HOME VEGETABLE GARDENING – GROWING GARDEN CRESS

Herb gardening has swept the country. According the National Gardening Association over fifteen million people grow herbs.An easy fast growing herb to add to your repertoire is garden cress. It is a peppery tangy flavored herb that is easy to add to anyone's home garden.Here are some steps that you can follow to ensure the success of the garden cress that you grow at home.A lot of herbs are grown by themselves in a "herb garden". But it doesn't have to be this way. Garden Cress makes a great companion plant to bush beans, beets, carrots, lettuce and spinach to name a few. So keep that in mind when planting. The seeds of garden cress are small, so when you plant them a light covering of dirt is all they will need. Garden Cress seeds will germinate in as soon as 2 days and as far out as 6, so as you can see they grow quickly.Garden cress likes the soil's neutral pH to be as close to neutral (7.0) as possible. Test your soil with a home testing kit, available from any garden or home center for just a couple of dollars. Follow the instructions that come with the .. more »

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CONTAINER GARDENING TIPS

Sometimes, there just isn't enough yard space to give your green thumb the workout it craves. Maybe you live in an apartment... or maybe your garden is full and you still want to plant more. If you have open patio space then fill it with lush foliage using container gardening.If you have front or back patio space open container gardening can be the solution to a problem you did not know you had, Bare Patio Syndrome! Below, I've outlined tips gained from years of experience with container gardening. It makes sense to invest in quality high fired ceramic pots for your container garden as these do not absorb water and crack in winter. Alternative - the new fiberglass and plastic pots can work well if you chose high quality. These can be very light and tough and last for years. Smaller pots restrict root growth and provide little moisture reserve, be sure to match container size to your plants then go up a size or two, remember that plant will grow larger soon. Plan for size increase and be ahead of the problem many amateur container gardeners face. Drainage is very important. Drainage holes should be 1/2 inch or .. more »

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CAN YOU GROW A GARDEN IN AN APARTMENT?

Even if you live in a small apartment, you can grow a garden for fresh vegetables and herbs. In fact, many plants can be grown in an apartment, some in a window box and others on a patio. There are hundreds of plants, vegetables, and flowers that you can grow in containers. You can even buy containers to match any d?cor.If you are lucky enough to have a patio off your apartment, this will lend itself well to gardening. If you don't have a patio to use, you can still place plants near the window to give them sunlight, or choose plants that grow well in the shade. If you lack floor space or a patio, you can also grow plants on trellises to use vertical space. Or, try hanging baskets. Even strawberry plants can be grown in this manner.If you wish to grow flowers in your apartment, annuals are probably the best choice. You won't have to worry about what to do with your perennials during the winter months. Be aware that some flowers can attract certain flying insect. For your apartment, choose flowers such as magnolias that repel insects and rodents.Once you've chosen the plants, you'll also need .. more »

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GARDENING – GROWING PLANTS FROM SEED

Many people are afraid of growing plants from seed but it's really very simple and anyone can do it. All you really need is patience and diligence.There's nothing more rewarding than scattering a few seeds in a box and seeing them grow into real flowers or vegetables. In addition, it's much less expensive to buy a few packets of seeds and some compost than to buy the equivalent number of plants from a garden centre. This is particularly true if you have a large garden and need plenty of plants to fill the spaces but if your garden is small, why not share a few different packets of seeds with a friend or two. If, say, three of you each grow one variety then you can all have three different types of flowers in your garden or window boxes.So, to get down to essentials: it has to be the right time of year. Most annual flowers and summer vegetables such as tomatoes, salads, beans, cucumbers, etc. need to be planted in late winter or early spring but perennial plants and vegetables like spring onions should be planted in autumn so you must check the seed packet. You also need good .. more »

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DUBLIN’S FINE PARKS AND GARDENS

Dublin's fine parks and gardens are the life of the city. They cover a total area of around 5000 acres and range from botanical gardens to large nature reserves and public parks all of which can provide a retreat from the fast life of the city and a great day out.Covering around 20 acres, Dublin's National Botanic Gardens is an excellent attraction for the locals and tourists alike. Many who have visited the garden think its wonderful features are 'worth travelling for'. There are four types of green house and these help to house the gardens 20000 species of plant. There is also a restaurant however some feel that the food doesn't compare to the standard of the Botanic Gardens.Marlay Park is suburban public in south Dublin and is about 6 miles from the city centre. The parkland is made up of woodlands, a pond and walks. The park's recreational facilities include a golf course (9-hole), several football pitches, a cricket pitch. In order to keep the children busy there is a miniature railway and a small playground.The War Memorial Gardens, dedicated to the memory of the 50000 soldiers who died in the 1914-18 war. In the book rooms the .. more »

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