August 2006

Monthly Archive

Wed 30 Aug 2006

Bulb Gardening Ideas

Posted by bruce under Garden Musings and Advice
[4] Comments 

Creating a Bulb Garden can be fun and rewarding. There are many types and variety of bulb flower plants.  There is literally a “bulb” for all seasons.  There storage and planting are critical to the success of any bulb garden.

General Bulb Planting Information
As a general rule the larger the bulb the larger the flower-to-be will be.

Please select bulbs for your area or zone.  For the Spring be sure to plant the bulbs from September to December of each year.

Storage of your Bulbs is crucial.  Be sure to store them in a cool, dry place.  When you are ready to plant take them out, inspect them, and if in good condition begin the planting process.

Bulbs are Hearty
Generally the Bulbs are hearty and grow in most soils.  However, like most plants your garden site must have a good drainage feature. 

Bulbs can be planted in between objects such as rocks in rock gardens; in and around trees in the wooded sites, or in rows or beds.You can use the Bulbs as a ground cover if you have prepared the soil property.  You can also place them near or under any of your tress and shrubbery as long as you have made beds for them.

Sun or Shady Sites Will Do 
Like most plants, bulbs will do well in direct sun light.  Likewise, there are some varieties of bulbs that like the shade and do better in cooler and shadier areas.  Be sure to read the material that comes with your bulb variety to be sure that you are optimizing the success of your garden by planting them in the appropriate locations. 

Bedding, Soil Preparation and Planting Advice 
Be sure to add organic materials to your soil before planting.

Remember the general Bulb Rules of Planting which are:  

  1. Measure the diameter of your Bulbs and then plant them two and a half times as deep as the diameter. There are a few exceptions to this rule that apply to the amaryllis and crinum bulbs. Amaryllis should be planted about one-third above the ground. The crinums should to be planted two times the width of the bulb.
  2. Remember to water your bulbs after planting them.
  3. Plant your bulbs in groupings of three, five or seven.  You can also plant them en mass for a natural field like look if you want.
  4. Try to add many colors for variety and do not line them all in one row.  Try to create a natural random look for best results.
  5. Finally be sure to cover and use mulch to prevent frost related problems of heaving.
  6. Use a good fertilizer at the time of your planting and again in Spring when the bulbs begin to bloom.

Trimming the Bulbs
When your Bulbs have finished blooming and have begun to fade, and when the foliage has a naturally dead look this is the time when you can scissor off the bulb heads but be sure to keep the leaves and stems alone. They are in the process of dying and this is important period when your bulbs are making the food they will to produce new flowers for the next year.

Fall and Spring Bulb Recommendations:
The Daffodils (also know as the Narcissus) are a favorite of many bulb gardeners. Also the large Darwin type hybrid tulips along with the botanical tulips are other favorites. Be sure to check with your local nursery supply person for other bulbs that have long lives.

Vary Bulbs As Color and Location In Your Garden
Remember to be creative when planting your Bulbs. Go a little crazy and experiment. Plant bold colors.  Spread the Bulbs around your house and garden. After a while your neighbors will be impressed with the beauty of your landscape and may ask you for gardening advice.

Bulbs For All Occasions
Bulbs can also be beautifully arranged in flower pots, flower boxes and most other pots and containers of all sizes. Blooming bulbs make wonderful gifts and presents and are especially welcome when you make it known that you grew them. Remember, diamonds may be forever but bulbs are not!

Bulbs can also be beautifully arranged in flower pots, flower boxes and most other pots and containers of all sizes. Blooming bulbs make wonderful gifts and presents and are especially welcome when you make it known that you grew them. Remember, diamonds may be forever but bulbs are not!Be sure to check with your local nursery supply person for other bulbs that have long lives.

Remember, diamonds may be forever but bulbs are not!

 

 

Mon 21 Aug 2006

Gardening Tools: Get Ready, Get Set, Hoe

Posted by bruce under Garden Musings and Advice
No Comments 

When you decide to set up a garden or even work in one you need to have some basis tools.

Remember the major tasks in Gardening are: Tilling, which is soil preparation, Cultivating (weeding and pruning); Planting ( which is putting your plants in the ground); and Watering.

Each gardening task has its own set of special tools that make the task more manageable.

Tilling At Your Garden Site

The most practical and basic tools and equipment for this task is the metal shovel or metal spade. If you have a large area and the soil is especially hard or rocky then you may consider renting a  roto-tiller.

The mattock, spading fork and pry bar are other gardening tools useful in tilling your garden site.  A wheel barrow or garden cart is also helpful accessories in removing unwanted items and also for carrying your tools to your garden site.

Note: If you have a large yard and have space, a mini tool shed is a handy place to store your gardening tools and equipment, along with pesticides and fertilizers (rather than letting them clutter the garage).

Cultivating Tools

The main item here is the Hoe.  There are many types such as the draw hoe, the long hoe, the scuffle hoe and the double action hoe.  Look at the various hoes in the stores and chose 1 or 2 that suit your needs. 

The “cultivator” tool comes with either a long or short handle.  The long handle will save you from back strains and is advisable.There is a neat device called the Weed Wrench which is useful in removing woody type weeds around the border or edge of the garden.

Cutters and Pruners

Cutters and pruners are also basic and necessary cultivating tools and should be part of your tool shed gear and equipment.  Again the specific type of  pruner or cutter will depend on the type of flowers, plants or shrubs in your garden.

You will inevitably purchase many variations of these tools over time; therefore I suggest you start with the basic ones if you are just beginning your gardening hobby.

Note:  Always wear gloves when working with most tools.  Gloves will prevent injury to your hands and save a lot of wear and tear.  Canvas cloth or leather gloves are the best.

Planting Tools  Once you have cleared your site and have cultivated and tilled the soil it’s time for planting.

The spade, spading fork and trowel are the basic starter items required for this phase of gardening.  Remember to choose your tools carefully.  Ask questions of you local nursery person or hardware sales representative.  Do a little research on the internet or library.  Even reading the tools description at the nursery or hardware store may give you a better handle on the garden tool that fits your specific need.

Got Water?

Needless to say, water is the source of all life and in your garden it is by far your most important gardening task.

Your basic watering tools should include: a good rubber hose, a watering can, a sprinkler head to attach to your hose (one with a sprayer feature is divine).

Watering is like baking a cake.  If you over do it you will spoil the results. 

Be careful not to over or under water your garden.  Easier said than done, and practice and patience will be your main guides here.

Remember your garden tools are your friends.  Treat them with care and respect.  Chose your tools based on your basic needs.  Don’t go overboard at first.  There are no short cuts in gardening and try to buy the highest or best quality tool you can reasonably afford.  They will last longer and over time pay for themselves many times over.

Remember to enjoy the time you spend in your garden.  If you lend your tools out be sure to set time limits on the “loan”.

So tool around in your Garden, if you must and…Good Gardening…to you all.