Decorative Garden Wall Plaques

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decorative garden wall plaquesare the perfect touch for any garden. Whether existing or custom-made, they can add a beautiful extra dimension to any garden decor.

garden wall plaques can be used as garden accents or emblems for family crests. Some people have the first letter of their family name engraved in a wall plaque for displaying on either side of the gates or strategic points in the garden. But the most common outside garden wall plaques are actually address plaques that usually bear the resident's name and address. Some homeowners even use decorative stepping stones in the garden as wall plaques. This is a great idea especially if the stepping stones are made of quality materials. Such plaques can tie in the whole look of the garden space.

outside garden wall plaquesare also popular as historical signage. They can tell about when a building was constructed, or when a business was established. Many companies also use decorative garden wall plaques to display their company name and address.

When choosing what’s right for your garden, consider whether your choice fits in with the theme of your garden and home. Make sure your wall or structure will support the weight, and consider the kind of picture are you trying to create. Also make sure the decorative garden plaque can it's effect over time and seasons. Once all is taken into consideration, have fun adding real style to your walls and fences.

for more decorative garden wall plaques and other gardening tips go here.

Oxygen: A New Gardening Breakthrough?

In grade school we learn that Carbon Dioxide is essential for plants. Plants in turn give off oxygen we need to help breathe and clean the air. Now, information is coming forth where Oxygen itself can be beneficial to plants as well.

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A New Breakthrough in Gardening
New Research Proves Oxygen is Key to Increased Plant Flowering

(ARA) – Whether you have an extensive greenhouse or a small container garden in your home, you want your plants to do well. Common knowledge tells us that plants need water, sun and nutrients to flourish. But according to recent studies, surprisingly, there is another crucial element for successful gardening: oxygen.

Oxygen in a plant’s root system can significantly affect the overall health of the plant. Getting oxygen into the soil and to the roots not only helps improve the strength and size of a plant’s root system, but also it’s ability to absorb water and nutrients.

It’s one of those things most people have noticed, but not necessarily understood:
Golf course managers aerate turf grass sod and greens. Farmers cultivate a field to break up the crust that follows a heavy rain storm. All to allow root systems to flourish. Grass even looks greener after a thunderstorm because oxygen laden rain water stimulates root growth, bringing water and nutrients to above ground plant parts to aid in photosynthesis … and, it’s all related to oxygen as a necessary part of a successful gardening equation.

Now there’s a simple and innovative new way to put this knowledge to work in your house and garden. The Enki watering system. It’s a revolutionary new way to water your plants with extra oxygen that can produce vibrant results. This watering pitcher creates the extra oxygen a plant root system craves by super-oxygenating tap water. The pitcher plugs in and within seconds begins the oxygenation process that can be observed by the tiny air bubbles being produced in the water. In about five minutes the oxygen level of the water reaches up to 150 percent, far surpassing the oxygen levels in tap water or even that of rain water.

Tests conducted by a professor at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Horticulture reveal the system’s substantial benefits. Super oxygenated water helps to achieve earlier flowering with more vibrant colors, and increased numbers of flowers and vegetables. Measured results were produced in both vegetable and flower tests. The oxygenized water produced 28 percent more petunia flowers and 58 percent more peppers on average. Geraniums had 76 percent more flower weight on average and tomato plants yielded 22 percent more tomatoes. If you want to improve your gardening success and are looking for a way to ensure that your plants, indoor or out, will thrive, super-oxygenated water is a whole new solution you should try.

The Enki idea of super-oxygenating water just may be an idea whose time has really come. The product is eco-friendly. It only adds oxygen to the water during the short 5 minutes it takes for the water reach a level of 150 percent oxygen. With today’s consumer movement toward environmentally friendly, or “green” products, Enki would appear to be a product on the cutting edge of improved and responsible gardening ideas.

Duane Hastad can vouch for the value of oxygenized water. He is owner of three nurseries, including Heather Nursery in Montevideo, Minn. After working with plants for 31 years, he has developed a vast knowledge of horticulture. At a horticulture expo earlier this year, he began talking with the founders of Ovation Science, the makers of Enki, and it got him thinking.

“I thought what are they doing?” comments Hastad as he noticed them at the expo. “It was a neat idea, and after talking with them for a while, I knew it could work, but I wondered what results I could see.”

Hastad utilized the oxygenation watering system in his greenhouse and almost immediately got results. “We started tomato plants from seeds and they germinated in six days, twice as fast as seedlings watered with city water, and they also came up straighter and had better root systems.”

Hastad says that he now has better plant products to sell. He also began to carry the Enki watering pitcher in his store and has had very positive feedback from his customers who use it. “If it doesn’t work, I am going to hear about it,” adds Hastad. “And, people are seeing the benefits.”

For more information about how to get incredible results with your plants and the Enki plant-watering system, visit www.myenki.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Statues That Add To A Garden

One of the most important parts of a garden decoration are statues. Whether they are miniature or life sized, they make a interesting addition to any outdoor garden. ARA has some tips for selecting the right statue for your outdoor abode.

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Simple Secrets for Selecting Outdoor Statuary

(ARA) - You’re not alone if you find that the piece of garden statuary that looked so elegant at the garden center just doesn’t seem to fit your garden back home.

A common mistake gardeners make when buying a piece of garden statuary is one of size and quantity, according to Peter C. Cilio, creative director of fine garden accessories for Campania International. “Purchasers tend to choose pieces that are just too small for their space or they overload their garden with too many pieces,” he says. “In garden statuary the guiding principle usually is that less is more.”

Here are some simple guidelines that will help you choose the perfect piece of statuary for your garden.

Keep It in Context

According to Cilio, the most important consideration to keep in mind when choosing the right piece of statuary is the overall style of your home and garden.

“Whether you have an urban, contemporary or country garden, the statuary you select should be compatible with the style and feeling of your house and garden,” he says. “Most likely, you wouldn’t place a classical statue in a contemporary-style garden. However, classical statuary makes wonderful features for a more traditional home or garden.”

Tres Fromme, planning and design specialist of Mesa Design Group in Dallas, suggests cutting a piece of statuary out of cardboard and placing it in different locations throughout your garden. “This will help you get a feel for where the piece looks its best,” says Fromme. “It will also give you some time to think about why you want to add an ornament to your garden setting.”

Cilio suggests thinking about your garden as a blank wall in your living room. Before choosing what to hang on your living room wall, you take cues from the style of the room. Think of your garden in that context, from the size of the space to the arrangement of trees, shrubs and flowers. These will be the cues used to choose and place your garden statuary.

Keep It Simple

Fromme finds that gardeners trying to introduce too many pieces into their garden create too many distractions for the eye to absorb or enjoy. The garden becomes complicated and cluttered.

“Under the less is more principle,” advises Fromme, “one well-suited piece will create a presence and a focal point, introducing harmony rather than chaos into the garden.”

The less is more principle does not mean you are limited to symmetrical arrangements of statuary in your garden. Multiple pieces and styles can work comfortably together if they are not part of the same compositional frame.

According to renowned garden designer, Jon Carloftis, each part of your garden may have a different mood or feeling and can provide an opportunity to incorporate different types of garden sculpture. Such pieces create interest year round and serve to animate and personalize a space; a strong design element can even inspire the theme for the plantings.

“For example, the right type of statuary can look equally well in bold foliage such as elephant ears or hosta,” says Carloftis. “A shady naturalistic area may be the perfect spot for a small animal figure or bench.”

“I like to incorporate small cast stone pigs into my vegetable garden to give that particular area a sense of whimsy,” adds Carloftis.

Statuary need not be placed front and center and often should not be. Nestled in among the plantings, they do not distract from the overall composition. However, discovering such pieces as one strolls in the garden brings a wonderful element of surprise and magic to the garden.

Create a Frame

Just like a picture on your wall, garden statuary looks best with some kind of frame. A background of traditional clipped box, yew or a mixed border of grasses frames your statuary in the landscape. A stone wall or trellis covered with roses or even a simple wooden fence is all you need.

Personally, Cilio prefers the simplicity and versatility of garden containers such as jars and vases, but believes following the simple guidelines of style, color and proportion will lead you to a choice of statuary that will enliven your garden without overpowering it.

To view Campania’s wide selection of cast stone garden statuary, visit www.campaniainternational.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Unwelcomed Guests

We spoke earlier about keeping unwanted pets out of our gardens. We touched first on dogs. Then we touched on cats. For those of us living in certain rural areas we may find that many more unwanted animals can make their way into our gardens or lawns.

Luckily, modern technology has utilized animals' natural instincts to help keep them away. Animal repellents usually work by taking advantage of an animal's natural aversion to something, and it is often something that the animal has learned to or instinctively avoid in its natural environment.

For instance, some animals will avoid anything that has the odor of the urine of certain predators. Coyote urine, for example, has gained popularity as a deer repellent. Fox urine is sometimes used to repel rabbits, groundhogs,or squirrels. Bobcat urine can repel moles, mice, and other rodents. In the northwest such as Canada, wolf urine is sometimes used to repel moose.

Chemical repellents such as liquid fence animal repellents, mimic natural substances that repel or deter animals, or they are designed to be so irritating to an animal that the animal will avoid the area.

Ideal animal repellents, such as liquid fence products are completely specific for the certain animals. It drives away the animal that one wishes to repel without affecting or harming any other animals or people. It may come in a variety for specific animals. Dog, cat, deer, turkey, goose, etc.

Find out more about liquid fence here.

Pot and Planter

With Spring arriving, it's an optimal time to get to know the outdoors again. For gardeners this is the time to revive that garden or lawn that has sat unattended for a few months. This article from ARA helps us get started by examining how we can configure our gardens and lawns and show off our creative abilities.

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How to Choose a Pot and Planter

(ARA) - There are signs all around us that spring will soon be here. The song birds are returning, buds are starting to appear on the trees, and the sales ads at all the garden centers and home improvement stores are filled with pictures of lush, healthy plants in pots and planters.

But don't be tempted to run out and start stocking up just yet. Those pots and planters may look great, but before you buy, make sure you know what they're made of and if they'll work well for you. Plant containers are made from all sorts of materials, from the inexpensive plastic pots to the ceramic and fiberglass resin planters.

Because they are the most readily available and least expensive, plastic and clay are the two most popular options. Drainage is very important for all plants to prevent root rot so make sure that whatever container you purchase there is a drain hole in the bottom of the pot or a way to drill a hole.

* Plastic pots

Plastic is by far the most popular material used in plant containers. It can easily be molded into all shapes and sizes, and comes in colors as varied as the rainbow.

* Terra cotta pots

The classic Terra cotta, or clay pots are another popular option. You'll find them in all shapes and designs at your local gardening store. They are usually red, but can be painted any color or add your own masterpiece to the pot.

Terra cotta has two (rustic) looks.

One: You leave them alone and let them age. The salts and alkali will stain the outside of the pots. Moss and mold will grow on the outside of the pots. The life of the pot will be short -- about 3 to 4 years before they breakdown and crumble.

Two: To maintain the natural clean look of terra cotta without adding a glaze spray the terra cotta pot with a sealant such as Spray N' Seal a pottery sealer. The sealant waterproofs the clay to help prevent the alkali and salts from accumulating and prevents the moss and mold from growing on the pots. By sealing your terra cotta pot it strengthens the pottery against chipping and flaking in frosty weather which will extended the life of the pots.

* Foam pots

These containers come in a variety of shapes and they are lightweight which makes them easier to handle. The drawback, however, is that they are not very durable. If knocked around they can crack and brake easily.

* Fiberglass resin urns and planters

Fiberglass containers are lightweight, durable, and resistant to water and extreme weather damage. They come in a variety of colors and designs. They can cost as much or more than ceramic pots, but are extremely durable.

* Ceramic glazed pots

These come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and styles. You can find something to match just about every decor. The glazing on the outside makes them durable, but over time, you may have problems with chipping off of the glaze by water seeping through the clay from the inside of the pot. To prevent this spray the inside with Spray 'N Seal Pottery Sealer before adding soil.

* Wooden barrels and planter boxes

They come as the traditional half whisky barrel or the red wood or cedar wooden barrel and planter box made to be planters, and add the rustic look of wood to your garden.. They are heavy and the bottoms rot out after a few years. By giving them a lift it will extend the life of the planters.

Give Your Pots a Lift

It doesn't matter if your plant is in a $5 plastic container or a $100 ceramic pot. If you're not careful both will stain your deck, carpets and wooden floors. Prevent this from happening by giving your pots a lift. Use a product like The Down Under Plant Stand to raise the pot and saucer off the decks and floors. This allows air to circulate under the pot and tray to evaporate the excess water and condensation which causes the damage. Also consider placing the plant stand not just under the saucer but in the saucer to raise the pot out of the water that accumulates in the saucer. This will allow good drainage of your pots which your plants will love.

The Down Under Plant Stand uses four plastic arms to lift the pot off the floor, promoting air flow and proper drainage that protects the pot and plant. The stand can be adjusted to fit virtually any size pot by simply trimming off the excess length on each support arm so it hides under the pot. No need to worry how much your pot weighs for this floor and deck saving device can support up to 500 pounds.

To learn more about how to protect your pots, plants, decks and floors, or to find a Down Under Plant Stand retailer near you, visit www.theplantstandco.com or call (800) 834-9317.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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