Six tips to help you grow the best tomatoes ever
It probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise that tomatoes are one of the most popular plants grown in home gardens. What is surprising, however, is the fact that there are more than 7,500 different varieties of tomatoes. Amazing, isn’t it?
If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at growing this tasty fruit or if you haven’t had much success at it, this information is for you. Here are six quick tips to help you grow the best tomatoes… EVER!
1. Warm the Soil
This is an awesome tip that many people don’t realize. Approximately two weeks before you plant your seeds or seedlings in the ground, preheat the dirt in your garden. Cover the area with a large plastic tarp. Red or black works best. This increases the heat in the soil and guess what? Tomato plants thrive in the heat.
2. Train Your Seedlings
If you’re starting the seedlings inside, you can actually train them to withstand windy weather. Set them in front of a small fan for up to 10 minutes, twice a day. Another strengthening method is to rub your hand gently, back and forth, across each one for a few minutes. Your plants will be ready to better withstand a strong breeze in no time.
3. Don’t Overcrowd
Don’t overcrowd your plants. Tomatoes need room to grow. As a general rule, plant three seeds per container. Transfer to the garden or in individual four-inch pots, as soon as each plant begins to get its own leaves.
4. Bury Plants Deeper
Bury plants deeper in the garden than they were in the pot. This allows them to develop roots along more of the stem and produces a much stronger plant.
5. Let There Be Light
Tomato plants love sunlight… the more direct, the better. If you choose to grow tomatoes indoors, you’ll generally need to purchase an artificial light source to shine on the plants at least 14 hours a day.
6. Pinch Off Suckers
Pinch and discard any small “suckers” that you find growing in the joint of connecting branches. Leaving them alone just saps energy from the plant. As the tomato plant grows, remove any leaves that start to turn yellow. For best results, water tomato plants on a regular basis.
Now that you’re privy to some of the secrets of growing delicious tomatoes, there’s nothing holding you back. Whether you grow them outside in a traditional garden, or inside (with the help of hydroponics), there’s no better time to get started.
You may not grow the world’s biggest tomato (the current record holder produced a tomato weighing in at just under 8.5 pounds). But, you’ll be well on your way to growing yummy tomatoes with your own two hands. Bon appétit!
Before you create a new garden area consider these things
Thinking about creating a new garden? Great! Whether it’s strictly for growing vegetables or for decorative purposes, it’s important to consider the following information BEFORE you start investing your time and resources to do so.
Start with a Plan
Each type of garden area has its own set of specific needs, and it’s important to start with a plan. Decide what sort of plants you want to feature in your new garden – be it vegetables, herbs or flowers. If flowers are your first choice, think about whether you prefer annual varieties, which last for a single season, or perennials that come back to life every spring.
Choose an Ideal Location
Sunlight is a vital part of the life of every plant. Once you have a garden spot in mind, spend the day monitoring it. Watch for shadows that creep into the area when the sun rises and sets.
Many plants easily tolerate periods of shade. Some may even benefit from a break from the rays of the sun.
Make sure that the area you choose is easily accessible and close to a water source, so that caring for your plants turns out to be as convenient as possible. Enclosing your garden area with a fence or barrier is something else to consider. This will keep it safe from wildlife that might otherwise enjoy a vegetarian meal.
Prepare the Soil
The first step when planting your garden is making sure that the ground is prepared. Digging up and loosening or tilling the top few inches of soil is an effective way to remove old plant material and give your new seedlings loose soil to take root in.
Make your soil an even better home for your plants by adding organic mulch. Dry leaves or grass clippings tilled into the soil break down and provide nutrients that plants need to grow.
Plant Selection
There are many things to consider when choosing the plants you’ll ultimately add to your garden. If you’re budget conscious, try purchasing plants that are native to the area you live in. They will be cheaper and better acclimated to the environment, ensuring easy overall maintenance.
If you’re planting a decorative garden, make sure your plants are aesthetically compatible with each other before you purchase or plant. If you’re planting trees or shrubs, take the height and width of each (when it reaches maturity) into consideration.
Maintaining a garden can be a lot of hard work. But, it’s also a very rewarding and therapeutic hobby. Remember, by considering the specific needs of each plant and how those needs can be met, you help to ensure that your garden thrives with a minimal amount of effort on your part.
Consider your neighbors when gardening
When planning a new garden space, it’s important to consider your neighbors. Not everyone has the same level of enthusiasm for plants, trees and other garden-related paraphernalia that you do. The last thing you want is to (unintentionally) create bad feelings, which then have the potential to morph into a full-blown, neighbor-versus-neighbor feud.
Unfortunately, small “neighbor-compatibility” issues sometimes turn into much larger ones. Small claims court dockets are proof of this. These issues can turn living in the home of your dreams into a real nightmare. Of course, it’s impossible to please everyone. But, the more mindful you are of certain courtesies, the better off everyone will be.
Please note that if you live in an apartment complex or condo, this information is geared especially for you.
Be Considerate of Noise
For many people, the whimsical melody of wind chimes are as uplifting as they are soothing. Thanks to the wide variety to choose from, it’s quite easy to end up with a collection of them before you know it.
However, not everyone appreciates the same Mother Nature-created melodies that you do. To avoid problems, consider using just one or two small wind chimes in your garden space. Place additional chimes inside your home, near windows and doors, where they can take the most advantage of the afternoon breeze.
Be Considerate of Boundaries
If you share boundary lines such as a balcony, fence line, driveway or other type of structure, don’t plant anything that will eventually grow enough to cross over to the other side. This includes things like bushes, ivy and flowering groundcover. While it’s true that some neighbors won’t mind, others won’t be appreciative of the intrusion.
Be Considerate of Upkeep
Everyone has the best of intentions when it comes to garden upkeep. But, sometimes it’s hard to find the extra time to keep a garden looking its best. Be considerate when it comes to curb appeal. This includes everything from weeding and watering to making sure that all of your garden accessories and decor are clean and in good shape.
Your neighbors definitely won’t appreciate looking out their windows, only to see an overgrown garden in disrepair.
These are just a few tips to consider when planning or upgrading your garden. Obviously, if neighbors in close proximity isn’t an issue, this information really isn’t for you – unless, of course, you happen to have a housemate who is somewhat opposed to gardens.
Gardening is an enjoyable hobby, so much so that it sometimes turns into obsession. Regardless of the category you fall into, it’s easy to keep it as pleasurable as possible by taking the time to consider your neighbors during (and after) the planning stage. They’ll be glad you did.
It’s a myth that you need a large space to have a garden.
Container gardening in small spaces
There is absolutely no reason to cheat yourself out of the enjoyment of gardening because of limited space. Container gardening is more achievable than ever before.
Here are a few great ideas to consider. And don’t forget that for best results you’ll want to use a premium brand of potting soil. This helps to ensure the best level of water retention possible.
One-Pot Garden
One-pot gardens are just what the name implies, a variety of flowers and/or vegetables growing in a single container. Drill drainage holes in your desired container. Hint: a galvanized water trough is perfect for this. Fill it with dirt and plant things that go well together. One example of this is jalapenos, cherry tomatoes, chives, basil and plum tomatoes. Salsa, anyone?
Rain Gutter Garden
A rain gutter garden is quite ingenious when you think about it. Securely attach two or three rows of plastic rain gutters to the side of your house that receives the most sunlight. Placing the gutters high enough off the ground discourages pesky intruders. Fill with soil and plant whatever your heart desires. Save money and do your part to recycle by using salvaged gutters. In good condition, they work just as well as new ones.
Water Garden
Have you ever thought about “planting” a water garden? If digging in the dirt just isn’t your thing, aquatic plants are for you. It’s also a fun, low-maintenance project for your kids.
Any kind of waterproof container works. Simply fill it approximately three quarters of the way full with marbles, florist foam, pebbles, sand or something similar. Get creative and use your imagination. Add water and a small amount of liquid fertilizer.
Plants that work well in aquatic gardens include:
* Chinese evergreen
* Wandering Jew
* Philodendron
* English ivy
Square-Foot Gardening
Chances are that you’ve heard of square-foot gardening. The concept has been around for many years. The typical size of these above-ground planter boxes is 4 x 4 feet, although smaller sizes work just as well. The idea is to section off the box into individual square-foot sections and plant as much as you can in each square. You’ll no doubt be pleasantly surprised at the size of your bounty.
It should be noted that your desired containers will yield more flowers and vegetables when you choose plants that grow vertically. This makes the best use of tight spaces.
It’s also recommended that you include at least two or three focal points in your overall garden space. Believe it or not, this makes the area look bigger than it actually is. Consider things like small statues, groups of brightly colored flowers or an interesting birdhouse… the birds will love you for it.
Creating and linking different rooms in your garden
Outdoor garden rooms are separated areas throughout your garden that each fit a specific theme or purpose. Utilizing rooms while landscaping allows you to create connected yet unique environments within your garden. Keep the following in mind while preparing to create garden rooms of your own.
Types of Garden Rooms
There are many different options when it comes to what exactly to include in your garden room. Flower or vegetation-based garden rooms focus on creating a relaxing space to take in beautiful plants and flowers. A garden room might also feature a pool or fountain, providing a place to rest and enjoy the water. Different rooms also focus on themes such as texture or fragrance.
Plan Things Out
Before you get to work on bringing your own garden rooms to life, it’s a good idea to decide on exactly how you want things to come together. Make a list of elements you want to include in each room of your garden. Look into any special caretaking needs that may apply to any of the plants you plan to use.
Choose the Right Location
The size of your property affects where your garden rooms will be located. A large area provides more choices for where to place the rooms. While a smaller property may be less accommodating for larger garden rooms, you may still create multiple garden rooms if you wish. For small property garden rooms, you might want to consider using a rear corner of the property.
Keeping Things Separate
In order to separate two adjacent garden rooms or to break up different elements of the same room, you might put a wall between them. These could be actual walls, smaller fences, hedges, or even rows of plants. In England, “tapestry” hedges are also commonly created. These are rows of an assortment of plants that grow together and intertwine into a hedge.
Linking Things Together
When garden rooms are next to each other, linking them together is as simple as keeping the path between them clear. However, depending on the layout of your landscape, you might employ a path between the two. Rooms that are linked together can benefit from common elements, such as use of similar plants or decor. That way, even though each room feels like a separate environment, the garden still feels connected as a whole.
By dividing your garden space into rooms, you can design areas that cater to a multitude of needs. Planning out different rooms can also give you direction when it comes to expanding your garden. Just like the rooms inside your home, garden rooms have the potential to become whatever you can imagine.
From drab to fab – it’s all in the details you incorporate
Are you putting together an outdoor room or garden? Are you having trouble getting the space to stand out? Small, simple touches go a long way toward giving your garden a unique identity of its own. Keep the following advice in mind, to help you create an outdoor space that your friends won’t stop raving about.
Plan Ahead
Before you start to put your outdoor space together, think about how you plan to use it. Is your dream garden a lush paradise for your plants, or an elegant seating area where you can entertain company? Consider the lighting needs of all of the plants you’d like to incorporate and choose a location that gets adequate sunlight.
Create Separate Spaces
Separating your garden area into separate spaces keeps your landscape from becoming cluttered or disorganized. Different areas of your garden can be used to showcase different colors, textures or themes. You might even separate larger areas with walls or hedges, to create two different environments.
Make Them Your Own
Adding decorative pieces that reflect your own interests and tastes allows you to express yourself through your landscaping. There are all sorts of outdoor accessories available, but creating your own can save you money and make your décor even more personal. You can also look for older decorations at yard sales or thrift stores and restore them yourself.
Add Some Lighting
Incorporating lighting into your outdoor area allows you to comfortably use it throughout the evening. Candles, torches and solar lamps can be used to shed light on dinner parties. Solar powered lighting operates on energy from sunlight stored throughout the day, so it provides light for a long time with little maintenance.
Keep Comfort in Mind
Invest in furniture for your outdoor area so you and your guests have comfortable seating options. Plastic furniture is inexpensive and easy to paint, so it can easily fit in with the rest of your décor. You also have the option of sprucing up the furniture with outdoor covers or cushions.
Don’t Overdo It
Too much of anything can take your garden from tasteful to tacky. If you have a large collection of garden decorations to display, you may want to consider using a few at a time rather than displaying the whole collection at once. Remember that the atmosphere of your outdoor space should be relaxing and not overbearing.
Keeping your outdoor area chic is all in the small, personal touches you put into designing and decorating it. Furniture, lighting and accessories all come together to create an environment, just like inside the rooms of your house. By paying close attention to the details, you can keep your garden looking classy in no time at all.
How to choose a garden theme that works for you
Theme gardens are becoming more and more popular with each passing season. With so many different themes to choose from, you might be hard-pressed on deciding which one is best for you. But, there’s no need to panic. Here are a few themes to hopefully make your decision a simpler one.
Butterfly Garden
Butterflies are interesting little insects, not to mention beautiful. If you enjoy watching them, why not consider planting a butterfly garden? This theme requires a variety of bright, sweet-smelling flowers in several colors. Possibilities include asters, lantana and zinnias. Host flowers, such as milkweed and fennel, are also required. Butterflies use these plants to lay their eggs on.
Herb Garden
If you do a lot of cooking, a herb garden is right up your alley. This theme garden is a good “beginners” garden. Use herbs fresh, when in season. Dry some to use during the fall and winter months. Easy-to-grow herbs include rosemary, chives, dill, basil and parsley.
Cottage Garden
Crazy about roses? Consider a cottage garden theme. These informal gardens utilize lots of fragrant flowers and herbs, especially roses. Add a charming touch using garden accessories, such as wind chimes, birdhouses and maybe even an arbor or two.
Woodland Garden
A woodland garden is perfect for a shady area. Groundcover varieties of flowers and bushes work well for this theme. It’s easy to plant both spring and fall bulbs in the same area. Make it whimsical by adding a few small fairy houses among the flowers.
Craft Garden
Crafters save money by planting a craft-theme garden. Ideal plants to incorporate into this garden include straw flowers, gourds, baby’s breath, marigolds, nettle and ornamental grass… any plant or flower used in craft projects are game.
Other great themes to consider include:
* Asian garden
* Tropical garden
* Shakespearean garden
* Formal garden
* Dry climate garden
* Children’s garden
* Cutting garden
* And the list goes on!
Now that you have a few things in mind, the best thing to do is spend some time looking at ideas. Sites such as Pinterest are ideal for this. They really get your creative juices flowing.
One of the biggest benefits of a theme garden is that it’s typically easier to plan. In addition, if you’re a first-time gardener, you probably won’t feel so overwhelmed with the whole process.
Remember, there’s nothing that says you can’t have more than one garden theme. Many people make use of two or three smaller garden spaces, assigning a theme to each one. This works best if you have a big enough yard to spread the spaces out a bit. The choice is up to you.
How to decorate without being tacky
Are you planning to add a personal flair to your garden? If so, remember this: when choosing decorations to put on display, it’s easy to cross the line from tasteful to tacky. Here are some things to keep in mind so that doesn’t happen.
Choose Your Colors Carefully
When in bloom, most gardens are full of natural color. However, this natural beauty can easily be overshadowed if you incorporate too many brightly colored decorations into the mix.
Let your plants be the focal point of your garden, by excluding decorations that are more pigmented than your plants. Invest in décor that complements the different color blooms and foliage growing in your garden.
Ditch the Duplicates
While your garden is a wonderful place to display decorative pieces, too much of a particular theme typically detracts from the space’s overall feel. If you have a garden gnome collection, for example, try adding a few pieces at a time rather than setting them all out at once. This allows you to instill creativity into your garden without the décor becoming overbearing.
Remember to keep your personal touches scattered throughout the garden, rather than grouping them all in the same area. This helps you keep the focus on your garden as a whole, rather than each individual decoration.
Keep Things Natural
The plants you choose to keep in your garden are, in themselves, pieces of décor that affect the feel of the space. If you’re having trouble deciding where to put all of your decorations, it may be best not to use the majority of them and let the plants take the spotlight. Vines, bushes, shrubs, and flowers all provide unique sights, smells and textures to your garden space.
Consider Lighting and Furniture
Lighting is a very useful tool to consider when planning out the décor for your garden. Lights can transform an area into an attractive and inviting space during the evening hours, as well as help to prevent any type of falling or stumbling accident.
Invest in lights recommended for outdoor use. But, use them sparingly. Too many or the wrong kind of lights can overpower your garden and make it look tacky. Furniture is also a nice addition to any garden. Again, just make sure it’s meant for outdoor use and that it doesn’t take up way too much space.
Colors or decorations that stand out too much will draw attention away from the overall beauty of your garden. Stay conservative with your decorations and you’ll achieve a look that is both classy and full of character. Most importantly, remember to do what you enjoy and incorporate the décor that most appeals to you.
How to highlight different points of interest in your garden
As you can probably guess, the purpose of a garden-related focal point is to draw the eye to a specific area of interest. The premise works the same regardless of the size of your garden. However, smaller gardens are sometimes a bit more challenging. The good news is that there are many ways to achieve your goal.
Focal Point Placement
Because it’s natural for the eye to follow a line, it’s important to place your focal point on a visual intersection in the garden. Mentally divide your garden space into sections. Take what you can see from inside your home and other areas of your yard into consideration. Once you do that, you’ll find it much easier to choose the proper intersection.
Never center a focal point and plant around it. Whatever object you’re using looks better when placed a bit off center of your intersection line. If you have a circular-shaped garden, it’s recommended that you place the focal point near the back.
It’s also recommended that you never incorporate a focal point that’s actually an afterthought. Chances are you’ll have to squeeze it in and the end result won’t be as pleasing as you hoped.
Using Plants
You have hundreds of options when it comes to using plants as focal points. For best results, choose a heartier variety that holds up well and isn’t a dietary choice of the local wildlife.
Bright blooms are visually pleasing. Reds, yellows and pinks are big attention-getters. Tall plants or ornamental grass is another good option. A small bush or tree isn’t out of the question either. The choice is totally up to you.
Many gardeners opt to incorporate seasonal focal points into the garden. However, this takes a little more advance planning and effort. The basic idea is to plant (in close proximity) something that blooms or looks its best early in the season and something that is meant for fall viewing. By the time the first plant is ready to die off, the second plant is ready to take its place.
Using Objects
The sky is the limit – almost – when using an object as a point of interest. Common examples include statues, waterfalls, arbors, large ornamental pots, birdhouses and small sections of fencing. If you prefer something more on the whimsical side, try incorporating a cast-off like an old bicycle or even a vintage sewing machine.
Creating a focal point or points in your garden isn’t an absolute necessity. It’s a personal design choice. For many gardeners, it’s a matter of trial and error. Like them, it may take a few tries until you get it right. But, let’s face it, that’s half the fun of gardening.
Tips for novice gardeners
Hopefully, this course has whetted your appetite for starting a garden. Caring for plants, whether they’re vegetables or ornamental, is also a productive and relaxing hobby. Here are some things to keep in mind as you begin to plan your garden.
Start Planning Early
It’s never too early to start thinking about your garden. Even if it’s still winter, you can decide what plants you eventually want to include. Seeds are usually much cheaper during the off season. This also gives you time to do any landscaping you want to do to prepare your garden, so you’ll have less to do when spring arrives.
Use Your Space Efficiently
While gardening in long rows is the traditional method, it’s really only more effective in the case of large farms using farming equipment. Instead, plant your vegetables in three- to four-foot wide raised beds. This allows you to get around each bed for better access, while saving room compared to row planting.
However, it’s important that you give each individual plant enough room to grow. Most seed packets list information in regard to how close you can safely plant things next to each other.
Invest in the Right Tools
Having the right tool for every garden task will save you time when it comes to routine maintenance. A sprinkler system or garden hose saves you from filling up the watering can, which adds up to a considerable amount of time over the season. Organic fertilizers and mulches can also be used to make your soil as good a home for your plants as possible.
Keep Track of Everything
One of the most important things you can do when maintaining a garden is to keep a record of your plants. This method is a useful tool for keeping a record of the location of your plants and when you planted them. It also provides a place to jot down helpful tips that you’ve learned along the way, as well as any mistakes that might occur. This will ensure that you don’t make the same mistakes in the future.
Start Out Small
While you may be excited to grow as many different types of plants as you can, it’s best to start out with only a few varieties. This results in a bigger yield of each individual crop, and makes it easier to keep track of everything while you maintain your garden.
Gardening is a hobby that anyone can enjoy, partly because it’s relatively easy to get into. From saving money to providing a space for you to unwind, gardening offers many great opportunities that everyone can benefit from. Why not take the plunge and get started today?
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