December 2011

Most flower bulbs that can be found on shelves of home improvement centers and garden nurseries were gathered during the early days of summer and stored before shipping. If the flower bulbs are still firm and plump they are good for planting. The important thing to remember about spring blooming bulbs is to get them into the ground as soon as you can; in order to break their dormancy they will need approximately twelve to fourteen weeks of temperatures that get below 45 degrees F.

It has been known that you can still plant those spring flower bulbs if you can still get your shovel in the ground. Those bulbs are better planted in frosty soil instead of just sitting in your basement or garage; some have even sprouted roots in the ground soil that is barely above the freezing mark. If you do not get around to planting those bulbs until late, plant them a couple inches deeper than normal for more insulation. Once the ground does freeze hard you can mulch the bulbs with straw or leaves. Keep in mind, since you planted them deeper in the ground it may take a little longer for them to sprout through the surface of the soil, but do not worry, they will get there.

Amaryllis plants look tropical and exotic with large, lily-like blossoms on tall stems and have a base with robust leaves. Amaryllis plants have colors that range from white to a beautiful deep red; some blooms may be the stripped variety. You can grow amaryllis indoors or outdoors depending on where you live.

Amaryllis is well known for producing large, colorful blooms indoors during fall such as the South African Amaryllis or the Dutch Amaryllis during the winter months. Gardeners living in areas where the outdoor temperatures stay above 10 degrees F. are able to plant these beautiful bulbs in the ground. If you are able to plant them outdoors you will need to choose an area that receives full sun, at least 6 to 8 hours each day, and a soil that is well-drained. In areas that are frost free the neck of the bulb can be at ground level or a little above but if you live in areas that may get frost the bulb should be 5 to 6 inches below ground level. You will need to completely water them after you plant the bulbs but once they begin to grow only water them if you do not receive enough rain and the top couple inches of the soil has become dry. Once the leaves appear, you can fertilize with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer and once a month after through the month of April. During the time between the months of June through September keep the area dry. If any leaves turn yellow you can cut off at the base.

Creating a good indoor garden design may be a little more complicated than many people realize. Your indoor garden design means you are going to try to duplicate Mother Nature indoors. I am going to give you a few tips and guidelines to help you build your indoor garden.

In order to make the winter months go by faster there are a number of gardeners who start their vegetable gardens indoors from seed and then there are those who prefer to maintain a few houseplants. The first thing that needs to be done is find the right location for an indoor garden. You want to select an area inside your home that receives plenty of sunlight and also has good ventilation. This area should also be easily accessible and convenient which means you will most likely be taking better care of the plants. You also need to make sure the seeds you purchase come from a reliable source; if the seeds are not good you will not have a good crop of vegetables. You also need to consider the soil you use. Because you do not have the same amount of sunlight during the winter months as you do during spring and summer, especially indoors, it is a good idea to invest in garden grow lights to help your plants blossom and produce a good crop.

Landscape maintenance is the art of keeping a landscape healthy, clean, safe and attractive, typically in a garden or yard. Landscape maintenance sometimes falls into the 'do it and forget it' category; it takes more than just planning and planting that landscape to keep it healthy.

Once your landscape has been planted it is going to take a little ongoing maintenance to keep it healthy and growing. Your grass or lawn is going to be a large part of the overall landscape and will need a little attention during the off season in order to improve its health and beauty. There are a few things to keep in mind and they are: fall fertilization, winter cleaning, and aeration.

Outdoor landscape lighting is wonderful way to enhance the beautiful exterior surroundings of your house. Outdoor landscape lighting brings out all the detail and colors not only of your house but also your creative outdoor decorations so you can also enjoy them when the sun goes down. Since most of us enjoy being outdoors during the evening hours what better way to warm up the colors in the garden or create an inviting place to gather than with some outdoor lighting.

Homeowners along with commercial owners use landscape lighting for more than one reason. The first would be to make the appearance of the home or business more appealing and to boost the curb appeal. The next reason is to ensure the safety of those who come for business or just a visit. The right type of lighting and fixture can create a welcoming appearance and tranquil mood to any home or business. You have to be very careful not to position the lights so they give off a glare and take away the theme that you are trying to create with your outdoor landscape lighting designs; you also do not want to create shadows that could end up being problems.