Understanding Plant Growth Regulator and their Use

Creating and maintaining a garden can be pretty amazing, garden plants come in so many shapes, sizes, and colors that will bring great change to and environment. There are edible plants and then there are plants that are non-edible which means these non-edible plants are us to create a natural and pleasing effect as we see in nature.

Having some knowledge of plant growth and its function is so important, no I am not saying that you need a college degree to be successful at gardening but having some knowledge will go a long way in giving you the success that you worked so hard at and is looking forward to. In this post, however, we will be discussing plant growth regulator and how it affects a plant’s growth

So what’s all this stuff about plant growth regulator and how does it help in the growth and development of plant life? I am so happy that you asked.

Read more

Growing these SuperFoods at Home

Microgreens are greens that are miniature and are harvested from vegetables or herbs these greens are loaded with nutrients, microgreens are also used to add flavor and color to your favorite dishes. These superfoods can be purchased or grown from our home gardens. Microgreens are harvested when they are young.

Including microgreens in our diets is a great way to eat healthy keeping our bodies in the best shape ever. Microgreens, however, can be pretty costly but as mentioned earlier we can grow them from our home gardens giving us a year-round supply from the garden to our kitchens. Below we will be discussing how to have success when growing and harvesting these greens.

Read more

Tips for Growing Healthy Plants in Your June Garden

Before we know it winter will be over with those freezing temperatures and long night chills that make the approaching of spring and summer so inviting but as the warmer months approach it is best to get a jump start by having a to-do list as we prepare for those long days ahead working in our gardens as nature awakens clothing our landscapes and gardens with beautiful plants in full bloom as we reap a fruitful harvest of our labors.

Read more

Weeding Made Easy with these Methods

Rocks do have their place in the landscapes and garden areas, with rocks there is that all-natural look that brings with it much appeal that gives the appearance and feels like it was done naturally by nature with no human involvement. I have worked on many garden projects where rocks were brought in, I remembered a project which I did along with my team at our international airport.

What we did was turn a section of a high traffic area into a rock garden, the planning of this rock garden took a lot of effort along with carrying out the actual work but at the end of the day, that area was transformed into a thing of beauty with the rocks giving an all-natural look which brought much WOW.

Read more

Compost vs Mulch

The question has been asked can compost be used as mulch? well, to answer your question let’s take a closer look at compost vs mulching.

What is compost

Compost has been defined as various organic material that goes through a process or is recycled into soils that are rich in nutrients.

What is mulch?

Mulch can either be organic or inorganic in the case of organics mulch is derived from plant material such as leaves, straws, branches, stems, etc… and is used to beautify, conserve moisture, suppress weeds, add nutrients to the soil as it decomposes, keeps the soil temperature cool acts as an insulator for plant’s roots during wintertime and may also help influence soil ph. Mulches are placed on the soil’s surface around garden plants whereas stated earlier compost is organic materials that are turned into nutrient-rich soil.

Let’s deal with the latter first

Read more

12 Fragrant Flowers that is a must-have

The world of gardening plants is pretty vast, especially when you think of the many colors and styles which these plants bring. Garden plants have the ability to bring total change to an entire landscape, I have both worked on and seen areas (landscape & Interior plantscape) that were totally transformed with plant material.

Take for instance going on a nature walk where plants are growing in their natural habitat, the colors and the styles are so amazing giving such a restful and peaceful feeling as the scenery puts you in a relaxed state taking in all that nature has to offer, this is a great way to get rid of stress which is so beneficial to our health and well being.

Read more

Gardening For Longevity

Gardening can be such a rewarding and exciting hobby, this is a great way to connect wait nature on the great outdoors. I have been in this field for years now and have seen first hand what can happen when we commit to the soil.

Taking a step into the world of gardening will take you on an adventure where those creative juices will flow bringing much flavor to and environment like non-other, in fact, the first job that was given to man is recorded in the bible where a man was told by God to take care of the earth so gardening span from the beginning of time.

Read more

Your Guide to Plant Propagation

A great way to save a few dollars and still get your desired results is plant propagation, this is a great way to grow your garden without having to break the piggy bank. I have been in the landscape and gardening field now for more than 22 years and have visited many plant nurseries and seen how expensive garden plants are.

The good news, however, is you can grow your garden through propagation which has proven to be so effective. I understand that the process of your garden plants from cuttings to maturity may take a while but with patience, your garden can be full and beautiful by following these methods which have been and are still used to this day.

Read more

Correcting leaf drop in garden plants with these methods

Installing a garden can really give your home a makeover enhancing its appearance and increase your properties value, how beautiful it is to have a garden that is just bursting with colors giving such a calm and inviting feeling.

This has been my experience over the years working on many garden projects, the transformation that it brought was much delight to the homeowner as they were blow-away with a landscape that was fit for a king and a queen of cost.

Read more

Getting a Head Start on the Season

Gardening can be rewarding as you watch your plants produce amazing colors and flower bloom or foods (edible plants) which will take your favorite dishes up a notch. But a challenge that many gardeners face is getting those seeds in the ground because the season or timing is not quite right to do so.

The good news is though the timing may not be just right to get those seeds in the ground you can still get a jump or head start on the season by starting seeds indoors. Seed starting indoors is not new, this method is an old approach that has given good results for more on how this is done continue reading as you prepare to reap the fruits of your labor.

Read more

 Tips on Taking Care of your Garden before going on a Vacation

Vacation time is such a grand time, it’s that time of the year that we all look forward to especially for those of us who have hectic schedules combating the hustle and bustle of life on a daily basis seeking to make a living.

The thought of a vacation is so exciting because this is when we get to unwind, letting our hair down so to speak being able to sleep a bit longer along with the thought of not fighting or getting stuck in traffic going to from work makes vacation time that much more exciting.

Read more

Getting rid of the spring blues

Spring is that time of year that brings such a burst of energy with our landscape and garden plants in full bloom, trees clothed with beautiful leaves, birds flying in the open blue skies as butterflies and bees can be seen going about their daily business, squirrels, and rabbits moving about gathering food as the rest of nature moves about in perfect order which lets us know that winter has past and spring is here.

But then for many, this is not an exciting time of year because with the spring season comes sneezing with itching eyes and runny nose as the doctor’s office is paid a visit a trip to the pharmacy as the medication is brought to bring relief. Springtime should be a fun time when we are up and about in the great outdoors connecting and enjoying all that nature has to offer but there are some plants while dazzling in appearance can be a nightmare for those who come in contact with them.

Read more

Your complete guide to the growth and care of the coffee plant

For some people getting up to a fresh brew of coffee is so delightful, all across America and around the world, you can find coffee lovers who start their morning off with a nice cup of coffee. I am amazed at the number of commercials that comes across the airwaves that advertise different coffee brans.

After graduation from high school, my first real job was as a busboy at one of the local hotels, what interest me was to see the amount of coffee that was served each morning during the breakfast hour. Just about every morning some of the guests would come to the restaurant and order a couple, cups of coffee only while reading the morning newspaper as they caught up on the latest news.

Read more

Maximizing your time in your garden

How much time should I spend in my garden? This is a question especially for those that are just getting started in this hobby. While we may not be able to put an exact or the amount of time that is spent in your garden because of the type of garden which includes style and the amount of work involved it is good to have an average time because if you are maintaining a large garden then you may have to take a day or two instead of overworking yourself trying to complete that garden project in several hours.

I know for you weekend warriors that can’t wait for Friday evening which is getting off time which spells the WEEKEND and the great outdoors this can be so much fun to get away from the office. But as excited as you maybe it is good to approach this task with caution.

Read more

Creating Your Garden Paradise

So you have decided to take your landscape to the next level by making it a thing of beauty, hiring a landscape contractor can be pretty costly so you have decided to DIY it or Do It Yourself but don’t know where to start don’t despair following these simple principles will give you your garden paradise.

Working on the great outdoors can give such a wonderful feeling as you connect with nature giving nature a helping hand this has been my experience over the years which has paid off in so many ways. I have worked on both residential and commercial properties transforming and bringing much beauty to these areas giving the owners a sense of pride.

Basic landscape design principles

Read more

Helping yourself by giving nature a helping hand

So you have decided to spend some time on the great outdoors and connect with nature as you give nature a helping hand but still not sure how to become that weekend warrior.

Gardening can be such a rewarding experience and past time as you beautify your surroundings or by starting that vegetable, fruit, or herb garden. Whatever your desire be assured that you will have lots of fun and as an added bonus you will be getting that much-needed exercise to get your heart rate up as you become physical.

Where do I start?

Read more

Successful tips for transplanting trees

To move or not to move is the question but then again this is not a question pre-say but something that many home gardeners wrestle with. There is nothing like having a nice healthy tree that is growing so well then one day you notice that your tree was installed in the wrong place.

Maybe it has become a security hazard or it may have outgrown that area or some other reason but whatever the reason you don’t want to touch that tree. I know what I will do I will prune it back.

Read more

Keeping your garden at its best

Installing a garden is one thing, maintaining that garden is another story. I have seen gardens that were installed and because of improper care of those gardens, they lost that luster and beauty.

One of the advantages of installing a garden is it can increase the value of your property besides all the other added benefits. I must agree that no matter the size of the garden

Read more

Avoiding these Garden Mistakes

Gardening can be such a beautiful and rewarding experience as we connect with nature, giving nature a helping. There are many types of gardening from bromeliad gardens, flower gardens to herb gardens, container gardens, formal and informal gardens and so on. The list seems to be endless but the good in all of this is you can have a garden that is tailor-made just for you based on several factors we will look into a little later.

Read more

Growing flower cuttings plain and simple

Growing flowers from cuttings is a great way to save a few $$$$ while increasing the number of plants in your garden. Oh, the joy of watching those cuttings grow and blossom is pretty amazing.

But what are the steps that are involved in this whole process? The process of growing flowers from cuttings is plain and simple all it takes is knowing how and

Read more

Steps to Preserving Cut Flowers in  Sugar and Vinegar

As a child growing up Christmas was always an exciting time in our home because of the Christmas tree that my parents brought, we all got to decorate the tree and most of all watched as those gifts filled the entire area under the tree.

But what my Mom did was always added some sugar to the water that the Christmas tree stood in because I was told that this would preserve the tree and caused it to last longer meaning the aroma of the wonderful pine would be around a lot longer filling our home.

Read more

Using Cut Flowers Indoors

Flower cuttings, brightening your world with these beautiful flowers. Even Mother Nature has to stop to admire their beauty.

Cut flowers can really brighten your world with their beauty and style. These wonders of nature have been used over the years and on many occasions to express one’s feelings and to brighten up an area.

Read more

Prolonging Your Cut Flowers

Sending flowers is a tradition that has passed down from generation to generation. Giving flowers is a way to express our feelings for that special one.

Whether it’s a get well gift that says I am hoping you get better soon or a bouquet that is saying you are the only one for me and I love you, flowers have been used on these occasions and so much more to show our true feelings.

Read more

Simple Steps to Tree Grafting

Tree grafting is a pretty neat way of duplicating the same species of plant or producing something different while at the seem time-saving a few dollars. The very first time I was introduced to grafting a tree was many years ago when I worked as a landscape tech

It was interesting to see how this method was carried out. Here in the Bahamas, we call this method tree mossing. In this article, we will be looking at how this is done as we enter the world of tree grafting.

Read more

The ornamental pest control business

If you have a love for working outdoors and giving mother nature a helping hand then ornamental pest control is the right job for you. I have spent some 20 plus years in the field of landscape and gardening and have worked in many different areas which include

landscape design and installation, landscape maintenance, nurseryman, interior plant scape design and installation, interior plant maintenance, irrigation, and so on, but one area that I really loved was working as a plant pest technician.

Read more

Successful Tips on how to Clean a Fish Pond

In one of my articles, we looked at how to build a backyard fish pond, in this article however we will be looking at how to clean our fish pond. As we noted earlier installing a fish pond can liven up any Landscape and Garden area providing lots of fun for adults as well as kids.

But in order for us to enjoy our fish pond, we are faced with the challenge of keeping it clean so that our fish will not only stay healthy but the pond itself would not become an eyesore. Many companies charge a fee to come and give our ponds a good cleaning. These fees can become, hefty base on the condition of your pond.
This article was written as a DIY (do it yourself ) guide. If you are willing to take on the challenge and don’t mind getting dirty along with saving on that pond cleaning bill then this article is for you, so with that said let’s look at pond cleaning more closely.

Read more

How to DIY my Fish Pond

One special feature of landscape and gardening is adding a fish pond to brighten up and bringing life to that garden area. A few years ago I worked as a foreman taking care of a two-acre property and one of my delights in working on this property was the fish pond.

At times both my co-workers and I would visit this pond and watch as these beautiful fish along with turtles swim gracefully back and forth, seeming to enjoy those long cool summer days. We were also given the responsibility to make sure that they were well fed.

Read more

Simple Steps to Successful Pruning

As a landscape and interior plantscape designer, one of the tasks that I had to commonly perform was making sure that the plants that I installed were properly maintained. Even as a nurseryman this was one of my responsibilities. So I  did the basic stuff like watering, fertilizing, insect control, and of course pruning.

“To prune or not to prune?”

Pruning is important to a plant’s life because by pruning you can actually add years to your plant. Pruning can take your plant through a period of rejuvenation. In other words, because of pruning, your plant can go through a rest period causing your plant to become more healthy.

Read more

Simple Steps to Growing Roses

Roses are in my opinion the ‘queen of flowers’. It’s amazing how roses are used so widely especially on valentine’s day where we see them in great abundance as lovers express their love for each other by either buying a single rose or a rose arrangement. But whatever the occasion, these exotic flowers are loved by millions around the world. The story is told of a farmer’s wife who grew roses because of her love for them and the story goes on to say when asked about pruning her rose bushes she exclaimed that she would “rather chop off one of her chicken’s head than to cut a flower from her rose bush”. That is loving roses to the highest extremity.

Read more

Steps to Successful Gardening

Before planting a garden it is always important to map out where the garden is going to be.  The perfect location is

crucial because that will determine if your Garden will be successful or not. Be mindful to choose an area that is in a sunny location because plants need a considerable amount of sunlight in order to grow and survive. With good watering practices, your plants will be able to photosynthesize (the process of plants making food).

Read more