Read The Post Here

Here is just one of the pictures she shares, I think its pretty darn cool:

Garden Journal

Although you may have an excellent memory, it is still difficult to recall exactly what you planted when. Keeping a garden journal as a written record solves that problem. You never know when you will need to reference what you did last season.

A Garden Journal helps create a successful garden

A Garden Journal can prevent repeated mistakes

As your garden matures, you will quickly notice that some varieties will do much better than others. By faithfully keeping your garden journal up to date by recording what is working, and what isn’t, you are creating a valuable record of information to use in seasons to come.

In fact, recording the failures is probably the most valuable part of keeping an accurate garden journal. Recording the circumstances that contributed to a plant’s demise will ensure that you will not repeat those actions when it comes time to plant that species again.

Add Photos To your Garden Journal

Be sure you also keep a record of the positioning of your plantings and the patterns you wanted to achieve. This is easily done with an inexpensive digital camera and the pictures can either be printed and kept in your garden journal or stored online on one of the free photo sites such as flickr. Obviously, the patterns and positions in which you plant make a difference in your overall garden appearance. Keeping a photographic record will show what grows the best, where in your garden space it grows the best, what type of other plants you can place beside it, how much space they need to grow, and much more.

As you work on both your garden and your garden journal keep in mind that this is supposed to be fun or a way to relax from the cares of the day. Don’t make keeping a garden journal into a chore or something that you feel you have to do. Record just the actions you think are the most important, your garden journal needn’t be a record of every single thing you do every day. Remember, this is supposed to be fun and the creation of journal is to support that fun, not get in the way.

To get started there are a number of garden journal templates and ideas available, free, online. Follow this link to a free PDF download from arbico-organics.

Garden Ideas

Have you always wanted to create your own garden using your own garden ideas but just weren’t sure how to get it all started? Creating a living landscape from your own garden ideas is a very rewarding experience, and one you must really try.

The very first step to take is determine which “zone” you are living in. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) divides the North American continent into 11 different plant hardiness zones. Every zone is 10 degrees warmer or cooler during an average winter the zones bordering it. You can locate your particular zone here. This zone map is a tool to determine where different landscape plants can live successfully. It will do no good to install plants that can’t survive in your local climate conditions. Once you have located your correct zone you might find that some of your garden ideas will need to be rethought.

Next, you need to research which specific plants are growing well in the current season, or the season upcoming. There are different options for each season of the year, and you want to make sure that the plants you choose like the season they are planted in. Otherwise, they may not grow and produce like they should. Each area is different with respect to what plants will grow each season as some plants grow very well in very hot temperatures, and some like mild, or even cool, temperatures. Again, the results of this research may well result in your having to modify your original garden ideas.

If you choose to plant a garden in the summer, choose a spot that’s good for the plants you have selected. For example, most vegetables require full sun so your spot should be one that gets sun most of the day. Your garden ideas must also include enough space for each plant type you use to grow successfully. Keep in mind that some plants require more room than others and don’t like to be crowded. Give each plant the space it needs to grow best.

Next, make sure the soil in the proposed garden area is of decent quality and has proper drainage. The best garden ideas in the world aren’t going to work if the ground isn’t good. The soil needs to be able to drain but also hold enough water to keep the roots moist at the same time. You will need to use a good soil so your plants can be as healthy as possible. The local garden shop can be an invaluable asset here. Without question, they can guide you on what will be needed to be added to your soil to promote healthy plant growth.

Of course, along with plants come the pests. I’ll bet your garden ideas didn’t include them! But, very soon, the new plants you have spent time installing could be providing free meals to all sorts of local pests. Again, here your garden shop will be your best friend. Not only will they know what different kinds of creepy, crawly things are going to attack your new plants but they will also recommend the best pesticides to deal with them. Also, you can talk to other gardeners or look online and see what kind of bugs, fungus or disease is common in your area or on the plants that you choose to grow. Many of these problems can be prevented before they start, and that is the best way to deal with your plant’s problems.

Garden Pots

Once your small garden design has been realized and all the dirt has been dug, and the plants planted it is a great time to put some thought into which accent pieces are going to make your garden truly unique and stand out in the crowd. Here are a few suggestions for your consideration:

Pots
Whether gathered in groups or standing alone pots of all sizes, shapes, and materials should be an important part of your small garden design.

Pots can be used to bring focus to a particular plant, standing by itself in regal solitude, or in a group setting. Pots lend themselves well as accents to bring focus to a specific part of your small garden design such as the intersection of two paths, or a niche created in a garden wall.

Even the material the pot is made from has a role to play in your small garden design. Certainly the most common material is Terracotta which is a clay based ceramic without glazing. They are relatively inexpensive but will also often crack if left out in freezing weather.

Pots made with cement will stand up to the elements well but have the drawback of being very heavy. This isn’t too much of a problem if your small garden design calls for a large, permanent accent installation but can cause problems if your design calls for a smaller container. If that is the case, cement pots are available in smaller sizes as well but are still have a lot of weight.

Other materials such as fiberglass and plastic are now more attractive than they once were and can be used as an alternative to Terracotta or cement without giving up too much of the aesthetic look.

One good tip for all pots in your new small garden is to install them on some type of riser so it can drain correctly and not become stuck to the ground.

tree care

Planting a tree may seem easy enough. Perhaps it might seem that way but in truth it is only if you have actually learned the trade. If it’s your first time, do not expect too much. You would not simply be digging a hole where you’ll place a tree and leave it at that. Tree care surpasses that. If you’re willing to do it properly then you need to tolerate all the minor issues.

The topic of trees can be complex. That’s due to the fact that there are numerous species of trees. Not every tree can be looked after the same way. If you’re serious about tree planting, you need to recognize the different sorts of trees so you are able to grow your tree the right way.

Aside from the fact that trees have different types, you have to understand that planting is done in 2 manners. One is geared toward urban places where a key concern is landscape design. It is called horticultural planting. The other is wild land planting which is relatively less expensive and is typically done in broad open regions.

Before you determine to get your hands grimy, you need to be well educated on the matter. Make sure you’ve done some analysis, even merely a bit, of exactly what you’re doing. Tree planting can be complicated. Along the way, you’ll study the things that you need to understand however there’s constantly a good deal of preparation even before you tackle the field.

Trees serve mother nature well. They are an integral part of nature as they help the world to have fresher and much cleaner air. Without them the world would be a much different place. Trees for the most part are taken for granted but they are a valuable natural resource.

Planting a tree has its benefits other than simply safeguarding the environment. It’s hard work. Planting a tree entails bending and making use of muscles that you might not be used to making use of. However it’s exercise you may not normally get. If you plant trees there’s no cause to head to a local fitness center. Instead of paying extra to sweat out, remember that an option is to plant a tree. You are doing a little something good for the environment, too.

Nevertheless, planting a tree is simply the beginning. A follow-up has to be done. You can not expect it to nurture itself without help. Nature has its back however you need to do your part and look after it to guarantee that it develops well. For help, you could possibly talk to a local arborist and let the specialists show you precisely how it’s done.

If you need tree service in Murfreesboro TN or tree service in Smyrna TN call the Tree Care Company. We handle tree care and tree removal throughout all of Middle Tennessee. If you have a tree you want removed we can handle it. No job is too large or too small for the Tree Care Company.