Click picture to enlarge Orchid roots have a very interesting and different structure than most garden plants. Epiphytic orchids are adapted to growing in trees and have developed roots that can absorb moisture from the air. Their roots are covered with a silvery gray thick, spongy material called velamen, which absorb moisture from the air […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: One 8′ length of 2″x4″ lumber One 8′ length of 1″x2″ lumber Wire mesh Permanent marker Hand saw or chop saw Drill 1/8″ drill bit Eight 3″ wood screws Tin snips Staple gun Hammer Sixteen 2″ finishing nails Two utility handles A soil sieve is handy for starting […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Lawn mower Rake Tarp Hose Shredded leaves make an excellent mulch and, left in a pile, they soon break down to form leafmold, a weed-free compost that plants love. You can buy a chipper/shredder to shred your leaves or you can use a rotary mower. Begin by raking […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Hose Insecticide Magnifying glass If you notice that one of your houseplants is infested, isolate it immediately and identify the pest. If you’re not sure what you have, pinch off a leaf that has one of the offending pests on it and take it to your local garden […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need Shovel Bone meal Wood dowel Mulch Choosing a quality rose is of paramount importance. The better the rose you start with, the more vigorous and successful it will be. If you are unable to plant the rose immediately, it’s best to heel it in until you are ready […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Flagstones Sand Rubber mallet Stone mason’s trowel Shovel A length of 2″X4″ lumber a little wider than the pathway Grade the site for proper drainage. Adding sand promotes drainage and also provides a proper surface for the flagstone to be set and leveled. Click picture to enlarge Begin […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Power edger Half moon edger 2×4 to use as a guide Edging your lawn is a simple and effective way of keeping unruly grass at bay. If you plan on edging a large area, a power edger is recommended. Click picture to enlarge For smaller areas, a half […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Twine Pruning shears Opaque glass or ceramic jar The best time to harvest herbs is in the morning. Sunlight and heat deteriorate the herb’s essential oils, so avoid harvesting at midday. Select only healthy undamaged shoots for harvesting. Click picture to enlarge Find a warm, dry place to […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Large plastic garbage can with a lid Plastic bucket for soaking the peat moss 2 parts fine peat moss 1 part good garden loam or compost 1 part perlite Choose and gather the various potting soil components. The materials you use will depend on what you will be […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Pruning knife Rooting hormone Propagator Seedling mix Pencil or dibble Select a healthy, medium sized leaf from the donor plant. Use a clean sharp knife or pruning shears to remove the cutting. Make a diagonal cut, leaving 1-” or 2″ of stem on the leaf. Click picture to […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Bareroot Bearded Iris Trowel Sand Evergreen boughs To flower well, Bearded Irises need full sun (6 hours of direct sun a day or more) and well-drained soil. After choosing an appropriate location, dig a wide, shallow hole and set the thick, hard rhizome inside, with the fan of […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: 18 8′ patio timbers 4 3′ 5/16″ threaded rods 8 5/16″ nuts 8 3/4″ washers 9’x14′ pond liner 3’x8′ 1/4″ exterior-grade plywood Staple gun Tape measure Pencil Electric drill 1″ spade bit 3/8″ drill bit Handsaw Hammer 4″ nails or deck screws Building a raised patio timber pond […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Concrete blocks Rubber mallet A length of 2X4 lumber Shovel Once you have determined the path of your border, lay the first line of stones down. Fit them snugly up against one another. Use a rubber mallet to position the stones so that the tops are all at […]
Click picture to enlarge What you need: Half whiskey barrel Half whiskey barrel liner Cement blocks Water plant fertlizer Water lily Assorted marginal aquatics Oxygenators Creating a water garden in a tub starts container selection. A half whiskey barrel works quite well, as does a properly sealed large ceramic pot. For this garden, we use […]
