Ever since I was young, growing vegetables from seeds has been one of my favorite hobbies. I would love to help my mom growing vegetable gardens on Sundays, and stroll around them with my dad on weekday afternoons. I love the smell of a growing vegetable, the feel of its skin as it ripens, and the way its vines entwine. Most of all, however, I love the taste of a homegrown vegetable. Cooking with food that you grew yourself is like nothing else on earth. You won't believe it until you try it, but trust me: it really does taste better.
Growing tomato plants above all is my favorite. There are many good growing vegetable species, but tomatoes are the best. The reason is that you usually miss out on the flavor of tomatoes if you don't grow them yourself. You see, the tomatoes that you buy in stores are usually bred for their heartiness and longevity. They are nearly flavorless compared to good heirloom tomato plants, but they will last for weeks at a time. When you have tomato plants grow, you can eat them at their ripest. You get the full flavor of the real homegrown tomato, a flavor that is much better than anything you can buy out of the store.
Of course, vegetable garden planting is not all eating and enjoying the fruits of your labor. There is plenty to do in the meantime. Each growing vegetable needs to be carefully tended to, and some of them can be very temperamental! If you are growing vegetables outside, you need to watch out for bugs, slugs, and other pests. There are even diseases that can get some of your vegetables if you are unlucky. Nonetheless, If you keep good track of the planting dates for vegetables, make sure to tend to them every day, and water everything appropriately, it is unlikely that anything serious will go wrong. Even your first time, you will probably get a wonderful yield.
Of course, a growing vegetable garden needs to have a diverse crop. Not only should you plant a variety of different species, but you should also plans different strains of the same species. For example, if you are growing tomatoes, you should get a variety pack so that you can find out which ones you like the best. This will also make it easier for your vegetables growing to survive any insect infestation or disease that comes their way.
Monday, March 31, 2008
French Garden
French Garden
When one speaks of the French style in garden design, one is normally talking about the formal gardens that were so popular in European society in previous centuries. Formally arranged gardens began in 16th century Italy but it was French gardeners who developed the style and popularized it across the continent. Some of the best examples of symmetrical and geometrically laid out trees, hedges, lawns and shrubs can be found at grand houses with a French garden.
The garden designer, Claude Mollet promoted the concept of parterre, a formal garden with flowerbeds. This type of French garden remained common throughout the 18th century. An influential book on garden design was published in 1709. Written by Dezallier d'Argenville, it translated as The Theory of the Practical Garden. English and German editions came out and it became the blueprint of the French garden style of formal garden for some time to come.
Most people agree that the crowning glory of the formally arranged garden is to be found at the Palace of Versailles in France. It is a series of gardens, planned by Andre Le Notre and is one of the most ambitious landscaped gardens ever commissioned. It incorporates greenery, sculpture, several water fountains, gravel, stone and parterres. The jewel in this crown is the central Grand Canal.
The grand opulence of such gardens is of course, prohibitively expensive for most establishments and they went out of fashion anyway as other ideas gained favor. However, there was a resurgence of interest at the start of the 20th century. The landscape architect Beatrice Farrand designed formal terrace gardens for the grounds at Dunbarton Oaks, an historically important 19th century mansion in Washington DC. The work was done between 1922-1947 and the ten acres of garden, which are open to the public, has been universally praised.
Another example is the Conservatory Garden within Central Park in New York City. The six acres of landscaping is the only formal garden in the park. It attracts a lot of visitors and wedding ceremonies have been performed there. This part of the park opened to the public in 1937 and it was designed in three different sections, each one in a distinct style. The divide is between French, Italian and English style layout. The French garden part has a focal point at the center of a sculpture and fountain called Three Dancing Maidens. A parterre bed surrounds the fountain where tulips bloom in the spring and chrysanthemums come out in the fall
When one speaks of the French style in garden design, one is normally talking about the formal gardens that were so popular in European society in previous centuries. Formally arranged gardens began in 16th century Italy but it was French gardeners who developed the style and popularized it across the continent. Some of the best examples of symmetrical and geometrically laid out trees, hedges, lawns and shrubs can be found at grand houses with a French garden.
The garden designer, Claude Mollet promoted the concept of parterre, a formal garden with flowerbeds. This type of French garden remained common throughout the 18th century. An influential book on garden design was published in 1709. Written by Dezallier d'Argenville, it translated as The Theory of the Practical Garden. English and German editions came out and it became the blueprint of the French garden style of formal garden for some time to come.
Most people agree that the crowning glory of the formally arranged garden is to be found at the Palace of Versailles in France. It is a series of gardens, planned by Andre Le Notre and is one of the most ambitious landscaped gardens ever commissioned. It incorporates greenery, sculpture, several water fountains, gravel, stone and parterres. The jewel in this crown is the central Grand Canal.
The grand opulence of such gardens is of course, prohibitively expensive for most establishments and they went out of fashion anyway as other ideas gained favor. However, there was a resurgence of interest at the start of the 20th century. The landscape architect Beatrice Farrand designed formal terrace gardens for the grounds at Dunbarton Oaks, an historically important 19th century mansion in Washington DC. The work was done between 1922-1947 and the ten acres of garden, which are open to the public, has been universally praised.
Another example is the Conservatory Garden within Central Park in New York City. The six acres of landscaping is the only formal garden in the park. It attracts a lot of visitors and wedding ceremonies have been performed there. This part of the park opened to the public in 1937 and it was designed in three different sections, each one in a distinct style. The divide is between French, Italian and English style layout. The French garden part has a focal point at the center of a sculpture and fountain called Three Dancing Maidens. A parterre bed surrounds the fountain where tulips bloom in the spring and chrysanthemums come out in the fall
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Stone Wall Foundation For Rose Gardens
Rose gardens and rose garden designs are typically quite stunning on their own, but if you are looking for a spectacular way to make them even more dramatic and stunning, you should consider adding cast stone wall fountains to the mix. These particular types of fountains are quite beautiful, and can really add a lot of beauty to any garden, especially rose gardens which are already stunning all on their own. Because rose gardens are typically filled with so much color, the contrast added by the cast stone fountains can really be an aesthetic improvement.
If you are looking for the right rose garden design and you already know what type of fountains you will be using, then you can essentially base the design of your rose garden on the hardscape elements. It would be stunning, for example, for you to let your roses climb the walls on either side of your water features, to add some drama to the stone or brick walls that your fountains adorn. Can you imagine the dramatic appearance of brightly colored roses climbing over stark outdoor wall fountains? It really would be a stunning sight, and visitors to your rose garden would be absolutely thrilled to see it.
If on the other hand, you have already begun to grow your rose garden and are looking for ways to add cast stone wall fountains to the décor, you may have a little more difficulty because you will have to find fountains that not only fit in with the colors of your rose garden, but you will also have to find ones that work well with the space that you already have. While many people begin with cast stone water features and add other elements like rose bushes later, some people choose their flowers long before hard-scaping elements like fountains, rocks, fences and walls are ever even added.
Many garden designers place trellises, gazebos or arbors that border their rose garden or even place in the center of the rose garden. By using such a design it makes it much easier to find a place to hang outdoor wall fountains in the absence of brick walls or other type of walls and borders that typically border rose gardens.
Cast Stone Wall Fountains and Colors
Rose gardens, by nature, are truly stunning, simply because they involve so much bright color. The people who create rose gardens generally tend to work very hard at cultivating them, growing the perfect roses, pruning the bushes perfectly. Anyone who puts this much energy into a rose garden will understand how absolutely imperative it is to find garden elements that work perfectly in the décor and design of the garden. You do not want your cast stone wall fountains to contrast your rose gardens in the wrong way. You want all of the colors, all of the textures, shapes and design elements to fit together in the perfect way; otherwise you are simply wasting your time and money, exploring design options that might never work.
Finding not only the perfect water features, but also the perfect rose garden designs is really up to you ultimately, because gardening is all about tending to something that you enjoy and are passionate about, rather than simply accepting the advice of a stranger. As long as you understand that choosing outdoor wall fountains has a lot to do with making them blend in with your garden, you will do just fine when it comes to designing your beautiful rose garden around your cast stone water features.
If you are looking for the right rose garden design and you already know what type of fountains you will be using, then you can essentially base the design of your rose garden on the hardscape elements. It would be stunning, for example, for you to let your roses climb the walls on either side of your water features, to add some drama to the stone or brick walls that your fountains adorn. Can you imagine the dramatic appearance of brightly colored roses climbing over stark outdoor wall fountains? It really would be a stunning sight, and visitors to your rose garden would be absolutely thrilled to see it.
If on the other hand, you have already begun to grow your rose garden and are looking for ways to add cast stone wall fountains to the décor, you may have a little more difficulty because you will have to find fountains that not only fit in with the colors of your rose garden, but you will also have to find ones that work well with the space that you already have. While many people begin with cast stone water features and add other elements like rose bushes later, some people choose their flowers long before hard-scaping elements like fountains, rocks, fences and walls are ever even added.
Many garden designers place trellises, gazebos or arbors that border their rose garden or even place in the center of the rose garden. By using such a design it makes it much easier to find a place to hang outdoor wall fountains in the absence of brick walls or other type of walls and borders that typically border rose gardens.
Cast Stone Wall Fountains and Colors
Rose gardens, by nature, are truly stunning, simply because they involve so much bright color. The people who create rose gardens generally tend to work very hard at cultivating them, growing the perfect roses, pruning the bushes perfectly. Anyone who puts this much energy into a rose garden will understand how absolutely imperative it is to find garden elements that work perfectly in the décor and design of the garden. You do not want your cast stone wall fountains to contrast your rose gardens in the wrong way. You want all of the colors, all of the textures, shapes and design elements to fit together in the perfect way; otherwise you are simply wasting your time and money, exploring design options that might never work.
Finding not only the perfect water features, but also the perfect rose garden designs is really up to you ultimately, because gardening is all about tending to something that you enjoy and are passionate about, rather than simply accepting the advice of a stranger. As long as you understand that choosing outdoor wall fountains has a lot to do with making them blend in with your garden, you will do just fine when it comes to designing your beautiful rose garden around your cast stone water features.
Shaped Designs For Sloping Gardens
The temptation with an awkwardly shaped garden is either to do as little as possible to it -- maybe a lawn surrounded with flowerbeds -- or to add too many hidden corners and details, which might work well in an enormous plot, but won't make the best of an average-sized garden. The ideal is to come up with a layout that's simple but uses design tricks to correct the shape of the garden. Better still, a clever layout can make the awkward shape an advantage, using odd corners for hidden storage or raised levels to define areas of the garden.
We asked Katrina Wells of Earth Designs to come up with three solutions for three classic problems: a sloping site, an L-shaped garden and a tapering plot. Our advice is to simplify the look of the garden, where possible, by using similar shades to unify the different elements such as decking, paving and walls. As for budget, we've suggested where you can make savings. Now all you have to do is pick the plan that's best for you.
Designs For A Sloping Garden
Make the most of a sloping garden by creating different levels, each with its own purpose. This design has an area right next to the house for outdoor dining and a barbecue. Then, wide steps lead down (or up, depending on which way your garden slopes) to an area with built-in seats (with lift-up lids for extra storage) and a water feature, or sandpit if you have children. The last level includes a play area and lawn, plus a shed and compost heap. Hardy plants that don't need lots of water, such as osteospermum, are great for a low-maintenance garden. Will it take much looking after? The lawn will need cutting up to once a week in high summer, but if you choose raised borders planted with hardy perennials, such as hosta and astilbe, they won't need much care or constant maintenance. Add splashes of colour with drought-resistant osteospermum and gazania. How can I cut costs? Shifting earth and shoring up the terraces can be quite costly. In a gently sloping garden, save money by just decking over the top of the old surface, and swap raised planters for pots (which you could always add later when you've saved up).
Designs For An L Shaped Garden
The trouble with L-shaped gardens is that the slimmest part of the ?L' is often wasted space. Try and use it to tuck away things you don't want to see from the patio, such as the bins and shed or a play area. Keep the rest of the garden simple and break up the straight lines with a curved patio, borders and lawn to make the most of the space and give it a relaxed feel.
Will it take much looking after? The lawn will need cutting in summer, but if you use bark chippings the kids' play area will be maintenance-free. For borders, choose long-flowering, care-free perennials, such as yarrow, bleeding heart and black-eyed Susan. How can I cut costs? This garden shouldn't be expensive to create or maintain, as long as you keep the borders quite narrow. You can make them seem deeper, though, by planting evergreen climbers, such as Clematis armandii.
Design For A Tapering Garden
The best design for a tapering garden uses strong diagonals to trick the eye. The main border comes into the middle of the garden, while the lawn widens as the garden narrows, balancing the tapered shape. The shed hides behind a water feature at the far end, making the narrowest part of the garden a useful spot.
Will it take much looking after? In the summer the lawn will need cutting once a week and the plants in the borders will need regular watering. Put down a weed-suppressing membrane (from garden centres) to cut down on the amount of weeding, then plant the border with ground cover plants, such as geraniums or catmint. Geraniums, in particular, provide good ground cover and colour through the summer. Use tall pots planted with grasses for an eye-catching display. How can I cut costs? Replace the pots with tall plants set into the ground -- bamboo would be a good choice because it's evergreen and makes a good screening plant. Making the lawn area larger and the border narrower will also save money.
We asked Katrina Wells of Earth Designs to come up with three solutions for three classic problems: a sloping site, an L-shaped garden and a tapering plot. Our advice is to simplify the look of the garden, where possible, by using similar shades to unify the different elements such as decking, paving and walls. As for budget, we've suggested where you can make savings. Now all you have to do is pick the plan that's best for you.
Designs For A Sloping Garden
Make the most of a sloping garden by creating different levels, each with its own purpose. This design has an area right next to the house for outdoor dining and a barbecue. Then, wide steps lead down (or up, depending on which way your garden slopes) to an area with built-in seats (with lift-up lids for extra storage) and a water feature, or sandpit if you have children. The last level includes a play area and lawn, plus a shed and compost heap. Hardy plants that don't need lots of water, such as osteospermum, are great for a low-maintenance garden. Will it take much looking after? The lawn will need cutting up to once a week in high summer, but if you choose raised borders planted with hardy perennials, such as hosta and astilbe, they won't need much care or constant maintenance. Add splashes of colour with drought-resistant osteospermum and gazania. How can I cut costs? Shifting earth and shoring up the terraces can be quite costly. In a gently sloping garden, save money by just decking over the top of the old surface, and swap raised planters for pots (which you could always add later when you've saved up).
Designs For An L Shaped Garden
The trouble with L-shaped gardens is that the slimmest part of the ?L' is often wasted space. Try and use it to tuck away things you don't want to see from the patio, such as the bins and shed or a play area. Keep the rest of the garden simple and break up the straight lines with a curved patio, borders and lawn to make the most of the space and give it a relaxed feel.
Will it take much looking after? The lawn will need cutting in summer, but if you use bark chippings the kids' play area will be maintenance-free. For borders, choose long-flowering, care-free perennials, such as yarrow, bleeding heart and black-eyed Susan. How can I cut costs? This garden shouldn't be expensive to create or maintain, as long as you keep the borders quite narrow. You can make them seem deeper, though, by planting evergreen climbers, such as Clematis armandii.
Design For A Tapering Garden
The best design for a tapering garden uses strong diagonals to trick the eye. The main border comes into the middle of the garden, while the lawn widens as the garden narrows, balancing the tapered shape. The shed hides behind a water feature at the far end, making the narrowest part of the garden a useful spot.
Will it take much looking after? In the summer the lawn will need cutting once a week and the plants in the borders will need regular watering. Put down a weed-suppressing membrane (from garden centres) to cut down on the amount of weeding, then plant the border with ground cover plants, such as geraniums or catmint. Geraniums, in particular, provide good ground cover and colour through the summer. Use tall pots planted with grasses for an eye-catching display. How can I cut costs? Replace the pots with tall plants set into the ground -- bamboo would be a good choice because it's evergreen and makes a good screening plant. Making the lawn area larger and the border narrower will also save money.
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