Trish – Page 18

Ten Websites to Get Expert Tips on Gardening

The internet is a valuable resource for all gardeners. Whether you have never planted anything before or are an expert gardener, there is always something to learn. The ten sites below offer expert information for gardeners of all levels. From plant databases to planting schedules to tutorials on a variety of subjects, there is truly something for everyone on these sites.

Gardening With Angus

A presenter for “Gardening Australia,” Angus Stewart offers helpful gardening tips, videos and articles about plants and gardening on his website. The site also offers the Find a Plant Database. This database contains information on many native Australian plants and flowers as well as high-quality photographs of these plants.

Aussie Gardening

This is a must-visit site for gardeners in Australia. In addition to expert articles, the site includes a forum, a seed exchange, an Australian gardening directory, a plant search database and information on plant identification.

Lifestyle.com.au

The garden section of this lifestyle site is a great resource for everyone from novice gardeners to well-informed gardening enthusiasts. Resources include information, gardening ideas, expert gardening advice, instructional videos and more. The site also has an active gardening forum where users can share gardening ideas and tips and find answers to questions.

The Global Garden

Australia’s first online gardening magazine, the Global Garden is a free resource serving Australia and all areas with similar climates. In addition to articles written by knowledgeable gardeners, the site features a variety of resources including a question and answer column, a gardening community and various helpful gardening guides.

Kitchen Gardeners International

A community of gardeners from over 100 different countries, Kitchen Gardeners International is focused on growing food. The site contains many resources including expert tips and multiple ways to connect with avid gardeners around the world.

Gardens Online

This popular gardening site includes a plant database, articles, an online store, calendars, a glossary and diagnostics for common garden problems. In addition to written content, Gardens Online offers instructional podcasts and videos.

Sustainable Gardening Australia

An extremely popular gardening destination, this site offers information and resources for sustainable gardening.

Dave’s Garden

Containing the largest plant database and reference guide in the world, this is a site that every gardener should bookmark. It has listings and photographs for 191,986 plants and helps gardeners understand which plants grow well in their areas and which ones they should avoid. The site also has information on birds, insects, landscaping and other garden topics.

The Royal Horticultural Society

While it is based in the UK, this site offers valuable information to gardeners the world over. Topics covered by gardening experts include gardening with children, community gardening, the science of gardening and plant identification and selection.

Extension

Based in the US, this site contains a wealth of information from university faculty and other scholars. The site offers in-depth articles, a section where experts answer reader questions, a resource section and online gardening lessons.

Jamie is a gardening enthusiast who loves to work with client on their backyard facelift project. One of his favourite landscaper in Brisbane is www.premiumpg.com.au. Like most other Aussies, Jamie loves to spend his weekends in the backyard with his beautiful wife, three boys and a golden retriever.

Ways to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden

by Trish

Butterflies are beautiful, graceful creatures. If you enjoy gardening, there are ways you can encourage butterflies to visit your garden. Here are some ways to attract butterflies.

Garden Location

The location of your garden will have a big impact on whether or not butterflies want to visit it. Dry to plant your garden in a space that gets at least five or six hours of sun every day, and thatâ€™s relatively sheltered from winds. Butterflies like to be in the sun, but they donâ€™t like wind. The plants you have in your garden should provide shady spots for the butterflies, though, should they want to get out of the sun.

Landing Spots

Decorate your garden with several flat stones. The butterflies will land on them to take a break from flying, and the smooth surface gives them a nice place to sun themselves.

A Mud Puddle

While it doesnâ€™t seem like a feature youâ€™d want in a garden, a small mud puddle is actually a great way to attract butterflies, because theyâ€™ll like to use it to get a drink. Theyâ€™re attracted to the muddy soil, so dedicate a small area for keeping wet. Alternatively, fill a bucket with sand or pack it with dirt, and keep it wet at all times.

No Pesticides

Do not use any type of pesticides or insecticides in your garden, and avoid using any chemicals at all, meaning no weed killer, either. The pesticides can harm or kill the butterflies, which is not what youâ€™re aiming for. The presence of these chemicals is essentially a butterfly repellent.

Provide Nectar

The best way to attract butterflies to your garden is by planting plants that are good sources of nectar for them. If your garden is a great spot for them to feast on nectar, theyâ€™ll love to frequent it on a regular basis, and a lot of them, too. All butterflies like different types of nectar, however, so be discerning in the plants you choose. Research the types of butterflies in your area, and get the appropriate plants. Also try to plant a diverse selection of nectar types rather than just one. The more nectar there is, the more butterflies you should get.

Use Color

Butterflies are attracted to big splashes of color, so make your garden as colorful as possible. Donâ€™t, however, have different types of plants and colors mixed all throughout the garden. Try to create patches of color in which there are many flowers of a single color close together.

Use Butterfly Houses

Like bird baths or hummingbird houses, butterfly houses can be another tool to help you attract butterflies. A landing area/house with a nectar feeder thatâ€™s easily accessible may attract butterflies. Just fill it with a diluted solution of sugar and water, with a ratio of 1 (sugar) to 4 (water).

Caterpillars

Finally, donâ€™t forget that caterpillars will one day turn into beautiful butterflies! If you have caterpillars in your garden, donâ€™t try to get rid of them.

Prepared by John S. a Silver Lake IN, pest control specialist and avid gardener.

3 Garden Care Tips For Novices

by Trish

Gardening may seem to be complicated for those who are just beginning the hobby. However, if you have the basic knowledge to help you maintain your garden or lawn effectively, you can do just fine. All you need is the right tools, good routine, information and enthusiasm to succeed. A major concern novices have is using chemicals or practicing eco-friendly gardening options. To some, eco-friendly ways are safer and easier to apply without straining the pockets. Healthy gardens and lawns are often a result of natural gardening care.

Natural Fertilizers

Soil requires nutrients that are provided in a proper feeding schedule in order for it to remain healthy. Applying fertilizers is easy to do, as all you need is to first rake the area, then release the organic fertilizers and then water it. These fertilizers are produced without any chemicals and additives. They can be used on their own or combined with other natural fertilizers to maintain the quality and nutrient content of the soil.

One type of natural fertilizer is alfalfa meal that can be bought in pet stores as well. It is rich in phosphorus and vitamins K and P. Chicken manure is also a favorite because of its nutrient and phosphorus content. You can either raise your own chickens or conveniently purchase the manure from local farms. Cow manure is also used as a natural fertilizer and this can be bought from local farms. Just be sure that the cows graze on open pasture and consume nutrient dense food for quality manure. You can also make your own fertilizer by making compost. When you make compost, remember that meat, fish, animal waste, dead animals, salad dressings and plastic must not be added to the compost pile.

Keep A Watering Routine

A good watering routine will ensure that your garden is always healthy and well fed. However, your routine must match the weather you are experiencing. During the summer months, you will have to water your plants more often, though in smaller volume to avoid drowning them. This is why having a sprinkler system is convenient and effective. It will save you both time and energy, from having to constantly return to the garden and keep it hydrated. You can also opt for an automated sprinkler system which features a timer for easier operating. However, you may have to move the sprinklers around in your garden from time to time to suit your garden’s development.

Weeds And Pests

All gardens will have weed and pest problems at some point or the other. Both are dangerous to a garden because weeds can eliminate nutrients resulting in weak patches, while pests can seriously damage plants. Weeding must be done routinely and pest control must be done carefully to avoid removing beneficial insects as well.

Gardening will take some effort and determination to achieve remarkable results. It will require your regular attention and not just whenever you have time. You must also be curious to learn new gardening techniques and discover new natural gardening treatments. Stick to a schedule and devote at least 30 minutes to your garden. If you are unable to provide your garden with the care and attention it needs on a regular basis, you can always hire the services of a professional to help you have beautiful and presentable garden.

Valerie Parker is a freelance writer specializing in garden care. She regularly contributes articles to websites focusing on Idaho Falls Sprinklers and gardening.