Archive for the ‘General Gardening Tips’ Category
Consider Bed Gardening: Raised Vegetable Benefits
When it comes to bed gardening, raised vegetable gardens can be some of the most successful gardens out there. That’s because of just how beneficial this type of set up can be to both you, the gardener and to the vegetable plants you are planting too. Why should you go with raised beds? And, what in the world is bed gardening? Raised vegetable and flowering beds are an ideal way to garden because they allow for all components of the gardening processes to be much more successfully accomplished.
What Is It, This Raised Bed?
Today, bed gardening, raised vegetable and other types of gardens are very successful. They are even used more and more each year by those that don’t have a lot of area to garden or those looking for a bit more convenience from the area that they have to garden. When you look for these types of resources available, you’ll also find pictures of them. They look, for explanation purposes, like nothing more than a box sitting on top of the ground with vegetable growing out of it. Yet, there is more to it than just that.
In bed gardening, raised vegetable gardens are designed for specific purposes. One of those purposes is to create better drainage for the plants to benefit from. By using the right combination of soils and drainage tiles or stone in the bed, the garden will benefit through increased ability to retain and allow water to flow through it. It’s a great way to keep the garden healthy and the plants wet without having to constantly water them. The extra soil in bed gardening, raised vegetable patches will keep in the water, keeping your plants wet enough but not too wet to cause damage to the plant.
Should you consider adding them for your needs? Take into consideration the cost and the craftiness that you have. Although you can purchase and use virtually any type of container and call it raised beds, you may want to actually build wooden structures around your beds. That may take some handy work, but it is still easy enough to do.
When it comes to bed gardening, raised vegetable take a few minutes to look for the highest quality tools and planning guides for your needs. You’ll be able to grow virtually any type of vegetable that you like in this set up. What’s more is that it will likely be one of the most rewarding choices that you actually make. You’ll find many resources for your bed gardening, raised vegetable or other plant gardens, too.
AQUATIC WATER GARDENING
Aquatic water gardening involves the planting and maintenance of several different types of plants. The individual plants mentioned in this article are but representative of many species belonging to the various groups. An aquatic water gardening handbook or encyclopedia will provide a more comprehensive list.
Water lilies are the most popular flowers used in aquatic water gardening, though it is certainly possible to have a beautiful water garden without them. Water lilies, which are classified as hardy or tropical, are biologically beneficial to ponds because they provide protection from fish and discourage the growth of algae. Hardy water lilies include the Albatross, which has large white blossoms; the Graziella, with orange-red blossoms; and the Moorei, with soft yellow blossoms. Among the tropical water lilies are those with such self-descriptive names as Blue Beauty, Maroon Beauty and Red Flame.
Deep water aquatics are those plants used in aquatic water gardening that require water to be at least a foot deep. The Sacred Lotus is a popular species, as are Golden Club and the Japanese Pond Lily. Different plants require different depths of water, so be sure to do research before planting.
Submerged plants are important because they are oxygenators, vital to the survival of the fish and other aquatic life in your pond. They also serve as biological filters, removing from the water the salts and wastes upon which algae thrives. S few species even produce surface flowers. Plant your oxygenators a few weeks before you put fish into the pond. Some of the submerged plants most commonly used in aquatic water gardening are Anacharis, Canadian Pondweed and Carolina Water Shield.
Marginal plants are those that grow well in the mud around the pond or in just a few centimeters of water. Many of them are excellent for container water gardening. Among the most popular are Japanese Iris, said to be the most beautiful of irises; Pickerel Weed, which has a lovely blue flower; and Hardy Canna, which produces long stalks of violet flowers.
Peripheral plants are those that serve as a “frame” for your water garden. A pond without suitable surroundings can look out of place and very artificial. Peripheral plants also hide things that might distract from the beauty of your water garden, like fences or utility buildings. Peripheral plantings should be in keeping with the scale and the atmosphere of the rest of the water garden. Do you want the overall atmosphere to be formal or informal? Evergreens are good for a formal setting. A mix of plants that naturally grow near ponds, such as ferns, sunflowers and bog lilies, are excellent for an informal setting.