Finding (building a compost bin) Healing in Your Garden
No commentsBy Jeffry Bullock
The word for ‘paradise’ comes from the Persian word for a garden and has always meant the same thing in every culture. It is representative of ‘paradise on earth’ and is our opportunity to own a little bit of heaven - here and now. It has a restorative significance as a healer when we understand that gardens provide us with a place of sanctuary and well-being.
The garden has the potential to provide a place of refuge from stress, “the health epidemic of the 21st century” according to The World Health Organization. Medical doctors suggest that stress resulting in illness is the causative factor underlying 70% of all visits to the family doctor. The ability of the garden to provide this place of healing and peace becomes crucial as more and more people succumb to this dis-ease of ‘modern day life.’
It matters little whether an indoor garden is a few pots on a windowsill or a lush garden room, what does matter is that plants add a dimension to the home/and or workplace that literally changes the energy and adds life. There is something about caring for plants and tending to them whether watering, re-potting, or touching the leaves that re-connects us on a deep level with an overwhelming sense of awe about this miracle of life of which we are an integral part. As we plant the seed or see the cyclical nature of the gardens we nurture, time stands still, and we bask in the knowledge of our relationship to the earth, and to the spiritual aspect of ourselves.
Reasons for creating an indoor garden include: corners in rooms and on furniture are softened when plants are introduced and placed in these areas; living plants create feelings of calm and well-being; starting seeds indoors provides a jump-start on spring for those of us who get twitchy fingers in January and allows us to grow different types of plants not usually available from greenhouses; growing herbs indoors facilitates our ability to cook with fresh herbs all year round; teaching children to garden provides an opportunity for the healing aspects of gardening to become a life-long aspect of their lives; indoor gardening is a stress-management tool taught in various classes related to providing a higher quality of life for people dealing with loss through death, divorce, or trauma in their lives.
Steps to Creating your Indoor Garden
1. Purpose - what do you want to achieve - healing, meditation, growing herbs for cooking, or a project with the children?
2. Space - how much space is available - a closet, basement room, living room, corner of the bedroom, windowsill?
3. Seating - is there room in your space for a seating area?
4. Characteristics - create a specific type of garden such as a collection of Ficus, orchids, herbs, or ferns.
5. Features - include water features such as fountains, art, sentimental objects, wind chimes, aroma and/or colour therapy, candles, and /or music.
6. Location - is the location conducive to gardening indoors?
7. Light - is the light adequate or will you need artificial lights?
8. Plants - what plants will you grow?
Indoor gardens can include anything from a tabletop garden, herb garden, healing garden, meditation garden, container garden, water garden, or wildlife garden. Thomas Moore wrote, “We may have to learn again the mystery of the garden: how its external characteristics model the heart itself, and how the soul is a garden enclosed, our own perpetual paradise where we can be refreshed and restored.” In other words, the indoor garden can provide a place of sanctuary where we can take a moment and re-connect with our own sacredness.
Visit the Celosia Flower website to learn about celosia cristata and celosia caracas.
Growing Organic Vegetables - Beginner’s Guide
By Adam Granger
You might have just begun to start growing organic vegetables and herbs or you might be an experienced grower already. There exists one question that seems to appear time and time again.
What do I do with all those herbs.
In the next few paragraphs I will cover some helpful tips for your organically grown herbs.
A lot of individuals will begin using their herbs in a dry form.. Always try to harvest your herbs as early as possible in the day. You only need to use a sharp knife or a pair of garden scissors to harvest your herbs and make sure that the stems are quite long.
1: Cleaning Your Herbs
Be gentle when you are washing your herbs, they can be fragile and will not take kindly to being handled roughly. So be gentle with them and once washed put them on a piece of kitchen towel or perhaps a clean cloth. The herbs will need to dry out once washed so the towel needs to be absorbent so that all the water can drain from your herbs.
2: Drying Your Herbs
You can then tie your herbs into bundles with string once all the excess water has been removed. Then hang the small bundles up in an area out of the way but if possible moisture free. If you can find somewhere warm and dry this is best, something like an airing cupboard is ideal. In case you are hanging them near a window which has direct sunlight this will also be a very good place. Just remember however, that the sunlight will take some of the natural colour from your herbs.
3: Making Your Herbs Ready For Use
Once your herbs have dried out completely you can crush them and put them in small glass or stone jars. I prefer to not use plastic as I always feel this effects the flavor of the herbs. Your herbs once dried will last for no less than nine to twelve months.
4: Freezing Your Herbs
Freezing your herbs is an alternative method you may use. To do this simply harvest and wash as above but when drying you want to make 100 percent certain there is no excess moisture. So keep turning them on the paper towel until completely dry. This is essential for the freezing process.
Keep the leaves and flowers on the stems of your herbs for the absolute best flavour. Once they are dry it is easy to put them into freezer bags and place them into the freezer. One point to note here is to put a label or mark the freezer bag with the date. To get the best flavor from your frozen herbs I like to recommend you ought to use them within 6 months.
When you need to use your frozen herbs simply take them from the freezer, crush a small amount of that you need for use and then return the remainder to the freezer.
Get more information about Growing Organic Vegetables and organic herbs you will get plenty more information and advice at http://growingorganicvegetables.net
Why not give it a go; you actually will love the taste of your own naturally grown vegetables and herbs.
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(Compost tumbler) Growing Organic Vegetables - Beginner’s Guide
No commentsBy Adam Granger
You might have just begun to start growing organic vegetables and herbs or you might be an experienced grower already. There exists one question that seems to appear time and time again.
What do I do with all those herbs.
In the next few paragraphs I will cover some helpful tips for your organically grown herbs.
A lot of individuals will begin using their herbs in a dry form.. Always try to harvest your herbs as early as possible in the day. You only need to use a sharp knife or a pair of garden scissors to harvest your herbs and make sure that the stems are quite long.
1: Cleaning Your Herbs
Be gentle when you are washing your herbs, they can be fragile and will not take kindly to being handled roughly. So be gentle with them and once washed put them on a piece of kitchen towel or perhaps a clean cloth. The herbs will need to dry out once washed so the towel needs to be absorbent so that all the water can drain from your herbs.
2: Drying Your Herbs
You can then tie your herbs into bundles with string once all the excess water has been removed. Then hang the small bundles up in an area out of the way but if possible moisture free. If you can find somewhere warm and dry this is best, something like an airing cupboard is ideal. In case you are hanging them near a window which has direct sunlight this will also be a very good place. Just remember however, that the sunlight will take some of the natural colour from your herbs.
3: Making Your Herbs Ready For Use
Once your herbs have dried out completely you can crush them and put them in small glass or stone jars. I prefer to not use plastic as I always feel this effects the flavor of the herbs. Your herbs once dried will last for no less than nine to twelve months.
4: Freezing Your Herbs
Freezing your herbs is an alternative method you may use. To do this simply harvest and wash as above but when drying you want to make 100 percent certain there is no excess moisture. So keep turning them on the paper towel until completely dry. This is essential for the freezing process.
Keep the leaves and flowers on the stems of your herbs for the absolute best flavour. Once they are dry it is easy to put them into freezer bags and place them into the freezer. One point to note here is to put a label or mark the freezer bag with the date. To get the best flavor from your frozen herbs I like to recommend you ought to use them within 6 months.
When you need to use your frozen herbs simply take them from the freezer, crush a small amount of that you need for use and then return the remainder to the freezer.
Get more information about Growing Organic Vegetables and organic herbs you will get plenty more information and advice at http://growingorganicvegetables.net
Why not give it a go; you actually will love the taste of your own naturally grown vegetables and herbs.
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(Making compost) Is a Wildlife Garden the Right Style for You?
No commentsBy Jeffry Bullock
I am lucky enough to live in a rural area within easy reach of various country footpaths, which take you through different natural habitats. There are woodland walks, a coastal path, grassland areas and one or two large ponds with all the associated wildlife. Each area has it’s own natural beauty and the wild plants can easily compete in shape form and colour with the cultivated varieties.
When planning a wildlife garden it is a good idea to visit any country walks or parks in your area, so that you can get an idea of what natural species grow there, and the type of wildlife that lives in your area. You can then plan your garden around what is found naturally in your neighbourhood.
To attract birds you need to provide plants that offer shelter, food and nesting spaces. Along with this you should incorporate water for them to drink. This can either be in the form of a pond, ornamental bird baths or simply tubs filled with water scattered around the garden.
There are plenty of plants that can be grown in your garden that are both attractive and good food sources for the local bird population. Mountain ash (Rowan) provides an abundance of berries in the autumn which birds love. Dog woods, pheasant berry, viburnum and cotoneasters will also provide your birds with berries. Perennials flowers provide seeds for other birds. Sunflowers are a good example of these.
Birds that visit your garden feed in different ways and levels, so you will want to provide plants of differing heights. Robins will scavenge on the ground looking for worms, grubs and insects. Finches and other seed eaters will be in amongst your perennials looking for seeds. Some birds such as woodpeckers prefer to be up in the tree tops.
Along with birds there is plenty of other wildlife that you can attract to your garden. Butterfly’s are no longer as common as they once were, so why not plant something like lavender, geraniums, hebe or a buddleja (Butterfly Bush) or two to attract them. These plants not only provide butterfly’s with food, but also produce attractive flowers, and in some cases a pleasant fragrance throughout the summer.
Bees are another form of wildlife that has been having problems in the last few years. Many people are nervous of bees, but they are in fact gentle creatures and will not sting unless provoked. Potentilla, penstemons, heathers, Lamium and ceanothus are always frequently visited by bees.
A pond in the garden will always attract a fair amount of wildlife. Frogs, toads and newts will always find your pond and move in. You will also attract a number of insects, some of which are quite beautiful such as dragonflies and damselflies. Other birds and animals will also visit the garden to grab a quick drink.
Maintaining a wildlife garden is a little less time consuming than some other garden styles. Trees and shrubs can be left to grow naturally. Shrubs only need pruning once or twice a year to encourage new growth. Perennials should be left to go to seed and tidied up in the spring before new growth starts.
Weeding can be less of a chore as well. I like to leave many of the weeds in place unless they are causing a problem and taking over. Many of the weeds have attractive flowers and provide food for the wildlife that visits your garden.
When designing your garden you want to create plenty of areas that your wildlife can take shelter in so that it feels safe from predator attack. Trees and dense shrubs are ideal for this. Try to use natural curves instead of straight lines, and don’t manicure you plants.
For tips on celosia caracas and celosia plumosa, visit the Celosia Flower website.
Aero Garden: How to make Kitchen Herb Gardening Simple
By D. J. Bettencort
We live in a world of automation, and this has also extended itself to people who love to have their own home herb garden. The Aero Garden considers it very easy for anybody in order to have an herb garden, all year long and in any kind of conditions. The reason why this is the reason, is since it produces an environment which is grow friendly, also it helps to nurture the herbs in order to grow to their maximum potential. Here’s how the Aero Garden works, and how it may help you to have a great indoor herb garden of the own.
There are a few basic components that can be found within the Aero Grow: Making Kitchen Herb Gardening Effortless which really form the basis of the way it works. The plant lighting system is built in, and it gives the entire spectrum of light to the plants which are growing. This helps to reproduce the light that they would be receiving if they were growing outdoors. It is also what lets you use your Aero Garden in any area of your home, and under any light conditions. If you’ll be able to get some natural sunlight to the herbs, that is even better but it certainly is not necessary.
A tiny, built-in computer system also helps to control the Aero Grow and to make the most from it. For example, it is able to turn the light on and off so that your plants receive exactly what is necessary over the day. Together with that, it has a reminder system as a way to let you know when it is time to water your herbs. These two things combine in order to grow it a very smart herb garden.
The Aero Garden is a perfect way for everyone to startgrowing herbs. The Aero Grow system offers all kinds of seed kits and other herb gardening tools so you can create exactly the indoor herb garden you wish and now have fresh, delectable herbs at your fingertips all year round.
Do you want your own a culinary herb garden but not sure how to to start? Aero Grow is a great option for beginning herb gardeners or for anyone short on time or space. Visit http://indoor-herbgarden.comfor herb gardening tips, product reviews, how to videos and our herb gardening guide mini-course.
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Outdoor Water Fountains - An Introduction To Different Types Of Fountains (compost tumbler)
No commentsBy GL ONEAL
Water features are always considered as a beautiful addition both to a home and an office. It is considered that any landscape is incomplete without a water feature added to it. Also water features like water fountains give that relaxed and comfortable ambience to the place it is situated in. This is a very attractive feature as well as a sign of natural beauty. The atmosphere around Outdoor Water Fountains is amazingly peaceful and calm.
So if you want to enjoy a calm and peaceful ambience along with a feel of being close to nature then install a water fountain as early as possible. There are different kinds of outdoor water fountains available in the market that is both preferred and popular. The sound and the sight of a water fountain are really great and give you immense pleasure. These are actually add-ons to your landscape garden. They add charm to your garden and keep the negative vibrations away. They are easy attraction to birds. You are actually doing a good deed by installing the water fountain as it will provide water to many birds and small animals like squirrels.
Larger outdoor water fountains are best for places which are large and have large area and space. They cannot be installed in small places like gardens so you need to understand the fact that space is needed because of their large size. So if you have large space you can go for these and then price is not the limit for you. The main characteristics are that they have a huge height usually above 60 feet. Before you wish to buy one, check its size and the amount of place that it will consume.
Regular sized water fountains have features that have just the ideal size that everyone wants. They include the birdbath style and the stainless steel ones. The birdbath is made up of stone and is crafted beautifully to give a unique look to it. They are not all costly like the large ones and also they are easy to install and require less maintenance. For small gardens it is the perfect choice.
The three tiered water features are exceptionally designed with three bowls that are kept one on top of the other. It creates a dynamic look and fascinates the visitors with its exotic views. The continuous flow of water through these bowls is really amazing to watch. They can be the center of attraction in your homes or offices.
These types of outdoor water fountains are apt for those who do not have enough space to accommodate the water features. So for them the wall fountains are the greatest options that can be easily hung on walls to adorn them. They are very popular as they are viable to use. They are available in irregular and different shapes with unusual patterns. They can be made from either copper or stone or even slate.
Find out more about outdoor water fountains at GL ONEAL’S
Furnishing with New Teak Garden Furniture
By Jeffry Bullock
The weather is getting warmer, and you are thinking about how best to furnish your outdoor spaces. You may want to decorate your deck, garden, or conservatory with furniture that allows a seamless transition from indoor space to outdoor space. Or, you may enjoy having pieces placed on your lawn that are a bit more relaxed, maybe some cane furniture with quality fabric seats. You many want to incorporate some teak furniture that meshes well with your hardwood deck. If you have a stone patio or grill accommodations, high quality painted aluminum, or cast iron, may be just what you need to make your home look exceptional this spring and summer. We are going to take a look at some garden furniture that will make your garden, conservatory, or stone patio look sophisticated and inviting for the warm weather.
If you are outfitting a conservatory, the furniture is usually much different than that required for an outdoor lawn space. Conservatory furniture calls for a more polished look, pieces that integrate well with the dcor of the main home. If you have deep cherry furnishings, or teak inside of your home, you may want to use dark teak in your conservatory. To give the conservatory an air of the outdoors, opting for teak pieces that incorporate cane into their design creates the perfect ambiance. A range of furniture that caters to this type of design is the MGM Canterbury. This range’s primary medium is cane. However, it carefully incorporates solid pieces of wood which tie together the furniture from the interior of the home, creating the perfect outdoor/indoor space. Decorators looking for lighter sets may find their needs met by the MGM Earls Wood and Harrow Ranges. The MGM Burford Range is an excellent option for those seeking a contemporary suite. The range features solid glass tops on its side pieces.
This line of conservatory furniture is available in natural and java, if your indoor furniture does not call for the richness of dark teak. Additionally, the coverings on the cushions can be coordinated with that of your indoor upholstery. The range can be ordered with chocolate, duck egg, or calico colored cushioning, to perfectly match whatever may be on the interior of your home.
If you are looking for acceptable furnishings for your outdoor stone garden or grill, cast aluminum sets by Nova will make for a perfect entertainment centerpiece. The intricate and elegant designs of the Nova Chatsworth cast aluminum set, with matt black chairs and table, will highlight the blooming greenery of your garden wonderfully. These sets will last a lifetime, as they are constructed of rock solid aluminum. However, the cushioning for the back and seat, which can be selected in lavenham, flaxen, and brompton, will ensure that you and your guests are most comfortable.
Perhaps, you are interested in decorating your wood deck with the perfect wooden table and chairs set. One of the best choices would be a Nova Richmond FSC certified patio set. These sets offer many seating configurations and styles. If you have space that lends itself to a round table, you could opt for a Round Richmond table, that can seat up to 8 guests. A deck that calls for a rectangular table, would be accented nicely by a Richmond Extending table, which can also accommodate eight guests. A granite patio could also be fitted with a Nova Richmond/FSC teak set that has inset granite hot plates. The granite on the table will emphasize the stone space quite nicely.
To learn about celosia argentea and celosia cristata, visit the Celosia Flower website.
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