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Frequently Asked Questions
The secret to growing the perfect garden is neither luck nor a green thumb. Rather, putting the right plant in the right place is the one underlying rule for planting success. Plants will thrive in locations that provide proper light, soil, nutrients, drainage, moisture and protection. Here are a few tips:
Map It Out
Just as you wouldn't jump head-first into remodeling a room, take the same care when designing your garden. Surf the Web, read books and consult magazines for inspiration. Draw a detailed map of your gardening space, laying out planting locations first and noting particular conditions like sunny and shady spots, drainage issues, and measurements of the area.
Consult Experts
Good gardeners rely on expert advice. Visit your local hardware store or nursery and ask the experts to guide you in planning the garden. Show them the map of your site, and inquire about plants that will naturally thrive in your site's specific conditions.
Don't Buy on a Whim
Resist the temptation to buy plants before you discover what types will grow successfully in your garden. Most plants have a "tag" that describes their specific needs. Be sure you know a plant's mature height and width; if it is "hardy" in your climate zone; how much sunlight it needs; and what type of soil and drainage it requires. Above all, know your soil pH, as this is a significant factor in the health of your plants.
Don't Let Invasive Plants Take Over
Some plants can actually "invade" your garden, creating unfavorable growth conditions for the other plants. If you're a beginner, find out which plants may harm, rather than help, your garden and be prepared to combat them.
Get Creative
Once you know all the basics, turn your creative side loose. Have fun picking out colors, sizes, shapes and textures of plants. Remember that what you select will create an overall mood and theme to your garden. If you want a vibrant, lush look, go for warm and bright colors and plants that bloom big. If a more serene, peaceful look is your preference, opt for cool color patterns, and small and dainty blooms.
Because there's no need for electrical wiring, solar lights can be placed anywhere they're needed to light a walkway, define a driveway, show off a fountain, accent plants and trees or brighten a patio, pool or grill area. Possible uses are limited only by a homeowner's imagination.
Solar lights can set a mood that evokes elegance and sophistication or comfort and relaxation. They're also not limited to providing just white light. Some models come in different hues, providing splashes of color for holiday or party outdoor decorating.
Advantages of using solar lighting include the versatility of styles, the ability to be installed almost anywhere and the ease of maintenance. Just clean the solar panels when necessary to ensure they stay charged. Solar lights also are safe because they don't generate heat or require wiring. Plus, there's no need to set timers or remember to turn on a switch since solar lights come on automatically. Some types also come equipped with a switch to allow you to go dark if you want.
These plants last one season and die out.
Creating a garden in the cool shaded parts of your yard isn't as challenging as you might think. The key is to select plants that will thrive in the available light.
First, take note of the amount of sun the area receives throughout the day:
Lightly shaded - Shaded for four-six hours each day, but still receives bright, indirect light.
Partially shaded - Areas are blocked from the sun, except for short periods in the morning or late afternoon.
Full shade - Little sunlight reaches the area during the day.
When deciding on shade-tolerant plants that would work in your site, choose a variety of form, texture, height and color. Contrast broad-leafed plants such as hosta with tall plants with finer leaves, such as astilbes, ferns and coralbells. Also think low, with shade-loving groundcover such as ajuga, vinca, Solomon’s seal and foamflower.
Make sure your flowers will stand out in shady, low-light areas by choosing ornamentals with blooms in lighter colors such as whites, pinks, purples and blues, which appear more vivid than darker colors such as red or orange.
To keep your potted plants looking their best, just follow these simple tips.
Use the right container
A container should provide ample room for soil and roots, provide drainage, and be attractive with the plant it holds.
The container should be in proportion - in size and appearance - to the plants and its setting. Make sure the pot will be large enough once the plant reaches full height; otherwise, the roots will become crowded and the plant will never be vigorous.
Use proper potting soil
Commercial prepared potting soils are designed to best promote root aeration and drainage, and water and nutrient retention. Commercial soils also help avoid insects, disease and weeds.
Select the right plant for your area
Growing a plant in a container does not change its basic light or moisture requirements, so keep sun-loving plants in full sun and others in partial sun.
Water correctly
Containers usually dry out very quickly, especially in full sun. Daily or even twice daily watering may be necessary. Use your fingers to gauge the soil, then apply enough to run through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, to thoroughly and uniformly wet the soil. Click here for some watering tips.
Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of this information. Neither Westlake nor any contributor can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.
It retains moisture in the soil, reduces the growth of weeds, protects ground temperature, prevents erosion, attracts earthworms, enriches the soil and adds to the beauty of the planting.
Summer is the best time. Applying in the spring slows the soil's ability to warm naturally. Course mulches should be applied 3" to 4" deep and fine mulches 1" to 2" deep. It should be wet thoroughly after application. One cubic foot of course mulch should cover about 3 to 4 square feet of space.
Typically, it's best to do this trimming when the plant is dormant before it is budding.
Planting nectar plants will attract butterflies to your yard, but you can easily create a habitat where they'll stay and live out their entire life cycle. The key is to provide both host plants, which are a food source for caterpillars before they turn into butterflies and nectar plants for after they emerge.
Locate your butterfly garden where it is protected from wind, making egg-laying less challenging, and pesticides. A sunny location is preferable, but not required.
Provide host plants, which include milkweed, hollyhock, parsley, dill, fennel, passion vine, wild cherry, Queen Anne's lace, passion vine, and false or stinging nettle.
The female butterfly will lay her eggs on or near the host plant, which will then serve as a food source for emerging caterpillars. Caterpillars may strip a plant bare of leaves, but they rarely kill it, so simply cut the plant back to the ground. New growth will appear.
After about a two-week metamorphosis, butterflies emerge from their cocoon to search for nectar plants, such as butterfly weed, phlox, lantana, salvia, cosmos, verbena, petunia and zinnia, to name just a few. Milkweed serves as both host and nectar plant.
Now that you've provided them an abundant food source, make sure they have water and flat sunning stones so they can bask in the sun.
when to plant your bulbs and how deep to plant them .
If you long to give your home that sought-after "curb appeal," consider starting with your front entrance. Your front entrance is so important when making that "first impression," because it's really the 'face' of your home. So try following these 10 easy improvements to help give your home a facelift.
1. Repair the Walkway:
Patch cracks and replace loose bricks and pavers. Rent a power washer or purchase a chemical treatment to clean up embedded stains in concrete, stone or asphalt.
2. Illuminate the Path:
Lighting helps ensure guests arrive safely and also acts as a theft deterrent. Clean light fixtures and replace burnt-out bulbs with energy-saving CFL bulbs, replace outdated fixtures and add landscape lighting to brighten walkways and shrubbery.
3. Use Foliage and Shrubbery:
Strategically-placed plants can conceal any unattractive aspects of your house or surroundings. Place large pots or hanging baskets around the stoop or porch. Bushes or hedges hide air conditioning units or propane tanks, and flower beds and window boxes will stylize a stark facade.
4. Prune and Mulch:
Prune dead branches , trim back overgrown shrubbery or remove obstructive plantings. Spread mulch or bark around trees, shrubs and flowers for a weed-free, well-kept look.
5. Decorate Your Door:
Restore the luster of your door by polishing the hinges and knobs. Paint or stain the door with a color that stands out, yet complements, the trim and siding. Hang a pretty wreath to finish the look. If your front door is weak or unattractive, invest in a replacement door or storm door for security and energy efficiency.
6. Focus on Windows:
Fix broken windows and torn screens and paint sashes, trim and shutters in a neutral color. Add window treatments and keep the glass crystal clear.
7. Accessorize:
Choose a few lawn and garden ornaments. Match a decorative handle, door knocker or kickplate with shiny new house numbers and a mailbox.
8. Feature Furniture:
Spray a fresh coat of paint on furniture and replace the cushions. Fill an empty spot on the porch or stoop with a quaint bench or porch swing.
9. Keep it Clean:
Sweep the sidewalk and stoop, clear away cobwebs, tighten wobbly railings and repaint posts and supports.
10. The Finishing Touch:
Put out a clean, new welcome mat and make sure the doorbell works because you're sure to attract more visitors now!
By following these 10 simple steps, your front entrance will be beautiful, well-maintained, and most of all, welcoming.
Choose a fruit tree that grows best in your local climate. It's wise to buy your tree locally, that way you'll know it is suited to your climate conditions.
Some varieties of apple trees thrive in cold, wet climates, and others do well in a warm climate.
Citrus trees grow best in warm and sunny climates.
Plum trees need damp soil, but apple and peaches do not.
Choose a fruit tree that is self-pollinating, or else you will need two of the same type of tree but of different varieties.
When choosing a fruit tree, keep in mind that some of them are messy and drop leaves and fruit. Citrus trees do not drop and make a good choice if you don't want to clean up.
When you pick out your tree, make sure the trunk is straight and the branches do not look lopsided. The roots should be damp, and the tree should not look as if it has suffered sun damage.
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