Watering your garden can be tricky enough when it is raining plenty. You may take it for granted while it’s there, but once it’s gone, you will truly realize its importance in keeping your garden healthy. Especially in times of drought, it’s necessary to consider how you water your garden, conserving water but still keeping your plants healthy. Here are a few things you can do to make the best use of the water you use on your plants:

Use plenty of mulch around your plants. Mulch will keep water from evaporating out of the soil. Organic much like grass clippings or wood chips can also help add organic matter to the soil. However, plastic mulches also work for limiting evaporation. You can lay plastic mulching between rows in your vegetable garden. However, keep in mind that this will also limit the water that reaches the soil underneath.

Use the water where it will do the most good. Plants need water in their roots. Sprinklers do not do the best job of this, because too much water lands on the leaves, evaporating before it ever reaches the grant. Instead, you should slowly and gently water at the base of the plants. This will be most efficient because it allows the water to soak into the soil.

If your water is limited, water the plants that need it most. In drought conditions, you should use the water on newly planted trees, shrubs, and flowers. Their limited root systems will suffer from the lack of water. Well-established plants, especially if you have chosen those that are native to the area and therefore used to less water, will be more likely to survive droughts with little damage.

Also consider when you are watering. You should water your plants in the early morning, before it has become hot. This will limit the amount of water that evaporates, because it will have soaked into the soil before the heat of the day. It will also supply plants with enough moisture to make it through the sunniest part of the day.

One way to water many plants efficiently is to install a drip or trickle irrigation systems. Many of these are inexpensive and easy to install. They provide small amounts of water at the base of individual plants. Unlike sprinklers, drip irrigation systems deliver the water right where it is needed.

To conserve water, consider collecting water from your downspouts during rains. You can actually collect a significant amount of water this way. Plants, such as dracaena fragrans, that have low water can also help. During dry spells, use this to water your plants, limiting your use of tap water in the garden.

Even in times of drought, there are steps you can take to use your water wisely and still keep your plants healthy!

The simplest definition for the word horticulture is the cultivation of a garden, Hortus, in Latin, means garden and cultura means cultivation. Garden cultivation is considered a form of art and, like all art forms, it has different styles.

It was in the 17th and 18th centuries that for the first time the traditional French garden style was developed during the Baroque and Rococo periods. The gardens of the era were majestic exhibitions of power and riches constructed by royalty and aristocrats for the purpose of impressing guests. Inspired in part by ancient classical gardens, traditional French garden style is formal. Spanning level ground, these geometrically shaped gardens are very well planned out in regards to their design. The terraces that are often a feature of such gardens are artificially created, and elaborately designed stairs are included to link one terrace to another. French gardens often feature large water pools which provide reflective properties and are easily built given the flat landscape. Here you will find a list of the main components of traditional, formal, French garden design.

* Yards are contained of square frames and constantly shuddered by neat, squared bushes

* Flowerbeds are also geometrical in shape rectangular, oval or circular.

An important characteristic of formal gardens in France are Parterres. On the ground intricate geometric patterns are made using a variety of materials such as colored dirt, stones, gravel or flowers. Parterres are often lined with boxwood, lavender, or rosemary. Some parterres are particularly elaborate. These are known as parterres de broderies, or embroidery parterres. From the garden terraces the visitors can see the parterres.

* Water features are mostly canals and large, flat pools. Water fountains are also important, but are usually engine-operated.

* Allees, meaning axes or rides, is the term used for the garden walks or pathways, bordered by trees or neatly clipped hedges that provided the framework of the French garden style. A fountain or accenting garden ornament of some kind is the usual destination of such straight pathways.

* French gardens feature many ornamental objects from statues and columns to birdbaths and sundials. These should be arranged symmetrically. For instance, at the end of an alley.

* Plants: Color is the foundation of the planting pattern. French gardens predominantly use pastel colors with a touches of yellow, red or orange and some lilac and blue. Ideally, gardeners should choose plants that bloom all year round.

* Primarily French in origin, and available as an optional feature, Orangerie is a large glass-enclosed room in the garden where you’ll find lemon, lime, and orange trees blooming during the cold winter months.

* Herb gardens are often included in traditional French gardens. The French garden style is well-planned and organized, providing different locations for various gardens types such as fruit, rose or herb. The herb gardens are another feature of the garden and are not just herb patches. Paving is used in a specific pattern a chessboard pattern or a circular pattern, laid out like the spokes of a wheel. Places to rest are in places where you can see the beauty of a garden. Some of the more common French herbs are lavender, rosemary, sage, marjoram, thyme and sweet bay.

A famous example of the traditional French formal garden style described above is the Versailles Gardens located just outside Paris. King Louis IV hired landscape architect Andr Le Ntre to create the Versailles Gardens, in 1661. Gardens are huge, very huge, on the far left of the Chateau de Versailles. The gardens have meticulously manicured lawns, parterres of blooming flowers, and dozens of valuable statues and sculptures. The most impressive feature of the gardens, however are its 1,400 fountains. The garden was watered with water from the Seine River which was supplied by a pumping system. Still, there was never enough water to run all the fountains at once. When King Louis IV approached, caretakers would turn the fountains on, one by one. These days their hours of operation are restricted to Sundays.

Not going to France any time soon? You can still visit a traditional French garden just by stopping by the Conservatory Garden, located in the North side of Central Park in New York City.

Gardens in France have inspired designers from all around earth. France does also have gardens that aren’t as formal such as the Giverney garden, which is the subject of many of Claude Monet’s Impressionist paintings.

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 dcor.

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 to select a container in which to grow them. Choosing the right container from the beginning can help your plants grow successfully. You can grow many vegetables from seeds, but if they are replanted too often, they will not thrive. Typically, plants grown in vegetable gardens, like tomatoes, can handle one replanting just fine. However, especially once they start to bear fruit, you should leave them alone in their container.

When you’re buying a container for your plants, imagine what they will look like when full-grown. Consider the size of the mature plant, and whether you will have enough room to let it grow in the apartment or on your patio unrestricted. For example, a hanging basket can be a great choice to hang outside your apartment, but if it is too small for the plant to grow freely, its growth will be stifled.

There are many varieties of plants that can be grown in small areas. You can have beautiful orchids, or potted plants, or palms like the bamboo palm plant. So be sure to choose these when shopping for plants to grow in your apartment. You can grow everything from herbs and vegetables to foliage and even beautiful flowers in your apartment, if you consider the plants’ requirements before purchasing them.

There are a number of ways that professional gardeners propagate new plants. The main methods, which will be described here, are stem cutting and leaf cutting. Creating new stock from cuttings serves a dual purpose: obviously, you are able to produce more plants, but you are also able to trim back the existing plant, maintaining its appearance and health and preventing it from becoming overgrown.

To create cuttings, you rarely require specialized tools. Most of what you need can be found in the average household. You will need a number of pots in varying sizes, a sharp penknife or razor blade and if you think you will need them, a “dibble” and a tamper.

When you are setting cuttings, the same guidelines should be followed. The ideal propagating mixture is vermiculite and then normal potting soil is to be used once the cutting has struck roots.

The time that each cutting takes to develop a root structure will vary according to the variety of plant and the type of cutting. Generally, the minimum time to expect for roots to begin is about three weeks, whilst others may take a much longer time.

To make a stem cutting, a section approximately four to five inches long is sliced with a diagonal cut just below a leaf node. One longer piece from an overgrown plant may provide multiple cuttings. Ensure that these cuttings, or “slips”, are made with a sharp knife or razor blade. Never use scissors as they will cause damage to the stem and rot will set in. A diagonal cut allows a greater exposure of the potential rooting surface. Any buds or excess leaves should be removed to encourage stronger rooting.

Select and fill the number of pots you require with the starting mixture. Make a hole for each slip with the dibble or a pencil, carefully place the slips into the hole and then gently press the mixture around the stem of the slip. Don’t use the slips themselves to create the hole as this will cause bruising and then rotting. Check that the base of the slip is in contact with the base of the hole to ensure successful rooting. When planting is complete, soak the slips in water either from above of below and then the pots should be covered with a glass jar or similar to prevent moisture loss. If you have a terrarium or a fishbowl that can be drilled, this will hold a number of pots at once, making handling much easier.

The planted slips should then be placed in a shaded spot and kept moist. When the slips have a root structure approximately an inch or so long, they should be repotted into their own pots that have been filled with normal potting soil. This will be on average around three to eight weeks from the time the slips were planted.

You need to be patient when you are creating new plants from cuttings. Avoid the temptation of removing them from the starting mixture to check them as you may damage the roots. Wait at least three to four weeks and you will then be able to perform a test to see if they are ready. At this time, hold the stem at the base between your thumb and index finger and gently pull. If there is resistance, carefully dig the slip out and inspect the roots. If the roots of this slip are long enough for replanting, the other slips should also be ready as they should grow at roughly the same speed.

Check the cuttings at least once or twice a week to ensure that they are moist enough. At this time it is a good idea to allow them to “air” for a short time. When they are ready for transplanting, take the covers off, carefully transplant the new plants taking care not to damage the fragile root system and give them a thorough soaking. Keep these newly transplanted specimens in the shade for another couple of weeks to allow them to get over the transplanting shock, then place them in a sunny spot.

There is no “best” time of the year for making cuttings from most house plants. Utmost care for newly propagated plants are best achieved with this style of propagation is needed especially for plants like Impatiens, Coleus, Geraniums or Pelargoniums, Ivy and Philodendron.

So you require a storage shed to keep your outdoor items decently fortified. You have shopped around to see whats usable, but you just cannot obtain one that befits your wants. Well, thats no problem. You can build one yourself ,even if you’re not a carpenter. All that is needed is ,for you to follow some quick and easy step by step plans, and you will have it constructed in no time.

Step One
Is to specify where you want to make it. You need to have a designated region projected out before you set out. What space you have open will decide the maximum size you can build it.

Step two
Once you acknowledge your precise size its a good idea to rough sketch what you need. There are numerous home improvement stores that you can take your outline to. They will draught up your storage shed plan for you, corresponding to the specifications you provide them with. They will also supply you with a list of materials that you will want. So now, your shed plans will be ready and they will provide you with a guide on how to perform each step.

Part Three
Purchase the items you will need as well-defined in your plan. its a good idea to have everything at hand so you dont have to keep going to you local store for supply materials once you start out construction.

Step Four
You are now ready to start out. Level your ground and get check to lay the groundwork. You would have already decided whether you are going to have a wood plank floor or concrete slab type.

Step Five
The sides wall comes next. Set Up your items away that you are going to use for this. It is advisable to construct the walls on the ground then lift them into place once they are together. Just conform to your guide for the how to instructions.

Part Six
Now its time to commence work the roof. You will need to build your trusses. So build one and then use it as a template for the rest. Remember to always refer back to your guide on how to establish the trusses.

Step Seven
Your garden shed should be taking on some form. Its time to construct the end walls. How you do this will count on what you have selected in your plans. Be sure to stay with your original plans.

Part Eight
Now you are getting down to the last few steps. The trim is just as important as the rest of your structure. Its what gives it that complete look so dont try to cut on costs here.

Part Nine
Your last two steps are implementing the shingles for the roof before treating the wood. This is a very important step so listen up: The wood must have some type of protective coating on it to protect it from the weather and decomposition. This can be varnish, stains or paints whatever is your taste.

Step Ten
You’re finally done! All thats left is to sit back and admire your completed storage shed. If you hadnt constructed it yourself you might actually think it was a professional store bought shed kit.

Orchids are exquisite exotic plants that produce breathtaking flowers. Orchids are located in tropical and subtropical locations around the world. There are some exceptions to this scenario however. Most have an aerial root system that are attached to the trunks of trees in their natural environment.

Orchid Pest Threats

There are several types of pests that can kill orchids, some of the most common are aphids, mealy bugs, mites, millipedes, centipedes and snails, among others. The climate and area would depend on which type of pest could invade.

Aphids suck the fluid from the Orchids, the damage comes from this bug actually biting into the plant. The tissue will experience necrosis, grow yellow and rot. Mealybugs are white or pink, they infest the plant and feed off of them. These are some of the more difficult pests and require immediate attention when discovered.

Scale bugs are white and look like they have scales. They are a frequent orchid pest. They feed off the orchid and grow quickly and get larger, harder scales. The males are winged and breed with the females. Mites are another threat, the most typical being the spider mite, that form webs on the plant and you may never even see the spider.

Millipedes and centipedes eat the rots of the plants they infest. They are quite harmful to orchids and centipedes are potentially dangerous because they can sting humans. Slugs and snails are very similar in their destruction of orchids by eating them and they are common orchid pests. Whiteflies rank as one of the three peskiest orchid pests along with aphids and spider mites.

Millipedes and centipedes will actually eat the roots of the orchid and cause rotting. They are very harmful and dangerous to human beings because they sting. Snails and slugs are similar to millipedes, in that they destroy the flower by eating the roots. Whiteflies, however, rank as the top threat to orchids.

Solving Orchid Pest Problems

There are many natural methods which you can employ to control orchid pests. You can get a natural house plant pest enemy of the pest in question and release it on the infected orchid. You do not need to use a pesticide for this reason and in the process you are not harming the environment either. If you have a number of pests infecting your plants however, you may want to consider going the route of pesticides.

You need to make sure you get the pesticide that is more natural and less environmentally harmful. This approach allows you to protect the world for future generations. Netting and protective barriers also work as another natural alternative in preventing orchid pest infestation in your garden.

The addition of trees to your landscaping will bring so much life! Trees are essential for shade, cleansing the air, providing wildlife habitat, increase property value and make memories.

If your yard is devoid of trees at this time, then you may want to consider adding some. Research has shown that having trees and landscaping also increase the value of your property. Even if you are not thinking of selling your property, trees can add years of enjoyment. If you have existing trees in your yard, you need to check and make sure they are healthy. If they are old or show signs of deterioration, you may need to plant new trees that can become established once the old ones are removed.

When planting trees it is important to consider the location. Trees can help reduce your electric bill. If you plant a tree on the southwest side of your home, it will cool the house off in the summer, this helps reduce energy costs. Once the leaves begin falling, the winter sun can warm your home on a cold day. Ever green trees can be planted as a breaker, thus further reducing your energy bill.

How new tree help reduce your energy bill

Have you ever thought of ways to reduce greenhouse gases and global warming? You can plant trees to help. One gas that causes the most issues is carbon dioxide. Trees and plants take carbon dioxide out of the air and use it for photosynthesis. The carbon is then stored in the wood and living tree tissues. When leaves fall off the trees and get composted, carbon dioxide is added back to the soil. This improves soil quality for plants and more of the carbon is stored in the organic soil matter. Carbon can be stored in the wood of trees for a long period of time, in the tree trunks or in furniture, or other products made of wood. When you plant new trees, you help to reduce levels of greenhouse gases.

Planting trees also gives food and shelter to a wide variety of animals. You can hang bird feeders in your trees to entice birds to come into your yard. Flowering trees and shrubbery are where birds feel safe, build their nests and find food. Squirrels and other small animals also use trees for nesting purposes and as a food source. When choosing your trees, you may want to consider growing guide or some that will be a good food source for the local animals.

Trees can live for many years and provide enjoyment. Planting a tree and watching it grow will be a living testament to your families memories. You may want to plant a tree to honor a milestone in your families life. Raking leaves seems like a chore as we get older, but jumping and playing in the piles are great fun for children. You can hang a swing in a tree, build a tree house, or just sit under it and relax.

When trying to buy a new plant, you may realize that there are more decisions to make than you’d thought. You may come home with too many or too few plants, or purchase plants that aren’t compatible with each other. Of course, you also need to consider the quality of each plant, making sure it is in good condition to thrive once you get it home.

Here are a few things to look for when buying plants:

1) Where will they be going? Whether you are looking for houseplants or plants for your yard, this is an important consideration. If you’re choosing indoor plants, decide where they will be kept, so that you’ll know how much or how little sunlight they will receive. The same goes for outdoor plants. Have an idea of where they will be going so that you know the conditions in which they’ll be grown.

2) Which plants are already there? Especially if you’re trying to fill out an existing spot, be aware of the surrounding plants. Make sure that your choice is compatible for the space you have. For example, have the surrounding plants already reached their full mature size? If not, choose a smaller plant, leaving room for everything to grow. You may also want to choose annuals instead of perennials, so that your existing plants will have room to grow before you choose a permanent plant for that spot. Otherwise, it may become over-crowded, and the plants will have trouble thriving.

3) What is your end goal? Do you want to add different colors and textures to a flower bed? If so, you can probably choose plants by these characteristics without any complications. If you’re trying to create a certain style, like an English cottage garden or a desert cactus garden, be sure to look for plants that would fit into this environment.

4) How healthy are the plants? Once you are at the nursery or garden center, pay attention to the individual plants you’re choosing. Also consider your own personal gardening abilities. If you’re not sure how to take care of the plant, stay away from ones that look like they’ll need extra care to nurse them back to optimum health.

5) How much do you have to spend? Many gardeners spend more than they had intended to once they walk into a nursery. It’s easy to get caught up in choosing beautiful plants for your yard, but be sure to stick to your budget. It may be helpful to write down the cost when shopping for plant. Some plants can be costly for their foliage while others like dracaena marginata can be costly because of their trunks. That way, you won’t keep adding to your purchase until you go way over-budget.

Buying plants can be fun, and if you consider these tips, you’ll be able to choose plants that will thrive in your garden. Whether you are choosing one plant to fill in a space or several plants to create a new bed, consider these questions to help you choose wisely.

Formosan subterranean termites were discovered in Tampa near Tampa International Airport in 1991. A termite inspection found an established colony in nearby Temple Terrace in 1999. Soon after that they were detected in a warehouse in South Tampa. In 2003, they were they were detected on Harbor Island, near downtown Tampa.

There can be little doubt that new Formosan termite colonies are now established in or near Tampa. Unfortunately, they haven’t yet been found. Increased awareness is critical. The only options are frequent termite inspections by trained professionals and, if needed, immediate treatment. The silent invasion by the Formosan termite leaves few other options.

All coastal communities across Florida and the Gulf Coast are at risk from Formosan subterranean termites. Tampa is just one example. These termites have now been found in at least 14 other Florida counties. Once Formosan termites become established in an area, it’s very difficult, some would say impossible, to eradicate them.

In the French Quarter of New Orleans more than 90% of the buildings are infested. Throughout New Orleans, Formosan termites cost more than $300 million per year for control and repair. In Hawaii, Formosan subterranean termites are now believed to be the single most economically important insect pest.

Formosan termites have a considerable appetite for wood. An average native subterranean termite colony can ingest about 7 pounds of wood per year. A Formosan termite colony will easily eat more than 1,000 pounds of wood. Colony size is the difference. Formosan termite colonies may number above 10 million termites, while a typical native subterranean colony often numbers under 1 million.

Formosan termites attack a much wider array of food sources, such as furniture, books and even living trees. They can be extremely persistent in finding a way into buildings. Unlike other types of termites, they can chew through thin lead, copper sheeting, PVC, foam insulation boards, plaster, asphalt, rubber, and some plastics to find wood. They can find even the smallest (1/16″) cracks through concrete.

What methods of prevention or control exist? Fumigation, a standard for drywood termites, is not effective for subterranean termites. Formosan subterranean termites have both underground and above ground nests, so fumigation, or tenting, will only kill those termites inside the building being fumigated. The portion of the colony that is underground will not be affected. When the gas clears, the termites will return.

Bait stations have been use to detect and prevent termites since the mid 1990’s. These devices work by attracting termites and then using very small amounts of slow-acting poison to kill the colony over many months. These bait stations are very effective when used by a trained termite professional. Over many years they’ve become the primary tool used to protect and treat properties from Formosan termites.

Property along the entire Gulf Coast, from Florida to Texas is in danger from Formosan termites. The only effective protection available to property owners is to find a termite professional that offers a protection program. These programs typically include an annual termite inspection and the installation and monitoring of bait stations.

Texas Phoenix Palm Decline (TPPD), also known as Texas Palm Decline (TPD), was discovered in Texas in the southern coastal region in the late 1970’s. TPPD is relatively new to Florida as it was first found in Florida in 2006.

This palm decline disease is very similar to Lethal Yellowing. Hundreds of thousands of palms have been killed in south Florida since the 1950’s by Lethal Yellowing. The disease appears to be spread by an insect feeding on the sap of an infected palm. As the insect feeds on other palms, the disease is spread.

Texas Palm Decline appears to be moving in to the west central portion of Florida, ready to infect thousands of palms in the Phoenix family, including wild date palms, Canary Island Date palms, and edible date palms. These palms can be quite expensive - $5,000 to $10,000 each.

Other palms affected include the Queen palm, which is less expensive but much more numerous., and the Sabal palm, a Florida native and the Florida state tree. The presence of Texas Palm Decline has been confirmed in Polk, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties in west central Florida. Experts predict the palm decline disease will spread as palms are often bought, sold and moved throughout Florida.

Symptoms of Texas Phoenix Palm Decline include browning of the lower fronds, death of the spear (the youngest unfolded frond), fronds dying prematurely, flowers and fruit dying prematurely, premature fruit drop and eventual death of the palm.

Many of these Texas Phoenix Palm Decline symptoms may also be caused by herbicide or insect damage, lightning damage, overpruning or nutritional deficiencies. It takes a good deal of expertise to sort these palm decline symptoms out.

If you have concerns about Texas Palm Decline, and whether your palms are infected, the next step is to call a certified arborist or a palm expert. They will sort out the symptoms and prepare samples for a lab to test. Lab confirmation of Texas Phoenix Palm Decline in the palm will require the removal of the palm. It is in the best interest of the community to protect the remaining palms fro further spread of the palm decline disease.

If the spear leaf of your palm has not died, but Texas Palm Decline symptoms currently exist, the palm may be saved with regular injections of oxytetracycline Hcl, an antibiotic. These injections, which must continue every 4 months for the life of the palm, can offer protection from palm decline.. This same antibiotic program may also be used on healthy palms to prevent Texas Phoenix Palm Decline when the disease is known to occur in the area.