Water Gardening

There are many new trends surfacing in gardening, and water gardening is one of the main new interests. Water gardening can be in the form of waterfalls, ponds, fountains, all of which can be enhanced by rock work combinations and lighting, plants, and fish. Water gardening doesn't have to be a pond or natural water source either, it can consist of just a plastic tub, basically anything that can hold water.

The most important thing to consider in water gardening is probably the spot chosen. Since plants and fish both need plenty of sunlight, places in direct light away from trees and bushes is the best place. This will also help prevent leaves and debris from collecting in the water.

When planning for a water garden first decide the size you want. This will depend on how much money you are willing to spend because water gardening can get expensive if you opt for a large garden full of plants, rocks, fish, and lights. Also consider the size of our property, and the amount of time you want to spend with maintaining your water garden.

When you choose what type of aquatic plants you wish to have, remember that the plants should only cover about half of the water. Plants can be free floating, submerged, or marginal. Which you choose is all a matter of personal preference. Some plants are good for their scent, some provide more oxygen than others and will keep the pool health, and some are just beautiful. Fish are not only nice to look at but they are also very beneficial. Fish help keep debris at a minimum and help in controlling larva and other insects.

One of the main difficulties in water gardening is keeping water clear of algae. Algae problems are usually caused from too many nutrients in the water from feeding fish too often or from over fertilizing plants. If ponds are made correctly and are maintained properly algae problems and control will be kept at a minimum.

All garden pools regardless of size will need maintenance throughout the year. With proper planning you can ensure a healthy balance between living and decorative features of a water garden that can almost care for itself with simple maintenance inputs from you.
You can get rid of algae by reducing on the nutrients that cause the algae by cutting back on feeding and fertilizing, planting more plants, installing a filter system, or replacing existing water with fresh water. There are some chemicals that can be used, like copper compounds, but overuse can kill plant life and fish.

Water gardening doesn't take anymore time than regular gardening, but obviously isn't near the same thing. You may be the type person who couldn't grow a flower if you tried but would be excellent at water gardening. If you are looking for a way to occupy some time or to beautify your yard, water gardening is an excellent way.

Article by Matt.

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Hydroponic Gardening

Hydroponic gardening, (from the Greek words hydro, water and ponos, labor) is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil. Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as perlite, gravel, mineral wool, or coconut husk.

In the 19th century, researchers discovered that plants absorb essential mineral nutrients as inorganic ions in water. In natural conditions, soil acts as a mineral nutrient reservoir but the soil itself is not essential to plant growth. When the mineral nutrients in the soil dissolve in water, plant roots are able to absorb them. When the required mineral nutrients are introduced into a plant's water supply artificially, soil is no longer required for the plant to thrive. Almost any terrestrial plant will grow with hydroponics. Hydroponic gardening is also a standard technique in biology research and teaching.

Hydroponic gardening is often defined as "the cultivation of plants in water." Research has since determined that many different aggregates or media will support plant growth; therefore, the definition of hydroponic gardening has been broadened to read "the cultivation of plants without soil." Growers all over the world are using hydroponic gardening techniques due to the lack of a large water supply or fertile farmland. Home gardeners have used hydroponic gardening on a smaller scale to grow fresh vegetables year round and to grow plants in smaller spaces, such as an apartment or balcony.

Greenhouses and nurseries grow their plants in a soilless, peat or bark-based growing mix. The nutrients are then applied to the growing mix through the water supply. Therefore, this is also a type of hydroponic gardening. Soilless gardening offers many advantages to the home gardener. Since a sterile medium is used for hydroponic gardening, there are no weeds to remove, and soil-borne pests and diseases are minimized, if not eliminated completely.

Properly grown hydroponic plants also are healthier and more vigorous because all of the necessary growth elements are readily available. The plants can mature faster, yielding an earlier harvest of vegetable and flower crops. Hydroponic gardening uses less space since the roots do not have to spread out in search of food and water. This small space requirement makes hydroponic gardening ideal for home gardeners, and it makes better use of greenhouse space.

The big advantage to hydroponic gardening is the ability to automate the entire system with a timer. Automation reduces the actual time it takes to maintain plant growth requirements. Automation also provides flexibility to the gardener as one can be gone for long periods of time without having to worry about watering the plants.

Hydroponic gardening offers many advantages for commercial agriculture. Cultivating plants without soil eliminates the need for vast farmland and allows crops to be produced in greenhouses or even in the desert sands. Hydroponic gardening techniques also allow for precise water and nutrient application directly to the roots of each plant. Water is reused in these systems and less is lost through evaporation and run-off. Therefore, arid lands, such as deserts, can be transformed into productive lands using limited amounts of water.

Growing plants with hydroponic gardening is not difficult if one understands the basic principles. As long as plant growth requirements are met, there are numerous hydroponic systems that can be used.

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5 Spring Time Propagation Essentials

At the start of the season, which can be as early as January and February, keen gardeners are already looking to start sowing seeds indoors or in their greenhouses ready for them to be moved outdoors for hardening off later on in the year.

To start this process there are a number of essential tools that will be required such as:

1. Heated Propagator – This is an ideal piece of gardening equipment in which to start your newly planted seeds. The heated propagator consists of a tray and cover with vents; the tray heats the soil from below, and the cover helps to retain the warmth. This provides the perfect growing environment for your seeds before you look to move them outdoors. The small heated propagator is 8w and the large heated propagator is 18w; they are cheap to run at approximately 1/3 of the cost of a 60w light bulb. This should give you a head start to the growing season and also give you peace of mind that your seeds will not be damaged by frost or pests.
2. Planting Pots – This type of pot is ideal when your seedlings have begun to grow; they are 9cm and have their own watering trays and capillary matting. Planting pots are perfect for growing on seedlings prior to outdoor planting, and although your seedlings should still be kept in the greenhouse or indoors during the night, they may be moved outside during the day. This is to ensure that they harden off ready for planting, which would usually be between April and June depending upon the plants you are growing.
3. Potting Bench – This is a priceless piece of equipment if you have a number of seedlings to pot as it can take the strain off your back and make potting a much more enjoyable experience. Made from treated timber to reduce decomposition, it is easy to move and can be brought inside in the winter months. The top shelf is used for potting and the bottom shelf is used for storage, a must for any keen gardener.
4. Collapsible Water Butt – Ideal during hose pipe bans, these butts collect rain water which can then be used for garden watering. With a 100ltr capacity and a standard hozelock connection, you can attach your hosepipe or simply fill a watering can. No tools are required to assemble the water butt, and it is comes in an attractive green which will compliment your garden.
5. Adapta Tunnels – These growing tunnels provide protection to your young plants when they are first moved and planted out in the garden; the first Adapta Tunnel that you purchase comes with separate hoops and polythene tunnel which will protect your young plants from any morning frosts and cold weather spells. As the year moves on you could choose to purchase different covers such as the fleece cover which is perfect for spring time and helps to keep the heat in the tunnel, or the shading net cover which will protect your plants from the harsh summer sun. The shading net is also ideal for protection from insects and greenfly, ensuring the production healthy, protected plants.

This is just a small selection of useful gardening equipment which aims to help you to easily grow the plants that you want for your garden. There is bound to be something in this list that catches your attention and inspires you to get started with this year’s planting, and hopefully makes your growing season much more successful than in previous years.

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