Improve Your Gardening Skills by Keeping a Garden Journal

Whether you are a dedicated gardener or a weekend putterer, there is no end to the skills you can gain by keeping a garden journal. This record will save you both time and cost, along with helping you grow your knowledge of all phases of gardening,

Setting Up Your Garden Notebook

Many gardener's haven't any idea of the value of keeping a garden journal, "What would I put in this?" they ask. Here are just a few thoughts for you to consider:

Bills

These are an important source of info. Not only do you need to keep a record of much you spent this season (or maybe you don't), you wish to keep an eye on other info available on receipts.

As you can see, receipts have many purposes and you never know when you will need to reference them.

Garden Tasks

It's simple to forget when it is the right time for doing garden jobs. Keeping records will help you remember when you started your seedlings or planted your window boxes. Maintain a tally of your schedules to help you remember if you planted your seedlings to early or if you brought your tender plants indoors too late. Keep a record of dates when you do your chores and you are going to be able to repeat your successes and avoid your disasters.

Climate Conditions

It's useful to have a record of climate conditions. What was the date of the last frost in the spring? What about the first frost in the fall? How much rain and when? It's also useful to learn and list your area planting area.

Photos

With digital cameras and cell phones it's simple to take footage on a once-per-week basis. This can give you an idea of your garden's progress throughout the summer. Don't rely on your memory. As you may remember thru past experience, your memory can often be quite selective. Be certain to label your photos with dates and any other handy info.

This is simply a partial listing of items to record in a garden book. There is way more info you can enter into a garden book. Check out The way to Keep a Garden Journal for a more comprehensive listing of items that will aid you in saving both time and cash.

If you are a serious gardener or a beginner, you'll find info of price at Container Gardening Guide. Monthly calendars of to do jobs, info on planting containers, and useful videos will help improve your gardening abilities while you read this helpful gardening site.

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Container Gardening For The Elderly Is On The Rise

It doesn't matter if you are young or old, container gardening is a much easier way to garden. For the elderly this way of planting flowers and vegetables is sometimes more than just a hobby. Many elderly people today live on a fixed income so growing their own vegetable helps them to save money and gives them a sense of doing something to help their situation. So let's continue reading to discover some great container garden ideas.

Setting up the garden may call for some help if you decide to use raised platforms to work on. In fact, using raised beds is ideal for people who need to work sitting down, or those in a wheelchair. Making the custom made work benches may require some help from a friend or relative, or you can use the method talked about below.

Custom Work tables or benches are not needed is you don't mind working from a work table, like the ones you find at discount stores. You can purchase these sturdy tables in four foot to ten foot in length. It is important to get the durable work tables and not use game or card tables for your gardening. Working at waste level is what other organic container gardeners love the best.

Once you have your work station set up it is time to gather containers for planting your garden. Don't forget that vegetables that grow underground, like carrots and potatoes,need large enough containers for them to grow. As long as your container can have drainage holes made in the bottom, almost any container will work. The expense of your garden is highest the first year and after that is it very minimal.

Working in containers at waist level makes it easy for anyone to work without having to stoop or bend, which is hard on the back and knees. If standing is also hard for you, there are tall stools that can be used for sitting when necessary. Another one of our container garden tips is to keep a cart next to you when working. If you need to move plants or haul more dirt, it is easy to do when you have a cart or wheelbarrow.

Keeping Your Plants From Being Too Heavy

After getting the pots filled up and planted you may decide you want to move them, however dirt can be extremely heavy. The best way to plant in containers is to buy what is called a “soil-less”mixture, which is a lot like potting soil. It is lightweight and easier for the elderly and handicapped to carry. Lack of weeds is another wonderful experience when it comes to a small organic garden. The time you spend working a container garden is much more pleasurable than taking care of a ground garden!

Why The Elderly Love Container Gardens, And You Will Too

- You need only a very tiny space to have a garden You get fresh vegetables and flowers throughout the seasons
- Tending the container garden promotes physical activity without hurting the back or knees
- Is accessible for wheelchair and mobility restricted gardeners
- It's cost effective
- Fresh food provides more nutrients
- People love having a purpose and keeping busy

Some great container garden ideas can be found all over the web, along with photos of how to set up your workbenches and tables. If you or someone you love has been wanting to have a garden, but didn't think you had enough space, think again. Container gardening is the only way to go and you will find it very fulfilling.

Having a bad back or trouble with your knees should not keep you from having a wonderful container garden, especially now that you know how to make a container garden that fits your needs. You can enjoy the taste of your very own fresh vegetables soon, so get started today.

Small Organic Gardens is a website dedicated to all things container gardening. Videos, tutorials and more to help your container garden experience be fun and successful, including very helpful information like "Container Garden: A hobby for the elderly". Please visit us at http://www.smallorganicgardens.com

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Alternatives To A Traditional Garden – Container Gardening

Whether you live in a built up area with a small terrace or porch or you live out in the country, container gardening has always been well-liked. There isn't anything like walking out on to your porch that's alive with colour. Especially recently with more and more people concerned about additives and insecticides in foods we all would like to grow our own food so we know what we are eating. Container gardening is far easier than having a "traditional garden" and can supply you with a good quantity of food for you and your family.

Recommended Pots

Starting a container garden can be great fun for all the family. When starting, selecting the correct sort of container is of equal importance as what you put in the container. Terracotta pots dry out quickly, plastic pots won't stand up to direct sunlight very well and will deteriorate over time. The best sort of containers to use are ceramic glazed pots. Wooden boxes have a tendency to rot and if they've been treated with chemicals this isn't good for your or your plants. You'll need a pot that may hold up to 15 to 20 quarts, otherwise the roots will become cramped and can not totally grow out.

Make sure to drill holes in the base of the pot for drainage and set pots on bricks to allow for free drainage. When choosing plants for your garden certain plants are better suited, and it is suggested to make a choice from these, at least till you've got some experience. Plant according to the instructions on the seed pack and watch the pretty variety of colours that will emerge.

Recommended Vegetables To Start With

Onions and Radishes

Onions and radishes grow under the soil so only the stems and leaves will be seen in the pot. They grow fast and do not need an especially large container either.

Herbs

Herbs are tiny and also make pretty decorative plants to have in the kitchen, or outside close to the kitchen door. They are convenient to cut off just what you need for cooking!

Peppers and tomatoes

Plants like tomatoes and peppers will have a high yield of food and are easy to grow. A few of these plants grow over two feet tall and will need a big enough container so they will not be top heavy. You can put chicken wire round the container if you do not need the veggies growing outside the pot, but it is not required.

Tomatoes and peppers continue to flower even after you start picking and this could give you a continuing supply for a while.

Lettuce

There's little like making a salad from fresh lettuce and growing it is easy to do. Lettuce can be grown in a little pot but the downside is that once it's gone, no more reappears like on the tomato plant. However you can plant a new container of lettuce about every two weeks and they are going to become ready just in time for you to have a steady supply.

There are other simple vegetables to grow also , like squash aubergine, garlic, chives, spinach and beets. Nonetheless the veggies noted above will make you a great salad and growing them yourself will make all of your food taste much better. Don't wait any longer, start your very own container garden today.

Where To Now?

You will find many container gardening resources and ideas on the Internet, as well as pictures of how to line up your work-area. If you or somebody you love has been needing to have a garden, but didn't think they had sufficient room, think again. Container gardening is the only possible way to go and you will find it very satisfying.

Mark van Berkel is a enthusiastic gardener, specializing in organic & container gardens. He is always keen to share his passion & knowledge with others who also have a passion for gardening. To learn more about the wonderful benefits of container gardening please visit Mark's website, Small Organic Gardens at http://www.smallorganicgardens.com

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Reasons For Creating Your Very Own Container Garden

Gardening is a superb spare time pursuit that many people enjoy on a regular basis. However, for older folk, or folks with back problems, gardening can be a real agony. Since all the plants are in the ground, there's much leaning over and crawling around required.

With container gardening, you don't have to spend any time on your hands and knees and you can just enjoy the art of gardening. Container gardening is raising plants in transportable boxes like pots. Since the pots are transportable, you can place them on counters or tables or other convenient, higher level spots so that you can care for them without ever straining your back.

Also, if you have limited space, time limits, or simply a small budget, which won't permit you to plant an enormous outdoor garden, then you may want to think about growing a tiny indoor container garden, in your house or apartment. Not only are you able to still grow some of your favorite plants, and smaller plants, but it is extraordinarily budget friendly, and is a good way for those who would really like to have a garden, but have limited space, to still get a smaller garden version to plant in their homes.

Irrespective of what the primary reason you decide to build a small container garden, there are many differing reasons people who grow them choose to do so. From the limited space, or the area you live, which does not allow you to grow a garden outdoors. To the restricted budget you have, and the reason that you cannot afford trees which can cost well over $1000 each to plant outdoors. Or, maybe you just don't have the time to properly maintain a big out of doors garden, yet would like to cultivate a few smaller veg, or grow 1 or 2 seedlings. Why ever you select a container garden, you can build them indoors, and get serious benefits from them.

You do not want to have a green thumb to have a wonderful container garden. Success is just a matter of tending to your garden every single day! Reward yourself today by growing your own veggies because it will be one of the most stimulating things you've ever done.

From the vegetables you can grow, to the seedlings you can grow, you're going to love the way your garden looks, and the crop it can give you, when you grow a small indoor container garden, in your house, with the smallest amount of effort.

This is especially handy to handicapped gardeners who feel they may be missing out on the thrills of raising their own plants. You can simply place the potted plants in locations that are accessible and straightforward to reach from a wheel chair.

Don't feel like you are restricted to potted flowers or decorative plants due to it, either. Most anything can be planted in a container so long as you have got the correct means to take care of them. This means anything from plants, flowers, and even tiny trees can all be planted in or around your house for straightforward access. You also have an edge over other gardens in you can move your plants to get a little more daylight and keep them out of terrible weather that might damage them.

You will find many container gardening resources and ideas on the Web, as well as pictures of how to line up your working area. If you or somebody you love has been wanting to have a garden, but failed to think they had enough space, think again. Container gardening is the only possible way to go and you will find it extraordinarily rewarding.

Having a bad back or difficulty with your knees should not keep you from having a wonderful container garden, especially now you understand how to make a container garden that fits your needs. Don't wait any longer to enjoy the flavor of your very own fresh plants.

So save yourself the discomfort and get to work on your own container garden.

Mark van Berkel is a passionate gardener, specializing in organic & container gardens. He is always keen to share his knowledge with others who also have a passion for gardening. To find out more about the great benefits of container gardening please visit http://www.smallorganicgardens.com

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Great Ideas For Container Gardens

Container gardens can add a burst of color to your porch, sunroom, or even around a tree in the yard. Pots come in numerous sizes, are attractive and can add a lovely dash of color or contrast to the plants you put in them. Don't limit yourself to just the standard boxes either. Choose less normal containers as well to add variety and charm.

Express Your Creativity

Container Gardening Can Be Good For Your Health

A container garden is a way for those with some space, or those that do not have the out of doors space to cultivate a garden, to still grow a "mini" garden in their home. The container garden will not just give you the opportunity to grow the garden you always wanted in your home, but depending on what you grow in it, it's possible the garden can also offer certain health advantages to the owner of the container garden. If you're growing certain veggies, fruits, seeds, and other eatable foods, which supply a health benefit, then the garden is going to offer you these benefits.

Not merely will you be saving money, since you can grow your own vegetables, and certain fruits and seeds, but you are also going to be getting the health benefit of eating the fruits and vegetables that you grow. It is truly up to the planter of the container garden what they will grow, and how much care they are prepared to put into it, in turn, determining the fruit and veg they can grow. However, if the planter is able to put in the time, and a limited amount of effort in growing certain crops, they are not only going to get a bountiful crop, but they'll also get the health advantages of eating the fruits and vegetables they plant.

And you don't need to have a green thumb to have a superb container garden. Success is simply a matter of looking after to your garden every day! Reward yourself today by growing your very own vegetables because it'll be one of the most enthralling things you have ever done.

So, there are not set health benefits, but you'll get the benefit of eating the healthy fruit and veg grown in your container garden.

You will find many container garden tips and ideas on the Internet, as well as pictures of how to line up your work-area. If you or somebody you know has been needing to have a garden, but didn't think they had sufficient room, think again. Container gardening is the only possible way to go and you will find it very satisfying.

Are you looking to create or enhance your own container garden? Small Organic Gardens has an extensive range of tutorials and videos for the beginner through to the professional, including great articles on the health benefits in planting a container garden. All things container gardening can be found at http://www.smallorgainicgardens.com

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What You’ll Need To Start a Successful Container Garden

If you'reIf you're restricted on outdoor space, think about planting a container garden. Numerous vegetable and flowers may be grown inside containers. Container gardens can add appeal to any outdoor space. Prior to beginning a container garden, you will find a number of issues that you ought to think about.

Most Suitable Pots

When beginning a container garden, your initial option will probably be selecting the best container. You are able to select from hanging baskets, planter boxes, wooden barrels and flowerpots. You will find a number of issues the gardener ought to think about. Plastic pots can deteriorate when exposed to the sun. The very best pots are produced from terracotta. If a wooden box is being utilized, select a box produced from redwood or cedar. Other woods might quickly rot. Use a container that holds a minimum of 15 quarts of soil. Something smaller might restrict root growth. Once the desired container is selected, drainage holes ought to be placed each and every 1/2 inch.

Potting Mix

After the pot is selected, the gardener will want to choose a good soil. Compost makes an excellent potting soil. When growing a container garden, "soil-less" potting soil will work the best. This type of soil allows quick drainage. Some plants may require sand to be added to the soil. When adding soil, leave at least two inches of space in the container. This will allow mulch to be added. If fertilizer will be used, a liquid fertilizer works the best.

Now that the containers are set up properly, the gardener can begin adding plants. If placing flowers in the containers, choose annuals. These grow the best. Root vegetables and fruiting vegetables will also grow well in container gardens.

Seeds or Baby Plants

Some plants are easier to grow from a baby plant instead of a seed. Bell peppers and tomatoes can be purchased with blooms already on them for faster results.

However you decide to plant your garden it will work with the proper care.

Easiest Vegetables To Get Started

You can get almost anything to grow in a container, but these vegetables are the ones you should start with.

English peas

potatoes

tomatoes

onions

radishes

cucumbers

eggplant

beans

You'll find many container garden tips, resources and concepts online, as well as videos of how to set up your work area. If you or someone you know has been desiring to have a garden, but did not think they had enough room, think again. Container gardening is the only real way to go and you'll find it really fulfilling.

Small Organic Gardens is a website dedicated to all things container gardening. For simple, informative and easy to follow videos and tutorials including great tips and advice on all the elements of a container garden. Please visit Small Organic Gardens at http://www.smallorganicgardens.com NOW.

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How To Plant A Container Garden

You can grow a garden of vegetables or a garden of flowers on your porch or patio simply. All that you need are some hanging baskets, big flower pots, planter boxes or flower pots to get the job finished. The possibilities are unlimited. Ensure you avoid containers with small openings. Remember that what you grow requires room to grow. A good pot to use for your container garden is a ceramic pot.

Make sure your ceramic pot has plenty of drainage holes and keep clear of the cheap style plastic pots. Inexpensive plastic pots have a tendency to get brittle in the sun over a period. Terracotta pots are okay but they do appear to dry out swiftly. Wooden containers should be steered clear of also as they tend to rot quickly.

Try and use boxes that are 15 to 120 quarts, anything smaller compared to 15 quarts can repress your growth and restrict the roots capability to flourish. If you live in a hot climate it's smart to be certain that your boxes are light in colour and also the drainage holes are at minimum a half inch apart. Be sure to make the effort to put some paper or paper of some sort in the base of the container to stop any loss of soil.

If you don't know which plants need more sun, take a look at where your local nursery has placed the plants. This location was selected for a good reason by the nursery care givers. Paying attention now will save you asking questions or making mistakes once you get home.

Keep in mind that your container garden will do best with at least 5 hours of good sunlight each day. A word to the smart is that fruits and vegetables will need the most sun in order to prosper. If you are growing flowers then the amount of sunlight will vary to some level. Do not forget to water your garden everyday particularly during those hot or humid summer months.

You will will also find many container garden ideas, tips and ideas on the Internet, as well as pictures of how to line up your work-area. If you or somebody you know has been needing to have a garden, but didn't think they had sufficient room, think again. Container gardening is a great way to go and you will find it very satisfying.

Small Organic Gardens helps people like you discover the joys of growing your own container garden. Simple, informative and easy to follow videos and tutorials including great tips and advice on how to plant a container garden. Please visit Small Organic Gardens at http://www.smallorganicgardens.com NOW.

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Selecting Healthy Plants for Your Organic Container Garden

Most people like to start off their container garden with small seedling plants instead of waiting for seeds to sprout. Plants aren't always cheap so it is important to take home healthy plants, not plants that hardly make the trip home from the store. So let's continue reading to discover some great container gardening ideas.

Producing a good crop of vegetables will be hard to do if you don't use all your container garden resources and select healthy plants right from the beginning.

You can tell right away when you walk into a nursery if their plants are healthy. If you see quite a few plants that look like they are dying, turn around and head to another store.

Greenery

Are the leaves green enough? And are they shiny and lush? If not, that plant may be stressed and not recover. Good foliage is the first thing you should check before purchasing

Insects or Leaf Damage

Just because you don't see the insects doesn't mean they have not already damaged the plant. On the underside of the plant you may feel some stickiness, or see black spots.

Buds or Blooms

Many times you will find plants, especially tomato plants, that already have blooms on them. These are fine to buy, however sometimes the plants that have the buds on them make it through the transplanting better.

Stem Problems

Look for cracks, scars, and places that appear to be soft or weak on the stem.

Inspection of Roots

Look to see if the plant can be taken out of the container so you can look at the roots. Make sure the roots aren't hanging down out of the dirt, looking almost dead.

Weeds soak up needed nutrients of your plants, so if you see weeds it could mean the plant is not healthy.

If you don't know which plants need more sun, take a look at where the nursery has placed the plants. This location was selected for a good reason by the nursery care givers. Paying attention now will save you asking questions or making mistakes once you get home.

Nursery workers can be a big help to you so don't be shy about asking them planting and care questions. Just let them know you are planting a container garden.

Check to see if your nursery offers any kind of warranty on plants before buying. You would be surprised at how long some of the guarantees last. You are investing your time and money, so it is good to know if you can get replacement plants if they die. Knowing as much as possible about plant selection will insure you have a great container or organic garden this coming season.

Want to make your own container garden like a professional? For a comprehensive look at all things container gardening, including how to pick healthy plants for your container garden, please visit Small Organic Gardens at http://www.smallorganicgardens.com.

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The Benefits Of Making Your Own Container Garden

If you have restricted space, time restraints, or merely a limited budget, which won't permit you to plant a large out of doors garden, then you might want to think about growing a little indoor container garden, in your house or loft. Not only are you able to still grow some of your favourite vegetables, and smaller plants, but it is awfully budget friendly, and is a great way for people that would be pleased to have a garden, but have confined space, to still get a smaller garden version to plant in their homes.

In this article we will explore some practical methods to still enjoy the advantages of a garden without really having a "traditional" garden, and we will also look at some handy container garden resources.

No matter what the main reason you opt to build a little container garden, there are plenty of differing reasons those that grow them choose to do so. From the limited amount of space, or the area you live, which does not allow you to grow a garden out of doors. To the small budget you have, and the reality that you cannot afford trees which can cost well over $1000 each to plant outside. Or, maybe you just don't have the time to properly maintain a huge outside garden, yet would like to grow a few smaller veggies, or grow one or two seedlings. Whyever you select a container garden, you can build them indoors, and get major benefits from them.

You do not want to have a green thumb to have a wonderful container garden. Success is just a matter of tending to your garden every single day! Reward yourself today by growing your own veggies because it will be one of the most stimulating things you've ever done.

From the vegetables you can grow, to the seedlings you can grow, you're going to love the way your garden looks, and the crop it can give you, when you grow a small indoor container garden, in your house, with the smallest amount of effort.

Looking to create a container garden like a professional? Small Organic Gardens has videos, tutorials and more to help make you a container gardening expert, including great info and posts to help you get started to build your own container garden. Please visit us at http://www.smallorganicgardens.com

Tags: container garden ideas, container garden resources, container garden tips, container gardening, container gardening ideas, container gardening resources, container gardening tips, Gardening, hobbies for the elderly, organic gardening, small organic gardens