Water Gardening

The sight and sound of water has always been admired and adored by people. Water adds an appealing element to a garden. Water gardens can include fountains, waterfalls, small ponds and elaborate combinations of rockwork and lighting. Basically, water garden is a pool of water, home for aquatic plants and small fishes. Water gardening does not need any ornamental container rather a plastic dub or its kind which can hold water will satisfy the need. Features like waterfalls, rockwork, lighting and fountains can be added to a water garden depending on budget, style of your landscape, and purpose of the garden pond.

Installing a Water Garden

Location:Selection of location should be in such a way so that it can be viewed and appreciated through a window from the house or as a focal point in the landscape.

Exposure to Sunlight: Most aquatic plants and fish need plenty of sun, so a site that gets 6-8 hours of direct sun is best. Choose a site away from tall shrubs and trees for best light and to prevent the accumulation of leaf debris.

Drainage:Soil in the site should be well drained. Boggy wet soil can distort the shape of an artificial pool and crack or break the liner. A pool placed in sandy or crumbly soil also has to be prepared to keep the sides or bottom from continuous shifting or settling. Additionally, avoid runoff areas of the landscape.

Accessibility to electricity and water: The pool will most likely be filled with tap water, and will occasionally need an adjustment in the water level during evaporation so an accessible water source is mandatory.

Aquatic Plant Selection

While selecting a plant, considerations such as water depth, amount of sunlight and how each species relates to its surroundings need to be taken into account. Both floating leafed and submerged plants are needed for a healthy pond and need to be included in your selection. Plants can be selected from three main categories emergent, submerged and floaters.

Planting Aquatic Plants

Aquatic gardening is very much similar to other types of gardening. You should be aware of proper soil conditions, kinds of containers, proper planting techniques, fertility needs, and after planting care. What makes water gardening unique is that the plants you grow are growing in a water filled environment.

Soils for Aquatics

Heavy clay loam soils are well-balanced nutritionally and will support good growth. As the fertilizers or artificial mixes cannot hold the nutrient and as they are light weighted, they should not be used in water gardening.

How to Plant Aquatics

1. Soil used for planting should be damp up to a three fourth level of container
2. Potting emergent and submerged plants is similar to planting other aquatics. Place some soil in the pot, center the plant and add soil to cover the roots.
3. Once planted, the soil should be covered with a 1/2 to 3/4 inch layer of pea gravel. This will help prevent soil particles from clouding the water and will discourage fish from digging into the soil.

Caring for the Water Garden

As with any garden, maintenance is necessary to keep a water garden thriving. By fulfilling a few routine chores, a water garden can give long lasting beauty and enjoyment for years to come.
Algae and Other Debris: Immediately after installation, and again every spring, all the algae and the debris should be removed as they hinder the warming effect of sunlight on the water.
Water Level: Water level should be consistent throughout the day.
Leaks, Bugs and Other Pests: Though leaks are not common they may occur in some fiber shells. Commercially many patch kits are available which can be used to prevent leaks.
Cleaning Tips: Weekly cleanings to remove leaves, dead aquatic plant foliage, etc., are recommended. A skimming net is essential and more expensive equipment such as a pool, spa, or water vacuum is optional depending upon your budget.

Herbs are plants that grow in groups in an orderly arrangement to give a rich and pleasant look to the garden. Most gardeners show interests to grow herbs because of its inexpensiveness and easy maintenance. They are pleasing when grown in front of the house or in the entrance of the garden.
Growing culinary herbs will be always there in the mind of the people who maintain garden. While speaking about familiar culinary herbs rosemary, oregano, parsley and basil come immediately to the mind. These herbs can be grown near the kitchen in the sunny spot to help the herbs to develop good foliage and easy chopping. These herbs can be grown fertile in loose or friable soil. The soil can be prepared with compost, chunky organic matter which helps the roots for better air circulation. The pruning of the herbs is recommended at regular intervals.
Growing culinary herbs gives the satisfaction of eating the fresh leaves and fruits of our own labor. We eat healthy fresh food from our garden to enhance healthy living. Some of the herbs will be perennial, some annual useful for the whole year.
The herbs can also be grown in the containers and from window boxes in the places like apartment. It can also be grown in the borders and in raised bed of country folk. This is a simple nice experience and a pleasure which is an inexpensive luxury.

The shifting of a plant from one soil or culture medium to another is generally known as Transplantation of the plant. Usually transplantation is done to ensure the growth of the plant.
The plants will be allowed to grow in groups till a certain period of time. Later they need to be transplanted for better growth and production. The plants when grown in groups show a relatively high growth. After few months there arises a need to grow single for every plant. Transplantation helps to check the growth when grown in groups and helps the plants to attain considerable growth.
Plants grown in flowerpots and flats are transplanted to the garden in open space with an exposure to climate etc. The seedlings of the plants are initially placed single in the pots or cups made of paper with an outlet for drainage. They are then carefully transplanted from the pots to the garden.
The pot has to be watered first and given time for the plant to absorb water. Then lift the plant that has to be transplanted with out causing a major damage to its roots. Care should be taken while lifting the plant. The soil covering the roots has to be placed along with the new soil to support the plant to adopt for the conditions of the growing place.
Dipping the roots in a mixture of clay and water helps greatly in bridging the critical transplanting period. Pouring a half pint to a pint of water, or less for small plants, into the hole around the plant before it is completely filled is usually necessary.
The soil in which the transplantation is to occur must be fertile. A mixture of rich topsoil and garden compost with a very light addition of a commercial garden fertilizer is recommended.
Plants differ greatly in the way they recover from the loss of roots and from exposure to new conditions. Small plants like tomatoes, lettuce, beets, cabbage, and the other related vegetables are easy to transplant. The vine crops should be seeded directly in berry baskets or containers of the same size that can be transferred to the garden and removed without disturbing the root systems. Beans and sweet corn can be handled in the same manner for better production.

Forsythia, Hedge
Forsythia is a bushy plant that grows tremendously. Forsythia is among the earliest of spring bloomers and otherwise called as “Golden Bell”. Forsythia is shapely and an 8′ tall shrub. It is smothered with yellow blooms in early spring before the foliage appears. It is popular as a specimen plant or hedge. Forsythia has unique purple autumn foliage.

Forsythia grows from one feet to two feet for one year. Forsythia can be cultivated from cutting a part of the mature plant. The adult bush that looks fertile and healthy can be selected for cutting. Select a three to six inch branch from the newly grown branches of the adult tree for cuttings. Place one end of the cutting in the moist soil. The moist soil helps the roots to fix firmly to it.
Take utmost care for the planted cutting for two to three weeks. Once the cutting shows productive leaflets then the cutting is ready for transplantation. Transplanting is highly recommended during winter as the plant remains dormant those seasons.
Pruning Forsythia is left to the taste of the individual. If it is raised in the yard alone or as a small group there is no need of pruning. They look stunning when left to grow naturally. If it is raised in group as a hedgerow or along foundations then pruning is a must to maintain an orderly look. The apt period for pruning is in February or March. Pruning the old shrubs in late spring or summer is not recommended.
Forsythia can be grown indoors too especially in winter. It will brighten up the room. Their yellow color will be dazzling in the greyest and snowiest of winter days.
Grow the Forsythia plant, add look to your garden and indoor. Be a proud peacock to be the owner of Forsythia.

Gardening tools are essential to keep up a fertile garden. Buying a tool is secondary and choosing a right tool according to the size, production and maintenance of the garden is primary. The basic and essential tools to garden are listed in the article along with their use.
The tools that are needed for a garden Are
. A spade or spading fork
. A steel bow rake
. A 7-inch common hoe
. A strong cord for laying off rows
. A wheelbarrow
. A long garden hose to water all parts of the garden.
A spade or spading fork is used for improving the physical structure of the soil and to promote healthy root growth. Their square mouths make them ideal for shoveling and moving the soil. A spade slices into the soil and lifts to turn the earth.
A steel bow rake has a head from 8 inches to 24 inches wide which is connected to the handle by a steel ‘bow’ at each end. These bows act as shock absorbers giving strength to do serious raking of heavier materials.
A wheel hoe is very useful for gardens that are from 2,000 to 4,000 square feet. The single-wheel type is probably the easiest to handle. It is recommended for use as an all-purpose wheel hoe. This includes much less effort and is preferred by most of them. The hoe blades are best suited for weeding.
The wheel barrow is used for carrying heavy goods around gardens. It is used to place objects in the bucket and walk around.
A rotary garden tiller is useful in preparing the soil for planting and controlling weeds for gardens over 4,000 square feet.
For cultivating and other light work a 2- to 3-horsepower tractor is used and for plowing or other heavy work a larger tractor is desirable. Modern outfits of this size are well adapted to cultivating small areas.
The gardening tools of great use for the yield of garden and selecting an appropriate tool is significant and a role of intellect. Use the above tools and experience the turnover.

Soil is the main source of a fertile garden, wealthy yield and healthy life. Maintaining the fertility of the soil is a bit difficult work and can be taken as a challenge for the gardeners and agriculturalists.
Fertile, deep, friable, well-drained soil is necessary for a successful garden. The soil which is well drained and well supplied with organic matter gives a good yield. The soil retentive of moisture and reasonably free of stones is what the garden is exactly in need of.
The soil that is properly prepared becomes a desirable medium for growth and development of root. This would help the roots for better and rapid absorption of water and air. Preparing the garden for planting depend on the type and the location of soil. In general, garden soils should be cover-cropped during the winter to control erosion and to add organic matter.
Good soil for growing vegetables must be protected by proper cultivation, use of organic matter, maintenance of soil fertility, and control of plant pests. Properly prepared soil provides a desirable medium for root development, absorbs water and air rapidly, and usually does not crust badly.
Tillage is required to control weeds, mix mulch or crop residues into the soil. It alters soil structure. Avoiding unnecessary tillage is recommended as it increases crusting on the soil surface and compact the soil.
Fertility requirements differ between long and short growing seasons and among soil types. In almost every State, the Extension Service will test soils and provide fertilizer recommendations. Crops that are resistant to the pests can be planted in the area.
Fencing the garden is also recommended for good yield. Moreover it is useful for the plants that need support. This serves as a trellis for beans, peas, tomatoes, and other crops. It prevents the plants from dogs, rabbits and other animals.
The garden exposed to sufficient sunlight gets much production. Providing fertilizers and organic matters to the garden adds good profit.

Garden, the very word gives pleasure to our mind. Garden is the fine place of relaxation for mind and spirit. This is the universal truth that none can deny. You can spend time in garden if it is green and blissful. So a well built and maintained garden is the heaven on earth and it is very easy to do so.
You can grow a beautiful garden even in a small place. The place of selection has to be a thing of attraction and situated in the main part of the house. Always prefer the garden to be in front of the house. When you look your garden from your window you will be pleased by it and even people who visit the house will have a very good impression about you and feel excited with its appearance.
Importance has to be given to plants that have to be grown in the garden. According to the size of the garden choose the plants. Vegetable garden, flower garden, organic garden are some of the common gardens grown easily in houses. Climate, soil, water facility, maintenance also plays a vital role. Pruning the plants at regular intervals, spraying pesticides to safeguard the plants, using bio-fertilizers for sustaining the nutrients of the soil all comes under maintaining the garden. Consider all the above factors and grow an evergreen garden.
Lawns contribute for the beauty of the garden. There are different types of lawns like Japanese, Bermuda etc and one can be chosen according to the climate. It not only adds attractiveness but it is scientifically proved that lawns generate oxygen more and relaxing in lawn adds refreshment. Lawns can be maintained by the process of mowing, fertilizing and deweeding.
Building Hedge can be done to add gorgeousness to the garden. Added to it, ensures security, privacy and decoration. Careful planting & regular upholding of hedge makes the garden good looking. Green hedges are most common and colorful hedges are utilized for decorative purposes. Frequent clippings are recommended.
Pond can be built only if the garden is spacious. Lotus, lilies and some floating plants can be grown along with colorful fishes. The pond in the garden needs at least 4 to 5 hours of sunlight and an appropriate location can be chosen.
With these simple arrangements you can make your garden rich and can feel proud to own a delightful garden. Add classic look to your house by having the essentials of garden.

Trees and plants provide food, clothing, shelter, medicine and above all oxygen to human beings. They directly and indirectly depend on nature and plants to survive. Recently researches have proved that plants and flowers can also contribute to better physical, mental and emotional health.

The fragility and beauty of life is exposed through flowers. They evoke and share the feelings of love, health, trust, age and the fleeting fragments of time.

Gradually flowers have gained much importance in our day to day lives and it has become part of it. It is used to express, to greet, to congratulate, to welcome. It holds a remarkable place in rituals. It is used to invite people and decorate the stage in wedding ceremonies. The flowers are placed even on graves. So plants play a vital role in the life of human beings from cradle to grave.

Gardening has become an important aspect, business and even a favorite past time to people. A small garden filled with various kinds of flowers in front of our house is a thing of delight and pride. This will be the aim or dream of everyone.

GROWING VINES ADDS HONOUR AND DELIGHT

Vine plants are liked by people as it fills their needs. There are two types of vines. They grow
•Horizontally covering the ground and
•Climbers trying to reach heaven.

Vines and plants generally have both aesthetic and functional purposes like
•The groundcovers on hillsides can prevent soil erosion
•shrubs in a foundation planting can reduce heating bill
•Trees can serve as windbreaks.

Growing vines is really a thing of pride, honour and delight.

Proper lawn maintenance plays a crucial part in any landscape design. A beautiful well maintained lawn can make the entire landscape look good, whereas a lawn that is not maintained can completely ruin it’s beautify. Discussed below are a few important lawn care tips that will help you maintain a fine-looking lawn.

Mowing:
This is the most sensitive practice in lawn maintenance because even small imperfections may cause intense problems to the lawn. The key principle in mowing is the height of the grass that has to be mowed. Depending upon the species the height that has to be mowed varies. Considering the widely adapted Perennial ryegrass should be mowed at 2.5 to 3.5 inches. The tall fescue can be mowed at 3.0 to 4.0 inches. Kentucky blue grass or any mixture containing Kentucky blue grass should be mowed at 2.5 to 3.5 inches. The Zoysia must be mowed at 1.0 inch. Mowing below these heights restricts the growth and increases the chances of getting damaged due to insects, drought and traffic increases. Inappropriate mowing also causes weed infestations. In places with moderate sun-light should be mowed 0.5 to 1.0 inch higher than the normal.

Thatch controlling:
Thatch is a tightly intermingled organic layer of dead and living shoots, stems and roots that accumulate just above the soil surface. Thatch is desirable in small quantities, whereas a thick layer of thatch must be avoided. Thatch layer forms due to over-fertilization, over-watering and soil compaction. Too much thatch interferes with water and air movement, reduces fertilizer and pesticide response, and increases disease and insect activity. Controlling thatch can be done by Detaching machines which are power rakes with sharp blades that cut the thatch to the ground surface. As the blades revolve, dead & live organic materials are torn loose and brought to surface. The organic material removed by the dethatcher must be raked, removed, and used as mulch or in a compost pile.

Aerification:
Aerification is the mechanical removal of soil cores, it relieves soil compaction, improving water and air movement into the soil, increasing rooting, and greatly improving grass health. Appropriate aerification will reduce thatch. This process is highly beneficial in compacted areas such as sport fields, heavily trafficked areas next to sidewalks, and areas with intense foot or pet traffic.

Rolling:
Rolling is not a turf maintenance practice.. Rolling is generally not recommended by turf specialists because heavy rolling of saturated or clay soils in spring will cause soil compaction and increase soil moisture stress the following summer. However, rollers do have some fetching in turf. Light rolling is effective immediately following seeding to insure good seed-soil contact. Rolling can also bring good sod-soil contact after sodding.

Growing rose bushes is easy and satisfying. With a little learning you can turn your rose bushes into a perfect bush providing an abundance of roses. Roses are found all over and the most common reward and also the most decorative feature in any occasion. Some of the prominent types of roses are Hybrid tea roses, Floribundas, Shrub roses, Ground cover roses, Climbers

Tips on rose care

• Roses have a great hunger. Fertilize them with any food but the food should be heavier than the phosphorus.
• The class of soil should be good so that it can maintain the water and fertilizer.
• Hybrid tea needs nourished and organic soil. Manure, mushroom compost, and other organic minerals are a must for this particular type of rose.
• Organic mulch is the best option fro improving the soil. It is better not use decomposed wooden chips or bark product as it cause the loss of minerals.
• Sometimes dig the ground underneath a rose plant with hoe to uproot the weeds
• Hybrid tea rose can have severe disease. So it needs special care. Dust them with rose powder to keep the black spot and powdery mildew away.