flavor of your dishes.

An herb garden can be an easy garden for your children to take care of and a great addition to your household. Herb gardens disburse great fragrances throughout your house and are beneficial to your diet. Cooks all over the world swear on fresh herbs and dieticians will tell you just how great the nutrients in herbs are for your body’s health. Herbs are fairly easy to grow, as long as they have a good amount of sunlight, water and some plant food herbs will grow nicely almost anywhere were it is warm enough.

Include your children and try to make the experience a fun and educational one and they will thank your for it later in their lives. Gardening, and if it is just an herb in a pot can enrich your child’s life more than you know.

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Are you feeding your birds every winter or maybe all around the year? Have you ever thought about using your birdseed for something different than feeding the birds? How about growing a garden from birdseed? Maybe you are already growing a garden from birdseed every year and you do not even know it. Sometimes in spring, there are little plants growing under a bird feeder and many of us remove them as weeds or turn them over to have the flower beds ready for new plants.

Birdseed can make for many beautiful flowers. One of the most beautiful ones contained in bird seeds might be sun flowers. Growing a garden from birdseed is cheap. Birdseed bags are full of nice seeds that can be spread all over your garden or just in a small area. Growing a garden from birdseeds is also very budget-friendly. A big bag of birdseeds is just around 5 dollars and can easily cover your whole garden. Leftovers can be stored for next year if necessary. Buying plants or seeds separately from small bags that contain 3-10 seeds per package can add up fast, especially if you want to cover a whole garden.

A garden from birdseeds is also very bird friendly. If you are a bird lover or your kids love to watch birds, a garden from birdseeds will provide you with plenty of opportunities to watch many different species of birds. Gardens grown from birdseeds of course sprout plants and flowers that produce the seeds and food for birds and are therefore an excellent choice for bird watchers and bird lovers. Birdseed gardens are a natural attraction for birds and other small animals that enjoy the seeds of these plants.

To actually go ahead and grow a birdseed garden, there are a few steps that you have to do. First of all, you need to buy a bag of bird food. Then you need to determine where you want to plant your birdseed garden. As with many other gardens, these plants want sun and plenty of water, but they also need to be protected from too hot weather if you are living in a warmer region. After picking a good area for your garden, go ahead and turn over or till the soil, just as if you were to plant a vegetable or flower garden. Removal of weed and stones can be beneficial to the plants. Remove a layer of dirt from the ground, maybe into a wheelbarrow and then go ahead and spread the seed on the patch of your choice. Instead of removing the dirt you can also add topsoil after the spreading of the seeds. Make sure to spread the seeds equally and try not to have too many in one spot. After the spreading of the seed, go ahead and spread the dirt that you had removed over the seeds or the topsoil. Now it is time to water the seeds. Water needs to be applied carefully as to not uncover the seeds from under the soil. Water needs to be applied on a daily basis till the plants sprout and then still daily or at least every two days.

To ensure that your seeds are growing, be aware of birds. Even though you want them to come and enjoy your plants and flowers later on, you do not want them to eat the birdseed you planted in the soil. If the birds steal all your seeds you will not be able to grow your beautiful garden and you will not be able to enjoy the birds later on this year. In general after the starting and sprouting birdseed gardens are very easy to take care of. Besides the regular watering, birdseed gardens do not need much other than sun and nice weather and a little bit of fertilizing here or there.

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