Archive for the 'Gardening' Category

How Medieval Herbs Were Used

by Lee Dobbins

For millenniums, in all different cultures throughout the world, cultivating and reaping herbs has been performed. It was even considered a high art in medieval Europe. With the Greeks lacking medical know-how and technology, the Middle Ages relied heavily on Medieval herbs for medicines. The practice they used mixed knowledge through experience with balderdash, but they did know much that was well-grounded.

Beautiful and beneficial Medieval herb gardens provided families with medicine, food seasonings, and a place to escape from reality. The Cloisters in New York provides a modern-day version of these gardens. Despite being built years later in the 1930s, Cloisters was fashioned to look as much like the cloisters of old through treatises and poetry from the time. This goal was more than achieved.

Even though New York’s seasons vary greatly from freezing winters, hot and humid summers, and soggy Spring and Fall, the Cloisters flourish; including the herb garden, an important piece of the Bonnefont cloister.

It isn’t an exact replica of any particular herb garden, as it’s base was from many sources. The results are the standard features of any historical herb garden, like wattle fences, raised beds, and a central wellhead. These Medieval herbs form an enviable centerpiece when surrounded by other plants and orchards that many home practitioners try to copy.

Herbs are typically hardy; however, many fragile herbs can not make it through a New York winter when subzero temperatures and snow are frequent. Hence, these delicate herbs are planted in period appropriate pots so that they can be brought inside during these frigid winters.

During the Middle Ages, people grew herbs for warding off evil spirits, which they viewed as a very useful purpose. They associated many herbs with special abilities. For instance, they thought Dill in particular possessed magical powers. They also thought some herbs had healing properties. For instance, they believed rosemary could prevent the plague and that sage could treat epilepsy.

At the Cloisters, herbs can be found placed in nine specific collections based on the original medieval groupings. The first group is for absinthe and thistles, while the second is dedicated to herbs used in medical applications, such as licorice or St. John’s Wort. Aromatics such as lavender and lemon balm are in the third group.

Herbs have been categorized by their usefullness in art and other questionable purposes such as promoting Love and Marriage. Meadow Rue and ‘magic’ plants such as Herb Robert are good examples. There is also a category for herbs used in cooking such as Caraway, Fennel, Parsley and Borage.

Medieval herbs were used all over, maybe even more than today, but herbalists in these times still have the same plants available. We hear so much about the medicinal attributes of these herbs and these applications often go hand in hand with their medieval uses.

About the Author:

Courtyard Fountains And Ponds: Make Your Custom Version

by Herb Daniels

Over 5,000 years ago, people started building lovely palaces and other homes with beautiful courtyard fountains and ponds. Many of these decorative showpieces were the pride of kings and queens of Europe and Asia, as well as the aristocracies of those societies.

Nowadays, these gorgeous-looking attractions are not for the upper classes. Although they may be rather expensive to build, courtyard fountains and ponds are now available in ranges that more people can afford. As a result, many people are enhancing their abodes with these appealing additions. Moreover, these enviable centerpieces can greatly add value to one’s home.

Courtyard fountains and ponds can be found in a limitless array of shapes and sizes. The choices span the simple to the very elaborate and a wide selection of materials are offered. Cast stone is very often the preferred material of choice. This special type of concrete can be formed into almost any shape that is desired. On the other hand, many courtyard fountains and ponds are being made out of granite or different kinds of concrete and marble, which continues to be in demand.

Completing Courtyard Fountains and Ponds

Although it is certainly possible to put in your own courtyard fountains and ponds, it is highly suggested that a,professional be hired for this specialized type of work.. If you do decide that this is a project you can tackle on your own, you will find that kits for smaller fountains and ponds, which are expecially easy to install, are carried at most do it yourself home improvement stores. Should you attempt an installation of your own fountain or pond, it is advisable to follow several recommended steps.

If you are planning to install your own courtyard fountain and pond, an essential first step is for you to contact your local electric utility company. It cannot be stressed enough just how important this is. Unless you will be using a fountain running on solar power, fountains require electricity; and, their wires will need to be buried for safety and for aesthetics. Also, since you may not know what is buried in that area already, it is imperative to protect yourself by calling to find out.

Next, you should clean out the area to be improved. Installing a courtyard fountain and pond will be successful if big rocks, unwanted vegetation and any debris are removed. Since your pond liner may be somewhat fragile, getting these hazards out of the way ahead of time will help to ensure its integrity.

Many fountains will not work at all if they are not level. Therefore, Step Three concerns levelling the holes for your courtyard fountain and pond. Your sidewall rocks should not be inserted until the leveling process is completed to your satisfaction., Remember that the system will run its best if the water is level, which in turn means that the pump will operate properly. The actual levelling of the holes is a simple operation. You just fill up the hole with sand. Then, you place a board on the sand with a level on the board. Keep tamping down until the the board is level from all angles.

Usually, instructions will be included in your courtyard fountain and pond kit. Be sure to read them. By doing so, you will have the attraction you desire - a lovely courtyard fountain and pond.

About the Author:

Should You Become a Member of the National Home Gardening Club?

by JoAnn Hedley

If you are one of those people born with a green thumb, there are many reasons why you should think about joining the National Home Gardening Club. There are numerous benefits as to why you should join this club. You will be able to meet people, gain gardening privileges, and so much more.

As a member of the National Home Gardening Club, you are able to enjoy the chance to win free products including gardening tools, supplies, and other helpful accessories. You also get a free pair of shears as well as a trial subscription to the Gardening how-to magazine.

Many of those who are members of the National Home Gardening Club are eligible to test certain types of gardening tools as well as gardening machinery. Some members are able to test lawn mowers, weed preventers, weeders, cultivators, sunflower gardens, and preen n’green. This allows members to test items before they purchase them so that they are happy with what they buy and don’t regret spending money on the tool or machine.

If you decide to become a member of the National Home Gardening Club, you are able to preview gardening books as well as videos. You will be given access to the members only gardening website. Here you will be able to find gardening tips and ideas for you to improve your home inside and out or start a new home project.

Another benefit of joining the National Home Gardening Club is that you can meet others who are just as enthusiastic about gardening as yourself. This is easy to do. All you have to do is attend a few gardening events and many other events that will allow you to make new friends and network yourself. This is one of the best benefits that you get when you become a member of the National Home Gardening Club.

If you are an avid gardener and are always looking for new projects and ideas for the landscaping around your house then you might consider joining this club. This would be a big benefit for you having access to all of the gardening resources. You can learn new tips and tricks regarding gardening and you can even enter into competitions to win awards on some of your projects you are really proud of.

When you join the National Home Gardening Club, you can enjoy a free trial membership. During this membership, you are free to cancel at any time you feel necessary. If you decide that you like the club and you want to continue on with your membership, you can for as little as $1 a month. Becoming a member is a great opportunity, especially at such a low rate. You don’t have to be the best gardener out there to be a member of this club either. There are many newcomers who have never even gardened before who join the club to learn. The National Home Gardening Club is a great place to learn and teach others about gardening. It is a great resource.

The National Home Gardening Club is for anyone who is interested in gardening and would like to have access to many different privileges regarding gardening. As a member you can take advantage of plenty of free resources and test gardening tools and equipment. You will even be able to access videos and magazines about gardening to give you the extra information you need. Joining this club is the best way to help you with that gardening project you have put off for so long.

About the Author:

Lawn Care Tampa - Use A Professional

by Jim Carpenter

Caring for your lawn means not just cutting it every so often, but like other plants in your garden it will need to be watered and fed regularly. So if you are someone whose lifestyle is somewhat hectic, using a professional lawn care service may be the answer. Below we offer some reasons why it is worth considering using the services of a lawn care, Tampa professional.

Taking care of a lawn is relatively easy to do, but you need to be aware of certain things if you want to ensure that the lawn at your Tampa home remains in great condition. Using the services of a professional lawn care company may well end up saving you lots of time and you don’t need to know the ins and outs of lawn maintenance.

Normally when you employ the services of a professional lawn care company they will analyze the condition of your lawn as it is currently. They will look at what type of grass the lawn is made of, how dense the turf is, if there are any diseases on the lawn and what identify what weeds if any are present. They will also look at the watering patterns used by you. Every one of these factors are extremely important and will need to be taken into account so that a healthy lawn can be grown.

Normally after the analysis of the lawn has been carried out the lawn care company can then make an informed decision on which services you need from them. These companies should offer you a wide range of services from weed, moss and pest control to scarification. They will also be able to fertilize your lawn for you and keep all disease and fungus growth on your lawn under control.

In order to control the weeds in your lawn the company you select should carefully monitor what is growing and then take the necessary steps to actually reduce them. Usually this is done by applying a specialist weed killer to your lawn that kills the weeds but does not attack the grass itself.

Scarification is a mechanical process that is used by lawn care professionals to remove dead moss and comb the thatch of the lawn as it then encourages proper growth in it. Plus it ensures that the lawn can be watered well also. After this process has been carried out don’t be overly concerned if the lawn care company you use have to carry out some re-seeding of your lawn.

In order that pests can be kept under control when caring for a lawn the company you employ should only be using the best quality products that they can. However, before they start using them through analyzing your lawn they can identify what pests you have and then choose the most appropriate products to deal with them.

You may well find that you don’t in fact need to employ a Lawn Care, Tampa service throughout the whole year. Rather they will help you with learning the basics of mowing and watering your lawn correctly, but they will continue to deal with all the other issues relating to feeding of your lawn and control of the pests on it.

About the Author:

Key Reasons Why You Should Start Organic Vegetable Gardening

by Ray Lam

Many generations have been enjoying and getting practical benefits from gardening. Gardening started as an organic process, but as the decades passed by and technology set in, chemicals and machines have become a regular part of it. Organic vegetable gardening is bringing the initial concept of pure gardening back, and it is obvious why.

Organic vegetable gardening is unlike from conventional gardening in two major ways. They differ from the utilization of fertilizers and pest control. The fertility of the soil depends on three components: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Consider planting your own vegetables the organic way - either in your back yard or even at home. Indoors organic vegetable gardening can be as successful as outdoors; in fact indoors you will have even more control as you can adjust the heat and light as per your requirements.

Composting is a very effective organic way of enriching the soil. Compost can be made easily in pots from your backyard with garden and kitchen food waste. Materials like leaves, lawn cutting, pine needles, weeds, carrot tops, spoiled fruit and vegetable, animal manure and the like, can be used to attain good compost. The decomposition reaction of the organic material forms bacteria and fungi in the soil. This aids in changing over unavailable nutrients like nitrogen to ammonia and nitrates making it usable for the plants. This process is known as nitrification. Rock phosphates, natural occurring deposits of phosphorus in combination with calcium, can be mixed with the compost. Natural potassium occurs in substances like wood ashes, tobacco stems, seaweed, potash salts and ground rock potash. They can be also mixed for organic vegetable gardening.

Mulch is an organic material that you cover your soil with to help keep the water in, prevent weed growth and provide nutrients to the plants. Leaves, grass, and wood shavings are all successfully used for mulching. This is one more important aspect of organic vegetable gardening.

Pest control in organic gardens is likewise done in a dissimilar manner. Organic vegetable gardening relies in the theory of manageable pest levels. This model theory, suggests that the pests are not to be completely eradicated, but kept at an easily manageable level maintaining the balance and concordance.

About the Author:

Tips Of Choosing The Right Organic Fertilizer

by Ray Lam

Why should you use organic fertilizers in your garden? Simply because they are good for your plants and good for the environment. Nearly 70 percent of water pollution comes from agricultural areas that use chemical fertilizers, according to the EPA. These chemicals leach into the water and cause soil erosion. While large-scale farming operations are a chief source of chemical fertilizers in water, home gardeners are also guilty of such pollution. However, many growers are attempting to correct their mistakes by using organic growing methods.

There are several types of organic fertilizers available in the market, such as fish emulsions, seaweed extracts, bone meal, kelp extract, corn meal, etc. You can purchase them in a liquid or pelletized form. Some require being sprayed on, powdering the foliage, or spreading pellets around the base of the plant. These may come in different forms, e.g. liquid, powder, granular or pelleted organic fertilizers. The liquid organic fertilizer is basically applied via foliage spray while the powder form can be applied like tea. The liquid version gives your plants an instant feeding, while the pelleted is more of a slow release or longer lasting version.

Organic based pelleted fertilizers contain only a minor amount of chemicals and is mostly natural. The low chemical structure makes it ideal for a great nutrient-source for plants and for the soil. I usually use kelp meal and fish emulsion, which are both bi-products of the sea. This way I get a liquid and a pellet. Using both versions during the growing season has its advantages.

Plants need three important nutrients in order to grow: nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. All three of these are found in organic fertilizers. One organic material - manure, for example, does not have all three of these nutrients, however. Therefore, most organic fertilizer suppliers combine and mix different materials to ensure an appropriate mix. Alfalfa meal is a green manure favored by gardeners who grow roses. It is a good source of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, and it also contains Triacontanol. This is a hormone that helps to regulate the growth of your plants.

Natural organic fertilizer raises the organic matter content levels of the soil and aid in its conditioning. Nitrogen and other nutrients in soil are quickly drained because of the looseness of the soil granules but by using organic fertilizer that is no longer a problem to worry about.

About the Author:

Organic Herb Gardening : Tips and Advice on Getting Started

by Ray Lam

Organic herb gardening is especially for them, who does not have right amount of time to spend in growing garden. Well, many grow organic herb gardening because they are new in gardening field. Organic herb gardening is good experience for those people, who wants to start with. Let’s suppose, you do not have enough space or area, then it would be advisable to grow organic herb garden. It does not require more space then, a one room. Well, it is famous and popular amongst people, hobby of growing organic herb garden. It is much simpler and most easy to follow, as children can also get involved in it and can grow good organic herb garden.

Organic herb farm plans begin with determining how large a space you will allot to growing organic herbs. Herbs do not require as much space as many organic vegetables require. You can reap a good harvest in a small space.

Organic herb farm plans often use all three, but some limit the farm to one type. Some organic herb farms grow only one herb. Think about whether there are any organic herbs you consider “must-haves” and whether there are some you really do not want to grow.

Now, question arises what are different herbs grown. Herbs play too important and vital character in any dish. It adds much more value to your dish. Well, herbs are not only calculated as aesthetic but it will also add wonderful fragrance in your gardens. There are many different varieties in herbs, which can be grown. Okay, let’s start with particular type of cooking like Thai or Italian.

Well, the herbs added in these foods are known as culinary herbs. Why don’t you do investigate and get different type of herbs, which can be grown in your garden. You will start using your home grown herbs from your own place or herb garden. Then, you will realize, a vast difference in flavor as well as fragrance of food.

About the Author:

Finding The Best Organic Vegetable Gardening Supplies

by Ray Lam

Organic gardening is a skill that most people should learn. In these dire times, pesticides and chemicals have poisons the very ground that crops are grown in, learning to grow your own food at home is probably one of the wisest decisions that anyone could make. However, before making the leap into the organic gardening arena, there are a few supplies that you need to get before you can begin to grow your own food.

To prepare the garden for planting, a shovel, spade and spading fork are invaluable. A hoe is useful to remove the weeds in your new garden bed or to remove rocks. A scuffle hoe has a blade that points forward and cuts the weeds off at the surface.

Other supplies that can be helpful will depend on how you’re planning to set up your garden. People who are looking for organic gardening supplies for an outdoor project will need different things than people setting up an indoor or windowsill garden. Container gardeners should buy pots with the eventual size of the plants in mind. If your plant is going to become large, it will need a large, heavy pot. Consider setting this pot on a wheeled platform early on if you’ll need to move your plants into the sun on a daily basis.

Organic gardening supplies can be purchased at virtually any store. The supplies you will need as far as tools are basically the same as those needed by conventional gardeners. What you will need that is different are the composting additions that are typically bypassed by ordinary gardeners that will use pesticides and chemicals to protect their crops from on coming pests.

You will need a couple of applications per month of organic fertilizers. When a worm moves through the soil it creates a tunnel and this is called a worm casting. It adds nutrients to the soil and breaks it up as well. These fertilizers are a vital part of organic gardening as they will make your plants healthier and grow better.

About the Author:

Basic Essentials On Organic Herb Gardening

by Ray Lam

Organic herb gardening is especially for them, who does not have right amount of time to spend in growing garden. Well, many grow organic herb gardening because they are new in gardening field. Organic herb gardening is good experience for those people, who wants to start with. Let’s suppose, you do not have enough space or area, then it would be advisable to grow organic herb garden. It does not require more space then, a one room. Well, it is famous and popular amongst people, hobby of growing organic herb garden. It is much simpler and most easy to follow, as children can also get involved in it and can grow good organic herb garden.

As a hobby herb gardening the organic way, gives you a way to use what you have grown in your favorite recipes and add great flavors. You will find that organic herb gardening supplies are not expensive and your local garden center will have everything you need to get started. Herbs are so easy to grow and can be very rewarding for the home hobby gardener. There is nothing more satisfying than to be able to go out into our own gardens and pick something so fresh to add to our favorite dishes. With organic herb gardening what is planted can be used so well and the organic type of gardening is much healthier.

Organic herb farm plans often use all three, but some limit the farm to one type. Some organic herb farms grow only one herb. Think about whether there are any organic herbs you consider “must-haves” and whether there are some you really do not want to grow.

Now, question arises what are different herbs grown. Herbs play too important and vital character in any dish. It adds much more value to your dish. Well, herbs are not only calculated as aesthetic but it will also add wonderful fragrance in your gardens. There are many different varieties in herbs, which can be grown. Okay, let’s start with particular type of cooking like Thai or Italian.

Well, the herbs added in these foods are known as culinary herbs. Why don’t you do investigate and get different type of herbs, which can be grown in your garden. You will start using your home grown herbs from your own place or herb garden. Then, you will realize, a vast difference in flavor as well as fragrance of food.

About the Author:

Organic Gardening : Key Tips On Organic Vegetable Gardening

by Ray Lam

Organic vegetable gardening is gaining popularity these days. The main reason behind this is is people are more health conscious and are paying more attention to the food they consume. Also, in some places where food is not widely available, people have decided to plant their own vegtables. In this article you will find some useful advice on organic vegetable gardening.

Organic vegetable gardening does not use fertilizers and chemicals which can be harmful to humans. It also does not use genetic engineering or irradiation. Instead, it uses simple farming techniques like tilling the land, giving it enough water and sufficient exposure from the sun.

When the harvesting process is complted, a new kind of vegetable is planted which is better known as crop rotation to ensure the soil is always fertile. Growing organic vegetables is not limited to farmers. This can be done by homeowners since they have their own organic vegetable garden in their own backyard. The first thing that you have to do is choose what type of vegetables you want to grow. You also have to understand how big they can grow so it will be easy to plot how many can be placed in a row.

The second step is to determine the condition of the soil. You can purchase these kits from any hardware or garden store to check the soil fertility. Once you have determined that the soil is fertile enough you can start clearing it of weeds and rocks. After that, you should add some compost, bone meal or rock phosphate to the soil to supply it with nitrogen, potassium and other vital nutrients. If you need to adjust the soil’s pH level you can add some lime or sulphur.

When using organic matter, it is recommended that you till or dig in the fertilizers. Ensure that you have at least an inch of sharp sand if the soil you use is made of clay before you rake the soil into rows or beds. For best results, you should leave the soil for a month before planting.

Don’t forget to use organic mulch to blanket the garden. You can use ground bark for that since it will decompose over a season or two. You can also use a compost file made out of recycled leaves, grass clippings, coffee grounds, eggshells and kitchen waste since these serve as a good fertilizer.

The main threats to an organic vegetable garden are weeds and insects. To combat these threats, you can use other animals and insects to fight these pests. Once you have set an ideal condition, these insects will come to your home, hence you do not need to purchase them.

If you encounter a weed problem, you can easily get rid of them by pulling them out or spraying some home made vinegar as this prevents them from growing. If you plant thickly enough, you can discourage weeds from growing in between your plants.

Planting your own organic vegetable garden isn’t that bad given that the only ones who will be consuming what is planted are those that live in the household. But it’s going to be a bed of roses from the time you till the land to the time that they will be harvested.

About the Author: