As the Garden Grows

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Small Space Gardening 101

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Attention, all gardening enthusiasts! Just because you have limited space does not mean you cannot have a garden to call your own. Know that having a small space is never a reason to not have plants in your home. You can make do with the limited area that you have thanks to container gardening. As long as you have a windowsill, balcony or patio, you can have the garden you want—and even enjoy some edibles.

Windowsill Gardening

When it comes to container gardening, the first thing that comes to mind are pots. However, you should also think about boxes—specifically, window boxes. Anybody who lives in an apartment can make use of window boxes to have their own gardens, either to display colorful flowers or grow edibles and herbs.

To have a garden by the window, make sure you have a window box that measures at least two feet long so that you will have enough space for a small batch of salad greens. The size is also perfect for growing at least four to six large herbs. Herbs are ideal for window boxes because they are low maintenance plants; all you need are shears, a watering can and some fertilizer. Oregano and rosemary are good choices, but purple basil and chives are better, only because these give a pop of color and make for an interesting display.

Regardless if you decide on herbs or some other plants, make sure to choose flora that are of different colors and shapes. Doing so will make your garden more attractive. Also, do not forget to have a theme: combine together plants that are similar (salad greens, edible flowers, herbs, etc).

Patio and Balcony Gardening

If you have a postage-stamp yard, utilize the space provided by your patio and/or balcony. As long as you have enough room for pots, you are all set. However, ensure the spaces you choose for your container garden receive enough sunlight, or else your plants will not thrive. A water source is also important—the plants should be located near a faucet or hose.

So what should you plant in the pots? Container favorites include petunia, impatiens, pansy, geraniums and licorice vine. If you wish to grow your own vegetables, you can do this too. Food crops can do well even in containers, provided they get the water and care they need.

When planting vegetables in pots, you have to consider both the kind of plant and the size of the pot. Naturally, bigger plants need bigger pots. This means that the likes of tomatoes and cucumbers should be planted in pots with a diameter of two feet or more. Meanwhile, the likes of herbs, greens and peppers are ideal for smaller pots. You can even tuck these between or under larger plants.

It is important for you to know that while you cannot increase the size of the pots, you can maximize space. You can do this by staking, either with wooden sticks or metal cages (like in the case of tomatoes). Staking not also keeps the plant upright, but also prevents sunscald and rotting.

This article was written by Ericka in behalf of McIntyre Masonry, the company that has the best stonemasons in Ayrshire. Ericka has written articles on various topics, but counts those about home and gardening as her favorites.






Winterising your Patio

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When we think of the patio, we often think of the long days of summer, the BBQ and the idea of deckchairs, sunshine and heat comes to our mind. However, a patio can also be used during the colder months of winter too, meaning you don’t have to retreat inside when the cold comes. Here’s how to winterise your patio.

Patio Blinds

These are seldom seen but an excellent addition to those that want to be sheltered from the rain during the winter. The patio blind allows for the area to be used comfortably and are easily rolled up and down, and can even be automated if possible. These shelter you from the impending rain and also in addition to gas patio heaters can make a very comfortable outdoor area with many of the benefits of the indoors.

These patio blinds come in a range of fabrics and can be purchased in clear and tinted PVC, making them ideal for days there is a glare too. They are also available in tough material like fabrics, if you wish to give your patio a different feel. These can complement some of the other heating options wonderfully.

Turn Up the Heat

Of course, the most obvious problem with the patio in the winter months is the cold and so having outdoor heating is vital. Fortunately, there are a number of options here, ensuring you can enjoy your patio in the depths of the winter.

Gas patio heaters are increasingly common and increasingly affordable, as are the likes of outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and also chimneas. These are just some of the choices at hand to create a cosy feel, outdoors. One of the biggest benefits of the patio heater above all others is that they can be moved, look aesthetically attractive and can be positioned where they are required most.

A Little Splash of Colour

The winter is a drab time and that’s why adding a little bit of colour can make all the difference to the patio area. Depending on where you live, there are whole arrays of options that can be added to brighten up the area for winter. From colourful patio plant pots, to rugs made from numerous materials; the patio area can be greatly brightened up with a few pieces of colour here and there. This can really lift your mood and turn the patio into the perfect outdoor retreat for those cooler days.

Winter plants also can add to the area and the likes of heather, cabbages and others can be attractive during the winter – making for an appealing natural spectacle. Ask at your local garden centre to see what they thing fits in with the climate.

Winterising your patio area is a great idea and gives you a warm and cosy outdoor retreat when the rest of the neighbourhood is stuck between the four walls.

Cormac Reynolds writes for UK company Patio Heather Hire and loves his patio all year round.

How To Grow Your Own Carrots

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It is much better to grow your own vegetables from home, not only do they taste much better, but they are also much cheaper and healthier. Once you start growing your own vegetables, you will never want to go back to buying them from supermarkets.

You shouldn’t worry about growing your own carrots from home as it is quite an easy and quick process, as long as you have a little time to prepare your carrot seeds and to plant them.

Step One

The first step to growing carrots is to sow the carrot seeds. This may sound a little complicated, but trust me, once you’ve got the hang of it, it won’t ever be a problem again.

You should first make sure that you are planting your carrot seeds at the right time of year, it should say on the back of the packet when it is the best time to plant them. Most varieties of carrots are usually planted in March, if you wanted to get a start on your vegetable growing earlier than this, you can buy the Scarlet Horn or Nantes variety which can be sown in as early as February.

Before you begin sowing your carrot seeds, you are going to need to prepare your soil. You should prepare quite a large patch of soil; to make sure that it is healthy for your carrots to grow in you should dig it up and remove any weeds, stones and debris.

Step Two

You are going to need quite a lot of space to sow in your carrot seeds, the soil also needs to be quite deep so that the carrots have plenty of room to grow.

You should sow the seeds directly into drills. You should aim to sow them half an inch deep and 15cm apart.

Step Three

You need to keep your carrots healthy and fresh; to do this you should water the compost on a regular basis. If you start to notice that your carrots are wilting, this means they are not getting enough water. Give them a good soaking and this should rescue your carrots from any problems.

Step Four

It will usually take around 12-16 weeks for your carrots to grow properly. Once you believe the carrots are big enough for your use, they are ready to harvest.

Before careful when you pull them out of the ground, if it is a little tough to pull them up you can use a fork to help break up the soil around them.

Jenny started growing vegetables from her home and has really enjoyed it. She gets all her gardening equipment from http://www.gardenhealth.com/

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