Tips and Techniques For Watering Your Container Garden Plants

The importance of proper watering cannot be stressed enough for your container garden plants. Container Gardens are exposed to wind and sun so they dry out quicker than plants in the ground. There are no exact rules about watering your container garden plants. You have to become acquainted with the needs of various garden plants. The best tip is to examine them daily and water the plant when the surface of the soil begins to look dry. Feeling the soil will also help you determine the moisture needs of your container garden. How much and when to water will depend on the kind of plant and soil, the type and size of container, and the amount of exposure to sun and wind. During hot spells most plants in your container garden need daily water, except those in small clay pots, which may require it twice. Groups of plants in large containers keep moist longer than single specimens. This allows the container plants to shade one another to keep cool and stop moisture evaporation.

There are several methods of watering the plants. If you have many containers in your container garden, depend on the hose, allowing water to flow through slowly and gently. Water small pots with a watering can that has a long spout or buy one of the self watering containers now available. One thing is certain; you must not depend on rain to keep your container garden plants hydrated. Over-watering also prevents aeration of the soil, and will cause the plant to drown.

One good method is to set your container garden, if the containers are not too large, in a basin or pail of water for several hours, or until the surface of the soil feels moist (this is the theory behind self watering containers). The best general rule is to soak soil thoroughly when you water and then allow it to go just a bit dry before you water your container garden again. The best safeguard is to entrust your container garden to a responsible friend. As mentioned above, in many of the garden centers self watering containers are offered for sale. Happy Container Gardening!

Design Water Gardens - $350 Per Hour

Design Water Gardens - $350 Per Hour

If you have read any of my articles before, you know I specialize in sharing my knowledge and experience in the water garden business over the past 26 years. I have shared with you before about the incredible financial benefits of offering clients digital designs. It is the most important first step of any water garden project.

Googling "digital design ponds" or "digital design water gardens" will result in seven cad cam or 3D-type design programs. These types of software produce stilted, unnatural, unrealistic results. In the past 26 years I have designed and constructed well over 1,900 water gardens for commercial and residential clients. Until recently, most of these designs were produced the "old fashioned" way, by hand drawing them.

Designing Japanese Gardens

Designing Japanese Gardens

A frequently asked question that readers of my blog ask is 'What type of Japanese garden can I design?'.
Japanese garden snobs may frown upon it, but don't let it cloud your desires or vision. Perhaps, the best way forward if you are interested or about to start designing Japanese gardens is to visit a good example near where you live (there are excellent designs of Japanese gardens in most countries in the world) OR have a good rummage around on the internet for photographs of gardens that catch the eye and are great examples of this form of 'garden art'. The oriental garden in Portland Oregon in the United states is a good place to start. There are many styles to choose from when planning and designing. Average sized yards or gardens are ideal for a Japanese garden. For a realistic and true to the 'rules' design you have numerous choices with many historical and design facets. There are for example 5 types of Japanese gardens and depending on which type you prefer will dictate it's location and make up. If you have a smaller area a 'Zen' garden may be more in keeping with the aesthetics of your space. Zen gardens were designed and used by Buddhist monks and in general comprise of boulders and rocks and gravel/ or sand. Zen gardens are supposed to be places of tranquility and help 'clear' the mind. Meditation is common and effective in a Zen garden which should be viewed from one place. Meditation is a common feature of both varieties of these gardens.

Introduction to Herb Garden Designs

Introduction to Herb Garden Designs

Designing your very own herb garden does not have to be a difficult task. Designing an herb garden can be lots of fun and you can customize it to your particular needs. Butterfly Garden Design

If you love butterflies and want to attract them to your garden then you want to design your garden with this theme so that you can attract them. Zen Garden Design

A zen garden would be a great garden to design for those who love meditating. The monks used and cultivated a zen garden for this purpose. Zen gardens should bring oneness and harmony to the individual that is using it. Rocks are a very essential element for a zen garden as it represents energy and time and adds depth to your garden. Cottage Garden Design

A cottage garden can be cultivated around just about anything. This type of garden can bring beauty, serenity, comfort and romance to ones mind. A cottage garden is very unorthodox and requires more planning and maintenance than the aforementioned garden designs that we have discussed so thus far.

Inspiring and Intricate Herb Garden Designs

Inspiring and Intricate Herb Garden Designs

The history of garden design dates back to 1500 BC. The famous Hanging gardens of Babylon were known as one of the wonders of the world. Temple gardens contained vegetables and herbs that were considered sacred. In the middle age, sophisticated herb garden designs and horticulture techniques were developed by monasteries. Much of the present modern herb garden design is influenced and inspired by the intricate, traditional Persian, Zen and Italian Renaissance gardens.

The Art of Garden Designing

The Art of Garden Designing

The gardens have drawn admiration for years, but a wonderfully inviting garden is the result of careful garden designing.

The entire garden designing procedure should be absolutely functional. Gardens should be designed according the owner of the garden. It might spoil the entire design of the garden. The available garden space, proper sunlight and effortless cleaning are to be carefully considered. A proper garden layout unfolds some revelation or surprise at every corner.

Low hedges in the garden give it a very natural look. The choice of the garden designing expenditure depends on the space and time available at your disposal.