Holding a positive attitude is all the rage right now. “If you focus on the things you don’t want, you will attract them to yourself” – is what’s on many peoples’ lips today. This no doubt is all very true, but without decrying the wisdom being imparted today, the amateur home gardener should be aware of the things that may be lurking in the backyard, some of which can actually endanger life and limb.

Poisonous plants

Admittedly, many plants are toxic to at least some extent. Some people are allergic to common favorites like Olive and Cypress trees. Furthermore, there is always the proverbial one in a million chance of a person being allergic to a particular plant that is not generally supposed to be allergenic. Taken to an extreme, we would be frightened of putting anything at all in the garden. There is of course no need for this. Nevertheless, common sense should prevail, and the life threatening species ought to be avoided. One such case in dry climate gardens, is the ornamental shrub Nerium Oleander, where all parts of the plant, if eaten, can be fatal. Even burning dry branches is liable to be dangerous.

Spiky and thorny plants

As with plants that posses some level of toxicity, the exclusion of every thorny species would mean that many excellent ornamental mainstays would be lost to the garden. Roses for instance, would suffer a banning order. Without going to such lengths, it is nonetheless prudent to avoid plants that can cause serious injury. The spikes of Yucca are horrific, and often spring out at a child’s eye level. I am always horrified to see them at the edge of a lawn, where children are innocently running around.

Another horror plant is the widely used date palm. (Phoenix dactilyfera) It is totally unsuited to a small garden or to any narrow space. I personally know a 5 year old boy who is suffering one year on after being stabbed in the arm from a date palm leaf, for the plant is not only dangerously thorny, but highly allergenic as well. If you want a palm tree in the garden, choose a non-violent type like Archontophoenix instead. For similar reasons, the Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) with its razor sharp leaves, should only be planted where there is no danger of people brushing passed it.

It is worthwhile therefore taking an inventory of the plants currently in your garden. Spikey plants in vulnerable places should be removed, while an expert specializing in poisonous plants should be consulted with, in order to ascertain as to which are dangerously toxic to an unacceptable degree.

My name is Jonathan Ya’akobi.

I’ve been gardening in a professional capacity since 1984. I am the former head gardener of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, but now concentrate on building gardens for private home owners. I also teach horticulture to students on training courses. I’d love to help you get the very best from your garden, so you’re welcome to visit me on http://www.dryclimategardening.com

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For indoor planting, orchid lights are needed when there’s less light during the season, typically during the cold season where there’s limited sunlight, depending on where you are. If you are faced with this situation, then use artificial orchids light to help your orchid grow during those times.

Many people have successfully grown orchids indoors, with the help of artificial lights. So what are the types to be used? You can use normal fluorescent and hang t about a foot above your orchids. It is also possible to have combination of cool and warm fluorescent lights. Cool fluorescent provide more of the blue spectrum whereas the warm fluorescent lights provide more of red spectrum of light for your plants.

There are also growing light that you can use. You can buy a timer so you know how much light you have provided for your plant. Normally it is advisable to have twelve hours of light for orchids. They love light and not having enough light is one of the key factors which prevent your plant from blooming.

It is important to check with the vendor on how much light your orchids need before you buy your orchids. There are thousands of orchid species available. Each orchid species have its own little “idiosyncrasies” pertaining to suitability of environment including how much light. Note that down so that you can offer your plant the correct amount for their optimum well-being.

Besides growing light, there is also the more expensive broad spectrum light. Usually these types of lights provide the range of spectrum that is closest to that of sunlight, thereby giving your plant maximum benefit. You can get these lights at nurseries, garden supplies stores or even online. Check out with the experience staff they have on the lights.

That being said, you can still be successful with fluorescent lights. Place your plant by the window where it’ll get light which is not burning. For example, having your plant at the eastern facing window is a good choice. If you don’t have a choice and the sun is very strong and a window shade that partially hide the sunlight e.g. those shades which are translucent. This will protect your plant yet provide them the light that they needed.

Lisa McDonnel is an orchid enthusiast with many years of experience. For more great tips on orchid lights, visit http://www.growingorchidsindoors.net

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Using gardening seeds is less expensive than buying seedling from the local garden supply center. You can start your plants indoors. Then when the weather allows it, you can plant them outdoors.

 

You will need a box or a tray that is about three or four inches deep and roughly a foot wide and two feet long.

 

Gardening seeds need good potting soil or peat moss or a seed raising mix from the garden supply center.

 

Your gardening seeds should be planted about a half-inch deep or a little less and they should be planted about two inches apart as well.

 

Water the seeds regularly to keep moist, but do not over water them. If you over water your seeds they will potentially rot and you will not have any plants grow.

 

The box should be covered with saran wrap or a piece of glass. The reason that you do this is hold the moisture inside. It creates a greenhouse effect for the gardening seeds to germinate.

 

Once your seeds have germinated, you can remove the cover from the box. Your seedlings can be placed near a window for stronger light at this stage.

 

As your seedlings grow, you will need to thin them out a bit to allow the stocks to grow. Two inches apart is a good rule of thumb.

 

Once the weather warms up outside, you can place your box of seedlings outside for part of the day. Make sure you bring them inside at night.

 

Once the chance of frost is gone, you can start to plant the seedlings in the garden. Give them a good watering before they are transplanted, this allows a good ball of dirt to stick to the roots before transplanting.

 

Preparing your gardening seeds in this manner is a great way to get a head start on the growing season.

 

Having your own vegetable garden is very rewarding. Nurturing your vegetables from gardening seeds into healthy and tasty food is something that many people take great pride in achieving.

Tom has been gardening for years. He hopes to pass along his experience on such things as gardening supplies. Visit his site for more information on how to grow your own vegetables. http://www.mygardeningbasics.com
By T. Houser

Thanks To : BabyForMom.com