In our previous articles, we discussed flowers to plant in the fall in South Florida and also vegetables to plant in the fall in South Florida but we will be turning our attention to some of the best herbs that can be grown during the fall months. Garden herbs have their place in our gardens and really do deserves our attention, the aromas and the flavors that herbs produce are just simply amazing.
Why limit the beauty of our South Florida gardens to the summer and spring months when we can extend the season to ensure that our gardens are in full bloom even during the fall months? While we can agree that the fall months present the opportunity to do a bit of spring cleaning the opportunity is also there to include flowering plants that can beautify and brighten our gardens during the fall months.
With the passing of spring and the summer months and winter fast approaching there is still much that can be done during the fall months, among the many tasks that are undertaken in our fall gardens is extending the season by growing vegetables. Yes even during the fall months we can grow edible foods in our South Florida gardens before the temperature dips ( the winter months sets in).
Are you tired of having to move back and forth when carrying small garden tools to your work area or what about making trips back and forth to your vehicle to collect groceries, etc… The mac sports collapsible folding outdoor utility wagon can make life easier for you, just load and go. This utility wagon is the answer to your transporting issues. The mac sports collapsible folding outdoor utility wagon can also carry camping gear, sports equipment, and beach chairs. This utility wagon is so convenient and can help you in so many ways.
We’re now in the fall months which means working in our gardens to prepare for the winter months as well as next spring and the summer months that are ahead of us, it is important (fall cleanup) that we do all that we can to get a jump start on the season. The benefits of doing a fall garden clean-up is like taking our gardens through a rejuvenation period which will encourage or give our gardens and lawns a renewal or fresh start so to speak that will boost their energy to produce a better yield whether growing flowers, fruits veggies, or herbs.
The corona tree Extention pruner and pole saw is a tool that’s used to reach those hard ( branches and limbs that are not easily accessible) to reach places such as branches and limbs that are far above ground level and require an extension tool that cuts with precision. This tool makes those pruning jobs so simple.
The autumn blooming cherry tree is a hardy deciduous garden beauty that thrives best in Hardiness Zones 5-8 and produces an abundance of flowers ranging from light pink to white. There are other cherry trees however that produce flowers with dark pink, yellow or green blossoms. The autumn cherry tree has broad upright branches that are delicate, and the serrated, oblong-ovate leaves transition from a green color in the spring to gold, bronze, and red color during autumn.
We are now in the fall months so it’s time to get out into our gardens and begin that fall cleanup but one of the requirements of doing a fall garden cleanup is ensuring that our garden plants are nicely manicured. In order to accomplish this or make those pruning jobs easy and simple, we need the right tool especially if the branch size is too thick for a hand pruner or a lopper shear.
As gardeners and weekend warriors, we strive for a garden that’s beautiful, healthy, and thriving whether it’s a flower, vegetable, herb garden, growing fruit trees, or ornamental plants we work the soil continuously to reap a good harvest from our time spent outdoors as we connect with nature but if the truth could be told there is much that goes into gardening successfully, from the soil to choosing the right planting location, fertilizer use, to disease and garden insect pests control but one practice that is so vital to plant survival and is misunderstood mostly by the beginner garden is how much water should plants receive, especially during a heatwave.
The spring and summer months were a busy time for all if not most of us, we worked in our gardens hoping to reap a good harvest from our food crops or to see our ornamental plants come to full bloom as they amaze us with their many shapes, sizes, and various colors. Now we’re in the fall months but we can’t throw up our feet just yet because during the fall months there is still much to do to prepare our garden beds before winter sets in.
What I love about greenhouses is the ability to extend the season with the plants of choice, these houses have become so popular because of the many advantages they offer which we will be discussing a bit later. Greenhouses can be any shape or size and based on your needs and the size of the area a greenhouse can be installed.
There are many maintenance practices that go into a beautifully maintained lawn, water management being one of those practices that’s so crucial for a lawn to thrive. I have seen lawns that were so badly neglected becoming an eyesore because of a lack of water and other maintenance issues. Lawns are living and breathing and therefore require not just water but the right amount of water to grow healthy.
A lawn that’s properly maintained is a show stopper that can get the attention of just about anyone, a lawn of this sort can increase your property’s value but in order to achieve this almost picture-perfect lawn requires some know-how. Our lawns can go through so much wear and tear such as foot traffic, insect pests, disease, hot dry conditions, heavily shaded areas, improper water, and fertilizing practices which can transform that once beautiful lawn into an eyesore.
I read a story many years ago about a farmer’s wife who grew beautiful roses that she loved dearly, one day she was asked the question about pruning her rose bush and her reply was “before I prune my roses I would rather cut off one of my chicken’s head”. I believe when it comes to pruning our plants, especially for the beginner there is fear of making even one snip and I understand in part.
Growing our very own homegrown edible garden is a great way to extend the season while eating fresh, this time of the year presents great opportunities to stay active in our gardens as we plan for and produce cool garden crops that will give a bountiful harvest come next spring.
Growing and maintaining indoor plants may not require as much attention as outdoor plants but indoor plants still need to be maintained to control their height and natural form. A part of proper maintenance practice for houseplants is keeping them will prune.
It is good to know that with limited space we can still have a garden or the garden of our dreams, gone are the days when gardening was only limited to the outdoor environment. We can now utilize our indoor living space to bring that much-needed change and flavor as we connect with nature.
Plants that add nitrogen to the soil is known as (Nitrogen Fixing Plants) these plants are responsible for capturing and releasing nitrogen for garden plants to grow healthy. Nitrogen is a macro or major nutrient that plays a vital role in the development of plant life, in fact, nitrogen is a major component of chlorophyll, chlorophyll aids plants in converting the energy of the sunlight into sugars from water and carbon dioxide.
In our last article in case you missed it we discussed growing potatoes in grow bags, but today we will be discussing when to plant potatoes. This question has been asked so many times and we are here to give you a clearer or better understanding of the best time of the year these veggies can be planted to ensure you reap a good harvest.
Potatoes are considered to be a staple food, because of this the potato veggie is a popular vegetable that’s grown and cultivated in many home gardens and on a wider scale as well as(on farmlands). But before we get into the discussion of growing potatoes in grow bags I want you for a short while to travel back with me in time as we look at the origin of the potato plant.
Planting an edible garden is so exciting as we wait with great anticipation to reap a good harvest but if the truth can be told based on what we are growing can seem to take forever to reach our kitchens. Tomatoes for example are one of those edibles that requires patience as we wait for harvest time.
Growing tomatoes indoors is a great way to extend the season while eating fresh and healthy, while it’s good to utilize outdoor living space we can take advantage of our indoor living space as well, especially for those of you who may not have the space (outdoor gardens). Growing tomatoes indoors is a great way to have these delicious edibles at your fingertips. If you would like to know how to have success on how to grow tomatoes indoors then continue reading and see for yourself how simple this process is.
Wow how time flies, just the other day it seems, we were all in high gear as the spring months approach with great anticipation to get outdoors in our gardens and work the soil connecting with nature. Then it was on to the summer months where in spite of the heat we were still determined to reach our goals of completing those garden projects and now we are in the month of August. As summer is about to come to a close we enter the fall months.
Nitrogen is the most leach nutrient in garden soil, the presence of nitrogen is so important because nitrogen supports plant life in so many ways. This macronutrient is a major component of chlorophyll, chlorophyll aids plants in converting the energy of the sunlight into sugars from water and carbon dioxide.
With the exception of hydroponics, the key to growing healthy plants is the soil type, the soil really does matters and lay at the roots of plant life. Although native soil has its place and may be looked upon as the ideal soil, the truth of the matter is there are many native soil types that need a little help (soil amending).
The words fire up the grill are all too common as we connect with nature outdoors spending time with family and friends on special occasions especially during sports season as we cheer on our favorite teams. But what is a barbecue without those pleasant aromas and mouth-watering flavors that excites our taste buds?
Whether growing and harvesting tomatoes from our home gardens or purchasing from our farmers or supermarket our desire or goal is not only to have healthy delicious tomatoes but to preserve them so they can maintain their flavors and freshness. But one thing that we all can agree on is for many of us if not all of us there are times when those once healthy tomatoes that we were planning on using in that delicious recipe/recipes can no longer be used because of not knowing how to preserve them.
St Augustine grass is one of the most popular grasses in the state of Florida, this warm-season turf can tolerate the heat and the humidity. The blades of the St Augustine grass is blue-green, what I love about this grass type is it can tolerate salt making this turf ideal for coastal yards. When well-maintained St Augustine grass forms a dense tick turf that will compete with weeds.
Pentas or the Egyptian star is native to tropical southern Africa, Madagascar, Comoros, and the Arabian Peninsula. This garden beauty belongs to the family Rubiaceae and attracts pollinators. Pentas are commonly installed in garden and landscaping designs such as border plants, in hanging baskets, around the trunks of trees, along a garden path walkway, throughout a garden plant bed, etc…
There is a place in the garden for everyone, as men, we work the soil seeking to bring change to our environment by beautifying or giving our gardens a facelift or even growing edible foods which have so many rewards. Equally important is the presence of women as well, I have watched many gardens shows where women were at the helm as they created many garden designs which brought that WOW.
I am sure all of you can identify with me that mosquitoes can be a real nuisance invading our outdoor as well as our indoor living spaces. Have you ever thought of spending some relaxing time outdoors seeking not only to get that much-needed fresh air as you connect with nature but to enjoy your beautifully maintained garden only to have those plans disturbed by mosquitoes?
Ensure that, that special man in your life is equipped with the right tools to do the job right, gardening can be such a rewarding experience as we connect with nature in our outdoor living space making a positive contribution to our environment and ecosystem. There is just something about working the soil and cultivating our gardens. Whether it’s planting and nurturing vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, etc…
Do you want a garden that can save you both time and money or maybe you may have an existing garden that is a drain on your wallet? Well, what if I told you, you can have a garden that can save you both time and money. “Yes you can have your cake and eat it too”, you can have the best of both worlds, how? by installing a drought-tolerant garden that will work wonders for you. This garden type can also be viewed as a summer garden.
Garden enthusiasts and weekend warriors alike are finding creative ways to continually keep gardening fresh, alive, and vibrant which I think is pretty amazing. There are so many types and styles of gardens that have captured the attention of so many persons either on a small scale such as home gardens or on a wider scale for example team parks, parks, garden shows, etc…
It’s that time of year again that provides us the opportunity to get outdoors and begin working the soil. Whether planting a vegetable, flower, or herb garden or installing or maintaining your lawn, weekend warriors and garden enthusiasts alike are connecting with nature seeking to reap a good harvest from their time spent working outdoors during the spring and summer months.
The world of gardening just fascinates me, when you take a step back and see how far we have come, there were many things our former generation thought us. Since then we have improved greatly by the many discoveries that have been made and are being made continuously
I believe these new discoveries brought more excitement as garden enthusiasts and weekend worries spend time outdoors connecting with nature by working hand in hand to assist where ever they can which in my opinion is a great trade-off. We can go on and on with the many areas in gardening with how this works.
Have a colorful season all summer long with these 4 container garden ideas that are sure to bring that much-need flavor and change, If you don’t have the space to install the garden you’ve always desired or you may have been planning to give your outdoor living space a facelift then look no further because with a container garden you can bring that much-needed change.
The summer months can be such a challenge especially as we seek to get outdoors working the soil in our gardens, the good news, however, is we can take advantage of this time of year because we are presented with the opportunity to grow our very own edibles in a way that is healthier and can save us by decreasing the amount of money that’s spent at the supermarket.
The gooseberry plant or bush is “native to many parts of Europe and western Asia, this berry plant belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae and is commonly known as Amla, Indian gooseberry, and emblic myrobalans”. The gooseberry bush which is a citrus plant can be found growing naturally in rocky alpine thickets and the rocky woods in the lower country from France eastward, well into the Himalayas and peninsular India.
There are numerous insecticides that have been formulated to control garden insect pests and are sold under different trade names and brands. What I love about insecticides is their fast-acting effect, although some may deliver a quicker knock-down than others. Despite this fact, and as good as this sounds caution should be taken when turning to this method to control garden insect pests.
There are about 50 plus species of roses that range in so many colors, sizes, and shapes, most rose species are native to Asia while a smaller number are native to Europe, North America, and northwestern Africa. A rose is a woody perennial flowering plant of the genus Rosa, in the family Rosaceae.
The summer months are finally here which gives us a chance to go outdoors and work in our gardens, although the heat may be a challenge, working in our gardens provides us the opportunity to connect with nature as we install beautiful plants that displays their own uniqueness with their varies sizes, shapes, colors, and fragrance.
There are so many benefits to having a garden but one of the highlights is the presence of beautiful butterflies that shows up, especially in large numbers. Butterflies are known as pollinators helping to contribute to our ecosystem that is so diverse. What I found to be so amazing is that there are estimated to be “over 100,000 species of butterfly worldwide”.
Bring lots of colors into your spring and summer gardens with Pentas, these tropical perennial beauties also go by the common name the Egyptian star. Pentas are native to tropical regions of Africa and southern Asia, thriving best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. If you are planning on installing a wildlife garden then Pentas are the perfect fit, these plants will attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden area.
The blue daze evolvulus is a beautiful flowering plant, that grows and thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9-13. This garden beauty is native to Paraguay and Brazil, blue daze is a perennial evergreen in the morning glory family. What I find so amazing about this tropical evergreen is the fuzzy grayish leaves it produces along with the abundance of flower bloom.
In our last article, we discussed Bermuda grass and its many benefits, but the flip side of the coin is although this grass is hailed for its toughness there are many persons who find Bermuda grass to be a nuisance and would much rather get rid of it. Bermuda grass is viewed by some as an invasive weed.
Bermuda grass has so many benefits, this grass type is drought and heat resistance can withstand heavy foot traffic, establish very quickly, is a good ground cover, and has been known to compete with weeds. Bermuda grass is used widely on sports fields such as golf courses, football fields, baseball fields, etc.
Bermuda grass has a strong resistance to many common grass diseases and recovers much more quickly from damage than many grass types. Bermuda grass also grows rapidly, the flip side of the coin is this turf does not tolerate heavy shade so when installing Bermuda grass ensure it gets plenty of sunlight. This is a full-sun-loving grass.
The painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui) is a member of the family Nymphalidae this garden beauty has colors of pale orange to the upper wings, blacktips are on the forewings marked with spots that are white. Rows of black spots can be found on the hindwings, and blue eyespots which are pale can be found on their undersides.
During springtime, a vast number of the painted lady butterfly migrate northward across the Mediterranean from Africa to Britain and even Europe traveling thousands of miles. These butterflies are known to mate through all seasons including the winter months mating while even migrating.
Do you want to have a Continual Harvest by Growing Foods Anyware and at Any time of the year? then look no further. The Aerogarden systems can make this possible. These gardening systems will have you gardening like a Pro as you connect with nature indoors. Growing Food Crops with these systems is very easy and so much as you Reap a Bountiful Harvest!!
The Aerogarden System doesn’t require soil, taking the Hassle out of Gardening this method of growing food crops is so Simple, not Messy and it’s not Laborious or Time-Consuming. Just follow the instructions, and you are done and on your way to Growing Fresh Herbs and Vegetables from your Kitchen Countertop.
With indoor gardening, we can extend the season year-round while eating fresh. Gardening indoors provides us the opportunity to grow edible foods in a safe way, why, because we are in control of how our foods are being grown. While it may be true that all plants may not thrive well on the inside we will take a closer look at those that dose and see how we can have much success by growing our own food crops.