November 12, 2008
· Filed under Gardening, Outdoor Living · Tagged Planting a Tree
I have planted a bunch of trees in my life time of which most have lived and a few have not. It has always been my understanding to leave the burlap on the tree root ball, just cut it open and loosen it up so the roots can expand and grow. Because I have loosened up the root ball and cut the burlap open I believe I have had more success then others who simply drop the tree in the ground with the burlap and cover it up.
A neighbor of mine has planted the same type tree for the last three years and it dies every time. We were visiting last week and he has decided not to try again even though he and his wife really want a tree in their yard in this particular place. When I asked him how he planted the tree he got a little bit irritated that I assumed he couldn’t plant a tree correctly. Yet after we talked I realized he is one of the “drop it in the ground and cover it up” tree planters. Though I don’t always totally remove the burlap, I do cut it up pretty good without damaging the root ball. Though the burlap protects the root, once it’s planted it keeps the roots from expanding beyond the burlap because the burlap is treated to help prevent rot. It doesn’t decompose as quickly as it would without the treatment. The easy thing to do is to remove the burlap completely after you get it set in the hole and before you cover up the root with dirt.
October 19, 2008
· Filed under Gardening, Greenhouses · Tagged Christmas, flower arrangements, flowering blooms, fresh flowers, garden greenhouse, greenhouse, Halloween, holiday wreaths, New Year's Eve, plants, Thanksgiving, traditions
One of my favorite things is to have fresh flowers throughout the holidays. I couldn’t do it without my favorite helper; my garden greenhouse. I have more fun in the fall pampering my plants and getting everything ready in the house to decorate with fresh flowers for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
I get more complements for the wonderful smells from the flowering blooms and the pleasure of using fresh cut flowers in the fall flower arrangements and holiday wreaths. It was something my grandmother always did when I was little and I am just so happy to be able to continue doing these time honored traditions the same way she did. Not living in the country and having the land to pull from because I live in the city, I would not be able to accomplish this without a greenhouse. I am just so grateful this time of year!
October 8, 2008
· Filed under Gardening · Tagged decorative planters, flower pots, Gardening, plant containers, window boxes
Decorative window boxes are a fantastic way to keep seasonal color close at hand, especially when going outside isn’t practical.
My aunt is home bound, and for many years, I have attended to her window boxes, planting geraniums in the spring, maybe mums in the fall, but always a splash of bold colors to keep her spirits high and her outlook, well, looking outdoors. From her comfortable chair, she can see the birds, butterflies and bees making their rounds, and the colorful flowers tucked into the wood window boxes bring an air of festivity and gaiety inside.
I always thought of planter boxes being more about curb appeal, but the truth is, there is even more to discover about them than I realized.
October 5, 2008
· Filed under Gardening, Greenhouses · Tagged backyard greenhouses, garden greenhouses, greenhouse kits, hobby greenhouses, Outdoor Living
With travel becoming more and more expensive, the prospect of a quick weekend trip is growing rather bleak. So to help sort out the day-to-day stresses of our lives, nothing helps to set a mind straight like a few pleasant hours spent in one’s own backyard garden greenhouse.
Think about it ladies! For the same reason guys for years have had their own little workshops or garages to retreat to for mental sanity, we need our own little corner of the world, perhaps a green and quiet place to be with our own thoughts, and a small greenhouse affords us a veritable oasis of peaceful, oxygenated goodness. And, it has the built-in requisite excuse for being somewhere for a little while: growing healthy plants (and tending to our internal gardens).
I could site studies and research that shows how a regular dose of outdoor living regenerates us, but I’m sure you already have an innate understanding of the concept.
Consider so many gorgeous garden greenhouses to choose from, and many priced just right for a dollar-for-dollar tradeoff with that weekend in Vegas that you’ll never get back, and suddenly a hobby greenhouse looks very attractive.
This blog is going to cover many of the unexpected benefits of outdoor living, but consider for a moment just how a lovely fall afternoon spent planting a few herbs and baby greens from seed will make you feel.
