Garden Buildings
Choosing the right colour and finish is especially important in the case of buildings such as conservatories and sun porches, which are extensions to the house. On the one hand they need to blend with the house and its materials, on the other they need to blend with the garden and maintain a look that is light and airy. Marston & Langinger’s range of interior and exterior paints includes an extensive selection of shades designed to suit this particular situation.
See www.marston-and-langinger.com for more information
Natural Wood Protection
Several products are available to help maintain and preserve garden furniture with a natural wood finish. These range from stains (such as Sadolin) which protect the wood and at the same time may deepen or enrich the natural colour to proprietary oils that are applied regularly to keep the wood lubricated and nourished. As with decking, hardwoods are generally more hard wearing and durable than softwoods.
Organic Vegetable Gardening
Organic vegetable gardening is something more farmers are getting into because it is cost effective and they are able to produce almost the same yield of crops. Before you can do this at home, the principles of organic vegetable gardening must be understood. No fertilizers, nutrients or pesticides can be used in organic vegetable gardening. Nature is your partner here because you will be using two things to make it all work namely sunlight and water. We don’t produce these ourselves but you have to find the ideal area and provide adequate drainage.
To help the crops grow, mix together leftover food, chipped bark, garden compost, leaf moulds and manure using a compost heap and then spread it throughout your garden so you do not rely solely on sunlight and water. Manure is sold in stores so you don’t have to scoop this from the toilet so don’t feel queasy, also chickens are great to have - just let them roam around in the garden. Some people use dead animals or meat products but you can’t put these in the soil. To help fertilize your garden, leave them for a couple of weeks in the bin and maggots will soon appear which can be used.
The earthworm is another helpful creature because it digs deep into the ground and aerates the soil bringing various minerals to the surface which also provides better drainage. The casting this long pink colored creature leaves behind is five times as rich in nitrogen phosphorous and potassium, according to experts. Any gardening store or garden center will have this available for you to purchase.
Organic gardening is a challenge because pests such as army worms, crickets, gypsy moth caterpillars, slugs and squash bugs are unwanted guests. Despite the fact that at one time people used fertilizer to kill them, the toad, which is known to eat more almost every type of insect it is the best weapon in an organic setting. Caterpillars and spiders are not in the toad’s diet so if they are lurking in the garden you should get a bird.
It isn’t necessary to buy a toad or a bird from the pet store as long as you set the ideal environment for them so they may come in to your home. If you can put up a bird house or a small pond, within days, you will have some new occupants protecting your garden. The preying mantis and the ladybug are other insect killers which you can get to do the job as they mark their territory and eat anything that dares enter their domain.
For example, the rosemary, sage or thyme is an effective deterrent against butterflies whereas marigolds are effective against nematodes. The rotation of crops is seen as the best way to keep the soil fertile, despite all the flowers and creatures that nature has to offer. Change the kind of vegetable for this season with a different one and, after this one is harvested, return to the first one. with some practice you can harvest the vegetables you have planted weeks ago.
Organic Gardening For Beginners
Organic gardening can very well pass as a pursuit for many people and this can be true if you are the type of individual who has the love for gardening. This is a pursuit, which some people take up, so you are one of those lucky ones, who can make things produce! Before you start organic horticulture, there are various things, that you must be clear about, what is the type of dirt you have? What are you looking to grow? How are you goiny to take care of your plants?
This undoubtedly might seem too complex for any newbie, but since you have already proven your gift as a gardener, you could easy start to produce things in the organic way. This method of horticulture is tougher than regular horticulture as much more drive and work is needed to do it this way.
The essential principle behind organic horticulture is that it uses only natural merchandise. This will include the essential components such as the fertilizers and the pesticides. Find all that you need for your horticulture from the earth and then use them for your efforts. This would enable you to produce anything you wish, like flowers, veggies or any other green you wish. Hopefully you are getting what we are trying to say, and that is this is one way to work in conjunction with nature.
Organic fertilizers are they feasible?
Is there such a thing, you might ask? Yes, and you are the one to make it. You can make your very own garden compost from the materials found in your garden. Fallen leaves, twigs and animal manure - all this can be utilised but will depend on the type, and other elements.
Organic Pesticides
Organic gardening demands least use of chemical substance pesticides. Usually handpicking of individual insects is not possible so go to the local store and ask for organic pesticide, which are easily available and ready to use. The traditional way to go about it is to remain alert and kill the worms and other insects, as soon as you see them. You should only turn to the organic pesticides when it gets too much and wild - and you can no longer control it. Another way is to let in animals, which enjoy to feed on these garden pests. This way you do not have to clear the garden of pests, and you are also helping to feed a hungry animal.
As a hobby, this might be time consuming so if you cannot give enough time into it, might as well find a collaborator or drop the thought until you have found the right time to carry on with the tasks. Organic horticulture requires a lot of labor and effort, so you need to be ready to go through the grind. If you feel tires during the process, simply think about how much good you are doing to nature. This can be looked upon as your return gift to mother nature for all the things which she lavished on you since the time you came on this earth.
Managing A Greenhouse
Ventilation of a greenhouse is of great importance and is the key to healthy plant growth in any greenhouse. Fresh air is essential and the use of ventilators also regulates the temperature which is especially important in summer.
For every 1.8 - 2.4m (6-9ft) length of greenhouse there should be at least one top roof ventilator and one at the side low down, preferably more. On windy days the ventilators should be opened on the side away from prevailing wind. In winter the one at the top should be open just a crack unless severely cold.
Ventilators can be hand operated, electronically or chemically operated and all options are fairly inexpensive.
The atmosphere should never be stuffy or unduly humid (except for special plants such as cucumbers). However, draughts should be avoided.
With correct ventilation, humidity will also be at the right level without being excessive (meters for measuring humidity are available). In hot dry weather humidity should be maintained by damping down the greenhouse two or three times a day, the last time by mid afternoon.
Maximum light is essential in winter, spring and autumn. The glazing should be kept clean and free of leaves and other debris. In summer, shading will be necessary with washes or blinds. In winter, plastic sheet used as double glazing will unavoidably reduce the available light but there is now an anti-condensation sheet available.
Very high temperatures are not suitable. Most plants are happy with a range between 7 and 33 degrees C, depending on whether they are temperate or sub tropical plants. In winter various forms of heating can be used: oil, electricity, solid fuel or gas. A maximum and minimum thermometer will be very useful, particularly for recording minimum night temperatures.
Hygiene and cleanliness are vital. The inside of the greenhouse: staging, floor (if concrete or paved) and equipment should be cleaned with a sterilizing solution once a year. Fallen vegetation should be removed, badly diseased or pest ridden plants destroyed and the house kept free from piles of dirty pots, seed trays, labels, canes, crocks and other clutter. Try to keep the maximum amount of space available for growing plants.
