Archive for September, 2009

30
Sep

Ivy For Your Home And Garden

Author: SarahMartin

This plant, in some of its varieties, is probably the most popular ornament of the parlor. The ease of culture, its beautiful foliage, its rapid growth, and evergreen character all combine to make it a favorite.

The soil should be a rich loam; the richer the soil the more rapid will be the growth. Yet avoid stimulating manures. Slips root readily, taken off at any leaf joint, and placed either in earth or water; in the latter they will soon throw out roots, and may then be transferred to pots.

The only precaution to be taken in growing ivy is to keep it from frost while in growth and if frozen, to keep the sun away from it, thawing it out with cold water from whatever garden water feature (http://www.garden-fountains.com/Detail.bok?no=2922) you possess. In summer the plants may be set out of doors, and will make vigorous growth.

There are many species, of which the most common is Hedera Helix, the common twining ivy, a native of Europe, of which there are many varieties. The leaves of these varieties vary quite a bit and many distinctions have been founded on these variations.

There are two very beautiful kinds, the silver and golden, the foliage being beautifully variegated with white and gold. The Tree or Aborescent Ivy is merely a form of the common variety, which is shown by its returning to the primal Aborescent form not infrequently. The leaves are entire, and the plant often, retains its form for years.

H. Roegneriana is a variety with large, heart-shaped leaves, which is much esteemed.

H. digitata, the palmate or hand-shaped Ivy is a pretty variety, of rapid growth; the leaves are small, dark, and veined. This is often called, erroneously, the Irish Ivy.

H. Canariensis is the Irish, or Giant Ivy, the leaves are five-lobed, and larger than those of the common ivy. This type of ivy may not be best for areas where patio statuary (http://www.garden-fountains.com/Detail.bok?no=3416) is on display since it can grow quite large and overshadow the statues.

Almost all the varieties of nurserymen’s’ catalogs are merely forms of these, with peculiar foliage.

The Golden Ivy is a splendid plant; when the young

leaves come out it resembles a mass of yellow flowers. Ivies are grown in hanging baskets, around windows, made to trail around picture frames and looking glasses; indeed, they may be made decorative in the highest degree.

The plants should always be well supplied with water, though it should never be allowed to stand at the roots. Large plants of the common varieties may be procured inexpensively. The ornamental foliaged varieties are somewhat pricier.

If you have ivy growing out of doors (and it will thrive if you keep the winter’s sun away from it), a pretty effect may be produced by cutting large branches, and keeping them in vases or outdoor fountains of rain water. They will grow well all winter, and planted in spring make nice plants for autumn.

The plant commonly known as German Ivy is not an ivy; the botanical name is Senecio Scandens. It is deservedly popular, from its rapid growth and its freedom from insects. The Coliseum Ivy is a species of Snap-dragon, as may be seen from an examination of the flowers, and a very pretty plant it is; botanically it is Linaria Cymbalaria.

Five-leaved Ivy is the Virginia Creeper or Woodbine (Ampelopsis Virginica), a native of our woods. The Poison Ivy is Rhus Radicans or Rhus Toxicodendron, and not of the same family as any of the above.

Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in landscaping, gardening, and the placement and collection of outdoor fountains. For a wide variety of patio statuary, please visit http://www.garden-fountains.com/.


28
Sep

Landscaping With Woody Plants

Author: TammySons

Landscape plantings, whether for large public grounds, home properties or nursery, are most satisfying when a clear pattern is apparent to people using the space. Serenity and simplicity are important for outdoor design. Select and use the fewest possible varieties of evergreen plants for an obvious purpose.

Woody plants, by definition, are plants that have hard stems, thus the name ‘woody’, and that have buds which survive above ground in winter. They are typically perennial plants having their stems and larger roots reinforced with wood produced adjacent to the vascular tissues. Wood is an adaptation that permits woody plants to grow from above ground stems year after year, thus making some woody plants the tallest and largest plants. For example, trees, which are further broken down into the evergreen and deciduous categories, are woody plants.

Trees block out part of the sky, defining the sky’s border, besides contributing structure to the garden. Branches and trunks act as beams and posts to bring the sky down to a more human scale. For this sky management, trees have a purpose in every landscape. By providing the shade, they are able to filter sunlight and cool the air via evapotranspiration, thus leaves can reduce the temperature by nearly 10 degrees Fahrenheit on a hot summer day. Every garden should have a shady nook, as shade also protects from excess sun that can be dangerous for your skin and harm your eyes. Some trees are known as ‘shade trees ’, which are normally taller trees with a broad crown.

Woody landscape plants represent a natural resource of considerable economic, cultural and strategic importance. Woody plants come in all shapes and sizes, from tall and erect to low and creeping. Woody plants are evergreen and deciduous shrubs, basically any plant that does not die back to the ground is considered a woody plant, thus trees and shrubs would be considered woody plants. Woody plants are available from low-growing ground cover type plants to 100-foot towering trees. Woody plants are a permanent, year long presence in the landscape which helps determine their major uses. They can provide a canopy for outdoor rooms, create a backdrop for ornamental herbaceous plants, provide shade from the hot summer sun or shelter from winter winds, help conserve energy in our homes, screen undesirable views, provide edible food for us, provide food and shelter for wildlife, create striking seasonal interest with flowers, fruit, twigs and barks, and fill the air with fragrance, and visually balance buildings in the landscape.

Virginia Blue Bells is a favorite woodland wildflower, and they prefer light shade to partial sun in most wooded areas with rich soil. The foliage generally dies down by mid-summer. Each Virginia Blue Bell blossom consists of five fused petals that form their tubular shape. Their buds begin with a pinkish shade that transforms into a blue-violet color as they age. The flowers are about one inch long with five stamens surrounding one central pistil. Butterflies are the most common pollinators, as they can easily perch on the edges and enjoy the nectar. The flowers die rather quickly, and the plants are usually dormant by early June. They should be planted near ferns like, the Christmas Fern and other native wildflowers that bloom later in the year to provide your garden with color for the remaining summer season.

Christmas Fern is found mostly in woodlands, and should be placed in a garden in masses, or added to shade beds for year round color and contrasts with other perennials.

Christmas Ferns are popular as they are one of the few ferns that will stay green all winter long, and being an evergreen fern, it adds color to a garden all year through. Christmas Fern occur in moist and dry wooded areas, ravines and moist banks. These asymmetrical ferns have a fine texture and a dense crown, which will sprout new fiddleheads in the springtime, and they prefer partial shade. Christmas Ferns have 12 to 18 inches fountain like clumps of fronds with leathery, lance-shaped, dark green leaflets and the fronds of these ferns vary in length from 2 to 3 feet. They can be planted in pots, on the ground and are widely used for floral arrangements.

http://www.tnnursery.net Tn Nursery is a tree farm and wholesale nursery selling trees,plants,fern and perennials.


28
Sep

What Is A Wholesale Nursery?

Author: TammySons

Type of plants in a nursery

The majority of nurseries grow a wide variety of annuals, perennials, woody plants, trees, and shrubs. The plants sold at nurseries can be used to beautify the landscape, make the home garden pretty or one can even buy vegetable and agricultural plants. Nurseries can also be very focused and may be involved in only one period of plant growth. Some nurseries only propagate plants, others grow the adult plants, some only sell plants for landscaping and other sells plants for ground cover (e.g. shade trees, rock garden plants).

There are several ways to propagate plants but most nurseries use methods like budding, grafting or layering.

Nursery and Green Houses

Plants at a nursery are often grown in a green house. The green house is usually a structure made of glass or specialized plastic to help capture the sun’s rays. Green houses also protect young plants and shrubs from cold frigid weather while at the same time providing access to light and clean air. Most modern greenhouses have state of the art equipment with features like automatic temperature control, improved ventilation, alternating light and day cycles, semi computerized watering systems. Some green houses also have roofs that can open to permit “toughening” of plants without the need to manually transfer the plants outside on a regular basis.

Running a Nursery

Running a nursery is hard work and required hands on labor. Even though many equipments/systems have become efficient, a lot of other basic work still requires labor. Running a nursery is also time-consuming because not all plants can be cared for in a similar method or at the same time. Different plants require diverse conditions to grow so plant care in a nursery requires meticulous observation, sound judgment and some manual skills. To be a first rate nursery, one also requires good judgment and aptitude when it comes to selecting appropriate plants for sell.

Even when plants are ready for sell, business is seasonal, with most consumers buying in spring and autumn. One can never foretell when there will be a demand for the plant. Further, the environment (e.g. drought, frost), temperature, cheaper overseas products, and outbreaks of diseases also affect plant production. Running a nursery is always linked with certain risks and nothing is guaranteed.

When plants are ready, they are sold in several ways. Nurseries may sell some annuals in large trays, flat trays, peat pots, porcelain, or plastic pots. Each tray may contain only one or several plants. Most perennials, shrubs and woody plants may be sold in either pots, bare root or balled and in several sizes, varying from liners to mature trees.

TN Nursery

At TN Nursery, we are a wholesale nursery grower of many plant supplies for reforestoration and landscaping companies. We serve states coast to coast and strive to maintain the highest quality. At TN nursery, we keep a large supply of native trees, reforestoration seedlings, native plants, shrubs, perennials, ferns, vining plants, bare root liners, seedlings, and whips at wholesale grower prices. We also carry wholesale B&B trees, wholesale bare root trees, shrubs, perennials, flowering trees and shrubs, as well as some rare & unusual perennials. TN Nursery is a state-certified nursery grower of specimen-quality wholesale flowering trees and shrubs. We strive to get our customers the best rate on shipping.

Why you should buy from TNnursery

All our plants are nursery propagated and adapted to Tennessee climate and soil conditions. The benefits of buying our nursery plants include the following:

- Ability to withstand drought for up to 12 months

- Ability to withstand cold frigid temperatures or snow

- Widespread root system of some plants may help control soil erosion

- Many of our plants have ability to resist insects and diseases

- Provide home for both fauna and wild life

- Low maintenance in the long run

- Some of our plants with extensive roots can help water penetration in soil and reduce water wastage

- Most of our plants are durable and can be grown in harsh climates

For more on Landscaping plants, pricing and shipping please visit tn nursery.

http://www.tnnursery.net a wholesale nusery of growers serving the tree nursery and landscape industry with speciam quality trees,shrubs,plants,perennials,native plants and fern.


27
Sep

A fountain in a garden gives it an ambiance of serenity and elegance, whether the garden is big or small. You will find a wide selection of garden fountains to choose from when you search online. Sitting in your garden or enjoying the view from your patio as you listen to the trickle of water in the large fountain (http://www.garden-fountains.com/Detail.bok?no=2914) will fill you with a sense of peace. You can become one with nature as the sounds of the water sharpen your sense to the other sounds of nature all around you.

Garden fountains have existed since prehistoric times. The ancient Romans always had a fountain in the courtyard and it is evident that this feature was a part of life in Ancient Egypt from the hieroglyphs that have been found on the walls of ancient tombs. Not only were these areas where the people washed, but they were also decorations for formal gardens. The use of fountains in the garden is still a time-honored tradition in many countries of the Orient, especially in Japan.

If you have a large garden, you may like the large and dramatic garden fountains. Attach the fountain to make a wall fountain (http://www.garden-fountains.com/Detail.bok?no=3414) or choose a free standing one that rests on its own base. Some of the choices in this area are a Buddha Fountain, one that is reminiscent of Ancient Greece or Rome or one that looks like an antique shelf. The fountains can be made from a variety of materials, such as fibreglass, cast iron, stone, copper, ceramic, concrete and wood.

You do need to provide protection for them during the colder months of winter when they can become damaged from ice and snow build up. This does not mean you have to take them indoors, although this would be a good idea. You can buy a protective covering that you place over the fountain to protect it from the elements of the weather. You should always take the pump out of the fountain during the winter and make sure that all the water has been drained. If the water freezes, this could result in cracks that will mar the look of the fountain.

Garden fountains that contain waterfalls will enhance the look of your garden. Research shows that having a waterfall in your backyard will help to improve your health through the healing benefits it provides for your inner soul. They release negative ions into the air, which helps to purify the air around you and help you to breathe more deeply.

When you look at the garden fountains and choose the one you want to purchase, you should be aware that you must buy the pump and the attachments separately. There are detailed instructions to help you connect the pump and the hoses for the water, but if you prefer you can also have a professional do the work for you. The fountains themselves are easy to install and most of the modern varieties only need one person to accomplish this task.

You can install a fountain in a small pond in your garden and they can be used as the focal centerpiece of the garden. It is a wide decision, though, to install garden fountains as close to the water source as possible. This means you won’t have to disrupt too much of the ground in order to install the water cables and pipes that you need.

Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer specializing in landscaping, home improvement, and the best kind of garden fountains. To find the perfect wall fountain or garden fountain for your home, please visit http://www.garden-fountains.com/.


27
Sep

When you enjoy your garden with its lawn areas, flowers and shrubs, one of the ways to enhance the overall ambiance of the garden is to install a garden fountain. Before you run out and buy a fountain though you do need to do a bit of planning. You have to size up your garden to find the perfect place where you can display it to its best advantage. Take the measurements of the garden so that you have it in a place where it won’t look out of place or dominate the garden itself. You also have to look at the various types of patio fountains (http://www.garden-fountains.com/Detail.bok?no=3413) available in order to get one that is just the right size for your needs.

You need to place a garden fountain in the best location so that you can easily see when you sit in your favorite place, whether this is on the patio or on a bench in the garden itself. You also need to hear the water flowing in the fountain, which will give you a sense of peace and serenity. Since there are many styles of fountains to choose from, you should take a bit of time and do some research to find the one that will best suit the style of your garden. There are numerous sites online that sell these fountains and offer information of the types of gardens they suit.

If you have a pond on your property, then this would be the natural location for a garden fountain (http://www.garden-fountains.com/Detail.bok?no=1070). You shouldn’t let a small size garden deter you because there are wall fountains that will not use up any of the land space. These attach to any wall and give the same effect as the freestanding fountains. You also have a choice in materials when you consider installing a fountain in your garden. There are models made from fiberglass, stone, ceramic, cast iron, porcelain, concrete and many others which stand up well and serve you for many years.

Installing a garden fountain is a very simple task. If you decide upon a freestanding fountain, then you will likely have to pour a concrete foundation for the base to keep it firmly in place. This is a necessity if the area in which you live receives high winds. Some models of outdoor fountains include the pump and the accessories or you may have to purchase these separately.

The instructions that come with them are detailed enough that you can complete the installation on your own, but there are professionals who will do the job for a price. Once you know where you are going to place the fountain in the garden, then you just have to connect the pump to a source of water. In some cases, you may have to dislodge some of the sods in order to connect the pump to the main water line, but you can achieve this without too much disruption to the garden if you take your time.

Browse the extensive lists of garden fountains available online to choose one that meets your needs in style and size. You may want to recreate the fountain images of pictures you have seen of courtyards in the ancient world or in the Orient. Take your time in making the decision so that you are completely satisfied with the overall result.

Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer specializing in landscaping, home improvement, and gardening. For the perfect garden fountain, patio fountain, or for a wide selection of outdoor fountains, please visit http://www.garden-fountains.com/.


23
Sep

The Joy of Having an Herb Garden

Author: MitchGleason

Starting your own herb garden can be a terrific way to spice up your life and save a little money at the same time. Some herbs are even said to have certain healing properties, an added plus to having your on herb garden. And the best thing is that its fairly easy to grow your own herbs. You don’t even have to have a big yard because even if you live in an apartment you can get a little window box to grow your herbs in. You will love the taste of your food and may even be inspired to cook more when you take the opportunity to experiment with all of your wonderful herbs and see how great they can be. After buying your soil and the container you will grow your herbs in if your not going to plant them in a garden you will want to decide exactly which herbs you wish to grow. There is a wide variety of herbs to choose from so you will want to read up on them in order to decide which ones you will like the most. Much of the decision depends on the variety of foods you enjoy cooking and eating. Here we will take a look at some of the more popular herbs in order to give you an idea of what is out there.

Rosemary – Rosemary is best known for its ability to compliment potatoes, especially red potatoes, but the tasteful herb also goes great with poultry dishes as well. Both the needles and the flowers of the plant may be used in cooking and even the stems have a use. Stems work great as skewers for any kind of kabobs and will give your meat and veggies an excellent touch of flavor. Rosemary is also known to strengthen the memory which is an added bonus.

Basil – Basil is generally thought of as an Italian spice but is often used in Indian dishes as well. because basil comes in a variety of flavors it is a very versatile herb. Some of the more common flavors that pair well with basil are tomatoes, eggplant, meats, and pepper.

Oregano – Oregano is another herb known to compliment Italian food and is an excellent addition to pizza as well. Paired great with tomatoes this is an terrific herb to give your pasta sauces an added kick.

Cilantro – Although a little less common than those mentioned previously cilantro is becoming more and more popular as Latin food is infused more and more into the American culture. Cilantro is sometimes referred to as Chinese parsley but is used more often in dishes that have a little Latin or Indian spice to them.

Parsley – Parsley is one of the most commonly used herbs and goes great with almost any meal and is easy to grow as well. Parsley can also add an additional serving of vitamin C to your diet as well as flavinoids.

Now that you have a few herbs to get you going you get started on adding a little spice to your meals everyday.

Mitch Gleason has been a business writer for the past 15 years contributing to many business periodicals. Read some of his articles about Thank you gift basket and other amazing Bulk gift items.


22
Sep

A Wholesale Native Plant Nursery carries a variety of wetland mitigation plants. Wetland mitigation is the creation, restoration, or enhancement of wetlands, to compensate for wetlands that were or may be lost due to regulated activities or non-exempt agricultural activities. Wetland mitigation creation projects establish wetlands on upland sites. During creation projects, the elevations of the uplands are usually lowered by grading the soil for the purpose of increasing the frequency of soil saturation and flooding. Wetland restoration projects reestablish wetlands on sites where they were formerly located. Projects to improve the functions of existing wetlands by providing additional protection are considered wetland enhancement projects. Planting wetlands that are farmed or dominated by lawn grass is the most common type of enhancement project. Projects that can enhance existing wetlands, such as stabilizing the banks or restoring the natural meander pattern to a channelized stream, are examples of stream restoration projects. Enhancement projects do not, however, increase the acreage of wetlands.

One example of wetland mitigation plants is the Red Rucer Red Maple. The tree has an oval shape with string wood and is a fast grower. It is used for medium to wide tree lawns that are between four to six feet wide and over six feet in width. The Red Rucer Red Maple is typically used for barrier strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in highways or as a residential street tree in northern and mild south climates. It can grow to between 60 and 70 feet in height with a spread of 23 to 35 feet. Its crown shape is oval, round and upright and its density is moderate, with a medium texture. The exceptional characteristic of the tree is its red, orange or yellow fall colors, sometimes all on the same tree, which lasts for several weeks. It is often one of the first trees to turn to fall colors and has a brilliant display.

Another example of wetland mitigation plants is the Split Beard Bluestem. Split Beard Bluestem is used as an ornament in landscapes and in flower arrangements because of its fluffy, cottony, or silvery appearing seed heads scattered over the length of each stem. To some people, the grass evokes images of shooting fireworks. It is a native, warm-season, herbaceous, perennial bunch grass that begins its growth in April. The stems are up to five feet tall, slender, and erect. The sheaths are purple and are covered with hair, especially during early plant growth. The upper part of the plant is rounded and the lower part is slightly flattened. The blade is ⅛ to


20
Sep

If you have always wanted a fresh garden but thought you never could because of a lack of yard space, you are in luck. People who live in condominiums, apartments or rentals may find that there is not a yard to plant anything in. Even if there is, if you are renting, there is a chance that you are not allowed to dig up the yard. This can be very upsetting for someone who enjoys fresh herbs in their dishes or for their afternoon tea.

Luckily, there is a solution. There are herb gardens that can be grown indoors. This is perfect for anyone that has yard restrictions or simply does not feel like dealing with the back breaking work of an outside garden. An indoor herb garden is something that you can purchase for yourself and even grab a few to give as gifts. Just about anyone who enjoys to cook would enjoy an indoor herb garden, even if their experience with growing herbs is limited.

There are two main ways to get your fresh garden going. You can create your own garden by visiting a local nursery and select herb plants or seeds that you feel you could make the most use out of. There are also kits that you can buy which already have everything ready to go for you. All you have to do is water and provide light.

You will want to make sure that you are keeping your fresh garden watered, while being careful not to over water it. As you clip the leaves or sprigs from the plant, make sure that you are not clipping too much. You want to leave growth on the plant so that it can continue to produce herbs for you.

A great place for the fresh garden is on a window sill in a kitchen. For those who do not have window sills, there are other options. Consider creating your indoor herb garden in a hanging plant pot. You can hang this pot in front of a window, which will be great for growing herbs, and it will also serve as a very nice decoration.

Once your herbs are growing nicely, you will want to invite friends over for some homemade herbal tea or throw a dinner party. Your guests will be thrilled at the fact that you grew the herbs yourself and prepared their dinner and tea with them. Be prepared for a lot of questions as your friends find interest in your indoor herb garden. You will also get a lot of compliments and requests for more delightful treats from your kitchen.

If you have not purchased or created your own fresh garden yet, what are you waiting for? Since it is an indoor herb garden, you do not have to wait for the weather to break. You can grow your very own herbs all year round as long as you are taking care of the plants. So get started and enjoy all of the tastiness that comes from the herbs you grow.

Suzie O’Connor is the owner of ChickenHousesPlus.com which carries an extensive


19
Sep

Planning Your Landscape

Author: PatMunro

Given the importance of landscaping to the beauty and value of the home, it’s a pity that most homeowners have no clue about how to design an attractive and functional landscape. More often than not, the paltry shrubs, narrow driveway and front walk remain the same as it was when the builder installed it. Skilled professional landscape architects and designers understand how to select and position plants and paved areas to create a beautiful and functional landscape that enhances a home.

Builders often skimp on landscaping, putting in a straight, narrow walk way to the front door and lining the front of the house with an unexciting variety of shrubs and trees. A professional is more creative, enhancing the appearance of the home with the layout of the landscape and choosing plants that are beautiful on their own. A good landscape design makes access to various parts of the house and the outdoor living spaces easy. The design considers where people will walk and locates walkways for routes most commonly traveled. Walks lead to all entrances, but the design makes it obvious which is the main entrance. The landscape plan will provide adequate parking for your family and guests, and allow for easy maneuvering of cars. It will also increase your outdoor living space by creating private places for relaxing and entertaining, providing your family and guests a place to enjoy the outdoors. It can also improve both the indoor and outdoor climates by moderating sun and wind. A screen of Evergreens such as pines can be located to block street noise, trap dirt, and provide privacy. Deciduous trees such as oak or maples can be positioned to shade and cool the house in the summertime, but let warm sun in wintertime. Evergreen hedges positioned on the north and west sides of the house will slow winter winds and lower heating costs.

In the same way a persons clothing can flatter a figure, landscaping can be used to trick the eye, and flatter a house. A well designed property can make your house or property seem smaller or larger. For instance a diminutive house can be turned into a quaint cottage with the addition of a picket fence, flower beds, and a large shade tree. To make a house look more substantial, anchor the house with medium-height trees, a formal hedge, and a symmetrical planting of foundation shrubs.

Whether you do it yourself, or hire a contractor, a landscape makeover doesn’t need to be completed all at once. Don’t fret over it taking years to complete. You can begin landscaping the front yard by first planting the large shade trees and installing the walks, driveway and lawn. Next put in the foundation planting and follow with the shrub borders along the edge of the property. In the back, begin by planting trees and privacy screens then follow it up with patio and garden beds. Installed and planted over several years, larger, more elaborate landscapes are more easily handled by a do-it-yourselfer. Alternately, spreading the work over several years may also make hiring a landscape contractor more affordable to homeowners.

For professional landscaping designs, landscape construction, spectacular gardens and water features. masterlandscapers.ca


19
Sep

It might be surprising to some, but most herbs grow better in an indoor herb garden. Majority of herbs are annuals. Annual herbs and plants have a year lifespan. They grow and bloom in one season, then die afterwards within a year. You may think that this type of herbs is too costly, but you actually extend the life of your annuals.

Here are some key points explained in establishing an indoor garden.

Knowing the easy-to-grow indoor herbs

Annuals are the best type for indoor gardens. Since they have a limited lifespan, they cannot be exposed to continuously changing weathers. Their roots usually have small growth; hence they cannot withstand the outside environment. Their leaves would easily wither and they could be easily uprooted.

Some varieties of basil like Thai, Holy Basil or Tulsi and lemon, chives, scented geranium, lavender, rosemary, sweet woodruff and lemon verbena are some of the annuals appropriate in indoor settings. These could grow in small pots and could survive without constant exposure to sunlight. However, some may need to be taken outdoors once in a while. These would be further explained in the succeeding parts.

On the other hand, some perennials could also survive in indoor environments. They just need seasonal outdoor exposure.

Having the right locations

Window areas, door openings, atriums and any area inside your house with natural lighting or close proximity to outside ventilation are the most suitable places for indoor herbs. In the kitchen, place them near the windows which should always be left open or at least ajar. Just a few hours under ample sunlight could make your plants healthier.

If you are into aromatic herbs, you most definitely want them placed in various parts of the house. But be sure to take them outside for at least one, at most three hours daily. Too much sunlight could cause their roots to dry up which would then result to frequent wilting of the leaves.

Perennials could also stay indoors but as much as possible expose them to sunlight regularly. Allot them the spots where there is most sun exposure. If you have limited space near the open areas, you could use chains to hang them instead.

Taking care of the herbs – on watering, pruning and soil maintenance

Indoor plants need as much water as outdoor plants. You can water them every other two days. But never drown the soil as the roots would be too soggy to absorb other nutrients from the soil.

You can also do occasional pruning. But do not remove drying foliage immediately. Letting them fall on the pot would make them possible fertilizers. However, if there are too much falling leaves, you have to remove some of them. They may be too moist, thus killing the roots.

Your soil should have regular peat moss or compost supplements. At least every three months, dig up an inch from the surface and put in a new batch.

Before annuals die, start repotting so you would not have to start planting all over. Cut off a healthy part of the herb. Each cut piece should have some roots and foliage already so it would be easier for you to grow them.

Now these three easy key methods would ensure you of a flourishing indoor herb garden all year round.

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