All Gardening Zone

Well the snow is melting for those who get it and temperatures are starting to warm up!  About time to start planning the seasons growing ideas.

In this economy it is no doubt that everyone is looking for ways to save cash, and gardening is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to make
your dollar go further.  Tomatoes, Potatoes, Cabbage, Corn, Lettuce, Green Beans, Squash, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Bell peppers and the list goes on
and on; limited only by ones imagination.

Did you know a lot of Plant shops and Gardening Centers are selling more seeds now than they have in the past few years combined.  Some stores
can’t even keep vegetable seeds in stock.  Seeds last for years so if you need to buy those extra few packages of strawberries or pinto’s then by all
means do so.

The price of produce rises and falls with the economic situation.  When gas rises the cost of produce rises, the cost of canned produce rises.  So it
is only smart that one plan to grow a garden and watch mother nature do it’s thing.  A pack of Silver queen Corn can grow in a couple of months
while feeding your family through the winter.  Savings for that alone could save one a hundred plus dollars.  Add the other vegetables one grows
during the growing seasons and you could save hundreds of dollars per year.

Yes gardening takes a little more work than driving to your local grocer, but the taste and cost savings will be well worth it.  If you have never
planted your own Garden, or have but just haven’t done so in the past few years with the economy the way it is now there is no better time to get
back into it and with the savings take that vacation or buy that new dress you have been wanting.

Who knew there would be so many rewards to Gardening, saving money and stress relieving!

If you feel that your garden is just flat and unattractive, transform it by making beautiful raised beds. Gardens don’t always have to be at ground level. A raised-bed garden is simply a planting area that’s higher than the level of the surrounding ground.

A contained, elevated garden area is deemed easier to worked and maintained than a traditional garden, and at the same time an attractive framed bed filled with flowers, fruits or vegetables is visually appealing. There is a range of sizes and shapes, from small accent beds to large decorative statements to choose from. Raised beds have been used for centuries because of the many advantages they have over conventional garden plots.

Benefits:

• Beginning gardeners can ease into gardening with raised beds. Creating a small bed limits the focus to just taking care of that space. We all want a pleasant gardening experience, and having a manageable and productive bed provides just that.

• Raised beds are a good gardening technique for areas that have poor drainage, rocks or plain old poor soil. Because a raised bed allows you to bring in the best soil, they provide the ability to better control soil conditions. For areas with heavy clay, sand or highly alkaline soil, you can grow a wider range of plants. Because raised beds start with new soil that you amend for your purposes, you don’t have to worry about solving existing soil problems.

• Weeds may not be a big of problem. You can grow plants closer together, which crowds out many weeds. Because of the lesser area most raised beds yield higher than ordinary gardens.

• Convenience - Raised beds are easier to work on. If you have trouble bending, you can raise your raised bed to a convenient height. They are elevated a few feet off the ground and are more accessible for gardeners with physical limitations.

Water features such as garden ponds and garden fountains are pleasing additions to a landscape design, because it provides a diversion from just plain plants scenes. Nothing can quite transform a landscape like a water feature. It relieves the monotony of the garden features and provides accent that makes the garden or landscape interesting.

Whether it’s a dramatic waterfall or a quiet pond, water works its magic on any garden, providing a focal point and an area that soothes the soul. Moving water provides delightful background music and masks traffic noise.  The soothing sound of water can mask unwanted noise, making even an urban patio a restful retreat.

Patio Lights

Patio lighting can provide the drama in your garden. Not only does it allow you to spend more time outside at night, but it also gives wonderful illumination for the best parts of your garden. Patio lighting can really create some wonderful effects and make your patio nighttime experience even more enjoyable. Just as importantly, patio lighting can make your patio and yard a safer place to be at night.

Lights can be placed in the following areas, choose from among the popular these days:

• Deck Lighting - Your deck lighting can be a great tool for highlighting and spotlighting any changes in elevations, drop-offs, or deck-edges. In doing so, you create not only a dramatic effect, but a safer deck, as well. You can conceal the light fixtures beneath railings, beneath benches, or on vertical posts.
• Step Lighting - This type of patio lighting will allow both you and guests to navigate up your steps and through your yard in safety. Place step lighting beneath railings, on vertical posts, or along the steps.
• Fountain Lighting - Fountain in the patio can still adorn your garden even during nighttime, thanks to modern lighting ideas. There are many great types of patio lighting that will make your fountain even more beautiful at night. You can have underwater lights that really give a dramatic appeal to your fountain. You can also consider colored lights for even more fun. It is also possible to create a mirrored effect on the surface of the water if you light the area behind the reflecting surface of the water.
• Shadow Lighting - Use this technique to highlight and interesting shapes that you may have in your garden, including branch structure, sculptures, etc. Place your light fixture in front of the item or plant that you want to shadow, and aim it so that the item will cast its shadow on a surface like the wall of your house. The closer the light is to the item you want to shadow, the larger the shadow will be.
• Silhouette Lighting - Silhouetting is a type of patio lighting that really highlights the shape of an object. To create the silhouette effect, place a light behind the subject, and shine it up against a vertical surface like the wall of your home.

These are just a few types of patio lighting you cam choose from, however in order to decide which type to use at your home, think of which particular subjects you want to spotlight. Think of which subjects will look best as a silhouette or as a shadow. Then consider also which areas need to be illuminated.

Wicker Furniture

After the last brick or stone has been installed in the new patio, suddenly you realized that it sorely needs some furniture. After looking around, there is one set you have fallen in love with, but wait - before taking the plunge and buying it, you must have a basic understanding of the kind of furniture that will be appropriate for your house and the climate. There are several types to choose from, it is advisable to study their advantages and disadvantages.

Aluminum - Does not rust. Cleans with soapy water and is pretty much indestructible year round. Consider its light weight an advantage over wrought iron unless you live in a terrible windy climate. Of course, any stone, tile, grout, and fabric elements will need care to last the years.

Wrought Iron - As stated, wrought iron is a weighty material. Great for sustaining high winds. Choose one that is powder coated and electro-statically painted. A chip in the paint and a little water can bring about rust, so keep some touch up paint handy. Don’t wash with any harsh chemicals, soap and water will do.

Wicker- Wicker has always been a welcoming material for outdoor furniture. However, it always fell short on longevity.

Woods - The real value of a wood is usually considered to be its hardness. Pine and cedar are both on the softer side and quite plentiful. This usually translates dollar savings when compared to harder woods like shorea and mahogany. Teak, though, is the toughest of the lot. Traditionally used on boat decks, teak is great for patio furniture. It looks great, lasts, and resists warping. Of course, its scarcity and coveted position among woods puts it on the pricier side.

Wrought Iron Furniture