What to Do in the Garden in June - A Regional Gardening Almanac

June is a month for graduations, weddings and garden pests. As beautiful as June can be, no sooner do your plants peak than the bugs find them. It's a fact of gardening. So the gardener's motto for June should be 'Vigilance'!

June is a month for monitoring, whether it's for stripped cucumber beetles, Japanese beetles, fungus diseases, 4-Line Plant Bug damage or just to stay ahead of deadheading. Keeping up on your garden chores in June will lessen the load for the rest of the summer. Here are some tips from my garden.If you have any advice, we welcome you sharing it with us through the 'Comment' link below.

Photo: � Marie Iannotti

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Fabulous Foliage Winners of the July 2010 Garden Photo Challenge

Congratulations to the winners of last month's Garden Photo Challenge - Fabulous Foliage. I was so impressed, not just by the diversity of foliage, but by how healthy it all looked. Nice job!

We always judge on two criteria: the photo itself and the love of gardening behind it. Foliage makes you pay close attention in the garden. It's way to easy to be distracted by the flowers. These photos give us a chance to look and ponder.

Thank you to everyone who shared their wonderful photos with us. Take a look at the winning photo gallery, as well as all the submissions in the Foliage Challenge thread, on the Forum. You can also get in on the fun this month, with the Vegetable Garden Photo Challenge. If your garden is spilling over with glossy tomatoes or zucchini the size of bats, give us a look.

Photo 1st Place Winner, 'Spanish Moss' Submitted by DanGwrite.

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Gardening Question of the Week: What Do You Think of Garden Shows?

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How To Plant Your Own Vegetable Garden

If you think about having your own vegetable garden where you can pluck them out with your own hand, fresh and full of vitamins and minerals, there is nothing really, to compare or even come close to it. They taste better and they are much more nutritious than the produce that is shipped and travels long distance.

For convenience, you probably used to go to the supermarket to buy your fruits and vegetables, but honestly, they just cannot compare with what you can grow and eat raw or cooked from your own garden.

If you never had the experience to create your garden yet, and all you have eaten was the produce from your local supermarket, or from the roadside fruit stand, than you are missing out, and you owe it to yourself to think very seriously to start your garden, if you really want to eat fresh and healthy. It is not really that hard, and it sure is not complicated at all. And once you have it, you will be glad you did.

Just think of the benefits to be outdoors, in nature, and work in the tranquility of your little paradise. Not withstanding the free exercise you are getting in the process. That's good for your body, mind, and soul.

And of course you want to do it right. So it is a pretty good idea to make a little plan, draw it on a sheet of paper and stick to it.

First, choose a good sunny spot, where you don't get too much shade or no shade at all if possible, and the plot should be free of rocks or debris. But it should be close enough to the house to be able to water with a hose hooked to a spigot, when you need to water if and when it's not raining.

Prepare the soil. This is very important, and your success will very much depend on how well you prepare the site for your garden. If the soil is clay or sandy and lacks nutrients, it must be amended and enriched with composted material, like cow manure, organic fertilizer and minerals if needed. To make it even cheaper for next season, collect the leaves and other vegetation, kitchen leftovers, grass clippings, and make your own compost. The soil will need nutrients to replace those used and depleted by the vegetables as they feed from the soil.

The best thing is to spread the compost all over your garden site, and till it in the soil, in the fall, so it will have enough time to decay and blend in the garden. This way the ground is resting over the winter, and will be more nutritious in the spring for the planting time.

Now think of what vegetables would you like to grow, something you enjoy eating the most. So, buy the seeds for the vegetables you choose, and go from there. A few examples just to get an idea, would be; tomatoes, bell peppers, hot peppers, squash, radish, cucumbers, lettuce, onions (sets).

Maybe a few herbs to spice up your cooking with, like, dill, parsley, oregano, basil, arugula, rosemary, cilantro, etc. It all depends on how much space you have, and how large a garden you want to have. Herb plants don't take too much room, and they are fun to grow. Just think of that nice aroma, flavour and fragrance they so freely give, in exchange of just a little LTC. Loving Tender Care.

To have a good and early start with your garden, start your seeds indoors, and plant the transplants after the danger of late frost is past. It depends on where you live.

One of the best methods would be to start the seeds in little peat pots, like the Jiffy-pots, so that when you plant the little plants outside plant them with the Jiffy pots, thus not disturbing the tender roots of the transplants. If you prefer, you can plant the seeds directly in rows, according to the instructions on the seed packets.

Plant the plants according to their size, and group them together. The low growing ones, should be separate from the tall growing ones, as to not block the sun light from reaching evenly on all the plants.

Water well and keep the soil moist. Don't let the soil dry completely out between watering, nor keep it too soggy either.

Once they started to grow, you can water them good, and then leave them alone and give them a chance to drink and feed. Water again before the soil dries out completely. Just kind of feel the soil to see if it is still wet, by sticking your finger in the dirt about 2 inches, and if it is still moist, leave them alone for a while. Once you get familiar with your garden, sometimes the plants will let you know when it is time to water. They will start to wilt a little, and as soon as you water them, they perk right up. But do not let them wilt beyond hope!

Now sit and relax on a bench, somewhere in the shade, and watch how the little seeds sprout out of the soil. It is very rewarding to see, as the hard part of gardening is pretty much over, except that now and then watch for them pesky weeds to pluck them out, and don't let them invade your little paradise. Wait patiently for the time when you take out of your garden, with your own hand, and enjoy those healthy, juicy vegetables. It is simply wonderful.

Happy Gardening!

Mike Borlovan

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Add Jumbo Vochsia to your garden

Nickel any of any
San Francisco Chronicle

You are one of the gardeners who thought "well, I have my vochsia hanging nice Park this enough. Then slowly began to discover the amazing diversity of species vochsias available, particularly the larger species, and now I've given.

Started with boliviana seemingly ever-blooming vochsia Alba pressure now prominently on their morning sun. And now I've added Nathalie p, strong, and 6 feet tall species with distinct arching branches. Ano in Nathalie impressive oval leaves and rich green vinid is just an appetizer. As with all other vochsias flowers and Nathalie p did not disappoint. Yes, they're jumbo size, height of 3 inches wesibals red petals pink Luxe includes red, but this vochsia to stealthily clean.Spoon on the petals form an elongated base, allowing you to see right through the Centre of flower can imagine them bottoms and consistent wind or perhaps its dosido dancers. Many dancers, as this vochsia flowering throughout the summer and in autumn. Bud said this resistant mites types, I've had no trouble.

Because of its size, you need to give these types of unpaid some shady rooms.Mine is sharing bed raised under the Apple trees niamniaminces imbatins.I leave the cascade branches of plenty, but gardeners can also provide support to keep my head more ... maybe need some staking. can handle these types a good amount of morning sun, as well as indirect light, give gardeners more flexibility in positioning. Nathalie p with pruning can slightly, as a focal point on large farms or pot quickly growing brand easily, the station could be in dense jungle, let it climb against a fence or encouraged to cascade.

Did you know?

Due to the very mild climate vochsias grows abundantly in West Cork in Ireland and associated with the domain to a local promotional campaign using flower vochsia slogan.

Cultivation

Grown in the fertile soil, light, well-drained acidic in bright, and indirect light, shade or Sun morning brkshi.Do not allow to dry soil. sixth group of mulch for revision. protection from cold in winter. Ministry cultivation regions of 9-11.

Pests & diseases

Vochsias could be susceptible to a variety of diseases and pests, including malignant, vochsia mites, mildew, weitiflis waltrbs, rust, gray, but not limited to, said Nathalie p seems to be one of the types of crops and given the correct light and good sewage will bloom with ease.

Nickel Paarl is labels, gardening writer and photographer who is interested in sprawling Park Auckland. e-mail him at home

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Herb garden kits: just add water and enjoy

Garden herb kits are invaluable for anyone to start the a herb garden itself. Are available in many formats, ranging from basic models, top gear, but all come with the seeds and provide information to start.

You do not have rooms have no herbs grow outdoors space, or if you immerse lack the experience and confidence in this pastime, you find this kit is a great option sein.Der advantage, it is packaged kits, that much of the guesswork out of the process, ensuring you a healthy and flourishing herb garden take.

These kits can significantly in size unterscheiden.vielleicht to your garden to a few pots of the kitchen window to a full 10 ' x 10 ' to curb Garden in the courtyard. With certain models, you don't even need the seeds in the soil to plants for which they offer stuffed mats seeds you only need to put you up on the soil and water.

They are ideal for small rooms or apartments, where you not einwintern herb plants and herbs which endure, the winter weather conditions don't care müssen.Die herbs have an invariant temperature in which to flourish. And enjoy great meals with a reliable provision of fresh herbs.

Pre-planted herb garden kits are available in different formats from different sources, such as home centers, discounters, nurseries, local home improvement stores, super centres and many Web sites, you can type "Google" right keywords.

Garden herb kits are available in many different categories including herbs Italian herbs, aromatic herbs, medicines, herbs tea, German and many, many mehr.Sie can start setting your new garden immediately, the kit contains everything you need right into the box from seeds, accessories, the complete instructions.You can even recipes, the inclusion of herbs that are contained in the kit.

Of course, the sizes offered different have to price tags that go along.You can with a basic type some ground in a box and a few packs seeds buy a few essential information or can to the other side of the spectrum and select one of the top-end models, grows the detailed and usage information, recipes, hydroponic setup super concentrated, fluorescent lamps and seed pods may have to go ready-made! it is also suggested that you buy artificial sunlight if you in an area located, gets insufficient natural light.

The kitchen is the best place, to growing herbs indoors starten.Interior culinary herb garden kits to help start herbs in your own kitchen or window sill with a neat little 12 "x 12" x 5 "Gewächshaus.Starten planning of your garden by thinking about the herbs you on a daily basis to use if you cook."

Own home herb garden is no complex hobby, but it takes a little work at the beginning, but results are Wert.Praxis undoubtedly it inside with 1 or more find a soon your comfort zone garden herb kits extend from this date.

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Improve your garden compost

Through time, composting gardens was always the preferred way of fertilisation. Learn how to compost one of the best ways to save money on fertilizer. And can also waste to eliminate in landfills at the end. You will know the compost is ready when it is dark and crumbly and organic matter may not disassemble each. Compost will replenish lost nutrients in the soil that eliminate plants, the use of chemical fertilizers, water better keep improving and poor soils.

So what are the steps, the need to make your own compost? an easy way to remember how it can be as follows, separate the material into two categories, Browns and Greens, merging two parts Browns to hand Greens.

The compost pile contains many microorganisms that break down organic matter and turn it into compost. for micro-organisms to do work there have two sections of the carbon, as dry leaves, hay in many more other organic matter enthält.Als next hand green material containing many of nitrogen will be mixed with the Brown material, materials such as grass clippings is such a strong material, which is very rich in nitrogen, soon after to have natural fertilizer containing many nutrients, these two materials once mixed will heat up the pile and compost to make fast.

List of brown material in the pile add:

Dried grass, leaves, branches and branches that shredded, straw, newspapers were

List of green material in the pile add:

Grass, fruit and vegetables, green leaves, hedge trimmings, coffee grinds, tea bags

Material you do NOT want to use:

Plants and weeds treated with chemicals, plants with disease, weed, wear, seeds, pet feces, grains or bread, oil, GreasePlants with disease, dairy products, meat or fish, pet feces, cooking oil or fat, weeds, the implementation of seeds.

The best compost pile size:

Make fast compost composting finishes faster, the material is smaller.Use scissors to smaller branches and twigs to cut, garden.Use a Abklopfen hammer Shredder or destroy lawnmower leaves into smaller pieces.

The size of the pile should be approximately three to four meters in diameter and about three feet high for composting faster sein.Warum would the size of the compost pile important? because this is a great way to pile produce to allot the heat and accelerate the composting Prozeß.Dies is a good size to heat up the compost and it will be faster.

The importance of air and water

Like every living thing water and air is erforderlich.Damit to live micro-organisms and to aspire must you air and Wasser.Versorgen the composting material with Wasser.Bekommen as a wrung from sponge wet is ideal.Sie can the material air type by turning the pile as well to make sure that your am vent exists.

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Create a garden at home with your child

If you have a large area of land behind your House, you can start with the whole family gardening. Plans for gardening can be a fun experience for you and your children. Not only it is a strong link in the family of something to do together conducive, but it is a worthwhile activity. After some time spent and you can reap the fruits of your labor efforts on your garden. It is a form of activity on the interest of your child on nature and awareness as to care it will awaken.

You can start at home plans your gardening with your child by a small area you apply it in your backyard. This will promote its sense of ownership.Let him choose the region where your child wanted his plants wachsen.Dieses integrate time, basics of of such as the amount of sunshine of plants and the type of floor, where it is good for growing, gardening needed.

Once you have chosen the specific area, assemble the garden plot of your child. Basically, a rectangular shape is easier because the plants on either side of the plot your child can access. If two plots of land will be made, you can be done side by side, but with a small space that will serve as a way.A circular design can wheel erfolgen.Genau determine how if you are shopping online you stun guns like that you can come in various forms. What decides your child for its garden, must you exist to support and make it happen.

When both are finished with the plot, you can your child who decide which kind of plants that grow it would have tasks.when for example your child a vegetable garden was then off to select the variety of vegetables easier to grow. They can contain those who loves your child so that your child will grow really inspired by you. For example tomatoes are very easy to grow, and if your child wanted to, he can they eat raw, immediately after picking you from the plant.

Offer the seedlings to your child and planting to tun.Nur let him support what he does.Sure it how and when the plants to water to remember.You can introduce your child organic fertilisers, for good plants and for the environment certainly must save a specific part of the day sind.Sie, where you will go gardening with your child.

Wait while the plants to grow, expand your child's imagination, by using a small fence around his garden building, or create a sign will say who owns she him all to place, he likes the Handlung.erlauben, as long as it running.make can not damage the growing vegetation also help to protect plants by away you pepper spray to keep wild animals.

Gardening is a great idea that you can teach your kids to leveling activity provides plenty of experience for your child to lernen.Es teaches how to appreciate the nature and to be productive in life.

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Add blue flowers to your garden

By Calvin r. Fink
The San Antonio Express-News

Most of us think of unusual flowers blue, but a number of outstanding plants available in nurseries now blue flowers will provide good for the rest of the summer and return each year.

Blombago blue is the blue fluoride plant of our choice. They usually grow like tomatoes will grow fences or walls or spread along the ground if.

Is light blue-green foliage and greenery blombago generally had a winter 2009-10 except when blombagos most frozen ground but risbrotid.

Blue light flat flower size quarter. Will become butterflies flowers throughout the year if moderate winter. Blue breeding blombago Sun or shade.

Salvias blue heat-loving plants at its best in July and August and September.There are several blue salvias that choose, everyone is a favorite of butterflies wehomingberds not eaten from deer. freeze again every winter to werisbrot roots in April. Grow them in full sun.

Cup pale Sage (Salvia, France) is Salvia disciplined blue summer flower stalks rise above Foliage Green gray to around 2 feet.There are many choices for France Salvia, it seems that each new entry are smaller and more unified and work well together, as borders or in a row.

Other blue salvias include "Indigo" and Hakeem towers Bush Mexican.All great and make good background stations.

Bet choosing small tree of our outstanding.Could allow the cultivation of tree 25 or 30 feet tall or trim a lot to encourage large blooms in shrubs.

There is an improved version of the Blue House fluoride market in San Antonio.Beit ' called "Texas" lilac '.

Individual flowers and flowering spikes.

Sun House station. outstanding but axiriskabi plant also has the ability to survive in the garden is irrigated.Deer eating leaves or flowers, and source of nectar highfalutin Butterfly favorite.

Bitonias Mexican dwarf comes in blue fluoride release "Katie."Ground cover outstanding for Sun or shade plum purple blue cute. similar censure in Bitounia but more tubular. a source of nectar favorite butterflies wehomingberds.

Mexican tall growing bitonias with foliage strabliki approximately 18 inches on a central leg. is dark green foliage and Evergreen, except in the cold winters as 2009-10. Dwarf Mexican spreads on seeds and plant centres rhizomes. feet to cover the first season.

Make sure you get the Dwarf Mexican bitunia. factory full-size spreads very quickly be manageable and not attractive as a dwarf plant.

The Finch r. Calvin Hortikoltorist, Director of special projects, "San Antonio water system" connect Calvin.Finch

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How: select the best garden shed design?

Who wants a well planned Garden in a green lawn sheds? Everyone would love to have a well-designed shed in your garden perfect. With a shed in the garden will allow for a person to use the Green Lawn for several purposes. A person can save things inside the shed, planting flowers in the open field and a playground for children.

Stocks are storing unused household child play things and lawn tools some of the main benefits for storage in the garden shed.This type of storage shed should therefore in accordance with the view of the environment and also with the color and werden.Entwerfen built structure of the main house and so make a shed more presentable as only for purposes of create.

Some of the basic tips that should keep a person in mind while a garden shed are given below establishing:

Space and design

Before the work of memory of that building should shed in the garden a person some basic plans chalk. A person should appreciate the availability of space and location of the building in lawn first. Design of the shed should be planned in accordance with the harmony of greenery.

Layout

Layout on some paper is also important when a person searches for building a modern and stylish garden shed. Consulting an expert on the subject and searching on some of the latest designs allows a person in a perfect storage shed.Layout also serves as guide for the designer or carpenters, which is the garden shed building.

Materials

Building material is another thing a person deliberately his should forests are usually cheaper than all other kinds of building materials.Forests are also perfect for garden storage shed, building, as you can blend very well with the surroundings of the green lawn.However, should the person that forests will be used for building garden shed wood use treatments.Wood treatments are important to prevent House bugs and pests.

Size of the budget

A person should also build storage shed accordingly to the size of his household. building of the shed stage even though may take a bit more time but are one person in the building well designed garden shed wirksam.Wenn is facing hard times, then you can check, save building storage shed on their own for some money.

While garden shed should building a person the condition of weather and climate of the region continued berücksichtigen.Lang shed can only with a very solid concrete foundation built werden.Allerdings is in a region with moderate weather and flat surface, a moderate Foundation consists treated timber on a gravel base ausreichen.Es costs a lot than the former.

With a relatively large number of styles and designs, on the market available can now select one one person, that the garden perfectly to shed passen.Attraktive and practical storage can be created using creative thinking.

So if a person think is about creating garden shed he should then start painting pictures of how he his shed as wants to be.

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Herb garden plants are a valuable asset

Growing your own garden herb plants is an exquisite pastime that offers many rewards. Improve your cooking decorate your home and are easy to grow, and given their many use really save you money. Grow an herb garden indoors is a great way to start gardening. Herbs are straightforward to compared to other plants as roses or citrus trees grow.

Herb garden plants are not only easy to grow, but offer a fresh fragrance at home as much as these plants are a nice way to brighten up every backyard. Growing herbs in and around your House may result in certain feelings. Smell causes lavender, soothe the most people to experience. Herbs are categorized by their use but nevertheless some of you can be used for different purposes. For example, tea, aromatherapy and pest control can be used for Mint either for cooking.Herb garden plants are a wonderful way to brighten up only to the surrounding air with a sensational flavor each Hinterhof.Nicht but beautiful are complete.

Aromatic herbs are to bring various uses include perfumes, toilet waters and other fragrances.Some aromatic plants are also at home used clothes and clothing Parfüm.Aromatisches herb plants can also dried in Potpourri which not only smell great for a long period of time and do not contain chemicals, the in commercially can be found made produced can be. Homemade allows only supports many fine people.

Medicinal plants already used for over 5000 years in many parts of the world humanity. medicinal herbs have remedial properties due to the presence of various complex chemical different Constitution. Herbal remedies can take various forms. Infusions are herbs or spices, with parts such as leaves and flowers soft simmering water.

Garden herb plants growth cycle and life are divided into 3 categories; annuals, biennials and perennials based on your. Although your typical environment outdoors, which are wonderful for a patio most herb plants and thrive as container plants. Herb garden plants do not differ from any other members of the world of flora and must be in the same way given treated the same respect and attention than other plants, trees and shrubs. Air, light, water and soil are what you most need to flourish.

Grow from seeds each spring or buy at a kindergarten begins.What you want from your garden herb plants and what you used (be), you must define what you want to grow.Most herbs without starts difficult, grown from seed and after a few months to a decent size.Herb plants need Sun during the summer months, so insert entsprechend.verhindern of sharing foliage and distract plants damage, bring your herbs indoors from freezing.

Start planning your garden by thinking about the herbs that you use regularly, if you want to make kochen.Sie, that have plenty of these herbs available, especially if plants every year returning wird.starten herb seeds you are at the end of winter in 4 inch containers in a sunny place in your Heim.anstatt individual pots can a number of containers such as apartments or trays.

Apart from the command prompt using the fresh picked leaves can your crop drying specific and keep frozen you in airtight plastic bags and have magnificent "fresh" herbs throughout the winter lang.sobald you the joy of growing your personal collection of herb garden plants learned back never go that sad little Tin from the grocery store.

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Garden Admiration

It's not unusual for people to admire others gardens. Gardens and landscaping are meant to be viewed and admired. One particular garden admired is the old garden rose.

To recreate the gardens of your ancestors, include the old garden roses. These date back for centuries, are hardier, and include a large variety. They fare well in poor conditions, are the easiest type of rose to care for, do best in rich soil that drains well, and continue to bloom for years.

Some types of the old garden rose are Mary Queen of Scots, Sweetheart Rose, American Beauty, Awakening, and Belle Amore. The Butterfly Rose is an ancient hybrid from China, introduced in 1932. The blooms change colors from soft orange to pink to carmine, which makes it a delight to observe.

Old garden roses with the traditional appearance include:

The Duchesse de Brabant (a Gulf Coast rose with a light scent), Belinda's Dream (long stems, nice fragrance), Zepherine Drouhin (unique fragrance), Red Radiance (strong fragrance).

What classifies a rose as an old garden rose? According to the American Rose Society, these are plants introduced before 1867. They prefer light fertilization, a light feeding schedule, and patience. They bloom only when they are ready to bloom.

Judging seminars are held because it is a challenge to judge the old garden rose; therefore, the judging for it is not set in stone. Fewer judges are familiar with it than with the newer modern roses. If your goal is to show your old garden roses for prizes, you'll have to pay a bit more attention to them and prepare them properly for the shows. Things to look for include strong, vibrant blooms, leaves, and stems. They should have good color. Remove damaged petals (trim if necessary). The foliage should be clean. The less side growths you have on your canes, the better. A stem-on-stem condition is considered impairment. This is when new growth starts where old growth had stopped.

A national show was held in Dallas, Texas, in October of 2006. There are district shows and local shows around the country as well. If you are interested in competing in the rose shows, you might consider joining the American Rose Society. Through such a group, you can obtain a wealth of information and contacts.

Plenty of garden groups and clubs exist for rose enthusiasts. A short list of some of these clubs are as follows: American Horticultural Society, Arlington Rose Foundation, Phoenix Rose Society, Potomac Rose Society, Arizona West Valley Rose Society, and Humboldt Rose Society.

If you would enjoy traveling around the United States in search of gardens to view the various old garden roses, among other types, you could try the following places:

The Pageant of Roses Garden, Whittier, CA, Washington Park International Rose Test Garden, Portland, OR, Inez Parker Memorial Rose Garden, San Diego, CA, The Gardens of the American Rose Society, Shreveport, LA, Tyler Municipal Rose Garden Center, Tyler, TX, and the Zilker Botanical Garden, Austin, TX.

If traveling the United States is not an option, try the local yellow pages in your area or call or visit the Chamber of Commerce in your town to get information on local gardens, clubs, and events that feature old garden roses.

Planning A New Year Garden The Year Before

In this article, a person named Robin explains why they plan their garden early.

Every year spring comes and I get so excited to get outside and plant my garden. I can just taste those fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and all the other wonderful produce that I will grow this summer.

I stop at all the seed displays and see if there is anything new that I want to try and grow this year and take pleasure in my anticipation to dig in the dirt.

I watch the weather and am careful not to plant to soon, I don't want my plants caught in a late spring freeze of course. Then the time comes when I just can't stand it any longer I head to the nursery to buy my plants. I of course get way too many of everything and then I patiently haul them outside every morning to get some sun and then bring them in each night until the big day arrives.

I get my garden area all rototilled and ready and invest in some plant food to help my little darlings along after I get them planted. I've got my stakes and string ready to make neat little rows of carrots and radishes. I've got my wire cages ready to place over my tomatoes plants and am just itching to get started.

Finally the day has arrived and I can plant my garden. I start out the morning with enthusiasm and get everything planted just so. It is a little more crowded than I would like because I seem to always try to fit too many plants and seeds into the area, but I tell myself it will all be worth it.

All through June and July I lovingly cultivate my plants, weeding and watering with a vengeance. August comes and we are thoroughly enjoying all our fresh vegetables. But by then it is getting a little hot out and weeding isn't quite as fun anymore. Toward the middle of August I have vegetables coming out my ears and it is time to can and freeze all this freshness for winter.

I start out with salsa and then move on to tomatoes and pickles. Then of course I need to get those strawberrys in the freezer. And I don't want the corn to get too mature before I get it into the freezer. After a week or two my kitchen is a wreck and I am tired of spending the last of my summer days inside. If I never see another tomato or ear of corn I will be extremely happy. Between getting ready for the new school year and freezing and canning all my great produce I am thoroughly exhausted. Plus it seems like with this heat watering my garden, let alone the lawn is a never ending chore.

But of course we don't want anything to go to waste so I head down to get more canning supplies and keep at it. When it is all said and done I have way too much for my family to use so of course I give it away. You don't want those vegetables to go to waste you know.

By this time I look out and my peaches and apples seem just right for picking and the process starts over with them. While I am working on my fruit of course the garden is still producing and even though I quit canning and freezing from there I can't let it go to waste so I make sure every morning and night I pick what is ripe and give it away to those that will surely appreciate it. Because by this time the thought of eating anything out of the garden is not very appealing, neither is cooking in my kitchen that has become a canning disaster area.

Then the next big day that I can't seem to wait for, the big freeze. Finally my gardening job has ended. All I have to do now is get everything in the compost pile, re-rototill, and fertilize.

As I look at my kitchen and see all the fruits, vegetables, pickles, and jellies ready for winter I am proud, but really really tired. I vow next year I will not take on so much. Last year I went ahead and planned my garden in October and made specific counts of just how much I was going to plant. I made counts of just how much I had frozen and canned to see just how much we would use in the coming year. I made little footnotes of my thoughts on the subject as well.

Well spring is approaching, well kind of there is still snow on the ground, and I got out my garden plan and looked at all the produce my family still hasn't eaten and thought about how much of it I had given away this winter already and thought maybe I should follow this new garden plan as I started to unfold all my notes. I vaguely remember thinking Pace salsa is almost as good as my own, and who really can tell if the canned tomatoes came from the garden or not after they have been cooked.

I don't know if I will be able to stick to this streamlined plan when my green thumb starts itching to grow things but I keep telling myself if we run out of salsa, jelly, corn, or tomatoes it won't be the end of the world. They are readily available at the grocery store and in the long run may cost less than me putting them up myself. I was totally convinced in October, kind of convinced now, but I am wondering come May if I will be able to stick to it.

I have a feeling when the grass starts turning green, and the tulips show their colors all my best laid plans for a more relaxing late summer are going to go by the wayside. Oh well, I guess their could be worse addictions. I wonder is there such a thing as a 12 step program for those addicted to gardening in excess?

Caring For Plants

The most basic part of any garden preparation is caring for plants. Here are six ways we can care for our plants when we plant our gardens.

Many people worry a lot when it comes to caring for their plants. When talking about house plants, there is no need to worry. There are just a few things you need to consider.

1. Watering
A watering can is a must-have in every garden. It is recommended that you purchase the one with a narrow spout to ensure adequate watering. But that does not always apply, so the finger test may come in handy. Insert your index finger up to the first joint into the soil. If you feel that the soil is damp, don't water it. Otherwise, do.

2. Feeding
With foliage plants, they always need to be high in nitrogen. For flowering plants, on the other hand, K2O is needed. Fertilizers such as the slow release ones can be mixed with the compost. However, some plants like cacti and orchids need special feeds. Feed plants on the height of their active growth.

3. Lighting
Plants like Sanseveria and Aspidistra require no shade. They can be placed away from a window. Spider plants need semi-shade. You can put plants like these near a window that does or does not get sunlight. Others need sun or no sun at all like cheeseplants.

4. Temperature
With houseplants, they can survive in temperatures a little bit higher than 15 - 250 C or 55 - 750 F. But drastic fluctuations of temperature may not be good for them.

5. Humidity
Some houseplants require a humid environment. One tip to maximize humidity is to put the pot inside a larger pot and fill in the gaps with stones or compost to keep in the moisture. The compost will not dry out. Plants are capable of creating their own climate if grouped together. This tip can also be used for keeping the soil moist. If you want, you can spray them with water once or twice a day depending on the day's temperature.

6. Repotting
Other plants require repotting for optimum growth but some plants may not be suitable for this idea. They would not want their roots to be disturbed or other plants' root system is small. One way to check if your plant needs repotting is to turn it upside down. Tap the pot to release the plant and check its roots. If roots are all you see, then repot.

You just need to have a little care for your plants and in turn, you'll reap its benefits. You don't only have a garden that can add to your house's beauty you can also learn how to respect and nurture life in its varied forms.