WHAT DO PLANTS NEED TO GROW?

Hi, I'm Carol ... welcome to my blog :

WHAT DO PLANTS NEED TO GROW?

Most people know a bit about gardening and this information has been specially researched and designed to help the average gardener to expand their knowledge of 'What Plants Need To Grow'. The information has been gathered together (actually, harvested!) by a very keen gardener who has had a good measure of success in trying and testing the great majority of the suggestions herein.

Even if you are a 'beginner' when it comes to gardening or maybe you do not have a garden or, at least, you only have a very limited one, you can still get the most out of the space you have. Be it a window box, balcony, patio or even just a wall ... you can become a successful gardener by using a bit of ingenuity and imagination.

The great majority of vegetables, plants, bushes and even trees can be grown in tubs, planters and pots. So make the most of the space you've got and experience the joy of cultivating your very own fresh and insecticide-free produce, or simply brighten up your day as you enjoy the beauty of growing a wide range of flowers in all shapes, sizes, colours, textures and fragrances ... from just a few packets of seed.

This website/blog has been designed to encourage totally environmentally friendly organic gardening, which is good not only for the health of the planet, but also for every living thing on it ... that includes YOU and I! So it's got to be a good thing!

BACKGROUND GRAPHICS BY BENZ MUIRCROFT - http://computerstudio.eu/-team-about-contact.php

DISCLAIMER :

This website is for general information only and is designed to be both enjoyable and educational. However, users should not rely on any of the information provided on this website/blog. The author makes no warranties nor express or implied representations whatsoever regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, comparative or controversial nature, or usefulness of any information contained or referenced to, and does not assume any risk whatsoever for any users' use of this website/blog or the information contained herein. Information changes frequently and is being constantly updated with new findings, opinions and ideas, so the information contained on this website may become outdated, incomplete or incorrect. Neither the author nor any third parties will be held responsible for any inaccuracies, errors, omissions or the like - the use of this website is purely for information purposes only.

The author does not record specific website user information and does not contact users of this website. You are, hereby, advised to consult with reputable professional advisors to direct any questions to and obtain any expert advice needed prior to making any decisions, or undertaking any actions or not undertaking any actions relating to any subject contained in this website/blog, now or in the future. In using this website you agree that neither the author nor any third party is, or will be, liable or otherwise responsible for any decision made or any action taken or any inaction whatsoever and in any circumstances, due to your use of any information presented on this website/blog. Users who fail to consult with appropriate personnel or authorities assume the risk of any injuries, losses or damages whatsoever caused by their own decisions, actions or inactions.

GENERAL ADVICE :

Whenever you're designing or re-designing a garden -

· Try to think 'green' by re-cycling as much material as you can

· Have you got any rocks/logs in your garden? Don't put them in the skip, use them in your garden scheme

· Think about making it a wildlife friendly environment

CREATING WILDLIFE HAVENS -

Make your garden welcoming and entice all kinds of creatures into it by providing them with food and shelter.

KEY THINGS TO DO -

· Leave some areas completely untouched by letting it continue to grow wild

· Provide water (even a dish of water will do!) - all creatures need to drink as well as eat

· Go for natural rustic garden features - a Pergola, for instance, made from tree trunks with the bark leaf on is 'rough and ready' in more senses than one. There will be holes and crevices already and over a few years the bark will start to crack away and reveal lots more little homes (nooks and crannies) where insects will be able to get in and call 'home sweet home'. So rustic garden features can become a fantastic habitat for all sorts of invertebrates. As a consequence you'll probably get added bonuses such as Woodpeckers visiting too

HOMES -

· BAT BOXES : Bats are great for eating tons of mosquitos every night - this is an investment well worth buying.

· BIRD BOXES : There are all sorts available for all sorts of birds, even boxes with a selection of front facias that each have differing hole sizes to entice different species. Remember : some birds (such as the Robin) like to fly onto a nearby branch or fence, hop and hop again into the box so secure it near a tree or fence.

· LOG STACKS : Rotting dead wood makes perfect habitat for lots of invertebrates. Make layers with various sizes of logs and use a bundle of sticks every now and again instead

· LOG 'SHAMBLES' : Choose a shaded area of the garden and randomly place a pile of logs. Add dry leaves and branches on top and finally, a big bunch of freshly pruned branches to cover everything. Hedgehogs will love it!

· TWIGGY 'DIGS' : Tie together a bunch of little twigs or wood cut-offs. Place these around head height (Lacewings fly at this level) and wedge them securely into a thick hedge or between the gutter pipe and wall.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES -

Bird baths -

Not only will it be the idea bathroom for all manner of birds, but it will provide all creatures with the water they need.

Feeding Stations -

There are quite a vast variety of ready-made structural feeding stations for birds and animals available from either specialist companies or local garden centres. Even ones specially made to accommodate squirrels! DIY feeding stations work just as good as shop bought ones, of course, and can be just the project for the whole family to participate in.

'Nectar Bars' -

Insects and flowers go hand-in-hand - bees, butterflies and many other types of flying creatures love getting food from flowers and, at the same time, they do us a great service. Virtually every third mouthful of food eaten is provided by wild bees pollenating plants. If we provide 'nectar bars' for them they will love us back. There are a host of wild and cultivated flowers - choose plants with either lots of tiny flowers amidst a large flower head or flowers that they can easily fly up to, land on and climb into (such as ones with a 'lip' at the bottom).

'Stumpery' -

This will be a magnet for 'mini-beasts' (invertebrates of all kinds)! Plant dead trees upside down as ornamental towers (roots and all) or leave a random heap of them in the garden somewhere.

A GOOD SUGGESTION -

Whichever garden you choose, when it's all done, established and giving you pleasure and satisfaction don't just sit outside admiring it ... take some photos of it! ... not only for your photo album, but also as a reminder. Make a record as well, of what you like, what you don't like so much, what worked and what needs improving. We all say "I'm going to move that over there next year" - do we remember all the jobs? Write them down on paper and keep your photos available as a memory aid "Oh, yes - I know, that's got to go near the swimming pool" ... I wish!

BOG GARDENS -

Part of your garden could be dedicated to a Bog garden, especially if you have an area of it that has naturally wet, boggy conditions in the soil. If not, you can easily convert it by manipulating the soil. Excavate 1 /2 foot of soil, lay a sheet of polythene and spike it a bit so that it doesn't become stagnant and smelly. Put the soil back and plant up with a variety of bog loving plants available in Garden Centres. When it rains water will be trapped and released slowly - your plants will love it!

CONTAINER GARDENS -

The good news is that you can even grow large vegetables such as Sweet Corn in containers! Any of the following can be used (and many more - so get imaginative!) :

· Pots, planters, modular towers, hanging baskets

· Rust resistant containers of any size and shape

· Old bathroom fixtures (baths, sinks, even toilets!)

· Tyres, one on top of another, make good 'containers! You can paint them any colour and they're brilliant at retaining moisture - use a mulch made up of rich organic compost/leaf mould

· Old 'Wellington' boots, shoes!

· Wooden boxes, drawers, cupboard carcases (these need to be lined inside to protect the wood from rotting and can be painted or varnished on the outside)

COMPOST MIX FOR CONTAINERS - Mix together 2 parts garden compost, 1 part leaf mould and 1 part sharp sand.

If buying fertiliser from shops or garden centres choose a natural one with a high content of Potassium (K) to ensure good production of flowers or fruit.

COTTAGE GARDENS -

Traditional cottage gardens are ablaze with such diversity and colour. They are an absolute joy to look out at from your kitchen window, a veritable paradise for the plant-aholic and the delight of any avid plant enthusiast and collector.

One basic rule applies - any flowers and shrubs that are particularly beautiful and colourful can be planted up in a 'mix and match' random style. The greater the diversity, the better the effect will be.

The most important thing to think about is succession. You will need to have interest throughout the year and, as this part of your garden will be the closest one to your house, choose an array of plants that keep flowering for as many months as possible.

DESSERT/DRY GARDENS -

These can be where dryness naturally occurs in your garden or you can make it so yourself - very good drainage is vital. Soil preparation includes mixing up 50% soil with 50% gravel or grit and sand. Choose succulents (plants that store water in their leaves), cacti, plants with silvery coloured foliage, thick or hairy leaves, or ones with very fine leaves as all of these either retain water within themselves or have the ability to reduce air flow and/or water loss. Waxy-coated plants are also good as the 'wax' seals up pores to reduce moisture loss. They require no feeding at all - treat them rough and they'll grow hard (most will even survive the coldest Winters). Species bulbs are also ideal as most come from regions baked hot in Summer.

GREEN ROOF GARDENS -

LARGE SCALE :

Practically anything can be planted on flat roofs, even trees! The most important thing to make sure of is the structural integrity of the roof/building, how much weight it will support and what requirements there are in connection with water proofing, irrigation and whether you would need any planning permission. It is best to consult your local specialists/professionals before doing anything.

A good lightweight compost mulch can be made up of layers of straw, shredded paper and well-rotted manure covered over with newspaper and cardboard to exclude light. A final covering of well-rotted bark chip not only traps and retains moisture in a roof garden, but it will also suppress weeds.

SMALL SCALE :

This can be done on top of a rabbit hutch, shed, kennel and the like. Make a parapet all around the roof or the part of the roof that you have chosen, waterproof it with a liner and fill it, either with alpines/succulents/cacti and other draught tolerant plants, using a half-soil/half-grit and sand mixture. Or, if you prefer water-dependent plants use the rich mulch mixture for roof gardens. Even a sloping roof can be used - simply make the lower edges of the parapet higher and the planting deeper at that end.

'GREEN ROOF' TURF -

This is made of webbing, lightweight compost and has felt underneath, which stops it all disintegrating. It is filled with all kinds of fantastic flowering plants, grows really thick for full impact and is even good for ground nesting birds. It is generally available at Garden Centres with instructions on how to lay it.

ORNAMENTAL KITCHEN GARDENS -

Very popular in by-gone years and, indeed very efficient for providing the gardener and all the family, not only with a beautiful cottage-style garden but also one that produces organic fruit and vegetables in relatively small gardens. Simply plant up your young vegetable seedlings, fruiting trees and shrubs in among your flower-beds. Allow them a bit of growing space and reap the results! Fruit trees can be easily trained and pruned to keep them at a manageable size.

The added advantage of this type of garden is that it definitely highlights the effectiveness of companion planting and what a great protection it can be against pests.

PRAIRIE GARDENS -

This type of garden is best done on a large scale for maximum effect. Prairie gardens usually consist of swathes (waves) of mass planting and include a variety of grasses, as well as prairie-based flowers.

Check out your local Garden Centre as there are a very wide range of ornamental grasses and prairie plants usually readily available, along with expert advice on mixing and matching, colour schemes and the like.

WILDLIFE GARDENS -

Many people say "I want to make my garden into a wildlife garden" ... BUT, a garden IS a wildlife habitat already! Every insect has a role to play - the important thing is to make lots of different homes, feed and water stations and over-Winter retreats. This will ensure that creatures of all kinds will not only love your garden and feel safe and cared for in it, but they'll also be in your garden right at the start of Spring, ready to work with you. Wildlife gardens don't mean WILDERNESS! It can be a beautiful space for both you and them to be in and enjoy.

Bits of twigs/woody stems/cut up branches tied together as varying sized stacks make great homes for a whole variety of insects. Put them at different heights in different places of the garden to attract the widest diversity of insects possible.

Spring bulbs are also very important as they provide food when most other plants are dormant.

If you incorporate a pond into your Wildlife garden remember to make it with sloping sides so that creatures can crawl out and take all necessary precautions to make it 'child-safe' and 'pet-safe' by surrounding it with a fence and lockable gate or a protective wire mesh cover, available at garden centres and aquatic products outlets.

See 'General Advice : Creating Wildlife Havens -

this can be achieved in any style of garden

WILD MEADOW GARDENS -

These are becoming very popular as either part of a garden or the whole thing! Check out the Internet for suppliers of wild meadow seeds that you can purchase, and get busy sowing!

Turf is normally a mix of 2 or 3 different types of grass, but 'WILDFLOWER TURF' is a mix of 8 different types of grass and between 10-12 different kinds of wildflower. It may seem a bit on the expensive side but by the time you've done all your research and raced around buying all the different seeds from various suppliers you might find that it works out about the same price to get the desired effect, and relieves you of a lot of leg work.

BACKGROUND GRAPHICS BY BENZ MUIRCROFT - http://computerstudio.eu/-team-about-contact.php

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