Moon Phase Gardening
Gardening by Moon Phases is one of the oldest activities of humankind, and it is still one of the most rewarding and least complicated. But even though this universal pastime is pleasant and simple once you know what you're doing, a helping hand or bit of advice at the start can save disappointment.
If you've never turned a spadeful of earth (or even if you've gardened for years by rule of thumb), it is important for you to understand the soil underfoot: what it's composed of, how to improve it, how to water it and add nutrients for good plant growth.
Once you've dealt, literally, with the groundwork, you can delve into special techniques such as sowing seeds, growing cuttings, and soil amendments. You can learn how to be a wise nursery shopper, and how to get your plant off to a good start after you bring it home.
Learn such specialties as outdoor gardening in containers, indoor plants, vegetable gardening, flowering plants, and basic trees and shrubs. Purchase a special gardening glossary which interprets some of the special gardening jargon that old hands like to toss around in conversation.
Learn your garden fundamentals. You'll find it comes in handy from the day you choose your first spade to the time later on when you may decide to try your hand at something more challenging.
How to Cultivate Your Green Thumb
Approach gardening as an exhilarating adventure! You are going to create beauty with living plants that grow and change from day to day, and month to month, as you watch and aid. This is exciting, fascinating and satisfying.
There are no hard and fast rules to make things difficult, just some general, helpful ones. Let the following be your guide to optimizing your moon phase gardening. Study basic gardening techniques, plants you should know and understand the basic how and why of growing them.
Tips for Beginners
The following conclusions and advice are based on the observations of many gardeners who like you were once novices in the garden.
Don't get into emotional knots about gardening. Enjoy it!
Don't be too ambitious the first year or so, while you develop your skill. Take on just a little at a time.
Beware of impulse buying. Make a plan, and know why you need a plant and where you're going to put it before you start shopping.
Get the basic plants in first, working on a long-term plan. The first to go in should be your major shade trees.
Remember that plants develop rapidly. Shrubs and trees will grow large sooner than you think.
Don't plant bulbs and other flowers in a long single-file row. They'll look better in groups.
Keep a notebook of suggestions to yourself about what you want to plant where, dates to do things, and dates you have done them.
You must thin annuals. Otherwise they will stretch up and become lanky.
Get ideas by visiting other gardens. Drive about to see what is in bloom each week.
Learn identification of plants by sending for illustrated seed and nursery catalogues.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Garden Aids And Tools
Basic Garden Tools
With a handy supply of primary garden aids, you won't be constantly thwarted by commonplace tasks, such as digging a hole or cutting a twig just when the moon is in the proper phase. If you're in doubt as to those tools you would like, try out some of your neighbor's tools. But don't be a permanent borrower; it's bad for everyone's disposition.
Tools can be bought at garden supply, department or hardware stores and at some lumber yards. Shop carefully for your first garden tools and be sure to only buy quality tools. Good tools should last for many years.
You'll need as a minimum :
A spade or long-handled shovel for digging holes to place large plants.
A spading fork for turning over and loosening soil. (You'll find there are "ladies' sizes" available for both spade and fork.)
A trowel for digging holes for small plants, mixing soil, and innumerable other small chores. My preference is for a sharp-pointed one similar to a small mason's trowel, because it's useful for cultivating, too. Those with slightly rounded sides, like miniature shovels, are excellent for digging small plants and making holes in which to place them.
A rake for smoothing soil that's been dug, and tidying up messes.
A hoe for cultivating and weeding.
Hand pruners for pruning small size growth and picking flowers. These should be of good quality and should fit your hand and grip. Try out several at the store.
A watering can and/or garden hose
Buy your tools a little at a time
If you follow your hunches, and buy the most familiar tools-shovel, rake, and hoe-you'll be right. But how about all the other tools offered? Actually, most of these were originally introduced to do specific agricultural jobs, but sometimes a home gardener found other functions for one or two of them, or the manufacturer altered a tool's design to fit the home gardener's needs.
The asparagus knife, for example, makes a dandy weeder, and the Warren hoe, originally designed for making furrows and for seeding operations, is now used more in home gardens for cultivating around shrubs. These are things that you will learn as you go along. So, start your tool collection sparingly and build it up as your needs become apparent.
Quality counts
When you buy garden tools, get the very best you can afford. A top quality product, if properly taken care of, will last you through most of your gardening years.
Don't buy any tool until you have checked it over thoroughly. Lift and swing the piece of equipment around a bit to test its weight and proper balance. A man-sized hoe may be just right for you but too heavy for anyone else in the family. How about handle length?
You may feel that a long-handled spade or fork is easier to wield. (It's a good idea to take along all the gardening members of the family when you're out buying garden tools.) Try the grip on all small hand tools. Get the one that "feels right" in your hand. Armed with the proper gardening tools you are ready to start your garden.
With a handy supply of primary garden aids, you won't be constantly thwarted by commonplace tasks, such as digging a hole or cutting a twig just when the moon is in the proper phase. If you're in doubt as to those tools you would like, try out some of your neighbor's tools. But don't be a permanent borrower; it's bad for everyone's disposition.
Tools can be bought at garden supply, department or hardware stores and at some lumber yards. Shop carefully for your first garden tools and be sure to only buy quality tools. Good tools should last for many years.
You'll need as a minimum :
A spade or long-handled shovel for digging holes to place large plants.
A spading fork for turning over and loosening soil. (You'll find there are "ladies' sizes" available for both spade and fork.)
A trowel for digging holes for small plants, mixing soil, and innumerable other small chores. My preference is for a sharp-pointed one similar to a small mason's trowel, because it's useful for cultivating, too. Those with slightly rounded sides, like miniature shovels, are excellent for digging small plants and making holes in which to place them.
A rake for smoothing soil that's been dug, and tidying up messes.
A hoe for cultivating and weeding.
Hand pruners for pruning small size growth and picking flowers. These should be of good quality and should fit your hand and grip. Try out several at the store.
A watering can and/or garden hose
Buy your tools a little at a time
If you follow your hunches, and buy the most familiar tools-shovel, rake, and hoe-you'll be right. But how about all the other tools offered? Actually, most of these were originally introduced to do specific agricultural jobs, but sometimes a home gardener found other functions for one or two of them, or the manufacturer altered a tool's design to fit the home gardener's needs.
The asparagus knife, for example, makes a dandy weeder, and the Warren hoe, originally designed for making furrows and for seeding operations, is now used more in home gardens for cultivating around shrubs. These are things that you will learn as you go along. So, start your tool collection sparingly and build it up as your needs become apparent.
Quality counts
When you buy garden tools, get the very best you can afford. A top quality product, if properly taken care of, will last you through most of your gardening years.
Don't buy any tool until you have checked it over thoroughly. Lift and swing the piece of equipment around a bit to test its weight and proper balance. A man-sized hoe may be just right for you but too heavy for anyone else in the family. How about handle length?
You may feel that a long-handled spade or fork is easier to wield. (It's a good idea to take along all the gardening members of the family when you're out buying garden tools.) Try the grip on all small hand tools. Get the one that "feels right" in your hand. Armed with the proper gardening tools you are ready to start your garden.
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