How to Cope With the Loss of a Long Standing Tree
I t is indeed a sad occasion when a tree in your garden dies, and can be quite unsightly too. But following the old advice of turn lemons into lemon aid, think of this situation as an opportunity to place a new type of tree where the old once grew. It will also allow you to change the size, colour, and shape to something that might better suit the environment, because it is extremely likely that things have changed since the former tree was planted. Here are a few interesting replacements that have brought other gardeners we know great joy after the loss of a well established tree. The Crabapple is a disease resistant and bountiful tree. Specifically, the Prairfire produces a purply-red foliage with deep pink flowers, the Centurion a rosey-pink shade, and you can...
Garden Design for Tiny Plots
A garden the size of a postage stamp doesn’t mean sacrificed design or even functionality – beautiful things come in small packages. The upside to a tiny plot is having less ground over which to stretch the budget, but it does require some ingenuity to get the most out of your space. Here’s our guide on garden design for tiny plots. It’s all in the planning Any garden needs to be well planned, but especially so for small plots. Write a list to include bullets that detail what purposes your garden needs to serve, i.e. veggie growing, relaxing, play area, recycling and compost, decorative, storage… Then sketch out a plan of your allocated plot and try to segment the space to accommodate all of these outdoor pursuits. Multi task Tiny gardens might fall...
How to Make Your Garden Beds More Hospitable to Your Plants
I t is a pretty common thing for people who are in the process of setting up a new garden to find out that the spot they selected is not particularly fertile, or receptive. Though it might cause you to want to throw your hands up in the air and declare it a complete disaster, you can fix the situation. Remove the plants that have survived from the plant beds and put them aside while you do some correcting of the space. Next, return to the beds and spread them with an even layer of gravel to increase the drainage. Follow this up with a downy layer of hearty organic compost. Now that the environment is more hospitable replace the plants and watch them thrive in the very space that you thought would be your gardening demise. Oh and give yourself a break for the...
How to Create the Soil You Want
T he soil in the garden that you have when you purchase your home need not be the soil you are condemned to working with for as long as you own the house. You can alter the state of the soil by adding organic matter to it. You may find that your garden has silty, clay or sandy soil, but it can be amended. When soil is found to have a high level of silt or sand this can be corrected by adding topsoil and peat combined, or compost. In the instance where the soil is made of too much clay, the way to alter it is to add peat moss and sand, or compost and sand. Never add just sand, or you will find you are left with a concrete type material. But, when done in conjunction with peat moss or compost it helps to create the lacking drainage that your garden needs.
How to Spruce Up Your Table for Fall
N ow that fall has arrived, it is time to bring out some new colours for your dinner table when entertaining. To make the table extra nice, and to make your guests feel particularly special, search your local craft shop for bits and pieces to tie around napkins. By alternating the decoration on each rolled napkin you add interest to the overall appearance. This can be done very inexpensively if you rummage through sale baskets, and remnant buckets at the fabric store. Gather gorgeous ribbons, strings of beads, and anything else you can work in to your colour scheme. Velvety browns, embroidered red linen, and mini golden tassels all bring an eye-catching dimension to the party area. Your efforts will be much appreciated by one and all. And you will certainly have a...
The Importance of a Garden Gate
E very garden deserves a special stylish garden gate. Some will choose a romantic gate, others a fashionable one, and still others a basic yet traditional version. The key is that once you select that garden door, that you keep it well maintained, and even replace it when needed. That is unless you are going for the old, decrepit, inactive look that can be very sweet when done intentionally. But, if it was not your intention, and you are simply being lazy, then browse through few gate sites, and classic garden websites to see what you garden is lacking due to your noncompliance. Because, overrun, and quirky can be charming, or it can be an eyesore. And if you are actually tending conscientiously to the garden itself, then you owe it to yourself to complete the...