Your Backyard Garden

On my recent trip to Japan, I had the opportunity to visit many Japanese Gardens both public and at private homes.I was impressed with the stylistic features of the various Japanese gardens that I thought I would try to make my own mini Japanese garden in my own backyard.

My Garden Features

The basic features that I wanted to incorporate into my garden were:

Creating a Bulb Garden can be fun and rewarding. There are many types and variety of bulb flower plants.  There is literally a “bulb” for all seasons.  There storage and planting are critical to the success of any bulb garden.

General Bulb Planting Information
As a general rule the larger the bulb the larger the flower-to-be will be.

Please select bulbs for your area or zone.  For the Spring be sure to plant the bulbs from September to December of each year.

Storage of your Bulbs is crucial.  Be sure to store them in a cool, dry place.  When you are ready to plant take them out, inspect them, and if in good condition begin the planting process.

Bulbs are Hearty
Generally the Bulbs are hearty and grow in most soils.  However, like most plants your garden site must have a good drainage feature. 

Bulbs can be planted in between objects such as rocks in rock gardens; in and around trees in the wooded sites, or in rows or beds.You can use the Bulbs as a ground cover if you have prepared the soil property.  You can also place them near or under any of your tress and shrubbery as long as you have made beds for them.

Sun or Shady Sites Will Do 
Like most plants, bulbs will do well in direct sun light.  Likewise, there are some varieties of bulbs that like the shade and do better in cooler and shadier areas.  Be sure to read the material that comes with your bulb variety to be sure that you are optimizing the success of your garden by planting them in the appropriate locations. 

Bedding, Soil Preparation and Planting Advice 
Be sure to add organic materials to your soil before planting.

Remember the general Bulb Rules of Planting which are:  

When you decide to set up a garden or even work in one you need to have some basis tools.

Remember the major tasks in Gardening are: Tilling, which is soil preparation, Cultivating (weeding and pruning); Planting ( which is putting your plants in the ground); and Watering.

Each gardening task has its own set of special tools that make the task more manageable.

Tilling At Your Garden Site

The most practical and basic tools and equipment for this task is the metal shovel or metal spade. If you have a large area and the soil is especially hard or rocky then you may consider renting a  roto-tiller.

The mattock, spading fork and pry bar are other gardening tools useful in tilling your garden site.  A wheel barrow or garden cart is also helpful accessories in removing unwanted items and also for carrying your tools to your garden site.

Note: If you have a large yard and have space, a mini tool shed is a handy place to store your gardening tools and equipment, along with pesticides and fertilizers (rather than letting them clutter the garage).

Cultivating Tools

The main item here is the Hoe.  There are many types such as the draw hoe, the long hoe, the scuffle hoe and the double action hoe.  Look at the various hoes in the stores and chose 1 or 2 that suit your needs. 

The “cultivator” tool comes with either a long or short handle.  The long handle will save you from back strains and is advisable.There is a neat device called the Weed Wrench which is useful in removing woody type weeds around the border or edge of the garden.

Tips on Growing Flowers: 

1. The best time to transplant your Daylilies are in the springtime or early fall seasons.
2. The best time to fertilize your perennial flower beds are in the early spring.
3. To keep the pesky ants away from your house or flower bed use paprika, chili pepper and even coffee grounds to deter those little critters.
4. The best deterrent to the weed problem, is to weed your garden on a regular basis so they don’t buildup and cause harm to your young plants. Use mulch to help control the weed problems.
5. If you buy your Annuals flowers in compartmentalized plastic flats, their roots are usually bound in the pot.  So when you plant them be sure to loosen and untangle their roots.  But be sure not to break the soil ball.
6. When you prune any tall and or spindly plants be sure to prune them to ½ of their original height in order for them to be more productive and beautiful by having more flowers.
7. Be sure to spend quality time preparing your soil bed for your perennials.  Remember that your perennial beds must be tilled or spaded 6” in depth at least 2 weeks before you begin planting.
8. You should fertilize your flower beds before planting or at the planting time and be sure to repeat the process each month for healthier flower beds and better flower production.
9. Before you plant your garden, be sure to take the time to properly design the details of your garden.  It’s helpful to write it all down on paper, including the types of flowers you are going to plant.  Make a diagram and then follow it.

Tips on Growing Your Vegetables: 

1. If you want to plant tomatoes, when you go to the nursery look for plants in 4 “ pots that look stocky and that are about six to eight weeks old.  Be sure the plants have no flowers or fruit on them.
2. To take the bitter taste out of the cucumbers cut a small piece off both ends and rub that piece against each end.  That should do it for you.
3. Take the stem of a tomato plant and bury it and you will find that the steml will sprout a bunch of new roots which will help your tomato plant grow tall and healthy.
4. Do not over feed your tomato plants. If you put too much nitrogen in the soil you will produce a large lush tomato plant but it will hardly have any tomatoes.
5. Be sure to pick off the very first tomato plant’s flowers.  This will allow the plant to finish forming its root system first, and then it will produce great fruit for you.

Tips on Your Trees and Shrubs:

1. If you plant your trees in soil that has good drainage, you should soak the trees 2 to 4 hours twice a week for the first 2 or 3 months’ and then on a weekly basis for the rest of the first year.  This will help your tress establish their root system and help them not to dry out.
2. Be sure to fertilize your trees at planting.  This will maintain their health and help establish their root system.  Be sure to use fertilizers high in phosphorous.
3. Be sure to use stakes for trees taller than 3 feet. 
4. Keep you trees staked for the first 2-3 years.
5. Prune your trees as often as you can. It helps maintain  their shape and their health.
6. Be sure to select the type of tree that best suits your garden and backward.  Choose smaller tress for smaller areas and space. 
7. Do not plant your trees too shallow; otherwise their root system may rise to the surface.
8. Do no plant tress close to patios, concrete slabs or your house as it may interfere with your foundation and water pipes.

Remember to ask questions if you are unsure how best to proceed.  Ask your local gardener supplier or your nursery person.  They just love gardening and will love to help you.

Here are a list of helpful, general gardening tips and ideas for the novice to the experienced backyard gardener:

Easiest vegetables to grow:  Carrots, radishes, onions, pumpkin squash, garlic, beetroot, lettuce.

The color of what you plant often reveals your personality traits.  If you plant a lot of red colors this means that you are assertive, green means you are a relaxed person, etc.  What’s your garden’s color?  Check it out.

Plants, like humans, need tender loving care.  Talk to them, when nobody’s around.  Play soft mood music.  It’s good for their health and yours.

Always wear garden gloves (leather or heavy cloth) when working in your garden.  The hands you save, may be your own!

Got rocks for your Rock Garden? Look for construction sites (always get permission from the owners).  Use a variety of types and sizes in your Rock Garden.  Be creative!

Halloween comes once a year.  Try planting a Halloween Garden, with ghoulish looking plants. It’s fun and the kids love to take part.  Use those spooky black flowers for the best effects.  Include some pumpkins and your favorite witch and goblin decorations.

Try planting some climbing beans in your containers in the kitchen or patio area.  They grow fast and do well in most locations.  They are fun and full of great vitamins like A, B1 and C along with a host of minerals.  Plus they taste good too! If you have patience, plant fruit trees in your yard.  Apricot, Apple, Plum, Cherry, Peach, etc.  Once the fruit arrives you’ll be the envy of the neighbors.

Like the exotic?  Try the hearty Guava shrub.  The fruit is delicious and can be used in many recipes.

Feel like a nut?  Try planting and raising walnuts.  Watch out for the squirrels….they like nuts too.

Got bird problems?   Try hanging aluminum foil strips from the tree.  Wind chimes also will work.  If all else fails get a cat.When to Prune a Bougainvillea – It can be pruned year round to shape it or direct its growth. If its on a wall, cut the long stems back -  stop the production of  flowering wood.

Best time to fertilize is in the spring and summer.

When tilling your garden soil it is advisable to introduce some earth worms.  They help to enrich the soil and make it more production. 

Fire resistant trees and shrubs are important if you live in the hills and dry brush area. There are many varieties to chose from.

Small Space Gardening - Have a small patio.  Try raising container tomatoes or climbing beans.  Also the Japanese Maple and the Pink and White Hybrid Crape Myrtle will jazz up your patio.

Looking for an easy home garden project? Try making a window flower box.  Lumber nails and soil plus paint, and you are in business.  Try it into a flower box or an herb garden the choice is yours. Use your good judgment when watering. 

How much is enough water?  It depends.  Use your Judgment.  Practice and you will become a pro in no time.

Got pests?  Use chemicals only as a last resort.  Check with your local nursery for non-toxic solutions and advice.

Got kids?  Get them involved at an early age in the garden and in gardening projects.  You may not only be raising fruits, vegetables and flowers but the next Farmer John or Johanna.

Tulip bulbs.  If you want a tulip garden, it’s recommended to plant a minimum of 100 tulip bulbs together or 50 or more daffodils.  Now that’s what I call a bulb garden.

The Hot Peppers: Store them dry. It’s easy just pull the plants up and hang them up on hooks or thread them on strings.  Remember to store them in cool and dry places. Pull the plants and hang them up, or pick the peppers and thread on a string. Store in a cool, dry place.
 

History of the Greenhouse
Believe it or not, the ancient Romans may have been the first people to invent a primitive type of greenhouse to raise vegetables for Julius Caesar’s meals.

Historical evidence reveals that they dug a large pit in the ground, built fires to create heat and covered the pit with translucent sheets of mica which is a type of rock.

Year Long Growing Season
The important thing about greenhouse gardening is that it allows you to raise vegetables, flowers and fruits all year long regardless of the weather conditions outside your greenhouse.

As time passed the greenhouse gardeners began to experiment with greenhouse designs and techniques and eventually they realized that it was the sunlight and the condensation/humidity that were the main factors in the ability of the greenhouse to successfully produce crops of all types.

Modern Greenhouses
Our modern greenhouses today are made of aluminum with acrylic and glass panes.  Even the roof is transparent.  The transparent walls and roof let in the maximum amount of light while retaining the heat.  Those plants that need only partial sun are provided with a net shade or canvas like tent cover in the greenhouse.

Today, Greenhouses come in all shapes and sizes.  Sometimes the greenhouses are attached to the main house as a shed or side building.  Other greenhouses are very small and consist of a few shelves, or a bay like widow in the kitchen where herbs or vegetables like tomatoes can be grown.

The commercial type of greenhouses can be build, many blocks long.  Sometimes you see them in areas where utility or power lines are running.

Planning Your Greenhouse
Once you make the decision to buy or to build a greenhouse in your yard the logical issues is:  How Large?

The answer to that question is going to depend on your needs and what you intend to raise in your greenhouse.

Most people start small and after time realize that they like greenhouse gardening and they wish they had a bigger greenhouse. Some people divide their greenhouse into two or three sections.  One section for growing edibles such as fruits, vegetables and herbs.  Another section garden variety type of flowers and plants.  And a third section perhaps for some more exotic flowers (like orchids).  The choice is yours.

Proper Heat Distribution
Once your greenhouse is built another important consideration is that the greenhouse have proper heat distribution to your plants so they can have the best environment for growing success. Obviously the larger your greenhouse the more of a concern the distribution of heat will be.  Commonly used equipment to help with the distribution of heat are fans, and various types of tubing that may carry air or water to various locations and plant sites. Burning coal, oil or gas heaters are used.  Be sure that no toxic fumes are being emitted that may endanger people or plants.  Back-up generators are sometimes necessary in the event of power failures or outages. Needless to say, the greenhouse gardening habit will have some start-up costs and maintenance costs, but your end results will be spectacular.Great Fun and Potential Profits
You will truly enjoy the fruit of your labors with delicious tasting fruits and vegetables all year long.  You can have great looking plants and flowers of every climate at your fingertips. Be sure to get some help if you are starting your greenhouse for the first time.  Consult with your local nursery person.  Do a little research online.  Talk to some of your neighborhood gardeners.The more planning you do the more successful you will be in the end when your greenhouse is up and ready to run. If you are not sure about your ability to commit proper time to your greenhouse, then my advice is to start a small greenhouse at first.  Get some practical experience in setting it up and in maintaining it.  Once you get the hang of it, then you can go and expand it or turn it over to your kids to run like I did. And who knows, you may even become such an enthusiast that you may turn this backyard hobby into a small family business.You may even turn a profit and go laughing to the bank every week  

Child gardening is rapidly becoming a useful tool to help motivate children of all ages.

Child Gardening is a great way for grandparents or parents to bond with children and is a useful tool for imparting knowledge and appreciation of Nature.  It is also helpful in motivating children to learn about nature and to appreciate hard work.

Nothing is as rewarding as seeing a child help plant a vegetable garden and help with its watering, tilling and maintenance and partake in the harvest of the crops.

A child garden teaches many lessons and is a fun way to spend time with your kids, while at the same time improving an area of your yard.

Parents who like the outdoors and making improvements in their home and yard should make every effort to engage their children in caring for a garden and plants.

Child gardening is inexpensive, wholesome fun and is something that the whole family can spend a day or less together in the spring and summer months, or all year round, weather permitting.

How to Start Your Child Gardening Program 

It is easy to start your child in a home gardening program.  Regardless of whether you consider yourself an experienced gardner or not, speak with your local nursery to find out what fruits and vegetables or flowers and plants you can easily grow in your neck of the woods. The only requirement is “Commitment” of your time and energy.  Have enthusiasm, make it fun and make it a family project.  Get dear old Mom and Dad involved.  If you have an only child, invite a neighbor’s child to participate.  Be sure to get that child’s parent’s permission.Have an informal meeting with the kid(s) and lay out your garden plans on paper first and then get the necessary tools, supplies, plants, seeds, etc. For very small children (6 years old or less) use plants instead of seeds (so as to prevent them from accidentally swallowing the vegetable seeds).  Or at least take the necessary precautions of handling the seeds yourself.

What is IT? 
Hydroponics is a way of gardening and a way of growing plants of all types without the soil by direct feeding and watering of the plants root systems.  Therefore all the plant’s energy is spent on growing and maturing at a faster pace instead of crawling through the soil looking for food and nutriments.

More Production – Less Space
The neat thing about Hydroponics gardening is that you can get much more plant production in any given space than those grown in the ground.  Water and plant nutrients are re-circulated so only a small amount of water is actually used and there is no fertilizer in the water.Since the plants are “grown” in water the soil/pest factor is elimated and those bad pesticides are entirely avoided in the growing process.

Several Hydroponics Growing Systems
The basic and popular hydroponics gardening methods are:

The Passive method; The Ebb and Flow method and the NFT which stands for the Nutrient Film Technique and finally the Aeroponic method.

Maintenance of Your Hobby Hydroponics Garden
Most of the hydroponics methods are considered for hobby purposes and are actually easy to maintain and require a small amount of work.  Five or ten minutes a day is all that is usually required and that consists of checking that your nutrient tank is full and that the pH levels are accurate.  You generally change the nutrient mixtures every 2-3 weeks.  You can recycle and use the old solution for watering other yard or house plants.

Hydroponics Gardening Benefits
Hydroponics has many advantages over the traditional type of gardening in soil.

The first and obvious benefit is that your hydroponics plant will grow 30% to 50% quicker and faster than if planted in soil.

The second benefit is that your yield from the plant is much greater.  The primary reason that the yield is greater is probably due to the fact that more oxygen and vital nutrients gets delivered to the hydropnically grown plants’ root systems. 

Since the plant’s roots are in water and so are the nutrients the plant is literally swimming in nutritious environment that gets directly infused into the entire plant all day long.  The plant does not have to spend any energy seeking the food and uses the saved energy to grow more quickly thereby producing fruit in greater quantities and greater quality. 

Hydropnically raised plants are in a perfect environment to maximize their health and their production and reproductive features.  They are virtually free from disease, and have no infestation, and no fungi.

Hydroponics Is Environmentally Friendly
There is a byproduct benefit from Hydroponics gardening which is that our environment is less polluted from any fertilizers or chemical contaminants.  Also there is no soil to erode. 

It is thought by agriculture experts that as our plant continues to suffer from environmental pollution and its side effects we will turn full time attention to Hydroponics farming.  A polluted Earth and soil and water and air will not produce healthful food products in the quantity needed for man’s survival.

The Future Is Now
It is fun and easy to get into Hydroponics gardening.  You can start our as a hobby and before long you will become more proficient and expand your production.  Your friends and relatives will think you are a genius and they may even pay you for a piece of your harvest.

The nice thing about Hydroponics gardening is that you can grow your crops all year round.

You can convert idle space into mini greenhouses and before long you have established a home-based business opportunity for yourself.

Do Your Homework First
Be sure to do a little research on the subject of Hydroponics Gardening before you start spending money on starter kits.  Talk to people in the industry or at your local nursery.  It is time well spent.

Try to get your family and children involved in the Hydroponics gardening techniques.  It is fun, relatively easy and gives you a better appreciation of where our vegetables and fruit come from.  Good Gardening!

If you have some problems growing well formed, and blemish-free tomatoes you may not be alone.

The Tomato Problems
Some of the more common tomato problems are Leaf Spots and Fruit Rots which are caused by fungus, virus and bacteria.

Some of the tomato problems arise not from micro organisms but from what is termed “physiological” disorders which are commonly caused by poor growing environmental factors and an inadequacy in management of the crop by the producer.

By becoming more skillful as a gardener you will improve the environment in which your plants will be grown and in no time you will have taken positive steps to reduce and eliminate the above tomato growing problems.

Blossom End Rot Enemy # 1
If your tomato plants have brown or black round or large and leathery areas near the end of the fruit then they may be the victim of Blossom End Rot disease.  This disease is due to a lack of calcium in the developing tomato fruit.

Lots of wet weather or variances in the moisture in the soil and high humidity are also come contributing factors to Blossom End Rot.

The disease begins at the blossom end of your green tomato plant and can be first seen as a dark greenish, water soaked spot. It can grow to cover well over half of your tomato plant

Other environmental facts that may contribute to this condition is that when the vine growths fast at the beginning of the season, the growth spurt will cause the calcium to be diverted from the tomato fruit

Slow Root Growth
If the plant’s root system does not grow property then there will be a reduction of water and calcium that the plant receives and thereby Blossom End Rot disease will take hold.

A poor root development is generally created when you dig too deep around your tomato plant or by planting the small seedlings too early in soil that is too cold or by planting too early in the tomato planting season.

The Cures for Blossom End Rot
The best way to avoid and minimize Blossom End Rot condition is to improve the amount of moisture in your soil.  You can do this by using Mulch, like black plastic, newspapers or even black plastic. Mulches are used to keep your soil temperature and moisture levels at optimum and moderate levels

Mulches are also useful in helping to prevent pests from infiltrating your crops and mulches are also helpful in keeping your tomato and other fruit clean

Black Plastic Mulch
By using black plastic Mulch early in the season, it will assist in warming the colder spring soils. The other types of Mulches can be placed in the soil later in the growing season when the soils have had a chance to warm up.

Also be sure to water your plants often and water them deep.  About 1 inch of water per week is more than enough for most tomato plants.

Be sure your tomato garden is in an area that has good drainage, a good and fertile soil and that the soil is neither too dry nor too wet.

Fertilize Your Tomato Garden
It is extremely important that you fertilize your garden moderately. Be sure to do a soil test at regular intervals to be sure that the level of soil nutrition is at a satisfactory level.

Do not use fertilizers that are high in Nitrogen in order to keep the soils pH at optimum levels.  Your local nursery should have soil testing kits complete with instructions and other helpful hints about how to maintain your soils nutrition.

Other Tomato Problems To Watch Out For

Cracking which is due to the tomato growing too fast especially after a long dry period.

To prevent the cracking problems you should try to find resistant types of tomatoes and try to maintain the soil’s moisture at an even condition.

Catfacing or scarring is due to swelling and some scar tissues which come from abnormal developments of the plant’s flower at the time of blossoming. Cooling and cooler weather conditions are thought to create these problems in the plant’s flower.

The nice thing about creating your own rock garden is that you can be as creative as you like.  Whether you have a large dedicated space or very small space or spaces, the process of creating the rock garden is pretty much the same.                  

Chose your Site and Prepare the Soil

Carefully select the site in your yard where you would like your rock garden to be located.

Clear the area of all debris and establish a good soil bed.  Just like in agriculture you are cultivating a crop (rocks and plants) and the more thought you put into it the better the yield.

Soil conditions are important depending on the type of plants you intend to use.  Be sure to mix in a basic fertilizer into your soil. Fertilizing your rock garden is like growing and harvesting crops. You must feed the soil and site of your creative efforts.

As in any landscape project be sure to consult with your nursery as to the best types of plants for the type of garden you are planning. 

Working in your rock garden is not like plowing or tilling a field, but it can be frustrating and exhausting.  Be sure to drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen and take rest breaks.Gather Rocks of All Sizes 

I have often been asked what are the rocks for in a rock garden?

It isn’t always apparent.  Rocks can be used to raise the elevation levels of your garden, or simply to accent the look of nature.

Be sure to gather rocks of all sizes large semi-boulders, etc.  You can bury them in sand, use them to create dunes or hills, or even small walls.  You can create circular patterns or other shapes with the rocks.  You can plant your color plants or small plants in and about your rock formations so as to create a “natural” look as in nature.

Be Creative 

The basic idea behind rock gardening is to be creative and use large and small plants together in your garden.  Be bold and mix colors.  Mix soil and sand and have a cactus rock garden adjacent to a rich soil color rock garden.

Put in a small fountain or wishing well or bird feeder.  Or in larger gardens put in a bench or lounge chair, or small pond.

People I know who love music have put in outdoor speakers and have music or nature sounds coming from their rock garden areas.

Outdoor lighting can be used to illuminate the area with brilliant effects.  Let you imagination rock and roll as you work in your garden.  Play music, wear your head set, wear comfortable clothing, and have fun.

Remember there is no right or wrong way in planning or planting your rock garden.

Rock gardening is very much like painting a picture.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Where to Find Rocks

Rocks can be found in vacant fields or better yet at construction sites.  Be sure to ask the owners or operators for permission to remove rocks.  

Ask For Help  

Don’t be too proud! 

Whether you are planning an organic, bull rock, bubble or pyramid rock garden ask your local nursery supply or garden company for information.  They can be an invaluable resource to you.  Also if you see a nice rock garden in someone’s front yard, knock on their door and maybe they can give you some helpful tips on planning and creating your own unique rock garden. 

Remember Rocks Rule!!!