Hydroponics Gardening Essential

The open space to grow plants is decreased day by day. Many buildings, sport stadiums, houses, and other facilities were built, gardens and crop fields reduced significantly as the consequence. What if you want to make your garden but the land is very limited? If you have the same thoughts with me, maybe hydroponics gardening is the answer for you on this issue.

What do the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Floating Gardens of China, and a popular science fiction television program have in common? Hydroponics gardening!

You may have heard of a hydroponics gardening system before this, in which case you’ll understand what I’m talking about. If you haven’t heard about hydroponics gardening, don’t worry. Hopefully by the time we reach the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of what a hydroponics garden is, and if someone asks you whether you think a drip system, or an ebb and flow system is better, then you won’t have to squint at them and say ‘eh?’ in that confused way.

Before we get on to the subject of drip, and ebb and flow systems, let’s take a crash course in hydroponics gardening.

Coming from the Greek words ‘hydro’ for water, and ‘ponics’ for labor, the word hydroponics in gardening terms is used to specify a type of gardening that doesn’t have its roots in soil, if you will forgive the pun. This soil-free type of gardening depends entirely on a water based system that is enriched with nutrients.

These nutrients can either be in the form of specially formulated chemicals for hydroponics gardening, or they can come as a variety of natural nutritional ingredients found in nature itself. The use of either nutrient form is solely dependent upon the gardener.

Since hydroponics gardening is a soil free system, containers are the best methods for growing, and a number of different varieties of containers, and pots are available to buy.

As a growing medium for the plant, something for it to get its roots into, different gardeners will have different likes and dislikes. Shale is a simple and easy solution, especially for the first time gardener. With a little bit of research however, you can easily find out if Hydroton or Rockwool is a better growing medium for you than shale would be. (Hydroton and shale can be used in an ebb and flow system, whilst horticultural Rockwool can be used with just about any system).

“Any system’ referring to methods used to pass along the nutrient enriched water to the plants. Again there are many options for the hydroponics gardener to choose from, but I will explain here only the two systems that I mentioned earlier.

Simply put, the ebb and flow system uses a pump to respectively flood and then drain your containers at regular intervals. The drip system uses a continuous drip that supplies a steady ration of water solution that’s right for each plant. 

Also it should be noted that hydroponics gardens have a higher growth rate, and many gardeners take advantage of this to create high yield vegetable and fruit gardens.

Now that you know what hydroponics gardening entails to a large extent, with a little more research you should be able to set up your own hydroponics system, and keep yourself year round in fresh fruits and vegetables!

Shade Gardening Tips

There was so many shade gardening tips out there. Honestly, shade gardening is not an easy thing to do. Shades may affect the part of your garden. The larger the shade area will have larger effect also.

If you’re a first time gardener, or you’ve inherited your garden along with your house, then you’ll probably not have noticed that your garden has a shaded area. Believe me it will have a shaded space somewhere, even if it is in the very corner of the yard. That’s why you’ll need to be doing shade gardening this year. Executed properly, your shade garden can take you through for a long time.

If you find the shade in your garden is due to a tree or trees, even if it is your neighbor’s tree, you’ll find that the soil will be dry and full of roots. Planting may be difficult and you may have to improve the soil slightly before anything will grow. Be careful when doing this as some trees, like Oak, are very particular, and can be extremely sensitive to changes in soil depth. Also, if you have to till the soil around the roots, you’ll again need to be very careful as root breakage may occur and the tree might be damaged in the long term. No one ever said shade gardening was going to be easy!

When choosing your plants, you’ll have to keep in mind the conditions that are likely to be prevalent within your shaded area. Low, dappled sunlight, to perhaps no sun at all, or perhaps sun at only certain times of the day. Limited water in the soil due to an extensive root system, poor air circulation caused by low lying branches, or intrusive walls. These are only some of the conditions you’ll have to deal with when shade gardening.

Having passed through the more serious parts of shade gardening, we can now move on to the more fun parts. Namely designing, and laying out your garden, and buying your plants!

Since plants that thrive in the shade aren’t as vivid and bright as plants that grow in full sunlight, it’s best if you lean more towards flowers with pastel shades, as darker colors will only tend to blend into the background.
Foxgloves are a favorite, as are Daisy’s, and Begonias. Bluebells and Forget-me-nots are also some true blue favorites. If you plan your shade gardening carefully, you can have blooming flowers for almost the whole year.

Other plants to consider are groundcovers. Hostas, are traditionally a good groundcover plant, with its big leaves that tend to hug the ground. English ivy, Wintercreepers, and Ajuga are also very good for groundcover.

No matter what you decide upon, make sure that you enjoy shade gardening, and all the benefits it can bring to you, like the peace of mind and relaxation that you can get from the natural subdued colors offered by the shaded garden.

Gardening With Rock Elements

Rocks are trouble for some people, but some others said that rocks were beautiful elements or even sometimes as the main element for their garden. Which one are you? Actually, it depends on your creativity to take advantages from the rock for your garden. If you are able to get the right point of view, the rocks will “rock” your garden.

Having first been established in the British Isles, early rock gardens were generally thought to be an eyesore and were not as well balanced as today’s rock gardens. By the turn of twentieth century however, rock gardening had taken off and giant leaps and bounds were made, so much so that rock gardening took off across the Atlantic and crossed to Northern America where it still perseveres to this day.

Today, garden enthusiasts looking to create their own rock garden have a myriad of choices available to them, with two of the main types of rock gardening being Japanese, or Zen, gardens, and your average everyday rock garden.

Like most people if you’re going for the more widespread trend of rock gardening where plants abound, Zen gardens are rockier and less plant-filled, there are a few things you will need to take into consideration.
If your landscape is mainly rocky then you won’t have too much of a problem setting up your garden. If, however, you’re doing rock gardening for purely aesthetic reasons, then you’ll need to plan and create carefully to achieve the results you’re after.

Since most gardens always seem to have at least one troublesome spot, this seems to be the most likely place to start your planning. You’ll need a place with optimal sunshine, and preferably a slope. If you don’t have a slope don’t worry, you can build the contours that you need.

Next, scout out the rocks that you already have in your garden, if any. There’s a good chance that you can use at least some of them. If you don’t have any, don’t worry rocks are always available to buy, your local nursery will probably stock some as well.

When choosing your rocks, choosing a color scheme that looks natural is a good idea. Keeping this color scheme in mind when you go to buy your plants will help greatly as you can pick and choose the plants to suit you. Also, you’ll need to make sure that the plants you choose are the type that won’t need much water, as the water will tend to filter through the rocks.

Now that you’ve made your purchases you can now start your rock gardening in earnest. From here on out it’s mainly the task of giving your rock garden a slight elevation or slope, and mixing your plants in with rocks at a particular space, and angle to suit you, the person who is actually doing the rock gardening.

Depending on the size of your planned project, and rocks, hopefully you should be able to finish your sojourn into rock gardening within a day or two, leaving you to enjoy it for a long time to come. Enjoy gardening with rock elements!

Using the Right Gardening Equipment

Gardening equipment per se, is what you needs. At least that's what we all say when we rush towards that handy new extra light shovel and hoe or a very sharp sickle that just went on sale today! However, not every gardener has all the tools, or even the correct ones needed, and most gardeners will just be what they have. Most of the time improvisation is the key.

But if gardening is your game, then you will at least have some of the more basic gardening equipment that is needed to maintain your garden. Namely, a hoe, a shovel, and a rake come to mind offhandedly. There is also naturally other gardening equipment that is equally important, and I know that I simply can’t be without my pruning scissors.

As the years wore on I found that I had indeed collected many an essential piece of gardening equipment, and now find to my dismay that my shed is full to overflowing with tools. The best ones that I have though are a very old pair of comfortable gardening gloves, and my trusty, old kitchen knife that I had brought out one day, and just never replaced.

When I can’t find my pruning scissors, my kitchen knife takes its place and acts as a pruning knife instead. If I can’t be bothered to find my hoe, or shovel, I just use the tip of the knife to accomplish what I want. Then of course there are the times that I just can’t be bothered with even that, and use my nicely gloved hands instead to loosen the soil, or pull up weeds.

It probably sounds like a fairly sloppy way to go about your gardening, but every dedicated gardener knows that if you’re knee deep in the middle of something, the last thing you’ll want to do is to interrupt your work to fetch the proper gardening equipment from your shed.

However, that said, some jobs are easier with the proper equipment at hand, and it is worth your while to go and fetch it from whatever nook or corner that you stuffed it into. One of my favorite pieces of gardening equipment is the garden claw.

With two varieties available, one for standing work, and for closer work and therefore fitting in your hand, the garden claw makes your life easier. Stick the claw in the ground; give it a simple twist with your wrist, and pull out. It loosens soil easily, and as an added benefit you get to pull out your weeds with less hassle.

Really the key thing to remember about gardening equipment is that although we might want it, we don’t always need it. Besides it’s always a good thing not to get too attached to your gardening equipment, it makes life easier if you’re not always trotting back and forth between your work patch and the shed. Finally you’d not get too much done, unless you’re using your handy garden claw.

Plant Rose on Your Garden

Who in this world don’t like flower? I guess only “sick” people out there don’t like it. Flowers are plus point for house and environment. They are able to add more charisma and beauty if planted correctly. Do you have rose on your garden? Yeah, this is my favorite flower to grow, and I highly recommend to you to plant rose on your garden because rose is beautiful and easy to grow.

Roses are universally favorite plants. The bright vibrant hues give gardens a splash of color. You can smell the heady perfume of roses during summer as they fill the air. With so many different varieties to choose from rose gardening is a marvelous experience.

While it’s true that there many roses that you can choose from, the type is not important. What is important is that you plant them where you can reap the benefits later on. Roses are hardy plants. With so many gardeners breeding new hardy varieties, roses can now grow in any type of condition. Difficult soil and garden problems are no longer a barrier to well grown rose gardens.

The key to rose gardening lies in buying plants that are at least two years old, that have been field grown and are budded. If your young rose plants are pruned then the heavy stems need to be 1/4 inches in diameter at the top.  On the other hand if the rose plant is not pruned, then there should be three or more heavy stems that are 18 inches in diameter.

You need to plant your roses in a sunny, well-drained spot. You should trim of all the bruised and broken stems off.  In rose gardening roses needed to be eased into the ground. You first dig a hole 6 inches deeper than the rose roots need, then make the hole wide and big all around so that the roots will not grow crowded or bent.

The bottom of the hole should have small rocks or pebbles in it. This rock formation will aid in the drainage for the roses. After the stones have been placed, mix one tablespoon of fertilizer over the stones. Above this lay good fertile soil until the level is where you will plant your rose plant. In the mound of soil make a small hole and carefully plant your rose bush in there. You will need to make sure that the hole has room for the roots. Then cover the roots with soil, firming the soil every so often.

Rose gardening requires that you feed your roses at regular intervals to ensure healthy growth. The first feeding should therefore be given in early spring, before the roses bloom. The second feeding will come after the first heavy blossoming is finished. The third feeding occurs in late summer. If you are lucky there might be roses that will bloom until about November. If this is the case, then feed your plants a fourth time around.

While all this care does help in rose gardening, chemical pesticides are needed to prevent sucking and chewing insects from damaging your roses. This pesticide also works to cut down on the fungus that likes to grow on roses.

Rose gardening is a lovely pleasant smelling hobby to do. If you take care of your plant during the initial days, then you will be rewarded with big, vibrant blossoms that are a joy to behold.

Summer Gardening

It is nice to do gardening in the next incoming summer. We can beautify our beloved backyard and also front yard of our home. Summer gardening is one of my favorite hobby. I really love to see my house in "green".

Gardening in and of itself is an art form. And the art of fine gardening is just that, an art. Fine gardening may mean many things to many people, but to me fine gardening means more than just a garden. It encompasses all that’s good and graceful in gardening and combines them to make one garden that is the epitome of all your dreams.

My enjoyment of fine gardening comes not only from the finished garden but from the endless hours that I spend designing and planning the actual garden, from the moment I first have the germ of an idea, to the moment I place the last sapling, and plant the last flower. All I want, all that I can be, should show through when first a person steps into this land of fine gardening, a place of peace and calm where a person can meditate on the finer things in life.



Therefore, a water feature, ideally one that will make a continuously soothing gurgle, with a small stepping-type of waterfall-cum-pond, placed on lovely slabs of flat rock with a hint of moss growing on it. Put a nice water lily or lotus to give off a contrasting color, and perhaps a fish or two. A few ferns and leafy rain-forest type plants placed around the pond, and I’m finished with this stage of my fine summer gardening.

Ideally I would love a big tree to stand in a corner of the garden, with a luscious velvety dark brown trunk that I can just about span with my arms, overflowing with vibrant green leaves spilling onto the ground in heedless abandon. Since I might not always get what I want, I’ll settle instead for a few saplings that will one day fulfill my wish.

Since green is my target for the moment, I’d also see about laying a lovely shady lawn that you can sink your bare feet into when taking a turn about your garden.

I love the idea of a Zen garden, but prefer colors and lots of plants, so I would incorporate this feature into my fine gardening efforts by placing a path, naturally made out of rough hewn stone, zigzagging in a leisurely course through the garden.

And to finish it all off I’d have a little alcove, unseen from afar, that afforded the curious visitor a wide-angled view of the whole garden, with a sun shade, and a low-lying bench with a few plump cushions strewn carelessly about, and all of it surrounded by a profusion of welcoming flowers.

In the distance I would set about placing a few boulders, pleasing in stature and color to the eye, surrounded perhaps by a few flowers.

And amidst this entire fine splendor I would walk amongst my heartfelt efforts of fine gardening and sigh in satisfaction and peace. For what more is there to gardening, than the art of fine summer gardening.