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2010年12月7日星期二

Pots for Your Garden



Choosing proper containers for your plants is essential for your garden to flourish. Containers that are too small may cause stunted growth of plants. You need to choose the right size of pot, but it's almost as important to choose a container that's made of the right material. Different materials will work better in different situations.

Big containers made of wood are good for perennial plants and big bushes. Wooden pots make a beautiful container for plants that you wish to flaunt, as well as for perennial plants.

Containers made of wood are ideal for big plants and are pleasing to the eyes. Wooden pots are generally one of the most expensive types of containers. They are worth their price because they can last a long time.

Be sure to get one that's treated on the outside, but not on the inside. Chemical leaching is a big problem with pots that are treated inside. This is harmful to the plants, and if you eat your plants, you might be harmed too.

Plastic pots are probably the most widely used type of pot for container gardening. For most of them, it's because plastic pots are so affordable. But cheaper isn't always better.

If you only plant to attempt container gardening for one year, then plastic may be a very good option for you. But if you think you might want to have a container garden next year, you might want to stick with something a bit more durable.

Harder plastic pots aren't that much sturdier either. If plastic is left outdoors in the elements for too long, it can start to warp and crack. You won't find much use for pots with cracks.

Pots made from clay are very affordable, too. These pots are quite breakable. They also won't last in very low temperatures.

Fired ceramic pots are a pretty good choice. Most of these pots are sturdy. They're usually glazed on the outside for appearance, but are left unglazed on the inside. This prevents any chemical leaching.

You can also make your own containers by using things you find around the house. Most plastic containers will do, providing that you poke holes in their bottoms.

Tubs, plastic bottles, trash cans, and jugs are just a few of the things at home that you can use.

There are even those people who use bags of soil as containers. There are no strict container requirements. Containers can be used if they are free from leaching, and has good drainage.

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2010年12月4日星期六

Herb Gardening For Kids



Herb gardening is ideal for kids because it teaches kids a lot even if it's easy to do. Herbs will survive when kids forget to water them once in a while.

Nature is a favourite subject for many children. Gardening is a great way for them to experience nature. The fact that they can grow plants and eat them really gets kids going.

It's good to teach your kids all that they don't know yet about herbs. They can learn all about herbs, like the smells, uses and appearances.

Teach things one at a time. Small gardens are fitting for kids. About three to five plants seem right for them. Maintaining the enjoyment of kids for their gardens is important.

A pizza garden seems like a fun idea for kids. You'll help your child grow some of the herbs that are commonly used on pizza. Since children really love pizza, they should be able to relate to this type of garden very well. They'll also have fun knowing what goes into one of their favourite foods.

A pizza garden may have basil, oregano, thyme, and parsley. You could also let the child grow some of the other things that often go into pizza sauce, like garlic and roma tomatoes. While your child has his garden, you can help by planting other pizza ingredients like onions and peppers.

Kids love herbs with special scents. The choices are great for herbs that don't smell the way they are supposed to. You can include flowers here. An example is geraniums that smell like oranges, strawberries, lime, and apricots!

Kids like different kinds of mint, too. Never forget reminding your kids to ask you first before eating any plant.

You can also use herb gardening as a way of teaching children about the differences between varieties of the same type of plant. For example, planting several different varieties of basil can help kids understand that there can be many types of the same animal or plant.

Different varieties of basil can be planted, like Thai basil, lemon basil and so on. Through this, you child can quickly understand the differences and similarities between the varieties. An herb garden is a very good way to teach children responsibility.

They'll learn that they have to take care of their garden on a regular basis. And if not, they are shown the consequences. Seeing their plants slowly dying gives them the realization of how important it is to be responsible.

Most significant is the fact that herb gardens can give kids the opportunity to do something and be proud of it. Growing plants that you can include in your dishes gives your kids a sense of self-importance.

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2010年12月3日星期五

Growing Herbs Organically



Organic gardening is very simple with herbs. The only thing you need is very healthy soil. You can plant herbs indoors or outdoors, in the garden or in containers.

You'd want some good potting soil to start with. Potting soil should be made mostly of organic material and should be well-draining. Organic compost mix is a good starter if you're planning on a container garden for your herbs. If not, you can mix it with existing soil to enrich and enliven it.

The healthier the soil is, the better able your herbs will be at fighting off diseases and fending off insect attacks. You should never skimp on good soil, even if you're not into organic gardening.

Next, be sure to plant your herbs in the right spot. Most herbs need all the sun there is, though a few can survive in partial shade. Some even prefer it to be a bit shady. Make sure your herbs are planted where they will thrive best.

Choose herbs that are hardy in the zone where you live. Find out which hardiness zone you live in and be sure to select only varieties that are hardy where you live. Or else, you'd be wasting your time, money, and effort on herbs that just won't live.

Choose very high-quality seedlings if you're buying your herb plants. If you choose to start your own seedlings, be sure to thin them carefully so they don't choke each other out. Your seedlings should be thick in diameter and dark in colour.

You can manage weeds by using mulch. Organic mulch placed over your soil can prevent weeds from growing in your garden. It will also help keep moisture in the soil, and will help keep the soil an even temperature.

Companion planting and organic pesticides work well against pests in your garden. Companion planting offers a wide variety of plants that can go together. Most often, garlic and marigolds are planted alongside other plants to control pests.

You also have many choices when it comes to organic pesticides. Some of them simply make your plants inhospitable to insects, and others can actually kill them. You should choose varieties of herbs that are disease-resistant and pest-resistant, if possible.

Although these plants may still have problems, they don't typically have as many problems as their standard counterparts. This is especially useful when you don't want to use chemical treatments for your plants.

Alternate your crop yearly. Move your herb garden to different spots of your yard if you can. It's not a bad idea to alternate the varieties of each herb you have. If you have purple basil this year, then Thai basil is a good idea for next year.

The mentioned keep pests from coming back to the same spot each year to eat the same crops. Pests can be discouraged by crops that are alternated.

About the author: Writer Julia Desai publishes health websites. Follow these healthy living tips and enjoy a feel-good lifestyle. Check this calorie chart for a list of healthy foods with maximum nutrition and minimum calories. Find the healthiest fruit with antioxidants to help you feel better and live longer.



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