Hydroponic Gardening Made Easy

Hydroponic gardening has become popular over the last few years because of its many benefits. Some of these are the lack of insects inside the house, you can grow 24 hours a day, the temperature can be kept perfectly stable, they do not take a lot of space and you can even keep the CO2 levels right where ya want them.

Hydroponics gardening does not use any dirt when growing the plants but there are many ways of doing this. The most common of these systems is the ebb and flow system. This system fills up and drains a try that the plants are sitting in every few hours. This keeps the roots nice and wet. The water then drains into a reservoir under the plant try and there waits to be reused. This water has the perfect PH and amount of nutrients necessary for the plants that you are growing. The strong light, perfect atmosphere and a perfect nutrient mix creates a perfect plant. You can grow amazing veggies with hydroponics peppers really come out great.

Hydroponics doesn't have to be done inside. People have outdoor systems too. Many of these systems have buckets filled with lava rock, a reservoir with the perfect nutrient water mixture all connected to a timer that lets the water flow in and out of the plant trays ever hour or so. There are many options for the growing medium in a hydroponics system. People use things like gravel, lava rocks, even rock wool cubes.

The hardest part of growing hydroponics is keep the correct PH level in the water. Like a jacuzzi there is one thing to raise PH and one thing to lower it but you still need to keep an eye on it frequently. The most popular way to check the PH is use the paper strips that turn color after sticking them in the water. You then match the color to a chart to determine the level. Another popular way is to use the digital PH meter which is the one i recommend because it reads much more accurately.

The type of system people pick is usually a personal choice. The three main types are the ebb and flow, the drip system and the Aeroponic system. These use the same concept for the most part. The fertilizer you use is the most important choice if you plan on growing any edible plants. If you are planning on growing veggies or herbs using the hydro system make sure to ask questions so there is no chemicals or harmful ingredients in the mix. This is very important because some of the solutions are harmful for your health if they are consumed. The best bet for edible plats is to use some organic solution. They sell these at most hydro stores. The problem with these is the PH levels are much more unstable and require constant checking.

If this sounds like the thing for you then i suggest giving hydroponics gardening a chance because it can give you the very best plants.

Though there might be hundreds of Types of systems, Drip, Ebb and Flow, Water, Wick, Culutre, N.F.T Wick, Water Culture, Ebb and Flow, Drip, N.F.T., Aeroponic and more. There really are amny but these are the six basic types of these.

Simon Morris is a horticulture specialist with over 10 years experience in the field. For detailed information on Hydroponic gardening, click the link below: http://www.ourgardensource.com/Container-Gardening/Hydroponic-Gardening.php

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Starting Tomato Plants From Seed

The tomato has come a long way since it was widely believed to be poisonous in England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It is one of the most widely-eaten fruits in the world now, and is a fundamental part of the cuisine of many cultures. Because they're so popular and easy to grow, it's no wonder that tomatoes are one of the most common edible plants in American gardens. This is especially true in the era of organic gardening, as more and more Americans want to inexpensively feed their families more wholesome, home-grown tomatoes and vegetables. Many gardeners are hesitant about starting their tomatoes from seed, though, and I get emails almost every day asking me for vegetable seed starting tips. In hopes of dispelling some of this hesitance, I am going to briefly explain how to simply and dependably start great home-grown tomato plants from seed.

Choosing Your Tomato Seeds

The first step is to choose your seeds. Your first concern in choosing seeds should be what you'll be using the fruit for. For instance, if you want huge tomatoes for slicing onto a burger, you'll probably want to go with some sort of Beef Steak, such as 'Better Boy' or 'Park's Whopper' tomatoes. If, on the other side of the spectrum, you are looking for tomatoes to pop in a salad, you'll want to go with some sort of cherry tomato. Standard tomatoes are somewhere in between these extremes, and paste or plum tomatoes are generally used for canning or sauces.

Whatever type of tomato you choose, whether it's something hard-to-find (such as piccolo tomato seed), certified organic seeds, or just the standard tomato seeds to grow something similar to what you're used to buying in the supermarket, be sure that you buy your seeds from a reputable source. The price difference is next to nothing, and the germination rate and quality of the plants produced can vary quite a bit.

Starting Tomato Seeds

Once you've decided on your seeds, you'll probably want to start them indoors in the late winter. You can direct-sow tomato seeds in the spring, once the temperatures stay above 55 degrees at night, but you'll have stronger plants and a longer producing season if you start them earlier. To figure out the best time to start your seeds, find out from your local extension office, University, or garden clubs when the last expected frost date is for your area, and count back five to seven weeks. This should give your seeds plenty of time to germinate and grow strong seedlings ready to transplant.

It is best to sow your seeds in sterile starting mix rather than soil, as this will protect your plants from disease and competition while they're in their most tender stage. There are many good seed starting mixes available, as well as some great seed starting kits, such as Park's Bio Dome, with trays and protective domes that maximize germination, as well as individual cells for each seed, which makes transplanting much easier.

If using a seed starting kit, follow the sowing directions that come with the kit. Otherwise, combine your starting mix with warm water until it is thoroughly moist, but not wet or soggy. This may take a while, as the mix should be dry when you take it out of the package. Sow your seeds in your mix and cover lightly (about ¼ inch). If you're not starting your seeds in a tray with individual cells, keep in mind when spacing that you'll probably have to divide the seedlings when you transplant to individual containers later, so don't sow your tomato seeds too close together. For germination, place your seeds somewhere warm. Temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit are optimal. Keep the seeds moist, as dry seeds will not germinate. Your tomato seedlings should start to pop up in between five and ten days, and it will be time to move them into the light.

Thomas Andrews is a garden writer for the Park Seed Company. In a span of three generations, Park Seed Co. has grown from a one page list of seeds handed out to neighbors and friends to the largest family-owned direct-marketing horticulture company in the U.S. Park Seed offers gardeners, through its catalogs and corresponding web sites, thousands of choice seeds, plants, bulbs, and gardening aids.

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Everyday Bonsai Gardening

Anyone - with or without a green thumb - can create beautiful and intricate works of art with the easy and inexpensive craft of bonsai. The art of bonsai has beginnings in the Orient, first with China as Penzai, then later adopted by the Japanese who gave the craft its more famous name of bonsai. While the name in Japanese actually means "potted plant", the term bonsai actually refers to the miniaturization of trees and plants in containers.

The most important aspect of bonsai is patience. You must wait for the chosen plants to grow, then meticulously groom them to the size and shape that is desired. Secondary is the choice of pots and plants. The pots chosen should be shallow, mainly very small to keep the roots from developing to the normal size of the plant chosen. Good drainage is important, with regular watering patterns built into the training of the plants. Tabletop pieces are ideal, but patio plants can be grown very effectively and the size and shape of the plants can be developed to fit a specific area for decorating. The pots themselves are also important for their beauty and decorating effects.

The plants that are chosen for bonsai are as varied as the plant kingdom itself. The natural attributes of the individual plants must be taken into account, with their growth patterns and habits established for the greatest effect. Both deciduous and evergreen plants can be used, and any variety of plant and tree that is easily accessible is a prime candidate for bonsai. Some prior knowledge of gardening and plants is beneficial, but not totally necessary to beautiful bonsai success.

Bonsai can be grown indoors or outdoors, depending on your personal preference. Either way they make an excellent conversation starter, and will impress even the most proficient gardener with the intricate and shaped plants you create. It only takes a little effort, a lot of patience, and a bit of practice to enjoy everyday bonsai gardening.

To get more information on this fun and easy craft, check out http://bonsaisecret.blogspot.com

Gardening is in my blood, and in my freezer! I'm going to start planning for this years harvests now, why don't you come along and do some yourself at http://thegardencenter.blogspot.com

And for more on tomatoes http://tomatosuccess.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rhonda_Cossey

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Greenhouse Misting Systems - Supercharge Greenhouse Growing with Ideal Temperature and Humidity

Greenhouse misting systems and misting fans are powerful greenhouse cooling and humidification tools. They can play a big role in creating ideal growing conditions for greenhouse growing success.

We all know that climate and environment are the primary factors for growing success. Isn't that why we build greenhouses in the first place? Under ideal conditions and the careful attention of the grower, flowers and plants can reach their full, glorious potential. But just how do we create those perfect conditions for a greenhouse?

Greenhouses are designed to store heat from the sun during the day, creating a warmer temperature in the greenhouse when it is cool outside. But this can often work a little too well. When warmer temperatures develop outside the greenhouse, it can become too hot for plants inside. The results can be disastrous if not kept in check. Ventilation, air circulation, and shading are the first level of defense against heat. But often these are not enough. For sufficient greenhouse cooling, more powerful tools can become necessary.

Then there is the humidity factor. Ideal humidity should be between 50% and 70% for ideal growing conditions. When heat goes up, humidity levels drop. The already stressed plants face double trouble, and it can be a deadly combination.

Here are some tools you can use to protect plants in the greenhouse, and take greenhouse growing to "the next level!"

Greenhouse Misting Systems

Greenhouse misting systems bring dramatic cooling effects using the power of "evaporative cooling." The basic goal of greenhouse misting is to spray a micro-fine mist into the air. The mist is so fine, in fact, that the water droplets fully evaporate into the air. The chemical process of evaporation actually "uses" heat from the air, and makes the surrounding air a little cooler in the process. Spray hundreds of millions of these droplets into the greenhouse air, and you can see cooling of as much as 35 degrees in the space, almost instantly. Humidity levels go up in the process, so with greenhouse misting systems, the result is higher humidity, lower temperature, and happy, thriving plants!

Greenhouse Misting Fans

Misting Fans also use the power of evaporative cooling to do their magic. But they add the element of air circulation into the mix. Air circulation is important for avoiding those dreaded "hot spots" in the greenhouse. The more circulation, the more predictable growing conditions will be throughout the greenhouse. Fans are available up to 11,000 cfm (cubic feet per minute) in airflow, with misting nozzles on the face of the fan. So cooler air, higher humidity, and air circulation combine to improve 3 of the major factors in greenhouse growing. Oscillating misting fans stir the air even better if you can afford them.

Greenhouse Humidification Fans

Greenhouse humidification fans use centrifugal force to "whip" water through the face of a fan. These fans differ from the misting fans in that they provide less airflow. They are available at a much lower cost, though. They are also nice in that they are basically "self contained" units. You do need to attach a hose, but they can be hung and moved around as your needs change throughout the growing season. They are available in oscillating or non-oscillating versions, and in various sizes. For small to medium sized greenhouses, these are a good choice for those on a budget (And who isn't, right?)

The bottom line is this, if you have struggled to "beat the heat" in your growing space, consider any of these greenhouse cooling tools. You'll be amazed at the improvement in plant health, and have many more options in what you can grow as well.

Information provided by http://www.mistingpros.com - Your online outlet for quality misting systems and misting fans.

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How Gardening Catalogs Can Help You Start Your Garden

We've all seen them in the mailbox - those colorful gardening catalogs that have lush flowers on them. You might have even looked through one, but did you realize it can be a valuable resource for planning a garden even if you are just a beginner?

When I first started gardening I would be totally overwhelmed by these catalogs. There's so many different types of flowers and shrubs in them how do you know what to order? But then I realized that if planned out my new garden properly, the catalog could be an invaluable tool.

The first step in any new garden is to figure out where you are going to put it and how much room you have. The location in your yard will have a lot to do with the kinds of plants you can plant. Is it shady? Then you must stick to shade loving plants. Does it get 12 hours of blazing hot sun a day? Then you need to either provide some sort of partial shade for your plants or only buy those that love full sun.

Once you know the conditions of your garden, you can use this information, and some good gardening catalogs to help you pick the perfect plants.

Once you have your garden location picked out, you need to get a rough measurement so that you know how many plants to buy. In addition, you'll need an idea of how you want the garden to look. I like mine to be very lush and full of plants with hardly any bare spots, but I have seen others that have just a few plants strategically placed that look good too. It is really a matter of personal preference, and sometimes budget.

Now that you know how many plants you want to buy, you can go "shopping" in your catalog. Get a nice cup of tea, sit back and relax as you browse through the pages choosing the perfect perennials for your garden. You'll need to be sure to choose plants that will thrive in your zone as well as ones that are suited to the amount of sun your garden gets or you will surely be disappointed with the results.

You also want to take color into consideration. You don't have to stick to just one color in your garden, but plant to plant flowers whose colors compliment each other adjacent to each other.

Another key thing to think about is height. If you only use plants of the same height your garden will be boring! You want varying heights and you want to plant the taller ones in the back and the shortest ones in the front. That way you will get a good view of all your plants as you are standing and looking at your garden.

Perhaps the best thing about gardening catalogs is that they allow those of us who live in colder climates to dream about and plan our gardens during the winter time when it's not possible to go outside and play in the dirt. Choosing the right plants and having a good plan will help you get your garden going easily when spring comes!

If you want more tips on starting your garden including the key elements you need to know about when gardening, how to grow plants in containers and tips on growing herbs and vegetables sign up for my free gardening tips report at http://gardening-ez.com/gardeningtipsreport.php

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins

Main Types of Hydroponic Systems

A few centuries ago, the only way you could grow a plant without a soilless base was to suspend it over a pool of water mixed with nutrients, that would act as the feeding grounds replacing the earth's diet. Nowadays, we have wick systems, ebb and flows, drips, aeroponics, the nutrient film technique and many more, which only shows how far in this field we have gone. And because the offer is often so varied, it's confusing for the newcomer hydroponic gardener. Picking the right hydroponic systems is a tough job, so here are a little tips to help you know the difference:

Wick Hydroponic Systems

The wick system operates under very simple parameters, in that it's passive, with no moving parts attached to it. A wick is used to draw nutrients from the reservoir and into the growth tray and it's a fully automated procedure that takes little effort from you.

Water Culture Hydroponic Systems

Like I said in the introduction, the water culture was the first type of system invented in hydroponics. It stands on fairly straightforward principles: a reservoir filled with nutrient solution, atop of which the gardener places a floating platform that can hold several planters (or cups, or something similar). The roots of the plant that you "install" will be drowned in the nutrient solution, with the rest of the plant being held by the planters.

Drip and Ebb and Flow Hydroponic Systems

Ebb and flow hydroponic systems can be found everywhere and together with their younger brother, the drip system, they make up the majority of hydroponic gardens in the World. Both types of systems work on basically the same principles: a growth tray is attached atop a nutrient container. Nutrients are flooded into the growth tray by a pump, they are absorbed by the plants and the excess solution that couldn't be absorbed is drained down into the nutrient container, recycling it for future use.

Nutrient Film Technique Hydroponic Systems

Another popular hydroponic system, the NFT uses a constant flow of nutrients to wash out the plants' roots, feeding them in the process. Because this system uses no growth media for the roots, it allows for better oxygenation and it has low maintenance costs in the long run. Just like the ebb and flow or drip systems, the nutrient film technique floods the growth tray (where the plants' roots are dangling in) then drains the excess back to the reservoir. Like with the above mentioned hydroponic systems, this kind of nutrient recycling is a great way to save nutrients, but unfortunately it also creates pH instability in the reservoir, which leads to more complicated problems later on.

Aeroponic Systems

Although not hydroponic systems per se, aeroponics use some of the basic principles in water-based soilless plant growth, but use air vapors instead. Plants are usually suspended on top of a reservoir in aeroponic systems, with the container being tightly sealed. A mechanism creates vapors out of nutrient solution and sprays the result in the reservoir, engulfing the dangling plant roots. This helps them acquire nutrients faster but also allows for some great oxygenation capabilities, which cause your plant to grow heavily.

For more information visit Hydroponics for beginners and intermediates

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Indoor Lemon Trees And Other Container Fruit Trees

Lemon meringue pie, anyone? If you enjoy cooking with lemons or even just using them to make lemonade, consider an indoor lemon tree. These trees are just one of many types of container fruit trees, any of which will fit comfortably in your home and will produce a bountiful fruit crop with minimal care. Indoor lemon trees are available in several varieties. One of the hardiest is the Meyer lemon, which in and of itself is available in several varieties. The dwarf Meyer is one of our favorites, in part because of its bountiful yield of fruit. We also appreciate the ease of care, making it ideal for busy or low maintenance gardeners. No matter which variety you ultimately purchase, your tree will be shipped in a small container, possibly as small as one gallon. The dwarf Meyer will arrive at your home almost ready to bear fruit. These trees are unique because it produces lemons that are more shaped like oranges, with a juice that's sweeter than any other lemon you've likely tasted. Another common variety you might consider is unique in that it produces fruit almost two pounds in weight. This is the dwarf Ponderosa lemon tree, which is really a cross between a lemon and a citron. Another noticeable aspect of the dwarf Ponderosa is the aroma of its blooms -- they're very fragrant with a fresh, clean aroma that's much more pleasant than an air freshener. Most container fruit trees are shipped to your home directly from southern state growers.

They can ship to almost any state, the only exceptions being states with agricultural restrictions. In those states, you can normally purchase these trees from in state growers. With proper care, expect your tree to produce several pounds of fruit per year, quite a nice return for the nominal cost, usually $30 to $50. If someone in your family is just getting started in gardening, an indoor lemon tree is a perfect choice. They'll be encouraged to enjoy the gardening hobby more and more after experiencing success growing fruit indoors. Best of all, these compact, fragrant trees can be grown just about anywhere. When we started growing a few varieties of fruit trees in our home, we had very little gardening experience.

Not to worry! For the most part, all your tree basically needs is sunlight and water. Any special care instructions are supplied by the grower, and even these are minimal and occasional. And, an indoor fruit tree doesn't have to be kept inside in the warm months. Feel free to take it outside on your patio or balcony, as doing so will help the tree grow and prosper. A bright and sunny area of your home and moderate water are all you'll need to do! On occasion, you'll need to prune the tree, which is a very easy process. Doing so will result in productive yields of fruit every year, and a healthy, vibrant indoor lemon tree that is a proud addition to your home.

Indoor lemon trees and other container fruit trees are a fragrant, easy care addition to any living space, and perfect for any level of gardener. You're invited to visit our new resource site for more care tips and additional information about Indoor Lemon Trees.

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Step by Step Easy Method to Grow Indoor Tomatoes

Step by Step Easy Method to Grow Indoor Tomatoes

Growing tomatoes indoors is not difficult. Anyone can grow tomatoes indoors. All plants require the same basic elements; Soil (medium), light, water and the proper temperature to grow successfully. Of course each plant differs in the type of soil, amount of light, amount of water and the ideal temperatures it requires. I'll focus on growing indoor tomato plants for this article by outlining the basic needs of the tomato plant. Followed by the method I use to grow indoor tomato plants and some useful resources to help you.

What Tomato Plants Like:

• Soil: The soil (medium) can be the usual potting soil mix that contains sphagnum peat, vermiculite and perlite. I like to use peat pellets, for starting my indoor tomato plants, that are available at most gardening stores or from online sources. TIP#1: Want to make your own peat pellets? Check out the article at Mother Earth News. For more in depth information on tomato plants I suggest; Jason's Indoor Guide.To much to cover here. http://www.jasons-indoor-guide-to-organic-and-hydroponics-gardening.com/how-to-grow-tomatoes.html

• Light: Indoor tomato plants need to get 8-12 hours of bright light per day and a southern exposure is ideal during the colder months. Just take care to avoid cold drafts or to hot environments. Also if you don't have good lighting there are many sources for plant lighting available at your gardening store or online. Tomato plants also need a period of sleep (darkness).

• Water: When you are starting your tomato plants from seeds (this is what I do for growing my plants indoors) keep the soil (medium) moist. When you see the seedlings appear you should adjust your watering to 2 or 3 or more times per week depending on your homes temperature. Don't over water and let the soil dry out slightly before watering your plants. Misting is a good thing between watering.

• Temperature: Tomato plants can grow in a wide temperature range, but do much better with warmer temperatures. For example during the day 68 to 80 degrees and at night (when you save energy and turn the temperature down) from about 58 to 68 degrees.

Shopping List: Note: If you have children, this would be a great project to get them involved.

1. Tomato seeds. I'd suggest that you do not get the ones that produce the very large tomatoes; It's to much extra work supporting them. We want this to be easy, right!

2. Some peat pellets or some potting soil.

3. 1, 2 or 3 of those small seedling pots (the ones you saved, but never knew why) The ones that are 2 to 3 inches tall and 1.5 inches across.

4. Small plastic pot tray, about 3" will do or a small saucer of any kind. Why so small; See #5

5. A large fishbowl vase or a large brandy snifter. You can find these at your local dollar store for, guess what, a buck ($1). This will be your green house. Just make sure the plastic tray fits into the opening of the fishbowl easily. TIP#2: Your plants need to breathe so make sure that you super glue 4 of those caps, from your bottled water, to the rim of the fishbowl/brandy snifter rim. The super glue is only a buck ($1) also. Can you tell I like the dollar store? J Note: If you want to go low tech, a small cardboard box with plastic wrap will do the trick also. Remember to have air flow.

6. Some plant food. Not sure, you may find that at the dollar store. I use Miracle-Gro

7. 1, 2 or 3 of those small gift bags. The ones with the handles and when opened they have a flat bottom. You can match your décor or just use the boring brown ones. They should not be over say 10" tall and 9" wide. More on this later as this is an optional step.

8. 1, 2 or 3 large storage or freezer bags. Note: Don't try using those plastic grocery bags. They are not water tight and when they leak, the bottom of, your designer gift bag breaks open. That splat you just heard was your baby tomato plant hitting the floor. You don't really need to ask how I discovered that, do you? L

Let's get started:

Note: If you have small children, this would be a great project to get them involved. Just stress that they should never handle the fish bowl/brandy snifter or better yet, keep it out of reach.

1. Total time for this project will be about 30 minutes. Longer if you need to go to the dollar store. Put the peat pellets or potting soil in a seedling pot and set them in a saucer of water to let them absorb the water and expand, while you complete other tasks.

2. As I stated above I like to use peat pellets. If you want to use potting soil, that's fine. (If I use potting soil I prefer to use small seedling pots. My thought on this is I like to build a strong root system first and repot later). You will only need to have a few plants unless you want to can tomatoes all year long (if all goes as planned, that is).

3. While the pellets or potting soil are absorbing water you can super glue the bottle caps to the rim of you new fishbowl/brandy snifter. Try to get them straight across from one another to have a solid stable base. You can of course use more if you like.

4. Put the tomato seeds into your potting soil or peat pellets. Plant them at a depth of about ¼". Place the seedling pots with your tomato seeds in the plastic plant tray. I always add enough water to cover the bottom of the seedling pot by 1/8" of an inch. This is the method I use to water the plant from that point on, feeding from the bottom. Adjust the water height to insure the potting medium (pest pellet or potting soil) is moist but not soggy. I put about ¼ of a teaspoon of soluble plant food in a gallon of water and water the plants with this, each time.

5. Place the fishbowl/brandy snifter over the plastic pot tray and set it where it can get sunlight or at least very bright light. In 7 to 15 days you should see small sprouts peaking out. It's important not to over water from this point forward. Rotate the tray regularly to produce a straight (vertical) plant. Allow the plants to grow to a height of about 6" to 7" tall.

6. Oh yeah, did I mention "Do Not Over Water"? Now you can repot the plants into larger containers or for those of you, who were scratching your heads, wondering what the gift bags were to be used for. I found a unique use for them. After putting potting soil into the storage/freezer bags (about 4 loose cups full) I add the tomato plant, covering the base of the plant just slightly higher than was covered by the potting soil or peat pellet. I slip the storage/freezer bag into the gift bag. The flat bottom makes it easy to place on a table. TIP #3: I found an old coat rack at a second hand store for $12 bucks (not the dollar store). It has 6 hooks around the top and I can now hang the gift bags from the hooks on the coat rack. It makes for an interesting display, takes up less space than a table and the plants can receive more light being above other plants or objects. Also I have the ability to support the plant when it begins bearing fruit. Is a tomato a fruit? Yes, I looked it up.

I cannot stress this enough "Do Not Over Water". The plastic storage/freezer bag will retain moisture. Always check the soil before watering. If in doubt simple mist the plant and water it later. TIP#3: Not sure if the soil is dry or moist. Stick your finger in the soil. If the dirt sticks to your finger; It's moist.

With that I am finished. I hope you found some useful information and I do wish you much joy, happiness and success in your life and with your gardening.

MDM

M.D. Martin http://www.tgif24-7.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Martin

Grow Your Own Sprouts

Do you sometimes search in vain at your local market for vegetables that are fresh, crunchy, and nutritious? Well, search no more! With a minimum of time and effort, you can actually grow vegetables right in your own home or apartment. How? By growing sprouts!

Sprouts are so easily maintained that a child can do it. They require little space, no digging, no weeding, and no fussing with complicated chemicals. Best of all, you can eat your produce just four or five days after it begins to grow! But the benefits go beyond mere convenience.

For one thing, sprouts are nutritious-perhaps even more so than plain beans or seeds. Says The Beansprout Book, by Gay Courter: "As the seeds begin to sprout, their vitamin content also begins to grow. The first early shoots of soybeans (per 100 grams [about 4 ounces] of seed) contained only 108 milligrams of vitamin C in one study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania. But after 72 hours the vitamin C content had soared to 706 milligrams!"

Sprouts are also economical. In fact, you probably already own all the equipment that you will need.

Setting Up

First, you need a container. A large glass or plastic jar, a nonmetallic pot, a glass or ceramic bowl, or a deep dish will do just fine. It is even possible to use a shallow dish, spreading out one layer of seeds between two layers of wet cheesecloth or paper towels to prevent drying. Whatever vessel you choose, make sure it is large enough to allow the seeds to sprout and still have room for some air to circulate around them. I have found that a glass jar works well for tiny seeds like alfalfa. Larger seeds, such as mung beans, may do better in a deep dish or pot. This provides the extra space they need and protects the sprouts from rotting or turning sour.

You will also need a covering for your container. A plastic screen, a piece of cheesecloth, or even an old nylon stocking will do the job. All it takes to attach it to the mouth of the container is a strong rubber band or string. Of course, as the seeds must be rinsed at least twice a day, you will also need water and perhaps a colander for draining the container.

Finally, you will need seeds. Almost any edible seed can be sprouted. (I am careful, though, to avoid seeds that have been treated with chemicals.) The best seeds for a beginner to try are mung beans or alfalfa seeds. They are easy to sprout and very tasty! Now, let me tell you how it's done.

Growing Your Own Sprouts

DAY ONE: First, rinse the seeds carefully. Then, fill your container with water until it covers the seeds or beans by about two inches [5 cm]. Soak the seeds for at least eight to ten hours. You might put the seeds in to soak just before bedtime. After eight to ten hours, the seeds will bulge and the skins will split open slightly. They are ready to be sprouted.

DAY TWO: In the morning, secure the covering and drain the water out of the container. (Since the water contains vitamins, I usually use it to water my plants.) Now, refill the container with water. Shake it a few times, and turn it upside down, allowing the excess water to drain out. Fill the container with water again and again, rinsing and draining the seeds a total of three times. If you have transferred the soaked seeds to a shallow plate, gently pour water over the cheesecloth, and drain it by putting the dish on an incline. Later on, repeat the rinsing process again so that the seeds are thoroughly rinsed twice a day.

DAY THREE: By now, you should be able to see your seeds sprouting. Continue rinsing them twice a day.

DAY FOUR: You can begin eating the sprouts! You can allow the mung-bean sprouts to grow quite tall with no bitter taste developing in them. Just make sure that you keep rinsing the sprouts twice daily. You can also put your sprouts in the sun for about an hour and then refrigerate them. The tiny leaves will turn a beautiful shade of green-very appetizing!

Having tasted success, you may now want to experiment with other types of grains and seeds. Each is a little different in taste and in sprouting time. For example, you may try sprouting hulled sunflower seeds. These sprouts are best eaten in two days, when they are just a half-inch long. If they grow any longer than that, they may acquire a bitter taste.

How to Serve the Sprouts

Most sprouts can be eaten raw in salads, sandwiches, or any dish in which beans and seeds are used. Bean sprouts, though, can be steamed for 10 to 15 minutes before you eat them. Or you can stir-fry them with just a little oil, garlic, and salt. This makes a very tasty dish! Wheat and rye sprouts are very sweet and make a good addition to breads and muffins.

Cultivating sprouts is thus a healthy and economical hobby. You may very well find doing so to be exciting and rewarding. After all, the success rate is high and the results are delicious!

Frankie Goh is a full-time family counsellor and researcher. He manage a website : Earn Money Online http://www.ezy-cash.com He is also the Internet Marketing Co-ordinator of Ultra-Herbal Products

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The Idiots Guide To Garden Containers

Your small porch can no longer be considered an excuse for not having a flowerbed or a crop of plants. Thanks to container gardening, almost anything can be grown anywhere. Planter boxes, plastic storage containers, clay pots, hanging baskets or even plain old plastic jars with lids are some of the containers that are used for gardening. The sky is the limit when it comes to container gardening. Yet, like any other game, this one too has its own set of rules. Following these rules will ensure sure shot success for you.

Container Rules

The container is the most important aspect of container gardening. You need to choose one that has a wide opening and facilitates easy planting, weeding of soil, tilling etc. Try and avoid containers made of cheap plastic as they tend to deteriorate really fast in UV sunlight and the result can be seen on the plant. Terracotta pots are commonly used but they too have a tendency to dry out too soon leaving your plant yearning for more water. Try glazed ceramic pots. These are excellent containers but make sure that you make a lot of holes for drainage. On the other hand, if you are planning to use wooden containers, then ensure that you choose rot free wood like cedar or redwood. Avoid using wood that has been treated with chemicals as they can harm the plants. Drainage is an important aspect and make sure that the pot is placed on a brick to allow free drainage.

Where are you growing it?

The place where you are planning to grow your container garden is equally important. Many people store their containers in a storage shed. But keep in mind that depending on the kind of plant you are growing, your container will need at least 4 to 5 hours of sunlight everyday. There are some plants which need more but this is the minimum that is needed. There are sunlight guides available for various plants. You can refer to this for a better idea on the amount of sunlight needed.

Weather and fertilizers

You need to water the plants depending on the kind of weather in the area that you live in. For example, in countries with a hot and dry weather, plants need more water. Also, the more you water the plants, faster the fertilizers in the plant get washed away. So you might need more frequent fertilizing.

About The Author: Jonathan Goodman is the owner of Market Merchants an online retailer specializing in home and garden products. My passion for bbq grilling and fireplaces is the core focus of Market Merchants. I am a member of the Hearth Patio Barbeque Association (HPBA), the National BBQ group (NBBQ), and the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). We sell these products because we love them and are passionate about consumer living needs. So whether its furniture and decor, home improvement, kitchen and dining, or outdoor living Market Merchants brings a dedicated commitment to the customer and a passion for high quality products. Visit the Market Merchants website: http://marketmerchants.com
http://marketmerchants.com/content/containers.htm

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Winter Gardening - Charm Your Feathered Friends

I was helping a friend rearrange her kitchen and found a box of hummingbird seed and as I stuck it away in the cupboard with the summer items, I got thinking about winter birds. My backyard looks rather barren right now and a flash of color and life would add so much to it. There's a front picture window that overlooks the deck and the bare brown yard behind that. I never thought about birds in the winter before. My neighbor has a bunch that hover around a big tree that she hangs suet balls on but it's not near a window.

As a storm threatens I think about how the birds who are not migratory might be willing to come and visit in exchange for some berries and seeds. I can sit in the living room and watch them. But, where do I begin?

First I need a bird feeding station. Then I need food. Apparently birds like and need fatty foods so that they can keep up their body temperature which is 108 F°. The usual sources of fatty foods for birds are suet and peanut butter. Suet balls are available and you can make your own with suet mixed with seeds, melted down peanut butter and cornmeal.

Birds also need carbohydrate to keep their high energy lifestyles going. Seeds contain carbohydrate, vitamins, and protein. If you are getting mixed seeds, get the kind with lots of sunflower seeds and white proso millet. Avoid those with fillers such as wheat seeds and milo. Bread is not a good choice in spite of the fact that most people given them bread. Bread will satisfy their appetite but may not provide the kind of high energy fuel that is needed to keep the birds warm on a freezing night.

Black oil sunflower seeds have their soft outer shells are easy to break through. Cardinals and juncos (among others) prefer black oil sunflower seeds for that reason. If you provided black oil sunflower seeds, Niger thistle and suet spread out over several feeders you will have a good variety of bird visitors and they will have nutritious snacks.

You have to make sure the feeders are maintained properly so that the birds don't get sick from moldy food. When you fill the feeders, make sure that there are no clumps of seeds stuck in them. These can stay stuck and go bad. Sweep the hulls off feeders and trays daily. Every couple of weeks (or at least once a month) disinfect the feeders with a bleach mixture - one part bleach and 9 parts water. Rinse it well after and refill with fresh treats. Keep the food clean and dry when it is stored. Oh and the biggest safety tips for bird feeders, place them at least 5 feet away from a bush or tree to protect the birds from cats.

Esmee McCornall is a 'Gardoholic' writer. She recently published one of the most popular free garden reports on the internet, called "Tips and Tricks to Create the Garden You Always Wanted". You can download a free copy at http://www.gardensandflowers.net/Free_Report.html

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How to Take Care for Indoor Bamboo Plants

Care for indoor bamboo plants ensures in healthy growth of bamboo plant. It includes proper fertilization, nourishment and sapping. These in reality are wild long grass that grows in the tropical region amidst the warm climate. Due to its easiness and ornamental look they are usually grown indoors. Alphonse Kerr and Japonica are some of the fabulous plants that are usually grown at home. Since these are sturdy plants various steps have to be implemented to ensure their growth. Caring of these plants becomes easier as an individual gets familiar to it.

Maintaining tips:

1. Care for indoor bamboo plants can be done by embedding the them in a pot with soil containing mix of fragmented rocks, pebbles and clay. This helps in proper drainage. Otherwise water gets saturated resulting into rotting of roots.
2. Watering needs to be done keeping in mind the climatic conditions of the area. Normally, soil speedily dries out when kept indoors. Coiling of leaves shows that it is not getting water properly whereas, sagging signifies over watering.
3. Place the plant in area where it can get adequate sunlight and enough shade.
4. Care for them also depends upon regular organic feeding of chicken manure, N: 10, P: 6 and K: 5 done in small quantities.
5. Misting is another important step. It is spraying spurt of water on plant. It is used to imitate the damp conditions that bamboo is habitat to. Use of Vaporizer can be done for misting.
6. Bamboos are usually resistant to pests but sometimes they might get infected by fungus, insects and microbes that cause spots on it. So, pesticides have to be sprayed.
7. Care for indoor bamboo plants hugely depends on the time of its planting.If it is planted in winter season then dense protection is required so that soil remains loose deep down even in frigid neighboring.

Caring of Taller Plants:

If an individual wants to grow tall bamboo plants, then routine trimming and tapering has to be done, so that its branches don't over spread. Discard away the shrunken stems of the plant by cutting it at the soil bed level. Care for them also includes restricting its height. It can be controlled by cutting it above nodes. Bamboo sometimes extends till ceiling of house in such case, cut out the stalk off the uppermost branch. If lower stems have less or no branches, then cut it from its lower third and reduce the branches till second node of every branch. This encourages growing of new, tender branches. An individual can also surround the pot with barricade, to accentuate the spreading of plant. Soil near the barrier has to be hard without any air pockets.

If you would like to learn more about Indoor Plants and receive a FREE Newsletter on the subject visit the authors site http://www.indoorplantsadvice.com

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The Power of LED Grow Lights

With the release of hard-hitting documentaries such as Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth and Leonardo DiCaprio’s The 11th Hour energy consumption and its relationship to global climate change has become a prominent issue. What people often fail to understand is that the best solutions are not great actions on the part of a few, but rather small actions taken by the many. For example, if everyone in the U.S. were to replace incandescent lights with fluorescent ones, it could eliminate the need for Middle East oil.

LED Grow lights are another example of a small thing that can make a great difference. If you are growing your own food hydroponically, you’re already taking a step toward saving the planet. The use of LED Grow Lights allows you to take the next step in reducing your footprint on the planet. Not only to they operate at a fraction of the voltage of conventional bulbs (less than 20 VAC as opposed to 120), but they are free of mercury – a highly toxic metal used in metallic vapor and fluorescent lights.

LED Grow Lights are efficient and economical in other ways as well. Unlike fluorescent bulbs, LED Grow Lights require no ballast that will eventually burn out. They also emit “targeted light;” whereas most standard grow lights emit a broad spectrum of light that includes light wavelength that is useless to plant life, LED Grow Lights emit only that part of the spectrum actually used for photosynthesis. This also means far less waste heat, which requires extra ventilation to carry away. It also means less glare; while this useful light is very bright to plants, humans perceive such light as relatively dim. This also eliminates the need for troublesome shades and reflectors.

Although they can represent a greater upfront investment, LED Grow Lights cost substantially less in the long run. In the first place, they are not nearly as fragile as conventional bulbs and fluorescents. Best of all, they are extremely durable – the average lifespan of an LED Grow Light is 100,000 hours – which is as much as fifty times as long as that of conventional bulbs. This adds up to nearly twelve years under normal conditions.

Because LED Grow Lights are environmentally friendly, they will result in healthier, more productive plants. Because they emit very little in the way of heat, LED Grow Lights allow your plants to keep cooler. Plants thrive at room temperature, receiving all the light they require without growth-stunting excess heat. In addition, your plants will suffer less from heat-related root damage that can occur when hot conventional grow lights heat the soil. With LED Grow Lights, your plants will also require less watering.

Across the board, LED Grow Lights allow you to grow more economically and in a more environmentally-friendly way.

Susan Slobac operates a hydroponics garden store. She has detailed knowledge of what grow lights are best for hydroponics gardens. Susan is also concerned with the environment and sees LED grow lights as one alternative solution to the traditional energy consuming grow lights most often used. Susan promotes LED grow lights based on efficiency and performance.

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Getting Started with Indoor Gardening

It is extremely difficult to maintain an outdoor garden in many climates. If you have below freezing temperatures, you should bring your plants indoors and start an indoor garden. You can also do indoor gardening to give your house a natural feel, along with your decorations. Blooming flowers can add a lot to your décor, especially if you have grown them yourself.

Some plants are not suitable for growing in an indoor environment. If a plant requires a lot of water, then you should keep it outside. If you water a plant a lot you can easily end up drowning it. So try to choose a plant that do not require too much water. An unpleasant aspect of indoor gardening comes when a plant sheds it's leaves or flower on you floor. You should be familiar with what the plant does during all seasons, so as to avoid a mess on your floor.

You should give the plants the attention they need, especially if you have many different plants around, it will be a wise to set up a watering routine. You should know how often each plant needs watering , mark them with tags or mark the pots. Just make sure that you have a system to remind you of the individual needs of each plant.

Supplies are the final important part of any indoor garden. Naturally you should use pots that will blend in with your décor. This should be easy to accomplish. You can get clay pots, ceramic pots, metal pots, or even wooden pots in almost any design. They can be hung from ceilings, set on your tables, or even placed in a corner. You should just think about how big the plant is going to get, how fast it will get there, and where in your house needs decoration. Indoor gardening can be a fun and rewarding hobby, and fortunately it is simple to start.

Daniel D Junior is a freelance writer and contributor for this website Indoor gardening tips and benefits

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Orchid Growing

Growing orchids is very rewarding. After all, orchids are amongst the most stunning flowers around. They possess fragrance, color, form and keeping quality that is unsurpassed in the plant world.

However you need to know certain facts about orchids if you're to get the best out of your orchid plants.

For instance watering. Different orchid varieties have different watering requirements. Some need to be kept moist all the time. Some need to be allowed to dry out between waterings. And some need to be kept moist during active growth, allowed to dry out between watering when not in active growth. So you always need to ask about watering when you buy your orchid plants.

The amount of sunlight your orchids receive is another essential factor. Some orchid varieties don't enjoy full sunlight e.g. Phalaenopsis orchids. And they prefer being behind blinds.

Here's a good pointer to know if your orchids are healthy: you can check how healthy your orchid is by its color. The leaves are bright green instead of being dark green.

Of course you have to look out for the pests which can ravage your orchid plants. Snails, slugs, aphids, thrips, mealybugs, and scale insects are the usual suspects.

Re-potting is a task you're going to have to consider at certain stages of your orchid's life. And you need to know certain essential facts when you re-pot.

Of course when you've started growing orchids you'll probably want to add to your orchid collection. And that brings with it its own risks. So you'll have to follow a special regime.

Once you start growing your own orchids you'll discover it's a very rewarding hobby.

For more details on growing beautiful orchids visit http://www.orchid-growing-tips.com

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Feng Shui Container Gardening

When most people who are familiar with feng shui think of gardening according to feng shui principles, they typically envision a large, open yard filled with neat clusters of rocks, plants, and statuary, creating a field of thriving energy that complements the free, open surroundings. It's an understandable vision, considering that the very term "feng shui" conjures up visions of serene, sprawling Asian gardens, where people can walk for an entire afternoon while pondering life's most complicated and unanswerable questions.

Did you know, though, that you can create an equally powerful positive energy by applying feng shui principles to urban container gardening, where you have more concrete than grass, and more people than flowers?

The truth is, it really doesn't matter all that much how much space you have, or whether you live in an urban, suburban, or rural environment. What matters is how you create your energy in the space you have available.

In confined urban areas, this may likely mean that you will need to create your space through container gardening. This is actually a great way to build positive feng shui, because you are not limited to planting flowers, herbs, and trees in areas of your yard where vegetation normally grows well. Instead, by using gardening containers, you can literally place your plants anywhere you want (within the space alotted to you by your landlord, of course).

It's okay to put shade plants in a sunny area when you are container gardening, because you can take the plants inside or move them if they start to show signs of solar intolerance. Likewise, you can put full-sun plants in a shade area for a few days, just to be able to balance the energy of that area, before returning the plant to it's natural habitat. This makes your feng shui garden much more versatile, and allow you to rearrange elements quickly, if a shift in energy occurs in or around your home.

A third great thing about feng shui container gardening is that it's okay if you develop an emotional connection with your plants, because if you move, you can take them with you. Unlike ground-planted landscapes that homeowners have spent years working on, when you have a container-based garden, you don't have to worry about leaving it behind. When you move, you can simply move the plants to your new home, helping to create a sense of familiarity and belonging within your new living space.

Container-based feng shui gardening has very few considerations, at least in comparison to fixed-plant gardening. Your plants are easier to arrange and move; you can create more meaningful, healing energy in a smaller space; and you can take your entire landscape with you when you move, if you so desire.

Perhaps the most important facet about container gardening, though, is that you will be creating a peaceful space for yourself, in spite of living just inches away from neighbors, landlords, and maintenance workers. Any time you can find sanctuary in those surroundings, well, it has to be well worth the effort.

Good luck and happy landscaping!

Linda Binns shows you how to be more successful in all areas of your life by working with your environment. She is giving away FREE Feng Shui Success Secrets. To get access to these powerful and practical secrets that can help you transform your life - go to http://www.fengshuiexplained.com now.

Linda Binns is author of Feng Shui for Your Relationships: Changing Your Environment to Create Better Relationships. She has been a Feng Shui Practitioner, Author, Speaker and teacher for over 10 years. She has appeared internationally on television and radio and in local publications. Linda is also the founder of The Feng Shui Success Institute - which teaches in-depth Feng Shui training and practitioner certification.

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Great Gardening Ideas For Your Used Coffee Grounds

We are big believers and followers of organic farming and gardening. But alongside that we also enjoy a cup of really GOOD coffee. This ends up in a pretty large pile of used coffee grounds from our plungers by the end of the week. We personally like plunger coffee better than the drip filter stuff. The eco-nature of the our lifestyle negates the use of electric percolators etc and the plunger lets us each control how strong we want the blend! This also leaves a really course ground coffee which we need to dispose of on the island.

So what to do with the used grounds? Well we collect them all in a special bucket and transfer them up to our organic farm and garden. Luckily with the volume of farming and gardening done by Jeanie and Josefa, these grounds never go to waste!

Here are some tips for making great use of those otherwise wasted resources. (I wonder what Starbucks does with its daily tonnes of used grounds?)

throw them directly in to your garden

Coffee grounds can be thrown directly into your gardens and vegetable beds as a side dressing for vegetables, roses and other plants. Coffee grounds are high in nitrogen, but be a bit careful not to overload one spot as they are also pretty acidic. Adding other brown material such as leaves and grass cutting to the mulch will help keep a more balanced pH.

Mixing coffee grounds in your compost

Coffee grounds act as a green material with carbon-nitrogen (C-N) ratio of 20-1. They make an excellent addition to your compost, along with other vegetable and salad kitchen waste.

Combined with other composting material such as leaves, straw and cut grass, coffee grounds generate heat and will speed up the composting process. Grounds should be no more than 25% of any one compost pile's content, otherwise the balance is wrong and the system doesn't work as well.

Using coffee grounds in a worm bin

Worms fed with coffee grounds combined with the normal composting materials will flourish! They grow faster and break down the materials faster. maybe it's all that good caffeine speeding them about!

Matava is an eco adventure getaway offering you a fun and unique blend of cultural experiences and adventure activities in the environmentally pristine and remote island of Kadavu in Fiji.

http://www.Matava.com

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Successful Organic Gardening In Containers

Space can be at a premium, especially these days when apartments and condos are so popular. A simple solution for those wanting to grow at least a few basic herbs and vegetables is to grow in containers. Maybe you don’t have the time to maintain a large vegetable garden, or you have a physical condition that prevents you bending down or using the usual gardening tools. Whatever the reason, container gardening can be a great way to produce some of your organic food needs.

While container gardening may have its limitations, there are some great benefits.
* You have the advantage of being able to bring containers indoors through the coldest part of winter.
* Your pots / containers can create a focal point on a balcony or patio area, adding interest, colour or foliage.
* Planters can be made from just about any type of container that holds soil and allows adequate drainage.
* Potting mediums are easy to work with as they are the correct pH.
* Weeds are much less likely to become a problem.
* Less likely to be attacked by snails and slugs or soil borne diseases.
* The tiniest space – even a windowsill can be used to produce some fresh herbs

Soil
You need to purchase premium potting mix for growing in containers. Don’t be tempted to use soil from the garden in your pots as it will become compact and heavy, not allowing water to drain well. A premium potting medium is a must. It is lighter and so provides excellent drainage.
You will need to provide all your plants nutrients as most potting mixes do not come with organic fertilizer. Remember that more is not better when it comes to applying fertilizer. Too much fertilizer in contact with your plant's roots will burn them. Always follow the directions on packaged fertilizers. There are many organic fertilizers available to choose from so look for blends suited to the type of plant you are growing - leafy, flowering, vegetables, etc.
Container plants need watering more frequently than normal garden plants, and as a result the water leaches away fertilizers. So container grown plants benefit from liquid feeds on a regular basis throughout their growing season. You can purchase organic liquid fertilizers if you don’t have room to make your own. Use them for foliar feeding and drenching the soil around your plants.

Watering
Because container plants are above ground the sun and wind will dry potting soils out quicker than plants grown in the ground. During summer you will need to take care that your pots do not dry out.
Water containers when the soil dries out to a depth of 1-2cm (1/2 inch). Apply water with a soft flow to be gentle on your plants and the soil. In really hot weather I usually re-water about 30 minutes after my initial watering. This is beneficial in containers as plants cannot always take up the water quickly.
It is important to make sure that your containers have adequate drainage or your plants will suffer and ultimately die if the roots are permanently sitting in water. If your containers sit on the ground bottom holes may not drain readily. If they are on a patio or are just off the ground, there should be no problem with bottom holes. If you’re not sure, make side holes.
Pieces from an old broken clay pot or fly wire placed over the holes will keep the potting mix from packing around the holes and reducing drainage, as well as keeping it in the pot.
You can add some mulch to larger pots in summer to help prevent them from drying out. I like to use pea straw.

Choosing the right plants
When you’re growing in containers you will need to look for varieties that are the most suitable for growing in small areas. Many herbs make excellent container specimens. You could start with some of the smaller vegetables such as radishes, lettuce, onions, capsicum or chillies, eggplant, short varieties of carrots, bush beans etc. Container planting is ideal to try out some companion planting techniques. You’ll have better success if your plant combinations are happy ones!
If you plant in three weekly successions you may be able to achieve continuous production of some plants.
You can also try some climbing plants providing you have some trellis or railing for support. Strawberries grow well in containers, particularly hanging baskets if they are not allowed to dry out.

Location
Choose a position for you container plants where they get about six hour sun each day, preferably morning sun rather than afternoon sun.
You may also need to protect your plants from falling over in strong winds. If you have many pots they might provide some protection for each other. Place the tallest plants along walls or trellises.

Many conventional gardeners find themselves with more than just a few plants growing in containers. I wouldn’t think of any other way to grow mints as they are just impossible if they escape into the garden. And how many people have the space for a full grown bay tree, when they only use a few leaves each week?
Yes, they take a little extra care, but we are well rewarded with our bounties. Try growing a few pots together. They look great and they provide a suitable micro-climate for each other. Good luck with yours!

Hi, I am an avid organic gardener and am known by my friends as the recycling queen. I live on a small country property in South Australia. It is my mission to encourage as many people as possible to start organic gardening. This will improve both our individual lives and the wellbeing of our personal and global environments. Please visit my website and get your free 3 part Composting Guide. For Companion Planting info click here.

Happy gardening, healthy living…
Julie Williams
http://www.1stoporganicgardening.com

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Basic Gardening Tips

Are you looking out for ways to enhance the exteriors of your home? However, at the same time, do you feel a little lethargic? Well then, you are lucky. There are some basic gardening tips that can help you to add a decorative touch to any deck or patio area, plus add some greenery to it. Once you decide on decorating your garden and if you are a beginner at it, then you should understand some basic gardening tips, to make it a delightful pastime.

Gardener's gain satisfaction when they see their creation, smell the blooms and sit in the fresh air. Just imagine spending a weekend in the yard that you have created with a lot of love. As a beginner, you need to understand and follow some basic gardening tips that can help you create a masterpiece. In the beginning, you have to go quite slow and start small, by using your imagination. Therefore, choose a task that does not take long to complete. Initially you have to start of by controlling the weeds and pests, but first enlarge the garden. There are some key considerations for successful gardening like-

Soil

Initially you should always start with good soil and you may have to purchase some testing tools from the local gardening shop to find out what your soil needs. If your present soil has clay or shale, then you need to treat the soil before planting. You might have to treat around 60% of the soil to make it fertile enough to start your gardening. You need to include peat moss, garden compost, planting mix, perlite and composted manure.

Water

The condition of the soil determines the amount of water it needs and if you treat the soil properly then you will need less frequent water. If you have decorated your garden with lawns, then you should water them every 2-3 days during the first week and then stop watering them every day during the next week, as too much water usually prevents oxygen from entering the soil space and this suffocates the roots. Shrubs and roots need frequent and deeper levels water ever 7-10 days. Once the plant settles into the ground, then it requires less watering. You should saturate the root thoroughly; water only after the soil dries up.

Fertilizers

Basic gardening tips suggest that you should not fertilize a dry plant. You should always mix the fertilizer with water and then gradually pour it over a plant. You should first water the plant before fertilizing as the fertilizer burns the roots of the dry plant. You should fertilize the plants every week or after every third watering session. Perennials should be fed late in April or through August.

Pesticide

After planting, you should keep the plant pesticide free. Good quality pesticide can be made in a jar, by combining 1-teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty bottle that has a spray nozzle attached, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture with 1 cup of water and then you can use this solution every ten-days to avoid whiteflies, aphids, mites, scales and other pests.

Tracy Ballisager is stays at home mum, who loves gardening. To read more about gardening tips and idea go to http://www.gardening-tips-idea.com

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Ancient Hydroponics Gardens

The word “hydroponics” is derived from two Greek words: cidra, meaning water, and punikos, meaning labor; thus, literally “waterworks.” Contrary to popular belief, hydroponic gardening is an ancient form of agriculture, going back 3,000 years. There are references to the cultivation of plants directly in water in Egyptian records dating back to the time of the New Kingdom and the “Woman-King,” Pharoah Hatshepsut around 1460 BCE.

The best-known hydroponic gardens of the ancient world were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Also known as the Gardens of Semiramis, the Hanging Gardens are reputed to have been located near Al-Hillah in present-day Iraq, and were regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The Hanging Gardens were built by King Nebuchadnezzar around 600 BCE. His wife, Amytis, was from Media, whose people were the ancestors of the modern Kurds. The country of Medea was a mountainous one, roughly corresponding to present-day Kurdistan, northern Iran and Azerbaijan. Legend says Amytis became homesick for the mountains and the flora of her homeland; Nebuchadnezzar had the Gardens constructed for her. According to Greek historians of the time, the Hanging Gardens, a water pipe led into a well tower, which supplied water via a number of vaults for fruit trees growing in a layer of asphalt.

Centuries later, Italian traveler Marco Polo, who reportedly visited China during the late 13th Century CE and introduced pasta to Italy, commented on what he called the “Floating Gardens.” Around the same time on the other side of the world, the Mexica – one of the native peoples who later formed the Aztec Empire of Mexico – built a city called Tenochtitlan on the shores of Lake Texcoco. Where Mexico City stands today, the Mexica constructed an extensive urban center that included a type of early hydroponic system upon which plants were cultivated on the surface of the water. These early Mexican “floating gardens” were developed out of necessity, because arable land was at a premium in the area. Called chinampas, they were actually small, artificial islands that were created by scooping up mud from the marshy areas bordering the lakes. This mud was ultimately held together by tree roots; food plants were cultivated on these “islands,” and were amazingly productive.

The modern history of hydroponics actually begins in 1627, when Sir Francis Bacon’s Sylva Sylvarum was published posthumously. In this treatise, Bacon – an English philosopher and contemporary of Shakespeare – wrote about the cultivation of terrestrial plants without soil. Although Bacon died before his theories could be explored, the idea of water culture caught on as an area of scientific study throughout the remainder of the 17th Century. By the 1860s, German botanists Julius von Sachs and Wilhelm Knop had perfected the first nutrient solutions for soilless agriculture, and modern hydroponic gardening was born.

Susan Slobac is a hydroponic gardening specialist who has been studying the history of various hydroponics gardening techniques. She uses her hydroponic garden to provide most of her food supply and recently has become fascinated in the history of hydroponic gardening unearthing many facts on this ancient grow system.

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Homemade Hydroponics - Hydroponics Growing Media

Growing plants using hydroponics means you are growing without soil. But it doesn't necessarily mean that you are growing plants without a soil replacement.

While not strictly necessary it is usually advantageous to use some form of growing medium. Here's a quick run down of the kinds of media available to you when gardening without soil.

Why Use a Growing Medium When Gardening With Hydroponics
One very good reason to use a growing medium in your homemade hydroponics garden is to ensure that the roots of your plants are adequately supplied with oxygen. In a traditional garden your plants roots gather oxygen from the air trapped in the soil. A growing medium serves the same purpose for plants grown with hydroponics. Growing media are designed to trap air that can then be processed by the plant roots.

Another reason for using a growing medium is to provide a food reserve for the plants. Like air, nutrients from the feeding solution are trapped in the pores of the growing medium and are then available to the plants if needed. This can help to prevent crop failures.

Types of Growing Media

Rockwool
Made from basalt rock and chalk Rockwool is probably the most popular growing medium used by hydroponics gardeners. This porous material can trap large quantities of air and water at the same time.

Perlite and Vermiculite
Perlite is a pebbly volcanic rock that provides excellent drainage and aeration when used as a growing medium. Its good drainage characteristics means that it does not hold much water and so is not good for trapping nutrients.

Vermiculite is a mineral that acts like a natural wick and is able to absorb large quantities of water.

The combination of Perlite and Vermiculite is a natural for hydroponics system: one holds air and oxygen, the other holds water and nutrients.

Coconut Fibres
Made from the outer husks of coconuts this growing medium is becoming increasingly popular with organic growers. Some hydroponics growers feel coconut fibres are superior to Rockwool in their ability to retain air and water.

Expanded Clay Pellets
This medium is made from baked clay. The pellets are vary porous and retain both air and water very well. They can be reused as long as they are first sterilized.

Aquarium Gravel
A very popular growing medium is the colored gravel that is used in fish tanks. The main reason for its popularity is expense. This gravel is very cheap compared to other growing media. The downside is that it does not hold water, and therefore plant nutrients, very well at all. If you choose to use aquarium gravel you will need a constant water supply for your plants to avoid root drying.

A homemade hydroponics system can provide you with a constant supply of fresh vegetables that is not affected by the seasons. All you need are some basic supplies that are available at any large hardware store.

Colleen Gray is an avid gardener who has built several homemade hydroponics systems. For tips on making your own hydroponics garden at home peruse http://www.homemadehydroponicsreview.com

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Gardening The Pure Way With Hydroponics

People enjoy the beauty of plants in a garden, and everyone can appreciate the great food that is grown in backyard gardens. But what if you live in an apartment, and do not have any "land" in which to garden? Do you want to garden on a deck or patio perhaps? What if you would like to grow fresh produce indoors in the winter? Hydroponic gardening is a great way to grow pure food, even if you have no soil, or unusable soil, in which to grow plants.

Hydroponics describes a type of gardening system in which you can grow plants without any soil at all. Instead, you use a nutrient solution that the plant's roots capture. You will likely have healthier plants, because many plant pests live in the soil, which you will not be using for this gardening activity. Because there is no soil, happily there are no weeds for you to pull, either. You can produce more food in a smaller space because the roots of the plants are not in competition for nutrients like they are in soil, so you should get higher yields of produce from this fantastic gardening method.

There are different types of hydroponic systems that you can try. One is a passive system, where plants sit in direct contact with the nutrient solution. This one requires an air bubbler to keep the plant roots from rotting. Another system type is a nutrient film technique. This requires the use of PVC pipe. The plants sit in the pipe and water and nutrients are continuously streamed into it. Aeroponic-type systems utilize a mist or spray of nutrient solution directly on the plant roots, and the roots are not submerged. The roots of the plants are not growing in soil, but they still need some sort of medium in which to grow. Sand, gravel, vermiculite, perlite, and rockwool are all mediums.

It does not take much time to maintain a hydroponic gardening system. Only five minutes a day to check the nutrient reservoir and pH levels should do it. Use a reputable brand like futurebrite digital ballast with your lights to ensure the highest quality. Every other week you will need to replenish the nutrient solution with a fresh batch.

There are as many varieties of plants that can be grown hydroponically as there are brands of ballasts. Any of the lumatek digital ballasts. make a wise choice. Vegetables are very popular. Wouldn't it be nice to lettuce, peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes any time of the year? Now you can with hydroponic gardening. Maybe you would enjoy some fresh flower bouquets for your home. No need to run to the florist when you have hydroponically grown flowers within your reach on a balcony or patio.

Indoor gardening using hydroponic methods opens up a wide world of plant-growing opportunities for all gardeners, no matter where they live.

Susan Slobac uses of hydroponic gardening techniques and growing equipment for the majority of her food needs. Featuring seasoned advice for all plant enthusiasts, she believes that indoor gardening should be easy and foolproof. For the greatest chance of abundant results she recommends using the proper lights combined with a hydroponic digital ballast.

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Japan's Famous Japanese Gardens

There is a very interesting history of Japanese gardens. Here’s a taster of some of Japan’s finest examples of what I think is a ‘ historical artform’…The Japanese Garden.
Kyoto is a Japanese city that has perhaps the greatest concentration of Japanese gardens. Here are the ones to visit or read up about:

Kyoto Imperial Palace- this was home to the Japanese emperor until 1868
Nijo Castle- the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shogunNanzenji- A Zen temple with a beautiful serene stone garden
Ryoanji- Japans most famous Zen temple with a stunning rock gardenDaitokuji- a large complex of Zen templesKatsura villa- a villa with a Japanese gardenTenryuji- This is a temple in the Arashiyama area of KyotoDaigoji- This famous temple is in the south-east of KyotoByodoin- A fine example of a land garden from the Heian period of Japanese history.

Each period of Japanese history saw a change in Japanese garden design and construction, and outside influences most notably from china shaped the evolution of the Japanese garden.
There are fine examples of Japanese gardens all over the world but this article is concentrating on Japan's finest creations. Outside of Kyoto there are some wonderful gardens to enjoy.
Yokohama- Sankeien, is a really spacious beautiful Japanese garden.Kamakura- the Zuisenji Temple- most famous for it’s Zen gardens.Mito- Kairakuen garden which has 3000 plum trees!Hiraizumi- Motsuji garden, this has a temple and pure land garden.Inuyama- Urakuen garden, this garden has a magnificent Tea ceremony house.Yoshino- Chikurin-in Temple, a Ryokan temple with a stunning garden.Kobe- right in the city centre is the Sorakuen garden. It’s a landscaped garden.Himeji- the Kokoen garden is right next to the Himeji castle.

Hiroshima- this city has as you know a history but it also has a fantastic Japanese garden.Yamaguchi- has a really famous Zen garden at Joeiji Temple.Dazaifu- Another beautiful Zen garden at Komyozenji.Kumamoto- Suizenji Koen, a landscape garden that reproduces the Tokaido.

Kagoshima- Senganen is an amazing Japanese style landscaped garden.Naha- this was the second residence of the second Ryukyu Kings and the garden is called Shikinaen.
If you ever get to travel to Japan, try and visit at least some of these spectacular gardens. It’s fairly easy to get around Japan as they have a marvellous public transport system- so make good use of it! I hope you have found this information useful

For more information about Japanese and Zen gardens go to: http://www.japzengardens.org
Russell Chard is a Japanese garden enthusiast based in the UK. He can be contacted via e mail at : zeniboltd@aol.com
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Flower Gardening Basics

A flower garden is a place of creative beauty, relaxation, contemplation, rest and play. No matter how constrained you are about space, money or time, designing a flower garden can be done effectively and beautifully. Perhaps, planning and setting up your first flower garden may seem challenging, even a bit daunting, but once you see the result blossoming, the efforts will all be worth it. This simple overview of flower garden basics will help you to start on this enriching endeavour, express your creativity, get closer to nature and enjoy a truly flowering experience.
Here are some practical tips on how to start your fascinating and exciting adventure of setting up a colourful and lively flower garden; from selecting a spot, preparing the soil, selecting your flowers, designing your garden, and planting your flowers.

Practical tips on how to start a flowerbed from scratch
Site selectionTo begin planting your flower garden, choose a sunny spot that gets direct sunlight the whole day or at least for half a day till noontime. Select a site that is flat as it is easiest to work on. A slight slop is okay too, but avoid a steep hill for your first time planting a flower garden, as it can be cumbersome and challenging.

Removal of Weeds and GrassOnce you have selected your site, remove any existing grass or weeds including the roots from the area. Ensure that this task is done methodically and thoroughly so as to not only prevent problems in the future but also for obtaining better flower gardening results. Getting rid of weeds and grass can be done by hand or by using a sod cutter. You could also smother the ground with cardboard and newspapers topped with mulch or use an herbicide.

Soil PreparationThe next step would be preparing the soil. Loosen the soil and mix organic matter into it. Organic matter consists of decomposed materials such as compost, old rotten leaves, well-aged stable manure, spent mushroom soil, or whatever materials you have available locally at reasonable cost or in your daily trash. Additional an abundance of soil organisms, from earthworms to fungi, provide needed nutrients to plant roots and keep your flowers healthy.

Garden SizeWhile deciding the size of the flower garden, it’s not always how big it is that matters. If it is your first time planting a flower garden, start small so that it is more contained and manageable. It will allow you to deal with the preparation phase more efficiently as well as keep up the maintenance of the flower garden as the season progresses. The choice of expanding is always there once you have succeeded in building a healthy and colourful flower garden.
Once all the preparations are done, you can start thinking about how you want your flower garden to look; what kind of garden design and style you prefer, how colourful you want it to look, the mood it should emanate and the backdrop your flower garden should have.

The big question that arises then is selecting the flowers to grow in your flower garden. This will not only depend on the gardener’s own personal tastes but more importantly on growing conditions, style of the flower garden and other similar practical conditions. Try to pick as many native flowers as possible for best results. However, there may be some non-native flowers that are adaptable and may fit in well with your existing native ones. The key to this is to find a successful combination that works without being environmentally irresponsible.

It is fun to plant flowers, watch them grow and see your efforts come to fruition. But it is critical to quantify how much time you have to spend on maintaining your flowers, and your flower garden, as even low maintenance plantings require regular care. Ensure that you keep some time off every week to take care of your flower garden.

Growing flowers is pleasurable and a flower garden is a like a dream. The whole process of flower gardening can be addictive and exciting. Moreover, its even good exercise. Keeping your flowering plants and flowerbeds well cared for can ensure colourful as well as beautiful results and lead to a truly enjoyable experience.
William Brister - http://www.beautifulgardens.tv - Essential Gardening Tips
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My Vegetable Organic Gardening Experience

My last quarter-acre block had a bore to provide plenty of water. I planted some garden beds with vegetable seeds in the conventional way. Then I scratched little trenches (about 2 inches deep and wide) and buried my potato peeling in the trenches. Then I took a kilo (2.2 lbs) of broad beans (fava beans) and broadcast them over the same ground, then I went over the same ground placing sweet-corn seed carefully under the weed stubble.

That still left about half my garden unplanted. So I mowed the ground, mixed up all the left-over seed from my seed packets and broadcast them over the remaining soil.

Each seed finds the micro-climate conditions best suited to it - or dies.

There is plenty of competition. The plants that survive are strong, healthy vegetables. When I want to transplant a seedling, I pull out a weed and plant the seedling in the hole. Pests like unhealthy plants so this is the natural garden pest control method.

Oh, the potato peelings grow into potatoes where the conditions suit them.

The broad beans are a winter crop and provide nitrogen for the corn and potatoes, and beans for me to eat.

Oh, you may have gathered that I am very lazy. That's why I like permaculture. If I can plant a tree and forget about it, except when I harvest, that suits me fine. For that reason I grew Madagascar Beans and Hyacinth Beans which are both perennials and climbed over everything without me needing to plant them again each year. Both taste good to me.

So my advice for organic gardening for beginners in to plant more, and more, and more...

Ian is a keen organic gardener and likes lazy techniques. Discover new ideas to be healthy and lazy at http://naturalorganicgardening.com

Setting Up Your Own NFT Hydroponic System

The NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) used to be commonly used among commercial and smaller scale hobbyist or amateur hydroponic growers. Its use has diminished among commercial growers in recent years mainly because new hydroponic techniques exist today that are better suited to large-scale farming.

Amateur hydroponic growers however still use NFT often. It's not that expensive, it's very easy to use, and it can be easily adapted to suit many different plant types.

The NFT is one kind of solution culture in hydroponics. Solution culture hydroponics involves the growing of plants without growth medium and without soil. Many hydroponics growers believe that solution cultures are the only true form of hydroponics. They say that when growers add solid growth mediums, they are adding nutrients to the plants in the same way soil does. NFT on the other hand, treats the plants only with nutrient solutions prepared by the growers and delivered to the plants root system via water.

NFT Hydroponics Systems work by generating a constant water flow at the plants' root systems which are suspended in a tub. The slow moving water solution is spread out across a flat surface at a depth of approximately 1 to 3 inches. This shallow solution depth is constantly maintained to create a nutrient film over the plant roots.

When setting up your own NFT system you will need a shallow, flat-bottomed tub and a submersion pump which will keep the water flowing over the plant roots. The plants should be placed close together in order to enable the nutrients to more readily cling to the roots. The submersion pump will constantly recycle the water back into the system. And because the water is being constantly recycled, you will need to closely monitor the nutrient levels in the water.
The NFT technique does have a few potential drawbacks which need to be addressed. For example the nutrients necessary for the plants can cause damage to the submersion pump. If the submersion pump fails, or if there is an electrical failure, your plants will not be getting the nutrients they need to survive. A relatively short disruption in the pump can lead to complete failure in your plants.

Nevertheless the NFT Hydroponic System remains a viable method of hydroponic gardening for small scale and indoor gardeners. By closely monitoring the pump and nutrient solution, hydroponic gardening can be made nearly risk free and quite productive!

Hydroponic Gardening Website: Tony Buel Read Full Article at: Setting Up an NFT Hydroponics System
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The History and Growth of Hydroponics Systems

Hydroponics means working water and comes from the Greek words 'hydro' and 'ponos', meaning water and labor. Many different civilizations have utilized hydroponic growing techniques throughout history so they are not a new method of growing plants. Giant strides have been made over the years in this innovative area of agriculture.

Throughout the last century, scientists and horticulturists have experimented with different methods of hydroponics. One of the potential applications of hydroponics that helped continue research was for growing produce in non-arable areas of the world. Hydroponics was also integrated into the space program as hydroponics easily fit into their sustainability plans. The research for their plans is ongoing.

By the 1970s, scientists and analysts wee not the only people interest in hydroponics. Traditional farmers and eager hobbyists began to be attracted to the virtues of hydroponic growing. Some of the positive aspects of hydroponics include the ability to produce higher yields than soil-based agriculture and they allow food to be grown and consumed in areas of the world that cannot support crops in the soil.

Hydroponics also eliminates the need for massive pesticide use, which makes the air, water, soil, and food much cleaner. Commercial growers are changing to hydroponics like never before as the ideals surrounding the growing techniques touch on subjects that interest most people, including world hunger and making the world cleaner.

Everyday people have begun to purchase their own hydroponic systems to grow great tasting and fresh food for their family and friends. Educators have also begun to realize the amazing applications that hydroponics can have in the classroom. Many gardeners have made their dreams come true by making their living in their backyard greenhouse and selling their produce to local restaurants and markets.

The potential of hydroponic culture is incredible, but commercial hydroponics in the United States was held back until hydroponic systems that were economical to build and relatively easy to operate became available in the marketplace. With the advent of high tech plastics and simpler system design, this came about in the late 1970s. The energy saving poly greenhouse covers, the PVC pipe used in the feed systems, and the nutrient injector pumps & reservoir tanks were all made of types of plastic not available prior to the 1970s.

As both small and large hydroponic farms were established in the late 1970s, it was proven that hydroponic culture could produce premium produce and be a profitable venture. As hydroponics attracted more growers, complete plant nutrient formulas, and hydroponic greenhouse systems were being marketed. Environmental control systems were being developed to help growers provide the ideal plant environment in addition to the ideal plant diet.

Commercial crop growers are turning to soil less cultivation more and more. The speed of growth combined with the control over the growing environment means higher quality crops. The worry over soil born diseases and pests are greatly reduced, plus weeding is a thing of the past. For commercial growers, rapid harvest and higher yields are great reasons to grow hydroponically. The techniques used by commercial growers are now available to the home gardener.

Hydroponics may be used in underdeveloped countries for food production in limited space. It is even feasible to grow hydroponically in areas of poor soil conditions, such as deserts. The desert sand serves as a good growing media and seawater can be used to mix nutrient solution once the salts have been removed. The popularity of hydroponics has increased dramatically over a very short period of time. Experimentation and research in the area of indoor and outdoor hydroponic growing is an ongoing process.

Hydroponic Systems gardening can be a fun and productive new way of gardening for you. We have tips and resources to get you started fast!

Article: Short History of Hydroponics Systems Author Tony Buel

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Organic Gardening: Going Natural

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What makes organic gardening different from conventional gardening techniques? The simplest answer is that the organic gardeners choose to use natural or organic materials and methods, avoiding man-made chemicals to grow their produce. The two primary areas which distinguish organic gardening are 1) application of fertilizers and 2) controlling pests.

Natural fertilizers: Better Tasting Produce?

Though there is no scientific evidence that the use of organic fertilizers would produce better tasting produce, most organic gardeners would beg to differ. One might agree that with the notion that we are ingesting too many chemicals from our foods, limited use of chemical fertilizers may produce better tasting and higher quality produce. The use of organic compost as a replacement for chemical fertilizers is one of the more common way to fertilizer your crop. Other alternatives include the use of teas derived from plants, such as compost tea. The use of organic matter also replenishes the soil by increasing the organic content.

Rid Your Garden of Pest Naturally

Organic gardeners use of natural pesticides stems from concerns over pesticide residues on food, groundwater and in the soil. Many reports have linked a large number of health problems to exposure to pesticides, which has many consumers and producers moving toward organically grown produce.

So how does one combat garden pest naturally? First and foremost is healthy organic soil, which produces healthy plants that can fight garden pest on their own.

Other organic pest control products rely on extracts from plants, such as oranges and lemons. D-Limonene, which is the active ingredient in citrus oils, kills many flying and crawling insects on contact. Destroying the insect's respiratory systems, an insect basically suffocates.

Another all purpose organic pesticide is made from the Neem tree. Neem oil which is produced by pressing the oil from the neem seed, does not directly kill feeding pests, rather it discourages insects from feeding on the plants that are coated, in essence starving the pests to death. Neem oil can be used on vegetables, flowers and ornamentals. Another beneficial aspect of using Neem Oil is that it is non-toxic to birds, mammals, ladybugs, spiders and bees.

As you can see there are many options for the organic gardeners to both grow and protect their produce without the use of man-made chemicals. There are many organic compounds occurring in nature that are effective natural repellants to pests and others that are beneficial to growing an organic garden.

Paul E. Web is the webmaster and publisher of agreenergarden.com which is an online Gardening resource with free articles on Organic Gardening along with other information on growing a greener garden.

Have You Ever Considered Joining A Garden Club

Gardening can add endless hours of fun to anyone's weekend project. sharing your interest to other gardeners is one way to spread your joy of gardening. For those of us with the gardening bug, unless there is a friend or family member who is into gardening, there will not be any person that you will be able to talk with.


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Garden clubs are created expressly for this reason. When anyone join a garden club, either in their local area or via the web anyone can join like minded people who share your interest. A gardening club allows anyone to share important information.

There are many gardeners who will let you in on their trade secrets of growing big, healthy plants. The gardening experts know through trial and error which plants grow more vigorously in their correct type of soil, and what is the best way to mix homemade compost. They can also solve gardening situations that you might have experienced.

With membership to a gardening club similar to the National Home Gardening Club, you are entitled to try out gardening supplies that you have eagerly been yearning to acquire. Such gardening clubs may have subscriptions to gardening publications that are complete with valuable advice and tips.

The members of the National Gardening Club are give the opportunity to sample out different gardening tools and accessories and review them to entire group of members. Think about this, knowing before you purchase a gardening tool and to know if it is worth your hard earned money or if the product will spend the rest of its life inside your gardening shed.

As anyone can see the many upsides of belonging to a gardening club are immense. Besides being able to trade of ideas with other gardeners, you can see gardening products and find out from your new members if those tools are good.

The other benefits of being a member to a gardening club is that you discover many ways to start new projects. The gardeners in this club can give you valuable information on the best way to finish your recent gardening project. There are a variety of gardening tools that this gardening club can show you. You will be able to discuss what gardening primer is best for a novice and will last during your many years of gardening.

Besides these benefits you get to review the most current DVDs and gardening videos. You will also have to ability to view information on members only websites for gardening. As a member of the National Gardening Club you have access to information about conservatories, arboretums and the endless amounts of lush gardens to be seen around the country.

The benefits and advantages of being in a gardening club are wonderful. You have many like minded gardeners that you will be able to talk with. You can get tips and advice for gardening and gardening projects. You get to review the latest in gardening accessories and tools. Find out the best gardening books to read and DVDs and videos to view. All of these benefits are yours to enjoy for a small membership fee, after a trial period in which you can decide if you are in love with your new gardening club.

Susan Green is an avid gardener that loves to give flower gardening tips to any that can stand hearing her ramble on about it. If you enjoyed this article, go over to http://www.thegardenbook.com/ and see what else she has going on.
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How Should I Care for My Grow Light System

Hydroponic gardening is a great way to grow plants in areas that could not otherwise sustain plant growth. One of the most important and costly pieces of equipment you will buy is a lighting system for your hydroponics garden. After you have made the investment, you will want to do everything possible to ensure that you care for your system properly so it offers the longest useful life.


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In a greenhouse or home setting, a hydroponic lighting system will be running for many hours each and every day. Most plants require artificial lighting, which comes from grow lights, to be turned on for sixteen to eighteen hours daily. This means that the grow lamps will be running hot because of the duration of time that they are operating. You can increase the life of your equipment by taking care of the electronic circuitry by reducing the heat. Running auxiliary fans can help bring the temperatures down, and this can help your grow light last for as much as twice as long as it would if running in hot operating conditions.

Another way to take good care of your lighting system is to make sure your ballast is operating properly. All HID lights operate in conjunction with a ballast. A ballast controls the electrical flow through a light bulb. If you are using an older magnetic ballast, you might want to consider upgrading to an electronic digital ballast. These electronic units are able to keep a more consistent flow of power to the lighting system, and this not only allows the unit to run more effectively, it also costs less money to run. It offers the best operating conditions so that each component of the lighting system will last longer than it would with having to contend with power spikes.

Also make sure that you use appropriate equipment with the particular type of grow light you use. There are different ballasts, for example, that are adapted for use with specific grow lamp's type and wattage. Using the correct equipment for your grow lights will ensure that the system works properly. Using the wrong equipment will cause a system shut-down, so pair up your equipment properly.

Take care when you are hanging grow lights above your plants that they are hung in a very sturdy manner. Lights that get bumped or jostled, or grow lamps that are placed near an entry door or near fans could receive vibrations. These vibrations loosen up all of the components of a lighting system, and reduce the life expectancy of all the parts. Solid placement where the equipment will not get shaken will help ensure that it operates properly for a long time before it needs to be replaced.
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All Grow Lights Are Not Created Equal

There are five types of HID lights, and they include mercury vapor, low-pressure sodium, xenon short-arc lamps, metal halide and high-pressure sodium. Metal halide and high-pressure sodium make great hydroponic lights.

Hydroponic gardening is one of the most popular methods for plant production. This allows people with no land, or land unsuitable for plant growth, to produce food and flowers with ease. As you go about building your up your hydroponics system you will want to invest in excellent grow lights. Many gardeners choose HID, or high intensity discharge, grow lamps because they most closely resemble natural sunlight, and this is conducive to excellent plant growth in an indoor growing situation. However, not all grow lights are created equal.

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A metal halide grow light produces a light in the blue spectrum, which is useful to young plants to help them attain maturity. For this type of light to work, electricity flows through a mix of metal halides and mercury, as well as argon gas. The metal halides have an affect on the color of light the lamp produces as well as the strength of the light. Metal halide lights are made up of a metal base and a bulb made out of glass. Inside the lamp you will find wires, a quartz arc tube, tungsten electrodes, metals and gas. In order for a metal halide lamp to function properly, you must use an electrical ballast, often gardeners choose a digital ballast for this purpose. The ballast controls the flow of electricity to the light bulb, and metal halide bulbs, when used with a specially designed ballast, allows for dimming of the light as well. Metal halides offer a great deal of control over the color temperature, or the color of the light, produced, which is why hydroponic gardeners like these lights.

A sodium vapor light, on the other hand, uses sodium to produce light in the red spectrum. Unlike the metal halide lamp, the high pressure sodium light uses an alumina arc tube. Alumina makes use of a diffused aluminum oxide, which is necessary because of the great deal of chemical activity that occurs with a high pressure sodium arc within the bulb. A high-pressure sodium lamp also must use a ballast such as futurebrite digital ballast to control the flow of electricity to the light, much as it does in the metal halide application.

Indoor gardeners enjoy using both of these types of bulbs because they give off a very intense light, which is needed by plants to thrive. Blue spectrum light of metal halide bulbs is beneficial when plants are young to enhance growth, while red spectrum light provided by high-pressure sodium lamps helps plants produce flowers and fruit. Select both lamps to enhance your plants' entire lifetime photosynthesis needs.

Susan Slobac is an expert in indoor gardening with a long history of using hydroponic gardening techniques. Offering seasoned advice for all plant enthusiasts, from the novice to the professional, Susan provides meaningful and insightful tips to make the most of your indoor garden.

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Hydroponics Gardening – How to Grow Flowers and Vegetables with Minimal Time and Effort

Did you know that you can still grow your own beautiful flowers and vegetables, without having to spend many hours every week looking after your garden?

One of the biggest problems many gardeners face is never having enough time to maintain their garden. There's always weeds to remove, insects and other pests to take care of, and steps to take to prevent plants becoming diseased. Even watering the garden each day can be very time consuming, unless there’s an automatic sprinkler system in place.

If you want a garden but only have limited time to look after it, hydroponics is a great option. Hydroponics gardening has many time-saving advantages over conventional gardening methods.

Some of these advantages are:

1. No weeding required.

With hydroponics gardening, the plants are grown in a solution of nutrients dissolved in water instead of soil. You don't have to worry about weeds sprouting amongst your plants, because soil isn't used.



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2. Fewer problems with pests and diseases.

When growing hydroponically, you have less of the typical problems with pests such as slugs, snails and caterpillars attacking your plants.

Although the nutrient solution of your hydroponic garden will have to be changed regularly, this only takes a fraction of the time compared to conventional gardening maintenance - eg. greenhouse gardening, where soil has to be replaced between crops to prevent disease.

3. You don't need to spend time watering your plants.

Plants grown in a hydroponic garden have an unlimited supply of water. You never need to be concerned that your plants are getting too much or too little water.

4. Say goodbye to digging your garden.

Preparation of a conventional garden involves loosening the soil to add oxygen for the plant’s roots to extract. Once again, as soil isn't used with hydroponics, this means one less time consuming job for you to do.

Plants grown hydroponically extract oxygen from the nutrient solution via their roots. The oxygen can quite quickly be used up, so it's important that it's replaced. The way it's replaced depends on which system is used. The most common hydroponic system is the passive system, which uses an aquarium bubbler to put oxygen back into the solution.

Plants can be grown rapidly without all the concerns of regular gardening. Although a hydroponics system can take some time to set up, you'll find it's well worth the effort.

For more information on hydroponics and the advantages over regular gardening go to http://www.about-hydroponics.info/information-on-hydroponics.html

About The Author


Stephen Provis has an interest in plants and home gardening, and is owner of http://www.ultimate-hydroponics.info/hydroponic-grow-systems.htm

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Hydroponics Gardening

What do the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Floating Gardens of China, and a popular science fiction television program have in common? Hydroponics gardening! You may have heard of a hydroponics gardening system before this, in which case you'll understand what I'm talking about.


With Hydroponic Gardening You Can Grow Anything Indoors Or Outdoors Without Using Soil And With Amazing Results!
Click Here NOW!


Hydroponics Secrets Shows You How To Grow The Plants, Fruits And Vegetables -even In Limited Space--without Using Soil.
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If you haven't heard about hydroponics gardening, don't worry. Hopefully by the time we reach the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of what a hydroponics garden is, and if someone asks you whether you think a drip system, or an ebb and flow system is better, then you won't have to squint at them and say 'eh?' in that confused way. Before we get on to the subject of drip, and ebb and flow systems, let's take a crash course in hydroponics gardening.

Coming from the Greek words 'hydro' for water, and 'ponics' for labor, the word hydroponics in gardening terms is used to specify a type of gardening that doesn't have its roots in soil, if you will forgive the pun. This soil-free type of gardening depends entirely on a water based system that is enriched with nutrients. These nutrients can either be in the form of specially formulated chemicals for hydroponics gardening, or they can come as a variety of natural nutritional ingredients found in nature itself. The use of either nutrient form is solely dependent upon the gardener.

Since hydroponics gardening is a soil free system, containers are the best methods for growing, and a number of different varieties of containers, and pots are available to buy. As a growing medium for the plant, something for it to get its roots into, different gardeners will have different likes and dislikes. Shale is a simple and easy solution, especially for the first time gardener. With a little bit of research however, you can easily find out if Hydroton or Rockwool is a better growing medium for you than shale would be. (Hydroton and shale can be used in an ebb and flow system, whilst horticultural Rockwool can be used with just about any system).

'Any system' referring to methods used to pass along the nutrient enriched water to the plants. Again there are many options for the hydroponics gardener to choose from, but I will explain here only the two systems that I mentioned earlier. Simply put, the ebb and flow system uses a pump to respectively flood and then drain your containers at regular intervals. The drip system uses a continuous drip that supplies a steady ration of water solution that's right for each plant.

Also it should be noted that hydroponics gardens have a higher growth rate, and many gardeners take advantage of this to create high yield vegetable and fruit gardens. Now that you now what hydroponics gardening entails to a large extent, with a little more research you should be able to set up your own hydroponics system, and keep yourself year round in fresh fruits and vegetables!

About The Author
Jaime Smith operates a wonderful gardening resource site dedicated to providing the best information on a wide variety of gardening topics. You can find his site at: ==> http://www.learnaboutitonline.com/gardening/

Using Hydrogen Peroxide in your Hydroponics Gardening System

There are no doubts about the benefits of using hydrogen peroxide properly in a hydroponics system. This becomes especially true if your nutrient reservoir is kept above 72 degrees. Warm water holds less dissolved oxygen, and therefore encourages the growth of more viruses, fungi, and anaerobic bacteria. Hydrogen peroxide adds oxygen to you water and cleans the water of pathanogens. Benefits include healthier root systems, increased nutrient uptake, thicker stems, and bigger leaves.


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One expert claims it should be used on all soil gardens as well as in hydroponics sytems. Knowing as much as I do about beneficial fungus and micro-organisms and the benefits they provide to living plants, I am shy in taking this advice. However, when this first line of defense fails and plants become sick I often resort to using hydrogen peroxide treatments on my soil grown plants.

The chemical formula of hydrogen peroxide is H2O2. You may notice it is simply water with an extra oxygen atom. In fact, as hydrogen peroxide breaks down in a solution the result is oxygen and water. Its application helps deliver oxygen to over watered plant roots and helps to sterilize the growing media by killing harmful anaerobic (not oxygen compatible) bacteria and pathanogens that cause disease. This includes bacterial wilt, pythium fungi, fusarium fungi, and others.

I avoid using the common 3% hydrogen peroxide you normally find at drug stores. This is because such low percentage solutions are unstable, and chemicals are added to the peroxide to keep it from breaking down before it can be used. I did a little research because I did not know what chemicals were used for this, or if the plants uptake these chemicals, or if there was a health risk associated with any of these stabilizing chemicals.

Hydrogen peroxide is usually stabilized with acetanilide. Acetanilide is a synthetic compound that was first used for its fever reduction and pain killing properties in the late Nineteenth Century. For many years it was utilized as an alternative to aspirin to treat various ailments, but large-scale medical use stopped when the toxic side effects of consuming acetanilide became apparent. This was enough to make up my mind to use 35% hydrogen peroxide instead.

Firstly, 35% peroxide is caustic and should be treated with the same caution as a strong acid. 35% strength hydrogen peroxide should be readily available at any quality hydroponics supply shop. The stronger concentrations do not use the added stabilizers.

The recommended dosage is to add 2-3 ml to each gallon of water, however, I use 5 ml per gallon and have never had any problems. At every nutrient change treat your fresh water with hydrogen peroxide. The general idea is to let the hydroponics sytem circulate the hydrogen peroxide solution for about a half hour to let the peroxide work against pathogens and to let the solution stabilize before adding your nutrients.

The beneficial effects of using hydrogen peroxide last about 4 days. There are some gardeners who add a little peroxide to their nutrient reservoirs every 5 days in between nutrient changes. If you decide to do this, stick to the guidelines and always make sure your solution is thoroughly mixed before exposing your plants roots to it. Another option is to top off your nutrient reservoir with peroxide treated water whenever it is low.

About The Author


Jason Willkomm

Hi, my name is Jason, from Jason's Indoor Guide. I have ten years experience growing indoors, under lights. No less than two of those years I was using hydroponics methods. It is my goal to improve the results of every organic and hydroponics gardener through accurate, easy to understand information. Visit me at http://www.jasons-indoor-guide-to-organic-and-hydroponics-gardening.com/.

How to Design Pink Tulip Flower Gardens

If you love to wear pink, think pink and decorate in pink, you can grow a pink tulip flower garden in your yard next spring. There are a number of varieties of pink tulips that include single tulips, double (peony) tulips, fringed tulips, and parrot tulip. You can also find a variety of specialty pink tulips as well, which are much fairer than the legendary black tulip.

Usually pink tulips look best with various shades of white, light blue (usually a different type of flower rather than a tulip), magenta, or a variety of bright-colored tulips. Pink tulips look good in one and two colored tulip beds as well as in multi-colored tulip beds. You can plan ahead to design the tulip garden that you want. For example, you can purchase and plant tulip bulbs that bloom at the same time and reach the same height.


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For example, the Apricot Beauty tulip is offers one of the palest shades of pink tulips. This tulip blooms in mid to late spring, that is from mid-April to mid-May resulting in a light pink - orange color. A parrot petal type of pink tulips is the Pink Fountain tulip which has fringed petals and blossoms in mid-Spring. Pink Impression tulips yield single jumbo blossoms that bloom in mid-season and reach a height up to 26 inches. The Strawberries and Cream Peony tulip is a double-blossom tulip that reaches a height of 18-22 inches in mid-to-late spring.

Another pink tulip is named the Angelique tulip. This one is a mid to late spring bloomer and it grows up to 18 inches tall. If you want a variety of colors other than pink in your flower garden it is recommended to mix this tulip with the Blue Hyacinths, a flower that is similar in type to the light purple Lilac. You could also plant this with a white tulip such as the Purissima Jumbo Deluxe White Tulip, which is a jumbo sized single blossom tulip.

Some online nurseries offer a collection of pink tulip bulbs. One colorful mix of pink tulips is the Appleblossom Pink Tulip collection which contains a mixture of both light and medium pink tulip bulbs and echoes the pink delight of apple tree blossoms. If you want to plant a pink tulip border around a flower bed, consider the Toronto Tulip, a single pink-edged vermillion tulip that reaches a height of only 10 inches.

All of the above are just a few examples of tulips that you can plant in a flower garden. This of course can be mixed with any color combinations of tulips that you want in your flower garden. Most of the time these are planted a few inches apart either in clusters of varied types of tulips or in one-color tulip garden patches.

A large part of choosing which colors would go together in a pink tulip garden is simple. Think of these basic combinations -- white and pink, red and pink, purple and pink. Think about what you choose from your pink wardrobe to dress attractively. The same thing goes for your yard. Look at the variety of pink tulip bulbs that are available. Then choose the ones you want, buy and plant them. Get ready to see your beautiful pink tulip flower garden get dressed up for a spring morning next year.

Dave Pipitone is hopelessly in love with tulips and nourishes them in his Hope Patch. For more information on pink tulip flowers, visit http://www.tulipreview.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Pipitone

Getting More Produce From Your Hydroponic Garden

Hydroponic gardening is a great way to garden indoors if you do not have arable land suitable for gardening. If you are going to be gardening indoors, you will want to garden efficiently, in order to get more produce from your hydroponic garden.

Hydroponics means that the plant is grown without dirt and with a nutrient solution that provides for all of its needs. It can mean that you grow your plants in sand, gravel or rockwool, or it can also mean that you grow them in water. The advantages to growing plants hydroponically is that they can produce more food than in traditional soil growing methods, and the food can be grown in parts of the world that has soil that will not support the growing of crops. With only a few simple pieces of equipment you will be up and running. Lights and a grow light digital ballast are the beginning of your adventure. Because many plant pests live in the soil, hydroponic gardening also takes away the need for pesticides.



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One huge key to making your garden work well and produce more food for you and your family is to make sure you are using a sufficient nutrient solution for the types of plants you are trying to grow. The nutrient solution provides the plant with all of the nutrition it would be getting if it was grown in soil. Nutrient comes in a liquid or a powdered form. How much you will use also depends on the medium in which you are growing the plants. For instance, plants growing in potting soil take less nutrient solution than plants growing in rockwool.

You will want to mix your nutrient solution carefully following the instructions on the package. If not diluted enough, the too-strong nutrient solution will not allow water to be effectively absorbed by the plant, and can kill it. However, the produce you grow will be better tasting the more nutrients the particular produce can absorb. You can use a TDS meter to determine the nutrient strength. The unit shows the strength of the nutrient solution based on the salts that are dissolved in the water, because the electrical current will flow through the salt solution. The electrical conductivity factor is what is used to measure the nutrient solution strength. Watercress and lettuce require a two to four conductivity factor, whereas fruits, berries and ornamental trees require a factor of 35. Higher levels are used for tomatoes and certain types of peppers, but most plants will grow well at a 13 to 25 conductivity factor. If you follow the directions, it should be easy to find the right solution to match the lights and digital ballasts used in your system.

Gardening is a great hobby, and now it is one that you can enjoy in an apartment with no soil at all. Also, another added benefit of this form of gardening is that there are no weeds to pull. That means more time for the fun of hydroponic gardening, and more produce, too.

Susan Slobac is an expert in indoor hydroponic gardening. Featuring seasoned advice for all plant enthusiasts, her articles highlight easy and foolproof methods for improving the overall of success with your garden.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Slobac

Hydroponics Gardening - Soil Free Gardening At Home

What do the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Floating Gardens of China, and a popular science fiction television program have in common? Hydroponics gardening!

You may have heard of a hydroponics gardening system before this, in which case you'll understand what I'm talking about. If you haven't heard about hydroponics gardening, don't worry. Hopefully by the time we reach the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of what a hydroponics garden is, and if someone asks you whether you think a drip system, or an ebb and flow system is better, then you won't have to squint at them and say 'eh?' in that confused way.


With Hydroponic Gardening You Can Grow Anything Indoors Or Outdoors Without Using Soil And With Amazing Results!
Click Here NOW!


Hydroponics Secrets Shows You How To Grow The Plants, Fruits And Vegetables -even In Limited Space--without Using Soil.
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Before we get on to the subject of drip, and ebb and flow systems, let's take a crash course in hydroponics gardening.

Hydroponics Gardening Is Soil Free
Coming from the Greek words 'hydro' for water, and 'ponics' for labor, the word hydroponics in gardening terms is used to specify a type of gardening that doesn't have its roots in soil, if you will forgive the pun. This soil free type of gardening depends entirely on a water based system that is enriched with nutrients.

These nutrients can either be in the form of specially formulated chemicals for hydroponics gardening, or they can come as a variety of natural nutritional ingredients found in nature itself. The use of either nutrient form is solely dependent upon the gardener.

Since hydroponics gardening is a soil free system, containers are the best methods for growing, and a number of different varieties of containers, and pots are available to buy.

As a growing medium for the plant, something for it to get its roots into, different gardeners will have different likes and dislikes. Shale is a simple and easy solution, especially for the first time gardener. With a little bit of research however, you can easily find out if Hydroton or Rockwool is a better growing medium for you than shale would be. (Hydroton and shale can be used in an ebb and flow system, whilst horticultural Rockwool can be used with just about any system).

'Any system' referring to methods used to pass along the nutrient enriched water to the plants. Again there are many options for the hydroponics gardener to choose from, but I will explain here only the two systems that I mentioned earlier.

Different Soil Free Hydroponics Gardening Systems
Simply put, the ebb and flow system uses a pump to respectively flood and then drain your containers at regular intervals. The drip system uses a continuous drip that supplies a steady ration of water solution that's right for each plant.

Also it should be noted that hydroponics gardens have a higher growth rate, and many gardeners take advantage of this to create high yield vegetable and fruit gardens.

Now that you now what hydroponics gardening entails to a large extent, with a little more research you should be able to set up your own hydroponics system, and keep yourself year round in fresh fruits and vegetables!

About The Author Jaime Smith operates a wonderful gardening resource site dedicated to providing the best information on a wide variety of gardening topics. You can find his site at:
==> http://www.learnaboutitonline.com/gardening/

Principles Of Hydroponics Gardening

Crops are grown in beds which are really shallow tanks or troughs that serve as a container for gravel or coarse sand. If there are several of these beds, they should be set up in a series at the same level and of a similar size.
These beds should be about 3 feet wide and any convenient length, although 100 feet is common. The sides are about 8 inches high and with a V bottom so the center is 11 or 12 inches deep at the center.

Beds intended to survive massive earthquake damage should be wooden frames lined with heavy vinyl sheeting. Pipes or other fittings should be plastic for increased flexibility and ease of repair after earthquake damage.

This permits an arrangement whereby a half-tile or similar device through the center of the bed will feed or drain the solution rapidly from one end of the bed to the other. It is very important that the slope be precise, with no low areas from which solution will not drain.

Drainage in the beds is not only pointed toward the V bottom of the bed, but also toward one end of the bed, so that the V at the drain end is 2" lower than at the high end of the bed. This is a slight slope in the bottom of the trough.

Click To Continue Reading
http://www.thefarm.org/charities/i4at/surv/hydro.htm

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Hydroponics on Mars? Students to build Mars greenhouse

Science teacher earns grant to build pod

BY JAMES DEAN
FLORIDA TODAY


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WEST MELBOURNE -- Will red tomatoes grow on the red planet?

The answer could bloom inside the Mars Pod, a geodesic greenhouse dome modeling a semi-permanent colony on Mars to be built at the West Melbourne Elementary School for Science.

"Where are these kids going to be in 2020?" asked Maria DeChristofano, the science teacher who conceived of the base along with parent Susan Kawa. "I see some of them as future astronauts."

DeChristofano recently won a $10,000 grant from Toyota and the National Science Teachers Association for Mars Base 2020, featuring the 40-foot wide pod on a bed of red pea gravel. Construction is expected to begin in May and the base should be ready for research next year.

The base will not be as sophisticated as smaller versions mimicking Mars' low-pressure atmosphere that NASA scientists are currently testing. But it will provide a controlled environment not found in the schools' outdoor gardens, where tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and giant cabbage already grow. And it is sure to excite students' imaginations.

"I'm thinking maybe hydroponics," said fourth-grader Jeffrey Swahlan, explaining the type of gardening he thinks would be most successful on Mars.

Teams of four students from kindergarten through sixth grade, possibly wearing space suits or lab coats, will take turns entering the dome and monitoring experiments.

Those will include plant growth with traditional soil, soil-less hydroponics, and the clear gelatin known as agar to determine which method is best. Currently in DeChristofano's classroom, miniature rose bushes sprout from agar-filled test tubes bathed in light from a "grow lab."

Some of the space crops will be "Fast Plants," members of the mustard family that mature in about a month. Other pod possibilities include tomatoes, cabbage and carrots, along with insects for pollination and a fish pond to balance the colony's diet.

"We're going to eat what we grow," DeChristofano said.

In that case, fourth-grader Max Kawa hopes ice cream might substitute for broccoli on the base. Swahlan thinks a little meat would be good for protein.

"If they had hamburgers up there, I could probably live off of that," he said.

Contact Dean at 242-3617 or jdean@flatoday.net


Mars facts

The average distance of Mars from the sun is 141 million miles. The distance means Mars receives only about 44 percent the amount of sunlight that Earth gets.

A Martian day is 24.6 hours long, about 40 minutes longer than an Earth day. There is very little gravity on Mars and it has almost no magnetic field today.

Hydroponic sea oats grown in Florida Panhandle to save energy

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ALLENTOWN, Fla. (AP) - Thousands of sea oats, so vital for preventing coastal erosion, are being raised in this rural Florida Panhandle community more than 30 miles from the nearest beach and without a speck of sand.

They are being grown hydroponically with roots dangling in nutrient-rich water. It's a method being touted for saving energy by the scientist-businessman who developed it and state officials who provided money for his research.

Sea oats have been grown in nurseries and transplanted to beaches, where they trap sand and help restore dunes, for three decades. Jon Hovanesian said he began growing them hydroponically in 1994, a year before hurricanes Erin and Opal slammed Panhandle beaches.

"A lot of people try to grow them but can't," he said. "It's not a very easy plant to grow."

"Sea oats live in the harshest environment on the face of earth - sand blast, sand burial, drought, high heat, low heat, salt, desiccation - everything you can possibly imagine besides a glacier," Hovanesian said. "And then they have to deal with tourists and residents."

In that harsh environment, fewer than one in 10,000 seeds become plants, but the success rate can hit 95 percent in a greenhouse, Hovanesian said.

Hydroponic sea oats need less space and water and fewer chemicals while generating no pesticide runoff, state environmental officials say. The process saves energy it would take to make the chemicals and pesticides and there's no need for fuel-guzzling tractors.

Hydroponic sea oats do very well on the beach if transplanted with an absorbent material containing nutrients, said Chuck Hamilton, public works director for Gulf Shores, Ala., a Hovanesian customer.

"They have grown fantastically," Hamilton said.

Hydroponics date back 5,000 years when Egyptians made paper from papyrus grown in water. In the 1950s, thousands of hydroponic tomato growers went out of business unable to compete with low prices for conventionally grown varieties.

Tomatoes and sea oats, however, are as different as apples and oranges, according to Hovanesian, who has seven employees and wears two hats.

He is director of Agriculture Innovations & Research Inc., a nonprofit organization that seeks grants, does research and owns greenhouses covering 60,000 square feet in Allentown. Hovanesian also is president of Coastal & Native Plant Specialists, a for-profit company that applies AIR's research and leases its greenhouses to commercially grow sea oats and other plants.

AIR has received a series of research grants from the Florida Energy Office, part of the state Department of Environmental Protection.

"This ecologically friendly cultivation method employs few resources and reaps tremendous results," said DEP Deputy Secretary Allan Bedwell.

Conventional sea oat growers are conceding nothing.

"I don't think at any point hydroponic is superior," said Otto Bundy, executive vice president of EcoGroup International, a major sea oat grower in Parrish, a small town in southwest Florida.

Competition has become intense and sea oat prices have fallen by more than half since the hydroponic plants hit the market. It now costs about $750 to plant 10,000 square feet, the amount usually needed on a 100-foot wide lot, Hovanesian said.

Hydroponic sea oats also are produced in North Carolina, said David Nash, a cooperative extension agent in Wilmington, N.C. Nash said that in 1995 he adapted the system used in his state from one developed for tobacco plants.

The Florida Energy Office this year awarded Hovanesian a $60,000 grant. A small part of it will continue the sea oat work but most will go toward developing hydroponic onions and submerged sea grasses.

Hovanesian is excited by the commercial prospects for sweet onions. He envisions three crops a year and 120,000 pounds per acre compared with one crop and 40,000 pounds for regular farming.

"It just blows row crop production out of the water," he said. "Plus it's energy efficient, no runoff, no herbicides."
On the Net:

Coastal and Native Plant Specialties Inc.: http://www.sea-oats.com

New Writers Needed

We’re looking for more new writers for our Blogging Network. If you love writing or blogging, I’d like to chat with you.

A couple notes:
• Please send me a writing sample.
• Experience blogging isn’t required, I will train you.
• Some positions are paid, and some aren’t. Please specify in your email whether or not you’ll work for free.

Send an email to williamcoit@yahoo.com .

Gardening Tool - Essential Gardening Tools

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You wouldn't think of trying to eat your peas with a knife, and it can be just as cumbersome to try to edge a garden bed with a shovel instead of a spade or edger, or to work with a pile of bark mulch using a shovel instead of a manure fork. The right tool for the job can make the work go faster and with less strain on the gardener. Here are some of the tools that belong in a well-stocked garden shed and the jobs for which they're best suited.

Spreaders. These are used to spread lime, fertilizer, and grass seed. There are two basic types: drop spreaders, in which a small paddlewheel at the bottom of a bin controls the amount of material spread, and broadcast spreaders, in which the material drops onto a spinning disk that scatters it. Broadcast spreaders cover large areas quickly, but they are not as accurate as drop spreaders. Often you can rent or borrow spreaders where you buy your fertilizers.

Spades. A garden spade has a blade with a straight end, making it handy for edging around flowerbeds and sidewalks, spreading materials, and skimming sod off new garden beds. It's also useful for double digging new garden beds.

Hoes. A hoe with a small, pointed head is good for weeding around growing vegetable and flower plants and for making furrows for planting seeds. Hoes with flat blades are good for moving the soil from pathways onto garden beds and for making raised beds. The swan neck hoe has a short, wide blade that's pointed on the ends for slicing off weeds while you're standing up.

Forks. A spading fork with flat tines comes in handy for turning over the compost pile and for harvesting root crops like potatoes. It also can be used to turn over the soil and dig up clumps of established perennials. Make sure the tines are square or reinforced, since thin flat tines will bend during use. A manure fork with round tines is good for turning over compost and moving bark mulch and other chunky materials.

Pruners. There are two main types of pruners: anvil and bypass. The bypass type causes the least damage to the stem tissue. For tender-stemmed annuals, even a sharp pair of scissors will make the cut.

Loppers. These are bigger, long-handled versions of hand pruners. The extra leverage the long handles provide, combined with the heavier, stronger jaws, allow them to cut branches up to an inch or more thick. Loppers also extend your reach.

Pruning saw. If a lopper can't cut it, a pruning saw is the next step up. Some come with a blade that folds into the handle -- very handy.

Mattock. If you have to tear out old, established plantings, you'll learn to love the mattock. It both chops and pries out old root systems.

Hand weeders. There are many types of hand-weeding devices. One of the most popular is the v-weeder or asparagus knife. It looks like a screwdriver with a wide tip notched with an inverted V. It's useful for digging out deep-rooted plants like dandelions, harvesting asparagus, and digging weeds from between paving bricks or stones. Try some different types of weeders and you're bound to find a favorite.

Last but not least, a good-quality pocketknife is a handy tool for every gardener, providing you keep it sharpened.

>SOURCE: National Gardening Association

Hydroponics Gardening Supplies - Hydrowarehouse.Com Introduces Two New Hydroponic Products

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Detroit, Mich. HydroWarehouse.com, an online distributor of discount hydroponics supplies, announces the addition of two new products to its digital catalog.

The first new hydroponic product is a 125-Watt Compact Fluorescent Daylight GrowLight System, manufactured by Hydrofarm. It's housed in a lightweight, easy-to-hang unit and resembles a mini HID system. These compact, full-spectrum fluorescent systems and replacement
bulbs are available in 125-watt daylight. These bulbs produce 6800 lumens and have a 10,000-hour life. The units themselves weigh less than 10 lbs. and are 21" x 14.5" x 9". The cost per unit is $110.00USD (plus shipping). Options include a Sunlift and a Heavy Duty Grounded timer, both available for $16USD each (plus shipping).

Hydrowarehouse.com's second new product is Waterfarm, a compact hydroponic garden or the Power Grower Eco, manufactured by General Hydroponics. The Waterfarm is the company's newest model -- slightly smaller and lighter, measuring 10" x 10" x 15" -- making it easier to handle. The Waterfarm comes complete with reservoir, growth chamber, pump, growing medium and nutrient kit. It's built using high-impact plastic to assure a long life and its unique square design allows gardeners to pack sizes together, with close spacing for large installations. The Waterfarm will grow small, medium, and large plants up to tomato, cucumber and pepper size. It's also fully compatible with the Controller systems. The cost per unit for this product is $45.00USD (plus shipping).

Hydrowarehouse.com's secure, online catalog includes these two items, as well as more than 1,000 other hydroponic proucts, hydroponic systems and hydroponic equipment and gardening products that allow customers to garden year round inside their homes. Our online shopping cart provides the state-of-the-art features to ensure security and convenience.

HydroWarehouse.com offers the best in hydroponic products, as well as world-class customer service, at warehouse prices.

Indoor Hydroponics Gardening - Garden Indoors During Sweltering Summer Months: New Website Provides the Information and Resources

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Simply-Hydroponics.com shows you how to grow tasty, healthful, fruits and vegetables without worry of summer heat, sun damage or drought conditions, using earth-friendly methods that allow you to conserve water and bypass harmful fertilizers

Ottawa, ON (PRWEB) June 21, 2007 -- As temperatures start to rise nationwide, spending significant time outdoors tending to flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables may not be practical and, when paired with the current drought conditions in many states, gardeners everywhere are looking for a way to maintain their favorite hobby and its cherished annual yield. This explains why many are turning to a new website, www.Simply-Hydroponics.com, to learn all about gardening that can be done inside and away from the heat and damaging sun rays and conserves both water and soil.
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Simply put, hydroponics is the practice of growing plants in either a bath or flow of highly oxygenated, nutrient enriched water that is perfectly balanced. And since this hydroponic nutrient solution is contained, it does not harm the environment, as does runoff from fertilized soil. Additionally, very little water is lost to evaporation in a hydroponic system, owing to its application in drought stricken areas.

This is particularly important when water bans take effect across North America during the coming summer months and in areas of the world where land and water are scarce, such as Zimbabwe, where an 11-year hydroponic gardening project at St. Werburg's Primary School in rural Mutare (Old Umtali) continues to provide nutritious food for children after a drought severally hampered food production in the region.

However, closer to home, the same benefits that are provided to people of many third world countries are also provided to city dwellers who fight similar battles of dwindling gardening space and water supply, allowing anyone, anywhere to easily and affordably enjoy growing and eating organic fruits and vegetables year-round with little effort or little cost.

For those who may have more gardening space, higher temperatures in the summer and lower temperatures in the winter have dramatically cut down garden growing time, which explains why even those with sufficient space are finding that hydroponic gardening provides them with a more consistent, better tasting, highly nutritious crop -- from fresh berries and vegetables to cooking herbs and even decorative flowers.

Likewise, as summer-time vacations get penciled for trips to locales with cooler weather, the hydroponic gardener can leave without worry, for his or her indoor garden is low maintenance and can take care of itself with pre-set timers and automatic watering.

In fact, because hydroponic gardens are so worry-free, they are perfect for children who are interested in gardening and are sure to fascinate them with their non-soil growing system, resulting in no mess. How's that for an indoor child hobby?

And, because an indoor hydroponic garden can be set up in a few easy steps, especially if you start with an Aerogarden, which provides everything you need in a single kit, you and your family can enjoy fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers in no time at all.

About Simply-Hydroponics.com
Simply-Hydroponics.com is a one-stop-shop resource for information on hydroponic gardening, providing affordable products for indoor gardeners of every level of expertise. Started by Charlotte Bradley who, as a resident of Canada, was looking for a way to grow vegetables for her family year-round, the website boasts the latest resources and updated information, making it easy for anyone, anywhere, to start, maintain, and grow the garden of their choice indoors without harmful chemicals.

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The owner of the Frogs Lilly Pad, a hydroponics organic garden center, wants to teach customers the science of soil-less gardening.

Thomas Meredith of The Frogs Lilly Pad Inc. stands next to his "soil-less" 7-foot-high organic cherry tomato plants grown by the hydroponic method. His store stocks "everything you need or want to start an indoor garden." - James Yee / The Star

"As long as you give it the nutrients it requires, it's actually better to grow," said owner Thomas Meredith.Meredith, who opened the business at 124 W. Carmel Drive this spring, wants to tap into customers who are interested in organic gardening or the gardeners who want to maintain one during the winter season.

Hydroponic plants can be grown indoors in water, sand, gravel and expanded clay pellets called Hydroton, which he carries in his store.Frogs Lilly Pad stocks "everything you need or want to start an indoor garden," he said, including metal halide light fixtures, light bulbs, ballasts and light hoods for reflective purposes.

Nutrients containing nitrogen, potassium and the micro and macronutrients that plants require can be found in the store, which carries mostly organic ingredients.
An article in Science Weekly last year described hydroponically grown plants as needing light, water and oxygen like all plants but the difference is that their nutrients come from specially formulated solutions of mineral and water and not soil.
This is Meredith's first business after having worked in the family's heating and cooling business before it abruptly had to shut down.

Because of its location on West Carmel Drive near Range Line Road, the store is not very visible, but customers have learned of it through word of mouth.
"I don't think people have a real perception, but I don't think they get much exposure on it," said Meredith. "Some can't correlate in their minds that they can grow plants without soil."

In addition, the store stocks Aero Gardens, a table-top indoor mini garden equipped with timers that adjust nutrient delivery, light cycles and water flow. Seed kits are available to grow anything from strawberries, flowers, Italian herbs to chili peppers.

The one good thing about learning how to grow his own vegetables and fruit without soil, Meredith said, is that he can monitor his food.
"I don't have that question," said Meredith, referring to chemicals and pesticides that may cause problems. "I grow most of the stuff myself."
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How do cherry tomatoes in the dead of winter sound to you, a gardener in a northern clime wishing for summer? Impossible, you say. Not if you garden indoors. Vegetables of all types can be grown year-round indoors, with the proper light, soil, fertilizer and temperature, as well as focusing on suitable plant varieties.

If you are going to grow indoor vegetables in winter, you will need to start by raising plants from seed in late summer or early fall. It's best to buy your seeds in the spring if you wish to do this, because it is not always easy to find seeds for sale at local garden centers in the fall.

Use a light seedling mix for starting your seeds. Its loose consistency will make it easy for the plants new roots to start to develop. After the seedlings have two true leaves, you can begin to carefully transplant them into individual four-inch containers. You can use any good potting soil for this purpose, but do not use regular garden soil. It is usually very heavy, has poor drainage and can also harbor disease and insects that can kill your new starts.

Because you will be watering these plants every day or every other day to keep the roots properly moist, you are also washing nutrients out of the soil. So feed your plants with a complete organic fertilizer every couple of weeks to give them the food they need to grow and flourish.

You will be playing with temperatures when raising indoor vegetables to suit the particular plants you wish to grow. Some vegetables, such as lettuce, endive, and radishes like cooler indoor temperatures. Daytime temperatures in the 60s work well, while night temperatures should go no lower than the 40s. A basement situation might work well to provide these temperatures, or an unheated porch if it doesn't get too cold.

Sun lovers like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and beans must have daytime temperatures in the upper 70s and nights can go down no lower than 60 in order for these plants to flower and produce fruit. You will likely need to provide bottom heat to your containers to make sure they are warm enough to do well indoors.

If you do not have the proper hydroponic lights, you will be doomed to failure when it comes to growing vegetables indoors. This is of utmost importance to your success. You need to keep your light two to four inches above your plants for them to thrive. HID lamps, in conjunction with digital ballasts or electronic ballasts can be purchased in as hydroponic grow light kits, work well for this purpose. These grow lights provide a complete spectrum of light for every stage of plant growth, and work well in indoor applications.

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Hydroponics is crop production with mineral nutrient solutions instead of soil containing silt and clay. Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as perlite, gravel or rockwool. A variety of techniques exist.

Perlite is a volcanic rock that has been superheated into very lightweight expanded glass pebbles. It is used loose or in plastic sleeves immersed in the water. It is also used in potting soil mixes to decrease soil density. Perlite has similar properties and uses to vermiculite but generally holds more air and less water. If not contained, it can float if flood and drain feeding is used.

Like perlite, vermiculite is another mineral that has been superheated until it has expanded into light pebbles. Vermiculite holds more water than perlite and has a natural "wicking" property that can draw water and nutrients in a passive hydroponic system. If too much water and not enough air surrounds the plants roots, it's possible to gradually lower the medium's water-retention capability by mixing in increasing quantities of perlite.

Rockwool is probably the most widely used medium in Hydroponics. Made from basalt rock it is heat-treated at high temperatures then spun back together like candy floss. It comes in lots of different forms including cubes, blocks, slabs and granulated or flock. When this medium is dry, care needs to be taken so as not to inhale any particles - inhaling such particles may carry a health risk. Rockwool will cause a higher pH level. You must adjust the pH level of the nutrient solution to counteract this. A pH level of 5.5-6.5 should suffice to create a suitable pH.

Plant physiology researchers discovered in the 1800s 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, but some will do better than others. It is also very easy to do; the activity is often undertaken by very young children with such plants as watercress. Hydroponics is also a standard technique in biology research and teaching and a popular hobby.

Hydroponics basically means working water ("hydro" means "water" and "ponos" means "labor"). Many different civilizations have utilized hydroponic growing techniques throughout history. As noted in Hydroponic Food Production (Fifth Edition, Woodbridge Press, 1997, page 23) by Howard M. Resh: "The hanging gardens of Babylon, the floating gardens of the Aztecs of Mexico and those of the Chinese are examples of 'Hydroponic' culture. Egyptian hieroglyphic records dating back several hundred years B.C. describe the growing of plants in water." Hydroponics is hardly a new method of growing plants. However, giant strides have been made over the years in this innovative area of agriculture.

Throughout the last century, scientists and horticulturists experimented with different methods of hydroponics. One of the potential applications of hydroponics that drove research was for growing fresh produce in nonarable areas of the world. It is a simple fact that some people cannot grow in the soil in their area (if there is even any soil at all). This application of hydroponics was tested during World War II. Troops stationed on nonarable islands in the Pacific were supplied with fresh produce grown in locally established hydroponic systems. Later in the century, hydroponics was integrated into the space program. As NASA considered the practicalities of locating a society on another plant or the Earth's moon, hydroponics easily fit into their sustainability plans. This research is ongoing.

Choosing the right system--whether you decide to build it or buy it--can make or break your hydroponic gardening experience.

Carefully consider your available space, lighting, budget, and time constraints before purchasing any equipment or settling on a unit to build yourself. Also think about what you want to grow, whether you may want to expand, and recurring costs.

Hydroponic systems can be "active" or "passive." They also can be "media-based" or "water culture." Active systems rely on a pump to flow nutrient around the plant's roots and to provide aeration. Passive systems work without a pump. A wicking material draws nutrients up to the roots or the root tips are suspended in a stationary solution with the main portion of the rootball hanging in the air.

Media-based systems, such as ebb-and-flow (flood-and-drain), top-feed (drip), or bottom-feed systems rely on a growing medium to support the plants and hold nutrient solution around their roots. Most operate on timers, alternately wetting the medium to wash out salts and replenish nutrients and then draining so the plants can draw in atmospheric oxygen.

Water culture systems usually operate without media. Sometimes rockwool cubes or small amounts of gravel are used because plants like tomatoes and cucumbers get top heavy when they start to bear fruit and need help to stand upright. You can also use plastic flaps, foam rings, fiber cups, or plastic collars for plant support. Some growers tie plants to a trellis.

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Perhaps you love to garden but are frustrated because you live in one of the upper floors of a high-rise apartment building. The biggest hurdle to overcome is the fact that you have no soil in which to grow plants, and lugging bagged soil up to your apartment would be no easy task. There is, however, an easy way to garden in an apartment successfully, and that is through the use of hydroponic gardening. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. You can start with a small homemade automated hydroponic growing system that can fit on a windowsill, and move up to a larger system if space permits.

One of the best reasons to consider growing plants in your apartment hydroponically is that this type of system is much easier to get set up than hauling heavy containers and soil up several flights, and the end result is fresh food for your family. To get started with a hydroponic garden in an apartment, you will need to know that there are two basic systems you can choose from: water based and media based. Medium is not soil, but instead could include composted bark, gravel, peat moss, perlite or vermiculite. Also, if you select an active system it will need electronic timers and pumps to make it function well, whereas a passive system doesn't rely on pumps and instead uses a wicking agent for the roots of the plants to access the nutrients.

Because the plants are grown in water, they receive no nutrients from the soil as they ordinarily would. Instead, in hydroponic plant gardening the gardener supplies the plants with nutrients by applying a nutrient solution to the roots via distilled water. The big three nutrients that plants need are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. There are other nutrients, called macronutrients and micronutrients, that the plants will need as well and will need to be added to the nutrient solution. Macronutrients are needed in greater amounts, and micronutrients in smaller amounts, but all are needed for plants to thrive.

One of the benefits to growing plants in a hydroponic manner is that they are less bothered from pests and diseases. Many plant pests live in the soil, so when you eliminate the soil you often get rid of the pest's habitat. Hydroponic plant propagation can also be accomplished without using a great deal of pesticides Another reason why this style of gardening is popular is it will produce more food than you could grow in the same amount of soil. You can grow the food in a spot where there is no soil at all, namely, your apartment. So have fun gardening and produce some great-tasting food with hydroponic plant gardening.

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All plants need appropriate light to grow. If you are doing hydroponic gardening, you will also need excellent light for your plants. Here is what you need to know about the different types of lights that work well for growing plants indoors.

HID lights most closely mimic sunlight, and they make excellent lights for using when growing plants hydroponically. HID stands for High Intensity Discharge, and it puts out a very bright full spectrum light. The light spectrum is important depending on what growth stage your plants are in. Young plants need blue light, whereas when you need your plants to flower and fruit they perform best under red and orange light. Providing both of these types of lights in one light bulb will provide your plants with everything they need in terms of light appropriate for any stage of plant growth.

These grow lights come in two different types. Metal halide HID lamps come in some varieties featuring blue light and some that offer more in the red/orange light spectrum. Metal halides are sometimes less expensive than other HID lights. High Pressure Sodium bulbs put out a great light in the red, orange and yellow spectrum. They last twice as long as metal halide light bulbs, and emits a brighter light.

Reflectors are also used in conjunction with grow lamps. Some plants prefer a concentrated light, while others prefer a more diffused light, and you can find reflectors that will produce either of these effects.

If you choose HID lights you will also need to use them along with electronic ballasts or digital ballasts. A ballast controls the flow of current that goes into an electrical circuit. This ballast is used to start and operate the HID light bulb. Because HID lights run at such a high intensity, it needs the ballast to control the electrical current flow.

Another type of lamp that always requires a ballast is the fluorescent light. It uses mercury vapor in a gas that is activated by the addition of electricity, causing it to give off visible light. These bulbs contain warm and cool spectrums of light, and they are also a great option for lighting your plants that you are growing hydroponically. They are typically less expensive than HID lights, but they also do not put out as much light as an HID lamp.

Plants do well when they are under light for the appropriate amount of time, usually 14 to 15 hours per day. You can put them on a timer so they come on and go off without you having to think about it. The light available to your plants is crucial to their ability to thrive and flourish, so don't skimp on light.

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Hydroponics is useful in two main ways. First, it provides a more controlled environment for plant growth than soil thereby removing many unknowns from experiments. Second, many plant species produce more in less time and sometimes of higher quality, which under certain economic and environmental conditions, makes hydroponics growing more profitable to the farmer.

With hydroponics there are no soil-borne diseases, weeds to pull, or soil to till, and plants can be placed very close to one another. This allows a large amount of food to be produced in a small amount of space. Hydroponics is also very water-efficient as it uses containers or closed loop systems for the recirculation of water, and therefore requires only a small fraction of the water used in traditional farming.

These qualities combine to make hydroponics useful wherever people wish to grow plants in a non-traditional manner. Science fiction writers have long speculated that hydroponics would allow space stations or spaceships to grow their own food. The same qualities make hydroponics ideal for those who wish to grow plants with maximum control over conditions, and maximum density.

The environment, or climate, in which your plants are grown, is one of the most important factors affecting your end results. The temperature and humidity have to be right for the type of crop you are raising; the lighting has to be of sufficient intensity and duration for the stage your crop has reached. These and many other factors have to be considered before you can hope to grow a healthy and productive crop.

Let's look briefly at the various factors involved. Growing plants indoors means that you have to create similar conditions to those outside. This may seem obvious at first glance, but is it true? Ask yourself what the advantages of Hydroponics gardening are. The outside climate is very varied and does not always work to the plant's advantage. For example a bad storm or a late frost can damage or kill tender young plants.

One of the major advantages of hydroponics gardening is that you can control the climate within the grow room. This means that you can supply your plants with the ideal conditions for their healthy growth, throughout their lives. This ensures a good healthy yield and a bigger profit margin.

Having decided upon which type of hydroponics system to use, you now need to promote the right growing conditions. All healthy plants require a good supply of water and balanced nutrients. They need the right kind of light, for the right period of time, each day. Your plants will need some kind of support for their structure, especially as they mature and grow heavy with harvestable produce. Like outdoor plants they also need the temperature to be within a certain range. Too cold and your plants will not thrive, but remain poor stunted things. Too hot and they may well dry out, then their leaves will wither and the plants die.

The addition of Carbon Dioxide gas (CO2) may be advisable to promote Photosynthesis within the green leaves of your plants. Finally some form of clean fresh air circulation is needed to ensure that your crop can breathe. Like you, your plants need Oxygen for life. They breathe it in through their tissues and like you, can become sick if it is dirty or contaminated. So, taking these factors one at a time, how can we create the optimum conditions for our plants?

Firstly water and a good supply of balanced nutrients are essential. Which nutrient to buy and how to use it? This again is a major question to some people. My advice to you would be to go with a nutrient that you can understand and are comfortable using. As you gain experience and confidence you can experiment with other methods and suppliers at will.

Lighting is another key area that seems to cause newcomers a problem. The type of light and the number of daylight hours are determined by the species of plants you are cultivating and their stage of development. Young seedlings and cuttings, for example, need much softer light than do plants about to flower. Equatorial plants will generally need a higher light intensity for a longer period than will plants from the regions where days and growing seasons are short.

The Low Down On Passive Hydroponics Garden Setup: HOW TO HYDROPONICS GARDENING 5

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Plants absorb all needed elements from water and soil. A system, in which all nutrients are provided to the plants by water, is called hydroponics system. There are two methods in hydroponics gardening. First is an active hydroponics gardening system, and second is Passive gardening system.

Both methods are good for indoor hydroponics gardening. But the success of the method depends on your strategy. It means which method you use and how will be your management skills you apply to it. It is an attempt to make available the information about how to set a Passive Hydroponics Garden.

Material for Passive Garden:

A Passive Hydroponic Gardening System requires following items and materials. Plant container with drainage whole, moisturized soil, hydroponic absorption wick, wooden table with a center whole, plastic buckets etc. material can use in Passive Garden. Make sure that all the material is enough and will proper for everything. For instance table should be slightly smaller than the plant containers. Or peat moss should be good.

Garden Setup:

Using wick system in your garden is very good idea. It is easy and simple to fulfill your desire. Set hydroponic wick into growing container. Before setting wick decide which side do you want to use or which side should be useful for your convenient.

Follow the lines of container and bottom of the container through drainage holes. Size of container should be six to eight inches above reservoir buckets and that should be provide proper nutrients to the container. Hydroponic wick should be long and adequate to reach reservoir. Then fill up containers with soil, water and other required material up to two inches bellow the container rim.

Put the container on proper place according to wick system. Before placing container arrange table and then put the container near the table. Set two other buckets underneath the table so that the water will fall into the reservoir container. Reservoir container and plant container will be placed on proper distance.

Arrange drainage system in a way that water should be reach to both containers. And make sure that you will have fill up the container with water every day whenever required. Then put a plant in a container and add other nutrients, solution with plants. It is easy to maintain and operate every thing.

Passive method is simpler than the active method. Active method requires more concentration. The passive method is not as complicated as the active method because the passive technique requires less property and material.

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Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants in a nutrient rich solution rather than in soil. It involves growing plants inside without using real sunlight. The word hydroponics comes from two Greek words, meaning "water working".

If you enjoy gardening, but have limiting factors such as very little gardening space, problems with pests or unsuitable weather conditions, then hydroponics could be the answer for you. For many people, the thought of successfully gardening indoors all year around has only been a dream. However, with hydroponics this is possible.

General hydroponics is a hobby many people are picking up today. Hydroponics is simpler than what most people think, and is proven to have several advantages over regular soil gardening. The following are some of the many benefits of growing plants using hydroponics:

Less space is required, and plants can be grown closer together. Growing plants with hydroponics is possible almost anywhere.

Less water is required as there is no soil which soaks it up before it reaches your plant's roots. Hydroponics is great in areas where there are water restrictions, as less water is lost to evaporation. When you water your regular garden plants, approximately 10% of the water actually makes it to the plants.

No pests or diseases. You don't have to worry about pest control, and because your plants are grown indoors, there are fewer problems with diseases such as mould and fungi.

Reduced maintenance time. Once your hydroponics system is set up, all you need to do is change the nutrient solution on a regular basis. This only takes a few minutes. There is no need for any weeding.

Types of plants grown with hydroponics:

Nearly all plants can be grown using hydroponics. The most common are vegetables such as tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, and peppers. Other plants include flowers and herbs.

Although hydroponics is possible for most plant species, a limiting factor is the amount of physical support required. If you are growing climbing plants, you will need to provide them with extra support.

Hydroponics supplies:

Hydroponics gardening supplies can be found at most good gardening stores nowadays. Before visiting your local store, it is a good idea to do some research online first, so you know what you need. You can also purchase supplies online.

Your grow lights are one of the most important factors for hydroponics gardening. Hydroponics stores sell individual parts as well as complete growing systems. These will include the hydroponics and lighting systems, fans, and timers, etc.

In conclusion, a hydroponics system will initially take a bit of time and effort to set up, but in the end it will be well worth it.

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Soil is a funny stuff.Well, it's not funny in the comedic sense, but funny in how its characteristics mutate as temperatures change. Deep, powdery soil materials can actually harden enough to walk on without burying your feet deep within, and this can also cause the soil to take on a rough quality that actually enhances grip for vehicles in a very unusual way.

But for Mother Nature, soil is a part of a plant's existence. Most people believed that without soil plants would never grow. And so they thought.

With the hustle and bustle of modern life, people have come to learn things that do not need much attention. Everything seems to be on an instant: instant noodles, instant food, and instant plant.

Yes! Plants can now grow on an instant, without the typical step-by-step process of sowing, watering, and tending to it day by day. You can now grow plants quickly without having to burden yourself that much.

Some call the process as soilless gardening, chemiculture, water gardening, and soilless culture. For many, this is commonly known as hydroponics gardening. Hydroponics gardening is the contemporary way of cultivating plants without having to use soil.

In hydroponics gardening, nutrients are directly supplied to the roots of the plants. These nutrients, commonly known as hydroponics nutrients, plant food, or fertilizers for soilless gardening, are first dissolved in water before feeding them to the plants.

Pretty amazing, isn't it?

Just imagine breeding different flowers or cultivating a vegetable garden without having to clash with the soil. Hydroponics gardening means not having to worry about some of the basic concerns of a typical grower.

In hydroponics gardening, you'll never have to worry if the water for your plant was too much or too little. You don't have to worry if how much fertilizer you are going to use or when to use fertilizers in the first place.

Hydroponics gardening alleviates you from the laborious work of weeding and nurturing the soil for the right quality and makeup. Best of all, you no longer have to worry about how much plot to provide for every plant through hydroponics gardening.

Normally, a grower has to consider the space for each plant so as to steer clear of food and water competition. This is such a mind-numbing work because you have to check every now and then for water retention, pest, and weeds. But with hydroponics gardening, everything is as easy as 1-2-3.

Hydroponics gardening is very straightforward. There's nothing complicated about its process. There's no technical term to remember, no scientific theories to ponder, no fuss, and no worries. Beginner and professional farmers alike will find no difficulty in hydroponics gardening. In fact it's not even a new approach in gardening.

Hydroponics gardening has long been used as a research procedure for more than a hundred years now. But it was not until 1929 that the practicality of hydroponics gardening for growing viable produce was determined through experiments.

Nowadays, hydroponics gardening is already a part of most modern home gardens and commercial planting operations in some countries like the United States.

The basic concept of hydroponics gardening is that plants can be developed closer together than in a typical crop growing in the field. This, in turn, increases harvests at the same time farmers get to practice multiple cropping.

Basically, plants that grow in soil have bigger roots in order to search for water and food. In hydroponics gardening, plants grow smaller roots, thus saving more space and impeding competition.

Moreover, plants will grow healthier in hydroponics gardening because plant food dissolved in water is fed directly to the roots. This will enable the plant to concentrate more on growing the upper portion.

So, for growers who still don't know the feasibility of hydroponics gardening, you'll be losing more than you know. Hydroponics gardening can offer more practical reward than just easy gardening. In fact, many people who are already engaged in hydroponics gardening find it relatively a worthwhile hobby. Others find it as a great way of managing plant displays inside their home.

Indeed, nothing beats the gloom of pouring rain than a lovely bunch of bright, colorful flowers without the hassle of soil management inside your home. It's having a home that's close to nature.

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