Growing Advice

There are two main reasons we should winterize our rose plants.

1) We are protecting the plant from dying 2) We are protecting the canes from damage.

Here are some tips for winterizing your favorite rose plants:

First, you must steer clear of fertilizing during the winter because if you try to encourage new growth in the winter it will only make your roses more accessible to dying from freezer burn. Read the rest of this entry »

Western gardeners have the utmost respect and admiration for oriental gardens, not just because of the feeling of peace and tranquility with which they are imbued, but also because of their seeming simplicity and, to us, the restraint with which they are created.

Creating an authentic Japanese garden can be difficult, however keeping a few simple pointers in mind you are a few steps closer to creating a Japanese garden.

Essential elements in the oriental garden: Read the rest of this entry »

Growing wildflowers successfully is not difficult, but it does require detailed knowledge of the conditions that favor their establishment and growth.

How To Grow Amazing Wildflowers
by Louanne Baelde

Landscaping with wildflowers is becoming increasingly popular. These wonderful displays of beauty are incredibly self-sufficient. Wildflowers dazzle your gardens with sprays of color with a powerful endurance not often noted in domesticated garden flowers. No need to worry about soils of low fertility; wildflowers adapt wonderfully in these types of soil. Read the rest of this entry »

Chances are good, if you’ve ever had children, or even grandchildren, who are now grown up, that you have a mountain of plastic or metal outdoor activity toys sitting around outside. Mind you, I’m not talking about the dolls the kids left out in the rain and forgot about; I’m talking about the outdoor toys; kiddie pools and plastic picnic tables and doll carriages and riding toys and the like. Probably half of them don’t work anymore (unless you’re really terribly practical–but then, if you’re that practical, the toys probably didn’t stick around much longer than the kids). But, if you’re like the rest of us, you can’t bear the thought of getting rid of those childhood mementos. Maybe the grandchildren will want to play with them one day. Maybe the great grandchildren will want to play with them. Regardless of the excuse, most of us hate to let go of our kids’ childhoods. Read the rest of this entry »

“TFCSOTSPBWL OCTOBER XVIII MDCCC.” This curious inscription was carved by a stonemason, John Lewis, into a block of granite that he had lain as a support for a bridge that was being built by Timothy Palmer. Because of space restrictions, he simply used initials, instead of writing, “The first corner stone of the Schuylkill Permanent Bridge was lain on October 18, 1800.” When the bridge was nearly finished, in 1804, a Philadelphia judge, Richard Peters, suggested that, in order to preserve its trusses and extend its life, the bridge should be covered. The cover was designed and built, and the first covered bridge opened for travel on January 1, 1805. Read the rest of this entry »

The Amish are known for their lifestyle, and their dedication to preserving their lifestyle. They lead a simple life free of all of the world’s problems. It is also a known fact that the Amish create handcrafted works of art out of plain pieces of wood. Everything that they have, they have made with their own hands.

Most of these pieces are in the form of furniture, buildings, and carts. Some of the structures they create are Gazebos. An Amish country gazebo is one of the finest structures that you will ever purchase. It is not only a solid structure, but the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into every Amish country gazebo will astound even the pickiest of people. Amish country gazebos will add not only beauty to your home, but it can also raise the value of it. Read the rest of this entry »

There is no mention to be found of female leprechauns in traditional Irish legend, so as to how they came to be .. your guess is as good as mine.

These apparently aged, diminutive men are hard-working cobblers, turning out exquisite shoes for other sprites. If you happen across an industrious little fellow hammering out a shoe, look closely - for he may be a leprechaun. Step quietly, for leprechauns will avoid humans, knowing us to be foolish and greedy. Read the rest of this entry »

A feng shui money tree is an indoor plant used in order to attract prosperity and wealth into any space. The feng shui money tree’s botanical name is Pachira, and its care requires the average sun light and watering that any other indoor plant would need. Its height can reach to as much as seven feet while it can reach to be as much as three feet wide.

The shape of these plant’s leafs represent the five main elements of feng shui, wood, water, earth, fire and metal, and this is what makes the feng shui money tree so symbolic. When an element is missing, or the elements in a space are not balanced, a feng shui money tree would help adding what is missing harmonizing the elements. Read the rest of this entry »

Liner ponds are ideal for the experienced water gardener because they allow for very forgiving installations, which consequently promotes greater creativity. However, for the very same reasons, liner ponds also take require some pre-planning. Before you commence a liner pond project, you should purchase a pond liner that is of the appropriate size for your pond dimensions. To determine the appropriate liner size, it is recommended that you use a pond liner calculator (i.e. like the one on GardenSM.com’s website). To follow are instructions and tips on how you can install your very own liner pond. Read the rest of this entry »

Traditionally Hindu temples were located either on hills or forests or riverbanks. In ancient times, the temples were constructed in such locations faraway from human habitations for providing a calm, peaceful and pleasant environment and also for ensuring a close bond between man and nature. Hindu temples are generally associated with trees such as Ficus benghalensis, Ficus Religiosa, Aegle marmelos, Azardirachta indica, Temple tree, Bauhinia spp, etc. Herbs such as Vinca rosea, Nerium spp etc. The gigantic trees like ficus spp and some other trees are closely associated with temples since time immemorial. The mixed fragrance, the flowers and the leaf litter on the ground gives a pleasant experience to a pilgrim or tourist.
Read the rest of this entry »